Kai

The horizon trembles in a scorching haze. The sands of the Libyan desert stretch to the edge of vision—golden-yellow dunes frozen in perpetual motion. Only the occasional thorny bush or scattering of wind-polished stones can be seen.

Around the bend of a dry wadi, on the border between the desert and the Nile Valley, a green strip shimmers—palms, reeds, and cultivated fields. Above them rises an ancient riverside city: adobe houses, temple walls inscribed with hieroglyphs, an avenue of sphinxes leading to pylons with gilded caps. Fishing boats and barges laden with goods line the quays.

On a hill stands the pharaoh's palace, surrounded by a wall with towers. The white limestone walls sparkle against the ochre-colored buildings. At the entrance are two statues of the pharaoh enthroned, with a crown and scepter. In the courtyard is a garden with palm trees, pomegranates, and a pond with white lotuses, a colonnade with capitals painted in azure and gold.

To the west, the sands change color—from yellow to orange, purple, and deep crimson. The stars come out, and the sunset's reflections play on the gilded details of the palace. Lights come on in the city, and voices and the sounds of prayer can be heard. The desert remains endless and mysterious.

You were sent to the palace to serve the senior concubine. You stood among the other candidates, nervous and trying to hold yourself up straight.

The concubine walked through the hall: translucent kalasiris flowed down to her ankles, a necklace of gold, lapis lazuli and turquoise sparkled, bracelets jingled, a diadem with a uraeus cobra glittered.

Her gaze caught on you as you lowered your head.

“Everyone is free except you,” she said in a low voice. “You will stay here.”

The rest left the hall.

“Take him to wash and get dressed,” she ordered the servant.

You left with the servant. That evening, walking down the corridor, examining the friezes and mosaic floors, you bumped into a tall man in regal robes—the pharaoh himself. He turned around, his face contorted with anger, drew his sword, and pressed the blade to your neck.

"Who are you?" his voice boomed, echoing off the walls.