Of Angels and Demons

Trouble within

The little girl half skipped half ran down the halls of the palace, her long silver hair trailing behind her. Her smile was infectious as she waved at several members of the palace staff. She chased a small wooden horse rolling down the halls on wobbly wheels. As the floor inclined downward the toy picked up more speed. The little girl giggled and pumped her tiny legs faster trying to catch up to the toy. Her blue eyes were concentrated of the toy in front of her and she didn’t see the small group of people walking in her direction. Suddenly the toy stopped, bumping into the legs of a tall intimidating woman. The little girl had gained too much speed and she too knocked into the legs of the woman. The girl fell back onto her bottom and looked up to see what had knocked her down.

The woman was tall and slender. Her face was narrow and sharply angled adding to her terrible personality. Her beady black eyes glared down at the child and her thin lips curled back in a silent snarl. She despised the child and had since she had drawn her first breath. With one swift and malicious movement she lifted a slippered foot stamping it down on the toy effectively crushing it.

Anuxsous tried very hard to hold back the warm salty tears as she watched her favorite toy shatter into splintered pieces. There was no repairing it.

Just then her father, stormed through the doors seething in anger. He had witnessed the entire scene with his own eyes. He strode up to the woman and delivered a ringing slap to her face causing one of her jeweled earrings to go flying. The woman glared at the pair and scooping up the jewelry she took off down the hall. Her entourage following quickly behind her.

Pharaoh scooped his small daughter up and cradled her against him gently and walked outside.

He walked her down to the stables and stopped at one of the birthing stalls. He set her on top of the stall door so she would have a better view of what was inside. Standing in a mass of straw was a small grey colt. He looked directly at her and moved toward her. His nostrils flared as he drew in her scent. He mouthed her bare toes in curiosity before returning to his mother.

“He is yours, my Child.” Pharaoh said to her.

“You will grow strong together.”

Anuxsous smiled and hugged her father. He smiled and lifted her from the stall door. He set her down and encouraged her to run and play. He watched her scramble outside to a small group of servant boys. The group ran off in different directions with one boy chasing closely behind them. Pride swelled in Pharaoh’s chest, his daughter would make a good leader.