Neith

Truth Finding

Knowing your own darkness is the best method for dealing with the darkness of other people.

- Carl Jung.

Neith's Pov

The breeze blew by, making my hair get all over my face. It was one of those pleasant evening's that make you all lazy and comfortable doing nothing.

I was sitting under a tree, staring into the beautiful blue sky that was painted in shades of orange and red that had a touch of gold to it. The clouds as white as soft cotton floated in the air with ease adding another layer to this beautifully breathtaking view.

I wished I could take a nap on them. Feel the softness of the cloud on my cheek and letting the wind carry me to some magical place where I would forget my problems.

I sighed, it had been a week since I started my investigation and I seemed to be getting no where. Whoever I asked said the same thing I already knew, that Baba died from a heart problem. When asked how they knew about the it they would say this person told me or that person said so. Non of them said that they knew personally that he was suffering from a weak heart. I found that a little suspicious.

Maybe he didn't want anyone to know since he was the General? Maybe he really did die because of his weak heart?

Of course I didn't tell Ammon about my investigation. He would probably give me an hour lecture on it. But I guess he didn't have that much time now for such things anyway.

Ammon had taken over father's place in the army. He became the General a few days back. At the age of twenty, he was the youngest General in the history of Egypt. The council and the Pharaoh made the decision to pick him.

I was so proud of him. I was sure he would be a great General even if he was so young. I was sure he would make everyone acknowledge him. But I didn't feel like he was too happy about it. I mean if the situation was reversed I don't think I would have been happy taking father's place either, especially not right after his death.

I hadn't practiced or trained since dad's death. It just didn't feel right anymore. Father would always complain about how I was so much like a son that he might forget he had a daughter. But I knew he was proud of me. He knew how much I wanted to join the royal army and not once did he discourage me from following my dream even though everyone else said it was a hopeless cause. He said I could be whatever I wanted. That's probably the reason I never gave up.

I needed to start getting back at it. I couldn't let his support go to waste. Maybe I should start tomorrow or the day after? I let out a deep sigh. Why did he have to leave us so soon?

I just sat under the tree till the sun sank into the ground. Sunsets always seemed to calmed me for some reason. Maybe cause the view was so beautiful or that I could see all of the beauty life seemed to offer at that time. Whatever it was sunsets always seemed to brighten my mood, even if it was just for a few moments.

I returned home a little after the moon was up in the night sky. While preparing dinner my mind wandered.

What should I do? Should I just give up? Was I really imagining things like Ammon said I was?

I was lost in thought when I heard a loud thud. I was jerked back to the real world. Before I could recover I heard Ammon's voice.

"Neith! Where are you?" he yelled so loud, I stood frozen in my tracks. Why did he yell so loudly? I came back to my senses and made my way out of the kitchen and saw him glaring at me. He seemed furious.

I looked confused. Did I do something wrong? Why is he looking at me I just stole his grilled fish sticks?

"What's wrong?" I asked slightly frozen to my spot. He scared me a little but I wasn't gonna show it.

"You... What in Aten's name do you think you're doing?" he yelled at me again. I have never seen him this angry before, and this is the first time he was shouting at me. I tried to recollect if I did something to piss him off so much.

Oh no! Its about my investigation isn't it.

"Why are you going around asking people about father's death?" he roared before I could respond. He was so angry I could see the veins near his eyes bulge.

Ok calm down, you didn't do anything wrong, I told myself as I drew in a deep breath.

"I just asked a few people about Baba's death because I felt like you were trying to hide something about it. That's all," I said calmly although I was freaking out on the inside. For a moment I thought Ammon might explode. His eyes were the size of palm dates, his face so red I worried it would pop. If it was possible hot steam would most probably come out of his ears any second.

"Do you not understand the seriousness of your actions? You could have been killed. Can't you keep your nose out of places you have no business being in," Ammon yelled so loud I felt like I would go deaf if this continued.

Wait what? Did he just say I could have been killed? Why would anyone want to kill me for asking about Baba's death?

"What do you mean get yourself killed?" I asked, confused.

"What are you hiding from me? What really happened to father?" I asked moving closer to him Now its my turn to look angry. So I was right.

Ammon looked blank, like he had just realized what he said. He looked at me unsure of what to say.

"What I meant was do you want to get yourself killed by my fist," he said more softer, holding his fists up.

What a change of tone! He couldn't have fooled a madman with that. He seemed to have slipped up and told me something he shouldn't have. Ha! I caught him red handed.

I knew he wouldn't talk any more regarding this so I decided to play along. Besides I already got what I need.

"Oh, you meant it like that. Anyway I gave up on it cause everyone told the same thing. Guess I was wrong then," I said sighing.

"That's good. I need to get back to work so don't wait up. Eat dinner and go to sleep," he said a bit more pleased and at ease than when he walked in.

"Sure, I will keep the food on the table for you. Don't come too late," I said before hearing the door close softly. He was definitely hiding something, and I knew just the person to ask.

*****************

It was in the early hours of the day. Ammon had already gone off to work, long before I woke up so this made things easier for me.

I got ready as quickly as I could and headed out the door. I was sure this person would know what really happened. The only question was would he help me. I wonder if I could meet him today. After what happened yesterday I knew that this was the only way. If it's him he would know for sure what was actually going on as he knew my father quite well. Plus I knew he wouldn't kill me too. If what Ammon said was true then I had to be careful.

The shortest route to get to where I wanted to go was through the market. There weren't many people so I made it through quite easily which otherwise would have been a tedious job itself. I had to walk for about twenty minutes before I arrived at my destination.

The Palace.

I entered and the first thing I see is this beautiful lush green garden on either sides of the pathway, each decorated with bright colorful flowers. There was a huge marble fountain situated at the centre. The craftsmanship was exquisite. There were countless workers who were either watering the plants, plucking the flowers or doing some kind of manual labor. Even though it was my second time here, I was still awed by the beauty and size of the place.

Baba had bought me and Ammon here once cause I was adamant to see the palace. I remember running everywhere and father panicking when he couldn't find me. That was the last time he ever bought me here. He said I was too distracting and that he couldn't concentrate on his job.

I asked one of the workers where I could meet the man I seeked and followed the directions I was given.

The reason I was here was to meet Abu. It had been a while since I saw him. He didn't come for Baba's funeral either and I had wondered why.

After a while I arrived at his quarter's. Hopefully I was at the right one. I was about to knock when I saw that the door was slightly opened.

Maybe I should just go in?

"Hello?" I asked entering the room slowly. I turned and stopped dead in my track. A man was seated on a bed and that man wasn't Abu. He looked at me with confusion. His eyes held mine.

"Neith?" he asked, his voice low voice and confused. I immediately tensed up.

Oh no! This was bad, very bad. What am I gonna do now?