The Scribe's voice droned on as he recited his report for the daily activities of Waset. His voice was nasal and whistled through his nostrils everytime he paused for breath. He again launched into a list of granary counts, cattle and oxen herds, land use permits and on and on. Lotus could barely concentrate.

Could they teach these men to be interesting at the Scribe school? Lotus thought, flicking a dead fly from her ornate cedar desk.

The sounds of trumpets blared into her thoughts and startled her. "Make way!" a voice cried from outside. "The King, Lord of Two Lands has arrived."

Lotus struggled to her feet, wincing at the pain in her leg. The throbbing reminded her the healing was slow and she limped over to the entry of her office. Her startled scribe started blustering over the trumpets trying to finish his report before the arrival of the King.

"Be gone!" Lotus dismissed his impatiently.

"But my report..." he whined.

Lotus glared at him and he bustled from the room as if Set himself were on his tail.

The doors burst open with great fanfare as retainers, sandal bearers and slaves entered, followed by Lord Toman and a magnificant specimen of a man. Lotus looked at him appreciately, forgetting for a moment he was a god. She had never had the opportunity to gaze upon the man who would be Pharoah one day. And a sight he was to behold.

"Nomarch Lotus Horemheb, may I introduce Prince Ramesses, my nephew." Toman interrupted her thoughts.

"Your nephew?" Lotus sputtered, kneeling to the ground, wincing at the pain seering up her leg. "That's surprising, considering... Lord Toman."

Ramesses motioned to a servant to help Lotus to her feet. "Are you alright?" he inquired.

"Yes, fine." She replied absently. "I've had a recent injury no thanks to your uncle. It's still healing." She rubbed her thigh self consciously.

"My uncle?" Ramesses raised an inquiring brow.

"It's not important," Toman blustered, ushering his nephew away from the Nomarch. "We must move on, Ramesses! There is much to see still before you return to Avaris." Toman's voice faded as they left Lotus' office.

Lotus felt a firm hand on her shoulder. Baaiti stood next to her, almost physically holding her up. Damn that woman! Lotus thought. I never hear her come up!

"Are you alright?" Baaiti asked quietly.

Lotus nodded. "Did you see him?"

"Yes," Baaiti replied. "I did."

"He's beautiful." Lotus said, awestruck. "Just beautiful."