Chapter I : Twins

 

     As the sun sets on the other side of Memphis, leaving a light beam on the hills around, the twins are studying in a small hall along with their teacher, Master Ash. Golden light broke through the window hole, illuminating lime-green granite floor with a beautiful mosaic. "Why Kingdom Thebes where located on peninsula did not cooperate with Kingdom Nebnefer?" asked Len, hand chin resting. "Though this two kingdoms are most visit by merchant ships. Also there are many ports, should be utilize to the maximum."

     His twin sister, Rin, shrugging. Since the beginning she was not interested in a trade. As a girl who stepped on adolescence, Rin didn’t want to bother the subjects considered complicated. She liked the lessons of art, architecture, language, and drugs. Still, they were required to get the same education, except for the war.

     "Because Kingdom Thebes think can feed their peoples without cooperate with Kingdom Nebnefer. But someday Kingdom Thebes would have been willing to cooperate, Young Master. Because some merchant ships calling at their ports lately hit robbed of sea pirates," Master Ash replied firmly, hide the fact that this is because Kingdom Nebnefer too greedy.

     Len nodded in agreement while making notes on a sheet of papyrus that is formed into a small book. Although born twins, Len realized that he is the one who would be king. While Rin will be married to a man who has the same position. Len looked at his sister. They both identical twins with a face and posture almost similar. Egg yolks colored eyes, olive skin and  yellow long hair to shoulder-length. Len tying his hair back, while Rin letting her hair with small ornaments above her left ear.

     "I should make Kingdom Thebes in cooperation with our kingdom," said Len steady.

     Rin shudder, "Len, we still fourteen. Not the time to think about such things."

     "Not yet fourteen years old, but it's been fourteen years. Stop playing around and start thinking about future. I don’t want you to be fooled by your husband later, "Len preparing to argue.    

     But Rin doesn’t want to argue, she locked her jaw. Let the prince who think of future empire. Rin hopes to marry a prince of another empire and became queen there.

     "Enough ...." Master Ash tried to mediate. "Now collect your papyrus that contains task  yesterday."

     The twins moved from the seat and handed each of two sheets of papyrus to their teacher. Last night it was done together even though Rin often complain how difficult it is to understand politics from time to time.

     "I hope tonight no task, Master Ash. Because I have to study literature and Len learn tactics of war," said Rin, given nod of approval by her brother.

     Master Ash chuckled, "Well Princess. Tomorrow I will await the results of your study and Young Master’s study."

     "See you tomorrow Master Ash." Len had taken a few steps when Rin got up from his chair. Outside the door, two guards ready to deliver them to their rooms prior to the Main Hall for dinner.

     "Do you know Rin, I began to feel uncomfortable with guards who always follow us even in the palace." 

     Rin wink, know exactly what is meant by her twin brother. "Are you still planning to visit the brothel?" Rin whispered very softly until only she and Len who can hear.

     "It couldn’t if the guards still with us all the time," said Len softly, Rin giggled.

     Their bed rooms located in the left building of palace. Ornaments and paintings in their bed rooms are same, which distinguishes fragrance. Rin’s room scented flowers or herbs, while Len’s room scented fruits. Their room windows facing east, allowing morning sun streaming in in the morning. Sights seen when looking towards the window is a small garden with a fish pond and fountain are located on each side of the seat. Rin loved sitting in the park alone or mingle with waiters.

     Their private maids changing their clothes. Len wear a dark blue robe with gold beads on both sides. His hair still tied horse. Rin wear lime-green dress that fell to the floor. Her hair pulled back, formed in such a way that resemble roses. Red beads in her hair perched clashing if Rin move. 

     Main Hall crowded as usual. Seat shape like letter U with the King and Queen sitting on a throne reserved for royal family. Right and left side is occupied by people who are required to have dinner in the Main Hall.

     King Panahesi be friendly as usual. Royal officials also chat with each other naturally. Dinner is always a luxury is one result of the tax drawn from people with high tariffs.

     "Starting next week fixes a racetrack, theater, and some churches will be implemented. What do you think?" Asked King Panahesi behind his eyes sharp. Light from the lanterns create a glittering crown.

     "I’m sure peoples will love you, Your Majesty," answered the general. The entire room was filled with murmur in agreement.

     "In the future there will be more peoples who come to the racetrack and theater, it will increase income of  kingdom, Your Majesty," said royal advisor.

     "Don’t forget to add sculptures produced by our sculptors," said the Queen, Queen Julia, who loves artwork.

     Panahesi smiled broadly. "It is a plan of my son and daughter, Len and Rin. Don’t they have grown to become wise?"

     Suddenly all eyes were on the twins. Blush appeared on both Rin’s cheeks, stopped her mouthful of pudding. Len smiled as he puffed out his chest, although he had to practice more so that his chest areas.

     "The prince and princess are very discreet and also very intelligent, Your Majesty. Later they will be famous king and queen and will always be remembered," said one high-ranking royal. Now, the room filled with chatter about the twins who will inherit kingdom.

∞∞∞

     The sun shines on the top of sky, sweat flowing from temple the twins who were rushed to the circus, a circular building that used to practice. In the middle of the circus there is a broad field, used for riding and training exercises to fight. Two-storey building surrounded used to practice arts such as dance, sculpture, painting, drama, and so forth. Len and Rin rush to open the height door of marble decorated with peacocks, followed by two guards behind them. 

     "Timely, Prince and Princess Nebnefer," sneered Redulus, their cousin who one year old than them. His hands crossed on his chest, curly brown hair swinging in the wind. Redulus has been dressed to learn to ride.

     "Thanks for your compliment, Redulus," Len tried to smile, "wait here Rin, I'm going to change clothes."

     Rin watched Len’s back. "Is interesting for riding?"

     "Interesting if you not cry while riding on horse’s back," said Redulus, chuckled. Rin pouted and punched her cousin’s stomach. Redulus is a good man despite his words sometimes rough.

     "Where is Master Grid? He usually come first.” Rin’s eyes quest for a coach that teaches riding.

     "He is checking horses to exercise, these days there will be an additional three peoples who learned to ride. That is an additional need three more horses," right index Redulus directed to the stables. "Where your training friends?"

     Rin shrugged, "They must have been in  room. Today we will learn to dance, something that is my specialty. So there is no need to arrive early."

     "Did you play a musical instrument, too?" Redulus’s bright brown eyes implies curiosity.

     "Learning a musical instrument on certain days. But I'd rather dance than to play a musical instrument," said Rin

     “Perhaps you should also stu---"

     "Good afternoon Princess Rin, you seem to be healthy," said Master Grid, coming up with Len and five other youths. Master Grid tall, with brown hair a little long. Four guards took horses to be used for practice.

     "Good afternoon Master Grid. Healthy as it looks," Rin reply greetings, ignoring Redulus clipped speech. "All right, then I will go to my practice room. See you all." Waving his right hand, which was greeted by a wave of the hand of all the peoples present.

     "You and Rin are very similar," said Redulus.

     Len grinned, "Sure, we are twins."

     They ride horses that have been waiting. Len’s horse is dark brown with a mane of long, whereas Redulus’s horse is light brown color with a short mane. The Prince expert in riding horse and riding in chariots. He realized that one day he had to fight to conquer new territories in order to expand his power. Until then, there will be no one can stop.

     "Princess Rin is great..."

     "Her movements are graceful and perfect..."

     "Absolutely as expected from a princess..."

     Rin spun gracefully to make her friends and her teacher fascinated. Dancing is an easy thing for her. The combination of talent with hard work. If she liked something, Rin will pursue it without slightest hesitation.

     "You all can do it. The key is to keep trying and not give up," said their teacher, Master Ashley, giving spirit. Master Ashley is a tall woman with dark hair, she is very satisfied with the achievement of her students over the years.

     "This is all thanks to the training and teaching of Master Ashley," said Rin approved by others.

     "Enough for today, starting tomorrow you have to train harder because you will perform dance in the presence of important guests." Master Ashley teased.

     "Ehhh who will come?"

     "Usually featuring famous dancers and musicians.."

     "W-Why do we have to perform?"

     Master Ashley more tempting, "There will be handsome princes coming."

     The girl's face was flushed. Appearing before the inhabitants of the palace makes shy and nervous, especially if they have to appear in front of guests. Something they had never imagined before.

     "All right, we will be training harder than ever," Rin encouragingly, followed by cries of her friends.

     But her heartbeat makes Rin deaf ears by excited shouts in the vicinity. For the first time she will meet with the princes of other kingdoms. In addition to his brother prince. The tip of her eyes glanced at the chest, begin to grow about two years ago. Will there be a man who saw her as a woman?

∞∞∞