Attempting to escape from the palace of a Pharaoh with a reputation of being a cruel and merciless king was probably not the brightest of ideas that she had ever come up with. Not to mention that it was, more than likely, a futile one.

However, she had to find out if there was any way for her to return to the 21st Century. She had to try.

Her footsteps slowed as she got halfway down a corridor and she leaned against the wall, catching her breath as she looked to either side of her, up and down the corridor, she listened for anything that may indicate that someone was up. That she wasn't alone as she seemed to be.

She heard and saw nothing.

As she took the moment to rest her mind went over the questions that she had been pointedly ignoring until that very moment. So, even if she did manage to escape the confined walls of the palace, just what exactly would she do? Where would she go? It wasn't as if she could phone Shala or Kahryn. Her phone certainly wasn't going to work in Ancient Egypt.

And, just what exactly would she do if she couldn't go back?

True realization hit her when she fully took in at when she was. It was surreal. She was in Ancient-freaking-Egypt!

"I see that guards will be necessary to be with you at all times."

Bailey's breath caught in her throat, her blood running cold as it did so. Slowly, she turned, coming face-to-face with Bes, who stood a few feet away from her, his arms crossed over his chest.

How did she not hear him?

She huffed, copying his stance. "You know, it's funny, but if you were in my position I bet you'd do anything to find a way home, am I right?"

"I would after I had done my research on where and when I was. You, on the other hand, are a stubborn and impatient fool who's yet to take in the severity of the actions in which you were trying to accomplish in escaping the palace. Tell me, have you any place in mind to go, have you even given it any true thought?" Bes asked and nodded when her silence gave him enough of an answer. Taking a few steps closer he clasped his hands in front of him. "Bailey, you are like the rarest jewel to ever grace these lands. The almighty

Gods have graciously given us your presence, for a reason we have yet to determine, but you keep trying to defy their will."

Bailey averted her gaze to the floor, voice quiet as she spoke. "I already told you what I thought of that."

"Woman, this is what I believe, as well as every member of my court and my people. Are you denying our beliefs?"

Bailey was beginning to feel even more agitated with the man. He was insufferable! "No. Definitely not. That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I don't know the answer to that." She confessed, shaking her head and giving him a shrug. "I...highly doubt I'll ever be able to figure it out."

"What can I offer in order to guarantee you stay here?" Bes inquired after a moment of silence between them.

"Why would you want me to?"

"You have captured my curiosity," He admitted. "I've taken the liberty of meeting many a woman over the summers, Bailey, but none have intrigued me as you have. I want to learn more."

"Basically I am to be a caged pet?"

"No. With guards with you at all times you will be permitted to roam freely about the palace and its grounds."

"Kind of sounds like the same thing."

His nostrils flared, she was ruffling his feathers and she knew it. She yelped, quickly finding herself pinned between his muscular arms on either side of her. "These lands are treacherous as they are filled with murderers and pillagers who will not hesitate to kill in order to obtain something or someone of high value." He looked at her pointedly. "Such as yourself. You must heed these words with caution."

Bailey gave a heavy sigh. "Look, Bes, I honestly am grateful to you for showing concern and giving me this but I cannot stay here. Please understand this. Besides, I do know how to defend myself if the situation so arises."

She figured, even if it had only been a small handful of self-defence classes, which she had taken back in her freshman year of college, her training still counted for something. Even if she could only really recall half of what she had learned.

"Enough of this nonsense!" He snapped. "Or else I will have you executed."

There's the nutcase again, Bailey thought, refraining from saying anything further, in case her words caused him to turn his idle threat to action. Instead she bit her tongue. Her annoyance and frustration, she knew, showed clearly in her features as she looked ahead of her.

"It is for your own good."

Yeah, sure it was.

"Now, I shall ask again, what will it take to convince you to remain in the palace?" Bes commanded of her, his voice thick with authority.

Dark brown eyes bore into her hazel ones for a few minutes before she broke down and answered. "Find me a way home."

"Are all women from your time as stubborn as you?" He asked, pulling away from her slowly.

She shrugged. "Most. Not all."

"Consider your request granted." Bes sighed, feeling his head hurt. This...this woman was absolutely infuriating at times. He turned to leave, but stopped. "A servant will be sent to escort you to the dining hall. Later, after a meeting with the King of Nubia, I will personally give you a tour of the palace. Please do not be late."

Patience, Bailey realized, seemed to not be a virtue in this time period. Then again, in the 21st Century, no one seemed to possess patience either. Bailey couldn't talk as she barely had any patience of her own to begin with and wasn't really surprised when what little she had left her completely. Gritting her teeth in annoyance she came to a lame attention, a mock salute following in its wake. "Yes, sir!"

Shaking his head, Bes didn't dignify her foolishness with a comment as he headed down the hall. Bailey dropped her hand and sighed.

Some people needed to learn how to let loose, even a little bit. Or, perhaps, they just chose to be oblivious.

Leaning against the wall, Bailey slid down to the floor, barely reacting as her bare legs made contact with the coolness of the stone floor.

It was then that she allowed her mind to wander, not bothering to keep track of time. At that moment she could really care less if she was late for anything. In a way she felt like a prisoner, a caged animal at the zoo where people would gawk and talk about her.

She was a stranger in a land, and time, not her own.

Scenarios of which she could very well find herself in played through her mind before her thoughts turned to her parents.

If they were in the same situation she currently found herself in what would they do?

She could just imagine it now as a smile overtook her features. Her mother, being a historian geek would jump at the very chance to be in her shoes. To be able to witness things as they unfold, to learn about the culture, religion, traditions. Everything. Her father, on the other hand, would be reluctant to believe in such a thing at first and would hide his excitement. With being a high ranking soldier in the United States Army it wouldn't surprise her in the least if he would want to learn everything there was to learn about their military. Strategy. Training. Tactics. Their skills in combat. Anything and everything.

She sighed, the smile she wore slowly faded as homesickness washed over her like a tidal wave would the shore. She swallowed hard in an attempt to rid herself of the painful lump that had formed in her throat.

Taking deep breaths Bailey tried to keep her composure intact but knew she was failing miserably as her resolve slowly disintegrated and she began to silently sob, her shoulders shaking as tears trickled down her face.

She had no idea how long she sat there, crying, but she was brought back to reality when a hand touched her shoulder. She threw her head back, eyes wide, and she watched a young girl step back hastily.

"I...I apologize for startling you, miss." The girl spoke quickly, stuttering in the process. "It will not happen again."

Bailey rubbed at her eyes, removing the remaining tears, as she stood up. "No need to apologize. What can I do you for, uh?"

"Kahlun, miss." The younger girl bowed slightly. "I was ordered to escort you to the morning meal. Please, miss, if you would follow me."

"Thank you, Kahlun." As they walked, Bailey studied the girl before her, curiosity spiking. "Do you mind me asking some questions?"

Kahlun looked up at her, clearly surprised but she nodded regardless. "Not at all, miss. What would you like to know?"

"How old are you?"

"Merely seven summers, miss."

"And they have you working here?" She shouldn't have been surprised, knowing exactly where and when she was, but to see it happen right before her very eyes was a different matter altogether. "Where are your parents, Kahlun?"

A saddened look crossed the girl's face, her eyes cast downward. "My parents are no longer alive. Pillagers robbed and killed them. I had lived with my Uncle for half a summer before he sold me and two of my older sisters to the Pharaoh as his servants."

She just couldn't fathom it. Children were forced to give up their entire childhood, their lives, in order to serve those who were perfectly capable of doing things themselves. Anger, disbelief, and pity flashed through her.

Bailey swallowed, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. What sort of games do you play? You and the others?"

A puzzled expression crossed her features. "Games? We are not permitted to do such, miss."

"You're kidding me?" Bailey asked, feeling aghast. "You're telling me that you kids aren't allowed to do anything fun?"

Kahlun nodded after a moment's hesitation. "That is correct, miss. We must be available whenever our Pharaoh or a nobleman or woman request our presence."

"That is complete and utter bullshit." Bailey exclaimed, her voice rising an octave. "I think I'm going to have a small chat with your King. You guys are just children and should enjoy your childhood as much as you can."

"No!" Kahlun exclaimed, her dark eyes wide with fear. "Please, miss. 'Tis not necessary to worry yourself over the likes of someone of our status."

"You're too young to be worrying about other people when they are more than capable of doing it themselves, Kahlun." They stopped just short of the corridor leading to the dining hall. "Please allow me to talk to him. Don't worry, kiddo. I won't bring up your name. I'll just say that it was something that I had noticed."

Kahlun gave a small sigh, knowing well that the older woman was not going to be persuaded into doing anything but. As wonderful as her thoughts may be, she highly doubted that her words could do much but anger the young King. "As you wish, miss."

Bailey didn't miss the hesitance in Kahlun's voice.

"Do you really not want me to talk to him about it?"

Kahlun didn't answer right away as they slowly walked towards the double doors of the dining hall. "It's not that I don't want you to, miss. I, as well as the other servants would be greatly appreciative of your endeavours, but that is what it has been like for generations. The King, as well as many of higher status, do not hold servants and slaves in high regards."

Bailey nodded, contemplating on what she should do. "Alright. For now, I will not utter a word, but if I see or hear anything that may put you all at risk I will not hesitate to call out your King for his so called rules."

Kahlun could only nod. "Yes miss."

They stopped in front of the dining hall doors and Kahlun opened them, allowing Bailey to step through. Once she did she saw an array of different fruits, meat, bread, and pitchers of beer laid out all across the long table. Bailey felt her face heat up, realizing that there were around fifteen occupants at the table and their chatter died instantly as their attention focused on her.

"Girl!" Mahina, from what Bailey could remember, barked angrily at Kahlun who stiffened but did not cower when the Royal Court member angrily strode up to where they were. "You were ordered to bring the woman here on time, and you couldn't do a simple task as that. How stupid can you be?"

Bailey growled, deciding to step in, snapping at the other woman. "You are a bitch, has anyone ever told you that? How dare you treat a child like that? God, I feel bad for any children that you may have. And, for your own information, I am the one who kept her from carrying out her duty as I don't know how to shut my damned mouth. Plus she had to go all the way to the garden entrance to find me, so if you're gonna blame anyone, you're going to have to blame me."

Bes, who was surprisingly quiet throughout the exchange interrupted. "That is quite enough. Servant you are dismissed." His brown eyes turned their attention to her. "We have wasted enough time, as it is. Bailey join us. You must be famished."

Bailey resisted the urge to snort as she ignored Mahina and walked over to where he was pointing and sat down, not speaking unless spoken to. It wasn't as if she didn't want to speak to anyone, truthfully, she just was too preoccupied with her own thoughts and before she knew it, people were starting to trickle out of the room. The only ones who now occupied it were the Pharaoh, Bailey, Mahina, and a few others.

Bailey sighed, "Please excuse me."

Without waiting for a reply she got up and headed towards the balcony and leaned against the railing, closing her eyes contently as she felt the morning rays of the sun dance upon her face.

It was only a few mere moments before she noticed that she was no longer alone. She turned her head to see Mahina standing a few feet away from her, hands clasped in front of her. "May I join you?"

"Fill your boots."

"Such strange sayings you posses," Mahina commented lightly, walking to stand beside her as they both looked out towards the kingdom below. The awkward silence could've been cut with a knife, it was so thick, and Bailey wanted nothing more than to break it. Apparently Mahina wanted it broken to as she was the first to speak. "I am sure you are well aware with the fact that I am not overly fond of you as you treat our King poorly as well as your blatant disrespect to all those who are of higher status than you."

Before Bailey could even give a smartass comeback of her own Mahina continued. "However, I am here to warn you. You are treading in dangerous waters, Bailey DuMont. You know naught of what your actions may unleash in this time, nor yours, or this Kingdom. I suggest you tread carefully or else you may very well end up in the afterlife."

"Is that some sort of threat?" Bailey asked slowly, her eyes turning to look at the woman, studying her.

"Fear not, it is not a threat," Mahina replied. "I am just looking out for your well-being."

"Well," Bailey began, feeling more and more agitated by the woman. "As soon as I find myself a way out of this hellhole I will be sure to leave and never return. Until then, how about this, I worry about myself as you can worry about yourself and we stay out of each other's way. Okay?"

"Make certain that you do."