Bes could very much guarantee that this woman was not pleased with the situation presented to her. Even though they could not understand each other, her gestures proved to be an indicator of how upset, how nervous, she was. And her displeasure made him feel somewhat accomplished, especially when the colour from her already pale complexion drained even more.

She knew that something was going to happen but what that something was, was a complete mystery to her. Only he and the Royal Court knew of the ritual that was to take place within moments. The ritual itself would not cause any bodily harm, however, that did not mean that she would not feel the effects of the spell.

To be able to understand the woman's tongue was something that excited Bes. And yet a sliver of trepidation struck the young King. Why had the woman come to Egypt? Was she there to try and overthrow him and become the next ruler of Egypt? He almost laughed aloud at the ridiculous thought. A woman ruling Egypt? The Gods themselves would fall first.

Though he couldn't help but wonder, if she was from another time and place, surely she had heard or read of him, he was a King, he had to be known in ages to come, so why had she attacked him in the desert? Did she think such disrespect would not be met with punishment? Even if she claimed to not know who he was such acts could not be tolerated or else he would be seen as weak. And that he could not allow.

He pushed those thoughts back as new ones surfaced as he watched the nervousness and fear grow in the woman's eyes as his guards placed her in the center of the room. Was this woman not familiar with the spells and other magical rituals that were used in these lands? Did her people not believe in magic? Did they no longer practice the old rites? As Bes studied her, he noticed how her light coloured eyes scanned around her with fear, anger, and confusion etched into her features.

His thoughts on the matter ceased when he met the gaze of Amun, who was waiting, seeking permission to begin the ritual. Bes waved his hand, being attentive as the Court joined hands, their eyes closing underneath their darkened hoods. Their voices were low, yet audible.

Oh mighty Gods Please heed our cry This soul from the future requires thy touch To understand our tongue. Break free from the barrier that keeps us in the darkness. Let thy understand.

Golden white tendrils lifted up from the stone beneath their feet. The woman whimpered, trying to escape, but even she knew that her attempt was in vain as there was nowhere to run. Her eyes closed tightly as the wisps encircled her, twisting and twining about her, until they completely enveloped her.

Bailey cried out, cringing as a strong wave of nausea washed over her. A massive headache started to form behind her eyes, causing her legs to buckle beneath her and she landed on her knees with a sickening crunch. What the hell was going on? Were those strange people in robes using some sort of nerve agent?

Oh, God! She thought, tears forming in her eyes. I'm going to die in this place.

No one would know where she had gone.

No one would even know where to look for her or what had ever happened to her.

Placing a shaky hand on the ground she tried to steady herself, but the pain and nausea increased tenfold as her body, no longer having the energy to hold her upright, collapsed to the ground. She moaned, curling in on herself.

From where he stood Bes could hear the woman's laboured breathing and wondered if she would have the strength to remain conscious throughout the process. This was not an easy feat to endure. He had witnessed many rituals performed in this sanctum and nearly all of those whom had spells cast upon them had suffered similarly as the strange woman was suffering now.

And each of them had fallen unconscious.

This woman on the other hand was enduring it all.

He cringed when he heard the woman retch. Now that was something he was not expecting and he couldn't stop the pang of guilt that made its way to his heart. It clenched painfully in his chest.

It was a confirmation that this woman was not accustomed to magical practices. Which, to him, was absurd. But he reminded himself of the fact that she was not born of their time and he was certain that the customs where she had come from would be far different than of their own.

Not that he had any concerns regarding that. Wherever she was from did not matter. She was in his kingdom now and he was certain that he would make her succumb to the great power of the customs of his people.

Bes' attention was drawn back to the woman upon hearing an angered growl coming from her. That is when he took note of one the two guards who had brought her into the room was now holding the her in a firm grip as she tried to lash out at them. The guards, of course, were simply stronger than she, though it seemed to take her several moments to come to that same conclusion.

The Pharaoh smiled upon seeing that the woman still possessed that fiery spirit of hers, though he said nothing while observing another of his guards pulling out his whip and bringing it down hard on the woman's exposed skin.

She cried out in both pain and anger. "I dare you to do that again, bastard!"

Bes was pleased to see that the ritual had worked and silently held up his hand for the guards to cease their punishments. The guard allowed his hand to fall back to his side, attaching the whip to his belt. Standing from his seat Bes made his way down the steps, towards her, stopping a foot or so away from her.

"Who are you and where are you from girl?"

The woman's expression changed drastically and she looked at Bes with a look of pure disbelief and hatred. "Oh, so now you speak fucking English, eh? Ain't that grand! Thanks so much for making me look like a complete fool."

Bes held in his temper, biting his tongue, his gaze darkened in fury at her words. Who did she think she was to speak in such a way to the King of Egypt?

The guard still holding her jarred her roughly. "You will show respect to the Pharaoh at all times, wench."

She scoffed, rolling her eyes as her furious gaze was soon cast upon him. "Pharaoh?" She questioned, brows raised. Her gaze turned back to Bes as she studied him for a brief second. "You're dumber than you look if you think, even for a moment, that I'm going to show even the slightest amount of respect to this psychotic nutcase."

Bes' anger snapped and he slapped the woman hard across the face. Her head snapped to one side and she was breathing hard as she tried to regain her composure. Her eyes blazed with barely restrained anger.

"Who do you think you are to disrespect the chosen voice of the Gods?!"

"And who do you think you are to disrespect someone who wasn't doing a damned thing before you decided it'd be a good idea to whip her like a lap dog?" She growled out.

"I am the Pharaoh of these lands and I decide to lives and who meets their deaths." He smirked, watching as her expression changed for a split second. "I highly advise that you

start taking the orders of those around you. And, with that, I demand to know who you are and where you are from."

Bailey took a couple of deep breaths in order to calm herself before she spoke. "I'm Bailey DuMont and I'm from America."

"Your name is the strangest I have ever heard." Bes paused for a moment before remembering that this woman was from the future. "And I have never heard of this America. How far is it away from my kingdom?"

"Well, the name isn't something that you hear every day." Bailey gave a half laugh, shaking her head. "Anyway, who the hell are you? 'Cause this must be one hell of a sick joke if you don't know where America is. Not to mention you're taking this whole Pharaoh thing too far..."

"I am Pharaoh Bes, ruler of Egypt, son of King Kharanuhanum and Queen Nefertiri." Bes exchanged slightly concerned glances with Amun, who was watching from where he stood, as the woman gave a near hysterical bout of laughter. They observed as the woman, now known as Bailey, began ranting on about something called a TV show named 'Candid Camera'.

Clearing his throat, Bes laid a firm hand on Bailey's shoulder, resulting in her snapping her head up and looking at him. "I assure you that this is not some sort of sick joke as you put it. This is very much real and you are going to be impressed to find out where you are."

She gave him a droll stare; "Really? The last time I checked I was in Egypt."

Bes was beginning to become quite irate with this woman's attitude and soon she was going to witness his temper. "You are getting a warning considering what has happened. However, your attitude is not warranted and my guards will not hesitate to kill you if you continue on with your disrespect."

She huffed, shaking her head, still not taking what was being said to heart. "Yeah? And you're holier-than-thou attitude is pissing me off, Bes."

It was then that Bes' calm demeanour snapped. "That is enough, woman! Guards, take her to the dungeons until she knows her place and how to speak to those of higher authority and if she does not..." He smirked, pausing as the guards grabbed her roughly by the arms in which she cursed at them, struggling to get free. "And if she disrespects you, or gives you any sort of difficulty, you have my permission to kill her."

That made the woman's mad attempts to break free cease immediately but her light coloured eyes held a fiery rage in them as they led her away from the ritual room.

7g