Ancient Hearts

Chapter 3: The Roman Priestess

"Open the gates and move back!"

"Give'em room!"

"Make way!"

"Well this is a nice welcome." Coal said as he padded and scratched his feet and claws on the ground for grip, once on the ground.

Teana looked up from where she was unbuckling her leg harnesses in Coal's saddle, and looked around at the people surrounding them.

The palace guards all looked up at them, and she could see the fear and awe in their eyes. She saw the chamber maids and servants watching them through the windows, seemingly intrigued by their presence.

And then her eyes traveled to the group of regal persons walking toward them.

"The Pharoah and his court." Coal said.

"Mm." Teana replied.

Coal padded softly a few more steps through the crowd before stopping in front of the Pharoah and his court and then waiting for Teana to dismount. Once she had both boot clad feet on the ground, they both turned toward the Pharoah and bowed respectfully.

"Welcome to Egypt." Atem said

"Thank you, Pharoah." Teana replied.

"As requested by the Emperor, one of the stables was renovated for both of you." Atem said.

"Thank you."

Teana looked Coal in the eye for a moment before turning back to the Pharoah and the court.

"Coal requests your permission to project his thoughts to you." Teana said.

"Of course." Atem agreed.

"Thank you greatly for your hospitality, Pharoah." Coal said.

"Of course, anything for such a great ally." He said. "Lord Seto will be your guide while here. We must return to our daily duties but as I said Lord Seto will help you get settle.

Seto nodded in understanding.

Atem and the court, excluding Seto, turned on their heels and headed back into the palace.

When they were gone, Seto turned to Teana. She was looking up at Coal, no doubt speaking to him. He took the moment to observe her person.

She was clad in armor and cape.

Her armor was made of four pieces. The breast and back plate were held together almost seamlessly and was custom fit for all her curves and muscular physique.

The third part of her armor was a leather skirt underneath a ten piece pleated plate skirt, each piece tapering to a point.

The fourth pieces were her boots. The heals were high, no doubt for better grip in the stirrups. They rose high, just under the knees, with a knee cap on each top.

The entire suit of armor was extremely intricate. All black with an intricate design of silver platinum in lay.

The cape on her shoulders was made of a leathery velvet of all black, and had a hood of the back collar.

Hidden under the cape, tethered to her hip was an intricately made sword in black leather sheath. He could only imagine what the actual sword looked like.

Once Seto's observations were complete he looked toward them and waited for them to finish.

As if on cue Teana turned to him.

"Are you ready?" Seto asked. Teana nodded.

Turning on his heels Seto walked toward the back of the palace, Teana and Coal following suit.

Seto led dragon and rider through the long winding path off the east side of the palace. They walked a good twenty minutes through, what looked like a large garden, until they came upon a large wood and stone building.

It was a good three stories high with a dutch roof of shingles. Seto opened the large, barn style sliding doors, big enough for Coal to slip through, and led them in.

Inside it was bigger then she thought. The ceiling was high above them with windows on one side. Above she could see a balcony walk, that was probably a loft for her.

The floor was made of what looked like river stone. She loved river stone, it reminded her of home, back in England. The stone covered the expanse of the large lower level. Near one corner was a large dragon sized nest, a bed for Coal.

"The loft above is your room." Seto explained.

"Thank you." Teana said.

Seto watched her curiously. Her face was a little pale and she seemed to be short of breath.

"Are you feeling alright?" Seto asked.

"Yes, just a little tired." Teana replied.

"Such a bold face liar." Coal murmured.

Teana snapped her head around to glare at Coal. He just stuck his tongue out at her.

Teana turned back toward Seto to see the suspicion on his face.

"It was a long trip, I'm just a little worn out. I'll go lie down for a short time and be fine when I wake. Excuse me." She said walking past Seto and toward the stairs that led up to the loft.

When she was gone Coal called Seto's attention.

"I'm sorry about that. Teana does not like to e fused over." Coal said.

"It's alright, I can understand that, but is she really alright?" Seto asked.

Coal sighed.

"A month ago she had pneumonia." Coal explained. "She's still a little weak from bed rest."

"Will she need anything?" he asked.

"She's a rider, she'll finish healing quite rapidly. A few nights of early turn in and she'll be fine."

"Alright then, If either of you wish to join us for dinner it will be when the sun is at the horizon. If neither of you come, I will have dinner brought out. Also there is a plentiful, and private, game area thirty minutes north of here." Seto explained.

Both said their goodbyes and Seto left.

The savory aroma of fresh cooked meat, stewed vegetables, and warm bread wofted through the large cottage.

Teana slowly opened her eyes to see the large thick wooden beans holding the roof up. The loft was bathed in a warm glowing light eminating from the golden candelabrum.

Slowly she sat up and stretched the kinks out of her shoulders. She yawned and sat back against the large golden head board of her bed.

When she had come up to get away from Coal and Seto earlier she had wasted no time in looking around the room. She'd simply stripped from her armor, set it aside and then dressed in her white cotton sleeping gown.

Now that she was well rested, she took the time to know her surroundings. It was a small room but very luxurious. The bed was large and fluffy, with a golden head board that was intricately carved with a pictogram of the Egyptian gods. There was a small writing desk and chairs to relax in. Three candelabrums stood around the room, one of which she had it before going to bed. A railing stood at the edge of the loft and over looked the floor below where Coal's bed was made. Her personal belongings from Coal's saddle sat together near a shear curtain that separated a simple wash room from the rest of the loft. Off to the left, where the stairs were, the loft floor continued on until it just passed the grouping of windows where a balcony faced the palace.

Teana walked up to the rail of the loft and looked down at the floor below. Coal's bed had a large indent in it, where he had no doubt been lying. His saddle sat next to his nest, neatly laid out and out of the way. She could see all of the lower level from here and could clearly see Coal was not there. He would not go far, she knew, he was to protective of her to leave her alone, in what he considered a weak condition. He was like the older brother she never had, being the oldest of three sisters and all. It was nice, he was her best friend and she was his. He'd always watch out or her, making sure she didn't over work herself, especially after last month, when she caught pneumonia.

It was a small thing really. It had rained one night, while she was out late making her rounds around the city. She had worn her cape for protection and thinking it was enough, she did not bother to protect herself any further.

The next day, she began to cough and sneeze. A fever spiked and she was forced, by Coal, to stay in bed, while he took care of her duties, that he was capable of doing.

The whole thing had driven her mad. She hated being so helpless to something so small. After him, she swore she'd never be a victim again.

With a sigh, Teana pushed the memory away and opened her mind in search of Coal's

Images of sandy ground ending and a lush forest beginning flashed through her mind. It was dark, but thanks to Coal she could see clearly.

"Good evening little one." His rough, yet deep soothing voice echoed through her mind.

"Good evening Coal." She replied.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked

"Much." She replied.

"Good. A servant brought you some food. I told him to leave it out for you." Coal explained.

That explained the smell.

"It did smell wonderful didn't it?" Coal replied. Teana was taken back a little, forgetting they were sharing a mind. "It smelled so wonderful that I took off for the hunting ground Lord Seto had informed me of."

"Ah, I was wondering where you had gotten off to." She said.

"Yes, I'll only be a little while longer though." He replied.

"Take your time my friend. I'm alright here alone." Teana said.

Dragon and rider finished their conversation and then with a burst of imagery depicting love they separated their minds.

Once back in the loft, Teana turned her attention to the rather delicious smelling platter of food sitting on the desk. Pulling up a chair she got comfortable at the desk and began to eat.

A/N: ok, I know the pneumonia seemed a little off topic, but I promise it will make more sense later. Please review

-RED