Paser
Paser sighed staring out at the waves. Any day now his brother in-law could snap. He could see Paser as a threat to his ruling. He would send someone to do Paser in or have him sent to the front lines with no training and easily be made a target by their enemies. All of the possibilities of his demise sent him into despair. The sound of waves cover the approaching footsteps.
“I have not seen you since the coronation” came a voice. Paser turned quickly unable to hide his fear and inwardly cursing his own stupidity. He had come out here alone with no means to protect himself.
“By the gods Neferure! Do not sneak up on me like that!” he cried. “I thought you were an assassin”
Thankfully no one was around to hear him raise his voice at the newly crowned queen. Had there been guards or worse his brother in-law he would have surely been beaten and jailed. Usually hearing his elder sister’s laugh would have put him at ease but it just made him more upset.
“An assassin? Dear baby brother why would someone try to hurt you?” she questioned once she was able to speak.
“Your new husband hates me! He could very well see me as a threat to his crown!” Paser replied but seeing the disapproving look she gave him and continues quickly to avoid a lecture. “Or someone is trying to get at you! Marrying into royalty is dangerous but you are beloved and no one would hurt you directly! But what better way then to hurt your family”
“Paser you are being dramatic” Neferure sighed. “No one will hurt you, I forbid it and the gods will not allow it”
Sometimes Paser wished he had his sister’s faith in these things. Seeing the unhappiness and worry in her brother’s face the queen made a decision.
“Paser leave now” she commanded. Paser was taken back. Leave and go where? Back to the palace?
“The gods gave you a gift. You have such wonderful skills. You can create monuments and statues and many other beautiful things. You have wanted to travel and see the world and all it has to offer. You can be free of the court politics and the suspicion of people in power” she stated. Paser frowned.
“I could banish you. I have that power now little brother” she joked.
“Neferure…” Paser couldn’t think of what to say. After their parents had passed into Aaru, Neferure was all her had left. He couldn’t imagine a life without his older sister. He didn’t really have a place in the royal court but Neferure had insisted he go with her. She wanted him trained as a scribe or vizier.
He swept her into his arms.
“Thank you Neferure” he would miss seeing her everyday. Sure when she was queen she would not be able spend time with him as much but she was his big sister and she would have made time for him. Paser heard her muffle a sob. Pulled away wiping at her eyes.
“I will make you proud” he swore. She smiled and pressed a pouch of coins into her hands.
“The gods have blessed me by giving me a brother such as you”
Paser spent years traveling. Seeing all that the world had to offer. Traveling by boat was the easiest way to travel for him. On the voyage back to see his sister he found out that the sea could be both the thing that saved him and what doomed him. A storm destroyed his ship and he washed up on an island. He managed to make it to a hut on the island before collapsing.
Once Paser had come to he found out which island his ship had sunken by. He had washed up on Themyscaira. Home of the amazons. The house he had made it to was that of the queen. Hippolyta.
Her reputation was known across the lands. She was a ruthless leader, she would remove anyone who dared to start trouble against her. She would destroy cities before they had the chance to rise against her. Paser found out who she was the hard way.
The queen ordered his execution. He had no chance to argue his case, to prove he meant no harm and that it was an accident. Hippolyta stated no men from the outside world were allowed to set foot on Themyscaira and leave alive. When the sun rose he would be killed.
Paser was thrown into a cell. The hours seemed to creep by slowly, he could not be sure how much longer he had. He found himself wishing for his sister. She would be able to lighten the dire mood and get him out of this trouble, like she always used to. He wouldn’t have to worry about saying a final goodbye. He prayed to the gods that she was safe and happy.
He didn’t bother to look up at the sound of footsteps. A shadow blocked out the torchlight from the hallway. Paser let out a long sigh.
“I suppose it is time then” he grumbled.
“No, it is not time to greet Anubis” Paser looked up at the speaker startled. In these lands he had never heard anyone utter the names of his gods. It was always the Greek ones, like Zeus or Hades. He never prayed to those, he didn’t believe in them. Just as he didn’t believe that Hippolyta was immortal. It was much easier to believe that there were many women names Hippolyta. It would make sense as to why there were so many rumors about her ruling style.
“Follow me” she instructed, turning and walking from the room, not bothering to see if he did.He followed her through the halls until they ended up at a small garden. It was sitting in the middle of the main building. The woman took a seat and gestured for him to sit next to her. He sat next to her.
“I am Sitre” she spoke. “We have a few hours left before Hippolyta returns, you must be gone before then” Paser couldn’t believe his ears. Someone who was willing to help him escape.
“Why would you do this” He interrupted. Not caring at this point if he was being rude or not. He had learned that not everyone who was willing to help him had good intentions. “I have nothing to give you in return” Sitre watched him.
“It is against Ma’at to let anyone suffer who doesn’t deserve it. I do not know how much you have done when you were off the island but your time here, you have done nothing. You haven’t tried to fight back or hurt any of us.” she explained. “I only have one way to get you off the island. Unless of course you wish to given into Anubis”
Paser shook his head. He was not ready to die.
“Good. There are some tribal sons who are leaving. They are being sent to market to be sold. I will sneak you with them. We have an hour before they leave. Wait here” Sitre stood and quickly moved to a chamber near by. Paser watched through the vines as she grab some items from the table. She returned to him.
“We will need to hide you, Hold still while I change your appearance” she held up shaving equipment. He allowed her to shave his beard and style the hair on his head. She held up a mirror when she was finished. Paser could barely recognize himself.
“Wow” Paser saw Sitre smile slightly. She pulled him to his feet.
“Hurry now” she began to shoo him towards the front of the house. He could see a cart that was filled with Themyscaira’s sons.
“Wait Sitre, what about Hippolyta? She will be furious with you” he worried for this woman’s safety. She did not know him but she could be risking her life for his. Sitre smiled at his concern.
“Do not worry. Hippolyta will not be angry with me. Even if she is, it will cool. There is only so long she could be mad at her consort” Sitre smirked a little. “Of course you will tell no one that I am her consort, that could be dangerous”
Paser agreed to keep her secret. This was the least her could do for her. He ran to the cart.
“May Ra guide your path and Horus keep you strong friend” she called waving to him.
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