Ramses Rule: Chronicles of the Nile, #1

By Jaden Sinclair

Egypt! New capital, new nation, new head of state for the world, and a new Pharaoh.
Ramses, first born to a minor wife of the Pharaoh of Egypt has been raised, trained, and bred to be the leader of the national army. He's not a politician, has no patience for the royal side of things or any desire to be king. But when his father and the heir are killed in a hunting accident he's thrust into a position he has never been trained to hold in a kingdom that is weak.
On an inspection to the main village where the special Majai come from, Ramses braces himself for just about anything and everything. He wasn't prepared for Sheba or the sparks that fly between them.
Like himself, she is trained to protect herself, but when they go head to head with each other Sheba quickly learns that this battle might be one she cannot win. Especially when it's the man, not the King, that she's dealing with and the man has no problem with reminding her of that fact.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jaden Sinclair
• Release date: Jan 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223076810

Jaden Sinclair

Jaden Sinclair lives in a small town of Kansas with her husband of eighteen years, two boys that are all grown up and a few pets that keep her hopping. She has many series in the works and out for your enjoyment, and is most know her for the Shifter series which seem to never end. Between werewolves, vampires, scifi, new worlds or simple romances, one never really knows what will come out next in her writing. The latest adventure of hers has been putting her terrific series into audiobooks, something you won’t want to miss!

Book preview

image-placeholder

Prologue

No one ever expected anything like the end of days to come. No one thought a bomb designed to wipe out terrorists would wipe out half of the population. One would think that if it didn’t work once, why would the government do it again?

Two bombs rained hell upon earth. No one knows who pushed the buttons, but in the end, there was ultimate world annihilation. Chaos broke out across the globe, lasting longer than a thousand years. There stood only one country with a chance of making it, and to build something out of nothing—Egypt.

Egypt became the new capital, the new center of the world. Old buildings underground became new once more. The people of the land went back to ancient times. They farmed, crafted, rebuilt a new world, and helped to rebuild others. In time, a new government seemed to wrap around Egypt. It no longer was just a country or tourist attraction. It became as big as Washington D.C. had been, only larger and more powerful. With that kind of power, a leader emerged.

Because the new Egypt went back to its roots, it also picked up some of its old customs; one, being a new Pharaoh. A new dynasty came forth, one with a strong bloodline. They led the people, brought back a nation, and helped to rebuild the world.

For over two hundred years, Egypt ruled the world. Pharaohs came and went; sons took over, the population increased and the old mixed with the new for a bright future. Minor wars broke out, borders tested. Despite that, the new capital grew. In time, it would bring order from chaos across the globe.

However, where there is order, there are always some who wish to test it. Where there is peace, there is always war to follow.

image-placeholder

Chapter One

The sun shined brightly upon the land of Thebes. Gold from the top of the great pyramids shined, blinding travelers upon the great river. The fields ran green thanks to the great flood from the Nile. Golden wheat awaiting harvest. Fishermen on the river pulled in plenty of fish to later be sold at the market. Tradespeople came into the city to apply their trade, hoping to leave with goods as great as what they brought. Masons worked hard crafting new monuments to the gods. Everything was as it should be for the royal household. Inside the palace walls, however, tension builds.

Ramses, eleventh to hold the name, soon to be crowned new Pharaoh to the New Egypt, stood outside on the balcony of his new quarters staring out at the land and people. Within the hour they would dress him in the royal gowns of the old ways and stand before the people as the priest crowned him—a crown he wasn’t born to wear.

A military man is what he is. Trained young, groomed to lead the men into battle if the need should arise. Not the kind of man to sit upon a throne and tell others to do what he knew he could do himself. Wasn’t the kind to be waited on or pampered, and he didn’t want to be showered with gifts or with women. He didn’t want to have to sit and hear all the political bullshit that came with the crown, and he sure as shit didn’t want to be king. Yet his bloodline made it so with the combined death of his father and eldest half-brother. Only a half-sister remained from the queen, and by law, she could not rule. Ramses and his other three brothers were born from a second, lower wife; A wife, taken for peace; not for love. A wife that now lies in the new Valley of the Queens with so many others that have come and gone.

My lord, it is time.

Ramses hung his head and turned. He didn’t want to look at the cluster of servants that came into his room to do their traditional duty. Didn’t want to meet them in the eye as they stripped him of his clothes, washed and redressed him in traditional robes. He didn’t want to see their shocked looks at the scars upon his body from the battles he fought as he trained for a position in the army; an army that he was no longer leading if war should break out. In this new generation, it was forbidden for the King himself to attend any battle for fear of his death—at least before he has a living heir.

His new chamber was the largest in the palace. Taking up the entire third floor, it came with its own personal bath and dressing chamber. The bed that sat in the middle with its custom wood frame and hand-crafted bedding was the size of three king-size beds of the old world put together. It also was a piece crafted by the first king because he loved his women and wanted many in his bed nightly. Silk pillows of all colors lined it, and silver satin sheets and fur-lined blankets. Silk, gold, and jeweled netting went around it at night to keep insects out, but now were pulled back and shined in the day’s sun. But the real craftsmanship is the frame itself. A gold spotted cheetah with paw feet and double heads.

Marble flooring covered with white and brown fur rugs, gold trim on top and bottom of walls, and crisp whitewash. More gold-jeweled netting covered the open windows, some secured down, others moved with the soft breeze coming from the Nile. When the palace was first built, electricity was gone. Hanging in each corner of the room were large gold chain pots that had the best oils to burn at night for light. Over the many years, this room was never upgraded to modern again. It had many things still from ancient times, and it all worked perfectly.

The dressing room itself was just about the same size as the sleeping room, just slightly smaller. It was split in half because of the massive pool for bathing. In the center, a large circular fur rug covered the marble floor. On that rug was an enormous oval table covered in gold silk, and upon it sat gold jewelry worth a fortune. There were bracelets, rings, anklets, belts, necklaces, amulets, chains, pendants, earrings, and headdresses of all kinds. Precious jewels such as diamonds, rubies, turquoise, lapis lazuli, amethysts, and every other kind of stone imaginable sat upon it.

One rack to the far side away from the water was clothes. One side had all the traditional ancient ceremonial wear, like robes of every color in both silks and cotton. Other racks held all the leather wear, two racks were bare. Those were the ones that would hold the future queen’s dresses, just like there was another table next to his waiting for jewelry as well.

Coats for traveling to other countries, wraps, and shawls of furs from many animals hung in the closet. A dressing table for makeup on the days like this one, placed where Ramses would have to dress.

Stripped down, he stepped into the hot water that rose to his waist, letting the servants do what they were sent to do. They scrubbed Ramses from the head down even between his toes. Hair washed, back bathed thoroughly albeit roughly; by the time they were done, he felt raw all over.

Once out of the water, a towel around his waist, they dried him off, even his hair. He felt so exposed. Not even when he was little and had a wet nurse did he get this much attention during a bath.

They draped a long robe over his head and body. A thick gold belt wrapped around his waist, soft leather sandals placed on his feet, then the jewelry. Wrap-around gold cobra arm bracelets went on, coiling thicker at the wrists; rings on fingers, then the large heavy Wesekh Collar in the blue lapis gold. Eye makeup brushed and lined, Ramses was all ready to go greet his people and be crowned Pharaoh.

Well, don’t you look like a freak?

Ramses turned around, breaking into a big smile. Sphinx. He brushed off the servant and went up to his brother, whom he hadn’t seen in months, pulling him in for a tight hug. It’s about time you got back. How was the meeting?

A meeting, Sphinx said, pulling back and holding onto Ramses’ arms, looking him up and down. Man, I never thought I’d see you in this.

It was never supposed to be me, Ramses said. He looked over his shoulder at the servants. Leave us. They all bowed and quickly rushed out of the room. Come. He slapped Sphinx on the arm and headed for the sitting room on the other side of the bed-chamber.

Man, this place is vast, Sphinx said, looking around. He whistled, following Ramses out. I’ve never been up here before.

We were never allowed up here, Ramses said. Drink?

Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your big moment?

This is my big moment. Ramses poured two glasses of the best wine in the palace. He handed one to Sphinx before sitting down in a soft, plush leather chair. So tell me.

Well… Sphinx also sat down, facing him. I am going to first off say that you need a damn good diplomat to handle this shit. I’m simply not up for it.

Sure you are. And you’re one of the few I can trust.

Sphinx snorted. Tell me something. How did Maya handle the move out?

Oh, you know the answer to that one. She even tried the oldest card in the deck.

No! Sphinx’s bright green eyes lit up. Tell me she did not seduce you.

Not that far, but she proposed a marriage.

With her?

Ramses nodded, When I refused, she tried Amarna.

Are you shitting me? She’s our sister!

Maya doesn’t want to lose power. I moved her to the other end of the palace. She only gets to stay here because of Amarna, but I’m thinking I’ll pull her from Maya’s grasp before she uses the girl and causes some big trouble.

That bad, huh?

Never trusted that woman and still don’t. I found out that she talked father into breaking that marriage agreement between me and Sobek.

You’re kidding me? Ramses shook his head. That is messed up.

After this is over with, Ramses motioned with his hand around the room. I’m going to head out there to talk with him. I need to check things out there, anyway.

Ramses, you can’t just up and leave once you’ve been crowned. You’re Pharaoh now, not a military man who can do what he wants. Ramses rolled his eyes at his brother. Dude, you have a country to rule now.

Sobek’s village is part of that country.

Sphinx sighed and rubbed his face, Have you heard anything from him then?

Nothing, recent. Ramses also sighed. I sent letters, but nothing has come back. I’m getting worried.

That’s not like him.

No, it isn’t.

Want me to—

Ramses cut him off by putting his hand up, standing up as one servant entered with a handful of mail. The man was looking at each letter and didn’t notice Ramses in the room. The way he seemed to pick through the mail had Ramses instantly on alert. All mail was to be dropped to him, and it would be his to pass along to the staff and others.

What are you doing? Ramses asked.

The man jumped, all mail falling to the floor. I, um, I, he stuttered.

What are you doing? Ramses demanded in a more forceful tone.

I—I was told to… to…

To what? he snapped.

Everything in his arms fell, and he dropped to his knees, head pressed into the floor. Forgive me. I—I did not know what to do.

Ramses went over to him and picked up the fallen letters. Many were from friends, and others from his men he put in charge at different points along the river. One letter grabbed his attention. A letter from Sobek, or more like several of them.

Has Sobek been writing to me and I have not been getting the letters? Ramses asked. The man did nothing but whimper. Answer me! he yelled.

Ease up. Sphinx came up and put his hand on Ramses shoulder. What is going on? Why has he only been getting certain letters?

The queen, the man answered, still hunched on the floor and now shaking with fear. She has ordered all letters to be handed to her first. I—I stopped here first to give you the usual before seeing her with the rest.

That bitch! Ramses bellowed.

Easy, Sphinx said. Why would she order this?

I—I do not know my lord. I—I am only following orders.

Ramses was seeing red. He always knew that Maya was capable of doing some underhanded shit, but to keep messages from him crossed the line. She should kiss his ass for letting her stay in the palace.

Leave, Ramses ordered.

The man scrambled, he couldn’t get out fast enough. Bending over, Ramses picked up the rest of the letters and tossed them on the table. Keeping the ones from Sobek, he went back to a chair and sat down, ripping one open.

When you get super quiet, I get super worried, Sphinx said.

He’s been trying to get hold of me since our father died, Ramses said. That was what, weeks ago?

Don’t lose your head, Sphinx stated.

And how can I not? She’s still trying to run things.

Well, until you put that crown on your head, she may do so. That statement had Ramses halting. Get the crown, get the power.

Sphinx was right; he hated it when his brother was right. Laying the letters down, Ramses stood and nodded. Leaving the chamber with head high and a show of everything being all right, he headed for the celebration.

The crowning of a new king was a monumental event. Priests made speeches. Government officials from other nations and states came with their own pledges of respect and acknowledgment. Ramses sat on the golden throne in the center of the stage. To the people’s left was Sphinx, for until Ramses married and had an heir, Sphinx would be it. On the other side sat Amarna with Maya behind her. Min, his other brother, was missing.

When the moment came, Ramses stood before the people. He looked out at them, thinking that he should be protecting them with his fighting skills, not by sitting behind a desk.

I give you, Ramses the eleventh, as your new King and Pharaoh of Egypt and the new Nations! the priest shouted right before lowering the Khepresh, also known as the blue crown upon his head.

The Khepresh was oval with a point at the top. Bands of leather, stained blue, embellished with many little yellow sun-disks of pure gold with tiny diamonds in the middle of each one. The tip gleamed in gold, and the thing was very heavy to wear. Thankfully, the other crown they expected him to wear day-to-day, if he did, would be just a band with the cobra at the point. Head fanned out.

Once it was on, the crowd let out a cheer. Ramses stood rooted, letting them all get a look at him, then he extended his hands out and welcomed many to come up and touch him and his robes. For the people, to touch him was considered a gift and offered considerable luck, for touching the Pharaoh is like touching the gods.

Normally, the touching of the new King would last an hour at most, but Ramses let all of them touch him. When the very last, an elderly woman slowly came up, Ramses went to her, and that brought out a hush from all. The crowd parted as he came down the wide white stone steps, and when she saw him coming toward her, she halted with shock on her face. The second he touched the ground, she went down as well, as she began kneeling before him. It only made him go to her quicker.

No, he told her, grabbing her arms, stopping her. That got another shocked look from her. A woman of your age should not be going to her knees.

She gripped his arm. My lord, she gasped, lowering her head.

Ramses leaned in and kissed the woman on the cheek. Enjoy the feast. He thought she might faint then. Letting her go, he turned to the crowd that watched him. Everyone, feast and enjoy! he shouted.

Another cheer went out. He handed the old woman off to servants and went back up the stairs to join the family.

Well done, brother, Sphinx said with a smile.

I want you to look into the living conditions of the elderly, Ramses told him. She didn’t look well.

That’s because she’s old, Maya said, coming up on his other side.

As always, Maya was dressed in the best. Her long sparkling red gown seemed too bright for one so pale of complexion. Her face had way too much make-up and her hair was done up in the traditional braids with a thick gold band at the top of her head. Each new Queen had a new crown specially designed for just them. His father didn’t go all out on her crown, but it still showed that for now, she was the Queen—until he married. Then she would no longer be allowed to wear it. The gold would be taken back and reused for the new Queen’s crown.

Ramses kept his mouth shut. He wasn’t about to have it out with Maya for the entire community to see. Instead, he looked to Amarna. Maya dressed the girl in a simple white dress that did a crisscross across her chest with a gold tie at her neck. A thick gold belt encircled her waist and soft sandals were on her feet. Her long, unbraided hair lay slicked down