The Loyal Lieutenants Act Nine Scene Two Sub Scene Two

Act Nine

Scene Two

Sub-Scene Two

Pharoah’s choice

 

Caesar was at the stern of the barge with Lady Cleop and her maids, as was Mardian. The lady was dressed well in the silky Paris-designed white three-piece suit and heels. She stood there at the edge of the barge when Caesar approached her. He snaked his arms around her waist to hold her steady.

“Be careful, Cleop.” Caesar was on first name with the lady. “You may fall.”

“Hold your hands to my breast. Feel my heartbeats.” Cleop pulled both hands to her breasts. “It beats fast.”

“As it should be when I am next to you.” Caesar smiled. He watched the flow of the river and the riverbanks, where glimpses of river predators were seen, and some were swimming towards the barge. “The predators are hungry.”

“They should be at this time.” Cleop said. “Did you see Mardian feed them?”

Caesar turned towards Mardian, who was at the portside of the barge. He was not tossing the usual chunks of meat—dead horse meat or the canines—but was seen pushing the figures over the side. The guards were tossing the other figures into the river.

“They are...” Caesar was stunned.

“Mehraj. The personal guards of the Pharoah. Of the dozen among them, three were insistent on being loyal. I have them bound and fed to the predators. We are kind to intoxicate them with wines so that they will not feel the need to swim.”

It was then that Caesar saw the commotion in the river. There was no screaming but a thrashing of the limbs.

“Mardian removed their tongues. I cannot stand their screams for mercy.” Cleop then pulled Caesar’s arms off and walked back to the centre. Caesar was still stunned by the sight and stood there on the edge of the barge.

“Come back, darling. I will not have you be the hero to save them. They are not Romans.” Cleop held out her arms. “You be careful there.”

“Why, Cleop?” Caesar staggered towards the lady. He was accustomed to the scene of killings, but these murders were never seen by him.

“Let us go and see Ptolemy. He will want to see us.”

The Pharaoh was still calling for his personal guards when Lady Cleop and Caesar walked into the Royal Chamber. Fariz pulled the wheelchair colleague to the side, where Ben had followed.

“Who …... What are you doing here?” Ptolemy looked at the lady. He saw Caesar. “Leave us, Caesar. I have issues to resolve with the lady.”

“Julius stayed with me.” Lady Cleop held onto Caesar’s right hand. “He is my... betrothed.”

“You must be mad. He is... Roman.” Ptolemy blasted out. “He is... not of ours. He is... Gamberro (violent thug in Mexican).”

“You are a Chicano (Mexican born in the US of America). Well, I am half Libyan, but my mother is Libyan.” The lady laughed. “Now that we know our ancestry, let me tell you that I am going to take over your role as Pharoah.”

“There will never be a female ‘puta’ Pharoah.” Ptolemy cursed at her.

“No, I am not Pharoah. I am Queen.” Lady Cleop looked at Ptolemy. “Now you will abdicate, or shall I remove you?”

“Caesar, you are to be my ally. Why are you not helping me?” Ptolemy looked at Caesar. “Are you with her now?”

“I will not get involved with your internal issues.” Caesar looked down at the hand that held his arm. He was alone, and his guards were at the palace. His call for more boys was not answered. That was something he needed to handle with Mark.

“I will not give up so easily.” Ptolemy pulled the gun he had hidden in the van. He shot at the lady, but the bullet hit Caesar on the back of his left shoulder, who turned to shield her. Cleop pulled out the small revolver from her pocket and shot Ptolemy's hand that held the gun. The latter dropped the gun there and staggered back onto the divan.

Mardian rushed in and grabbed Ptolemy by the shoulders.

“Throw him into the river.” The lady was merciless. She then turned to the wounded Caesar. “Call the doctor here now.”

Ptolemy was thrown overboard while the barge sailed on to the nearby pier. No one bothers to look at the thrashing figure in the river, although the words that could be heard were profanities against some lady.

The viziers were retired, and the other Mehraj was shot in the head by Mardian and given a proper burial together in the pit.

Two days later, Egypt proclaimed their queen as their leader.

“Does it hurt, darling?” Caesar was resting on the divan when he heard her voice. She approached him by the divan. She was dressed in a silky white shirt and jacket. She threw away the pants on that day, as they were smeared with Caesar’s blood.

“Not as much. It is not the first time I got shot.” Caesar smiled.

“If it does not hurt, I need love satisfaction. Shoot me quick.” Cleop sat down on Caesar’s lap.