The next day saw the departure of Civis, Jayhawk, MRed, Incon and Zen from Alexandria, each in his or her own unique way.
First Incon, shouting farewell, guided her remarkable elephant out of the gates of Alexandria. Skip could barely control himself. His teary eyes revealed the depth of affection he had developed for Big Tusky. This was not unexpected. BT had this effect on any who had any appreciation at all for animals; and with Tusky, there was a lot to appreciate.
Zen just sort of disappeared. Only Jayhawk knew where he had gone and all he would say was something about silk and the Chin.
MRed gaily waved to the two remaining travellers as she led her caravan of merchandise back to one of her many enterprises. "Will we see her again, Jayhawk?" Civis asked.
"More than likely... and when we least expect it, I think."
If Jayhawk were going to say anything else, he would not have had the chance; for just as MRed disappeared from sight, the doors to Cleopatra's palace opened wide and the Queen herself, accompanied by Caesar, exited and stood on the broad entry platform. Immediately, all people in and around the area bowed from the waist and waited for her command to straighten once more. This she did a brief moment later.
"Civis and Jayhawk, approach," she commanded. They walked to the place where they were bid. "You have been of great service to Egypt, though others do not understand how well you have served. As you have chosen to leave, go now with these tokens of gratitude from the Queen of the Two Kingdoms of Egypt." To both she gave similar adornments fashioned of gold and lapis lazulli, meant to be worn on a cloak or some other garment.
"Thank you, your Majesty. We regret we could not save the...," began Civis. The Queen interrupted him.
"Civis of Rome, the gods ordained its destruction. There could be no opposition to the will of the gods. We and others are but their instruments."
Civis lowered his head having nothing further to add but this, "May I say good bye to certain people with you?"
"Certainly."
Civis turned to Ramesses and Nephisis. "I am pleased to have seen you again, and especially pleased to see how well you are prospering." Nephisis turned slightly pink. There was something she hadn't yet told her husband. Somehow Civis knew. Eventually, she would realize how Civis would know, but for now Imhotep and the search for the scarab ring were in the future for them all.
Then Civis turned to Dione, who was standing beside and behind her mistress, the Queen. The young Egyptian girl was smearing her kohl again as tears fell one after the other. Civis reached for his wrist. On it was a gold chain he had worn there for many years. He removed the gold chain and approached the servant girl.
As he handed the chain to her he said, "For beauty, loyalty, respect and integrity; for you." The girl reached out with a shaking hand and accepted the gift, then impulsively reached for the Roman's neck and placed a warm, tear wet kiss on his cheek. She turned and ran back into the palace. A rumble of comment washed across the Egyptians gathered in the plaza.
"Your Majesty, I hope I haven't offended her," said the concerned Roman warrior.
"No, I think not. But as she has honored your relationship with your consort, so you have honored her for doing so. In this way and others you have caused her to love you. I believe it is more than she can manage at the moment. Go in peace, Civis Romanus, and remember Egypt." Then Cleopatra turned about and returned to her palace, as all bowed once more until she was gone.
Outside the gates of Alexandria in a secluded area free of prying eyes Jayhawk closed his own eyes in deep concentration and the resulting whirlwind of sand carried them both forward in time to the place from whence they came, the Rome of future Caesars.
THE PLAY CONCLUDES