[right][h3] 28 September 48 BC - Pelusium, Egypt[/h3][/right]
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[b]"If only you were able to get me enough milk to fill this pool!"[/b] exclaimed Cleo as Shani carefully shaved the Queen's forearm with a small blade. It was late in the evening and the two young women were taking their last bath of the day. Cleopatra lounged in the pool, her light colored skin barely visible under the blanket of jasmine petals that floated on the surface of the warm bath and filled the room with their light scent. Wanting a more substantial bath, the Queen demanded they travel to into the city to use one of the noble bath houses. 

[b]"Unfortunately, I would need to have a rather large herd of lactating asses in order to meet that requirement. Once we are back home in Alexandria, I'll see what I can do."[/b] While some would think the Queen was joking, Shani knew that Cleopatra was serious about wanting to bathe in milk. Having been in Cleo's service for as long as she has been, she could attest to the effectiveness to the Queen's concoctions of oils, minerals, and salts as her own skin was always in excellent condition. 

[b]"You're the best…"[/b] The young queen sighed, melting into the warm waters of the bath now that Shani finished shaving the remaining stubbing hairs from the Queen's body. With her tasks complete, Shani walked over to the other edge of the pool to lower herself into it's warm waters. She always worked nude when attending to the queen during her baths and for as long as she could remember, was welcomed to share the bath with her once her duties were done. 

They had been sharing a communal soak for not even five minutes before a male voice cut through the air in the room. 

[b]"Your majesty, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have urgent news!"[/b]

It was the captain of the guard, who's name Shani couldn't remember as he was a new addition since the campaign to retake Alexandria began and she had been appointed tasks that were outside a typical handmaiden's scope since Cleo had to downsize her staff. The Queen of course knew all her charges.

[b]"You may enter Skylar."[/b] She called out and in a more quieter tone joked to Shani [b]"I hope it is as urgent as he says or he is about to get a free view of his Queen's and her handmaiden's bodies."[/b] Shani hid a smile behind her hand as the captain came into view. As they had matured, the Queen had turned out to be a very flirtatious woman. Skylar was a young native Egyptian man, probably an inch taller than Shani, and sported a lean muscular build. Once he reached the edge of the pool, he dropped to his right knee and focused his gaze on the stone floor.

[b]"I'm sorry my Queen but this news could not wait."[/b]

[b]"And what is this news that could not wait Skylar?"[/b]

[b]"Pompey was assassinated earlier today."[/b]

Both Cleopatra and Shani shot out of the bath, splashing water as they stood with jasmine petals clinging to their wet skin. The queen moved forward to gently grab the young captains face, forcing his hazel gaze to meet hers. He fought not to stare at either of their bare bodies. 

[b]"How did this happen?!"[/b]

[b]"Ptolemy must have invited him onto shore as he was anchored off of the city's coast. Your brother's men were seen boarding Pompey's boat where they stabbed him to death, removed his head, and chucked the rest of his body into the sea."[/b] 

The color drained from both women's faces, the political repercussions from the assassination of one of the most infamous figures of the Roman Republic could be disastrous. [b]"What is he thinking…"[/b] the Queen voiced the question to herself, so no one answered her. [b]"You said "the city", which city are you talking about? Alexandria?"[/b]

[b]"No my queen. He was assassinated here, in the waters off of Pelusium."[/b]

The queen's eye widened and she released the young captain's face as she stepped out of the bath. If he felt any discomfort from the strain she had placed on him, he did not show it. Droplets of water and petals fell across the stones as she moved to retrieve a linen robe, her smaller perky breasts bouncing as her heels pounded into the floor. [b]"We're leaving."[/b] Cleo, with no intention of looking back, tied the robe around her body and left the room to where the rest of the guard were stationed outside.

Shani stepped out of the pool with slightly less purpose than the Queen, slowing to speak to the captain who appeared to be frozen in place. [b]"You should get moving, the Queen doesn't like to wait."[/b] she spoke in a more sultry tone, teasing the young man. Her words brought his gaze back to her but his eyes moved slowly, following the curves of her body. He couldn't seem to bring his gaze past her breasts, which were larger than the queens. Shani laughed, pulling a white jasmine petal off the top of her left breast and gently placed it on his long nose.  [b]"Focus."[/b] she said and walked away, adding a slight sway to her steps as she knew he was watching. Shani was no better than the Cleo when it came to flirting.