[right][h3]3 October 38 BC - Encampment Outside of Pelusium, Egypt[/h3][/right]
[hr]

Their camp had been bustling with activity since the night of the assassination of Pompey. Not only had Cleopatra called an emergency meeting when she learned of the death of the Roman political and military leader, but they also received word that Caesar himself was coming to Egypt and was going to take residence in the palace back in Alexandria. The queen had spent so much time in meetings and discussions that she almost entirely relieved Shani of her duties. The young Egyptian woman had spent the last three days catching up on chores that had been starting to pile up since the Civil War had started and she was starting to run out of things to do. 

Shani walked around the Queen's tent making sure everything was in order and there was nothing left that she had to address. She was unsure whether or not to be happy with that fact and stopped in the middle of the ornate rug that adorned the floor of the living space, wondering what to do with the rest of her day. Her own tent, which was connected to the Queen's, also didnt require any attention. She had made sure of that after she assisted Cleo with her morning routine. A heavy sigh escaped her lips before she finally decided to leave the tent, it's heavy flaps swaying behind her until they fall back into place.

Shani's bare feet carried her through their encampment, pounding into the sandy ground. While she had a small collection of leather sandals, she seldomely wore shoes. She liked to feel the earth under her feet because it helped her to be connected to the world on a spiritual level. She kept wandering through the city of tents until she heard a few shouts and the sounds of a fight. Turning the corner of one of the tents, she found a fight between some of the roman and egyptian foot soldiers. Anger flared up inside her and before she knew it she was storming up to the scuffle. Shani spotted a wooden bucket filled with water on a nearby bench and threw it over the tumble of men. A cry rose from them as they scrambled away from each other, turning to look for the source of their new discomfort only to find Shani standing there with a bucket in hand and poised to hit someone with it if needed. 

A few long moments passed where all faces racked through the sight before them. Confusion, recognition, shame, and finally despiration passed through all their faces before an explosion of voices erupted from the group in a mixture of latin and egyptian. Each group pointing and putting blame on the other. 

[b]"Enough!"[/b] she shouted and the men immediately stopped speaking. To the two roman men she spoke in Latin. Her accent was light, but she spoke fluently. Cleo worked hard to teach Shani how to speak the language that would carry her the farthest in her service to her. [b]"I will address you two after I am done speaking with them."[/b] Their lighter skinned faces nodded to her in understanding before she turned to her egyptian brethren.

[b]"Shame. On. You. Bringing such shame and dishonor upon our queen! Fighting with these roman men who are your brothers in arms. Have you no sense?!"[/b]

[b]"But they-"[/b] started on of the men, but she cut them off. 

[b]"I do not care what they did or said! What we are doing here should be more important than any disagreements you have with them. We are trying to restore maat by putting the queen back in her rightful place! How do you think Anubis would weigh your heart when your time comes to have judgement passed on you if your squabbles cost us good arms in this war and we fail to restore balance?!"[/b]

Fear passed across the two men's faces. Every action performed in life is added up and weighed at death by the great jackal headed god. If your heart is light, your soul moved on through the afterlife and were granted eternal existance. If your heart was heavy, your soul would be devoured by Ammit. The two men bowed deeply to Shani before speaking.

[b]"We're terribly sorry Shanisiti. It won't happen again."[/b] The same man who spoke earlier appeared to be the more talkative of the two. His friend only nodded vigorously in agreement.

[b]"See that it doesn't. Make sure your fellows understand this as well should they ever feel so inclined to fight our Roman brothers."[/b] Shani dismissed these men before turning to the two Roman men and switching her speech over to latin.

[b]"I am not sure how much of that conversation you understood, however those men were scolded for their actions and you will be as well. We are doing important things here that will impact all of egypt not just on a political level, but a spiritual one."[/b] 

[b]"We understood some of what was said, our Egyptian is still not complete..."[/b] One of the men admitted to his own ignorance of the language and in turn probably the culture. 

[b]"I would suggest you see that your education be more complete if you plan on spending your life here in Egypt. I told these men that they are costing us the restoration of balance, which is what you are costing us as well. The consequences of your actions in life will effect your eternal soul. People who perform evil deeds will not pass into the afterlife. See to it that you treat each other with respect as we are all under service to the Queen. She is our beacon and bridge to the gods. Your are dishonoring her with your useless squabbles."[/b]

[b]"We are sorry as well..."[/b] The other man spoke first, probably realising how much the first man had stumbled. 

[b]"In this army, the Romans and the Egyptians are brothers in arms. You all need to start acting like it."[/b] 

The two men nodded in acknowledgement and Shani left it at that, turning to go back to her tent. She needed a long soak to calm her nerves. Her body shook after the adrenaline from the confrontation wore away.