Thread: When Two Worlds Collide [[DreamerxMidnight]]

Despite the guardsmans attempts to shield the blinding sun form her eyes, Cassia still squinted out into the Egyptian sand. This place is absolutely miserable... her mind told her, the thought mulling around in her head before she decided that she, too, was probably going to be miserable here. Her attitude had not lightened all that much since leaving the palace in Rome. At least there the sun was not so blistering - she'd nearly burnt her feet just stepping out of the chariot and onto the sand at a stop. Her toes lightly curled at the thought and she shuddered - not exactly a great start to her 'new life' in Egypt. The girl leaned her head back against the seat of the chariot, her brown hair feathering out some around her face as the movement of the vehicle caused a breeze. Her skin was already a shade or two darker from the journey, both on sea and land, from it's original paler color. The white linen cloth that draped her body clung to parts of her that were sweating under the sun and seemed even more stark now in comparison to her skin. The jewelry she wore clanked together light with her movements, everything from bracelets to earrings to necklaces. Almost there, Princess, one of her guardsman pointed out, the buildings of the main city finally appearing over the sand. By this time they could see, fast approaching, Egyptian soldiers and guards coming forth to escort them through the city and to the palace. This is very important, Cassia... You must get along with him. This is the hope that Rome, and Egypt for that matter, have been looking for. We need something to ensure that there is no war, neither Kingdom can really afford that... You are that piece, her father had told her, lovingly he probably thought. But in truth, Cassia was rather disgusted. She was no more than a mantle to show off Rome's wealth as well as a chip in a high-stakes game of truth and lie to be traded. Her fate here was not just negotiation - oh, no. She was to be married, probably by the morning, if not the afternoon of the next day. Maybe even that night, if the Pharaoh and his advisers thought it proper. In other towed storage chariots behind them were boxes and chests of things she needed and wanted form home - fine linens and trinkets. Her wardrobe of expensively made, sown and embroidered stolas and pallas was carefully folded away in a chest, as was her beauty supplies and other necessities. With her she also brought much jewelry as well as Roman gifts for the palace from her parents and the Roman people who had been able to donate to the peace negotiation. As they approached even closer to the Egyptian palace she ordered the guards to stop shielding her so she could see. They stopped out front, by now gathering a rather large group of people from the surrounding area to watch as their new Princess arrived. Swiftly the Egyptian guards walked up the palace stairs and in through the doors to warn the Royal Family of the impending arrival. Putting on her most gracious of smiles and using the best faux happiness she could muster, Cassia took a hand as she stepped down from the horse-drawn chariot, her sandals hitting the hard stone of the shortly paved walkway in front of the palace. This... Is not home... was all she could think, even as she was led up the stairs, grasping the layers of her stola to keep it from dragging, on her way to meet the Egyptian Royal Family... Soon to be her family.