Love always win E-Book

Zibia Gasparetto

• Herausgeber: Editora Vida e Consciência
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 597

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Love is the most powerful force in life; even amid the foggy and transitory clouds of consciousness, it shines above everything, in victory, uniting people forever!

Leseprobe

© 1958, 2020 por Zibia Gasparetto

© 2022 por Zibia Gasparetto – formato digital

Capa e produção gráfica: Equipe Vida & Consciência

Conversão e-book: Equipe Vida & Consciência

Produção do ePub: Cumbuca Studio

ISBN 978-65-88599-36-5 – formato digital

The partial or full reproduction of this book without proper authorization is prohibited.

Publishing, Distribution, Printing and Finishing:

Vida & Consciência Editora e Distribuidora Ltda.

Rua das Oiticicas, 75 — São Paulo — SP — Brasil

CEP 04346-090

[email protected]

www.vidaeconsciencia.com.br

PROLOGUE

I wrote this book based on the reincarnation laws. Only they, translating important truths that mankind tries to deny at every step, can explain the mysteries which humanity discusses for ages, trying to understand the past through the study of other populations and other civilizations.

This work is unpretentious. With the purpose of contributing somehow for the current need of publicizing the basic laws that govern earthly life, I went back to the distant past, seeking in the file of my millenary conscience, the story that I tried to tell, pure and simply. I wish to explain that it is a real story excerpted from constant conflicts I witnessed formerly.

How could we explain the secret of the oldest civilizations without the assistance of the laws above referred? How to explain the advancement of the Egyptian people, whose civilization existed thousands of years before the Christian Age?

Their scientific knowledge, registered in hieroglyphs, part in the ruins of the still existing temples, part in the pyramids, surprises the present world that still refers to these writings. But, how could it be obtained if they didn’t have telescopes, radar, radio, telegraph and other experimentation instruments available to modern science?

The people, themselves, didn’t know anything, but the priests who governed with the king who they called pharaoh, held this knowledge. These priests used to meet secretly, receiving though mediunic practice the scientific knowledge. Even among them, there was the selection, because in these meetings only the grand-chiefs could take part in.

There was, in fact, a pharaoh called Ramses II, who was against people’s idolatry, who used to make images of animals and adored them, rendering homage. He tried to establish less barbarian habits, but according to his spiritual knowledge.

Knowledgeable about the most sacred laws of monotheism that were revealed by the priests of Isis and Ivanhoe, he wanted to abolish the cult of adoration of animals, but, fearing people’s reaction, because the people were not prepared to understand most abstract cult, allowing them to adore the Sun that, spurting its magnificent light, could symbolize the divine power.

Still on the present days, already another age, peregrinating by Egyptian valleys of Tebas, Teocletes, we can notice worshipers of the sun, genuflexes, with the soil scorched by the burning sun. Remaining from their ancestors, don’t want to abolish their beliefs to evolve. However, not like in the Occident, not in the same way, they also know Jesus and they admire him.

Free from Roman distorting, they know a Christ more similar to what he really was. In fact, their knowledge about reincarnation offers them a broader view of reality.

In Tebas, especially, where the former civilization reigned, the breeze of time has transformed many things, but, on the bank of the Red sea, still fixed in its rocks constantly hit by the waves, there are caves and hieroglyphs from the priests from Ivanhoe when they were meditating.

Recently, a Belgium scientist discovered one of these corners and tried to decipher their shields, only being able to know one part: it was a cult to God, offering their services, in this existence and in the next one, as an overflowing of their faith and certainty in reincarnation.

Tebas, magnificent city of warriors and light, where the purple of the pharaohs became gray in the temples and castles, magnificent architectonic constructions, of stone, bricks, plaster, marble and gold.

If we could go back to those days, in the year 1200 B.C., we would see its streets full of people, moving in their daily work. Raising the dust of the paths, many would go and come back, incessantly. Their bizarre clothes were a happy excitement to our eyes. On that day, however, a Saturday full of sun that despite the twilight it was still full of light, the movement was bigger and unusual. Everybody with their celebration clothes talked happily about Pecos’s return, a respected warrior, who went to Sidon, in order to bring slaves as it was usually done from time to time, to enrich the Empire, by the sovereign’s order. Generally, Pecos, to perform such a task, took with him a number of soldiers and lancers, because even though the Pharaoh’s power dominated all the lower part of the Mediterranean Sea, it was not without work he achieved his goals. Generally, he led a “hunting” and as a hunter, he acted furtively surprising the prey. He performed his task in this sector so well that he conquered the Pharaoh’s trust, to the point of guiding his personal guard army. The Pharaoh, kept in the power through violence, was hated by the people from conquered lands and, fearing an attack, had a small army without which he never left his palace and he wouldn’t allow this army to be absent, leaving him without protection. Pecos was the boss, the commander of this small lancers army and when he was not present, he was replaced by his immediate, a man he trusted completely.

The city was at party, celebrating Pecos’s return. Generally, when the caravan arrived, the Pharaoh would throw a huge party in his homage, and people watched from the external yard, receiving wheat and wine as much as they wanted, happily playing lutes and cithara, improvising dances, when the effect of the wine was felt, and expecting by the leftovers of the palace banquet.

Many of them would get carried away by the pleasures of the party and the orgy would go on until everybody, exhausted, was fallen on the floor. In the palace, however, the party was constituted of a special banquet with fine table delicacies and then, when everybody was satisfied, involved by the steams of wine after the dance of the best dancers of the palace, the most important slaves, or the most interesting ones paraded, to be offered someone.

In this atmosphere, our story begins.

CHAPTER I

TWO SOULS, ONE DESTINY

That afternoon, the people were heading for the palace external yard, aware of the arrival, in the morning, of Pecos’s caravan. It was possible to see every type of people: agricultural workers dressed in their red fabric or black and yellow striped tunics, women bringing their small children on their back, happy young women, shaking their shiny earrings, sliding as felines through the dusty streets, with their tight tunics, letting their dark shoulders nude and part of the exuberant lap, dressing fine goat leather sandals and bringing the veils covered with stones that tinkled and shone at the sun reflexes.

In the palace, the preparations had already started. Slaves crossed the huge rooms decorated with embroidery and purple, in a constant movement, placing objects and flowers in whispers and muffled laughters.

Soon the party would start. Decios, a slave that had special privileges before Pecos, and consequently before the Pharaoh and his priests, led the other slaves, not always led by benevolence and understanding. That day he was wearing a wine color tunic, with an emblem of stones in his chest, held to the neck by a blue cord. It was a royal gift from the Pharaoh for a rendered service, which he proudly showed on the special occasions. Decios, very attentively, went to the banquet room, examining once more if everything was as programmed. He smiled enraptured: his room had magnificent flowers, fruits, walnuts, dates, grapes, bread, meat and many other delicious foods especially prepared for those days; everything disposed over wonderful couches of purple and gold around the walls covered by fine fabrics from Persia and from Macedonia. In the center, the dance floor where the dancers must perform their dances, having in each corner, torches, from where constantly fire flames left that the slaves relit slowly, adding fine extracts of aromatic herbs, which pleasantly perfumed the room. The torches were already prepared to be used as soon as the sun went away in the pink twilight of the sky in Tebas. The noise outside had already started, showing the people were already waiting for the start of the party impatiently. The litters and the horsemen were already arriving at the palace and the reception rooms were full of people. Suddenly, two pages, dressing the tunic of the antechamber of the sovereign, left through the curtains that surrounded the Pharaoh’s couch. They brought two clarions and standing up, they lowered the curtains, playing right after – as usual – the sign to announce the sovereign. Immediately the silence was established. A thin, bald, dark man, wearing a white linen tunic, covered with shiny stones, bringing on his chest the Gran-stone, entered stately in the room. It was the Pharaoh. Everybody bowed in reverence.

- My friends, - he said – welcome and as your host, I hope everybody respect my hospitality. I especially wish to greet the messenger that bravely accomplished his mission in distant lands once again.

On the other side of the room, entering elegantly, making his adornments, a man appeared, followed by other six, with their lances and shields, in double row. Pecos, who walked in front, rushed and standing at the Pharaoh’s feet, adored him, greeting him kindly.

- Stand up, Pecos. I am satisfied with the accomplishment of your mission and I want to present you with the opal Gran-stone, to reward your effort and skill.

He approached him, already standing, and placed around the neck the great and wonderful shiny stone, held by a shiny cord. Pecos thanked with reverence and was going to leave when the Pharaoh continued:

- Today the homage is for you, so, you will take part in my supper, by my side. Before, I want to appear by the window with you and Potiar, because the people want to applaud you.

Pecos, very proud, in his exuberant 30-year-old beauty, pleasing and strong, appeared in the ramp which led to the external yard. The people applauded him frenetically, satisfied by the start of the ceremony, anxious to start enjoying the party. The Pharaoh, who waited a little behind, stepped ahead and said:

- My people! Here is our hero, who once more returns from a profitable mission to our country. He has brought us many conquests and, therefore, I order to start the distribution of wine, wheat and fruits to everybody here present and also to start the music for your entertainment!

True ovation acclaimed the sovereign’s words, which were what everyone was expecting. Taking Pecos by the arm, the Pharaoh entered the reception room again, always followed by his immediate, Potiar, who silent and circumspect, observed everything calm and solemnly, moving afterwards to the banquet room, where the other ones followed them and the slaves started to serve them. While everybody was having fun, enjoying the pleasures that satisfy the vanities, there was a place where suffering was permanent: they were the cells with prisoners that were slaves.

They were arrested in a coward and ignominious hunting. Aware of the attack they had been victims of, they waited hopefully for an opportunity to escape. However, they were well watched by the soldiers. They would not even leave the narrow and uncomfortable cell to eat or any other need. They heard the happy mess that sounded around, which disturbed them most.

At certain point, however, one of the lancers approached them and followed by others, all with weapons, said to the prisoners:

- Listen, everybody. Now it is time to leave this uncomfortable cell. You will be selected by Potiar, the loyal one, who will determine the function of each one of you. But, remember that if someone tries to escape or to rebel, this one will be severely punished, paying with life.

After saying it, with a gesture he authorized the ones that were following him to open the cells, waiting impassibly for them to come out. One by one, they left the infected and uncomfortable cells. Weak, having their members numb during nearly one month traveling, they were in total forty-five. The women were taken before and led to the area of the sovereign’s wives. They were spared from the dirty cells: they had traveled on horses, although tied up and constantly threatened.

They were all led to a room of the palace, where Potiar waited for them anxiously. He placed them around the wall and called one by one to talk and determine their functions. They were all young, strong and healthy, because they were carefully chosen by Pecos. So, among these forty-five, Potiar chose six of the best specimens and ordered the slaves to prepare them as usual, leading them afterwards to the Pharaoh’s antechamber, where he would wait for them. Then, he went to the room where the women were, and his eyes shone by the pleasure he felt for observing the new slaves.

When he got there, he waited for them to be brought. They were only fifteen women, but they were worth in beauty and youth for the forty-five slave men brought.

He started questioning them. They answered without hiding their hate and resentment.

- And you? What is your name?

He referred to a young woman of extraordinary beauty, who stared at him proudly. He didn’t have an answer. Potiar got angry more for her look than for the lack of an answer.

- What is your name? – he asked again.

She just moved her lips with contempt, not answering. So, he lost control, pulled her by the arm, shaking her violently.

- Don’t you want to answer? Do you refuse to answer the lord that governs everybody and whose only superior is the Pharaoh himself? Don’t you know I can destroy you with few words, punishing you severely?

Potiar’s voice, whistling, deep, was shaking with rancor.

She raised her magnificent eyes and stared at him serene but proudly. He shivered by noticing the beauty and the fascination emanated from that woman. Her half-open lips showed two lines of white and perfect teeth. She was wearing a magnificent tunic, which left her while shoulders nude and her lap covered with stones.

- Answer! ordered Potiar, feeling, contradicted, his authority failing.

- My name is Nalim. – Her voice was sweet and melodious, deep like a whisper.

He released her, saying energetically:

- Why don’t you dress like the others like I ordered?

Nobody answered. After a while, Potiar called Aleat, an old slave and asked again.

- I must say, oh great Potiar, she is a true beast and we didn’t manage to dress her. She threatened us with a little dagger, which I don’t know where she got from, and she said she would remain dressed as she came, despite her tunic, even though sumptuous, being dirty and torn. When asked why she decided that, she said she would never dress like a slave, once in her land she was noble.

- Very good, Nalim, I am glad to hear about your noble lineage, but you must forget it from now on, in order to perform the position you shall occupy.

Nalim’s black eyes became even darker by the torment that reflected inside them, but she didn’t say anything. What for?

- Now – continued Potiar – you all must get prepared in a royal way, because you will have the honor to parade to the Pharaoh, who will decide about your destiny. You may go, Aleat, and I expect you in our sovereign’s antechamber, with the slaves.

He left quickly towards the room where the banquet was being served. Nalim, moody, speechless, sat in a corner, sad and disheartened. She didn’t resign to the outrage suffered. Noble Hebrews’ daughter, princess in her mother land, now, savagely enslaved in an unknown country, where her people would never find her. The humiliation of those hours of captivity weighed over Nalim’s flexible shoulders like lead. She insensitively reminded her childhood, her youth until her 17 years old, when inattentively she went down to the gardens to closely observe a handsome young man, handling with mastery a wonderful lute, which filled the air with sounds from a beautiful melody, sang by a wonderful voice. It was the romantic aspect that impressed her sensitive soul, it was the music, the gentleman, the magic of the night, which made her, like a bird attracted by the serpent, to cross the empty lanes after the troubadour. Then, she felt grabbed, tied up and, taken by terror, she lost her senses for the first time in her life. Then, it all continued like a terrible nightmare, the hard trip, and the humiliations to which her woman’s shame had been submitted.

She felt a delicate hand touching her arm. She raised her eyes.

- Is it you, Solimar?

- Yes, Nalim, you are sad and, however, for your own good, you must get ready to greet our new sovereign. I also suffocate in my heart the tears for fears and homesickness. You know I left a sick and old mother of whom I was the only support. Certainly, at this point, discontentment and misery have already killed her. However, I find strength to try to accomplish my new task with resignation. My father, who dedicated his life to the study of sciences in the temples, used to tell me Eloim wants to test us in all sectors to make us absorb experiences to live in a wonderful kingdom that will be eternal.

Solimar’s pure eyes shone, moved by a sincere and trustful commotion.

- You, beautiful Nalim, had enough experiences to be the lady; maybe you were lacking to be slave to enter the mansion of light. I also must be lacking this experience. Let’s face our fate with resignation and we will win, I am sure. Whenever possible I will be with you and I will try to help you to bear your new life.

- You resign too easily, but not me. Although I will obey for now, I will not rest while I do not revenge the humiliation I have been through.

- Come on, girls, screamed Aleat’s husky voice, get ready because soon you must be in the Pharaoh’s antechamber. I advise you to become beautiful because the Pharaoh is quite sensitive to beauty and maybe he can benefit you.

While they got prepared, the banquet was served. Pecos was the great character of the moment. Definitely, life was smiling at him. He was handsome and young, he had glories and an important position. His feelings were of personal satisfaction for the triumphs he had achieved. He was the oldest son of a rich family from noble lineage, and he entered as usual the sovereign’s services, which was also his greatest desire, because he could satisfy that wish for adventures, some of them exotic. He used to be very excited for facing the enemy in the battle field. He was an excellent knight because since early age he was trained for that, and he didn’t even remember the first time he rode an animal. He felt like he had always had that skill. He was a good lancer, had a good eye sight and a strong arm for fighting. He was brave, but despite everything, he was always loyal to his adversary. He also had an affectionate heart, full of good impulses, but the environment in which he lived and the temptations he was subjected to were very strong for his ardent and impetuous temper. Women just adored him and they fought for his preference. But he, although loving adventures, didn’t want any commitment. He was selfish and, so, he tried to take everything from life without giving anything back. Being brought up in that environment since early age, he considered the human hunting he undertook as part of his function to serve his country, with a certain taste of adventure, but never stopped to consider, nor even by a fraction of second, to analyze how coward this procedure was. It was the result of his environment and he thought it was natural slaves and masters, oppressors and oppressed to exist. For him, life was a huge battle, there are winners and losers. He was a winner and the losers should surrender submissive.

The guests were happy and the jokes, effect of the wine, could already be heard.

Suddenly, the musicians started to play a rhythmic and sensual music, and the dancers appeared weakened fascinating the guests, who applauded them with enthusiasm. The scene was bizarre and astonishing in that environment saturated with “simitra”, with wine, with the most exotic perfume scents spread from the pyres where flames danced in the air, making fantastic shadows in the ground. The sparkling torches and finally those women with dark skin tanned by the desert strong sun, mostly brought from other lands, caused general admiration. They were beautiful as sphinxes, of a mimic beauty, with eyes painted with “darkim”. How long that music or that dance lasted nobody can say precisely! But when that magic finished, after the last dancer disappeared behind the curtains, the present ones awoke and a voice shouted:

- Oh!... powerful Pharaoh, where are your soldiers’ conquests?

The Pharaoh clapped his hands and Potiar, who waited for the sign, went to the middle of the room. He bowed slightly and said:

- Noble Pharaoh and your guests. Now we will bring to your highness the last crusade’s conquests.

Then, from both sides of the huge room, the new slaves started to enter, men on one side and women on the other side.

They came in silence, as trying to cover and disguise their internal disgust. The admiration was general. In fact they were magnificent. Never before so much vigor, youth and beauty were brought together!

- Now – said Potiar – our Pharaoh wants to reward his great warrior Pecos, with the choice of one slave for his domain. Please come, noble Pecos, and perform the choice.

Pecos, pleasantly surprised, smiled. He put the glass of wine he had in his hand over the table and went towards the now enslaved women. It was a hard choice. They were all really beautiful. Calmly he started to examine them. Ashamed with the brutal exposure of their physical beauty, most of them were timidly flinched. He raised their faces and stared at each one of them. For him, they were all the same, all beautiful and attractive. However, when he approached little Solimar, he felt some discomfort. The little girl stared at him serenely, seeming to awake something strange in him. Her eyes reflected more pity than disgust, her beautiful face of pure features personified her feelings delicacy. Pecos, for the first time on that day, felt something disturbing, without knowing why. It seemed strange that somebody could feel compassion for him, who was the happiest man, and that this person was a poor woman he enslaved and took from the contact with her relatives. At that moment he wished he weren’t there. He felt, suddenly, the wish of not choosing anybody, of leaving the room and forgetting that slight reflex from his conscience. But it would be impossible! It would be an affront to the sovereign’s benevolence.

Suddenly, he said nearly instinctively:

- What is your name?

- Solimar.

Her voice was musical, it only whispered, but he was strangely touched.

- If Your Highness allows me to have this slave, I will definitely be very pleased.

And the Pharaoh answered:

- So, she is yours.

- Now, honorable sirs, we will proceed the draw of lots for a slave “to be chosen” among all the ones here present.

The enthusiasm was general and manifested. When the clamor finished, transformed in expectation, Potiar ordered the slaves to collect from the present ones, the small wooden badges with their names and marking the place of the guests. They were placed inside huge baskets and, then, in a leather bag, mixing its content well.

The poor women, offended in their dignity, in everything they had best in their feelings, made a huge effort to avoid crying. Nalim was shaking with hate and suffering. She was still disgusted with the separation from Solimar. There was so much serenity in that creature, that Nalim felt like she couldn’t resist without her. Her caressing presence provided her with peace to face the situation without despair. Many of them couldn’t control their tears, but not her! Her heart was closed by disgust and the only thing she wished was revenge!

Solimar understood what was going on with her. Her heart was suffering for her friends and, if she could, she would give her life to free them and send them back to the contact of their families!

The six slaves seemed cornered beasts and certainly if the soldiers were not very close, they wouldn’t have restrained themselves.

The Pharaoh, to whom the bag was given, introduced his hand inside it, in order to pick up the badge with the name of the fortunate guest. Their expectation was huge!

Silence remained. The Pharaoh, reading what was written on it, smiled with slyness, giving it to Potiar.

- Illustrious guests, definitely Horus reserves the fortune to the man of the day! The prize goes to our great hero, Pecos.

An “oh!” of disappointment sounded in the room. Pecos, surprised, was astonished without knowing what to say.

- You can choose, noble Pecos, the slave is yours.

Again he approached them hesitating. He looked at Solimar, without knowing why. Her eyes were staring at Nalim, with hope. Pecos approached Nalim, and gave her a good look. She was wonderful! Her shiny black eyes, her white complexion, black hair, red lips, everything was really tempting. Her erect posture, her proud expression, didn’t match a slave’s submission very much. He felt her pride and her awareness of his fascination. Although he had a feeling about the problems he would have to dominate her, or maybe a little bit because of it, or even because of Solimar’s speechless appeal, he chose Nalim for his services.

The two girls looked at each other relieved and momentary happiness shone in their eyes.

The party went on with some more disputes in auction of the beautiful women and the valuable slaves. It was a shameful outrage against the right the life entitles each one to live their existence, enjoying from the world what God confers on us for a solely purpose: evolution. The earthly experience consists in the harmonization of human beings, to be able to live in better worlds, without pain or suffering. However, breaking the harmony of the universal laws of fraternity, many of them have to bear in the future, the consequences of their actions.

The Pharaoh, bored with the celebration, finally left, leaving Potiar in charge of the party. He was tired with the exhaustive day he had, he nearly didn’t drink and ate very little, as usual, and although he wanted to rest, he tolerated everything until the end.

Pecos, also excited with the indescribable feelings he had that day, still tired from the journey, left at last, ordering his pages to lead the slaves to his escort, in order to be taken to his property, in fact, a bit distant from his lord’s property.

During the way, he tried to remember the feelings he experienced, but, although he could do it, he couldn’t understand their meaning. Suddenly, he tried to remember Solimar’s face, but he had a weird feeling when he realized he couldn’t. Angry with himself, with everything and everybody, without knowing the reasons, he whipped the horse to go faster. So, in few minutes, followed by the slaves and his escort, he entered his spacious property.

It was a magnificent house, made of stones, solidly built with low ceiling, supported by two square columns by the entrance, higher inside. It was surrounded by beautiful gardens and it had several yards. Its spacious rooms, furnished tastefully and very luxurious, showed its owner’s elegance. Pecos, exhausted, wishing to be alone to rest, sent his escort away, ordering the slaves to take his new acquisitions to the women’s room, waiting there the tasks he would determine. After that, he went to his bedroom, and got prepared to sleep.

Although he was exhausted, he didn’t sleep soon, taken by an irritating feeling. A slight feeling that something new was about to happen in his life disturbed him for some time. But, he thought, doing his part with loyalty, he would certainly be rewarded by Horus, and nothing bad would happen to him. It was already too late when he fell asleep in a heavy, anguishing and asphyxiating sleep.

CHAPTER II

THE OLD SERVANT’S PROTECTION

After a week, Pecos, engaged in a series of social and military appointments, didn’t remember the two slaves he had gotten, nor determined her functions.

Meanwhile, they waited, performing only delicate services, according to their domestic skills. Although they behaved exactly the same, the way they felt the situation was very different. Solimar, magnanimous, resigned, suffered quietly, trying to do the best she could to everybody around her. Nalim, repressed, proud, struggled to seem calm in front the ones that now were like her, without showing what was going on inside her soul. It was like calm before a storm. At any moment it could explode, subjecting her to unpredictable consequences. Solimar could feel Nalim’s thoughts and she was sincerely sorry for her friend’s lack of understanding and humility, fearing for her future.

The previous slaves, especially the youngest ones, didn’t like the new partners. They were jealous, for being forced to admit their beauty. Pecos was not like most rich man of his time, who kept abusive sexual relations with the slaves; he considered it repugnant, not for moral principle, but for category; he considered himself superior to them. Many of them, however, were fascinated by him and didn’t lose the hope of awakening his sexual interest, even if momentarily.

The two girls didn’t find a sincere environment, but, people full of hate, envy and violent frustrations. Their distinct and elegant manners, especially Nalim’s, caused the other slaves a feeling of inferiority, and it is something women rarely forgive. If they were not so beautiful, they would have had a friendlier reception. This atmosphere united those two souls that already liked each other even more. A huge and sincere friendship aroused between them.

Jertsaida, a man trusted by Pecos and manager of his properties, supervised Cortiah’s services, in charge of the women’s task of the house. Since the beginning she was sorry for the two girls. She understood, because she had been through the same experience, and she made an effort to relieve their suffering. However, at first her goodwill was not well understood by the two girls, retracted by the other women’s openly hostile reception. But, slowly, they noticed they could count on her sympathy and benevolence. One day Cortiah told them:

- I have noticed your services. You have delicate hands. This house misses a lady’s guidance, as well as competent slaves for these delicate services. I will speak to our brave lord to give you a task according to your skills. So, you can also help me in the most difficult decisions.

The two girls thanked sincerely. They had no experience in heavy duties and it would be very hard for them to be forced to perform them.

Days later, the occasion arrived, when Jertsaida told her noble Pecos was calling her. Cortiah, anxious, went to see him and she was received with the tolerance that allowed him the conscience of his superiority.

- How can I help you, my lord? – asked the salve bowing to him.

- I need you for a very special task. My relatives will arrive within a month and I want to refurnish the domestic furniture as much as possible, especially the ones that belonged to my mother, for my cousin Otias, who will come with my uncle to live here with us. I ask you because, as a woman, still with the memories of your old position in your country, you must know the female freakishness. I will call tapestry professionals and everything else that is necessary for the remodeling. I expect from you some guidance about what would be more appropriate for my eighteen-year-old cousin. Regarding my uncle Osiat’s room and my brother Jasar’s, also about to come back, I will choose the decoration.

- I will do everything I can to serve you, my lord, but I would like to talk to you about a subject that has been worrying me for some days.

- What is it?

- Noble Pecos, some days ago you brought two new slaves but you haven’t determined their duties. Because they are two women from high social position, they are aware of the details you wish, better than I do, because I am already too old for beautiful dreams; allow them to help me in this task, and I am sure you will be pleased with their service.

- It is all right for me. You have my authorization. Finishing this work, I will determine other tasks to them, as necessary on the occasion. Now, go and as soon as you determine the changes come and tell me, but hurry because we have gotten only one month to do that.

Cortiah ran as a happy child to give the good news to the two girls.

Immediately they decided to start working. Solimar, as usual, received all work that was demanded from her, trying to perform it the best she could. Nalim did the best she could, with the hope of pleasing their lord. Since she had lost her freedom, she made no other thing but revenge plans, but because she was in an inferior position, without the means to carry them on openly, she counted on dissimulation and cunning to accomplish them.

Cortiah took them immediately to the rooms where they should work.

- First of all, we want you to describe the personality of the young woman who will occupy this room, so we can create an appropriate nest to her personal taste – asked Nalim – Do you know her, Cortiah?

Yes, I saw her many times when she was still a girl. She left Tebas precisely eight years ago. She moved to Nicia. Her father, noble Pecos’s father’s youngest brother, after losing his wife, depressed, decided to live there, getting established and making his daughter be educated by great teachers during all this time. Young Otias must be about eighteen years old. She was ten when she left and she was very tempered like her mother. She liked strong emotions and she was born to order and to be obeyed. When she was eight years old, she punished with rudeness the slaves that dared to disobey her in the smallest things, although she was good with the ones that served her well.

- We don’t know very much about her, Solimar, but still, we will come up with something that will please her.

The two girls, entertained with that work where their artistic tastes could be exercised, forgot their situation in that house for a while, putting all their refinement in the choice of the decoration, remembering their past that didn’t seem two months, but two centuries ago.

The idealized remodeling caused enthusiastic manifestations from Cortiah, who accepted their suggestions with excitement. They were much acquainted with that, especially Nalim, among those very fine fabrics, taken out from old chests for her choice. Her eyes shone with satisfaction and she was smiling with pleasure like she didn’t for a long time.

And so some more days followed. The arrangements all over the house were carried on animatedly. The slaves were working restlessly, carrying objects, helping in the service. Nalim, nearly forgetting her current position, normally censured the slaves and frequently ordered them when she needed some help. It caused her some arguments and a growing hate. The other slaves, for resentment, envied her confidence, her good taste, having to admit her superiority. Nalim despised them in the certainty of her noble origin. Only Solimar understood and worried about them.

One night, she spoke to Nalim about the subject, but she disdained and answered:

- What do you want me to do? The nobility, although being a slave now, doesn’t mix with the rabble. I, despite the circumstances, do not forget my family, honoring them like all my ancestors did. I am like that and I will hardly change. I have made huge effort to live in the same place as them, using the same installations. It is already a huge sacrifice for me.

- Nalim, I know it is a sacrifice for you, but now we cannot think like before. Maybe pride had attracted this situation to us. Maybe to leave this situation, we have to learn how to be humble, aware that we are all humans, with the same physical needs and the same fate when our soul leaves the body seeking the relief of the celestial mansions.

- But there will certainly be separation for hierarchies of nobility there. I cannot imagine a mansion of happiness without the positions defined for each one.

- A lot of people think like you, but I believe, according to the lessons I received from my father, that we are equal after death, only being in a better position the ones with better actions in the world, with purity, goodness and tolerance.

- And do you think an ignorant slave can have these feelings? I don’t think so.

- What about us? Don’t we have them, by any chance? Aren’t we slaves?

- But our case is different, you know it very well. – Nalim made a gesture of boredom. She was far from understanding the meaning of her friend’s elevated thought. Solimar understood and stopped talking. Her loving heart was taken by sadness. She wanted to share with her friend all understanding she had about life and things, but she wouldn’t understand.

- Can you feel the warmth from inclement summer? Don’t you want to fell the nocturnal breeze, Solimar?

- Let’s, so we can talk a little more. I am glad we can walk freely through the gardens when there is nobody. I would feel very sad if I couldn’t smell the flowers soft fragrance, feeling that life manifests itself on them.

- At least, we have some privileges the other ones don’t. We have moments for rest due to our duties.

The two of them, hugged, walked along the flowered lane. The night was wonderful. It was already late at night, although the hot and stopped air of that rigorous summer was an invitation for the contact with the trees and other fresher places. They continued their walk talking about their past, confidences from happy times.

Nalim spoke about her house, her parents, her family, her childhood. Solimar spoke about her father, whom she loved deeply and taught her everything she knew. He was from noble lineage, but had dedicated his life to the occult, and became completely uninterested in earthly wealth. Her mother, inexperienced, managed everything, because her father would be frequently away on trips for his studies. So, they ended up losing most of their assets. While her father was alive, they didn’t worry about the future, but after his sudden death, they were involved by poverty. They sold their property and bought a small house. With her mother’s tolerance, the slaves were freed, conserving only the services of her older maid and the old gardener that refused to leave her.

Solimar, by virtue of the circumstances, had found a job to help with the expenses. She copied hieroglyphs in long papyrus for noble lords and also wove fine veils for her old friends. They lived with resignation, nearly happy, until one day, when she was coming back from delivering a job, she was attacked and subjugated. When she woke up, she was already in the expedition that was rushing to return. She begged for her freedom, alleging her mother’s needs, she cried uselessly with fear and anguish, thinking about the blow to her mother’s lovely heart.

During the night, alone in a dark tent, she cried painfully and slept exhausted. She woke up in a beautiful garden and sat on a bench, waiting for something, but without knowing what. Suddenly, she saw her loved father coming to her. Younger and happy, he smiled hugging her tenderly.

- Daughter, don’t cry. You know we are born on Earth to learn how to live well. Your experience, in the sector you are going to start, will be useful for you in the future and you can achieve a lot of progress in this life on Earth.

She thought about her mother and looked sad again; he, however, guessing her thoughts, said:

- Nobody is alone in this world. God doesn’t abandon anybody. Face your obligations on Earth with resignation and try to accomplish your mission well. You asked for it previously yourself. Do everything you can to avoid failure. – Kissing her softly on the hot forehead, he disappeared.

Solimar woke up with a relaxing and comforting feeling. When she remembered that dream, her eyes became filled with tears. It is not easy to express emotions with words. The feelings that touch our soul, lose their meaning when they are transformed in ordinary words.

Solimar would like to tell her friend what she felt. However, those emotions were impossible to translate. She noticed Nalim couldn’t understand them.

They both stayed quiet. They walked in silence. The nocturnal breeze, soft and fragrant, inspired them sensibility and romanticism. The stars were sparkling in the infinite immense tile ... Suddenly, tearing the veil of that magic silence, they started to hear an ardent and passionate song. An enchanting and harmonious voice was singing, revealing all his artist sensibility.

The women startled fascinated. Solimar was softly attracted by the fascination of the instant of magic and happy emotion. Nalim felt extremely surprised by recognizing the voice and the song that attracted her, causing her prison. It was the same voice, although purer, more emotional, the same song of lament, of call for love. Although the pungent memories brought to her spirit in that instant. Quiet, nearly not realizing, they exchanged surprised look and, then, carefully they went towards the location where the sound was coming from. Easily guided by the direction of the sound, they moved forward some more steps, stopping admired.

The owner of the house was sitting on a bench, near the external yard of his bedroom singing completely unaware of the rest of the world. His fingers played the lute with mastery, and his eyes fixed in the infinite, revealed aspects of his dreaming soul. His spirit, tired of easy adventures, sought in music the food for his soul.

The two women, stopped, observed him hidden. So, it was him! I was him, thought Nalim, who with the charm of his voice attracted her to shame and slavery. But she would revenge, whatever it took. She would never forgive him!...

Her thin body shook by the huge effort she was making to control herself and to avoid jumping over him, telling him everything that was crossing her soul. Her lips were closed tight and she moaned imperceptibly:

- He will see! He will pay me back!

Solimar nearly didn’t hear her, amazed by the scene she was watching. That man, strong, with extraordinary beauty and attraction could not be bad. He could not be completely heartless, once his soul could vibrate with so much tenderness, in the interpretation of a love song. She felt a strong desire to do something to help him and she promised herself to help him to find his way, stimulating his good side. It would be a shame, she thought, that a man having so many vibrations of love in his voice, passed through life completely deluded, ignoring its real meaning.

Those two beautiful creatures’ emotions, facing the same fact, were very different. One serving disgusted, thinking only about revenge, and the other caressing the hand that hurt her.

Which one was happier? The one that constantly remembered the aggression suffered, reliving and nourishing the feelings of those terrible moments, or the one that, forgetting what she had been through, got free from the painful memories? The one that suffered for being leveled with people she considered inferior, or the one that not judging herself superior to anybody, felt rich enough to help the ones that harmed her?

Certainly Solimar was much happier. Hidden behind some bushes, they waited for the song to finish. Pecos remained for a while in mute contemplation. There were moments in which he felt an inner emptiness. A desire for something he could not explain, an indefinite lack of something. That night, he couldn’t sleep. Inspired by a vague desire, he took his lute and went to the garden. His fingers played the instrument at random, his thoughts were far away.

He looked at the sky full of stars and thought: What mysteries were hidden in those distant points? Which powerful force kept them in the celestial ceiling? Certainly Osiris would have designed a partner for him. He had never loved any woman. His affairs were occasional and superficial. He liked to be loved, but he was sure he would never love. He considered himself insensitive to love and felt frustrated because of it. It was as if he were losing something precious. Then, his lips opened to sing that song, in an ardent and passionate lament:

I see in the dark mantle of the night,

the fluttering shadow of your hair.

In the shine of the sparkling stars,

The loving appeal of your beautiful eyes...

I feel, in the caressing wind blowing

The magic of your involving being...

In the noise of the whispering leaves,

the echo of your soft and light steps...

However, I seek you, oh, fluorescent creature,

Screaming to the echo your inexistent name,

Seeking in women your fascinating form,

Not finding you in this environment...

Oh!... ethereal and beautiful being that I guess is close,

That feels my eagerness for loving care

Appear before my eyes on the right way,

So that I can give myself to you without fear.

Blessing life in the inspiring muse,

Blessing death that leads to life!...

After a few moments of, quiet contemplation, Pecos, more relaxed, went to his bedroom. The two women, still in silence and hugged, returned to their room. Although they followed the same way, they were very distant in thoughts.

CHAPTER III

PRIDE AND HUMILITY

That afternoon, they were busy with the decoration of the wonderful bedroom they had projected. Over a rounded pink marble staircase, they placed a bed made of jade, symmetric and flat, like a table with short legs, slightly concave in the center. Over the bed, there was a mattress of goose feathers, that now they were covering with purple. They had ordered in the market the white sheet of pure linen and other things. They were so entertained that they didn’t hear the noise of steps, muffled by thick rugs.

- You see, Solimar, what a wonderful fabric!

Nalim’s eyes shone like ardent pearls, with pleasure and ambition. Without resisting the temptation, she rolled the precious fabric that was imported from the east, around her body with perfect and provoking lines.

- Even in my land, I had never had anything like that!

She was really beautiful!

Suddenly she noticed that Solimar, surprised, looked at the door. Turning, Nalim shivered recognizing her lord’s figure. Because she could control herself very fast, she remained stopped staring at him. Her attitude was respectful, but in her eyes there was the same insolent shine.

This attitude annoyed him. He approached her and with a certain disdain in his voice, he said:

- These fine fabrics don’t suit you. In fact, it couldn’t even be another way, because they were made for ladies and not for slaves. Keep this truth in mind and try not to covet what was not made for you.

Nalim felt her throat dried and her hands cold. That was too much. Her nostrils panted nervously when she was contradicted. His words hurt more than physical punishment, because they reached what she had as biggest: vanity.

He, calmly, without seeming to notice anything, walked around the room, observing the changes made.

- Sir, - said Solimar calmly – unfortunately we, women, are frequently dominated by the adornments that make us more beautiful. Sorry for our enthusiasm. As slaves, we have the possibility to dress our souls with the most beautiful clothes, which not even time, or anybody can destroy. I really believe, sir, that some ladies that wear with pleasure a dress like this, one day will feel the need to dress their own souls like slaves in life to serve their conscience’s requirements!

Pecos looked at her surprised. Nalim, with her beauty and arrogance, had the gift of irritating and fascinating him at the same time, but Solimar was like a balm for his eyes. The unexpected answer, relaxed him. Getting closer to her, he said:

- Maybe you right, but we need to admit that not everybody is humble and dedicated slaves. Most of them still have great pretensions, keeping illusions from the past. But, talking about what has brought me here, where is Cortiah?

- She left, sir. She went to make some orders for the progress of the service. She wanted to go personally, to make sure it would be made in the best possible way – answered Solimar serenely.

- Well, you listen, then: we must finish everything within ten days, at most. If necessary, request more slaves, as long as you finish within this term. It seems very good to me. I hope you do everything to serve my cousin well, as if she were the lady of the house.

Nalim remained quiet, but her black eyes hid threats. That man that robbed everything from her cowardly, still considered himself with the right to mock her beauty and nobility! He did not even bother to look at her like a woman. She had put the fabric away and simulated to resume the interrupted task, but, she didn’t know what she was doing. Only her thought worked in the shadow of her hurt woman vanity.

After looking a few more things inside the room, Pecos left without saying a word.

The two women exchanged a look. Nalim, without controlling herself any longer, throwing away the part she pretended to sew, approached her friend, saying:

- Can you see how I have enough reasons to hate him! It seems he picks on me, feeling such a huge pleasure in torturing me. He saw my house, my slaves, and my lineage, he knows I deserve respect and consideration. Not satisfied for having reduced me and transformed me in what I am today, he has refinement of perversity, despising me like that. I cannot stand it anymore! I need to find a way to tell my family. They will certainly not let me remain here any longer. They will do everything to free me.

Nalim shut up anguished. Her nervous hands were sweat. Her forehead was burning with the affront received.

Solimar approached her friend and hugged her, saying tenderly:

- Calm down, Nalim. Don’t do crazy projects for the future. We are in a foreign land and it would be difficult for the time being to find someone we could trust to render us this service. Let’s wait with calm, because if someone discovers your intentions, we will certainly lose even the little freedom and tolerance we enjoy now. The offense you received was in the same proportion as your pride. If you were less vain, what you call insult would not hurt you. We always tend to consider the offense we received greatly, but we never ask why we have attracted that for us. If you don’t try to resign to your new situation, your suffering will be much bigger.

- I don’t know how you can talk like that, I don’t understand you! You seem destitute of flesh and blood like me. You accept the situation with so much passivity that I cannot admit. Tell me: if we found an opportunity to run away, would you come with me?

- I don’t know, it would depend on the circumstances, but I don’t think we would manage to get too far without being found. Then, how could we cross the desert? How many times, Nalim, deluded by a mirage, we rush headlong into an imprudent escape and instead of happiness, we are surprised by pain. Lost in the arid and burning desert, we would fatally remember we were protected here, being preferable remaining slaves in the body, with the respect we have been treated so far, to finding death under the burning desert sun. Freedom, believe me, is relative. Nobody in the world is completely free. Which we call freedom is exactly the power to do what pleases us and many times we enslave ourselves on its behalf. The real freedom is our spirit’s, which can become free by knowing the laws that govern life. This freedom, Nalim, is the only one I want and although my body may be enslaved, nobody shall take it from me.

Solimar spoke slowly. There was so much conviction in her voice that Nalim felt calmer. She wanted to have her friend’s serenity, that way of seeing things so differently from all other people she had ever known. A little bit calmer, she said:

- All right, Solimar. I will do whatever is possible to resign, and for the time being I will not think about escaping, but only for the time being. As soon as I get a chance, I won’t miss it. So, my revenge will be accomplished.

Solimar, thoughtful, didn’t answer, resuming the interrupted task. Nalim, mechanically, also resumed hers, but she didn’t have the same enthusiasm from before. The day was spoiled for her.

Pecos was apprehensive when he left the room where the two slave women were working. Solimar’s words had impressed him more than he would like to confess.

He went to his office and sat on a soft and scented couch, leaning to rest. But that sadness, that feeling of insecurity had been back. He didn’t know how to explain what he was feeling.

Solimar looked like somebody he met… but where? Solimar ... Her light complexion like the sun and her green eyes like the sea, whose waves reflected in her beautiful hair... Beautiful name for such creature! Interesting as being so young, she already had so deep knowledge of things! Would that be knowledge or just some memorized phrases to give a good impression? Suddenly, he felt a huge desire to talk to her to check how much she knew about life.

He smiled constrained! What kind of pleasure could he find in a conversation with one of his slaves? Certainly, none.

Unexpectedly, Nalim’s beautiful face appeared in his memory. He shivered. She was really beautiful. Maybe one of the most beautiful women he had ever met. Her perfect body, her face, her two lines of white and well distributed teeth, her princess posture matched well the pride reflected in her black eyes.

Pecos felt his mouth dry. He stood up and served himself some wine, which he drank at once.

“I don’t know what is going on with me”, - he thought – “certainly it is this bloody calmness that surrounds us, leaving my nerves on edge. If at least there were some fights to entertain me... I think I am sick for becoming fascinated by my own slaves that easily, as if I lacked beautiful women at the entire court of Egypt. What I need is to get out a little bit. This inactivity consumes me.”

He stood up, going towards his bedroom connected to the alcove, getting prepared to go out. He took half an hour to get ready, then, dissatisfied with himself, with life and with everybody, he finally left, going to the Pharaoh’s palace.

CHAPTER IV

OTIAS’S ARRIVAL

Time was passing by fast. The arrangements were finished. The mansion had been made many changes. Everything that was modern and luxurious in Tebas was used by noble Pecos. The environment shone with a festive gleam.

Pecos, on that sunny day, was getting prepared with refinement. He should wait for his relatives that, according to the messenger on the previous day, would arrive in a few hours.

He intended to find them on the road, at the city entrance, to welcome them. He sincerely liked his old uncle, a good and honest man, soldier, currently retired due to the old age. But his biggest concern was about his cousin. He knew his uncle intended to marry him to her and they had even talked frankly about it. How would she be? It had been eight years since he last saw her, but he remembered she was such a beautiful girl. She should be now a pretty woman in the splendor of her 18-year-old age.

He was not against this union, because, besides liking them very much, his uncle’s great fortune united to his, would make him much richer.

Besides, he had never truly loved anybody and he didn’t believe it could be possible. His adventures had made him experienced with women, but none of them had seriously impressed him.

He really expected that marrying his cousin, who he liked and respected, they could live happily and peacefully, accomplishing his biggest dream of having an heir for his name and businesses.

For vanity, Pecos intended to win death, living through his descendent. Like so many others, he didn’t stop to think whether he was prepared to be a father or not, or if the woman he had chosen to be his son’s mother would perform this mission properly. He dreamed about making him rich, powerful, giving him whatever he wanted, but he didn’t himself. He made plans for the future, without asking himself if his son would be happy to perform them.

Very neat, dressed with his tunic for special occasions, he called Jertsaida, giving her the last orders regarding the guests. Then, he took his horse, followed by Tetânio and Martus, his dependable officers. They crossed the city, which at that time in the morning was such a rush.

Tebas was an active and busy city. The caravans came and went all the time, going down and up Nile River towards other lands, negotiating aromatic herbs, fabrics, spices in general, leather, etc... Its commerce was free, having to pay only in cash, what is to say, with goods, the price to cross to reach the lower towns.