Asr
Chapter 12
“Greetings to thee, champion of my brother.” The voice came from behind him, startling Ardeth a bit and he realized he was no longer standing in Thebes.
“Anubis.” It took him another moment to place the voice. “Why do you summon me here, dread god of those who’s hearts have stilled?”
“I have news for thee and the other champions of Egypt. You seemed the better choice than to summon my own champion here again. No doubt he would be too angry to listen.”
“As you say.” He was truly glad and thankful to Allah that the god of the dead had not pulled Rick back to this place, or worse yet, summoned Evelyn. Although he would have preferred the god speak to Ammun’s priest and not him come to that.
“So you, like your brother, have no fondness for the priest of my father’s father, Medjai?” Asked the god with what might have been a smile, but it was a horrible grimace of teeth on the jackal’s face.
“We are enemies most days.” He replied cooly. “What news might I take then to my fellow champions of Egypt?”
A growl. “Do not take such disrespect with me, Medjai. My brother might find it amusing, but I do not.”
“As you say.” He agreed. “May I ask then, dread god, what news it is you wish me to carry to my fellow champions?” He found the polite wording with only a bit of work.
“You may ask.” The god chuckled, and it was a horrible sound indeed. “ I am curious why it is my brother, my father, and AmmunRa himself find such favor for you, Medjai.” The god walked around him in a circle. “You do not appear much to me.”
“I am only Medjai, dread Anubis, I would never presume to know the why’s of any of your family.” He found an answer.
“Only mine.” The jaws snapped shut just over his shoulder. “My champion is fond of you.”
“He is my brother.” Ardeth replied.
“Lover.” The god corrected with a snarl.
“When I am fortunate.” He agreed. “But more often we are the brothers.”
“You are not afraid of me, are you Medjai?”
“I do not think you will harm me, given that it would anger your brother, your father, and great AmmunRa himself, no.” He returned, but he made certain to keep the god in sight now, and his hand rested on the scepter of Horus at his belt.
The god chuckled that same rasping sound. “Wary is good, warrior. You have many enemies about, champion of my brother.”
“Do I?”
“The Germans are not fools, not all of them. They are like Pharaoh’s hounds who having scented blood will not give up the prey until it is hounded onto death and they can bring the remains back to their master’s feet.” The god smiled again and then reached out and caught a handful of Ardeth’s hair in his hand. Ardeth froze, but met the flat dark eyes with his own. “What does my brother see in you?”
“Why do you not ask him?” He returned.
“Bravery you do not lack.” The god chuckled and released his hair. “Most men would be shaken to have me so close.”
“I am Medjai, dread Anubis, I live with death every day of my life.”
“Hmm.” The god nodded a bit. “I could kill you.”
“Without doubt. But it would not aid Egypt if you do.” He forced himself calm. “And I will not go easily.”
“Would you threaten me, Medjai?” The god growled.
“No. It was only truth.”
The god chuckled and then tilted his head a bit to regard him in what might have been curiosity. “Seeing you bleed makes my champion angry.”
“Would seeing Horus bleed not make you angry?” He asked in return.
The blow caught him completely unaware and knocked him backward several feet to the floor. “Never presume such a comparison again.” The god growled, striding over. Ardeth could only roll to his feet and draw his weapons, little use though they might be and try to clear the ringing in his ears from the blow. “The Germans will avenge their dead, Medjai. They have already started. But their way is not yours and they will worry you down like a hound does a hind, do not allow that. Be vigilant, champion of my brother, be wary, but know you this, in a handful of days the battle will be decided and not all your warriors or any of the other champions will be able to aid you. Ahm Shere is a place of blood and sacrifice, Medjai, as it has always been. See you then that the blood spilled is of Egypt’s enemies and not your own. For if you fall, the consequences will be more than you will ever recover from. My brother has faith that you will triumph over this. I do not. But I will give you a chance to impress me as you do him because he is my brother. I know the stubbornness and anger and rage that lie within your brother’s heart, Ardeth Bay. Let us see what lies in yours. And if I am pleased, I will not go to my brother and say. Your champion was weak so I broke him, find another.” And the god was simply gone.
“Oh Allah, I do not understand your will.” Ardeth let himself shiver now that the god was not there to see it. He slipped the shield onto his arm, and held his spear ready in the other. Searching around the small room he found an entrance way to a passage not any different from the one he and Imhotep had traveled down when they had come here to find Rick. He took one of the torches from the wall and then headed forward. “Bright God of Vengeance, I beseech you, walk between me and all the dark places I must travel.”
The shield on his arm seemed to glow just slightly, and taking that as a yes he walked forward. The hallway stretched away into darkness so all he could do was walk it. It was impossible not to wonder what horrors he would face when this passageway ended, but he tried his best not to let his imagination stray to far. ‘They are only shadows, Ardeth. Remember that, no matter what he shows you, they are only shadows.’ Allah have mercy though the creature that had gone from Imhotep to Rick while it held him tight had seemed very real indeed. He had on real idea which direction he traveled in, but given that the Egyptians put the land of the dead on the west side of the Nile, and he was headed undoubtedly deeper into it, he glanced behind him. “Bis’mil’Allah rakhman el rahim.” He asked softly, meaning the prayer with his whole heart. And he recalled standing on the dunes and looking out as the second wave of the army of Anubis washed over the sands. Allah protect us, he had asked. And Allah, most merciful, had listened to his prayer. ‘If it is your will, most companionate, I would live to lead my people yet’. He was uncertain how long he walked the dark hall before a noise from up ahead caught his attention. He had half been expecting screams, but it was not a scream but sobbing. He ran a bit, and then stopped as the passage did. And to his left lay a field of bodies, burned and shattered remains of men and animals. He closed his eyes, refusing to believe that this was real. They are in Paradise with Allah, he reminded himself. AmmunRa told you so. But it could so easily be the remains of Ahmer’s tribe that stretched out into the cavern. He walked forward uncertainly, trying to find the source of the sobbing. A young girl was curled over the body of her mother and rocking back and forth a bit as he reached them. “Salaama, little one...” He tried to find his voice.
The child turned and then flung herself into his arms. “Haltu!” Khalifa’s voice was a cold shock but he caught her close, and only held her tightly. He had to drop his torch and his spear to do so, but he caught her, wrapping his arm around her and in doing so almost covering her with the shield of Horus. It took a bit of maneuvering to crouch down and pick his spear back up but he did so.
“Khalifa are you hurt?” He asked finally as she sobbed against his shoulder.
“Mama...died!” She wailed, her small hands balled into his robes.
“Where is Numa, and your brothers?” He had to ask.
“Mohamed went to find papa...Numa...and Ismail...” She only sobbed harder as the words stopped and that was answer enough.
Oh, most merciful Allah see them safe to Paradise I pray you. “We will find your papa.” He promised, because there was nothing else he could do. I am so sorry, Adham. He walked deeper into the field, Khalifa still clinging to him and sobbing. It was so hard to see the twisted remains of his friends, his people, as he tried to pick his way through the carnage. He found Selim next, his uncle lay partially over Azza, one hand reaching out even in death toward Amal who was only a few inches further ahead. There was no reason to stop and check for signs of life but he could not help himself. He made certain to cover all three of their faces with what fabric he could find. Shadows, he reminded himself harshly, only shadows, Ardeth. So he would not grieve. But Allah have mercy Khalifa felt so very real in his arms.
“Ardeth?” He turned at the whisper to see Fatima, his cousin Ahmed’s wife leaning against one tent pole that still stood upright.
“Fatima.” He stepped over to her.
“We had no warning...chieftain. The men tried to...”
“Shhh,” He gathered her to him with his free arm. “Allah and I both know that.” He did not doubt it. Because if these people were as Ammun had said his memories and the reflections of his people in his eyes they were as brave here as they were in the real world. “Are you injured?”
“It is nothing.” She shook her head. “Ahmed went that way to find Mohamed and any of the others who might still live.”
“Your husband is a brave man. Let us find a place to gather those who survive.” He agreed, glad to know at least one of his cousins still lived.
“Is the little one hurt?”
“No.” He shook his head, and realized that his cousin’s daughter and cried herself into sleep in his arms. “Can you walk?”
“I will manage.” She agreed and they headed forward. More and more bodies pilled about as they moved, a few more women and children finding their way to his side. He found Sana with the woman he recalled taking care of the wounded of the eleventh tribe when he had found them. Both, praise Allah, were alive, and he took a moment to hug the small girl close with his free arm. He nodded at her tribesmate and she nodded back.
“We can gather the wounded and survivors here, chieftain. There is water.” She indicated the sealed jugs that had tumbled from the camel who lay not far away.
“There are no warriors I have found to leave with you, can you shoot if need be?”
Her eyes were cold as they met his. “I will be happy too.”
He nodded and then handed her his cousin’s daughter. “Then I leave them in your hands. Take the weapons from your tribesmen and use them if you must.”
“I will not fail you, chieftain.”
“Allah and I know that.” He agreed. His arms felt very empty now without Khalifa’s weight. “I will send any survivors I find back to you...” He paused. “What is your name, sister?”
“Shadiya.” She replied, and he recalled it as she spoke.
“Allah hamdas aha, Shadiya.”
“Allah Hama’ ana.” She replied.
“And to you.” He agreed. Allah protect us all. It was the only prayer he could offer right now. And he left them there because there was nothing else he could do and went to see who else the gods would show him. He found Adham’s son, Mohamed kneeling beside his father. “Mohamed.” He put his hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“Haltu Ardeth.” The boy glanced up, eyes red with tears.
“I have found Khalifa, she is safe. Are you...”
“Ardeth?” Adham’s voice was a rough gasp and he went to his knees beside his cousin.
“I am here, Adham.” He offered. “Save your strength, cousin.”
“Why?” A cough ended the word. “Leila and...my children?”
“Nuna and Ismail are with Leila and they are safe.” It was not exactly a lie. “I will take Mohamed back to get Khalifa where she is with the last group of survivors I found and then we will go back to them.” He did not know anything else to offer his cousin.
“That is good.” Adham agreed with a groan. “I...leave them in your care...cousin.”
“I will care for them as if they were my own.” He agreed, not caring at all that the tears would not listen to his mind when he insisted this was not real. “Go in peace now, Adham. Give your parents and mine my love will you?”
“In’sh’allah.” Adham agreed. “O’Connell...went west...to find the Germans.”
“No doubt.” He nodded.
“Horus...guide your aim, Arda.”
“And see you safely to Allah’s side.” He found the words. “I will avenge you, Adham, never doubt that.”
“No.” Adham agreed. “Follow...your chieftain, Mohamed.”
“I will father.” The boy nodded.
“Good.” And his cousin sighed a wet torn sound and was still.
He waited a long moment and then draped the edge of Adham’s own robe over his cousin’s face. “Walk straight back from here, that way.” He pointed behind him. “Khalifa is with the other women and children.” He gripped Mohamed’s shoulders. “Can you do that for me?”
“Yes, chieftain.” The boy’s eyes were dry now. “But I would go with you to kill Germans.”
“I know you would. But I can not protect my people and kill German’s both and I am better armed than you are to injure tanks.” He pulled several grenades and blades and one pistol from his cousin’s body and handed them to Mohamed who put them where they belonged amongst his own robes.
“I will not fail you, chieftain.”
“I have no doubt of that.” He agreed. “Allah Hama’ ana, Mohamed.”
“Allah hamdas aha, chieftain.” Mohamed returned. And the eleven year old was so very obviously no longer a child at all.
“We can pray so.” He agreed and then rose to his feet and indicated the way he had come. “Go.”
Mohamed rose to his feet as well and did, without a backward glance, and it tore another rend into Ardeth’s heart as he did so. He continued on his path, wondering if he was indeed headed west and what he would find. He doubted very much Anubis would grant that Rick and Evelyn and Alex were well.
“Uncle Ardeth!” As if the thought had summoned him, which he supposed it might have done, Alex came running over and threw himself into Ardeth’s arms.
“Alex.” He hugged the boy tightly. Thank you most merciful. I will tell my brother his son is whole. “Are you injured?”
“No, mom gave me the amulet of Sekhmet remember? It works really well.” He pulled the medallion in question out and showed it to him. “But I can’t find mom to give it to her so she can heal some of the wounded.”
“If you walk back this way you will find the other survivors, Alex. I will send your mother to join you as soon as I find her.”
“I could go with you.” Alex offered.
It took all the strength he had to find a smile. “I know you would. You are your father’s son in so many ways, Alex. But I can not spare you to go with me.” He said a quick prayer that Rick would forgive him and took a pistol and a short sword away from one of his dead tribesmates. “Do you know how to shoot this?” He asked.
“I’ve seen dad do it, and I can load it.” Alex answered.
“Good.” He took the cartridge strap from the man as well and then draped it with formality across his nephew’s shoulder. “Cary the blade like so, always draw it away from you and only use it if you have no other choice including running. Do you understand me Alex O’Connell?”
“Yes.” The boy nodded and took the scimitar and put it at his waist.
“Good. You will find many women and children among the survivors, Alex. I need you to protect what is left of my tribes while your father and I defeat the Germans. Can you do that?”
“In’sh’allah, Uncle Ardeth.”
“Spoken like a true Medjai.” He nodded, and then pulled off his medallion and slipped it over his nephew’s head. “Would that I had someone here to witness for us, Alex. But Allah will have to do. Iksandr, son of my brother, I name you Medjai. Go now, warrior, and see to our tribes.”
“I will.” The boy nodded, and like Mohamed before him he headed back the way Ardeth had come from. And it did no good at all to tell himself it was not real, because his heart no longer believed it. Another bit of a walk brought him to Evelyn’s side. She lay in a small dell in the sand, almost peacefully, her dark hair spread out about her shoulders and the golden mask of Sekhmet on the ground beside her. One outstretched hand still gripped her knife. He knelt down and eased her over onto her back so he could close her eyes.
“I am so sorry, Evelyn.” He offered softly. “I will see Alex well, as God gives me strength, I promise you.” He looked about and then spotted Kashim lying only a few feet away his chest shattered by a barrage of bullets. “Forgive me my friend.” He took the man’s sash and draped it over Evelyn’s face and then turned Kashim’s outer robe up to cover his face. “I have no words for how I have failed you both, but I swear it to Allah if it takes me eternity I will avenge you.” He promised. “May you both find the Paradise you deserve.” And he picked up his spear again and walked forward, though Allah knew how he was going to tell Rick this.
A strangled scream came from up ahead and he ran that way, not at all prepared for what he found. There were several defeated tanks in a rough crescent around a group of his warriors who lay dead amongst their horses and a larger number of dead Germans. But the two forms that caught his attention were Rick and an old enemy. Lok-nah was perched atop the remains of one of the German cars and was twisting the long spear in his hand deeper into Rick’s side with a smile.
Ardeth could not recall casting the spear in his hand but it sailed brightly through the half-darkness. The creature that might or might not be his old foe simply caught the spear in flight and smiled at him. “Ardeth Bay.”
“Leave my brother alone.” He was surprised his voice was so calm.
“Why would I want to do that?” Lok-nah replied and then flipped the golden spear in his hand and drove it into Rick’s left shoulder. Ardeth could not keep from wincing at the anguished scream that Rick so obviously tried to swallow. “I’m enjoying this.”
“I will cut you down again and let you bleed to death like a pig.” He challenged coldly. “Or are you a coward now that you are dead?”
“I served my god well, Medjai. I have been well rewarded.” The man rose to his feet and drew his own sword. “Where is your god now?”
“La illaha ilallah.” He disagreed. “But if you speak of Anubis, Anasusi, I will see if his bright brother will grant me his favor yet.” He drew his sword and brought the shield of Horus around so that the carved falcon caught what light there was.
The leader of the Anasusi growled and then pulled the longer spear from Rick’s side with no care at all for the pain it caused. “Stay there, so I can spit on you before I kill you.” Lok-nah smiled that cold grin and kicked indifferently at Rick as he walked forward.
Ardeth did not let himself think, only swung the blade in his hand. It was not an easy fight, no fight with Lok-nah had ever been easy, and he took more than a few cuts himself, but he was going to succeed in this as he had at Ahm Shere. And finally, Allah be praised he brought his shield around and slammed it into Lok-nah’s face and then his sword slid easily across the man’s stomach and spilled his guts out onto the sand. Lok-nah stared at him in what might have been surprise and then toppled slowly forward. Ardeth left him there and ran to Rick’s side.
“Took you...long enough.” Rick’s voice was a ragged whisper.
“Shhh, habib, save your strength.” He set his weapons aside and undid his sash to press it against the wound in Rick’s side. “I will get the book of AmmunRa and see you healed.” He offered.
“Don’t...think so.” Rick smiled, and the hand that clasped his had no strength to it at all. “My turn...to die in your arms, huh?”
“You may not die.” He shook his head.
“Not– and order...you can give.” Rick sighed. “Take it out, Ardeth? Please?”
He closed his eyes for a long moment and then nodded. And it tore what was left of his heart to pull the spear of Horus from Rick’s shoulder. Rick gave a groaned scream that had so little strength to it. Ardeth only gathered him into his arms and held him close. “I am so sorry, Rick.”
“Not your fault...” His friend sighed. “Crazy, stubborn, idiot.”
“As you say.” He agreed. Likely he was all three right now. “Alex is well, he is helping Mohamed guard the women and children who survived.”
“That’s good. Did...you see Evie?”
“No.” He lied flat out, Allah forgive him but he would not regret that now. “But I will see them taken care of when I do.” He promised.
“Good.” Rick smiled a bit. “Doesn’t hurt much now.”
“That is good.” He agreed, although he knew it was only an indication of how little life his friend had left.
“You...kicked his ass pretty good.”
“I should have thought to bring a pistol and simply shot him.” Ardeth disagreed.
“Take mine.” Rick offered. “Tell...Evie and Alex...I love them?”
“Of course I will.”
“You too, Ardeth. Ana habb entu.”
“And I you.” He managed, and he could not stop the tears.
“Don’t...” Rick reached up one shaky hand and touched his cheek.
“I can not help it.” He replied, catching the hand and then placing a kiss on the palm before curling his brother’s fingers around it and bringing it back to Rick’s chest. “To take with you.”
“Thanks...You take care of...yourself, habibi, please?”
“I will.” He promised. He would have to, he had too many children of too many relatives to see to safety. “Do not make me find you at this bar of yours, hmm?”
“Right...” Rick managed. “It’s cold, Ardeth.”
“It is.” He agreed and only hugged his brother closer. “Ma Salaama, habibi.” He leaned down and kissed him as light as he could. “Let go now.”
“I...” A slight tremor ran through him and Rick was still.
“Allah see you safe to Paradise, habib.”
“If I had known you cared so much, I would have taken longer with him.” The voice came from behind him a moment before the blow that struck across the base of his skull and he slumped forward across his brother’s body, trying to cling somehow to consciousness. But he doubted he had managed it because the next thing he realized he was hanging from his arms which were tied to the huge guns of one of the tanks and the enemy he had killed twice now was smiling at him. “Welcome back, Ardeth Bay.”
He smiled and then spit full in the man’s face. It earned him a backhanded blow that made his fragile hold on consciousness teeter wildly.
“Did you think you could kill me so easily?”
“Killing you has never been all that difficult.” He replied.
Lok-nah growled, but only walked behind him. He tensed, uncertain of what his enemy intended and then forced himself still and silent as his robes were cut in one long slice from wrist down his arm across his shoulder to the collar and then the same along the other arm. It left him with his pants and boots at least. He forced down a deep breath and then hissed it out as the knife slid across his shoulders just enough to draw blood. He knew it was foolish to waste strength on keeping silent when he would need it later to face the pain to come. But he could not bring himself to give his enemy the satisfaction of hearing him cry out in pain. So he closed his eyes, turned his face against one arm and held on as the blade traced patterns in his skin, moving in and amongst his tattoos, changing them from blessings and protection into curses. He could not keep from flinching or shuddering as the blade worked though and each additional cut only added to the weight pressing against his throat and urging him to give voice to the pain. Finally, the blade stopped and his enemy walked back around to face him once more. “I am going to take this.” The man held out Ardeth’s sword, the one he had used both times now to kill his enemy. “And with it, I am going to slit the throat of every woman and child you have so conveniently gathered for me.” The laugh was cold. “Are any of them pretty, Medjai? Should I spare them for my pleasure?” The point of his own sword was placed at his throat. “Do you wish me to leave them be, Medjai?”
He knew very well what Lok-nah wanted so he found, Allah be praised, the strength to spit once more into his enemy’s face. “Unlike your men, Asanusi the Medjai do not beg.” He growled out the words. It earned him another backhanded blow that made the world grey for a bit. Allah grant me strength I pray you. He forced his eyes open.
“You will beg, Medjai. I will make you beg.” The words were a growl and one strong hand gripped his throat.
And he recalled how only earlier that day Ammun had gripped Kashim in much the same way. What was it the god had said to him again? A geas he had– So I give you this command, Ardeth Bay, when the testing comes again, without your tribesmates there and I, myself, and Bright Horus both are unable to aid you, trust that the same courage that just allowed you to face me with only a sword and your bravery and thereby give your tribesmen courage to follow is enough for what you face. And do not give into the despair you feel, or all shall indeed be lost. Only call upon the one you would least expect for aid, and you will know what must be done. He took the god’s words to his heart and only met the dark gaze of his enemy.
“Never.” He replied calmly. “Death you may bring me, creature, but my soul and my honor belong to Allah.”
Another backhanded blow and this time the world went grey for quite a bit, the ringing in his ears and pounding in his head making it impossible to do more than hover there between wherever he was and darkness. Anubis, dread god of those who’s hearts have stilled, to not let him kill me now? Egypt has need of her champions. He had no idea who else he might turn to for aid that he would least expect it from.
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“I thought Ammun said this wouldn’t happen?” Rick growled as he came to a sudden stop as the hallway ended.
“I do not know what is happening, O’Connell. Or why it is that we are searching for Ardeth here and not you. I am Ammun’s High Priest and champion, but I do not always know the will of my god.”
“Great.” He looked out over the field below and shuddered. “This is going to be bad.”
“Is this what Anubis kept showing you?” Evie asked from beside him.
“No, sweetheart, this is Ardeth’s I think.” He answered, and it gave him the first hope he’d had that maybe they’d find him in one piece. Because if they were walking into Ardeth’s idea of hell, then maybe he was the one who would be left alive to grieve and hate. And Rick could deal with that, because whatever he found out there wasn’t real. “Let’s find him.”
“In’sh’allah.” She whispered but they walked out among the corpse covered plain. And it took only a while to realize which path Ardeth had taken because they found the bodies of his family that he had covered as he went. Rick just kept one arm around Evie as they walked.
“Mom. Dad!” Alex’s voice was a shock and a joy as his son ran over from somewhere ahead of them. Evie picked him up and hugged him tightly. “You’re all right.” Alex just clung to her and Rick decided not to point out that it wasn’t really Alex. It didn’t matter right now, anyway.
“You okay, Alex?” He reached over and put his arms around them both.
“Yeah, dad, I have the amulet of Sekhmet remember?” He held it up and then pulled it off. “Here mum, there’s lots of people who need you to use it.”
“Yes, I can see that.” She agreed. “Have you seen Ardeth, Alex?”
“He went that way. He sent Mohamed and I back to guard the women and children.” Alex led them over to where the obviously few remaining Medjai of this damned place were gathered. And it was only then that he realized that Alex not only had a sword stuck through his belt but a gun holster over one shoulder and an extra band of ammunition over the other.
“What the hell are you doing with that?” He indicated the weapons before he could think about it.
“Guarding everyone else.” A woman he didn’t know spoke before Alex could answer. “Your son is a brave man.”
“We are the only warriors my chieftain has left, O’Connell.” Said a young Medjai, maybe Alex’s age or so. “He did not want to leave us here, but someone had to go fight the Germans and he said it was better for us to stay and guard what was left of our tribes.”
“You’re too damned young to be shooting people.”
“If I have the opportunity to shoot at those that killed my parents and my brother and sister I will do so.” The Medjai replied. “Alex said he would help me, as we are family now.”
“Mohamed’s Adham’s son, dad.” Alex put in, sounding all too old. And he tried his best to remind himself that it wasn’t real.
“Do we really have a choice Rick? Until we can wake everyone up in Ahm Shere this is it.” Evie pointed out.
“I don’t know, Evie...I don’t know. Okay, look, will you stay here with Alex and the amulet and try to see if it works on people? Imhotep and I can go find Ardeth and anybody else alive and bring them back here. Ardeth’s shield works here I remember that. Then we can see about getting the hell out of here.”
“All right.” She agreed. “Anheratu did tell me to remember that the women and children are often left undefended and that I should not forget that. So I’ll stay. But be careful out there.”
“Anubis gets a kick out of making sure I watch everyone else die, Evie. I’m not worried about me.” He shook his head. “Just stay close to Alex.” He turned to look at the boy he couldn’t help but think of as his son even when he knew better. “You stay close to your mom, and...be careful how you aim that okay? Use both hands, or it’ll break your wrists.” He took a moment to show Alex how to hold the pistol as best he could. “Understand?”
“Yeah dad.” Alex nodded. “Thanks.”
He only hugged his son tight and promised himself he would never ever have to do that in the real world no matter what it took. “Okay.” He let go and then hugged Evie close as well. “Try to remember that you, me, Ardeth, and Imhotep are the only real people here, sweetheart, the rest of them, Alex included are only part of the dream.”
“Really?” She asked, blinking back obvious tears.
“Yeah. Trust me on this, I’ve been here before.”
“All right...it just seems so real, Rick.”
“Yeah.” He agreed, took another moment to kiss her quickly and then left before he could argue himself out of it.
“Your wife and son are brave beyond words, O’Connell.” The damned thing said as they hurried through the field.
“Always have been.” He answered.
“There is far too much truth to that. Truly, had her father been half the person she is, Egypt could have asked for no better man to rule her.”
Rick couldn’t think of a thing to say to that. Then he stopped, and took a moment to stare down at the body of the reflection of his wife. Ardeth had been here too obviously, because her face was covered with a dark piece of cloth, but he recognized her all the same. “Guess that’s a pretty good indication we’re real, huh?”
“As you say.” The damned thing agreed. They headed forward again and then stopped hearing a voice ahead that wasn’t Ardeth’s. He glanced at the creature beside him and then gestured to his left. The thing nodded and they split apart to edge closer.
“Do not faint, Medjai.” The voice carried to him in Arabic. “Or I will go entertain myself elsewhere.”
A rough whisper he couldn’t understand but he recognized the voice and came around the remains of one tank to see a man who looked vaguely familiar and Ardeth. And Ardeth, God have mercy, looked only slightly better than he had all the other times Rick had found him in hell. It isn’t real. He reminded himself but it didn’t help any. He drew his pistol and then took careful aim at the bastard as he moved around to in front of Ardeth and pulled the trigger. The man jumped as the bullet slammed into his back, whirling about and the ropes that held Ardeth to the tank’s gun suddenly snapped as if cut. Rick fired again, squarely into the thing’s heart this time and it might as well have been useless. “Great, this again. Okay, you son of a bitch, where’s the damned armor when I need it, huh?”
And then to his utter amazement the armor was exactly where he wanted it to be, all around him and in place. He smiled and then took that one leap step forward. “Surprise.” He slammed the shield into the man’s face and sent him stumbling back.
“Lok-nah.” Ardeth’s voice was a growl, but he’d picked up the spear of Horus from somewhere and only drove it through the man’s body knocking him to the ground and pinning him to the sand. “How does it feel?” The question was a harsh snarl and he twisted the spear in his hands sharply. The man or creature or whatever it was on the ground gave a choked off scream and was suddenly still. Ardeth let go of the spear and then picked up his sword which was also on the ground and moved back to the body, raising it over his head with both hands, and it was so obvious he could barely stand.
“He is dead now, Ardeth.” The damned thing moved to Ardeth’s side.
“He does not stay dead.” Ardeth replied roughly. “I killed him...before and it does no good...So I though...chop him to pieces you said, did you not, brother?”
And it dawned on him all to suddenly that this was really Ardeth. “I’ll do it.” He offered, and he would, and then so help him he was going to find the damned god responsible for this and if it killed him he was going to rip his head off.
“I...” Ardeth blinked, shaking his head a little as if dizzy and lowered the sword. “Are you real?”
“Yeah, Ardeth. I think so.” He answered, trying not to recall how the reflection of Ardeth he’d last held in his arms here had asked the same question.
“Thanks be to Allah then.” Ardeth let the sword drop and Rick wished just as desperately that the damned armor would go away because he wanted to hold his brother close. He dropped the sword and the shield and started to take off the rest but it only vanished just as it had appeared leaving the weapons on the sand. He ignored them and got to Ardeth’s side just after he swayed enough that Imhotep reached out to steady him. And his eyes met the dark brown over Ardeth’s head, and damn if they didn’t look just as relived as he felt when Ardeth didn’t even flinch from the touch only sagged against the support and let himself be lowered to the ground. “He will come back.” Ardeth repeated.
“Then we’ll kill him again.” Rick promised.
“As you say. Allah have mercy.” Ardeth started to lean forward, curling up over his knees and then hissed out a breath. “Can you ask Ammun to see us home, Imhotep?” The words were and exhausted whisper. Rick knelt beside him and touched the tangled, sweat and blood soaked hair gently not knowing where else to touch and not hurt him. But that didn’t seem to work either because Ardeth let out a half swallowed cry of pain.
“Christ, I’m sorry...” He jerked his hand back, covered with blood now. “Oh God, Ardeth.”
“I...feel...very odd.” Ardeth replied, but he was trembling in Rick’s arms. “It should hurt more than it does I think.” A strong shudder and his hand tightened on Rick’s arm.
“Let me see what I can do for your wound again, Medjai.” Imhotep offered and then laid his hand with a whole lot more gentleness than Rick had ever expected on Ardeth’s head. And it was so obvious Ardeth was struggling not to cry out. “Ammun have mercy, Ardeth.” The thing shook head. “We need to find your wife, O’Connell, or the book of AmmunRa. I can not heal this without it.” The dark eyes that met his over Ardeth’s head again said very clearly just how bad it really was.
“You are not supposed to be injured, Medjai.” Said a voice, Rick knew all too well. “How in the name of my father did you manage this?” Anubis stalked over and Rick could only growl out a curse and pull Ardeth into his arms, feeling his brother shudder and arch his back away from Rick’s arm. But he bit down the cry and gripped Rick’s other arm tightly.
“I am going rip your damned head off.” He growled out, meaning it even if he didn’t know how he was going to accomplish it..
“Do not threaten me, O’Connell.” The god snapped back. “The very nature of this spell should have prevented this, Medjai.”
“Then your spell, like your word to your father’s father, is full of failure.” Ardeth replied with a groan. “So, tell me, Anubis, how you will explain to your brother...that you did this.” He raised his head, and repeated the longer prayer to Horus that Rick had learned to recognize.
“My brother is not here to aid you, Medjai.” Anubis growled. “But for his sake, I will see you whole. Do not annoy me further, or I will send your fellow champions back to the waking world and we shall start this spell anew.”
Ardeth shuddered and the chuckled darkly. “My soul belongs only to Allah. I will not fear your curse.”
That seemed to mean something to the damned priest because Imhotep chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”
Anubis stood there for another long moment, and Rick really did half expect him to wipe them all out of existence so he only held Ardeth closer and prayed silently to Allah to make it quick.
Imhotep said something in Egyptian the only word of which he caught was Ammun’s name.
“It angers you to see him bleed.” Anubis said without the anger Rick expected. He opened his eyes to meet the flat black ones in the jackal’s head.
“You wanted me pissed? Yeah, you got that.” He growled back.
“And you would punish me for it.” Anubis shook his head. “Knowing you could never defeat me, you would try.”
“I’ll do more than try.” He promised.
That horrible chuckle Rick recalled all too well. “Perhaps I was hasty when I told you not to make comparisons, champion of my brother. So be it then. Take Horus’ champion back to the world of the living, O’Connell, he will be well and whole there, but do not let the lessons you have learned here and the message I have given you be forgotten in the waking Medjai. Or we shall meet again and I will be displeased with you.”
“In’sh’allah.” Ardeth replied and it was so obviously meant as an insult and nothing else.
“Go.”
“Not without my wife.” He started to argue.
“Pharaoh’s bright daughter leaves with you, O’Connell.”
“And the others...the children? I can not leave them here...” Ardeth disagreed shaking his head.
“Ammun’s mercy but you two are beyond foolish with your stubbornness.” Imhotep muttered. “They are not real, Ardeth. Any more than the reflection of you that died in your brother’s arms was real.”
“They are real enough to be hurt by the horror they have seen.” Ardeth disagreed.
“They will cease to be when you leave this place, Medjai.” Anubis chuckled again. “It is your memories that make them. Go.”
And Rick found himself very suddenly sitting up in the tent in Ahm Shere. He didn’t even think about it only got to his feet and out of the tent. Evie and the rest of the Medjai around the hearth were sitting up and looking around in confusion and then Ardeth came out of the tent next to Rick’s with Alex still half asleep in his arms and asking questions. “What’s wrong, uncle Ardeth is everybody okay? I can walk. I’m awake.”
“Alex!” Evie took him from Ardeth with a smile and Rick didn’t give a damn for the propriety of it only wrapped one arm around his wife and son and pulled Ardeth close with the other. And it didn’t seem like Ardeth cared much about propriety either at the moment because he not only let himself be pulled into the embrace he joined in on it for a long while, one arm around Rick’s shoulders and the other around Evie. Alex was still trying to ask a dozen questions and squirm out of Evie’s arms but he seemed to get the idea that nothing was helping and gave an exasperated sigh and was quiet.
“Ardeth? Are all of you well?” Selim’s voice was as uncertain as Rick had ever heard it.
“Allah be praised.” Ardeth answered and Rick let him go as he pulled away to hug his uncle close, much to Selim’s obvious shock. Rick only wrapped both arms around Evie and Alex and smiled.
“Thank you.” He whispered to whatever god cared to listen and he meant it.
Asr:ToC