Isha
Chapter 2
Ardeth sighed and shifted Sana in his arms a bit to get comfortable. “Allah but I will never understand you.” He had no real idea how long it was before Tahiri opened the door and peered around it. She smiled at him and then motioned Asher in as well, both of them carrying breakfast and the water and cloths and the potion Imhotep had promised. “When the Priest of AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt, told me to bring cooling cloths and fever potion to your room, Medjai. I rather expected that your– brother would be tending to you again.”
Ardeth smiled just a little. “Not this time, thanks be to God, Tahiri.”
“Is she very sick, Ardeth?” There was more concern to her voice now as she walked over to lay the back of her hand against Sana’s forehead. “How long has she had the fever?”
He shrugged just a bit. “She did not have it yesterday so– only last night and today I think.”
“She is too small, Ardeth. You must get her to eat more.” She clicked her tongue. “Children who are too small only grow sick easier. You must tell your wife to make her mashed grain every morning for breakfast, with fresh milk and honey.” All the while she spoke she wet a cloth and began to bathe Sana’s face with it.
Ardeth smiled a bit more. “If I had a wife to tell such things to, I would do so. But I am not married yet, Tahiri.”
She looked at him and then shook her head. “That is very odd, Medjai. How is it you come to have a daughter with no wife?”
He rather thought that might have been her assumption. “She is not mine, Tahiri. Her parents were members of my tribe who died in the war we are fighting against the enemies of Egypt in the world that is. I could not simply let her remain sick and frightened when she has no family to care for her.”
“Ah,” her voice gentled again. “You are an odd warrior, Medjai, to care so much for small children.”
“If we do not protect the little ones of our tribes and of Egypt, Tahiri what is the point of protecting Egypt at all as there will be no one to inherit it from us?”
She gave him a shy sort of smile and then patted his arm. “I forget you are chieftain of your people in the strange world that you and the Princess live in now, Medjai. Does your Pharaoh know of how well you care for his people and his land?”
Ardeth ducked his head a bit wondering how in the world he was to explain that Egypt had no Pharaoh now and that King Faruk was not only ignorant of the Medjai as a people but that he would abhor the fact that they existed at all, likely he would worry they would cause problems with the English. “I only do what any other Medjai would do in my place, Tahiri it is not worth the notice of the King of both lands of Egypt.”
She shook her head. “I think it is worth a great deal. Perhaps that is because you saved my daughter as well as this little one, hmm? What is her name?”
“Sana.”
“Sana.” She repeated the name. “What does it mean?”
“Sunrise.” He had to think for a minute for the meaning.
Tahiri smiled. “That is a good name to have here in the city of AmmunRa.”
He had not thought of that. “I suppose it is.”
“BekaiuAmmun.” Tahiri offered the translation.
“The smile of Ammun?” Ardeth stroked the little girl’s hair. “That is not so bad a name at all is it?”
“No.” Asher came over as well. “It is a good name. I have set up breakfast for you and the child, Medjai. I think there is enough for your brother as well if he joins you. Do you want me to go to the kitchen and have them make mashed grain with milk and honey, Nefshen?”
“That would be good, yes. The little one is without a mother in the Egypt that is Asher, so we must do what we can for her here in the Tuat.”
Asher nodded and headed back into the hall.
“You have all been so much more than kind to me and my people here in the land of the faithful, Tahiri.”
She flushed a bit at that. “It is nothing, Ardeth. Only a way for us to repay the Medjai for all that you have done for us over our lifetimes. Will she wake a bit for you and drink this? It will lower her fever some.”
He started to shift his hold on Sana and Tahiri smiled. “Like this.” She helped him cradle most of Sana’s head and shoulders in one arm so he could hold the cup in the other.
“Thank you.” He switched back to Arabic. “Sana, you must drink this, hmm? Then you can sleep some more.” He held the goblet to her lips.
“Papa?”
“Shhh, it is only your chieftain little one. Drink this, hmm?”
She swallowed making a face coughing a bit at the taste. “Ick.”
“I know it does not taste very good, but it will make you well.” He let her take several more swallows and then handed the cup back to Tahiri and settled Sana back in his arms. “Sleep now, little one. I will guard you.”
A small nod and a sleepy sigh as she curled up into his arms and seemed to simply fall back to sleep. Tahiri put another cool cloth on her head. “You are very good with small children, Medjai.”
“My cousin has two daughters who are not much different in age than Sana. And I have a sister who is younger than I. I simply try to recall what I have seen my cousin and my father do.”
Tahiri only gave him a small smile. “If her fever does not lower soon, we can bring a tub of cool water for her to soak in. But I think she is not so sick as that.”
“It is mostly exhaustion I think and grief. Her parents died only a short while ago and the battle as well as their deaths have given her horrible dreams and so she does not sleep, which makes her not feel well and then she does not eat.”
Tahiri sighed and then clicked her tongue. “Are you certain she is not yours, Medjai? It seems to me she cares as little for taking care of herself as you do.”
He smiled a bit. “Medjai are not known for our sense of self-preservation Tahiri, be we chieftains or little girls.”
“Isis have mercy on you all.” Tahiri smiled again. “We will see her well, Medjai, since she is here with you for us to do so. She is not so much older than my Nefren.”
“A year or so I think.” He agreed.
“I will find a cool dress for her to wear when she wakes up then and come back with it and the mashed grain for breakfast. Could I perhaps get you to eat some as well, since that you also have in common with your charge?”
He rolled his eyes. “I would be happy with coffee and fruit and flatbread for breakfast, Tahiri. I will even eat.”
She smiled but went to make him a plate of what he had asked for and bring it and a cup of coffee to sit beside him on the small table. “I am only teasing you, Medjai. Lately at least you have eaten what I have brought.” Her smile turned obviously teasing. “Did you and your brother enjoy lunch?”
He flushed dark at that despite himself. “We did.”
“Good.” She gave him a small nod and then headed toward the door. “He is a lucky man, I think.”
“I think I am the lucky one, Tahiri.”
She giggled again and then headed out into the hall.
Ardeth only sighed and settled himself and Sana a bit more comfortably and sipped the coffee Tahiri had left for him. It was a little odd to realize how strangely comfortable he had become to these visits to a place that was not of the world he lived in and how much he had grown to like some of the people here as well. The horns outside gave testament to the sunrise after a bit and he glanced eastward and trusted that Allah would understand why he did not kneel toward Mecca as he should. For the first time he found himself wondering what that city would be like here within the realm of the Egypt that had been, recalling how Alex had wondered much the same about Athens. Would it be possible to cross Gaza and see Jerusalem as the city had been in the time of Solomon? To pay homage to the ark that carried the remains of the Covenant? He shook his head at the thought. Better to not tempt himself with the desire to do so. He had been granted too many wonders of late to risk more. But after the battle with the Germans was over perhaps he would at least go and see this city of Medjai that Imhotep had mentioned.
“You had best be careful, Ardeth or you will find yourself looking forward to these visits.” Imhotep’s voice was not a real surprise nor was the teasing.
He sighed. “A man can learn to find beauty and things to be thankful for even in the worst of situations I suppose. But I will grant that the visits here to the city of AmmunRa have grown much easier to bear of late, certainly. It is much easier to be a good guest when one is not expecting death or worse at every turn.”
“That is true enough.” Ammun’s priest smiled and then poured himself a cup of coffee and brought the pot over to refill Ardeth’s. “Does she sleep better?”
“Yes. Tahiri went to get her breakfast.”
“No doubt she will know what the little one should eat more than we would, Medjai.” The man took off the headdress and jeweled collar that marked his rank as Ammun’s High priest and sat on the edge of the bed to put one oddly gentle hand on Sana’s forehead. “She feels a bit cooler.”
“Thanks be to God.” He started to set his coffee aside to re-wet the cloth but his host only took the cloth himself and did so. “Thank you.”
A slight smile. “Always you are thankful for the simplest things, Ardeth.”
“I suppose. It is still– a bit odd to have you for an ally priest of AmmunRa and not an enemy that the acts of kindness are still unexpected enough that I feel I should thank you for them.”
“Hmm. I suppose if you have been raised your whole life since you were her age with tales of how I will come and snatch small disobedient Medjai children for my dinner or some such foolishness the fact that I am not unfond of children would be a surprise.” He chuckled. “I had no idea I was such a what is the term in Arabic again, Ardeth, afreet? To frighten small children.”
Despite himself Ardeth smiled. “You are no afreet, thanks be to God no doubt. And I do not recall exactly what horrible fate awaited us as children should we be so disobedient as to be snatched up was ever really said. Perhaps we were only to be left to think up horrible things on our own.”
Ammun’s high priest rolled his eyes. “I have been many things in life and in death, Medjai. But I am not such a monster as that.”
“No.” Ardeth had to agree with that. “You have not proven yourself to be.”
A small smile. “If I am not a fit foe to frighten small children, Ardeth whatever shall we do when we must go back to being enemies, Medjai?”
Ardeth shook his head. “I would not go so far to say that you are not a foe to be wary of, priest of AmmunRa.” He gave the man a very pointed look of annoyance. “Perhaps it is only that it is not the children who should be concerned?”
Surprise flickered through the dark eyes that met his and then amusement and the man chuckled. “You are growing better at the game, Medjai. You are at that. But for today while you have the child with you I give you my word that neither of you need concern yourself with me– although snatching you away from your tribe I have to admit does have an appeal all its own.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. “When it rains in Aswan.”
“As you say.” Another chuckle. “Shall we not spar with words today, Ardeth, when we must battle with our enemies come tomorrow in the Egypt that is. Tahiri is back with breakfast for her, then perhaps she can sleep for a while longer and we can talk of the warnings the gods have given us for the battle tomorrow?”
“There is sense to that.” Ardeth agreed, finishing the coffee in his cup as Tahiri came in. She gave a quick bow to Ammun’s high priest and a nod to Ardeth.
“I brought her breakfast.” She paused and then looked at the plate Ardeth had left untouched beside him on the bed. “It does no more good sitting there than on the table, Medjai. You must set an example for BekaiuAmmun must you not, Ardeth?”
Ardeth smiled. “So I should. Thank you, Tahiri.”
“BekaiuAmmun?” Ammun’s high priest raised one eyebrow glancing at Sana with a smile.
“Ardeth told me that is what her name means. The dawn, the smile of AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt.” Tahiri moved to sit no the other side of Ardeth. “Can you wake her, Ardeth and see if she will eat some for you? Then you can eat as well and perhaps she can sleep the day away.”
“That is a good thought. Sana, little one, do you feel up to eating now?” He shifted the child in his arms who mumbled sleepily as she was moved but did not wake. Ardeth stroked her hair and then tapped her cheek gently. “Sana?”
“Tired papa.” The Arabic was a mumble.
Ardeth blinked a bit at the sting in his eyes. Allah but I wish I could give them back to you little one. “Sana, you must eat a little something, hmm? Wake up now.”
She gave a unhappy sort of mumble and turned her face more against his chest to hide her eyes. “No.”
Tahiri chuckled. “Sana. Food now.” That was surprisingly enough in Medja. She brushed the unruly curls out of the girl’s face. “Sana.”
“Mama?” Sana turned a bit and then blinked looking around and then curling back into Ardeth’s arms with a sob. “Sleepy.”
“I know. Shh, now eat just a little for me, hmm? So that you can get well?” Ardeth tried again.
“I will try, chieftain.”
He took a spoonful of the cereal from the bowl and held it to her lips. “It is hot, hmm?”
She took a small bite then another and finally a third until the spoon was empty. “Sweet.”
“Tahiri made it for you so that you might eat a little and get well.”
Sana glanced over at the woman sitting beside them with the bowl and then looked again. “Are you a houri?”
“What did she ask, Medjai?” Tahiri looked at him in confusion and Ardeth had to chuckle despite trying not to flush.
“She wishes to know if you are one of the god’s handmaidens, Tahiri, no doubt she is not used to how we dress here.” Ammun’s priest translated for him before he could come up with words.
“Ah, no Sana. I am only me.” She answered.
“Tahiri is– one of the women who work here in Thebes.” Ardeth decided that was simple enough.
Sana looked about again seeming more awake and then ducked her head against him again when she saw Imhotep. “There is nothing to fear, little one. The priest of AmmunRa will not hurt you.” It was still somewhat a surprise to realize that he did not doubt that at all.
“The sand will eat me.” She whispered. “Like mama and papa.”
Ardeth handed Tahiri back the spoon and shifted the little girl in his arms. “There is nothing to fear, Sana. I am right here, hmm? We will not let the sand come and swallow you, I promise.”
“Promise?”
“My word to Allah.” He gave it firmly.
“And mine.” Imhotep’s voice was just as gentle. “I swear it to you, hmm? I will keep the sand far, far away from you, little one. My word to my god.”
“There now see? What is there to be frightened of now? There are no Germans here, and we are far too high up to worry about the sand or even the flood of the Nile here. And there is breakfast for us and a soft bed for sleeping in until you are well. And I am right here to guard you. What more can I do for you Sana to make you feel safe, hmm?”
“I am afraid of the sand, chieftain. But now I am not afraid. But I do not feel good.”
“No doubt you do not. You are still sick, although your fever is less. Will you eat a little more for me? Another three spoonfuls, hmm? And drink more water and then I will be happy to guard your sleep again for you so that your dreams are good ones.”
She gave a small nod and he helped her to eat a bit more of the cereal and drink the goblet of water Tahiri got for her.
“Pretty.” Sana said softly, touching the jeweled necklace Tahiri wore.
Tahiri smiled a bit. “Thank you.”
“My chieftain gave me this.” Sana pulled out the feather of Horus that Ardeth had put around her neck the day before.
“Horus gave you that little one, I was only convenient.” Ardeth corrected but he smiled.
Tahiri looked at the pendant then up at Ardeth and then back and blinked. “Is that– what I believe it to be, Medjai?”
“I suppose it is.” He agreed. “A gift from the bright son of Osiris to Sana.”
“You are an odd man indeed, Medjai, that the gods find such favor with you as to give blessings to those you care for.” Ammun’s High priest sighed. “It is a wonderful gift, Sana. I am afraid that Tahiri’s arabic is very small though.”
Sana looked up at him in confusion.
“Tahiri speaks another language, like the Inglizi do, little one. Not ours.” He clarified. “The priest of AmmunRa and I were explaining to her where your necklace came from. She thinks it is wonderful.”
“It is the only thing I have.” Sana nodded a little.
Ardeth blinked hard at that, not having even considered that the child had lost all of her belongings as well as her family to the Germans.
“Then we must right that when we get home, hmm? What shall I give you for today?”
“I thought perhaps she would like this.” Tahiri pulled out a small doll. “Tell her it is a gift from me, Medjai.”
“Tahiri thought that since you have no dolls left you might like one.” He took the toy and handed it to Sana.
“To keep?”
“Yes.” He agreed.
“She is pretty.” Sana looked at the doll. “She looks like you.”
Ardeth repeated that to Tahiri in Egyptian. Tahiri only smiled. “Thank you.” That was in Medja.
“Thank you.” Sana replied hugging the doll close.
“Do you think you can eat a little more now, Sana?” Ardeth asked. She thought about that for a moment and then nodded and set her new toy aside to take the bowl and eat. “Thanks be to God.” He meant the so common phrase with all his heart.
“At last, another guest who eats.” Imhotep chuckled. “I think it would be good if you tell your chieftain that he can not stay strong and protect you if he does not eat as well, hmm?”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. Tahiri tried only a little to hide her giggle behind her hand. Imhotep poured himself more coffee and then refilled Ardeth’s cup as well.
Sana looked up at him and then gave him a small little smile. “I will share my breakfast with you, Chieftain.”
“Would you?” He smiled back. “That is all right, Sana, you eat yours and I shall eat mine and we can both be well and strong so that we may do what it is Allah wills us to, hmm?”
“Are you truly happy that Allah did not want me too, chieftain?”
He stroked his hand through the child’s hair again. “I am so very much more than thankful that He allowed you to stay with me, Sana. Truly, you make my heart much less sad.”
“Do hearts ever stop hurting, chieftain?”
“Yes, little one, after a while they do.” He promised. She nodded, and for right then it was enough that she was willing to eat and try to feel better. Horus gave a sharp cry from outside and Ardeth started to wonder how it was that his friend had come to Thebes again when he realized he was sitting once more in Ahm Shere with Sana in his lap still asleep. “Wake up, Sana, hmm?” He gave her a slight shake not wanting to leave her in Thebes without him.
“Chieftain?” She looked around them in confusion. “Where did the pretty lady go? And breakfast and the man who makes the sand move?”
“They had to stay in Thebes, little one and we had to wake up here.” He explained. “It is only a place of dreams, Sana, but it is not so bad a place to visit.”
“Hmm.” She leaned her head against his shoulder again. “I am thirsty.”
Shadiya came over with the water, handing Ardeth a glass as well. “Thank you. It seems I joined Sana in her nap, does it not?”
“Sayidi Adham came by and told me to tell to you that everything was well when you woke up and that we should let you sleep. Also that he would be happy to have you and Sana for dinner tonight, chieftain. And the rest of your family.”
“How long did we sleep?” He finished the water and handed her back the cup.
“Three hours or so.” She took Sana’s back as well. “Are you feeling better, Sana?” She touched the child’s forehead. “Your fever is much less.”
“I feel better. Only tired, Shadiya.” Sana yawned.
“Would you like to sleep some more?” Ardeth smiled. Sana nodded and then shifted so that she was lying beside him on the pallet of blankets with her head in his lap. Then she sat up with a smile.
“My doll.” She moved the toy in question out from under her. “See Shadiya, it was a gift from one of chieftain’s friends.”
“She is very pretty.” Shadiya agreed in obvious confusion. “What is her name?”
Sana thought for a very long time. “What should I name her, chieftain?”
Ardeth smiled. “She is yours to name little one, not mine.”
Sana looked at the doll for another while. “Can I name her for the pretty lady who gave her to me?”
“That seems like a fine idea. Tahiri is a nice name.”
“Tahiri.” Sana repeated it with a small smile. “Tari.”
Ardeth smoothed the little girl’s curls again. “Tari it is. Do you wish to rest some more and then you will do me the honor of joining my family and I for dinner, hmm? My aunt will no doubt want us to eat.”
Sana laid back down. “Why do they always want us to eat, chieftain?”
Ardeth smiled. “Because they wish us to be strong, Sana.”
The little girl sighed. “I will do so if you do, chieftain.”
“That sounds like a very good barter, little one. Rest now, hmm? Then we shall go and eat.” He stroked her hair again, pleased when she finally dozed off. “She is very exhausted I think.”
“It is good that she sleeps.” Shadiya agreed with a small smile.
Ardeth looked over at the young woman and then sighed. “And you, sister? Have you slept or truly eaten these last days? You will be of no use to the little one if you do not care for yourself.”
She ducked her head some. “The eating I can do, chieftain and I try for sleep.”
“Lay down and rest then if you can not sleep, and then you can come with Sana to have dinner with Adham and Leila and I. No doubt Leila at least will be glad for another to keep the terrors of the eleventh tribe under control. Or so my sister Rihana always tells to me. I need all of my people strong and well, Shadiya. We have another battle with the Germans to come.”
“I will rest then.” She agreed and laid down on another pallet of blankets on Sana’s far side. It was not much he sighed to himself, but for now it was all he could do for those who remained from Ahmer’s tribe.
Rest well with Allah my friend. I will do what I can for those you and He have left in my care. He wished he could promise more to his dead friend but all of it would depend on the battle to come tomorrow. Ardeth looked down at the little girl sleeping beside him. Allah see you safe and us victorious little one. You deserve the chance to grow up happy and well. He paused and then smiled a bit ruefully, perhaps Rick and Adham had the right of it after all, it was good to think of the battle with the Germans and what had to be done to win it as simply insuring that the children could grow up as they deserved to after all. Allah grant us victory, oh my God, for the children’s sake. He would pray for that come sundown certainly, and take what comfort and peace was yet to be had on this day of rest before they went back to war.
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Ardeth woke slowly, feeling very warm and comfortable, which he realized after a moment was becoming a very common thing in his life. He smiled a little, and just enjoyed the feel of the comfortable bed beneath him and Rick’s arms around him. Thank you most merciful Allah, for this joy. He was lying mostly beside and slightly ontop of his friend, one arm around Rick’s waist and his leg over Rick’s. The room was full of bright sunlight now and he opened his eyes to look around. Surprisingly enough they were alone in the room although someone had obviously brought breakfast. There was even what he assumed was a bowl of mashed grain sitting on a warming brick in case Sana came with him no doubt and not Rick. He smiled a bit more, thinking again that he owed Tahiri a very nice gift indeed. A mirror, some jewelry, spices, and a few horses should do it. Rick was still sleeping soundly and did not wake when he managed to disentangle himself and head over to the table. A cup of coffee later he made himself a plate of food and headed out to the balcony. The sun was not quite halfway between the horizon and the middle of the sky so he was rather certain it was only three hours or so past dawn. He sipped his coffee watching the women and children that had already gathered in the courtyard. Perhaps AmmunRa’s high priest was not so wrong in his thinking that this was indeed Paradise after a fashion. Not the Paradise of the Prophet, peace be upon him, but truly the land of the faithful of old Egypt. Thank you, most merciful Allah, great Ammun, bright Horus for the gift of allowing me to walk these halls when I am yet among the living. Truly, you have granted me more joy than I know how to say. He smiled and then poured a bit of water onto the stones at his feet in thanks. Later today, after breakfast he would go and speak to the bright son of Osiris and see if the god of Vengeance would grant him an audience and some answers.
“Everything okay, Ardeth?” Rick asked walking out to stand with him.
He smiled. “It is. I did not mean to wake you.”
Rick shrugged, sipping his own coffee. “I’m not sure if you did or it was just that the bed was empty. Again.” The annoyance was obvious on the last word.
Ardeth smiled just a bit. “I was deciding on Tahiri’s gift and thinking that I truly do need to go and speak to Horus if he will be so kind as to answer me and see if there is yet some answers to be had about the battle to come.”
“Doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Rick agreed, but then he set the coffee down and took Ardeth’s from his hand. Ardeth only smiled and leaned into the kiss Rick pulled him into. “Good morning, habib.”
“And to you, Rick.” He caught a quick kiss in reply. “Truly that is a way to make me not mind mornings at all.”
Rick smiled back. “Pretty good, yeah. You want company while you go talk to Horus Ardeth?”
“If you wish to accompany me I would not mind at all. Then perhaps we can go to the baths. Although I am rather certain at this time of day they will be much more crowded and therefore we shall have to behave.”
“Hmm, test of my patience that’s for sure. But I suppose I can keep my hands to myself long enough for us to go to talk to Horus and then to bathe before we come back here eat lunch and fall back into bed.”
Ardeth had to laugh. “Is that our plan for the day then?”
“Sounds good to me, unless there was something else you wanted to do?”
“No, only speak to Horus. Although if our host does not mind I would speak to AmmunRa come sundown as well but that is rather a while away.”
“Then it’s a plan. Can I grab some breakfast before we go see Horus?”
“Of course. I was hungry myself.” He chuckled and then gave caution to the wind and reached over and pulled Rick into a much longer kiss. “You make me hunger for a great many things, Rick, very little of which is food.”
That got a chuckle in reply and another long hot kiss before they broke apart to head inside to find Rick breakfast.
“It seems odd now to recall how easy it was not to eat while we were here.” Ardeth poured himself more coffee and took another piece of flatbread to spread with cheese and eat, thinking of the breakfast he had been trying to get Sana to eat only a while before. He had not managed any of his after all had he? No doubt Tahiri was annoyed at him for that. He had to find some small gift for her daughter as well in thanks for the kindness of finding Sana the doll.
“Yeah. Of course we’ve been doing a lot more to work up an appetite too. And it’s a lot easier to eat when we aren’t worried about death or worse too.”
“There is truth to that.” He shook his head. “He has been a rather kind host these last few days, habib. Ever since the battle truly. I am certainly not going to complain but I do wonder at it.”
“Yeah. I kinda expected him to be a lot more upset with us being lovers than he was.” Rick agreed.
“And I. He has teased me about it certainly but no more than that. Even the kisses he has claimed for payment since the battle have been little enough to concern me. Nothing like those he claimed earlier, thanks be to God. I do not understand him. Likely, I never will, given that I do not doubt in many ways he is as mad as ever.” He shrugged. “But I am certainly thankful for the respite and the lack of worry.”
“Me too, habib, me too.” Rick reached over and traced his jaw. “It’s good to see you smile.”
“Hmm.” He did so and then turned to place a kiss against Rick’s fingers. “You give me wings, habib.”
“That’s mutual you know.”
“Then I am doing it right.” He chuckled. Rick laughed a little.
“Yeah, Ardeth you are. You learn too damned quick you know.”
“I have a great deal of incentive to do so. I enjoy it too much to want to stop learning more.” He pointed out, despite the slight flush he felt.
“Yeah. Well, I’m not going to complain that’s for certain. Let’s go see Horus, huh? Then we can get a bath and then come back here have lunch and spend all afternoon making love. I liked the plan.”
“As did I.” He rose to his feet, to gather up his weapons as Rick did the same and then head out to the small shrine that he had visited before. The guards and lesser priests bowed to him as he entered and he managed to only nod in acceptance of the deference although it still made him uncomfortable. “If it is no imposition I would appeal to the Bright son of Osiris, He who is Lord of the Tuat.”
“The champion of the Avenger, Chieftain of the Medjai, is always welcome here.” One of the priests answered with another bow.
“I am thankful for the welcome.” He agreed and then removed his boots and walked to the inner sanctuary. Rick, he noticed did the same but stood outside, waiting for him, and standing guard at the same time no doubt. “I do not think you need to watch my back, brother mine.”
“Just seemed like the thing to do.”
“Then I am thankful for the aid.” He nodded and took the spear from his sash, opening it to its full length before slipping the shield into place on his left arm and entering the sanctum itself. He went to one knee before the statue of the god and chose his words. “Bright Horus, god of Vengeance, son of Great Osiris and the most revered Isis, please, I come to thee once more, uncertain of the rituals though I am to beseech you in the name of Egypt. The enemy of our land is still upon our sands, Bright Horus and I would ask of you as a warrior to a god of warriors please I have need of thee and thy council.”
Silence for a long moment and then a sigh and the statue before him glowed suddenly like noonday sun on polished gold. “Greetings to thee, Ardeth Bay.”
He bowed his head, swallowing hard at the awe that as always filled his thoughts at that most amazing voice. “Bright Avenger, I have no words still to shape the joy it is and the wonder beyond imagining that it gives my heart to be granted your grace.”
“Thou does not need to thank me, champion. My grace and my blessing have been earned and will be earned again, and yet again before this is done. Tell then to me, what questions thou has come to ask and if it is that I, myself, can answer them. Then I shall do so for the sake of Egypt.”
Ardeth managed to nod and then looked up to meet the impossible gold eyes of the falcon perched upon the boat. “I am told the battle comes tomorrow in the waking world is this correct?”
“It is.” Horus agreed. “When you least expect it then it will be. So expect it at all times but do not panic. It shall not be at dawn when it comes.”
“Then I shall ready the Medjai when I awake in Ahm Shere.” He nodded. “Truly, I have tried to think over what it is you and your family have been so much more than kind in telling us and I’m yet unworthy of the gifts because I fail to understand them. I ask only two things as chieftain of my people, Bright Horus. Is there yet a spell in the great books that will allow us victory? And if I fall who if anyone do I leave thy great gifts of shield and spear too?”
“The outcome of the battle is not set, Ardeth Bay. It may be that Egypt will fall but it may yet be that Egypt shall not. But the road to victory is harsh, champion and costly. And I, myself, and AmmunRa himself are bound by our own battles as ever so recall you that when the time comes.”
Ardeth sighed. “I will try to stay to the light then.” He agreed. “Please, Bright Horus, I am only one man truly, but my people are already far less in number than they were. Is there some way that this tenid yet can be mine and not theirs? I would not bury so many again.”
One strong hand settled on his shoulder. “Bravery and courage thou have never lacked, Ardeth. Truly, Allah is fortunate to have such a child and I, myself, fortunate to have such a champion. You have your tenid yet in this, Ardeth and it is burden enough to bear for any man and more than most can carry. Only remember this when all else has failed thee. Do not speak. And the darkness shall not last.”
He nodded, still not at all certain he understood.
“And if it comes to pass that thou must do so, leave my shield and scepter with thy cousin and tell to him to leave them at Edfu, I, myself, shall see them to the man who must carry them.”
“I will do as you wish it to be done, Bright Horus. I have no gifts to offer you in thanks, but if you tell to me what it is if anything I can offer I shall see that it is done.”
A soft laugh and then the god knelt in front of him and much to Ardeth’s shock only embraced him. “Foolish child, you understand so little. When all of this is done I shall speak with thee again and we can then discuss this again. Go now, Ardeth and speak thou later to AmmunRa, himself, He who is Lord of all Egypt, it may be that he has yet more answers than I.”
He bowed his head as the god rose. “As you have told me to do, Bright Horus so of course I shall see it done.”
“That I have never doubted, Ardeth.” The god replied. “A token, champion, so you know that you have the love of I, myself, AmmunRa, and Allah himself, always, Ardeth.” The tinkle of gold as a medallion and chain were dropped in front of him. And then the light was gone and he was kneeling only in the muted sunlight from the windows outside the sanctum.
Ardeth picked up the medallion, the great sun disk of Ra, with the Eye of Horus on one side and most amazingly of all the name of Allah in Arabic on the other. He swallowed hard at that and then slipped it on so that it rested over his heart. “Al’hamdi’Allah.” He offered his thanks to God trusting the Horus would as always understand his own faith. Then he rose to his feet and walked back out.
“If I see him every day for the rest of my life, Ardeth I will never get used to that.” Rick sighed. “You okay?”
“I am.” He gripped Rick’s shoulder. “I have a gift beyond measure, Rick. And the battle will come tomorrow, I am thinking around noon because that is the time I would least expect it to actually happen I think. And it may be we shall win yet. It is more than I had before. This evening I must speak to AmmunRa.”
“I see that I shall not have to inform you that my god wishes your presence Medjai.” Imhotep said as they walked out into the main hall.
“No, thank you. I thought it best to see if the Bright god of Vengeance would give me some answers as to the battle to come. He told me only that it comes tomorrow when we least expect it and that it may be yet that we shall win. So our victory is not certain but neither is our defeat.”
“I would be happier with the first, certainly, but I can be satisfied that it is not the later.” Imhotep agreed and then switched surprisingly enough to Arabic. “I must see to Ammun’s midday, warriors. Do me then the courtesy, if you can mange that much restraint between you, to join me for lunch afterwards in the courtyard? There are yet things we must discuss about the battle to come.”
“As you say.” He replied, smiling a bit at Rick. “We shall have to make a slight delay in our plans, hmm?”
“Yeah.” Rick rolled his eyes and then smiled back. “So lets go wash now then eat, then we can see about the fun parts, okay?”
“No doubt, if we were eating alone that would be part of the fun would it not?” He chuckled.
“Right.”
“If you two do not stop conversing in languages I do not understand, Ahba, I shall not try to be courteous and speak in one that your brother does.” Imhotep put in Egyptian but he sounded more amused than annoyed.
“As you say. I apologize for the rudeness then. It was not intentional.”
“For once.” Ammun’s priest chuckled. “Very well then, Ardeth, apology accepted. Go and bathe warriors I shall see to Ammun’s midday and then we shall eat and unfortunately prepare once more for war. Ammun grand us victory.”
“Allah hamdas aha.” Ardeth agreed.
“We can always hope.” Rick clasped his shoulder. “In’sh’Allah, huh?”
“As all things are.” He nodded.
“Truly it amazes me the champions the gods have chosen.” Imhotep sighed. “You would do well as always, champions, to direct those prayers of yours to gods who might well listen here. It is not a blasphemy to do so or Allah would have made it known to AmmunRa by now.”
Ardeth looked at him and did not miss the look of disbelief Rick gave as well. “There may be truth to that, priest of AmmunRa. I shall certainly think on it.”
“Do so. You have much to think upon, Ardeth Bay and precious little time to come to enlightenment.” And with that the man simply turned away and walked toward the main temple leaving he and Rick standing in the courtyard.
“Bastard.”
Ardeth sighed. “It is more that he is keeping secrets than being annoying right now that worries me, Rick. Even today when I came here with Sana he was a fine host and did not embarrass me at all in front of her. Thanks be to Allah no doubt. But there is something yet that he knows and does not say. I can almost see it in his eyes. What is it that he knows that he will not tell to us, I wonder? And how then do we get him to do so?”
“Hell if I know, Ardeth. He really didn’t bother you when you came here earlier?”
“Not at all.” He shrugged. “Remind me to tell you of the visit. It was rather odd. Even when I think I begin to understand him, I realize I do not.”
“I really don’t understand him either. Especially when he’s playing nice.”
“As he seems to be of late. I do not know either, Rick. But I am thankful for the reprieve here as well as the day of rest in Ahm Shere. It was good to have all the patrols return safely for once, and to have Hashim and the rest of the warriors from Hamanaptura join us. It may well be that we can win tomorrow, Rick. But for now we shall do the best we can as always I suppose and trust in Allah to see us through even when we do not understand.”
“Back to walking with asps in the dark with our hands tied behind our backs again, huh?”
“In a very different way? Yes.” He agreed and then went to find the baths for now and tried not to let the worry weigh him down. Because he grew more and more certain that the gods and Ammun’s High Priest knew more than they were saying. And if it was not that they would loose the battle then it had to be more immediate than that. Please, most merciful Allah, I do not wish to die when I have only now found so much joy in life, but if that is your will I shall do my best to bear it with bravery. He touched the medallion Horus had gifted him with and sighed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imhotep walked from the temple toward the courtyard still trying to puzzle out the words AmmunRa had spoken to him. Something was to happen in the battle to come he was certain, that the victory of the Medjai and the champions of Egypt was no a certain thing even to the gods he was also certain, but the cost of victory if it came was very certain indeed and there was no comfort or hope at all in the knowledge. “When the weapons of Egypt lie scattered like a child’s toys then shall each role be decided. You have long practice at yours, champion of mine, I do not doubt that you will be successful even though you will doubt it yourself. It is the weapons that are yet untried that concern me.” He repeated the words of Ammun softly to himself. “Is there some new spell or weapon we are to be granted then? What weapons have we yet to try?” He sighed and walked over to join his guests for lunch. The two men were sitting in the shade of one of the large palm trees talking quietly. For the moment he did not even try to listen to their conversation or their thoughts only watched. “You are too callous with the most amazing of gifts, O’Connell.” He muttered to himself, thinking despite all he tried not to of the nightmare memory of the night before. And how to this very moment it still stung so that when he had needed her most the woman he had been willing to suffer three thousand years of damnation for had turned and fled. And how Nefertiri had stayed to help her husband. He had been almost as angry at Ardeth for the unexpected rescue really, because it had only emphasized the fact that a rescue could have been possible. It was only a dream, and it does no good to compare a Medjai’s insane bravery with her lack. He told himself firmly. But it stung, still. It would probably be all he could do to be civil to O’Connell today, but for Ardeth’s sake he would try. There was no reason to ruin the last bit of peace they would ever have for old anger. He took a deep breath and walked over. “Good afternoon, warriors.”
“Good afternoon, priest of AmmunRa. Was He who is Lord of all Egypt pleased with his midday?” Ardeth asked.
“He seemed content with it. But the trouble to comes weighs heavy on even the heart of Ammun. I fear.” He sat down and took the goblet of wine that Shusha poured for him and tried not to think of all that he feared indeed about the battle to come and its results.
“As it does with Horus. Even the Bright god of Vengeance seemed subdued when he spoke with me.” Ardeth took the cup of coffee O’Connell handed him.
He nodded and thought for a long moment before finding the question he wanted. “Who has Allah’s protection, Medjai?” He asked taking a sip of his wine.
“Allah’s protection?” The question was obvious a surprise. “Allah hafaz?”
“AmmunRa was speaking Egyptian.” He shrugged. “Maki.” He offered the word Ammun had given him.
“Allah hama’an.” Ardeth translated it. “The faithful I suppose.”
“Hmm, would there be a follower of your prophet among the Germans?”
“Not likely.” O’Connell put in. “If they’d had a translator he’d of been there to question Arebe, Kahid and the others right?”
“Very true. But not all Muslims are Arab. He could be a Turk or even a Greek, or a Soviet.” Ardeth replied. Imhotep was half tempted to ask who the last group was but let it go for now.
“But it is not likely that there are believers in Allah amongst the Germans?” He asked again.
“No it is not likely.” Ardeth shook his head. “Why?”
“Something Ammun said to me. Who else then has the protection of Allah?” He took a sip of wine still trying to make sense of his god’s words. Ammun was only direct when he gave orders. And Imhotep was not at all certain how he was going to fulfill those either. But as Ammun commanded he would do, and perhaps somehow, his god would see fit to condemn him less harshly for his service.
“According to the Koran,” Ardeth pulled the book in question from his robes. “All children are under his protection.”
“And fools right?” O’Connell asked.
Ardeth shook his head. “Madmen yes, but only those who are truly mad not just foolish.”
“Insane you mean, Medjai?” He considered that.
“Yes.”
“Ammun said to me that it is the new head of the Germans we must be most wary of for he is more dangerous yet than the one slain because he has no honor. And even Ammun can not predict his actions completely for he is under the protection of your god, Ardeth. I was trying to determine why.”
“Likely he is mad then.” Ardeth sighed. “Which makes him more dangerous yet. How do we predict the actions of a man who’s actions make no sense?”
Imhotep chuckled. “Does that mean you have changed your mind about my madness, Ardeth? I do not think my actions lack sense.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. “Likely you are as mad as anyone. Allah grant me strength if that places you under his protection as well.”
“That is a comforting thought you know, Medjai. Then we have something else in common after all.”
O’Connell muttered something in English and gave him a look that did not make him doubt at all that the American very much wanted to hit him, still. Later, O’Connell, we may well have this out between us, hmm?
“Allah forbid.” Ardeth sighed. “So we know our enemy is mad. We know the battle comes tomorrow. What else do we know?”
Imhotep considered what response to give to that. “What else does a gate do besides keep people out?” He asked. “That is the question Ammun asked of me.”
“It’s to mark a property as yours right?” O’Connell put in, reaching over Ardeth to pick up the jug of karkaday and pour himself some more. And it was a very telling point that Ardeth was not only un-embarrassed by the near embrace that caused but that he did not so much as really notice the closeness.
Too fortunate by far, O’Connell. I told you to be thankful for what you had. Did I not? Foolish, lucky, ungrateful child. Would that your regrets would not fall so heavily on the rest of us. He took a deep breath and forced his mind back to the riddles they had been given. “It can mark property, I suppose.” He agreed. “Everything within this gate is mine.”
“No.” Ardeth shook his head. “Everything within this wall is mine. The gate is the way in or out of the wall.”
“That is also true.” He sighed. “Perhaps I should see if Mut would be kind enough to allow your scholar to join us tonight, Medjai. He seems to have a mind for riddles.”
“Sallah has always enjoyed puzzles, yes. Is there a way we might do so?”
“Hmm. There is.” Then he blinked in surprise as the curtain between Thebes and the waking world trembled. He sighed. So, all the pieces were in place as Ammun had said they would be. He took a sip of his wine and let his gaze wonder over Ardeth. For whatever it is worth to you, Medjai. I do not wish to do this. “O’Connell, your wife is here in the rooms I had set aside for her. Why do you not go and see her? Ardeth and I will go appeal to Mut to bring the historian here as well and then speak to AmmunRa. Then we can all gather for dinner and try to make sense of what it is our gods would have us do for the battle to come tomorrow.”
O’Connell said something to Ardeth in English. Obviously a question because Ardeth shook his head in response and smiled before replying. Imhotep was not expecting O’Connell to reach over and bury his fingers in Ardeth’s hair before pulling him into a kiss that was, without doubt, a very clear declaration of ownership. As if that has ever mattered to me, O’Connell. Your brother belongs to no one but himself and Allah. And his god must know as you and he should, foolish children, how fortunate that is.
“Rick.” Ardeth muttered the name with a smile. Then added something else in English the tone changing in the middle from teasing to more serious. O’Connell only nodded and then got to his feet and headed for the main living area.
“Your brother is not a subtle man, Medjai.” Imhotep shook his head, speaking Egyptian now that the American was gone.
“No.” A slight flush colored his cheeks. “Subtle is not a word I would use to describe Rick, no. He worries.”
“Still?” He rolled his eyes. “I am hardly that much a monster, Medjai.” He repeated what he had when they had spoken earlier while the child Ardeth had grown so fond of was sleeping. He had to admit that the concern and fondness Ardeth felt for the little girl was in its own way endearing. You care too deeply, Ardeth. It will cost you dearly someday.
“There is some truth to that. But you will recall that he has never known you to do other than threaten those he loves. And he is worried yet over the kisses I owe you.”
“Hmm.” He nodded a bit. Likely he is worried about more than that. But I shall no more tell you of the wager we have between us than he will. No doubt he expects me to keep it should he lose. “You are not nearly as concerned about those kisses I notice.” And that stung in an unexpected way as well. Such a new and fragile thing this peace between them. So easily destroyed, beaten– broken. He forced down a deep breath and gave Ardeth a wry smile.
Ardeth shrugged. “I am not unconcerned no, however, you have been a good ally and a kind host these last few visits and while I can not say I have found any of them pleasant, the last few kisses you have claimed in payment have not been nearly so horrible as the one you made Rick witness.”
“I suppose I owe you an apology for that kiss, Medjai. I let my temper get the better of me. Would it mean anything to you, Ardeth, if I apologized?” He asked, and the surprise that went through Ardeth’s thoughts at the question made him smile.
“Now you would apologize for kissing me?” Ardeth asked in return, almost as much disbelief in his voice as in his thoughts.
“Not for all the kisses I have gotten from you, no. Only two I think should I apologize for, both of those your brother witnessed. I apologize for the kiss I took from you in Ahm Shere it was cruel and far more harsh than I had any desire for but I had to anger your brother. And I apologize for the kiss I claimed here when he was present. I let my temper get the better of me, Ardeth. You are too brave a warrior to be treated so. So, if it means anything to you at all, Ardeth Bay, you have my apology.” For that, for what is to come. It will not matter, but I am sorry for it none the less.
Ardeth was silent for a long while, but he held his thoughts tightly to English while he was quiet. “I do not understand you, priest of AmmunRa. But, I will take the apology as I think you meant it. It is better I think to be allies than enemies when we have the armies of Germany to face tomorrow as foes.”
“It is indeed. Likely, Medjai, not even the gods themselves could ask for better men to fight with than you. Come, let us appeal to Mut and see if your historian can think of some meanings to the warnings the gods have given us that we can not.” He rose to his feet and then offered Ardeth his hand just to see what the young man would do.
Ardeth looked at him for a moment and then nodded once and gripped his wrist to rise to his feet. “For Egypt then.”
He smiled and took the moment to heart. “Odd is it not, Medai, that your god and mine seem to think we should be able to set aside all our long standing enmity and be allies for the safety of the land we both love?”
“Likely Allah has more faith in me than I have in myself. But I will do as he wills as best I can.”
“Now that I have never doubted.” He found a chuckle. It will be easier soon, Ardeth, when I am once more what you expect me to be. Is that a gift to you or as much a curse as it is mine to bear, hmm?
They walked toward the temple of Mut in silence for a long while. And it was too easy to think of the shadows here as they walked deep into the temple of the goddess of night.
“Imhotep?” His name was a surprising question.
“Yes, Ardeth?” He paused to look over at the young man.
“You know more of this battle to come than you are telling me.” It was not a question.
He sighed. “I have some more bits of the puzzle yes. But they make no real sense to me yet, Ardeth. So, it seems foolish to add to both your confusion and my own when we are both rather lost as it is.” And much of what I know I may not tell you yet. You do not want to know. I do not wish to know. Damn us both, Ardeth I do not want to do this.
Ardeth looked at him for a long moment. “You are being and have been a very kind host, priest of AmmunRa, to me and to my tribesmates, and even to Rick lately. Why is that?” There was more honest curiosity to his thoughts than distrust.
He smiled a bit, sadly. “Does that surprise you so, Ardeth Bay? We have enemies to fight come the next day in Ahm Shere, why would I wish to cause enmity between us now?” It is not my wish at all. But we are bound by the will of our gods yet are we not, Medjai? You trust too quickly, Ardeth.
“I am thankful certainly that you are being so good a host, and that there is far less enmity between us now when we must face a common enemy tomorrow but there is more to it than that. Will you share with me what it is, as one champion of Egypt to another?”
He sighed and started walking toward the temple once more, Ardeth muttered something in Arabic casting a quick prayer to Allah for patience and followed. “Do you recall much of your first visit here, Medjai?” He asked as they walked.
“When you had me fight the crocodile and threatened me with damnation before keeping me from drowning? Yes.” Ardeth replied.
He had to chuckle. “It is kinder to remain ignorant of one’s fate, warrior. You and I are not so fortunate. I believe that is what I said do you recall that?”
“Not the exact words no. But I do have a vague memory of them, yes. Right after I threw Alex through the wall.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “It appears I am still not so fortunate. I have a very good idea what my fate is to be in the coming battle, Medjai. Would that I did not.”
Ardeth was silent for another long time. “Will you die?” There was surprising gentleness to the tone.
He smiled sadly at how little the young man still understood. “I am already dead, Medjai. I have no fear of death, Ardeth. I have been praying for it for three thousand years you know.” He stopped outside the main temple doors and knocked loudly. “We shall speak more of this when we are finished here, Medjai. I see no reason to upset the faithful.”
“As you wish.” Ardeth agreed. The guards opened the gate after a moment and they walked in and toward the shrine proper
Pashakasa, Mut’s High Priestess, came to meet them as they went. “What brings the High Priest of AmmunRa, and the champion of Bright Horus to see me this day?”
“We would if it is not an imposition, Pashakasa ask to beseech Mut to allow one more of the Medjai in the waking world to join us here so that we may ask his opinions on some of the warnings the gods have given us.” Imhotep answered.
“You are always welcome to petition Great Mut for any favors she may grant you, Imhotep, certainly. Come then, I will go with you to her shrine.” She bowed her head a bit. “I hear tell that the Bright god of Vengeance chose to speak with you again, Medjai.”
“Truly, I am always honored beyond words that he finds such favor with me, little though I deserve the honor.” Ardeth nodded. “He is I think concerned about the battle for Egypt to come in the waking world.”
“It is very odd this going and coming from the Duat to the Tuat that you manage, Medjai. I have never heard of the like. Mut is most compassionate to allow it.”
“I owe her my thanks, certainly for the gift of the passage.” Ardeth agreed and Imhotep had to chuckle.
“At since when are you grateful to be my guest? Once upon a time I recall you whining to Allah every handful of seconds or so to let you wake.” He put that in Arabic, but it stung to realize the young man was serious.
Ardeth sighed. “When I thought I was facing damnation, death, and worse at any moment, certainly. Would you not wish to wake from that?”
“Yes.” He could not keep the coldness from his voice and he did not even try to keep the anger from his eyes.
Ardeth blinked and then much to his surprise only sighed and glanced down. “That was uncalled for cruelly, Imhotep. I apologize for my lack of thought.”
He found a smile for the joy the apology got him, despite the sudden foolish sadness at the words. “First you offer your condolences for Anck-su-Naumun’s trials and now your apologies for tossing my own damnation in my face. Whatever is the world coming to, Ardeth Bay?” You know so little, warrior, and it is not a knowledge I would wish to teach you. Must you make this so difficult now?
“Likely we shall see Ammun find the sky at the middle of night at this rate.” Ardeth offered back.
“Very likely.”
“What language is it that you speak?” Pashakasa asked, thankfully, before it went on much longer.
“The language of the Egypt that is.” Imhotep offered in reply. “It is an odd tongue but not unpronounceable.” He shrugged. “We shall stay to Egyptian certainly not wishing insult on you or Ammun forbid the Great Mut herself.”
“Thank you.” She nodded, taking the crown and collar one of her lower priests held out to her. Imhotep smiled a bit as Ardeth took off his boots and then took the wet cloth one of the acolytes handed him and washed his hands, face and feet quickly.
“You are an odd man, Medjai.” He wiped the dust from his own skin quickly and then thanked the acolyte who handed him a headdress to wear in the goddess’ presence.
Ardeth took another moment to pull the scepter of Horus from his sash and open it into a spear before sliding his shield forward onto his other arm.
“Is there some ritual I should follow High Priestess of Mut? I am so uncertain of the proper way to address your goddess.”
Pashakasa smiled. “She is a kind and wondrous goddess, Champion. Ask of her as you would of your mother and likely she will be as kind. You are the champion of the son of her son after all.”
“Then that is what I shall do.” Ardeth nodded. They walked into the inner shrine and Imhotep went to both knees, arms crossed and head bowed before the statue of the goddess which stood draped in gold and dark blue. Ardeth went to one knee, spear held upright at his side and Pashakasa knelt as well, pressing her forehead to the stone. She intoned a short prayer and then rose back to her knees and looked from him to Ardeth.
“Ask Medjai.” He suggested.
Ardeth nodded. “Great Mut, mother of gods, lady of Starlight, I beseech you please to grant my tribesmate Sallah bin Sallin passage here to Thebes of the faithful from where he sleeps in the Ahm Shere that is. I am only one warrior Great Mut, and my mind is confused by all that your family has graced me with their telling. I need his council, so that perhaps I may yet be worthy of the grace the son of your son has granted me and defeat the enemies of Egypt.” He bowed his head and then laid the spear down before him to pull the medallion Imhotep had always known him to wear from around his neck. “When I first started to train to become a warrior of my people, Great Mut, my mother gave me this as a token of her love to keep my safe when I faced our enemies in battle. It is all I have to offer you.” And he laid it on the altar at the statues’ feet.
“You did not need to make an offering, Medjai.” Pashakasa began. Then stopped as the shadows spilled suddenly onto the floor and the room was filled with starlight and not the sunlight that came from behind them.
“My priestess speaks true.” The voice was a soft gentle caress. “Take back thy token of your mother’s love for you, Ardeth Bay.” And hands the color of the sky at midnight slipped the medallion back around Ardeth’s neck. “I shall grant your tribesmate safe passage to Thebes, child. Simply for the joy of having you ask.” Mut laughed softly. “The son of my son, and Great Osiris, and AmmunRa himself are fond of the child of Allah. Even the daughters of my daughters are fond of thee. Why is that?”
“I do not know, Great Mut. I am only one warrior among many.” Ardeth whispered.
“You are more than you know, child. Look at me, now, Ardeth Bay.” She placed her fingers under his chin and he raised his eyes to meet hers with all of the courage Imhotep expected him to show. “Oh child. My love to thee. You are a fit champion indeed for the son of my son. Take with you the blessing I gave to him. No matter the battle the outcome or the long dark space between know that my love for thee, and the love of your god above all gods, does not falter. I am a goddess of night, child or Allah and no night is forever not even mine. Do not lose faith.” And she leaned down and much to the surprise of all of them kissed Ardeth lightly. Ardeth ducked his head again as she let him go and Imhotep smiled a little at the awe and joy that suffused the young man’s thoughts.
“And you, champion of my love.” Mut stood before him without seeming to have stepped and he bowed, pressing his forehead to the cool stone at her feet. She laughed. “Look at me, Imhotep.”
He did so, swallowing hard at the fathomless black eyes that met his, filled with stars. “Would that I could do more, but this alone I am permitted.” She leaned down and whispered almost without sound. “What remains when the pain is gone is far more enemy than the pain itself. You know this all too well. My love has chosen you for a reason, Imhotep, think you of your duties as his priest, your desires that both brought you too us and took you from us, and when you have no other ideas try to think as a child. We shall answer as any parent would.” And she kissed him softly. And for that one moment it was more love and comfort than he had ever known and then she was simply gone and it left him more empty yet. It was all he could do to not curse the whole pantheon and fate itself for the hypocricy of it all.
“Imhotep?” Ardeth’s voice was a low whisper. “Priestess?”
“Likely we will both be too shaken to think.” He answered, because he had no other thing he could say. “She is far more than I ever imagined, Pashakasa.”
“She is.” The woman answered. “Come, gather yourselves now. You will have to find your tribesmate will you not?”
Ardeth nodded and rose to his feet with an uncertainty Imhotep could understand. “Come, Medjai. We shall go and sit in the shade of the courtyard and try once more to think of what it is the gods will us to do.” He sighed, because perhaps for this last little while of the day they could indeed. And it was like watching the water pour all too quickly out of a jug onto the sand to see the time go so fast. Compare it to an eternity of having your body eaten and decaying around you, Medjai and then tell me this is not Paradise. He recalled his own words to the young man not so very long ago really, when this had started. Too short a time at that. “Thank you for your kindness Pashakasa. If there is anything I or my temple can do for you only ask.” He gave her a slight bow as he headed back into the sunshine. And if he heard a far too familiar hissing in the shadows perhaps it was only his coincidence after all. And was that not a curse all its own?
“I will do so. Go in peace, champions.”
Ardeth said nothing as he put his boots back on and Imhotep handed the headdress back to one of the lesser priests before they walked back toward the temple of Ammun. “Bis’mil’Allah.” Ardeth whispered finally as they walked into the sunlight and glanced east. “I feel like a child.”
“No doubt that is expected as I do as well. She is the mother of all things, Ardeth.”
“As you say.” He sighed. “May I ask you a question, Imhotep?”
“Certainly.” He smiled just a bit at the use of his name, because for once Ardeth had used it without conscious thought first.
“Is it hard to die?”
He looked over at the young man for a moment and then sighed. “Death is not hard, no. It is the dying that is difficult.”
Ardeth nodded a bit. “That is what I suspected, yes.”
“You do not think you will survive tomorrow do you, Medjai?” He smiled sadly.
Ardeth shrugged. “I think it is likely from what the gods have said that no I will not.”
“Our fates are not that set yet, Ardeth. Yours at least.” He glanced over at the young man, wishing despite himself that he had, had more time to play the game he had found himself caught in. You are pleasing, Ardeth, even when you do not wish to be.
“And yours?”
He sighed again. “Mine is much more– predetermined.” He kept the same smile, feeling only a bit more saddened than before. “Damnation and I are well acquainted, Ardeth. Doubtless I can bear it again.” It seemed so easy a thing to say really.
“Ammun would not repay your protection of Egypt with damnation would he?” There was a surprising amount of compassion in the young man’s voice.
“AmmunRa is a kind god, Ardeth. But I have very little hope that I will escape completely, hmm?” He shrugged. “There is little else the Hom-Dai prepares one for, Ardeth, other than to bear suffering and damnation.”
“Allah will have to forgive me, but I hope that you are wrong. Devotion and protection of Egypt should not be rewarded with horror.”
“I would agree, Ardeth. But we are only servants to our gods, Medjai, you and I. And the gifts we have been given and the victory we must achieve with them do not come without cost. I shall not be alone in paying the cost I do not think.” May your god find compassion in his heart for you as you so often beseech him for, Ardeth Bay. So loyal a son deserves better than to be cast into damnation when he has given no reason to be damned at all.
“No, perhaps not.” Ardeth sighed. “I have come to that conclusion myself. That there is yet a tenid to be paid for victory.”
“There is more truth to that than you know, Ardeth. There is indeed.”
“You are still not telling me what you know are you?”
“No.” He shook his head. “It is better I think to remain ignorant, Ardeth. It is far harder to face a fear when you have full knowledge of what it is than when you are only afraid of the shadow of it.”
Ardeth sighed. “If I ask AmmunRa, will he tell me do you think?”
“Perhaps. But think upon it well, Ardeth. It may be a truth you do not want to hear.” There were things to come that he by no means wanted to tell.
“There is truth to that. I will think on it.”
“Good.” He reached over and clasped the young man’s shoulder in his hand, squeezing lightly. “I would think you would be glad to see me cursed once more, Ardeth. Then you will not have to worry so about the remaining kisses you owe me, and your brother can be at peace knowing you are safe from the horrors he yet expects me to subject you to.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes a little but there was no real anger or annoyance to his thoughts. “I am bound by my oath to Allah for the protection of Egypt to see that you remain buried, priest of AmmunRa, but I do not think that the aid you have given Egypt in the waking world, the fact that most of my people yet live because of your intervention, or the fact that you have on more than one occasion aided Rick and I from escaping from damnation no matter how brief should be rewarded with you being cast back into hell.”
He squeezed Ardeth’s shoulder tighter. “Now you are thankful for my presence in your life, Medjai?” He chuckled. “I shall have to try harder to be the monster your brother expects if we are to go back to being enemies I suppose.”
Ardeth sighed and glanced eastward. “Madness is so pale a word.”
He released Ardeth’s shoulder and resumed his walk towards Ammun’s temple. “Perhaps you are right after all, Medjai. Perhaps you are right after all.” I can give you no more warning, Medjai. Ammun may yet be angry at me for what I have done. He managed not to shiver at that. But is was so very easy to recall that first reflection of Ardeth he has seen in Anubis’ hell as the man had hung from his wrists, bloody and torn and the way the creature that had worn his face had stroked its hands over him. Never a creature such as that, Medjai. No matter my damnation or yours, never have I been nor will I be a creature such as that. It will not be enough to save us, Ardeth, but it is all I have to promise. He looked at the young man again and smiled sadly as they went to see AmmunRa.
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Isha:ToC