Isha
Chapter 5
Pain was the only thing Ardeth knew in those few moments when he slid back into consciousness and then out again like water poured onto the sand, impossible to hold one or the other. At some time he realized that he was screaming whether he was awake or not and that his voice had faded into something that was not even really screams now. Then finally, somehow, he was not where he had been but there was a soft bed beneath him and strong arms around his shoulders. Not Rick’s he knew but this once he did not think he minded the other. “Thebes?”
“Yes.” Imhotep’s voice was gentle, but full of so much pain it sounded little better than his own. “Thanks be to Mut.”
He tried to answer, tried to find something that made sense but the pain made it hard to breathe even here.
“I can not heal you, Ardeth. I am sorry.” Imhotep’s hand stroked shakily through his hair, and oddly that did not bother him for once. He tried to get his eyes to open, but it seemed such a struggle. Continuing echoes of pain coursed through him, unceasing.
“Hmm. I– Allah, why does he...not stop hitting if...I am so unconscious I am here?” He barely recognized his own voice.
“I do not think he cares, Ardeth. He only enjoys the pain it causes.” Imhotep shifted him a bit closer, as if to protect him from the blows in the waking world.
“Mmm.” He shuddered, leaning into the embrace despite the pain it sent coursing through him. “I– am I dying?”
“Very likely.” Imhotep said gently, and he almost smiled at the tone of voice.
“Will he stop hitting then do you think?” He almost chuckled.
“No.” The word was somewhere between a snort and a cough. “Do not die, Ardeth.”
“I– do not think...I can...not.” He shuddered again. “You– should have– claimed your kisses last night after all, hmm? I... will not get to...fulfill that debt now. I am sorry.” He was, because no matter how much he hated the bargain he was forever thankful that some of his people yet lived.
“Perhaps.” The sheets he only then realized he was wrapped in were drawn more closely about him, clumsily he realized. Odd, Imhotep was never clumsy. “But you are not dead yet, Ardeth. And we will not-- give him the satisfaction of killing us will we?”
“No.” He groaned out the word. “I-- will not be able to spit in his face, hmm?”
“So stubborn. I will try to do so for you. Then might I have the pleasure of your company in the future despite us both?”
He wanted to laugh at that as much as he wanted to cry. “You– do not understand.” He curled more into those strong arms, despite the fact that Imhotep was barely shaking less than he was.
“Understand what, Ardeth? Save your strength yet, hmm? Breathe?”
“I...” He did not care at all, only leaned his head against the warm shoulder wet with either of their blood, or both he supposed. “There is...no...point, Imhotep... to the game you play now.”
“So, if I swear to you that I will not hold you to the last two kisses you owe me then will you try harder to live?” Another odd tone of voice, fear perhaps? What would Imhotep be afraid of now? His own death perhaps? Damnation. Ardeth shuddered, biting back the cry of pain that so wanted to escape.
“That is...not...Allah’s mercy. There is nothing left to take.” He held up one bloody hand, drenched so with his own blood. Imhotep tried to catch it, and Ardeth realized in some part of his mind why the man was so clumsy now, hands broken and fingers too twisted to even close on his. Both of them so broken then. He almost laughed, almost, but it was stolen by the harsh scream that came with a new flood of pain before it all finally, blessedly stopped, leaving him gasping. Imhotep’s arms tightened around him again, and he distantly heard the other man cry out as well. Both of them shaking, and trying to breathe.
“Ardeth...?” Imhotep whispered.
“Yes.” It was all he could manage. A confirmation that he was still breathing. He could do nothing but shake.
“God, Ardeth, breathe, huh?” That was not a voice he expected but he opened his eyes as he was shifted into a far more familiar embrace.
“Rick?” He sighed, curling into his arms no matter the pain. “Habib?”
“Shhh.” Strong fingers, which were also shaking now stroked through his hair. “You’re going to be waking up in Ahm Shere in just a bit, huh? Evie and everyone’ll have you healed in just a few more seconds, okay?”
“Will they?” He was too tired to care for even that. “Did we win?”
“Yeah Ardeth, we won.” Tears to his brother’s voice. “It’s okay now.”
“Hmm. Are you well?” God willing one of them was. It was growing so hard to think. Bis’mil’Allah rakhman el rahim. The thought to himself. I do not want to die in his arms.
“I got knocked for a pretty bad loop there, but it’s okay now.” Rick tilted his head up a bit and he was not expecting the soft kiss. “I love you, Ardeth. So keep breathing, okay?”
“Hmm. I am trying. I...” He wanted Rick to know that. But sinking into the blackness sounded so very good.
“When you wake up tell Evie I love her too, please? You’ll see her before I do. And tell Alex and Jonathan I’m really proud okay?”
“Rick?” He tried to think, tried to grip his friend more tightly but it was getting harder and harder to even move.
“Shhh.” Another soft kiss, and then one was placed in his palm and his fingers closed over it. “For later, habib, when you need it. I’m sorry, habib. But I do love you, Ardeth. Don’t forget.”
“I love you too.” And then there was no pain or comfort either on ly a soft blackness. No night is forever, child, not even mine. He recalled the goddess’ words. And perhaps she had told him the truth because the darkness gave slowly to a voice calling his name and a glass of something pressed to his lips.
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“O’Connell?” Imhotep looked at the man kneeling across from him on the bed as Ardeth simply vanished, leaving only the blood stained sheets he had been wrapped in to settle between him and O’Connell. Ammun but it was hard to even find the strength for the man’s name.
The American was silent for a long minute and then the blue eyes met his. “If you hurt him, if you so much as think about it, I will find a way to make you sorry for it.”
He gave a small smirk, wondering absently where O’Connell got the idea he was a threat to anyone right now. “No doubt you would try.” Though at the moment he was too exhausted to truly argue, the pain from his own wounds nearly making him weep much as Ardeth had. He had so little strength left that it would be an easy victory indeed for O’Connell to achieve, again. That almost made him smile. Perhaps Ardeth’s near madness was catching in some way.
“I’d do more than try. But right now, I don’t have time to worry about you. It’s going to be dawn in Ahm Shere in just a bit, you get to make sure the last of the Germans are either dead or heading home. That’s your job because Ardeth and Evie aren’t going to be in any shape for it and you’re going to be healed come sun-up.”
“And you know this how?” He looked at the man again, trying to place what was odd. And then it came to him, he could not read the man’s thoughts at all, not that he could not decipher them because they were English but simply that he could not read them. “O’Connell?”
“Anubis and I had a talk.” Was the calm reply. “So I’m supposed to tell you that you need to make certain the battle’s finished. I’ve done all I can do.”
“You said that Ardeth and your wife will be in no shape to see to destroying the rest of the Germans. It may well be that come the dawn Ammun will bless me once more with his grace, but what of you?”
“Me?” There was a small smile. “I’m just– passing through to give you the message. It was a kind of a bonus that I got to see Ardeth for a bit, I’ll have to remember to thank Anubis for that.”
“And when will you be speaking with Anubis?” The conversation seemed completely unreal to him at that point.
“Oh, any second now. Don’t forget what I said though. You hurt him, you so much as push him too far and I’ll find a way to make you pay for it.”
“We have a wager, I believe, which states that I can do no more than attempt to seduce him do we not?”
“Nope.” O’Connell sighed. “Not any more.”
“And why is that?” He wondered, certain that the man would not have told Ardeth of the wager after all.
“Because like I said I’m just here to give you a message, passing through so to speak.” And odd smile. “You were right after all.”
“About what?” He was more confused than ever.
“It’s just a beginning isn’t it? Hurts like hell though.” And with that the man was simply gone, with no stirring at all to the veil between Thebes and Ahm Shere. Surprising himself he closed his eyes.
“May Ma’at walk with you and see you safely to the side of your God, O’Connell.” He smiled sadly. “You were the most damnable foe.” But the dead were no longer foes of anyone and he was not certain he would not miss sparing with the man occasionally. He rose to his feet feeling the strength that came to him as AmmunRa rose to the sky here in Thebes if not in the waking world yet. And then the sunlight spilled into the room and washed over him and he was gone from Thebes before he could so much as think.
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Adham did his best to hold Ardeth still as Risi read from the book of healing once more. Then she took the book of AmmunRa and read from that. Sallah was also chanting something in Egyptian and Adham turned to see him reading from the book of the Dead. He held Ardeth tighter again trying not to think of the way his cousin’s body felt in his arms. “Do not die now, Ardeth.” He repeated the request again. He wrapped the already bloody blanket tighter about his cousin, trying not to think of how Ardeth had looked when the Anubis warrior had carried him into camp, naked, bloody and torn. Adham shuddered himself at just the memory.
Finally, Risi picked up the book of Horus and read something from that as well, before going back to the book of Healing. Whatever the combination was it seemed to do some good because Ardeth stopped shivering in his arms. “No.” He freed one hand to place over Ardeth’s heart, uncertain suddenly whether it was healing or death that had released him from the pain. But his heart beat, slowly, under Adham’s hand. “Thanks be to God.” He shook his head. “All the gods if needs be.”
“Does he live yet, Adham?”Selim’s voice was a soft question behind him, as the older man reached over his shoulder to run his fingers over Ardeth’s forehead.
“Yes.”
“I think– he will survive.” Siri put in, but she and Sallah both were yet reciting from the books.
“Allah grant us that.” Selim sighed. “We will need to gather what men we have left come the dawn, Adham.”
“I do not think we have lost as many as I feared, Selim.”
“That is something. See if you can wake He who shall not be named, Sallah. And failing that give me the book of the dead and I shall do it the way we are told worked before.”
Adham turned to look at the man behind him. “If the creature is dead, better to let him stay dead and then do as we should and seal him back in the sarcophagus we brought with us from Hamanaptura and bury it under one of the statues of Anubis here in Ahm Shere.”
Selim shook his head. “I do not know what magic O’Connell worked to raise the Army of Anubis. I do not know that it will last. Ardeth and Evelyn are in no shape to fight if any of those tanks remain. Allah must know I doubt Ardeth will be able to stand let alone fight soon, Adham. We need a force we know can defeat the Germans. Or would you have them finish what they started and kill the rest of our women and children?”
Adham blinked and then released Ardeth with one arm to grip Selim’s shoulder. “I am sorry, Selim. I did not think to ask. Who have you lost, my friend?”
“Amal.” Selim bowed his head a bit. “She was trying to keep them from our daughter and grandchildren. Mostly she succeeded, thanks be to Allah for that, we lost the boy Ramzi.”
“I– do not have words to offer, Selim.”
“No. Nor do I. Leila and your children?”
Adham closed his eye. “They all yet live. Mohamed broke his arm trying to fight one of them while the younger children hid. But I am fortunate that Leila’s father, Azim can yet throw a knife well or I would have lost my son. And Jonathan Carnahan saved Leila and Khalifa from being run through with a bayonet.”
“I am glad then that your family is well. Pasha has joined our other tribesmates in Paradise, but I think all the rest of the leaders of the– eleven tribes remaining have survived as well, although some have lost sons, perhaps daughters I am not certain. Kashim mourns his wife as well as I.” Selim sighed. “I am too old to bury more children, Adham.”
“I do not think age makes it easier.” Adham laid Ardeth down on the pallet of blankets. “Let us get him washed and dressed, hmm? Then we will do what we can for the rest of our people and see to victory so we may bury our lost.”
“As God wills us, Adham.” But for the first time in all of Adham’s life, Selim sounded as if he doubted the truth of the phrase.
Leila and her cousins were helping to tend the wounded so he sent one of them to get Ardeth clean clothes and set about with Leila and Selim’s aid in getting Ardeth bathed and dressed. Leila and the other women had turned away at the very last to save Ardeth some dignity and Adham was thankful for it. He swallowed hard and then looked up to meet Selim’s eyes. “God have mercy.”
“We shall– see what Sallah can do with the great books. I have no other answers.” Selim sounded as lost as Adham felt. “We shall only be there for him as we can be, Adham.”
“Would that it would be enough.” He shook his head and found himself wondering how in the world they would see him through this. Selim helped him carefully wash away the blood that still smeared Ardeth’s skin now that the wounds were healed closed and it was so very hard indeed not to cry but he managed, for Ardeth’s sake. Then they dressed him again before Selim went to find Sallah.
“Will he be all right, Adham?” Leila asked softly, coming to sit beside him.
“As God wills him to be.” He had no other answer for her, because it was not his place to tell of the horrible damage that had been done to his cousin and chieftain. “How are the children?”
“We have set Mohamed’s arm and he is sound asleep. My sister is sitting with them while I came to see to you. They are all asleep and exhausted enough to stay that way I think.”
“Thanks be to God then.” He meant it. And for now, it was all he could take comfort in. Somehow for Ardeth’s sake he would manage to carry what of the burdens left that he could.
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Ardeth woke slowly, trying to make sense of what was going on, but it was so very hard to think past the still lingering pain.
“You are safe now, Ardeth.” Selim’s voice was gentle but the hands that held him down were firm. “Do not try to move yet.”
“Uncle?” It was hard to form the word. A gentle hand raised his head and a cup of water was held to his lips. He took a few sips, thankful for the moisture to his throat which was so dry it ached. “Where?”
“You are back at camp, Ardeth. The Germans have retreated. You must rest.”
“Adham?”
“I am here cousin.” Came Adham’s voice from a bit away and then a strong hand joined Selim’s on his shoulder. “Do as Selim says and rest.”
“The tribes?” He managed the question.
“We are still regrouping Ardeth, but I think the losses were not so bad as I feared.” Adham assured him.
“I...” It was so hard to think but his mind was clearing slowly. “Imhotep?” He recalled that his most unusual ally had been with him during his capture.
“Alive– after a fashion, Risi was reading from the book of AmmunRa and I think he has healed as you have now, Ardeth.”
“Hmm.” That took a long moment to make sense. “Risi? Where is Evelyn? Rick?”
“Evelyn is resting. Rick is leading the– rest of the warriors who are making sure the Germans are gone.”
He nodded a little. That was all good to know, and he relaxed back into the soft pallet of blankets with a sigh and simply waited for the dizziness and weakness to pass. Selim helped him drink some more water and finally he could open his eyes and sit up with a bit of help. “Allah– I am as weak as a foal.” He shook his head. Imhotep did indeed lay on another pallet just a bit away and too many of his people lay wounded as well. He closed his eyes again at the thought of how many more would be dead. “I need to get up, Uncle. I must see to the tribes. When you rescued me did you get my weapons back? I will need Horus’ help for this.”
“No, Ardeth.” Selim sighed. “It is not quite dawn yet, nephew, and there is nothing that can be done until light. Rest for now.”
He looked over at his uncle and only then saw the utter exhaustion. “You need to sit as well, uncle.” He found a smile. “We will need to be strong in a bit, hmm? Rest.”
Selim nodded and sat beside him.
“How long was I a prisoner then and to whom do I owe my rescue?”
“A little over five or six hours I think.” Selim answered. “And you owe your rescue to your brother, Ardeth. That should not be a surprise.”
“No. I can not say that it is.” He smiled a bit more, and then recalled suddenly seeing Rick in Thebes during that last few moments when the pain had come close to killing him. “Where did you say Rick was?”
“Leading the warriors who are finishing off the Germans.” Adham put in, bringing him another cup of water to drink.
“I do not think...” And then the whole of the last few hours came back to him, the torture the horrible pain it had brought him and then Rick’s gentle insistence that he would be healed soon and to keep breathing. He took a deep breath to steady himself. “I do not have time to be treated like a child.” He looked from Selim to Adham and back. “What has been happening?”
Adham sighed. “Drink this. I will tell you.”
He took the cup of water and drank it.
“The Germans sent men on foot and in those odd cars to come around behind our camp along the edge of the Nile and the tanks to try the route they had before. They surprised the women and children but thankfully with Evelyn, Jonathan and a few of the women’s help they held out until Alex came to tell us of what was happening and we sent men back to camp. There were some injuries, including Evelyn’s but they have been healed now and all are resting. Praise be I think we only lost a handful of women and children all told.”
Ardeth closed his eyes at the pain. “Leila and the little ones?”
“Are all well, thanks be to Allah.” Adham squeezed his shoulder gently. “When the sun went down the sandstorm He who shall not be named was creating stopped and we could not find you or him. O’Connell went to try and stop the rest of the tanks.” Adham paused. “I do not know how he accomplished it cousin, for it was very dark down on the battlefield but one moment I was certain we were lost and then the sands...moved and grew black with more than night and the entire army of Anubis’ was once more massed on the sands of Ahm Shere. Only this time we were not their enemies. It was the Germans they descended upon. They did not so much as attempt to harm one of our warriors as they tore through the tanks, and indeed two of them brought you and Ammun’s Priest back here to us, then left as if it was a common thing and went back to the battle. We have not seen them for a bit as they had gone out of our sight range and I thought it best to keep all the warriors we have ready here.”
Ardeth listened to the report and then nodded once, because it made a certain sense really. “I need to get to the dunes then, Adham, come dawn so that we can see what yet remains of our enemies and our defenders. Help me up. I must stand.” He kept his voice firm.
“Ardeth....”
“I am still your chieftain. You will do as I say.” He met his cousin’s gaze. “Or you may put me out of my misery and lead them yourself.”
“Do not say such things.” Adham sighed and only helped him to his feet.
“Stubbornness is so mild a term.” He had not been expecting Imhotep’s voice but it was oddly enough a relief to hear. “It seems we both survived after all, does it not Medjai?”
“It does.” He agreed. And Evelyn was resting, no doubt not well but alive. And so he knew without a doubt who had been lost. And foreknowledge he found was no balm at all for the grief. But he would not let it keep him from doing what had to be done. He had promised Rick, and he would see it through. “Are you able to stand?”
“I think I can manage to, yes. It will be dawn soon and Ammun will no doubt give me back my powers with his rising. I can see that the rest of the Germans are defeated and scattered, Medjai.”
“Good.” He nodded. “You are certain of this?”
“So I was told in Thebes after you left.”
He nodded again. “Then we will see that it is done. Where is Sallah, uncle, I need the book of Horus.”
“I am here chieftain.” Sallah answered.
“Good. I need my book, Sallah. Stay here with the wounded and see if Sekhmet will allow you to use her book or failing that give that one to Risi and take the book of AmmunRa for yourself.”
“Of course.”
“I’ve been using mum’s amulet uncle Ardeth and it works too.” Alex’s voice was even more of a surprise and he turned to see Alex and Jonathan standing not far away. “Dad told me to keep it until mum woke up so I have been. Seemed stupid not to use it.”
“You are a credit to your parents, your family, and my tribe, Alex. And you my friend. Thank you so much Jonathan for saving my tribesmates who could not defend themselves.” Odd how that still meant so much when he could barely feel anything at all.
“It was the least I could do, Ardeth.” Jonathan answered, and it hurt a bit to see the haunted look to the normally cheerful eyes.
“Thank you.” He nodded anyway. “See what more you can do then if you are able, Alex. I need my warriors I fear. But do not cause yourself harm. Your– parents will never forgive me.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him, Ardeth. You just find Rick and get him back here, hmm? Evie’s going to– want to see him when she wakes up.”
Ardeth nodded, not certain what to make of the tone of voice and not wanting to tell them yet, especially Alex, that he would not be bringing Rick back at all. Better to at least have Evelyn there and awake for her son when he had to deliver such news. He turned back to Imhotep, Selim, and Adham. “Let us go to the dunes then. Adham will you please carry my book for me? Priest of AmmunRa, Allah forgive me for this but we are without choices, will you bring the book of the Dead?”
Imhotep gave a snort that might have been meant as a chuckle but nodded and took the book from Sallah.
“Let me carry it, you will fall over and then what use will you be? Selim can carry yours Ardeth and keep you on your feet.” Adham walked over took the book from Sallah in one arm and then helped the high priest of Ammun to his feet with the other hand. Somehow they all headed out toward the dunes and it was surprisingly getting easier to walk and not harder.
“What is wrong with Evelyn?” He asked his uncle finally.
“I am not certain, Ardeth.” Selim replied quietly. “Adham would know more than I, you should ask him.”
He nodded, not really wishing to know, but knowing he should. And Allah had to know he did not want to tell her of Rick’s death. “I will do so when I can.” He agreed and left it at that not wanting to delve too deep into the shattered pieces of what memory he had of the night before. The sun had just turned the sky pink in the east as they reached the dunes and then Ammun’s smile broke over the horizon. Imhotep stopped suddenly and then shrugged off Adham’s grip to go to his knees. Ardeth could hardly blame him for the dedication, and gave a quick prayer to Allah for understanding why he could not do the same. If he knelt now he would not rise. And then the soft gold light of the morning sun bathed Ammun’s champion and when the man rose to his feet Ardeth could see no sign of exhaustion or remaining weakness. “It seems you were correct were you not?”
“It does. I will go and see to the German’s Ardeth and bring you your shield and scepter if I can.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you take word to O’Connell as well that he might come back to us?” Selim asked, surprising Ardeth with the question.
“There is no– way to accomplish that now, Uncle. But if you find him, Imhotep will you do me the kindness of telling me where he lies?” He did not care if it was improper to speak the name aloud or not. Allah would forgive him if it was not.
“Of course, Ardeth.” Imhotep nodded, no doubt having reached the same conclusion he had. “Keep the book of the Dead with you Medjai it may be that it is still of some use.” And then the priest of AmmunRa was gone in a swirl of sand.
“Are you certain he is dead, cousin?” Adham asked, with a surprising gentleness.
“Yes.” Ardeth nodded. “Allah grant him peace.” It was all he could hope for.
“In’sh’Allah.” Selim whispered.
Horus gave a sharp cry from overhead and then came circling down to perch on the arm Ardeth held up. “Hello my friend, I will have need of you today, Horus as I must find the weapons of your namesake.”
Horus climbed up his arm and it was the first time he realized that his uncle or someone had dressed him in clean robes because the ones he had been in last night had been torn from him when the German had begun his torture and these were whole. Horus perched on his shoulder and then only butted his head under Ardeth’s chin and crooned softly. “Ah, my friend it is good for you to worry, hmm?” He stroked the soft feathers. “Let us get to the dunes and survey what we can of the damage.” He let Adham take some of his weight as they walked up the final high dune. “Can you tell me what is wrong with Evelyn, Adham. Jonathan seemed...concerned.”
“As well he should be as he is her brother.” Adham nodded. “I– do not know for certain, Ardeth. But I assume he fears what we do for many of our tribeswomen who were– accosted by the German soldiers.”
That took him a long moment. “I do not have it in me to be polite, Adham, not now.”
“They were forced, some of them.”
“Raped.” He gave it baldly.
“Yes.” Adham nodded with a wince.
“Leila is well?” He realized there could be some other reason for Adham’s reluctance.
“She is, thanks be to Allah.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Allah grant that our concern for Evelyn is only that.” He did not hold out any real hope that it would be so, but he offered the prayer none the less.
“We can pray yes.” Selim agreed. “Her son will need her to be strong, if you are certain Rick is lost.”
“I am very certain, uncle.” He nodded.
Horus gave another soft croon and began to groom one lock of his hair. “Yes, I know.” He pulled the hair free. “Thank you my friend for the concern, but I knew it was going to happen yesterday. It is not a shock.” He looked out over the remains of the German tanks, relived to see very few horses amongst the carnage which gave him more hope for his people. He could see the concerned looks that Adham and Selim were trading but for now he was willing to ignore it. Later he might well want to collapse and howl out his grief and rage to Allah but not now. For one at the moment there was no pain to it so that was easy enough to ignore and he had promises to keep before he could manage grief if it came. “I think you are right Adham and it is not so horrible a loss as I feared, but it is still more of us than I had ever wished to bury.” He sighed. “So much of our blood has stained these sands.”
“We are Medjai, nephew, we do what must be done. Come now, it seems we have little to fear from the Germans with our most unusual ally once more with his powers and whole. You will need to rest in case strength is needed later.”
“I will rest soon, Selim. I promise.” He opened the book of Horus and found the spell he had used after the first battle to tell if there were yet Medjai on the field or only enemies and began to read. Horus’ talons tightened on his shoulder but did not rip cloth or skin, and he wondered absently if the wounds he had been given were now scars or if they were simply gone. He would find a bit later to check. Apparently the Bright son of Osiris still found some favor with him because the bright golden arrow of light slid over the field below and then came streaking back and into the book he held. He blinked, clearing the afterimages away from his eyes.
“Ardeth?” Selim was at one arm, Adham at the other.
“It is only a very bright flash of light.” He assured them. “There are wounded of ours still on the field, we need to get to them and see them back to Ahm Shere while there is yet time for them to be saved. Selim will you go back to camp please and see that men are sent to see to it?”
His uncle started to say something but then only looked at Adham and nodded. “Very well Ardeth. If it will be one less thing to keep you from resting.” And he went back down the dune toward one of the men still on patrol.
Adham came over to stand with him, one strong hand under his arm to keep him balanced no doubt. “Horus...” He started to turn to his friend when the sand vortex came sweeping back across the field and became Ammun’s high priest.
“The Germans are fleeing back the way they came. If Ammun wishes I can bury the few that remain easily enough.”
“That is good. And Anubis’ army?”
“Gone back to sand again it seems. I found you these.”
He took the shield and scepter with a nod. “Thank you, Imhotep.”
"You are most welcome, Ardeth." There was a bit of surprise to the voice. "I believe this is yours as well?" Imhotep held out the medallion that the Bright god of Vengeance had given him on his last visit to Thebes. Ardeth could vaguely recall the Nazi who had tortured he and Imhotep so pulling it from him during the night. He took the bright gold medallion and finding the chain broken slid it inside his robe.
"Thank you for that as well." He gave a small nod. "Horus, my friend, I must know that the armor of the Scorpion King and the scepter of Osiris are not with the Germans who are fleeing from Egypt as we speak. Can you find me Rick's body now, my friend?"
Horus gave a soft chirp and then took to the sky heading down over the battle field below.
“He is only one falcon, Ardeth.” Adham pointed out.
“No. He is not.” Ardeth shook his head. “Please, oh bright son of Osiris, great god of Vengeance, I need to insure that Egypt is as safe as she can be, and I would, if possible, allow Rick a proper burial.” He gave the prayer in Egyptian.
“Likely he will answer you Ardeth. The son of Osiris is fond of you, Medjai.”
“For which as always I am thankful.” He replied. “Let us go and see if Horus has been successful, hmm?” It seemed like such a simple thing to do. Adham still had ahold of his arm. “Will you come with us, Imhotep as you can touch the armor without harm?” He held out his free hand to Ammun’s High priest.
“Of course, Ardeth.” Imhotep reached over and gripped his forearm, one warrior to another.
“Good. Ai-hetrem-heset-heru.” And then they were gone from the dunes and standing amidst the wreckage of several tanks. Oddly enough the journey did not even leave him short of breath. Horus was sitting on one of the tanks but jumped down and picked his way cautiously toward an area to Ardeth’s left. Ardeth let go of Adham and Imhotep both and walked over, trying to find Rick’s body amongst the wreckage and dead Germans He caught a flash of gold and moved forward.
“Let me, Ardeth, it is safer, hmm?” Imhotep caught his arm and Adham the other. He nodded, wanting to see for himself but willing for the moment to let Imhotep do so. If he killed himself so foolishly there was no way to keep his promise. So he stepped back with Adham and waited as the High Priest of AmmunRa moved wreckage aside with a thought and then knelt down reaching for the gold of the shield Ardeth could see, the scorpion in sharp relief with the morning light. Then Imhotep paused and whispered something too low for Ardeth to make out. “Give me your outer robe, Ardeth.”
“What?” He was not sure where the request came from. Adham’s hand tightened on his arm for a moment and then let go.
“Give me your outer robe, would you please?”
And that was the first time he realized that Imhotep was wearing only a loose pair of pants and not the robes he had been in the day before. “As you wish.”
“Here.” Adham handed him his.
“Thank you.” Ardeth in turn handed it to Imhotep who draped it over the shield and what had to be Rick’s body. “We should take him back to camp.”
“Did you want this?” Adham held the book of the Dead out to Ammun’s priest, and for just a moment Ardeth let himself hope it might be so.
“In just a bit, we shall try I think.” Imhotep turned to where Horus was still perched. “But we will need his aid, and that of his namesake yet.”
“Why?” Adham asked, his voice sharp.
Ardeth did not know what to make of the expression in the dark eyes that met his. “You know the story of the death of Osiris do you not, Medjai?”
“I do.” He nodded as Adham did.
“Odd as it is, we must play Isis in this as the Princess is not with us, likely there is some kindness in that.”
“Isis...” He started to ask and then the realization came with another comforting layer of calm, and he was not really surprised to hear himself chuckle. “And here he threatened so often to blow you to pieces, hmm?”
Adham gripped his arm again and much to his confusion turned him into his cousin’s strong embrace. “Can you manage this, priest of AmmunRa?”
“If Horus is kind.” Imhotep answered.
“I am not an invalid, Adham I can help, as Imhotep said, Evelyn is not here, thanks be to Allah for the mercy, but I was his lover so it may be that Isis will find favor with that and allow us success.” He pushed away a bit.
“Your cousin is only worried for you, Ardeth.” Imhotep sighed in Egyptian now. “You will understand why when you are well.”
He shook his head a bit. “I am already healed, Imhotep what is there to be concerned for?”
“I will let your cousin explain that to you as well. Right now, Ardeth, you are as far from well as I have ever known you to be. Tell me, Medjai, what would you say if I asked you for one of the kisses you owe me right now?”
That was an odd question. “They are yours to claim of course. But I can not think of why you would want to do so now.” He shook his head. “It is not as if Rick is really here to mind after all.”
“No. No he is not. Let us do what we must, then we can get your brother back to Ahm Shere and see him whole, Ardeth. Then perhaps he can explain it to you.”
Ardeth smiled just a bit at that. “If you can succeed priest of AmmunRa, you may claim as many kisses as you wish, and I will pay them all with joy.”
An oddly sad smile crossed the man’s face. “Now that will be a tempting offer to remind you of when you are well. Likely I could have more than kisses, hmm?”
“You could.” He did not think he would mind at all.
“Then I shall also remind you that I did not ask for such. Let us see to the task then.” Imhotep turned to Adham, switching back to Arabic. “You will stay with him, Medjai? I will see what I can do to find his brother’s remains.” “Yes.” Adham agreed sharply.
“We should have spoken Arabic Adham I did not mean to be rude.” Ardeth apologized.
“Of course you did not. It is not important Ardeth.”
He nodded, and it was actually surprisingly easy to finish their grizzly task. Imhotep tore one of the armor plates off a tank and they used the improvised bier to lay Rick upon, Adham’s robe serving as an equally improvised shroud, the armor of the Scorpion King they left in place as it was easier that way. Ardeth knelt beside the remains and held his hand just a breath away from the blanket over Rick’s heart. “May Horus walk between you and all the dark places you must travel, habib, and see you safely to Allah’s side. I will hold you in my heart forever, Rick O’Connell.”
“Come now, Ardeth, let us see what we can do to right this.” Adham knelt beside him and then Imhotep put one hand on the shield at his back and the other on Rick and recited the prayer Ardeth had grown so used to saying and before he realized it they were gone from the battlefield and back at camp.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jonathan sat with Evie, watching her worriedly as she read yet another spell out of the book of War and Healing. She’d been at it since she woke, and other than taking a break every now and again to simply hug Alex tightly she’d not said anything really. It only worried him more but he was still at a loss of how to comfort her anyway. “Evie, you need rest.” He tried softly.
“I won’t rest even if I try, Jonathan, really. Let me help those I can.” She looked over at him. “Have I thanked you yet?”
“Thanked me for what?” He blinked in surprise.
“Saving my life, silly goose.” And she smiled just a bit.
“Least I could do.” He smiled back.
“Thank you Jonathan.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek, so soft he barely felt it. “Why don’t you take Alex and get washed up, hmm? He’s sound asleep.” She looked to where Alex was indeed curled up asleep, under the watchful eye of one of Ardeth’s aunts.
“I think it’d be better if we just let him doze until Rick gets back then you can all go get washed up and sleep the day away.”
Something he couldn’t understand at all flashed through her eyes. “When all the healing is done then.” She nodded finally and turned back to the next wounded person.
“Carnahan Effendi?”
He turned, surprised at the title he’d been given to see one of the young Medjai women there with a pot of something.
“Yes?”
“I thought perhaps you and your sister could use some tea?”
“Oh right. God yes that sounds good thank you.” He found a smile and took the cups she poured.
“It is nothing. Anything that I can do to help is only a small way to thank you.” She added, ducking her head a bit in what he’d come over the years to understand was a way of expressing thanks as well as embarrassment among Muslim women.
“Whatever are you thanking me for?”
She glanced back up and much to his shock met his eyes fully. “Saving me from the Germans.”
“Oh.” He found a smile and then ducked his head in turn, breaking the gaze and offering a bit of thanks in return with it. He didn’t miss the small smile that got and figured it was worth it. “You’re welcome then.”
“You are a very good shot.” She poured him more tea.
“Yes well. I’m finding myself glad for that. Evie, luv, there’s tea, it’s hot and sweet, it’ll do you good?” He offered her a cup as she set the book down again.
“Oh. Thank you.” She took the cup.
“I will go and find clean clothes for you and your sister and her son and bring them back here so that you may finally bathe and rest.”
“That would be kind Tamima, bring clothes for Evelyn’s husband too.” Selim put in, having come in with the last wounded they had just brought back to camp. Jonathan was trying to do the math in his mind, and was pleasantly surprised to realize that there were far fewer people who could have been amongst the dead than he’d been afraid of.
“Of course Selim.” The young woman nodded and then left, leaving the pot of tea beside Jonathan on the low bench.
“We are all very thankful for what you did, Yuhan.” Azza patted his shoulder. And he smiled a bit at the Arabic form of his name.
“I wish I could of done more.” He shook his head.
“That is always the way of the world.” Azza agreed. “You must get Evelyn to rest, Yuhan, she is not well.”
“I know.” He looked over at her worriedly. “Would she talk to you Azza? Since Rick isn’t here and she won’t talk to me right now. Could you...?”
The older woman nodded a little. “I will see if she will tell to me what happened with the Germans, perhaps it will help to have another woman to talk to.”
Jonathan nodded and left the two women to talk going over to sit with Alex and Selim, who had for some reason taken his wife’s place beside Alex.
“Evelyn?”
He glanced up at Ardeth’s voice, surprised to see the man standing in the doorway. Selim stood and went over to the doorway, offering Ardeth a supporting hand to balance out Adham who was at the man’s other side. And Jonathan really did wonder how in the world Ardeth was on his feet at all. He didn’t have the words to describe the utter exhaustion and pain that shadowed his friend’s face into something he really didn’t recognize.
“Ardeth.” Evie smiled a little, but there was no brightness to her eyes either. “We’re just about finished healing everyone. At least I think we are, unless there’s more wounded coming Selim?”
“No Evelyn praise be to Allah I think we are all here.”
“Good.” She brushed the tangled and bloodstreaked dark hair out of her face with an equally stained hand and Jonathan had to blink back the sudden tears that burned the back of his eyes. “Did you– find him?”
“We did.” Ardeth answered. “Imhotep seems to think there may yet be a spell in the book of AmmunRa that may be of help.”
“Really?” She smiled a bit more, although it still didn’t light her eyes any. “Of course we can try. Sekhmet’s been very kind in letting me treat so many wounds and I’m not the least bit more tired for it.”
“Indeed, all the gods seem to be most kind today.” Ardeth agreed.
“I have been using the book as Evelyn directed me, chieftain.” Risi held out the book of AmmunRa as she and Sallah walked over.
“Good. Then if you are finished with the healing here we shall see if the High Priest of AmmunRa is correct.”
“All right then.” Evie just closed her book and walked over to join them. “Jon? Will you stay with Alex?”
“If someone will tell me what’s going on? Where’s Rick?”
“Heaven I suspect, despite his fondness for the whole concept of Fiddler’s Green.” Evie answered as if it was the same as saying he’d gone to Manchester or something for the day instead of London. “I’ve always known where he’d go when he died.” And it worried him even more that she didn’t seem the least bit surprised that her husband was dead.
“Mum?” Alex sat up rubbing his eyes and Jonathan just put his arm around his nephew’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry we woke you, luv.” Evie came over and drew Alex close into her arms, hugging him tightly. “Your uncle Ardeth and I are going to go see about your father all right? Will you stay here with your uncle Jonathan while we do?”
“I want to help.” Alex put in stubbornly. “Me and Uncle Jon brought you back the last time we were here. We can help with dad right uncle Jon?”
“Sure we could, Alex. But your mum’s got the book to read from so we’d just be in the way. Don’t you think it might be a better idea if we..”
“Actually, it would I think be best if you and your son were both present, Princess.”
It took Jonathan a moment to translate out the Egyptian that Imhotep was using, but he’d been practicing with Evie and Alex since they’re last time here and it had worked out well enough.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. Right mum?” Alex apparently had no problems understanding it either.
“Do you truly think it will help?” Ardeth asked.
“We must appeal to Isis, Ardeth, likely having his wife and son there will only strengthen the request.”
“There is a great deal of truth in that. Very well, but you will stay strictly beside your uncle, Alex. I want no arguments now. Your mother and I are going to be working some very high magic with Imhotep’s help and I can not risk an error hmm? For your father’s sake you will do this, yes?”
“If it’ll bring dad back uncle Ardeth I’ll do anything you need me too.” Alex promised.
Evie just hugged him close. “We both will Ardeth. You must know that.”
“As well as I know my name.” Ardeth replied. “Let us see it done then, In’sh’allah it may yet be put to rights.”
Jonathan took Alex’s hand as they walked, surreptitiously putting himself close enough to Evie to support her if he had too.
“Why are we appealing to Isis and not to Anubis, Ardeth?” Evie asked as they walked outside.
“There is more that needs to be healed before we can ask Anubis to restore his soul, Nefertiri. Likely now it would do no more than cause him unnecessary agony.”
“But tell her that we the gods of Egypt do love her yet, and for her to remember that love and not despair no matter how great her burden or the grief of Isis herself be laid upon her shoulders.” Evie whispered the Egyptian, that was formal enough for him to grasp with more ease. “Was that not part of the message I was given, priest of AmmunRa?”
“It was.”
“I never listen do I, Ardeth?”
“I did not understand that warning either, Evelyn. We can only now do whatever is possible to put this to rights. Likely Isis will I pray be as kind to us as her children have been and it may be accomplished.”
It took Jonathan a bit to realize that there were a few Medjai standing guard it seemed around something covered with a blanket on the ground, and another second to put two and two together. “We’ll just stay here, okay Alex?”
“If you think it’ll help?” Alex looked up at Evie.
“Oh Alex I don’t know. But we’re going to try, luv.” Evie knelt down and just held him tightly. “I’m going to try as hard as I know how. But if it doesn’t work, luv. It doesn’t mean that your father doesn’t love us or that we don’t love him. It just means the magic doesn’t work. Okay? You know that right?”
“I’ll try to.” Alex promised.
“Good.” She smoothed his hair and then kissed his forehead. “Now stay with your uncle.” She gave him a watery smile as she got up. “Thank you Jonathan.”
“Don’t bother, Evie. Just let me know if there’s anything at all I can do to help.”
There was a sharp cry of a falcon above and Jonathan watched as Horus circled down to land on the rim of the shield Ardeth was wearing. “Have you come to carry our prayers to your namesake my friend?” Ardeth asked, stroking the bird’s feathers with one finger.
Horus gave a squawk and then tapped his beak loudly against Ardeth’s shield before taking off to circle over to land on Selim’s shoulder instead then on to Sallah’s and then back.
“When he does that sort of thing he usually means something by it does he not, nephew?” Selim asked.
“Yes.” Ardeth nodded. “Allah’s mercy Horus I do not think I can reason out any more riddles.”
“Shield, Selim, and Sallah?” Risi put in. “That seems simple enough it refers to when you two and Arebe used the shield does it not?”
Horus fluffed out his feathers then smoothed then and simply sat on Ardeth’s shoulder.
“When we went to get the books of Vengeance and War.” Selim agreed. “But we have both books here with us.”
“Maybe we need to go to Hamanaptura and find the book of Isis?” Evie suggested.
That got a squawk from Horus and he tapped Ardeth’s shield again, twice, hard.
“No then. All right. So if it is not that then what about that journey?” Sallah asked.
“We do not understand Horus and we would if it is a way to make certain we succeed.”
Another two sharp taps to the metal.
“Are we to use the shield to go somewhere?” Ardeth asked with a sigh.
That got another fluffing of feathers and a soft croon as Horus butted his head under Ardeth’s jaw.
“All right. So where do we go, my friend can you tell me that?”
Horus took off again and then landed on Selim’s shoulder, then Sallah’s and then back all over again.
“Hamanaptura?” Imhotep put in. “It is the city of the dead after all.”
A squawk and two sharp taps on the shield.
“So where else did you three go besides Hamanaptura?” Jonathan asked.
“No where.” Sallah answered.
That got a louder shriller cry from Horus.
“Edfu?” Selim tried. “We stopped there to rest on the journey.
Horus gave another squawk and then circled over to most surprisingly hop down in front of Alex.
“Someplace you’ve been I guess.” Jonathan suggested.
“I guess.” Alex bit his lip and then knelt down to look at the bird. “Not here, not Edfu...Someplace I’ve been...”
Horus tapped his beak gently against Alex’s wrist as he reached out to stroke the bird’s feather like Ardeth did.
“When I had the bracelet?” Alex asked.
That got a chirp and Horus hopped onto Alex’s outstretched arm.
“Thebes?” Evie looked lost.
“Phillae!” Alex exclaimed. “We went to Phillae.”
That got a happy sounding chirp from Horus who took off to land back on Ardeth’s shield.
“It makes sense right mum? Uncle Ardeth? I mean you’re appealing to Isis right? So...”
“It is her main temple.” Evelyn agreed.
“More than that It is her temple and also dedicated to Osiris, it is where it is said he is buried.” Imhotep put in. “Perhaps her bright son believes she will answer our prayers there.”
“Then we shall go to Phillae.” Ardeth agreed. “We will need to gather closer carefully as I do not want any of us to touch the armor by mistake.”
Horus gave a shrill cry launched himself to the sky and very suddenly they were all most definitely someplace else.
“Phillae.” Imhotep spoke the word softly. “We will need to move your brother inside I think, Ardeth, into the shrine itself.”
“If we are cautious and only touch the metal of the bier then it should be doable.” Ardeth agreed.
“Let Sallah, Adham, Ammun’s priest and I do that nephew. You are still too– exhausted I think.” Selim pointed out. It took only a little bit of time really to get Rick’s body situated on a fallen pillar that served well enough as an altar, just outside the main shrine. Ardeth paused after a moment and set the book of Horus and his spear down on the ground to take off his boots.
“It seems proper.” He offered at the odd looks that got him. “It is a common courtesy in Thebes now.”
“So it is.” Evie agreed and did the same. So everyone followed suit and Risi gathered up all the shoes and put them outside the main sanctuary. “Now what?”
“We see if the old gods will yet listen to our pleas.” Ardeth sighed, and handed the book of AmmunRa to Evie. “It may well be that she will listen to you in this prayer, Evelyn more than anyone else.”
“All right.” Evie opened the book to the page she wanted. “I really can’t remember. Isn’t there something I should be doing?” She asked Imhotep.
“Only read, Princess and we shall see.”
She nodded and began the prayer. Jonathan gripped Alex’s hand in his, and bowed his head not sure what else to do.
Ardeth went to one knee and after a moment, Adham, Selim and Sallah followed so Jonathan figured it made as much sense as anything to do the same thing.
There was silence for a long minute or so after Evie stopped reading and then a soft warm glow, like light through white linen poured into the area where they were and a voice that didn’t really sound like a voice spoke.
“What you ask is more than simple healing, Nefertiri.”
Evie went to both knees and bowed her head. “Yes, oh great Isis it is. But I ask it. I beg of you, please, I want my husband back.”
“Many women wish for that. Why then should I grant you this?”
“Please, most revered Isis. We have no other hope.” Ardeth put in quietly.
“And you champion of my son. You wish this as well?”
“With all my heart.”
“What you ask has only been done once before and that for a god, champions of my children. It is not to be done lightly.”
“Please?” Alex spoke up, pulling his hand free of Jonathan’s grip and going over to where the not quite solid woman was standing, casting that bright white light. “I want my father back.”
A soft smile crossed her face. “Do you now, child of champions?”
“Yes.”
“And what gift do you bring to me then, little one that I should grant your great wish?”
Alex looked around, and Jonathan found himself wondering wildly what one gave a Goddess for a gift after all.
“Anything you ask for most revered Isis if it is in the power of all the Medjai to grant it I shall see it done.” Ardeth put in.
“If it pleases you, most revered, I have a gift for thee, in the name of thy mother Mut, and by the child’s brightness.” Imhotep’s voice was surprisingly warm. And then he rose to his feet and gestured and from outside the building came a rushing of water that Jonathan could recall hearing all to well in the canyon leading to Ahm Shere and then water poured down from the sky wetting the sand outside the small area where they stood in a gentle rain instead of the drenching onslaught Jonathan remembered. Another gesture and then slowly, almost gracefully the wet sand rose and formed itself into missing columns and roofs, taking on the form for that moment in time the shape of the temple as it must have been when it was built.
Sallah whispered something and then Siri began what it took him a bit to place as the standard ritual prayer to the goddess who was standing only a bit away. And it really was all Jonathan could do to kneel there. Evie added her voice to Risi’s and they finished it in unison.
“It is a fine gift, champions of my children.” Isis smiled and then leaned down and kissed the top of Alex’s head. “He is a good father to thee, child?”
“He’s the best father ever.” Alex replied in the same language, then ducked his head. “Excepting probably Osiris that is.”
The goddess laughed and the silver sound echoed off the not quite real walls. “Then for the sake of a wife who has lost her husband, and the sake of a son who has lost his father, and in thanks for the joy it gives me to see my temple whole here in the world that is. I shall do as you ask and see that the Champion of Anubis is made whole, champions of the gods of Egypt that was. Come here then, Nefertiri you may stand as Nepthys for this, stand at thy husband’s head.” Evie moved over to stand at the front of the bier. “Chieftain of the Medjai you may stand as Anubis’ champion in thy brother’s stead for this as we need his aid and he is a good brother to my son, and did aid me in restoring his father to wholeness. And the other four can stand as Horus’ sons one to each corner.”
It took Jonathan a bit to realize that mean him, Selim, Adham, and Sallah but they all got up and took a corner of the improvised altar.
“And you child, can take from the champion of my Bright son, the spear he wields for the Avenger and stand at your father’s feet will you do this?”
Alex nodded looking over at Ardeth who handed him the bright spear with a small smile.
“Read you the spell of grace from the book of Anubis, Medjai.”
Ardeth opened the black book and began to recite the spell in question.
“And you, Nefertiri read the spell of healing from the book of Great Ammun.”
Their voices overlapped, weaving into what had to be another spell entirely one that almost made sense as they spoke and then Isis seemed to simply dissipate into the bright white light she was casting and was gone. Ardeth and Evie both fell silent and then a sudden bright flash of light caught them all by surprise and completely enveloped the makeshift alter where Rick was lying. “I have done as I, myself can do, champions of Egypt. See you now to the Gods of the Duat and of Death for what remains.” Isis’ voice was a soft whisper on the wind.
They all stood there for a long moment.
“You need to read from the book, Uncle Ardeth.” Alex put in suddenly. “The spell of Anubis.”
Ardeth blinked and Jonathan didn’t know what to make of the strange look that passed between Adham and Selim at that. Risi moved over to Ardeth’s side and flipped one of the pages for him. “This one chieftain.”
“Better I think to read the spell of reuniting the soul with the body before you read the spell of rebirth, Medjai.” Imhotep put in.
“I do not know the spell of reuniting the soul.” Ardeth replied with what Jonathan could almost think was panic. “Is it in the book of Anubis?”
“It’s a prayer to Osiris.” Sallah put in. “I do not recall it being in the book of the Dead though.”
“It isn’t.” Evie shook her head.
“Do you know it, Evelyn?” Ardeth looked at her.
“I think so.” She bit her bottom lip and then set the book of AmmunRa down at Rick’s head and crossed her arms over her chest and began to recite something in Egyptian.
There was a long period of silence and then a low rumble, distant thunder. And then with what almost a sigh there was a darker shadow along the western wall of sand that made the temple seem whole and a voice that was more like a rumble of stone really. “You have called to me, Nefertiri?”
“Yes oh Great Osiris. Lord of the Tuat, father of my fathers’ fathers. I beseech you to restore my husband’s soul as your most revered wife has seen him whole. Please, father?”
The shadows moved closer and Jonathan swallowed hard, moving a bit closer to Alex as the god of the Underworld came forward. “This is your wish champions of my children?”
“Please?” It took Jonathan a long moment to even recognize Ardeth’s voice now. “You told me once that when there was no other hope I should ask of you and for the sake of your son you would answer. Please, Great Osiris, grant me this, I beseech you.”
Osiris turned to look at Ardeth and the expression to that oddly gentle face only softened more. “For thee then, child of Allah. My son could not have found better. This is thy wish?”
“Yes.”
“Please?” That was Alex. “I want my dad back.”
Osiris looked down at Alex and then smiled just a little. “I will grant the champion of my son his wish child. For your mother’s sake and yours. May it be what you wish it to be, Ardeth Bay. Peace upon you all.” And the god moved to touch the gold and lapis ankh he held in one hand to the shroud that still covered Rick’s body. “No darkness is forever child.” The words were barely a whisper but there was a bright flash of light and the god and the shadows were gone.
“Dad!” Alex exclaimed, dropping the spear. “That’s what happened when I read the spell for you mum!” He started to climb up onto the metal only to be very suddenly plucked into the air by an invisible hand and dropped into Evie’s arms as the sand that had formed the walls and outer ceilings slid back to the ground.
“Do not welcome your father back with your death, young Alex. The armor is yet poisoned you know.” Imhotep tisked.
“Oops.”
The man only chuckled and then moved over to pull the blanket away. It was really impossible to tell if Rick was breathing or not but otherwise he looked to be all right.
“Rick?” Evie whispered.
And that seemed to do it, because Rick sat up with a gasp, reaching unerringly for his pistols even though they weren’t there.
“You are well enough, O’Connell. Much as that annoys me to admit. Take off your armor hmm, champion of Anubis so that your wife and son might yet welcome you back.”
“Evie?” Rick turned a bit to see her and Alex just standing there and then dropped the shield he still had on his arm to the ground and shrugged out of the rest of the bright gold armor in a few seconds before pulling both of them close.
Jonathan smiled, oddly relieved to see Evie dissolve into tears. Rick was doing his best to keep both her and Alex tight in his arms.
Imhotep just walked over and calmly gathered up the armor Rick had discarded. “Why do we not appeal to the Bright son of most revered Isis and Osiris to take us back to Ahm Shere, Ardeth?”
“Yes. That would be wise.” Ardeth nodded, looking Jonathan realized utterly lost. “I– think we should get back to camp.”
“Come now, cousin, it will be well now.” Adham took his arm and Selim picked up the spear that Alex had dropped.
“I will see that your brother’s armor is returned to Ahm Shere, Ardeth. If you can see that the others back safely? No doubt Bright Horus will aid you in that.”
“I think it can be done yes.” Ardeth nodded. “Are you returning to Ahm Shere then, Imhotep?”
“I will. It will do us all good I think if I make certain the Germans no longer pose a threat.”
“Allah forgive me but I find myself agreeing with that.” Adham sighed.
“Thank you, Imhotep truly for your help.” Ardeth shook his head again.
“We shall see if you thank me when you are well, Ardeth.” Imhotep smiled but oddly enough seemed more worried than anything else. Then with a familiar swirl of sand he was gone.
“Jonathan, Sallah, Siri? Can you all please gather about so that we can achieve this?” Ardeth sounded even more exhausted than Jonathan felt. It only took a bit to gather up the books and all get within reach of Ardeth of his shield. “Let us go back to Ahm Shere now and rest-- Rick?” Ardeth asked, but his voice shook just a bit on Rick’s name none the less.
“Yeah, Ardeth. God that sounds good.” Rick raised his head from where he was sitting still holding Evie and Alex both. “You okay?”
“Am I?” Ardeth shook his head. “I- I am– exhausted I think.” Ardeth replied, but he held out one hand, which was so obviously shaking that it worried Jonathan more than a little. Apparently it worried Rick too because he grabbed hold of Ardeth’s hand tightly. Then they weren’t in the temple any more but back in Ahm Shere.
Isha:ToC