Zakai, Oringo, and Saleem all transformed into their lions before the hyenas reached us. The hyenas directly in front of them hesitated. I thought I could see their eyes change and fear fall across their faces. It seemed that even though they were possessed, their natural fear of lions was stronger than Keket’s force, at least for a moment. Their eyes glazed back over and they resumed their attack.
The human fighters did not charge, but held their positions around the village. They were tightly packed to prevent any of the creatures from getting through and possibly hurting the civilians inside. I stayed with the humans. But the lion kings jumped forward and spread out along the line, facing the hyenas head on and thinning the pack before it reached the soldiers. Part of me was worried about them facing the hyenas alone, but I had to trust that they knew what they were doing. I could not let my own focus waver.
The hyenas crashed into us, all fangs and claws and fury. But their wrath was no match for our steel. Archers and spearmen took aim at the pack, taking several beasts down before they could reach us. Those of us with swords faced the beasts with quick slashes and stabs. The lancers stopped any who managed to slip through the line of swords.
But we could not stop all of them. They had sheer numbers on their side. And unlike humans, they cared not if they lived or died. They jumped onto our swords and spears, clearing the way for their packmates to break through the line.
I could hear screams from behind me, within the village, but I could not turn my back on the greater threat still coming at us. One at a time, I slaughtered the beasts. With the death of each one, I prayed to Wepwawet, the god of wild dogs and the hunt. I did not pray for forgiveness, but that Wepwawet would avenge the senseless deaths of his pets and help me wreak vengeance upon Keket when we finally met.
There were so many hyenas, and they were so fearsome. And they kept coming. Even when they were injured, they would continue to fight until they were dead. I was losing strength, as were those fighting around me. I feared that we were going to lose the battle not because of lack of skill, but through exhaustion. I had long lost sight of the lion kings and I prayed for Sekhmet to protect them.
In my growing tiredness, I made a mistake. I hacked at one of the hyenas but did not raise my khopesh back up quick enough to protect myself. Before I saw it, I felt the teeth of a hyena grip my arm, tearing into my flesh down to the bone. I screamed and stumbled back, falling to my knees. I raised my khopesh and brought it down on the beast, but I did not have the strength to kill it. The beast snarled, shaking my arm as though he meant to rip it from my body. I did my best to fight it off, but I was losing. The grip was held fast and I could not pry the jaw open.
“Not here,” I cried. “Not like this…”
A lion roared and, in an instant, the hyena’s body was gone. The life fled from its eyes as the jaw loosened and the decapitated head fell to the ground.
Oringo roared again. “They are retreating! Pursue them!” he ordered.
My head was woozy from pain and blood loss, but I saw that he was right. There were few hyenas left, and those that still lived were slinking away. Keket must have exhausted her hyena force and was no longer bothering to control them. Their senses had returned to them and they knew better than to continue attacking. Still, Oringo must have thought it was best to continue killing as many hyenas as possible lest they regroup and Keket send them for another attack. Whatever his reasoning, I trusted his judgment.
I gripped my khopesh, the hilt slippery with blood, and stumbled into the village. I knew I could no longer fight in my condition. I had to hope that the remaining soldiers were strong enough to continue and follow Oringo.
To my surprise, Tabia rushed to my side. I would have thought she was safe inside a hut somewhere, but I should have known better. Tabia was the village healer. Of course she would be behind the line of soldiers, waiting to deliver aid where needed.
She took me not to the healing hut, but to a large open area, where dozens of other soldiers were receiving help. I fell onto a reed mat and gave thanks that the casualties were not worse. A few dozen soldiers against hundreds of wild hyenas was respectable. But as I took a moment to rest my head, my eyes fell on dozens of corpses that had been laid aside to be dealt with after the assault was over.
I cursed Keket and anyone who had helped bring her to power. How anyone could continue to support her when it was clear that there was nothing but evil and malice in her soul was beyond me. My brother, fool that he was, was an exception, for surely, he could not see her for who she truly was. He was childlike in his innocence and far too trusting. Or he was under a spell. I would find out which it was soon enough.
Tabia came to my side and began to wash and treat my wound, slathering it with ointment and then wrapping it with a cloth.
“How many?” I asked her. She looked at me, but did not respond. She focused on the work of my arm. “Tell me,” I insisted.
“About three hundred dead,” she said. “Another hundred wounded.”
“All soldiers?” I asked. She shook her head. So, the beasts had broken through the line and ravaged some of the villagers. I fought back tears. It was terrible, but it could have been so much worse. We were more prepared than Keket expected. She had underestimated us. Underestimated me. And that would be her downfall. She never expected me to live a single night, much less be able to find and unite the lion kings and return with an army. I would have to ask Tabia how best to honor the dead because I would not let their sacrifice be forgotten.
After a few moments, I realized that the sounds of fighting had died down completely. The only sounds were those of people crying in pain, wailing for their loved ones, or words of congratulations for having survived. There were no cheers of victory. The win was bittersweet. The fight had been unexpected. And even though the casualties were low, they were too high for an army that did not think they would have to start burying their comrades until after our long march to Egypt. And for the Anwe, who had already suffered so many casualties, even one more death was one too many.
Finally, Zakai, Oringo, and Saleem came to my side. They were exhausted and covered with bites and scratches, but they still moved under their own power.
“Sanura!” Zakai cried upon seeing my bandage. He kneeled and took my other hand in his. “How are you?”
“I’ll be fine,” I said. “Just a bite.”
“If I ever find out which hyena it was—”
“I killed it,” Oringo said proudly. “Ripped its body from its head.”
“Oh,” Zakai said, and I think he was a bit disappointed he could not kill the beast himself. “That’s good. Most of the hyenas were killed. Keket will not be able to use them again.”
“But Africa is full of animals,” I said. “She used mere beetles before. Or what about sand and wind?”
“Shh,” Saleem said. “We know Keket is powerful. There is nothing she won’t try. But we cannot fret about what machinations she might try to use against us. We can only press forward.”
I nodded. I never could have predicted the many ways she had attacked me over the months, or what we might face when we reached Egypt. We could only keep going.
Several feet away, I saw some soldiers arguing with one of Oringo’s senior officers. I could not hear what they were saying, but I suspected that the lion kings could. Oringo rose to his feet and approached the men.
“Deserters!” he roared, grabbing one of the men by his shirt and shaking him. “Coward! I will rip your throat out if you speak of abandoning your brothers in arms again!”
Oringo dropped the man and he fell to his knees trembling. The other men stepped back and lowered their heads in shame as well.
“He’s right!” one of the villagers said, stepping forward. As someone who was not in the military, she did not have to fear Oringo’s blustering. “Why must we continue to die for her? First my uncle. Then tonight, I lost my father! I say let Keket have her!”
A few people who had gathered ar
ound murmured their agreement. I tried to get up to say something. I could not let the people doubt my ability to lead them. But Zakai placed his hand on my shoulder, telling me to let him handle his own people. I nodded to him and sat up, but I did not rise to my feet as he did.
“I have pledged our loyalty to Queen Sanura,” Zakai said to the woman, and anyone else who was listening. “Will you make a liar out of me?”
“You have given too much for her!” the woman said. “And what has she given in return? What has she lost?”
“Her losses were great before she ever arrived here,” Zakai said. “Her father. Her teacher. Her brother. Her kingdom. But this is not a competition to see who has suffered the most. Sanura is the rightful queen of Egypt. And I have vowed to return her to her throne.”
“But this is not Anwe’s concern!” the woman said, stomping her foot and raising her voice. “Why should we continue to die for her?”
“Because she would die for us,” he said. “Look at her, lying before you wounded, and you would doubt her honor? Sanura is a friend to Anwe, and I know she always will be. Keket will continue to come for us. She will not rest until all of us are dead. Without Sanura’s army, all of us might have perished this night.”
“Without Sanura’s army, Keket would not have come for us in the first place,” the woman said.
“Yes, she would have,” Zakai added. “Keket has sent armies and other destructive forces across Africa and the East, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind her. If all of us do not unite behind Queen Sanura and take back Egypt for her, it is only a matter of time before all of us are dead.”
The woman had no more words, but I could feel the pain she had already endured. I reached out and Saleem helped me to my feet.
“I will never abandon you,” I said, “or those who have ever died for me. I will make sure each sacrifice is honored when I am reinstated as queen.”
“I will hold you to those words,” the woman said. She then turned, returning to what was left of her family. The rest of those who had gathered around us filtered away as well.
“Thank you,” I said to Zakai. “Your words carry far more weight with the people than mine ever would.”
“Of course,” he said with a slight bow.
I gave him a smile and reached for his hand. I remembered how before the hyenas attacked, we had been so close to a reconciliation.
But Zakai pulled away. “I…have things to attend to,” he said. Then he turned away, taking my heart with him.
9
We spent two more days resting and healing, but there was no celebration or excitement in the air. We may have beaten the hyenas back, but Keket had succeeded in demoralizing the army before we even left camp. Zakai had managed to put his people in their place, so no one spoke against me, but I could see discontent in their eyes. Feel it in the cold way they regarded me. I did not fear a revolt. They would never turn against their king. But would they fight for me with the strength they needed to? Was the war lost before it had even begun?
Finally, Oringo gave the army the signal that it was time to move out. The war horns blew and the commanders shouted orders. The camp outside the village was torn down. All of the supplies were gathered and those of us with horses mounted them. Tabia and the shaman came to see us off, but they would not be traveling with us. They were needed here in Anwe, both to protect the people and to keep their spirits up. They would make sure that King Zakai had a tribe to come home to.
I reached out and took Tabia’s hand in mine. There was so much I wanted to say to her, but when I tried to open my mouth, tears tried to spill forward instead.
“We will meet again,” she said, lifting my chin so I could look into her eyes, her smile causing small crinkles around them. The only lines in her otherwise perfect skin. Her kindness was far more than I deserved. I hugged her to me. Any words I tried to say would fail in expressing just how much she meant to me.
“He will come around,” she then said, nodding toward Zakai.
“Did…did he tell you…about Oringo and Saleem?” I asked her, curious about just what she knew.
She shook her head. “He did not have to,” she said. “A mother knows. I do not try to understand how you came to love three men, but I do not doubt your love for my son. Or his love for you. Give him time.”
I nodded. “I hope you are right,” I said. “Even when this is over, I do not think I can live without him.”
“I am certain you will not have to,” she said.
The horn signaling time to move out blew. I climbed upon my horse, holding on to Tabia’s hand for as long as possible. Zakai, Oringo, and Saleem rode up beside me. Together, the four of us rode ahead of the army, with me in the very front. Suddenly, I froze.
“I…I do not know the way,” I said to the lion kings in a low voice so no one else could hear me.
Zakai laughed, but I did not think it was funny. I only got here by magic. How was I supposed to know the way across a continent I had never traversed before?
“I will guide you,” Zakai then said, and I gave him an appreciative nod. “We will follow the grassland until it turns to mountains, then we will turn north until we reach the Nile. Then you will be able to follow the great river home.”
Home! The word sounded like music to my ears and I nearly cried for joy. Finally, after so many months away I had lost count, I was returning home. Back to my country. My people. My brother.
And my throne.
We rode most of that first day in silence. I think everyone had a lot on their minds. As usual, we had to move slowly, so we all had plenty of time to think. The sun beat down on us, so even though we had not moved more than ten miles, we were still exhausted by the end of the day. Just as the sun started to set, Oringo gave the signal for us to stop and make camp. The soldiers quickly and efficiently built the tents, gathered water, and began cooking the food. I was grateful when I entered my tent and found a large pail of water waiting for me to wash with. There was not enough water for a proper bath, but I placed the bucket near the fire in the middle of the tent to warm it, then I used a cloth to wipe away the dirt and sweat from the day. I then ate some bread and cheese and allowed myself one glass of wine. Just as I was finishing, Oringo and Saleem entered the tent.
“Report,” I said, signaling to them that we needed to make sure we always put the business of the war ahead of any personal pleasures or conversation.
“We did slightly better today than we estimated,” Oringo said. “Ten miles instead of eight. At this rate, we will reach Luxor two weeks sooner than we thought.”
“But it will still take months,” I said, shaking my head. “Will we be able to keep up the pace? Won’t the men tire the more we march?”
“Quite the opposite,” Oringo said. “The more they become used to marching, the easier it will be.”
“And when we reach the mountains?” I asked.
“We will not be going through them,” he said. “Only following nearby. They won’t have any impact on our pace.”
I nodded and took another sip of my wine. For some reason, this discussion was not quelling my concerns. If anything, I was only growing more anxious. The idea that we were still months away from Luxor frustrated me beyond belief.
“How is morale?” I asked, looking at Saleem.
“As well as could be expected, given the hyena attack,” he said.
Oringo was the general, but Saleem seemed to have developed a more friendly rapport with the people.
“What can we do to help them improve?” I asked.
“Give them time,” Saleem said. “They are soldiers. Heading for war is their life’s purpose. The closer we get to Luxor, the more excited they will become. And do not fret so much. The whole camp is following you. How you feel affects the entire mood of the camp. Be glad, Your Majesty. The end is in sight, even if it still feels a lifetime away.”
I sighed and nodded, grateful for his advice. “I will do my best to be of good ch
eer,” I said. I then offered them each a glass of wine, which they both accepted, signaling the end of business. “And how are each of you faring?”
Oringo downed his glass and then placed it on a nearby table. He came to me and gripped my arms, pulling me to him. He kissed me hard and deep. His hands moved to my neck and jaw as his mouth devoured mine. I tried to place my cup on the table as well, but I missed and heard it clatter to the ground, but I didn’t bother to try and pick it up. Oringo’s lips felt so good on mine. We’d had no time together since we arrived in Anwe village. We did not want to offend the Anwe people by displaying my affection for men other than their king, nor did we want to make Zakai even more uncomfortable with the situation. But how I had missed him. All of them. Oringo ran his fingers through my hair and bit at my neck. Saleem cleared his throat and moved to exit the tent.
“Wait,” I said, forcing myself away from Oringo. Saleem stopped but looked at me like a startled cat. “Where is Zakai?”
“He is with the Anwe soldiers who joined us,” Saleem said.
“Why did he not come here with you for the report?” I asked.
“He can’t stand to see us together,” Oringo sneered. “Even in polite conversation.”
I shook my head and stepped further from Oringo. “You must understand his feelings,” I said.
“Do I?” Oringo asked. “I’ve accepted it. I don’t like it when you spend the night with Saleem, but that’s a choice I made.”
“Exactly,” I said. “You made that choice. Zakai didn’t. The three of us just showed up and told him that we were all lovers now when he thought I was devoted exclusively to him. He’s hurt and needs time to process.”
“Then give him time,” Oringo said, reaching out for me, but I pulled away.
“Don’t make things more awkward,” I said. “It will only make it harder for him to come around.”
The Queen of Egypt Page 7
