by D.A. Dean
Chapter 12: Garden of Isis
The ground shifted and Horus and Teo tumbled forward. Large, leathery leaves and great deep-green fronds rained over them. The sudden wind swirled flower petals of every size and hue around and past. Everything became hazy, distorted, as if there was tremendous heat, though the air felt cool and slightly moist. The ground shook again.
"Horus?" Teo's form seemed to waver beside him.
"I'm here," Horus answered, working to find and grasp Teo's hand.
"What's happening?"
"I don't know," Horus said and squeezed Teo's fingers, hoping to give some sort of reassurance.
"I'm not frightened. I'm a bit anxious but somehow so relaxed. I could fall asleep right here." Teo yawned. "I can't see you very well."
"I can't see you well either." Horus tightened his hold.
"Flowers. I don't know what all of them are. Mm, but they smell wonderful. Just...wonderful." Teo slumped forward onto the ground at Horus' knees.
"Teo?" Horus laid a protective hand over Teo's shoulder. What had he opened? Surely this wasn't what Isis intended. "Mother," he called silently, "where am I?" Had Seht used Isis' and Horus' conversation, followed its energy, and somehow transported Horus and Teo?
A rustling.
Horus strained to make it out.
Something large was closing in on them from the left. The sound drew closer, joined by rustling on the right, in front, behind.
Pushing his senses, Horus felt them—large, panting beings, circling.
A creature roared. Padded footfalls drew nearer.
A tail swatted across Horus' side. Hot breath touched his neck. Long sharp teeth grazed his back. Shuddering, he dragged Teo onto his lap and bent low, covering him. "Mother, help us," he cried.
A giant paw pressed against Horus' back with what was surely the full force of its body's weight. Still, he could see nothing but Teo, the flower petals, the fronds and leaves. "What are you? Mighty Ra, what is this place?" he screamed through the fierce wind.
The wind stilled. The roaring halted. A strange quiet pervaded. The haze began to dissipate, and the area nearest shifting into focus. It was lush. A garden? Movement sharpened Horus' attention.
The creatures' forms became clearer.
Horus narrowed his eyes, straining to better see, and gasped. He and Teo were surrounded by eight massive golden beasts. Lions? Quickly, he searched his memory, recalling Teo's descriptions. He began to tremble.
Was this a test designed by Isis? Or an attempt on his life devised by Seht?
This moment, it didn't matter. He had to protect Teo. Heart pounding, he lifted onto his knees.
Tails flicking, the lions held.
Slowly, he pulled one leg forward, stood, and quickly balanced his weight. He braced, awaiting the attack.
Instead of pouncing, one by one, the lions sat.
The lion nearest, the largest, shook his mane and slid out his front paws, twice the size of Horus' hands. His paws splayed, white fur peeking through the gold. Light draped across him, bringing a gleam to his golden coat, the curves of his muscles. He lifted his head.
Horus stared, for a moment forgetting his fear.
The lion's shining golden eyes fixed to him. Their pupils dilated.
Horus widened his stance, preparing.
The lion lay down. As if following his lead, the other lions lowered. Gaze to his paws, the chief lion pulled himself forward along the ground toward Horus.
Was this the same creature that had laid beside him?
The lion stretched forward. He lolled his tongue, wet and scratchy, across Horus' feet.
"It was you," Horus murmured.
The lion rolled over and crooked his legs, his paws dangling, his tawny belly exposed.
"Huh," Horus exclaimed. Was the gesture one of friendship? Or was this a trick?
One way to find out. Carefully watching the other lions for hint of aggression, Horus bent to the lion at this feet.
But for the light flicking of their tails, the seven were still.
"Friend?" he asked and ran his fingers through the thick, surprisingly soft fur of the leader lion's belly.
The lion clapped his paws around Horus' arm and tugged.
Overpowered, Horus was pulled closer. Feeling almost outside himself, he marveled at the lion's gleaming teeth, snapping the air just below his fist.
The lion raised his head, his jaws parting.
"No," Horus pleaded.
The lion flicked his tongue over Horus' hand, released his hold, and began rolling to and fro on his back, legs kicking the air.
Horus released a breath, wiped his brow, and laughed.
"He likes you," Teo mused, gazing placidly, body limp.
The lion leapt up, turned, and sat at Horus' feet.
"What's his name?"
Horus shifted his gaze between them. "Don't know."
The lion gave a short roar and flopped sideways against Horus, nearly knocking him down.
"Well, don't be rude. Intro—" Teo stopped, yawning.
Horus knelt to him and hovered his hands, scanning. He could find nothing wrong. "You okay?"
"Feel good. Sleepy. Introduce yourself."
Puzzled but accepting Teo was alright and would rouse soon, Horus gazed into the lion's eyes. "I'm Horus."
"Son of Isis," Teo added.
"Yes. And this is Teo. I'm glad to finally be able to see you." Horus glided his hand along the lion's back, and the lion put his paw on Horus' leg. "Do you have a name?"
The lion dropped his gaze and hung his head.
"No? Hm. Would you like one?"
The lion's ears twitched.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'."
Jaws parted, the lion lifted his head and gazed at Horus with what seemed pleased expectancy.
Horus patted the lion's well-muscled shoulder and studied him, trying to come up with a name that would match his character. "Antuus," he said slowly, considering. "Yes, I think Antuus fits you. What do you think?"
The lion licked Horus' face, neck, shoulders.
"Yes," he said, catching the golden mane, "alright."
"Antuus," Teo said, trying it out, and the lion lifted higher his head. "It's a good name."
"Thank you. Now, then. Think you can get up?" Horus asked and rested his hand on Teo's shoulder.
"Nope. Just prop me against that tree."
"What tree?" Horus glanced back. Suddenly what remained of the haze vanished. He looked around in wonder.
Sycamores mingled with palms and several other types of trees he didn't know. A few had delicate wisps as leaves, others had thick, glossy leaves bigger than his hands drawn together. One had enormous, white...he inhaled...sweet-scented flowers. Another had tiny, pink, drop-shaped flowers that smelled simply fresh.
He followed the path of crushed white shell that wound between the trees and in toward the center of the garden to a circle lined with white stone benches around a fountain of amethyst, its bubbling water clear and sparkling as if made of quartz crystals. So this was the sound he'd heard, the water he'd felt. He cupped and dipped his hand, enjoying the brief shock of cold, and took a drink, delighted to find the water was, indeed, remarkably clear-tasting and sweet.
Prismatic rainbows darted all around the fountain, playing off the rainbow of stones at its base, lapis lazuli, malachite, chrysoprase, emerald, garnet, and others of yellow, orange, and light blue. Pillars of green basalt stood serene between the benches.
He turned his gaze among the flowers. There were massive clumps, manicured rows, trailing arches, the stems tall, short, the petals of every conceivable color. He inhaled deeply and smiled. The flowers' fragrances combined into a bouquet of glorious charm and depth.
Vines of jasmine and grapes wound together and hung, heavily laden, across each of four arbors, situated in the four directions, just outside the fountain's circle. Beneath each arbor sat a low bench, one of obs
idian, one of carnelian, one of turquoise, and one of green basalt. He moved closer. Each seat was fitted with a seat of gold and silver. Choosing the bench of obsidian, he sat.
Medium-sized, matte-brown birds stood looking wise among the trailing flowers, and slightly larger birds with iridescent feathers and sweeping tails with strange eye-shaped patterns strutted back and forth among the arbors.
"It's amazing, Mother."
Walking slowly, enjoying the crunch of the shells, Horus returned to Teo and Antuus, who gave Horus' stomach a quick lick. After lifting Teo and setting him to lean against the nearest sycamore, he asked, "The birds, what are they?"
"Peacocks. The brownish ones are females. The ones with the long tails and the blues and greens are males. I think. I've never actually seen them before. Mother's described them."
"Nalia's seen them? Where?"
"Don't know. They remind me of you somehow, the males. Not in manner, something else." Teo shrugged, letting his eyes close again. "Find the pomegranates?"
Horus spotted the three trees, their boughs heavy with red orbs, along the garden's rear. "Where're the sacks?"
"Along the edge of the garden some—" again Teo yawned. "Somewhere. I'll just take a short nap while you find them."
"I'll leave Antuus to watch over you."
Antuus, it seemed, had his own idea. He turned and roared to one of the other lions. The lion called padded to Teo and laid down. Pressing a front paw to the lion's back, as if signaling him to stay put, Antuus twisted to lick Teo's face. Seeming impressed by the demonstration, the lion sidled nearer to his charge, dropped his tail across Teo's abdomen, and rested his front paw over Teo's ankle.
"Good," Horus said to Antuus, "now we can go find the sacks together."
Antuus gave Horus' hand a lick and stepped away. He pivoted, landed a head-butt that sent Horus to the ground, and then pressed his paw against Horus' shoulder.
Horus grinned. "Okay, I get it. I'll stay."
Two more lions moved near. They laid beside Horus, one facing his head, the other his feet, and sidled close.
Antuus shook his mane, and another two drew near and laid, taking the other directions. Antuus gazed at Horus, bowed his head, and turned. The remaining two lions, waiting a little way off, leapt up to join their leader, and together the three bounded away.
Horus watched them traverse the garden, appreciating their fluid lines and spare, sleek movements, then turned his gaze among the five lions resting close, noticing the black and pink of their lips, the fine tufts of hair at the edges of their ears.
Antuus and his companions returned, each holding in their mouths the handles of several sacks. With seeming pride, they deposited the sacks at Horus' feet.
"Thank you," Horus said to each and rose. "Coming with me?" he asked Teo and tossed a twig onto his shin. The lion guarding Teo brushed the twig away with his tail.
"You know, I really don't think I could move even if I tried," Teo answered. "I suppose I could be worried, but I'm far too comfortable to be anything but lazy."
"Alright," Horus said and stretched. "I'll get the pomegranates. And flowers so you can tell me their names."
"Okay." Teo tipped his head to the side and dozed.
"Keep an eye on him," Horus instructed Teo's guard and then moved off toward the pomegranate trees, Antuus trotting along beside him. "So, what do you eat, Antuus?"
The lion looked up at him.
"Hm. Well, thank you for not licking your lips. All I've seen in this garden beside lions are peacocks. Do you eat peacocks?" Horus slowed, and Antuus sat. "In any case, you don't seem hungry, and you're certainly in good shape. I guess Mother takes care of you. Speaking of mothers, it's time to pick some pomegranates for Nalia."
Horus climbed the middle of the three trees and began plucking the thick-skinned, ruby-colored fruits, Antuus, sitting directly below, watching him intently. "I'm not a bird, you know, so don't get any ideas." His fingertips and palms staining pink, he filled two sacks, jumped down, and nodded to his lion.
Antuus lifted one of the sack's handles, tonguing them back to dangle from his teeth. He drew his lips together as best he could and backed away.
"It's too heavy. I'll carry it," Horus said, following.
Antuus shook his head, and four pomegranates rolled onto the ground. He looked at the fruits that had fallen and then cross-eyed down at the sack he held.
Chuckling, Horus returned the fruits to Antuus' sack, and the lion, signaling he was ready to return, pushed the back of Horus' leg with his paw.
Teo was stretched on his side, snoring, his lion standing sentry astride him.
Horus gave the guard lion a pat and knelt to ease the handles from Antuus' jaws. "You're a fine companion. I wonder if I could take you with me."
Antuus, who'd been nudging and licking him, stopped and looked away.
"You have to stay here?"
In answer, he dropped at Horus' feet and laid his head on his paws.
Horus wrapped his arm over him. "I'll see what I can do," he promised. "Mother, can he come with me?"
Teo shifted. Blearily, he returned Horus' gaze. "Pomegranates?"
"Two sacks full. Now I'll get flowers."
"Wait," Teo said, reaching for Horus' ankle. "I'm trying now, and I can't stay awake."
"Maybe it's this place. Well, of course it is, but why am I not affected?"
"Son...Isis."
"Yeah, but you should get to enjoy it, too."
Teo returned to slumber.
Horus pulled his lips to the side. This was his mother's garden. Maybe if he asked nicely, she'd tell him what was making Teo sleep and how to wake him. He sat and lightly laced his fingers. Pleasantly, he called, "Mother? Can you hear me? I'm sorry I was disrespectful before. I'd like to ask a question."
Isis' voice vibrated in his ear, "I was beginning to wonder when your manners would catch up to your body. You're showing improvement in controlling your response to emotion. High time."
Pushing away his annoyance, Horus gazed at the flowers. "I'm trying."
"I can tell." She was laughing. "Ask your questions so we may then discuss more important matters."
"Like what? Oh, you mean what this place really is? Okay. Well, anyway, how can Teo stay awake here?" Horus waited, but there was no response. "Mother? Are you still—"
"Yes, alright. Use the water."
"From the fountain?"
"Do you see any other water here?"
"No, but that doesn't mean there isn't any."
"Don't be disagreeable."
"I wasn't trying to be. I was simply—"
"Enough. You're not satisfied with the honor he's been granted, his admittance, so use the water."
"Is that irritation or disapproval in your voice?"
"This isn't the time for that conversation."
"I think now is as good a time as any." Shoulders tight, Horus stood.
"He's not one of us, nor is his mother. They're not of our realm. They're human, mortal, and you—"
"You think I don't know that?" Horus interrupted. "You think it doesn't pain me? I know one day—"
"They'll die, and you'll go on, yes. This is about more than that. I know of your vow."
The blood drained from Horus' face and rushed back. "How? You had no right."
"You're my child. That gives me the right. You'll jeopardize yourself and us, as well. You must understand."
Arms tightly crossed, he retorted, the words rushing out, "Well, I don't want to. I don't want to listen to this. I don't, I won't—"
"Take a breath."
"Fine. Alright." Furious with himself for letting tears come, he shut his eyes and did as she said. "What 'must' I understand?"
"Humans perish. You can't change that."
Jaw jutted, Horus fixed his gaze to the fountain. "I'll find a way."
"You can't. And we're getting off the point. Yo
u are a Child of Ra. Teo and Nalia aren't. You may care for them and show them compassion. That's good and worthy of you."
Horus unclenched his jaw. "So what's the problem?"
"They're not your equals."
"Then who is?" Horus shouted, full of insolence, sickness rising in his stomach. He raised his hands, shaking, to his eyes.
"I don't know. You are...unique."
"Then maybe I can do what others think impossible."
"Make the mortal immortal? My darling child, in that matter, you will fail."
"No." Horus' legs trembled. Clapping his hands to the sides of his head, he sank to his knees and retched.
Antuus sidled toward him.
Horus waved him back and wrapped his arms around his ribs, his body covered in cold sweat.
"To pursue that obsession further would not only be folly but potentially deadly to you. You must turn your focus. You must learn to channel your abilities. Then you must claim your father's sword."
"Why? What's the point? No matter what I do, Teo and Nalia will die. That's what you're telling me, isn't it?"
"There are worse things than death, and there's more at stake than the lives of two humans, however much you care for them. Still, do you wish to see them suffer at Seht's hands? For if you don't reach your potential, they will."
Fastening his arm around his leg, steadying himself, Horus lowered his forehead to his knee. He desperately wanted Nalia beside him. How long had they been gone? "Nalia—"
"We're outside their time here."
What did that mean? He didn't care. Nalia was safe.
"Teo and Nalia aren't your equals, and you must recognize that. You can't allow yourself to become confined by their world. Do you understand?"
"I'll work on it. Okay?" He hunched forward. "Can we be done now?"
"Child," Isis' voice was gentle. "I know you haven't known anything else. One day you will. Then you'll gain perspective."
"And put all this aside? I won't." Horus gazed, blinking rapidly, at the purplish-blue sky.
"I know this is difficult. I know you love them."
"Yes, I do, and if I have to make a choice—"
"Be careful what you say."
"Then tell me how to fulfill my vow."
"You are an obstinate child."
"Fine. Then tell me how to save them from Seht. Tell me how to find Father's sword."
"You aren't ready to wield it."
Horus cocked his head. "It's powerful."
"More powerful than you can yet imagine."
He drummed his fingers against his leg. "Where is it?"
"I cannot answer."
"Can't? Or won't?"
"Both. You possess neither the inner understanding nor the outer abilities using it requires. Once you do, you must locate it yourself. I don't know where it's hidden. My priestesses and I don't speak of it lest Seht overhear."
"Good to know the lack of communication isn't just with me," he muttered, gave a wry laugh, and then shook his head. "Sorry." Watching the peacocks, he tapped his lips, distancing himself from his feelings. "Anyway, so what is this place, really?"
"A garden enclosed in magic. Nothing more. Nothing less. A place that veils my energy. A place I sometimes came to be nearer to you."
Though her voice had held no emotion, the revelation's poignancy cut through his anger and hurt. He bowed his head. "I didn't know. Thank you for telling me." He added softly, "I love you."
"That's a beginning."
Horus' brows knitted.
Isis continued, "Now you must accept what is everlasting and what is not."
He slapped the ground and stood. "No. Now I must continue with my 'obsession' on my own. And I will, Mother. Whatever you may think of the natural order, know this. I'm going to upend it."
"Would you commit yourself to your own destruction?"
"No, I commit myself to my potential. With or without your help. This is my home and—"
"It is not."
Ignoring his throat's aching, Horus pressed on, defiant, "And as much as you are, Nalia and Teo are my family. I choose—" Silver clouds swirled and pressed around him, silencing him.
The air cleared. The garden was gone.
Teo woke. He sat and looked around in puzzlement. "Where'd everything go?"
Wiping his cheeks with his fists, Horus shrugged.
"Hey, are you alright?" Brows furrowed, Teo stood and laid his hand on Horus' shoulder. "Want to talk about it?"
"No." He shut his eyes, afraid to speak aloud his doubts. For he believed his mother knew, better than anyone, what he could become, what he could accomplish, and if she didn't believe he could fulfill his vow or should even try, what then? Suddenly, his conviction faltering, the world seemed a place of death and despair.
A sound, faint and faltering, reached him, and he straightened. "Do you hear that? It sounds like," he paused, straining his ears. "Crying. From far away. Not one person, but a crowd. What's it mean?"
Jaw angled, Teo looked away. "A lot of bad things happened before you were born. They're still happening."
"You think what I'm hearing is real?"
"I think it's possible, yes."
"People are suffering, right now, that's what you mean? Why doesn't someone help them?"
"There are those who are."
"But they're not succeeding?"
"The only way the suffering will end is if Seht and his followers are defeated."
"Then someone should fight them."
"Humans can fight humans. No human can defeat Seht." Teo returned his gaze to Horus.
"Me? I'm supposed to end this war?"
"You're the only one who can."
"No," Horus whispered. "That can't be right."
"I'm sorry," Teo said quietly. "Mother and I will help you however we can."
"No." Horus pulled Teo forward, and, rocking his head against his friend's shoulder, he wept. Wept for the losses he feared he'd be unable to prevent, the deaths of those he loved. Wept for a mother he longed for but felt so hurt by and bitterly angry with. Wept for the childhood he'd lost, now never to reclaim. Wept for the sorrows to come and a life bound to duties so heavy to bear.
Finally, he backed away, gaze cast down. "Sorry. I lost control." Ashamed, he fastened his hands against the back of his neck and turned.
"No, hey, crying is cleansing. We all need to cry sometimes. That's part of being hum—" sucking in his lips, Teo stopped.
Being human. A tear edged down Horus' cheek.
"Listen. It takes strength to be vulnerable and trust to show it. It's okay to want to control your emotions, but never deny them. If you don't recognize and accept your feelings, how can you understand anyone else's? As a warrior and a leader, you'll have to remember that."
Warrior. Leader. Horus' shoulders lowered as if already feeling the weight of responsibilities to come. "I'll remember." And he wouldn't give up on his vow.
Calming, he glanced at the overturned baskets of pomegranates. At least Isis hadn't made the fruits disappear with the garden. Nalia would have her treat. Nalia. Horus' chin trembled.
"Yeah, you've had a long day," Teo said gently and then tilted his head upward. "Go on. I'll be there after a bit."
"No, I don't want to leave you to walk back alone. I can transport, remember. I'll take you with me."
"You can do that?" Teo asked, his face brightening.
"One way to find out. Grab the sacks." Horus slid behind, circled his arms around Teo's waist, and then latched his hands around his own wrists, securing his hold. "Here goes." He closed his eyes and cleared all from his mind but an image of Nalia sitting among their mats. "Home."
* * * * *
