I know, he smiled in the dark, feeling drowsy again.
Ari shrugged and settled in his arms as if he was a great blanket, sighed a bit, then grew silent before adding: maybe not too late.
With Ariennu settled down again, Marai looked to his other side where Naibe slept. He noticed she had turned so Djerah could hold her while she lay next to them both. It was her way of encouraging Djerah and improving his healing.
And Djerah there. Hope he learned his lesson about wakening power and decides to take it easy until we get this thing with the prince settled. You said you wanted to share knowledge with us, but you really wanted to attack Maatkare, you ended up doing neither once Ta-Te decided to use you as a channel.
He almost had to laugh that the young man had spent his days since that night down at the water’s edge with the men, working on the boat. You said you were making it ready for the journey back to Ineb Hedj, but being a poor liar is in both our blood. You’re up to something else. He checked Ari, but she had drifted to sleep again.
Lying fully back, Marai closed his eyes. Maybe some peace, for a few minutes.
In what felt like an instant he woke with a start, thinking it was dawn.
Hard sleep. Light at an angle, so it’s already dawn. But, it doesn’t feel…
Carefully, making certain Ariennu didn’t wake, Marai sat up and noticed movement in the plaza. The Akaru Metauhetep stood in the entryway of the sleep room as if he had sent a message to Marai and waited for him to wake. The sojourner sensed a commotion of some sort further outside the gates. The elder beckoned.
Marai crept out, frowning at the distant light in the horizon. When he crossed the pattern in the plaza on his way out the sojourner felt the pulse of energy from the etched surface through his sandals, as if the forces hidden inside it recognized him. He started to snarl, but continued to the elder just outside the gates.
“It has begun,” Akaru whispered, his face filled with something Marai read as pride mixed with pain. There was an unmistakable scent wafting from the light on the horizon.
That’s not dawn. That’s fire.
“What’s burning?” he glanced down toward the river and along the shore noticing a growing crowd of runners on the shore who had gone down to the water’s edge to help approaching straw boats filled with those less able.
“Buhen. Many have come, fearing an attack they suspected, but you can see it has already started.”
“Maatkare.” Marai snarled, louder this time, but checked his voice quickly. He didn’t want to wake those inside. It was too late; he saw the others start to stir within the sleeping room.
“What’s going on? Is that fire? Does that bastard really want a war?” the young stonecutter ran out to Marai and Akaru. Djerah had tried to keep his voice down too, but he also failed and Ariennu quickly came out behind him.
“So, Prince Dog El started a war?” Ariennu commented coarsely. “Is it time to teach him a lesson now?”
Akaru shook his head, then faced his own men quickly gathering in what looked like a war party. “At least many of them left earlier today to take shelter here. I must tend to preparations. We will leave shortly, too.”
Djerah darted back into the sleep area and returned with a bow and a dagger.
“Where do you think you are going?” Marai snapped while Djerah dropped his weapons and began assisting some of the nameless men who were readying the sedan that would carry the Akaru.
“With you. I have a score…”
“Seems like getting your head bashed in by a man who enjoys unleashing his demons on human flesh taught you nothing. I’ll have enough trouble staying in control of my own rage without worrying over yours.” Marai began to pace, ready to launch a burst of warning energy through the air. “Although, I’d like to take him apart piece by worthless piece and drag his bleeding carcass across so much sand that his stone falls from his brow in misery. I need you to stay here, Djee, in case there’s a trick in place coming from down river.”
Djerah started to object, but sullenly agreed.
Naibe rushed out to Marai, taking notice of the increasing glow over the horizon.
“I don’t want either one of you to go,” her eyes darted to Djerah’s eyes and then back to Marai’s face. “You said you can’t go after him if he’s a host; him or Deka. Did you lie to me so I would feel safe? You said you wouldn’t be apart from me until I bore our child,” she seized Marai’s knotting arm and tugged him into her embrace.
“This is Deka’s doing. The prince is a bad man, but she knows how to meet him with her own rage and make it double. The things in my own heart tell me this,” Naibe sought Djerah again: “And I saw that the day he hurt you, Djee.”
“Sweet one,” Marai knew she was referring to a promise to not be away in the last days before her labor in case it was early. “Your time is not even close, and Djerah will stay. I plan to go stop this man while I still can,” he patted her arm, then pressed her tightly. “I promise nothing will happen to me.”
“Well, take me then.” Ariennu spoke up again. “I’ll knock some sense into Bone Woman. We both know she’s pushing this,” she fastened her rust-colored curls into a fat braid and tied them with a leather strap. Rolling her shoulders and cracking her knuckles as if she was readying herself for a fistfight, she moved closer to Marai.
I feel Deka, Marai sorted the thoughts roaring in his head and matched them against his own need to go settle the problems singlehandedly. I feel that shadow of rage, too, like a door opening in the sky. He glanced back over his shoulder and almost saw a mirage of light stretching from the center of the pattern. He wanted to look - to go toward it, but only for an instant before it vanished. No one else saw it. They had been too busy arguing about how each would solve the Deka and Maatkare problem.
“No, Ari. This needs to happen from two ends,” he held her firmly by the shoulders, because he knew she would object. “I’ll go with Akaru to sort this out and you three shelter here with Xania and the women as well as those coming in. Whether it’s Deka, the prince, or this thing she thinks is her Ta-Te, something is watching us and looking for the weak spots. I won’t have it come after my child again,” Marai grumbled, fighting the images something delighted in pushing into his thoughts: his Ilara lying on bloodstained bedding, dead, him both roaring like a bull and storming like a great wind as he pulled apart thirty men, his own misery as he lay helpless in the stone coffin, and Deka pushing away from him. There was also laughter and a singsong verse in his own voice.
Always there,
Within soul
Within skin
Created, uncreated
The illusion of choice
The pattern set
Until unset
“Stop it!” Marai roared and whirled grabbing his head. “You have no power over me. You never did!”
“Marai?” Naibe moved closer. “It’s here again, isn’t it?”
“Come here,” he whispered, still breathing hard from internal struggle. “Now say this with me:” he tangled his hands in Naibe’s hair a looked up to see Djerah wondering if he was to fit in this embrace. He beckoned for the young man and Ari to stand closer. They put their hands on Marai’s shoulders to make a seal of energy as he spoke an impromptu utterance.
“Whatever that is has no power over any of us unless we allow it. Deka gave it power first; now it wants more. Say this. I learned some of it when I studied. You, Ari, and even the Akaru over there know it too. I’m just going to change a few of the words,” he bowed his head to theirs.
You will not give me to death
Death will not claim my heart
Or have power over it.
I have gone down into my depths
Of my own heart
And I am strong whereby
That which you long for
Yet cannot have
Be watchful of me.
Touch not those inside my heart.
“I’m frightened, Marai,” Naibe sobbed once.
“No one’s going to die if I can help it,” his hand swept toward the darkened plaza. He slapped Djerah on the back. “Take care of Ari and Naibe for me, and don’t do anything crazy.”
Marai hesitated a little longer, unsure and still worried that once he was gone there would be an attack on his child.
Go, Marai, beloved. Know I too am no weak thing either, Naibe’s thoughts assured him.
Marai decided to walk alongside the sedan that would bear the Akaru, smiling back proudly at Naibe. The Akaru nodded to his men and they lifted the sedan, moving quickly toward river and the boats they would take towards the flame-filled horizon.
In the background Marai heard Xania and her servant ushering everyone into the sleeping area as soon as the entourage moved past the outer gates.
I won’t be destroyed this time. Be certain, beloveds. I know I promised you that last time when I went to the priests, but this time is different. I will see you again.
He looked up at Akaru, who was seated just above his eye level. The elder stared into the distance, eyes hard and lips muttering about how the prince’s plan had unfolded without anyone’s knowledge.
“Rafts on their side. They carried planking over the land and then gathered reed nearby. He must have thought his stone would hide the work, but my people are much more observant than he expected. My family, my grandson’s guards, and those without young families – all who could escape if necessary – would be the only ones who stayed.” Akaru’s tone indicated he was in no mood to have a casual conversation. “And yes, I believe he has been planning this for a long time. Count Hordjedtef, for whatever mad reason, is seeking to show the new king his grandson’s worth by having him put down a rebellion.”
“Which he started,” Marai shook his silver head. “And what’s even more amazing is that this prince, with all his alleged spine, is willing to let the old man order him around like that. There has to be more going on here.”
“That is not helpful for us to dwell on now. Still yourself if it is not about what awaits us in Buhen.” Akaru held up his hand, silencing Marai. “I must focus on finding a way to warn the rest of them if they do not yet know.”
I understand, he answered the elder in thought. Maybe there’s a way to avert this violence. The sojourner sent a separate thought south and to the east. Talk to me, Highness, he began. I know your stone allows you to hear me.
Ah. Aha, a laughing of recognition returned in moments. You see me? You’ll try to stop us, but do savor our glorious work before we end you. Taste our strength when two gods fight as one.
A light and buoyant buzzing sensation issued forth, wrapping itself around the young general’s projected thought.
Drunk? Drugged? Fool, that’s no way to go into battle. He knows better, Marai examined what he felt from Maatkare. Then, in a moment of instinctive compassion, Marai warned: Your Highness, you know you don’t really want to do this if you need to take wine and sesen to get your spirit up. You do know you’re being used.
And if this is your attempt to bring doubts to me as to my mission, know she is my ally and not the other way around. She complements me, so red and so perfect!
Marai knew that was the voice of a man drunk with passion, not herb or drink, as the thoughts of the prince continued to brag:
I have opened the way for her. We hunt, we feast. So, come to us and she or I will free you of your life’s blood.
In the background, the sojourner heard grumbling and mumbling that cleared into a shout back at him in his own angry voice.
They are all my blood. I am the ray of the sun. I rain my arrows of fire on them and drink them in. Their blood is mine. Stay away or be my food.
Marai frowned, asking: Deka? Or…
The voice was a woman’s voice, like Deka’s, but also like his own voice.
More than you know, it answered. More than you know.
Chapter 17: The Hostage
Aped’tep. Aped’tep, my son’s son. Wake yourself gently. Listen to me. It’s important.
The sleeping sesh turned in sweaty, middle-of-the-night discomfort. Lying quietly in the dark, he raised his hand to trace his damp brow and whispered back to what he thought was a dream.
“Grandfather. Are you dream-walking again? What is it that troubles you now?” he asked the night air.
I’ve walked far and seen much, Dear One. This you know. The circle of time is closing. This you also know. Be ready. Be vigilant and do the unexpected or many will not survive this night. The voice faded and the young man opened his eyes, now startled fully awake. He understood this was more than the old man’s usual worry over his day-to-day life.
He hadn’t been dreaming. Something was happening outside. It was too quiet. The cadence of night animals had stopped as if they too were listening. Then, a burst of lightning flashed followed by absolute stillness.
A Storm? Heat? Aped wondered, waiting for a rumble of distant thunder. It never came.
He sat up, reached for his pectoral collar and his nemes instead of a covered vessel of weak beer. His manservant, roused by the whispers, moved toward him, but Aped’s hand went up commanding silence and stillness.
Thief in the house. Was grandfather trying to warn me? Where are the guards? he thought of his wife and two small children sleeping in the women’s area with his own mother and their servants. He gestured for the servant then. Pulling him close, he whispered:
“Someone has come; outside and coming this way.”
The man began to go for a weapon, but Aped pulled him even closer. “I think the guards must have already been killed. I do not know how many others. You go look out the other entry and then, if it’s clear, get my family into the inner part of the house. If you can see a way clear, take the next step. Make sure no one makes a sound, especially the little ones.”
Aped watched as the man crept away, then whispered a blessing so that his attempt at saving the family would not be discovered and that all sounds they made would be covered in his own spell of silence.
Who would do this? he thought as he finished dressing. My men were right when they said they sensed heka being worked – heka which hid this attack. At least many of the young, old, and weak have already gone to Amani. Although his grandfather’s presence was no longer available, Aped’s first guess was that it was a southern raiding party. No. No hint of that. We’ve been on good trade terms. I’ve sensed no unrest from Kush. It’s that lowland prince. When he had fastened his belt, he grabbed his dagger. I thought everything was settled for now. I know many of the warriors wanted revenge, though. Must be this. Hoped it would wait until next year. He went into a crouch by his main door and listened for sounds of his family moving closer into the protected area. Closing his eyes and bowing his head, he tried to sense if his plan for their escape had been successful.
The image of the servant waking his family and moving them, not to the inner area, but to a secluded and dark segment of the wall where they might escape into the heights beyond the village filled his thoughts. He saw many others already out in the hills waiting for them.
Good. Maybe if the grass is safe.
The smell of fire fed new panic into his soul.
His first thought was to go after them and get them to return. The second was one of dim relief as he realized the fire had been set by enemy, who would have come from the river, and not lightning. It wouldn’t have spread far in the direction his people were moving.
If they can make it to the hills, there will be rock and the fortress ruins. When it’s over… then he remembered the message from the Akaru.
Be vigilant and do the unexpected or many will not survive the night.
He knew he would have to provide the distraction, even if it cost his life. Aped stepped out, alone and with the now unsheathed blade offered in the palm of his hand.
“I am Apedemeketep, chief counselor of the sepat of Buhen and I have fealty to King Shepseskaf. Who comes in this night?”
How much is heka? How
much is an act of gods in true form? Maatkare paused in his and Deka’s feast on the hearts of the guards they had slaughtered outside the inner wall. Magnificent! As beasts we could not restrain ourselves any longer. I heard the sojourner come into my thoughts, trying to talk me down, but seeing you tear the guards apart and scream victory in a voice not a woman’s but more a lion’s voice, moved over his weak pleas to stop. Enchanting! He stared at the pooled blood spilled wide around the watch fire and splattered on the walls then beckoned to the lion guards to, as men, feast on the scraps left behind.
Sated, Maatkare stepped back to observe the twelve heavily armed men who stared vacantly without recognizing their leader’s bestial natures or behaviors. Nefira Deka has called these, but soldiers lost in a dream are no use to me. If she wakes them, they’d better remember nothing but still follow.
Too quiet, Maatkare listened for sounds of panic inside the walled village and heard nothing. Let’s find out why. He gently pulled Deka to his side, half in protection but also in pride because he understood she needed no help from him when she was in her lion woman form.
They paraded arm in arm in through the inner gates, still partly in animal form. Deka’s guards, their feline natures less hidden, flanked them and growled menacingly. Behind them, the sound of twelve precisely in-step footfalls followed as the enthralled soldiers advanced in perfect unison with their weapons drawn. The prince slowed, tugging Deka’s arm slightly.
Something’s wrong. This is a trap. There’s no one here. These people have been warned. How? He heard a man’s liquid-sounding voice from inside the main audience room:
“I am Apedemeketep, chief counselor of the sepat of Buhen and I have fealty to King Shepseskaf. Who comes in this night?”
Maatkare stared at the tall, young sesh emerging into the torchlight. As he calmly followed the sesh with his eyes, his bestial nature fell away and he appeared as a man once more. Deka had reverted into her human shape but he knew from her expression that she could become animal at any moment.
Heart of the Lotus Page 21
