Bast's Warrior

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  “I see.”

  “She will need friends.”

  “And a strong husband.”

  “Do you want to marry her?”

  Kashe’s laughter rang loud. “I’ve no more desire to be pharaoh than I have to become a priest of Aken Re or any other god. If any woman interests me Tira is the one. Who knows what will happen to her when the quest ends. The priestesses of Bast may return her to her home.”

  “That would be sad,” Namose said. “When we read the scrolls I sensed her desire to belong here.”

  “Younger brother, you are wise beyond your years. The age difference between you and Merin isn’t great. Younger men than you have been promised in marriage.”

  “By their fathers. I don’t want to wed any woman until I find my place in the land. Besides, Merin’s life has been sad and lonely. With the right man she will find joy. I am not that man.”

  “What will you do when the quest ends?”

  Namose shrugged. “Who know what tomorrow will bring. If the new ruler is just and fair I could find a way to serve him.”

  “Perhaps as his first advisor.” Kashe peered ahead and saw the cliffs drew closer.

  Namose laughed. “As yet I don’t have the knowledge for such a role.”

  “Will you return to Mero?”

  “To see Mother but I don’t like the choices Father has made.”

  Kashe prodded the camel to a faster pace. When they reached the oasis they found the pack camel had been unloaded and the tents erected. Tira and Merin knelt beside the pool and scooped wet sand from the stone basin. Namose and Kashe joined them in the task.

  As the sun moved westward Kashe used wood from a downed palm tree for a fire. In one pot he added barley grains to some dried meat. He put lentils and chopped onions in the other. He buried both pots in the sand and ringed them with fire.

  At sunset Tira crouched beside him. “The spring is clear.”

  “Good.” He waved to Merin and Namose. “Come and eat.”

  Tira sighed. “Fresh meat would be a treat.”

  “One day we’ll have some.”

  Merin sat on the ground. “What will we do now?”

  “Wait for Tuten.”

  Tira looked up. “What about the seekers the priests plan to send?”

  “I believe we’re safe from them. They must have already read the omens.” He rolled flatbread around cheese and onions. “This is what I discovered.” He told them about the bodies. “I’m sure they’ll wait at least seven sun turns before sending others.”

  ‘Fortunate for us,” Namose said.

  Tira looked up. “Unless the reward for finding her is too great.”

  “We’ll worry about other searchers and keep watch.” Kashe pointed to the cliffs. “There are several places that will give us a good view in the temple’s direction.”

  Namose turned to Merin. “Tira can teach you how to fight without weapons.”

  Merin grinned. “I’ll be glad to learn a new style of fighting. Among the clans all learn to defend themselves. This daughter won’t hide in a woman’s court.”

  Namose chuckled. “See.”

  Kashe laughed. “So you said.”

  Tira rose and beckoned to the younger two. She led them past the spire onto the sand. While they began stretching exercises Kashe climbed the rocks to see which one gave the best view of the area.

  On the afternoon of the fifth day after the storm Kashe climbed from the rocks. He waited for the rider he had seen. “Welcome back.”

  Tuten dismounted. “Sorry to be so long. Because of the storm I helped my friends move their camp. I see you survived.”

  Kashe nodded. “We sheltered in the temple. Tira found the keys and Merin is indeed the daughter.”

  “So my friend said.” Tuten tossed a bulky bindle to Kashe. “Robes and news.”

  “Come to the fire. I’ll call the others.”

  Tuten hoisted a sack and two flasks. “Beer, boiled eggs, melons and wine.”

  They gathered around the tiny fire to eat the eggs and melon. Tuten began his tale. “The priests of Aken Re gather at their temple. They travel by barge and chariot. Are you sure we must go to the Valley?”

  Tira lifted a slice of melon. “Before I found the keys I thought so. Now I am sure. The map Bast Ka pulled from the shelves in the compound point that way.”

  “How can we reach the Valley?” Namose asked. “With all the priests taking residence sneaking past the temple will be hard.”

  “We climb,” Kashe said.

  Tuten laughed. “The walls surrounding the temple can be passed if one moves with caution.”

  Kashe finished his segment of melon and sucked the juice from his fingers. “As we climb the cliff Bast Ka will show us the best place for our hands and feet. Horu Ka will keep watch. Though the way is difficult we’ll avoid detection. We’ll camp at the top.”

  Tira frowned. “Won’t there be a chance they’ll see us, especially since our clothes are white?”

  Kashe pulled one of the robes from the bundle. “This will hide us.”

  “Like the priest wore.”

  “Exactly. I was a short distance from him. If he hadn’t moved when Horu Ka swooped I wouldn’t have seen him.”

  Merin pitched the melon rind into the fire. She turned to Namose. “Come and spar with me.”

  Before long, Tira joined them. Kashe watched as the three stretch their bodies. He noticed his brother moved with more purpose and confidence. Though less skilled than Tira in the sun turns since the training had begun Namose now approached the fluidity Tira demonstrated. In less time Merin equaled the young man’s level. She’d spoken the truth when she said she’d had training during her years with the nomads.

  Tira approached the pair. “Think of the moves and attack me as a pair.”

  Before long both her opponents were on the ground. Merin giggled. Namose got to his feet and attacked Tira again. For the second time he ended on the ground. This time he laughed.

  Kashe envied their playful enjoyment. Though he considered joining the battle he couldn’t. Just watching Tira stirred his body and his desire.

  Namose waved. “Kashe, come join us. I bet she can beat three of us.”

  The words of the scroll rang in Kashe’s thoughts. Until the quest ended he had to keep his physical contact with Tira at a minimum. “I’ll pass.”

  Merin sauntered toward him. “I think she could have won against the men who attacked the temple.”

  Tira sat on the ground. “Though I would have tried my best, those men carried maces and knives. Two or three I could have taken but with more I would have been over-powered. My style of fighting is better suited to facing one or two unless there are others with the same skills at my side.”

  Namose faced Kashe. “Are you afraid to face her?”

  Kashe stared at the sand. He wasn’t afraid of defeat but of the passion that might drive them to forget the scroll. The heat raised by a touch would flare hotter than the sun at midday. He and Tira would burn. The quest would fail and the Two Lands would plunge into chaos. “Little brother, I’ll pass.”

  Namose frowned. “I’ve never seen you afraid of anyone or anything. You turned your back on the priests of Aken Re. You thwarted Pian. You defied Father. Why do you refuse to spar with a slender woman who fights differently than the style you know?”

  “For a reason you wouldn’t understand.” Kashe rose and walked away. There was a reason he couldn’t explain to a youth.

  “Leave him alone.” Tira uncoiled and faced Namose and Merin. “He has no need to prove himself to you or me.”

  Kashe glared. “You don’t have to defend me.”

  Tira fisted her hands on her hips. “Your brother is young and is teasing like a child. Sparring with me isn’t necessary. I’ve seen you fight and know you can handle yourself.” She turned and flowed into a series of acrobatic moves.

  “Did you see that? She’s so wonderful.” The admiration in Namose’s eyes echoed Merin’s
comment.

  “No wonder you won’t fight her,” Namose said. “No one could beat her.”

  Kashe bristled. “Tira.” He charged across the sand. She flipped into the air and landed in a crouch. When he reached her she grabbed his arm and used his forward motion to flip him. She laughed and danced away.

  Kashe bounced to his feet. With caution he glided toward her. He pretended to attack. As they circled she spun on one foot and prepared to kick. He leaned to the side and caught her around the waist. She tried to slip away. Their legs tangled and they fell. She landed atop him. Before she broke free he rolled and pinned her beneath him.

  “That’s one and one,” she said. “Let me up and we’ll see who wins the match.”

  The feel of her breasts against his chest triggered a reaction. Her scent filtered through him and drove him to an action he would regret. His mouth met and devoured hers. Thunder rumbled through his head with a roaring noise like the river during inundation. His body vibrated like water dashing over the cataracts below Mero. Need washed through him. He thrust his tongue over her lips and plunged inside to caress her mouth. He raised his head to catch a breath.

  Bast Ka yowled and needle claws dug into his calves. Horu Ka screeched.

  “We have an audience,” Tira said.

  Those words dammed the flood of passion. Kashe stared into her eyes.” I want you.”

  “Then come to my tent.”

  He rolled away. “Not until we have the symbols.” The wish to accept her invitation was strong. The heat in her eyes made his resistance waver. He pressed his forehead against his bent knees. He couldn’t allow temptation to rule his actions. He glanced around. The others had vanished.

  Tira’s eyes filled with sadness. She leaped to her feet and ran to her tent. Bast Ka faced Kashe. The cat nipped his hand. “I won’t forget.”

  Knowledge rushed through him like a flashflood. Tira was no avatar. She was a warrior bound to the goddess until the quest ended. If the goddess walked the Two Lands she wore another guise.

  Chapter 17

  Tira dozed in the saddle and woke with a start. Since leaving the oasis they had traveled at night. The sameness of the scenery made her wonder if they moved in circles. Would they ever reach the Valley, find the symbols and be free of the quest? Then what, she wondered.

  She glanced at the sky and saw the first fingers of light, a sign of the coming day. The dark shadows became a massive cliff that stretched toward the west. Was that their goal? Excitement caused her to lean forward. Perhaps the Valley of the pharaohs lay on the other side of the towering mass.

  Bast Ka’s yelp held a note of annoyance. Tira realized she had squeezed the cat. She straightened. “Sorry.” The feline settled on the front of the saddle.

  Thoughts of the three necklaces and their menats filled Tira’s head and raised an eagerness to find the doors they opened. Until she could compare the Valley to the map she could only hope.

  Ahead she saw a narrow band of green against the dark stones. Her camel knelt. Bast Ka leaped to the ground and approached the cliff where water trickled over tumbled rocks forming a miniature waterfall. The water had eroded a small basin. The cat crouched and drank.

  Tira looked toward the sky above the cliff and saw Horu Ka circling. For a moment she tensed as she recalled the last time the bird had behaved in this manner. In a swift move the hawk dove to land near the small pool. Tira slung her bundle over her shoulder and joined her companions. They swiftly unloaded and unsaddled the animals.

  “How soon will we reach the Valley?” Tira asked.

  Kashe opened one of the food sacks. “Don’t be impatient. By moonrise we’ll be up there.” He pointed to the top of the cliff. “We’ll eat and rest until after midday.”

  “Shouldn’t we wait until the sun sets?” Namose asked.

  “Not a good idea,” Kashe said.

  “Why not?” Merin asked.

  “We’ll need light as we climb. The robes will protect us from the sun and hide us from enemy eyes. I doubt there is anyone on this side of the cliff. Still we must be cautious. Watch.” Kashe donned the robe and stepped into the shadows.

  Tira’s gasp was echoed by her companions. Kashe had vanished. “You’ve proved your point. What about Merin, Namose and Tuten? Do they stay or come with us?”

  Kashe stepped away from the rocks. “Tuten stays here until we establish our camp. Then he’ll leave.”

  “Why?”

  “We need a place to take the symbols for safekeeping. Tebes lies across the river. Beyond the town are temples of the Three. Merin will be safer there than any place I know. Our search of the Valley shouldn’t take more than a day or two.”

  Tira frowned. “I don’t think we’ll find them that easily. I’m sure other seekers have looked and didn’t find where they were hidden.” She met his gaze. “Why can’t Tuten take Merin and Namose with him? They would be safe in his company.”

  Kashe shook his head. “There’s too much chance the priests would find them. The workers’ village is small. One stranger wouldn’t attract attention but three and two of them young people would bring questions. Not to mention my father and Pian will be at the temple. We’ll find a place on the plateau that overlooks the Valley. We’ll search at night so the priests won’t see us.”

  Tira sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

  Kashe grinned. “One thing. At night we’ll need to be alert for grave robbers who prowl the Valley looking for tombs to loot.”

  “I’d rather face them than the priests. I bet those who follow Aken Re do their share of robbing the dead. Didn’t they seek the treasury of the Horu temple? They will need gold, silver and jewels to pay the men they hire.”

  Kashe crossed his arms on his chest. “You’re right. No free hire will accept a promise.”

  Tira pointed to their animal companions. Bast Ka settled on the ground and Horu Ka perched on a rock. Tira walked to where Tuten had built a small fire. She warmed a piece of bread.

  “What have you decided?” the older man asked.

  “Namose and Merin will come with us.”

  Tuten shrugged. “Are you sure that’s wise? I could lead them past the temple and find a place for them to hide.”

  Kashe shook his head. “And leave them alone to become restless. Merin is used to caring for herself and my brother is ready to try his wings.”

  Namose and Merin had finished tending to the camels. They came to the fire. “What will we do while you and Tira search?”

  “You’ll remain in the camp we make.”

  Namose toed the ground. “Why?”

  “To keep you safe.” Tira reached for the cheese. “When we were in the market town a priest of Aken Re sought you and Tuten. That’s reason enough.”

  “We could stay here,” Merin said. “Tuten could keep guard.”

  “He won’t be here,” Kashe said. “Tomorrow he leaves to find a barge so we can cross the river. Neither of you have strong enough fighting skills to stay alone.”

  Merin sat on the ground. “So we climb.”

  Kashe nodded. “The chance of reaching the Valley is good.”

  Tira finished the bread and cheese. She took a handful of dates. Once she finished them she retreated to where she’d left her pack and checked for the necklaces and the map. Though she considered studying the map she decided to wait until she could see the Valley and locate landmarks.

  She carried her leather flask to the small stream of water spurting from the rocks. Kashe joined her. “There is no water in the Valley except in the temple and the irrigation canal on the far side of the complex.”

  She looked up. “And that means marshy land, crocodiles and hippopotamus lurking. What will we do when our water runs out? What if we haven’t found the symbols?”

  “Once we’re on the plateau I’ll return for the large leather bags. If we must remain for more than a few days Tuten will bring more. Stop worrying and rest.”

  Tira found a place in the shade. She clo
sed her eyes and tried not to think of the height she had to climb. Her thoughts drifted and she slept.

  When the sun reached mid-afternoon Kashe called her name. She stretched and splashed water on her face. After fastening one of the food sacks to her bundle she joined the others. Merin helped balance the load. Tira did the same for the younger woman.

  Kashe strode to where the rocks formed a series of steps. “I’ll go first. Then Merin, Namose and Tira.”

  Bast Ka stretched and darted ahead of him. The cat bounded from rock to rock. Horu Ka skimmed the air above the cat. He called and the feline changed direction. The way the cliff had splintered and boulders had fallen made the early part of the climb look easy.

  Tira’s hands clenched and released as she watched. If she hadn’t seen a flash of movement she would have believed Kashe had merged with the rock. In her thoughts a mantra began. I know I can. I know I can.

  Merin scrambled after Kashe. The way she moved showed she had some rock climbing experience. She followed the path Kashe had taken. Namose took his turn. He moved with more caution than Merin.

  Tira gulped a breath. The mantra rang loud and clear. My feet will be on the ground, she reminded herself. Kashe will choose the safest and easiest route.

  Tuten touched her shoulder. “You can do this.”

  Tira met his gaze. “I must. The quest is mine. Stay safe. After you sell the camels and find a boat, go home.”

  He shook his head. “No reason to return. I’ve no family. Friends are scattered. I’ll find what’s needed and bring food and water to you.”

  “Why put yourself in danger?”

  “No one who follows the Three will be safe until those priests are vanquished. Watch over Merin and Namose. Though I’m no priest to read omens I know those two are as important to the land as you and Kashe.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Tira took the first step on the rocky path. Her heart thudded until all she could sense was the thundering beat. She wiped her hands on the robe. She forced herself to take a second step and then a third. The mantra rang in her thoughts. The stone felt rough against her hands. The sour smell of fear threatened to freeze her.

  As the sun moved westward shadows gathered making each step more difficult. Tira tried not to think of how high above the ground she had climbed but several times the idea sent fingers of fear to keep her from moving forward. Once she hugged the cliff as a shower of stones pelted her. One struck her shoulder and she nearly lost her grip. She pressed against the wall and fought to remain calm.