by Wend Petzler
But he wasn't sleeping.
The moment she drew away from him, Setti woke. Keeping his eyes closed until she was some distance from him, he peered under his lashes, wondering what she was about. When he heard the soft splash of water and her sigh of delight, he realized she was taking a swim. Shocked, his staff grew rigid at the thought of her swimming naked in the cool water, her nipples hard from the night air. Easing up to a sitting position, he almost gasped out loud by the awkward situation he found himself in.
Rising quietly to his feet, he hid behind a palm tree, watching her play. When her bright head ducked below the glassy surface, he grew concerned when she did not return. Taking a step forward in case she was in trouble, she exploded to the surface, her bare breasts bold in the moon's light. He couldn't breathe from the sheer beauty of her pale, naked body outlined in the moonlight. Never in all his life had he seen anything so beautiful as Kate Martin. She ducked the back of her head into the water, her taunt, full breasts straining as she arched her back, letting her long hair collect around her. Running her hands over her hair, she straightened and swam to the other side of the pool. Careful not to make a sound, he returned to their blankets and pretended to sleep. Not long passed when she joined him, her gown damp as she lay beside him. Forcing his tense body to relax, he nearly jumped out of his skin when she curled up to him, wishing to share his body's warmth.
What hell had Ra sentenced him to?
Before dawn, he woke, relishing the feel of her softly rounded body in his arms. Deciding it time they were on their way, he gently woke her. “Kate, we must be on our way."
Kate's eyes grew round when she realized she was in his arms. It was one thing to cuddle up to him while he slept, quite another to wake up in his arms. Scrambling to her feet, she placed a fair amount of distance between them. “Is it time to go?"
Frowning at her odd behavior, he arched a dark, thick eyebrow as she fidgeted nervously with her veil. “Yes, we need to leave soon."
"Good. I believe I need to take care of some personal business. Excuse me, I'll be right back.” Walking quickly away from him, she ducked behind the palm trees and pressed her back against the rough textured trunk. What the hell was she doing?
Confused by her strangeness, he readied the camel. When she returned, her veil back in place and eyes downcast, she waited for him to swing up on the camel. Plucking her off the ground, Setti placed her in front of him. Urging the camel up, he signaled it to walk on, taking them back out to the desert. They rode in silence. The heat increasing as the sun rose in the sky.
Both confused, both unsure what to say to one another when their bodies moved in sequence with the camel's motion. The friction fast becoming more than either could bear, but somehow endured knowing it a long ride to Memphis still.
Sometime later, Kate finally relaxed in his arms, confused and dismayed by her situation. Men normally found her intelligence more attractive than her physical attributes, which were on the plump side. The man who rode behind her exhibited nothing more than companionship. And yet, when he simply touched her, her body ignited, feeling strangely stimulated. A reaction she wasn't familiar with. Not a virgin and by all means not an innocent, she found Setti's presence more than intimidating to her practical mind. Rarely was she in such an intimate position, having had only one boyfriend in college, and he had disliked showing affection. Accepting she was ugly, Kate had never pursued another relationship. Whatever signals she might imagine from the tall Egyptian had to be all in her mind, she decided. Steeling herself from the pain of rejection, Kate blocked out her need to be touched and held like any other women, accepting the practical side of being Setti's companion until they found a way to send her home.
Well after sunset, Setti pulled back the braided rope attached to the camel's halter, halting it. Gently shaking Kate's shoulder, he woke her. She sat upright, wildly looking around until she followed his pointing finger and gasped, amazed by the glorious sight before them. Setti urged the animal down so they could dismount.
The great Nile lay below them, lazily winding its way through the dark desert, a natural, life-giving force for Egypt's necessary survival. Staring in pure disbelief, she plopped down on her bottom and stared with her jaw dropped open. The Great Pyramids of Giza sat impressively below, rising majestically above the Nile and sand in full splendor. The impossibly huge moon's ghostly rays touched the diamond encrusted pinnacles, sparkling and shimmering in the bright light.
The pyramids were intact.
"It's really true!” Kate gasped out, staring in awe of the true splendor of Egypt's creativity and resourcefulness.
Confused by her amazement, Setti frowned at her odd reaction to the pyramids. “What is true?"
Tears of joy streamed down her uncovered face as she wept from the joy of seeing the pyramids before the winds of time had eroded them. Pointing at them, she scrambled to her feet. “The pyramids’ top stones are encrusted with diamonds!"
Shaking his head in bemusement, he took the camel's rope and urged it to its feet. “Come."
Kate followed Setti, looking about her surroundings, her jaw dropped again. She drank in the ancient city of Memphis, or in modern times more commonly known as Cairo. In ancient times, Memphis stretched to the other side of the Nile, separated thousands of years later by economics into two cities—Cairo and Giza. Though the hour late, soldiers walked the streets, hands on the hilts of their short swords and dressed in leather armor over blue tunics. She stepped closer to Setti, feeling his powerful presence reassuring as they walked past them. The soldiers watched them suspiciously.
"Who are those men?” she whispered, remembering to cover her face.
Glancing back at the soldiers who were moving on as well, Setti returned his amused gaze down at her concerned features. “They are police, assigned to protect the merchants and locals from thieves."
"Really? How interesting. Why didn't they stop us and question our business so late in the night?” Kate asked as they continued down the street, hearing the slap of water against the shoreline from the Nile. The air was noticeably cooler by the river to her immense relief. Her skin felt like parchment. Oh, what she would give to have a real bath!
"They do not bother us because we do not look like thieves sneaking about in the dead of night.” he absently responded, searching the scarcely lit streets.
Noticing his attention somewhere else, she hurried to match his long strides, growing breathless to keep up with him. “What are you looking for?"
Surprised to see her breathing hard from trying to remain by his side, Setti took pity on her and slowed his pace. “We need to find a hostel. In the morning, we will trade the camel for a small boat and sail down the Nile to Dahshur. From there, we continue on foot to Mazghuna.” His sharp eyes spotted the sign above a doorway signifying a place to rent a room for the night. “Ahh, there we are. Here, take the rope and remain in the light. I'll get us a room.” Setti paused, looking down at her in concern. “Will you be all right?"
Smiling up at his worry, Kate nodded. “Yes, just hurry! I'm not sure, but I think we are being followed."
"You felt it, too?” Setti asked in surprise. “Keep close to the camel, I won't be long.” He hurried over to the low roofed building and went inside through the open door.
Kate absently petted the tired camel's soft, furry neck, feeling a little frightened by the quietness, broken by a shrill laughter of a woman as she and her male companion stumbled drunkenly down the street. Casually looking around her surroundings, she caught a glimpse of a boy in his early teens, clad in a white linen loincloth, his head cleanly shaved. When Setti exited the hostel, his eyes bulged, seeming to recognize him. Sinking back in the shadows, he hurried away, heading in the opposite direction from them.
Setti frowned in puzzlement when Kate did not acknowledge his return. “What is wrong?"
"There was a boy over yonder. He stared at you as if he'd seen a ghost.” Perturbed when Setti shrugged his broad shoulders,
apparently unconcerned someone might recognize him. Still, she worried. If word got out about his resurrection, they'd be hunted down, making it very difficult for her to return to her own time.
"Do not worry. As far as anyone is concerned, I am dead and no one is looking for a walking corpse.” He reasoned and took the rope from her hand and led the camel away to the stables. Kate hastened after him, not wanting to be separated, feeling extremely uneasy about the way the stranger scurried away.
It took not long in settling the tired camel, giving it fresh hay and water. Poor Kate swayed on her feet, exhausted, and he was not far from the weary feeling himself. Taking the bag containing their provisions, he slung it over his shoulder, and she took hold of her backpack. Taking her slender hand in his, Setti led the way to the hostel.
Entering the maze-like architect of the low, earthen building, Kate followed Setti around the inner courtyard until finally they found the door marked by the number ten painted on it. Setti entered first and struck the flint, lighting the small, oil lamp for them to see by. Kate plopped down on the soft bed made up with sun bleached linen sheets, feeling utterly wrung out. She watched him lock the door through heavy eyelids, sagging with the need for real sleep and not the dozing she endured on their ride here. Barely registering what he was about, Kate felt Setti remove her sandals. He gently urged her to lie down on the mattress, covering her with a warm, soft blanket.
Concerned by the healing blisters along her feet, he felt better that she seemed not bothered by them. Setti had to smile as Kate instantly fell asleep, softly snoring. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Setti removed his own sandals and robe. Shrugging out of the tunic, he left his loincloth on, knowing he needed the barrier for both their sakes. Crawling carefully on the other side of the bed, Setti quietly shifted under the blanket, stiffening in surprise when Kate turned in her sleep, instinctively curling up to his body's warmth.
Forcing his aroused body to relax, Setti drew her to him, liking the way her smooth cheek rested on his chest, her soft breath faint against his skin as she continued sleeping. Drawing his fingers over her soft hair, he stared at the ceiling amazed by the bizarre situation he found himself part of. Not long passed when he fell asleep with Kate wrapped in his arms.
* * * *
Glancing fearfully over his narrow shoulder, Jarha slipped through the dark streets, clinging to the shadows. The night held many terrors and to be out and about was truly taking one's life in their hands. When he arrived safely back at the Temple, he slipped inside and replaced the bar, securing the lock on the heavy door. He turned around, gasping when a shadow detached from the dark courtyard.
"Jarha, Sobek is a wise and powerful protector, but his patience does have its limits! Why do you insist on leaving the Temple during the night?” the old man demanded, frustrated when the boy looked guiltily down at his feet.
"My deepest apologies, Master Huni, but I had those dreams again and needed to see if it they were coming true.” Jarha explained, walking beside the old priest whose intense frown turned to an expression of understanding. His dreams were frequently becoming accurate. The latest was the most vivid of all. Tonight, when he saw the tall Egyptian and the red-haired woman by the camel, he was certain he possessed the Sight.
Fearful for his young apprentice, Huni knew if the Shedty found out about the boy's visions, especially the High Priest, Inarus, the lad would be taken to Itj-towy. The religion of the Crocodile God, Sobek, had been perverted by Inarus, exploited into a human sacrificial religion. The Pharaoh Queen ordered all to worship her as goddess and wife to Sobek. He and his small order stayed to the true teachings of Sobek, separated from the Shedty, but at a high cost.
"Did it come true?” he asked the quiet boy, fear in his heart, praying it had not come to pass.
Terrified, the boy nodded. “I saw the man in my dreams! He will be the one who saves us from the Queen and her mistreatment of Egypt,” Jarha whispered for Huni only to hear him, afraid. If what he thought ever reached the High Priest's ears, his head would be parted from his body. Still, the threat of death did not deter Jarha from hoping the Queen and her henchmen, the Shedty, displaced and a new pharaoh ruled Egypt.
Keeping his voice quiet as well, Huni glanced around to ensure they were alone. “Who is this man you have seen?"
"I know not his real name, but I see him in my dreams as a great, blood-red scarab wearing the Double Crown of Egypt on his head. The creature shape-shifts into the body of a great warrior and rises to stand, wearing a shawl necklace and a matching belt with black scarabs aligned with ruby eyes. The man also wears an amulet in the shape of a scarab. He comes to claim the Throne of the Golden Lion at Thebes."
Clutching his mouth with both hands from gasping out loud, Huni felt as if he were punched in the stomach. Dropping his hands to his sides, he asked breathlessly, “Are telling me you actually saw a man you dreamt to be the Scarab King down in the streets of Memphis tonight?"
Blinking at Huni's frightened visage, he was hesitant to affirm his teacher's question. “Y—es, he was the one I dreamt about."
"Jarha, you will tell no one of what you saw. Swear it on your life and mine you will not repeat it to anyone!” He grabbed the boy's shoulders, making him see the terror in his eyes.
"Master, I swear it. Why are you afraid of him? I looked into his eyes and saw only a great and noble man.” Jarha worried, was his gift truly a curse since all he saw were things that made people afraid? Perhaps he should never have told anyone?
Sensing his students worry, Huni had to tell the boy the truth. “The one you speak of is cursed! Not of the living or the dead, forced to walk forever between the Sun and Moon. Condemned to be imprisoned in a tomb, the Scarab King lay where none knew his location. Yet, someone obviously must have released him. Let us go and pray on this matter.” Huni led the way to the statue of Sobek and sank to his knees. Feeling torn inside by his beliefs and hope for the future, if it really was Lord Setti returned from the Land of the Dead. There was hope at last from Pharaoh Queen SobeKnefru and the Shedty! Possible freedom from the blood rituals and living sacrifices the people of Egypt were unaware of or turned a blind eye to in fear they would be next to die for a god not of their choosing.
Coming to a decisive course of action, Huni urged the boy up on his feet. “Jarha, I have changed my mind. Gather supplies for our journey. We must go and see Ramose in Thebes.” Huni trembled, fearful of the course they were about to take.
Growing more confused, Jarha followed his master. “Why are we going to see Ramose, the Royal Vizier of Egypt?"
Glancing around the silent temple, Huni whispered to Jarha, “Ramose needs to be told the Scarab King has returned. He will know what to do about the momentous news."
"Should we not be telling our Order?"
Huni stopped and grabbed the boy's arms in a rough grasp. “No!” He hoarsely whispered, “Our hope lies within the Scarab King taking back the Golden Throne and disposing that whore who rules like she really is an immortal goddess!” Although the belief when a pharaoh took the throne he naturally elevated to a god-like status, but the Queen took the law and twisted it until she was worshiped as a goddess and not just treated like one. After SobeKnefru's crowning, the Temples of Sobek were redesigned with statues of her holding hands with the Crocodile God, to be worshiped as equals.
Blinking at the desperation in Huni's voice, Jarha finally understood what he meant. It would take a true immortal to stop Queen SobeKnefru and the powerful Shedty. “I shall go and gather provisions. We'll secure passage on one of the merchant ships. No one will think it odd.” He hurried to the kitchens, leaving Huni to stare after him.
"May Sobek watch over us on our journey to Thebes,” Huni prayed, knowing he was about to commit sedition. Ramose, a great and powerful man, made it no secret how much he hated the evil and treacherous SobeKnefru, convinced she had murdered Setti to take the Double Crown. Perhaps he was right after all.
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Chapter Fifteen
Reaching out in her sleep, Kate instinctively sought out Setti's warmth. Alarmed, she realized his side of the bed was empty, and she was alone in the small chamber. Frantic, she searched for her sandals, quickly lacing the leather thongs about her ankles. Forgetting the veil, she rushed out the door and ran right into Setti's hard, unyielding chest. Stumbling backwards from the sudden impact, she flung her arms to catch her balance.
Surprised by Kate's flight into him, Setti dropped his packages and grabbed her forearms, keeping her from falling backwards. Shifting his hands to her shoulders, puzzled by her flight, he demanded, “Where are you going in such a hurry?” Stunned when Kate threw her arms around his waist, hugging him fiercely, his arms slowly crept about her trembling body, holding her tight until she calmed.
Huge, violet eyes rose to meet his questioning ones, tears glistening in the shining depths, startling Setti. When he recognized the relief and fear, Setti awkwardly stroked her back, trying to comfort her. With a shock, he realized she had again thought he had left her. Why did Kate possess this fear of abandonment? Had he left the impression he could easily leave her behind? His own words haunted him when he remembered telling her he would send her back to the future once they found the Black Book.
Gently, Setti urged her to look up at him. “Trust me, little fire sprite, I will never leave you in such a cowardly way. I am very sorry for frightening you, but I thought I could conduct my business and be back before you woke."
