Curse of the Scarab King

by Wend Petzler

  "At last, we have the Black Book in our possession. Let us leave before the Scarab King returns and finds us.” With a sweep of his dark cloak, Inarus strode past her, barely giving her a second glance. “Bring her!"

  Barefoot, Kate cried out, her arm grabbed in a brutal grip and yanked along. Four priests, including the one holding her, followed Inarus through the open balcony doors. Heart pounding with terror, Kate found she wasn't their only prey tonight. Sabni and Jarha were bound and gagged, held by more Shedty priests posing as travelers. She openly flinched when Inarus took her arm, dragging her with him as they hurried along the balconies, finally reaching the lower streets of Thebes. Through the darkened, narrow alleyways, they hurried. With sagging hope, she realized they headed straight for the docks.

  Queen SobeKnefru did not come for Kate—her lackeys had.

  * * * *

  As Setti strolled along the empty halls of the silent palace, his thoughts went over and over the many problems at hand. Without a clue where he wandered, he halted when he suddenly took notice of where his feet led him.

  The gardens.

  The very place where his nightmare had begun! His breathing harsh, in his mind he replayed the dreamlike scene of Yoshabel lying in a pool of blood, and he unable to come to her rescue. “I'm so sorry, Yoshabel. I should have listened when you tried to warn me of your fears about SobeKnefru. As you said, I and my family are cursed. Please forgive me for making you a part of my tragedy. In the sweet Hereafter, I pray you have peace,” Setti choked back the pain. Because of him, she died in the bloom of her youth. A familiar voice broke the silence, startling him.

  "She knew you were not to blame, Setti. Why do you embrace guilt when it is not yours to bear?” Jacob asked, sympathetic to his friend's anguish. He stepped out of the shadows, a sad smile on his weather-lined features.

  Swinging around, Setti faced the newcomer and found he could not move. “Jacob? Is it really you, my old friend?"

  Laughing, Jacob grasped Setti's muscled forearms in a firm grip. “You think I am a ghost? What about you, my friend? Should you not be in a tomb, enjoying the Afterlife?"

  Grinning ruefully at the question, Setti answered, “Thanks to Sabni, I was spared. How have you been, Jacob?"

  "What you really wish to ask is how your nephew fares.” A sly smile made Jacob's leathery face brighten as he motioned with his hand toward a dark corridor. Speaking to the shadows, “Come, you need not fear. Setti will protect us."

  A petite woman, her features covered by a dark veil hesitantly did as Jacob ask. Stepping from the shadows, she held a small child in her arms. Nefari looked absolutely terrified as she clutched her son. The child protested, trying to squirm his way out of her tight grip. Setti took pity on her and met her halfway. When she looked up, Nefari gasped, covering her mouth when Setti stepped closer for her to see him better.

  "Setti? They said you died! How can you be amongst the living?” Confused, she set her unruly son down.

  "It's a long story. Perhaps later, I shall explain."

  Nefari was about to ask how he came back to Thebes when her son boldly strode up to Setti, completely unafraid. Setti squatted down on his powerful haunches, looking the child square in the eye.

  "Greetings, young one. A long time has passed since I last saw you. You are the mirror image of you father. Do you know who I am?” At the boy's hesitant shake of his head, near bald except for princely lock dangling in a long, thin braid, clasped by a solid gold band. “I am Setti, your father's only brother."

  Appearing dubious, the boy reached out a small hand and caressed the ruby amulet Setti wore about his neck. In awe, his wide, dark eyes rose hesitantly and met those of the tall man who had tears in his eyes. “Uncle?” his small voice piped out in question.

  "Yes, I am your uncle. And I promise you that nothing will ever happen to you or your mother as long as I walk the earth. I swear it, Amenemhet."

  His voice rumbled with renewed strength, making Jacob and Nefari blink at Setti's solemn oath. They knew without doubt Setti would do whatever necessary to keep them safe, even if it meant killing any who stood in their way of placing the boy on the Golden Throne of Egypt.

  Nefari placed her hands on her son's thin shoulders. “Setti, are you not accepting the Double Crown of Egypt?"

  "What say you, Nefari, do you wish me to take the Double Crown until you feel Amenemhet is old enough?"

  Unprepared by his direct question, uncertainty colored her beautiful features. She turned to Jacob for council. “What do you think?"

  "I believe it a sound idea. Setti can straighten the mess SobeKnefru has wrought upon Egypt these last four years. Let us meet with Ramose and make plans on removing SobeKnefru from the throne."

  "Come, I will take you to Ramose, and we shall secure a chamber in his quarters for you to rest from your long journey.” Setti led the way, the heavy weight of regret lifting from his heart as the boy trustingly took his hand with a great big smile on his rounded features. He winked at the boy, laughing softly when Amenemhet giggled.

  Ramose was beside himself with delight. He lifted the boy in his arms, hugging the child and openly wept at the joy of holding his great-grandson again. “Welcome home, Nefari and Amenemhet. You will remain in my chambers until we take care of SobeKnefru. Come, you are exhausted.” He ushered the drooping woman and her son to his bedroom where they would sleep in safety tonight.

  "Jacob,” Setti grasped his friend's shoulder. “I must ask what you think about me going to Itj-towy and entering the royal palace by way of the celebrating crowds."

  Alarmed Setti would go to Itj-towy where the Shedty waited for him, Jacob vehemently shook his head. “You cannot go! Amenemhet needs you here in Thebes."

  "I made a promise to my brother and by all I hold dear, Amenemhet will become Pharaoh! But, in order for this to become possible, his aunt needs be removed from power. Worry not, I have a secret weapon."

  "What weapon is strong enough to defeat SobeKnefru and her henchmen?"

  "I have in my possession the Black Book and the priest, Sabni."

  "Damn! You just might have a chance at removing her then. You do know she offers a blood sacrifice at the stroke of midnight?"

  "What?” Setti exclaimed. “She offers death on the night the dead rise to join their loved ones for a brief time?"

  "Yea and more. I heard she offers young, beautiful maidens to Sobek as her gift for becoming his bride."

  "Sobek is about to become a widower when I'm done with the bitch!” Setti replied, a lethal gleam in his eyes. “I must go and check on my friend. Seek your rest. In the morning, I go and end SobeKnefru's reign upon Egypt. Revenge will be had for Amenemhet and Yoshabel."

  Jacob's intake of breath was the last he heard as he abandoned the chamber, heading back to Kate's rooms. Feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, he opened the door, careful not to make any noise. In an instant flash, he knew something was terribly wrong. He ran to the empty bed, staring in disbelief Kate was not there. Running out on the balcony, he found it empty, too. Kate was gone! Shouting for the guards, Setti ran back to Ramose's chambers, throwing open the doors.

  "Ramose, Kate is missing,” Setti roared, seeing red, knowing SobeKnefru was behind Kate's disappearance.

  His grandfather tossed a robe over his bare shoulders and pulled a gold rope, ringing the bells, sending out the alarm. The heavy thudding of many feet running echoed in the hollow halls, shouts roused the occupants of the entire palace.

  "Where is the priest, Sabni?” Ramose demanded of Hotep when the captain rushed in the room.

  "He and the young Sobek priest called Jarha have disappeared.” Hotep held a bronze sword in his hand and urgently waved at the frightened, old priest to come. “Tell Ramose of your belief."

  "I think the Shedty have come and taken them away. They now possess two priests who have the Sight!” Huni spoke with real fear in his eyes, afraid for his pupil in the hands of the sadistic Inarus.

 
Ramose and Setti exchanged looks of horror. Setti raced back to Kate's room, ransacking the chamber without any luck. Dread filled him. He returned, sharing the bad news.

  "I cannot find the Black Book. Hotep, you come with me."

  Ramose protested, grabbing Setti's arm fearfully. “Why must you go? You know it is a trap set to capture you."

  "Because they took Kate from me,” Setti growled dangerously. Rage roiled up inside him and all he could think of was Kate. Thoughts of her being harmed or in pain made Setti feel something he thought was beyond him—fear.

  Jacob turned a concern eye to Ramose. “If the Shedty have the Black Book and Sabni, SobeKnefru will be invincible."

  Setti halted in his tracks, a sinister grin giving him a vengeful appearance. “SobeKnefru is not a god—I am!” A shadow of doubt invaded Setti's confidence. The Shedty possessed the power to make him mortal again. There was precious little time to stop them.

  * * * *

  Landing with an ungraceful thud on the deck, Kate quickly scooted away from the leering man. He turned and kicked Jarha out of his way. Sabni leapt at the surprised man with teeth bare, resembling more a feral animal than a priest of Ra. Kate clawed at the scarf covering her mouth, trying to scream for help.

  Another priest stepped forward with a club and struck Sabni over the head, knocking him unconscious. Jarha rushed over and covered him with his own body, pleading with tied hands raised as the other men rushed in to beat the unconscious man more.

  "In the mighty name of Sobek, I beg of you to spare his life!"

  Spitting on the boy, disgust in their dark eyes, they went about setting sail. Inarus watched the entire scene in silence, frowning at the odd way Sabni savagely protected the foreign woman. Who was she to him? Before he left Itj-towy, he checked around about the pale-haired stranger who visited SobeKnefru, finding absolutely nothing about him. Why had the Queen spoken privately with him, a perfect stranger? As he continued to study the young woman, he had a flash of powerful insight—she was like the stranger! In a harsh tone, he ordered her gag removed.

  "Woman, where are you from?” Inarus demanded as he squatted down in front of her, noting the way she warily looked at him.

  Afraid of the skeletal-looking man, Kate knew not what he wanted or what to say. “Why do you want to know?” Hesitant to share any information, but she figured as long as his attention was on her and not Sabni, she'd answer any of his questions.

  "A man came to Itj-towy, demanding to speak with the Pharaoh Queen. You and he share the same country, do you not?"

  "Yes, we share the same country."

  "Why does he seek you? What power do you possess in which he needs?"

  Swallowing hard, her eyes flickered over the knapsack in his arms. “Mike seeks the Black Book."

  Alarmed, Inarus glared at her suspiciously. “Why does he seek the Black Book and for what purpose does he have?"

  "He wants to make SobeKnefru an immortal."

  Genuine panic lit the dark depths of the High Priest's eyes, and he gaped at her words. His next question was aimed at the boy beside her. “Is this true? You have the Sight, tell me!"

  Jarha knew he must tell what he saw in his dreams. “Yes, High Priest, I have seen the pale-haired man reading from the Black Book over a living sacrifice. He will spill Kate's blood, making SobeKnefru an invincible goddess the world has never seen or will survive."

  Cursing under his breath, Inarus whipped around with an ominous swish of his dark robes and strode away, needing some time to think. If he did nothing, SobeKnefru would become strong, something he wished with all his cold, vicious heart never to happen. For years he had made SobeKnefru his puppet and easily manipulated her. If she were to become an immortal, she could easily murder him and those loyal to him.

  The cursed Pharaoh was their only hope. He could stop the foreigner's plans and remove the Pharaoh Queen from the throne. Would the Scarab King turn a blind eye to the Shedty after his four years of exile? It was a chance he had to take, especially if he wanted to keep his head attached to his body.

  "Jarha, why did you tell him everything?” Kate demanded as she cradled Sabni's limp head in her lap, the poor man still out cold.

  "Inarus may have his own agenda where it concerns the Double Crown. If SobeKnefru becomes an Immortal, she will rule Egypt, not Inarus as he does presently. If we want her to remain human, we must make her Inarus’ enemy."

  Understanding his plan, she whispered, “What do we do?"

  "We stay put until Lord Setti comes. He, alone, can save us."

  "I guess you're right. How far is it to Itj-towy?"

  "Four days by boat and another by camel. The dark city resides past the swampy marshes where the biggest of the sacred crocodiles reside. I must warn you, we need to regain possession of the Black Book before the Festival of the Necropolis, which begins when the moon has faded completely and the land is cast into total darkness."

  "Why is the festival held on a moonless night?"

  "We, Egyptians, believe the dead are allowed to come back to the land of the living during the festival. With the light of the moon gone, they can move about without harm."

  "When you told Inarus of Mike's plans, does it not contradict the plans of the future Shedty?"

  "Yes. I believe the man named Mike has changed his plans, feeling abandoned by his peers when they sent him back without the Black Book. Also, he believes the Pharaoh Queen is infatuated with him since they share a sexual relationship and depends on her allegiance by keeping her interested in him."

  "What will Inarus do with us?” Kate asked, shying away from the terrible thought of Mike ending up like Sabni, despite his betrayal to her.

  "I believe Inarus is at an impasse. If he hands us over to SobeKnefru, she will become an Immortal, and he, as we, do not wish that."

  "Will he help us?"

  Jarha shook his head sadly. “I do not know. We will have to wait and see."

  Kate leaned her head back against wooden side of the boat, exhausted. Looking up at the Milky Way, marveling at how startling the bright stars high above glimmered in the midnight sky. Tears blurred her vision as she thought of Setti and their shared moments together. She missed him terribly, feeling vulnerable without his extraordinary presence, the sure knowledge nothing can ever happen to her as long as he was by her side. As much as she hated admitting it, she had fallen in love with Setti. Despite everything, the sure knowledge of a future never possible between them, and still she loved him.

  Unable to stand the unbearable ache anymore, Kate wept, consumed by bitter loneliness. In the long hours and days spent with the tall Egyptian, she finally learned what it meant to really live and not just exist. With each trial or dire experience, she felt a bond grow between her and Setti. A friendship blossomed along the way, blending with the deep respect for a man who was both honorable and wise. Deciding to try and achieve some sort of semblance of rest, she closed her eyes, anguished when all she saw was Setti's hot eyes devouring her, the intensity of his stark beauty as he made love to her.

  God, help me, she silently cried out, Setti, where are you?

  * * * *

  Setti strode to his personal chambers where he resided before his curse and threw open the doors, sending the heavy panels crashing against the walls. Fury surged through him, his blood boiling with his rage. He was personally going to kill every single one of the Shedty with his bare hands! Grabbing a leather pouch, he thrust his shawl necklace and matching belt inside. Heading to the spacious closet, he untied the loincloth about his hips and tossed open the rattan door and withdrew a sleeveless, black tunic and shrugged into it, the hem falling to his knees. Grabbing the leather scabbard hanging on a hook, he cinched the wide belt tight about his lean hips. With great reverence, Hotep held out the trusted sword Setti welded in many victorious battles. Taking the worn hilt of ivory and blue-gold in hand, he tested the weight before slamming it in the worn sheath.

  "Come, Hotep, we go alone to Itj-towy,”
Setti gruffly ordered and flung the dark cloak around his shoulders, fastening it with a ruby-eyed scarab pin. Holding the amulet in his right hand, he felt the terrible power pulsing within his palm, the stone growing hot as if it were alive.

  Ra, protect Kate until we are reunited. Keep her safe from SobeKnefru's evilness. I swear by your greatness, I will bring justice for what my sister wrought upon your holy Temple and my beloved brother, Amenemhet. Give me the strength to defeat your enemies and I shall restore your glory! May I be successful in placing Amenemhet's son on the Throne of the Golden Lion and rule in your everlasting perfect love.

  Ramose entered the chamber carrying a large, heavy, leather bag, seeking Setti. “I want you to take it with you.” Holding it out, wearing a devilish grin, he watched Setti accepted it and peer inside. Setti's surprised gaze jerked upward to look at him.

  "Grandfather, I know not what to say?” Unsure if he should accept the gift or not, but when Ramose laid a comforting hand over his, he nodded in gratitude.

  "Go with Ra, my beloved grandson. Take back what is ours by Divine Right!” he commanded imperiously.

  Inclining his head in resolute acceptance of his Divine Destiny, Setti abandoned the chamber and left by way of the balcony, working his way to the docks. The Shedty would surely use the Nile as their escape route, and so shall he. At the silent docks, they climbed into a small skiff and quickly settled in before scuttling it away from its mooring. Once in the current, Hotep raised the sail as Setti took the tiller. The boat glided along the dark waters, and Setti's mind went blank, forcing back his weariness.

  "Hotep, we need to make a stop at Memphis."

  "Why, my Pharaoh?"

  "We need to gather a few friends,” Setti replied, a dark purpose in mind.

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  Chapter Twenty Three

  Slapping at the annoying, bloodsucking mosquitoes, Kate knew misery unlike anything she'd ever known. The Shedty priests chanted and rowed the ship through the swamps, heading for Fayum. Rotting vegetation reeked, the muggy heat unbearable. Sweat soaked her tunic, leaving her sticky and miserable. Leaning over the side of the boat, she gasped when she saw the backs of giant crocodiles slithering along the murky waters. Great jaws snapped in warning as the prehistoric-looking reptiles pursued the boat. Sitting down, she checked on Sabni, who was oddly calm, appearing as if he were meditating. Deciding to leave him alone, she tried to get some sleep. After a while, she achieved her goal.