by Wend Petzler
Sandaled feet scraping against the wood deck woke her. Disoriented, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she realized it was night, and the ship had docked. Climbing to her feet, Kate saw the small pyramid-like temple rising above the small city stretching out before them and knew by the layout, they had reached Fayum.
Inarus disembarked first, glancing back to make sure his men had the young woman and the two priests secured. Searching the darkened street, finding it odd the dock was strangely empty. Signaling his men to bring their prisoners along, he strode confidently to the sacred Temple of the Shedty, having nothing to fear. Fayum was the central city of their religion. None dared harm him on his own ground.
Strange, why are not the fires lit? They entered the darkened Temple, frowning at the laxness of the lesser priests, Inarus shook his head. The lazy worms needed reprimanding, Inarus thought with disgust as he retrieved a flint from the inner pocket of his robe and struck it, lighting the oil lamp. Inhaling sharply, Inarus took an involuntary step backward when he looked into the dead eyes of Omar, SobeKnefru's captain of the guard.
"Why are you in my Temple?” Inarus demanded, offended at the man's presence in the sacred house of Sobek.
Grinning, Omar swung the sword in his hand, beheading the surprised High Priest. A shout behind the priests holding the prisoners set in motion a complete massacre. Men wearing blue tunica and bronze armor, swarmed them, swords striking furiously as Shedet fought Shedet.
Jarha grabbed Kate's hand when she screamed, hauling her behind him. Sabni ran after them. They ducked behind the altar, hiding from the fighting going on all around them
Kate covered her ears from the high-pitched screams of the dying. “Jarha, why are they killing each other?"
A new voice answered, a feminine one, sultry, and venomous, “Just think of it as my way of cleaning house. Welcome to Fayum."
SobeKnefru.
Sabni whined in terror as a woman with long, jet-black hair and eyes just as dark approached. Mike walked beside her, wearing a gloating expression. Kate held onto Sabni when he tried to flee.
SobeKnefru arched a fine eyebrow, staring at the raggedy man as if trying to figure out who he was. Sighing, she shrugged her delicate shoulders, running her hands over the fine material of her shimmering, royal blue gown, clinging to her voluptuous curves. “Michael, is she the woman whom you seek?"
"Yes, my Queen. Kate is the one.” Mike smiled triumphantly as he knelt down on one knee before Kate. “Dear Kate, where is the Black Book?"
Glaring at the arrogant jerk, she replied, “Don't have a clue."
"Dammit, I know you have it! Where the hell did you put it?” he shouted, growing tired of games, wanting to go back to the modern world, hating Ancient Egypt.
"As I told you, I am no longer in possession of the Black Book. Perhaps you and Queen SobeKnefru should not have been in such a hurry to kill Inarus and his men,” Kate snapped back, holding Sabni, trying to calm the agitated man.
Rage contorted SobeKnefru's beautiful features. She drew a dagger from the gilded sheath at her waist, rushing at the foreign woman. “I shall kill you for your insolence,” SobeKnefru screamed.
Kate prepared for the death blow when she was abruptly shoved behind Sabni who leapt protectively in front of her.
"No, SobeKnefru! You will not shed her blood,” Sabni yelled, facing the angry Queen. “I will not allow you to harm Kate as you had poor Yoshabel."
SobeKnefru skidded to a shocked halt, dropping the knife. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she hesitantly stepped closer to the wild-haired man, looking past the matted beard and torn clothes. There was a faint familiarity about his eyes. “Who are you?"
A look of grief washed over Sabni's dirty features. “You know who I am and what I have done for you.” He raised his right hand and showed her the mark from the amulet burning his hand four years ago.
SobeKnefru gasped, involuntarily taking a frightened step back. “No, you cannot be Sabni!"
"Time is up for you, SobeKnefru. The Scarab King is coming for your head,” Sabni spoke with a relative amount of sanity as he drew himself up to stand straight and tall.
A calculating half-smile crossed SobeKnefru's face. “We shall see, won't we?” She turned to her captain. “Omar, tell your men to take Inarus and his men's bodies away and dispose of them. Our goal is accomplished. I am no longer at the High Priest's beck and call. Bring our guests. We leave for Itj-towy"
Kate searched the dead for her knapsack, cursing when Mike saw it, too. He ran over to the canvas backpack and wrenched it free from the dead man's hands. Rummaging inside it, an expression of elation carved his handsome features.
"Your Highness, we have taken possession of the sacred Black Book!” Slinging the heavy backpack over his bare shoulder, Mike grinned in relief of at last obtaining the book—his ticket home.
"Excellent. I want everything to be perfect when you make me an immortal.” SobeKnefru preened at the thought of being beautiful forever.
Kate frowned, hoping to stall them and give Setti more time to arrive before they made him mortal. “Mike, I assume you will be performing the ritual?"
"Why should he when we have two priests who possess the Sight in my custody?” SobeKnefru answered as she sauntered over to the taller woman. “I should warn you, I'm quite aware of my brother's return. With Sabni's help, I will make Setti mortal and kill him, as I should have done four years ago!"
Shaking her head at the woman's arrogance, Kate could not help her disbelief. “Setti will destroy you first."
"Will he? We shall see, won't we?” SobeKnefru replied mysteriously, motioning for the guards to grab the foreign woman. “Michael, I want you to personally care for Sabni. When we return to the palace, I want him cleaned and made presentable before his execution."
Kate suppressed a grimace when the soldier holding her yanked her hands back behind her back and tied them with a leather thong. He proceeded to drag her along with him, following the Pharaoh Queen and her soldiers out of the Temple. She glanced at her companions, afraid at what lay before them if Mike and SobeKnefru were successful in their plans.
Where was Setti?
Exiting the Temple's doors, a waiting litter decorated with colorful scarves sat and four brawny men wearing blue loincloths stood ready to carry it. Mike guided SobeKnefru onto the cushioned seat. She tapped one of the silent men on the shoulder, and as one, they lifted the wooden carrier off the ground, striding away into the dark, the moon barely a sliver of light.
Kate groaned when she realized they were going to march across the sands again. The guard who held her finally noticed she wore no sandals. He reached into his leather pouch and withdrew a pair, placing them on her feet. She smiled her gratitude. The man gruffly shrugged his bare shoulders and motioned for her to start walking again. During the long journey, stops were ordered to give the litter bearers rest. The man guarding Kate figured she wasn't stupid enough to try and make an escape with the desert all around them, mercifully cut her bonds. As they rested, Kate watched SobeKnefru pout and rant at the many delays. Shaking her head at the spoilt woman's inconsideration about the welfare of her own men, she failed to hear Mike's approach.
"You do not approve of our Queen?” He offered a water bag out for her to drink from.
"I think she's a royal pain in the ass, but that's just my opinion.” She grinned before taking a long pull of the cool water.
Scowling at Kate's blunt honesty, he conceded she only spoke the truth. “Yea, she seems difficult until you get to know her. I find she's rather a delicious creature, possessing appetites of amazing proportions.” Mike grinned, remembering the erotic moments shared in the Queen's bed. Once he convinced SobeKnefru he was better suited by her side rather than out searching for Kate, their relationship had progressed in a very satisfying way. Over and over, he proved he could please her in ways the men of her time were unable to achieve. As long as she remained sexually satisfied, his position as her companion was secure.
Casting a dubious glare at Mike, Kate refused to speak any further to him. A shout alerted the travelers to rise and walk again. Mike grabbed her arm, halting her from leaving him. “Kate, if you cooperate, I might be able to have your life spared. If, you'd only show some kindness in my direction and seize your madness and support SobeKnefru over Setti."
"Cooperate how? By betraying my values or become a whore like you have?"
Rage rolled up from deep inside him, and he slapped her hard across the face, glaring at her words. “I have only done what is my duty to my Queen. What did you do with Setti when you traveled together?"
Sad, she lightly placed a hand over her tender, reddening cheek. “I helped a man betrayed by his own sister get home.” Kate left Mike staring after her and rejoined the guard. The man frowned, not recognizing the language they spoke.
They marched well into the night. Kate stumbled to a halt when the others had. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she shivered from the cold and exhaustion. Eyes blurry, she tried to focus on the dark city spread out below the hill they stood on. The guard urged her forward, heading for the main city gates.
Itj-towy.
Entering the city, the sand bricked streets stretched out directly to the palace built in the very heart of Itj-towy. The few people out at the late hour stopped and laid flat on their stomachs when the Pharaoh Queen's party passed them by. Continuing on until they reached the step, alabaster steps, the huge, brawny litter bearers finally lowered the litter, the journey over. SobeKnefru rose gracefully to her feet and accepted Mike's offered hand. Stepping off the litter, SobeKnefru dropped her hand and walked into the low roofed palace with Omar by her side.
Led behind them, Kate stared in wonder. Huge copper braziers were lit against the inky black of night. Entering the glorious palace of Itj-towy, she stared in astonishment upon the lavish works of art, plated with gold and precious gems along the palace walls. Unlike the dignified Thebes palace, statues in various sizes, mostly of SobeKnefru and Sobek, lined the entrance corridors. The entire theme appeared to be dedicated to glorifying the Pharaoh Queen's beauty and her status as a living goddess. Taking a better look, Kate realized many of the artwork along the painted walls portrayed SobeKnefru holding hands with the Crocodile God, Sobek as husband and wife.
"What a vain bitch!” Kate spoke under her breath, grinning without apology at Mike's glare. “What? And you wish to make her an immortal? Gee, just think of a world forced to worship her image over and over. Wow, I just can't wait,” she said sarcastically.
"You don't know what you're talking about! Pharaoh Queen SobeKnefru will evolve into the greatest ruler Egypt has ever known. Or the entire world has ever seen,” Mike defiantly exclaimed as they watched the Queen walk away, leaving the prisoners in his care.
Casting a dubious eye at him, Kate wisely kept her mouth shut. Led to a small chamber containing a narrow cot, Kate didn't care as she stumbled in, wearily collapsing on the hard mattress.
Mike watched her curl up on the bed, a slight frown on his handsome features. “Kate, if you help me, I promise I'll take you home with me."
Wrapping the rough blanket around her aching body, she glanced at him with a wary expression on her tired face. “What help do you need?"
"Will Setti come to Itj-towy alone or with his army?"
Laughing softly, she shifted into a more comfortable position. “Don't you mean Pharaoh Setti? The Crown of Egypt is legally his since Setti still lives."
Snarling at her, Mike took a threatening step toward her. “He is going to die, and his claim to the Crown will be nullified!"
"Not if you kill Sabni,” she spoke softly.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh nothing. But, if I were you, I wouldn't be so quick in allowing SobeKnefru to execute Sabni. You just might find you'll need his expertise in dealing with the Egyptian gods.” Rolling away, Kate smiled at having planted a seed of doubt in the jerk's mind. Let Mike figure out what is myth and real concerning the curse upon Setti. Maybe it will save Sabni from being executed. Time was becoming short where it concerned the Pharaoh Queen's ascension to immortality.
Mike shut the door and locked it. Bemused by her odd suggestion, he turned a concerned eye at the two priests held by the guards. Speaking to the younger one, he issued a command, “Bath and shave Sabni. He must be made presentable for tonight's ceremony."
Nodding, Jarha helped Sabni who leaned heavily against him. The poor, wild-haired man looked as if he grieved, his eyes haunted by whatever he saw. “What will happen to us at the Festival of the Necropolis?"
"You will be informed of your duties after we hold the Feast of the Dead."
Wisely, Jarha kept quiet, having already seen the task the man and SobeKnefru would force them to do. “I will require the ceremonial blade to shave Sabni's hair."
"Why?” Mike demanded suspiciously.
"Sabni is a priest of Amun Ra! In order to protect his purity, I must adhere to the rules of our religion."
Startled by the commanding authority in the young priest who had to be less than sixteen, Mike bowed his head slightly in acceptance. “As you wish. Guards will be posted to ensure you do not try to escape."
Escape was not what he had in mind. Jarha wasn't about to allow the Pharaoh Queen to become immortal. If their deaths prevented it, so be it. He held Sabni tighter in his grasp as they were ushered into a bathing chamber, finding out rather quickly suicide was not an option. The guards stripped Sabni of his rags and remained inside the chamber. Jarha assisted Sabni into the bathing pool.
Sabni wearily accepted the offered cloth and washed away the years of dirt from his emaciated body, starting to feel better than he had in years. Taking the offered towel, he left the pool and sat on a short, wooden stool. Jarha carefully shaved away his matted hair and beard. Provided clean, white loincloths, Sabni wrapped it around his lean hips and tied it traditionally in front. Running a trembling hand over his freshly shave head, Sabni felt human once again. Ra had kept his word. Sanity fully entered his chaotic mind, giving him peace at last. He knew what must be done but the time not right. Not yet.
"Jarha, do not look so worried,” Sabni spoke softly to the frightened boy as they were led to a cell not far from Kate's. He had to stay close to her, if they were to be successful in destroying SobeKnefru and her evil reign. His and Kate's fate were entwined. “We are in the hands of our gods."
Forcing back the choking fear, Jarha sat down on the stone floor, crossing his legs. “Yes. Sobek and Ra will not abandon us. Come, let us pray."
Together, they started chanting, praying to the mighty Crocodile God and the God of Eternal Light and all Creation for the strength to defeat the evil corrupting Egypt.
* * * *
Hands gently shook Kate's shoulder, urging her to wake. Confused by her surroundings, she looked around, not recognizing the young woman beckoning her to rise from the cot. Pushing her tangled hair out of her way, Kate rose, following the servant out of the cell. Led to a bathing chamber, the girl gestured for Kate to bathe. Doing as the girl bid, Kate shed the tunica and stepped in the warm water and quickly scrubbed her hair with an oat and lotus pulpy mash. Rinsing off, she stepped out of the small, square pool and dried with the bathing sheet the serving girl held out for her to use.
Sitting on a stool, Kate patiently endured as the girl combed out the snarls in her hair, brushing the coppery-red strands until they shone. Kate asked the girl to braid her hair in a single length, and she complied, fastening it with a small clasp of copper. A tunica of royal blue was provided for her to wear. The fine material felt heavenly against her naked skin, the hem falling past her ankles. Void of jewelry and sandals, Kate frowned at the oddness. What did SobeKnefru plan for her tonight?
Outside the bathing chamber, two burly guards waited to escort her. The serving girl led the way down a series of corridors. The palace basically turned out to be a maze of rooms, until finally they ended up at a private courtyard. Brightly colored
birds squawked as she approached. Kate was abandoned by the serving girl. The guards folded their massive arms, blocking the way. In the center of the courtyard positioned a rectangle pool of cool, dark water. Palm trees provided shade from the hot sun high above. Soft music strummed soothingly from instruments held by beautiful, young men scantily dressed in loincloths. Their dark eyes watched her with open curiosity as she wandered around the gardens, mindful of the preening male peacocks. The serenity of the lush gardens was a balm from the terror of her unknown fate for the last five days.
"Peaceful, is it not?” SobeKnefru stepped from behind a palm tree, having secretly watched the plain woman enter her private sanctuary. Jealousy rose inside SobeKnefru. The red-haired woman had spent many days with Setti, getting to know him while SobeKnefru lived in fear of her brother's homecoming.
"Why am I here?” Kate asked, not in the mood to play nice with a woman who committed murder without a second thought.
Blinking at the foreign woman's rudeness, SobeKnefru wanted to kill the upstart, refraining because Michael was quite adamant about the woman being unharmed. Kate Martin was the necessary ingredient, if their plans were to be successful. Feeling strangely intimidated by the taller woman who dared look at her, actually judged her as if she were an ordinary person and not the divine Pharaoh Queen of Egypt.
"You are here because I want to know where my brother's current location is,” SobeKnefru snapped, hating the woman more with every breath she took.
