by Wend Petzler
Cautious, Setti pushed open the chamber's tall door a crack, listening to Sabni summon SobeKnefru's body from the future. Horrified, he peered inside and saw Kate grab her chest, screaming in pain as she fell to the floor. Making to rush to her aid, he paused when a brilliant light flooded the chambers, temporarily blinding him. When he could see again, he cursed softly at the sight of the mummified body lying in the center of the chamber. Kate stood with Sabni's help, her features contorting in anger when she looked at his sister. SobeKnefru ordered her guards to take Kate and they roughly dragged her over to an altar and quickly tied her down. With a heavy heart, he knew she was going to be sacrificed. Looking about, he tried to figure out what to do next. SobeKnefru drank the vial Sabni handed to her. Preparing to rush in, despite being outnumbered by the Shedty guards, he hesitated. Something about what the priest chanted drew him up short.
Sabni had changed the spell of immortality!
Deciding it time, he shoved the heavy doors wide open and boldly entered the chamber. With one hand, he whipped off the dark cloak and in the other, he fluidly drew his sword. Setti prepared for battle. The storm brew above, his dark eyebrows gathered as he glared at his half-sister. “SobeKnefru, I come for my crown!"
Fear contorted her elation. SobeKnefru faced Setti. “How dare you?” she screamed at her magnificent, arrogant half-brother.
Stunned, she realized he wore upon his gleaming head the sacred Blue Crown, the signifying helm of War! Over the black tunic he wore, a molded breastplate of gold and bronze plated over thick, rock hard leather strapped around Setti's mighty chest, the death scarab insignia bold upon it. The Royal Seal of Egypt's General Commander's necklace was secured about his neck and the sacred scarab belt fastened tight about his lean hips. In blood red brilliance, the cursed amulet hung from his neck. Solid gold bracelets were fastened about his bulging biceps and on his wrists. In a strong, firm grip, he held the bronze sword ready to fight. Setti wore the same simple, gold loop earrings when he was cursed that night so long ago.
His darkening eyes rippled with ruthless power as he boldly strode toward SobeKnefru. “Give me back the Double Crown,” Setti roared. Grasping the blue and ivory hilt tighter in his grip, he prepared to slay her.
"Never,” SobeKnefru spat, signaling her men to attack him. Standing over Kate, ready to plunge the dagger in her heart, SobeKnefru paused when a horde of dark robed men rushed in behind Setti. Her men were violently slaughtered by the Bedouins’ bright, curved swords. Screams blending with the war cries echoing all around her.
A roar resounded outside down in the courtyard below the balcony. Omar gaped at the fighting outside. He rushed to SobeKnefru's side. “My Queen, Ramose leads the army against us and has taken control of Itj-towy."
Clutching the dagger in her hand, SobeKnefru saw her own death in Setti's cold eyes. Setti came for the Double Crown and would not be stopped. And he could not be killed. Wild-eyed, her frantic gaze flew to the woman laying bound on the altar. A cunning, desperate look gleamed in SobeKnefru's eyes.
Holding the blade high, “Setti, come any closer and Kate dies just like poor Yoshabel.” SobeKnefru screamed, counting on her brother unwilling to risk another woman dying because of him.
Running his sword through the attacking guard's beating heart, Setti faced SobeKnefru, snarling when she raised the blade to strike Kate who lay helpless on the altar. “NO!” He held out a hand to stop SobeKnefru.
"Dear brother, your arrival is such a surprise. You really should have sent word you were coming. I would have prepared a better reception,” SobeKnefru sneered, feeling lightheaded as the potion took effect. Hand trembling, she placed a delicate hand on her brow, trying to blink away her blurring vision. A rough hand grasped her wrist. Trying to jerk her hand back, she gasped. Sabni gazed down at her, pity in his dark eyes.
"Let me go,” she demanded weakly, but he easily took the dagger away from her.
"Time is up for you, my Queen. I am sorry, but you cannot be allowed to rule Egypt any longer."
Jarha cut Kate's bonds and helped her up. Rubbing her sore wrists, Kate watched the bloody scene unfold before her, startled when she saw Setti's eyes widened, shouting and pointing behind her. A hand suddenly closed over her mouth, yanking her back against a bare chest.
Mike held his dagger against her throat, snarling breathlessly in her ear, “You have ruined everything! Sabni, let SobeKnefru go."
Freed, SobeKnefru stumbled behind Michael, her feet clumsy as she tried to fight the aftereffects of the potion she drank. She shouted over the roar of the fighting, “We have got to get out of here."
"The hell you are.” Kate rammed her elbow in Mike's ribs, satisfied when he yelped in pain. Momentarily releasing his hold on her, Kate dove for SobeKnefru, grabbed her arm and dragged her from around Mike. In the struggle, the Double Crown flew off the disoriented Pharaoh Queen's head.
"Sabni, what do I do?” Kate shouted, fighting the desperate woman.
"Get her over by the mummy,” Jarha answered as he rushed over to join hands with Sabni. They faced SobeKnefru as she fought Kate who literally dragged her kicking and screaming over to the mummified body.
Setti smashed his broad fist in the face of the burly man attacking him, barely able to keep the maddened bastard off him. He heard a woman scream and looked over, seeing Kate holding SobeKnefru. Blood red mist formed over the mummy, engulfing it. Sabni continued chanting, joined by another priest. Power surged anew. The magic grew stronger as they summoned Anubis.
Successful in killing most of the Shedty, the Bedouins warily backed away from the eerie, glowing red haze. A savage growl arose inside the chamber, startling the fighters. Rising from the patterned floor, a huge, ferocious-looking jackal head of polished onyx emerged. Human-like, broad shoulders shrugged past the marble. Anubis leapt upward, landing on his feet, towering above the silent men. Sabni and Jarha stopped and fell to their knees, stretching out flat on their stomachs before the angry god.
"WHY HAVE I BEEN SUMMONED AGAIN?” A great and terrible voice rumbled forth. Anubis strode over to the prostrating priests, glaring at the puny humans below him. The palace trembled from his awesome power.
Sabni shifted to his knees. “My lord, I have brought you here from the Underworld in hopes you will accept my offering of flesh and blood."
"Whose?” His reverberating voice echoed metallically in the chamber.
"Queen SobeKnefru. Take her as payment for the debt I owed you for your help four years ago. I beg you to consider my offer."
The fearsome Anubis pondered the unusual request. The jackal-shaped head tilted, his crimson-colored eyes gazed curiously at the screaming woman held by another whose hair burned red in the light from the copper braziers. His attention was diverted when a roar of pure rage resounded, making the humans cover their ears.
Sobek!
Green mists shimmered, forming into the Crocodile God wearing a headdress of gold and cobalt blue. Storming angrily over to his brother, Sobek glared at Anubis. “Why do you dare interfere with my chosen Queen?"
Sabni rose to his feet and solemnly bowed before Sobek. “Forgive me, Great One. I summoned Anubis and offered him SobeKnefru. Be not angry with your brother for we had no other choice. We only desire to place Egypt back in order, straightening out the mess I created for Queen SobeKnefru. Because of her selfish desires and petty indifferences, she has left Egypt vulnerable and her people in strife."
"Lies,” SobeKnefru screamed, wrestling free from Kate. Prostrating before Sobek who watched her with curiosity in his yellow eyes, she cried out, “Beloved Sobek, they tell you lies. Listen to me and not the traitor of Ra,” she begged, praying he'd listen to her.
"Rise and speak."
"Sabni lies about my devotion to the Black Kingdom. I have only done what was taught to me by Inarus, High Priest of the Shedty. I worshipped you as a wife to a husband. Please save me from their wrath."
Furious, Anubis snarled at the woman's audacity. “How dare
you lie to my brother about your innocence? Many women in the bloom of their youth were sacrificed in your lust for vanity and beauty, not Sobek's glory."
Wearing a guilty expression, Sobek shook his crocodile-shaped head sadly. “I am responsible for accepting your sacrifices without looking into your heart to see the truth bared before me today. What more did you wish to possess? The Golden Throne was yours to rule, what more was there to be had?"
Kate answered when SobeKnefru refused. “My lord, forgive my impertinence, I will answer for the Queen. I was to be sacrificed to you in her attempt to become an immortal. As in her own words, she wished to be elevated to a true goddess."
A look of utter torment contorted Sobek's reptilian features before he turned away from SobeKnefru. “Brother, if you wish to have her, I will not stand in your way.” He made to leave, glancing back one last time at the weeping woman. “Your dedication to me at one time was genuine, until you mistakenly believed you could ever be one of us.” In a flash of emerald smoke, Sobek vanished.
Holding her thin arms out beseechingly to Sobek, SobeKnefru collapsed on the floor, wailing brokenheartedly. Setti came up behind her and lifted her struggling form into his arms. “Lord Anubis, take SobeKnefru as payment for Sabni. I will not shed his blood to end my curse. I believe Egypt will be a much safer country with his sanity returned to him.” Setti easily held his sister as she tried to claw his face, desperate to get away from him.
Laughing robustly, Anubis reached out a claw-like hand and grabbed her, relieving Setti of his burden. “I accept, Pharaoh Setti. SobeKnefru's crimes are many. I will not hold a foolish man responsible for a viper's charms."
A waterfall of gold stars fell from the Heavens and formed into the muscular body of a warrior possessing a ram's head who wore a Sun Disc for a crown. His shawl necklace was adorned with bright stars glittering. About his lean hips, a shimmering golden loincloth. Across the fine material shone the moon and planets blinding in their opulent brilliance.
Amun Ra!
"Ra, why have you come here? Have I displeased you, my dearest brother?” Anubis asked in alarm, wishing not to offend the most beloved of all his brothers.
"I have come to set the Throne of Egypt aright. Magic has disrupted the natural order of the world and must be stopped. Do you accept the woman as agreed payment?" His voice beautiful, musical compared to the deep, rumbling tones of the dark lord of the Underworld.
Anubis knew his brother would not have come down from the Heavens if it weren't important. Deciding not to anger the most powerful of his many brothers, he faced the kneeling priests. “I accept the woman and the body at my feet as payment from our original agreement. Word of warning, humans, do not call upon me again, unless you wish to return with me to the Underworld."
Prostrating, Sabni inclined his head. “Thank-you, my lord. Your words of wisdom do not fall upon deaf ears. I have learned my lesson and shall obey."
Setti held his hand out to Kate. She rushed into his arms, clinging to him. They watched Anubis bow his head in acceptance, holding the screaming woman in a tight fist. In a flash of crimson, Anubis disappeared, taking both queens with him. Facing Ra, Setti waited upon the Golden God to speak first.
Arching a fine eyebrow, Ra grew amazed Setti did not kneel before him. Instead, Setti drew up straight and boldly faced him. “Setti, I am come to place you upon the Throne of Egypt. Will you take the sacred Scepter and Crook and become Egypt's next Pharaoh?"
Glancing down at Kate before answering, Setti drew back his shoulders proudly. “I accept in the name of Amenemhet the Fifth, my nephew."
A bright smile of delighted approval crossed Ra's beautiful features. “Setti, you were always my favorite. Your life will be blessed a hundred time fold.” Ra's attention shifted to the girl standing beside Setti. “Come to me, child.” He beckoned, urging her to come closer to him. “Do not fear me, Kate. We, the Gods, have watched your long journey beside Setti and are quite pleased by your unwavering loyalty to him."
Hesitant, Kate refused to be afraid and squared her shoulders and stepped forth. Stopping before Amun Ra, she slowly knelt, resting on her knees and bowed her head. Ra's height diminished until he stood at the height of a very tall man.
"Dear Kate, you have sacrificed so much to help Setti return to his destiny.” Ra laid his hand upon her head. “Setti, come to me.” When Setti stood before him, Ra took hold of the amulet hung from around his neck. Ra smiled, observing Kate's pale features, her beautiful eyes wide in awe. “For your reward, Kate, I grant you what lays deep within your inner most heart's desire.” Ra closed his amber eyes, smiling secretively. Opening them, he released Setti and Kate, stepping back. “Go in peace, dear children and know I that I am watching over you.” Shimmering into golden light, Amun Ra returned to the Heavens.
Kate shivered when Ra placed his hand over her head, nervous at what the Golden God intended. Heat flowed through his palm, over her scalp cascading down her spine, into her veins, down to her very fingertips and toes. When she realized Ra had disappeared, she came unsteadily to her feet. Placing a shaking hand to her forehead, Kate cried out when an arm wrapped around her waist, the ceremonial dagger's razor-sharp edge pressed against the soft skin of her throat.
Mike!
Setti and Sabni rushed forward to her rescue, skidding to a halt when Mike warned, “Do not come any closer or I'll slit her throat. I swear it!” Mike backed away, holding Kate in a bruising grip. “Sabni, open the time portal. I want to go home."
"I cannot send you back if you hold Kate."
"Fine, she comes with me,” Mike shouted, desperate to go home.
Light-headed at whatever Ra had done, Setti gathered his wits and shouted, “No! Let her go, and you have my oath I will not interfere with your return to the future."
Mike's upper body suddenly surged forward. Struggling for breath, Mike's eyes bulged. Arms falling limp, he released Kate who ran into Setti's open arms. They stared in confusion as he sank to his knees, eyes glazing over and fell to the ground dead. Behind him stood Raj who held a bloody dagger in his hand, grinning.
Shrugging his shoulders, Raj explained, “I could not allow the man to take our dear Kate away from us.” He boldly winked at Kate whose her lovely jaw dropped. Placing a hand on his heart, lips, and forehead, he inclined his turbaned head to them. “May Allah bless and protect you, Pharaoh Setti. If ever you have need of me and my men again, call upon our swords, we will come."
"Thank-you, Raj,” Setti grinned, returning the gesture. The thieves left the palace, casually taking a gold statue here and there and anything else not fastened down. Glancing down at Kate, he frowned in bemusement when she stepped out of his embrace. Growing concerned when she knelt beside the dead man, “Kate, what is wrong?"
Crying, she closed Mike's open eyes. “All Mike wanted was to go home."
Startled by her broken words, Setti's worst fears were realized. Did Kate want to go back to her time, too? “Come, the hour is late, and you must be exhausted by the trials you were forced to endure. The last couple of days must have been hell for you."
"What will you do about your curse?"
His gaze shifted to Sabni who came to stand beside Kate. “I shall remain as I am. Sabni, I will not accept your death in order to release me from my curse."
Flabbergasted, Sabni glanced at Kate, her reaction mirroring his own. “What about Kate's future? If you remain an immortal, what will become of her? Do you wish me to send her home?” He tried not to choke on the hated words, knowing he wished her to stay as did Setti. There was a connection with her unlike any he had ever known and counted Kate as a true friend.
Her world spun out of control. Leave Setti? Yet, he had made his decision and planned to remain an immortal. Drawing courage from deep within, Kate rose to her feet and squared her shoulders. “I wish to return to my own time. As Ra said, Egypt must be put right. I don't belong here."
Kate was leaving him? Setti found he could not draw a breath. How coul
d she casually walk away from him after all they shared? Pushing the pain away, Setti curtly nodded. “After I accept the Double Crown in my nephew's name, I shall have Sabni return you to your time."
"You found your nephew?"
"Yes, Jacob brought him to me,” he replied brusquely before turning to Ramose who approached them wearing a broad smile. “Grandfather, is the city ours?"
"Yea, we command Itj-towy. Our men continue searching the city, rounding up the leaderless Shedty. The prisoners are being tossed in jail until their trial. Our judges will decide their fate.” Ramose felt particularly happy about the recent death of Inarus, astonished when he found out the High Priest and many of his followers slaughtered by SobeKnefru's own orders.
"Good.” Setti sheathed his sword, suddenly weary.
"Do you wish me to send out messengers informing Egypt of her new Pharaoh?” Ramose asked breathlessly, something only the excitement of a new age dawning can bring. A new dynasty!
"Send them out. Ramose, plan my coronation. I accept the Double Crown at sunrise.” Setti strode away from the bloodied chamber and Kate. Hurting so deeply inside, he could not look at her, betrayed by her eagerness to leave him.
Sabni took Kate's limp hand in his, smiling at her sympathetically. “Come, let us find food. I do not know about you, but I am starving."
She tried to smile when Jarha seconded the idea.
Understanding her sadness, Jarha urged, “Come, the Festival of the Dead awaits us. Let us join in the celebration."
"I guess I'm hungry, too.” Forcing her feet to move, Kate half-heartedly agreed. Greeted by the loud, joyous laughter and the jubilation out in the streets as people danced about, free from SobeKnefru and the Shedty, Kate smiled as she looked around. Word spread like wildfire about the shift in power and their religious freedom reinstated.
