Attack of the Scorpion Riders

by Dan Hunter

  Soon he was proved right. Ahead, the cliffs loomed over them. That was where they had to go, up to the high desert. When they reached the foot of the cliffs, Manu insisted that they stop for a rest. While he fussed with his scrolls, Akori passed Ebe a drink from his waterskin. But instead of drinking like he would, she lapped the water from her cupped hand.

  So, she does have a tongue, Akori thought. I wonder why she can’t speak?

  Soon it was time to move on. Manu pointed out a narrow path that led up the side of the cliffs. It looked rough but climbable.

  “The tomb-builders made this road, centuries ago,” Manu explained as they began to work their way up. “There are tombs built into all the western cliffs, you see. Just think of the builders hauling all the treasures up this path! Think of the funeral processions! They must have been spectacular!”

  “Why only the western cliffs?” asked Akori.

  “To be nearer the setting sun, of course,” Manu explained. “That makes the resting place holy…”

  He kept speaking, but Akori wasn’t really listening. If talking about history stopped Manu from grumbling, that was good enough for him!

  Before long they were halfway up the cliff path. To one side was a sheer wall of rock; to the other, a steep plunge to the valley below. Manu was still talking.

  “…so when the body has been cleaned, they take the Canopic jars and—”

  “Sshhh!”

  Akori held up a warning hand. Ahead, the path bent around behind a bulge of rock, and the way forward was hidden.

  “Footsteps!” whispered Akori.

  They all stood motionless, listening as slow, steady footsteps came closer and closer, until a man walked around the bend and into view.

  Akori knew the man’s thin, pinched face. He would never forget it as long as he lived. It was one of the Pharaoh’s soldiers – the same one who had chased him on the giant scorpion!

  The soldier looked down at Akori and gave him a little mocking smile. He didn’t seem surprised to see him at all. Then he turned on his heel and ran, vanishing back behind the cliff face.

  “He’s one of the men who burned our farm!” Akori shouted, flinging his bag down and breaking into a run. “He killed my uncle! He killed him!”

  He felt anger and a fierce hunger for revenge. He would make the murderer pay.

  “Akori! Wait!” Manu cried.

  Behind him, Ebe made frantic warning gestures. But Akori’s run had already turned into a sprint. It didn’t matter that the man was taller and stronger than him. With the help of Horus’s sword, Akori would cut him down to size!

  He quickly rounded the bend in the path…and then stopped in his tracks. The path ahead was empty. The man was nowhere to be seen.

  Was this some magic trick of Set’s? Had he become invisible? Akori advanced slowly, his hand on the hilt of his khopesh.

  The moment the soldier showed himself, Akori would strike. He had never killed a man before, but this man deserved it.

  Then he heard something – a rattling, rumbling sound from above, growing louder by the second! Akori looked up, and suddenly he no longer cared about the vanished soldier, or about taking his revenge. A huge pile of tumbling rocks was thundering down the cliffside, heading straight for him.

  It was an avalanche!

  Akori turned to run as the rocks crashed down around him. Everything was happening in slow motion, like a nightmare. He moved, but not fast enough. The roaring avalanche was going to crush him!

  Suddenly, Ebe was there. Quick as lightning, she grabbed his arm and flung him back down the path. He fell head over heels, landing in the dirt. Ebe threw herself after him as the avalanche struck.

  Akori lay stunned, coughing in the dust cloud, while rocks thundered past, barely missing him. Pebbles rattled like rain. A rock the size of a man’s head smashed into the ground by his hand and went spinning away over the cliff edge. Ebe kept a tight grip on his wrist and neither of them moved until the noise had died away and the last of the stones lay still.

  The dust slowly settled, revealing the damage the rocks had done. Akori expectedto see a pile of debris blocking their way, and had hoped they would be able to climb over it and down the other side.

  But the path had gone completely! The sheer force of the falling rocks had broken a section of it away from the cliff. There was now a huge gap where the path had been, and it was far too wide to jump.

  “Akori? Ebe?” Manu gasped as he rushed up. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m okay,” Akori said. “Thanks to Ebe. She pulled me out of the way in time. That’s twice she’s saved my life today.”

  But Ebe didn’t return his smile. She looked angry.

  “Yes, and if you’d died this time, it would have been your own stupid fault!” snapped Manu.

  “Oh, would it?” Akori growled. “You’re calling me stupid now, are you?”

  “Yes, I am!” replied Manu. “Because you’re to blame for what just happened!”

  Akori was angry. “If anyone’s being stupid, it’s you! Do you think I made those rocks almost fall on my head deliberately? It was an accident.”

  Ebe went to stand beside Manu, and faced Akori with folded arms, her face grave and stern. They’re ganging up on me now, he thought.

  “Akori, for once in your life, think!” said Manu. “That avalanche was no accident. Someone started it on purpose! When you saw that soldier, you were so angry you ran right into his trap. That’s what he wanted you to do!”

  Akori opened his mouth to argue, but closed it again when he saw the real concern in Manu’s eyes.

  “You just charged in without thinking, and it nearly got you killed!” Manu yelled.

  Killed, killed, killed, repeated the faint echo down the cliffside.

  There was no point in arguing. Manu’s words were true. Suddenly, Akori felt humbled. He had been stupid.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re right. I let my temper get the better of me. I’ll try not – no – I promise not to do it again.”

  “You swear by the Pharaoh’s Mark?”

  Akori touched his birthmark. “I promise I shall not be ruled by my temper.”

  The words felt strange as he said them. They were grown-up words – the kind of thing a Pharaoh would say.

  “Then I accept your apology,” Manu said, beaming. “So, now the question is – what do we do next?”

  The three friends looked at the gap where the path had been. Beyond, the path wound further up into the cliffs. They had only come halfway.

  Akori looked up. Above their heads, the immense sun-barge had sunk low in the darkening sky. The golden prow had almost reached the cliffs! The sun-barge would reach the gateway to the Underworld in an hour, at most. They had even less time than he had thought. There was nothing else for it.

  “We’ll have to climb the cliff,” he said.

  Ebe nodded enthusiastically, but Manu looked horrified. “Climb that? Without ropes or pegs or…or anything?”

  “Just our hands and feet,” said Akori. “We’re running out of time, and there’s no other way.”

  “But I’m not a very good climber,” said Manu weakly. “And I’m carrying all these bags.”

  “Here,” said Akori, holding out his hand. “I’ll take the rest of the bags, you carry the scroll cases.” He hoisted the bags onto his back and gestured at Manu to follow him. “Just watch where I climb, and do the same.”

  Akori found a good starting point and began to climb. The rocky surface was jagged and rough, but held his weight. Soon he was above Manu’s head. “Come on, Manu!” he said, trying to sound cheery. “It’s easier than it looks.”

  Manu took a deep breath and pulled himself up onto the cliff face. Akori led the way, feeling for the best footholds and handholds and telling Manu where they were. Manu didn’t say a word. He just followed Akori, sweat running down his face. Neither of them looked down.

  Dusk was closing in fast. Having to climb was bad enough, but climbi
ng in the half-light was worse. It was hard to see, and the shadows played tricks on them, making shallow handholds seem deep. Ebe kept pace beside them, finding her own way up the cliff. She seemed a born climber, pulling herself up without effort, as if she were glued to the cliff face. Soon she reached the cliff top and scrambled over it, vanishing from view.

  Akori’s heart skipped a beat. Could whoever had started the avalanche be up there waiting for them? Akori imagined feet stamping on his fingers, breaking his grip. With all of Manu’s bags weighing him down it wouldn’t take much to send him tumbling from the cliff…

  Suddenly, Ebe’s head appeared back over the edge, peering down at them impatiently. Akori relaxed again. It didn’t look as if there were any unpleasant surprises at the top.

  Cheered by the knowledge that he would soon be able to rest, Akori put on a burst of speed over the last few metres, and Ebe was soon helping him up and over the edge. They were alone at the top of the cliff, with no enemies anywhere in sight.

  Below, Manu was struggling but he kept going, his thin arms and legs clinging to the rock.

  “Come on!” Akori called encouragingly. “You’re almost there!”

  Manu heaved himself up a little more, and grabbed at a sturdy-looking rock.

  In better light, Akori might have seen how loose the rock was and been able to yell a warning, but the dusk was deep now, and he didn’t notice in time. The rock came free in Manu’s hand. He tried desperately to grab a new handhold, clawing at the crumbly cliff, but caught only sand and loose gravel.

  Then he lost his grip completely and fell, his arms flailing in empty air.

  Akori leaped forward and snatched at Manu’s outstretched hand. Their fingers brushed – but that was all. Then Manu was falling towards the valley, where jagged rocks waited like the teeth of Sobek the Crocodile God...

  With a final desperate lunge, Akori threw himself full-length on the ground and stretched even further. His hand closed on a leather cord – he had caught the strap of one of Manu’s scroll cases! He gripped it tightly, praying his strength would be enough.

  The strap bit into Akori’s hand as it took Manu’s weight. It felt as if his fingers were being torn off. Gravel scraped his stomach as he slid forwards. Manu’s weight was dragging him off the cliff!

  Akori gritted his teeth against the pain as Manu dangled, his arms and legs flailing as he tried to scrabble his way back onto the cliff face.

  Summoning all of his strength Akori heaved at the strap with both hands, pulling Manu closer to the cliff. At last, Manu caught hold of solid rock and was able to settle his weight on the cliff again. But Akori didn’t let go of the strap until Manu had clambered over the edge and lay sprawled and panting on the ground beside them.

  “Well,” Manu said after a moment. “I was right about one thing.”

  “What was that?” panted Akori.

  “Didn’t I tell you all those scrolls would come in handy?”

  Akori laughed, despite the pain throbbing in his hand. He helped Manu to his feet and picked up his bags. They must be close to the entrance to the Underworld, and there was no time to lose. In the sky overhead, the sun-barge was closer than ever before. It had also changed colour – the blinding disc of the sun was now blood-red, lighting up the barren landscape with a crimson glow. The sun was setting!

  Akori tried to work out the sun-barge’s course in his mind. If it kept on in a straight line, it would come down among a group of rounded hills that stood out from the desert like the tops of giant skulls buried in the sand.

  “Come on,” he urged his companions.

  Forcing their tired legs into a run, the three friends raced towards the hills.

  The enormous sun-barge hung overhead, coming nearer every minute. It was so close now that Akori could see the many scars on the underside of the hull. They looked like the marks of huge teeth and claws. What kind of terrible creature could leave marks like that? With a shudder he wondered what horrors Ra’s sun-barge faced on its journey through the Underworld every night.

  “Akori! Look!”

  Akori followed Manu’s pointing finger. In the middle of the largest of the hills was a colossal cave. Inside was a darkness deeper than the night.

  “It’s the entrance to the Underworld! We have to get there before the barge does. Run!”

  They ran, their chests aching with the effort. The cave mouth loomed before them, a cold wind blowing from it. The air was spicy and sweet, and yet unpleasant somehow. It made Akori feel uneasy.

  They reached the cave with only minutes to spare. The sun-barge was right behind them. The wind was icy, and the strange scent was stronger.

  “What’s that smell?” Akori gasped.

  “Funerary spices,” said Manu, with a worried expression. “The priests use them when they make mummies. It’s coming from the Underworld.”

  Akori gulped. No wonder the smell had unsettled him!

  Summoning up all his courage, Akori peered into the blackness of the cave. It was so dark that he couldn’t see anything, not even the walls. But noises came from deep within: the scuttling of tiny claws, the ticking sounds of scarab beetles crawling among bones, and a slow, heavy slithering, as if something huge was stirring…

  Akori scrambled back from the cave-mouth and felt for his khopesh. Whatever was coming, he would meet it like a warrior!

  For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, a monstrous form burst out of the cave. It took all of Akori’s courage not to turn and run as it slithered out in a scaly rush, rearing up and hissing at him – a massive cobra, ten times the size of the one he had killed! But even more terrifying, this cobra had the face of a woman!

  Although her face was beautiful, it was cruel. The eyebrows arched in mockery, the lips curled back in a sneer. A forked tongue flickered between her lips.

  The snake-woman glared at Akori, her face full of hate. He slowly backed away, waiting for the right moment to draw his sword, but the creature slid forward, keeping her gaze fixed on him. Her scales gleamed in the blood-red light of the setting sun. Whoever she was, she seemed determined to stop them!

  Akori didn’t dare take his eyes off the snake-woman. The moment I look away, she’ll strike!

  “Manu!” he called. “Do you know what that thing is?”

  Manu swallowed hard. “She’s a she, not a thing! She’s a Goddess, Akori. Wadjet the Snake Goddess! Defender of the Pharaoh!”

  “True,” said Wadjet in a low, rasping voice. “And you are the Pharaoh’sss enemiesss. I will ssslay you, and then I ssshall devour you. Though if it pleasssesss me, I might jussst eat you alive…”

  “You ssshould have ssstayed at the temple, little boy,” hissed Wadjet. “Run back and hide, or I will leave your bonesss for the vulturesss.”

  “So,” said Akori boldly. “You’ve joined Set’s side, have you?”

  “I am the Pharaoh’sss guardian!” Wadjet declared with pride. “I am the ssserpent upon the Royal Crown of Egypt! Sssince the firssst Pharaoh took the throne, I have ssserved the Royal Houssse. Now Oba isss the Pharaoh, and it isss my duty to protect him!”

  Akori couldn’t believe his ears. “Even if it means joining forces with Set?”

  “Lord Ssset isss the Pharaoh’sss friend. I am the Pharaoh’sss loyal ssservant. All who ssstand againssst them are my enemiesss.”

  “But Set has imprisoned Ra!” Akori cried. “How could you allow that?”

  Wadjet laughed horribly. “You chitter like a field moussse, little fool! I helped to bind Ra myssself! The Pharaoh ordered it, and ssso I obeyed! Now I guard thisss cave to ssstop anyone who ssseeksss to free the Sssun God. Thossse who try ssshall sssail with him into the Underworld – never to return!”

  “Mighty Wadjet,” said Manu, bowing low, “even though you are the Pharaoh’s guardian, you must see that Oba is a bad Pharaoh! Surely you can see how Egypt is suffering under his rule?”

  “Do not dare to quessstion me!” Wadjet’s face darkened with terrible anger.


  “But you don’t have to obey someone who has caused such harm to Egypt!” cried Manu desperately.

  “ENOUGH!” Wadjet flicked her tail, causing a cloud of dust to fill the air. “I have lissstened long enough to you murderersss.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Akori, confused.

  “Did you think I would not know that you killed one of my favourite ssserpentsss? All cobrasss are sssacred to me! You ssshowed no mercy to my poor child, ssso I ssshall ssshow none to you!”

  With a hiss, Wadjet lunged forward.

  Akori dropped Manu’s bags to the floor and tried to draw his khopesh, but the Snake Goddess brought her tail around in a vicious swipe. It slammed into Akori and sent him flying. He lay, winded and gasping, as the Snake Goddess slithered towards him. The khopesh, knocked from his hand, lay just out of reach.

  Wadjet’s face hardly looked human at all now. Her mouth was wide open, revealing curved fangs that dripped venom. She loomed over him, ready to strike.

  But the blow never came. Suddenly, Wadjet’s whole body jerked backwards like a whip. Her face slammed into the sand, missing Akori completely.

  Akori couldn’t believe he was still alive. Then he saw what had happened. Ebe and Manu had grabbed Wadjet’s tail, and pulled her backwards! Wadjet thrashed and hissed, but the pair held on.

  Akori scrambled to his feet and grabbed the khopesh. He turned, ready to fight Wadjet, but stopped when he saw Ebe. She was making frantic gestures, pointing up at the sky with her free hand. Akori looked up and saw the sun-barge passing directly overhead! A rope trailed down from the side of the great boat. It looked too high to reach, but he knew he had to try.

  With the khopesh clamped between his teeth, Akori leaped into the air, his fingers closing on the very end of the rope. Made it! Painfully, he hauled himself up. Below, he could see the furious Wadjet thrashing around, trying to throw Ebe and Manu loose. As he watched, she lashed her tail and Manu flew through the air, landing hard against a rock. But somehow Ebe was still hanging on.