Shadows of the Nile

by Jo Franklin

  “And is there honey still for tea?” Aline smiled. “Rupert Brooke.”

  “I knew she’d get it!” Peter leant across to Achmed. “She’s a very clever lady, is our Aline. There’s far more to her than meets the eye.”

  “Oh yes, I think that is certainly true,” agreed Achmed.

  *

  After tea, Aline left the others and strolled to the end of the boat to the swimming pool. The air was still very warm and the Nile was passive and docile, with just little ripples, which made a delightful murmuring sound like the tinkling of a stream. She glanced across at the Valley of the Kings, probably closed for the day, and not as yet lit up, for it wasn’t dusk. She thought about the tomb Achmed said categorically was not there. He’d been so insistent, and yet she’d seen it. She’d walked on the sand up to its entrance, quite definitely, and then gone deep into the earth to find an answer. Only partly an answer though. It couldn’t have been her own tomb in a previous life; she’d never have been noble enough to command such an accolade. Surely it couldn’t be Thoth? He’d been too young and healthy to die. So just who exactly had so admired the white girl that they’d engraved her image forever in stone?

  It suddenly came to her. She must go back before dark. She knew where the path was. It might not be there tomorrow.

  Just as the thought entered her head, she saw him! He was walking along the tow path. Everything about him was as yesterday, his muscular body, how proudly he held his head, his familiar face, his dark hair. It was Thoth! Oh, but she could never get to him in time; once again he’d be gone! She called out, but he didn’t hear her. She called again, but she could no longer see him. She stared, totally frustrated at having missed him yet again.

  If he too was in this life, she reasoned, then maybe she didn’t have to go back to the tomb. But was she deluding herself? She didn’t turn to look, but she could indeed feel Anubis behind her; not only could she sense his presence but his shadow enveloped her, commanding her to return.

  She had to go back to the Valley of the Kings and there was only one person who could help her.

  She found him reading in the bar, quite on his own.

  “I need your help.”

  “Oh, really?” He suddenly became very serious.

  “I have to go back to the Valley of the Kings.”

  “And you think I could arrange that?”

  “Yes. You, too, know more than you care to admit. I need to borrow money and I’ll pay you back. I think you know people who can get me past the security guards. It’s important I get in there. There’s something I have to do.”

  “My dear Aline. You’re so beautiful when you want help. You’re just as alluring, if not more so, than that young girl I made undress for me. If I could truly go back I’d change my ancient attitude to life, and I’d realise just how desirable the opposite sex could be. I’d have loved you to distraction just as Thoth did. But now we are mere servants to the noble Anubis, and we must obey. You must go to him, albeit you will be in danger. But you have powers, and so does he.”

  “Then you’ll help me.”

  “My sweet Aline, I have no choice. Come with me and we’ll see what can be done.”

  She smiled at him. “Thank you, Peter.”

  *

  He knew exactly what to do and who to contact. He barked down his mobile phone, speaking fluent Egyptian, to Aline’s astonishment. He produced a wad of notes from his safe in the cabin and put them carefully into an envelope.

  “We must go,” he said. “Have you everything you need?”

  She nodded. There wasn’t much she could take but they were quite powerful enough. She had her snake ring, her snake shawl, and the symbol of the Ankh which Anubis had burnt into her skin. She was certain things would be revealed to help her in her quest.

  There was a taxi waiting just beyond the tow path. Peter handed money to the driver.

  “This is as far as I go,” he said to Aline. “If I’m missed Mary will worry. I’ll make excuses for you at dinner. The driver will get you through the gates and into the valley and then he’ll leave you.”

  “I will come back,” Aline murmured, seeing the anxiety in Peter’s eyes.

  “Bless you.” Peter held her close. “Be brave and be careful.”

  “I will.”

  She sounded more courageous than she felt. She turned to see Peter standing there, looking agitated and concerned, until he disappeared from sight.

  *

  She was apprehensive. She was going into something unknown. The shadows were growing all around and soon it would be dusk. She’d have to hurry.

  The driver stopped a little way from a side gate. He motioned her out, and she followed him, and saw him pay some of the money to an Egyptian, who glanced at her and without hesitation unlocked the gate.

  She was on the other side. She heard the gate close behind her. She was in the Valley of the Kings, completely on her own. She didn’t have time to think about the history, the uniqueness, the holiness of where she was, as she hurried along the way she’d taken earlier and headed straight for the hidden path.

  It was uncannily quiet. There was no chatter or laughing of people. There was no sound of birds. Aline drew her shawl tightly round her head and held her ring between her fingers. She wanted to turn and flee. She wanted to be going down to dinner, and return to normality. She stopped. She could do just that, couldn’t she? No. How stupid. She couldn’t. She had to go on.

  It was then she heard a faint sound. It was like the sighing of the wind, a brushing of sand from the earth. It comforted her and gave her strength. She felt something warm like the sunlight, as it suddenly emerges from behind a cloud and then bursts out.

  She was suddenly blinded by a light. She held her head down and closed her eyes, protecting them until it went away. When she opened them she saw the Egyptian. He was waiting for her. Dressed once again in jeans and shirt, he was the man she’d seen before in her present life.

  “Thoth!” she cried, running to him.

  “My beautiful Tadinanefer,” he murmured.

  She clung to him, her arms around his neck, hardly believing what was happening, tears running down her face. He wasn’t dead, he was very much alive, so alive, and in her world. She could at long last feel the warmth of his body next to hers, feel his lips on hers, run her fingers through his hair. Just be with him once again.

  “It’s you. Isn’t it? This isn’t a dream. I don’t have to leave you any more. I couldn’t leave you ever again. I love you with all my heart. I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Tadinanefer, Tadinanefer.” Thoth held her away from him. “Don’t cry, my darling. I’ve waited for you for such a long time. I’ve dreamed through thousands of years for this moment. I love you with all my body and soul. But I want more than just this moment. I want a normal lifetime with you. I want to be with you hour after hour, day after day, year after year, until we grow old and die, leaving our children behind to make us immortal.”

  “We can!”

  “No, Tadinanefer. We only have this moment if we don’t put things right. Now that we’ve met, we’ll die within the next few minutes if we don’t find the tomb and Anubis. We’ve only been allowed a very short lifespan, and it’s coming to an end. We have to fight the evil which put us both in the tomb. Only then can Anubis cast his spells so we can prolong our present lives.”

  Aline stared at him. She had found him. Was she about to lose him again? No! She must take on anything thrown at her. She had to fight for them. She’d obey the will of the Snake Goddess and protect him. They had to live!

  “We haven’t much time left,” Thoth said. “We must find the tomb. Take my hand, my dear Tadinanefer, and together we’ll try to live or die properly together.”

  Aline felt the warmth of his hand in hers. He urged her along, searching for the entrance, but they couldn’t find the path.

  “It’s here somewhere,” she cried in despair. “This is where it was this morning.”

&
nbsp; She must think. Something was stopping her. She let go of Thoth’s hand.

  “I have to go on my own. You must follow me.”

  “No!”

  “Please, Thoth. Just watch over me. Don’t let me out of your sight. I need your strength, and then I’ll feel safe as I go along.”

  She turned away from him and lifted her ringed hand to the darkening sky.

  The gold glittered in the light. A thousand small snakes leapt from it and scurried through the sand, marking a path for her. She followed, letting them lead her upwards. She could see the valley below her and Thoth in the distance. She could see the lights of Luxor and the boats on the Nile. She could imagine Peter saying she was working hard and not to be disturbed. The sand was clearing for her and she could see the entrance to the tomb. It was lit by ancient torches.

  Anubis waited for her.

  “Come, Aline,” he said, taking one of the torches. “Follow me.”

  She bowed her head, but then turned slightly to take courage from Thoth. He was there in all his ancient glory. There was gold around his neck and jewels in his dark hair, and muscular arms just waiting to hold her. He smiled at her. A smile so loving it went straight to her heart and made her ache for him. She’d do just as Anubis instructed her. She’d will Thoth to live in the present, even if she perished. She’d take the ultimate sacrifice and die for him if necessary.

  As she went deeper into the tomb she stopped suddenly, realising the dreadful truth. This was Thoth’s burial chamber. He must have died not long after they’d met. How? What had happened to Tadinanefer? Before she could do anything she had to find out. She had to go back just once more to discover the truth.

  Anubis too had stopped. “You are right,” he said, reading her mind. “You need to know what happened. I will stop time briefly, Aline, for you to relive Tadinanefer’s last few days. Then the portal will be closed forever.”

  He gently covered her face with the shawl. Then she felt powerful winds swirling round her, lifting her high and carrying her deep into the past.

  Chapter 11

  “Ammon, I’d like to go out riding today.”

  He looked at her impassively and folded his arms across his strong chest.

  “Not today. Sorry.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because the master forbids it.”

  “But I haven’t been out riding for many days now, and no one will give me a reason, not even Thoth.”

  “It’s too dangerous – too many enemies about. As a female you should obey without question and do as you’re told.”

  Tadinanefer stared at him. He was right of course. She should learn to be more obedient, but she found it very difficult. She didn’t want to ride a great distance. Just far enough to feel the wind in her hair and the breeze on her body, as she cantered along.

  Thoth had given her the most beautiful black horse. Sometimes they’d ride together, chasing each other, and often pause for a rest, and end up making love.

  “Master will be back soon,” Ammon said.

  She turned to go back into the large house she now shared with Thoth. She loved him to distraction and couldn’t wait for the times he was with her. She knew he had affairs of state to deal with, and other women, although he never spoke about them and his demanding ways proved they meant very little to him. He’d come back and envelop her mind and her body so she became one with him. Sometimes when he was away for days she’d grow restless and want to go in search of him. She looked across the field at her horse. He too seemed to be restless, wanting to gallop into the distance, carrying her to her loved one. She glanced across at Ammon. He’d watch her constantly, reading her restless mood, knowing of her longing for Thoth. She wondered idly what he’d do if she completely defied him and raced off to find her lover. Whatever was necessary, she thought, answering her own question, and didn’t care to think what that might be.

  She called her servant. Just in case Thoth turned up that evening, she had her hair arranged how he liked it, loose and natural, uncovered by wigs or jewels. She picked out her finest and thinnest shift and selected his favourite necklace of gold and precious stones. She waited, but there was no Thoth, not that night nor the next.

  *

  Then at last she saw him riding towards the house on his own magnificent black steed. She ran down to meet him, her eyes not leaving his muscular body, which gleamed in the sunlight. He saw her and reined in the horse. But even before he had time to dismount she was at his side, passionately kissing his thigh, until he had no choice but to pull her up in front of him, and she sat facing him with her legs apart. He returned her kisses fervently, his hands caressing her entire body. She stretched her legs round his waist, her arms round his neck, and they slipped to the ground, completely oblivious of anyone around. Then he carried her to behind one of the outhouses where they made love, with the straw warm beneath them serving as their earthy bed.

  “I love you so much, Thoth,” she whispered. “I’m nothing without you. As you live, I live. When you die, I too will die.”

  Later they bathed together, and she rubbed oils into his body, and they lay naked in each other’s arms, finding it hard to satisfy their passion after such a long separation.

  “I wish I could be with you always,” she said. “I want to be with you every night. I want to be your slave and do everything for you. Ask me to do anything and I’ll do it.”

  “Tadinanefer, I just ask you to love me. I love you so much in return, and when I can, I’ll make you my wife, but I can’t do it just yet. You’d need even more protection as a royal. I intend to move you into one of my palaces where we can spend a lot more time together. All I ask is that you continue to be as you are, and to obey me in everything, and that means keeping to the house when Ammon tells you to, because the command comes from me. I don’t wish you to go out at the moment. You must stay near the house. Is that understood?” He held her face between his hands. “Promise me.”

  “I’ll do as you say, Thoth. I will obey you.”

  She watched him leave the next morning. The sun was on his bare back. His strong arms guided the horse along the rough path. He was everything she’d ever wanted. She ran to the highest point in the house and stared into the distance until he and his guards disappeared, and all she could see was the dust from the horses. She felt a tremendous pang, as if someone had twisted a knife into her heart.

  But she also felt apprehensive. The ring tightened on her finger. Something was not quite right.

  She felt the same fear for days after, even though Ammon reassured her Thoth was safe and working hard. She tried to believe him. He didn’t seem worried, and yet even he was only the recipient of messages coming from afar. He wasn’t actually seeing Thoth. She tried to settle. She did as she was told and stayed near the house. She stroked her horse but didn’t ride him; instead she walked him round. She drew pictures on the walls and learned more about reading and music. But all the time she had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  Then she wondered. She’d been worrying about Thoth. But was she herself the one in danger?

  *

  One evening as she walked just outside the house she listened to the stillness. It was very quiet – too quiet. Ammon had gone out briefly with some servants to collect supplies, leaving her adequately protected by a guard, but he appeared not to be around. There was very little sound from inside. She stopped. It was like the silence before the eruption of a violent storm. She drew her shawl around her. The ring tightened again as it had done so many times during the past few days. She turned to go back towards the house, when a hooded figure rushed up. She had no chance to defend herself as a fisherman’s net was thrown over her head and body, and tied tightly round her.

  “No!” she cried. The man lifted her high onto his shoulder and ran across to a cart where he threw her in and muffled her cries with sacking and cloth. She lay unable to move or see and scarcely able to breath, as the vehicle set off with a jerk. It bumped fo
r what seemed like an eternity down uneven tracks and fields.

  Finally she was pulled out and carried into a small room behind a large building.

  She was left on the floor. The room was dimly lit, and by the smell she guessed it was used for animals.

  She wasn’t alone for long. She was pulled to her feet. Her spirits sank as she stared into Ptah’s eyes.

  “Back with me, Tadinanefer,” he said hoarsely. “Back with me again.”

  “And not just your first owner,” a voice mocked from the doorway. “But also your second.” Nephthys smiled at her and came forward.

  Tadinanefer said nothing, too terrified.

  “Bring in the plank,” Ptah commanded.

  “What are you going to do to me?” she asked fearfully, suddenly finding her voice.

  “Get the net off her.”

  Within a moment she was free, but she was immediately forced to her knees in front of a table.

  “Her hand,” Nephthys commanded.

  “The shawl first,” Ptah said.

  “No, the ring. That’s where the power is. Get rid of it.”

  “No!” Tadinanefer screamed. “It won’t come off.”

  “It will. Hold her,” Ptah said to two of his men. He laid the plank on the table. Then he pulled her ring up to the knuckle, but it refused to go any further. He forced her finger onto the wood, pushing the other fingers underneath.

  “I’m going to punish you for sticking a dagger into me, Tadinanefer. This finger’s coming off,” he said cruelly. “You won’t have the ring then, will you? Don’t worry, there won’t be as much pain as I suffered because I have my finest swordsman, who is more used to cutting off heads than fingers. He’ll be swift.”

  He was. Before she had time to plead for mercy she watched in horror as her middle finger and ring were severed from her hand. The ring remained obstinately secured to the finger as it bounced into the air and disappeared into the stone wall.

  “Stem the blood,” Ptah hissed at Nephthys. “Not with the shawl. Give me the shawl.”