Stigmata

by L M Adams

  “You honor me, my Raja.”

  “Come now, I am your Aabe, am I not?”

  “Yes… Aabe,” Lucien whispers low, his deep voice is filled with emotion.

  “Good,” Apedemak nods and turns looking at me and Jack, “Your mates?”

  “Yes,” Lucien whispers and clears his throat, taking a moment before turning to look at Jack and I… a single trail of water has left its mark down his right cheek.

  “Jaevia and Capaneus,” Lucien looks at us, emotions raw on his face.

  “Pleased to meet you,” I hold out my dress and do a small curtsey.

  “Me as well, sir,” Jack does a bow.

  “Come now, this is no way to greet family,” Apedemak smiles, holding out his arms.

  I glance at Jack with a smile, this dude is really not what I expected. We walk forward and I pull away from Jack to give Lucien’s father a hug.

  He’s just as large as Lucien, I feel swallowed up being in his arms, he presses his forehead to mine gently and I can feel his thoughts and his aura touch my own. True happiness fills his heart in seeing his son and meeting the people his son has chosen as his forevers. I let Apedemak see the love I have for his son and how hard won it was… and how I’ll never let him go.

  He sighs gently and pulls away nodding, pleased in me.

  Jack steps forward with a deep sigh and holds out his hand to give Apedemak a handshake… Lucien’s father will have none of it and pulls a surprised Jack into an embrace, touching their third eyes together.

  I glance at Luey as Jack relaxes into the embrace, Lucien nods, proudly.

  Jack and Apedemak stay in their embrace for a long moment before Apedemak pulls back, “A son of Set is still one of the people, for Horus and Set were brothers… as you are to my son.”

  Jack nods, “Yes, Sir.”

  Apedemak smiles, “Come now – son who has married my son, is son. I am Aabe, father.”

  “Aabe,” Jack nods seeming horribly uncomfortable but not wanting to be rude to Lucien’s Da.

  Apedemak chuckles, “You will get used to being family,” he turns to look at Lucien, “You have claimed well my son.”

  “Oh, aye; I am blessed to have proven myself worthy of their love.”

  Something passes across Apedemak’s features before he nods, seeming a bit lost – as if he’s just remembered he’d left the stove on at home.

  Henenu steps closer, “My Rajas, it is time,” he murmurs low.

  Apedemak nods, seeming to clear his thoughts, and turns looking up at the statue of Ra.

  The Sekhmet women walk forward, Malia carries a wesekh; a broad collar necklace. The collar has a chain down the center of it with the emblem of a lion hanging from the end. The emblem is large and has additional leather straps attached to it. The other Skehmet woman carries a black shendyt, a knee length wrap skirt that the men of Atum seem to favor.

  Apedemak turns his back to us and unties his robe, letting the material fall to the floor… his back is still scarred, but no longer bleeding.

  Strong back and flanks – a beautifully made man – although strictly speaking, I’m not sure I’m comfortable seeing this much of my father-in-law.

  The two women dress the Raja quickly and step back, keeping their heads bowed. It is a contradiction seeing such powerful women being givers. But Nyrobi’s words come back to me – we all serve, even the proud and mighty Apedemak.

  He walks forward into the beam of light filtering through the small window up high above Ra’s statue, he holds his arms out and whispers something in a language I wouldn’t be able to begin to understand.

  They are words of power, his voice deeper and overlapping with itself. The walls begin to groan and that clicking returns as the pattern of the tower starts changing. The puzzle pieces turning and shifting, some pushing out of the wall and spinning, others sinking into the wall and disappearing.

  I turn in a circle as the entire tower comes alive. If I thought I knew of the power of Apedemak – I was nothing but a foolish girl.

  The ceiling above folds into itself, pulling back… disappearing and revealing a beautiful blue sky and the power of Ra fills the open tower.

  From the walls, the sound of stone grinding on stone begins as the carved statues of the gods pull from the secret hidden depths behind those walls and the massive statue of Ra begins to turn, facing the now open concourse out into the Walk of Gods and the people of Alkebulan.

  My heart shudders in his might.

  133

  Jaevia – A Raja’s Sun

  The floor at the front of the room slides back, revealing a set of stairs that leads down under the statue of Ra. Red fire escapes from the opening, billowing up and Apedemak steps down into that flame.

  I glance at Jack as Lucien follows his father, then the Sekhmet women, Henenu… Jack takes my arm, well here goes nothing.

  We walk forward, the red fire clings to either side of the stone walls of the stairs. As long as we don’t touch them, we shouldn’t be burned to crisp. Odd, but Jack doesn’t seem to hesitate at all.

  I feel a heavy majic in the fire, it burns with power. The flame dances with life. Gold flakes seem to roll through the fire. I don’t understand this majic, or what the purpose is. Why couldn’t Apedemak just use the front door? But if I learned anything, I’ve learned I don’t have to just blurt out whatever I’m thinking, so I keep my mouth shut and follow Henenu down the small strip of burning hallway praying my hair doesn’t catch on fire.

  We emerge out into a large courtyard, an open mall lined with large temples, stairs that go up to each of the temples is continuous all around the three sides except here, at Apedemak’s tower.

  The concourse is filled with people, all dressed in beautiful colors and patterns… the people of Alkebulan, the people of the tribes. They’re only being held back by the line of gold spears that stand stoic in their duty.

  Dark muscled chests, black shendyts wrapped around their waists, strong legs showing, a no nonsense look in their features shielded by their falcon painted helmets.

  A cheer rings out as Apedemak raises his arms and steps forward. I look back up to the towering statue of Ra and the glittering seal of souls in his chest.

  Are we here for that?

  Luey is supposed to get the seal of souls.

  I push the thought away and decide to just let things happen the way they’re supposed to happen. For now, it seems we’re supposed to enjoy the Ha’mara.

  Apedemak holds out his arms, throws back his head and cries out in a beautiful call to the people…he welcomes them home. The gold spears tap the butt of their spears on the stone, setting a rhythm and the drums begin to sound, djembe drums, along with the rattle of the shekere.

  Their god-king lets out another long note of harmony and sings something. The people call back to him as he leads them in song. He turns smiling at Lucien and ushering him to stand beside him. I can feel Lucien’s hesitation, yet his deep desire to be one with his people.

  He steps up beside his father and does the next call out. His voice strong and crisp as it echoes across the walk of gods.

  My skin begins to prickle with majic and emotion as Lucien takes up the song with his people. They clap in rhythm as we start the walk, dancing and singing calling back to Lucien as he leads them.

  I squeeze Jacks arm tightly as we follow behind him, surrounded by color, and dance, and song. At its core, the Ha’mara is a celebration of life and I’ve always loved a good party.

  “Little sister, little brother!” Nassor makes his way over to me and Jack, a smile as bright as the sun on his face.

  “Nassor,” I smile at him.

  “Come, sing the song.”

  I feel Jack tense, “We’re not from here.” Jack says tightly.

  “We are all the people, little brother – do you think I call you this because I see you as anything other than family?” Nassor reassures us.

  I glance at Jack, and see him actually smile, “Okay,” he whispers
with a nod.

  Nassor teaches us the words, the call and the call back and for the first time since getting here, I see Jack truly enjoy himself, singing and clapping right along with the rest of us.

  Lucien and Apedemak lead us in song as many of the people dance with smiling faces. The sun has risen and brought with it the lost son.

  The open mall of the gods is lined with their temples, all rectangular buildings with round pillars. Temple of Isis, Ishtar, Bastet, Oson, Sobek, Mwari, Sekhmet, even Set… and so many more; but today is Ra’s day and we rejoice in his light.

  In one thunderous voice the people commit themselves once again to each other. That is the majic of man, the connectivity they lost somewhere.

  I look around at the people from all across the lands… they all worship different gods, have different religions and customs. They dress differently, style their hair differently… but they are all one under the light of the sun. For we are all of the people.

  Tears of joy begin to fall from my eyes as I sing out to the glory of us.

  O Nampigia Mungu – O sisi watu

  I pray to you God – We the people

  Lucien calls out.

  Nakujibu kwa upendo

  I answer you with love.

  We repeat the song until there is nothing in our hearts but the rhythm and the meaning. There is no room for anger or fear or pain, there is nothing but the majic of us.

  Power glitters in the air, shimmering in the sun. I know this power… I know it well, as the love he has always had for me; I know it as Lucien’s heart and it is as old as these lands we walk upon.

  He is the Raja and I am his Kandaka.

  134

  Jaevia – Therian King

  When we arrive at the temple of Ra, the largest temple of the concourse, Lucien’s father walks to the top of the stairs and turns towards us. He waves Lucien forward and this time, my Luey doesn’t hesitate. He climbs the stairs and joins hands with his father.

  The music and singing stops, as both men close their eyes and bask in the light of the solstice sun.

  Apedemak says something, his voice overlapping with power and both of them catch fire. Their bodies burst into magical flame, glittering with red and gold.

  Jack takes my hand and squeezes as their clothing and skin burns away and the form of two therian lions appear. They stand on two feet, or rather, their hind legs; their flesh covered in fur. Apedemak is golden but Lucien is black as the starless night, with hints of gold. They both wear black shendyts, muscled rippling abs covered in fur, strong chests and arms… their heads, the heads of lions, full regal manes that sprinkle majic dust as they turn their heads.

  In unison they open their mighty jaws, showing razor sharp teeth and they roar, my Dark Goddess, do they roar. The sound bounces off the temples in the concourse, and we… all in one, take a knee and bow before their glory.

  These are god-kings.

  My heart pounds in my chest as the roar ends and the silence falls down on us. Then the tap of the spears begins again, and I look up to see Apedemak and Lucien, standing as men once again, in the clothes they were wearing before they burned them away.

  A ululating sound rings out and we stand as the drums begin to beat again.

  This party is just getting started.

  Nassor escorts me and Jack to the top of the stairs to be with Lucien as is our due as his mates. Henenu, as well, joins us at the top of temple the stairs on the landing before entering into Ra’s temple.

  Lucien comes over to us smiling from ear to ear… I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so wide.

  He kisses me, and then Jack. Jack tenses but doesn’t shy away from the affection… he’s still working hard on being comfortable with public affection from Lucien.

  “That was beautiful,” I say quickly.

  He nods, “Aye, Wench, it was.”

  Jack nods, “That was powerful to experience, I’ll never forget it.”

  Lucien looks at Jack and his eyes go soft, “Thank you for being willing to experience it with me. I know, this is very different from what you are used to, Bloodsucker.”

  Jack shrugs, “A vampire has to get out of the haunted castle sometime.”

  Lucien chuckles low, “Aye, Capaneus, aye.”

  I turn as a small army of Isis’s come bringing out a thick blanket and laying it out on the ground and begin placing large platters of food on it.

  “The Isis’s bring the feast,” Lucien says excitedly. “Come Nassor, feast with us.”

  He’s always hungry and all but abandons Jack and I to go see about getting himself ‘a bite’. I pray to the goddess they’ve brought enough.

  Jack escorts me over to the large place setting and helps me sit down on the ground before joining me. Lucien is already seated between me and his father, yet oddly Henenu doesn’t join us, instead making a tactful retreat down the temple stairs.

  The Sekhmet women Malia and Fana, come and sit on the other side of the Raja, as is their due… they’re both beautiful women, smooth dark skin, leggy with nice figures. Malia wears her hair in Bantu knots, yet Fana wears braids. Large gold earrings hang from their lobes, accentuating their ridiculously long and graceful necks. They move like warriors.

  Their Ra’suian counterparts, the Ma’Zean, seem to celebrate death more than life. I’ve read the stories, that Ra sent Hathor as Sekhmet to destroy mortals who conspired against him. In the myth, Sekhmet’s bloodlust was not quelled at the end of battle and led to her taking humanity to the brink of destruction... some say Ishtar mimicked the Sekhmet’s powers when she created the Therians, for once it seems believable.

  Nassor sits down next to Jack and Lucien gives him a look. Nassor holds up a hand, “Best behavior.”

  Lucien grunts and turns back to selecting food for himself. Jack does the same, “It feels odd knowing I just killed this this morning.”

  “Oh Aye?” Apedemak says excitedly, “You went to hunt?”

  Nassor laughs, “Oh aye, my Raja! You should have seen him…”

  Now that the formal blessing of Ra is done, they seem to treat Apedemak as just another man.

  Nassor seems so comfortable lounging, eating and talking with his god-king, the same way he is with Lucien. At first, I thought it odd how they treated Lucien but now I see it is their way.

  Of course, there is a deference, but mostly they treat their king like family, like an honored father and he sits attentively as Nassor tells the story of the morning hunt.

  People begin to sit on the stairs, talking and laughing, enjoying the music as the food is brought out for everyone else. Strong muscled men of Isis carry out the food on tables, holding the large slabs of wood with handles on the four corners of the tables... the food is piled high.

  They file out, setting up table after table until there is food and drink at the bottom of every stair in front of every temple. There is plenty for all, a life of abundance.

  “Kandaka,” Nassor brings my attention to the young Keyon.

  He’s at the bottom of the stairs all but hopping from one foot to the other with another young son.

  I laugh and wave them up, Keyon’s face splits into a grin… he’s such a cute kid.

  135

  Lucien – Ishtar

  I sit with my family and I feast. I did not expect him to be this way, my father. His attitude is far more like Nassor’s than my own, the angry lion with a thorn in his paw.

  Yet I do not feel so angry right now. He treats everyone with love, from the mighty to the small.

  The Wench has invited two of the young sons to sup with us, Keyon and Nakuru. I was worried this was not proper protocol, until my father laughed aloud at the young son declaring himself my Kandaka’s most faithful servant.

  “Such devotion deserves a good meal,” He waved them to sit with us, making the boys entire day I’m sure.

  Two young sons that sup with the Rajas... they make me wish to have many sons and many daughters. But Jaevia can only carry one, I
pray every day that we shall have our chance and the monsters did not steal her chance to be a momma, and for me to be a poppa.

  My Aabe asks much about my life, wishing to hear it all. The Wench helps with the tale, telling him of my time with the Kindred… she shares too much; telling him of my prickly temper when it came to her.

  But he only nods chuckling low, “Aye, ‘tis this way, it is the lion in us, very territorial.”

  She looks at me, purple eyes twinkling with mischievousness, “I think I’ve gotten him straightened out.”

  I sigh and shake my head, disrespectful.

  “Didn’t I?” Her voice holds power and my gut tightens.

  I bow my head, “Yes, Wench.” I growl low.

  My father is very amused, “Good, Good, it takes a strong woman to tame a strong man.”

  “Kandaka!” Keyon yells pointing, distracting the Wench from embarrassing me further.

  The dancers from the river lands of the south, the town of Luwana, start their walk down the concourse. They wear masks of the mighty hippo, Taweret and carry colorful blue cloths swinging them in the air as they dance and sing with joyous voice.

  The Wench looks on wide-eyed, I think the kid just saved me some humiliation; it was very smart of me to allow him to come along.

  We feast and talk and enjoy the performers from tribes across the lands… I may hold the power of time, yet I am still not strong enough to keep the sun from seating. The sky begins turning the color of the Wench’s eyes and I feel the time of Ra begin to pass, yet I do not wish it so.

  She smiles at me and puts her arm on my shoulder to get up, “Where are you going?”

  “This Goddess needs to tinkle,” She smiles and turns away, I huff… disrespectful.

  “Oh, but your wife shall miss the walk of the Ishtars,” My father says pointing them out as they assemble near his tower.

  I grunt, “She will be back soon, Aabe.”