Asr

Chapter 6

NCV Home

              Ardeth turned back to his guest as Rick and Evelyn went to check on Alex. “Shall we see to the translations of the book of the Dead, priest of Ammun?”

              “Certainly.” The priest nodded and walked with him toward the tent where the papyruses and books were stored. “It is only a slight wound, Ardeth but truly you would do well to have it tended before it becomes inflamed and hinders your fighting.”

              He sighed. “No doubt there is truth to that. I will do so soon. But I am still uncertain of how my tribesmates will react to your presence if I do not walk beside you. And while it is likely they can do you no harm, I can not take the risk nor can I spare any of them if you were to have to defend yourself strongly.”

              “Have the Princess heal it for you then when she returns." His guest suggested. "Or if it will not-- upset the level of forbearance between us here amongst your tribes I will do so."

              Ardeth sighed. "I can restrain myself from tossing anything at you should you do so. Agreeing of course beforehand that you will not press otherwise."

              "You have just fought a duel that could of resulted in your death in order that I might aid you in the battle against the Germans, Medjai. I can be a truly courteous guest while I am here." Ammun's priest smiled. "I shall save the annoying for Thebes if you and your brother will do the same?"

              Ardeth shook his head a bit but he had to agree. "It is a barter then, Allah forgive me. I will be a courteous host if you will do me the favor of being a courteous guest. I can not speak for Rick, certainly, but he is unlikely to be too annoying or insulting on the chance that you might return it."

              "No doubt." Ammun's high priest smiled. "He cares a great deal for you, Ardeth."

              "Yes." He smiled just a bit himself at that. "Is there something in the book of the Dead that might aid us in warding Hamanaptura?"

              "My knowledge of the book of Anubis is limited, Medjai, but likely there is something, yes."

              "Good." He caught sight of Kashim as the man walked toward them and paused. Noting with only a slight surprise that Ammun's High Priest paused as well and took a place at his side that left enough room for him to draw his blade but remained close enough to offer assistance if he needed it.

              "May I speak with you, chieftain?" Kashim asked quietly as he stopped a few feet away. "Please?"

              "Certainly." Ardeth agreed. "Will you stay here for a moment, Priest of AmmunRa?"

              "If you wish." His guest agreed. "But I will not hesitate to snap his neck from here if he tries with dishonor to do what he could not with the duel."

              Ardeth sighed. "No doubt arguing that would be pointless. Spare my warriors please, champion of Ammun? I need them." He walked over to Kashim. "What is it you wished to speak of?"

              Kashim glanced around and then down at the ground. "I wanted to apologize Ardeth, truly. But I knew no other recourse to insure that you were able to lead us all."

              "It was within your rights to challenge me, certainly. I am only surprised you did so. I had thought the battle yesterday would have changed your mind as to the sanity of my decision to take the champion of Ammun as an ally."

              Kashim smiled a bit. "It did. However, there are still those amongst the tribes who are not so convinced, Ardeth. And as good as you are with a blade my friend, after two or three challenges even if you won them all there would be too much discontent among the tribes for you to lead well."

              Ardeth took a deep breath and thought that through for a moment. "Are you saying you challenged me so that others would not?"

              "I am." Kashim agreed with a bit more of a smile. "All the tribes know, Ardeth that if any one of the leaders of the eleven-- ten tribes here could beat you in combat it would be I. However, if I failed, then was that not proof positive that Allah wishes you to lead us still?"

              That took him another long moment to work through. "Are you saying you cheated?" He had to ask, even though it seemed an almost ludicrous question to ask.

              Kashim shrugged a little. "Perhaps it is best to say that I was not as careful of my footing as I should have been, being more concerned I suppose about not wanting to kill my friend than where my feet were."

              Ardeth shook his head just a bit and then reached out and gripped Kashim's shoulders to shake him once hard. "That was insane. What if I had killed you?"

              "You would not. I know you, Ardeth we have been friends since we were children. Defeated me yes, certainly. Banished me even if you thought it necessary but not take my life if there was any recourse. You are too honorable for that."

              He gave a quick prayer to Allah for patience and understanding both and then shook his friend again, hard. "Idiot."

              "No doubt." Kashim shrugged. "But it was a necessary idiocy, Ardeth. If it keeps us all safe and well to follow you for the sake of Egypt and our oaths to Allah."

              "On that at least I will agree with you. Go and see to your tribe, Kashim, we meet on the dunes where Adham and Husan have their weapons after midday prayer. Then we shall bury our dead, may they rest in peace with Allah in Paradise."

              "I will tell the fifth tribe then." Kashim agreed, but he clasped Ardeth's arms in a firm grip. "Thank you, my friend for letting me stay with my tribe."

              "Egypt and Allah have need of us all, Kashim. And while I can not say I condone what you did, I appreciate the though behind it."

              "In'sh'allah, Ardeth we can do know other." Kashim returned and then headed back to his tribe. Ardeth stood there a moment longer and then walked back to his guest who was waiting patiently.

              "Is all well, Ardeth?"

              "It is." He agreed. Then he looked over at the priest as they resumed their walk toward the tent. "Did you not listen in then?"

              "I gave my word to be a good guest, Ardeth. It was obviously meant to be a private conversation so I let it be."

              He shook his head a bit. "I do not understand you, still."

              "As it should be no doubt." His guest smiled.

              He sighed and repeated the prayer for Allah for aid in patience since his own was tested already this day and it had yet to reach noon. Sallah was waiting at the tent with all four books. "Salaam wa alakhum, Sallah."

              "Wa alakhum salaam, Ardeth." Sallah replied and then glanced behind him to the priest of AmmunRa and sighed. "This is still unnerving, Ardeth."

              "No doubt." He agreed with a smile. "Often the alliance unnerves me as well. But what must be done for Egypt must be done. For now we must worry about protecting Hamanaptura while there are no Medjai there to guard its secrets."

              "I am not certain of using the book of Anubis, Ardeth. I have concentrated most of my efforts into translating the book of Horus and the book of AmmunRa." Sallah shrugged but he opened the dread book none the less. "Allah will forgive me for asking this I think. Will you aid us in the finding of the spell we need-- priest of Ammun?"

              Ardeth glanced at the man beside him. "I am not as familiar with the book of the Dead as you might think, Medjai but I will certainly do what I can."

              "Could you raise the remains of those priests who followed you in life such as you did when you took Evelyn to Hamanaptura and Ardeth, Rick, and Jonathan went to stop you?" Sallah asked suddenly.

              "From here? It is possible I suppose, although I have not attempted such a thing before. With Ammun's aid and Anubis' will it could be achieved though. But we must word the command very carefully so that they defend Hamanaptura against all who come within its boundaries that we do not wish there and only that. Otherwise either they will range too far afield and kill those who we would not harm or try and kill those of your tribes you send back there once the war with Germany is over."

              "As you say, but it has possibilities." Ardeth agreed. Then he thought of something else. "What of-- the scarabs? Can you still control those as well?"

              Imhotep shook his head. "Not from here, not with certainty, and in many ways they are worse to have escape Hamanaptura than the animated remains of those who were once its priests. Certainly they may yet inhabit parts of the cursed city but they are under no control of mine or the gods either, I do not think."

              Ardeth shivered a little at that, having seen too many men killed by the things in his life, and he had to wonder despite himself what horrible memories the very mention of the things stirred in his erstwhile ally.

              "Then it is best to not disturb them if we can avoid it. It may be that the ruins will be safe enough as they are, what with all of Egypt expecting war and no expeditions likely but I will not take that chance if we can help it. So let us see to the book of Anubis and then decide what will be the best course of action to take."

              Sallah nodded and sat down to begin searching the onyx pages one after another. Imhotep sat beside him and after a bit they fell into discussing the spells in Egyptian. Ardeth listened, cataloging bits of them to memory as he could.

              "Any luck?" Evelyn asked as she and Rick walked in as well.

              "Not yet, Sitt O'Connell." Sallah shook his head.

              "There are many spells in the book of the Dead but very few are actual curses." Ammun's priest pointed out. "And those that we have found so far do not seem appropriate for what we wish to accomplish."

              "Something simple like ‘Death shall come on swift wings and destroy any who profane this sacred space’ is too much to ask for isn't it?" Evelyn sighed.

              Imhotep looked over at her. "Can Hamanaptura still be considered sacred?"

              "Cursed then, which is really just the shadow of sacred anyway." She shrugged.

              "As you say." He agreed. "That would be a simple solution, but it raises the question of how this death is to be achieved."

              "Let's give the first one to Anubis, the second to Sekhmet, the third to Horus, and then back around again. Does that sound fair?" She asked.

              Ardeth looked over at Rick who only smiled and shook his head. "You sure that would work, sweetheart?"

              "I should think so. Well we probably shouldn't leave out anyone else who wants a fair share of the carnage but other than actually offering one to Set, which I'm loathe to do, I can't think of any other god who might want to be involved. Sobek maybe?"

              Imhotep chuckled. "Khumun I would think as well. Perhaps we should simply give them all to Osiris to save the squabbling? I can not see any of the others disagreeing with that."

              "And he is the god of the dead so it's appropriate. Very well then, let's find a spell that will do that."

              "Or failing that, let us find one we can adapt to do that." Ardeth suggested. All three of the people looking over the book of the Dead looked at him.

              "It doesn't work that way, Ardeth. You can't just modify a spell out of the book you have to read it word for word or it doesn't work." Evelyn pointed out.

              "I realize that. However more than once we have used a spell that was designed for one thing to serve another purpose such as I did this morning to see if there were any more Germans hiding on the battlefield."

              "That is because Horus if quite fond of you, Medjai. I am uncertain that the other gods would be so lenient. Then again, if we were to find the spell and you were to recite it, it just might work. Even, AmmunRa is fond of you. What of the one that was used to seal tombs? Could that one have the effect we want though it was written for another purpose?"

              "If we direct it at Osiris. It could I think, yes." Sallah turned to another page in the black book. "You are Horus' champion and Osiris if notably fond of his bright son, so you have the best chance of it actually, Ardeth." Sallah agreed.

              "They both have a point you know." Evelyn agreed. "Do you want to try?"

              "If it will increase the chances that we will succeed, certainly." He sighed. "If you will explain the spell to me, I will recite it with the idea in mind of how I wish it to be done." He agreed. It took only a little bit for Sallah, Evelyn, and the priest of Ammun to talk him through the spell. “Let us see it done then. I have never directed a request to the most revered Osiris, priest of AmmunRa. Is there some ritual I should follow?”

              His guest smiled. “You are making a petition not acting as a priest so no, there is no real ritual to follow. But an offering would be good. Since he is neither your god, nor are you his champion.”

              “What is Osiris fond of then?” He asked.

              “He does not have any totem animals, he was the god of agriculture but we are not farmers. Mostly I recall that he was fond of people and his family.” Sallah looked thoughtful.

              “There is truth to that. I suppose a general offering then would be best. Food of some sort, wine and beer, which you don’t have...” Evelyn shrugged.

              “Have you something that came to you from your father, Ardeth? You are Horus’ champion after all. It might please the blessed Osiris to have the champion of his son give him a gift that belonged to his father.” Imhotep suggested.

              Ardeth nodded. “I will have to think. We are not, by nature and necessity a people of possessions. And I doubt giving him my father’s copy of the Koran would be wise.”

              His guest chuckled. And Rick and Sallah laughed.

              “No that’s probably not a good idea.” Evelyn shook her head with a smile.

               “Something to do with you leading the Medjai would be good, as Horus took over the kingdom of Egypt from his father. Or any weapon of his that you might still have. Or one that you wielded against the men who killed him.” Sallah suggested.

              “Commanding the Medjai does not come with symbols of rank Sallah as well you know. He was killed by the Asenusi, and we have not fought with them since their defeat here, but I may still have a weapon that I have used in battle with them. Selim brought me his sword but it is too old to use in battle and I left it in my sister’s care. So...Ah. I think I have something after all.” He nodded. “Very well then. Is there some place in specific I should do this?”

              “The temple here at Ahm Shere is dedicated to Anubis, who although definitely not a god we are on good terms with, is also Osiris’ son.” His guest looked over at Rick and then back at him and Ardeth had to agree. He was angry enough at the god of the dead himself. “No doubt there is at least a small shrine somewhere in the great pyramid for Anubis’ most revered father.” His guest looked over at Sallah.

              “We don’t actually have to ask Anubis for anything, only Osiris.” Evelyn put in and Ardeth did not miss that she had Rick’s arm around her shoulders now. He reached over himself and squeezed his brother’s shoulder tightly.

              “Well that’s good, cause I’d probably choke on it.” Rick sighed but he reached up and gripped Ardeth’s wrist with his free hand.

              “You can ask AmmunRa if needs be O’Connell. He is I think becoming a bit fond of you as well as your brother.” His guest smiled just a bit.

              “Well, that’s good right?”

              “Certainly.” Evelyn smiled. “He’s a kind god. Osiris is too. So I really don’t think they’ll be a problem. There is a shrine of Osiris isn’t there Sallah?”

              “There is.” Sallah pulled out several papyruses and looked through them before placing one on the table. “The main temple is here. And the shrine to Osiris is here.” He indicated a small room to the left.

              “That would be my suggestion then, Ardeth.” Imhotep agreed.

              “They are your gods, I will assume that you know their ways far better than I. Then let us go to the shrine of the most revered Osiris and see this request made so that we may see to the burial of my people.”

              “I suppose there is a certain rightness to petitioning the Egyptian god of the dead before seeing to the funeral of so many who gave their lives to keep her safe.” Sallah sighed.

              “Truly, my friend, you have spoken well.” Ardeth clasped his friend’s shoulder. “Will you come with us to the shrine of Osiris then, Sallah?”

              “I would be honored of course.” Sallah agreed.

              “And you, priest of AmmunRa?”

              “Certainly.” His guest smiled. “Are you coming as well, Princess? O’Connell?”

              “Of course we are.” Evelyn smiled.

              “I’m not letting you all go in there without me.” Rick agreed. “So you want to go get this gift, Ardeth and we’ll meet you at the pyramid?”

              “Certainly.” He agreed. “Will you bring the book for me Sallah?”

              “Of course.”

              “Good. I do not think anyone will question the four of you or try to prevent you from going, but if they do try to leave me my tribesmen well enough to fight the Germans will you please, champions of Egypt?”

              Rick laughed and gripped his shoulder and Evelyn once again ignored propriety completely and kissed him on the cheek. “If you insist.” She smiled. “It isn’t like I get enough practice my sword skills these days, Ardeth.”

              “When this is over and we have time, I will be honored to practice with you.” He offered with a smile.

              “Why thank you.” She smiled back. Rick rolled his eyes but didn’t seem to mind the offer. Sallah only tried to smother a smile and surprisingly enough, Ammun’s High priest only gripped his shoulder quickly as well and smiled.

              “Truly Ardeth Bay you ask me of the most unusual things while I am your guest. First I am to save your tribes from the Germans. Then I am to aid you in healing your warriors, whom I will point out, only want to see me tossed back into damnation, then we go to hell itself to find your brother. Who no doubt will be the first in line to try and kill me again. And now I am not even allowed to harm those of your men foolish enough to attack me? I think you are stretching the bounds of being a good host a bit do you not?”

              He had to smile. “I have had, most unwillingly I would point out, a good teacher.” He returned.

              Imhotep only laughed. “Well played, Medjai. Well played. I suppose I deserved that. At least you have not asked me to fight crocodiles. Only Germans.”

              “What have you to complain about then?” He smiled himself, caught Rick’s gaze and then headed to his tent. It took little time to find the sword his father had given him when he first rode to battle. He had outgrown it years ago now and preferred double edged blades to the single sided scimitar. But it had been too wonderful a gift and a weapon to part with, the old Damascus steel giving the blade a strength and hardness that was undiminished by time. He sheathed it at his waist with a quick thought to his father for not passing it on to his own son as had been done for several generations now and then went to join the others at the pyramid.

              “Where do you go, cousin?” Adham came over to walk with him.

              “I am trying to find a way to keep Hamanaptura safe while all the Medjai are here.”

              “And where, dare I ask is our most unexpected ally?”

              Ardeth smiled despite himself. “Waiting with Evelyn, and Rick, and Sallah for me to join them at the pyramid entrance no doubt.”

              “Ah. You left them alone? Is that wise?”

              He could hear the suppressed smile in Adham’s voice although like always his cousin hid every trace of emotion behind a scowl. “Truly, Adham, is there any more trouble they could find? I believe we have unearthed all the curses Egypt has to offer by now.”

              “There may be some truth to that. But I would not stake my life on the fact that there yet remains more to be found. Come then, I will join you in this if I may?”

              “Certainly.” He agreed. “Undoubtedly I can use all the help I might find to keep them out of trouble, once we let them back amongst the cursed place.”

              “Very likely.” Adham agreed with a slight smile. “Should I find us another ten or twenty warriors then, Ardeth?”

              “Let us hope that is not necessary. What we are doing is asking Osiris for aid in keeping Hamanaptura safe though, Adham. If that is too close to blasphemy for you I will certainly understand it.”

              “Allah is merciful, he will understand that I am doing as Medjai have always done and insuring the safety of the cursed place while protecting Egypt as we must.”

              “Truly.” Ardeth agreed. When they reached the four waiting by the pyramid entrance, Evelyn, Sallah, and Imhotep were engaged in a rather involved debate over one of the spells in the book. Rick was just sitting to the side watching in amusement.

              “It’s like taking Alex to the candy shop.” He put in as Ardeth and Adham stood beside him. “Sallah’s got two people who not only speak and read the stuff but were there to ask questions of. I think he’d going to explode.”

              Ardeth managed not to laugh but he had to smile. “Do doubt.” He agreed. “Sallah, my friend, might we go insure the safety of Hamanaptura’s secrets now? Then you may continue to badger my guests with questions if you must.”

              Sallah looked a little sheepish but only smiled. “As you say, Ardeth. Truly, though, this is a most fascinating opportunity. Allah, I trust, will forgive me for saying that.”

              “No doubt. Allah, I think, must be getting tired at all the things he is forgiving us for lately. It is good that his mercy, like his love, and patience for us is endless is it not?” Ardeth agreed.

              “Well said, Ardeth.” Adham clasped his shoulder. “Y’Allah then?”

              “As always.” He agreed.

              “We can hope.” Rick nodded. “Do you speak Egyptian too, Adham?”

              “No.” His cousin shook his head. “I can recite a few minor incantations if I must and I read some. But I do not speak it.”

              “Makes two of us then.”

              “We shall endeavor to keep to Arabic then, for all our sakes.” Ardeth agreed. “Let us go, then.”

              “One last bit of Egyptian, considering.” Evelyn put her hand on his arm. “May Horus, the bright son of Osiris and most revered Isis, walk between us all, and the dark places we travel.”

              “We can always hope.” He agreed.

              “Allah hamdas aha?” Rick offered.

              “In’sh’allah.” Adham agreed. “Let us go.”

              They walked down the corridors back across the bridge his tribesmates had made and he let himself think for a moment about how many of the men who had worked on this were now in Paradise with Allah. It took little time to reach the main temple area now that the way was clear and the fires were out. He shivered a bit, despite himself, recalling at once how the place had looked consumed in flames, and then without meaning to the great fire filled chasm that had lit the part of hell he had found Rick in the day before. He reached over without thinking and gripped his brother’s shoulder. Bis’mil’Allah rakhman el rahim. He thought the prayer quietly to himself, meaning it far more for Rick than for himself. Rick had his arm back around Evelyn’s shoulders but he glanced back to meet Ardeth’s eyes and it was so very easy to see the same memories in his.

              “What did you bring to offer to Osiris?” Imhotep asked.

              Ardeth sighed and let go of Rick’s shoulder to pull the blade, glad for the distraction before he let more of both what they had seen in Anubis’ realm and what he and Rick had shared in Thebes afterwards show. “This was my father’s gift to me when I first learned to fight, and his father’s gift to him when he did. And so on, back ten generations or so now.”

              “No doubt Osiris will be well pleased indeed.” Ammun’s High Priest agreed. “I was not looking for the shrine of Osiris last time I was here, or the time before that actually. Where is it you said it was, Medjai?”

              “This way.” Sallah led them to the left. “I am not certain how much damage was done to it when the Oasis was destroyed though.”

              “We shall see.” His guest replied. “I think it would be better to simply offer the prayer on the dunes facing Hamanaptura if this does not work. No doubt Anubis is still-- annoyed enough at us to hinder any spell we might try to invoke upon his alter if he can. Although knowing that AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt would then chastise his foolish grandson again might be worth the annoyance.”

              “Is Anubis then not a god you worship?” Sallah asked in something like confusion.

              “No.” The word was flat and cold even in Egyptian. “Not anymore.”

              Ardeth nodded just a bit. “Then let us see this done and leave, I would not anger him more than needs be just incase we need his aid yet.”

              “I’m getting to the point where I don’t care whether Egypt can afford us being pissed off or not, Ardeth.” Rick said quietly.

              “Yes. As am I. But for now, brother mine, we do as we must.”

              “Here. It is not damaged much at all.” Sallah stopped a bit ahead of them and gestured at a doorway on the wall. The small shrine was indeed well preserved. He thought for a moment and then stuck his sheathed short sword into his sash to quickly pull the boots from his feet.

              “I assume if AmmunRa expects the courtesy, it can do no harm to offer it to Osiris as well.”

              Imhotep only chuckled. “No doubt. It is no wonder the gods are fond of you, Medjai. But there is truth to the idea as well.”

              “I had not thought of that.” Sallah agreed but followed suit.

              “Will it bother Osiris if I only stand guard here, Ardeth? Evelyn? Sallah?” Adham asked, standing to the right of the doorway.

              “I wouldn’t think so. He’s well familiar with Medjai I would think.” Evelyn smiled. But she slipped off her own boots as Rick did. Ardeth slid the shield of Horus onto his arm.

              “Is there something in particular I should say to start this?”

              “Only ask, Ardeth. He is a kind god. No doubt he will listen.” Ammun’s High Priest chuckled.

              “As you say.” He thought for a moment and then entered the small room and went to one knee in front of the statue of the god. “Great Osiris, lord of the Tuat who taught to man the ways of farming so that the children of Egypt might not go hungry, I come before you to beseech your aid. I am only one man, most revered son of AmmunRa, and not well versed in they ways of your followers but I ask you, as leader of the Medjai, as champion of your bright Son, Horus Herakarte, to see that the City of the Dead is protected and its secrets kept safe from those who would disturb it while we Medjai are not there to guard it. To this end, great Osiris I offer you this blade, which was my father’s gift to me, and his father’s gift to him. Many are the leaders of the Medjai who have wielded this sword, great lord of the Tuat. I myself took it to battle when I rode against the Asenusi who had slain my father. Please, most revered son of Ammun, I need my warriors here to fight for Egypt and so for the first time since he who was Pharaoh gave us the geas of guarding the City of the Dead we must abandon our posts to see to all of Egypt instead.” He laid the blade at the foot of the statue and then turned to take the book of the Dead from Sallah. He found the spell he wanted on the page and traced the hieroglyphics as he recited the words. “Death shall come on swift wings, unceasing, and consume any who would disturb this place, wherein is buried the treasures of Egypt.”

              There was silence for a long moment and he started to look back at the others with him hoping one of them might know if that was all that needed to be done.

              Then the earth beneath them shivered just a bit, and the painted stars on the roof above them began to glow. “My son is fond of thee, Ardeth Bay.” Said a voice that was even less a voice than that of AmmunRa at Thebes, each word a weight of its own.

              Ardeth bowed his head, not at all certain how to answer that. “Truly, I-- am only a Medjai, most revered Osiris and unworthy of the blessings of your most wondrous son.”

              “Perhaps. Look at me, Ardeth son of Mohamed.”

              There was no way at all to do otherwise so he raised his head to meet the dark gaze of the god of the underworld.

              “Courage you do not lack. My son chose well. Go back to the living now, Medjai. I will do as you ask.”

              “I have no words to shape my thanks, Great Osiris, but I am humbled by your granting.”

              A low chuckle, like water bubbling in a small tributary. “My father said you were pleasing. He is right.” Osiris knelt and then whispered quietly into his ear. “Speak of this to no one. But know you alone, when all is lost, call to me, for my son’s sake. I will answer.” The words seemed too soft to be sound but he heard them none the less. Then the god rose to his feet and spoke again in that same weighted tone. “Take back thy sword and go.”

              He glanced down at the blade lying at the feet of the god and did as he was told. “Thank you.”

              “Nefertiri, daughter of Tetnuhether, come here to me.”

              Ardeth rose to his feet and backed a half step away as Evelyn came over and knelt to the god, hands crossed over her chest again. Rick had moved over as well and they stood without meaning to he was certain on either side of her, hands on their scepters, meaning to stand as guards no doubt and yet putting her back between darkness and light once more.

              “Great Osiris, father of all the Kings of Egypt what might I say to thee to let you know of the joy in my heart and the wonder in my thoughts at your presence?”

              Osiris smiled and then knelt down and whispered something to her that Ardeth could not hear. Rick looked over at him but he could only shake his head because he had no idea of what was said either.

              “As you wish, great Osiris of course I shall do so.”

              “Good. Take thy wife and brother and go now, Rick O’Connell. I apologize for my son. He has learned little of life despite years. He now knows better.” The god’s voice was just as slow and weighted in Arabic as in Egyptian.

              “Thank you then. For my family, for your aid. And for answering my prayer, here, when I battled his champion.” Rick replied

              “You are learning as well.” Osiris smiled slightly. “Go.”

              Rick nodded and helped Evelyn to her feet. They made it two steps away when the god spoke again. “Come here, Imhotep.”

              Ammun’s High Priest moved silently past and bowed as he did every day to AmmunRa. “Greetings to thee, most revered Osiris.”

              Once more the god knelt and this time whispered something to Ammun’s Priest. Whatever it was seemed to startle the man because he glanced up to meet the god’s dark eyes. Then he nodded and bowed again.

               “Go.” There was Ardeth was certain no way to avoid agreeing with that command either.

              “As you wish it.” Even Ammun’s high priest seemed uncertain of how to address the god of the underworld which made Ardeth feel slightly less foolish about having no idea either.

              There was a soft sigh, seemingly of the very stone around them and then there was only the statue of the god and painted stars above.

              “Peace upon us all, that was...I have no words.” Sallah said finally, breaking the silence.

              “Nor I, my friend. Nor I. Let us leave the gods of death behind us now. I would I think, see the sun.” Ardeth closed the book of the Dead and let Sallah put it away. “Are you well, Evelyn?”

              “Oh yes.” She smiled a bit and then surprised him by leaning up to kiss his cheek again. “Thank you, brother of ours, that was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”

              “He seems old. I never thought of a god as old before.” Rick put his arm back around Evelyn’s shoulders.

              “He carries a great weight. That might make even a god seem old I would think.” Imhotep put in. “Odd though for so bright a father to have so dark a son, and so dark a father to then have so bright a child. But truly, Ardeth, it was miracle enough that he spoke to you, not only granting your prayer but then gracing us all with his presence. You are an odd man, Medjai that the gods find such fondness for you, despite your belief in none but Allah.”

              “Who am I to understand the will of Allah or those faces he chooses me to see? I am only one warrior among many. No doubt if my brother, may he rest in peace, had lived to lead the Medjai he would be now in my place and I would be content to follow him.”

              “I think, perhaps cousin, that is a great deal of why the gods find favor with you.” Adham’s voice was a bit softer than Ardeth was used to hearing it. “Come, I have a sudden need to hug my children and Leila would be glad to see you for a change instead of only hearing about you from me. Share prayer with my tribe today, Ardeth and then we will bury our dead.”

              “I would be honored, Adham.” He pulled on his boots as they left the small shrine and waited while the others did the same.

              “You know, hugging Alex does sound nice. Let’s go embarrass him and Jonathan, shall we Rick?” Evelyn smiled.

              “Sure.” Rick agreed.

              “Why do the priest of Ammun and I then not work on translating a bit more of the great books and then join you all to see our fellow Medjai laid to rest?” Sallah suggested.

              “I would be pleased to do so. It will be interesting to see what of the old ways you still know, Medjai and what has been lost.” Imhotep replied.

              “Then that is how it shall be.” Ardeth agreed and they walked out of the temple and back through the pyramid to the world outside. “I know that the great kings of Egypt built pyramids to insure their journey to the Tuat. But never before in all the times I have been in this one and others have I ever been so glad to leave the twilight world they create behind.”

              “It is a bit like leaving death behind isn’t it?” Evelyn put in. “How odd.”

              Ammun’s high priest looked up at the sun, apparently as always unbothered by its brilliance. “Great AmmunRa, Lord of both lands of Egypt, bringer of life and light, we give thanks once more for the wonder that is this land of the faithful, we give thanks for joy of thy grace and presence in the sky that insures all life. It is as always a gift we are thankful for.”

              “Alhamdilallah.” Ardeth agreed. “No offence of course to AmmunRa.”

              Adham chuckled just a bit and then clasped his shoulder. “You walk strange pathways cousin. But no doubt Allah will understand. Come let my daughters annoy you with constant giggling.”

              Ardeth had to laugh himself. “Do they do that still?”

              “Only for you. They save it now for special occasions.”

              “I am honored, I suppose.” He replied, not really sure how to take that sort of comment. “I will see you after prayers, then we will Allah have mercy bury the dead and think again on what can be done to defeat those Germans who remain, I pray without another such loss of life.”

              “As long as it’s the German’s who die and not us I can cope.” Rick replied.

              “Allah hamdas aha, certainly.” Ardeth agreed, and reached over to squeeze Rick’s shoulder, as much an embrace as he could manage here in Ahm Shere. Rick smiled and gripped his wrist.

              “I will see you after lunch.” He nodded a bit to Evelyn.

              “All right.” Rick agreed. Ardeth walked with his cousin toward the area where the ninth tribe was camped. “Will you let Leila tend your arm cousin?”

              “Certainly.” He smiled a bit. “It is nothing worth mentioning and yet everyone seems concerned with it.”

              “You lost a great deal of blood yesterday, Ardeth. The spells in the books are truly amazing and the fact that you and O’Connell are up and about at all, much less the miracle that Arebe and Kahid are well does not keep those of us who saw how wounded and weak you were from worrying about you all still.”

              He ducked his head just a bit. “No doubt. Truly, Adham I am well.”

              “So I see. I am not arguing that, Ardeth. I am saying you should let my wife, your cousin, treat the wound you have so you may remain well.” Adham returned, but he smiled and then much to Ardeth’s surprise hugged him quickly. “I must think of my son you see, I would not wish your burden upon him, cousin, no mater my love for you.”

              Ardeth chuckled. “Ah, I see now. Very well, Adham I will let Leila tend my arm. Does a wound received in a challenge for chieftainship no matter how minor deserve to be commemorated in tattoo do you think?”

              Adham chuckled as well, but Ardeth noticed his cousin made no move to take his arm from around Ardeth’s shoulders. “It might at that.”

              “Ardeth,” Leila smiled as they walked over. “I am overjoyed to see you, cousin.”

              “It had been too long.” He agreed.

              “Haltu.” Khalifa, Adham’s youngest daughter ran over from her mother’s side. “You came!” She held out both arms and Ardeth picked her up, settling her easily onto his hip.

               “I did indeed. Truly you have grown an inch since I saw you last.”

              “Have I really?” She smiled and then giggled. “You have not grown at all. No one is as tall as papa.”

              “No, that is true.” He agreed. “Where are your brothers and your sister?”

              “Mohamed is learning to ride. Ismail is playing with the other boys and Numa is..”

              “Haltu!” The other young girl’s voice came from the direction of the tent followed a moment later by the child herself who was only two years older than her sister. “You came.”

              “I did indeed.” He agreed with a smile. “Are you well Numa?”

              “I am.” She agreed. “Are you? Did the Germans not hurt you any?”

              “I am fine, no harm done truly.” He replied, which was not he supposed, technically true.

              “Up, Haltu?” Numa asked, holding out both arms.

              “Hmm, I think perhaps you and your sister are to big now for me to hold you both.” He swung Khalifa around in a quick circle and then set her down to pick up her sister and do the same. Numa laughed and then threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

              “I am glad papa brought you to see us.”

              “I am glad to see you.” He agreed, smiling a bit at his cousin.

              “No doubt you both would have badgered me though another meal if I did not.” Adham returned with a growl. Which as always seemed not to bother his children at all but only made them giggle.

              “Up papa.” Khalifa held out her arms and Adham swung her onto his hip much as Ardeth had. “Give Numa here Ardeth and let Leila tend your arm. I will endeavor to keep the terrors of the fifth tribe under control for a few minutes, although Allah knows it was easier to fight Germans.”

              Ardeth laughed, not for the first time amused at how a man who could intimidate even him on occasion was so easily overwhelmed by the two little girls.

              “You said you were not hurt, Haltu.” Khalifa pouted.

              “By the Germans no. However, I was…sparing with Kashim and we were careless.” He shrugged.

              “Papa tells Mohamed all the time, you have to be more careful in practice than you are in a real fight because if you injure an enemy that is good but injuring your friends is foolish.” Numa recited, and then giggled as her father took her from Ardeth’s arms and put her on his other hip.

              “Your father is a wise man. Perhaps I should let him talk to Kashim.” Ardeth agreed.

              “With pleasure.” Adham’s voice was flat.

              “No real harm done, cousin.” He smiled. “Leila, I hate to be a bother, but my cousin reminds me I need a bit of medical attention.”

              Leila looked up at him and then rolled her eyes. “Where is Rihana when I need her?” She asked. Ardeth looked at her curiously not certain why his sister had been mentioned.

              “My hands are full, Leila or I would oblige of course.” Adham put in, so obviously he understood the comment.

              “Will you forgive me the impropriety then, husband mine?” She smiled, and it reminded Ardeth that his cousin was indeed a very fortunate man to have a wife that loved him so.

              “I will be thankful.” Adham returned with a smile. The girls only giggled. And then to Ardeth’s complete surprise Leila reached up and swatted him on the head exactly as his sister did on many occasions.

              “Tending to a wound is not an imposition, chieftain it is a duty and a privilege, although one I would wish never necessary to my family again. Sit now.” Leila indicated the fireside and disappeared into the tent.

              Both Adham’s girls where still giggling, even harder now. Adham only gave him a smile. “My wife is fond of you, cousin. And she has no living brothers to annoy.”"Mama swats papa all the time." Numa pointed out, still giggling. Her father only growled and squeezed her tighter. "Will I get to swat my husband when I get married, papa?"

              "Certainly, if he objects I will swat him for you." Adham replied.

              "No doubt." Ardeth smiled and sat down. "I would not envy any young man who wished to court your daughters, Adham."

              His cousin snorted. "Someday Ardeth you will have children, Allah grant us miracles, and I will see who is brave enough to court your daughters."

              “In’sh’allah." Ardeth agreed.

              "Haltu can't get married yet, papa. Mama says I am too young to marry." Khalifa put in.

              "Ah, of course. That explains it." Adham smiled. Ardeth found himself smiling as well.

              "Khalifa I will be Selim's age by the time you would want to marry me, and by then you will have a dozen young men to court you."

              "Oh." She seemed to think about that for a while. "Then you can marry Sadika and have a son so I can marry him. That will be all right will it not, papa?"

              "There see, Ardeth, it is not so difficult to marry after all." Adham's smile was even wider.

              "So I see. And who is Sadika then, Khalifa?"

              "My sister." Leila answered for her daughter, coming over with wash and a bandage for his arm. "Why?"

              "So Haltu Ardeth can marry her and have a son so I can marry him. Because Haltu says he will be too old to marry me."

              "I see." She smiled a bit. "Will you let me be the one to surprise Sadika with this news, daughter mine?"

              "All right." The little girl agreed.

              "Khalifa wants to marry everyone. Even Mohamed. Why would anyone want to marry Mohamed? He is short, and loud, and he never lets us play with his horse." Numa shook her head.

              "I see. Perhaps he will grow out of that." Ardeth managed to reply. He bit back a hiss as Leila cleaned the cut and pressed the bandage too it.

              "Will Amal see to your robes, Ardeth or do you wish for me to mend them?"

              "I can see to them, Leila but thank you none the less." He replied. "No doubt I would be lost in any of Adham's if I had to borrow them while you fixed these."

              "No doubt. It is not yet time for prayer though, so if you will join me in my tent we will let Leila fix them for you before we go to see to the burial of our tribesmen. Do you have time for that, Leila?"

              "Certainly. It will take only minutes. Numa go and get my sewing things. Khalifa go and fetch me some water so I can clean them some, though at least they are dark and do not show the stains."

              Adham set both girls down and they ran off. Ardeth sighed but took his weapons and laid them aside before undoing his sash and handing her his outer robe.

              "Come inside, cousin and talk with me a bit." Adham offered him a hand and he got to his feet taking his weapons with him inside. He undid the other robe and gave it to Adham to take out to Leila.

              Adham came back in a few moments later with a pot of coffee and poured them each a cup before sitting down.

              “Your family is a joy as always, cousin.” Ardeth smiled a bit.

              “Truly, I am thankful to Allah for them all.” Adham agreed. “The girls did not embarrass you to much did they, Ardeth?”

              “No. They are adorable and you know it.” He returned. Adham only nodded, but the smile did not last this time and his cousin’s expression fell once more into that unreadable sort of stare. “What bothers you, cousin? Is your family well?” Perhaps there was a problem he did not realize, and he found himself wondering suddenly if the spells the old gods had given them would work for illness as well as injury.

              Adham sighed. “Would that I could answer that and know I spoke the truth.” His cousin’s voice was low. “My children are well praise be to Allah.”

              “Alhamdilallah.” Ardeth agreed. “And Leila?” He had to ask.

              “She is also well. For which I am equally thankful to Allah.” Adham replied.

              “Good. Why then can you not answer my question cousin?”

              “Because I do not know the answer, Ardeth.” Adham replied, taking a sip of his coffee. “Do you recall when your brother, may he rest in peace with Allah, died, Ardeth?”

              The question surprised him but he tried to think back to when it had happened. He had been as young as Khalifa was no doubt. “I think so, yes.”

              “You came to me and you asked me a question, since I had also lost my brother not all that long before. And though I was not quite as old as Ismail is now I have never forgotten it. You asked to me, why is it that if Allah is most merciful he allows things to happen that make you weep? You had never seen your father cry before I do not think.”

              “No, probably not.” Ardeth agreed. “I do not recall the question but no doubt I asked it.” He agreed. “What makes you think of that now?”

              “I told you that we were only boys and even the wisest of men did not always understand the way of Allah. But that sometimes grief and pain borne together could strengthen those who shared it and that was why your mother and father were mourning the loss of your brother together.”

              Ardeth smiled sadly. “That was very wise for a child not yet ten.” He pointed out.

              “Sometimes children are smarter than you think. I am glad you have found such a friendship with O’Connell as you have, Ardeth. And I do not want you to think I either begrudge you such or am in some way envious of it, because that is not the way of things. I only wish to offer you now, the same friendship I did then. No matter our titles or our ranks in the tribes, Ardeth I am still the man who was your friend then.”

              Ardeth reached over and gripped his cousin’s arms in his. “I have never doubted that, Adham. In truth, knowing that has been a blessing that has allowed me to bear my responsibilities to our people with more strength than I would ever have found alone. Something weighs on you, Adham. I can tell that much although as always you try hard to let nothing of it show.”

              “Do we both inherit that from our grandfather do you think?” Adham returned., squeezing Ardeth’s arms in turn.

              “Perhaps.” He agreed. “Speak plainly to me, Adham. What weighs on you so? Why is it that you can not tell me if your family is well?”

              “Are you?” Adham asked with a slight smile. “Since I am too speak plainly.”

              “Am I what?” Ardeth had to ask, not following the question now.

              “Well, Ardeth. Are you well?”

              “Ah.” He smiled, ducking his head a bit. “I am fine. Truly, the wound I took on the field yesterday is healed and this is no more than a scratch.” He let go of Adham’s arms to touch the bandage Leila had made for him.

              “Both of those are good to know. But, neither is actually my concern. Did it not occur to you that I would be concerned once I knew you were spending the sleeping hours here dealing with He who shall not be named in a city that is no longer real?”

              Ardeth had to sigh. “There has been very little time to talk to you about much except the battle with the Germans since you arrived, Adham. It is not that I was trying to keep it from you, only that we had more immediate concerns to face.”

              “Is knowing you face our sworn enemy each night somehow then less a concern than that I would face an enemy of Egypt in the day to come? You think as always, too little of yourself, cousin or too much of us, or both I am not certain.”

              “He is our ally against the Germans Adham, and while it is an uneasy alliance it is one I must see kept for the safety of Egypt and Allah willing a chance for victory with some of my tribesmates left to celebrate it.”

              “All of that is good, Ardeth, and I have offered him my hospitality as well have I not? So I am not arguing the need to have him as an ally now. I am only concerned cousin for you and for O’Connell as well. I can not it seems journey to this battle with you, but if I can in any way help ease any burden it places on you or on him I will do so. I am not blind, Ardeth and you have never in all our lives been a man to lean on anyone until now. So I know, without being told, or without even asking that something weighs on you both, for it seems he leans on you as much as you do on him.” Adham smiled and the shook his head. “No doubt you could not have found us a better man to welcome to the family from all of the Inglizi cousin.”

              “I have thought so.” Ardeth agreed. “I appreciate your concern, Adham, truly. But truly I am well.”

              “So you have weathered your nights in Thebes then? I had thought our sworn enemy for generations upon generations might have been more angered at the chieftain of the Medjai than it appears he is.”

              “I had worried about much the same thing. I will tell you honestly, Adham, he is mad. I have no other explanation for what he does. He has threatened me with a great many things but he has not so much as even struck a blow and has even given me his word to his god that he shall not harm me. What then should I fear?” He was surprised himself when it came out as calm as it did, and without making him flush because he was rather certain he did not want his cousin to know about the bargain he had made or the game of desire Ammun’s High Priest still played with him.

              “Perhaps nothing.” Adham agreed, with a slight nod. “Then I shall thank Allah with all my heart at prayers today that the creature has not touched you.”

              Ardeth took a deep breath and then a swallow of his almost forgotten coffee not at all certain what to say to that for while it was technically untrue he doubted Adham meant the comment as he took it. And to correct his cousin now would only make matters worse. “I think Selim worries I face beatings or worse torture each night and am only being stoic.” He found a smile and a reply that was no real answer.

              “He mentioned something to me about having thought you had been lashed, yes.” Adham agreed. “He worries for you as well.”

              “I know.” Ardeth smiled a bit. “He is a good friend.”

              “He is.” Adham agreed. He finished his own coffee and then sighed. “You have improved with it, Ardeth but you do not lie well.” Adham said finally. “And your eyes give you away all too easily if someone knows you well. You need not tell me what it is you do not wish me to know of course, but do not think for any amount of time that I would not listen.” His cousin’s voice was firm.

              “Adham…” Ardeth sighed and shook his head.

              “I will ask, but I will understand if you do not answer nor will I be angry at you for it.” Adham went on. “Who in Thebes has kissed you so, Ardeth?”

              And he could not help but flush at the question no matter how hard he tried. “Adham, please tell me you can not tell that from my eyes alone.”

              “No.” Adham shook his head but he did not smile and then to Ardeth’s surprise reached over with a gentleness he had never known his cousin to show and only laid one finger on the point where his shoulder met his throat. “That is nothing you got in battle, Ardeth and we are a far ways indeed from the brothels we went to when we were young and foolish. You will do well to make sure you stay well dressed indeed in front of even your family.”

              Ardeth felt himself flush even deeper and only glanced away. “Adham, please…”

              “I meant no harm, cousin. Only concern.” Adham drew his hand back and then to Ardeth’s utter surprise picked up one of the blankets and draped it over his shoulders. “Who gave you that?”

               Ardeth shook his head. “Will you take me at my word that it was most certainly not Ammun’s high priest who did so?”

              “If you do not wish to tell me who has kissed you so I will not ask again, but I will only tell you this, cousin. If he has done so, or more, no matter how much or how little, it does not in any way make me one bit less willing to follow you to Paradise or to hell if needs be, chieftain. You have my oath to Allah himself on that, Ardeth.”

              He sighed. “It is good of you to be concerned Adham, truly. And I am honored more than I can say by the oath. So I swear to you in return with no pretense and precious little politeness, I have not been raped.”

              “Thanks be to God.” Adham sighed. “But he has kissed you-- and such, yes?”

              “Gave me this you mean?” He found a smile and touched the mark he could not see. “No, Adham he did not give me this.”

              “No?” Surprise in his cousin’s voice although he did not look up to meet the one all to perceptive dark eye. “You have someone here amongst the tribes you are seeing then?”

              “No.” He shook his head because that would only start rumors. “I would never be so disrespectful to one of our tribesmates to keep a mistress, Adham.”

              “I did not think so.” Adham replied. “Only perhaps that I had missed that you had found someone to love and perhaps not yet announce your engagement to, but that is not like you either. So, if it is not something you came by unwilling, who are you spending your nights with in Thebes, Ardeth?”

              “Did you think I would be so calm about him being here as our ally if he had harmed me so, Adham?” He ignored the question because he wanted an answer of his own.

              “If you thought it was the only way to insure that the tribes survive? No doubt you would try. I have never known you to have to attempt such a falsehood Ardeth so I have no idea if you could achieve it or not. I only wanted you to know you need not pretend so with me if it were the case.”

              “I have no idea what to say to you Adham, so much is tangled in my mind and heart suddenly that I have no words.”

              “Simple ones then, Ardeth, will do. Whoever has kissed you so, do you love them?”

              “Yes.” He smiled a bit.

              “And they you?”

              “Yes.” He returned and it was not hard to say at all.

              “Good.” Adham’s hand rested on his shoulder. “Then I am not angry, no matter who it is.”

              “Thank you, Adham.” He gripped his cousin’s wrist. “It was good of you to worry.”

              “I worry still, because something has haunted your eyes these past mornings that not even this new joy will swallow completely and I would bear it with you if I could.”

              He sighed. “Must I say it, Adham? I would rather not.”

              “Then you need not.” Adham’s hand tightened for a moment. “Share it with me when you can, will you Ardeth?”

              “It will sound so foolish you will think me a child and no one to follow into battle much less onto Paradise.”

              “I doubt that. Nothing that unnerves you so that you can not meet my gaze is foolish, Ardeth.”

              “It is kind of you to think so.” He returned and found the courage to meet that dark gaze with his own and not flush again. “He has not harmed me, Adham I swear it.”

              “But he has touched you yes? Or threatened it?”

              “Yes.” He agreed. “He has threatened a great deal, from having my tongue cut out at one point, to rape, to the Hom-dai itself but he has not once harmed me cousin. I am well."

     "Good." Adham agreed. "If he harms you, Ardeth, I will rip out his heart and choke him with it."

     Ardeth looked up in surprise because in all their adult lives he had never once heard Adham sound truly angry. "Only threats cousin."

     "Does the person who you are-- sharing kisses with know of the threats the creature has made and what haunts your eyes still, Ardeth?"

     "Yes." He smiled a bit, thinking of all the times Rick had held him and let him shake and thought no less of him for it.

     "Good. Then I will content myself that you are well and that someone makes you smile so. You do know I would not care who it was so long as it was something you desired do you not cousin mine?"

     "I do. But I will not break a trust and give you a name, Adham."

     "No, of course not." Adham agreed. "Nor would I expect you too." Adham poured himself another cup of coffee. "It is good to have spoken to you, Ardeth. I was uncertain of how to do so but I wanted you to know of my support and that neither my admiration or my love for you has changed any no matter what has happened in this place you walk in your dreams."

     "Thank you cousin." He finished his own cup of coffee.

              “I will see if Leila is done mending your robes, Ardeth, then we can pray to Allah for the strength to go and see to the burial of our tribesmates.”

              “I am saddened beyond words to be burying so many of us, Adham. But do know that my grief would be a thousandfold more if you had not had the amulet of Sekhmet yesterday and had perished in trying to save me and those allies we have against Germany, even He who shall not be named.”

              “I am thankful to Allah myself for the wonder of it, and for the fact that you are well and whole yet.” Adham agreed and then hugged him again. Then he went out to speak with his wife. Ardeth poured himself another cup of coffee and only sat there and smiled a bit sadly at both his cousin’s stubbornness and the obvious concern. He was going to have to be far more careful with what he let show apparently than he had thought. But it was good to have one friend besides Rick that he knew he could turn to in this great tangle of things he had found himself in. Adham came back a few minutes later with his robes and he dressed quickly. He hugged both the girls and thanked Leila for the care of his arm and his robes, and promised to come soon to dinner before joining in the noon prayer. Then, he walked with Adham and his family, including both sons now back toward the battle site.

              Selim, Rick, Evelyn, Sallah and Imhotep were all waiting for them, along with the leaders of the other tribes. Jonathan and Alex stood with Rick and Evelyn and Mohamed, Adham’s oldest waved at his friend who waved back. Ardeth smiled a bit, thinking once more how glad he was that his friends had already grown to be a part of his family. “Are we gathered then?” He asked quietly.

              “As we can be. There are of course still riders out on patrol but the rest of us are here chieftain.” Pasha answered.

              Ardeth nodded and then turned to look down at the battlefield. “We have removed all that is useful from the weapons our enemies left with their dead?” He asked.

              “We have.” Selim replied.

              “Then let those that ride sentry know we begin if you will, Arebe?” He smiled and clasped his friend’s shoulder, thankful again to Allah and the bright son of Osiris and Sekhmet herself for the fact that his friend was with them.

              Arebe nodded and let the falcon on his arm fly.

              “Selim, you are the oldest of the tribal leaders here, will you speak first?” Ardeth invited his uncle.

              “I speak as a father who has lost a son just this last week past. No amount of words will convey the grief that fills the hearts of the fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, brothers, sisters and family of those left behind. But we know that these men died as warriors of Allah, to protect Egypt from the invaders who would plunder her sands for the ancient secrets and weapons they hold. They died Medjai and as such rest already with Allah in Paradise.”

              Ardeth nodded. “Pasha el Ahmed will you recite for us the Koran?”

              “And it is Allah who takes your souls at night, and resurrects you , that his will be fulfilled. For God brings forth the living from the dead and brings dead from the living as God enlivens the earth after it is fallow and so will you be brought forth. Weep you not at the loss for God has said to us. “For those who have fled or been driven from their homes or been hurt in My cause or fought or been killed, I will erase their sins from them and introduce them to Paradise beneath which rivers flow as a reward from the presence of Allah. Those who have died have their reward with their Lord. Truly they are already there, pure and forgiven without having been cleansed for they are one with God and that is as God has willed it to be.”

              Ardeth sighed and then nodded. “The tribes have been forever lessened by this loss. Never will we forget the sacrifice these men have made. Allah grant us all as much courage when we face the same. Rest well, warriors, for truly no chieftain has ever lost better. . I will miss each of you beside me in the battles yet to come and thank you sincerely for your strength in those we have won. Allah, God of my people, these men were Med-Jai, I swear it. Grant them a place by your side, most merciful, they deserves no less. And there are no better to be found on earth." He took a deep breath and then picked up a handful of sand and let it run from his hand and spill down into dunes below. “We will remember you, until the wind no longer blows in the desert."

              Each of the tribal leaders followed his example and symbolically picked up a handful of sand to toss into the great field below. Then as they had always done and would always do the women of the tribes gave a great undulating cry of loss the echoed out over the field and back toward the Nile and then back again.

              “May Ma’at walk with you through any dark places you must travel on the way to the side of Allah.” Imhotep offered almost silently in Egyptian. “Now, Ardeth?”

              “If you could.” He agreed.

              Ammun’s High Priest raised both arms and looked up to the sun and there was very suddenly a wall of sand that stretched even above the dune on which they were standing and then it simply seemed to flow like water forwards. It was like watching the inundation of the Nile itself and when the sand was settled once more there was no trace below that the battle had ever been. Only drifts of sand.

              There was a long moment of silence, then the mounted warriors of the Medjai who remained gave a cry and rode down the dunes and then back and truly there was no sign of anything at all. “Allah grant that we never again lose so many of us.” He sighed, meaning the prayer with his whole heart.

              And there was a bright sudden flash of sunlight and a warm wind from the direction of the Nile behind them and it blew over the sands as well, smoothing them again with a shadow of wings. He could hear the mummer of awe that went through the Medjai. “Thank you, Bright son of Osiris.”

              “You are welcome.”

              He was not sure for a moment whether he had actually heard the voice or not but given the utter shock on the faces of the leaders of his tribes he decided he had and they had as well.

              “Horus is fond of you, Medjai.” Imhotep pointed out. “Will it be well with your tribes if I send the sand to bury your dead that lie to the west?”

              “No.” He shook his head. “Not yet.” He turned to the small group of women and children and the three men who remained from the eleventh tribe. “We should go and see to the burial of your families and tribesmates now. Are you very certain you wish to do this? It will not be peasant.”

              “It is what must be done, chieftain, we will do it.” Jamil answered.

              “So be it then. Who will come with us then to bury Ahmer and his tribe?” Much to his surprise all ten of the leaders stepped forward to join the small group. Despite himself he smiled. “Truly, Allah could not grant any man better.”

              “You aren’t thinking about taking all of them are you? You’ll kill yourself.” Rick muttered.

              “Not if we are cautious and the bright son of Osiris is yet fond of me as everyone seems to think.” He shrugged. “I do not intend to cause myself harm, brother. Do you and Evelyn wish to come with us? Truly it is a horrific sight and I do not doubt it is worse now than it was when I was first there.”

              “Then let’s ease the way if we can. Alex love can I have my medallion back please?” Evelyn asked. Alex slipped the medallion of Sekhmet from around his neck and handed it to her. “Here, Ardeth, for what little weight it has in the modern world, from Pharaoh’s daughter to the commander of the Medjai, may Sekhmet, she who is the wrath of AmmunRa himself grant you strength and safety and see you safely back to us.” She offered in Egyptian and raised herself up on tiptoe to slip it over his head.

              He ducked his head just a bit but smiled. “Thank you.”

              “Just be careful.” She smiled. “I like my brothers in one piece you see.”

              “As you say.” He agreed and then slipped his shield onto his arm.

              “Take care?” Rick squeezed his shoulder tightly.

              “I shall do my best.” He agreed and then went over to the group of Medjai. “Let us see this done then.” He glanced over at his guest and the priest of Ammun came to stand beside him. Rick traded a look with the priest of Ammun that Ardeth could not begin to understand. But his most unusual guest only nodded once.

              “It will take a great deal for you to transport so many of us three days ride from here and back Ardeth.” His guest pointed out.

              “I thought to see if Horus was willing to allow us to share the burden as Selim, Arebe, and Sallah did when they went to Hamanaptura and back.” He pointed out. “If you are still willing of course, Selim? Adham? Arebe you are not even going to consider it. Rest yet.”

              “Yes chieftain.” Arebe answered with a smile.

              “I will certainly do my share if the bright son of Osiris does not object.” Selim replied. “He is very loud when he is angry you know.”

              “Yes.” Imhotep agreed.

              “I have never known him to be angry so I can not say.” Ardeth shook his head. “Let us ask then and see what we may achieve.” He looked eastward. “Allah willing of course.” He prefaced the request. “Horus Hekarte, bright son of Osiris, who is lord of the Tuat and most revered Isis please, I ask of thee the use of thy grace to journey from here to where the dead of the eleventh tribe of Medjai lay waiting for us to bury them properly. Grant me oh Avenger of thy father somehow the strength to take my tribesmates who are gathered here with me now, and the priest of your father’s father with me so that the burial might be done and I might yet stand with them there and return us here. If it pleases you, my fellow Medjai are willing to bear some of the burden of the journey with me.”

              Horus cried out from somewhere overhead, at least he thought it was his friend and not truly the bright god of Vengeance.

              But the son of Osiris it seemed was indeed fond of him as had been said because one moment they were in AhmShere and the next they were standing not far from the remains of the eleventh tribe on a small outcrop of rock uncovered by the shifting sand. And while he was a bit tired he did not feel nearly so exhausted as even his first trip to this field alone had made him.

              “Allah have mercy...” Someone, he thought perhaps Jumah whispered softly.

              “I had tried not to recall this.” He shook his head and then glanced at the few of Ahmer’s tribe who yet remained. “Let us see to their burial and mourn.” He decided. “Allah, most merciful, who hears all prayers I stand before you chieftain of the Medjai, with the leaders of all my tribes here with me. I swear to you, most merciful that the men, women, and children who lie before me are Medjai, that they lived and died as warriors for Egypt. Truly, my God, there has never been such a tragedy to our people as this and I pray you to see them all to Paradise and tell to them oh most merciful that we will never forget them, while one Medjai remains to draw breath.” He looked out over the field. “You have been avenged, rest you all with that knowledge.”

              “May Allah grant in his wisdom that my tribe would have half the courage of yours Ahmer, my friend, for truly none has ever died more bravely for Allah or for Egypt.” Selim said softly and moved to his side to pick up one handful of sand and toss it off the escarpment.

              “Selim speaks for me when I can find no words of my own.” Arebe agreed and followed suit.

              “On this loss I think even the Prophet himself, peace be upon him, would be silent.” Pasha put in and did the same.

              “Truly, Ardeth, had I but seen this, I would have never doubted that you knew exactly what it was you were doing when you told us we needed any allies we could find.” Husan squeezed his shoulder. “I am old and foolish, and I will pray every day for the rest of my life that no Medjai ever has to see such a loss again. Allah grant you and your people the rest and the glory in Paradise they deserve Ahmer.”

              Ardeth reached up and gripped Husan’s wrist in thanks but left the rest of the leaders of the Medjai to speak and add their own handfuls of sand to the ceremony. Then the nineteen members of the eleventh tribe that remained and were old enough to even walk gathered up handfuls of sand in turn from oldest to youngest and added those as well. It was, truly, all he could do to stand there and not shout out his grief and horror to Allah as they did so but he managed it somehow.

              Salima the eldest woman there began the wail that always accompanied the Medjai into Paradise and the other women even the young girls followed suit. And Ardeth found he did not care at all that it was normally a cry given by his tribeswomen and gave vent to his own grief as well. Which seemed enough for the other men there to allow themselves to do so as well. Barely thirty voices were not enough to give grief to thousands dead but it was all they had. And then from somewhere behind them came a cry that was not made by any human throat but was undeniably a woman’s wail.

              Imhotep raised both arms again and the sand seemed to only slide down from the dunes and cover the dead without really ever blowing about at all. And a shrill cry that was not quite that of a falcon accompanied the slight shadow of a feathered wing that smoothed the sand to hide all trace of the remains of all the eleventh tribe.

              “Bis’mil’Allah.” Someone whispered.

              “We can but pray.” Pasha replied. “Let us see the children home now, chieftain and grieve for our loss and celebrate just a bit the joy our tribesmates now have in Paradise.”

              “As you say, Pasha.” He nodded. “Bright Horus, I have no way with words at the moment, son of Osiris. Only grief. Please, I beg you, grant me yet the strength to see my people back to our tribesmates safe and well.”

              “Go in peace, Medjai. I will see thee home.” Said the voice that was not a voice of great AmmunRa, but for once even the shimmering joy that voice brought did not warm him. But they were back in AhmShere and the task was done for now. Ardeth took the time to speak with each of the survivors of the eleventh tribe, insuring that all of them were well. It tore his heart not just a little to see the grief and loss in the children’s eyes most of all. Horus came circling down from the sun and perched on his shield rim and the youngest child Sana seemed to brighten a bit so he took his friend onto his arm and showed the little girl how to stroke the soft feathers. Horus, bless him, only sat there and looked at her with his wide eyes.

              “When he flies back up can he see Paradise?” She asked softly.

              “I do not know. Perhaps.” He could not know for certain what it was that linked his friend to his namesake and Horus had indeed already died and returned himself. “Why?”

              “Could he tell papa and mama I love them for me?”

              “Of that I am very certain.” He answered. “Will you do so for me, my friend? Will you take Sana’s message to your namesake so that he might give it to Allah?”

              Horus gave a soft trill and then spread his wings and took to the sky and the sunlight caught his feather and turned him bright gold for a moment.

              “Thank you chieftain.” One of the other women said quietly, coming over to take the child’s hand.

              “Thank you.” The little girl nodded, tears bright in her dark eyes now and then much to Ardeth’s surprise she pulled her hand free and hugged him tightly. Uncertain of what else to do he wrapped his arms around her gently. It was a very hard thing indeed to bear the soft sobs as she cried but he made no move to let go, only shaking his head as the young woman would have taken her from him.

              “Here now, you will make yourself sick.” He remembered his father saying that to Rihana. “Do you want your parents to only worry more for you than they do now?” He eased the little girl a bit away so he could wipe the tears that still ran down her face.

              “I want them back, chieftain.” She sobbed.

              “I know. Allah knows, I wish for that myself. But it is not to be, little one. No matter how much we miss them.” He sighed, and wiped the tears again. “No matter the loved ones we lose Sana, we always miss them. All we can do is trust to Allah that he will give us the strength to survive and grow and do them proud when they look down upon us from Paradise, hmm? It is more than all right to mourn, Sana. Never think that it is not. But if you cause yourself harm in doing so that is not what Allah wills for us, all right?”

              “I-- know. I am sorry I am not a very good Medjai.”

              “Oh, child. You are, I swear it to you, more Medjai in your heart than even I could ever be.” He tucked one long bit of hair behind her ear. “Truly I am reminded that sometimes grief and pain borne together can strengthen those who share it. I will keep the courage in my heart to mourn my tribesmates and yet go on if you will. Is that a bargain, do you think?”

              “So I can cry again and you will still think I am Medjai?”

              “Little one, you may cry anytime you feel the need and I will count myself a lucky man to have you in my tribes, hmm?” He found a smile. “But you must not make yourself sick, and you must grow and make me and your parents and Allah proud all right?”

              “I can do that, chieftain.”

              “Good.” He kissed her cheeks. “Medjai do not break their words you know.” He pointed out.

              “Yes, chieftain.” She nodded. “I know.”

              “Why do you not go back to your tribesmates now, little one and I must, Allah willing, see to the battle with Germany yet to come.”

              “You will not let the tanks hurt you chieftain? Please?”

              “In’sh’allah, Sana I will only do my best to destroy them before they can harm any of us again.”

              “All right.” She nodded as if it was settled and walked, with far too much dignity for so little a child with her tribesmates back to the few remaining members of Ahmer’s tribe.

              “Bis’mil’Allah.” He whispered to himself.

              “I have never in my life been prouder of you, Ardeth.” Selim said quietly and clasped his shoulder where he was still crouched. He looked up and then sighed and took his uncle’s hand to get to his feet.

              “It is easier to face tanks.” He shook his head.

              “Often it is, yes. Your father were he alive to see you would be proud indeed.”

              “It is good of you to say so.” He sighed. “No doubt he would have done better though. I have so little idea of how to speak with children.”

              “You did fine, Ardeth.” Selim offered.

              “Thank you. Let us eat then, and see what we can think of to insure that we defeat the enemies of Egypt so we can celebrate the arrival of so many of us into Paradise and mourn our loss of so many friends.”

              “As you say, Ardeth.” His uncle hugged him close and kissed his cheeks much as he had Sana’s and then released him. Adham reached over as Selim let him go and squeezed his shoulder tightly. And when Adham let go, Rick did the same. Evelyn slipped out from under her husband’s arm, her other arm around Alex and leaned up once more to kiss his cheek and then embarrassed him further by hugging him tightly.

              “Evelyn...”

              “Oh bother with propriety, my husband is right here and half your tribes are here to chaperone.”

              “She’s rather used to hugging me, Ardeth, so I expect as you’re family now you’d best get used to it.” Jonathan put in.

              He sighed but smiled. “As you say.” He thought for a moment and then picked her up and hugged her tightly much as he would have done for Rihana. Evelyn gave a startled giggle and then just tightened her arms. “Thank you, sister mine.”

              “You’re welcome. There see, that wasn’t so hard was it?”

              “No.” he agreed with a nod. “No disrespect meant of course, brother mine.”

              “I know you. I know my wife. You’ve got a better chance of stopping the Nile from flooding, buddy, than from getting Evie to stop hugging you. It’s a family thing after all.”

              “As you say.” He smiled. “Come then, let us eat. Will you mind, Adham if we join you?”

              “I would be glad indeed. Is there enough made Leila?”

              “I think so.”

              “Why do you not bring what is made and join us, since I know Amal and Azza have cooked for us all?” Selim asked. “I would be honored to have you and your family with us, Adham.”

              “Then that is what we shall do.” Ardeth decided. “Allah I trust will understand this, would you do me the courtesy as my guest and join us for lunch priest of AmmunRa?”

              “If you wish. I do not think there is need for me to impose though.”

              “We plan for war after lunch, and for that, it would do us good to have you here. You are my guest yet, priest, we have just buried my tribesmates. Let us be enemies later when we must be.”

              “As you say. I will stay then.”

              “Good.” He nodded, and found himself wondering what his father would have made of the alliances he had formed for the safety of Egypt and the hopeful survival of his people.

              “Up Haltu?” Khalifa came over and held out her arms.

              “Khalifa...” Adham muttered.

              Ardeth only smiled. “Again? Did I not just put you down?”

              “That was hours ago, Haltu. Up?”

              He sighed and picked the little girl up, settling her on his hip. “You are impossible.”

              “Nothing is impossible if Allah does not wish it to be.” Khalifa replied.

              Ardeth had to laugh. “Well said. Very well then you are close to impossible.”

              “Is that good?” She laid her head on his shoulder and seemed content to let him carry her for now.

              “I suppose it could be.” He smiled. “Are you tired, daughter of my cousin?”

              She nodded.

              “She is spoiled.” Adham muttered but Ardeth noticed he had Numa in his arms.

              “No doubt.” He agreed.

              “Can I meet your guest, Haltu?” Khalifa asked.

              “Hmm, you had best ask your father that, little one.”

              “Can I meet Haltu’s guest, papa?” She looked over his shoulder at Adham no doubt.

              “Bis’mil’Allah...” Adham grumbled. “No.”

              “Please?”

              “No.”

              “Please, papa?”

              “No.”

              Ardeth had to work very hard and not smiling. Adham could intimidate any man among the Medjai and he gave his cousin one more repetition before he gave in.

              “Please, papa?”

              “Bis’mil’Allah. Fine.”

              “Can I meet your guest now, Haltu?”

              “I suppose I agreed to it, did I not? Very well. Khalifa, daughter of my cousin, this it the High Priest of AmmunRa.” He indicated his most unlikely guest with his free hand.

              “Mohamed says that Alex says that you are already dead. Are you?” She asked before Imhotep could even reply to the introduction.

              Ardeth sighed but his guest only smiled. “Then Mohamed would be right, after a fashion of course.”

              That seemed to surprise Khalifa into silence for at least a minute. “You do not look dead.”

              “Hmm, that is true. I suppose I do not at that.”

              “You do not even look like a mummy.”

              “No?” That seemed to amuse his guest even more. “Have you seen many then?”

              “At the museum, and cats, and crocodiles.” She replied. “It will be hard to be scared now when Mohamed tells me to behave or you will come snatch me. You are not even taller than papa.”

              “There now you see, Medjai I am not even a fit foe to scare children. Whatever shall we do?”

              Ardeth tried his hardest not to smile but he could not help it. “Trust me, Khalifa when he wishes to be he can be very frightening indeed. No doubt the Germans thought so.”

Khalifa shook her head. “I am not scared, Haltu.” She decided firmly. “Are you really three thousand years old?”

              “A bit more I think.” His guest replied. “I thought the brotherhood between you and O’Connell was one of oath and not by blood, Medjai how is it then that young Alex has so much in common with the daughter of your cousin?” He asked in Egyptian.

              Ardeth had to chuckle. “There is indeed a fine line between coincidence and fate.”

              “Khalifa will you stop badgering your chieftain’s guest with so many questions? The– priest of AmmunRa will think we have no manners.” Leila said to her daughter in Medjai.

              “Yes mama. I am sorry, priest of AmmunRa. I was rude.”

              Imhotep shrugged. “You are not nearly so ill mannered as your uncle or his brother so I think I will not be offended.”

              “Thanks be to Allah.” Leila whispered.

              “No doubt.” Ardeth agreed.

              “I did not realize of course that I am a frequently invoked curse to keep children in line.” Ammun’s priest said in Egyptian once more.

              “Neither did I.” Ardeth shrugged. “No doubt even if you do not frighten the daughter of my cousin, her parents at least are concerned she will annoy you too much.”

              “And what is it then that I would do, tear the little one limb from limb or some such? Truly, Ardeth, as we have agreed I have been many things in life and death but never a creature such as that.”

              He recalled suddenly Rick telling him once that the creature in Anubis’ hell had indeed ripped Alex into pieces. He shuddered and tightened his arms around Khalifa just a bit. “No, on that we do agree after all. Thanks be to Allah.” He nodded.

              “Haltu what are you saying I do not understand?” Khalifa asked sleepily, sounding a bit cross.

              “I am thanking the priest of AmmunRa for not minding that Medjai it seem have no manners be we chieftains or little girls.”

              “Oh, that is all right then.” She sighed and turned her head against his shoulder to fall asleep.

              “You know, Selim, your son might not have been so far off after all.” Rick put in softly, in English.

              His uncle chuckled. “Perhaps you are right.” Selim replied in the same language. It did effectively cut his unusual guest out of the conversation but the priest of AmmunRa did not seem to mind that either.

              Ardeth sighed, but it truly did sound very nice indeed to perhaps have a child of his own to hold like he did Khalifa. And that only made him think of Sana, and how very easy it was in this world to have everything you had ever planed for simply taken in a moment. “Perhaps, uncle, there may be truth in that after all.” He agreed. He was rewarded for that with utter silence from his family.

              “We will talk later, chieftain.” Selim said finally, back to Arabic now.

              “Of that I have no doubt.” He agreed with a chuckle of his own but he did not mind continuing to hold Adham’s little girl as they settled around Selim’s fire and the women went to get the food.

              “I can take her, Ardeth.” Adham pointed out.

              “She is sleeping. And she weighs not much more than Horus my friend I think I can sit here with her.”

              “As if she was not spoiled enough, leave me someone in the family I can still make her think will not let her get away with anything she pleases.” Adham sighed.

              He had to smile. “Very well then.” He eased the sleeping child from his arms into Adham’s but she barely stirred. “Does she always sleep so soundly?”

              “Yes.” Adham nodded, but he smiled and then settled Khalifa on the mat beside him where her sister was mostly dozing too.

              “Your little girls are adorable, Adham.” Evelyn pointed out.

              “Thank you.” His cousin nodded. “They do appear so do they not? No doubt it is to make people unwary so that when they become the terror I know them to be we are all utterly amazed all over again.”

              “Some things, it appears, do not change with time at all.” Imhotep chuckled. “I have known children that have had that effect even on Pharaoh himself, Medjai you are not alone.”

              Ardeth smiled a bit. “No doubt. But we should hardly embarrass the Princess so when she is right here.”

              That got a good laugh indeed from rather a lot of his tribesmates and his guest. Evelyn looked torn between laughing and annoyed herself. “Ardeth.”

              “You keep reminding me we are siblings now are we not? Therefore why should I not feel as free to tease you as I would my sister where she here?”

              “Hmm. All right then, I suppose. But I doubt Nefertiri was that much of a handful.”

              “Why? You were when you were little.” Jonathan pointed out.

              “Climbing over statues, sneaking into sacred places, letting the hunting dogs out to chase the Ibis of Thoth, truly it seems not that long ago sometimes.” His guest put in.

              “Doesn’t sound like you at all.” Rick chuckled, but he held her close none the less.

              “Well, I suppose it does at that.” She sighed.

              “At least I come by it honest then.” Alex grinned.

              “God help us.” Rick grumbled, but he ruffled Alex’s hair. Ardeth looked eastward and gave a most heartfelt prayer of thanks to Allah for the wonder that having his family there was.

On to Chapter 7

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