Asr
Chapter 8
Imhotep sat watching the dancers and enjoying teasing his guests. Ardeth he discovered was both incredibly happy to have O’Connell as more than a bother and even easier to embarrass about it than he was to tease about Imhotep’s own interest in him. And O’Connell was still easily teased as well with anything that hinted at the fact that he had indeed watched the two make love. It was he admitted to himself also fun to drop more and more innuendo into his teasing with Ardeth and see which ones the young man now understood and which ones were still beyond him. It was amazingly easily actually to tell exactly how much he and O’Connell had done in bed just from that. And that only added to what he could then tease O’Connell with. They were both annoyed with him and embarrassed but it was still an enjoyable evening.
“Tell me, O’Connell, with all the great gifts the gods have granted you since the first time we met, why it is you are still so poor a guest? One should be thankful for such pleasure as you have just spent the day enjoying, after all.”
“I haven’t threatened to blow anything up today have I? That’s manners right there isn’t it?” O’Connell returned.
“That is self preservation as my god would be greatly angered if you harmed this place. And while I am certain my cooks are thankful that you are eating, I would say that is far more the result of you and your brother’s appetites for things other than food than with any attempts at manners.”
“Medjai aren’t known for their manners, just for there dedication to keeping you in your grave last time I checked.”
“Hmm, I will not argue that.” He chuckled. And then motioned Shusha to refill his goblet and O’Connell’s. Then he smiled a bit more as the American drank it down quickly. “Thirsty?” He put all the innuendo into the word and his glance that he could. O’Connell’s anger spiked enough to steal his thoughts back to English and out of Arabic which was annoying but surmountable. “Truly, I shall have to be judicious when claiming the kisses he yet owes me, hmm? Depending which flavor I care to enjoy?”
And that just about made the man forget his promises to Ammun or otherwise and take a swing. Imhotep only chuckled and left him be for the moment turning instead to his other guest and slipping from Arabic back to Egyptian.
“I am trying to convince your brother to be more thankful for his gifts, Ardeth. But he seems determined to be a poor guest. How can he fail to realize how very fortunate he is, Medjai?.” He pointed out to Ardeth after a bit.
“My brother if far more likely to recall that you are annoying him than he is to recall that he should be thankful.” Ardeth returned.
Imhotep chuckled. “He has a beautiful wife and a fine son. He has the blessings of several gods. He has all the tribes of the Medjai to call brothers. And he has truly the most intriguing of men to fight beside and share a bed with. Are not any one of these things more than any man should be thankful for?” He pointed out.
“As always, priest of AmmunRa, we do not agree on what a man should be thankful for.”
“He should not be so callous as to take such gifts for granted Ardeth. Nor should you. They are all so easily lost to despair. You are no stranger to grief or loss, Medjai. Surely you know that is true. His son could well be dead by now. Nefertiri could have remained dead in Ahm Shere the first time she came there. You could have died at least a dozen times since he met you at the very least. No, Medjai, such joy as you and your brother have been given should never be taken for granted.” He reached over and tapped his finger against the tattoo on Ardeth’s wrist. “That alone marks your days as numbered on earth, Ardeth.”
Ardeth looked at him for a long moment and then nodded. “There is truth to that. Do you expect me to be thankful then?”
“We defeated the Germans, Ardeth. We saved your brother from hell. And we rescued two of your people you thought lost to your enemy. And you have spent two days now sharing love with your friend. Do not tell me you are not thankful for all that.”
“I am.” Ardeth sighed, and then much to Imhotep’s surprise he chuckled. “Very well then, priest of AmmunRa. I shall give you a gift in return. Thank you Imhotep, truly, I am most grateful for all the wondrous gifts I have received as a result of you bringing me here to Thebes. For if it were not for that I would neither have my tribespeople safe, the blessings of AmmunRa, Bright Horus, and Allah himself. Nor would I have my brother to share my bed with. Truly, I suppose I owe you even another banquet and a night as a good guest do I not?”
Imhotep thought that through and then he had to laugh. “Oh well played indeed, Ardeth. Well played indeed. As you say. You are quite welcome, Medjai.” He smiled and then gentled his tone because he meant the next bit truly.“There is precious little comfort to be found in the waking world these days, Ardeth. Only fighting and death, injury and horror. Who am ,I after all, then to begrudge you any joy and happiness you might find here in the land of the faithful? It is good to see you smile so.”
“Madness is too mild a word.” Ardeth sighed.
“No doubt. Do not tempt me so, Ahba or I will forget and take a kiss from you here.”
“Would this new found courtesy between us, extend so far as to keep you from doing so were I to tell you that I would truly hate that?”
“Yes, Ardeth. It would.” He agreed.
“Then I am thankful for that as well.”
“You are most welcome.” He chuckled. “You could kiss your brother if you would rather.” He offered, just to see the young man flush.
“I would rather not.” Ardeth replied, but he did color just a bit.
“Imhotep...” One of the guards came over and bowed quickly. “Please I must speak with you.”
“What is wrong?” He set his goblet aside. Because the man would never have interrupted so if had not been important.
“High priest of AmmunRa, there are two dozen Medjai in the courtyard.”
“Two...are you certain?” He turned to look at Ardeth who was obviously as confused as he was.
“Yes.” The guard replied. “Does Pharaoh come to Thebes?”
And that thought made him cold. AmmunRa, who hears all prayers, please my god, do not forsake me now. Have I displeased thee somehow? Ammun had seemed content enough with him when he had seen the god to battle once more even amused that Ardeth had come to thank him again. “I...do not know, Tutshonek. I do not know. But let us assume that he does and make ready for he who is king of all Egypt.” He decided.
“As you say.” The man bowed and ran off.
“What’s going on?” O’Connell asked in arabic.
“It seems I have other guests, warriors. Perhaps it would be best if you went back to your room or even better if you left Thebes I think.” He decided.
“If it is Pharaoh, will he not be angry at you?” Ardeth asked.
“Anger is-- probably a mild word, Medjai. Truly, it may be that I will not get my four kisses you owe me yet after all.” He found a smile. “If such is the way of things, you might do me a favor instead if it seems you need my aid in battling the Germans.”
“And what might that be?” Ardeth asked.
“No doubt you know where the cursed chest is, yes? Leave it for a few of the Germans to open then and let the Princess read from the book of the Dead I suppose.”
Ardeth was silent for a moment. “Allah forgive me for this, but he can not curse you now, priest of AmmunRa. Egypt needs you and your god.”
“You are only one man, Ardeth, chosen of Horus and leader of the Medjai in the waking world aside. You can not stand against Pharaoh. Not here. Take your brother and go.”
“No.” Ardeth shook his head.
“Ardeth, if he says to go let’s go.” O’Connell put in, moving over to grip his brother’s arm.
“And leave an ally to be damned? No. I owe you hospitality yet, priest of Ammun. And I will not break that. You saved my brother and I from hell and asked for nothing in return. The least I can do is stand with you and see if something can be done to keep us all alive and well to face the enemies of Egypt.”
“Honor has a place, Ardeth but it is only foolishness if it gets you killed when there is nothing to be gained by it.”
“If a man wins a battle and in doing so loses his soul where then is the victory?” Ardeth replied.
“For Christ’s sake this is crazier than most of your ideas.” O’Connell growled. “I thought seeing him back in his grave was part of your oath.”
“It is. After saving Egypt. I came to swords with my tribesmates over this very fact. I will be damned myself before I let a man who has been dead three thousand years tell me otherwise.”
“Stubborn is so mild a word, Medjai.” He sighed but he rose to his feet as the guards outside the doors knocked twice and opened them.
Ardeth rose to his feet as well and then drew the shield of Horus onto his arm and the scepter into his hand. O’Connell sighed but pulled one pistol and the larger gun from along his back. Imhotep drew what power he could summon to him and noted where the closest sword was.
The crowd parted and several men he did not know, dressed much as Ardeth was only with the full headdresses and robes of the Medjai came two by two into the room then moved to the side and stood in lined array as there fellows moved past them and did the same until five men stood on either side of a now clear walkway. Ardeth stared at them in something beyond shock and it came to him that they were men Ardeth knew. Then four more came walking down the isle and he recognized them himself as some of the leaders he had met in Ahm Shere.
“What in the name of Allah are you doing here?” Ardeth asked after another second of shock.
“Our duty, chieftain.” Selim returned with a smile and the line of Medjai parted again as the four leaders stepped into place.
“Greetings to thee, Imhotep, High Priest of AmmunRa, greetings to thee from the Lord of the Tuat.” Nefertiri smiled as she walked between them, looking every bit Pharaoh’s bright daughter and stopped at the first dias step.
“Evie...” O’Connell whispered.
“Welcome, Princess. You surprised us.” He smiled in return and held out his arms in the traditional greeting. Much to his surprise she took that step and gripped his arms and then leaned up to kiss him on each of his cheeks.
“For saving my son from death, and my husband from Anubis.” She said softly in the ancient tongue. “Let us be allies yet priest.”
“Truly, no Pharaoh has ever had a better daughter.” He nodded. “Welcome then, Nefertiri, to the city of AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt. We were having dinner. No doubt we can find enough for your-- guard.”
“That would be wonderful.” She smiled and Nefertiri was gone behind Evelyn O’Connell’s much warmer eyes. “Hello, love.” She moved to kiss her husband quickly and said something in English which only seemed to mollify the man some. Then she turned to Ardeth and gripped his arms and kissed his cheeks. “Sorry to borrow your men, brother mine. But even I could not argue with Osiris. And I was not supposed to tell you I was doing this.”
“It is impossible to argue with the old gods I think.” Ardeth replied. “As you say, Princess. We are Medjai are we not? We are as always ready to stand as your guard if you should need us to do so. Please, join us. I would be honored to let you have my seat.” He put the scepter back at his belt and the shield back across his shoulders.
“Far be it from me to have a seat of more honor than yours, princess. You may have mine.” He offered, rising to his feet. “That will let you sit with your husband. Did your son come with you?”
“No.” She shook her head.
“Then we shall only need...how many more chairs exactly?”
“We can stand. We are guarding the princess are we not?” Ardeth moved to where his uncle and his cousin were standing. And then much to his surprise and the obvious shock of those in the hall a lone falcon swooped down the long line of Medjai and came to perch unerringly on his shield rim. “Horus.” Ardeth smiled and stroked the bird’s feathers. “What in the name of Allah are you doing here?”
“He wished to come.” Replied the man they had rescued that morning from the Germans.
“No doubt.” Ardeth sighed. “Are you well enough to be here, my friend? You must be exhausted, yet.”
“I am sound asleep I think.” The man replied with a smile. “Truly, Ardeth, I am glad to be here, chieftain.”
“Then I am thankful to Allah that you are. Selim, Adham, Pasha, Abdul, Kashim, Husan it is good to see you as well. Unnerving perhaps but it makes my heart glad none the less.”
“What do you do when you are told the god of the underworld has requested you to do so?” Adham shrugged but he hugged his cousin close and Imhotep could pick up the very real concern and worry. It took very little to understand that the man was certain he had taken far more than kisses from Ardeth but not yet rape. Imhotep sighed to himself at the assumption but there was little he could do about it now. Later he would let Ardeth know he needed to reassure his cousin that he was well. And his uncle too from the thoughts that the older man had as well.
“Do you think, Princess, he has any idea how very beloved he is by the people he leads?” He asked, because she might still recall how her father was not always so favored by his subjects.
“No, I doubt he does.” She smiled. “He would only be embarrassed if he did.”
“Very likely.” He agreed. It took surprisingly little time to rearrange the seating. Most of the Medjai took up positions flanking the dias although two he noticed went and joined the guards at the door. The servants brought chairs for Ardeth and the six Medjai leaders but somehow that became seating for the three women who waited on the Princess, and for Ardeth’s uncle, the man they had rescued from the Germans that morning and one other of the Medjai leaders. “Do tell your tribesmen they are more than welcome to eat. Surely it has been far too long since the city of AmmunRa was blessed by the presence of so many warriors of Egypt.” He smiled a bit, because it was so obvious that Ardeth was not expecting him to be a courteous host and doing so was confusing him and O’Connell both greatly.
“As you say.” Ardeth nodded once and repeated the comment in Medja for those about him.
“You don’t have to hover, Adham. I am perfectly safe I think.” Nefertiri told the huge man who stood beside her chair, doing an admirable job of reminding everyone that she was under the protection of the Medjai.
“If Osiris wishes me to be your guard, Princess. I will do so.” The man replied.
“I see the stubbornness runs in your family.”
Ardeth smiled just a bit but he did nod. “As you say. No doubt you are correct.”
“Dedication to duty and the strength and courage to see it done are not stubbornness, but something to be proud of.” Selim said quietly in flawless Egyptian.
Ardeth raised one eyebrow and then chuckled. “There is truth in that, Selim. But I think the priest of AmmunRa has a point as well. Stubbornness does indeed seem to be a family trait.”
“As you say, chieftain.”
“Since it appears that your tribesmen eat no more than you do when they come to my banquets, Ardeth, let us see to the entertainment shall we?”
“I am not fighting a crocodile.” The young man pointed out.
“Likely the poor beast would get trampled under so many feet.” He returned with a smile. “And any sensible lion would only snarl and go back to its cage.” But he let himself consider for a moment what Ardeth would do if he had suggested it and just who among the Medjai gathered there would have argued for the right to take the challenge.
“No lions either.” Ardeth shook his head. “We agreed on that long ago did we not?”
“We did.” He wondered if his young guest had any idea how much the exchange alarmed his tribesmates. “Very well then, we shall try for less bloody entertainment.” He clapped his hands and the floor cleared to allow room for the dancing. “With your permission of course, Princess I thought to offer entertainment.”
“As long as you are not trying to feed my guards to crocodiles or lions, priest of AmmunRa then certainly. I am only the guest, Imhotep.”
He chuckled. “You are, nor have you ever been, only anything Princess.” He returned. But he clapped again and the musicians began to play. “Should we warn your guard do you think that this odd fondness for so much clothing is not an ancient custom?”
“They noticed.” She replied with a smile of her own.
“No doubt.” He agreed.
O’Connell said something in English and his wife only smiled more. “I suppose while we’re amongst others that do it would be less confusing to keep to a language we all know.” She offered in arabic.
“As you say.” He agreed. “It will save you and Ardeth from having to translate so much. Although, I did notice you brought the historian with you.”
“Sallah, yes. It seemed horrible not too. No doubt he is copying down every carving on the walls. We will never get him to leave come morning.”
“So long as he stays to the lighted rooms, Princess. It is dangerous if he does not. Ardeth do tell your men that they should not venture too far into the shadows or down into the temple proper will you?”
“Certainly.” His guest nodded and gave the order in Medja and it was passed from man to man in a whisper.
The music changed just a bit and several dancers twirled their way onto the floor. And it was amusing all in its own right to watch the usually inscrutable Medjai have to work very hard not to stare. Nefshen took great delight in teasing them as she danced her way up to the main dais. She started on the side where O’Connell was sitting and only teased him lightly with one scarf along his arm. “No offence meant, Princess.” She whispered as she twirled away.
“None taken.” Nefertiri smiled. “You dance well.”
Nefshen flushed with the praise and then twirled again a quick half dozen circles and stopped to stare up and up again at Adham. “Oh, my.” She smiled, and then only reached up and traced the man’s jaw quickly. But she did most definitely have to reach up to do it. She laughed, that same silvery sound Imhotep recalled well and then twirled again to settle in front of him to run her hand just a breath away from his skin down his chest. “You have amazing guests, priest of Ammun.”
“I do indeed.” He replied with a smile. “Be kind to them, daughter of Bastet they are unaccustomed to such beauty.”
“Pity.” She smiled and then twirled around again and once more managed to arch her back and all but put her head in Ardeth’s lap. “Ardeth.” She reached over and traced his jaw with her fingers.
“Nefshen.” He smiled and somehow managed to keep from flushing. “Are you not angry with me anymore?”
“The Princess is here is she not?” Nefshen smiled and then twirled about again and smiled at him. Ardeth only nodded once. “Then I might forgive you.” She laughed and twirled again, a dozen quick circles in one spot that made him dizzy to watch, but flung her braids, skirts, and dancing veils out about her like flower petals. She stopped suddenly and then slowly, accentuating each move carefully she swung her hips around in a slow circle and let that movement carry her until she was several steps away. Then she spun around again and traced a complicated pattern in the air with her hands while slowly spreading her legs a bit more at each drum beat until she had managed to spread them completely and sit on the floor one out in front of her one behind her and her skirts pooled over her thighs. Then she rolled up onto her feet and retraced her steps quickly to slip on veil over Ardeth’s head and around his neck so she could pull him into a kiss.
“Nefshen.” The name was a growl but it did little to keep the embarrassment from showing.
“Yes, Ardeth?” She rolled his name with a smile. “Do not lose this, hmm?” She slid one bracelet down her arm as she pulled the scarf back and dropped it in his lap. Then she danced away and over to Selim who seemed utterly at a loss as to what to do with the attention and then to the others, before joining the other three dancers on the floor for a complex pattern of scarves that had them weaving in and out of each other and creating webs of cloth between them.
“You did not mention her.” Selim said quietly, but with a great deal of amusement in his voice.
“My oversight, surely.” Ardeth returned with a slight smile.
“Are all the banquets here so entertaining?” Adham put in.
“When we are not fighting crocodiles, or such, yes, often they are.” Ardeth returned.
“Would I not be a poor host indeed if I did not offer entertainment when you and your brother are my guests, Medjai?”
“I will grant you that you have never failed to offer entertainment at a banquet, no.” Ardeth returned.
O’Connell muttered something in English which apparently was too soft for even his wife to make out. Which, he supposed was a good thing.
“It is good I do not take lessons in manners from my guests then. I thought you were going to eat something for a change, Medjai.”
“We ate.” O’Connell replied. “Didn’t we?”
“Assuredly. It is not any fault to your cooks that they make too much.” Ardeth replied.
“Then let your tribesmates know that it will not poison them to do so. Truly, Princess, they will feel you are slighting them otherwise.”
“There is some truth to that. Risa, could you and Ainya fill plates for yourselves, Azza and I, please?”
“Of course Princess.” The woman answered in Egyptian with a slight bow.
“You brought servants?” He had to ask.
“I brought friends.” She returned with a slight smile. “Have you any idea how much work it takes for a Princess to get dressed after all?”
For a moment he wanted to answer that because he did indeed, having helped Anck-se-Naumun redress frequently. But to do so would only remind the young woman beside him of the animosity between them and at the moment he had no wish to unbalance the evening so. It was miracle enough they were all being as courteous as they were. “Your mother I recall always said it was a foolish waste of time when all her daughters were beautiful enough without aid.”
“Did she?” Nefertiri smiled. “I had forgotten that.”
“I did speak with the servants here and I think there is one or two who remember Tetnuhether. If you like, since you are once again my guest, I will find them for you so you may speak with them.”
“That would be most wonderful.” She seemed a bit surprised but then smiled.
“Then it shall be done.” He shook his head. “How many guards did you bring with you Princess so I know how many rooms I need to find for them all?”
“Twenty-three all told, including myself.” She replied.
“Ammun have mercy.” He sighed.
“We are Medjai, we came prepared to camp if need be.” Adham put in.
“That would be rude would it not, Medjai, given that you have offered me hospitality in the waking world? Will your men mind if they must share two or three to a room, Ardeth?”
“Certainly not.” The young man shook his head. “But it is an unexpected visit, so if we must camp under the stars tonight we will not mind to do so.”
“You already have a room.” He pointed out. “The room you had before Princess is of course yours and your husband’s. I will give the women with you the adjoining room so that they may help you dress in the morning if you wish. That then leaves me, nineteen men to find room for.”
“Seventeen since two of us will be on guard outside the Princess’ room.” Adham put in.
“He takes his duty seriously does he not?” He asked both Nefertiri and Ardeth in Egyptian.
“I made a slight mistake I think, in telling him that Osiris told me to bring him as my guard by name.” She shrugged.
“Ah, that would explain it. Six rooms will suffice if there are three to a room.” He decided. “That can be done easily enough.” And he gestured Tahiri over and explained to her what he wished done. She nodded and bowed and then disappeared.
“I must admit, I am a bit surprised by your willingness to be so hospitable on such short notice.” Nefertiri looked over at him.
“We are for the moment are we not, allies against the enemies of Egypt. Besides, as you said, for some reason most revered Osiris. Lord of the Tuat, wished you to come here and bring the Medjai with you. I am not so foolish as to anger the gods, Princess.”
“That would be foolish indeed.” She agreed.
“But I do wonder what it is that causes the most revered Osiris to send you here with your guard. Did he not give you any indication of why you are here or are you not allowed to say?”
Nefertiri shook her head. “He said only to come here tonight with Selim, Adham, Arebe, and Kahid in particular. That was all.”
“AmmunRa mentioned nothing to us when we saw him before he went to battle Set once more.” He shook his head. “Have any of you heard anything from Horus, or Sekhmet, or even Anubis?”
“No, Sekhmet doesn’t seem to speak to me as much as Horus does to Ardeth. Or Anubis does to you, Rick. Not that I’m complaining on that part.” She shook her head.
“Horus I don’t mind seeing. He’s pretty amazing. And I don’t have words for Ammun. But if I never hear another word from Anubis I’ll be really glad.”
“There is truth in that.” Ardeth agreed. “But no, I have not heard from the bright son of Osiris since the time he was here with AmmunRa after the battle.”
“Very odd. I would hope then there is no enemy to be faced in Thebes as there is in Ahm Shere.”
“Bis’mil’Allah, I hope not.” Ardeth sighed. “AmmunRa would have warned you do you not think?”
“I would, but even here, Medjai I am not always certain I understand the way the gods think.” He shook his head. “We shall, unfortunately, have to take on faith, that we are gathered here to accomplish whatever task it is the gods wish us to.”
“In’sh’allah.” Ardeth sighed.
“I’m not certain if I’m relieved that we’re gathered here or not.” Evelyn sighed. “Rick can you even get to your armor here?”
“I don’t know.” O’Connell replied, but there was a darkness to his thoughts that did not reach his voice and Imhotep actually grasped enough to realize that he had indeed come close to trying just that more than once. And that pulled the young man’s thoughts straight back into the hell of Anubis’ creation.
“We are ignoring the dancers again. And I would hate for Nefshen to get annoyed at you once more, Ardeth.” He offered.
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed, but he smiled just a bit. “Likely she will not let me keep her token at this rate.”
“Why exactly did she give you that, Ardeth?” Selim asked. And it was worth the entire evening to see Ardeth flush so.
“It’s a gesture of respect Selim. And a bit of a way to garner favor. It was a very common practice as I recall it. Does she have any idea you are the Medjai chieftain, Ardeth? No doubt you’d have to choose between more than one favor if that got around.” Nefertiri put in with a smile, although it was obvious from her thoughts she knew very well that there was more involved in the gift than only respect.
“Bis’mil’Allah, Evelyn, please, I am only one man, and I have done nothing worth noting here in Thebes to earn me one such token much less the attention of any of the others.” Ardeth shook his head.
“I suppose it’s a bit beyond the scope of propriety isn’t it?” She smiled a bit and then looked over at her husband. “I thought I told you to keep him out of trouble?”
“Me?” O’Connell asked, but he did smile and a bit of the darkness left his eyes. “How exactly was I supposed to do that, Evie?”
“I thought I was supposed to be keeping Rick out of trouble, Evelyn. Not the other way around.” Ardeth added.
“It was mutual. Not, that I had dancing girls in mind when I told you both that.”
“She is not what one would normally consider a threat or an adversary is she? Did we not argue that before, Medjai?” He asked with a smile.
“Having Nefshen for an adversary? Not that I recall, no.” The young man shook his head.
“Something about who one could consider an opponent and not feel foolish about.” He shrugged a bit and reached for his wine goblet with a smile.
And that brought the conversation easily to Ardeth’s mind and it was so obviously a struggle not to flush. “As you say.” He offered finally with a trace of cold anger to the words and a prayer to Allah that Imhotep would have sense enough not to press further with the Medjai leaders right there including the man he had faced in combat for leadership only that morning.
“One should never take for granted that just because something does not appear to be a threat it is by any means assuredly harmless.” He nodded. “Would you not agree, Princess? Certainly no one would guess that you are very likely far better with a sword than most of the Medjai who stand as your guard would they?”
“Unless they knew better.” She agreed with a nod but he did not miss the uncertain look she gave both her husband and Ardeth.
“Indeed, perhaps I should have offered to let you fight the crocodile instead of your bodyguard.”
Her eyes widened a bit.
“Like hell.” O’Connell growled.
“It was my choice and my battle.” Ardeth turned to him and reached without conscious thought for the sword at his belt.
“Truce, Medjai, truly, I meant no harm only a compliment to your fighting abilities, Princess. I am hardly going to suggest you prove them.” He sighed. “They take their task very seriously for men who have a champion of Sekhmet herself to guard. Put your sword away, Adham you can not kill me with it and it will annoy your cousin if I have to slam you into the wall to prove it.” He kept from turning to face the man behind him but he kept the power he had ready just in case.
“Do as he says, Adham.” Ardeth said quietly. “We are guests after all. Are we not, priest of AmmunRa?”
“Certainly.” He agreed. “Nefshen was right, Medjai I have the most...intriguing guests. But then I already knew that.” He rose to his feet and smiled just a little at the young man seated beside him. “If you will do the honor of escorting your wife, O’Connell, no doubt there are a few people here who would be honored to meet you Princess.”
“As you say.” She rose to her feet and then smiled as Ardeth and Adham both fell into place behind her and O’Connell came to her side and took her arm. “I doubt I was ever this well escorted in Memphis.”
“There is some truth to that.” He agreed.
The falcon that had for most of the evening perched on the shield beside Ardeth’s chair circled the room once and then landed, with far too much grace for even a falcon on Ardeth’s shoulder and then spread it’s wings to almost encompass the princess’s head.
“Horus.” Ardeth started to chastise the bird and then stopped as the fact that it had just made a living copy of so many of the statues of the Pharaohs and their children came to his mind. “Ai-hetrem-hestet-heru.” He whispered.
“Why thank you, Horus.” Nefertiri smiled a bit but while her voice was calm her thoughts made it obvious she was as startled as Ardeth. And almost as one the servants, dancers, and lesser priests and priestesses gathered about went to their knees.
“That is all too appropriate you know.” The historian who Ardeth had left in charge of the great books put in. “Did he do that on purpose, Ardeth?”
“No doubt.” Ardeth shook his head a bit. “Thank you then, my friend, and my thanks to your namesake once more.”
The falcon gave a small chirp that sounded impossibly smug and began to calmly groom one lock of Ardeth’s hair.
“I would truly think he understands you, cousin.”
“Of course he does.” Ardeth replied. “Do you not, my friend?”
“I begin to wonder if the gods did have more in mind when they granted my request to give him back to you than I though possible, Medjai.”
“Who are we to know the will of Allah?” Ardeth replied.
“As you say, Medjai as you say.” He smiled a bit more. “You have made quite an impression on the crowd, Nefertiri. Let us wander among them and reassure them that while you are indeed Pharaoh’s bright daughter they need not expect you or your guards to be divine.”
“Certainly.” She agreed. But it took a bit of doing to convince most of the people there to look up and meet her eyes instead of staying to their knees and keeping their heads bowed. Nefertiri had never had the easy charm with people that Evelyn O’Connell managed but when she combined the two is seemed to work well. And it very much reminded Imhotep of Tetnuhether. He introduced her to the High Priestess of Mut who had come from her own temple having heard of the Princess’ most astounding arrival, and smiled a bit as she was drawn into discussing the great goddess’ blessings in allowing them to move to and from the land of the faithful to the waking world and back again. The conversation gave him an opportunity to study his new and not entirely welcome guests a bit more. Most of the Medjai were far more uncertain and uncomfortable with being in Thebes than their expressions or actions indicated. And they were all very uncertain of him, and not surprisingly distrustful of the hospitality they had received. Ardeth’s two family members were also trying with surprising success actually to keep within easy reach of their chieftain with an eye toward his safety as much as Nefertiri’s. And Ardeth of course did not notice that their concern was as much for him as for the Princess. You do not have any idea how much they care for you do you, Ardeth? Or how rare that is in a leader, even the chieftain of the Medjai. You are an odd man, Ardeth Bey, and damnably intriguing. He smiled a bit more at the thought, noticing that O’Connell had found a position that put him directly between Nefertiri and Ardeth, no doubt ready to come to the aid of whichever one needed him. And what will the Princess think of this love you share with Ardeth? Hmm? And if you are in your wife’s bed this night O’Connell, I may yet find a chance to claim another kiss from your brother. He turned his attention back to the conversation between the Princess and Mut’s high priestess.
“You have brought a most impressive guard with you to Thebes, Princess. Truly you surround yourself with men of great stature.”
Nefertiri smiled. “Thank you. No doubt any one of the Medjai is suitable escort. Adham does make a rather formidable impression though does he not?” She looked over her shoulder at the very tall man standing behind and to her left. Then the smile widened seeing her husband and Ardeth there as well. “Not to mention the other two. No offence of course, Ardeth. I didn’t know you were there.”
“None taken.” He replied with a smile of his own.
“Pashakasa, this is Ardeth Bay, leader of the Medjai and champion of Horus.”
“Mut’s blessings to you and your warriors then, Medjai.” She smiled.
Ardeth inclined his head in thanks. “If the great goddess finds any favor with us it can only be a blessing.”
“And this is Adham leader of the ninth tribe.”
“Let us adjourn back to the dias and sit and talk shall we? Would you join us, Pashakasa?” He offered.
“I am thirsty.” She replied. Nefertiri nodded. “Truly, Imhotep it has been too long since Thebes had so auspicious a visit.”
“Certainly not with such numbers no.” He agreed with a smile. “The gods alone know what my cooks are going to do with so many people if they actually eat.”
“We are Medjai, Priest. If needs be we can go out and catch our own dinner.” Ardeth answered.
“Really? I do not recall that your skill with a bow was quite that impressive, Medjai.”
“I was– distracted by other concerns.”
“No doubt.” He smiled a bit. “One should learn to swim before diving into the river, Ardeth.”
“Only when one wishes to survive the experience.” Ardeth returned.
“As you say.” He shook his head. “I would think after so long I would be used to the utter lack of logic in the way Medjai think.”
“I have never found them to be that hard to understand. Duty to the gods and their oaths, loyalty to each other onto death, and the protection of Egypt and all of its people from Pharaoh himself to the fellahin in the fields. What is there to cause confusion?” Pashakasa smiled a bit. “I have always found you and your people to be a source of strength Ardeth.”
“Thank you Priestess.” He seemed honestly pleased by the comment and for all his exposure to the ways of love and desire in Thebes completely oblivious to the flirting involved in it. Nefertiri however was not and rolled her eyes just a bit with a smile at her husband.
“Do you find the Medjai hard to understand, Princess?” He asked.
“No, not really.” Nefertiri replied. “Completely overbearing and annoyingly protective at times but not hard to understand.”
“Are we truly so bad as that, Princess?” Ardeth asked.
“She thinks so.” O’Connell pointed out. “Because I’m pretty sure I got lumped in there too.”
“As you should, brother mine. You are Medjai are you not?”
“Yeah, I suppose I’m kinda stuck with it.” O’Connell smiled.
“Thanks be to Allah.” Ardeth chuckled.
“That is a very odd thing for the champion of Horus to say.” Pashakasa shook her head a bit.
“You will find that most of the gods champions at this moment are rather odd.” He had to put in. “Even AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt, is amused by that fact.”
“Then that is the way it should be, no doubt.” Pashakasa took the goblet of wine that Shusha offered her and Imhotep found himself once more one seat short.
“I will talk to my tribesmates a bit, priest of AmmunRa. For they are no doubt at least as lost in all of this as I was when I first arrived.” Ardeth indicated the chair that left. “And I need to find a place for Horus for the night or likely he will embarrass himself and his namesake and fall asleep on my shoulder.”
The falcon gave a chirp and snapped not too gently at Ardeth’s fingers. Imhotep had to chuckle. “It would do you well to not insult him or his namesake so I think.”
“As you say. Do not bite me in front of our host, Horus.”
The falcon fluffed it’s feathers and then smoothed them and turned to look unerringly into Imhotep’s eyes and then most amazingly only turned it’s head to tuck it against Ardeth’s throat under his jaw and make an odd sort of croon.
Ardeth chuckled just a bit and looked over at O’Connell who smiled back. “Be of better faith, little one, hmm? I am quite well. Let us go see to our tribesmates shall we?”
Imhotep sighed and then chuckled himself. “You have good friends, Ardeth Bay.”
“I do.” The Medjai agreed and then went to speak with his tribesmates.
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“You did not tell me you were the leader of the Medjai, Ardeth.” Nefshen smiled at him as she came over to stand beside him, and watch the Nubian acrobats currently amazing most of the guests.
He smiled a bit himself. “I did not even think about it, actually.” He shrugged a little. “I am sorry?” He offered.
“Hmm. You are an odd man, Ardeth, to not flaunt such a position and the prestige it grants you.”
He shrugged again. “Normally it is little enough to notice, or bother announcing to anyone.”
She shook her head. “Odd.” She repeated but she laughed a bit and he had to smile. “Your shieldmate is a fortunate man to have such prestigious bedmates.” She teased.
And he could not keep from flushing. “Nefshen.”
She giggled. “He is pleasing enough to look at, certainly. But I must wonder what it is about him that the gods find such favor. You told me he did not share your bed for more than sleeping, hmm? That is not what I hear from the servants. Shall I be cross with you or intrigued do you think?”
He voiced a quick prayer to Allah for understanding and courage both. “I think I am hoping you will be intrigued. I did not mean to make you unhappy.”
“No, somehow I truly doubt you did.” She smiled. “So I am intrigued, truly.” Her smiled turned teasing. “But you must tell me if he is a more pleasing bedmate than I am.”
Ardeth only flushed deeper and shook his head. “I do not know that I can even compare the two.” It seemed a safe answer.
She looked at him a bit and her smile changed again to something more gentle. “Ah, Medjai, truly Bastet finds favor with you like few I have ever known. You are as new to loving with him as you were to loving with me are you not?” It was not really a question but a statement. “I will hope then that you found as much joy and pleasure in being inside him as you did with me. I will not doubt he enjoyed it as much as I.”
He looked down at her, not trying to hide his surprise any. “What?”
“It was a compliment to you, Medjai. For all your lack of practice at the skill you make up for it in the joy you bring to loving, truly.”
Any other time he would be pleased indeed at the compliment but his mind was caught on what she had said before and the fact that he had finally put the words together. “If you are kind enough to think me a courteous bedmate, Nefshen, how in Allah’s name can you think I would harm him so?”
She blinked, obviously surprised and then reached over and touched his arm, gently. “I thought nothing of the sort, Ardeth. Truly, you think very little of your own pleasure I have found and too much of your partner’s to cause discomfort much less harm.” Then her eyes widened and she sighed. “Blessed goddess, do not tell me you and he are not...oh Bastet, Ardeth. It is hardly something that is painful.” She smiled a bit. “Should I have taught you that as well, Medjai? All that is needed, silly man, is patience, trust, and a great deal of almond oil.”
And that lost him completely all over again. “I can not believe I am asking this. What?”
She smiled again and then leaned closer and put her lips against his ear. “Take him to your bed, and touch him as I showed you how to touch me, inside yes? With your fingers? Only go very slow, one at a time and use a great deal of oil to smooth the way. It is not that difficult, and quite enjoyable.” She giggled a bit. “If the Princess is so kind as to keep her husband to herself tonight, let me know. And I will be happy to teach you what I can.” She laughed, that bright silver laugh he liked. “But if she is not, then you owe me the courtesy of telling me how well my advice worked, hmm?”
He turned to look at her completely, finding much to his surprise only humor in her eyes and her smile. “I do not have the slightest idea what to say.”
“Say thank you, silly Medjai, and enjoy the pleasure to be found, hmm? He is handsome, and I admit I would not be adverse to sharing you with him. Would the Princess mind do you think if I was careful and we kept you between us?”
There was no way to even think of a reply to that. “Nefshen.”
She laughed. “I shall wait until the shock wears off and ask you again.” She stood up on her toes and kissed him, soft and deep. “Bastet’s blessing on you, Ardeth. Come to the courtyard fountain tonight if your brother is otherwise occupied, hmm?” She let him go and then laughed and blew him another kiss over her shoulder as she walked away to join the other women dancers for a moment before they took the floor again.
Ardeth had no idea how long he stood there before he could find the coherency of thought to take himself out to the balcony and let the cool night air soothe the flush he could feel still staining his cheeks. He was not at all certain what to think of the conversation other than the fact that he was both incredibly embarrassed and completely at a loss. Because if she was right, and he admitted to himself there was very little about pleasure that he would question Nefshen on, then why had Rick not even suggested they try? Certainly he was far too naive and ignorant of how to please his friend so, but that did not mean he would have refused Rick if he had asked. And that just made him flush again. Merciful God but it was impossible now not to wonder what it would feel like, when he had never even considered that sodomy could be anything but a method of torture. One of those things that was never spoken of outright, but every man feared when captured by an enemy. There were few other tortures he had heard whispered of that would break a man quicker. Allah had to know he had feared it so very much himself recently. And now he was trying to comprehend that it could be pleasure instead? He had thought Imhotep truly mad when he had suggested it might be possible to enjoy being in his bed, since he had had no doubt that Ammun’s Priest intended anything but taking him so that most frightening night. But if Nefshen expected that he and Rick would be sharing it as pleasure then it had to be possible. He shivered a bit, at the thought, remembering the enjoyment he had found in being inside Nefshen and watching her enjoy it. How much more joy would there be then in sharing himself with Rick that way when there was so much more between them? No doubt Rick was holding back for his sake, and his inexperience with such things. After all his friend seemed surprised enough that he wanted to learn to take him into his mouth so quickly.
He smiled to himself a bit annoyed by his friend’s overprotectiveness but warmed by the concern behind it. It shall be my turn to surprise you then, Rick, with the desire to know the joy and pleasure of such a complete connection between us. Allah grant me the courage to see it through, likely I will stumble over it like a fool. But you have never faulted me yet for my ignorance. I shall, I think, cause myself a great deal more embarrassment and ask Nefshen where it is I might find a bottle of this oil she mentioned. Perhaps if I am very lucky having it will be enough for you to realize what I am asking for and then I will not have to stumble over my words like a boy. He shook his head a little at himself and then chuckled. Allah have mercy on me, for I am as lost in this as I have ever been in anything but it brings more joy to my heart than I have the words to tell you. He glanced eastward as he thought the prayer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evie took a deep breath and set her goblet aside. “Azza I need to slip away for a bit, will you come with me so that the men don’t panic?”
Azza smiled a bit. “Certainly. I shall tell my husband we need to...primp. He will be horrified I even mentioned such unmentionables and we shall go.”
Evie had to stifle the laugh at that but she nodded. Azza came back a few moments later and they made their way into the hall. It didn’t take her but a few minutes to find Imhotep who had taken the opportunity to escape the gaggle of Medjai and escort Pashakasa out of the temple. She was a bit surprised she’d judged the time it would take so well, but apparently Nefertiri’s memories were quite reliable today. “Wait here a moment, Azza.”
“Evelyn...” The older woman gripped her arm.
“I’ll be fine, Azza. I have Sekhmet’s blessing and protection, plus I’m the daughter of Pharaoh.”
“That didn’t even save your father.” Azza hissed.
And that stung, still. “Stay here.” She patted the woman’s hand and then walked forward anyway. “Imhotep.”
“Princess. Is something wrong?” He asked in Egyptian. Which was good she intended to leave Azza out of this conversation.
“There is.” She agreed coldly. “So let us speak of it. I am not going to be polite about this. I don’t care how hard it would be to achieve. I don’t care how long it takes. But I swear it to you, Imhotep, by all the gods from Umat to Ihy that I will see you cursed back into damnation if I have to go to Memphis and bring back my father’s entire guard and Sekhmet herself to do it if you ever so much as try to harm Ardeth any. Ammun may be unhappy with me, he may even if he wishes see me punished for it. But I will do so. Do not think for a moment that I will not. Do not forget for a moment that I have sworn it. I don’t care how impervious you think you are, Imhotep you aren’t unbeatable.”
The man stood there and looked at her with unreadable eyes while she spoke but she could see the anger that sparked in them. “I did not realize your husband’s catamite was of such a concern, Princess.”
She didn’t think she only reached out and slapped him hard across the face. And the growl that came from her throat wasn’t hers at all. “The man both I and my husband love is very much my concern, bastard.”
He caught her wrist, not painfully tight but tightly. “Do not ever, raise your hand to me again, Nefertiri. Or we shall damn this land of ours to hell ourselves with the war that will result. I am not your servant or your subordinate now.”
“Let go of my hand.”
“In a moment. When I have spoken my turn. I will not be cowered, Princess. Not by you, not be the Medjai, not by Pharaoh himself. You may curse me if you can, but I will not back down from what I seek because you demand it. However, I understand your fear and your concern. And unlike your bastard of a father, Nefertiri I give a damn if my bedmates are willing or not. Even my sworn enemies, and I do not strike women. You might thank the gods for that while you are whining at them like the spoiled brat you have always been.” He let go of her wrist with a smile that made her cold, reminding her suddenly of the man she had faced in Hamanaptura so very long ago now.
“Go to hell.”
“You managed to condemn me to it once, Nefertiri, never again. Go yourself and take your husband with you, and do not look to me for aid in saving him as Ardeth did. Ungrateful children the entire lot of you.” He growled and then smiled coldly. “It is good one of us is an adult is it not, Princess? Go back to your guards, Nefertiri and play at being more than you are.”
“I am more than you will ever be, bastard. And the gods know my family is more than you will ever be or ever know. No matter how many airs you try for. Leave them be and we can pretend for the sake of Egypt that we can stomach the sight of each other.”
He surprised her with another cold smile. “As you wish Princess. Truly while I might be hard pressed to be civil and enjoy your company I do not mind at all to look at my other guests and enjoy theirs.” He stepped past her and headed toward the banquet hall. “Are you not going to join us?”
“Of course, Priest of Ammun. Far be it from me to be uncivil.” And she turned to walk back to Azza. “Bastard.” She added in English.
“That word I have learned from your husband.” Imhotep tossed back at her and then went into the hall.
“Is everything all right, Evelyn?” Azza asked.
“I think so. Yes.” She found a smile. “He just annoys me, Azza. And he was rather polite about being slapped so I suppose I’m not concerned.”
“That was very foolish.” Azza rolled her eyes. “You fit too well into my husband’s family, Evelyn.”
This time the smile was real. “Thank you , Azza.”
The woman only smiled back and hugged her. “You are welcome niece of mine. Come now the men will be wondering what trouble we have found.”
“Probably.” She agreed. But she walked back into the banquet hall and over to where Rick and Ardeth were talking. “Did you get Horus settled, Ardeth?” She asked.
“I did. Truly, Evelyn thank you for the most amazing gift of bringing my tribesmates here this evening. I am going to be hard pressed to remember I am not supposed to be enjoying these visits with the way things have been the last two.”
She smiled and slipped under Rick’s arms, not caring so much for the propriety or that Nefertiri would have never done so. “Yes well,” she poked Rick in the ribs just a bit. “Don’t get smug.”
That made Ardeth chuckle and Rick only stare down at her and then shake his head. “Right.” He smiled too. “You okay? You look flushed.”
“I’m fine, although I wouldn’t mind escaping the crowd. I certainly didn’t remember being stared at quite so much. But I suppose that’s because Nefertiri would have always been at this sort of gathering with her father and so all the bowing and such was to him instead. I keep wanting to look around for someone important.”
Rick chuckled at that. “You amaze me.”
“Rick is very right. I had not even considered how difficult this role must be for you, Evelyn. Truly, thank you seems such a pale thing to say.”
“Oh hush.” She reached over and squeezed his arm. “All girls want to be princesses at some point Ardeth. I’m just playing the role a bit late is all. And besides I think I annoy our host a great deal, so I certainly shan’t complain about it.”
“Yes, I noticed that. I wish I knew why he is being so polite though. I can not see him being happy with so many of my people here uninvited or that you have found a way to circumvent his spells. Do you truly have one that will get you all home safe?”
“I wouldn’t have brought them otherwise, Ardeth. Of course I do. Although I think just waking up in Ahm Shere would do it. It’s an invocation to Mut in the name of Osiris, from Sekhmet’s champion and the daughter of Pharaoh, so I’m certain it will do.” She sighed. “I just wish I knew why Osiris wanted us here.”
“It would be good to know. Allah grant we have no battle to face here as we do in Ahm Shere.”
“Oh that’s all we need.” Rick sighed.
“Well I brought my weapons just in case.” She shrugged. “Perhaps I should send Arebe and Kahid back to Ahm Shere if there might be fighting though. And Azza, Ainya and Risa of course.”
“If it comes to that, I would appreciate it.” Ardeth agreed. “But let us hope it is nothing so dangerous.”
“That’s a good prayer.” She agreed. But she made certain she had the reverse spell committed to memory just in case. And if it worked as well as the spell for getting them here had then she knew they had a way to and from Thebes regardless of what the cursed priest did. And that helped insure that both Rick and Ardeth, who she really was much more concerned for were safer than they had been before. But she did wonder if it might not be possible for Nefertiri to journey to Memphis instead of Thebes, just incase she did need her father’s army.
Asr:ToC