A Spark of Darkness
Chapter one – Dry Tinder and Warm Hearts
"But – Father! That's just not fair!"
The disgruntled cry of a small boy rang through the mud brick house in the village of thieves. Passersby could clearly see the scene unravelling inside as the door, a thin piece of wood, was open. The older man didn't back down, though – he continued as though he hadn't been interrupted.
"It doesn't have to be fair or just. It just is. You, my boy, are not going anywhere out of this town. Not today, not tomorrow – certainly not until those troops are gone. The scouts have been reporting that they've been heading in our direction and I do not want you found."
"I won't be found, Father. I just want to visit-"
"I said no."
The older man's features narrowed and sharpened. He understood what his son was going through. Anyone in the village would. It just wasn't in a Kul Elnan's heart or soul to feel comfortable when trapped in any way, but he wanted his son safe. And for him, safe meant being around the people he trusted the most, people he would trust in a close battle against said troops – not out-of-towners who might turn in his precious person, just because he was one of them, and to cap that, a strangeness. Who else had such pale eyes and such pale hair? He had heard of a girl closer to the city, but that was probably just talk. None other than the Spirits of Ra had skin as pale as they said she had. His Akeifa had normal, healthy Egyptian skin, but even just his hair and eyes were enough for some people. None of the boy's brothers or sisters had the same look. It made most people scared.
He looked again at his son, and at the pouting expression on his face. His stern mask slipped.
"Look, my BaKuRa," he said, kneeling down so that he was at eye level. "How about we all go out of the village to one of the big cities when the troops are gone? Your sister needs a new dress . . ." He trailed off, wheedling.
Akeifa humphed and turned away. "Even if we do go, I'm not going to end up doing anything. You never let me! I can too steal big stuff."
"Listen." He reached out a hand and turned the small face toward him. "You are still young. You will have many chances to rob the Pharaoh's coffers." Grinning, he added, "If I let you take everything now, where would we get our food next month?"
Finally, his son laughed. Caught himself as though it had been a bad thing.
"But Father. If we can go to one of the big cities after the troops are gone, will I also be able to visit my friends?"
The elder thief and ex-tomb builder laughed expansively. "You can. Just as long as I can come too."
Akeifa's face brightened. He was still young enough that he liked doing things with his father. They didn't start getting independent for another few years yet.
"Then that means I can still go and see my friends in the village?"
His father put on a show of being affronted. "Did I ever say you couldn't? Of course you can. So long as you stay within the walls, and don't get caught out."
"You don't need to worry about that, Father!" the boy said with great bravado. "I'm the best at hiding. And at running. Even you haven't caught me yet, Father!"
He chuckled, and sent the boy on his way. A few moments later, pale white-blue hair poked in around the doorway again, blue-lilac eyes trying their best to look stern.
"And Father? Please don't call me that again. I don't care for the Pharaoh, but Mother says you insult the Gods, and that's bad."
And with that, the one he had nicknamed his Soul and Spirit of Ra really did vanish.
I know I said in my profile that I wasn't going to post this for a while, but I've been mostly inactive recently, and wanted to give those who watch me (and those that don't) a reason to believe that yes, I am still alive, and yes, I am still writing. Without giving too much away (hopefully) this is a tie-in to the HP Coming Shadows series. Yes, you heard me right. Series. Be prepared for blood, gore and trauma in coming chapters, though (obviously).