Ok so hello to anyone who might read this. I will remind you that my disclaimer is in Ch.1. Anyway I was trying to spread out the posting of my chapters but I am an impatient person and have had the whole story typed up before I even began putting it online. As for two friends of mine (one who the character Isis is based off of) you know who you are and I am very dissapointed in the both of you and you know why. So blah. As for my other three wonderful reviewers...pic a name and I will try my hardest to fit you into the sequel qhich is coming along very very slowly. Ta for now.
They rested the horses after Isis didn't know how many miles. She was stiff from sitting in a saddle for so long though she noticed Lin looked no worse for wear as she slid easily from the saddle of her own mount.
"Ardeth's brother said that they would see to the mounts and find some food for us. I guess now that we have a moment I should explain a few things." Lin and Isis found a spot to sit by a small pool in the oasis where the Medjai had decided to rest. Lin stared at the water for a moment as if gathering her nerve.
"After Anubis marked you and you passed out he told me a few things and reminded me of others. Like, did you know he is the reason Imhotep could be and was resurrected? The gods have decided that they don't like being neglected for thousands of years so Imhotep, the Medjai, and the two of us are merely pawns to be used for their purposes. Being a god of death he also seems fairly determined to take one of us." Lin blanched now. "See I thought it would be me because it turns out that in a past life I kind of rejected Anubis, but apparently he'd prefer to cut your life short. Maybe because he lost that chance with your twice great pawpaw, who knows? The point is he told me that some Medjai oracle might be able to help you so that's where we're headed now. To the only true city the Medjai have because they usually just live in the camps of their own tribe." Isis was slightly shaken but felt there was more.
"What does that have to do with Imhotep hating you?" Lin's chuckle held no humor.
"You see in that past life I had an elder brother who was a priest of Osiris. When I refused to become an acolyte I shamed him. I bet you don't need three guesses to know who it is. He's the reason Anubis 'blessed' me again. Apparently I can help your chances of survival if I figure out how to kill Imhotep and give you one less fish to fry."
"What other fish will I be frying Lin?" Isis asked realizing that her throat was rather dry and she felt just a bit faint.
"I have no idea but you won't be cooking alone. I'll be beside you and so will the Medjai, one in particular." Lin said trying to lighten the mood, but her face quickly grew serious again. "So you don't think me some evil person for being the sister of …what the heck should I call him? He's "the Creature" to the Medjai, Imhotep to history, and brother to my past self." The heat must have been taking a toll on the two girls because Isis' next words were met with approval.
"How about 'It'?" Lin mulled over this for a moment and then smiled.
"Well he isn't a child eating spider but that works. Since you seem to be ok with what I said and me wandering off and stuff, would you like to help with the explosives? Ardeth says his men grabbed our bags. We can even test one on Oaf." Somehow Isis knew who she meant.
"He's name is Oma,"
"Isn't that what I said?" Lin asked innocently. Laughing the two headed back towards the ever vigilant Medjai. Neither noticed that the two brothers emerged from the foliage behind them one amused and the other trying hard not to show his displeasure.
That night the girls sat around a fire with the handful of Medjai who had been sent as Ardeth's welcoming committee. Isis and Lin had many questions that would have taken up days if their curiosity hadn't been curbed. Ardeth thought it best to simply explain the basics first.
"We are warriors of God," Ardeth said. Lin snorted and began humming Creed's "Freedom Fighter" under her breadth. Isis' face cracked into a smile. Ardeth and Oma glanced at each other in bewilderment.
"Ignore her," Isis advised. Ardeth nodded and continued.
"As you know, it is our job to protect this world from the Creature. Your family seems determined to make us earn our keep Ms. Isis." Ardeth teased. She laughed.
"It's just Isis not Miss. As Lin told you before, neither of us is old or a Southern bell. As for my family, that might have been true in the past, but my parents are pretty mild mannered. I'm the throw back I guess."
"Throw back?" One warrior asked confused.
"She means it figuratively. She's a "throw back" because she shares interests with family members from past generations. In her case, she loves Egyptology just as much as her great-great-grandparents did." Lin explained and the man nodded. Isis noted that her friend seemed calmer now. She even asked one of the Medjai if she could see his scimitar. After a questioning glance to his leaders the man had complied. Isis continued speaking with Ardeth and knew Lin was listening as well.
"Why were you in the states if you are supposed to protect Hamunaptra?"
"The oracle of my people, who we are bringing you to see, foresaw the Creature's remains being removed from Egypt. My brother has a gift from Allah which gives him a sixth sense about some things. He told me which group of archaeologists to follow and I ended up in the United States."
"Why didn't we see you at the exhibit then? Did you even get to the city before the whole exhibit went bust?" Lin asked. Her eyes remained on the blade in her hands as she stood moving it in choppy half-arcs around herself. This must have worried Oma because he stood up and began correcting her stance and grip on the weapon.
"I was in New Orleans, stuck in a jail cell." Ardeth muttered.
"What?" Both girls asked.
"You know, the reason Allah forbid alcohol is so that incidents like those I saw in your city do not occur. I did nothing wrong. It seems that one should not refuse to drink in your city."
"Not two days before Mardis Gras," Lin joked. "Are you saying you got thrown in jail for refusing a drink? Ardeth people bring the party to New Orleans. We do not force it on them." Oma once again corrected her movements and she left Isis to converse with the elder Bay brother.
"The man who offered me the glass had already had far too much himself. He did not take kindly to me ignoring his generosity. The blow he aimed for me never made contact but it was enough to send us both 'downtown'." Isis chuckled at the story.
"Then you're released to discover that we've stirred up trouble and have to go rushing home. Did you at least catch any beads?" Ardeth smiled.
"Yes actually, though there were two girls who appeared to know all of the krewe members. They angered quite a few people. I did not receive nearly as many beads as they did before the parade actually started. Something about my appearance upset the krewe men I think." Isis blushed. He had seen her at Endymion.
"Your tattoos might have startled them. Wait, you didn't have tattoos on the plane."
"It is sometimes best to conceal my identity." Lin somehow caught that because she began laughing and pointed the scimitar accusingly at Ardeth.
"You and I will share make-up tips one day alright? I can never get my base to look that even." Ardeth seemed slightly embarrassed.
"Shut it Lin or I'll start spilling your own secrets." Isis warned. Lin nodded and turned to Ardeth.
"I meant no offense. That's just my childish humor shining through as usual. Please continue your conversation." She turned just as Oma drew his own scimitar. Isis idly wondered if Lin was anywhere near ready for a practical lesson. The Medjai entertained them the rest of the night with old folk tales passed down the generations of their people, and Lin happily reclaimed her packs though the camels had finally been sent back home. The glint in her eyes was one Isis knew well. Isis drifted to sleep wondering how she would explain her friend's love of explosives.
"Are you sure you want to be doing that?" Ardeth asked Lin.
"The idea is for it to explode at the right moment. But, if you see Isis and me running, try to keep up." Ardeth's eyes grew worried. Isis took pity on him.
"Don't worry. She hasn't had an accident in over three years." Oma snorted and walked away. Ardeth turned to look at Isis.
"What happened three years ago?" It was Lin that answered a look of deep concentration on her face.
"Remember that school I told you about? Suddenly it had a lovely sun roof over the pool." Ardeth made a sign of protection.
"Heaven doesn't want her," he began
"And Hell's afraid she'll take over." Isis finished the quote with him. They smiled at each other briefly but then Isis turned away and went to help Lin. The two worked silently for a time with the Medjai watching. This demonstration was taking place while they rested the horses.
"Alright, that should be it then." Lin announced standing up. She held one bomb in her hand and motioned for everyone to step back. She gracefully threw the small explosive towards a somewhat distant sand dune. It exploded upon contact. Taking another bomb from Isis' hands Lin looked back at everyone.
"You might want to duck down or something, I've never tried this before." Everyone quickly obeyed as the girl flung the explosive into the air and muttered a soft word. The bomb exploded in midair and people covered their faces from the shards that flew at them. Lin turned back towards everyone, a small trickle of blood on her cheek.
"I think I know how to deal with Imhotep."