Ok I'm adding two chapters tonight because I am bored and have been sick in bed for a few days now. Blah. Plus these two chapters have been waiting to be posting. The'y'rewilling to be displayed, they're waiting to be displayed, they're wanting to be displayed. Oh and theCauseway is a bridge that goes across Lake Ponchatrain and bridges the gap between the North Shore and the South Shore. Some say it's 24 miles others say 25. It doesn't matter to me as long as I can drive across to visit friends and shop...haha I'm not usually that shallow please believe me. Living with 18 people for months after a hurricane can make anyone lose their good sense. So, read, review, and I will hopefully soon have a winner to my imaginary batch of cookies.
Lin had been sitting alone in a tent for nearly an hour when Isis walked in. The seemed better now that Ardeth had spoken with her. Lin on the other hand was just about fed up with all the ties to her past life. Oma would not even acknowledge her presence now apparently. He had stormed out of the oracle's tent without a backward glance. The old man had offered her a comforting smile.
"My grandson is sometimes hard headed do not fret. You say that you know what must be done Miss Lin, but I will offer you this advice to ease my own conscience. You realize now how you are to kill the Creature, but the spells and incantations needed are unknown to you. There was a wise one in your own family was there not?" A little unnerved by the oracle's knowledge of her family Lin nodded.
"I would suggest you think back and try to remember all she said to you in your childhood. Her prayers might be your saving grace." Lin bowed to the man grateful for his words and left perplexed. Her great-grandmother had been a prayer healer it was true, but what those prayers had to do with defeating an ancient Egyptian Lin didn't know.
"Well this is nice. It will be good to have a roof over our heads for one night, even if it is made of canvas. It reminds me of camping." Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Camping? Are you feeling alright Isis? Do you have a fever?" The girl in question giggled.
"No, I'm simply taking over your position as the group optimist for a day."
"Ah so you had a very good time with Ardeth. Tell me, when is the wedding?" Isis laughed and sat down on a pile of cushions and pillows.
"So after my grand exit what happened?" Lin studied her friend, a battle in her head over how much she should say. Remembering how Oma had accused her of being an untrustworthy individual for not immediately telling Isis about Imhotep, Lin decided she might as well get it over with.
"The shaman we saw knew something about my past life. He told me that one of the Medjai alive today was also my lover then." Lin was uneasy now and Isis frowned.
"I'm confused. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Oh sure, it would be, if the man didn't despise me." Isis' eyes grew as round as saucers.
"Oma?" Lin nodded shooting her friend a wry smile.
"I shouldn't blame him considering the fact that I caused his death. They sure never covered this in 'Dating 101'. What to do when your reincarnated lover blames you for all his problems. Oma stormed off somewhere. I'm not sure if he's coming with us tomorrow."
"Too bad for him if he doesn't. You …care about him don't you?" The cursed girl asked her friend softly. Lin rose and walked towards the tent flap before turning back.
"I care for who he used to be. It's hard to realize his resentment towards me is part of the reason he's being so callous to you as well. Then again," Lin grinned aiming for a lighter tone. "Maybe he's just jealous of Ardeth for getting all your attentions. Come on lets go find out where we can get clothes and food." The two exited the tent together. In the back of her mind Isis had a fuzzy memory of a dream from that morning; she had forgotten to ask Lin what she remembered about a certain young daughter of Seti.
"Something has been bothering you all morning. What is it?" Ardeth asked his brother as the two sparred. Many men and boys were gathered around watching the two, awed by their display of grace and skill with a blade.
"Nothing to concern you, though I must say your taste for deadly women worries me."
"The curse will not kill me or Isis. We will find a way to break it."
"You're so confident, but don't forget you are trying to defy a god."
"I have not forgotten, but others have stood against Anubis before. Isis' ancestors have foiled his plans, and even Lin refused to obey him in a past life." Oma tensed at the dark haired girl's name and struck out at Ardeth with more force.
"She also died in that life for her defiance and got others killed as well." Ardeth did not need to ask how Oma knew this. His brother's gift often gave him an edge when it came to clandestine information.
"Things will be different this time around." Ardeth remarked as he stepped back and lowered his sword arm. A hawk flew onto his left forearm bearing a message. Sending Horus away Ardeth gave Oma the message.
"I could go see to them while you took the girls to the temple." Oma offered. Ardeth mulled this over.
"No, they are camped not far from where the temple is. A days ride at most. We can go together after our guests have found what they need to end Anubis' game."
"As you wish brother, but I do not approve. Our men should not suffer simply because you and I have other business. I would at least send some aid to them."
"I agree. Go see to it if you like. I believe Isis and Lin have found us." It was true; the girls stood not too far away watching the brothers intently. It was Lin who came forward while Isis merely continued to look on.
"I was hoping I could continue my little sword lesson now. Isis would join in too but her shoulder seems to be a bit sore." Ardeth noticed the tension between his twin and the girl but did not mention it. He smiled at her.
"Of course you may learn how to fight with a scimitar. Let me find Yasmin, she is one of our lady Medjai and is very skilled with a sword."
"Thank you," Lin replied.
"I will send Yasmin to you on my way to speak with the men." Oma offered walking away. Ardeth grinned mischievously as he watched his brother stalk off.
"I have never seen anyone get under his skin so." The Medjai commented to Lin.
"I'm not sure that's a good thing."
"You're right. I'm sure none of us need inner battles and added stress right now. Still," he added. "I enjoy seeing him this flustered." Lin laughed as a woman approached them. She nodded her head in greeting.
"Yasmin this is Lin, she would like to learn how to wield a scimitar. Would you mind teaching her the basics?" The woman smiled kindly at Lin. She seemed to be in her late thirties and her fighter's stance belied her occupation.
"Not at all, come Miss Lin. I shall teach you how to best these insufferable men." She joked. Lin laughed.
"Oh I think you and I could definitely be friends. And please, just call me Lin."
"I'll leave you two to it then." Ardeth walked away from them and joined Isis.
"Care to join me? I planned on going to visit my grandfather. As a leader of the community he has only the best foods in his stores." Ardeth remarked. Isis smiled.
"That sounds fine; I am getting a bit hungry."
"Considering none of us have eaten yet today I would assume so." The two walked in companionable silence as people called out to Ardeth and children danced around them. Upon entering a large tent Isis was surprised to see the oracle from earlier.
"Did I forget to mention that the oracle is also my grandfather?" Ardeth asked innocently but Isis saw the humor in his eyes.
"I'm not sure. I usually ignore half of what you say." She teased right back.
"Come and eat lunch with me. I would enjoy hearing a more detailed description of your adventures thus far." The old man invited them. The next hour was spent in pleasant conversation.
Lin was enjoying herself as Yasmin taught her different moves and the correct form needed to be a competent opponent. The only problem she had was her duster. Though she guessed that all of the people in this city now knew of her tattoos, she still felt uncomfortable showing them to anyone unless it was absolutely necessary. As Yasmin lunged at her Lin blocked and stepped forward trying to push the other woman back and weaken her stance. Yasmin was smaller than Lin but an able fighter and stood her ground, that is, until Lin swiped her feet out from under her.
"I'm sorry, I know that move wasn't necessarily fair, but I like to be practical. In a real fight I'd do whatever I could to make sure it was my opponent who lost and not me." Yasmin smiled at her and she rose from the ground wiping the sand from her bottom.
"Do not worry. I understand exactly what you mean and approve. Follow me, it is about time we took a break and I would bet my sword that Ardeth and Oma forgot to feed you this morning." At that moment Lin's stomach decided to growl loudly.
"How did you know?" She asked.
"Those two forget to feed themselves, let alone anyone else. They are committed to protecting their people and being good leaders. Sometimes I worry that they do not get enough free time."
"I guess a Medjai's job is never done right?"
"Yes, even without the threat of the Creature we over see many things in Egypt. Did you know it was the Medjai who first decided that Abu Simbel needed to be moved up higher on its cliff? We also have dealings with government officials when the need arises."
"No wonder Oma's always in such a lovely mood." Yasmin laughed at Lin's comment.
"Do not mind Oma's attitude. He is a good man but he has not allowed himself to truly live the past few years."
"Why?" Yasmin lifted her tent flap and Lin followed her in.
"Pardon the mess. My husband left this morning with his on team of men."
"It's alright." The two did not speak again until they had sank into the cushions and begun eating.
"Years ago Oma went with a few men on a routine trip to Hamunaptra to make certain that no one had disturbed the place. Even though we believed the Creature to no longer rest there, the city itself is dangerous. Someone was there, a group of men searching for the Book of the Dead. There was a brief fight to scare off the intruders. As Oma and the others were camped that night a few of the men they had fought snuck in killing the sentries and a few others as well. Ardeth and Oma's father was one of the men killed. It was Oma who gathered the other Medjai to him and defeated the intruders. When he returned the elders named him a leader of our people, the youngest man to ever be given such a title. Oma was not happy though. His gift of second sight and knowledge had not helped him to prevent the death of his comrades or his father. That is why Oma shuns his gift now. He blames himself for their deaths. While Ardeth can sometimes be convinced to relax, Oma feels that the only way to honor the memory of those who fell is to fight." Lin sat in silence, taking this all in.
"Thank you for telling me. I think that makes things a bit clearer. Isis and I jeopardize his ability to protect all of you and that worries him."
"You catch on quickly." As the two continued to talk Lin could feel the heat getting to her. Deciding that Yasmin could be trusted to not over react she slipped out of her jacket. The other woman studied her forearms with a look of interest on her face but not shock or fear.
"You are ashamed of what you bear. You shouldn't be. We Medjai have our own tattoos if you haven't noticed. I'm guessing that you could use a change of clothes could you not?"
"Yes, but what I'd really like is a bath. Between the sandstorm, Hamunaptra, and our little sword session I'm funky." Yasmin nodded.
"Follow me then, I'll lead you to the springs."
