Chapter Eleven:Escape Across the Sea
As the sun set below the horizon, torches were lit, lighting up the procession like a long glittering serpent.
"Let's stop to rest for a moment," Atemu said as they arrived at the shore of the sea. The group stopped, eager to stretch and rest their legs. The men gathered water for the animals while the women tended the children.
"It is good to be free at last. Sebiumeker bless you always, Atemu," an elderly woman said, wiping tears of joy from her eyes as Atemu handed her a calabash of fresh water.
Suddenly, one of the look-outs sounded the horn, signaling that the group had been followed. Atemu whirled around, the group following suit.
Cresting the hill was Malik in his chariot, dressed in the Khepresh crown and his battle armor. Atemu's eyes grew wide in horror as the Egyptian Army appeared behind Malik. They raced down the hill towards the crowd, the sounds of hoof beats echoing off the surrounding hills.
Panic descended over the crowd, as one by one they began screaming and running. The men scrambled to push their carts and animals into action while the women gathered the children out of the carts' paths.
The sky began to darken and the sea began to churn as a pillar of fire erupted from the depths of the sea, no doubt another one of Sebiukemer's miracles. It soared over the crowd, stopping the Egyptian Army dead in its tracks.
"Damn it!" roared Malik, as he tried to find a different way around the flames, but it was no use. The flames followed him wherever he tried to escape to, as though they were being manipulated by an unseen hand.
"Atemu, what do we do?" a Nubian man shouted, tugging on the reins of a stubborn mule.
"We can't go back!" Akefia shouted as the Nubians ran screaming.
"They will kill us all!" a woman screamed, tears welling in her eyes.
Atemu stared at the crowd, determined not to let anything else happen to them. He turned and walked towards the sea, staring at the staff in his hand.
He waded as far as he could into the sea, and raised his staff above his head. Sebiumeker, you have guided me this far. Lend me your strength, he thought. "With this staff, you will do my wonders!" Sebiumeker's voice bellowed.
Atemu brought his staff down, jabbing the end in the waters around him. The seas blew up and away from him, creating a clear path for the Nubians to take to safety.
Seeing that the crowd was hesitant and afraid, Akefia gently pushed his way through. He walked towards Atemu, and, with a nod and smile, gestured for the rest to follow him.
The crowd obediently followed Akefia's lead, the sea spray knocking them off balance. Men passed sheep and goats from one to another, passing them down the line to safety.
One of the supply carts caught on a rock, and, when an elderly man stopped to try to get it free, Atemu nudged him along, shouting, "Leave it! We don't have time!"
The farther along the path they walked, the darker it became. The group relit the torches, illuminating the path. The lightening clapping overhead lit up the sea wall, casting the shadow of a huge whale who had paused to watch the procession.
"I'm scared," whimpered a little girl, as she took a step backwards, her little hand over her mouth.
"Be not afraid, child. I am here with you," her grandmother whispered, as she bundled the girl in her arms.
The camel that had taken a bite out of Akefia's hair, dropped his head onto Akefia's shoulder, groaning. "I know, we're almost there," he mumbled, patting the camel's snout.
Atemu had moved to the back of the procession, helping the elderly over the rocks. He turned, and, watched as the flame barrier disappeared into the earth, clearing a path for Malik and the Egyptian Army.
So that's how they escaped, Malik thought, when he saw the land path through the sea. Seething in anger, he clenched the reins of his chariot in his fist, drawing his sword with his other hand.
"After them!" he bellowed, steering his chariot towards the path, riding at full speed, the army close behind him.
Malik jumped over a particularly steep rock formation, his chariot being demolished when he landed against the rocks. The army descended into chaos, as two soldiers dismounted to help him.
"Don't just stand there! Go after them and kill them! Kill them all!" Malik roared, clutching his ribs.
"The soldiers, they're coming! Akefia, get everyone to safety!" Atemu bellowed as the procession began screaming and running, desperate to get away.
"Hurry! Come now!" Akefia shouted as he and Mana helped an elderly woman catch up.
"Look! The shore! It's just ahead!" shouted one of the men, pointing as the sea parted to reveal land.
Atemu turned, to see that the soldiers were getting closer. "Atemu! Come on!" bellowed Akefia. The sea walls began to collapse as the soldiers grew closer to Atemu, ready to drag him back to their king.
The sea swept the soldiers away, sweeping with them, Malik. "No!" he roared, as he was shot onto a rock on the Nile's shores.
Atemu escaped the waves just in time as the last came crashing down where he was standing. Sheltering a child in his arms, Atemu looked over his shoulder, as the sea began to settle, as though it had never parted.
"By Sebiumeker," Yami whispered, putting his hand on his chest, his heart pounding.