((Hello my readers! I am so sorry for the long wait! The job I am working took me all the way across the country, which is why I went silent for a few months. But I will be heading home in only about three weeks and I will have much more time to upload chapters. I hope that you enjoy this one even after the long wait.
Also, I am still open to any questions you might have so far as the story, my writing, or any of that. I would love to post a Q&A at the end of the story full of answered questions I have collected over time. Just something I thought would be fun, so don't be afraid to ask anything! Of course I won't be giving anything away, but still.
Also, I have been posting some art for "Even Gods Must Walk" on my deviantart. I plan on going through and doing on illustration for each chapter at some point, or just drawing stuff for the story in general. That is where my new cover came from. So if you are interested, you ahead and look me up! My username is hollywoodhousing so go ahead and check those out, I love getting feedback from you guys.
Thanks for reading and please leave a comment or two!))
A moment after he had spoken, the entire tent heard the deep bellow of a horn. Even though its meaning was not yet clear, it sent shivers down Amunet's spine. Lazarus joined Imhotep by the tent's entrance, his face shadowed with seriousness. "That is the warning horn," he said, looking back at the group that occupied the tent.
"That doesn't sound good," Rick muttered, pulling out his pistol and cocking it. Amunet stepped forward in between Imhotep and Lazarus to peer outside the tent. Sure enough, one of the scouts perched on top of the rocks high above the camp had a long horn to his lips, bellowing out the deep warning tone. Fear gripped her heart and she turned to look at Evy, her brow tense and crinkled with uncertainty.
"No doubt they have spotted the Westings," she said, hurriedly stacking all the papers together and scooping them into Amunet's satchel. "We are out of time."
"What are we going to do?" Amunet asked, her voice cracking. She did not want there to be another battle. Not here, not with all these people! That and she could not bring herself to fight, even in self-defense. She could only take so much violence…Evy walked forward, gripping Amunet's shoulder in a form of comfort and handed her the satchel.
"We will need to leave. Now."
"The sooner the better." Ardeth appeared at the entrance of the tent, a long spear in hand, his eyes dark and brooding. Lazarus looked to Ardeth, worry etched across his face. The entire party had given the Medjai their attention. "The Westings have been spotted heading towards the camp," he said, eyes scanning the group. "They are at least ten minutes away and we are out-numbered. If they breach our walls, it will be a full scale slaughter." Amunet gripped her hands together until her knuckles were white. Everyone was silent.
"How many are there?" Rick asked, his own grip tightening on his gun. "If we set up a line of defense-" Ardeth shook his head, ending Rick's thought before it came into words.
"They are armed and mounted on horses. We are cornered here."
"What do you propose we do?" Evy asked. Ardeth looked to her silently. Despite her vast knowledge, Evy was not at all skilled in combat as she very well knew. "You will all go out first," he said quickly, the people outside growing restless as the warning horn continued to blow. "The Westings are after Lazarus, not the rest of the Medjai. They will follow you rather than enter the camp. We will flank them and attack from behind as they follow you."
"Are you sure that is the best idea?" Rick asked, not happy with the idea of being bait. "We could be killed in an instant." Ardeth gave Rick a smug smirk.
"Really O'Connell, after everything you doubt me?" Rick snorted, but his expression was still worried. "It is our best plan given the circumstances," Ardeth continued. "We can handle the Westings as long as they remain outside our camp walls. I can't promise that we will destroy them all, but their numbers will be fewer. Take the camels, they will get you to your destination faster. Huminaptra is a good three days ride from here. I advise that you do not stop unless your transport is unable to continue."
Amunet listened to Ardeth relay the plan, her heart banging violently against her chest to the point of it hurting. The threat seemed even more real. She did not know the number of Westings that were approaching, but by Ardeth's description the odds were not in their favor. Lazarus watched Ardeth, his eyes wide, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tried to interrupt during his plan.
"So I am going with them?" he asked, his face unreadable. Ardeth glanced at Lazarus for a moment before nodding his head.
"Yes. There is little chance for you here but with the O'C onnell's and all their…papers, you might have a chance. " Lazarus stared at Ardeth. It was obvious there were many things he wished to say to his mentor, but Ardeth simply placed a hand on his shoulder, his mouth twitching into a small smile. "I will meet up with you if I can. Say close to the O'Connells and-" He sent a sideways glance at Imhotep and Amunet. "Be careful." Lazarus swallowed, nodding his head. Ardeth nodded his head in return and stepped back, throwing the spear into his other hand. "We have camels ready for you. Gather your things and meet me by the camp opening." And with that, Ardeth turned on his heel and took off into the now bustling camp.
Lazarus watched his mentor leave before turning back towards the rest of the group. "We need to get going," he said, his voice wavering only a little. Evy jumped in response and turned to gather up the rest of the papers. Rick joined her, scooping up papers and shoving them back into the satchel. Amunet's nails dug into her own skin as she watched, a nervous sweat trickling down the side of her face.
"How many do you think are out there?" Amunet whispered so only Imhotep could hear. The Mummy glanced down at her for a moment before continuing to look outside the tent.
"If this large Medjai camp is threatened, they I would have to say to more than six hundred."
"Six hundred?" Amunet repeated, her voice fading quickly in shock. She looked up at Imhotep, her brow crinkled in a worried expression. Six hundred? "That is an army! Not a group of followers! How badly do that want to kill Lazarus?"
"To them, the Vessel is a sign of the world ending," Imhotep said, not at all worried at the idea of six hundred Westings. "Killing the vessel prevents the rising of Anubis. To them they are simply saving their pitiful world." Amunet was silent at this. The 'pitiful world' he spoke of also happened to be her world. She couldn't imagine what it would be like should Anubis rise, especially with how many people seemed willing to kill in order to insure that it never happened. She watched Imhotep as he watched the Medjai run past the tent. Surely he had to care a little. Didn't he wish to live in this world? Didn't he care? Her brown eyes glistened as they watched his face intently, as if the harder she looked the better she might understand him.
Imhotep looked on, fully aware that Amunet was watching him and proving it by turning his head to look right back at her, his brow creased in something of a scowl. Amunet's heart nearly leapt into her throat and her face turned red and she quickly turned her attention towards the Medjai members that were rushing around the camp. She couldn't fool herself. Despite the fact that he had shown some humanity towards her in the few days they had known each other, there was danger oozing from every poor of the man standing next to her. It made her skin crawl and yet…she braved to look at him out of the corner of her eye. His attention had turned to the O'Connell's, impatient with their packing. She had to stand up for him, she had to give him the benefit of the doubt because…if there was no hope for him, how on earth could there be any hope for her?
"Let's head out," Lazarus called. His bark of command jostled Amunet from her daze and she quickly leaned down to until Imhotep from the flimsy pole in the center of the room. The rope that had been around his ankle fell loose. He paid Amunet no attention as she did this and quickly stepped forward, out of the tent.
"Which way?" he asked.
"You are not in any position to ask those kinds of questions," Lazarus snapped, shooting Imhotep a dark glare before pushing past him. "You will stay behind and follow, like a good mutt." Amunet shrunk a little, waiting for Imhotep to reply back, but as she look up, all she saw was a smirk that made her even more nervous than the bellow of the warning horn.
"Come on," Evy called, not bothering to try and take precautions when it came to Imhotep. At this point, everyone had begrudgingly accepted that the Mummy was alone for the ride. The small group pushed their way through the bustling crowd. The Medjai did not seem to notice Imhotep at all. Amunet wondered how many of them actually knew what he looked like; then again, they were all busy with a far greater threat. The camels that awaited them were already loaded with supplies, and bit down on their ropes, not at all worried or stressed. Amunet would have taken the time to admire the large animals, if all their lives were not in danger.
The O'Connell's mounted their camel while Imhotep took his own. Amunet moved towards Imhotep's camel before Lazarus called out to her. "Amunet! You are with me." Amunet stopped to watch Lazarus wave her over before giving Imhotep a sideways glance. He looked down at her for a moment before turning his head away without a word. Flushing, Amunet jogged over to Lazarus. He didn't need a chaperon. Why had she assumed that she would travel with him? Lazarus gave her a wary smile before taking her hand and hip to hoist her up onto the camel's back. The camel had proven to be a lot taller than Amunet had anticipated as her head began to swim. Lazarus hopped up in front of Amunet and gripped her arms to move them around him.
"No matter what," he said, "Hold on to me." Amunet swallowed, looking around Lazarus' shoulders to look into the dark crevasse of rock that would lead them out to the Westings. Her grip tightened on Lazarus' waist and she closed her eyes. They were about to ride out headlong in front of an army, with no guarantee that they would make it out alive. She heard the voice of a random Medjai talking to Rick and Lazarus and relaying the plan, but the words blurred together and her brain began to fade into nothingness. She didn't want to fight, so she would hold on for dear life and not open her eyes until they were safe or…dead.
A few seconds passed before their camels jerked forward. Amunet's arms tightened even more around Lazarus as she buried her face into his back, her violent heartbeat making her ears throb. They were off at a slow pace as they made their way through the winding rocks. It was silent, the warning horn having gone quiet. The silence was enough to give Amunet a heart attack. She braved opening her eyes to peak around Lazarus to see Imhotep on top of the camel in front of them. Of course they wouldn't have let him ride in the back, she thought sadly. But all the same, she couldn't hold it against Lazarus. Ardeth was easier to hate for his bitterness, but Lazarus was…different.
Imhotep swayed in his seat, the muscles in his bare back twisted in a fluid motion as he shifted his weight to match the movements of the camel's stride. It was almost mesmerizing as his copper skin coated the moving textures that made his body move with such power. It was impressive in battle, as Amunet had witness, but even in such a simple position, he seemed in charge of every action.
"Are you alright?" Lazarus asked. Amunet jumped, smashing her eyes shut once again and burying her face into his back, afraid that she had been caught looking at Imhotep in such a manner.
"No," she admitted, her arms shaking rapidly. Lazarus was silent for a moment before speaking again.
"I am sorry. For all of this." Amunet's eyes opened for a moment in surprise.
"None of this was your fault," she whispered in reply, her voice saddened that he would even think that.
"Perhaps," he whispered, "But what will happen in the near future will all be on me, no matter the outcome." Amunet went silent at this and closed her eyes again. The burden that they had laid on Lazarus was unfair, but then again, it was the only way to save him. She could only hope that they could find a way to save him and their world without him dying. Lazarus' hand found hers as they reached the opening of the rocks. "Here we go."
Amunet readied herself, holding her breath and tensing every muscle in her body. The shade that had been over them drew back to the safety of the rocks as they moved out into the open. Amunet expected them to take off the moment they had the space, but all they did was stop. She waited an entire minute before braving to look over Lazarus' shoulder. The Westings were still off in the distance, but drawing closer every moment, sand kicking up behind their horses. What had caused them to stop however, was the lone Westing that was only a few yards away, perched on his horse with a long spear in hand.
Rick and Evy watched him warily, eyes narrowing. Rick aimed his shotgun with one arm, a dark glare on his face. "Best join up with the rest of your group pal," he called, "Before I decorate the desert with your brains!" The man, whose face was half masked by the red turban and robes he was wearing, simply starred back at Rick, not at all bothered by his threat.
"Give us the Vessel!" he called, raising his staff and pointing it at Lazarus' camel. "And we shall spare your lives." Amunet felt Lazarus tense and immediately knew what he was thinking.
"Don't you dare sacrifice yourself," she whispered. Lazarus tilted his head a little, glancing sideways at her as she leaned around him to give him a hard and hopefully convincing look. "Because I will never forgive you if you do." He blinked before giving her a smile.
"Now I wouldn't want that," he replied weakly.
"Fat chance of that happening," Rick called back. He looked as if he were about to fire when Imhotep egged his camel forward.
"Take your party and leave this place," he boomed, his ancient Egyptian traveling across the sand. "Or you shall die swiftly." Rick did not seem all together pleased upon Imhotep's interruption, but the Westing seemed shaken by the realization that Imhotep was there.
"You shall not stop us," he hissed under Imhotep's stare. "We shall prevail and save our world from the evil you would bring to it!" Amunet felt herself bristle and sat up in her seat to shout out.
"Didn't you even stop to think that he might want the same thing you want?" she called. "To be free from this danger? That is what we all want here!" The Westing looked at Amunet with such hatred it shook her to the core.
"Do not attempt to sway me," he spat, "You expect your words to hold with me? You?!" Amunet felt her face pale. He knew, he must have known how many of his group she had killed. Even if it was out of self-defense, she had killed them. Who knows who they had been? Family, friends? Amunet felt as if she might be sick and quickly fell back into her seat, resting her head on Lazarus' back. "I will not stop until that Vessel lies in a pool of blood!" The Westing roared, raising his spear about his head. He let out a mighty scream and kicked his horse, sending it into a wild canter across the burning sands. Rick unloaded his gun, missing the first time but hitting the Westing in the spear arm, causing him to cry out and drop his weapon.
"Go!" Lazarus yelled. Amunet hung on for dear life as their camel set off. Imhotep did not take the time to finish off the Westing's leader, as the rest of the army was nearly on top of them, their chants and yells growing closer and closer. They tore off to the right of the wave of red Westings, causing the entire group to shift like a swarm of red ants chasing after their prize. Amunet's hair was blowing behind her as they picked up speed, but she didn't dare open her eyes. It was as if she could feel the Westings behind her, every nerve in her back feeling exposed and vulnerable.
A long bellow of a horn tempted her too much and she turned her head to look back. A wave of Medjai came pouring out the rocks, flanking the Westings, mixing black with red. The battle began with a shower of spears that were thrown from the rock tops by the Medjai, taking out a number of Westings in mere seconds. They had the advantage, but the Medjai were not their goal. The Westings did not bother to engage, but took off after the three camels that were their target. Amunet's breathing hitched as she saw several Westings draw close enough to hold up their spears in preparation to throw. She smashed her eyes shut, ready to become a pin cushion, when she heard terrified screams.
Her eyes opened to find Imhotep pulling back behind them, reaching out and grabbing one of the Westings. His jaw unhitched, opening like a cobra and breathing in the man's skin, his air, his life, until his screams faded away and he was left dead in Imhotep's hands. He threw the corpse to the ground, rolling his shoulders back, as if the terrible act had given him new life. The Westing that had been riding alongside Imhotep's victim reared his horse to pull back, but was too slow for Imhotep's leg, which swiped out to knock the rider from his seat, most likely breaking a few of his ribs.
Amunet watched, her brown eyes wide in horror at watching Imhotep. But her concern lay more with the other Westings that seemed to be drawing closer. Imhotep noticed the growing numbers as well and kicked his camel forward until it began to pass Amunet and Lazarus. Amunet expected him to tear by, but suddenly found his arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her onto his own camel.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?!" Lazarus shouted, frantically kicking his camel's sides. Imhotep gave him a dark smirk.
"Learn to take care of yourself boy, before you put others in danger." With that, he took off with Amunet to the head of the party.
"What are you doing?" she cried, looking back as Lazarus fell behind. "Shouldn't he be your first priority?"
"Him I will worry about later," he replied, his focus on the horizon. "As of this moment, I am removing you from the situation." Amunet looked back, watching nervously as Lazarus brought up the rear. The Westings and Medjai were still fighting, the Medjai actually able to hold them back to the point where they were starting to get a lead. More and more Westings fell behind in the battle until both Medjai and Westings were nothing but colored specs behind them, disappearing into the sand. Amunet kept watch over her shoulder to make sure Lazarus was still there. He had made it through, although his face read displeasure and anger. Amunet swallowed nervously. She did not like the tension in this group. It had been a bit much with the O'Connells and Imhotep, but adding Lazarus to the mix was enough to make everything boil over.
She was glad that they were all save.
"We should ride through the night!" Evy called to them, translating a suggestion made by Rick. "Make sure were are as ahead of them as we can be for the time being." Amunet said nothing and neither did Imhotep. Both of them knew that was the best plan, although Amunet was not too pleased with the idea of sleeping while riding a camel. All the same, better tired than dead. They rode on as the sun set, casting that blood orange glow over Egypt, and signaling to Amunet's body that it was time to sleep.
Her head lulled from side to side, her eyes drooping. She nodded off a few times, but without the ability to rest her head, she was always jerked awake. She let out a tired groan before finding Imhotep's hand on her head. Blinking in surprise, she found him pulling her backwards, resting her head on his chest.
"Sleep," he ordered. Amunet tilted her head back a little to look up at him for a moment, her face growing warm. She closed her eyes, let out a long sigh, and drifted off leaning against the Mummy. Imhotep waited a few minutes, waiting for her breathing to grow steady before glancing down at her. Her golden curls framed her face, which was peaceful for once as she rested against him. He tried to ignore the warmth that was spreading through his body at the weight of her body against his; the innocence of her slumber. He looked ahead, but shifted his arms slightly so that they encased Amunet's sides to insure that she did not shift while sleeping. He scoffed at his action.
Foolish, he thought.