Chapter 29

"Gently there, ease into it," Mr. Harris advised. "Remember, maintain the image in your mind's eye."

Ahkmenrah closed his eyes, picturing the Doric capital complete and flawless. The thunking of shards together confirmed it was restored.

"Excellent! You're progressing well. Now, let's try the next one, shall we?"

"I hate to interrupt you two, but Ahkmenrah needs a break. We've been at this for two hours!"

"Isn't that the standard length of your training sessions? Correct me if I'm wrong," Mr. Harris said.

"An hour and a half is the usual length, Mr. Harris. Still it looks like Ahkmenrah is handling it well," McKenzie suggested. Too well- the pharaoh looked bored. During the past couple of days, he and Harris had been training together exclusively, with an occasional interruption from the president. For once, Ahkmenrah seemed pleased with himself as the janitor guided him through simple hand gestures and showed him how and where to focus his gaze. If he remains this cheerful, she mused, he might not need my services much longer.

"Teddy, if I feel weak, I will stop, I promise. A little longer? Please?"

"Very well. Until you've fixed this row of Greek capitals, then I insist you rest."

"Agreed!" Raising his right hand, Ahkmenrah didn't utter a syllable as the pieces zipped back together. Well, that took little effort. Beaming at Harris, he turned to Teddy, hoping to see a similar look of encouragement, but the president maintained a stubbornly neutral expression.

"Good! Now, to keep you on your toes, I've brought in a little extra challenge for you." Harris brought in a tiny, delicate glass elephant, illuminated in his palm by the tablet's glow; her trunk was broken off. "Mind fixing this? I want to give it to my niece, but in this state, it just wouldn't be worth it." The elephant mewed pitifully.

Ahkmenrah hesitated- he had never tried fixing a living exhibit before.

"Come now! Surely this isn't as daunting for you anymore?"

"You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with," Teddy assured him.

A pitiful mew settled the debate. "Give her to me." Gently transferring the figurine to his hand, Ahkmenrah furrowed his brow and tried, picturing the elephant healed and happily walking around, exploring.

"Good Lord," Teddy murmured. Everyone crowded around to admire the repaired elephant, who trumpeted shrilly and hopped about in elation. Ahkmenrah glowed with happiness and relief as he admired the beautiful creature.

"Very nicely done, son. See what a little light can do? I'll take it, if you don't mind," Harris gingerly plucked the elephant from the pharaoh's palm.

"She. Her name is Tara," Ahkmenrah replied. In Harris's grasp, Tara grew more agitated, squirming and kicking around. "I do not think she likes being held so tightly."

"Oh, right. Well, how about I put her back in her case for now?"

"I could hold her-"

"No, I'm afraid she's my responsibility, son. Kind of you to fix her, though!" Plucking her from the boy's fingers, he delicately placed her back in her portable enclosure.

Ahkmenrah visibly deflated. "May I at least watch over her for the night?"

Reluctantly, Harris agreed. "Just don't break her."

Ahk didn't hear as he cooed at the figurine, who calmed down instantly. "Your niece will love her. Thank you for showing her to us."

"Ha, thank you for fixing her without blowing her up!"

The king turned to him, horrified. "I could have killed her?!"

"Unlikely, but it has happened before," Harris shrugged.

"Really? And when were you going to inform us?" Teddy glowered.

"Malfunctions don't happen often- one of the main issues with the tablet is that it can be a little finicky, which is why it's always important to focus when using it. Always. Hear what I'm saying?"

"I doubt I will forget," Ahkmenrah replied, unconsciously gripping Tara's case tighter.

"Hmm. Well, I think that's enough for now," Teddy said. "Ahkmenrah isn't used to so much practice- like you said, it's better not to risk anything too strenuous immediately." And you've already chanced that, he thought to himself.

"Of course. And you're right, Teddy- magic costs energy, so we must take it slowly. Same time tomorrow?" Harris asked. Ahkmenrah nodded, absorbed in mammal-sitting duty. "Sounds good. Until then!" He left, whistling.

"Ahkmenrah, are you sure it was wise to tell him about your tablet?" Teddy asked.

"He already knew when I confronted him- he helped me fix a vase with it! What else was I to do? At least now we can observe him."

"Personally, I think Ahk made the right decision," McKenzie concurred. "What would you have him do? Either we let Harris walk around with who knows how much knowledge he possesses, or we get him to reveal what he knows. Which would you prefer?"

"I understand wanting to use his knowledge for our benefit, but can we trust him? What if he pushes you too far?" Appraising the pharaoh for signs of stress, he added, "Perhaps what we should be asking ourselves what does he have to gain by helping you?"

"What would he have to gain from harming me now? I understand your concern, but believe me, if I sense he is straining me, I will stop. As for what he has to gain, perhaps he merely desires my company- he keeps mentioning I remind him of his nephew. Maybe I bring him comfort."

Teddy still didn't look placated. "I don't like keeping this hidden from Larry- his motives there cannot be good."

"We cannot imagine our lives without magic- we live it, it is in our very blood. Outside, magic is either discarded or considered a threat. Perhaps Mr. Harris was treated badly for his talents, and so wishes to hide them away from others? He trusts us because we are also magical."

"Sounds plausible, but Larry is used to dealing with us and magic. Shouldn't Harris realize that?"

The pharaoh shrugged. "Give him time, as you did for me."

How could he argue with such a heartfelt plea? He didn't want to spoil the pharaoh's newfound sense of accomplishment or stop a blossoming friendship. If Mr. Harris could provide both for him, who was he to stop him?

Lost in the euphoria of his success, Ahkmenrah resumed stroking Tara's trunk.


Hello everyone!

Sorry I've left this story for so long, I've been suffering from writer's block. Hopefully no more!

Thanks especially to snovolovac, who recently read and reviewed my stories. I hope you're doing well!

I will try to keep After Life going, but in the meantime I'm also writing Falcons of the Sun; check it out :)