-Sadie Kane-
This wasn't right. There's no way that the Carter sitting in front of us was actually the brother I know. A nagging feeling told me that he wouldn't be hanging around an old man either just because he 'saved him' but refuses to say what from. Let alone the same jerk that had messed with my head just to get to our uncle.
I guess we had all decided to not say anything. 'Carter' didn't take Kyra's stance on the matter very well. Her green eyes were incredibly threatening, and I expected her to start a fight. Instead she dismissed herself, leaving us in the Great Room.
I agreed with her, this wasn't okay. Why would Carter even think of putting this random old man as Chief Lector and toss Uncle Amos to the side? Hell, I'd prefer the cranky Vika over this guy for Chief Lector.
And where's Amos? He made a deal with Torsten, and now Torsten is here with no sign of the younger version of my uncle. I started to get pissed off as ideas swam in my head. I hadn't realized I ended up demanding answers from said man.
The initiates' eyes grew wide in surprise. Carter's brown eyes fell to the floor while his new found 'friend' cleared his throat. "I was hoping we could discuss this a different time," Friedrich started smoothly.
My eyes narrowed, and he understood I need answers now. "I had to save Carter and Amos from Sobek. Amos had gone overboard, and we couldn't find him."
Carter started to tear up. Yet I couldn't read his emotions right now, as if I was somehow blocked despite knowing his Ren. "More like you didn't care to look, right?" I snapped at the two of them.
Carter went to protest, but I stomped on his left foot to make him yelp in surprise instead. "What did you need Uncle Amos for, Friedrich? And don't tell me you have no idea what I'm talking about, you used an entire nome to get to him."
Torsten sighed as he took in the rest of the room. "He was safer with me than he was with you, Sadie. Time travel is a touchy deal, anything can ruin the future."
Safer with him rather than us? I fumed, did he really think me dumb enough to believe such an outrageous lie? Deciding he has no intention of speaking the truth, I went to pull my staff out. I was halted by yelling to the right of the Great Room. It seemed protesting and was getting closer.
My eyes widened to another voice finally responding to the yelling occurring. "I'm sure it can wait Kyra."
So, it came as no surprise that everyone had trained their eyes to the staircase. To our shock, the Chief Lector descended most of the stairs and paused when probably feeling eyes on him. He appeared pretty battered up, and the crimson suit was filthy. His nose looked deformed as far as I could tell, and he just looked exhausted. Not how he prefers to be seen, unless he gets to the point that he doesn't care from what I've known about him.
Uncle Amos hesitated to step completely down the stairs, arms crossing over his chest as he evaluated the Great Room once more. "Children, I'd like to bring awareness to Friedrich's terrible story-telling skills. They're all one-sided and typically filled with falsities."
Torsten raised his right hand as if to show off our uncle's return even more. "You see, this is the reason we couldn't find him! It's not like we hadn't tried, he was just returning."
Amos' right eyebrow raised, obviously confused since he just joined the conversation. "Dude, shut the fuck up. None of us are really believing you as it is," Julian was quick to point out.
Torsten let out a light-hearted chuckle as Kyra paused on the stairs to take in the room just like Amos had. "I'm sorry Amos, I forget that children are imaginative and doubtful."
My uncle's eyes narrowed immediately. "Children, will you please dismiss yourselves? I need to have some words with Carter."
I highly doubted it was Carter he really wanted to speak with. He clearly did not like the idea of the older magician sitting on our couch like he now owns the place. Trying to clear us out, I feared it meant him doing something he shouldn't. Usually, the initiates listen to him as far as I have seen. This morning was different, I think we all knew that to leave was a horrible idea at the moment.
This slightly ticked him off as he noted us not making a motion to his request. I shook my head, and he responded by bringing his hands to his sides. "Sadie, I don't believe you understand-"
"She understands just fine, Runt," Torsten jumped in. "Just as much as the Pharaoh."
Amos' brown eyes landed on Carter now, who stood up to face him better. "I've decided that Torsten Friedrich is a better fit for Chief Lector."
Amos laughed in response, clearly doubting such an announcement. "Well, Carter, we've already discussed how the position can shift."
"I remember, Uncle. I'm pushing for a duel."
Amos frowned now, "I will gladly respect your proposition. However, Friedrich's duel will have to wait. Menshikov had asked for one a week before."
Both Carter and Torsten seemed somewhat surprised by this. "Vika isn't here right now, Amos." Torsten grinned as he stood up from the couch now. "And last I heard, you are expected to listen to Pharaoh. If he demands you hand the cape over, you do. Unless," Torsten paused for a moment as their eyes made contact, "you're disobeying Pharaoh's wishes?"
"Pharaoh has yet to place a valid complaint against me. However, as Chief Lector, I must advise against placing-"
"My complaint?" Carter seemed to be getting increasingly angry. "You've attempted to harm my sister and I, Uncle."
I could not believe my ears right now, eyes stuck on the back of Carter's head as he approached Uncle Amos. Amos' expression changed to about the same level of shock. "You are an admitted host of Set. While it was helpful to fend off the Lord of Chaos, we are trying to return to Order. This cannot be completed with you as Chief Lector."
"What?" I spoke up, pissed off at the mere idea that my own brother would say this. "You put him in charge-"
"I'm sorry you feel this way," Amos spoke to intentionally interrupt me. "Your complaints are valid, do not think I'm ignoring it. However, I'm not going to simply hand the cape over, let alone to whom you wish to fill my vacancy."
I spotted the calico host of Bast rubbing against Amos' left ankle. Why is she in cat form now? She usually only does this if she needs to be smaller or hide. Admittedly, this is probably the first time I've seen her do this to someone other than me.
Carter laughed in disbelief. "Alright, what's your reasoning?" He decided to challenge our uncle's stance.
That's when those brown eyes verged into dangerous territory. "As we speak, he is a fugitive. I'd rather not discuss the reasons for his stay in Antarctica."
"They already have an idea, Amos," Kyra spoke up, her green eyes steadily on Carter. "He attempted to assassinate Chief Lector Iskandar. You already knew this Carter, I made sure of it."
She has a point, she made sure we knew who we were going to be dealing with. Carter is acting like he completely forgot about it. Considering the stupid grin on the older man's face, I quickly puzzled out why my brother is acting out. Taking a step closer, with the initial idea to find a way to snap him out of it.
I froze to brown eyes staring me down. Immediate instructions to back up and calm down before rashness gets the best of me. Amos seems to almost read my mind at times. I backed up, right hand in a fist behind my back to try and contain the urge to slap my brother upside the head.
"He's not a welcomed guest here," Amos continued on, facing Carter again. "Friedrich's agenda is closer to poison in comparison to your own goals."
Friedrich decided to make his approach now, stopping at Carter with his right arm over my brother's shoulders. "This is what I was talking about. He learned it from the best. They promote their goals through you and make you think that's what you want. It's rather sickening."
Amos' eyes landed on Torsten upon his approach. "I thought it was beneath you to talk ill of your teacher, Friedrich."
"I'm sorry Runt, I figured you were accustomed to people spitting at your father's name. Besides, I heard you were the reason Iskandar sent him on his way, putting that pathetic Desjardins in his place."
Whoa, I've never heard anything about my grandparents on the Kane side. This sounded interesting, but the expression my uncle is giving solidified not to ask about it in the future. "You can curse Jabari's name as you wish, but I won't tolerate spitting on Michel."
"Oh," Torsten sounded slightly more amused now, "did I strike a sensitive spot? Are we still grieving for him? He was only Chief Lector for a few months if I'm not mistaken?"
This actually did seem to strike Uncle Amos harshly. Admittedly, Desjardins was not the nicest person to deal with. Not until he had helped us with Vladimir, and that still sometimes throws me off.
"There's even a rumor that you killed him, Amos. Just so you could get your hands on the cape. Is it really grief, or concern someone will find out?"
"Sadie, stay out," he had been quick to say before I could protest. "I don't really care what rumors you want to believe in, Torsten."
Kyra got the right idea, getting her bow out and notched on Friedrich. This meeting is leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Amos understandably not giving in to 'Carter's' orders, and Torsten had swooped in to get closer to both of them.
"Well, that one is hardly the best one," Torsten continued on anyways. "There's a much more interesting one involving you, some helpless girl, and an exploding museum in San Francisco."
Something dark crossed the Chief Lector's face, daring the older magician to continue. Kyra even seemed interested, clearly something she had yet to hear about. Torsten chuckled after a few seconds of taking in my uncle's threat. "However, they are just rumors. As you stated, why should you care?"
That last one he clearly cared about. He took a moment to compose himself again, as if realizing he had slipped up. "Carter, I understand you feel Torsten should be cleared of his past for aiding you. He is still not welcomed here."
There were a few seconds of silence before Friedrich sighed. "Oh Amos, I was hoping it wouldn't come down to this…"
A burst of red slammed Carter right into me, finding myself sandwiched between the coffee table and my brother. Screaming went off and my head spun as I moved Carter off of me, hands grabbing at me.
"Sades, are you okay?" I could recognize Walt's voice in the mess my head is suddenly in.
"No, but is Carter?" I managed to spit out somehow.
"He didn't take a table edge to the back of the skull."
"Oh," was what I managed before blacking out.
-Kyra Teal-
It was my fault. I hadn't moved fast enough. I was more accustomed to their argument that I hadn't processed his movement towards his glowing sword. I woke up mentally to see Amos' reaction to push Carter away with a gust of wind. Why hadn't he defended himself?
The arrow I had notched had now embedded itself into his left shoulder, forcing him to drop his khopesh. That's when he finally noticed I had my bow aimed at him. For being a combat magician, he's quite terrible at it.
I hoisted myself over the railing of the stairs, landing in a crouched position between Friedrich and Amos. Friedrich is a bit preoccupied with removing the arrow. I turned around to find Amos lying against the stairway, a darker shade of red slowly seeping into the messy crimson jacket. His right hand coated in the fluid from trying to apply pressure to the new wound.
His eyes were distant, most definitely not processing what is going on right now. I clamped my left hand on his right shoulder, grabbing his left hand with my right to help him back on his feet. He was able to focus upon being forced to stand. I wrapped his left arm around to let his hand grip my left shoulder.
Right now, I need to get distance between us and the combat magician. Consider our options after. My eyes had spotted the khopesh on the ground, and I noticed it wasn't glowing anymore like it had been. Fear perked, and I pushed on to get us out of the Great Room, not daring to look back in case he was a professional in ripping arrowheads out of his shoulder.
He stumbled in the middle of the library, slowing us down a moment. "What happened?" His voice reflecting pain.
"You didn't defend yourself," I explained briefly as we slowly went back to at least walking. "Looks as if he just grazed your upper torso. I think you're kicking the shock of it right now."
"Are the kids alright?"
I closed my eyes for a second, noting his highest priority right now. "From what I saw they were fine. He wasn't going for Carter, I'm pretty sure he was just coming after you, Amos."
He didn't respond to the point I made. A few more steps and his footing was screwed again. "Room's spinning, can we slow down?"
"Not really Amos," I watched as he tried to keep up with the walking pace I'm trying to commit us to.
The Library's doors landed inside with a loud thud. My heart thudded up into my throat. We hadn't even made much ground. Amos doesn't seem up to fending off his attacker, let alone walking on his own.
Torsten took a moment to take us in before chuckling. "You know, my prey usually doesn't run like spooked mice."
I had managed to get Amos to sit against one of the stone tables. His eyes lit up slightly, but I grabbed my bow to focus on the opposing combat magician. "We're not your prey, asshole."
He tsked with an amused grin as he slowly continued towards us. "Well, I hadn't arranged for your blood to spill, Kyra. You forced yourself into this situation."
Apparently, he had just snapped the wood of the arrow, the tip still in his shoulder. It's affected him enough that he's carrying his khopesh with his right hand rather than his left. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean I have an advantage, he is a student of Uncle Jabari's. Julius had been taught how to swing effectively with both hands rather than his dominate. It would be unwise to think Friedrich won't be as threatening now.
"It appears Jabari's Runt doesn't do well against curses," he was kind enough to note. "Do yourself the favor and step aside mäuschen."
"You'll have to kill me first," his blue eyes landing on me again. "And don't think I won't aim for your other shoulder."
He grinned, and was about to launch at me. Except a giant red dog-like thing had pounced on him instead, teeth sinking into the right shoulder. The rattle of his sword dropping again, I chose to take advantage of this and went to attend to my cousin again.
Amos was still against the table, a shabti in his right hand laying limply in his lap. His brown eyes distant again, and his breathing seemed a bit labored. I quickly judged he won't be able to walk very much considering how much of a struggle it was becoming a minute ago. I grabbed the shabti from his hand, finding blood speckled it now, and put it quickly in my pocket. Then I got a gripped under his arms and went to drag him towards the back of the Library.
I paused to hearing what sounded like a bookshelf being toppled over, followed by a male voice screaming that I couldn't begin to understand. I jumped when Bast showed up from behind me to grab Amos' feet so he's not being dragged. I turned my head to find we're just five feet away from the map, and Bast must have opened it so we could sneak in.
We had promptly laid him on the table. Bast started by removing his jacket, so I went to close the door as fast as possible. "Kitten, do you know what's going on?" Bast asked, hands hovering over the buttons to his shirt as if hesitating.
It took a few seconds for a response. "Kyra?" He managed to rasp out.
"Hey, I'm here," I responded and quickly approached the left of him so he can see me.
Bast took his response as a go-ahead to unbuttoning his shirt. Admittedly I gave her a weird look. "He won't remember, he's not even lucid enough to yell about the nickname 'kitten' like he usually does." Bast explained as she went about removing the article of clothing.
He's still out of it, but his brown eyes managed to stay on me. "He didn't hurt you?"
I shook my head quickly, "Torsten didn't even touch me, and I think we can thank your patron for that."
Amos appeared rather confused, I was starting to worry that maybe he forgot why he's running around in red. Bast hummed before lifting her eyes from the wound she's tending to. "Kitten," apparently she's going to use it as much as she can despite knowing he dislikes it, "would you mind making a fist for me?"
Confusion was not alleviated from his expression, but he tried with his left. He was able to curl his fingers to barely make an 'O'. Bast's eyes landed on me just as I had gone to see her expression.
"Whatever it is, it has paralytic symptoms." Bast frowned after stating this.
"Is there a curse that you're aware of that could do this?" I asked.
She snorted as she started to shred the shirt she had pulled off of my cousin. "Curse? I'd say it's probably poison. But neither of us are any good in meddling in healing."
I closed my eyes as I quickly reminded myself that the only rehket that's made New York her home is still in Pennsylvania. Right now, I feel I can only trust Jaz with this. If it is poison, she's the better option to handle it considering her studying in Sekhmet. I know a few other rehkets, but I don't know them well enough to let them tend to anyone let alone a known host of Set.
Bast had successfully abused the crimson shirt into four strips. Handing me three of them, she then went about using the one to wrap to the wound like a bandage. Taking a closer look, it appeared to have cut from his left shoulder down to what appeared to be an old scar in the middle of his upper torso. It didn't appear deep enough to be life threatening thankfully, but apparently Torsten's agenda didn't necessarily need to make him bleed to death.
Actually, the scar grabbed most of my attention. It looked rather ugly, as if it had been treated but clearly wasn't just a scratch. I found myself getting angry considering its right were the rib cage is. Even worse that I was never told anything pertaining to this scar.
Bast didn't really pay it any mind, finishing tying the DIY bandage. It had taken me a moment to find her golden cat eyes had settled on me. "We'll have to wait for things to settle down if we're to have any chance of getting the two of you out of here."
I nodded in understanding as she went to drape the rather filthy jacket over his chest now. "I'll come back when it's safe to move out. I need to check on the rest of the kittens."
My eyes lit up in realization. Julius had charged her to protect Carter and Sadie. What was she doing tending to Amos as well? Shouldn't Carter and Sadie be a higher priority to her? Perhaps Julius' older brother role got the best of him again?
Before she opened the door, she had pressed her left ear against the hidden door. Once she deemed it safe, she turned to me with a knowing look in her eyes. "You shouldn't press for answers to that scar. Both Amos and Set are known to hide their scars rather than adorn them."
My mouth fell open in surprise as she snuck out without another sound.
