Disclaimer: Usual routine. Mummies Alive is property of DIC Entertainment. I will probably make references to the book Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton in this chapter and chapters to follow. No copyright infringement is intended. Rhett belongs to Cyrus and Rathera is Rathera's character, and a great big thank you goes out to them for letting me use their characters in this story. This story is not part of the normal MA fic-verse, which is kind of obvious if you take note of the way I fiddle with some character histories to make them fit the story better. Also, don't look for accurate historical facts in this fic. If there's something I don't know, I make it up.
Warning: This story contains mature themes not suitable for young children. So, if you have a problem with the portrayal (either directly stated or implied) of sex, blood, murder, violence, incest, and homosexuality then go find something else to read. I really don't care about the ages of whoever reads this because I feel that if you think you can handle it, then you can read it. However, I wouldn't want to be accused of warping the minds of young children and/or destroying their faith in their favorite characters, so take note of the fact that you have been warned.
Time Note: This chapter takes place a few months after where Chapter 3 left off.
Scarab Saga - Chapter 4: New Life
Rathera stared out the window in stony silence at the Nubian practice yard. Though not a fighter, she wished she could go out and join the soldiers in their workout. She'd had just about enough of being confined to her room. Yet she understood why she couldn't go out. Her "condition" was too noticeable. If Scarab hadn't been with her, the isolation would have been unbearable.
Scarab... Rathera's gaze turned towards the vizier as he lounged among the cushions perusing various documents. The deceptions of the past few months weighed heavily upon him, aging him as life in Amenhotep's court had not. Rathera continued to cling to the faint hope that when they returned to Egypt, Scarab would retire and marry her, despite the fact that he continued to foolishly insist on becoming pharaoh. 'Whatever happens happens,' Rathera decided.
Rathera's hand drifted lightly over her abdomen. Her time was fast approaching. She and Scarab had been discussing ways to explain the child in Egypt and had agreed that the best possible tale would be that they were fostering it. They could maybe pull this off after all. If Scarab would just marry her, though, none of the lies would even be necessary. Why did he have to be so damned stubborn?
Dampness swooshed down Rathera's legs and she stiffened, expecting instantaneous pain. Nothing but warm wetness though, not time yet. Rathera took a shuddering breath to calm herself. She knew the theory behind childbirth, but never having experienced it, she wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Pain would be involved, dreadful horrible pain. Thinking of the pain scared Rathera.
When the first contraction came, it was nothing like what Rathera expected. Soft and rolling, that first contraction could have been mistaken for a simple muscle spasm. Soon, she knew, the contractions would get stronger. "Scarab," Rathera gulped. "Perhaps you should send for the midwife now."
Scarab's eyes went huge, like the gold platters King Teti nightly dined upon. Rathera realized that in this case her job was to be the sensible one and give the orders. "Send for the midwife," Rathera repeated. "Then have Rhett assist her. And then you should go out and keep yourself busy until I send for you." Mentally reviewing her commands, Rathera thought to herself that she did indeed sound quite sensible, and, better yet, her voice gave no indication of the panic she felt.
Scarab merely continued to stare at Rathera as if she'd grown another head. Rathera took a deep breath and let it out slowly through her nose. Although she knew she had plenty of time, she would feel better once the midwife got there. Unfortunately, Scarab wasn't being much help. Taking Scarab's hand, Rathera led him to his quarters, pausing only to ask one of the Nubian guards to send for the damned midwife. 'Men can be such blithering idiots sometimes!' Rathera fumed as she shut Scarab in his room and dragged Rhett off. Maybe it was an instinctual thing, though. She'd heard stories that when Rapses was born, Queen Shinoba had ended up ordering Amenhotep to go out for a chariot ride just to get him out from under foot.
Rhett got Rathera settled among the cushions and went to stand outside the door and wait for the midwife. Meanwhile, Rathera experienced another contraction.
*~*~*~*~*
Rhett settled into the easy familiarity of duty. Even now his job was as it had always been. He fetched things. When the midwife asked for boiled water, he made haste to the kitchens and got the water. When she asked for a knife, he fetched a knife. Meanwhile, Rhett was free to let his mind wander so long as he accomplished his tasks. He thought most often about Seneb and what he knew of the priest. Rahotep's words continued to haunt Rhett. "Beware of Seneb. Teti thinks the world of his brother, yet most at court believe that Seneb would gladly steal the throne if he could."
Twice had there been attempts on Teti's life, and both times the attackers had not been human, but Egyptian burial statues. The attacks had obviously failed. The failure came with an unfortunate side effect, though, for now Teti was suspicious of all that was Egyptian. Because of Teti's attempts to sever diplomatic ties with Egypt, Scarab had been sent to Nubia.
'At least things are starting to make sense now,' Rhett decided as he handed the midwife her herb kit. 'Teti wants nothing to do with Egypt, and his actions are making life difficult for the Egyptian families who have lived in Nubia since the Hyksos attacked so long ago. So Amenhotep sends in Scarab to try and smooth things over so that there is no war. And Scarab wants out of Egypt anyway. Now, because Scarab seems to be on friendly terms with Teti, the next move will probably have to be Seneb's.'
Well, at least all the puzzle pieces were fitting together. Would there be any way to tell what information Seneb had garnered from the Egyptian escort? Probably not. At least they didn't know anything about Scarab's true reasons for coming to Nubia. Rhett exhaled a deep bellowing sigh. He missed the good old days where he could just be a simple servant looking after his master. He hated having to play the part of a spy.
Rhett's gaze happened to pass over Rathera and he turned away. He caught a glimpse of sweat-soaked hair falling over brown eyes gone far too wide. Teeth flashed like fangs in a pale face. The midwife knelt before Rathera, obscuring the worst of the sight. Rhett turned away with a shudder. 'Thank the gods I'll never have to go through that!'
*~*~*~*~*
Seneb slid through passages only he was familiar with. A small sphere of magic balanced upon the priest's fingers, outlining the hidden hallway in a dim purple glow. Scurrying from the light intruding in their dark domain, rats sought cover, sliding into their bolt holes. Seneb snorted in disgust.
The stars had spoken to the priest last night. This was a day to forge new alliances, and begin building up his power. Seneb's priests had brought in a sacrifice to Dedun. They'd cut it open and read the augeries. Seneb himself had fondled the heart. A human sacrifice would have been better, would have told the future more clearly. From the goat, Seneb learned that he was to offer the Egyptians power.
The passage narrowed, coming to an end. Placing his ear against the rough wall, Seneb listened. Only just barely could he make out the shuffling sounds of movement on the other side. Seneb felt along the wall for a leather strap, which he pulled inwards. A segment of the wall moved along with the strap. The Egyptian ambassador was alone. "Greetings, good master," Seneb's voice fairly purred.
Scarab was staring at Seneb, eyes wide with shock at this intrusion. Already, his hand rested on a bronze dagger; prepared to defend his life in an instant. Flashing white teeth in a quick smile, Seneb approved the ambassador's quickness. "You react well, good master, but peace. Peace. I have an offer for you, a great offer. One which you cannot refuse."
The tension oozed out of Scarab, but still his fingers never left the hilt of his dagger. Seneb nodded to himself. Suspicion was a good thing. Never truly trust anyone and you can never truly be betrayed. Still, the priest was going to have to take a chance if he wanted the power he craved. "I can ease your path with Teti greatly, good master, and can offer you great magics, but in return you must help me."
Behind those inscrutable lavender eyes, Scarab weighed his options carefully. "I'm listening," the vizier finally said. Seneb smiled as he outlined his plan, steepling his fingers together. If he could remain patient, the throne would eventually be his.
*~*~*~*~*
The hidden doorway swung shut behind the priest and Scarab could only shake his head in disbelief. Seneb had more gall than brains being so straightforward with his offer, but the offer had indeed been a good one. They'd managed to put together the beginnings of a plan which would give each man what he most wanted: the throne of his respective country.
Rathera must be informed! Scarab's decision came in a quick snap. She had to be told that the son she was bringing into the world would rule Egypt! Scarab rushed across the hallway to Rathera's room. The almost animal sounds of a woman giving birth had ended. Silence echoed throughout the corridor. Scarab stepped into Rathera's room.
The midwife was wiping her hands on a scrap of linen. Her dark, wizened face scrunched up into a smile when she saw Scarab. "Is done," she proclaimed as she began gathering her things.
Scarab's gaze swung in an instant to his lady love. Pale and exhausted, Rathera clutched a linen-swathed bundle to her breast. With a triumphant smile, she gave Scarab a perfect imitation of the mid-wife. "Is done." Rhett, hovering over Rathera's shoulder, merely placed a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh.
Swooping down on his beloved, Scarab embraced both her and the baby. His long fingers began to lovingly ease the tangles out of Rathera's hair as he held her close. "Our child," Scarab murmured. "Our son..."
"Daughter," Rathera corrected, leaning into Scarab.
Scarab's heart sank to his toes. Daughter? Surely not! He took the baby from Rathera, to see for himself. Yes, a daughter. His dreams of establishing a dynasty were turned to ash in his mouth.
*~*~*~*~*
The Nile meandered its way through the desert, a strip of life-giving blue in a parched land. Never truly tamed, the river permitted men to fish its waters at their own risk. Today the fisher's were out in force, plunging nets into the cool waters in hopes of a grand harvest. Along the docks, the catches were brought in and cut with expert hands, the offal thrown back into the water to draw more fish.
A lone figure, tall and lanky, wrinkled his nose in distaste. Odors of sweat and dead fish were an assault to his dainty senses. Rath despised the docks, despite understanding their necessity. Normally, the scribe would be content to bury himself in documents, but his sister and Scarab returned today, and he wanted to be the first to greet them.
Unconsciously, Rath's mind flashed on the last conversation he'd had with the vizier so many months before. Just before Scarab had left for Nubia, Rath had thrust a cryptic note from his father at the vizier, demanding an explanation. "Do you remember how I once told you that I would look after Rathera as if she were my own sister?" the vizier's silken voice had purred in Rath's ear. "There is good reason behind that. However, this need not become common knowledge, as there was some slight disgrace to the family involved."
Rath's face burned scarlet as the conversation replayed itself. Even going directly to his father had not produced any satisfactory results. He'd merely been told to let the past stay buried. What was over and done with was best forgotten.
A boat eased up next to the docks. Soon, Rath was embracing his sister, and cooing over the baby. He whole-heartedly approved of bringing back a child from one of the Egyptian families exiled to Nubia and raising it in the court. The gods knew that the little one's chances for a good life were much improved in Thebes.
"Welcome home, sister," Rath said as he led Rathera back to the palace. "Gods! How I have missed you! You must tell me all about Nubia." Such outpouring of emotion was rare for Rath, and he could see that it left Rathera a bit flustered. He couldn't help himself, however. He was genuinely glad to be reunited with her again. Glancing back over his shoulder at Scarab, Rath realized for the first time, that there was no one to greet him. Did the vizier ever miss the warm familiartiy between family? Looking at Scarab's blank face, Rath couldn't be certain.
Not sure where he stood anymore, the scribe smiled at Scarab. "Welcome home to you also, Lord Vizier. The palace has been at loose ends without you."
"No doubt," Scarab answered simply as he broke away to head for his own quarters.