Lumen: Well, hey, you know me... angst: I write it, read it, live it, breathe it, and all that. But you'll have to see for yourself what happens. Suffice it to say I like the way you think. Major kudos for your analytical review! I like those.
Wolf: C'mon, you know better than anyone how intensely I hate the trilogies. That's why I write constant strings of cliffhangers! Kudos to you and your reviewing. Everyone should follow your example!
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Adjedaa felt herself being shaken awake. She opened her eyes drowsily and looked up at the perpetrator.
Kenamun was staring down at her. A look of deep concern creased his features.
She frowned. She knew that look. "What is wrong?"
"Akunosh has disappeared."
"What?" She rose to a sitting position. "Disappeared?"
"He is nowhere to be found in the palace. I went to his quarters to see him this morning, but there was no one there. I have had guards searching for him since then, but there appears to be no trace of him."
"But... I saw him last night. He told me he needed his rest and that he would tell everything to the court this morning..."
"Then he is decidedly late for that appointment." Kenamun stepped back as Adjedaa got out of bed and rose to her feet. "The court is meeting at midday. What is left of it, at any rate. Nebankh has also disappeared, the guards assigned to him killed."
"By whom?"
"We know not. All we know is that during the night, outcries awoke several neighboring families and alerted them. By the time our soldiers arrived, there was no one left who could provide a clear account."
"How were they killed?"
"Two were stabbed in the back, but the wounds were not necessarily mortal injuries. All four of them seem to have died without explanation... but certainly their deaths were not of nature."
A pang of fear struck Adjedaa. "What of Theoris?"
"He is still resting. Haremakhet and Surero are guarding him at his bedside." Kenamun allowed a slight smile. "I think the servant girls feel somewhat cramped."
"To be expected, I suppose." Adjedaa looked Kenamun in the eye. "No harm must come to Theoris, not by any means. Akunosh claimed that he was endowed with all of Theoris's memories, and that he knew for a fact that the cause was a good and just one."
Kenamun digested this information for a moment, then nodded. "Bring that information to the court. We will figure out what to do from there."
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At the court assembly, Adjedaa regaled her fellow mages with her account of what Akunosh had told her. There was a tangible sense of nervousness within the throne room; two of their number had disappeared without explanation, and one of those two had apparently been violently removed from their midst.
The nervousness seemed to enhance their reception and digestion of Adjedaa's story. Despite the events that had led to such enhancement, Adjedaa couldn't help but feel somewhat gratified to see that they seemed more open to listen.
"Theoris must be allowed to complete the process at all costs," she concluded.
A small murmur sounded through the ranks of the circle at this statement. Adjedaa raised her voice. "I know that it sounds suspicious... but I believe Akunosh because he is a dependable man. And Theoris is a righteous man. The two combined create a testimony we cannot ignore."
Surero spoke. "I would feel more confident in your testimony, Adjedaa, if Akunosh was here to support your claims."
"Yet he is not," said Kenamun, "and we have no reason to believe Adjedaa would offer false testimony." He looked around his fellow mages. "We cannot continue this bickering amongst ourselves. This court was forged by the most honorable mages in our nation. Shall we question the validity of what one of our own says so soon after the forging?"
The mages looked at their laps. Clearly, they had been thinking what Surero had voiced, but upon hearing Kenamun, they felt shamed into silence. The stout mage continued. "Adjedaa would have no reason to lie. Therefore, we must assume she tells us the truth when she says Akunosh told her that Theoris must complete his mission. And as Akunosh is likewise a member of this court, we must assume that his faith is as genuine as Adjedaa's testimony."
"You place great faith in our integrity, Kenamun. Are you sure it is well-deserved?" Djedhor was a mage possessed of both passion and skepticism. He had been raised all across the nation of Egypt, mostly in the more inhospitable areas. He'd been orphaned at an early age and taken in by thieves who saw the magical potential within him.
However, his abilities to perform magic also drew the attention of the corrupted mage clan, which brutally disposed of the thieves and took Djedhor into their midst. Then Djedhor was forced to separate from their ranks during the crisis with the rampaging Shadow creatures, to be taken in again by the court.
He had always had a difficult time putting his trust in others.
"If I cannot place my faith in this court," Kenamun responded, "then there is no one left for me to trust."
Silence reigned in the throne room for several moments. Kenamun was the one to break it.
"I, for one, believe Adjedaa. Theoris is determined, and he has shown no sign of treason. If anything, he is as dedicated to this court as he was to the Pharaoh. He is doing what he can to ensure the success of his own mission, come what may... even his own death. If he fails, it will not be because of himself.
"I believe we should allow him to continue, and ensure that his mission is completed. At any cost."
He stared intently at each mage that sat with him. "Anyone who wishes to object... do so now."
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Theoris was further ahead on the road to recovery than he had been the previous night. Every step forward he took, it always seemed that he took another three steps backward. Today, however, he seemed to be taking two steps forward, and last light he had taken the same two steps backward.
He was conscious for most of the day, if not active. His body was burning less harshly, and he felt somewhat stronger. The servants were still doting, though he figured it probably was for the best.
It could be worse. I might be dead, were it not for their efforts. And they are doing the best they can with what they have. Little more can be asked of them.
He found himself eating and drinking much more than he was used to eating and drinking. He didn't mind all that much, although he knew that he would have to make sure he stayed in shape after he completed his task here.
He couldn't help but chuckle. Tamin will doubtless make fun of me for eating heartily here and not eating nearly as much when I am home...
Home...
Theoris was still homesick, something which was to be expected. Now, however, he wasn't as homesick as he was the first night; he knew he wouldn't have been able to walk the distance between his home and the palace both ways after each procedure, and asking guards to carry him that far would likely have been too great a burden for them to be willing to bear.
Evening came. He heard footsteps, and turned to the door to see Adjedaa come in. He smiled slightly. "My condition must be poorer than I give it credit for."
She knelt by his side and observed him for a moment, then shook her head. "No, Theoris, you are actually doing very well right now, considering what you have been through already. Your strength is returning, I can see that."
"Then to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
"The court has made its decision regarding your mission."
Theoris's breath caught in his throat. He could hear Khensthoth stirring at this, as well. "And what is that decision?"
"The court supports your task and will see it through until it is completed, at any and all costs."
Theoris digested this information a moment, then slumped back to his bed and sighed. "That is good news. I was afraid they would block further efforts."
As was I.
"You no longer need fear. We will make sure you do what you need to." A distant light began to shine in Adjedaa's eyes, and Theoris could see her becoming thoughtful.
He cocked his head slightly. "Is there anything else I should be aware of?"
She offered him a slight smile. "Nothing you need worry about. Court matters."
He leaned back into his pillow and closed his eyes. "The task is more than halfway complete, now... I can be thankful that I have been allowed to perform the deed this long, even with the court debating over it." He opened his eyes halfway and looked at her. "What has the court decided regarding the Millennium Shield?"
"No decision yet." Her expression softened. "Have heart, Theoris. Everything will be for the best."
"Forgive me if I find that hard to believe, after what I have been through already."
She smiled half-heartedly. "Faith manages."
"I can only hope that it will."
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That night, Theoris was able to go to the throne room under his own power. He felt rather gratified in that feat, but from previous experience, he was also rather sure he wouldn't be able to leave the room that way; hence, the guards were with him.
As he approached the center of the throne room, he noted that Djedhor was the one to bear the Millennium item. This one was nearly as simple as last night's; it was a simple golden band with the Eye of Horus dangling on it, like an ornament.
I wonder what it does.
You will find out soon enough.
The expression on Djedhor's face told Theoris that the mage was less than pleased to be bearing the item. Theoris wondered what majority of the court said that he should be allowed to complete his task uninterrupted.
Theoris stopped at five paces away from Djedhor. The mage's words sounded rehearsed. "The Millennium Necklace has the power to see the past and the future. Both must be protected."
Simple and straightforward. Good. Theoris took stance and braced himself, then concentrated on the powers of the shield.
His eyes closed, and he fell into blackness. He wasn't afraid; in fact, he embraced the darkness. He'd had to for the last several days, in order to regain his strength.
He didn't feel that he had anything to fear from the darkness.
Light and color began to swim before his non-vision, and he became curious. The power of the Millennium Necklace, perhaps? What does it want to show me?
He began to see images both vivid and vague, images that he recognized all too well. He saw himself playing in the mud, in the grass, in the waters of the Nile; he saw himself joining the Egyptian army; he saw himself fighting at Khensthoth's side...
Memories. I am seeing my own past through the power of the necklace.
Images and sensations rushed past him, swirled all around him, both subtle and gross, both shrouded by fog and as clear as the burning sun. He couldn't help but be enthralled by everything around him; it had been a long time since he'd recalled many of the things he saw here.
The images all meshed together before him quite suddenly, and the sight expanded to beyond his own scope of memory. It began to show him the building of Egypt, only backwards. First there was a great nation, and then only a large capital city, and then a small city, and then a town...
Very intriguing, indeed. What wondrous images I shall see in my sleep tonight.
The timetable reversed and moved forward through the building of Egypt, so that Theoris now saw everything in order. It also sped up further, rocketing forward to the present day.
And then... it moved beyond the events that were occurring even now.
Theoris mentally frowned. How strange...
The images ceased to play out in front of him, and began to play out within him. He felt and saw and heard and smelled and tasted everything the imagery had to offer.
What the unknown powers showed him began to disturb him.
It played like a memory, even though it had supposedly yet to happen. Theoris remembered himself running, breathing hard, glancing back only once. The one glance he was able to afford had shown him his wife and son, at the door to their house... Tamin tearfully watching the tragic spectacle, Salatis simply staring through his own father as though the man didn't exist.
He remembered thinking, His father may as well not exist, now...
He'd turned back to look at his path, which seemed to have taken him through the winding paths of the city. He had known that there was little use in trying to flat-out escape the soldiers and mages on foot, skilled though he was in evasion. All he was able to do was evade, and evade he did, diving into every alley he'd ever remembered and even several he had no recollection of.
All that he'd carried with him was the Millennium Shield and a few scraps of bread. He hadn't even a skin to carry water or wine in.
He'd continued to run for the longest time, it seemed, until he'd finally somehow gotten his hands (and torso) on a horse and ridden it as fast as he could out of the city. The mages and soldiers had always remained in hot pursuit on horses of their own, though Theoris vaguely recalled that the Millennium Shield had been useful in distracting them, gaining him a little ground.
His ride had taken him to a robbed tomb, and though he'd known that it was blasphemous to enter, he'd also known that others had entered before and that their blasphemy had been even worse. He'd run into the open maw of the tomb, embracing the darkness like a protective cloak.
He remembered using the shield again, this time using more of its power than he could ever recall using...
A structure of stone had risen between him and the mages, causing them to shout in horror, just moments before his last thought.
He couldn't remember what his last thought was.
The track jumped ahead, far ahead... further than Theoris had ever thought the world would go. He had no concept of time within his mind anymore; its application, or lack of such, served no function here. He couldn't even begin to fathom, let alone attempt to measure, the distance between his own time and the time now standing before him.
The picture seemed much more ethereal and hazy, but he could make out two distinct stone structures... and a figure between them. One wearing robes of black, with long black hair and pale skin...
Theoris's eyes snapped open and he jumped back in both surprise at and fear of the images.
The golden beam between the shield and the necklace dissipated, and guards stepped forward to steady Theoris. Djedhor nodded with finality. "It is done, then. Take him back to his quarters... see that he remains safe and in health."
"What safety and health there is for him to have," Adjedaa softly added.
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Khensthoth... I do not understand the meaning of these images...
I do not believe anyone should expect you to interpret their meaning. I, for one, do not expect this of you.
But I wish to understand them. How can it be that I remember events I have yet to witness?
Do not dwell on it, Theoris, or it shall drive you mad. Visions of what is to come should, by all rights, be left to the mages to see.
Then why would the Millennium Necklace show me exactly those -- visions of the future?
I know not. I know only what I am able to comprehend... these visions do not fall within my grasp where this is concerned.
What if it is, indeed, what is to come? What if I am forced to abandon my family?
Theoris, I have told you once not to dwell on it. Madness will overtake you if you do. Rest now... recover your strength. You shall return to your family, and you shall enjoy a life without complexity. Do not be troubled. There is nothing that can tell what the future truly holds.
I hope you are correct. I do not wish to leave my family. Not after losing Abana. I care for them too much... I miss them too much...
Fear not, Theoris. You will see your wife and son again. Rest now. You still have much work ahead of you.
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