CHAPTER 6

Taita's head hurt from the day's events, yet he knew he was about to face his biggest challenge yet. The final against Brutus was to be a classic he knew it, but who would be remembered as the winner of this titanic clash? Taita did not know. He felt sick with nerves, and his face was a strangely green hue. His hands shivered balanced on his knees, and he rested his head back against the wall. He was sat outside the charioteers tent, in which Jian was talking to Meren, whereas Nefer had gone for a final security check, included a civilian search of those inside the stadium. This was to hold the final back a little bit, and Taita had more time to dwell on the ever-increasing tension. Even for the son of a Pharaoh, this tension, this stress, this... foreboding was a lot to take.

Jian came out of the tent and sat next to him. There was no words between the pair, like this morning there was a tension, no hostility but still a tension which buzzed on the night air, keeping both full on the alert. Even Jian seemed rattled, and his silly grin seemed somewhat forced on his face.

A servant came around the corner. He spoke excitedly. "It is time."

*

They entered the stadium alongside Brutus and Skireset both on their chariots. The crowd erupted with cheers as they rode serenely into the stadium, completely contrasting with how he felt inside. People waved and cheered as they entered the arena.

Taita glanced at Brutus' chariot. It too had now gained metal spikes on its wheels, longer than Taita and Jian's. Taita pointed this out to Jian, who looked, on the outside, supremely unconcerned.

"I'll take them out with my sword," he muttered. Taita leaned back and looked at the other side of the chariot. It had heavy support work on it that had obviously been hastily applied. He exchanged a glance with Jian.

"Last resort," Taita mouthed at Jian. Jian nodded his head to show his understanding, as Tove and Kran padded quickly onto the track. Taita and Jian had been drawn on the inside luckily, and both were mentally going through their starting moves.

They lined up alongside Brutus' chariot, who leaned across to shake their hand. His grip was firm, his stance: ready. They stood there facing each other, the handsome future Pharaoh facing the hulking reigning champion. The crowd was torn, for many had gambled on Brutus to win, but many now also were cheering on Taita. The chariots stood stock still on the line. The Pharaoh stood on the side of the track, an Egyptian flag waving in the wind. With a swish, he brought it down.

The gold flag was dragged forward as Taita's chariot leapt from its starting place, like a lion waiting to pounce. But who would reach the corner first?

At breakneck speed, Brutus had done it. His chariot rounded the corner just ahead of Taita's, the black colours on Brutus chariot flapping tantalisingly out of reach. But Taita's nerves had gone. He seemed to have left them back on the start line. He now had three laps to out manoeuvre and out think Brutus.

As they rose up the incline Taita had an idea, and he leaned back to tell Jian. "Jian, after this corner coming up there is an "s" bend, then a "u" bend. On the "U" bend, they will go past us the other way, exposing their right side. Attack it with anything you think will work!"

Jian prepared himself with a long spear in one hand and the bigger of his two swords in the other. Steadying himself as they slid around the first corner, he took careful aim. They passed through the "S" bend as ahead of them, Brutus swung around the corner ahead. As they drew level, Jian threw the javelin into the side of the chariot with his left hand, while hacking away with his stronger right. A split second later the chariots were separated, and several pieces of support work lay on the side of the track.

Taita pulled the chariot around the corner sharply after them, before carefully rounding the banked turn. He timed it perfectly, urging the horses on out of the corner as they gained on Brutus.

The crowd roared its collective approval as these duellists whipped past them, daring each other to make a mistake. Brutus was still ahead, but Taita's charioteering had narrowed the gap hugely. They fair flew around the corner, one after the other, the hunter chasing its prey.

Jian took another javelin from his bundle, and threw it hard at the right back hand side of the chariot, and watched in satisfaction as Skireset failed to block it, and a fourth piece of wood lay on the incline, which Taita swiftly dodged. There was now no extra support holding up that side, and nothing would help Brutus if he went too hard into the corners now. Brutus seemed to know this, as he slowed down more then he had on the first lap to make sure he made it around the corner. Taita took full advantage of this, until Tove and Kran were almost touching the chariot in front. Skireset was not allowed to lay any weapon on the horses, (as stipulated by the rules), so they were both safe.

The next few turns proved to be some of the toughest Taita ever faced in the trials, never once relinquishing the position he had, but also never hitting the chariot in front. As they dived back out of the banked turn, they were almost neck and neck. Tove and Kran pulled and tugged at the reins, but Brutus brought his horses across, forcing Taita off the track onto the hazardous ground. Taita somehow managed to regain control of the now bumping chariot, and pulled it back onto the track behind Skireset as they turned from the start line and down the hill, for the last time.

They were about to pull up the incline, when Jian stared ahead. His mind picked up one thing: the piece of support still left on the track. Quickly he flung a javelin with all his might past Brutus' head. As it whizzed past Jian held his breath. And then it happened. Jian's perfect throw had worked. Brutus took his eyes off the track to watch the javelin land. By the time he was looking back at the track it was too late.

Brutus' chariot hit the wood, (which was sticking up out of the ground at a heavy angle), with enormous force. Enough to lift the chariot up and over the wood. The chariot leaned dangerously on two wheels and it slowed down hugely. Taita brought his chariot up alongside, UNDER the chariot. Jian reached up with a javelin, and pushed with all his might. Brutus, and his chariot, toppled. It crashed down on its left-hand side, smashing in several places, and throwing Brutus and Skireset into the cliff alongside which the incline ran. Brutus' looked up at them, furious, as they pulled around the corner ahead. Taita and Jian could not believe it. Thebes didn't dare to believe it. But Pharaoh Nefer Seti in the royal seats was already on his feet, roaring and cheering along with the now stirring crowd. Cheers and singing reigned high on the dusk mood, and Taita and Jian, who had by now crossed the line and come to a stop, were hugging in the back of the chariot. They waved to the populace of Thebes, as Taita's father, beaming, presented them with the Taita Trials championship.

*

The celebrations at the track seemed to last forever. Lots of drink had been brought to the stands as the population of Thebes celebrated the victory of its future Pharaoh. Few noticed the dark mass that was forming out on the plains outside Thebes. It was not until marching was heard until the joy and laughter died, to be replaced by shocked muttering and screams. Taita heard Nefer talking quickly to one of his staff.

"Alert the forces of Thebes, and any nearby to hurry to the plains of the West. Then take a chariot and travel as if Horus were with you to the North. Send back any troops who are there. Tell them the Deity has arrived."