Four
"I don't know how to tell you how happy I am that you came Ashait." The normally composed Ahmose-Nefertiri grasped her childhood friend's hand like a girl and smiled.
Ashait quirked an eyebrow at the faint note of hysteria that tinted her happy tone; Ahmose had been correct in his assumption that the loss of two of her young children had affected his beautiful wife, "How could I not when the Great God's Wife of Amun calls me?"
Ahmose-Nefertiri made a face at the ceremonial title her brother Kahmose had bestowed upon her, "It's just a title…I'm not really one of Amun's wives or else…" The pained look that rose in Ashait's eyes stopped the young princess in her tracks, "Oh…'Shait I'm sorry I didn't think."
"I'm fine," the priestess lied; she had been anything but fine since the feast of Isis. The Gods hadn't seen fit to strike her and Rami down as they lay clasped in each other's arms on the soft grass. No, her punishment was the terrible longing she felt for him with every part of her mind, body and Ka. To wonder if he still lived in that swirling mass of destruction that was the civil war. Ashait was beginning to think being killed outright would have been kinder than the endless suffering of not knowing.
A shake of her head pushed the melancholy thoughts to the back of her mind, "Really I am. My vows have kept me safe from Apepa's machinations haven't they?"
There was something about the Priestess' tone that told Ahmose-Nefertiri not to press the point. Mié had misjudged the change that had come over their friend since Kahmose had set off to seize Avaris; Ashait had always been quiet and introspective but now a cloud of unhappiness seemed to trail at her heels like a faithful dog. She had lost her aura of calm, stoic, acceptance. The Princess wondered just what had happened to create such a drastic change but had one strong suspicion. She had seen that pinched, distracted look in the faces of many other women in the past. It was the face of a woman whose heart lies far away in dangerous lands. Ahmose-Nefertiri saw that look in her mirror everyday. But there was no way to ask Ashait if that was the source of her worry without offending the woman.
No the pampered, privileged Princess was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"If there had been another way would you have taken it?" Ahmose-Nefertiri pushed some of her thin braids behind her ears, "If Kahmose or father could have kept you safe without you being given to Amun…"
The twist of Ashait's lips could have been a smile-but it was a bitter one, "How? The only other way would have been to marry Kahmose…then I'd be stuck like you and Mié waiting for a husband who might never come home, raising children alone."
"You would have been Queen," Ahmose-Nefertiri couldn't believe her ears and decided to test her luck, "You like Kahmose don't you?"
Ashait's face stilled for a moment before she ruefully shook her head her glorious emerald eyes full of emotion, "As kind as your brother has always been-no not like that. He and Ahmose are like older brothers to me. Besides, I have no ambition to be a Queen," a sly smirk lit her face, "I'd rather be a fisherman's wife."
Once the man on the throne had been virile, healthy Pharaoh; he thought he had been fair with his subjects and if he was a little harder on the Tao family it was because they represented all that he could never be. Despite being born in Egypt like countless generations of his family Apepa would never been seen as Egyptian. The subtle differences that the native nobles had treated Sekenenre Tao still rankled. The old Pharaoh supposed that was why he had asked the man to silence the holy hippopotami that lolled in his marshes. Apepa had known it would infuriate the normally peaceful man- it would force a conclusion to the stalemate that had endured for two hundred years.
Now, entombed in his city of Avaris by the battle loving eldest son of his fallen foe and the whole of Upper Egypt's army Apepa could see the error of his ways. He should have been more delicate about breaking the strength of the Tao; used all of his inconsiderable wiles to destroy them from the inside. Instead he had given them a martyr to rally round.
They say with age comes wisdom and Apepa could attest to that.
The gilded doors of his throne room swung open and Apepa couldn't help the small benevolent smile that graced his lips, he had always had a soft spot for his youngest son-the only one to carry his name. "Do you bring me happy news from your spies my Son?"
"Indeed I do Pharaoh," Apepa the younger bowed his head in deference not fooling his father for a second-the fruit didn't fall far from the tree and the boy was almost as ruthless as Pharaoh. "Our connection within the Tao home has been won over-he will aid us with our plan."
One dark brow lifted questioningly, "We have a contact within the Tao family?"
"Of course," a wicked grin split the younger man's face, "The head of the Queen's bodyguard no less. Odji has grown tired of waiting for 'Pharaoh' Kahmose" the lips curled into a sneer, "To call his best warrior to his side while pathetic common underlings advance in rank and wealth. He made particular reference to Abana the sailor, Sebi the Mejay and Rami the fisherman's son. On the night we deem fortuitous Odji will lead his men to attack the royal women and kill all but one-your new bride. Once you've joined the royal houses you can quietly have the men put to death."
Apepa couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief the plan was so simple and direct it was genius. Everyone knew that it was the women of the royal line that bestowed the divinity of Pharaoh. If Apepa married one of Tao's daughters or even his wife then many of the rebellious southerners would have to acknowledge his rightful claim to the throne. "And what may I ask is this Odji's price?"
"Most men bargain relentlessly when selling their honour but all the fool wishes," Apepa the younger sneered again still trying to understand why the man hadn't asked for gold or power, "Was that he be the one to kill the upstarts Abana, Sebi and Rami."
Apepa smiled-it was a price he was more than willing to pay, "So be it then. Send word for him to act on the feast of Set."
Never before could Rami remember a time when the order and discipline of Army life had rankled so. Three months already they had laid siege of Avaris and still there was no sign, not even a hint that the conflict would end-ever. The doors and walls stood impregnable and taunting day after day after day. They had been the longest months Rami could ever remember.
Each morning he woke from the same dream-a night of passion spent in Ashait's arms-only in the dream it was not a few stolen hours in the garden. In Rami's dream it was always their wedding night. The trumpets that sounded reveille daily shattered that fragile illusion and Rami would wake in his barracks cot alone. The end result didn't stop him from eagerly awaiting the time he could crawl into his bed and dream of her again.
The rewards he won each battle didn't fill the empty place in his Ka that belonged to Ashait and Ashait alone.
Now he was spending the quiet hours of the feast of Set to himself re-tracing the gilded lines of her body in the moonlight while his fellows drank their fill and tried to keep the evil spirit of the traitor Set away. Unfortunately, not even that soothing exercise could eased his mind tonight. Rami could feel the night enveloping him with its malice, something was amiss.
Rising Rami left his tent and began pacing there was something in the air, something he didn't like at all.
Every shadow echoed through the empty halls leading towards the Women's wing of the palatial Pharaoh's mansion sending the hairs on the back of Ashait's neck on alert. Something wasn't right and it wouldn't stop dragging at the edges of Ashait's mind. Not even the image of Rami's beautiful body could dispel her unease. Easing her door shut Ashait decided it was time to visit the small garden just off the main house-maybe that would help her memories.
Feeling no need for a lamp she moved silently through the darkness intent on her goal when a flicker of light ahead stilled her momentum. Without knowing why Ashait slid into a small alcove to allow the person to pass her by unnoticed. She lifted a curious eyebrow as the tall form of the palace guard Odji moved into view; three of his men in tow-why would they be nearing the Royal women's chamber?
"You two know what to do," his voice was a low growl, "We only need one of these Royal bitches alive. Preferably, one of the young fertile ones-Apepa would appreciate that."
Ashait's heart thudded into her throat-they were going to kill Pharaoh's Mother and sisters and drag Ahmose-Nefertiri to Apepa. He would join the royal houses one way or another. A wash of cool detachment washed over Ashait, she would not permit such a thing to happen while there was breath in her body. It may not have been her place to fight beside the man she loved like a barbarian woman but Ashait would be damned to Sobeck if she allowed all that the men of Egypt-her father and brother included to be silenced by a traitor's knife.
Gathering all her reserves of strength Ashait made her way towards the small armoury on soundless feet, thanking Amun that her training as Priestess had given her that ability the entire way. Once inside Ashait eyed the weapons, the Mejay bow was out of the question-there was no way she could pull it. Biting her lower lip in concentration she selected a curved sword like the one Ipy had shown her to use and two hunting spears in addition to her dagger; it had been years since she had thrown one but Ashait had always had a natural grace with such things.
Finished she hurried back to the other women hoping she was not too late.
The door to the Women's chamber was open and torchlight flooded the hallway as Ashait ran to it. Ignoring the danger she hurtled into the room, "In the name of Amun stop!" She commanded the men who had cornered the women.
Odji was the first to turn snarling at her and showing his fanglike yellow teeth, "Don't think you can stop us."
He motioned his men to attack her and Ashait pulled her right hand back throwing her spear with all her might. It caught the first man high in the chest sending him falling back, blood spurting from his mouth. Ashait smiled; perhaps Pharaoh was right about her skills. She had no time to dwell on her success as the second man moved in pulling his sword. Mirroring him Ashait dropped into the fighting position she had been shown once in the sunny garden of her home.
The solider rushed her swinging his blade low and to the right, Ashait easily countered the blow and whipped her blade around towards his unprotected neck. It was as if she were possessed by the spirit of Wepwawet the god of war-her sword's aim was true and the man's head flew from his shoulders spraying Ashait and Odji with blood. Somewhere Ashait heard Ahmose-Nefertiri scream but it barely registered in her consciousness.
"Lucky bitch," Odji sneered pulling his own weapon, "Thank you for ridding me of those fools. Maybe I'll have a little taste of you before I kill you," Ashait shuddered as his yellowish eyes roved up her body, "Or after…I'm not picky."
With a mighty roar he swung into her causing Ashait to use her spear to block the blow, it shattered in half under the strength of it. Fighting back a gasp Ashait met Odji's sword with her own but unlike his lackey's he was a skilled swordsman-his ferociousness in battle had been the reason he had been elected to guard Pharaoh's back. Soon Ashait realized how utterly out classed she was as small wounds began to open up her arms and legs from hits she could not stop.
Breathing heavily Ashait's arms began to feel like lead and each time she met Odji's blade the vibration numbed her just a bit more. No matter how she tried the traitor was stronger and faster than she would ever be. Steeling herself Ashait met one more blow meant to sever her head from her shoulders but her sword dropped from her boneless hand. Triumph lit Odji's eyes as he moved in, pressing Ashait against the wall and breathing his rancid breath down her cheek, "It seems Amun has decided to give me his bride as a gift. I shall have to accept."
"NOOO!" Ahmose-Nefertiri screamed finding her voice and moving from the protective arms of her mother Queen Ahhotep distracting Odji long enough for Ashait to pull out her last weapon.
"Shut up!" Odji screamed turning slightly and with a silent prayer to Amun, Ashait plunged her dagger into his throat.
His eyes narrowed in surprise and his massive arm pulled back. Ashait could feel the sting of a bee deep in her center but ignored it as she watched Odji's life blood pour forth, slumping him to the ground. Her every limb felt heavy and her vision blurred when Ahmose-Nefertiri ran to her side tears running down her face, "Ashait?"
Shaking her head the priestess looked down; Odji's sword ran directly through her stomach pinning her to the wall. She could feel her Ka slipping away and she hoped that this final act was enough to tip the scales against her betrayal of her vows with Rami.
Tears ran freely down Ahmose-Nefertiri's sculpted face as she watched her friend smile softly a trickle of blood sliding from her lips. Leaning in the princess hoped to catch her final words. Ahmose-Nefertiri's eyes widened in surprise but she nodded. Ashait's sparkling emerald eyes dulled and closed as her Ka fled her body leaving it to slump forward against the intrusion that held her in place.
Her face tightening with the rage that fuelled her husband and brother Ahmose-Nefertiri promised the God's her friend's death would not be in vain. "Summon the Mejay guards; we know they are still loyal Odji hated them."
Leaning down Ahmose-Nefertiri yanked Ashait's dagger from the traitor's throat no longer caring about the blood that stained her hands. Ashait's sacrifice would not go in vain.
"Majesty," Rami turned as a solider bounded towards the place he stood with Pharaoh Kahmose looking at a model of Avaris searching for weaknesses.
He had not lost that sense of wrong that had plagued his mind since the feast of Set but Rami carried on his duties with mechanical precision. Hoping that soon he would see Ashait's smiling face again. With a wave of his hand Kahmose bid the man to speak, "What is it."
"A group of Palace Mejay approach the Royal women in tow."
Rami could hear his ruler growl something about the stubbornness of sisters as they moved quickly to the edge of camp to meet Ahmose-Nefertiri. Kahmose shook his head, "I thought the Lady Ashait would calm her…"
"You sent Ashait to the palace?" Rami could have smacked himself for being so transparent-was his love here in the camp now?
His heart beating in fear and anticipation Rami waited for his Pharaoh to answer, "I did. But it seems you can't tame a headstrong woman with one equally headstrong."
The men moved in tandem to the area where the Princess had created quite a stir; dressed in a man's war kilt a sword strapped to her side Ahmose-Nefertiri was a far cry from the quiet girl Rami had once met. It did pass Rami's mind that except for her Mejay guard the girl was alone. His heart dropped.
Lighting from her chariot she bowed to her brother, "Greeting Pharaoh the women of his house bring him a mighty gift."
"And what might that be sister?" Kahmose shook his head with a small smile, "Tell me why I shouldn't send you to your husband for discipline?"
She nodded and the first of the Mejay pulled a bag from the chariot. Slowly he removed the ghastly cargo one at a time, "Almost a moon ago on the feast of Set Odji and a few of his men tried to take the royal women by force."
Rami swallowed hard to keep his temper in check as the heads dropped into the sand at Kahmose's feet. This bastard had gotten his just desserts for daring such a thing. Rami's mind quickly changed tack, had he known something would happen that night? Had that been the source of his unease? Where was Ashait? Surely she would have accompanied Ahmose-Nefertiri north with the news.
Kahmose turned to the guards his face grim-he had never expected one of his men, a friend no less to turn against him so, "I thank you for your loyalty. You will be rewarded richly for saving my sisters and mother."
"He didn't save us." Ahmose-Nefertiri's voice cracked slightly as the blood soaked tale spilled from her lips.
Rami listened in stunned silence trying not to believe it. Ashait was dead. His Goddess. He tried valiantly to blink back the tears that threatened to run freely down his face, Amun had indeed chosen to punish him for his presumption in loving the Priestess. Rami had expected to die for the sin but it seemed the god had known how little he cared for his own life. He had taken Ashait instead.
A great wail of sorrow went up and Rami knew that Shenti had heard the account of his sister's brave battle and tragic end. It should have touched Rami to hear his friend in such pain but there was nothing left of him that could feel. His Ka had flown to join Ashait's.
Without a word Rami left the other men to mourn the sad, fate of the strong woman who had saved their war single handed. Turning his face towards the desert Rami fingered his sword knowing what he had to do. A light hand on his arm stopped him for a second. Ahmose-Nefertiri nodded knowingly and whispered in his ear, "Her final words were 'I love you Rami'."
She released him and Rami walked alone into the wastes-he would see Ashait again. That was one thing he was sure of. There would be other lifetimes for them to love each other.
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Okay yes I'm evil. Consider this my birthday present to you all that I finished this before the debauchery that will be this weekend. A girl only turns 24 once…naturally. Don't expect the next part til some time next week…between festivities and my work schedule I won't be writing for a bit. I'll need to recover from the party. Have a great weekend.
BrowneyedImagination – Come on…I didn't gain the title Angst Fairy by doling out happy endings willy nilly. But I promise that not every lifetime will be this damn sad. Some will be worse…others better…that is the nature of life. But I'm glad you like this. I've taken a bit of time to research things but I guess it helps that I studied classical history in university. I'm glad I brought it to life for you.
Star of Chaos – I am what I am. An evil evil person. Have I mention how I love you for brining in my Marauders??? Yippie! I might just have to lend you my angst wand. I made it kind of easy in this one.
Reality Dreamer – Did you need a cold shower too? Or a cigarette? I can't believe I wrote that. Ka is the ancient Egyptian word for soul.
The Real Mai – Teehee…you'll notice a trend in my stories…lots of angst. I'm glad I'm doing well with this, I'm working hard to bring each era to life.
Mie – Now that name looks familiar grin You got it in one…those Egyptians had a nifty way of seeing things. I'm glad I stumped everyone on the ending of this one…but yay! You found Pyro and Colossus.
Ishy – You know me when I'm inspired. It just pours forth. Or is birthed from my right eye as the case may be. I hope you didn't char your lungs too much on my account. Muhaahahahahha! None of the above as you can see. Some how this was sadder and less expected. Pirates huh? Maybe…maybe. Of course it's a sequined tutu…would you expect any less from me? Yep I'm gonna keep making you learn fun things.
Aberant – I try very hard to be different. As I've said that's going to be a reoccurring theme in their relationship.