2
BROTHERS-IN-ARMS
I WAS CLOSE. I knew this when I saw the slope in the path before me. From journeying through heremany timesI knew it wasbeforethe last clearing, theseventh preparation, and trainer's test, was beyond that.
Already I could see the palace that had beenmade of both mud-brick and stone. Some of our older warriors say that our palace isquite modest compared to themanylooming towers, and palaces of faraway places, and foreign peoples. ButI believed then, and still believe evennow, that it was one of the most sacred, and one of the most grandest places I've ever entered.
Soon I had climbed up the slope and saw, in the clearing, waiting for me, was none other than Jesup and Rama.
What the hell are they doing here? I thought to myself. I then remembered Jesup's words: Meet us at the top of the village when your ready. But my trainers spoke of seven preparations not six…
It was then I realized something with a shock. Could they be my seventh preparation?The lastchallenge before I wentbefore myking to take my test; a moment I had labored so hard for?It suddenlymade sense on why theyhad beenuncomfortable when Karatas mentioned that they had been sent to the king, and why they lied. They had, carefully,made sure I didn't notice them leaving as well. Wasn't it them who suggested I practice for the upcoming preparations?
I took several deep breaths. Well, I thought, there's only one way to find out.
I strode down to the last clearing. I was at the gate when Jesup looked up and saw me, he nudged Rama in shoulder and motioned his head my way. Rama grabbed his, now reclaimed, wooden staff.
I had shut the wooden gate behind me when I turned to see my brothers. Both of them stood up, blocking my way (how very like them), Jesup's hands where on his hips, he and Rama wore stern expressions on their faces.
I stepped forward, careful not to show any emotion of my surprise or curiosity on why they where here, and if I was right on guessing why they were.
"So, Mathayus," Jesup said in a tone, like he wasscolding a foolish child, "you think you're ready to take the test?"
I stopped, feeling a flash of burning anger. He knew damn good and well I was more than ready, more than prepared to go on to the most important chapter of my life.
"Whatever the king wants, I'm up to the challange" I replied curtly, my tone filled with, both, defiance and confidence.
"Oh not so fast," said Rama, hisvoice dripping with arrogance, swinging his staff,"Beat both of us than you'll be fit to see the king".
So they where, my last challenge. King Urmhet, and the other trainers must of put them up to this.
Well if my brothers wanted action, then, they where going to get action.
"So be it!" I said darkly, getting into a fighting stance.
Jesup and Rama, took off at me with a run. As soon as they got close enough they both attacked, Jesup with a punch, and Rama slammed at my head with his staff. I, quickly, blocked Jesup's punch, and dodged Rama's blow, then before either of them could notice I lashed out with a kick, that pushed Rama out of the way.
It was just me and Jesup, for now.
We both attacked. At that moment neither of us could get a hit on the other. Every time Jesup punched I blocked, and every time I punched Jesup blocked. I couldn't help but be surprise; there was a time when Jesup would send me to the floor in no time. And now…
I tried my best not to look too surprised and tried not to admire both my improved skills as well as Jesup's, and, from the look on my brother's face, he was as surprised and was filled with as much awe as I was.
It was then Jesup kicked me in the side. As I winced he managed, at least, three punches in the chest. I stumble back, aching pain filled my side and chest.
It was then something strange happened, well at least strange for me.
A internal fire thatI had never knew was inside mehit my blood, filling me with a powerful burst of energy. It was then Jesup, once again, attacked, but, this time, I was ready for him.
Jesup lunged at me with a punch. I blocked it with one hand, and with the other leg, roundhouse kicked him as hard as I could in his side.
As Jesup leaned over in, apparent, pain I did a spinning crescent kick that hit him in the back. It wasn't a hard kick, it was just a kick enough to send him to the ground.
It was then there was a loud SMACK and I could feel a line ofburningfire running down my back. I swung around to see what had hit me.
It was Rama. Rama and his wooden staff.
Rama swung around with is staff, trying to sweep me to the ground. Quickly I jump kicked him in the chest. Rama stumbled back but quickly recovered.
He gave me a stern look, I gave him one in return. We circled each other. Judging on what move to make next. At that moment another bust of fiery energy hit my veins. It was a good thing too because of what happened next.
Rama moved forward, swinging his staff to hit either side of my head. I gave two solid blocks that stopped the staff from making contact and I gave Rama a solid thrust kick in the chest.
Rama stumbled back, but quickly recovered. He swung his staff at my head for a painful blow (that I knew from experience). Quickly I caught the staff from making the blow and yanked it back, out Rama's hands.
His stern expression changed in to one of surprise as I yanked the wooden staff out of his hands. He knew I could use that staff on him with no problems, well no problems for me anyway. But I had something else in mind.
I threw the staff back to him. But as his fingers closed around it to catch itI ran at him. I made at least three solid hits on his chest. He stumbled back and ran at swinging. At that moment I got down and sweep kicked him to the ground.
My body ached and I knew my arms had bruises forming where I had blocked Jesup's and Rama's strong swings and blows. But for the first time since I was able to spar my brothers I was still standing, havingdefeated them. Both of them.
I was still breathing hard but I couldn't help but feel proud of myself. I had trained for years, giving it my all, practicing as much as I could and now to know that my skills had either matched my older brothers, or rivaled them was enough to make me feel it was all worth it.
Jesup and Rama got up stumbling.
"Well, he defeated us both Jesup", said Rama still wincing, rubbing his side.
"Yes, his skill is great", Jesup said, he too was wincing.
"Why don't you two just shut up and speak for yourselves", I said rubbing an extremely sore spot on my arms.
Damn, I thought to myself, I'm going to have a hell of a bruise there in the morning.
Jesup and Rama grinned to each other at my remark. They stood up still rubbing a few sore spots.
"Mathayus," Jesup said, pointing to the palace, "the king awaits you inside".
I nodded, "I'll tell you how it goes".
And then, feeling confident, and abit proudwith myself, I strode to the palace doors.
-
As soon as I entered the grand marble entrance hall (that was about twenty paces down) I could hear the sounds of laughter from the palace children that ran aimlessly around the hall; playing the games children do.
"Mathayus!" yelled a surprised voice.
I turned to see a girl about Karatas's age running towards me. A girl who I felt was the sister I never had. Her long black hair was carefully styled in to manybraids, her skin wasa light tan, she wore a golden band around her elegant forehead and a crisp white linen tunic. This pretty girl was none other then the kings daughter, Princess Lantana.
"I am so sorry, Brother," she said in an apologetic tone, "if I would of known you where coming, I would of sent my brothers and sisters to the nursery instead of gallivanting around like a wild pack of jackals".
"Hey!" I said remembering a small wild girl from long ago, "you would be the on to talk".
" Oh, very funny, Mathayus," Lantana said in a dry tone.
Suddenly there was a loud CRASH! that echoed through out the hall. Two young children seemed to knock over a ceramic vase that, I suspected, was from some faraway country.
"Narmer!" Lantana called angrily, "Iran!"
There was a bursts of giggles as the two children ran off with the others. Lantana put her hand up to he brow, and shook her head and muttered some words that you wouldn't think a princess like her would say.
I had to smile at all this, "Why don't I spare you a headache, little sister, and ask you to lead me to the throne room?"
"Yes," she said, relieved, "Thank you."
She waved at a servant to deal with the task of seeing to the palace children and started tolead me through a corridor.
"So, I suppose your father charged you with taking care of the palace children", I said with a grin.
"Unfortunately, yes", she said with a tone, "he charged me, Prince Trion, and Prince Telent with the task. But as, you can see, they weren't there to help."
"I noticed," I said. Honestly, it didn't really surprise me, the two oldest princes where lazy, rotten, selfish, spoiled brats growing up (trust me I know), so I guessed they haven't really changed much now that they have grown up to be men around my age.
"Let me tell you," Lantana said with a tone of slight disgust, "they're more full of themselves than ever."
"I'll bet."
Lantana smiled her first smile since I got here.
"Oh," I said remembering a promise I had made earlier, "Karatas said hi".
It was then Lantana smiled ever wider.
"So how are things between you two?" I asked, inquisitive.
"There great," She said still smiling, "truthfully I should be thanking you since you introduced us."
"Well, it's simple, don't, alright," I insisted, "just invite me to the wedding ceremony."
"Mathayus!" she said playfully punching me in the arm.
I blocked it laughing.
"You fiend!" she cried swinging again.
"I'm sorry," I said, blocking it again. "I couldn't help it."
"Your lucky I didn't join Jesup and Rama in that last challenge thatFather told meyou had!" Lantana cried out, all the while trying to look angry and not break into fits of laughter.
"Sorry, little sister," I said grinning.
"No your not," Lantana said, obviously not sounding convinced.
"True".
Lantana gave me a dirty look then broke out laughing, making all the servants turn to her and smile.
-
Soon we where before the giant door, made of dark wood, that opened to the grand throne room.
"Are you alright Mathayus?" she asked. "Are you nervous?"
"Are you joking?" I said to her, " I was born for this task".
She smiled, "Well you have my blessing, my brother".
"Thank you," I said and pulled open the door and went in alone.
-
The marble throne room was as massive as the grand entrance hall. It's walls and floors made of the same tan marble, blue lotuses painted at the top of the great columns. Torches lined the wall and a carpet of the deepest reds led to the throne and the breeze brought in the sweet scent of the desert flowers from the nearby garden .
And there, sitting, matronly, on the throne of the finest leopard skins was none other than King Urmhet himself.
His body frame was weathered, yet strong, he dark eyes held a powerful wisdom in them, his once black hair had turned to a slivery gray, and, atop his head was a golden crown, he wore his warriors clothes.
I had met King Urmhet countless times and he had helped me through one of my most roughest times in my life. He felt like a father, brother, and uncle to me, so I was completely comfortable standing before my king.
"King Urmhet," I said kneeling before him, eyes lowered, showing respect, "I have come to begin my test."
"Rise Mathayus," King Urmhet said in a deep distinct voice.
I stood up before him.
King Urmhet looked at me like an uncle would look upon ason (that is what all of his warriors must feel like to him, family). He smiled at me.
"You have worked hard for this day," King Urmhet said, "now I lay my task before you".
I nodded, "I am ready, my king".
"To the south of here lies the market town of Khemet," King Urmhet said his smile now gone, "I trust you have heard of it".
I nodded. Many of our bartered goods came from Khemet.
"Three days ago, the lord Kerpren announced that he would double the price of taxes," King Urmhet said. "One of his closest advisors cautioned him against it saying it would, surly, lead to a revolt of the lower class. The lord, instead of taking this as a friendly warning, took it as a threat. He sent for the advisors daughters, his own concubines, and before the girl's father and sisters foully murdered one of them. Telling him that if he ever risen against him the same fate would await the other two, and he would deliver the girls head to him on a platter."
I shook my head. How could, this man be so cold and cruel to kill one of his own women because of the girls father made a friendly warning?
"Fearing for their own lives," King Urmhet continued, "the girl's sisters have asked for the help of the Akkadians".
King Urmhet stopped and pointed to me.
"I send you, Mathayus," he said. "You will enter Khemet by night, and make your way into the place, and find the lord in his bedchambers. There you will… dispense justice on the monster."
"I understand, King Urmhet," I said.
"Live Free, Mathayus," King Urmhet said speaking the first of the Akkadian creed, the traditional farewell.
"Die Well, My king" I completed the saying. Giving King Urmhet a quick bow.
I left the throne room, knowing well what I must do.