Sands of Time

Chapter Five

Anzu sped through the desert hoping to reach her destination before the sun rose. 'I'm sorry, Atem. I hope you understand.' She gave Bahiti a kick and rode faster toward the mountains. "Faster Bahiti, we don't want to run into any bandits."

"Bandits are the least of your worries," came a familiar voice. Anzu turned to see four men on light brown horses, and groaned, the Pharaoh's guards had found her. She should have knew that she couldn't get away from Atem unnoticed and smiled at that but she had to do this.

"I can't stop now."

" I think you can." Came another voice from in front of her, she turned back to find Seth on a white horse. Quickly she pulled on the reigns nearly causing the horse to toss her off.

"Seth?" she looked down, "Let me pass."

"No, My orders are to bring you back to the palace." Seth growled and led his horse to her and grabbed her by the waist pulling her to his horse. "We are going back. Now!"

"But Seth you don't understand. I have to do this… and I was hoping the "Prince" would understand too." She growled and whistled. Bahiti kicked and lifted up on her back legs causing Seth's horse to do the same and knock both high priest and queen to the sand.

Seth groaned as Anzu fell on top of him. "What was that for, Woman!"

"This." She shouted and pushed away from him grabbing the reigns of her horse pulling herself up. "Tell Atem that I will return to him." She said and sped off into the darkness.

"What now, Master Seth?"

"We go after her, that's what." He stood up and dusted off.

"She has as much fire in her soul as the young Prince."

"Yes, I know, that is the worst part of it." Seth said hopping onto his horse. "Lets go get her."

"But what about the palace, we need to protect the Pharaoh and the city."

Seth sighed and looked at the sky, the sun would be up soon, "I will take care of the Pharaoh, you find Anzu and don't return without her."

"Yes sir." His Guards said in unison and rode off to find the queen.

"Atem will not be pleased with this." Seth said to himself and headed back to the palace.

"What! What do you mean she got away? And then you have the nerve to come back without her!" He yelled as he paced before Seth. "Wait till I tell my father of this"

"I sent my best men after her, I need to stay here and protect the country."

"No! When I gave you an order I expect you to carry it out. Anzu is very important to me, even more important than… 'Egypt'… Than, Never mind," he waved off what he was about to say.

"If its any consolation she told me that she would return." Atem gave him a death glare.

"If ANYTHING happens to her, it will be YOUR head." He shouted and stormed out of his room.

'Well, that could have been worse.' Seth thought as he sighed in relief.

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Anzu hopped off of Bahiti and looked up at the jagged hill before her. This was the place she was looking for, the place in her dream. It called her here and now it was time to find out what secrets it held. Taking slow steps to reach the top she shivered in fear of what she might find.

"Oh My Isis," she gasped as she reached the top and looked over the edge. By the light of the moon she could see the shattered remains of a village. Anzu sank to the ground feeling weak and sick to her stomach. What was going on? "Bahiti! Come we are getting out of here." She called but no answer came from her beloved horse. "Bahiti?" she whispered and stood up.

Anzu was becoming increasingly frightened as the silence grew; She clicked her tongue hoping that Bahiti was down there waiting to take her back to the arms of her Pharaoh. She took the final step and found nothing. Bahiti was no longer there; Anzu was alone in the darkness. "Oh, how will I get to the palace now?" She asked herself.

"You won't be going back." Said a dark voice.

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It had been a week since his precious Anzu had run away. His heart was sick and depression seemed to rule his life. Nothing was important anymore, he was afraid of some things and too lazy to do other things.

He sat back leaning against a wall in the throne room and began to wonder what he had done to anger the gods in such a way. He sighed and looked away getting lost in the fire lamps next to him.

"Prince." Seth called to him, "the king of Lybia is here to see you about his daughter's disappearance. I'm sorry sire, I kept the news from him as best I could." Seth Bowed.

Atem sighed again and waved him off, "it's alright, and I suppose he would have found out sooner or later, best to get this over with." He said, "Show him in."

"Yes but don't you think your father should handle this?"

"No, it's my fault she ran away." Atem said and Seth rose and walked to the huge Double doors allowing the king to enter.

"Where is he!" The king growled and looked up, "You!" he pointed at Atem with a raged finger.

"King, Muhammad, Please don't be angry, we are doing everything we can to find her." Atem said. "You know how much I love her."

"Is that why you, yourself aren't out there looking for her yourself?"

"I…" Atem was caught off guard with that one.

"He's the Prince, He cannot go out there, and he could get hurt. That's what he has me and my men for." Seth growled.

"Hush!" Atem hissed, "He's right, Seth. Anzu is my queen and my responsibility and I need to find her and I will."

"That's my son-in-law." Muhammad smiled, "now you better find her. I would rather hate to see you and your people at war with us." He said.

"That won't happen. I intend to find my queen." Atem stood up, "Seth, tell my father that I am sorry but I have to do this."

"But, Prince…are you sure?" Seth looked at him a bit unsure

"What did I tell you about doing what I ask?" he said and turned to Muhammad. "I will find Anzu and bring her back safe and sound, my word to you." He said and walked out of the throne room.