Hey guys I hope you all enjoy this chapter- I love Iskander and I love his interactions with Percy in this. Also- I've just written a Sadie chapter and I love her very much.
Replies:
Jubby1905: I did not know that.
Guest: Desjardin's doesn't know what he is but he's suspicious of Percy, and Zia- well you'll see in this chapter what she thinks about Percy being able to speak the language. And you get the talk with Percy and Iskander so you'll see what the old man is thinking about her.
Seaweedbrain760: It's fine- and your question is answered in this chapter actually.
Together Percy, Carter and Sadie told the three members of the House of Life the story, Percy switching languages whenever Iskander asked a question- but there were things that the trio left out, Percy knew there was no hiding that she had training, that she knew what she was doing- after all Zia and Desjardin had seen her using magic, but they didn't mention Sadie's innate skill with magic- or how that Ba before had called Carter a king- and Percy didn't mention anything about her own heritage. Though- she was pretty sure that Iskander knew somehow- that he'd sensed it.
He certainly hadn't been surprised at her understanding of Greek.
But they told him the major things- they told him about what their dad had done, that Set was free, that he was already in the middle of dangerous plans that could destroy everything.
Iskander simply listened and traced a circle on the step with the butt of his staff. More hieroglyphs popped into the air and floated away.
After several seconds, Desjardins seemed to grow impatient. He stepped forward and glared at them. "You are lying. That could not have been Set. He would need a powerful host to remain in this world. Very powerful. And Set would not have been deterred by some little girl-"
"Perhaps not from just any little girl." Iskander spoke up "But Persephone has her own... gifts."
"Look." Sadie almost snarled the words, "I don't know what he just said- and I don't know what all this rubbish is about hosts but I saw Set with my own eyes, and I saw Percy shielding us from him. She's an annoying shortie but she's not some pathetic baby. Besides you guys were there at the British Museum, you must have seen something. And if Carter saw him in Phoenix Arizona then I believe him- he's probably not crazy-"
"Gee, thanks Sadie." Carter mumbled the words.
"And he set those Carrier people after us- just look at Percy, they nearly got her. And Serqet, she's real too. Our friend- my cat Bast, she died protecting us!"
"So," Desjardins said coldly, "you admit to consorting with gods. That makes our investigation much easier. Bast is not your friend. The gods caused the downfall of Egypt. It is forbidden to call on their powers. Magicians are sworn to keep the gods from interfering in the mortal world. We must use all our power to fight them."
"Bast said you were paranoid," Sadie added.
The magician clenched his fists, and the air tingled with the weird smell of ozone, like during a thunderstorm. It instantly put Percy on edge and she stepped forward, her eyes narrowing, fully ready for a fight.
But she didn't need to be. Percy felt as if she'd been slapped in the face when Zia suddenly stepped in front of them- and no matter what reasons she had was, well, it was a defensive gesture. She was stepping between them and a potential threat. She was protecting them from Desjardins.
Okay, Percy was willing to admit that as much as an amazing genius as she was she could be wrong occasionally. So maybe- just maybe Zia wasn't as bad as she'd
thought at first.
"Lord Desjardins," she pleaded, "there was something strange. When I ensnared the scorpion goddess, she re-formed almost instantly. I could not return her to the Duat, even with the Seven Ribbons. I could only break her hold on the host for a moment. Perhaps the rumors of other escapes—"
"What other escapes?" Carter asked quickly.
She glanced back at them reluctantly. "Other gods, many of them, released since last night from artifacts all over the world. Like a chain reaction—"
"Zia!" Desjardins snapped. "That information is not for sharing."
"But it proves what we're saying." Sadie gasped, "Bast warned us."
"She said Set would release more gods." Percy pointed out, "She was right."
"Master," Zia pleaded, "if Ma'at is weakening, if Set is increasing chaos, perhaps that is why I could not banish Serqet."
"Ridiculous," Desjardins said. "You are skilled, Zia, but perhaps you were not skilled enough for this encounter. And as for these three, the contamination must be contained."
Zia's face reddened. She turned her attention to Iskandar. "Master, please. Give me a chance with them."
"You forget your place," Desjardins snapped. "These three are guilty and must be destroyed."
And Percy didn't hesitate, she reached out, into the duat, pulling her staff free- surging forward despite Carter and Sadie's protests, pushing past Zia as she thrust the staff forward, "MAW!" She almost screamed the word and water burst from the tip of the staff, and Percy instantly seized control of it as it lashed out like a whip,
coiling around the magician, forcing his arms to his sides.
"Why you-"
"Stop." Iskander spoke up suddenly, and even though his voice wasn't raised the other man fell silent. "Calm yourself child. Desjardins, they are children they have committed no crime. We will not harm them. Zia, child. Take the two eldest Kane children, show them to their rooms. You may test them in the morning and we'll see what shall be done. Desjardins, you will leave. I wish to speak to Persephone alone." the man's expression softened slightly when he spoke to Zia- clearly he cared for her, and she relaxed, giving a small nod as Percy released her control on the water, letting it splash to the ground around Desjardins feet as the man glared at her for a long moment before spinning and stalking out.
"W-what just happened?" Sadie's voice was hesitant, "I-"
"The Chief Lector has agreed to allow me to test you in the morning" Zia said quickly, "He wishes to speak to Persephone alone-"
"No-" Carter started to protest but Percy gave her brother a weak smile.
"S'okay Carter. Iskander seems kinda nice actually. Even if Desjardins is a butthead. I don't think that he'll hurt me." she glanced at Zia. "Look after them for me
okay?"
"I will." Zia's expression was strange when she looked at Percy- was she going insane or was there just a hit of respect in Zia's eyes.
"But Percy-" Carter's voice was almost desperate, "You can't just- I don't want to leave you here-"
"Carter's right-"
"I will be fine. Go, go on shoo." Percy waved a hand, and she watched her brother and sister reluctantly head off.
Once they were gone she turned to look at Iskander, who was still sat, his head tilted as he looked at her before he patted the step next to him.
"Come child. Sit with me."
"Uh, okay." Percy hesitated before moving towards the ancient man, sitting down on the step next to him.
"You need not fear- I know what you are- now don't look so frightened child. While I know many in the House would be... unhappy, about your existence I would hardly blame a child for it."
"How did you know?"
"I have met one or two like you before- the children of Greek gods. It was rare, but I met some of them, many years ago. I know that your kind have a natural grasp on the language of your divine parentage."
"Dad was scared that the House would hurt me-"
"Some here might." Iskander acknowledged. "Fear is a powerful force-" and once again as the man looked at her she felt as if he was seeing into her soul.
"I shouldn't exist. Greek and Egyptian combined-"
"And why would you say that?"
"Look what happened when they mixed before-"
"Perhaps. Tell me, do you know much of Ptolemy?"
"I know that he was the Greek General who Alexander the Great made Pharaoh."
"Yes. Unlike you he had no divine blood- he was a magician yes- but he was not a Demigod like you. And he had his faults- he tried to combine Greece and Egypt, but he did it for power. He did not understand what he was doing and he cursed his line."
"So?"
"You are not Ptolemy. You have no hunger for power. I saw the way you were with your siblings- all you wish for is to protect. And your divine blood is much more powerful than his- on both sides." And that made Percy flush. "Lord Iskander-"
"Even in those days- the Greek gods tended to stay away from Egypt, and so there has never been a child like you- with the blood of Egypt and the blood of Greece, divine on both sides. Your father was right to fear for your safety- many would think you may lead to our downfall as they say Ptolemy did all those years ago- though our own gods were responsible too. But I don't think that you will. Perhaps your arrival here is an omen- a sign that history does not have to repeat itself. That one day Greece and Egypt can work together- not merged as one but as allies-"
"I've never even spoken to any other Greeks Lord Iskander." Percy's voice was almost panicked; as if it wasn't hard enough looking after Carter and Sadie! The last thing she needed was that responsibility on top of everything else.
"Calm yourself child. I don't expect we'll need to ask that of you for some time." The old man laid a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently, "In any case- I believe you have troubles enough as it is."
"Do you believe us about Set?"
"I do. It causes me much fear but I do believe you." He gave her a worried look. "Your future will not be easy- the path you three must take will be hard-" He stared into the distance for a long moment before he spoke again. "Perhaps I was foolish- but you know what must be done- or you will in time. You will have to guide them both- though I believe I shall get the chance to speak to your sister before- well, before the time comes. Remember your strengths child. You have powerful blood in your veins and powerful magic in your heart. All three of you do. There are many fates resting on your shoulders. You must be brave. And you must fight."
"I don't understand-"
"You will child. You are the warrior, the hero. Just as many Greeks have been before you. Just remember that you are a child of two worlds and feel pride in that."
"I already know that." Percy huffed, "I don't see how that helps me now."
"Perhaps not now. But it will."
"Do you like being confusing?" Percy almost pouted, "Cause you're being really confusing right now and I don't like it. It's stinky"
"Thank you for clarifying that." Iskander chuckled, "I apologise for being stinky. But I cannot give you much more."
Before Percy could complain any further about how infuriatingly confusing the old man was being the doors opened again and Zia peered into the room, looking somewhat hesitant.
"Lord Iskander. I took them to the dormitories." her gaze focused on Percy, "Do you wish me to show Percy somewhere?"
"There is a room free next to yours, yes?"
"Yes Lord."
"Then she can sleep there- I expect you to take her with you when you test young Carter and Sadie."
"As you wish Lord Iskander." the older girls gaze turned to Percy, an almost curious look on her face. "Are you ready?"
"I guess." Percy said after a moment, giving Iskander a sidelong glance, and he gave her a comforting smile.
"Go child. And remember what I said. Remember your strengths. Now go with Zia."
And Percy hesitated, staring at the old man who had been shockingly kind to her for a very long moment before she lurched forward and hugged him, a quick tight hug before she pulled back and scrambled to her feet. "Thank you Lord Iskander." And then she was darting down the steps towards Zia, and together they left the Hall of Ages.
Zia didn't last long before she asked the question she'd clearly been dying to ask. "You know Alexandrian Greek?"
"So do you."
"Yes- Lord Iskander taught me it as a child. He started when I was not much younger than you- but you are far more fluent than me."
"I did notice that you sounded kinda unsure on some of it." Percy admitted, "But you're pretty good-"
"How did you learn it? I didn't know Julius Kane was fluent in the language."
"Uh-" Percy tilted her head thoughtfully, "I mean, I wouldn't say he was fluent but he's not bad. Probably a bit worse than you. I was curious when I was little, daddy
said if I wanted to learn it he'd help me and- I have a gift for it."
"I see." Zia gave her a confused look. "Lord Iskander likes you."
"I guess. Lucky me right?"
"Yes, very lucky you." Zia gave a small nod, "It is most strange but-" she shook herself, "Come- you should get some sleep. I cannot imagine that the last few days have been easy on you."
"You're not wrong there."