Chapter 27
"Remarkable progress," Dr. Fergus said appreciatively. "And yet you're holding back."
Ahkmenrah paused, his palm in midair like an unfinished greeting. The marble froze in perfect sync with his motion. "What do you mean?"
"I know you, Ahk. I can tell when you try. I sense your craving for knowledge. Perfectly understandable given this is your personal heirloom! So why do you hesitate?"
Ahkmenrah awoke with a groan, clutching his head as he rose; someone had removed the lid from his sarcophagus, for which he was extremely grateful. If he'd awoken in total darkness, Ra knows how he'd have handled that after last night. His head felt like it would had he downed an entire barrel of wine and he could barely move his right arm. Why did every limb ache as if he'd run a chariot race? An especially horrible stitch in his side forced him to double over in his seat, gasping in pain.
"I was wondering when you'd awaken," Teddy said, approaching his side with a steaming mug. "Here, Sacagawea thought this might help with any fatigue."
Gratefully, Ahkmenrah accepted the cup. Though bitter, it jolted him to full alertness, nearly making him jump out of his coffin. "What is this miraculous brew?"
"Some sort of herbal tea," Teddy answered predictably. "I forgot the name. How are you feeling? We were all worried after you left so abruptly- though I found it no surprise, considering your incredible feat of magic."
Too bad he was awake- now he wanted to vomit. "I assume everyone saw?.."
"They would have to be blind not to! Lad, I know you must be exhausted, but what in the Devil's name did you do?!"
Still nursing his head, Ahkmenrah sighed. "I used my tablet. Again. I know- I cannot explain it, I only know in my heart I somehow used it. It was glowing when I returned," he finished. "Could I do it on command? Possibly, but doubtful considering my recent performances. How I managed to save Dexter without even a spell to guide me is beyond my ability to explain."
"I don't mean just your magic, though we're not through discussing it, believe me. You pulled away again! Have you any idea how frantic Larry was when he saw you crumpled up beneath your tablet? How terrified I was you'd taken Dexter's place, perhaps as a sort of replacement? I don't know! Your fainting was obviously unintentional, but we could not wake you!" Stunned, Ahkmenrah reeled back as Teddy rambled. "The only thing stopping Larry from calling an ambulance was Sacagawea's assurances your pulse was steady and strong, and there were no visible marks upon you. Fortunately it remained so until sunrise." Was the president sweating? He never perspired.. Mopping his brow, the president added, "You can imagine how your coma frightened us more than any surprise spurt of supernatural phenomenon ever could, can you not?"
By now, Ahkmenrah had begun to don his arm bands and was reaching for his crown, but his friend's heartfelt pain stopped him cold. "Teddy, believe me when I say I appreciate your concern and care. Truly, I never intended to alarm any of you, for you have given me so much! Sadly, I can give you no other assurances, for I am as in the dark as you are."
"You mean the tablet?"
"I do not understand what is happening to me! None of this makes sense! Had I known I could heal with it, I would have helped you the night you were stabbed! One moment I fumble around with shards, the next I save a mortally wounded friend! These powers... I understand if the others fear me again. I am growing more wary of myself, for I am no longer in control."
"You're always more in control than you think."
Ahkmenrah chuckled bitterly. "Perhaps you are, friend. You have always been master of yourself, never doubting your capabilities. I on the other hand, cannot boast the same."
Ignoring the last comment, Teddy said, "The others and myself do not fear you, lad, of that I can assure you. And there's no reason to fear us anymore."
Ahkmenrah blushed. "I did not mean it to sound like it did, Teddy. Of course I do not fear any of you, and I am grateful none of you fear me!" With a groan, he fully stepped out of his sarcophagus. "I suppose I am merely fatigued. Tonight is one for rest."
"Indeed! Care for some company, or would you prefer to sleep for a while?"
For the first time since he'd first been resurrected, Ahkmenrah actually felt like he needed some shut eye. Not good- his tablet should be keeping him energized. And yet if the others had been as worried as Teddy claimed, he should probably reassure them. "I suppose we should put the minds of our friends at ease first." Besides, part of him couldn't help but want to make sure Dexter had fully recovered. No amount of exhaustion could have swayed him from that.
"How are you? You still look a bit peaky to me," McKenzie said as they settled down in the lounge.
The pharaoh waved her concerns away. "I am all right, I will only grow restless from not being allowed to do anything but rest if we do not continue with tonight's session." He felt better, minus the perpetual ache in his side and his cramping shoulders.
"If you insist. Any nightmares or visions?"
Ahkmenrah hadn't yet described the flashbacks- only now did he suspect where they originated from. "No."
Something about his no caught her off guard. "You don't sound so sure about that. Have you been experiencing visions again? I thought those had stopped."
"They have. I just... Could we practice some more with my tablet?"
McKenzie shook her head. "I doubt anyone would want you exerting yourself any more than you have already. You really gave us all a fright!" Noting his restless tapping against his thigh, she added, Can I get you anything? Not coffee," she smirked. "Tea?"
Ahkmenrah nodded. Both of them agreed Sacagawea's teas were the most potent beverages ever created, if not the tastiest. One dose would probably help him settle down and focus. "Yes, thank you. Some cookies would be wonderful as well!"
"You're not well enough," Teddy sighed as he watched the pharaoh limbering up. "You'll overexert yourself!"
Ahkmenrah grinned. "It has been two nights since Dexter's accident. I should be well enough to at least practice what I already know." Never mind that his side still ached. Luckily it was dull enough to ignore now.
"Just be careful for both our sake. Sacagawea was ready to tan my hide when I agreed to let you practice!"
"I will be cautious, I promise."
Grumbling something about two nights not being enough time, Teddy stepped aside. Ignoring the muttering, Ahkmenrah resumed his stretching- he had to focus. Surely mending something would be easier now? Tablet in hand, he raised his right hand and uttered a single command.
The shards of vase remained shards.
After two more attempts, Teddy stepped in. "That's enough. You'll lose what little strength you regained! Here, rest a minute- I'll call Mr. Harris over to clean that up."
"No need, he's already here," a voice called from the doorway. "It'll be gone before you know it!"
Teddy smiled gratefully. "Care for a hand?"
"Oh no, I'm quite capable with a broom, if I say so myself. This will only take a moment."
"Shall we, Ahk?"
"Could I try one more time? Please?"
Teddy shook his head. "Sacagawea would force a sleeping draft down your throat if she saw the slightest hint of fatigue. Believe me, you've tried hard enough for now. Who knows? Perhaps the next evening will bring more success!"
Ahkmenrah nodded, trying to look enthusiastic. "Maybe I have used up too much energy to work it now." Despite his best efforts, he couldn't disguise the disappointment in his voice. Seeing his friend's faltering cheerful facade, he added, "I am fine, I only wish to gather my thoughts."
"I'll be patrolling with Texas if you'd like some company." With a tip of his hat to Harris, Teddy left.
"Your comrade is wrong, you know- you're not trying."
Ahkmenrah looked up. Mr. Harris had ceased his sweeping to peer at him, his chin perched atop the broom's handle. "I don't mean to speak out of turn, but can I be blunt? If you feel you're not doing enough, you're probably not."
"You would know because?.."
"Just speaking from experience, son. No need to take offense." Crossing the distance between them in three long strides, Harris settled down by the pharaoh with surprising familiarity, making Ahkmenrah fight the subconscious urge to scoot away an inch. "I only want to help."
Ahkmenrah's shoulders loosened fractionally. "I know. I am, as you Americans say, 'on edge' of late."
"Understandable, considering everything that's happened to you. Still, you shut people out, the only one you'll be hurting is yourself in the long run. Not that I blame you- people suck." He laughed tartly, twiddling his broom in his palm. "So, tablet's giving you trouble?"
"How did you-?"
"Then focus. Control. That is the key to success, the only key you'll ever need." Picking up the tablet from where Ahkmenrah had dropped it in exasperation, Harris handed it to the pharaoh. "Try. Show me."
"I do not think that is wise. Teddy is right, I should rest."
"Giving up already? I didn't take you for the type." Shaking his head sadly, Mr. Harris rose, making as if to leave. "If you're done, then you're done. No one's stopping you from leaving."
His tone nagged at him worse than a hornet, stinging him where it hurt the most. Was he giving up? One more time... He rose, his hand already outstretched towards the mini rubbish pile. Unbeknownst to him, Harris watched him hungrily.
Try. Concentrate. He didn't even bother mashing together a spell, for it hadn't worked last time. Instead, he tried wishing it whole again, even as part of him warned it probably wouldn't work.
Still nothing.
Disappointed even more now, Ahkmenrah let his hand fall, startled to find someone else gently raising it back up. "Oh no no no no. You've got to focus. Concentrate!" Harris hissed. "See it in your mind's eye as if it were already reality!"
Biting back that he had tried so before, Ahkmenrah did as advised, conjuring an image of the vase intact, striving for crystal clear accuracy. He was about to ask Harris to release him when he felt a surge of something- a push of power flow into himself. The pieces began to flutter.
"Good, good! Keep at it!"
Barely resisting dancing on his tiptoes in delight, Ahkmenrah persisted, thinking only of his mental image as the shards clicked together, snapping into place to restore the vase to its former beauty. Only when it was complete did Harris release him.
"You've got perseverance, kid. What you lack is precision and skill." Without acknowledging further what had transpired between them, Harris left with his broom slung over his shoulder.
Ahkmenrah rose unsteadily. By Horus, Teddy was right- he'd overexerted himself. He'd best not let the others see him so wobbly. Nonetheless, remembering the rush of strength and accomplishment, he beamed.
I'm back, guys. Hopefully I'll squeeze out another chapter before my break ends. ;)
Hmm, more tablet magic. But what does Harris have to do with any of it?
