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Chapter 8 of Egyptian fantasy novel Ra's Warrior
Chapter 8
Men-Nefer
War was the topic of the day. The generals bickered back and forth like old, Athenian harpies. His mind was currently focused on Ha’atshep. Over a month ago, she had left and still no word. Tehuti should have been here a week ago.
Hemynu’s disapproval and continued nagging shortened Khufu’s temper considerably until one day, he exploded. “Your place is not to question me!” He slammed his fist on the armrest. “Only the Gods can impose their displeasures upon me, yet none have done so. Speak of it again and I shall remove your tongue!” Although Hemynu distanced himself after being threatened, his appearance today was an excuse to get away from these stuffy old generals.
Hemynu bowed stiffly. “My King, Ha’atshep has returned. Apep’s minions sank the barque well before she reached Hermopolis. I instructed her to speak with you after she bathed.”
“She has returned; it is all I am required to know,” he said with a lax tone. The Vizier bowed again and left without initiating a conversation. Khufu had hoped his friend’s anger diminished, but such a threat was abhorrent and uneasy to forget. Left without reprieve, the demands of the assembly cornered him. Debates continued, the king’s foot tapped faster as his interest waned. Soon he slipped out, unseen, through the hidden passage behind the throne.
Unrestricted exploration brought joy to Andrea’s face and her diversity astounded him. His heart palpated each time she neared. Many times, they met in the garden after he dealt with the day’s business. She constantly questioned about his culture and beliefs; he, in turn, asked of hers. Some details he expected to be withheld, for revealing too much of the future was ill advised. Their time together was enjoyed by both and he hated every second they were apart.
Khufu proceeded to garden after finding her quarters empty. Rarely had he seen so many fowls gathered at once and to keep from scaring them, he observed from the portico. A small vigilant hawk was perched on her shoulder. In a pink gown with her hair pulled up in some strange fashion, she fed her feathered congregation. Just seeing her charmed him like a snake-handler. Wings flapped as the birds scattered when she stood, but the hawk remained on his moving perch. Its talons should have ripped her supple skin, but the magnificent bird of prey did not leave a scratch.
“I see you have a new friend.” He called across the yard, speaking more to Heru than to Andrea. The Hawk God’s head twisted as Andrea pivoted, waved, and strolled across the plush green carpet. They met in the middle. She kissed him gingerly on the cheek because she thought no one was watching; she was oblivious of whom it was resting on her shoulder. Khufu’s smile broadened with the soft touch of her lips mixed with bursts of air from the now hovering deity. “Why did you do that?”
“I felt like it. Should I not?” she questioned.
“What?”
“Should I not kiss you?”
Thick arms swept her up with ferocious desire. His tongue parted her lips and delved into her fully. Sheer ecstasy consumed him as she reciprocated fervently. The flavor of her lips made him crazy. He wanted to do it from the first time he saw her and now he had no urge to let go. It would have continued forever if Heru had not squawked several times and flew off. Khufu forced himself to break away. Her features became crimson almost as if she had never been kissed before. He scanned the area.
Tehuti’s feathers ruffled to life. The small statue paled in comparison to the actual deity. Andrea was in somewhat of a daze when Khufu went to greet him. “Welcome, Master Tehuti.”
“I see you are well, Khufu. It seems I arrived in time.” His sly grin was bracketed by chubby dimples. “How does she fare?” Wise, round eyes detoured their view.
“She adjusts well, Master, but her heart is still heavy with a yearning for home.”
“Those feelings should lessen with time.”
“This one is unlike most women. My deception was discovered immediately. Given the proper encouragement, she shall be an excellent pupil.”
“I see the colors within her and you. You have fallen in love with her, have you not?” Tehuti questioned unnecessarily.
“I cannot deny it,” he hung his head and raised his shame-filled almond orbs. “She fills the void within.”
“Oh, I am certain of it. Fear not for her love bubbles upon the surface. If you are lucky, she shall bestow it upon you. Tomorrow her training must commence. Many seasons shall wane until she is fully prepared. Bring her to me.”
Andrea, still where he left her, enjoyed the company of the gathering birds. He just wanted to hold her. Having to tell her they were here sliced their time in half. He slowed his approach and stopped beside her. “Tehuti is waiting,” he said with a touch of personal dread.
“Gods manifest themselves?” Folds of skin came together over the bridge of her nose. Heru, who recently acquainted himself with her by using her as a perch, disguised himself leaving her unaware of his presence.
“The Neteru live and breathe as we do. You see them not?” Khufu briefly explored that unappealing option.
“No one sees God where I’m from. And if they did they’d be arrested if they told anyone.”
“All is possible if you believe it to be. The Neteru walk among us, talk to us, and guide us along the correct path. It is hard to conceive a world without them. I enjoy passing the time with them on a personal level.”
Looking straight ahead, she sighed. The corner of her lip curved down while heavy thoughts preoccupied the mind. Another sigh followed by a roll of the shoulders signaled her readiness. “Where is he?” He loved the way she bit her lip when nervous.
They walked alongside a row of thrones. “These statues are vessels for their spirits to inhabit. The inanimate is rejuvenated by the power of the bennu. Embracing these as their true forms from the First Time, our forefathers and mothers are bound to them until eternity’s end.”
Andrea’s stopped and turned to him. Bright green irises disclosed her intrigue; her pupils shrank to mere specks. “You mean to tell me they were once mortal, like us?”
“Yes and yet, no, my child,” a soothing voice said.
#
Andrea wasn’t afraid, not really, but her complexion paled. He was a seven foot tall hybrid, man and bird, with a bulky, well-balanced physique. His entire body had a downy covering. Strange though was how his every aspect resembled and ibis: a round face, beaked nose, and thin, wide mouth. Aerodynamic creamy-white feathers grew from the underside of his arms. Spindly fingers with talons extended from elongated hands gripping a carved staff. Red metal wiring in a counter-clockwise spiral design clutched an unblemished white crystal ball. Thick silver wire secured the grip to the staff before it wound down the length of the burnished wood.
“Never has she seen a Neteru,” Tehuti stated with blunt observation. His cool talons curved around her wrist; all seeing eyes blinked. “Over the millennia much has changed. Father Geb clings to life beneath the trampling feet of mortals. Firmament bleeds streaks of fiery red across Mother Nut’s belly. My species have been clouded in myth and mortals slay one another without honor or cause.” A tear rolled over the slick surface of his facial feathers. “Regardless of what cannot be changed, I am neither myth nor god. Once I was alive, but now Death passes over me; I am freed of his bonds. I am the Ascended Master, Teacher of Secrets, and Keeper of Knowledge. Filled am I with the love of the All-Father. His Flame burns within each entity residing on this planet. Some souls have reached their peak and shine white with His flame. These souls shall soon conquer Lord Death and become like the Akhu. Others remain dim; they have much to learn and many more lifetimes to lead. The Neteru can take human form as well as any other form we desire; we are direct descendants of the Father himself. We are like you, yet we are not.”
Her features contorted as she studied him. “Why did you choose this form?”
“You see, during Zep Tepi, our energies were not fixated to one body. Those of us who chose more than one form became known as the Neteru. Those entities who maintained a human guise became the Akhu.
“Near the Time of Permanence, Heru and Seth struggled for control of Khemet. A Tribunal was convened by Lady Neith to settle this long standing dispute. Yet, when I judged in favor of Heru, the rightful heir, Seth unleashed his wrath upon the world.
“One warm harvest day, as Ra traversed the sky-blue of Nut’s belly, I was walking along the River Nile watching a flock of ibis gathered on the shore. Seth attacked them with fierce revelry. My brave Maankha barely survived the slaughter. I nursed her back to health and during this time love befell our hearts. Free of body, I transformed into an ibis to partake of a lifetime as her mate,” Tehuti’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Happiness, for us, was a far-away wish never to be granted. He returned much later to complete his deed.” His talons, clenched with lingering rage, drew blood. “I curse thee, Seth.”
After closing his eyes for several minutes, his features dulled again, and he continued. “The Dark Brotherhood placed selfishness, greed, and drunkenness for material desires into the hearts of the Akhu and the physical embodiments became permanent. The members of the Brotherhood are still Neteru, and able to influence the course of man’s fate, but they carry all that is chaotic in their scorched hearts.”
Uncertainty prostrated onto Andrea’s face as she absorbed it all. It was a bit much to swallow in one gulp.
Tehuti ruffled his feathers. “You seek enlightenment and inner peace as do all creatures living among the shadows; this is what I offer. My teachings shall thrive within you throughout infinity and they shall expectorate your soul from the shadowy bonds of death. The Great Crisis of Man is neigh and preparation is imperative. Your training requires much vitality, Andrea. Rest tonight for on the morrow we begin. Khufu, come forth.”
The mighty king’s posture was less rigid than before; his chin lowered; his fingers interlocked. As obedient as a trained animal, Khufu approached the giant. Having anticipated the unasked question, he replied, “Your quarters are as you requested, Master Tehuti.”
The Neteru shimmered briefly. His massive body shifted, and then a normal looking man with snowy white hair stood before them. Andrea’s pupils enlarged. Tehuti slanted his head. “Does this surprise you as well?” He chirped. She nodded. And he replied, “I shall teach you this as well. For now, enjoy your evening.” Tehuti grinned slyly, and in a poof of feathers, he vanished.
Andrea, one eyebrow up and the other slumped, turned, and stared out over the garden. “This is not what I expected. I’ve discovered many weird and unexplained things--getting here being the strangest. But the importance of my participation eludes me.”
Silence fell like the final curtain on a Broadway stage. Andrea worked hard on her lower lip.
Warmth encompassed her as Khufu inched closer and callous-free palms slid around her exposed waist. His heated breath tickled her ear as he whispered, “One day, you shall come to love this place.”
“I already do. It’s the most beautiful dream I could ever ask for. Your company is the best I’ve had.” Her arms folded across her chest. “Most men are afraid of me.”
“Never shall I fear you. You . . .” Gently, he turned her about. Soft fingertips caressed her cheek while his other hand came to rest behind the small of her back. He drew her in until their hearts beat wildly against one another. Their eyes locked. “I am alive only when you are near.”
Andrea’s stomach tingled and twitched. He traced the contours of her face while she spoke. “The things you say. Your eyes, they stare into my soul. Nobody has ever . . .” Words drifted into oblivion as lips converged. An intruding tongue made her eyes burst open and then flutter shut. Her blood was like jet fuel coursing through heated veins. The kiss mutated into rapids of passion. Khufu explored her as much as she’d allow. Woozy from natural intoxication, her knees buckled, but strong arms nestled her tight.
Then Andrea froze, backed up, and turned away, thinking, I can’t let this happen. Again, arms encircled her waist. He nuzzled the bend of her neck, breathing in her femininity. His whispered words were torment. “I have waited many lifetimes for you, my love.” Andrea unlatched his unwilling fingers and distanced herself. Khufu was a persistent man. Somewhat crestfallen he asked, “What bothers you?”
“It is unimportant.”
He stroked her slumped shoulders. “Come, I have another place I wish you to see.”
He led her from the sun-filled garden, through candle illuminated palace halls, and halted at a door with various animal depictions. Invisible hands pushed open the massive entry and Andrea’s cheeks crimsoned with the rising delight accompanying her broad smile.
Gazelles and zebra gathered at feeding spots as men dumped out a cornucopia of hays and barleys onto the ground of the vast savannah-like foyer. Birds flew in at their leisure to pick up scraps. Benches skirted the lazy river winding through the masterfully designed zoo. Floral arched pathways invited visitors for a leisurely stroll. Khufu guided them along the river amidst the mad symphony she couldn’t yet see. Large cats roared and growled as their arguments over slabs of raw meat escalated. Monkeys, concerned with their own disagreements, chattered and thumped their chests. A nearby elephant trumpeted.
Near the middle of the open air foyer, an ancient Tamarisk tree stood. The feathery leaves provided at least 60 feet of soft shade and small pink flowers clung from the ends of thin, stringy branches. A small carving around the bole of the tree dedicated it to Wesir. Lime green grass reached over her braided leather sandals; it was luscious and cool against her toes. Without warning a vervet monkey, brown eyes fixated, tromped from the tree, and seized her ankle bracelet. When Andrea wiggled her foot to escape the small, olive green tree climber with a white vesture, it made a tree out of her. Right up to her shoulder he went; sharp fingernails dug in the entire way up. It tugged at her hair, played with her jewelry, and then protested. There was no shaking the furry assailant. “Khufu, will you please help me?” All she could hear though was monkey chatter and hysterical laughter. Andrea grappled for her freedom. “This is beautiful. Why did you wait so long to bring me here?” Andrea asked, ducking a swat to the head from her new “friend”.
“My thoughts were elsewhere. I have an aviary as well. I shall take you there if you wish it.”
“Maybe later we. . . Hey, stop that!” She grabbed the monkey’s little gray hand just before he yanked on her hair for the fifteenth time.
“He likes you.”
“Obviously.” Their laughter relieved pent up frustrations. “How many species have you acquired?”
“Forty-seven at last count. Each of those arched pathways leads to individual animal habitats, and . . .”
His voice and caressing hand became far off phantoms as her thoughts cornered her.
I can’t let myself fall for him. How could anyone live this way? Maybe I’m just falling in love with the idea of love. But his damned persistence makes it near impossible.
She hadn’t even noticed the disappearance of her “friend” when Khufu brought her back from her silent fortress by saying, “Andrea, I wish you to meet someone.”
As they strolled, the visible exhibits gave her some insight to the techniques used in ancient zoo design. Manicured lime-green grass produced small yellow flowers throughout. A sphinx lined path led to stone bridges crossing the mock Nile. Trimmed hedges encircled secluded seating areas, which had small fountains and raised flower beds at their centers. Sentries of sandstone, which mimicked human flesh beautifully, shimmered with quartz bits giving them the illusion of life. Crenellated walls denoted the great expanse designated as a zoo.
Fascinated by the utilization of levels and pulleys, Andrea rushed over to a chimp exhibit. Heavy ropes, tethered to the corners of a wide, thick plank, ran between two pieces of cedar girthed with layered leather straps. “So this is why we never found rope-scored wood.” The ropes disappeared through holes drilled into wood squares and next to the device was a foot lever. With an askance look, she studied it as she allowed Khufu to lead her along.
Entering through a floral archway, they were immediately confined by a chest high fence. Khufu swung open the gate with silver hinges and herded her inside the expansive half-forest, half-meadow habitat. The miniature river flowed through here too, but disappeared into the forest. Guard towers, with connecting catwalks, spaced regularly suggested an exterior wall. It made her wonder why the sounds of city life were absent.
Her royal companion carried a tune on puckered lips; his gait rhythmic and smooth. “Khufu, where are we?” Mischievous eyes and a quick sly grin conveyed enough. If there were any animals, his whistling covered its approach.
The tree line shuddered and Khufu pointed toward it. A silky black stallion, fifteen hands high, trotted from its hiding place. Leather straps and gold beads decorated its long braided mane. Flicking its head with a happy whinny, it stamped a hoof several times. The stunning creature pranced over to greet them.
“Greetings, Zair.” Khufu patted the horse’s muscle-bound neck as it nuzzled his other hand. “Usually I visit him every day, but since your arrival he has been neglected. We have been friends since he was a colt.”
“Take me for a ride,” she pleaded with enthusiasm in her limpid pools.
“Another day, perhaps.”
“When? I wish to see Menfer.”
“Soon, I promise.” He reassured her with a smile. A quick gesture sent the horse clopping away. “You may wish to simply relax. Tomorrow shall be interminable.”
A few moments later a cold, rather large, nose nudged her. She turned. Dangling from its mouth was a small basket. The stallion’s jaw opened; the basket fell into Andrea’s hand. “What is this?” She untied the ribbon securing the top and unlatched the gold clasp. Cushioned in deep blue, the glittering amulet heisted away her breath. Perfectly round, its carving stated, “Most beloved by the Great House of Khufu”. Andrea stared, unable to fathom what drove his affections. Such a title implied a semi-formal union, which was unacceptable.
She closed the top and held it out. “I must decline.” Anguish permeated her words as well as her soul.
“My love for you increases each time Ra rides in the heavens. We are bound by the soul; to ignore it is perilous.” The space between them diminished. Soft lips brushed against her ear. “Do you not dream of me as I do of you? I offer my eternal devotion and all you could ever desire.”
“You are very special to me, but this is a doomed relationship. I refuse to sacrifice my heart.”
“The only thing you sacrifice is happiness.”
“Khufu,” the rims of her eyes glistened, “I need to be alone.”
His features came to rest somewhere between heartbreak and rage.
Reed crunched; metal clinked against compacted earth. “So be it.” Khufu swiveled, and then marched toward the gate. It thwacked shut behind him. The slight rustle of low hanging tree limbs unnerved her further. Andrea stooped to retrieve the amulet Khufu had cast aside with vehemence. One warm liquid drop splashed against the cold gold before she folded the cloth over it.
Andrea headed to the only place she had to call hers.
Chapter 9
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