A gust of wind scattered long hair. The eyes were fixed on the high-rise, the fifteenth floor, the tenth window from the left. A dark figure was standing by the window. The shutters closed, and the shape changed. The man grabbed his head and fell to his knees. His body was shaking, and it could be decided that he was crying.
“If someone knew what I went through… If someone understood what was lost for the sake of standing here and seeing him… What is it… To be an insensitive heartless monster!
And he doesn’t even remember me…”
Chapter one
Carl has been tossing and turning in bed for already more than an hour. He couldn’t forget the events of today, namely exhumation of three sarcophagi belonging to Pharaoh Horem Heba III.
The tombs have been found on the plateau of Jabel-Abu-Siro. It was very difficult for the archaeological group to get them. On all the way to the entrance of the tomb not one guardian was met. There were a lot of threats and warnings, so that no one dared to open the tomb and certainly didn’t touch the sarcophagus. There were the victims. Three hired Arabs died while opening the camera – poisoning gas went out. Three died in the labyrinth, on the way to the tomb, killed by poisonous darts which went out from the sockets of the guardians. The other three lie in coma, also poisoned by an unidentified poison. While taking out the last sarcophagus poisoned thorns went out of its handles for carrying, on the left side. It looked quite scaring, but as it turned out it wasn’t the strangest thing. With the opening of the sarcophagus, the attendants were thrown into shock. In two sarcophagus the bodies of young girls were found. The third sarcophagus couldn’t be open, probably a key was needed.
Girls, they couldn’t be called anybody else, were different in appearance and age. They were fresh and beautiful, untouched by the time, by the centuries. Just like they were asleep. A way of mummification which could lead to such a result wasn’t known to Carl, so the opening made the audience breathless. Princess Simbella, as it was carved on the lid of the sarcophagus, was about seventeen years old, and looked like she was just put there. Beautiful, smooth, white skin. Perfect face was framed by silky hair that had the colour of Karnack night. Closed eyes with fluffy lashes created a feeling that they were about to swing open. Precisely-defined, plump lips, a little pink. Neck and shoulders were naked, arms crossed, hands on her chest. The dress was the color of dawn, it was very transparent, and through it it could be seen that all the girl's body was youthful and charming. A large amount of gold jewelry with precious stones and a small crown confirmed the suggestion about the king’s origin of the girl. And the translation from the lids of the sarcophagus talked for it as well.
It was said that the girls were put to the curse of the ancient kings-gods. Sentence to eternal wandering of the souls and no peace for the bodies for that betrayal of father and husband. The Pharaon, despite his strong love, decided to punish the traitors, so that no one else dared to commit any crime. The traitors were Nefertiti – the mother, and her two daughters, the youngest Simbella and the elder Amun.
Carl looked at Simbella, ran his hand from the neck through forearm and shoulder, the flesh wasn’t hard and cold, as is the case with the dead. The second sarcophagus was opened, and Carl moved to it. Princess Amun, about twenty-two years old, looked older and taller. Her hair was shorter, nose sharper, lips thinner. But everything else was the same, she was young and beautiful, like she was sleeping. The third sarcophagus couldn’t be opened. It was already late, people were tired, and they decided to have a rest.
But Carl was tossing and couldn’t fell asleep. He couldn’t calm down because of those strange lines on the third sarcophagus.
You will be an eternal prisoner
Of your own daughters.
They will be your key-keepers
Until the end of times.
Carl couldn’t collect his thoughts, he repeated these lines again and again, trying to understand their meaning. He was whispering them and fell asleep at last. Heavy, restless sleep it was… Stewards… They will be the stewards… Yes, stewards! There were fragments of keys on the chest of each other! He jumped out of the clamshell and out of his tent, ran through the sleeping camp to the artifacts’ tents. He lit the lamp and stepping up to the sarcophagus read:
You will be an eternal prisoner
Of your own daughters.
They will be your key-keepers
Until the end of times.
And you will be the guardian
Of the revival of the great kingdom.
For as long as you are prisoned
And buried, the kingdom is sleeping.
And the mystery of your betrayal
Is covered by the sands of eternity.
And let no one read
Your awakening.
Carl was so carried away that he didn’t notice a tall young man going into the tent.
- So after all it’s the keys… Daughters have got the leys and mother has got the scroll… - almost whispered Carl.
- What scroll? – the guy went further into the tent. It was David, younger brother of Carl. – Whose mother? And what the hell are you doing there? Everyone is asleep, snoring so that it’s heard in Karnack!
Carl slightly startled. He didn’t like when his brother was doing that.
- Davie, well, I told you not to do so. And what are you doing here? Why don’t you sleep? Have you decided to add an Egyptian to your list?
David involuntarily gestured toward the sarcophagus. And with a little sarcasm and irony replied:
- Well, as I see you, too, can’t sleep, but here these Egyptians, a little bit dry even for your taste ...
- Not really. Come closer.
Dave went closer and handed Carl not a thick, but very weighty book.
- Here it is, I found it in the camera with the priests, do you remember? But it refuses to open.
Carl took the book and turned it over in his hands.
- There has to be a key for it. I told you…
- I remember, I remember! But there was nothing appropriate on the priests… - David nervously sighed and walked closer to the sarcophagus. - Oooh! – He said by removing the hand from the edge of the stone tomb. - Fuck you! What is it? - turning to his brother, sharply and almost fearfully he asked.
- It’s Princess Simbella, - Carl answered easily and put the book on the edge of Nefertiti’s sarcophagus. He walked up to David and, clapping him on the shoulder, asked:
- Well, isn’t she beautiful? – he looked at his brother with a crooked smile, as if he won the poker game.
David ran his hand over her face and hair, trying to confirm her mortality. He bent down for a closer look to her face. Carl said, a bit laughing:
- No, bro, this Snow White won’t wake up from your kiss.
- Oh, no! – David recoiled. – I looked at the expression on her face, she seemed to be suffering or seriously distressed…
- Yes? – Carl bent down as well. – That’s the truth, I couldn’t see it at first. Her condition has impressed me considerably. – he said it like he was far away from here, more to himself than to David.
- So what are you still doing here? Everybody is asleep. - David asked, turning to his brother face to face.
- Oh yeah! - Carl caught himself and went to the closed sarcophagus. David followed him, glancing over his shoulder at the other girl’s face, but there was no impression of that kind, and he quickly looked away at his brother, waiting for an answer.
- This has to be the mother of Simbella and Amun, Nefertiti.
- A familiar name.
- Yes, it comes from Nefertiti, or maybe I’m wrong. Here, - by his index finger he showed the line on the lid of the sarcophagus. – I have translated. It says that her daughters are her key-keepers. So… -Carl walked across the sarcophagus and moved to Princess Amun. He picked up the talisman hanging around her neck and looked at his brother. – These are the keys.
David walked to Princess Simbella and looked at her again, thinking that he would like to see her smiling, her eyes opened. Yes, he wanted to see her smile badly. Her expression of suffering depressed him. Reaching out his hand slowly and picking up the amulet he thought he wanted to hear her breath, the beat of her heart. She was too good, too beautiful to be dead. She had to be alive. After removing the pendant he gave it to his brother, but indifferently looking at nothing. And suddenly, loudly asked:
- Carl, what’s with them?
- There are no bins, so all the innards are in place well, or washed.
David slightly twisted in face and shrugged his shoulders.
- They aren’t mummufied like everyone, - continued Carl.
- In the bandages?
- Yes, it’s the first time when I see something like that. And they have no amulets of resurrection to eternal life.
- In the form of the eye and the scarab beetle.
- Yes, yes. You know a lot, so it means you didn’t always sleep in the class. So, let’s remember the basics. A human being is a multi-dismentional being which has seven skins, of which five have been named:
Body – Sah (the shell)
The essence of a human – Ba (thoughts and desires)
Soul – heart – Ib (mental body)
Soul - Reason - Subconscious - Ab (space body)
Soul - Meaning - Ab (self)
The Spirit – Ah
- After the death of the person all his shells separate from the body and leave it on for seventy days. While on the ground the embalmers transform the body (Sah) into a mummy, energetic shells wander in the air space above the ground, climbing into higher spheres, reaching the moon, sun and planets. Soul – Ka – from time to time returns to the body and checks the correctness of all the ceremonies. Otherwise Ka turns into an evil spirit and hunts people all the time.
- Well, I have understood all this, so what?
- What? – Carl ran his hand in the direction of the sarcophagus. – The fact is that the ceremony wasn’t done over them.
Without realizing it, David returned to the sarcophagus of Princess Simbella and quietly, thoughtfully asked:
- Can they sleep?
- Sleep? Have you gone mad or drunk too much? How could they sleep through so many centuries? – Dave was confused at first, but quickly found the words.
- Lethargy… - Carl looked at his brother with doubt. He had never seem him in such condition, so lost. Even after the death of his parents David was strong and always collected, but right now?
- No, you are either crazy, or these Egyptians are really witches, devil take them!
Carl has repeatedly seen how David looked at the princess. David barely audible whispered:
Tell me, is that even possible?
- David, it seems like it’s the time to sleep, - putting amulets next to the book onto the sarcophagus, Carl embraced David’s right shoulder and led him put of the tent into the thick darkness of the cold night.
The sleep was faltering, muddy and confusing. He was running somewhere, moving his legs with great difficulty, as if they were shackled in chains. Out of breath he stopped, leaned forward and rested his hands on his knees. He turned around, but there was nobody there, only the emptiness of a desert night. Suddenly he flew swiftly down. He was falling so fast that he lost his clothes.
- David, wake up. Wake up. Yes, wake up now! – Carl was shaking his brother, grabbing the edge of his shirt. – Listen, tomorrow morning Eleanor Caisse herself arrives. I phoned her as soon as the coffins were found.
David opened his eyes, wondering what his brother said. He yawned, stretched and turned his head to Carl.
- What? Eleanor? You haven’t said you phoned her. David closed his eyes again, but he wasn’t sleeping, he remembered the last time he saw Eleanor. – Where have I seen her? Yes, in Stanford. She teaches there. Hey Carl, why do we need Eleanor? You yourself are very well versed in these doodles, - he said, stretching himself on his humble bed.
- You’re right, I’m well versed in it, but Eleanor is a professional and an expert in all these ancient books. And David, let’s get up! – Carl shouted at his brother and shook his houlder.
David stretched again and sat down. There was morning coolness on the floor, and he even shivered a little. Having covered with gooseflesh, he tried to warm himself gringing his hands. Startled, he got up and went to the corner of the tent to an old sink. During the night half of the water leaked into the worn enamel cup underneath. The water was cold, and David shivered when he took some of it into his hands to wash his face. Growling and cursing, like in every morning, he washed himself. Almost finishing cleaning his teeth, David turned at his brother’s words. With the foam and the toothbrush sticking out of his mouth he was looking at Carl.
- She has arrived! Eleanor has arrived! – almost losing his breath, shouted Carl.
- What? You said she would arrive the next day! – murmured David, rinsing his mouth.
- Yes, yes, but apparantely she was able to come earlier. Just imagine! Today we will move from the spot, - Carl babbled restlessly. – With her knowledge, we can learn the history of the Pharaon’s family. And most importantly, what method was used in the procedure of embalming "our" princesses.
David was calmly wiping himself with a shabby towel. He understood his brother’s jubilation, but couldn’t share his joy of expectation. After all, David wasn’t quite a good student, he couldn’t even explain what prompted him to study at Stanford. It was something like foresight. He just knew that he had to be there, near his elder brother, who, unlike him, was an excellent archaeologist . And the human being too, probably. David never had such a crush on science as Carl. He reluctantly sorted “old rubbish”, as he called even quite valuable artifacts. But he liked travelling, thought the conditions of living were very poor. Even more he liked courting girs. He was a seducer to some extent. His smile was just beating down the whole women’s population. And he didn’t have the lack of female attention.
He knew that Carl didn’t call Eleanor just on professional matters. They studied together, but Eleanor remained to teach, and Carl chose a long and painstaking way – a way of an archaeologist. David knew that his brother wasn’t indifferent to his classmate, but what absolutely distinguished brothers was their attitude to the fairer sex. Carl was indecisive, he would rather run exploring some ancient caves than comping up to the girl he was fond of. And David first of all rushed to the local pubs, which could be called his battlefields or hunting grounds.
But he decided to join that journey himself. When he learned that Carl had found the tomb of the pharaon Horem Heba III, something jumped inside him. Strange feelings came over him, as if he learned something joyful about his loved ones. He couldn’t explain it to himself, as he never had such violent emotions towards archeology.
Throwing the towel onto the chair, he went up to his brother, pattered him on the shoulder and whispered sneering in his ear:
- Maybe now you’ll shock her with your founding. And finally prevail upon her, - Carl’s eyes widened, and David smiled broadly. He winked and ran away. He knew exactly he would get a couple of blowls. Brothers were running through the sleepy camp. Stiking ito the sand, but continuing running, David managed to dodge every time. They looked like over-aged children. When David managed running further, he was turning to his brother, teasing him with his hands. Falling forward once again, David came across a look at women’s shoes. In this mad race he almost couldn’t see where he was running, so it was no wonder why he didn’t notice the girl standing practically in the middle of the camp. Rising up, David saw the girl from toes to head.
- Eleanor! - Carl exclaimed and walked briskly to the girl. He noticed her a moment before David. He was approaching, shaking the sand off his hands. Kicking with his boot David’s leg, he held out his hand to Eleanor. - Hey. How did you get here?
- Hey guys. More or less normal. You know firsthand about the “hospitality” of Egypt, - she was right, and Carl nodded. Egypt wasn’t famous for its hospitality, there were constant political fightings there, and tension in the neighbouring countries exposed tourists to real danger.
- Yes, we stood for half a day in a huge traffic jam! – exclaimed David. – And all because of some lorry… Hi, Elle, - he held his hand out.
- Hello, hello. Show off, I’m eager to see this, - Eleanor said with a hint of impatience in her voice. She gave Carl her travel bag, and they all went to the tent with the sarcophagus.
The girl gasped at the sight of these mummies. She brought her hand to her mouth, while her other hand gripped the edge of Carl’s shirt – he was standing nearby. Collecting her thought, she gasped and stepped closer.
- Nora, are you alright? – bothered David.
- Yes, I think so. I’m shocked, just shocked! It’s incredible! – she said finally.
Eleanor taught in Stanford. They studied together with Carl, she was the best student – it was typical for girls – and she was offered a place. She agreed immediately. She loved archeology, but more manuscripts, in general, work in a cabinet with a comfortable chair and a full cup of coffee. Life in the field didn’t charme her. She and Carl were great friends, even more, but neither Eleanor nor Carl dared to make the first step. They haven’t been communicating for a long time, and Eleanor was delighted when Carl phoned her. The school year was over, and she could come.
- Elle, well, what will you say? – asked David.
- Dave, will you entice my name every time? - she asked, surprised.
- Yes. I have a violent fantasy, - smiled David. He was standing at the entrance of the tent, leaning onto it.
The girl moved away from the sarcophagus of Princess Amun and walked to the center one, which was closed. On its lid there was a book brought last evening by David.
- What is it? - Eleanor asked, one eyebrow raised.
- I found it - said David and raised his hand. - But it is closed ...
- I have translated something, - moved forward Carl. - I think that there are fragments of a key on each other’s chest.
-These ones? - Eleanor said, noticing two medallions on chains behind the book. They were like half-moons. They wouldn’t be a whole circle if they were put together. - Take it, - she nodded in the direction of the book, and Carl dutifully removed it.
She went up to the head of the sarcophagus and saw the inscription mentioned by Carl, and a carved circle below with two recesses on the sides. Eleanor inserted the medallions into the slots and pushed harder. And then there was a click. The circle with the medallions went inside and began to turn. All this was accompanied by the sounds of clicks and moving machinery. From th centre a string of smoke burst out. The girl grabbed her head and began falling. David and Carl rushed to her. Having caught her, they took her out to the fresh air. Everything was rattling in the tent, but nobody was interested in what was happening inside. The camp was awake, and help arrived.
- It’s my fault, - Carl was moaning. – I haven’t warned her…
- Brother, you aren’t guilty. Stop blaming yourself. Anyway she will get well.
Carl thew an angry glance at his brother.
- No, I’m guilty. I have blundered. And if something happened… If she… If she died… Oh my God! I don’t know what I would do with myself, - Carl grabbed his own hair again.
- Dude, the doctor said everything is fine, and she will feel better soon. It’s good that we pulled her out quickly, and she inbreathed a little of that nastiness. As I have understood it’s some stunner.
Carl groaned again.
A few hours later Carl was asleep. This tedious wait broke almost everyone in the camp. David was sitting opposite his brother, thinking… How strange it all was. Somehow it was unreal. All this, this trip, these acidents… David closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Cloth dome was swaying in the wind, from which the entire tent was gently swaying. The friction of the fabric tent created a constant murmur, he was lulling. David gradually fell asleep. But the thoughts continued haunting him ... But all this is expected ... Yeah ... So if I knew it ... As if I was waiting for it. But what is it? This feeling as if something else will happen ... Something that would change my life. The essence of my existence ... David was slowly sinking into sleep.
Sun, so huge and hot. Dazzling light was hurting his eyes. And then there was a dark spot in the sun. This spot was moving in my direction, getting closer and bigger… Soon a silhouette could be seen. It was a horse with a girl standing on its back. They were rushing straight at me… Those eyes… I’ve seen them somewhere, but where?
The sleep began to dissolve slowly, and David could hear a whisper. It was Carl talking with Eleanor. And as expected, he blamed himself and asked for forgiveness, and she assured him to the contrary, that he didn’t have to blame himself. David opened his eyes and stood up.
-Well, doves, perhaps I’ll go, - having said that, he headed to the exit.
- Dave, - the girl whispered softly, - couldn’t you bring me that book?
- Yes, but it’s closed.
- The sarcophagus has opened. I think there must be a key to that book there. Give it to me, I want to look at it.
- There, my general, - David said in a serious voice, and saluting her left the tent, marching.
Eleanor closed her eyes and smiled slightly. The forces were almost back to her, but she was speaking with difficulty.
- He’s great, - whispered Eleanor.
- Yes, he’s a good brother, - said Carl.
Then their conversation stopped. The girl was lying peacefully with her eyes closed, and Carl sat quietly beside her, drawing circles on the sand with his toe.
It has darkened an hour ago, and David was still on his way to Luxor. He couldn’t do without a bar. A couple of glasses of whiskey or gin, and you can finally relax and drop into the place with beautiful dancers. That night David would spend again in a cheap bar, immersed in the strange, even to him, thoughts and feelings. Why is he here? This is a painfully familiar world, the world of sand. The world of ancient mysteries. Beside himself, he will return to the camp, not noticing the time.
It was dark for already a long time, but David and Carl continued sitting in the tent with the sarcophagus. After David brought the book to Eleanor, they came here with Carl and dealt with the new sarcophagus. More precisely with the old one, recently opened. There was a woman of forty there, with the same features as the previous ones had. David was sitting in the far corner cutting something with his pocket knife on a block of wood. When Eleanor went into the tent, none of them were surprised. The girl spent half a day reading ancient manuscripts and, finally finding something unusual, immediately decided to tell the others about it. For a while Eleanor and Carl were discussing something quietly among themselves. But Carl decided to stir his brother into their conversation.
- Listen, David, Eleanor has deducted something, won’t you have a look? – asked Carl, not rising his eyes from the book.
- Come on, - David lazily sighed and stood up. He walked to the couple slowly, showing his displeasure. His head was aching after his night raid to the city. He looked into the book from behind his brother’s shoulder. For a while he continued scraping that piece of wood, but after reading a few lines he stopped, snapping his knife, and put it into his pocket. The text captured all his attention. Having read the paragraph, David didn’t know what to begin with.
- So what? – Carl asked his brother.
- Is that what I thought about? – asked David in response.
- Yes, - Eleanor replied calmly.
- Now what? – David was full of anxiety and excitement, and it could be seen in his talk.
- I would like to ask you. What do you think? - Carl insisted.
- What do I think? It’s explained here how to revive the dead! - almost shouting, replied the guy and poked a finger in the text – Idon’t think anything. It’s impossible! - David flew into rage. He abruptly turned and headed to the sarcophagus with Princess Simbella. After running his hand on the edge of the sarcophagus, he put his hands in his pockets.
- Dave, I want to try, - said the girl. – Look at them. – Eleanor ran her head in the direction of the coffins. – There is no method of embalming which leads to such a result. We have to accept the obvious for real.
- What’s that? – David was puzzled.
- This is something supernatural and unexplainable by science. And once they have passed through the centuries, and haven’t changed just because of some kind of curse, it's worth a try. And in the end wewon’t lose anything. Yes?
- Yes. That may be so, but still somehow creepy. Admit it, - Carl said.
- Go ahead, I'll look. - David threw back and walked to the door that washis favorite place in the tent.
Chapter two
Flash of lights, so bright that it seemed it was a dream, fragments of sleep… It seemed that this agony and torture have always been here. There came a flash… And an image of a girl and a handsome man appeared in his head. They both seemed to be happy, they were laughing merrily. It was evident that they were father and daughter, very much alike. A flash… And the same girl, a little older, playing near the water with her sister, on large paved stairs, near a great and wonderful palace. A beautiful young woman is watching them, standing near a column, smiling gently… It’s mother! I am this little dark-haired girl, and there is my elder sister Amun next to me. Tears… No, they aren’t here, there is nothing here. I don’t feel my body. A flash… And the three of us at my father’s feet. My mother and sister are crying, but I’m not, I don’t feel guilty, I don’t look imploringly, I look at him lovingly. My father was depressed and turned his head away. On the left nannies were crying, as well as some faithful servants. I looked at the black women, huddling in a pile, and I saw pain on the face of my servant Nala. On the right there stood the priests with straightened. Their haughty eyes were looking at this picture . Among them there was our uncle Aton, named for the ancient god of the sun. For a moment it seemed to me that our uncle was jubilant , but only for a second. Three of the sarcophagus stood in the middle of the hall, like three palm trees in the middle of the desert. Even torture and painful death wouldn’t be able to prove how much guilty were those who encroached on the life of Pharaoh . And the more native - daughter and wife . It's indescribable sin. And the priests decided to use a terrible execution, which was never in the present century. Confinement in one body , the inability to die and be reborn . Terrible tortures of the soul ... Flash ... I'm at the stables, peeping for Amun . She has secret meetings with the stableman. Here they are whispering, their faces getting closer to each other, and they kiss. Oh! I shuddered. Backing away I pushed a pitcher full of rainwater. It broke, I slipped and fell down. I was caught red-handed. Amun was swearing first, then begged not to tell her father about it. Of course I didn’t tell him. A sharp pain shot through the entire body, from head to toe , but where the head and feet where ? Again the memories, pain, the memories, pain ... Silence ...
There was no pain and no memories. I listened carefully and it looked like I heard something, like the wind was swaying the fabric of the tent. No! It’s impossible! Being afraid of something, I opened my eyes. Not immediately, blinking a couple of times. I saw a set of cloth, it was grey in the room, like it was dawning. I ran my fingers across my forehead, I always do so when I feel nervous. Something flashed on the left, and I sat cross-legged looking at the source of light. It was a transparent vessel in the center of which there was a beam of light. And then my eyes moved lower to the figure under mysterious light. It was Mom! And Amun with her! There was no limit to my happiness. But there was something stir in the dark, right in front of us. I saw the outlines of human figures.
A young guy walked into the center of light. He was tall, more than a head taller than me, about twenty-three years, light-skinned, dark-haired, and with attractive features. He was dressed strangely, the clothes I had never seen before. Behind him two more people entered the light. A girl and a guy about twenty-eight years old. Both were a head shorter than the first one. Honestly, I could understand very little of what was happening. I couldn’t believe my eyes, there was no explanation to what was happening around.
- I’m David, and these are my brother Carl and Nora, our good friend, - all our attention was captivated by their story. Then he helped us to get out of the sarcophagus. Probably they haven’t done that before being afraid that we would frighten. David helped me. His hand was firm and white, almost like mine. He was much taller than me and looked at me tenderl, it made my eyes look down. Stepping on the sand, still wet after a cold night, I experienced unbelievable joy. It's justincredible!To feel, to see, to sense again. To live! And then we began embracing each other, and strangers were watching on the sidelines. Slightly having discussed our history, and listening to the story after our captivity, we were fed and we lay to rest. Sleep was calm,I didn’t have any dreams. Darkness. I got up in the middle of the night and felt rested, but there was something that woke me up. My sister was shaking my shoulder.
- Get up, Simbella! Get up! – I stood and looked around. We were together, mother couldn’t be seen.
- What’s up, Amun? What has happened?
- Come on, our mother and those ones are calling for us. Well, get up! – she pulled me out of the tent and led me to another one. When we entered, my sister let my hand go.
My mother was on her knees, with a downy head and hands raised to the sky. I knew this position, because my mother was a priestess. Now it wasn’t there, I mean her soul. My sister also knew it, and we were calm, but thiscouldn’t be said about our saviors. Raising my hand in a soothing gesture, I started the conversation.
- Everyone knows that the priests know a lot, they have a rear gift, but only the really chosen ones. We consist of seven shells. But my sister, my mother and I weren’t mummified, and all the seven shells are on their place. But there is a curse over us, and after our resurrection those who made the decision and made a ritual will resurrect, - I circled around behind the remaining participants. That is our father, and the priests, which would again put us in that horrible place, – my voice cracked, and clenching fingers, I tried to calm down. And in that moment, my mother came to her senses. Sighing loudly, she fell to the sand, and slowly started crying. Betting up, she was already calm.
- Everything is so bad, I couldn’t even imagine… Amun, - my sister stepped forward. You will stay with me, because you were going to become a priestess, and I will need your abilities. Simbella, - she pronounced my name with much love and so gently. I stepped closer and held out my hands. Mom took them gently, as if they were made out of the sand and could scatter. I felt anxiety and the closeness of separation. - Daughter, you should go back and find out everything, - closing my eyes, not letting treacherous tears flow, I nodded. Releasingone hand, she turned to the men. - She has to go with one of you . The palace is large and she’ll need help.
Actually, I did not need any kind of help, just mom was afraid to let me go alone. Next came David, confidently and firmly. Everything was broken inside me. I did not know what I felt , but it was something good. My mother felt a shiver that ran through me. - You know what to do, - she almost whispered . Hand in hand with David, we went down to our knees. My mother was in front of us, and Amun behind her. Mom started. She was whispering something. There was a noise in my ears, and bright light around us. The whole body was slightly pinched , but only this took place. Light stopped. Something clicked in my ears. I opened my eyes.
Chapter three
It was unreal! It was my room, nothing has changed. Although itdidn’t have to, because we went back to the past.
- We have only five days, - all of a sudden waking up, I said. - Let's not waste time.
- Why is it strict? I ... - before he continued, I raised my hand as a sign of silence. – What?
- Shh… Do you hear me? – we listened, it was noisy in the street. I went to the balcony, pointing David to stand still. Looking at the crowd, I remebered. That was a holiday in the honor of my sister Amun. I quickly went back into the room. Going to a bigger bed, repeatedly pulled the black velvet lace. Half a minute later there came a dark-skinned maid. She glanced at David and again dutifully looked at me.
- Nala. This guy needs clothes of my bodyguard. And ... The water in my bath house. - bowing, she came out.
- Today is there celebration in the honour of Amun, my elder sister. My father decided it was time for her to get married. There will be a lot of people, and we can get lost among them, - stepping up to the bed and taking the clothes, I went into the pool to get dressed, never ceasing for a moment. – I’ll take part in the beginning, but after I’ll be free. I know where to look ... for a traitor, - slightly lowering my voice I said. Throwing off my clothes, and wearing a rider’s dress, I came out.
David was standing near my fountain and admiring the collection of plants. This garden was occupying the corner near the bed, in front of the balcony.
- Hmm. And do you know who he is?
I nodded slightly. My tongue was numb. Not only I have changed clothes. David looked amazing! Apparently Nala had brought clothes while I was changing my ones. Our clothes suited him, as if he was from that time, and not from the future. Strong torso and tight muscles, beautiful legs and strong arms. He was more like a god of great beauty, a statue, not an archaeologist. When I came to my senses, I was confused and probably blushed.
- Yes, I think it's our uncle.
- Uncle?
- Aton, he is very hungry for power, and he’s arrogant. He and his son are after us in the list. To become a Pharaon is the aim of his life.
- So, let’s go on! You’re beautiful, what’s this? – David waved his hand in my direction. – I mean your clothes.
- Oh! Yes, I will play the role of rider at the beginning of the holiday feast.
- A welcome gesture to the people? - with a smirk and a raised eyebrow he said.
- Yes. Something like that.
After going past him, I tried to make a casual look, but Icouldn’t do properly. Jumping in the gallery, I ran at a gallop, and the guy could barely keep up with me. What did he think about himself? I’m of royal blood! How can he be so easy with me? And in the end of it all... Then my thoughts were interrupted by passing guards. They bowed, and waited until I pass to continue their way.
- Wow! – I heard a voice behind me, and I felt like a hundred needles walked me. - And do I have to do so?
- Yes, but it’s not necessary when we are alone, - and here again a tide of embarrasement went over me. – I mean, without any strangers, - I added lamely. He looked like it was hilarious.
We’ve already reached the exit. Having left the guest behind, I made my way to my father and asked him to look after the guest.
Princess left me behind and went to the Pharaoh. She said something to him, he looked back at me, but his eyes, calm and unflappable, again appealed to the surrounding guests. Princess returned.
- You will join our chariot, - and soon chariots began driving up to the stairs.
The Queen and the Pharaon sat down in the first and most beautiful one. The chariot slowly pulled away, and several servants with rods followed it. They were mostly young men in starched white short skirts and white kerchiefs fastened to the head with thin shiny hoops. A group of strong men with armament in their hands and shiny semicircular breastplates joined them. I realized that it was the Pharaon’s guard, they divided on both sides of the chariot and jogging accompanied their king.
Then the next chariot pulled up. It wasn’t decorated like the Pharaon’s one, it was the chariot of Pharaon’s daughters. Simbella and her sister Amun went down the steps and sat down with the help of many maids and servants. Simbella looked at me and beckoned me to their chariot. Her sister looked at me with surprise and said something quietly, Simbella replied, and Amun turned away. I stepped on the first rung of the ladder leading to the bottom of the palace. Caught in the rays of the midday sun , I close my face with my hand. Surrounding people were carefully examing me. And when I got used to the sun I dipped my hand and went down. On each sides there were massive columns. The hot sun was the same as in our time. And I felt as if in some sort of a stage performance. It was all so real and at the same time so extraordinary. I took a deep breath. I didn’t know how to get over it, to be close to the long-dead Princess who cameto life again, and it was more exciting to be in the long-extinct and destroyed civilization, surrounded by hundreds of people of the ancient world. I climbed into the chariot with one servant, and sat down in front of the Princesses. Princess Amun didn’t even look at me. The chariot moved forward and slowly rolled down. Following us, too, went the servants , but this time they were young girls. They were dressed in white light fabrics, fastened on one shoulder by shiny brooches. On their heads there were thick, black wigs and thin shiny hoops.
As far as I remember the history, we were in the largest city in the Eastern Mediterranean – Memphis. It was located on the west bank of the Nile in the upper Delta. It was a huge city, and it stretched from Dashur to Giza and had the shape of a rectangle. The Egyptians called it Pa-Nuf , because of its white walls. The chariot rolled to the west , where there was the area of Ankh-Towy, a memorial temple of the Kings to trace the flow restoration work of the tomb of Thutmose IV . With this gesture, Pharaoh Horem Cheb emphasized their relationship. Because he seized power with the help of a large army , immediately after the death of Tutanhomon . He held the highest military post in Tutanhomone’s government, commanded troops during the Asian campaign. Loved and faithfully served the Pharaoh. And they formed an army which was divided into two parts, one in the southern area, and the other in the north. Interested in supporting the Theban priesthood and the circles behind it Horem-Cheb continued building the so-called Hypostyle hall, in front of Karnak Temple in the honor of Amun. He has attached to the center aisle, erected by Amenhotep III, side parts which were resting on 126 columns 13 meters high and set in seven rows on each side of the middle passage and two double pylons.
The Pharaon went through these constructions before going to the center of the city, to the temple of the god Ptah. That tour across Memphis impressed me, and there was nothing strange in it. Even in modern times, with such scientific technological capabilities there were no such amazing buildings. Surprises the accuracy of Egyptian architects and builders. Seeing all this beauty and being in it was like enlightenment in pitch darkness. I couldn’t think of a greater comparison. These columns, statues of gods and pharaohs. All this can’t be displayed by any computer model, because almost nothing remains, the city was destroyed and washed away by the great Nile.
When we drove to the big temple of Ptah, the Pharaoh has entered the inside. He was met by the priests. The temple itself was huge, no wonder he was called the great temple of the god Ptah , and stood in front of two towering colossus of the king. When the chariot stopped I rushed down to help the Princesses. She thanked me and went forward. Slim, smart, with a straight back and lifted up in pride face, in beautiful dress and shiny jewelry. Princess Amun was wearing on her head a golden ring with a cobra 's head, with a white stripe on the forehead, with precious stones in their sockets. This cobra interested me a bit. She looked quite daunting, and it attracted me, and why such a terrible snake has to be on the head of a beautiful eldest daughter of the Pharaon? But from those thoughts I got distracted by the girls coming up to us. Or rather their clothes, or rather the lack of it. Young maids had just pieces of cloth around their hips. There were large beads bracelets on their hands and long necklaces around their necks, which were almost covering bare breasts. They smiled broadly, welcomed the guests and handed on lotus flowers. And I have given a flower as well. I looked around. There was a lot of people around us. Slender and elegant men and women were dressed in immaculate clothing made of corrugated linen. Everyone had on their heads heavy black wigs that framed their faces, decorated with precious metals and strings of beads. Sweet heady smell was coming from women - this is slowly melting perfume on their hair. They were greeting each other and said compliments. Flattery was floating in the air, a lot of flattery, and they bathed in it, enjoyed it. Yes, they were great masters of this art. Slaves and servants scurried around with trays and offered treats and cups of wine or beer. Guests were arriving gradually, and the hall was almost full when all of them moved to another room. Princess Simbella approached me. All the time before she was busy with her sister greeting the guests.
- Well, how do you like our holiday? Do such ones take place in your time? – her question was clear, she asked it not only because of curiosity, but with the expectation how gorgeous and unique that holiday was. I intended to answer that we also have got something of this kind, but stopped. At that moment we entered the magnificent hall of festivities, and I was speechless. The walls were covered with rich paintings, porcelain tilers, there were huge carved columns, but most of all I was struck by the tables, two big ones were standing opposite us in the form of the letter T. The food was lying in pyramids - coconuts, apples, olives, pomegranates, oranges, lemons, bananas… Different vegetables and greenary, fried, boiled and salted fish, fresh bread in different shapes, different kinds of meat and birds, grapes, figs, dates, golden and silvery goblets, vases and pottery ware. We continued moving to the tables, and I took my courage and answered the Princess.
- We arrange something like that, but such one I see for the first time. It’s an incredible sight.
Simbella smiled a satisfied smile. We went up to the first table, which was in the centre of the hall, and it was low. There were colourful cushions on the marble floor around it. Princess Simbella took me by the hand and led me to the first table. It was higher, and around it there were carved chairs with high backs, inlaid with turquoise, carnelian and lapis.
- These are, - said Simbella, gesturing by her hand, - to the most important guests.
She led me to one of the chairs. Its back was of average size, beautifully inlaid with silver and precious blue stone, and stood close to the edge of the table. There were usual stools with crossed legs as well. Waving her hand, Simbella offered me a seat.
- I’ll be sitting in the centre, - she said, pointing to the middle table with the cushions instead of chairs.
Then she was gone.
Guests took their seats, which were shown by the servants and maids. A servant with a tray on which stood a few earthen vessels approached me. As I understood, she had offered me some wine, different kinds of it, and date beer. I took a cup of beer, she bowed me and went away to offer drinks to other guests. Taking a sip, I immediately felt the difference with our beer. This one had a pleasant sweet taste, and I wanted to feel the coolness of it on my tongue again and again.
When all the guests sat down, music started playing. These were: flute, harp, oboe. A girl of great beauty began singing in an even more extraordinary beautiful voice. Everybody was eating around, with their own hands. I tried the fried chicken, which was right in front of me. I took a pinch of salt from a silver dish. And then someone pushed me. Knocking over my glass of beer on the table, I swore and jumped up to see who was in such a hurry than didn’t deign to apologize. And when I saw the face of the person whom I already knew I metered and almost dropped the bird from my hand. It was the Pharaon. I was so scared and stunned, I didn’t even notice that all around were looking at me, and the music stopped. Afterthought, I bowed and apologized. Pharaoh looked at Simbella, she nodded, and he turned to me laughing.
- I see you’ve already drunk a lot of our beer, - everyone around laughed too, and the music began playing again. And have you tried our Shedeh? - asked Pharaoh, and I shook my head.
- Shedeh for your foreigh guest! – he ordered loudly and sat down in his chair of great beauty, next to his queen. I also sat down, catching my breath. To me rude towards the Pharaon! The maid brought a tray with clay jars, I pointed to the neighbouring to me. She poured me a cup of dark red drink, probably wine. I took a sip, yes, it was the wine, but tart, with a bitter taste and slightly sour. Probably fruit wine.
Alcohol has enveloped my mouth, and my view of surrounding changed a little. I didn’t like so much all that was happening, and saw things differently. First, I didn’t like the way they were eating. Those Egyptians were eating with their hands, immediately corrected their wigs, they were laughing loudly. They drank a lot of alcohol, both women and men. They behaved not like ladies and gentlemen, but so cheeky, that seeing how an aged man slapped a maid who was passing away, and she stopped and sat down beside him, and offered to pour another glass of wine, and at the same time he was carressing her bare leg, looking at her breasts I felt like in a bordello.
I looked at the table, at which Princess Simbella was sitting, but she wasn’t there. The music has changed. Somebody started drumming into small drums. Two lions came out from the central doors, and on their backs stood Simbella.
“Oh!” – it was everything I could say.
Behind them came three dancers from each side. Music changed again, now a harp was playing. Lions stopped. Simbella sat down, touched her hands up by the scrafs of these giants, and they tattered their manes. When satisfied lions calmed down, Princess, leaning on her hands, raised her entire torso up. Crossing her legs, she began turning around, gently moving her hands on their backs. It was awesome, amazing and scary. Beautiful dancers were dancing around, and the princess herself was moving like in a dance. And then she began curling like a snake. She was especially charming when at the end of the performance she jumped from the spins of the lions right in front of them, they laid down, and the princess got up slowly and opened wide her hands, crying out loudly. Thus depicting phoenix, reborn from the ashes. The performance ended. Simbella bowed to the applausing guests, took the scruff of one lion, sat on his powerful back, and so on his back and accompanied by the powerful kings, disappeared behind the door of a nearby posh room. I even got sober and couldn’t say exactly how long lasted that splendor. Guests have calmed down and sang a chorus of a song, clapping to the beat. Soon Princess Simbella came up to me, all beaming with joy and pride.
- You were great! So fragile, fearless young princess, - I told her.
- Thank you, it's time, there will be nothing interesting, - the princess said with a smile, but anxiously glancing in the direction of the Pharaoh.
In silence we came out of the temple and sat down in the chariot. In the same silence we drove to the palace.
- What about our actions? The time is running out, - I knocked at the wrist where I would normally wear a watch. Turning, she went to the west wing of the building, I followed her. Silently wewere passing halls after halls, rooms after rooms. I looked around. It was outstanding, of course our models were very similar to the originals, but seeing it personally everything was different. This is the greatness, the precious metals and stones. Sculptures and objects of grandeur. Everything around was shining, like light was coming from everywhere. At the halfway point, I realized that we were returning to the bedroom of the princess. Letting me in, Simbella inspected the hallway and locked the door.
- I thought we'd go in search of a traitor? - honestly, I didn’t understand her composure. She calmly walked into the room and sat down on the ottoman, near a small pond .
- There is no need to search for him, he sits quietly next to my father, smiling and chattering with others.
- But why are we sitting here? And who is he, how do you know? - I had so many questions that I couldn’t properly set their priority. - Who is he?
- This is my uncle. Aton was the second son, but he was always eager for power. He looked at everything differently, power and wealth was what attracted him. He is very angry, loves to torture slaves and animals.
- Despot, - I said, thinking. - But where do you know it from?
- My mother told me before we got back here. And haven’t I already said it?
- Now what do we have to do? We can’t come up to Pharaoh and say that his brother is a traitor, - it was more a statement than a question. I was a little surprised by her question, but yes, I wasn’t listening carefully, and answered by inertia, and I disn’t remember what we talked about when we just arrived here .
- Yes, you're right, but during the day we won’t learn anything. He is constantly in sight, and most of the day with his father. Night, that's when we will act.
- Yes, I agree. We will have to keep an eye on him, and the people whom he will communicate with.
- Yes, but now sleep!
- Sleep? But ...
- Sunset isn’t coming soon, so we need to get some sleep and gain strength. I personally don’t mind to see peaceful, real dreams.
She stood up and walked to the water.
- Come on, - she called me quietly.
Standing all the time like a statue, almost in the middle of the room, in few steps I turned and leaned close. Simbella drove her hand in the water, thereby scattering the colorful fish. There were many different colors, different sizes and types.
- They don’t know worries. They just live, eat, play and don’t even realize that their life is in my hands. You know, five years ago I went stealthily riding on my horse. You see, I was always accompanied, and allowed to walk only within the palace. And I ran away. We raced like the wind. Merged together, moving, breathing , even our hearts were beating together. It's been a long time, and I decided to turn back, so as not to disturb my father. But I noticed the approaching horsemen, right behind me. First I stopped and tried to make out who it was. But then I was like knocked and I shivered. Moon, that was the name of the horse, immediately turned around and ran away. There were shouts and whistling arrows. This race wasn’t like our old one, carrying us further and further into the desert. Soon the pursuers were behind, and then completely disappeared from my view, but Moon kept running. I pressed as low as possible to her, and began crying. I cried and carressed her. My life was in her power, - Bella stopped and wiped the tears from her face. I sat down beside her and took her other hand. Bella didn’t turn around, but she didn’t remove her hand. I covered her little hand and stroked her by my fingers at ease.
- After a while, I began noticing that we were moving a little to the side. Moon turned toward the palace. The sun was setting and twilight took power. Moon finally stopped, and I got off. After removing the bags of supplies, I offered food and water alternately, but she refused to drink it. Usually a daily supply of water and food for two is being carried, for a horse and a man. However I begged her, she refused drinking. After eating food, Moon lay down to sleep. Actually horses sleep standing up, but Moon laid down. After eating, I wrapped myself in a rug from her back, and laid down beside her. Thus, again she saved me from the cold of the night. At first I thought I wouldn’t sleep, thinking about the predators, snakes and other inhabitants of the desert. But a great quaking knocked all the strength out of me, and soon I fell asleep. I didn’t see any dreams, and I was grateful for that. When the sun rose and struck me in the eye, I immediately woke up. Moon wasn’t sleeoing, but did not get up and was just standing behind me. According to my calculations, Moon was moving in the direction of the palace. And soon, towers could be seen. Oh, what for have I said it, now the lives of my family are in our hands, and I'm scared. What if we don’t succeed?
Simbella clung to me, still crying. I wanted very much to comfort her, but I didn’t know how… I hugged her and led her to the bed.
- You need to get some sleep, you have said yourself. Get down , that's it, - I fussed as Aunt Molly. I tucked the blanket and sat down beside her, and stroked her hair until she fell asleep. I got up and walked over to the sofa well, or something like a bed, and suddenly turned at the sleeping princess and smiled. Aunt Molly… Yes, she was a remarkable human being, and very fond of us, me and Carl. Always smiling and pleasant - smelling with pastries, so I remember her. She took care of us when my parents died... Smile vanished from my face . This terrible accident destroyed our family. I was still a teenager, Carl was already working. Wet asphalt, heavy rain, and a drunk truck driver... I never cried in public, even my brother didn’t see my tears. And I understand Simbella, her fear of losing her family, I know how awful it is. On this anniversary, I was for a long time at the cemetery, and when I came back to the apartment I was standing by the window... I even thought that there was someone watching me from the shadows of the park. That's how I was... lowered blinds... and then like a shock pierced my body, I fell down and began sobbing loudly, shaking all over . Mommy, mommy... Why did you leave us, I love you so much! I miss you and my father... Why... Why did you take them away from us? What for? Mom, Mom... It’s so hard without you...
I woke up startled. My body was numb from the hard bed. Simbella sat on the bed and stared at me. It was dark around, outside the window was almost night. Princess reached out her hand and pulled the cord. After some time out of the wall behind me there came a black maid carrying a lamp. She walked across the room and lit all the candles and lamps.
Chapter four
Walking through the corridors-labyrinths, I was thinking that probably I would have lost if I went there alone. Turning left and right, ascending and descending… To be honest, all around was similar and monotonous. We only exchanged a brief plan of action, no more words, but I always wanted to ask something, but I did not know what... But here I found an excuse to talk and to break this ridiculous silence.
- You know, I can’t understand, when we first saw each other and started talking, we understood each other, but how it is possible? I wasn’t studying ancient languages, but then and now I understand what I hear, and speak as if it is my native language.
- An ancient curse, that's for sure, but I don’t know anything about magic, the priests are engaged.
- Such as your mother and sister?
- Yes, they know these things. But the spell on us is very ancient and no one alive knows how it acts.
- Something ancient and unknown. Impressive, - I shrugged. Simbella only furtively glanced in my direction. But it was enough for me to get a bit all over the body. Her look, touch, even just feeling her nearby was very important to me. I wanted to touch her face, look at her indefinitely, to touch the hair strands. Simbella stopped abruptly and putting his hand out, braked me, leading back to the corner.
- W-sh-sh ... - princess hissed, and I listened. It was clearly audible as a few men, maybe three or four, were talking in a low voice. By the tone I could decide that they had something to discuss, and obviously didn’t want anyone to overhear them.
- Are you really sure about him? If he wouldn’t manage, we are lost… He will never confess, most of us would be blamed and cook in butter! Or worse, fed to your beast!
- I'm sure! And the plan that we considered is ideal. He will be pleased. My man won’t be noticed by anyone, and he’s reliable.
- But, after the deal is done, we will still eliminate it.
- It is a pity of course to lose such a man, but my skin is more expensive.
Voices died away, we heard disappearing footsteps. The princess and I looked at each other and after few minutes went on. I was listening and looking around, and I had a feeling of anxiety. Just a couple of times we stopped and heard from around the corner the same conversation, with one more man joined. Two hours later the quiet pursuit, the group agreed on the same time of tomorrow night. And tomorrow they will meet with the contractor and give him poison. After they broke up we only had to turn around and go to sleep. We walked back in silence, and there was nothing to say, we had to wait and then act immediately. I looked at her, she was manly, with a calm expression on her face…
The thought that until tomorrow evening we are powerless was killing me. No, I won’t discuss anything, today she needs silence. Well, finally we got to the room. Slightly ahead and opened the door for her, I entered the room. She didn’t even look at me, and it was clear now that to shout or to cry would ease her condition. Simbella pulled the lace, and laid waiting. I sat down on the sofa where I was sleeping before, and waited. Buried in blankets, Simbella was sobbing, but after a short time, she was already asleep. There came Nala, the maid. Taking the edge of the sofa, she showed that it had to be removed, and we have assigned my "bed" in the bathing room. A woman brought from somewhere warm blankets and a pillow and made a bed for me. When she bowed and turned to leave, I called out to her.
- Nala, thank you for your services. I would like to talk to you, - she stopped and looked at me carefully, quietly. - I would like you to ask for something. You see, there is such a situation here, it’s very dangerous for the princess Simbella and her family, - the woman nodded in acknowledgment. - We need five, at least, security guards, but proven. Reliable as you ... - the woman nodded again. - Thank you, - my voice became softer.
Nala bowed again and left. I went to bed, now it was much more convenient, and I probably could have a good sleep. But sleep didn’t come, thoughts about recent events were turning inside my head. It all was moving like a continuous swirl in my head. All this wasn’t real, it was some kind of a dream. A sense of turbidity rised to my throat. Tomorrow is the last day, tomorrow will decide what will be... What will be after all is done... The future will change, I'll be back in my time, will I remember it all... What if Bella would go with me ... Or I should stay... No, such a distortion is not allowed. Sleep came, but it was troubling and confusing. Anxiety and great danger were torturing me all night.
A strange noise from the princess’ bedroom woke me. Outside the windows it was still dark, so early in the morning, but what's the noise? Hearing a slight cry, I jumped up and ran there, but saw only shadows disappearing behind bedroom doors. Simbella was nowhere, there was only crumpled bed and pillows. Running out of the bedroom, I came across frightened Nala. Her eyes were wide with terror. Her hands were shaking, legs gave way and she began falling. Lost consciousness. I pulled her into the room. Sprinkled with water, slapped her cheeks.
- Nala. Nala, do you hear me? Nala, - I repeated the same sentence. A few minutes later, the woman regained consciousness. - What happened, where is the princess? - my voice was shaking, I felt that the worst happened that we could not even imagine ...
- She's been kidnapped, - the woman's voice trailed off and got lost in silent sobs. Fists clenched, cheeks tightened, so I gritted my teeth - they could break at any moment. In a matter of seconds my body became so tense, as if I was about about to jump off the heck, and I fell in place. I started up from the bed, but she grabbed my arm.
- Now you won’t help ypu with anything. They won’t hurt her now. Understand, they are insidious, they conceived the plan for a long time, the princess knew that's why she told me to lay you in the next room.
My hands and feet got frozen, I couldn’t move. Simbella knew and didn’t tell me anything…
- Understand that they decided to put her in front of Pharaoh. As if she was caught by the hand. You have to stop the performer and lead him to Pharaoh. But you have to be extremely careful not to give yourself, and time is short, - a few minutes of silence didn’ change my condition. - I'll show you a man who agreed to pour poison into the Pharaon’s drinking.
These galleries are all the same. Solid maze. Walls, walls, corners, stairs, hills climbs. Frankly, I was already tired of it. I sighed again, and Nala nodded with understanding. Another quarter of an hour we were walking along these endless galleries. And at the end, Nala stopped near a small door. Quietly knocking, the woman walked a little back. Inside the room hurried footsteps were heard, and somebody stood still for a few seconds near the door. The door was opened by a young Egyptian. He was obviously worried and scared. Looking around the hall, he still let us in.
- And where is it? - procrastination was like a crime against the princess. And the guy understood it as well. He walked across the room and picked up a bottle standing on a shelf above the window. Brought and handed it to me. It’s so simple... But actually it’s not what it looks like. I reached out, but still didn’t take the poison, it must stay with him, for sure they will checked us.
-When? - my voice cracked.
- During the evening banquet.
The guy was a coward, he agreed to this insidious step in saving his own life, but when he learned that he would be killed all the same as the witness, he decided to help us.
Again corridors. But now I had something to occupy your mind with while were getting to the place. Again and again, I scrolled and thought about our plan. That Egyptian wasn’t completely aware of the plan of action, we only explained what to do, and the rest was for me and the guards. We stopped at the throne room of the Pharaon. Yes, we decided to tell the Pharaon of the impending assassination and disappearance of the princess. Solid pine doors decorated with intricate carvings finally opened. And I saw the stunning beauty of the room. Covered with gold and silver throne room floors, massive columns. The central colonnade led to the podium on which stood the royal throne. And the Pharaon was sitting there himself. Passing through the hall I couldn’t see anything around, maybe I 'll never see this splendor. The paintings on the walls showed the sovereign in the assembly of the gods, and mainly talked about the role of the king - the keeper of the world’s order. On the column diffused light through the limestone barred window was falling. Yes, and the window itself was unusual. It was located at the top of the wall. The upper part of the window was decorated with the figures of two seated sphinxes - custody and papyrus stalks, pulled together in pairs under a falcon's head (the sacred bird of the god of sun). The middle part of the window was decorated by the djed pillars - the emblem of Osiris, which is the symbolic pillar of the sky. The lower part of the window was decorated with papyrus stem (symbolizing eternal youth). I walked past all the guards and bowed down before Pharaon on one knee.
- Your Majesty ... Monarch… - I was very nervous, and honestly didn’t know how to access it. - I need to tell you important information. Regarding your daughter. - Pharaoh moved slightly on the spot, and trouble appeared on his face.
- A conspiracy is planned against you. And most importantly, the conspirators kidnapped princess Simbella, - in the same breath I blurted out. Pharaon jumped up, and the guard surrounded me. But I didn’t move and remained all in the same position as the decline.
- I know who it is and I'll tell you, but first I want to ask you to calm down and listen to me, but rather how and under what circumstances, I met your daughter. - the conversation was long. Pharaon listened very carefully.
Chapter five
Only a couple of times he asked me about how we found the sarcophagus and how we returned here with the princess. When I finished my story, Pharaon rose slowly from his chair and walked over to the window.
- Yes, young man, you told me a very interesting story, all this, all you have told me is very important information, and the most important thing is that you did it right by telling me. Now I see how my brother is rotten from inside, and I'll have to do everything to make my girls no harm, - the voice of the Pharaon was calm, and didn’t reveal his true concern. He loved Simbella most of all, more than his own life. And proved that by offering the most extravagant plan. Pharaon offered to catch criminals on live bait.
- But your lordship! This is dangerous – to rely only on the slave, - shockingly boomed the security chief. It was a major Egyptian, muscular, tanned, a real commander.
- And what else can I do? My daughter has been kidnapped! And by whom? By my own brother! If Aton suspects that I know about his conspiracy, he won’t hesitate. I just can’t put my daughter’s life in danger. I have to pretend that I don’t suspect anything, and to behave normally.
Meanwhile princess Simbella was running from thought to thought, wondering if she planned everything properly.
Crude basement… That’s the place of my confinement. Yeah... Protector didn’t come out of me. How can I help my father from here? I thought something about myself and got there... Maybe I had to tell David about the plan of kidnapping?.. No, he would then interfere with that plan, and Aton would have guessed about my awareness and canceled everything.
The princess wandered through the wet basement where she honed her uncle's henchmen. Five hours of inactivity and dark walls influenced her belief in luck of all her plans. Simbella replayed over and over again the whole course of events, and tried to understand where she could make a mistake.
He would go to my father, and he, in turn, will decide to leave everything as it is and at the right time to grab the traitors and the main villain. A few simple steps and I am free again, and the whole family is safe ...
But the princess wasn’t safe, and if she knew the course of the events, she would have reconsidered her simple plan, even the very simple one.
A tall thin man came to the hall to the Pharaon. Heavily tanned, with a bald head gleaming in the light. His sharp features and deep-set eye sockets caused indescribable feeling. His whole appearance spoke of the severity and malice of this man, as if he had impregnated with hatred, envy. It was the brother of the Pharaon - Aton. He stopped in front of the Pharaon...
- Brother. All the preparations for the feast are almost completed. I found out who will be there and would like to draw your attention to some people. These are young men from the Upper Kingdom, and their states are large and rich in possessions. I will present them to you, dear brother, personally, and I want to notice that it’s the best union we can get, - Aton said everything with exaggerated hypocrisy, and it was just unbearable to hear it, but the Pharaon behaved calmly and naturally, he waved his hand towards in agreement.
- Well, Aton, I will take visitors from the Upper Kingdom. And they are young, beautiful?
- My dear brother, youth is foolish, and the beauty belongs to women and young girls. But as for the union of your eldest daughter the main goal is important, her husband will be the Pharaon, and for that he shouldn’t have beautiful appearance, he must have the mind and the determination, be fearless and strong.
- Yes, but she's my daughter and I want her to be happy, and I will consider her choice.
Aton grimaced, but bowed and left.
Light dust was floating in the air because of the steps and danced in the rays of the midday sun, again falling on the stone floor. Aton walked calmly along the galleries, passing by the whole palace. He saw the respect and fear on the faces of meeting people. They were by servants and guards, whom he didn’t regard for the people and strongly emphasized his status and the majesty of his person. All his life he was feeling lust for power. Aton was the second son and could become the Pharaon only after the death of his elder brother, and his marriage to his widowed wife. After all, the power of kings is transmitted only through the female line. And plans to murder his brother constantly kept running through his mind. Several slave rebellions were really bringing him a little closer to the throne, but necessary measures were taken in time, and the evil plans thwarted. Pharaoh is alive and infinitely supreme. And he remains an adviser, and now marriage of the eldest daughter of Pharaon alienates him from the throne even more.
The light was gone, Aton was going to the basement to check out another part of his plan, princess Simbella. He had high hopes for the success of the whole operation. To capture the princess and give it as she was caught by the hand, and false testimony about the involvement of the whole family in the case of the death of the king. So he was taking away the progenitor of the king. And trust to the family of the Pharaon will be gone… He went down to the basement with even greater contentment. His every step was taking him closer to the intended purpose. The guards opened the door for him to the prison. Princess was sitting on the cold stone floor, her head was down. A smile appeared on Aton’s face and grew into a loud laugh. He was laughing. To see other persons’ sufferings gave him a feeling of pleasure. He crossed the prison in a few quick, wide steps. Slightly benting, he sharply grabbed the princess's chin and forcefully lifted her face up to see her.
- Well, hello, my little, intelligent princess, - Aton again burst into loud laugh. Stopping laughing, he glared at Simbella, looking for fear and terror on her face, but he saw nothing and grimaced in disgust and disappointment, shaking her sharp chin and pushing away her face. Keeping his hands behind his back, he walked away from his captive, examining damp, cold room, and turned again to princess Simbella.
- You're caught, you're trapped, and in a short time you’ll be on the scaffold. But you're also proud and arrogant, - Aton started quietly, but by the middle of the sentence he was already beginning to lose his temper, and he was almost screaming. - I shall rule the world. I am a true king. I am the ruler. And you attempt to stop me. How light-headedly, - Aton paced nervously from side to side. - I'll show how to govern. And who is the true Pharaon, - he held his hand in front of him, and looking intently at her, clutched in his fist, symbolizing his power.
Aton entered the room, mentally being far away from there, in the Lower Kingdom. There is a son near him and many concubines. He is the Pharaon. He is honoured and praised by everyone. He is the ambassador of God. In his hand there is a golden cup full of sweet wine, and the concubine feed him with big juicy grapes, dance and indulges him in every way. This is a celebration in his honor. In the honor of the Pharaon Aton! The sound of closing door led returned Aton to his senses, to reality. Another Egyptian entered the room. It was evident that he was shaking badly, maybe of horror in the face of future crimes, maybe from the fear of Aton. It was the killer. He had to pour poison into the drink of the Pharaon.
- Show me, - Aton said in a commanding manner, and the Egyptian rushed to the opposite wall for a glass vial, peacefully standing on a shelf next to the other flasks and bottles with oils and drugs. He held out a bottle of poison to Aton with a trembling hand. He tried to stop shaking, but it wasn’t easy. Aton looked haughtily at the servant.
- You do realize that it must remain a secret.
The servant nodded frantically.
- And I hope you know that you're doing good work. You are charged with a responsible and honorable role. You will help the Pharaon to take his rightful place.
The servant nodded, he was afraid to open his mouth, to say something wrong. After all, he was now between life and death. And his loyalty to the ruling Pharaon, and this compelled duplicity in order to save the Pharaon and reveal that betrayal was a difficult thing.
Chapter six
David was frantically trying to figure out any good thought, to catch at least one useful idea in his head, but couldn’t. Hour after hour... Time, and there wasn’t enough of it, was seeping through his clenched fists. Suddenly, a thought struck him with its simplicity, like a bolt of lightning. "I have to steal her! After all, it’s stupid to hope for a happy ending, not doing anything. Yes. It’s necessary to followAton , and to find out where he keeps the princess”.
For about half an hour David was walking through the palace in search of the object. Almost getting lost in these corridors and halls, he found it at last. Coming around the corner David saw Aton. And then, panting quickly, he turned back. "Noticed or not?" - he whispered softly , and looked furtively. And in time. Aton has already managed to turn in the opposite direction, and was moving to the next corridor. Remembering that the other side had only one way out, David wasn’t hurrying in order not to get caught. This path was leading to the exit from the palace to the garden, and there was a woman's house further. Aton passed the garden and went into one of the doors of the palace of Pharaon's concubines. Slowly, David sneaked up to one of the windows to overhear what Aton could talk about with the king's concubine.
- Oh, my king! Aton! I was so worried about you, and missed so much, - a 28 years old girl was cooeing. She was slim and beautiful enough. Then she jerked to the brother of the Pharaon, then turned away… - How is it going? You're risking so much... And all because of me. I know that you deserve only the best, and I will try to do everything for you, - she pulled away again, threw herself on the bed, clutching the silk veils. Overturned, and slowly, showing the charm of her body, sat down. Aton approached her. He grabbed her hair and pulled up to her. And they were merged in a passionate kiss. He also sharply pushed her and leaned away.
- I’ve caught princess Simbella, - Aton said softly and turned right to that window under which David was hiding. - This little snake guesses about something.
- Andwhat? Let it be so. I'll feed her to my baby, - the girl said poisonously, leaning forward.
- What’s with you? - Aton raised his voice, he was clearly holding back a scream. - Sometimes I think that you have some sort of a contract with him, right? Answer me. What are you thinking about with the Basilisks?
She laughed.
- Oh, Aton. You're so immersed in all these conspiracies, now you see them everywhere, - she stopped laughing and started talking already in a serious voice. – Don’t forget. I’ve found him for you.
She paused. Aton sighed and walked over to the girl.
- Taurt. Sweet, lovely Taurt. I ‘m eager to make you a queen. To dress you up in your royal decorations and put next to me. So that everyone saw whom should be the pharaon and the queen of great Egypt.
They embraced, and Aton walked away again.
- But I have to go. Before the appointed hour it’s still far away, and I have to control everything myself.
Aton went out of the room to the outside, and the girl, running with light steps, shut the carved door behind him. Aton went behind to the palace, to one of the temples. Presented a rich sacrifice to the goddess Kauket (the goddess with the head of the snake, first meant darkness).
- Oh, goddess Kauket, - Aton asked with his arms raised to the face of the goddess, - bring me good luck in my business. Accept these gifts as a sign of my devotion and reverence.
David for more than an hour was watching the conspirator Aton, but had no clue about the location of the stolen princess Simbella yet. One of the guards approached Aton and asked something. David couldn’t hear, but noticed a fearful look of Aton. He answered dryly, and the guard left. Having decided, David followed the guard . "I don’t think Aton will go anywhere else," - David thought. The guard went to a side corridor and disappeared behind a small door. Opening the door, David saw another hallway. Without windows, lit by a small amount of oil lamps, and leading down to the steps. Carefully, quietly, he began to descend down, estimating the length and depth of the canal. After going about fifty meters at a depth of five meters, a turn could be seen. Around the corner there was another corridor with the doors on both sides. There were no inscriptions, tiles or figures. It was surely a prison. In the dim light David managed to see only three guards, who were calmly discussing something. They were unarmed.
Noise and long romb behind the door of the prison woke Simbella. The noise died away, and the door opened a little. David came in. Princess rushed to him, hugged his neck. She still couldn’t believe in everything happening, but she was very happy to see him. Tears were running down her cheeks. Standing on her tiptoes, she was touching his cheek with her forehead, inbreathing his smell. And she was happy. David was holding Simbella’s waist, and he was glad that everyhting was alright with the princess. Noticing that Simbella’s skin was cooler than the day when he first touched her, tried to rub her back and arms with his hands. “There, standing in a tent stroking her velvety soft skin, and dreaming to see her eyes, smiling...” Recovering himself, David let the princess go, slightly smiled and took her by her frozen hand, leading her to the corridor. The words were no longer needed. He felt that Simbella understood everything, as he did, and that she is the most precious thing for him in the whole world. Princess saw the picture of a battle. Two guards were lying on their backs at the opposite wall, and the third one was just behind the door of her prison, unconscious.
“So, he risked himself, his life, for me, alone and unarmed for three. And he could do nothing, my father has a lot of guards and soldiers. And what if these guards were armed?” – Simbella’s thoughts drifted deeper into probable, dreadful outcome of David’s battle with custody. Because of these thoughts she pressed herself harder to David. And he took her to the door through which he entered. When they almost entirely passed the corridor, the door opened in front of them, and two guards were standing on the threshold, they were the henchmen of Aton. Not having time to really figure out anything, Simbella was already running behind David, who was still holding her hand. Running by her prison, the Princess turned around, and saw that already five people were chasing them. David ran without stopping further down the corridor. Turning the corner, David stopped, in front of him there was a blank wall. Insanely angry, he repeatedly punched his fists into the wall and knocked his knuckles on both hands. He turned to the princess. Out of his will, depressed by his helplessness. David could hear the approaching pursuit, and looked at the scurrying Simbella. Princess, meanwhile, grabbed the nearest lamp, and sat down on the floor with it. She carefully carried it beneath the junction of the wall to the floor. Flame gently swayed. Draft. When their eyes met, they saw the joy and great hope on each other’s faces. Simbella and David the very that moment rushed to knock on the wall next to the intended output. And here it is, a tiling gave way under the fist of the young archaeologist, and selled inside. The door began moving, and David and Simbella helped leaning their weight on it. Once behind it, they tried hard to close it. The door closed at last, and there was a distinctive sound. The secret button was back in place. They heard the guards hitting the wall and shouting.
Chapter seven
- Where are we? - I asked Simbella. No, of course I was glad that we still somehow miraculously survived. But we have been wandering throught the dark tunnels already about thirty minutes, knee-deep in water, dirty, smelly water. - So where are we now?
- I think that in the ancient labyrinth under the city. This is a kind of copy, mirror. On top there are the living ones, and the dead here. - The Princess said it so quietly and smoothly.
- You know, I think we don’t have to be here, - I answered her. The princess was talking so seriously about a kind of reflection of the city, that it seemed to me as if she was an archaeologist, not me.
- So it’s somehting behind the mirror, and where to look for an exit? - Simbella didn’t answer. She only sighed softly. It was a pity I couldn’t see her clearly now. Too dim light was coming from these fixtures. A-ah , a flashlight would be a great thing now… Yes, and GPS. Again I sighed softly, so that Simbella didn’t hear. And then I caught myself thinking about the princess Simbella again. Her icy fingers on the wrist of my right hand, froze like shards of ice. She strongly squeezed my hand, probably, of all the forces, but I didn’t tell her about it. Both of us now were in a bad situation. She was worried about the family, about her father. I worried about her. The feelings of anxiety were flying around us. Of course, I has to worry about my return to my time, but I wasn’t thinking about it at all. Without realizing it I felt comfortable. But that wasn’t clear, if I felt comfortable in this time and place, or with the princess Simbella.
Princess stumbled over something, no wonder, in such darkness, and in the icy water. She grabbed my second hand. Now I felt all her weight. She was so small and light. Ahead a light flashed. We stopped. It flashed again. I heard the sound of water. Someone was approaching us. And he was not alone. I hid Simbella behind myself, and tried to make out anything, but in vain. The darkness enveloped all around. Suddenly, as if from behind a corne , there was a bright light that I saw before. Bright red crystal on a pole. It lit all around. The staff was held by a middle-aged man in a black robe. And I could have sworn his eyes were red flames, although it could just be a reflection of the wonderful stone. Behind him stood about ten guards. But something about them was embarrassing for me. Their clothes were badly mauled. The Princess looked behind me and screamed.
- Oh! This is the High Priest! He has knowledge of the book To-ta!
- What does this mean? - I asked Simbella quietly.
- He's a necromancer, - the Princess said, like on her last legs. All my knowledge about black magic swept in one thought. My eyes widened. Now I saw things as they were. There was a priest - a necromancer in front of us, and behind him there was a dozen of the Living Dead. I felt how Simbella pulled my arm to the side. After taking a few cautious steps toward her stride, and after a couple of meters I ran away from the place, dragging princess Simbella. I heard the chase. Splashes were beating us in the back, and there were strange noises. Growling, but it sounded like this growling went out of the hungry stomaches. The priest also waschasing us, I could see it from our shadows on the water, and the red light which illuminated everything around. It was going from the staff.
- Maybe I'm not on time, but is he with Aton? Or do they just want to have lunch? - I asked Simbella, running breathlessly.
- He's a necromancer, he doesn’t need allies. He doesn’t want us to tell anyone that we saw him here. Necromancers are out of law, - intermittently answered the princess. - I remember now. This is one of the most ancient kings, I can’t remember his name. He ruled Egypt for several hundred years, but even the army of many thousands of the living dead didn’t help him, he was overthrown. And he was gone... So he was here, under the city, ruling his own dark world, - Simbella mused aloud as she was running. But something bothered me, it was her ragged breathing. The awareness of what was happening strained my consciousness. And nervousness immediately embraced me. I have always noticed how dramatically turn my attention to the third-party stuff. But to be excited at this moment, it was too much !
- I understand that there is nlo use to try to explain these guys that we are here mileage, and we don’t care who lives here.
- Yes. There is no sense in it, - now the princess was running on one level with me. I couldn’t tell if I lowered my speed or Simbella accelerated her one. But now I could see her face. Dark abrasion on his cheek, probably soiled when wiping sweat. On her forehead drops of perspiration were glistering. Wet hair on her face, like icicles, jumping in the rhythm of her run, like earrings and all these trinkets on her costume. I remembered a recent scene, as all of her beautiful dress gleamed and rang during her dance, how they surged in its rhythmic movements. My thoughts were interrupted by Simbella’s sharp intake of breath.
- It’s the end...
There was a wall in front of us. And then, as I looked around, the ground under our feet was gone, and we suddenly were completely in the water. The hand slipped. I surfaced, spitting out this crappy liquid, and screamed.
- Simbella! Simbella! You... Bella! Bells! Well, where are you?! - I felt almost broken. I never get lost, I always keep myself in my hands. But now I was in panic. - Bella! Answer me... Well... - I whispered softly. Something touched my leg. I immediately dived, caught someone's arms and pulled them up. But it turned out badly, as if something was pulling to the bottom. I felt the hands hammering in hysterics. Air! I came up, took a deep breath and dived again. Felt the face, lips, and leaned to them. There was a slight confusion on her part, but she resisted, and I breathed it all my air. For a moment we were in this position. But something was pulling her to the bottom. I resurfaced, inbreathed more air and plunged over the princess. I caught her by the hand and started down to the bottom of her body as a diver on the rope. And I found the reason. A hand was holding her left foot by the ankle, and it was pulling her to the bottom. I tried to unclench the fingers of the invader, but didn’t manage to do it. The air was ending. So I decided to go even lower. I was climbing down, but the feeling under my fingers was strange, as if I touched something like jelly. With light pressure the fingers were sinking into flesh. And I shivered. Oh , my God, how it looks? But I continued climbing. I his felt the hilt on his belt. I grabbed it and hit the body. What I heard was a muffled howl. The body, which I had just disarmed, went down, and over my face I felt the movement of water. Bella was free, she was already swimming out to the air. After emerging my eyes found the princess, and I swam to her.It was hard to swim. I still didn’t throw away the weapons from my hands. We heard the roar behind our backs, and in front of us there was a wall. Panting, Simbella showed the way. There was a rope ladder on the wall. First rose princess, I followed her. A little later I looked back . On the other side of the pool there was a priest, and his dead guards were walking near the pool. Necromancer was shouting and waving his stick, but I couldn’t understand his language.
Chapter eight
Cool evening air touched us. I gladly breathed its freshness. Behind me stood David.
- Yes. This day obviously won’t enter the list of the most successful days of my life, - he said, adjusting his clothes. His loincloth was wet and stuck to his legs. He looked at himself in such a plaintive look that I couldn’t help laughing. David snorted at me, glanced at me and quickly looked away. I was little dumbfounded, but looked down at myself. Oh gods ! I was all shining through. Clothing became wet, clinging to the body, as if they were dissolved. Every piece of my body could be seen. A quiet cry burst from my closed lips. Covering my chest, I turned away. And, crossing my arms on my chest, I ran along the quarter Peru Neuf. Confused, perhaps, all red with shame. I appeared in front of retail shops, and I rushed over to it. I took a dark blue robe and slipped it over me. Fully wrapped, I looked up. There was a Syrianin the shop, looking at me with surprise. Recovering myself, I a gold bracelets from my hand, and handed it to her. And she fell to her knees, burying her face into the ground and wailing.
- Well, calm down, - I comforted her, - take it as a fee.
- Oh, Princess Simbella ! Beloved daughter of our King! It would be our blessing of the gods to present you with the gift of this worthless piece of cloth. If I would have had something better, I would not hesitate to give it to you...
- Well, stop it. Take it as a sign of my gratitude, - at this point , David went in and looked at the woman.
- Yeah, you’ve got a lot of charm... It pulls everybody at your feet. By the way, how's your leg? - he told me with a sneer. But he was right. My left ankle hurt. I lifted the hem of her cloak and looked at the aching area. There was a wide bruise. If he wouldn’t risked his life again, I would have drowned. This dead man was dragging me to the bottom. David sat down and took my injured leg. Carefully removed the slate with my feet and, putting my foot into his palm, gently squeezed it and turned it around in different directions. His hand was large, my whole foot was lying on it. But then I cried sharply, when he pressed my foot slightly to the left.
- I can’t define the severity of injuries... You sprained it in the tunnel? - I just nodded in response. - So I have to be careful. - David put on my slate, gently put my foot in place, and stood up. He looked towards the sun which was sitting down and sighed as people sigh homesick. - It's time to put forward, or we’ll be late. And as I understand it we are on the edge of town, - he said, looking sad.
- Yes. We are in the shopping district of Peru-Nefer, which means a good journey . - I began explaining to him. But he cut me off with a new question.
- How far is the palace? - his voice was so serious that it seemed as if he was asking me with a kind of rudeness. But so long ago, he was worried about me, saved from the clutches of death.
- Then there are the neighborhoods of strangers, temples, arsenal of weapons and ammunition shops. And then the center. Administrative buildings and the palace, - I told him, pointing. He didn’t answer anything, but simply nodded his head and walked forward to the palace. Once again I thanked the Syrian, left my bracelet on the counter and went after David. My foot was aching with every step, and I was limping slightly.
Chapter nine
Servants and slaves scurried through the palace. Preparations for the feast were ending. Soon the guests would start arriving. But the Pharaon was in tense. He thought about his daughter, about all the things that have already gone through his family, this stranger from the future, and most importantly - about his own brother. The pharaon remembered his childish pranks with Aton. Pictures from the past were flashing through his memory. At some moment he dropped this thread with his brother. How can native people do that? Yes, this betrayal is so terrible, and the fact that the traitor, his own brother, kidnappen his younger daughter, has clouded his whole past life. This is terrible... Cheb sat on his throne in the main hall. He popped his chin on his fis , he watched the servants hurrying somewhere... And this guy from the future had disappeared... The guards stood near the king, as it was planned. Just in case. A man walked through the opened doors of the throne room . And he got closer, the Pharaon changed in the face. Cheb was putting on an artificial smile. Aton came to the king and bowed.
- Brother, the guests are about to start coming, I think it’s time for you and the queen to greet the first arrivals, - Aton looked around and continued in the same businesslike style, as it befits to an adviser, - I see everything is ready. Shall I go with you? – he asked, and something trembled in his voice.
- No, there’s no need in it. I remember where my wife is resting, - Pharaon laughed, answering his brother. The king felt the oppression of despair.
Aton bowed and walked away from the king’s way, following him with his glaring eyes. He glared at the throne, grinned, and left again to see the executor of the planned crime.
A young Egyptian was shaking in the opposite corner of his room, while irate Aton was pacing back and forth. He accidentally dropped a bottle of poison, showing it to Aton once again. When the bottle fell to the stone floor, it shattered into small pieces. The poison that was inside was slowly burning through the stone. He had never seen such thing. He even thought Aton would kill him at once, as he grabbed the dagger at his belt. But the king's brotherouldn’t do anything, he just couldn’t break away and spoil everything, so long this assassination was being planned. Aton grabbed the guy by the collar and dragged him by quiet, empty corridors of the palace. He dragged him to Taurt’s room. Throwing an Egyptian in the doorway, at carved front doors, Aton came into the room of his mistress and shut them out loud.
- Taurt! - Aton shouted, and Taurt flew out of the next room. She was wearing a beautiful dress, covered in precious stones and metals. - Taurt, we have a problem.
- You have a problem, - noticed the girl.
- We have it. There’s no poison, - Aton breathed out. Taurt came closer and practically hissed at Aton.
- How can it be that we don’t have it? What have you done with it? - she said, hissing, slowly walking around Aton, like a snake, creating an invisible ring.
- It's that damned servant, he broke a bottle, just that, - Aton replied apologetically. - I have nothing to do with it. But there is no pison, we need a new one.
- New! - shouted Taurt, stepping to Aton , like a cobra, - new! And how can I access it again? Can you try? - she whispered softly in his ear. Aton 's eyes widened because of it. - Right now, go down and ask. Huh?
- I? But how? I don’t know how to speak like a snake, - breathed out Aton. - What can I do? Where to get the poison?
- Nowhere! - the girl cried. And walked to the doorway to the next room. - He won’t give his poison. I won’t risk asking any more. I'll do differently. You will entice the king, and lead him here. I don’t care how. I’ll tell him, and he himself will do everything.
- Yes. I will do so, - Aton said, and bowed out. He was scared. So that all may be destroyed, his whole plan. It’s already began crumbling.
Outside the room of Taurt Aton came upon the servant whom he left here. He had forgotten about him. Aton grabbed the guy's arm and dragged him into the room. The girl looked around in surprise at the noise. In front of her Aton was standing, and near his feet an Egyptian guy was sitting.
- He broke the bottle, and then sat by the door. He heard everything, and now we don’t need him, - her face contorted satisfied smile. She walked into the center of the room, sat down, took a corner of the floor mat in front of her and drew it back. In front of them opened the entrance to the basement. The girl stood up and gestured invitingly to the ring in the floor. Aton shoved the servant and ordered to open the door. The guy dutifully opened a round door to the basement. Below them there was a gaping black hole.
- Aton, go away, and we... - Taurt said with a smile and looked at the frightened servant. - Go down. - Aton nodded and walked out. And she showed the servant to go down.
The guy jumped off into the darkness, landed on soft ground with his bare feet. He was scared, but tried to restrain his feelings. He helped Taurt to get down. The girl went forward. It was very dark, and even a ray of light from the exit in the ceiling was gone. Young Egyptian went ahead, keeping to the left hand on the wall. He could hear girl’s breath, but didn’t hear her footsteps, as if she wasn’t moving at all. The guy thought about his family, his poor mother and sick sister. He wanted to get out of here. Break out to his family. Hug gray head of his mother, and gently stroke her hair.
Ahead a silhouetteof the girl was seen, and the edges of the tunnel. They went into the circular room, with a dim light emanating from the top. It wasn’t clear where the light was coming from. The girl turned to a sigh of the guy. Her eyes were of bright unnatural green colour. The servant could see a satisfied smile on the face of his mistress. She whispered something, but it was so quiet that the guy didn’t hear what it was. He wanted to ask again, but he heard a whisper back behind him. This murmur was louder, rougher, and proceeded as if from above. She smiled and whispered something again. The servant could no longer stand back to someone who was so terribly hissing. He felt intensified fear. He heard his heart relentlessly trying to break out of his chest. Hearing a rustle behind him, he turned around. In front of his eyes a picture was looming out of the darkness. He saw a huge snake's body, covered with dark scales. Her huge rings were lying on the damp ground, and something pale was around. The snake's head wasn’t visible, it was beneath the arch, and it was hidden in the darkness. The guy took a step back, and something crunched under his feet. He looked down and gasped. The human skull broke under his foot. He glanced at the girl who was still smiling. Taurt opened her lips and whispered something short. The body of the snake began moving. The servant’s eyes stared into the darkness. A huge snake’s head apeared in front of him, with a white stripe on the forehead. “Basilisk”, - managed to whisper the young Egyptian before diving into the darkness. But he saw something else. It was the snake’s eyes, the color of burning, green ruby.
Chapter ten
I went ahead, Simbella limping behind. I was a little rough, but only so I could hide what I really felt. I didn’t want her to see my weakness in front of her, and I was rude towards her. I heard a strange piece of song from the river.
The oars of our barge are spalashing accordingly.
I float down the Nile with a bundle of reeds.
In Memphis I want to keep up with Ptah and there pray
Give me my favorite tonight !
River - wine! God Ptah - her cane,
Plants of water sheets - the goddess Sekhmet,
Their buds - the goddess Iarit,
God Nefertum - flower.
Resplendent beauty, rejoicing Gold,
And the light on the ground.
Memphis is far away,
Like a bowl with oranges,
Delivered by the hand of God...
I listened how they were singing that song. It was built a little strange, but they expressed the most expensive for their hearts in it. Sensing that I was again getting relaxed and sensual, I pulled myself together and tried to plan something. What to do next… But I couldn’t think of anything. I didn’t even notice how much I sped up during this internal struggle. I stopped and looked back at the princess. She was lagging by about fifty meters behind me. Wrapped in a dark blue gown, she looked like a fish. Small reef fish. It was quite dark. And we almost reached the palace. City at night was perfect. The streets were illuminated with light from a variety of fires, and the walls of temples - torches stuck in iron stand. Yeah, I didn’t expect to see that. If not looking closely, you wouldn’t say that in front of you there was one of the oldest cities in the world.
Six guards, jogging, patrolled the streets near the palace. They weren’t fully aware of the events, and they were simply looking for the princess to take her to the palace and give her to the adviser Aton. Why nobody explained anything to the guards if they weren’t blind, they saw that something was happening around. But to argue with the counselor was a failure, you can lose your place and even your head. And the “policemen” continued their patrols along half empty, wrapped up in the night quarters.
I noticed a monk, I thought he was dressed as a Buddhist, who was trying to open the stone door. So fiercely, struggling, as if his life depended on it. We went to him. And at the time when I was helping the little man with the door, the princess showed her hand to the top of the street. On the other side a detachment of guards was moving. And I, like a hysterical, huddled my shoulder to the stone door. Resting all my torso, struggling. The door yielded, and I stumbled into the room. Behind me the princess and the monk ran inside. I jumped up and started to shut the door. “How hard”, - I thought to myself, sweating profusely. “This is the second stone door. When will it end…” The door was fully closed, I leaned against the cold stone with my back, and slowly slid to the floor, exhausted. Panting, I sat for a moment with my eyes closed. And I felt the pulse beating in my eyes, temples, neck. It was quiet, and I had to open my eyes. The room was dim, the lights were coming from the next room, but the source wasn’t visible because of the wall. Bella and the monk weren’t there, and with a heavy sigh I got up and walked into the light. In the next room there were a dozen monks of different ages. Bald, wearing a dark red cape. They sat on their knees in front of the statue, lit by many oil gravelights. I was right, they were Buddhists. The statue was like a beefy humanoid deity. Narrowed eyes and a sly smile, it made me shudder. As if it could see through you. All of your thoughts and desires. Bella was standing not far from the pass, and I walked up to her side.
- They are foreigners, - Bella said softly. - We don’t forbid them to worship their gods. Do not even try to re-educate our faith. After all, there is one God. And it doesn’t matter how to call him, the essence won’t change. - The Princess was calm, and I relieved. She argued sensibly. So I decided to keep the conversation going.
- And in our time it's not like that. We have many different religions, and they are constantly fighting with each other, and even had a war of religions. Everyone is trying to prove that his religion is true. And everyone else has to obey them. Personally, I don’t consider myself to anyone. If God is, then he has a name, which no one knows. And worshiping various statues and icons is not for me, - Bella listened and occasionally nodded her head in agreement.
A few minutes later, we were approached by a familiar monk. He motioned for us to follow him. He led us out of the church services in the next room. Monk was silent. He led me to a small door in the wall. But this time the door was wooden. “Thank God”, - I thought. Frankly speaking, I was pretty exhausted and tired. The monk opened the door and entered it first. Steps. He was coming down, and we followed him. When he stopped, I haggardly sighed. “We are again in the underground city!”
Chapter eleven
Cheb guarded by the hand his queen, beautiful foreign princess. Nefertiti. She was magnificent. No. She was a shining goddess... And it was so for the Egyptians. Egyptian king and queen are gods, or at least children of gods, who directly passed their will through the Pharaohs.
Pharaoh was very fond of his queen and two daughters. And for this reason he didn't pay any attention to the festival which was swirling around him. His head was filled with more important thoughts. He nodded mindlessly to the guests presented to him. With glassy eyes he was watching a string of beautiful concubines donated by the Syrian king. He was sipping tasteless wine, eating tasteless food. He hadn't even noticed how he appeared in the garden with his brother. Aton was telling him something, but Cheb didn't understand anything. He only felt fear for a moment, because there was not a single guard around. But, collecting his thoughts, he tried to figure out carefully where his brother was leading him to.
- Oh, Aton. You were speaking so much that I didn't even notice we have left the holiday. We must return, - said Cheb, giving more confidence and no constraint to his words. Aton sighed and clapped his hands twice. Four guards came running to them from the columns and grabbed the Pharaoh under his arms.
- What's this? Aton, what does it mean? - the king asked his brother.
- Justice, - Aton said dryly and waved his hand in a sign to follow him. Aton was ahead and led the procession. When they reached Taurt's door, Pharaoh breathed out “well, of course”... At the door they were met by slyly smiling Taurt. She also left the feast. Taurt stared at Pharaoh. You could feel her anger, hatred and contempt even being quite far. These feelings overwhelmed her heart for a long time, since her father came to her apartment and said that she would become a concubine of the Egyptian Pharaoh. This news broke all her dreams, her life! She, an Assyrian princess! The concubine of the king of Egypt. Only a concubine, when in her country she could become queen. But so decided king Sargon, the father of Miriam - real Taurt's name from her past life, before this imprisonment. This betrayal. Her fate was used as a bargaining chip in politics. And of course, she cherished revenge, deep in her heart. There, in her secret thoughts, she wanted to revenge the Pharaoh and her father. To punish everyone who was guilty in her sufferings.
Taurt went to the center of her room, which was her home for many years in prison. She turned and with contempt and arrogance watched how the Pharaoh was being led in. Cheb jerked his hands from the guards.
- Taurt, - Pharaoh said dryly.
- Miriam! - the girl almost shouted. - My name is Miriam! I had dreams, plans, life. But you ruined everything! Everything turned into ashes, and won't resurface! You're a monster who devours all around. And everything you can reach! - the girl cried out. With every accent she directed her finger toward the king. - You are destroying all around! I hate you... - she whispered the last word, walked a few steps to the doorway of the next room , freeing the center, where there was the secret exit under the carpet. Pharaoh looked into her eyes, not turning away for a moment. He understood her feelings. But he had no idea what fate she has prepared for him. He didn't know that the curse that had cursed his family was suggested by Taurt. Such hatred...
They already half an hour they were walking through the underground tunnel, badly lit by the torch that was carried by one of the henchmen of Taurt and Aton. Everyone stopped, and Taurt ordered to extinguish the torch. They entered the round room, shrouded in gray twilight. The henchmen stood near the wall, and one of the guards pushed the pharaoh into the center. Cheb heard Taurt's gentle whisper. As much as he tried, he couldn't understand what and to whom she was whispering. But it was clearly heard that it was being said sensually. Before the Pharaoh, in the shadows, some outlines began to appear. First, it was the line. And then there came the details, folding into the overall picture. Before the Pharaoh there was the sheer serpent. The king immediately realized who it was. It was a basilisk, or, in ancient Egyptian - Baziliskos. The king of snakes. The snake was huge, and its head was hidden under the ceiling of this spacious room. Pharaoh turned to Aton.
- Brother, give me the saber, - Cheb said proudly. If he wanted to die, then armed, and not become a snack for the snake. Aton understood his brother's thought, and threw him a sword which he took from a nearby guard. Pharaoh deftly caught the weapon. Many years of service to the prior king left their contribution. Pharaoh put both hands on the hilt of the sword and stood in a defensive posture. He clearly knew his chances. But he didn't going to give up. After all, Aton has his daughter, and his family.
- This is the end! You'll answers for everything! - Taurt shouted. She herself didn't believe it was over, it was the end. And Aton stood and carefully looked at his brother, and that moment he clearly realized what he was doing. That his brother was in front of him ! Not the enemy, but a blood brother. “What am I doing! What am I doing ...” - Aton was crying inside. “Brother, I'm sorry!”
In his eyes drops of tears were glistening. And these tears were clean and sincere, like the morning dew. One tear rolled out and down his cheek. Aton couldn't stand the pain of this betrayal. And he cried, stepping forward:
- Brother!
The snake moved. And, having seen it, Aton in several steps approached his brother. Cheb looked straight into his eyes. And he saw there love and compassion. Aton whispered: “I'm sorry ...” and pushed his brother away. Cheb fell on his back. He wanted to get up, he realized what his brother thought of, and wanted to save him. But it was too late. Basilisk lowered his head, approached Aton's face and opened his eyes. Cheb only heard a sigh, a full of pain sigh from Aton. And his brother in a moment turned to stone.
“No”, - the Pharaon cried quietly, and his eyes filled with tears. He forgave his brother. And he was very sorry that he didn't pay enough attention to him. Taurt was right, he was guilty of everything. For a moment Cheb even couldn't hear anything, but after a couple of seconds, he vaguely heard the screams. Behind him someone was shouting. He slowly sat up. He recognized the voice. It was his daughter. His Simbella. He looked around and saw her running toward him.
Chapter twelve
We were approaching some exit. The monk silently showed us to go further and nodded his head. When we entered the room, we saw this picture. A huge snake in the middle, bent over a man, over whom I couldn't exactly say, because it was dark. And in another second the man turned into a stone statue. Princess screamed. We did a couple of steps forward and saw the pharaoh lying on the ground. He got up, and Bella rushed to him. They both were crying. And I also stung the eyes and nose. They hugged, spoke words of love, but I was bothered that close there was a hefty beast. And I picked up the saber of the Pharaoh. This way with two swords in my hands I was reminding myself one of the characters in a computer game. I even smiled at this thought. Pharaoh was already up, and Bella retreated with him to the door which we used before. I, too, stepped back slowly. My eyes followed the snake. She was rocking a bit. Her head it couldn't be seen, she was hiding in the dark of the vault. Another step back. Something treacherously crunched underfoot. I looked down. Human bones. Bleached by sands and time. Swallowing hard lump, frozen in my throat, I took another step. Another crunch. But the snake wasn't looking in our direction. We almost went out of this round underground traps as a young woman came out into the center of the room. She lifted her head, she was probably saying something to the snake, but quietly, and we were far away. But her lips were moving. She turned her head in our direction and smiled. I could swear she was smiling. Terrible wicked smile, smile like the one of evil geniuses in horror films. The snake stirred. Takinga deep breath, I cried, turning to Bella and Pharaoh.
- Run! - I shouted with all my forces. They were already at a decent distance from me, in the tunnel from which we came. And I started to run.
Although I'm not a coward, but who;s going to face a huge overgrown snake... When we were running, it reminded me of a horror film about a hefty anaconda. But there everyting ended tragically, and I wasn't going to die there. We ran into a large hall with columns and water underfoot again. “Again” - I breathed out. Again, this underworld with the undead. Yeah, now only a necromancer is not enough. And his immortal army. I distinctly heard the snake moving behind us, but the tunnel was too narrow, and it hampered her movement. It gave us handicaps. Risking, I still looked, though doubted. But this viper wasn't visible. I was running behind Bela and the Pharaoh, and I was swearing at myself. At myself, at Karl, who for some reason found this tomb. At the bloody circumstances and eternal strange accidents. At my worthless life. And I would think up something else if Bella abruptly didn't lost her father out of her sight. We had to stop and look around. But we didn't have time to figure out anything, cold hand grabbed me by the arm and dragged me into another tunnel on my right. Pharaoh let go of my hand and went ahead. Bella went behind him, and I followed. We walked quickly, but as quietly as possible. The chase was already heard, and the temperature was rising slightly, so we were approaching the surface. My heart was easy. Hope for the happy end was flashing in my mind.
Chapter thirteen
When we went upstairs, we were immediately found by the palace guard. They helped us get to the palace. Just that way the guards went to the underground to find Taurt. But, as they reported later, no traces of Taurt or basilisk were found. I have already visited my chambers and acquired the human look. Washed, combed and dressed, I sat beside my father's feet. He also acquired a well-groomed appearance. I held his hand, which he specially lowered to his knees. We weren't just sitting in the throne room, we were waiting for David. I was sad. It was very hard on my heart. Somehow, without noticing it, I gained feelings for this foreigner. He is like a particle torn from me. He does and says what I will never allow to myself. And I understood that we wouldn't see each other again, it was tearing my heart apart. Even a simple breathe hurt. With this rising he will disappear forever. From the outside it was already grizzling, the dawn was soon, and he'll leave... Will he remember me? And what is his attitude to me? I sighed again... The doors opened and he entered. Clean clothes, without the weapons. I wondered how many times he saved me. In the light of the flames his skin was glistening. He was very handsome. I wanted to rush to him, embrace the powerful neck, bury my face in the stone chest, run my fingers through his hair. He came to the throne with a smooth gait. Came and knelt on one knee, he never learned how to greet the king. And a smile touched my lips. He's so, so cute. David stood up. My father asked him. After he saved our lives to put this man below him wasn't fair, and my father knew it. I wanted to break through to him. Spinning in a slow dance to the sound of our hearts. Father spoke with a tired voice:
- At dawn you'll disappear and come back to your time. I'm grateful for your courage and dedication. You knew from the beginning that you could not go back, but you didn't give up. And even in the most dangerous moments you were not a coward and weren't hiding in the safest corner, waiting for your hour, - father sighed and continued, as I watched the face of David, enjoying the beauty of clean lines. - I don't know whether the future will change strongly because of this intervention, but remember, - father let go of my hand and stood up, I followed him. - The Pharaoh of Egypt is thankful to you, - my father said proudly, loudly and clearly. And he laid his right hand on the shoulder of David. David proudly looked into the eyes of my father. But after a couple of seconds he looked into my eyes. He obviously wanted to say something or ask anything... My father caught that look, and, removing hand, continued. - I see ... But neither you nor she can stay together. You can't stay, - my father said severely to David.
- And you, - he said to me, but a little softer, - can't go with him. You are young, everything will be forgotten, and all will get better. But I don't forbid you to spend some time together, - my father said and pushed me to David. - Stay with him, and see off the guest, - he smiled and went to the door of the hall. I felt stupid. And for a couple of minutes we were just standing there in silence, with our eyes on the cold marble floor. At some point we looked at each other, and we fell into each other's arms. And I didn't want to let him out. David suggested a walk in the garden. The cold breath of dawn enveloped us, and I shuddered. David put his arm around me and said quietly:
- Simbella... Bella, I 'm glad I could help your family. I'm very pleased that I visited this place. And most of all I'm glad that I met with the most beautiful princess of Egypt, - when he spoke, his lips were lit with a smile up from his heart.
- Your father is right. I would like to stay and get to know your world better, to be with you, - David said, lightly patting my cheek with his hand. His hands were warm and soft, and I wished he had stayed.
- And of course , I'd like to show you our world. But I can't leave my brother. After all, he is my only family. And you still need to learn, because you're so young, - he was speaking softly, and tried not to betray emotions, but his hands were shaking slightly. He was obviously upset at this point. And I, too, was worrying too much. My heart was pounding, it seemed to me that David could hear this knock. And this trembling. I trembled as if his every touch was so exciting, so important to me. I quietly listened, although not realized about the learning. We stood in the middle of the palace garden, on soft grass, cool with morning dew. I could feel his eyes on myself, and I was very embarrassed, but it was getting light around us, and through the efforts I looked up. David looked straight into my eyes. And I melted into his eyes. His face came close, and I heard his breathing. Everything in me awoke, I felt that my knees were going to buckle, I could fall. David stooped even lower and put his arm around my waist, he moved closer. When I touched him I felt as if I was struck by several lightnings. I practically wasn't breathing, and my eyes closed as if I fell asleep or were slowly losing consciousness. David was so close to my face, he bent down and kissed my ear lobe. It was tickling, and amazing. He proceeded to my lips. He touched my lips, so gently, as if waiting for my reaction. And I replied. It was so passionate. Our lips were saying everything so sensually the things we couldn't say aloud... I even thought that I heard David groaning. When we stopped, we looked at each other. And then he whispered:
“I'll love you forever”.
I felt the tears accumulating, and with anguish in my voice I said: “I, too, will be loving you for eternity, I'll remember you, and I will remain only yours”. We stood facing each other and were holding each other's hands. Then a ray of sunshine touched our face . I thought at first it seemed to me that David became transparent. But he was really disappearing. I continued standing there and watching him in the face until only last flickering motes remained instead of his face. Emptiness. Tears welled out in an uncontrollable flood. He disappeared. Just dissolved.
A Bowl With Immortality
Chapter one
The journey to the land of fragrance
Closing the book and sighing wearily, I looked out the window. Another day has passed, and, as always, I was alone, seeing off the sunset. It's already a year since the beginning of my exile. I just don't have the strength to stay there, where everything would remind about him. Everyone around were saying that as time passed by I would forget him, and life would go on as usual. But they were wrong. I haven't forgotten. I suffered very much. Over time everything has only worsened. I couldn't sleep at nights, couldn't eat for weeks. I didn't appear at receptions, and rarely left my bedroom. I was like I dead. It looked like the tortures in the grave, but even worse. I knew that was the reality, so I decided to swim away. Somewhere away from everything.
Father was worrying, my mother - crying, but I was sure I wouldn't live like this. And I decided to swim away. Initially I went to Punt. After all, it was the goal of almost all the travelers, and navigation on the Red Sea has been debugged. The Punt country was the country of fragrance. Punt was located behind the Bab-Emo-Mandeb Strait, on the Somali coast, in front of the Arabian coast. This trip was my first one, so I remember it very well.
I remember like now. I'm on the ship, I haven't sailed on such vessels , and everything was interesting for me, how it worked. It was a wooden boat of large width which had a shallow draft. The vessel was dialer – it was made from short boards of acacia and fig. Of course, I didn't know many details of the apparatus of the ship, and the names of the various parts couldn't tell me anything, and some of the terms I struggled to understand myself. As an example, the fact that the ship had a profile of “orange peel”. In my opinion, its profile was more like a leaf than the peel. But one of the passengers told me it. He was a Syrian. He was short and balding, so he wore a headscarf intercepted by a twine. He was dressed as a seasoned sailor. His skin was tanned, and on his background I was like made of white jade. He was limping slightly, and often spat. Funnily scratched his head when tried to remember something. He talked a lot about his travels to sistant shores and about unseen beings. But most of all he talked about the ships he sailed on. And he was telling a lot about our ship. He was walking from the bow to the stern and gestured.
- Here there is an inner longitudinal keel with powerful widths - traverses. Sheathing boards are attached to traverses, which are installed on the thorns. Due to the lack of long boards and external keel the vessel becomes too brittle to test the sea waves, and the entire length of its body is grasped by the cable and loaded with ballast, - he was saying everything with such a feeling, as if about a loved one.
We were hanging from the side looking at the exterior of the ship, then dropped into the hold, sometimes we were standing with our heads high, looking onto the beams and examined how the sail was attached. I was curious. But in the moments when I was alone I felt sad. I was looking at the rising scenery, into the water. Neil was peacefully washing ashore and carried our boat away, to the unknown. What was waiting for me there...
Our path wasn't close. Through the Tunisian sleeve we had to go up to Bubasta and down the channel to Wadi Tumilayt, which can be considered as the most eastern branch of the Nile. Wadi wasn't navigable most of the year, and I had to wait long enough for this ship. We also had to cross Bitter Lakes, in the waters of which the Serpent lived. Then we had to go to the Red Sea and to sail up to Punta.
My first day passed well, but at night I caught seasickness. And the next three days I was tortured by it in my bed. A few days later I felt better, but by the evening of the same day I got sick again. Whenever I get up the head became giddy and legs became leaden. But nothing could break my confidence. Pale, exhausted, on the verge of life and death. I lost the count of the days. I felt that I was out of place there. No, not on this ship, but in this time. As I was in bed, many thoughts visited my head. I wanted to be in the modern world. David's world. He talked a little bit about his time. As we walked through the underground city, accompanied by a monk, David talked about wonderful machines which move fast, cook, wash, wash utensils, tell us what is happening in other lands and even fly. David told how big and tall the buildings in his world were, and how many people live in such houses. And much more. And I, suffering from fever and nausea, was lying and and tried to imagine myself in the streets of his city. I closed my eyes and saw myseklf standing in a brightly lit street, trying to see anything around me, but I saw his face. So beautiful... But the lines are washing away, and it dissolves in the morning sun. And then I woke up abruptly. The ship was hitting something with its starboard. But it was not only the noise which startled me, but something else. Well ... Something from my sleep. Yes. Bright red eyes were looking straight into my soul, like trying to burn all the good out of me... The noise from above made me collect my thoughts, and I got up to see what's happening. Somebody was running on the deck, shoutings were heard. I became a little easier, not so sick, and I decided to climb to the top. Helping myself with my hands, I climbed the stairs and looked out. Sailors on the deck were running, shouting in Arabian and Syriac. I couldn't make out what they were shouting. But I have understood one word, it was said with great fear: “Monster”. Silence hoisted throughout the ship, ominous and oppressive. Everyone was listening to the water. A sharp whack on the bottom of the vessel led all in motion. I've seen a crying woman who was clutching a little child to her chest. I've seen one of the passengers praying to his God, beating his rewound head against the wet deck boards. Another severe blow to the left side, and a few people were in the water. Frantic cries for help. Tearful pleas and hysterical crying around me, but I, like a delirious, went ahead, slowly moving my feet. Clinging to the edge of the board, I looked out. Dark blue water of the lake was restlessly fighting the ship, it was covered with bubbles and white foam. Large air bubbles appeared near the place where I gazed. Water bubbled like boiling, and it popped out of its deep the monster. It was something terrible, a hideous creature with a fish head covered with spikes and growths, with the torso like a conger eel, dirty green colour. It was covered with silt and benthic plants. I was spellbound, just stood and stared, unable to move. Someone grabbed me by the arm and dragged me back to the ship's hold. It was my old friend, a Syrian.
- What are you doing! You're a girl. It will just eat you. Hide! Hide, dear, - he kept saying, pushing me into the hold. Already all the women and children have gathered in the bottom. I listened attentively to someone's close whisper that the sailors were preparing to defend, the spears were taken out. Strong hit and the sound of broken boards, everything froze and turned to the stern. The water wet the legs. From the deck the heart-rending cry was heard. Frantic screams of dying guards, and the panic broke out. Another blow, the boat bounced from side to side, and muddy water started gushing out all the holes and lambing knee. People around me rushed to the stairs. I stood like a statue, not wanting to believe all this. Someone's small palm grabbed my hand, I lowered my eyes. A small dark-haired girl was staring straight into my eyes. Her large expressive green eyes broke through the barrier, and I woke up. Picking her up, I felt an incredible feeling, a surge of strength and feeling that I was capable of anything. She was wet up to her chest.
- The water filled the hold so fast, - I said quietly to myself.
The baby's hand gripped my neck, she pressed her cheek against mine. Without realizing it, we were on the deck. The girl flinched, stronger pressed to me and hid her face in my disheveled hair. I just looked around the deck, and I knew the reason. The entire deck was covered with blood and littered with bodies. Screams were heard overboard. The creature was catching and devouring the survivors who struggled to escape. But the coast was very far. Holding the baby's head by my hand, I looked around again and slowly moved toward the huge clay barrel to hide. Going backwards was difficult, the boards were slippery with blood, and now and then I stumbled on the bodies. I stumbled again and I could barely stay on my feet. Looking down I saw the body of the captain of our ship. Squeezing the girl tighter, I stepped it up and gently slipped behind the barrel. My heart was beating at an incredible rate, I was breathing deeply and heavily, as if I was running the whole time. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't concentrate, all this horror around and all that... I was just choking with emotions, and at this very difficult time, six-month-old memories overtook me. Those few days and nights spent with David have carved deep painful wounds on the heart. The dangers we faced have brought us together so much that I doubt that he can be forgotten some day. I couldn't think at the moment, I was just hiding with this little one, trying to overcome the memories. Scream ripped the air around us. In this senseless confusion of feelings , I absolutely lost control over the actions and over what was happening. The huge monster was already on our side, it was catching people out of the water and devouring them. Chilling fear bound my soul. But the same old friend stirred me up, he grabbed my wrist and pulled over. He just dragged me along. Clutching the girl, I dutifully went behind this man. The Syrian led me to the side opposite to the monster.
- Jump! Jump and swim. Save yourselves, - he commanded to me and pushed to the side. I looked him in the face. All flushed and bedraggled in the blood of other people, an absolute stranger wanted so heartfully to help me... I hugged his free hand, and he kissed me on the forehead.
- Let the gods be with you, - he whispered when I climbed across the board. Cool, muddy water swept us over our heads, the girl slipped out of my hands. Hesitating, I still managed to grab her hand and to pull her to myself. We surfaced. A breath of fresh air, and I coughed, the water in my throat just rend me with every breath. It wasn't far away from the shore, and I turned around to make sure that the Syrian was all right, but everything was much worse than I expected. The monster heard as we jumped from the ship and was destroying it. And it was clearly heading in our direction. Pushing the girl, I accelerated, but it was hard to swim. Long dress was confusing my feet and pulling me to the bottom. And when the coast was quite near, I heard the shouts of the Syrian. Continuing to swim, I turned around. The man was shouting and waving his hands while standing on the deck. The monster already skirted the ship and was on its way to us, but turned to the screams of the Syrian. At the very that second it changed its direction and swam to the ship. Holding my breath, I stopped swimming, and watched as a huge monster was approaching the ship. The snake stopped and stretched up above the deck, it stared at the Syrian standing on the deck, who wasn't going to run away. Pain squeezed my heart. I stared into the face of ther Syrian. He smiled and bowed slightly, putting one hand behind his back, and at the same moment the monster grabbed him. The snake threw the man's body into the air, caught and with a horrible crunching swallowed it. The cry burst out from my chest, and I plunged into the murky and dirty water over my head. It was pounding in my head, the whole body got numb. The thoughts were racing as schools of fish. He sacrificed himself. He saved my life. He didn't deserve to die like that. Emerging slowly, I continued to wallow in the water, trying to budge. The tears filled my eyes, and I almost couldn't see anything. This monster didn't continue the persecution, and I slowly reached the shore. Getting a last effort to the shore, I fell on the cld sand. It was getting dark. Pressing the girl to myself, I fell asleep. The night was cold and I got ill, but the girl was even worse, she was in fever the following evening. With a bit of survivors we went to the nearest city. The priests immediately recognized the youngest daughter of the Pharaoh, and I tried to help the poor little girl as I could. But it was useless. The disease spread to her lungs, and she was panting and burning with fever the last hours of her living in my arms. Patting her on the head, I was chanting the old motif of a song qhich once I heard from my nurse. I didn't remember its words, but the melody was like a flying breeze, it was cradling me. The girl was peacefully dozing on my lap, and after another coughing fit she looked me in the eye. Tormented by the illness, she still tried to smile. The baby patted me on the cheek, and, detaining her frail hand on my cheek, she whispered the words that became the most powerful rod for me in the future.
- You must live. Just stay alive, - saying this , she sighed, and her hand slowly slid off my face, and her lifeless little body went limp in my arms. I've been crying, clutching her in my arms. I didn't want to accept it. We were saved from the terrible snake by the price of the life of an unknown to us human, half-dead got to town, but she died anyway...
All these memories sometimes disturb my thoughts in lonely evenings like this one. And I wouldn't know why I'm here, and what will happen next. But once I learned about the drink bestowing immortality. And now I'm tirelessly rereading the heaps of scrolls and books in search of any information about this miracle drink. But today I learned about a place where I can find the information I need. Atlantis.
Tear Of Sands
© Copyright: Ýììà Ñàíäåðñ, 2014
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