The dusk is beautifully lit with thousands of stars and oceans of color dancing across the sky. The trees whisper through the darkening forest. The wind carries scents to my nose. The smell of wet earth fills my lungs. Scanning the forest floor through the branches, I watch as the plump deer start to graze. I ready my bow, steadying my breathing, slowing my heart rate in the process.
The stillness of the air made my neck prickle. My skin froze as I pull on the string, holding the line taut against my cheek. The doe makes eye contact, "thebk lak ealaa naemik" (thank you for your blessings) I say. Releasing the arrow, it pierces straight through her forehead. The others flee in a frenzy as the body falls limp to the floor. As I make my way down, I hear a low growling from behind me. I can feel the hot breath of a giant feline. My body clenches as the beast's paws make their way to the branches below me. The branch cracking slightly under her full weight. a[S1] slowly move towards it. Its golden fur riddled with ebony spots, glinting in the fading sunlight.
She stopped just before me watching the body grow cold on the floor. I sling my arm above her neck and start massaging her ears. The tension began to release in her back, she nudged her head towards me. Her eyes a deep glinting emerald.
"Well Basset....tonight we dine."
She bellows a low purr as she makes her way down to the lifeless body, softening her jaw as she takes it into her mouth. She waits for me at the base of the tree as I descend to meet her. We begin our trek home. Basset slinking through the brush as we cut across a small meadow. The trees were silent, but the river called us home. The river was wide due to the many passing rains. Reaching the bank, I pull the staff out of the ground and pull back the branches covering the boat. The boards creaked as we stepped onto it. Basset walked towards the front, dropping the body in the middle by 2 large wildebeests. I untied the rope from the shore and waded further into the water before rowing us to the north.
We drifted along for what seemed like hours before being bombarded by the sound of a magnificent waterfall. Basset sat up in her seat, seemly anxious. I chuckle as she puts her ears flat against her head. I head straight into the water, careful not to tip us over. Basset shook her body violently as she came out on the other side sending sprays of fur and dirt everywhere. My body dips as the water soaks and cools my skin. The thick tendrils of hair upon my head drinking up every drop and drooping onto my face. Swiping them off, I could see nothing. The waterfall blocked the light from behind us, leaving the rest of the cave pitch black. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I looked for the switch hidden along the wall. Spotting it about 3 feet above me, I stop rowing. Halting the boat, I tie off the staff and reach for my bow. Placing my lightest arrow on the line, I took a breath and sent it flying towards the switch. Watching it strike, I could sense the mechanisms inside the walls opening the far door, lighting the way out into a blocked part of the river. We were met with dense greenery on all sides. The water swirling rapidly as we drift forward.
The river calms as we near the next shore. In the distance structures of white and gold reveal themselves partially through the greenery. Along the bank white pillars covered in silken white cloth held together by an elegantly detailed marble roof appear in the distance. The lush greenery contrasting against the opaque of the structure. Tying the boat off we wade through the shallow water through the curtains. Guarded from the intense sun setting in the distance, it's much cooler inside. A gentle breeze flows past as we walk through the watery courtyard. We move passed another curtain to be met with stone steps draped with red floor cloth. As we neared the top, we're surrounded by obsidian statues. Each with a similar feline silhouette, radiating a welcoming aura.
"Welcome back lady Sekhmet." A voice came from the top of the stairs, soft as feathers. Immediately reaching for my sword, my foot freezes as I turn to face it. The figure comes out from behind the pillar, dressed in ivory and jade silk, held together by slim threads of gold.
My muscles tense as I hold, ready to draw blood. Basset drops low at the sight of him. Her fangs bared and her haunches ready to lunge, her fur completely on end. He steps out of the shadows, and my body relaxes slightly.
"Oh, hello Arbiter" I try to hide the distain in my voice.
He was a short, stubby fellow with beady eyes like a crow. His gut almost flowed over his coverings. He had a gift in the manipulation of others,
"To what do I owe this pleasant visit?"
His face outstretched into a sickening grin, flattening his eyes more. His long slender fingers danced as he spoke. "Your father was worried about you," he slinked forward following me passed the entrance. "Afterall, we can't lose our future priestess." his voice crept down my neck, like cold blood from a week-old carcass.
"I will not be priestess. I will neither be chief. I will be greater than both." I huffed, dropping the limp bodies into a basket. I turned to my servants "see that these are cured and prepared for tonight." I say, walking over to clean my hands of the fresh blood.
"I do humbly apologize," he bowed "but it was my understanding that the daughter of the chief is to be the priestess and that the son is to be chief."
Enraged by his presence I try my best to refrain from lunging at him. Anger began to bubble in my stomach, the bile rising in my throat as my disgust grew. "If I must be priestess, then I will be chief as well. And if anyone opposes me..." I turn to him. A sinister smile filling my face as I spoke "then they will be Basset's next feast." stroking her ears she began to circle him.
"y-yes you-your grace." he kneeled nervously.
"My lady," a small light voice comes from my left. I turn to see a bowing Sidduri, my advisor and closest friend. She is a slender woman, about my age, and has been with me since my tenth summer. Her coverings danced in greens and purples. Her eyes filled with a stormy sky. She has always been kind, her voice was a comfort to me.
"Leave me!" I wave the Arbiter out.
"Yes, your grace." he stands and begins to make his way out.
"oh, and Arbiter," I say stroking Basset's fur, "do give your wife my blessings. You must be so proud of your first son." I could smell the fear radiating from his body. His blood turning stale as the stench of sweat began to waft from him. He bowed and scurried back through the courtyard. I turn to Sidduri, who was waiting with a silk robe in hand, "I hate speaking in such a manner. But people must understand that there are boundaries. We each have our place in this world."
"You may be correct your grace but instead of filling him with fear why not just allow him to be a rat on a sinking ship?"
"There is nothing more dangerous than a rat that knows how to swim." Slipping out of blood-soaked garments, I slide my arms into the cold fabric, wrapping it around me.
"Your bath is ready your grace," bowing she waits for me to walk down the hall. Walking into the bathhouse, the aroma of rose petals and tea tree graces my nose. The steam rising from the smooth surface. The ivory columns covered in iridescent curtains race up towards the arching ceiling. Surrounding the pool were large piles of pillows and gold and copper chairs. The sides of the pool were covered by lush foliage. Basset strides in behind me, her jowl hanging low as she smells the air. She rubs herself against Sidduri as she makes her way to her pile of pillows. She sinks to the floor as she finally relaxes. The servants begin to clean her fur with soap filled brushes and steamed cloths. She settles as a giant steak is placed in front of her.
"Spoiled beast." I scoff. Wading into the water I lay my robe across the seat. The heat from the water envelops my body, as the oils begin to soothe my skin. Welcoming the warmth, I submerge myself into the liquid. Clenching my knees to my chest, my eyes close slowly as I dream. Voices call to me from beyond, candles light the room, 'f—d…m…wo…' the voice repeats, getting clearer and clearer 'fin-…my….om' I wander closer and closer to the voice, 'FIND MY WOMB' the voice pierces my ears followed by the jaws of a jungle cat swallowing me whole.
The water vibrates as footsteps fall towards me, startling me awake. Basset jerks herself upwards. Her haunches low she paces at the entrance of the pool. A giant ball of twine rolls towards her feet. She pauses, immediately she tenses as the aroma of clove wafts through the room. Her senses heightened, she waits for a chance to strike.
"Basset there's no need to be hostile," his smile sounds warped through the water. He rests against the pillar, his rustic copper skin blending with the shadows of the foliage. He steps forward, the gold of his belt reflecting the light of the pool. "are you going to soak in your bubble all day?" His voice trailed off into a sickening grin.
Rising out I glance over to him, wading out of the water Sidduri wraps my robe around me. "To what do I owe this pleasure Anu?"
"Oh, dear sister, there is nothing that pleases me more than to see and spend time with you." His silken voice made my skin crawl. His demeanor was that of a jackal. Anubis was nothing if not a cunning sneak. He was 5 years my younger. He stood 7'4", taller than me by 2 inches. Our builds were about the same, but I hunted every day to keep my senses from dulling. While he stayed within the safety of the city, playing tricks on people. He may be brother by blood, but his antics are that of a trickster and a thief. How father still allows him to do as he pleases, I do not know.
"I have no time for your mockery Anubis," I pour myself a glass of wine as he trails behind. "interrupting my meditation for foolery will cost you." Drinking from the chalice, I take a seat by Basset who is still stressed by his presence. I study him as he stands there in his smugness.
"Sek, do I really need a reason to come bother you?" he chuckled as he walked towards me. He sees my patience fade, and his smile retracts. "I just wanted to know your thoughts," he looks down and then back at me, I cross my arms growing impatient, "the humans aren't exactly being quiet lately."
This is true. The humans or Gaffers, who ran away and hid in those giant moving domes have been too active. They haven't found us since that day all those years ago. I pause, the image of Martin and the Professor's bodies replay in my head. We made sure to get rid of any evidence that could've linked us to the attack, but it's still troubling.
**** ****
They sent search parties out after the Professor and Martin never returned. For weeks hunting parties were few and in between. Anubis was still a babe, so father continued to train me. That's when we learned of the Cradle that was given to us. We didn't understand at first, but after we woke up that day our bodies were no longer just ours. I had opened the gateway for something very ancient to pass through and take refuge within us. Waking up that day, my ears were ringing uncontrollably, and it seemed like the sun had split in three but they slowly morphed into one after my vision returned to normal. I still remember the joy that filled the air as we made our way back to the village. Before, our village was just a few hunts along the river. My father took me to the Elders since they didn't know what had happened to us, so when my father explained how we came across the gold they flew into an outrage. My grandfather, who was still chief, had paled when he heard the news. His concern contorted into a grimace, causing his forehead to wrinkle between his brows. He held his face in his hand as he listened to Abee finish. I meekly walked over to him and lightly tugged at his beard. Lifting his head, his face immediately softens when he sees me. He takes me in his arms and places me on his knee. He studies me for a second before locking eyes with me. Seeing the changes in me, his eyes started filling with tears. Before one could fall, I asked "Jady, did I do a bad thing?"
Disarmed by my words, he looked at me with love filled eyes. His hand stroked my cheek, "No my dear, you did nothing wrong. We will find out what happened to you and correct it." I looked at him puzzled. Why were they so scared? Then, all of a sudden, I hear an unfamiliar voice, "they only have fear because they know nothing of the blessings given." It was a woman's voice. I look around for the person it came from but there was no one other than the elders and my father. And none of them had spoken. "If you're looking for me my dear, you will not find me that way." She chuckled softly. I crane my head to see if she was behind me, but again no one was there. Grandfather and the others were growing concerned as I scanned the room. I could feel all their eyes on me, it made me panic. I could feel my cheeks begin to get hot and the tears started to blur my vision. "I want Ummi" I cried before any tears fell. Jady then stood up holding me with one arm, he dismisses the room and walks out, leaving the other elders speechless. With Abee at his heals, he quickly closes the gap from the elders hut to ours. since we were the chief's family, our hut was bigger than the rest. He threw open the curtain with his free hand and strode inside. I'm instantly met with the scent of smoked fish and fresh bread. My mouth begins to water and my stomach starts to talk for me.
"I see someone is hungry" my mother chuckles from the far room. In she walks, holding a-three-year-old fussy Anubis on her hip. Jady jerked backwards when she appeared. When she saw us, she immediately placed Anu on the floor. Jady puts me down and I run to her waiting arms. She instantly pulled me into a loving embrace, "Metty are you okay?" she asked. She looked me over checking for any injuries. Scanning my body, she looks over at Abee who's face is riddled with guilt and continues to look me over. Then she moved to my face and saw that my eyes had completely changed. "What happened to my daughter Amun?!" Her voice cracking as she yelled at Abee.
"I'm not sure exactly what happened but this could be the blessing that we've been asking for." He said shaking his head. He walked over to us and ran his fingers through Ummi's hair. "But it seems that the hunting party were not the only ones effected." I soon realize that she had become darker and taller as well. And looking at her face for the first time I notice that her eyes had become a beautiful deeply hued purple with a ring of black around the outside.
"Ummi, your eyes are purple!" I shouted pulling at her dress. She looked at me shocked and ran to the back room. She screamed and both Anubis and I jumped at the sound. She came back with tears in her eyes ready to rip her own hair out.
"What is going on Amun? What is this? Why have my children changed? Why have we changed? What have you done?" She had begun pacing the floor, hot tears falling from her cheeks. She walks over and throws herself on the floor next to me and Anubis. "Metty, are you okay?" She asks taking one of the tendrils of my hair in her hand.
"This was not done by my hand my love. It was Sekhmet that gave us this blessing" he kneeled down to meet her face. Wiping away her tears he tenderly kissed her cheek and spoke softly to her, "we will gain great wisdom from this, you will see."
Jady coughed and my parents both looked up to see his arms crossed and his face filled with concern. Abee stood up and turned to him. "Amun," he sighed, "we need to gather the rest of the gold and see what can be done about this."
"Yes Atum. I will gather the rest of the hunting party as well." He placed a fist over his heart and bowed his head. With that Jady walked out the same way he came in. Abee relaxed as the curtain fell back into place. He quickly turned to us again, this time with joy radiating from every pore. "Auset, we will revel in this newfound strength. Sekhmet has given us the one thing we have been asking for, a blessing from the gods." He spoke with such confidence that the anxiety in my body started to fade almost instantly. Ummi was still nervous and had started to bite her fingers. He cupped her hand in his, pulling her nail from her teeth. "My love do not fret so much. We will take this one day at a time, until we understand what and why this happened, okay?" She scanned his eyes for any signs of fear but couldn't find any. She gave in and fell into his chest releasing the sobs that she had been holding back.
Later on, that month, I was out during hunting training with Abee and ran into Basset as a cub. She was half my size back then. She was hurt by one of the Gaffer traps. Her leg soaked with her blood, she lay there licking at the wound. I picked her up without even thinking. I carried her, not even realizing that I, an 8-year-old was carrying a 100-pound leopard cub, all the way back to my mother. A sinister aura came from her figure, she was smaller than father but with a slender figure. She was nimbler when she fought, and but she stopped hunting while she was carrying Anubis. Now mother spends most of her time in the gardens. She makes potions and tinctures for the sick and less fortunate. She wanders the halls whispering and humming to herself. Her voice had become more sullen but still had a sweet sound. Yet whenever she tended to us, she still felt warm like a mother should. Sometimes I wonder if she's truly the same woman as before. Or if whatever darkness has settles in her has taken over or not.
*** ***
Anubis circles back around the bath, striding in and out of the shadows. He eyes me patiently, gauging my reaction. Anubis may be 5 years my younger but he's just as clever. He may be gifted in the manipulation of others but his silver tongue will not grant him my good graces. "I grow wary of this game Anubis. Why are you really here? If not for a serious matter then I shall bathe in peace. I will see you at the feast." I rise from my seat and stride passed him, he grabs onto my wrist, making me jerk. He sends a pulsing through my arm until it covers my entire body. It feels warm at first. My body begins to relax, yet I stay frozen. Anubis releases me, grinning his face emphasizes the wickedness in his thoughts. He relaxes, standing taller, his ego begins to get the better of him. "I grow tired of you Anubis, leave while you're still in my good graces." Trying to feign my struggle. I try to search my mind, there must be some sort of presence here, where is it? Silencing all my senses save for my hearing and touch. Closing my eyes, I sensed Anubis shift and stride towards me. He stopped about an inch from me, he grazes his hand along the length of my arm, sending tingles ringing through me. When he reached the bottom of my sleeve, he tugged at it slightly. I could feel my body twitching trying to create distance between us but failing. Growing in my frustration I go back to unraveling whatever restraint he placed on me. I begin to see streaks of deep rouge wafting in from the far reaches of my brain. Following them I find myself looking at Anubis sculpted out of gold and ivory sitting upon a throne. Upon his head sat a crown made of blood-soaked ebony spikes. The smugness plastered across his face made the statue even more appalling. I walked down to the base of his seat which stood 5 feet tall by itself. Examining the statue, I notice that the crown was loose.
"Dear Sek, do you forget that you were not the only one to be blessed by the Cradle?" He stroked my arm with one hand, and with the other he pulled my sash loose. He paused, looking for a reaction. When none came, he slid his hand under the fabric. I wanted so badly to grab him by his throat and throw him across the room, but my body would not do as instructed. "Do you remember when we were children and we would bathe together?" I could feel his hands gliding up to my chest. He leaned down to me and whispered in my ear "I've dreamt about what it would be like to bathe together now." He cups my breast and plants light kisses down my neck sending sparks down my body. my body starts to heat up rapidly. He chuckles and pulls back.
I refocus myself while he's distracted in his work. Finding my way back to the statue, I notice bumps on the ground surrounding him. I do my best to avoid them and make my way to the side of the throne. The smooth surface of the seat made it almost impossible to climb over. I walked to the front and stood facing him. I walk closer to his face and examine the crown further. the base was made of gold but the rest of it was made from blood smeared iron. It sat unbalanced on his head, one side having more spikes than the other. I then realized that he didn't have full control of this power. I quickly snatched the crown off his head. As soon as I do, the statue begins to shake. I turn and see the bumps on the floor begin to recede. The statue then begins to crack and fall apart into the floor. Anubis groans and shakes his head as if he was disoriented. Stepping back, he cups his face and wobbles to the side. The heat subsides and I quickly regain control of my extremities. I retie my robe and watch as Anubis stumbles back landing against the pillar.
"What's wrong NuNu?" I ask while I watch him writhe in agony. I walk over and take his face in my hand. He groans as I lift it to meet mine. His eyes lay half open, the more I watched him, the more I felt my rage at his attempt to control my body. I felt the heat travel down from my face down the length of my arm. Once it reached my wrist, I saw the small licks of flame beginning to dance around it. His eyes snap open when one grazes his cheek. The once pure embers of his eyes now had streaks of violet swirling in them.
"Sek, I was in error, no need for violence." I could sense the cowardice building in his chest.
"An error best not made again dear brother." The flames rose higher, growing closer to his skin.
He swallowed hard, "never again." Suddenly he was covered by a wall of smoke. I felt my hand give way, causing me to stumble forward. I turn, scanning the room for his presence. Hearing a squeak from behind Basset, we both jerk back, ready to pounce. A mouse was scurrying towards the door.
"NuNu you should know by now you can't get away from this." I say as the flames collect in my palm. They condense together making a ball of fire in my hand. I watch the mouse grow closer to the door. But right before he makes it, I toss the flames towards him hitting just slightly above him. He jumped back and paused for a second. Catching his breath, he's surrounded by another puff of smoke.
"I'll see you later Sek." his voice coming from every direction. And with that he was gone.
"Coward." I scoff. Turning back to the bath I sigh as Sidduri comes to take my robe. "Can we add in any oils for pain? My head aches with each passing moment." I rub my temples as she folds the robe.
"Yes, your grace." She bows and quickly turns to the other servants. They take her cue and scramble to find what's asked for.
I wade deeper into the water letting the fading warmth seep into my pores. Two of the other servants wade in behind me with suds filled bowls and cloths. Soaking the cloths in the bowls they begin to scrub me clean, washing away any caked-on dirt and blood. Once finished I step out and Sidduri dresses me once again. Basset follows behind us seemingly annoyed by past events.
Walking into my chambers I am graced by the setting sun and the rose-colored sky. Our village which once sat at the center of an open meadow, now sat high by the river, hidden away from any outsiders. Surrounded by the lush dense forest, you couldn't tell there was any city here unless you knew where to look. My daydream is quickly interrupted when Sidduri walks in with clean garments. The ivory silk gown felt cool against my skin. As one servant fastened the golden straps cross my shoulders, Sidduri places my headdress. It was a thin golden cobra bejeweled with brilliant rubies for eyes and sapphires dancing across its scales, while golden feathers hung from the back. Tying off the crimson sash around my waist, they fasten the latches of my sandals. Once fully dressed, I'm escorted to the dining hall. Before entering I'm met with the smells of smoked fish and citrus glazed pork. Plates of bread, cheeses, freshly cooked meats, soups, grains, and fruits lined the table. I reach for one of the berries and am stopped by the shadow of a man rising behind me. He clears his throat as if to ask me what I'm doing. By the way the headdress is shaped I realize it's my father standing behind me. "Hello Abee," I turn to him waiting for him to reprimand me but he doesn't. He had aged gracefully, his body still built for intense combat. But his face had begun to wrinkle in some parts.
"Metty, I heard you had an eventful evening today." He said raising a brow. Had Anubis gotten to him first?
"If people try a hand that is too weak to play, they risk losing everything." I say as I pop a berry into my mouth. He chuckled and pulled me into an embrace.
"Next time don't make the arbiter piss himself." He had a haughty laugh that filled the air around him. It was so infectious that it made me laugh too. We took our seats at the center of the table and joked about how the arbiter was a sneaky little coward that couldn't handle confrontation. In walks Anubis with his head held high. But as soon as he spots me, he recoils and takes his seat besides Abee and I. Ummi comes from behind us and kisses both NuNu and I on the forehead before taking her place besides Abee.
Everyone waits until all the guests arrive before taking their seats. Abee waits as plates are served, and then rises with a full chalice in hand. "my dear guests," the room fell silent as he spoke, "I am honored to have you all here tonight, the night which my daughter gave us the ultimate blessing those many years ago." He spoke with such reverence that you could feel the room swell with joy. "Let us eat till our bellies are full, and the wine runs dry. Let us revel in the light of this full harvest moon. Tonight, we dine like the gods that we are." The excitement sparked the air and the party came alive with roars of celebration. We ate and drank till our stomachs were filled and danced until the dawn, filling the night with our praises.