Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter Sixty One: Return to Massui's Palace

  When Kiya opened her eyes to daylight she thanked the gods that the long night had passed without incident. She stretched her stiff limbs and yawned.

  “Did you sleep well, Kiya?” asked Huy.

  “Not really,” she replied. “I think I saw swamp people pass us in the night.”

  “Those disgusting vermin,” said Laylos. She sat up and stared at Kiya over Huy’s recumbent body. “They never dared show their faces this side of the river in the old days.”

  “Where do they come from?” asked Kiya.

  “From the underworld!” declared Laylos. “They are not men at all but are fiends made from swamp slime.”

  “Nonsense,” said Huy. He sat up. “Now we are all awake, let us have breakfast - my stomach feels like a growling lion.” He handed his knife to Laylos who cut up the last of the ba-theeth, and passed it around.

  While they ate Huy told Kiya about the swamp men. “They live in the reed sea, beyond the delta. We once sent a scouting party to arrest them but their houses are made from reeds, so they cannot be found in the vastness of the area. They do not plough or sow or keep animals but eat frogs and toads and water rats, which is why their bodies are small and hunched.”

  “Their skins are grey and they have teeth like a crocodile’s,” said Laylos.

  “They look grey because they cover themselves with mud to protect their naked skin from the sun,” said Huy. “And they sharpen their teeth to get a better hold on their slippery prey.”

  Kiya shivered. “If not fiends then they are barely human.”

  “Whatever they are, we are lucky they did not find us,” said Huy. “Come on, the sooner we get to Massui’s palace the better.”

  On the riverside path Kiya looked anxiously for any evidence of swamp men but, like phantoms, they had left no sign of their passing.

  They reached the village and this time Laylos did not call out, but looked around at the empty shops and houses. “It is hard to believe they are all gone,” she sighed and Kiya saw tears in her eyes.

  “At least Janais and his family are safe,” said Huy. He took her hand and Kiya followed them out of the village and along the path towards Massui’s palace.

  It was a long, hot, thirsty walk and they drank the last of their water, squeezing the goatskin container to extract the final drops.

  “We need beer to replenish our supplies,” Huy said. “For there are no sweet-water springs here.”

  “Let us hope that Massui’s kitchen has not been looted,” said Laylos. “I know where he keeps some secret beer barrels.”

  From a distance the palace looked much as it had always done, gleaming white and surrounded by gardens. But as she drew near Kiya saw signs of neglect. Irrigation channels were dry and plants wilted in the sun. She felt sand crunch underfoot as she mounted the stairs that led to the entrance. The doors were closed, but creaked open under Huy’s hand startling a lizard, which skittered across the great hall.

  “I will check the kitchen,” said Laylos.

  “And I will visit the shrine,” said Kiya.

  “We should stay together,” protested Huy.

  “Nonsense,” said Laylos. “Nothing is going to happen in the middle of the day.”

  “Thoth protect me from strong-minded women!” Huy raised his eyes skywards. “I will stay here in the hall and, hopefully, protect you both.”

  “I won’t be long,” said Kiya. She hurried down the hall and climbed onto the dais. The throne was missing but the door to Seth’s shrine was still in place and hanging open. She peered in and saw that it was a small windowless room covered with murals. The only illumination was light coming through the doorway but she could make out a desert scene with a sandstorm depicted as a writhing dragon. A thunderstorm over the delta filled another wall. Seth was pictured on the black clouds hurling a bolt of lightening down upon running figures.

  Kiya stood in front of the painting. She had never experienced a thunderstorm. Indeed, she had never known rain before coming to the delta. Could her father really control such power?

  Kiya looked around, searching the shadows for any clue where the ka of Osiris might be hidden. She saw a movement in the wall. Someone was looking at her through the eyehole from the secret passage. She stared open-mouthed as a hidden door swung open and Massui emerged from the darkness.

  “Kiya!” He pronounced the word strangely, curling his lips as if her name left a sour taste in his mouth.

  “Hello, Massui. I have come to see you.” Kiya scarcely recognised the man. He was filthy and unshaven. His hair had grown long and sprang back from his forehead like the mane of a lion. He should have been a pitiful figure but he still exuded power.

  “What do you want of me? Witch!”

  Oh dear, thought Kiya. This isn’t going to be easy. “I want you to please tell me where Seth has hidden the ka of Osiris,” she said.

  Massui blinked in surprise. “What? How should I know?”

  “He might have dropped a hint or left a clue. Please think, Massui. This is important.”

  Massui laughed, his teeth white and strong against the blackness of his beard. “The only thing I think, Kiya, is that you are mad to have come here.” He stepped forwards into the room and Kiya saw that he had lost weight. His stomach hung like a deflated bladder over the waistband of his kilt. “Can you not understand, you stupid girl, how much I hate you?”

  “Why? What have I done to you?”

  “You stole my son. Where is Dennu? Why have you not brought him with you? Is he dead?”

  Kiya stared at him in surprise. “It was you who tried to kill him. We rescued him after he drank your poison.”

  Massui’s heavy brows drew together and he glared at Kiya with an intensity of anger that made her step back nervously. “Interfering fools! That was no poison, it was a magical draught, designed to delay the development of his powers.”

  “He lost his powers completely. Poor Dennu, is that what you wanted?”

  “Nonsense! His powers will return in time. He is too young for such magic, he is not ready for the responsibility.” Massui was telling the truth, thought Kiya. Dennu’s powers had, indeed, returned and the so-called poison hadn’t killed him. “If my son is alive why has he not come to see me?” demanded Massui. “Have you taught him to hate me with all this talk of poisoning?”

  Kiya feared he might be right. She bowed her head. “I am sorry.”

  Her apology served only to fuel his rage. “I have lost everything. My wife, my son, my garrison, my province. Even my god has deserted me.”

  “Where is Seth?” asked Kiya.

  “Do you not know?” said Massui. “I thought you had a special bond with him. Why else did he stop me killing you when you escaped from the palace?”

  “Seth stopped you?” said Kiya in surprise. “I thought you could not find me.”

  “Foolish girl. Did you think I had no spies in Ankhis? You were hiding with that aunt of yours. I could have had you killed at any time.” He slid a wicked-looking knife out of his belt and held it high for her inspection. “Fortunately, my waiting has not been in vain. I will kill you now!” He leapt at her.

  “Huy!” she screamed and flung herself sideways. The blade missed her by a hairsbreadth.

  From outside came the sound of a scuffle. “Huy!” Kiya screamed again and dodged the blade but she slipped and crashed to the floor. Frantically she rolled over onto her back to see Massui stand over her with the knife raised.

  She held up her arms in a desperate attempt to deflect the blade.

  For a moment Massui paused, savouring his triumph, then there was shouting and confusion as people came crowding into the room.