Opener of the Sky

by Mary R Woldering

  “Shh… not so bad, now. You know that,” he whispered. “You’re already craving more, but me? I take. You? You give.”

  “The bastard,” Ari hugged Naibe hard again. “You’re all right now, aren’t you?” she examined the young woman’s throat. There was no mark. Ariennu didn’t wait for an answer. She knew. That’s how he does when he’s not blind drunk, then? Good thing he was out of his wits with me last night, because he would have had a fight on his hands. And he’d better not deny he killed the princess if I give that story a voice. After what I just saw through our two Child Stones, I know better.

  “I just don’t understand why my sweet Khaket would let me be taken from him. Surely he’s going to come for us, isn’t he?” Naibe looked up into Ari’s black eyes, the gold of her own brown eyes still shimmering. “We became so close last night. He was so good to me. Great One had no right to do this to us!”

  “I hope His Majesty can.” Ari breathed, knowing she would have to tell Naibe about her spirit journey. She didn’t like to use the gifts the Children of Stone had amplified in her, other than her ability to keep secrets and to become invisible for the purpose of spying or stealing. An out-of-the-body journey was something new for her. She hesitated. “Babe, I was sick this morning, almost as bad as I used to get in the old days. So, when I was resting and letting the Child Stone cleanse me, I went back to the palace to tell His Majesty what had happened to us. I went as a small hawk, of all things. I perched on the rail and heard Majesty yelling at the old man worse than I had ever heard him. He was practically screaming. I thought he would order him killed right then, but he didn’t.”

  “He knew something had happened to us and that wicked man had done it, didn’t he?” Naibe gasped and froze in momentary thought. “I hope Menkaure Khaket ordered him to come get us.”

  Ariennu shook her head. “That serpent tongued old birdman. I swear he’s a lizard that grew feathers. He was so sweet to him and gentle; calming him, showing such care for His Majesty. He cursed us to him. Said we were enchanters set to avenge Marai, and that he originally meant to turn us out until he decided to send us away as companions for Deka. When the prince comes back, the time of the dread prophecy will have passed.”

  “And then… Did you do something, Ari?”

  “No. Bastard was starting to see me. I wish I had flown in there and left a load on that bald head so big he wouldn’t be able to get it out of his eyes for a week. I’m not sure if he knew exactly who was listening to him. I woke up right before you came in.”

  Naibe’s face paled. Her cheeks became a deeper rose just along the top and her eyes darkened. “He’s going to die for this, Ari,” she whispered. “Majesty can’t believe him. I know it. My heart tells me he doesn’t.”

  “I know he doesn’t, and I think he knows by now that Hordjedtef pushed his own grandson into place in the royal house until the boy snapped like a bad dog. Maybe Princess Mery did make him mad and there was an accident, but the old man knew how to use his heka to push his thoughts into people’s hearts. He could have covered up the entire mess. What’s worse, I think Maatkare is using his own spells too; the push, like your special Ashera voice. Maybe that’s why Deka…” Ari’s thoughts trailed off.

  Outside, the women heard sounds of men working and fastening the boat.

  “We’re at a shore?” Ari asked. “Already?”

  “Sokor.” Naibe answered. “I heard the men talking about it being our first stop. Highness has to meet someone here after sundown. One of his teachers.”

  City of the Dead. Ick. Why? Ari quickly had another thought. She whispered in Kina as quietly as possible. “You want to go back to the king?”

  Naibe hesitated.

  Ari knew His Majesty wanted to send men and boats to bring them home, but she knew he wasn’t going to. If Great One has already started to cast doubt into Majesty’s heart, there’s no time to waste.

  Do you have an idea? Naibe looked up.

  Ariennu paused.

  “I’m just hoping the Stones we both have can help us come up with something,” she shrugged. It occurred to her that the Children of Stone might not want them to go back to Ineb Hedj. If that’s so… then let me make the biggest fool of myself trying.

  Prince Maatkare sent Deka to the provisions boat alone. The Ta-Seti woman brought Naibe’s basket, then gave her and Ariennu instructions for the evening.

  “We should wash and dress,” the Ta-Seti woman whispered, her eyes downcast. “I feel you both resent me now, and you shouldn’t. You least of all shouldn’t, Wise MaMa. His Highness sent me to speak for him, while he attends to business with a priest here.”

  Ari tugged her basket closer and took the other basket, passing it to Naibe.

  “Please. It will take me quite a while to keep my hand in my lap instead of around your throat,” she huffed. “You want to get in my good graces again? Send for water that doesn’t have river stink in it. I know there must be some, unless he plans for his men’s bowels to run inside out. And don’t you give me lip about it being saved for making beer either.”

  As if Ari’s complaint had been heard, a faceless servant brought in a water jar and a smaller pitcher, set them down and then backed out.

  “You need to be quiet, Wise Mama, not like some heated ka’t kicked out of bed before knowing her own pleasure. I will share my water and oil because Highness has asked it of me. Then I want to say no more to you.” Deka poured out the pan of water, then put the few precious drops of perfumed oil in it. When she had silently washed, patted herself dry and dressed, she pushed the bath pan to Ari and drew into herself.

  In a way, Ari felt almost sorry for Deka. You like him, I can see that. You’ve picked out a disrespectful one and you know he won’t be tamed now. I had to show you that. He loves only himself, like most of these Kemet royals. I just knew because, until Marai found us, I was like that. You want to be his heka woman; the one who teaches him. Good luck. I just think you’re going to end up being the one who gets taught.

  Deka looked at Ari; a dull expression on her face that gave no indication she had listened to any of Ari’s thoughts on the matter.

  Ariennu and Naibe washed and dressed silently after Deka finished, then threw the water over the side. As the sun began to set, the three women emerged from the stuffy cabin and were ushered ashore to some priest’s house for a meal. As Ariennu had guessed, Maatkare chose Deka to sit beside him. Ari didn’t care about the man who was their host or what his name was. She studied her area carefully and quietly, not translating or even listening to any of the dinner conversation between the prince and the priest.

  Ari stared at Maatkare Raemkai as he chatted, noticing Deka sat next to her prince, oblivious to the surroundings. It was the way she had been in Little Kina Ahna when they had all lived with Marai. That much of her personality had not changed. Maatkare was much more interesting.

  So good looking though. He was even fun to drink with last night before it got to be too much… watching him show off for his men. Ariennu mused, a slight smile on her lips. Maybe not the worst idea in the world, except having to share. And whatever he did to Naibe this afternoon was uncalled for, knocking her out like that. She paused, tucking in her thoughts when she saw the prince glance her way as if he had heard every one of them.

  The signal to Naibe was a yawn. Ari leaned to a servant. “Where is your privy? My friend and I need to…”

  The servant glanced at the priest who spoke to the prince. Maatkare, his eyes glimmering a little in recognition of something, motioned for an older guard to follow them. He raised a forefinger, then lowered it in a quiet gesture.

  Don’t be gone too long, ladies. His thoughts whispered as he brought Deka a little closer.

  The shaded stall with an open half wall provided just enough room for a person to squat. After a moment, Ari rose and gestured to Naibe that it was her turn: I’m going to cover myself and stand over you. If you just concentrate on getting to the king and not being seen, I t
hink it’ll work. She wrapped the prismatic illusion around herself like goddess Nut’s mantle, hugging Naibe up into her arms and slipping away past the guard who paced just a few feet away. As soon as she reached the causeway to the river, she let Naibe down and dropped the illusion. The two women gasped and then caught their breath, shrinking back into the shadow. Once there, they tried to get their bearings.

  “Do you think he saw which way we went?” Naibe whispered.

  “No, but we have to keep moving down the river. I’m sure the guard has already told… Oh Goddess… fast. The bastard knows already.” Ari stopped and crouched with Naibe as guards with bobbling torches erupted from the gate to priest’s house.

  “Bring him out here. Stupid bastard let them run off.” Prince Maatkare stormed by. He whirled as two men dragged the guard who had been set over the women out to the wall near the water in the causeway channel.

  Naibe and Ariennu crouched lower, wrapping secrecy around themselves.

  “Highness… They used sorcery… gone in a flash.” The guard pleaded, then accepting, whispered “Have mercy…”

  “I do have mercy on you. You have served me well,” the prince replied, “and I have mercy on your children.” The sharp sound of a blade striking hard into a body was followed by a groan. A shadow drifted over the three figures who supported the fourth, followed by a snapping sound. It meant the man’s neck had been broken in a quick gesture of mercy.

  Ari clapped a quick hand over Naibe’s mouth to keep her from squealing aloud in horror.

  “Take our unfortunate old friend to the open edge of the water. He has been given a message for Lord Sebek. What you men will know is that as he was chasing the women, he slipped at the muddy bank and the crocodiles got to him before we could.” Maatkare gave orders and the required explanation to the remaining men. “I will write a message to his family of his noble deeds in my service. Be careful of the crocodiles yourselves. They can be keen on those who break the rules.” He grew silent as the guard’s body was carried away.

  Ari faded herself into the color of the wall. She couldn’t make out everything the prince was doing but it seemed to be a kind of ritual gesture followed by the spiritual howl of a wolf-dog. It grew in piercing volume overtaking Ari’s heart.

  Naibe’s mouth opened in a silent cry.

  Maatkare stopped, as if he noticed something and sniffed the air. For a moment, Ari thought she recognized the flash of shiny fang teeth in an eerie grin but realized it was an image of warning he had conjured up so that he would appear as a beast before her eyes.

  I know you are near, ladies. I can smell your scents. Because you decided to run away, you now see a little more of how I am. I will find you before dawn. I hope the chase will leave me feeling less upset by that time. The prince’s thought voice was calm and unruffled, just as it had been when he spoke to the unfortunate guard. He moved back up the causeway, scenting and searching for them.

  As soon as Ari saw he was far enough away to appear the same size as a shabti doll, she silently grabbed Naibe and darted around the perimeter of the priest’s home and into the first entrance they could find that didn’t seem to be part of the building complex.

  The path became a shrouded tunnel.

  Ari saw two sentries at the open gate entryway. Another temple, maybe? She thought, hurtling by the men with Naibe in tow. The sentries stirred as if they sensed something, stared at each other, then they closed the gate behind the women who were still moving deeper inside the passageways. Ariennu relaxed, her image becoming visible. She waited with Naibe in the dust and dark, while they caught their breath.

  “Killed the guard, the bastard did, just to teach us a lesson. He set the whole thing up, because he knew we were up to something. I don’t even think N’ahab would have done that, goddess curse his soul.” Ari spat at the ground, then pulled Naibe to the left branch of the path when they came to a division. The new hallway was close and torch lit with paintings on the walls. At intervals there were more paths and arched hollows that became other tunnels. Ari was certain they would find the way out of the other side at any moment. A right, then another right, then a left. Um. She paused to stroke the stone in her brow, hoping to clarify any message her Child Stone transmitted. Where am I supposed to go? Damn. I’m going to get us lost. She froze. City of the Dead, Sokor. A Labyrinth, and I led us both in here. She turned to Naibe.

  “Let’s just try to be calm and quiet. They will help us. They just have to.”

  “Um, Ari…” Naibe paused, her hand staying the older woman’s hand. “You do know where you are going don’t you?”

  “I just know we have to go deeper in. I can still feel his thoughts, Babe. He’s looking around down here; tracking us. He can smell us. If we keep moving in where the burial boxes are, there are enough of them and dust in the twists. I want his nose confused over what he thinks he smells. He can’t stay past dawn. Sooner or later he’ll have to give up on us and keep moving up the river. He’ll have to leave us. Then we can get out and get down the river to Our Father Menkaure. If he’s going to keep showing me how he is ‘Prince Dangerous’ and killing people over nothing, we’re not safe. I’ll curse my own soul if I ever let some man kill me, whether he was glorious on his couch or not.”

  “I didn’t like it, Ari.” Naibe admitted, just above a whisper.

  “No? Really? I thought he was one wild hump! That El of his knew how to seek out every single part in my belly and womb like it was made for it. Mmm… Mmm… I wish I didn’t have to get away. I’m getting another itch for it, just thinking about it working me.” Ari turned every way she could, realizing the underground complex must have been huge. So far she hadn’t found any two passageways that looked alike.

  “With me, he put up a wall over his soul instead of becoming open to me. Devils came out of his eyes the more I sent up my loving to him. He just sucked it out and still gave nothing back. It was as if he was broken and couldn’t love me like a normal man. He could give the pleasure twice over to fill in that missing part and I was screaming for it, but then I couldn’t stop thinking of my Marai and how much I missed the real love he had for me… and then I couldn’t breathe. I fainted.”

  “No I saw everything he did when you first came in. Read it off of your stone when you were crawling around the cabin floor all shocked. Bastard choked you hard enough to end you and then painted night in front of your eyes… said he would drink your heart for saying Marai’s name to him.” Ariennu stopped walking and sat by the wall where five corridors branched out in the dark. Now which way? She asked herself.

  Naibe shuddered as if she wanted to gag in worry.

  Ari tapped the nearly imperceptible rise in the middle of her forehead just at the top of her nose. “Come on little one… some help here. Show me those little balls of light Marai told us about that led him in the dark to your boat of wonders so long ago, if this is still real…”

  “It’s alright MaMa.” Naibe petted Ari’s shoulder.

  “Still my fault we’re having to run like this. We should be at the palace soaking in asses’ milk, not having to get away from someone who’s no better than a slave master.” She saw the small lightened area in one of the corridors. “There. That way. I see those lights, I think. We have to go,” Ari got to her feet and pulled Naibe up.

  After a series of twists and turns and more walking, the elder woman slowed, realizing the lights might have been an illusion born of her own fatigue.

  Push on if you must

  Or stay

  Or go this way

  A voice exploded just under her brow. It was louder than the usual whisper-like singing to which she had become accustomed.

  “Finally! Ouch, damn. Naibe, watch your step, there’s something back here. I thought it was a wall but there’s something out in front.” She murmured, then felt the lid of a low stone box with some carved object on top. A stone box. It’s like my dream when I saw Marai lying dead in that black box somewhere. She felt for the edg
e for a moment but realized the box in her dream had been plain and slick to the touch. This one was smooth but not as finely polished. “I can feel a draft coming over the top. Maybe it’s in front of a hall that leads us out of here the back way.” Ari couldn’t see much in the dark until she paused and became calm enough for her eyes to switch into a kind of night vision.

  In the back was a niche containing a platform for offerings. Something furred, broken and wet with gore lay in the dish. Her hands leapt up away from whatever it was as if they had been lightning struck. Atop the lid was a carved image. She felt the shape: Animal. Legs, haunches, muzzle and upright ears of Wepwawet as Guide of the Dead.

  She gasped, realizing the irony of the place she had entered with the younger woman. The prince’s words from late last night rang in her ears.

  I’m the Lord of the Dead by the Blood of Aset… the Lord of the Dead

  She remembered the revelry of the party, and the way a very drunk Maatkare cried out his howling lament about his ill-fated marriage to the king’s daughter. ‘Women always tryna put a collar on me’, he had said. That was the moment she knew she had to get him away from the king’s private area and onto his boat.

  Well, damn me she thought.

  Ari suddenly realized the prince was here on more than business. This was a centering and safe place for the disciples of Wepwawet who presented as a wolf or dog. He must be from the wolf school with all of his skill with a bow, the howling, the… Oh goddess… shape shifting that’s so fast no bones bend or skin stretches... he just is. I led us both to his safe space… He came here to cleanse himself? Our dinner host was his witness while we were cleaning up?

  Ariennu sensed something wasn’t right in the tonality of the Children’s voices. Sounds like a man imitating… like… She tensed, all of the hair on her arm rising as she heard the great wolf or dog’s panting approach to the opening of the chapel. The sound of his clawed feet tip-tapped on the hardened earth floor of the path. The panting merged into an evil titter; breathing in the dark; a faint growl that grew stronger and more threatening.