by Jo Franklin
Jan didn’t notice the tears and hadn’t missed her. She was totally absorbed in her shopping.
The shop inside was small and jammed full of women’s clothes hanging on railings. Jan made for a pink dress and Aline agreed it would match the colour of the earrings.
She tried it on. It was high at the neck, long in the skirt, with loose sleeves down to her wrists and shaped at the waist to show off her still-good figure. The woman picked out a gold necklace and a gold girdle to relieve the pinkness. With her blonde hair and her face glowing with pleasure, Aline thought she looked very attractive and much younger than her years, and told her so.
“Let me buy you something,” Jan said.
“That’s sweet of you, Jan, but really I’ve got lots of things.”
“Try this one,” the shopkeeper said to Aline, selecting a turquoise dress. “It’s not expensive. See, it has a long silky skirt, with a wide jewelled waistband which comes to just under your bosom, and then there are two pieces of silk attached to the band which pull up and tie at the back of your neck. Here, let me help you try it on.”
Encouraged by Jan, who sat happily in her pink dress watching her, Aline allowed herself to be helped into the turquoise one. It did indeed fit her well. The waistband was tightened as much as possible to show off her small waist, the silky strips of material were fitted securely over each of her breasts and knotted behind her neck. Her back was bare from the waist upwards.
The woman hung a Nubian necklace around her neck, with a turquoise stone in the centre and earrings to match the stone.
“You look terrific,” Jan said. “I’ll buy it for you. You can’t refuse a gift.”
Aline tried to say no, but she could see Jan would be hurt. After it was bought, they headed straight out of the shop for the nearest cafe which overlooked the Nile.
*
“Do tell me something about yourself,” Jan said, as they sat sipping a beer. “I know a bit about you but you know everything about me, my modelling career and my large family. I know you’re clever with languages, and probably widely travelled, with doing the job you have. Which other countries have you been to?”
“Well, I’ve been to Paris – I stayed in four different hotels on that assignment; I’ve been to New Zealand, a beautiful country, where I swam with the dolphins in the Bay of Islands and had a meal in the Sky Tower in Auckland. I’ve done Disney World in Florida, and visited many Mediterranean Islands.”
“And you don’t like travelling – well flying, Gerald said.”
Aline laughed. “That’s true, but I’m getting better.”
“What about your parents? Do they mind you flitting off all over the world.”
“No. They’re lovely. I text them most days, my mother especially seems to worry about me. She still thinks I’m sixteen although I’m twenty-six and well able to look after myself. At least I think I am.”
“Parents always worry, however old you are.”
“Yes, I suppose so. They know my work is important to me. Also, I’d like to write some fiction, as Peter is always encouraging me to do, but it’s a difficult world to break into.”
“Oh yes, I’m sure it must be. What about boyfriends?”
“Well, I’ve had several,” Aline replied thoughtfully, “but nothing really serious. I’m waiting for that someone really special. Sounds a bit crazy, but that’s me.”
“I do understand, believe me. I felt the same, even though I never had the chance to play the field, as it were. My parents were very protective of me,” Jan mused. “My mother would chaperone me on modelling assignments, and any man who looked at me would be vetted. I married quite young – I was nineteen, and my career finished then. I didn’t really miss it. I devoted my time to my husband and children. I really loved my husband.” Her voice became low with emotion. “Of course I still have our offspring, and their offspring, and they all keep me going. You know, I think if you’re waiting for that special person, you’ll eventually find him and he’ll mean everything to you.”
They sat quietly for a while, enjoying their beer and watching the river.
Aline wondered if she should share with her all the strange things that had happened to her ever since she came to Egypt. Jan was kind. She had age and experience on her side and was like a mother figure. And yet she wasn’t sure. She thought about the others. She could confide in someone like Peter with his ebullient charm, yet depth, or sensible Mary. Then there was Gerald, so sweet and helpful, or Achmed with his wisdom, or Cheng with his linking to the past. She could even tell her parents, but they would worry and were a long way away. Whoever she confided in, they might not believe her and might think it was her imagination. Perhaps wait for the moment. She had many people she could turn to if necessary.
“Tell you what,” Aline said. “To finish off our shopping spree, why don’t we go on a boat ride before dinner? I noticed you can hire one quite cheaply near us, and you get a couple of boatmen thrown in, and someone to sing to us! It only lasts half an hour, so we’d be back well in time for the evening’s entertainment. It’ll be my treat in return for the lovely dress. Now, you can’t say no.”
“Well that’s really nice of you. It does sound a good idea, another escapade! And why don’t we wear our posh frocks? That would be the icing on the cake.”
“Okay,” Aline smiled. She wasn’t certain if wearing long flimsy dresses was quite suitable for a small boat, but it could add to the fun.
*
“Where are you two ladies going?”
They were about to disembark from the cruise ship, when Achmed wandered over to them.
“We’re going on an adventure,” Jan said conspiratorially.
“On your own?”
Aline stood by quietly. She wore her beautiful new dress but knowing she was going onshore she’d tied her shawl loosely around her shoulders to hide her exposed back. Jan sparkled in all her pink glory.
“Yes, we thought we would,” Aline answered. “We’ve been told everyone here is friendly.” She felt Achmed was about to try and dissuade them.
“That might be so, but I think it’s very unwise for two ladies to be unaccompanied in the evening.”
“We’re only going on the sailing boat,” Aline went on. “There are several boats out on the river already.”
“Possibly, but they are probably about to turn round and come back very soon. You could be the only boat left on the river. If you must go, then I will come with you, if you will allow me.”
Aline was about to ask Jan what she wanted to do when Jan linked her arm through Achmed’s.
“Well,” Jan smiled. “I thought it was going to be all girls together but this is even better. What an offer, a handsome man offering to join us. Come on, Aline, take his other arm and let’s go for an evening sail.”
Aline smiled and acquiesced.
They crossed to the shore.
“You look as if you three are up to something,” Peter called down from the upper deck. “Have fun. By the way, ladies, that chap we met this afternoon doesn’t work on the boat, and no one’s heard of him. We were a bit too trusting, eh?”
“Just a bit,” Aline called back.
“What was all that about?” Achmed asked.
“Oh nothing really,” Aline murmured. “Someone who said he was one of our chefs and wanted us to buy herbs in the market.”
She glanced sideways at Achmed. He didn’t say anything but the dark, concerned look on his face said everything.
*
“Ah, welcome, people!” One of the sailors jumped quickly out of the felucca and helped them step carefully across the small expanse of water. Achmed went to join the boatmen at the back, and was soon laughing and talking with them as they set sail.
It was a peaceful and serene evening, and the boat skimmed across the water making very little noise, except for the sound of the sail in the breeze. Achmed was right about the other boats returning to shore, and they passed some of them on their way back,
and all waved to each other. They were soon completely alone on the river as they sailed away from the town and towards the countryside. The bank was high in places, and some big houses could be seen in the distance, owned by famous people, or so they were informed by one of the sailors. He wore a turban and a long none-too-clean white robe, which stretched to his feet. His colleague was dressed similarly. They soon brought out jewellery and carved animals to sell, placing them on the shelf on the side of the boat. Aline watched with much amusement as Jan selected one or two bangles, put them on her arm, didn’t bother to haggle, and paid with a small amount of notes. Achmed looked on, smiling.
Aline sat back to enjoy the experience. The musician, a young lad, suddenly struck up a chord on a small guitar.
“We sing songs, ladies,” he said. “We will sing old Nubian songs together.”
“I don’t know any old Nubian songs,” Jan laughed. “You’ll have to sing them yourself.”
“No problem!” Dark eyes twinkled at her. “I will sing the words and then you will copy me. They are very easy words, but don’t ask me to translate them as I don’t know what they mean.”
“Mm, I’m sure you do!” Jan jingled her bracelets at him. “But as long as it’s nothing naughty we’ll give it a try. Go on, then.”
He sang three strange words and paused. Aline and Jan copied them. He sang another three. They did the same, and soon the pattern was well established, and the others joined in, the strong voices of the men blending hauntingly with those of the ladies.
At first, to Aline, it was a bit of fun. Then she realised, with a shock, that she could actually understand the words. They were singing an old love song about a man trying to find his lost love who’d wandered into the desert and not returned. It became very sad, but the man refused to give up hope, and he wandered around in a sandstorm, and saw a shadowy figure of his lost love, and they were reunited. The song ended with three very cheerful shouts.
“You sing very well, ladies,” the musician said.
“I wonder what it all meant,” whispered Jan.
*
The boat sailed on. Aline looked at Achmed, sitting enjoying the ride, and tried to concentrate on him. But suddenly she knew he and the others were all slipping away from her. She wasn’t going back to the past. This time it was different. Something was here and now, but it was only for her, and the others were to be blanketed out. The ring sat comfortably on her finger. Whatever was about to happen would not put her in any danger.
The breeze was replaced by a strong and unearthly wind, which sent her shawl flying over her face, so for a moment she couldn’t see. When she looked again the others had gone and she was completely alone on the boat. Then a sound like the sighing of a million souls whistled around her, until she had to clutch her ears to keep out the intense noise. The waves lapped at the side, causing the boat to rock a little. A mist, so intense, settled on her so she could hardly see her hand in front of her face. She stood up, dropping her shawl as if something had commanded it. Time had stopped. Time now and time then, they came together, and afterwards there was quiet – the wind, the noise and the fog ceased.
She waited. How long she would never know because there was no concept of hours as she knew them. She held her snake ring; it comforted her, but it seemed for the moment to become completely neutral.
“Aline.”
She heard a voice call her. She stared into the far part of the boat. Something big stood there, towering and intimidating.
“Come here.”
Trembling, she started to walk forward. Her legs felt so weak she thought she could fall at any moment.
“Do not be afraid of me. I have come to help.”
Encouraged, she moved further forward and stopped. The figure in front of her was muscular, with a human male body, and the head of a jackal.
“Anubis,” she whispered. “Have I died? Have you come to take me to the afterlife?”
“No, Aline. Your time hasn’t come. I wanted to see you, to see what form you had taken, and to help you. You are not much different, a bit older, but that is in our favour. You will be wiser and that is a good thing.”
“Form? I don’t understand.”
“You will learn. You must grow stronger. Now, no more questions. I have to do something. It won’t hurt you. Turn round, I have to mark you. There will be a small tingle, nothing else.”
Still a bit apprehensive, Aline did as she was told. Nothing seemed to touch her, but there was a slight burning on her lower back.
“That will help to protect you.”
Aline turned to look at him. “What did you do?”
“I have burnt the Ankh into your skin. It is the symbol of eternal life and the key to some of the secrets of the Nile. When it is needed, like the Snake Goddess’s ring, it will help you.”
He was growing taller. There was a mist behind him, concealing someone.
“Who is that?” Aline asked breathlessly.
Anubis didn’t answer.
She could just make out the figure of a man. He was tall and muscular like Anubis, but he was all human.
“I have to see him,” she cried.
“Soon.”
“No, now. I have every right. I want to hold him. Don’t keep me away from him. I love him.”
“Soon,” Anubis repeated. “But now is not the time.”
“Please!” Aline’s cry was full of pain. “Please.”
Anubis didn’t answer. The mist swirled and they were gone in a second.
Something dried her tears. Something wrapped her shawl round her and sat her down. The others had returned, but they were like statues. Slowly something brought them all back to life.
They were all quiet on the boat ride back. Aline glanced at Achmed. His serious expression told her he knew something had happened.
*
“You two look as if you enjoyed your trip on the river this evening,” Peter said, as they finished dinner. “Maybe Mary and I should have joined you.”
“We’d have liked to have you with us,” Aline said quietly. “We didn’t really think; just wanted to show off our dresses.”
“Anyway, let me help you up,” Peter said gallantly to Aline, pulling out her chair. “Goodness, I didn’t know you were into tattoos! What’s that symbol you’ve got on your back?”
“It’s an Ankh,” Mary answered, glancing at it. “It’s a religious symbol of eternal life.”
“Very nice,” Peter remarked, reaching for his cigars.
*
When Aline returned to her cabin she was at long last able to examine the mark Anubis had burnt into her skin. It wasn’t very big, and she had difficulty in trying to look at it with a mirror. But it was there and it was symbolic, with the ring and shawl; all instruments to help her in her coming trials.
She didn’t take the dress off. She fastened her shawl around her hips. Anubis’s symbol was in full view for anyone to see. She held her hand over the ring, and whispered some of the Nubian words she had remembered.
Anubis had said she would find her lover ‘soon’.
She trusted his word. She was going back, and this time she wouldn’t return until she’d found him.
Chapter 7
“I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being trussed up like some ancient mummy. I reckon we could get out of these bandages if we wanted to. All we have to do is untie the knot at the bottom of our feet and unwind the cloth. What do you think, Eboni? Shall we?”
“We’ll get into trouble, Tadinanefer,” Eboni replied, not moving from the position on her back. “They’ll beat us.”
“I don’t think so. Think about it. They won’t do anything brutal to us because we’re going to make a lot of money for that woman, and she’ll look after us. We can get away with things up to a certain point, and we should find out just how far we can go.”
“They’ll do other things to us, drug us or something, so we don’t know what we’re doing or who we are.”
“She won’t do that either. She won’t want us behaving like drunken loonies in front of her wealthy clientele.”
“I think we should wait a bit longer. Lie down, Tadinanefer. You’ll make it bad for both of us.”
Tadinanefer stopped fiddling with the knot round her ankles, and hesitated. Eboni was right. And her actions could get Eboni into trouble, too. No, the next time she took on Nephthys she would do it all by herself.
She sank back just in time. The door opened and a big woman walked in. She reminded Tadinanefer of the woman who’d been her jailor when Ptah imprisoned her in her room.
The woman untied her legs and started to remove the bandages. “Stand up, girl,” she muttered. “My name’s Heddy. I’ve been assigned to look after you and to instruct you in what you’re to do. You’ll go into the small pool and wash yourself thoroughly, I’ll dry you, and then you’ll go to your room. You’ll put on the dress which is there, and you’ll wait there. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Will Eboni be with me?”
The woman’s face darkened. “Don’t ask questions, just do as you’re told, or I’ll punish you. Do you understand?”
Tadinanefer lowered her eyes. “Yes,” she replied.
“Yes, who?”
“Yes, Heddy.”
“Good.”
Tadinanefer waded slowly into the water; she proceeded to soak off all the oils and clean herself up. Then she was grabbed and dried by Heddy, who held her roughly, making her realise how strong she was and that this was someone to be wary of. She hadn’t taken into account there might be some sort of go-between for Nephthys. She could be a problem but Tadinanefer would somehow deal with her. She followed instructions, and went through a door indicated by the woman, and closed it after her. The room was small but beautifully furnished, with two small beds and identical dresses laid on each. As she donned the thin white shift she guessed Eboni was to be with her and her spirits soared.
Indeed, within a few minutes Eboni joined her. However she was followed by Heddy, holding two goblets of wine.