Interlude: The Blue Narcissus (5)

Hordes of priest besieged Meli and Sert as they tried to make their way through the streets to the inn. Kestrel had given Meli a bag of mixed coins claiming it was to pay for the rooms. Neither of them had questioned why they could not simply accept one of the priest's offers as more made offers to them. Meli would inform them that their lodging here was already covered. A single group of priests were unrelenting while the other graciously evaporated once they had been politely refused. They followed pushing their offer upon them even once Meli and Sert had entered the Blue Narcissus.

“Oh great noble and holy travellers, this place is a den of darkness and untold evils.” one of the priests spewed at them. “It would be immoral of us to allow you to remain in this vile place.”

“Do you wish me to remove this rabble?” the innkeeper asked. Two burly Egyptians moved to bracket Sert and Meli protectively. “Sethites are not accepted in this establishment.” he growled under his breath. Both Atlantians stiffened reflectively at the word just from the memories of the Princess' village. Sert's sword was half drawn as the two guards moved upon the group of priests.

“Put the sword away Sert.” Meli whispered to him. The sound of the hilt hitting scabbard was the only sign that he had listen to her. “Thank you.” she said louder. The priests had finally retreated leaving the guards to take places at the sides of the door.

“From their reactions and insistence, I must presume you are the Alton that all the priesthoods have been speaking of.” the innkeeper commented politely. Both guards gave them a quick nod at these words. “Fear nothing while under my roof,” he began quickly, “we receive guests from the world over here for a safe and sound sleep.”

“Yes, we are the Alton as you call us.” Meli replied hesitantly. “Our other companion is looking to book a passage for a morning sail.” she informed him. She elbowed Sert that seemed unable to stop studying the guards closely. She elbowed him again in vain.

“Something is not right about them.” he whispered to himself.

“Your friend is very observant.” the innkeeper said with a wry smile. “You may show yourselves my pets.” he added casually. The guards turned to face them fully as their human heads twisted into the heads of jackals. Their knees bent at a reverse angle as the stood straighter and taller now on padded paws. Meli turned to face the owner that smiled at her as his face shifted also into that of a jackal. “Anubis at your service Atlantians.” he stated with a half bow. Meli had began backing away just to collide into Sert who was laughing a bit.

“Their soldiers of Anubis.” he interjected. “The god of the dead with Thoth as judge over them.” he continued.

“What?” Meli exclaimed.

“The mural at the first Temple we visited.” he reminded her.

“I am sorry for not understanding who you were Lord Anubis.” Meli blustered blushing a deep shade of crimson. She curtsied to Anubis in Atlantian custom receive a deep formal Egyptian bow back from him.

“If you wish, one of them would be willing to spar with you, young warrior.” Anubis announce. Sert had moved closer to one of them as the exchanged ideas with simple gestures. “And I am sure we can find a few good books for the young lady to peruse while we wait for our friend's arrival.” he told Meli. He motioned toward a table that had a dozen or more candles placed to light it fully. An ashen faced woman in tattered priestly robes entered the room carrying a stack of books in her spindly arms. She placed them on the table that had been suggested to Meli. Meli could not help noticing how the woman moved sluggishly and that her eyes were milky white voids in her grey tinted face.

“What is wrong with your priestess?” Meli asked. She started to move toward her with her healer's bag in hand. “I am a healer so I might be able to help her.”

“She is dead.” Anubis stated bluntly. Meli froze in mid step. “She served me well in the temple during life and wished to continue her servitude after death.” he explained. Meli turned slowly to face him. “She helps as much as she can even if she is getting slower every day.” he added sadly.

“Why do you not release her then if she has served you faithfully?” Meli snarled back at him. Her anger abated as he looked at her sadly.

“I have but she will not leave my side.” he returned. Meli saw the hint of tears forming in the god's eyes. She looked away toward Sert. Without words, Sert and the guard exchanged knowledge about their weapons and armour. Each took turn showing the other how to wield a weapon from their arsenal and how the armour covered them while moving. Her eyes returned to the pile of books on the table which she was now drawn to.

As she took the offered seat, she felt the hint of magic in the air like a soft tingle against her skin. She took the first book and opened it slowly gazing at the first page. She lost herself into the book as Sert lost himself into a training mode of both learning and teaching at the same time. Anubis smiled as only a jackal could at the scene before taking a chair placed to watch the door of the inn. Shadows began growing across the walls as a second and third stack of books was added to Meli's table. Torches, candles and lamps lit themselves as dusk darkened the insides of the place. He waited for Alal to return while his magic weaved a spell to entertain his two honoured guest and make time seem to flow faster for them.

Meli and Sert pulled themselves into consciousness as they heard the words “Favour returned without asking.” from Kestrel. They looked around them realizing night had come without being noticed. They moved to stand by Kestrel as he and Anubis spoke but the latter seemed to have eyes only for the priestess that now lived again.

“You spoke for the dead even in sleep as is your life's duty.” Kestrel stated as he chuckled. Both could see the smile on his face as he explained to Anubis what had transpired to give his priestess life a new.

“The old One Death here?” Anubis exclaimed. His toned made Meli think he feared Death more than anything else in existence. Both could see that Anubis and his priestess seemed entranced with each other as they spoke quiet words.

“Should I call him back so we may sing you to sleep Nuby?” Kestrel asked chuckling louder. “He does love to sing so very much.” he added still chuckling.

“We missed a god showing up?” Meli stated aghast.

“All I remember was trading sword techniques with the guard while you indulged in the written word.” Sert comment back to her. “When did everything else happen?” he asked bluntly. He stared from Kestrel to Anubis but Anubis seemed too taken by his priestess to notice anything else.

“To bed both of you.” Kestrel ordered still chuckling softly. “The skiff departs early in the morning and costs too much for me to get a second one.” he added. Meli spotted him sigh before he retired to the back rooms of the inn.

“What did happen?” Meli asked Anubis directly. It took a few moment before the words registered in the god's mind.

“I am not exactly sure.” he replied. “But odd event that remain in shadows happen around your companion often.” he continued. “Morning will be here quickly, best you get sleep.” he added. His eyes had not left those of his priestess while he had spoken. Sert touched Meli's arm.

“I think it would be best to give them time alone?” he suggested. Meli nodded slowly before following Sert into the back section of the inn where the rooms where. They found Kestrel already stretched out on an odd rack built from a suspended net and a blanket. His slow steady breathing was all they heard in the room. Both took places on the floor where reed mats were placed and slowly drifted to sleep listening to Kestrel's breathing.

Booking Passage To Troy and Anubis' Priestess (19)

By morning, both my companion had in essence forgotten what the young Princess could do. I explained to her quickly in her mind so she would understand to be cautious around them if we happened to meet again.

“I will miss you Uncle Melchia.” she stated. “How will I reach you if you are needed once more?” she whispered mentally back to me.

“Call upon me and I will come to side my niece whenever you need me.” I responded calmly. “You know how to make your words nothing but the sound of the wind to the other gifted ones.” I mentally added. She smiled up at me before I embraced the newly weds. I turned slowly to walk with Sert and Meli back into the world to discover my actions and the origins of my companions had become words on the wind blowing ahead of us.

Priests and priestesses lined our pathway from the temple to the nearby town where some of the residents joined them on the sides of the dirt path. They hailed us as bringers of light into the world causing my companions nervousness and embarrassment. I reinforced my mental programming from the night before trying to calm them. Once pass the town, the trip become calm just to have more priests and peasants on the streets upon the next day as we crossed through a village. Only near night fall did I accept the priests' or people's offer for lodging. The temple big or small exalted us as “great guests from the mystic isle” while the normal Egyptians were more quiet about have such “noble guests accept their humble offer”.

I must be frank that my accepting the temple's offer had a secondary purpose than just giving us a secure place to sleep. Temples had library from which I could spirit away a few tomes of knowledge to keep Meli preoccupied during our voyage. I was surprised that neither of them had complained about the camel ride which they seemed to take in stride as the learned and saw wonders like nothing they had before in Atlantis. Being upon the “ships of the desert” did not dampen their enthusiasm as the rolling wave like gait of the camel beneath them went unnoticed.

We reach the delta of the Nile a week or so later in a small fishing town where we would cross over to Troy and the Roman lands. Here we would spend our last night in Egypt but not in a temple, I had a better place where an old friend could give us proper shelter. Little thunder had flew ahead to return with a resounding “I know!” from the owner of a unseemly looking inn. My only fear was the reception we might receive at Troy with rumours of war whispering in their ears.

I sent my companions to find the Blue Narcissus while I laboured at finding us passage to Troy. I sent little thunder to keep an eye on them during my absence. I rarely have felt my luck turn ill but that day nearly made me believe in true misfortune.

“I am telling you that you ask something that none but foolish would venture into.” the second skiff captain told me. “With the Greeks on the move, we know that a war at Troy is inevitable.” he explained sadly.

“Their ships are slower and you would have time to deposit us on the beach before they arrive.” I countered. He waved me off.

“Not enough gold in this world for me to risk that.” he added before walking away. I stood fuming for a few minutes. Half of the coins I had collected during my last few trips sat in Meli's hands making it even harder to purchase a skiff ride but most captains I knew accepted a promise as long as gold was in hand before they left port. I had already lost money when I sold the camels for half their worth but it would be easier then trying to have them transported to Troy.

Knowing that the rumours of war were coming into flesh did not annoy me much. I had not planned stopping at Troy itself. Many small villages far from the potential battle field made much better a location to stay than a city that could be under siege. My adoptive Greek and Roman “mothers” had been working very hard at keeping those two nations focus on each other and not the greater world around them but it did cause me minor problems now that I returned into their lands. Night had fallen as I found an old skiff with only a pair of deck hands upon it. Their captain was sitting at the end of the dock with a pole in hand attempting to fish.

“I seek passage to Troy.” I informed him bluntly.

“Not the best place to be heading at this time sir.” he replied casually. “If you have not heard, the Greeks are going to raze Troy to the ground because of some woman.” he added offhandedly.

“They are not upon Troy yet and it is built to handle a siege better than any other city ever built.” I returned quickly. “Dropping us upon the beach should keep you clear of any violence.”

“The port of Troy is the beach sir.” he retorted. “Fifty solid gold coins and we have a deal.” he added with a chuckle. This was more than I had planned but greed was but one effect of the corruption in the world.

“That is truly a high price to pay.” I countered pensively. “And it would have to be paid in the morning as me and my two companions board your vessel.” I mused slowly. “Or two hundred dinars now and thirty gold in the morning to secure our passage?” I hazarded.

“You have yourself a sealed agreement sir.” he returned. “I leave a little later than the others but best you be here for dawn none the less.” he continued. I nodded to him as we shook hands. I left without any other words rushing to find my friends safely in the Blue Narcissus.

Midnight passed as I reached the inn to find scenes I had not expected. Sert shadow spared with one of Anubis' guards while Meli opened a book from one of the three stacks that sat before her on the table. Anubis' dead priestess was covering him as he doze in a chair awaiting my return. I moved to the side of the priestess touching her forehead gently. The milky film poured from her eyes in white tears rolling slowly down her dried face.

“Great priestess?” I whispered to her. She turned to look at me with the eyes of the living. “Have you not been released from your servitude in death?” I asked quietly. She gazed at me half nodding and half shaking her head trying to communicate truthfully to me where the ability to use words lacked her.

“She refuses to leave and be judged by Thoth.” Anubis answered for her. I glanced at him realizing quickly that he still slept even if he spoke for the dead. “She will not explain why Thoth's judgement scares her so to me directly.” he uttered. My gift flared around me as I touched her mind finding only memories that held her trapped in this state.

“Taking in the child of your god's sworn enemy because she was alone and helpless is not a crime for he you serve or for Thoth.” I whispered calmly.

“Her cousin adored the chance to meet and play with her.” Anubis sleep-talked. “No crime in protecting and making a child happy if only for a time.”

“And it was Seth's daughter that stopped you when he came to reclaim her.” I muttered softly. “She wished to go with him so no harm would come to her cousin and all that were within the temple.” I added.

“You did all as you had been instructed, my priestess.” Anubis snored. She began shaking her head at his words. “Thoth will find you worthy to claim eternal bliss.” he continued. His eyes remained closed and his chest lifted slowly as he slept while defending the death as is his right. The priestess shook her head more violently in disagreement. She mouthed words soundlessly as frustration filled her eyes.

“Then let another judge you.” I stated darkly. “Let a being that stands high above your deities judge you worth to live or die once and for all noble priestess.” I continued. The shadows solidified into a cloak figure that moved to stand at my side. The unoccupied guard interception was cut short by Anubis' words.

“Let the Old One Death judge her if she will not submit to Thoth.” he stated harshly.

“With one touch from him you will either live once more cleansed of your past life but you must let Thoth judge you for that new life you are given once it reaches it's end.” I explained. Death held out a skeletal hand toward her in total silence. “Or you will die the final death and be no more.” I continued. Death stepped toward her with his outstretched bony hand. “Do you allow him that is above all to judge you?” I asked softly. She nodded turning fully to face Death nearly throwing herself at his his hand.

As his boney hand meet her dead flesh, swirls of darkness enveloped her from head to toe. A musical chuckle escaped Death as he withdrew his hand taking the darkness with it. She stood alive once more with a look of shock and amazement on her face. Tears of relief bubbled from her eyes washing the milky white tears stains from her cheeks. She took a long deep breath knowing with absolute certainty that she truly lived once more.

“Judgement passed my cousin.” Death stated musically. “She is more than worthy in her soul though fearful in her heart.” he added. He turned to face me fully.

“I thank you cousin for coming to my call even if our families cannot see peace between us.” I returned solemnly.

“The war is long over even if the Ancients still consider us few Old Ones as enemies.” he returned with a musical lilt.

“One day you will be called an Ancient One dear noble cousin.” I answered with a short bow. Death returned the bow to me before returning to disappear into the shadows. “Now do you wish to remain here to serve Anubis?” I asked his former priestess.

“Yes.” she said softly. Anubis jumped awake at her words. His gaze locked upon her as his jaw dropped.

“Favour returned without asking.” I stated to him. “One reformed priestess to serve you willingly old friend.” I added with a chuckle. Sert was suddenly moving toward us as Meli's face finally pulled itself away from the book in her hands. They looked bewildered as the spell that had kept them entertained finally dissolved from them.

“How?” Anubis whispered. His eyes remained locked with those of his priestess. “What happened while I slept?” he added suddenly. I could feel him attempting to look away from his priestess but her eyes kept him a prisoner.

“You spoke for the dead as is your life's duty.” I returned still chuckling. “My cousin Death was called to judge her so she could live once more to serve you.” I informed him. “But she must be judged by Thoth once this gifted life expires.” I concluded. Sert and Meli were at my side in silence. I could feel their confusion as they waited patiently for orders or an explanation.

“Death?” Anubis interjected. “The Old One Death here?” he exclaimed. His tones had risen nearly two octaves in pitch as he spoke.

“Yes my Lord Anubis.” the woman replied calmly. “He came to Melchia's call and I allowed him to judge me to have one more chance to serve you properly.” she concluded smiling.

“Should I call him back so we may sing you to sleep Nuby?” I asked with a louder chuckle. “He does love to sing so very much.” I added mirthfully.

“We missed a god showing up?” Meli stated aghast.

“All I remember was trading sword techniques with the guard while you indulged in the written word.” Sert comment back to her. “When did everything else happen?” he asked bluntly. He stared from me to Anubis but Anubis seemed too taken by his priestess to notice anything else.

“To bed both of you.” I ordered still chuckling softly. “The skiff departs early in the morning and costs too much for me to get a second one.” I added. I sighed once more about the events I was about to lead them into but life is not made to be simple, at least not life as it comes to me.

Speaking Truths (18)

“Many things have happened since we reached that village.” I began explaining slowly. “Best to begin with the beast that attacked the village.” I continued slowly. “Understand that not all the humans we will meet will be of their inkling.” I stated slowly.

“That part we do understand.” Meli returned with a sour grimace. “We might not like the fact that those type of beings exist in the outer world but it is one reason you travel the world.” she continued.

“And a reason for noble Atlantians, such as the Royal Guards, travel the world like we should be doing.” Sert said with a nod of his head. “Without us helping them, they will lose hope and turn into beast.” he added in a whisper.

“But I still need to understand how Thoth was able to burn the village to the ground.” Meli returned. Sert became quiet as he listened.

“Because of the events that happened Meli.” I stated bluntly. “Thoth was able to reach into our world to purify the village because of the dire act placed upon it.”

“Would that not also suggest that I could use my abilities during a truly dire situation?” she remarked.

“It would require a extremely dire event to allow a mortal to do what the deities can accomplish.” I half lied to her. “And you would not have all those dead pleading for vengeance like Thoth had to face.” I continued with a chuckle. “As for the events with the young priest,” I began, “He verbalized that none wish to lose their Princess and she accepted him for a chance to be happy here.” I hoped that it would simply end here but to no avail.

“I am still lost about all that.” Sert stated calmly.

“So am I.” Meli continued more adamantly. “Why would she have to leave Egypt?” she remarked confused. I sighed deeply knowing Sert also felt the same curiosity and emotional turmoil. I had not wanted to reveal some of the more delicate customs of Egyptian life to them but it was too late now that we had stepped into it.

“I am her Uncle and since she is without family, she would be forced to ask me to marry her.” I stated slowly. “By customs and the oaths I have taken with her father and with Thoth, I would not be allowed to refuse her request.” I continued with false casualness. “The term 'Uncle' is not a blood relative term since he is the one set as being a possible mate if no proper suitor comes for her hand.” I explained. “She had a boy in the village that was to be her future husband and they knew each other quite well.” I added. Silence reigned for a few moments.

“So you would have been forced to remain here in Egypt?” Sert asked suddenly. I felt the worry forming in him that they may have been stranded here with me trapped in this marriage bond.

“My oaths to Atlantis, or the Alton as they are known here, would take precedence forcing me to bring her back to Atlantis as my bride.” I returned harshly.

“But how did the priest court her then?” Meli asked.

“By revealing to me, to himself, and to her that he did not see anyone worthy of her including himself.” I returned with a chuckle. It was a mistake to continue speaking but I believed they needed to hear all of it. “She has the gift of Thoth to be able to see into a person's soul and heart.” I added to my chagrin. I felt and saw the fear suddenly take Meli.

“She has mental abilities like you and the Holy Heart!” she shrieked. “I sat with her not knowing she could see within my thoughts while we talked.” she added paling.

“She would have wanted to see the events of the discussion between Thoth and myself which is her right as his grand daughter.” I returned calmly. I could not fathom the source of her fears over this minor event.

“Would this not mean that she may have gain knowledge about Atlantis?” Sert remarked in a quiet voice. The edge of nervousness that had taken Meli turned into full panic as she turned to face Sert.

“Yes.” I interjected still lost. “She would have filled the blanks I had not yet learned about Atlantis including improving her skill with the Atlantian tongue.” I continued calmly. “She wrote the book and help me prepare for my voyage to Atlantis which means she knew everything I did before arriving there.” I added. I hoped that all this would diffuse the situation with Meli but her panic did not ebb.

“She could be view a threat to Atlantis with her knowledge.” Sert explained grudgingly. “And by extension, all of us seen as traitors because we gave her information directly or indirectly.” he concluded glumly.

“She is my niece and not some evil threat to Atlantis!” I retorted angrily. I felt my bird like talons sink into the table a grasped at. Sheer power of will stopped my eyes from shifting to black orbs with the twin spinning stars tumbling as violently as my temper burned.

“But ...” they interjected in unison. I knock on the door forestalled any other comments from my two companions.

“Enter!” I commanded bluntly in Egyptian. The new husband entered cloaked from head to toe. I held back the laughter as I already could see in his mind what had him rushing to seek my advice. He quickly but quietly closed the door at his back before revealing his stricken face. My control lapse as I gazed at him staring in concern at us allowing a chuckle to escape me.

“We may have a problem.” he muttered nervously.

“Cut your finger and bleed on the sheets to make believe the marriage has been consummated properly. “ I told him between chuckles. “Some of the priest are pushing the High Priest for proof of their union.” I told my companions. “Having the High Priest show them a bloodied sheet will rebuke the doubters while keeping both of you from doing something you are not prepared for.” I added both in Egyptian and Atlantian. The young groom brightened at my words before thanking me profusely for this advice. He departed in the same rush he had arrived in. I was still chuckling before turning once more to face Sert and Meli. I felt that this simple moment had enlightened them more than my words could have.

“They are very innocent in this land.” Sert commented.

“No real chance they would do something with the information they have about Atlantis.” Meli agreed with a slow nod.

“She knows many things but first and foremost she knows that knowledge is kept within the heart without whispering outwards.” I added calmer.

“The Holy Heart Annianka must still be informed about her gifts and what knowledge she possesses of Atlantis.” Sert said sadly. Meli nodded a grudging agreement to his statement.

“Upon our return, I will explain to Annianka personally about my niece and her abilities.” I declared with finality. They nodded their agreement to my wishes before heading to bed. I could not let this information slip into Annianka's hands. The Heartstone may or may not be corrupted causing the infection in Atlantis as I had seen in the rest of the world. I clouded their mind replacing the discussion about my niece's ability with information they would need about nodes and how the Atlantians, or Alton, are perceived in the world. I must protect my niece as much as I protect Atlantis and the humans.

The Little Princess (17)

We awoke to the sounds of camel drawn carts and many men on foot arriving in a rush toward the village. I signal Meli to my side as we roused the wounded to face what was coming. I stood with my niece with Sert at my other side. Meli stood upon my niece's other side as the dozen girls gathered behind us protectively. The lead camel and cart come into view flying the banners of the temple. The others walked with it wearing the priestly garb of Thoth's temple with a handful of warrior in light armour holding simple pikes for weapons. An older man in elaborate robes dismounted from the lead cart before it could stop. He rushed toward us not caring about his behaviour.

“The High Priest.” I warned the others. I bowed in Egyptian custom to the man as he stopped before us. Meli and Sert followed suit in Atlantian style but my niece remained standing ramrod straight glaring forward at the other group.

“I have heard of this evil plight little Princess.” the high priest answered with a quick bow. “We have brought carts to assist transporting your people to a new village if need be.” he continued quickly. “And purifiers to cleanse this place if you wish them to stay.” he added. He rose his head to look at her. My people and myself had remained bowed while she stood glaring into the group of priest before us in absolute silence. I glanced at her as I shifted my bow to knell next to my niece. She whispered shushing sounds while in my mind I heard a warning from her.

“One of them is an enemy.” she whispered in my mind. I nodded before standing as stiffly as her with one hand resting on my sword hilt ready to fight. “The purifier is a Sethite.” she added quickly. My companions had unbowed and moved to stand at the ready. Sert crossed behind us to be a pillar on the other side of my niece while Meli pretended to check the patients behind us.

“Send forth the purifier.” I ordered bluntly. My grip tightened reflexively on my sword. I knew without looking that Sert's hand mirrored mine. Meli would glance between verifying on the different girls while keeping her staff tightly in her grip. The High Priest looked from me to my niece nervously. She nodded once sternly at him before he signalled the Purifier forward. The man had barely cleared the group before the sound of my sword sliding halfway out of its sheath with Sert's matching my move nearly instantly.

“Send the Sethite away!” I bellowed at them. Weapons appeared in the hands of the ones around the purifier as the High Priest turned slowly to face the man. “He bears the mark of Seth upon his left shoulder.” I informed them. His shoulder was bared as the other ripped the robes from him. The mob slaughtered him so quickly that the High Priest had no chance to speak. The sound of my sword and Sert's slamming back into place drew the High Priest's gaze back to the three of us.

A bit of mayhem occurred as the priests and priestesses checked each others left shoulder for the mark showing them as traitors to their faith. My stance relaxed as did my niece and Sert. The priest turned fully toward us and bowed fully staying prostrated before us with his face to the ground.

“The carts await you little Princess.” he uttered still faced to the ground.

“We may leave now High Priest.” she answered calmly. She curtsied in proper fashion to the old priest. “I wish my Uncle, his sword, and healer will accompany us to our new home if it is acceptable with him.” she added looking up at me.

“As my niece commands.” I returned formally.

“Niece?” Meli whispered stunned behind us.

“As Thoth's grand daughter commands.” the priest stated as he regained his feet. He turned screaming orders to the priests while a trio of priestesses moved to help the wounded bowing deeply to Meli as they passed her. One of the priest moved forward with flint and torches to burn the village to the ground as a purification act.

“Tell your man to return with the purification tools.” my niece ordered loudly. “This is my village and I will purify it as is my right.” she continued bluntly. The High priest waved the man back as he looked down at her confused. She reached up to take my arm at the elbow gently. “Will you assist me Uncle?” she whispered to me. I nodded back to her with a smile and a mental hug.

“As you wish little Princess but ...” the High Priest began. A burst of white flame erupted from all the hovels of the village hushing the old priest into stunned silence. It had only been a minor mental flash from me to set the place blaze. “Princess?” the High Priest muttered pale faced. The flame had disappeared a quickly as it had came removing all the proof of a village ever existing here.

“Thoth has judged this village in its darkest hour and has moved to purify it for his priests and grand daughter.” she said solemnly. “Praise be to Thoth in his kindness and wisdom.” she added. All the priest made the symbol of Thoth as the bowed toward her.

“Praise be the judge of the souls!” I continued the litany.

“Praise be Thoth, the all knowing judge.” the priests and priestesses stated in unison. I felt Thoth smiling down upon my actions that reaffirmed his power to his people from the one known as his grand daughter. Meli approached me as my niece had been seated in the lead cart with the High Priest and a pair of priestesses fawning over her.

“Was that really the actions of the god we meet last night?” Meli asked me. She missed my niece suddenly turning toward us. “But I thought magic could not work outside of those special places?” she added quickly. I groaned feeling the sudden excitement raising in my niece.

“What did you say?” she asked loudly in Atlantian. A gasp rose from the trio in the lead cart. Meli turned slowly to face the cart gulping hard.

“She was the person that wrote your book Meli.” I informed her in Atlantian. “My healer shall ride with you my niece and explain in the hidden tongue about last night's meeting with your grandfather.” I stated in Egyptian. The group of priest bowed lowly to the three of us as we moved to bring our camels into the caravan before they moved out.

One of the younger priest fell in stride next to my camel as we began moving. He would turn to speak to me but would simply stare at me in silent awe. I ignored him while Sert would mention his attempts every few minutes as we travelled. I would turn to face the priest giving him a few minutes to speak but he remained in silent awe. I would tell Sert he was mistaken then return my gaze forward once more.

“You wish to know why the grand daughter of Thoth calls me Uncle?” I finally hazarded. The young priest gulped loudly as he turned to me with fear and awe warring upon his face. “Is not one of Thoth's gift to see into people's souls and minds?” I half whispered to him. Before he could answer a shriek rang out from the lead cart followed by my niece's silvery giggle drew everyone's attention.

I chuckle without looking. My niece had let her pet scorpion out without warning Meli. I miserable squawk from my little thunder who now had the small scorpion sitting upon his head. I finally glanced over to see it edging it's way along the back of the cart to the Princess' seat. It lowered it's head to allow the frighten scorpion to scurry back to her shoulder and safety. Once relieved from his unwanted rider, little thunder winged its way back to the pommel of my saddle with ruffled feathers.

“You should not feel bad since you know the little one would never harm anyone my baby.” I stated to the bird. I was running a finger to smooth the feathers on little thunder's head. “I am still waiting for your answer priest.” I added in Egyptian.

“Yes on both counts sir.” he answered shyly. He avoided my gaze as he walked looking at his feet.

“I have been called upon by many of your deities for diverse reasons including to help raise Thoth's grand daughter.” I returned in a whisper. The priest turned to stare with bulging eyes up at me. “Her father named me her Uncle and she will always see me as that.” I continued still looking forward. I noticed him stare at the Princess and then back at me quickly.

“The temple will force her to follow customs in this situation.” he whispered to me. I felt the frustration and sadness forming in him at his own words.

“And if she asks it of me, I must accept without resistance.” I replied quietly. “But this would make her leave the land of her birth to return with me to the mystic isle.” I explained grudgingly. I heard him sigh at this news.

“Your companions are of the Alton race?” he asked softly. He glanced at the Princess who spoke a language no Egyptians had ever heard. “That is their language she speaks?” he added mournfully. With his next sigh, I felt his heart plummet into a great depression.

“Yes.” I interjected calmly. “And my healer speaks Egyptian like myself.” I continued. “My niece was helping me learn the language during my last visit her before I left for the Alton's isle.” I explained slowly. “She even wrote a guide in Alton to help them learn Egyptian for me.”

“I ask you to break with customs and leave us our Princess sir.” the young priest begged.

“My honour and oaths given to her father and Thoth himself will not allow me to refuse her request.” I replied with mock sadness. “Unless I have found her a proper groom before she can ask it of me.” I continued in a conspiring whisper. The priest's head swivelled like lightning to face me upon my last words.

“Many would fight to the death for such an honour even if they do not truly deserve it.” he answered sadly. “Not even myself.” he added to himself.

“Deal Done!” a triad of voices echoed in his mind. He jumped as he step forward nearly making him fall. A look of fear was upon him as he glanced from to my niece and then heavenward before his eyes returned to meet mine. I chuckled deeply at this and the multiple thoughts that bounced aimlessly through his nerve wracked mind.

“We leave my people at their new village while I continue to the temple for my wedding, High Priest.” my niece announced loudly. “I hope they do not spit me for stealing one of their priests as my husband.” she whispered in the young priest's mind. “But I ask that you lie about our nuptials to protect me from being removed from your side.” she added softly.

“Be kind to my niece or I will have to return as her sword of vengeance young one.” I told him seriously. I heard him gulp in fear while I chuckled darkly. “He is a very good man that does not see his own potential.” I mentally told her.

“I will bring him to see his true self me Uncle.” she retorted merrily. “You will ask Thoth to remove his priestly vows from him when I am ready to be with a man once more?” she asked in a small mental voice.

“When you are ready, Thoth will accept very willingly to have great grand children.” I returned with a mental chuckle. My mental laughter hide the words that I wanted to say to her. “If only your real mother knew what I have done for these lesser beings my true niece.” spilled out from those dark spaces in my mind. “I believe you should join your bride to be.” I added with a half smile at the priest.

“Come my future husband so all may know he who has taken my heart.” the Princess ordered loudly. The young priest turned bright red with embarrassment as he moved to join her in the lead cart. My niece's pet scuttled down her shoulder to poise itself upon their clasped hands. The young priest seemed unafraid of her pet as he sat next to her still blushing.

Though shocked by the events, the High Priest rose to the occasion as he began speaking to them of the glories of marriage. This nuptial linked the blood of their god directly to their priesthood which would hold them above the other temples. Meli politely excused herself to return to her camel and fall in stride next to me as Sert mimicked her movement upon my other side.

“May I be told what has just transpired?” she asked me. Sert shrugged his ignorance at the whole proceedings.

“I will explain to both of you once we have a few moments alone.” I returned calmly. “As for your earlier question,” I continued quickly, “Yes, Thoth did show his powers for her which I will also explain fully later.”

We reached the village in time for the later afternoon meal but could not truly enjoy it as we waited on our camels by the lead cart as the other priests and priestesses help bring the girls to their new families and homes. The High Priest wished to get all of us safely to the temple nearby to prepare for a morning wedding but my niece would not allow any wasted time as she ordered the celebration to be performed that night. It had been a quiet trip and remained this way until we entered the temple grounds at night fall.

The High Priest performed the ceremony in the inner courtyard under the full moon with me and my companions as witnesses to the grand event and the assembled priesthood cheering the completed union in the main hall. I withdrew my group from the festivities having us retire to a prepared common room with a half dozen small bedchambers attached. Before I allowed us to sleep, I knew I needed to explain the events they had witnessed or possibly witness before they made rash judgements on the Egyptian people and their deities.