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.