The Nubians, on the other hand, were people of another nation close to Upper Egypt. They had another language, culture and tradition.
The previous rulers of Nubia had long fought against the kings of Upper Egypt because the latter refused alliance with these dark people as they were known to be fierce and wretches. They were so relentless in fighting against the Upper Egyptians until the latest ruler decided to associate his nation with Lower Egypt, the long-time enemy of Upper Egypt.
And so, the wise King Iry-Hor accepted the alliance with the Nubians instead. He was thinking that once he defeated King Hor-Aha with the help of the Nubians, he could easily defeat the Nubians later on as well. With this thought, King Iry-Hor would make an empire.
****
The witch priestess finished her evening ritual, and her eyes opened wide when she learned that the foreigners evaded the army that the general led to capture them. She read the as
Zadi complained that she was tired. Her two guards had to make turns in carrying the pygmy who was unbelievably heavy. Elise helped the two guards carry the burden by making Zadi lighter. As a priestess, Diana tried to do her role as well.“Oh, it’s too hot now.” Eric expressed his dissatisfaction as they continued to walk under the scorching sun that noon.Diana procured a cloth that covered Eric’s bag float over their heads as they ambled on the hot desert.“So cool, huh? We don’t need an umbrella… or a parasol. This though looks… primitive enough, right?” Diana said to no one in particular. “But at least this… the cloth is so wide and covers us all. The umbrella is just for one or two people. You couldn’t walk around using a big one because it would be so heavy to hold.”Elise smiled at her description of the umbrella.“Huh, you got a point there.” Eric
Suddenly, the right window of the enclosed litter opened. The witch priestess peered through it. She felt Zadi’s strong powers around the area. She closed her eyes and they opened abruptly. She saw the shield first and then the makeshift tent.“Halt!” She commanded the servants to stop. She knew that Meru, together with his soldiers, was already half a mile away now. She was only left with a handful of soldiers.She could now see the people behind the shield and inside the tent. She recognized the pygmy instantly as well as the four foreigners that were in disguise, clothed like ancient Egyptians. The two girls were dressed like priestesses while the others were dressed as soldiers. An evil smirk lifted from the corner of her red lips.The servants put the litter down, and the witch priestess climbed out of it. She stood under the heat of the sun as she stared at the tent. She aimed her palm in that direction and started to cast a spell.
Elise’s group ascended the stairs carefully, looking out for some more guards that might catch them for invading the sacred temple.The brown wooden floor on the second story of the temple was so clean and polished that they shone. They had noticed the large altar of Osiris with his wooden statue at the center. Incense burner was also placed in the middle of the altar in front of the statue. The altar was filled and adorned with flowers. The mixture of the scent of the incense and flowers was intense. It made them feel relaxed and drowsy all of a sudden.Zadi’s eyes became alert. She threw her eyeballs around the room. She was searching for the priestess of the temple. She must be somewhere nearby.She touched Elise’s hand, and Elise was made aware of Zadi’s suspicions. She then blinked and covered her nose with her hand.The rest of their company was like zombies who went over to the bed, which was on the left side of the altar, t
“We were just seeking… asylum,” Elise protested to the witch priestess.“Asylum?” the priestess echoed in confusion. She looked at Elise and Zadi, back and forth.“Yes. You know, something like… of seeking somewhere to hide, for protection?” Elise’s eyebrows rose.“All the same! You should not have come into the temple of Osiris! You could have hidden somewhere else!” The priestess’ voice went harder.“My! She’s so selfish!” Elise complained to Zadi. “What shall we do now?”Zadi just shrugged.“Well then, can we ask for forgiveness and could you please wake my brother and the others up now?” Elise requested the priestess. She had no idea how to reverse the spell. And in Zadi’s condition, the teen was almost sure that the pygmy couldn’t do anything further.“They shall be my prisoners. And so sh
“We’ll plan our escape a little later, Mazoi. Just take a look at this at the moment,” Zadi said to him.The huge man went to the pygmy’s side and took the papyrus roll from her hands. He looked at it and read it quickly. “Where did you get this? I heard that someone guarded this and thought it was just a myth.”“Yes, but guardian is now frozen down below.” Zadi nodded. “Do you think we can really use this?”“Definitely, yes. I heard that the Book of Gates contains twelve hours, a series of gates that the soul should have safe passage. Each gate is said to be associated with a goddess with a specific title. The book is believed to help those who have departed to make their journey safe to the underworld.”“And we can use it as a last resort to defeat Priestess Nehes.”Everyone looked at Zadi when she finished saying it.“But how is that possibl
In the city, the soldiers continued to look for the Medjay’s group. The priestess and the general were resting in the governor’s house as they waited for the reports from the assistant general of Meru.They had already spent half a day looking for the elusive group. The foreigners were always able to escape and hide away again.Meru suggested that the witch priestess’ powers should be used to find them again. They should not let them get away and cross the River Nile. It would be a total disaster for them if the foreigners got away from their land and allied themselves with King Hor-Aha. They had to stop it from happening.“Please do your duty well, my priestess,” Meru said after his suggestion.He turned around and the witch priestess watched him leave the house. Her eyes were merely slits because of anger. She couldn’t get over with what had just happened before they entered the city gates. Not only for that reason bu
Elise and the others were concerned about the Medjay. But then, Priestess Nehes made her move as well. The witch priestess had to avenge her sister.Elise was right on time to make the shield over them as daggers rained from above their heads. She was confused at first why it happened when she realized it was the witch priestess’ doing. She prepared herself mentally to accept the priestess’ dangerous challenge.She went out of the shield, and like a bubble, she commanded it in her mind to carry the others away from the fight. The shield floated above, at the farthest side of the tomb.“Elise!” Kent shouted. Deep concern was etched in his face.Anyone could not get out of the shield despite their own powers. Elise made sure of that so that they will not be hurt and that they would be safe.Eric let out a curse being helpless while Diana leaned on the shield like it was a wall, watching Elise with anxiousness.“Yo
Priestess Nehes was in a bottomless rage. She curled her fists and marched out of the tomb. Her eyes caught Meru’s unconscious form lying on the pathway, near the pool. He looked all bloody and bruised. She kneeled at his side and healed his cuts. The blood vanished from his body in an instant and he woke from his unconscious state.He gazed at the witch priestess and touched her face tenderly.“Thank you, my priestess,” he whispered.****Present day on Belmont Mound.The tents were so quiet without the kids. The Helmrick siblings’ parents were sleeping peacefully in each of their tent without a care in the world.****Ta Shemau, Ancient Egypt.King Hor-Aha was seated on his throne. His fingers were slightly scratching his chin while looking at the priestess that knelt before him.“Ye