Chapter 11
Covering themselves with their damp robes, Amanda went with Imhotep, holding onto his hand and pausing to kiss along the way, to where his lavishly decorated tent. Located close approximately at the same place as Landers' camp far in the future, a place she'd left only days ago ago, she could not help but tremble at the irony of her situation. In both lives, Imhotep intended to kill her, only in the future she'd never allowed him to make love to her. Now that she was his lover, she knew how Calista felt, as a slave, for her heart belonged to Imhotep.
In contrast to what she remembered from before, Landers tent which belonged now to Imhotep, was filled ith rich artifacts and furnishings that made her feel like an Egyptian queen. He made her welcomed within his tent, covering her with a fresh cloak, pouring each of them a glass of wine, and showing her to a comfortable pallet covered behind sheer drapes of the shade of cobalt blue.
"I leave you now and attend to my workers. When I return, perhaps then you shall wish to discuss the location of the Orb of Osiris, for I shall have need of it tomorrow night. For now, I shall order that a sumptuous banquent be provided for you, so that you might hunger for only my love, Aman-Da-Shaw."
Amanda felt utterly weak after he kissed her passtionately and left her to lounge upon the palette. She threw back her arms, spreading across the soft cushions, listening to the breeze rustling the palm leaves, occassionally, interrupted by the shouts of Imhotep and his other officers, as work continued into the late hours of the night.
About to fall into a contented slumber, Amanda was startled into an upright position as through the entrance, Alex and Achmed arrived, dressed as priests from their painted skin to their short robes and sandals. They rushed to the curtained bed, pulling the drapes aside, and sat down right beside her, finding her sleeping next to an enormous platter of food. Both mumbled hello and commenced stuffing their faces full of roated fowel and slices of fruit, finishing with glasses of wine that carelessly each allowed to spill a few drop upon the bed coverlet.
"What are you both doing here?" Amanda covered her breasts with the front of her robe, aware it was cut far too low and that Achmed was rudely staring. "Alex? Achmed? What have you done with the Orb? Where did you put it?"
"You saw us," said Alex, woofing down a piece of melon. "It's in the same place as it was before. I doubt Imhotep ever knew it was there." He wiped his hand across his mouth. "You have a sun burn. How have you been? We've gone for a lovely swim in the Nile and taken in a lot of the countryside. Running for our lives, Amanda."
"Aman-Da-Shaw, if you please."
"You're not serious?" Alex put down a wing he was nibbling upon. He roused Achmed with a slug into his shoulder. "Did you hear what she said? It's worse than you thought. You can tell she's madely in love. She can't even remember where we put the Orb. If I was having my gizzard cut out tomorrow night, I think I'd want to have a solid plan. Don't you agree?"
"Absolutely," said Achmed. "You are out of your mind, Amanda Shaw. We well know what you have been doing all day. While the temple remains unfinished, you have allowed your complexion to be burnt by the sun. How could you be so careless? There is no sunblock or hand cream in this world."
"What are you dribbling about?" Alex ignored his friend and caught Amanda by the arm. "You don't even act concerned. I simply hate that disgusting look on your face. You're the cat that ate all the cream. Gads. If your father could see you now."
"Well he can't," snapped Amanda. "Look, I have everything under control and I'm having a perfectly marvelous time. All you need do is tell me where the Orb is and I'll make certain Imhotep is ready for tomorrow night. It's going to be a huge birthday bash and everyone you can think of is coming."
"She's mad," groaned Achmed. "Listen to her."
"You are raving a bit, my dear," Alex added. "We are worried about you. All this sun has gone right to your pretty head. We are getting you out of here. That's what Calista wanted and I'm beginning to think she was right about all this." He squeezed her arm hard. "Well obviously she knows what happened here. You had visions of her before we got stuck here. It's all your fault, Amanda, and I expect you to uphold your end of the deal."
"I'm not going. Forget it. I'm staying right here." Amanda pushed them both away. "Besides, I have nothing else planned. I'm perfectly safe until tomorrow night. You two come up with something brilliant and just snatch me away at the right time and we'll go home. Okay?"
Achmed and Alex glanced at one another. They both grabbed Amanda by either arm and started dragging her across the bed. She struggled against them, scattering the platter of flood and wine, destroying the bed, until she was deposited unceremoniously upon the floor. She was up on her feet at once, a spectacle of nothing less than exotic beauty, while she shook her fist at either man, stomped her foot, then turned around, pretening to cry. Alex came up behind her, but was pushed away by Achmed, who placed his hands upon her shoulders and bent to her ear.
"Don't cry, Amanda. We are in this together."
"You don't care what happens to Imhotep!"
"That's right, we don't," snapped Alex. He rolled his eyes and started to pace the floor in frustation.
Achmed showed far more patience and hugged Amanda against him. "Of course we care. That's why we came along. You want Imhotep to do something so unbelievable good that Osiris will have no other choice but to confront Anubis to release the soul of your lover. It's perfectly understandly."
"It certainly is not!" Alex threw his hands into the air. "Why are we ever talking about this? Come with us at once, Amanda. We are using the Orb to return home. I'm not risking losing you tomorrow night simply because you want to convince Imhotep to release you instead of cutting out your heart. I mean, be reasonable about all this. He doesn't love you."
Amanda shoved Achmed aside and turned angrily upon the two men. "Yes, he does! Imhotep loves me. He loves me and not Ankh-Su-Namun. At least he doesn't love her yet. Don't you understand, Alex? I reached him in time. His heart is good. I know it."
"Precisely. You saved him! So, now you can go with us?"
"I'm...I'm not sure." She considered what Alex said.
Alex motioned for Achmed to check the entrance to the tent, while he put his arm around her shoulders and started to walk her over in that direction. From outside the tent, the sudden loud cry of attacking raiders drew all three backing up into a cluster. Alex reached for his gun, then realized he along with Achmed had lost all of their weapons in the Nile. He caught Amanda by the hand and pulled her back toward the bed, while outside the sound of charging horses, sword play and screams turned the calm evening into one of sheer pandemonium.
"We must get out of here," said Achmed.
"I agree," Alex countered, "but it appears we're in the middle of an surprise attack. Where do you suggest we go, Achmed?"
Amanda started to suggest they run to the temple, when she noticed in an open box on the floor two books lying side by side. She pulled free of Alex and knelt beside the box, letting her fingers slide across the tops of the two books, knowing that one was the Book of the Dead and other the Book of the Living. She sat down, losing track of time, intending to commit to heart spells in ancient Egyptian, if needed, but suddenly found herself being pulled up by either arm held by Alex and Achmed.
"Those books are important," snapped Amanda.
"So are our lives," Alex said, firmly. "Senmut must be attacking the temple. If the legend is right, he'll be defeated by Imhotep anyway, so there's no reason to stay."
"And what if are being here has altered the chain of events and Senmut wins after we leave? What then?"
"Amanda, I don't care about Imhotep. Let's go while we can. I love you too much to let you throw all our lives away simply because you're in love with a silly story you heard as a child. My mother made Imhotep sound all grand and romantic, but he's nothing more than a cold hearted murderer. Surely you see that? He's planning on killing you tomorrow night, you nit-wit. Snap out of it, will you? You're really starting to annoy me!"
"Then let's get the Orb and get out of here."
Amanda nodded when Alex and Achmed looked at her with doubt. She put her hand on Alex's shoulder and suddenly screamed as she glanced toward the entrance in time to see a rider come charging in, sweaping his sword through the air. She pushed Alex out of the way in time and fell beneath the horse. The rider let out a scream of terror and looked about for a target. The animal reared beneath him, throwing its front legs in the air, slashing wildly, while beneath its hooves, Achmed pulled Amanda out of the way.
Together, they crawled out of the tent and into a night filled with utter chaos as riders rode through the camp, hacking down the priests of Osiris, until the Medjai came rushing forward in mass, pushing the attacks backwards. Into the fray Amanda and Achmed ran, mixing with the Medjai warriors as they fought against the soldiers of Anubis. Both picked up weapons from the slain on the ground, merging with the Medjai, along with Alex O'Connell, as a counter-attack was made by those loyal to Osiris.
With a surge forward, the Medjai and armed priests of Osiris rushed toward the mounted troops, carrying horses and riders down together. The tents around them blazed with fire and smoked filled the air. Amanda battled her way alongside of Alex and Achmed back toward the temple, down the path that led past the sacred pool, finally reaching the center courtyard. There the fighting was thickest and the dead on either side lay like a blanket upon the ground. Keeping close together, they fought up to the stairs of the temple, up to the large altar, where Amanda found Imhotep swinging a silver-shafted battle axe. He cut down his opponents effortlessly, swinging the blade over his back and around his side, showing both skill and bravery.
Having rallied his men at the steps, Imhotep held back the attackers, as support arrived from those of his men victorious at the skirmish at the campside, and able to pen the enemy within the confindes of the courtyard, they slowly closed into a tight circle. The last of the followers of Anubis were dragged form their horses and slaughtered in blood upon the paved stones. Not a single man escaped as Imhotep ordered the reinforcements to form units and spread out, while guards lined up around the temple, protecting it from further attack.
Amanda held onto her weapon and walked away from Alex and Achmed, her eyes on Imhotep, as he climbed up the steps of the immense temple to oversee the removal of the dead. He looked startled to see her carrying a weapon, with blood covering her robe, but otherwise, she appeared unscathed. He tossed his weapon onto the altar and came to her, drawing her into his arms and kissed her trembling lips. He drew her back at last and gazed down into her eyes, a look of wonderment on his face.
"Are you human?" Imhotep inquired, staring at her intently. "Would you bleed if I plunged my dagger into your flesh?"
"I am mortal," sighed Amanda.
"I wonder. I saw the way you fought with my priests. You knew no fear. Nor were the weapons of the enemies able to touch your flesh. It is as though Osiris himself protects you."
"It is true, Master. His two warriors fought beside me. Let me introduce you to them." Amanda turned around but Achmed and Alex were nowhere to be seen. "But they were right here a moment ago. Oh, this is just like Alex to disappear when you need him most." She noticed his grave look of concern at the strangeness of her words. "I mean...apparently Osiris has other work for his great warriors or they would be here to meet you."
"You see too much," growled Imhotep. He took her weapon away and threw it on the ground. Then, grabbing her by the arm, he led her away from the scene of slaughter, down a passage, until they were standing on a balcony overlooking the Nile. He grabbed her arms and shook her hard, venting his anger upon her, blaming her for the attack.
"I should have your eyes burned from your head, for you see more than any man is allowed to see by the gods. You speak to me as an equal, and for that alone, I should have your tongue cut out. Though you know that the chosen one must remain pure, you entered into battle and took the lives of my enemies. You disobeyed me, and for this, you should be forced to submit to the Twelve Rites of Osiris, though you would not survive such a test."
Amanda trembled in his arms, but she did not pull away. It was dark in the corridor, and for a moment, the face looking down at her reminded her of William Landers.
"Don't you know me? Don't you remember being William Landers or living in New York City? In the future, you asked me come with you to Egypt to find the Orb of Osiris. We came to this temple together and here you were slain by Senmut's reincarnation. I remember everything. I hoped you might as well."
Imhotep drew her close. His breath was hot on her face. "I know not these names you mention, nor do I remember any other life but this one. Yet I have seen you fight tonight, and you have made me believe that you would gladly sacrifice your life for me, and for that, I will keep you from any harm, Aman-da-Shaw."
"Then you love me? Is it true, Imhotep?"
He put his finger to her lips. "Shhh, little bird. Do not speak. You have tears in your eyes that match those in my heart. There is mucy to consider. I must spend the rest of the night in private prayer to Osiris, to ask him what he expects me to do on the Night of Souls, and if he answers that you are to be spared, then my little bird, so it shall be."
"I want to stay with you. We have so little time together. Please. Let me stay with you. Senmut will return. I know it. This is but the first battle. We must remain on guard."
"I must pray first. My loyal men shall warn me if there is another attack. For now, I must attend to more important matters."
The high priest kept her back at arm's length. He indicated she was to remain a distance from him. When she tried to embrace him, he held her back, but eventually, she managed to break through his defense and wrap her arms around his neck. She kissed him, trying to shut out everything but her love for him, and as she felt him responding, she offered her own silent prayer to Osiris that the love she felt coming from Imhotep was real. But finally, she was the one who at last drew back and ended the kiss.
"I pray that Osiris will show you the future, so that you will know any love you might secretly harbor for Anck-Su-Namun will end in only misery and eternal damnation for you both."
"You speak of things you know not of. Be silent."
"I must speak. If loyality means so much to you, then know that when asked by you in the future, this woman you hold higher than any other in your heart, will refuse to sacrifice her life to save your's. But I have seen much goodness in you. Do not cast everything away for one not worthy of your love. Remember that it is I who love you when you offer your prayers and perhaps Osiris shall be merciful."
He took her by the hands and kissed each one.
"I shall seek solace within the inner sanctum. Ask my guards to stand watch. You will stay at the door, guarding it with them, and if your the two warriors sent by Osiris show themselves to you, then and only then may I be interrupted. For I shall want to meet those who journey with you and ask them where the Orb of Osiris can be found. Unless, will you tell me, little bird? Do you know?"
Amanda was about to answer when she felt herself mentally shoved to the side and another take possession of her thoughts and the ability to move her own limbs. Calista took command, her fear greater than Amanda's love, and with one last look at Imhotep, she let out a scream and started running. He followed behind her, trailing her down the decended corridor to the large inner sanctum, trapping her within the room. She turned on him, trembling in terror, looking this way and that for a weapon to arm herself with. But he continued to move toward her, steadily, patiently, ducking thrown objects she hurled in his direction, refusing to leave.
"Why do you reject me, Aman-Da-Shaw?"
"Because I am Calista!"
She suddenly cried out in pain and collapsed on the floor. He ran to her side and knelt down, craddling her in his arms. Her eyes opened and the look of fear was gone, replaced by an expression of tender love that he'd seen before in the eyes of Aman-Da-Shaw. His confusion faded as her hands smoothed the worried lines from his forehead and she lifted her head to kiss his full lips.
"I told you we do not have much time together. This body is but borrowed while I am here, and even then, I am not a welcomed intruder. Calista fears you. Aman-Da-Shaw does not. Please do not leave me alone tonight. I fear I will not be here in the morning to greet you. Calista grows stronger as we approach the Night of Souls. Tomorrow it may be Calista that greets you."
"Then stay," said Imhotep. "We shall pray together."
Imhotep spread out a carpet on the floor before the altar and gestured for her to join him, kneeling before a golden statue of Osiris. He bent low, pressing his forehead to the ground, then pushed himself up and removed his cloak from his shoulders. She remained silent at his side as he chanted his prayers, pausing to touch his head to the floor, then continuing. He prayed for what seemed hours, his words tumbling around in her mind, until at last, her eyeslids began to grow heavy.
Suddenly, she saw an image of herself, or rather Calista, tied to a stake, while the priests of Anubis beat her about the legs and thighs with a corded rope. Others of her tribe sold as slaves by the pirates were held down by the priests of Anubis, waiting as Senmut went down a line of eleven men and women, slitting each of their throats, catching their mingle blood in a golden chalice. He lifted the cup high over his head, standing before a statue of Anubis, chanting softly, paused to take a large drink of blood, allowing it to run down the sides of his chin. He came forward and poured the foul contents into the mouth of Calista, as his priests held her fast by her arms and legs, his chanting begin once more as he poured the last of the blood down her unclad body.
In a stupor, Caslisto sagged to her feet before Senmut, as he placed his hand upon her brow, praying to Anubis, calling upon the god's dark powers to give strength to his purpose. Her body bucked in the hands of the priests, thrashing as an invisible hand closed around her body, squeezing the air from her lungs, causing her to gasp to breath. The priests released her and she fell to the cold floor, made slid with blood, and lifting her red stained face, she watched as Senmut forced a dagger into her hand, commanding her silently to strike out and kill his enemey. Her hand closed around the dagger and she slashed at the air, seeing nothing, but felt contact and the blade slip into soft flesh.
Suddenly, stars filled her head and the image of Calista and Senmut faded, withdrawing as quickly as ghosts, and Amanda found herself on the floor, grappling with Imhotep over possession of a blooded dagger she held in her own hand. She was shooked to see bloody covering her arm and released the dagger, pushing herself away from Imhotep and crawling across the floor to a safe distance. She watched him pick up the dagger and turn, his other hand holding onto his left shoulder, covering a fresh wound.
"What have I done?" Amanda cried out, lifting her bloody hands up to her face, unable to believe what had occurred. She made no attempt to defend herself as Imhotep, armed, rose to his feet and staggered over to her. He gazed down at her, half in shock, half in rage, and pointed the dagger at her throat.
"Where is the Orb of Osiris, slave?"
Amanda lifted her chin and spread out her arms, exposing her throat, leaving herself vunerable. She felt the ankh hanging around her neck, the charm snuggled between her breasts, and silently prayed for protection. She gazed behind Imhotep at the statue of Osiris, tears spilling down her cheeks, and cried out between sobs, "Why have you allowed this to happen Osiris? Why did you not tell me before that Calista was sent by Senmut to murder Imhotep? Why didn't you tell me Calista is the enemy?"
Imhotep stared up at Osiris. "Is this true?" He glanced down at Amanda where she knelt at his side.
"If I am struck down now, then Senmut wins, don't you see?"
"You have betrayed me, Aman-Da-Shaw?"
"Not I! It was Calista! She is Senmut's servant!"
The high priest grabbed a fist full of her hair, wincing in pain, as blood continued to seap from the small hole in his shoulder, and placed the dagger at her throat. His warm brown eyes were misty with tears as he poked the tip of the blade into her soft skin, bringing a dot of blood to the surface. He paused, searching the god's stoney cold face, searching for an answer, when in from the entrance, a breeze came rushing in, swirling around the room and the statue. For a moment, the god's eyes seemed to glow with life of their own, and seeing the strange occurrence, Imhotep dropped to his knees and bowed his head, lowering the dagger and his eyes in reverence.
Amanda faced Imhotep. She ripped off the end of her robe, wadded it up and pressed it over his wound. Holding it firmly in place, she looked back up at the statue of Osiris and beheld the face moving, forming an expression that was judgmental and harsh, and then she knew they were being weighed by the gods for their virtues and faults, and that the moment to save Imhotep was finally upon her. She grabbed the dagger out of Imhotep's hand and held it up, fully prepared to plunge it into her own chest, but paused as she heard the voice of Alex O'Connell stopping her.
"Amanda! Don't!"
Imhotep looked toward the entrance, along with Amanda, amazed to see a blonde haired man and a man with tatooed cheeks dressed in the gold robes of Osiris rushing down the steps. The priest grabbed the dagger from Amanda's hand, standing with her, before pushing her aside, protecting her from the two strangers.
"What are you doing here?" Asked Amanda in a fierce voice.
In the tattered remains of a thin white robe, she slid around Imhotep, offering herself as a shield as her cousin and his friend hurried over and stopped a few feet away. Both carried axes and looked fully prepared to slaughter Imhotep at any provocation. She stepped between the men, one held out in either direction, hoping to stop a fight before it started.
"You don't understand," she said, firmly. "I just tried to kill Imhotep. I mean, Calista did. Senmut has her under his control. There isn't much time, Alex. Just give him the Orb. Please. Tell me where it is."
"I already did," replied Alex. "Don't you remember?"
Amanda started to turn toward the entrance to the smaller chamber. Achmed stepped into her path. He kept his eye on Imhotep, his axe ready, feeling no threat against a dagger.
"Think about it first, Amanda."
Imhotep set his sword aside with such swiftness, that Amanda was not prepared when he reached out and grasped her face between his strong hands. Neither were Alex or Achmed, caught off-guard momentarily, merely acting as spectators as Imhotep tilted Amanda's head up, smoothing a bruise upon her cheek with his thumb, his expression almost tender and said firmly, "You are my slave, Calista, and I am thy master, Imhotep. Answer me truthfully, my favorite and most loyal slave. Where is the Orb? Your master has need of the Orb. Tell me." He leaned forward and kissed her forhead, then released her. "If you love me, why hesitate?"
She pointed at the adjoining sanctuary closed off by large doors and turned her head away upon seeing Alex's look of utter disbelif. There was no time to apologize, for Imhotep took one step toward the door and collapsed on his knees, caught at the last second by Amanda and Achmed by either arm. They pulled Imhotep up to his feet, taking him by either arm and led him over to the statute, lying him down on his back on the carpet.
"He has lost quite a bit of blood," said Alex, joining them, looking around for suitable bandages. "It's quite possible you hit an artery, Amanda. What do you think, Achmed? Do you think we can cauterize the wound closed? There could be internal injuries that we don't even know about. She might have hit a lung."
"He does look pale," Achmed said. He patted Amanda on the back as she sank beside Imhotep, tearing off more of her robe to hold against the wound. "Leave everything to me." He rose and went to make a fire in a brazier filled with goals, getting the fire going quickly. He placed his own dagger into the growing flames and turned back to look at the patient.
Amanda held Imhotep's head in her lap, stroking the creased lines in his forehead, and at the same time holding the cloth against the wound. Alex checked the man's pulse and seemed satisfied, though not overly optimistic.
"You best hurry, Achmed."
"It's nearly ready."
"What about the Orb?" Amanda demanded to know. "We don't know what its powers contain. It will either save his life or send us straight home, and then it really won't matter, will it?"
Achmed came over with the knife, the tip glowing red and knelt down beside the cousins. He removed the cloth and motioned for them to hold down the half unconscious high priest.
"You best gag him too. He might scream."
Imhotep looked up at Amanda, his eyes hazy. "Do not let them gag me. I shall remain silent. I swear it."
"These are Osiris' warriors I told you about. They are my friends. You won't die." Amanda stared into Alex's blue eyes. "Tell me he won't die. You can save him?"
"I think so," Achmed stated, speaking for the reluctant Alex. He wasted no time and placed the dagger's blade upon the wound, searing the flesh closed, and with a start, Imhotep's eyes flew open but he made no sound by gritting his teeth together. The moment the blade was removed, Imhotep gasped, staring Amanda right in the eyes, then dropped his head, sliding into unconsciousness.
"Is he going to live?" Amanda demanded to know, but neither Alex nor Achmed were able to answer. Moving around to cradle Imhotep in her arms, she gave her attention to the statue of Osiris, tears dropping from her eyes and in a pleading voice said, "Oh Osiris, great God of the Underworld, hear my humble request, that of a mere slave and a barbarian, and breath life into these strong limbs and restore renewed life to your high priest Imhotep." She suddenly turned toward her cousin. "If you'd only let me bring the Book of the Dead with me, I'd know what to say. You left it in the tent for Senmut to find."
"You're doing fine," said Alex. He pointed at Osiris. "I think he's listening to you. Why don't you add please?"
Achmed, having left the group long enough to investigate what was going on outside of the chamber, came running down the stairs at top speed and came to a jarring halt in front of the statute. "You're not going to believe this," he said, pointing back in the direction whence he came, "but I think they're back."
"What?" Asked Alex, reached for his battle axe. "You mean Senmut's men have returned?"
"No his men. Something...else."
Alex left Amanda and Imhotep and hurried over to his friend, catching him returning to the stairs, and placing a hand on his arm, he motioned to the entrance. "What is it, Achmed?" His friend started up the stairs. "I can't just leave them here. Where are you going?" He went up several steps. "Achmed?" He turned back to Amanda. "I have to go see what is going on."
"Alex, you have to get me the Orb," said Amanda. She laid Imhotep carefully on the ground, placed her finger tips against his lips, raising her face to her cousin. "You can't find whatever that is without the Orb. You know that."
"I don't have time to argue. You know where it is. Why don't you be a good girl and go fetch it for us, Amanda."
Bounding up the steps, he joined Achmed, now armed with two swords, at the entrance. He waved at Amanda and ran out into the dark, immediately following in his wake, the sounds of the night. The scene was sheer chaos as tall men with the heads of jackal rushed through the temple in a massive horde, hacking apart anyting that moved, making their way toward the inner sanctum. Achmed and Alex stood in the entrance, able to rally a handful of Medjai warriors as they came running by along with a number of terrified priests, and together, they put up a last stand at the entrance.
Within the chamber, a cachony of unearthly screams from beyond rose, woven with the screams of men and the din of fierce sword play. Amanda stood over Imhotep, her shadows cast by the torch light upon the wall, a giant form that rivaled that of the god's statute and confronting the idol as she wound a human man, she threw her arms up into the air.
"Hail, thou who art adored! Hail, Mighty One of Souls, thou divine Soul who inspirest great dread, who dost set the fear of thyself in the gods, who are enthroned upon thy mighty seat. I am a Spirit-soul equipped with words of power. I have made my way to the place where your loyal subjects pray to you. Grant me this request, oh great one, and restore live to your favorite servant, for he deserves your blessing." She paused. "I can't remember the rest. How do you expect me to know the rest with all that noise going on? I love him, as Isis loves you, shouldn't that be enough to deserve a little help from you?"
At her final words, the statue of Osiris seemed to tremble and from out of its opening maw came a thunderous roar. Alex and Achmed and the surviving member came rushing in, trailed by the the army of Anubis. The survivors fought bravely upon the stairwell. Creatures poured inside, tumbling over one another, and impaling themselves, only to vanish into dust on contact.
"How you coming?" Shouted Alex to his cousin.
"I think I did something!"
Alex cut off an opponent's furry head. "What's that?"
"I said I...."
She fell silent as she heard a loud moan come from Imhopte. Dropping on all fours by his side, she rose with him as he sat up, a hand to his seared flesh, looking with marvelment up at the statue. He touched his hand to his forehead.
"I heard him. He spoke to me."
Amanda noticed one jackal warrior break free, jumping down from the stairwell and rushing toward her. She picked up a discarded axe and hurled it at the monster, catching it in mid-section, turning it to dust. She spun around and came over to Imhotep, still crouched at the feet of his god.
"Can you move?"
Imhotep nodded.
"Then move! We've got company!"
Amanda grabbed Imhotep by the arm, finding him weaker than she'd first thought and requiring her shoulder for support. She guided him over to the closed doors to the second inner sanctum, leaning him against the door to address a growling beast behind her, without a weapon in sight. Imhotep lifted a hand and muttered softly, causing the creature to back up and hold in pattern, whimpering in frustration, as several more joined it in a line.
"We must open the door," said Amanda. "The Orb is inside."
The hounds hearing this, sniffed the air, eager to get beyond the two humans and enter the chamber, but the spell kept them at bay. Behind them, an inward press at the door brought the rest of Alex, Achmed, and a handful of remaining Medjai and priests cowarding in around the statue.
"Hurry is up a bit," Alex called out, his usually cheery voice wavering with growing concern. "We're running out of time, Amanda!"
"Open the door, Imhotep. I must get to the Altar of Truth."
The high priest reluctantly broke eye contact with the slobbering dog-headed beings and addressed the door. Amanda pressed against Imhotep's back as he placed the front of a gold pinkie ring into a grove on the door, turning a panel, while the hounds slowly pressed closer, step by step, breaking through the invisible barrier raised by the high priest. The door groaned and began to slide open. With a crack to slide through, Imhotep grabbed Amanda by the hand and eased his large body within the widening space, pulling her along with him. The entered a private sanctuary built into the rocks, lit above by the moon coming down from a small hole in the center of the cave.
For a moment, Amanda feared the jackals would rush in, seeing them cowering at the entrance, afraid to enter, while the fight continued beyond her view. Imhotep staggered to the altar, using his waning strength to push the lid to the side. Amanda joined him and grabbed the sides of the heavy ornate stone top, and together, they pushed it aside, revealing a hollowed out center where the glowing Orb of Osiris was hidden.
"Osiris Ani, grant thou unto me...." began the high priest.
"Imhotep!"
Annoyed to hear Amanda's scream, Imhotep paused, his eyes widening as the hounds entered the room and snarling, headed in a pack toward the Altar of Truth. Suddenly, hidden darts came shooting out of the walls, hittng the hounds, sending them bursting into particles, until none were left.
Imhotep sunk down on his knees, with Amanda at his side, and said weakly, "The Spirits fall headlong in the darkness, but the Eye of Horus hath made me holy, and Isis hath nursed me. My brow is like the brow of Ra. My face is open. Thy father liveth for thee, O son of Nut. I am thy son, O great one, I have seen the hidden things which are thine. I am crowned upon my throne like the king of the gods. I shall not die a second time in Duat." He continued to collapse against the altar, his face pale and taunt, unable to reach inside and grab the Orb.
Amanda picked it up herself, not knowing what would happen, and handed it over to Imhotep, while at the same time, she heard Alex and Achmed shouting at the doorway, "No!" But it was too late and Imhotep's hand closed around the scepter, his fingers slipped as he nearly dropped it, bringing Amanda down to his side and her own hands closing around his own, holding the Orb fast. She met Imhotep's eyes and on impulse leaned over to kiss him on the lips.
The light within the Orb immediately began to glow bright blue, filling the chamber with a brilliance that was blinding to behold, causing Alex, Achmed and the few survivors stumbling into the safety of the chamber to drop their weapons and hold their hands over their eyes. Behind them at the door, a multitude of dark muzzled faces snarled and snapped their great jaws, and a great light shot out of the Orb, striking down whatever attempted to enter the chamber. Then with the last cry of the vanishing hounds, the light extinguished from the Orb.
Imhotep, filled with power coursing through his viens, bones and muscles, stood up on his feet, bringing Amanda with him and walked through his men, stopping at the entrance. He looked out first, making sure it was safe, then nodded for the others to follow him into the sanctuary. The floor under them immediately began to separate as Imhotep left the room, catching the priests and guards by surprise. Several men fell into the water below, screaming, but nothing could be done and the remaining group hurried into the enormous chamber behond. Finally, the floor completely withdrew, revealing the glowing water of the Nile, where several priests, treading water, begged for help from filing out of the room. Alex and Achmed gazed back at the room, knowing first hand that there was no return, only going forwards through a tunnel that opened up into the Nile itself. The priests, unable to swim, began to sink.
"Hold me. I'll try to pull one of the priest's up," said Alex.
"Leave them," said Imhotep.
"They'll drown."
Imhotep shrugged. "What of it? They die in the service of Osiris. We have other more urgent matters to attend to." He drew Amanda against his side, keeping the Orb high. "This is one of the warriors you mentioned?"
"Yes." Amanda pointed out Achmed. "That is the other."
"Thank you for your service," replied Imhotep. He gestured with the Orb for them to move. "You may lead the way."
"Figures," muttered Alex. He picked up his axe off the floor and headed across the chamber, haunted by large shadows on the walls, flickering as the breeze picked up from outside and swept into the room. "Some thanks," said Achmed as he armed himself and hurried to catch up with his friend. He suddenly grabbed Alex by the arm and pulled him up short. "We have company."
Imhotep and Amanda paused behind Alex and Achmed, with the few Medjai warriors and priests bringing up the rear. Dark shadows appeared at the top of the stairs and the echoing sound of hissing snakes filled the vaulted chamber.
"The Orb belongs to me," came a deep, throaty reply coming from the stairwell. Senmut swathed in dark purple, surrounded by his priests and soldiers gathered on the stairs, stepped out of the group, coming down the stairs alone. His hand fished into a black leather bag at his side and he removed a handful of small bones which he tossed upon the floor. The bones turned into snakes, twisting and turning, growing larger at an increasing rate.
"Behold the power of Osiris," bellowed Imhotep. He lifted the Orb high and rays of blue light shot out of its center, striking each snake and reducing them to a ball of flame.
Senmut shrieked with rage and again withdrew an item from his magic bag, this time the skull of a jackal, that he threw angrily at the feet of the statue of Osiris. "O great Anubis, hear me and give me aide against your greatest of enemies. Strike down thy enemy with thy might and prove to all the gods that thou is the mightiest of all."
"This isn't good," said Alex. He poked Amanda in the side. "Does you boyfriend have a way out of this?"
"Shhh, Alex. You're bothering him. He's concentrating.
"He better because that thing is starting to move."
The skull twitched and moved on the floor. It doubled in size within seconds, then tripled, forming a body that resembled a man's with a jackal's head dressed in a loincloth, until it stood as tall as a giant, swinging a double edged axe. Alex and Achmed and the other Medjai immediately engaged the enormous figure, charging on all sides, only to be repelled by a serious of swift moves that left the majority of the men dead. Knocked flat on their backs, Alex and Achmed crawled off in different directions, seeking cover, those of lesser atheletic abilities being lifted off the floor by the collosal figure of Anubis and ripped in halves that were discarded at its feet.
Imhotep held Amanda back with one arm, then pointing the Orb at the statue of Osiris, muttered swiftly, "Come to life, great one! Defend thy temple from evil!" He smiled triumphantly as a great surge of light came out of the tip of the Orb, striking the golden statute in a shower of sparkling lights that rained down upon the floor. "Behold the wonder of my god!"
The statue's eyes blinked, before the entire face turned soft and plaint of a giant man, crowned and cloaked. He reached behind him and pulled from beneath his blue cloak a large sword the length of three men put together and an enormous silver shield. Stepping off of the platform, the statue of Osiris confronted the axe wielding giant Anubis. The two behomeths faced off, battling intensely together, one dominating the floor, then the other, their footsteps creating holes in the tiles and in the roof above, sending debris raining down upon the humans within the chamber.
"We're going to get killed in here," said Alex. He backed up to where Imhotep and Amanda were standing, watching the fight in fascination, and snapped his fingers in front of their faces. "Let's get with the program. While these two giants try to kill each other, I suggest we leave by means of the other exist."
"I will not run," said Imhotep, wincing as Osiris was wounded in the side. "I must stay and help my god."
"You stay. We're leaving. Come on, Achmed."
"Don't tell me you wish us to return to the water?"
"Precisely. Would you rather stay here and die?"
Alex seemed satisfied when a large portion of the roof came crashing in not more than a few inches from where they all stood. Though Osiris sent Anubis staggering back into the staircase, crashing and crushing his own followers, he headed toward the room they'd recently vacated, pushing anyone in his path in the same direction with him. Achmed followed right behind.
"Come with us," said Amanda, pulling on Imhotep's arm as he watched Osiris slide into Anubis' arm, bringing a howl from the great beast that was echoed by Senmut, cowering among the stone blocks that were once the stairs leading out. "We run now to live and fight another day. Please, my love. Come with us."
Imhotep took a step back and nodded. He allowed her to pull him back into the smaller chamber to find the others already diving into the water, disappearing beneath the surface, swimming out. She held his hand while he lifted the Orb high and together they jumped into the water with a large splash, right as the larger chamber behind them collapsed, sending dust and pieces of clay brick tumbling into the pit after them.
The Orb glowed under the water, lighting the way, as Imhotep and Amanda caught up with the others. By the time she thought her lungs would burst, she felt Imhotep's hand on her arm and felt him pulling her upwards, above the surface of the water. They appeared at the bank of the river, a short distance out, and staggered to their feet, a dozen in all, coming to stand side by side within the shallow waters. Amanda left Imhotep long enough to hug both Alex and Achmed, then she returned to the high priest and slipped into his waiting one armed embrace. He held her close, still holding the Orb in one hand, its light extinguished, as smoke and fire rose upwards, engulfing the temple and surrounding grounds.
"All my efforts are for naught," said Imhotep at last.
Amanda wrapped her arms around his muscular, bare torso, holding him tightly. "Anubis is defeated. For now. Nor need you fear Senmut any longer. He is dead at last." She smiled up at him, loving him more than she thought possible. "You may rebuild your temple, my love, better than before, and this time it will be built on sacred ground."
"Maybe you'll get it right this time," said Alex. He fell silent when Achmed stuck him with a finger in the ribs. Then he nodded over at Amanda and Imhotep, caught in a passionate kiss, and roled his eyes, while Alex replied, "Women! It's all romance and moonlight and battling gods. You can never please them."
"He has," sighed Achmed. "Maybe now we can go home."
Amanda's heart suddenly leapt to her throat, overhearing the conversation behind her and she clung to Imhotep more tightly. "I do not want to leave yet. I want to see the ceremony tomorrow."
"And be his sacrifice?" Snapped Alex. "I'd ask you to be reasonable, but reason flew out the window days ago. Just ask him for the Orb and let's be on our way home. I'm tired and wet."
"I don't think he's going to sacrifice me now, Alex. You are normally so optimistic. What's wrong with you?" Asked his cousin.
"What's wrong with me? Nothing's wrong with me. Didn't you see what I did back there? It was my idea to go for a swim."
"My thanks to you, warrior. I, Imhotep, shall reward you for your services and shall write you story on the walls of the temple itself. And you, Aman-Da-Shaw, so shall it be known for all times that a fair maiden offered her life to safe the high priest of Osiris. A life that will not be extinguished by this hand, for I shall make it possible for you to return home in thanks for what you have done this night."
"You mean....?"
"Calista shall be spared, Aman-Da-Shaw. Osiris has spoken."
Taking her by the hand, Imhotep led Amanda out of the water, ignoring the two warriors sent by Osiris, pausing to admire the brief bit of cloth clinging to her breasts and slender waist. He touched her cheek and silently offered her the Orb. Alex and Achmed eagerly nodded their heads at her, but she felt no joy as she took the scepter in her hands, as her two friends held onto her and closing her eyes, she thought of home.
"You remain here," announced Imhotep, with some surprise. His deep voice broke through Amanda's thoughts. She opened her eyes, looking a bit flustered. His smile was patient. "In your time, when was the Orb used last? Was it on this eve or on the Night of Souls? The timing must be accurate or here you shall remain."
"The Night of Souls," muttered a miserable Alex and Achmed in unison, both already knowing what the high priest meant. They nudged one another, angering one another, but able to vent their frustration without turning it upon Imhotep or the Orb.
"Then tomorrow night we shall ask Osiris once more for his divine intervention," Imhotep stated. He motioned for his few guards to take up a defensive position on the sand, then for his priests to join them to offer a prayer to Osiris. "The two gods must still battle in the underworld. Osiris cannot help you until Anubis is bound by him. Until then, you must remain here, Amana-Da-Shaw. Does this not please you a little?"
"Yes, but what about the sacrifice?"
"It has already been made and life was granted instead, not death. You have made that impossible, my love."
"Did you hear that?" Amanda asked no one in particular. Her heart pounded in her breast. "Does that mean you love me?"
"Yes, Aman-Da-Shaw," said the high priest, softly. "It does."
Imhotep gently took the Orb back from Amanda and gripped her around her bicep. She leaned against him, actually pleased it hadn't worked. He sensed her happiness when she laughed, finding it music to his ears. She hugged him close, walking with him down the pier where his sail boat was still tied up. He led her right on board, gesturing for the others to join him and ordering the ropes to be cut, so that the vessel could be pulled out by the current, away from the shore.
The boat pulled out into the water, moving away from shore, giving those seated within a better view of the temple, filled with smoke that billowed white and grey up into the night sky.
"Uh, Imhotep," said Alex, frowning when Achmed took position at the steering oar, while his cousin and Imhotep found a spot together at the prow of the vessel and commenced to kiss, leaving him standing on desk, unsure where to go. He came over to the couple, interrupting them. "I have only one request for our help. Seeing that we saved your life and have to stay until tomorrow, maybe you'll let me welcome the pharaoh."
"I shall consider what you have asked," said Imhotep. He pulled Amanda against him and covered her with a cloak he found folded and stuffed in a corner of the boat. "For now, we shall wait out the night off shore and return in the morning to make repairs. Until then, Al-Lex, be silent." He dismissed the man with a wave of his hand and tucking the Orb between himself and the woman he loved, he leaned back with Amanda, gazing up at the stars, while the boat gently floated upstream, away from the temple.