CHAPTER 2: DESTINY IT IS INDEED
I awoke to feelings of pain and sickness, and the sound of great waters splashing all around me. I was lying down, my body swaying to the rhythm that accompanied the sound of the water. Opening my eyes, I beheld Neftiji kneeling over me, applying a cool wet cloth to my face. I tried to speak, but she quickly covered my lips.
"Quiet, Memna," she said in a low voice. "We must not let them know you are awake."
I nodded and looked around the room. I lay naked upon bedding rolled out on the floor. Neftiji knelt beside me upon sleeping sheets of her own, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes. Light came from a candle in a holder on the wall near us.
We were in a small cabin inside the ship, with one door as the only entry. Neftiji did not have to tell me that it was locked.
"I knew you would come back to me, Memna-un," she said. "The healer in service to Kho-An-Sa said you would not wake up. But I knew."
"Where are they taking us?" I whispered.
"I do not know. I have heard Kho-An-Sa talking to someone outside. They said we were near Ta Neter...."
I shook my head and tried to sit up, but my limbs failed me and I slipped back down to the bedding. Neftiji put her hand upon my chest. "Rest, Memna," she said. "You will be strong soon."
"Neftiji, we must get off this ship...."
"I know," she quickly replied, "but you must not let them know you are awake. Kho-An-Sa is planning something terrible for you. He keeps speaking of our pa, saying you will be a greater warrior than he was, but in service to him."
Just then we heard footsteps coming toward us. I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep as I heard the door swing open.
There was the sound of two men entering the room, and then the voice of Kho-An-Sa.
"Girl, has your brother yet stirred?"
"No," Neftiji said. "His head is still hot."
The floorboards creaked loudly as they came closer and began rubbing their rough hands over my head and neck. There was a pause and another voice spoke in the strange language of the northerners. Kho-An-Sa made some reply to it and then he spoke again in Kamitic.
"Here, girl. Anoint his limbs with this. The son of such a mighty one should die in battle, not like this. I would see this panther roar once again."
Kho-An-Sa and the other man left the room and the door shut once again. I opened my eyes slightly and looked toward the entrance, then turned towards Neftiji. She clutched a small clay pot in her hands, staring at the door with burning hatred in her eyes.
"It is heat-ointment, Memna," she said as she turned toward me. "How can a man who knows so much of healing be so cruel, so evil?"
As she applied the heat-ointment, Neftiji told me what had gone on as I had lain near death. We had been at sea for a quartermoon. During this time she had been to the deck twice, both times to be shown how far away from home we had been taken. Kho-An-Sa thought this would make her give up hope and convince her to cooperate with his plans, but for her, it was a moment to memorize the lay of the ship and plot our escape.
We plotted patiently as time went by, my strength gradually returning as Neftiji shared her food with me. I spent hours stretching and exercising my limbs, interrupted by tense moments of feigned stupor when Kho-An-Sa and his healer came to check on me. After two more quarters of the moon had passed, I was at last strong enough for us to make our move.
Late one night, when all movement upon the ship had ceased, Neftiji stood at the door, holding her bedding. She kicked the door and waited for the guard to open it. When he did, she thrust the bedding into his hands and pointed at me. I lay with my eyes slightly open, to be ready at the right moment.
"Come, man, help me move him," Neftiji said as she pointed at me. "He has been on the same filthy bedding for weeks." The guard seemed not to understand her words and threw down the bedding in disgust.
He was about to slam the door shut when Neftiji cajoled him sharply.
"He is sick with fever," she said. "He must have new bedding. Kho-An-Sa will be angry if he dies because of your negligence."
At the mention of Kho-An-Sa's name a fearful look came over the guard's face. He frowned at Neftiji and slowly walked into the room. As they came toward me, Neftiji bent down and reached for my legs.
"You take his arms," she said.
As the guard bent down for my arms, I lunged up suddenly, seizing him firmly by the throat. He tried to reach his sword, but with a twist I threw him to the floor, all the while tightening my grip to cut off his wind. Neftiji darted through the door and came back quickly, holding a large water vessel. I was choked him vigorously so he could not cry out, but he was starting to pull his weapon.
"Memna, move! " Neftiji hissed.
As I removed my hands I could see the guard's lips forming a cry, but the vessel came crashing down upon his head and he fell limp. Then Neftiji and I looked at each other. Both of us were dripping with perspiration and breathing heavily from the excitement. I then took the guard's clothing and put them on my own naked frame, and after snatching up his sword, we cautiously made our way out the door.
We walked softly to the top of the stairs and Neftiji peeked apprehensively out onto the deck. She then gestured for me to follow and we slipped stealthily into the open air.
The ship was very large, as large as any I had ever seen, except for the grand vessels of the Shekem or the trading ships from Blybos. Behind us, towards the rear, was a large square structure. Neftiji had told me earlier that this was the sleeping quarters of Kho-An-Sa, and that behind it was the steering oar and oarsmen's quarters.
Directly before us lay another large structure, which was the sleeping quarters for the crew and warriors. On the far side of this sat the storeroom. Our goal was to get there for supplies, and then get to the small boats stored nearby.
The wind was high and the sails were full, which meant that no rowers would be about. As our eyes became adjusted to the light of the three-quarter moon, we moved silently past the sleeping area of the men. I heard snoring and movement as we crept and held my breath as we passed beneath their windows. I had no wish to fight these vicious men again and put my sister at risk.
As we passed the warriors' quarters, Neftiji stopped, pointing carefully around the corner. I looked to see a warrior leaning against the door that led to the ship's supplies, his arms crossed resolutely over his chest. My heart sank into despair. We had been fools to think that the storeroom on a ship full of barbarians would not be guarded.
Neftiji pulled me close and whispered into my ear. "I will distract him, Memna, and you...." She pulled her finger across her throat like a sword cut, and I understood what she meant.
Neftiji took her robe off and walked boldly out into the open. The warrior noticed and stepped forward, reaching for his sword. Then his eyes widened and he relaxed, a lustful smile playing across his face. He then said something to her in his strange language, which Neftiji answered with a giggle and a fertility dance. As her body swayed before him, he stepped forward and tried to seize her, but Neftiji danced a circle around him, keeping just out of his reach.
His breathing became heavy as he stumbled around and around to keep up with her. When his back was finally towards me, she stopped. As he poised to spring upon her, I rushed forward, plunging the sword as deep as I could into his back. Uttering one brief moan, the man dropped heavily to the deck, his eyes rolling up in a stare of death. After Neftiji redressed herself, we opened the door to the storeroom and stepped inside. Near the entrance we found a candle, lit it, and began gathering supplies. We chose sacks of dried meat and fruit and jugs of water, anything which would last a long time, because we knew not when we would see land again. Neftiji seized a large knife used to trim meats and tucked it into her robe. Then we put the supplies into two large sacks and dragged them around the storeroom toward the small boats.
There we found three vessels, each with a rope tied around its middle and length. One was larger than the others and was equipped for
sailing. We chose this one and tossed our supplies into it. Nearby stood a large wooden pole with a rope and pulley attached. At the end of the rope there was a hook for latching onto the boats and lowering them into the water. Neftiji attached the hook and I began pulling it into the air, but the pulley squeaked loudly and sharply, piercing the salty night air.
We stopped suddenly. My heart beat quickly as Neftiji and I stared at each other for long seconds. Finally she looked around and shrugged her shoulders. We knew we had no choice but to go on. The pulley kept squeaking as I pulled the boat up. Though I knew it would arouse the sleeping warriors, I prayed that we would get into the water before we were caught.
Finally, the boat was high enough to push over the side, but by then we heard footsteps and cries from the other side of the storeroom. Neftiji stepped forward to help and we were rapidly lowering the boat toward the water as two warriors appeared. Their swords were drawn and I could hear more approaching.
"Get into the boat," I ordered my sister.
Neftiji hesitated at first, then climbed to the edge of the ship and leapt into the small craft. At that moment a warrior ran forward, swinging at me with his sword. When I stepped aside his blade cut the rope thread through the pulley, causing the vessel and my sister to plunge down into the dark waters.
I snatched up my own blade as the warriors rushed me. One slashed down at my head while the other thrust towards my legs. Blocking the downstroke, I leapt back to avoid the other blade, then came back at the warriors with vicious circular strokes that put them on the defense. But by now more warriors had appeared and I knew I had to make my escape.
Shouting and cursing, I beat back the two warriors before me until they became entangled with the advancing men. Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, I ran to the edge of the ship and leapt out into the sea.
Plunging deep, I let the sword slip from my hand and swam up to the surface. When my head burst above the waves, I saw the small boat close by and made my way toward it. There were shouts and curses from the ship as Neftiji pulled me aboard, then we smiled as the huge vessel glided past us, pushed on by the power of its sails. Seizing our oars, I began rowing immediately, wanting to put as much distance between us and Kho-An-Sa's ship as possible.
As the outline of the ship slipped further away into the darkness, I was determined to row until we could no longer see or hear the vessel that had held us captive. Losing all sense of place and time, my mind centered on the oars and the sea and escaping the evil of Kho-An-Sa. Several times I heard Neftiji speak, but I ignored her, focusing only on the task at hand.
Some time later Neftiji shook me. Lifting my eyes, I found Aten rising, the sea calm about us and no sign at all of the ship of Kho-An-Sa. After giving praise to Amen-Ra I collapsed into the bottom of the boat, falling into an exhausted, deep sleep.
Sometime later I awoke with a start as a stream of water crossed my lips. It was Neftiji trying to rid me of my parched, dry mouth. Gulping it down vigorously, I reach for more but she pulled back. "No, Memna," she said. "Slowly, take it slowly."
I gazed across the open sea and saw that it was still calm and peaceful. Aten was now midway to rest, so I had obviously slept for many hours.
"I rowed for a while," Neftiji said. "Then I went to sleep also, Memna. It is hard work."
I stood up and stepped over to the mast at the center of the boat. "Yes, it is," I replied. "Now we must hoist the sails so that we can travel faster. At night we will follow the stars."
Neither Neftiji nor I knew much of long range sailing, but as children of the Port Mistress of the Desher Sea, we knew how to set sails and had some knowledge of navigation by the heavens. As night descended we guided the boat toward the west. We knew we were on the upper Desher and hoped to reach Ta Neter before our supplies ran out. As we lay down in the boat, holding each other for warmth and watching the stars, our thoughts turned to our parents.
"Memna," Neftiji said. "Do you think mut and pa are together now?"
I hugged my sister closer, nestling my chin into her thick braided hair. "I think so," I said. "I would think that Ausar would unite them."
"Memna, why are the good killed by the evil?" Neftiji asked sadly. "Why do the Neteru not destroy all who would unbalance Maat and bring wrong into the world?"
"I don't know. Perhaps Master Shu-Ha would know. He taught that the good and the evil must fight, like the struggles of Set and Heru, until some balance comes about."
Neftiji sat up and looked at me seriously. "If...when we get back home, let us go to the temple. Let us pour libation for mut and pa."
"Yes," I said. "We will do that for our parents."
We sailed for many days without seeing land or any other vessels. Our supplies were running low, especially water, and our spirits were beginning to fade. Then one morning after a full moon had passed I awoke to the heat of Aten upon my face and sat up to find a cloud of mist in the distance. I leapt to my feet when I saw the outline of what appeared to be hills or mountains. I could see a great many sea birds flying overhead, crying out as if to greet us, while the breeze brought us the comforting smell of fresh vegetation and earth.
I shook Neftiji joyfully. "Look," I cried happily. "Land! We have reached Ta Neter!"
Neftiji stood up beside me, wiping the sleep from her eyes. A broad smile played across her face as she joined me in viewing the still distant sight. But as we came closer, her smile faded. She looked up at me, pulling on my arm and saying grimly, "Memna...that is an island. This is not Ta Neter."
As we came closer I could see that she was right. The mist was clearing and I saw that it was indeed an island, but even from a distance I could see how green and beautiful it was. Yet, there was something strange about the way it shimmered, and the fragrance of the vegetation was like none I had ever experienced. I considered this a trick of my mind due to our long weeks away from land.
"Well, let us at least stop there for food," I said. "We must at least have fresh water."
Neftiji nodded and started gathering the empty water jugs. I squinted at the island and a strange feeling came over me. I felt as if we were being watched.
As we sailed closer, the sea birds seemed to gather thickly before us. Crying out loudly, they hovered over the boat like a cloud. Moment by moment, more birds joined the flock in a flying jumble between our vessel and the land.
"What is wrong with those sea birds?" asked Neftiji. "Is there a group of fish nearby?"
We both looked into the water. We had seen birds gather on the edge of the sea in this manner to hunt large schools of prey fish after a hatch. From their movements I knew they were preparing to dive into the water and attack. Almost too late I realized what they were doing.
"Neftiji!" I shouted. "Get down!"The sea-birds screamed in unison as they dived toward the boat. I had no doubt that we were the prey. I grabbed a thick sail lying nearby, pushed Neftiji down and lay on top of her, covering us both as best I could. With deafening screams, the birds pummeled into my back and violently battered the boat.
"Memna," Neftiji asked fearfully, "why are they attacking us?"
"I don't know, Neftiji," I huffed. "I don't know!"
As the attack continued, I heard tearing and rending. Risking a peek from beneath the cloth, I saw the cloud of birds tearing our sails to pieces and slashing the cloth we lay under. I knew they would soon get to us. I also knew that there was no way to fight so many. I started to despair.
"Neftiji, they are tearing through the cloth!"
"Get off me, Memna. Let me try something," she cried.
I rolled off her as she started moving around in the dimness under the shredding sail. Suddenly she pressed a large stone vase into my hands. "Will this fit over your head?" she asked.
"What?" I asked, half listening as I heard the birds pecking frantically at the cloth. I could see small holes tearing near my head, and had to hold on tight as they tried to pull the sail off of us.
"Will it fit over your
head?" Neftiji repeated. "Hurry, Memna, we have no time!"
The holes in the cloth were getting larger and the birds were striking my back more viciously, but I slipped the vase over my head. "Yes, it fits," I cried from inside it, "but what...?"
She then pulled me toward the edge of the boat.
"Hold onto my arm," she said, the ringing sound of her voice indicating her own head covered. "Keep the vase on and get into the water. On three, we will jump in. Keep the vessel on your head and hold onto this rope, here!"
Seizing my hand, she and ran it across a rope attached to the side of the boat. "One...two...three!"
As we rapidly slid over the side and into the water, the birds screeched horribly and descended down upon us. Holding onto the rope, we floated in the water up to our heads. As we waded, blow after vicious blow pounded against the vases. At first it had me reeling, until I thought of Neftiji's safety and steadied myself. Leaning my encased head against the side of the boat, I wrapped my free hand around my sister's waist.
"Are you all right, Neftiji?" I asked, trying to shout over the noise of the birds.
My sister said nothing as her body went limp and fell towards me, causing the stone vases to strike together loudly. I hugged her close, bracing both our heads against the side, determined to hold out against the mad attack.
The birds kept striking for long minutes, until they realized they could not get at us through the stone vases. When they stopped striking us, I could hear them tearing things apart in our boat.
The vases were getting heavier, while Neftiji was dead weight in my already exhausted arms. I knew I could not hold on much longer, and the choice between death under the waves and death at the claws of the birds crept into my mind.
Then suddenly, the tearing and screeching stopped. Listening carefully for the sounds of the birds, I slowly lifted the stone vase. Aten blazed brightly and I half expected an attack upon my eyes, but I looked around to find that the sky was clear. Our sails were totally ravaged and there were marks all over the boat, but, thanks to my sister, we had come through alive.
I pushed my vase into the boat, then pried the vase off Neftiji's head. She had totally lost her senses and had an ugly bump on her forehead, but her breathing was even and steady. Gathering her into my arms, I pushed her into the boat and pulled myself up after her. I intended to gather the oars and row as far away from this island as I could until I glanced at our supplies.
The water vessels were toppled and fouled and the bags of fruit and meat were empty. I sat down next to my sister, stroking her still face. We had no choice now but to get to the island.
Neftiji awoke as Aten was low on the horizon. Though we both wished it otherwise, she agreed that we must get to the island. Thankfully, the birds never returned and after a rest I started rowing toward land. As we both looked nervously to the skies, Neftiji sang a temple hymn to cheer us:
"As the love Amen is eternal
As the law of Amen is just
The Two Lands will endure forever
Through the work of all, it must.
As Ausar came back to save us
As Hapi saves the land from dust
The Two Lands will endure forever
Through the work of all, it must...."
Neftiji was about to begin a new verse, when suddenly something struck the boat with such force that we were nearly tilted over. My sister screamed and held on to the side as I lifted the oars and peered into the water. Several dark, sail-shaped fins emerged from beneath the waves, which I immediately recognized.
"Sea beasts!" I shouted. "Neftiji, stay away from the sides!"
The fins of the sea beasts were circling the boat slowly. These were the terrible creatures that I had heard about from sailors, who say that when a man falls into the sea near them, he is torn to pieces and eaten. Tales of these beasts, with their frightfully large jaws and multiple rows of teeth, are used to frighten children and those who never leave land. I could not understand why they would attack a boat, but after the sea birds, nothing could surprise me near this strange island.
As the fins of the sea beasts circled faster and faster, I turned to Neftiji. "Tie yourself down," I said. "You must not fall into the water!"
My sister took rope and frantically tied herself to the mast that once bore the large sail. I started rowing towards the island, but one of the sea beasts charged, crashing into the side violently. I held onto the oars with all my strength and tried to row again, but another sea beast rammed us. The creatures were huge and I could hear the wood splintering with each blow. I knew if this continued our small vessel would be torn apart.
Lifting an oar, I bashed it against the next one that charged. But it ignored my blow, smashing itself against the boat, nearly throwing me over the side.
Neftiji screamed. "Memna, be careful! Just row! Please row, you cannot fight them!"
I looked at my sister and shook my head. "They will not let me row! Where is your knife?"
As Neftiji pulled the knife from her robe, another sea beast battered us. The knife slipped from her hand and tumbled towards the waves. I dove for it frantically, snatching it up just before it fell into the sea.
The sea beasts continued circling. Taking turns, they dashed themselves against the sides, nearly succeeding in tilting us over several times. I sat down in the middle of the boat, hacking away at the oar with the knife as water had begun leaking from the sides. Suddenly I stood up, holding the sharpened oar and gazing at my sister grimly.
"Neftiji, if I don't...if you find yourself alone, swim to the island. It is your only chance...."
"Memna, what are you going to do?"
I said nothing and turned toward the water. Bracing myself, I spotted one of the beasts rushing towards us. Lifting the oar high, I brought it down, stabbing into the side of the beast with all my might. A loud, shrill noise emerged from the water and I leaned upon my makeshift spear, pushing it deeper into the body of the beast. The creature thrashed violently and began turning, and I found myself being hoisted from the vessel as I held on my makeshift weapon.
Looking back, I screamed to Neftiji. "Swim, my sister, while I distract them. You must live! Live for me, please!"
"Memnaaaaa!" she shrieked.
Then the sea beast dove into the water, taking me with it into its airless depths. Holding my breath as we plunged, I twisted the oar as it thrashed, determined to slay the beast. As long moments went by, the creature's struggles became weaker and my chest throbbed painfully for air. Finally the beast gave up and we bobbed to the surface.
Poking my head above the water, I gulped desperately for precious mouthfuls of air. After catching my breath, I pulled the oar from the body of the dying creature and blood poured into the sea. I turned to swim away, only to find the fins of the others fast approaching, forcing me back against the creature I had just killed. Bracing myself against the dead beast, I prepared to strike at its approaching comrades with the oar.
As the first of the others came near, my heart nearly stopped. It was twice the size of the one I had just killed, and I knew I could not stop it. But I was determined to go on fighting, and dove beneath the waves, hoping to strike at the beast's soft underbelly. The huge creature hurtled toward me and I poised myself to strike. But, suddenly, it veered away from me and surged up towards the surface.
As I looked on in utter surprise, the beast bit into its own dead companion. Swimming further back, I watched as the others rushed forward, joining in the cannibalistic feast. As the sea filled with blood and the sounds of tearing flesh, I cautiously swam back to the boat.
Tossing in the oar, I dragged myself up over the side, gasping for breath as I fell in. I called to Neftiji, but there was only silence. Lifting my head, I gazed into every corner of the ravaged vessel, but my sister was gone.
Looking toward the island, I saw nothing but waves. I looked behind and there was nothing but the sea beasts, continuing their feast. Then I looked back to the island, hoping
against all odds that she would be there.
I rowed as fast as I could, my arms aching from the day's ordeals. As I drew closer, I noticed that the sand of the island had a strange glow, but paid little attention to it as I scanned the shore for Neftiji. Finally, I beached the boat and dragged myself ashore.
Immediately I spotted a set of fresh footprints, small footprints emerging from the waves that I knew must be Neftiji's. Following the prints, I called to my sister several times, but heard nothing in return. Undeterred, I followed the footprints for a long while, until, to my dismay, they abruptly disappeared.
For more than an hour, I searched frantically in all directions. But I could find no further sign of my sister. There was only a deep impression in the sand that looked as if a heavy rock or giant log had been dragged away.
When the rays of Aten began to grow dim, despair overcame me and I shouted to the sky. "Amen!" I cried. "Oh, Amen! Do not take from me the only one I have left!"
I sank to my knees, staring down at the strange sparkling sand. I was weak and tired. Tears streamed from my eyes down onto my wet and tattered robes. As the waves crashed against the shore, I reached into the sand, clutching it in despair. It was then that nature of the sand distracted me. It was heavier than any sand I had ever known, and looking closer, it dawned on me that it was not sand at all. Suddenly I realized that the entire beach was made of gold. Gold ground to the fineness of sand.
Just then a loud noise exploded across the beach, and the ground shook with the force of an earthquake. I struggled to remain upright as the beach rolled beneath me, and then without any warning, Aten disappeared.
Slowly turning, I looked up and was paralyzed with awe. A creature of huge proportions blocked out the light. It was a giant serpent, fully 40 cubits long and no less than 10 cubits across. Dazzling scales covered its body, gleaming like silver as it eclipsed Aten's fading light. A curious glow surrounded it also; and when it moved, its sinuous form produced a tinkling sound like softly shaken sistrums.
But the strangest thing about this impossible creature was its head. Though its skull was shaped like a serpent's, its face had remarkably human features. Intelligent eyes beamed from beneath brows of pure blue lapis and a golden beard jutted from its chin that was identical to the false appendages worn by the kings of Kamit.
Made speechless by its size and awesome beauty, I stared at the creature in utter disbelief. Then it bent its huge head and spoke to me, in a voice so loud that it took my breath away.
"Who has brought you here, little one?" the creature boomed.
I covered my ears and lowered my head. My mind could not believe what my ears had just relayed. The creature spoke perfect Kamitian.
"Who has brought you here, little one? Who has brought you here?" it thundered. "Speak!"
I tried to, but no words would come. With an impatient nod the serpent rose up menacingly, recoiling itself to bring its golden beard right near my chest. "Say what has brought you to my island!" it shouted again. "If you do not tell me at once, I will show you what it is to be burned utterly into nothing and become a thing of ashes. Speak quickly, I am waiting to hear!"
I looked up into the face of the serpent. Its eyes glowing bright gold, penetrating to my very ka. Pondering his question, I found the strength to say one word.
"Destiny."
"What?" the serpent replied, tilting its head to hear. "What is it you say, little one?"
"Destiny...brought me here," I repeated.
Then the serpent rose and let out a tremendous peal of laughter, shaking the entire beach.
"Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha, ha ha! Yesss! Yes little one, you are right! It is destiny that has brought you here! Destiny it is, indeed!"
And with that, the creature leaned over me, opened its huge silver mouth and snapped me up into its gaping jaws.