Shards of Ankh

Chapter Thirty-Nine

"My mother had this courtyard erected," Ankh said then, looking back at the floating lilies.

"It's--it's gorgeous."

Ankh smiled fondly. "Just as she was."

For a long while, the pair sat in silence. It wasn't pleasant. On the sweet, soft scent of flowers, an unease floated over Thea's senses and settled into the pores of her skin. For awhile he simply stared at Ankh's profile. The King was unmoving, seemingly lost in the maze of his own mind.

Thea wanted desperately to help him. Occasionally his lips would part as though to speak, but then he would merely press them together once more. Thea wanted to comfort his pain, yet she didn't want to pry. Finally, as a cool breeze blew in and swirled around, Ankh looked at her and smiled.

"Come. Let us go to what I really wanted to show you."

Curiosity pumping through her veins, she allowed Ankh to lift her to her feet.

Ankh led her deeper into his palace than she had ever seen before. It was all largely the same, and she was once again astounded by how magnificent this building was. It pained her to know that, eventually, all this would be lost in the literal sands of time. Pushing away that sad thought, Thea shook her head, tucked her hair behind her ear, and followed Ankh eagerly.

The back entrance had been fitted with a new door; Thea could tell by how fresh the wood looked. As though reading her mind, Ankh spoke as guards pulled open the massive doors for them.

"This once simply lead out into the desert," Ankh said. "I used to trust that having guards stationed here would suffice. Now, I unfortunately am not so bold in my assumptions."

As Ankh walked down the stone steps towards the looming pyramids, Thea had stopped walking. She stood, sheer white linen dress billowing around her in the wind. Before her stood the pyramids, a sight she had started to grow accustomed too. No, that was not what caused her amazement.

"Coming?"

Blinking, Thea looked down. Ankh stood at the base of the steps, grinning up at her. All at once, feeling like a child at Christmas, she gathered up her skirt and ran down the steps. Once she reached him, he held out his arm to her, and they walked, side by side.

Before them, a pyramid was being built. It had been obscured from view every time Thea had seen the burial facilities since her arrival. As they approached, it took Thea more and more strength to keep her composure. Finally she couldn't contain herself, and she squealed.

"Ankh! May I see up close?"

Ankh laughed delightedly. "Of course, my dearest Thea."

As they drew nearer, everyone they passed stopped whatever it was they were doing and bowed deeply. Thea was once again struck by how kind Ankh was; he didn't have to, being an incarnation of a God (according to their ancient beliefs), but he made sure to incline his head to everyone. Many of them smiled upon seeing him, and some greeted him with some informality which was surprising. To Thea's astonishment, Ankh even took the time to embrace a few people.

"This is amazing," Thea said in wonder. She put her hands on her hips, grinning so wide it was making her cheeks hurt; she couldn't help it though. "So this is how it was done!"

Ankh coughed into his hand. Thea, forgetting herself, quickly spoke. "How it is done. Is done."

Ankh smiled knowingly at her.

"Ankh!" said a man standing at a table who had only noticed them when he turned to point at something. He beamed, setting a rock on the sheet of papyrus before him so it wouldn't blow away. The king broke into a wide grin, and the pair embraced heartily.