Shards of Ankh

Chapter Forty Two

Thea paced around her chamber anxiously. It had been decided they were to move under the cover of night. Her small collection of clothes were packed, as were her hair brush and a bar of soap. Aside from that, she had nothing of import to take with her.

Finally, long after the sun had set, there was a soft knock on the door. Thea opened her mouth to answer, but the door opened without it. A line of guards streamed in; she could barely make them out, the torches not lit, as per the plan.

"It is time," the head guard said urgently. "We must leave. Now."

Nodding assuredly, Thea took her meager belongings, slung the pack over her shoulder, and allowed herself to be led out of the room. Her position was in the middle, surrounded by the guards. At this time of night there was scarcely anyone awake. A few slaves milled about, but besides that the long halls of the palace were empty.

Thea was led outside. Wordlessly she followed, wondering where she was going, wondering what sort of life she would live out while in hiding. Her thoughts were abruptly stopped; the company of guards turned back around without warning. One of them grabbed her bicep roughly, making her turn with them. They all went back into the palace.

"What's going on?" Thea asked the nearest guard. "I don't understand—"

"You don't have to," the guard replied curtly. The he added rather hastily, "Security precaution."

Thea licked her lips but said nothing.

She was led clear across the palace. Their pace had quickened, and Thea found herself nearly having to jog in order to keep up. In short order Thea realized they were moving to the back of the palace. Her memory served her correctly, for they passed the garden Ankh's mother had made.

The doors to the back entrance were wide open, even more guards posted at the door. Though her heart thudded against her chest, the surplus of guards helped her feel a little better.

"Thea!"

The company stopped. Walking around a corner, smiling, was Ankh. The guards parted, allowing the king to come to her. He clasped both her hands, simply beaming at her.

"Ankh?" she said breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"

Ankh made the guards move, and he brought her to the front of the line. The stream of guards now followed in their wake.

"I'm coming with you," Ankh replied excitedly.

"You are? But I—I thought that wasn't the plan—"

"Fuck the plan," Ankh said, making Thea be taken aback. "Plans change."

Thea was whisked down the steps. When they hit the ground, they were back to nearly running. Once they were half-way between the palace and the pyramids, Thea stumbled and almost fell into the sand.

"Ankh—wait! I can barely keep up!"

Abruptly he stopped. Worry took over his face. "You are right, I am sorry. I merely want to get you to safety as quickly as possible." After pausing, Ankh stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. It made Thea shudder. She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off. "Here—you poor thing, you look petrified. We can pause a moment for you to have some water."

Ankh removed a water skin that had been wrapped around his waist. He uncapped it, shoving it into her hands. "Here. Drink quickly."

Thea paused. "Thank you."

Ankh watched her intently as she brought the drink to her lips. However, she paused, a shudder running through her again. "Are you alright?"

Ankh looked annoyed. "What?"

"You're acting—strange."

Ankh laughed, but quickly stifled it. "I do apologize; I am just incredibly anxious and
I am beside myself. Now drink—you need your strength."

"Strength? Are we traveling far?"

"There's no time to explain—drink!"

Roughly Ankh shoved the water skin to her lips and poured its contents into her mouth. As a bitter liquid streamed into her mouth, she felt horrified. Thea clenched her throat and wondered how she could have been so stupid. Frantically she started to spit out whatever the vile liquid was, it spraying into Ankh's face. However, he grabbed her by the back of the head, forcing more liquid into her mouth.

Thea tried to spit again, but Ankh clamped a wide hand over her mouth. Thea screamed, tried to struggle, but he was strong. He pinched her nose between his thumb and forefinger, still effectively covering her mouth with his palm.

Thea sputtered, putrid liquid dribbling out of the sides of her mouth. In her thrashing she accidentally inhaled, and she began to violently cough, breathing in some of whatever was being forced into her. Ankh took the opportunity to release her nose and mouth, pouring even more down her throat.

Thea broke away, coughing and gasping, trying to breath. She stumbled, half-drowned, heading toward the pyramids. Thea didn't get far though. Quickly her vision began to blur, and she swayed, desperately trying to keep her eyes focused on the monuments in front of her.

Breath coming out in wheezing gasps, Thea stumbled in the sand. After a few more steps, she tripped again, this time falling flat on her face. The world around her was spinning in a terrifying manner. Still coughing and sputtering she moaned, pushing herself onto her hands and knees. Thea squinted, trying to make out which of the multiple pyramids were real and which were just her blurred vision.

Thea began to crawl as laughter rang out behind her. Her head swam, and it didn't take long before she fell again, the dry sand entering her mouth and nose. Lifting her head, Thea growled in determination, grabbing fistfuls of sand and pushing her feet against it, dragging herself across the desert a few feet. Desperately she pushed herself up again, but was much too dizzy; once again she fell, sideways and to the right, and collapsed onto her back.

The stars above her were spinning violently. Her lungs felt on fire, and she was still coughing. Mouth still filled with sand and the taste of the disgusting drink, and her stomach heaved, nearly vomiting. She prayed for it to happen, because then maybe she could get some of the poison out. But instead she lost consciousness for just a moment.

When she opened her eyes, Ankh was grinning down at her like a hyena. Her eyelids felt like dead weights, and she struggled to stay awake. Ankh's visage blurred and spun.

"Goodnight, Thea."

The last thing Thea saw before slipping into unconsciousness completely was Ankh's deranged face, smiling down at her.