Scars

Chapter 4- The dark alley

As the sun went down, the streets of Edfu lit up as the people began to delve into the endless ocean of debauchery, situated right next to the religious capital of Kemet: Aaru. This contrast was just another example of human nature. The men who wanted to be in the good books of Anubis, also didn't want to let go of their humane desires.

The tourists that passed by the hut of this beggar, often threw him the leftover wine, that he used to store, and once he had half a bottle, he'd chug it down in a flash like a hungry, greedy animal. It had been three nights but he was finally able to get enough. Luckily he got someone to throw him some food too. It was a good time. Like always, he chugged it down and smacked the bottle hard on the road, laughing out loud.

The night peaked and the liquor started to kick in as he began to doze off, surrounded by mosquitoes and covered in his old, torn, smelly blanket.

The begger's sleep was disturbed as he heard the cloth pouch fall on the ground but there were no footsteps. He was up in a flash. It felt like a heavy weight, at least 2 deben! That must be good money! "Dedun rule the heaven!" he muttered in excitement as he headed out of his old, dirty hut that led straight to the street.
It was indeed money. He looked around quickly, and knew whoever had dropped it would come around looking for it. He started walking away from his place and thought he would take a walk. He barely walked 200 steps when he saw an unusual figure sitting on the boundary of a house, seemingly a human. He stopped and walked ahead, carefully dodging that side of the road.

The man, with a cloth covering his face, his identity almost flew as he kicked the beggar in the chest. He collapsed in the street and yelped like a dog in immense pain. The man quickly wrapped a black cloth around his head, gave him another kick in the belly and took him away.

He came back to his senses as he heard the sharp screeching of sandpaper and the sound of metal. It must have been a workshop. "Water" the beggar said, his belly aching uncontrollably. He had consumed liquor two hours ago, with little food to eat and his world spun around him as he got kicked in the neck again.
"Hold it, or else the poor dog will see Anubis right now." The voice said, laughing. "Ask him what he knows."

The beggar forgot his pain and was totally shocked when he recognised the voice. It was the notorious Ameny. The widely feared mercenary of Kemet. The word was on the street that Ameny had run away, or was dead, after being labelled as a traitor. "You bastard" he laughed, as he realised he was soon going to see Anubis anyway.

"I did what was right, and I kept you alive. I guess you should respect that, father."

The guard was stunned. "What are you talking about? Who is this old man?"

"The fucker I can not decapitate. I was born of this ugly limp dick bastard who lived a life just like his dick: with his head bowed down. No self-esteem, no standing up for yourself, let alone your people." He said, his voice shivered a little, "this is my father. And that's why he's still alive."

Ameny was labelled a traitor. The entire state was informed about it, the security forces, intelligence, and even his own family: the unions of mercenaries were taken in confidence simply to get hold of this man. A man who was immensely talented, yet his fate was questioned a million times, for he had seen a life of ups and down.

From being honoured and applauded as one of the finest in the royal court of King Maya, the youngest warrior ever to receive this honour, to being labelled as the traitor of the state and a kill bounty on his head, Ameny was a lore in himself. The people of Kemet were divided about this man. Some believed he was a shallow, selfish man with no pedigree and did injustice to the honour that he got and deserved to be hanged. While some people believed that a person like Ameny could do everything but become a traitor. But even they could not voice their opinions, as he was kicked out of the court by not just anyone but a lord.

Ameny sat down and sat, "Nine years, and I've kept my mouth shut. I want names tonight, or the land of Kemet shall see your ugly face shine with the first ray of the morning sun, as your head shall hang on the royal gate of the Palace of Light."

"I am not telling you the names. I am not going to. No matter what you do to me." His shivering voice suddenly got firm. "This goes to the grave with me."

"Enough" Ameny said as the guard handed him the small sword. Almost the size of a dagger. It was so sharp it could pierce through a hair.

Ameny sat down next to him and looked him in the eye, "I will skin you alive. You have tested my patience and I'm running out of it."
"Even if you hang me on the royal gates of the palace of light."
"You are lucky for you live in the city of Edfu. Bastard!" He laughed, "Aaru. Going straight to the heavens!"
He brutally stabbed his father in the chest, not deep but still a good pierce to make blood ooze, he flinched but Ameny didn't stop, twisting the sword.

"It's time to meet the people, enough of this hide and seek!"