Trial of Anubis

٦: ZIARA

      The interrogation was going to plan until smoke filled the alcove. It curled off Isfet and Ziara's shoulders and mingled with the Water of Truth, like the morning fog skimming above the Nile. 

        It puzzled Wraith as to how smoothly Ziara went through the Water of Truth, proving that she wasn't as Ungifted as first thought. Her eyelids fluttered slightly and her shoulders tensed beneath the incantation as if she were trying to wake herself. 

      "What's going on?" Anuka asked his Head Son.

      "I think they're both going to puke," Nathanial laughed from the other side of the rock pool, "I wonder what happens if you vomit into the Water of Truth."

      Wraith covered his right eye to try and use his visual prowess to break through the Sacred Art. His left eye squinted at the pair as he focused. Instead of feeling the pressure release around his skull, Wraith tore his eyes away from Ziara and Isfet. All he could see was an eternity of flames and heat, igniting his fear of the Lake of Fire. He gripped his head tight and hissed. 

        "I can't get through it," Wraith panted. "Something's wrong."

      "Should that really be flashing?" Nathanial squinted.

      "What can you see?" Wraith winced, rubbing his eye.

      "Book Worm's aura has doubled in size and it's a frantic blur of black, grey and white. As for the newbie, hers is like a flashing neon sign, I'm not even sure if you could call it an aura anymore. It's a buzz of different colours all blended together and I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to look like that," Nathanial said.

      Isfet's body jerked to the side and removed his hands from Ziara's temples, "Fuck!" he snarled, holding his head. 

       Ziara hissed, rubbing her temples. "What the fuck was that?" 

      "Did you find anything useful?" Wraith asked.

      ". . .Nothing that I can comprehend at the moment, but I have another idea in mind. Perhaps the Scroll of Creation will have the answers I'm after, but I'll need your patience Head Son," Isfet bowed his head in respect and coaxed Ziara to her feet. "Here's hoping I don't die this time."

      Hours passed and Wraith found himself glaring at the reflection in the Water of Truth. The water silently lapped up against the rock and he slapped at it angrily to distort his image. The longer he waited the more questions arose. Why was a Son of Horus still alive? Was the Eighteenth Dynasty going to repeat itself by leaving the Son alive? Was Ziara the woman Iwa referred? 

      "Your aura's fogging up," Nathanial yawned. He reclined on the edge of the rock pool, trailing his fingers across the surface. "Enlighten your Sons, what's on your mind?" 

      Wraith said nothing to Nathanial and stared vacantly back at the water. He snapped his fingers towards Anuka to bring him to attention, "Did you notice anything strange about her?" 

      Anuka was on the far side of the rock pool, behind the cascade of water. He sat on the statue Ptah's head, meditating. "Intelligent and angry, plus she was aligned with a Son of Horus. I wouldn't trust her." 

      "She could be useless for all we know," Nathanial rolled his eyes.

      "Her brain and that sharp tongue. . ." Anuka tipped his head back. If his mouth was visible, he would've licked his lips. "Definitely not like the lesser Daughters if she is one." 

      Nathanial sat up and stretched his arms, "Want to make a bet?" 

      That caught Anuka's attention. He reclined against the statue, "Price?"