Trial of Anubis

٧: ZIARA

       Red Mother.

      "Sekhmet," Ziara bolted upright. 

      "Daughter of Sekhmet," Isfet sat back, sighing, "I wasn't expecting that. . .I'm the smartest man in this temple but have no idea what to do about you."  

       "The scroll mentioned Thoth and Seshat being loyal to Sekhmet, perhaps their records at Hermopolis could help? Or you could take me back home so I can forget this ever happened," Ziara stretched, pouting. 

      Isfet narrowed his eyes, unsure whether he could trust her, "You have entered into something you cannot abandon, your Ungifted life will forever remain in Luxor as of today." 

      "But we don't even know if my gifted one starts here," Ziara folded her arms. "I'm a creature of habit, I can't just forget what I left behind." 

      "You will have to learn," Isfet stood. "Your idea about Hermopolis could work in our favour, let me inform my Head Son." 

      They found Wraith pacing in the main entrance way, muttering to himself over what to do. Nathanial and Anuka were there too, looking apathetic to their Head Son's anxiety. 

       "I present to you the only living Daughter of Sekhmet," Isfet still eyed her cautiously. "Nathanial's observations pointed to Sekhmet as well. However, to be certain and to gain guidance I believe we should head to Hermopolis. Chigaru could lend us his knowledge and archives." 

    "Sekhmet. . ." Wraith echoed. "I want to make haste then, we'll travel by Art." 

        They all went up the stairs in a uniform line and gathered on the bare stone above ground. Ziara inhaled the night air, the stuffy smell of ageing papyri and linen down below reminded her of the juxtaposed life she now lead―history self-imposing on the present. 

     Out of all of the expeditions with her father, they'd never conducted a campaign to Hermopolis. That being said, the ruins were exactly as pictured in her books. Standing amongst it seemed surreal to her, hidden among palm fronds and collapsed sandstone. She brushed her hand against one of the collapsed columns and exhaled, Harry would've loved the place and probably lectured her on the creation myths. 

      Large columns sprouted from the sand and small patches of greenery dotted a large rectangular area. The group passed through a walkway of large stone baboons, the statues' faces were alert and idle yet their beady eyes seemed to follow the group as they manoeuvred past fallen pillars and mangled palm trees.

      Wraith shooed flocks of ibis out of their path as they pecked at the small clumps of weeds and grass that scattered around the ruins, "The last time I was here, there was more order and less. . .birds." 

      "Maybe they're a security mechanism to keep jackals out," Ziara rolled her eyes. 

      It scored her a cold glare from Wraith; he said nothing to her and leaped over a fallen pillar with an eerie grace.

      Anuka chuckled again, "I'm starting to think that keeping you with us was a good idea."

      Ziara tried to raise an eyebrow at him but it turned into a frown. They were planning to 'be rid of her' in the first place? Ziara simply shook her head and followed the group until the smell of tea almost masked the scent of fresh air. She stood in the middle of the remaining stone columns and looked around for anything abnormal such as the stone dais at the Cynopolis.

      Ziara's eyes fixed on a patchwork of mismatched sandstone bricks that were inscribed with symbolic carvings regarding Thoth. She brushed the sand away with her hand to see a baboon stone that seemed to attach to some sort of mechanism.