SWORD MAIDEN OF SEKHMET

Chapter 29: Discovery

The place of ambush had been well-chosen. And its timing.

When they had taken their leave of the Princess Itet and her brother, it was mid-afternoon and the shadows from the trees and buildings were beginning to lengthen.

"We must hurry if we are to reach the Temple before nightfall," Bekenamen had said, as they stepped into the street. He would barely look at Ashayt and she sensed that he was angry that she had been alone with Djed on the roof.

I shall do as I please, she reminded herself again, but also noticed the affect his mood had on her. She much preferred it when he was as relaxed and open as he had been on their outward journey and, in her heart, she realised she wanted his attention, not this cool reserve.

The great heat of the day was now well past and it was pleasant walking through the streets, much less busy than they had been before, and very soon they were on the road that led North.

Bekenamen had chosen to walk in front with the older priest, offering the excuse that they had temple matters to discuss, although he had avoided her eyes as he announced this. So Ashayt walked some paces behind with Seb and the donkey.

There were now few travellers besides themselves, just the odd merchant returning to the city, or an occasional farmer going home to his village. Seb kept up a steady chatter, re-living the excitements of the day.

"I look forward to seeing My Lady's fine dresses," he said courteously.

"I hope they meet with your approval, Master Seb," Ashayt replied, smiling. "Your recommendation was a good one."

He beamed at her.

"The Prince is handsome, is he not?" he asked, throwing a meaningful glance at Ashayt.

She laughed at his clumsy attempt at guile.

"I suppose so," she said, "and he certainly looks very fine in his soldier's gear."

"I should like to be a soldier," said the boy.

"You are already on your way to becoming one," Ashayt replied quietly, "a Soldier-Priest, a position of great honour."

"We won't have time for practice tonight though," he said regretfully.

The sun was now just above the western horizon, outlining the trees and bushes with its dark red glow. It would soon be dusk.

Bekenamen glanced back to check that they were keeping up and flashed a quick smile at Ashayt. She returned it warmly, sensing that the walk had improved his mood.

She estimated that they were now past the half-way mark and should just reach the Temple before night fell. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a low, dark shape running through the fields to their right, in the direction of the river. But there were now deep shadows beneath the trees and around the crops, so she could not be sure. A cat perhaps, although it had looked a little large for that.

Every so often, the road sloped upwards for a short distance as it crossed the raised banks of an irrigation ditch and one of these crossing points was just ahead. The donkey slowed down as it reached the slope and for a moment their group was separated as Bekenamen and Reseph disappeared over the other side.

Glancing down into the ditch as they urged the animal upwards, Ashayt could see only deep shadows, untouched by the fading sun.

But then the shadows moved.

On both sides of their path, figures swarmed out of the ditch.

Men in black robes, carrying black staffs.