Trial of Anubis

٢٣: ZIARA

       Anuka raised an eyebrow as she approached. Ziara stumbled and held her head as she tried to focus. Cautiously, Anuka rested the Blade of Duamutef on his shoulder. He reclined on the entrance steps and stared at her. She looked better from when he'd last seen her in the Ritual Room, but her attire did not go unnoticed. Anuka's lips turned down as he noticed Wraith's shirt haphazardly tucked into her shorts.

        He grunted, "Is Wraith not enough for you?"

        His bandaged fingers tightened around the bound grip when she didn't respond.

        "Ziara?"

        She rubbed her eyes with trembling hands, "P–Patrick. . .where is he?"

        He wasn't going to take any chances. The bandages unravelled from his sword and struck out at Ziara, they fastened around her wrists and bound them above her head. Anuka pulled the blade towards him which put Ziara off balance and she fell to the floor. Anuka dragged her across the floor, dangling from his sword and wedged it in the far wall.

       He bent down to her level and stood that close that their foreheads pressed together.

       "You've got some balls trying to betray us, I might as well save Wraith the trouble and behead you right now," his laugh was muffled by the linen binding his mouth.

       "This isn't the Forbidden Art," Ziara tried swinging her knees into him but another roll of linen tied her legs together. She sighed in frustration, "I don't expect you to understand but you have my word, I'm not going to betray you. This has to do with the prophecy."

       He stared at her for a long while, searching her eyes for something, "You're not using your Wadjet on me?"

       Her bottom lip trembled, "I'm sorry. . .that was an accident. Seriously though, Anuka, I need to know where Patrick is. . .if I am to stop this war, I need to do this."

       "Wouldn't it be wise to consult the Head Son of Thoth and the others?" Anuka cocked his head.

      "It's too late for that," Ziara bit the inside of her cheek. "I have to do this alone. Sekhmet said it's integral for me to do this by myself."

       Anuka's nostrils flared, "What's in it for me if I help you?"

        "You can name your price later, but I have no time to haggle," Ziara said.

       The bandages receded from Anuka's face as did the rest of the Mummification Art. She saw the muscle in his jaw throb as he averted his eyes. After a few moments, he pulled the Blade of Duamutef from the wall when she dropped to the floor, "Come with me. Once I release the bind, he's your responsibility. . .just make sure you come back here to hold up your end of the deal."

     Carn was imprisoned in an alcove deep within the Cynopolis, the only way to access the chamber was a similar blood mechanism to the Ritual Room. Carn was curled up in the corner, the shadow of Anuka's large frame almost eclipsed Carn entirely as the bandages fell from his body.

      "Come to kill me, mutt?" he rubbed his wrists.

       "No, but I will if you don't cooperate," Ziara rubbed her eyes again. "You're going to take me to where you've hidden my dad and if you fuck me over, I swear to God, the Sons of Anubis are the last things you need to worry about."

       The vacancy entered Carn's expression, robbing him of his voice.

       Before she could turn away, Anuka grabbed her wrist, "Where are you going?"