War Of Egypt

Chapter 37: The Second Battle

   "What do you mean they left?"
   "They just left."
    Ametis looked at Sebmet as if he was making a sick joke. He was about to take the second legion out to the desert and Ametis had just learned that Sanhir, Nefti and Ay had disappeared. Two children of a powerful war god and an goddess ambassador from a foreign power that could assist Egypt—gone!
    If that was not bad luck, Ametis was a peasant.
    Sebmet apologized and kissed Atsu before driving out the second legion. She stared after him with tears in her eyes. Ametis saw and her commanding-self went down and she became Ametis, the caring goddess. Her hand went out and wrapped Astu in a hug. The other goddess sobbed into her shoulder.
    Atsu was never going out to the battle. Her status as daughter of Thoth valued her position to be the city's last defense if Kha's army ever made it through. While the city stayed unreachable by Kha, she and the others who would stay behind would devise enough tactics to either help out the legions battling him or, if worse comes to worse, turn the city to a stronghold impossible to breach.
    So if they were to lose the war, she was never to see Sebmet ever again. Unlike Atsu, Meneit, her brother also went out with Sebmet. He argued with Thoth over his positioning in the war until the god got irritated and grudgingly let Meneit accompany the second legion.
   "Stupid fool thinks it would be honorable to die beside his brother-in-law," Atsu chuckled in between tears as she dried her eyes.
   "They will come back."
   "All right Ametis." She held her hands, "I am sorry for how I have treated you since...Kha. I now know that this battle will be hard on everyone but will be the worst on you. After all, you will be fighting against the god you love dearly. I truely respect you."
    Ametis bowed to her and then after a few moments of comforting statements, she said goodbye to Atsu and made her way over to her brother. They were currently in the city's center. The place was littered with immortals, gods, mortals, chariots, beasts and other stuff. Ihy was talking to a mortal soldier. He dismissed him just as Ametis arrived. She had that look again.
   "What happened?"
   "I cannot believe Sanhir would desert us like this right after the big speeches about Nubia assisting Egypt. If we survive, maybe we should cut them off."
   "Ametis," Ihy warned.
   "I am just joking. However, it is really unfortunate on our part. The Nubians should have helped."
    Ihy sighed, "maybe she had a reason for leaving. Those Nubian warships were courtesy of Dedun."
   "Does not make sense. And what of Nefti and Ay?"
   "Easy. Nefti became upset after Nimir showed up and destroyed Nawete's bond with me. She became the herorine and Nefti got nothing. Nefti ordered Ay and they both left, because in her eyes, there is nothing worth fighting for anymore."
    Ametis held up her hands, "all right, enough talking. The first and second legion have already gone. Lord Ha will go on with the third legion, and then you and I will lead the last."
   "Together," Ihy said.
   "Are you riding with me, brother?"
   "Depends Ametis," he looked around at the scene, "what the hell are you riding?"
    The goddess smiled, "well, here it is."
    Ihy turned and stared directly at the face of a hissing scorpion. From it's mouth dripped acid that burnt a piece of cloth someone had dropped on the floor. It was not just a scorpion, there were three of them. All hissing and spitting acid. He looked behind the trio and glanced at the chariot. There was an immortal.
    Normally there would be three riders on a chariot; the master of reins, the shield bearer and finally the person in charge with their selection of weapon—preferably a bow. This one would only have two. Horus and Hathor might have been just a pair, but they were both gods and therefore more powerful.
    Ametis would have herself.
   "Soldier, take a walk."
   "Ihy!"
   "I mean, we need you on another chariot. I will ride with the Princess."
    The soldier bowed to them both and marched off. Ihy turned to Ametis and extended his hand. She took her shield from a servants and tossed it over to him. He caught it and threw it over his shoulder.
   "We are taking turns though," Ihy stated.
   "As you wish, Ihy."