Battle of Egypt

Chapter 16 Ka

I stared down at Makara. Her face was so pale, her body becoming cold in my arms. Her eyes once bright were beginning to dull. I could feel her ka slipping away from her body. My fear tackled my heart. I could feel her slipping away from me. I pulled her closer to my chest. She let Sutekh stab her, so I could live. I tried swallowing my tears, but it was no use. I was losing the love of my life.

"Don't do this Makara, do not leave me," I whispered. My voice hoarse with tears. I could not lose her. We had just found one another. We had only begun our lives together. We had just started loving one another. Our passion has just been ignited. And now she was dying in my arms. She is suppose to be my wife. My queen... Why would she do that? Get herself killed?

"I love you Ka," she whispered. I felt her breath leave her body, and her body went limp in my arms. I screamed out as I clutched her body against my chest. She sacrificed herself to save me. I felt as if my heart was ripped from my chest the moment Sutekh stabbed her.I felt tears blind my eyes. This was not how it was suppose to be. This was not how it was suppose to end. I heard the doors open, I turned my head and saw Bakari. His face was covered in blood. Men appeared  behind him, they were just as bloodied and bruised as Bakari. His eyes went wide as he took in the scene before him. They must have found the assassins that Makara spoke of. And before I had questioned her loyalty, and yet she was willing to die for me.

"She sacrificed her life for mine," I murmured. Bakari walked over and knelt down beside me. He put a hand on his shoulder. I could feel his own sorrow rise up to meet mine.

"She died a hero Ka, she had more courage than most men," Bakari replied, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. I looked at him, sorrow and anger burning inside of me. She did not deserve this, she deserved love and affection. Not cruelty and death.

"She shouldn't have died at all Bakari. It was not her time, we should have had more time," I snapped. I cupped her cheek. Her skin was so cold to the touch. I called out for Isis, for Horus, for Hathor, for any god to listen to me. To hear my cries, I was in agony. This could not be the end for us. This was not the end of our story. She did not deserve to die, not like this. Not by that man's hand. Sutekh was truly a monster. Willing to kill anyone who was in his way. Suddenly a rush of wind blasted through the room. As if a great bird had flapped it wings. I looked at Bakari. But he was eying the door. There stood a man, but he was not a man. His skin had a golden glow, as if his skin was made of pure gold. He had wings stretching from his back, the feathers an array of vibrant colors. His eyes were cold like a hawk's eyes. He wore a pure white kilt. A collar in shape of a falcon was on his broad chest. Bakari stood up and drew his sword. The blade tinted red from the blood he had spilled today. 

"Who are you," Bakari demanded. The man only waved his hand and the sword went flying from Bakari's hand. This was no man, he was a god. Was this Anubis? No  Anubis was a jackal. If this was not Anubis ready to take Makara, then who was it? And why was he here?

"I am Horus, protector of the kings of Egypt. Son to the great goddess Isis, and the revered god Osiris. I am here because the great prince has summoned me through his prayers," he said. His voice resonating throughout the room. Bakari, and the other men fell to the floor in reference to Horus. He walked over, but it was as if he was floating toward me. His eyes were glowing. But his eyes were two different colors. One was gold and the other a brilliant blue. I remembered when my father told me how Horus lost his eye when battling his uncle.

"Prince Ka, great prince of Memphis. Son of my favorite soldier Ahmose. You called out to me," he said. I felt taken aback. He had actually come here. To Memphis, to help me. He answered my prayers. He was here to help me.

"Please gerat Horus, I have worshipped you since I was a boy. I have honored you in every way I could. Please help me, help my love," I begged. He looked at me, but his eyes were cold and distant. He was a god, human emotions were not present.

"Your beloved has been taken by Anubis, but her ka has yet to ascend," he replied. His tone was harsh and clipped. Horus was of course a god and immortal. What did he know of death and dying.  What did he know about the death of someone he loves.

"Then please great and mighty Horus. Bring her back, we have only just found each other. We are meant for one another. This cannot be the end of our story,''I said. 

"I can only grant this one favor to you great prince. For this is my mother's child. Born with her gift inside her veins," he said. Was this god really willing to help me. A mere mortal?

"Please great Horus. I will do anything to save her. To bring her back to me," I said. Putting as much emphasis in my words as my voice allowed. I needed her alive, I wanted her alive. To feel her arms around me. To feel her kiss on my lips.

"Lay her down, and step away from her," Horus commanded. I nodded and laid her down gently. I walked over to where Bakari was standing. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder to keep me in place. Horus knelt down and placed his hands on her stomach. His wings wrapped around her. And he began to chant, chant in a language that was meant only for the gods themselves. The room glowed and it began to grow brighter and brighter. I shielded my eyes until the glow subsided and Horus was no longer there. It was just Makara. Her hands folded across her stomach. I rushed over to her and knelt beside her. She laid there motionless, and then her chest rose. I placed my hand over her heart, and heard a soft beat. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and gasped, meeting my gaze. I reached out and touched her cheek. 

"Makara," I murmured softly feeling a tear fall from my face. She sat up and I gathered her into my arms. She buried her face into my shoulder. I pulled away and framed her face with my hands. Staring into her eyes.

"Do not ever die on me again Makara. Do you hear me,''I said. She smiled and I pressed my lips to hers. Feeling the softness of her lips. I heard hands clap as we kissed. She pulled away and smiled.

"I love you Ka, now until the end of time," she whispered leaning forward to kiss me again. Our love poured into our kiss. I thanked Horus again and again for what he had done. I swore that I would honor Horus in everything I could do. 

That night I pulled a blanket over the sleeping form of Makara. She had enough for today. And it took a toll on her. I left our room and walked down to the throne room. I realized that I had not seen my father. The battle outside the walls was a bitter one. Many were lost on our side. But many more were lost on the opposing side. But I had not seen my father. I felt worry fill my stomach. I entered the throne room and saw Bakari standing in front of the throne. His eyes filled with sadness as he saw me. I walked over to him. 

"What is it, Bakari," I asked, touching his shoulder. He looked at me, I could tell he was thinking. But what about? I could only wonder. 

"Ka, there is something I have to tell you. I wanted to wait until Makara was alright," he said. His tone is grim and full of sorrow. 

"What is it, Bakari, what has you so tongue tied,"  I asked, crossing my arms. I looked at the throne suddenly feeling an immense dread fill my chest. 

Your father, the king... was wounded in the battle this morning. An arrow to the neck. He did not survive Ka. The king did not survive," he said. I felt as if someone knocked the air from my lungs. My father was gone, killed in battle. Makara's vision came true in one aspect. That meant one thing. I was the king.

"Does this mean," I asked him looking at the throne. It was mine now. This city, this rebellion was mine. Bakari nodded and knelt down on his knees. His head bent down. 

"Ka, son of Ahmose, you are now king of Lower Egypt. Commander of our armies and now the commander of the rebellion against Sutekh," he said. I felt something stuck in my throat. I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him to his feet.

"I need you to help me Bakari. I cannot do this on my own," I said. He smiled and clasped my shoulder. 

"I will not leave your side Nebty, I will be here till the end," he said. I smiled and walked up and sat on the throne. It was mine now. I was the king and leader. And now Makara will be my queen. I will keep her promise, we will win and we will rule Egypt together.