Shards of Ankh

Chapter Seven

"Ahmed," Thea said carefully. "What time did you come in this morning?"

He grinned, bringing to mind the image of a crow cackling. "Early."

"Please don't do that anymore."

His smile fell. "Why?"

Thea's mind whirled. Because it felt creepy he had been in the lab by himself? Because, physically, there was no possible way he could have single handedly assembled the jar to the near-completed state it was suddenly in now? Because all morning Thea felt like she was losing her mind?

"If there was an accident," Thea said calmly, "a report would have to be taken. As head curator, it would be my responsibility. If something happened while I was away, I would be reprimanded."

"I assure you, I would never allow anything to happen to these items."

Ahmed had said those words so solemnly it sent a shiver cascading down Thea's spine. It was as though he was swearing on his life. After an intense moment of staring at one another, Ahmed inclined his head.

"I understand and wouldn't wish to get you in any sort of trouble. I apologize. It won't happen again."

He winked.

~

No.

Thea was standing in the great dining room hall, just as she had been the previous night. Ankh rose to his feet and smiled broadly.

Thea and Ahmed had finished up the day without incident. It was just another Friday. She had been relieved when they completed the second jar together. However, there had been a final, confusing hieroglyph once it was fully intact. 

The entire vase was of the Pharaoh's death, embalming, and his sacred trip into the afterlife. However, at the very end was the hieroglyphs for 'love'. It was seemingly placed at random, and it didn't fit the entire mood of the vase.

But now Thea was asleep. She had wanted to dream an actual dream. She wanted a good night's rest like Rose had told her to get. Such sweet sleep was going to elude her once again, it seemed.

"I thank you for coming," Ankh said, outspreading his arms.

Thea blinked. He was dressed as a proper Pharaoh. His nemes was brillant, striped with alternating patterns of black and gold. A black wig sat on his head, silken, radiant, clipped about his chin. His eyes were outlined in khol, and to her slight surprise he was wearing eyeshadow of gold. His lips appeared to be balmed, too.

Around his neck sat an impressive necklace, and Thea's heart aches to have it in the museum. It was wide, u-shaped. It matched his ensemble, made of onyx. A beautiful ankh of gold was situated in the middle. Finishing off the look, he wore a shendyt of black, clasped around his taught waist via a large golden belt.

Thea's heart pounded in her throat. He looked so... different. Regal. Intimidating. Handsome. It brought a flurry of emotions to her, which she couldn't rightly sort out right then. It was all of her wishes coming true. To set eyes on an actual Pharaoh, it was... Overwhelming. Thea nearly burst I to tears.

"Please," Ankh said cordially, the smile never leaving his face as he extended his hand. "Sit. Make yourself comfortable."

Awkwardly Thea made her way to the table. She moved towards the place a seat had been made for her; not directly to the Pharaoh's right, but two seats away. Even so she felt it was probably a great honor to be seated so intimately with him, and she found herself blushing. Before she sat, she gave a quick curtsie.

"I thank you for your hospitality, Ankh."

Ankh looked at her, eyes narrowed. It wasn't a mean expression, but that of one trying to figure out something. Thea was going to speak, but she cut herself off when there was suddenly a flurry of activity.

From behind the pillars poured out servants and entertainers. Thea watched in wonder as they went about their tasks in a highly coordinated movement. There were about two dozen, three of which came over to Ankh and Thea. The rest fanned out.

Some danced, both male and female, with scarves. Others played instruments. It was all choreographed, and while they weren't exactly all dancing, Thea couldn't help but feel like she was witnessing a ballet of sorts. The dancers spun merrily and yet with serious expressions. The ones playing instruments moved about the dancers in tandem on their feet lithely. It was unlike anything Thea had ever seen.

The music itself was unique, too. Something akin to a triangle (more like a wind chime), rhythm sticks, and drums were the instruments. It was very dramatic, with long, drawn out rests, only to pick up again in fevered repetition. It was very rhythmic, bringing to mind the swelling and receding of the ocean. The dancers were limber, looking as though the music was physically pulling and contorting their bodies.

This time, Thea couldn't stop the tears, completely overwhelmed. For awhile she watched the production about her in awe, only vaguely aware that Ankh was staring at her intently. She watched as the three servants that had broken off from the dancers and musicians came to them. One put food on Thea's plate, the other attending Ankh. The third picked up Thea's silver glass, pouring fragrant wine into it. He then did the same with Ankh's. However, unlike with Thea, he took a deep gulp from the glass and then set it down next to Ankh. Bowing, he then took a few steps back and stood at attention.

As their plates were filled, Ankh finally spoke. "Where do you come from, Thea?"

Thea meekly wiped the tears from her cheeks and looked at him. "Here."

He gave a small, almost sad smile. "What was that thing you did before you sat?"

"I did something?" Thea asked with a sniff, wiping off fresh tears.

"Yes, you--" Ankh scooted his high-backed chair backwards so he could stand. Much to Thea's amusement, he then awkwardly attempted to curtsie.

Thea laughed, which made Ankh grin as he sat back down. "Oh, I--it's a--well, it's like a bow."

Fondly Ankh tilted his head to the side, and his dark eyes burned intensely. "Oh my dear Thea, you are not from here."

Her heart thudded. "I'm not?"

Ankh reached out and tenderly took a bit of Thea's hair in his hand. Thea froze--he smelled softly of myrrh, cinnamon, and sweet wine. It was intoxicating. He smiled, now stroking her hair as his eyes flickered all over her face.

"Your hair is so light, so soft, as is your skin. Your name and complexion leads me to believe you hail from Greece, and yet you did that weird bow thing."

Thea felt herself turn red, a lump in her throat. Ankh focused his eyes onto her own. The smile never left his face. "This entertainment is standard, and yet it reduced you to tears, almost as though you had never seen it before."

Thea knew she could be in quite a bit of danger, now, and she began to tremble.

"So please, dear Thea, enlighten me."

Thea swallowed, trying to get the lump in her throat away. When she spoke her voice shook. She blinked, and a frightened tear escaped. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

Sweetly, Ankh softly brushed her tear away with the back of his hand. "I'm going to tell you something now, Thea."

Thea was shocked when he got up and sat next to her. Ever so gently he took her hands into his own. Thea's head swam, drunk on the smell of cinnamon and wine and the sounds of music.

Ankh leaned forward. He pressed his lips to her ear and whispered. "I have a secret."

Thea didn't reply. She couldn't, his hot breath pouring down her neck.

"I think you're going to save me, Thea."