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Hello everyone. Sorry for the very very long dry period. Sadly a lot happened in 2020 and really killed off my writing drive for a while. From pandemic fears to failing my university course and retaking it, I've had a lot on my plate and writing became more a chore than a passion. But after rereading this story I found I like it a lot more now. It feels more personal than some others and I hope you enjoy it.
As always, constructive criticism is always welcomed.
It had been over a month since the ship departed Rhodes and the ship’s new crew had settled into a routine. Altallo had joined Shern’aath and Kiya washing the deck, while Basilus took kitchen duties. They had travelled around the edge of the Mediterranean, docking in Cyprus, Phoenicia and several Greek islands, but with no luck. There was no record of any Rhea statues being sold and the Selene had not stayed moored for long. As the days dragged into weeks, tempers were running high. Kiya’s hands were blistered and her knees ached. Her once pristine dress was now ruined and in tatters. All the while Solon was growling under his voice at them about her poor performances and Kiya had to bite her tongue to stop herself from yelling back. Altallo and Shern’aath were slowly getting accustomed to the hard work but they relished the time they could spend alone together in their cabin.
At the dawn of their first month at sea, Altallo peers into the mirror, rubbing his chin where brown hairs had started to grow.
“Mmm, do you think I should get rid of them?” he asks Shern’aath who had just slid out of bed. The raptor puts his arms around Altallo and kisses his cheek.
“I think they look good on you. My little fuzzy Altallo.”
“Oh stop you sly lizard, you’re making me blush this ugly colour!” Altallo giggles, giving Shern’aath a playful nudge in the ribs as the raptor chuckles. Altallo’s cheeks had flushed an odd yellowish colour.
“Aww its so adorable that glow-”
The door bangs open and Kiya stomps, red in the face and smelling foul. She jumps face down into her pillow and starts yelling muffled insults. Altallo and Shern’aath jump apart from each other.
“Erm...are you okay Kiya?” Shern’aath asks awkwardly.
“What do you think?” she snaps. “I had to clean out a horrible barrel full of rotten bits of fish that looks like it hasn’t been used in months! Oh but please, you can keep cuddling each other while I’m here, I don’t mind!”
“I’ll talk to her.” Altallo whispers to Shern’aath who nods and then starts preening his feathers.
“What’s wrong?” he asks sitting next to Kiya.
“Oh I don’t know. The fact we’re on a ship with dumb sharks? I’m tired, I’m dirty, I’m sick of this stupid, ugly, smelly disgusting ship!”
“Hey I heard that!” Solon’s voice bellows from above.
Kiya buries her face into a pillow and groans. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
Altallo awkwardly pats her on the shoulder.
“I’m sure we’ll find the ship soon. Besides the next stop is Egypt again. You could show us around your home town, that beautiful temple again and all the other sites-”
“I don’t want to go back though!”
Kiya bolts upright, glaring at Altallo and Shern’aath stops his preening, his tongue sticking out comically, to stare at them.
“I’m not some tour guide or curiosity!”
“I wasn’t suggesting that, I just thought-”
Kiya lurched off her hammock and stormed out. Altallo sighs and Shern’aath sits next to him and puts an arm around him.
“I’m still really bad at this.”
“Oh I shouldn’t worry. I’m sure when we’ll reach dry land she’ll bounce back eventually. She has a point though, these sharks are pretty dumb.”
“Stop hurting my feelings!” Solon screams again, followed by sniffles and blubbering.
“And,” Shern’aath continues ignoring Solon. “Remember its probably been a while since we last went there. A lot may have changed; her family and friends might have moved on.”
“You’re right. I guess we won’t know until we get there.”
The next day, they land at a port town in the Nile Delta, where the winding branches of the river drained into the Mediterranean Sea. Altallo and Shern’aath jump ashore and eagerly rush over to a stall selling papyrus maps of sites across Egypt. Kiya hangs back looking moody, while Asterion stands behind her looking concerned. He tries putting a hand on her shoulder, but she flinches away from him.
“We’ll be here all day,” Basilus says to the group. “Captain says be back here before then or we’ll leave without you. Got it.”
Asterion nods solemnly and Kiya merely shrugs.
“Don’t keep us waiting now!” Loukianos calls to them with a smirk while waving a cloth before dabbing at his eyes with it. “It would break our hearts if we had to leave you behind.”
Altallo and Shern’aath meanwhile are obsessed with their papyrus map.
“Oh look, there’s a lion with a man’s head!” Shern’aath exclaims, pointing to a drawing of the great sphinx. “And why is that man green?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe its his favourite colour and he painted himself-”
“Ugh, its Osiris god of the underworld!” Kiya groans, snatching the map from them. “He’s green because it symbolises vegetation and therefore is a sign of rebirth in the afterlife. What are you reading anyway?”
“Its an advert for a guide down the Nile and all the hotspots like these triangles and that lion with a human head.” Shern’aath says excitedly.
Kiya snorts dismissively. “I thought we were here for something more important than sight seeing.”
They make their way into the town’s market, they start searching.
“We’re getting nowhere.” Kiya huffs after an hour. A pair of girls in full make up, wigs and fine gowns walk past, their noses wrinkled when they see Kiya. One whispers something to her friend and they both erupt into giggles. Kiya’s face turns bright red and she seems to deflate.
“Want me to roar at them and tell them I’ll eat their faces?” Shern’aath asks with a smirk.
“Doesn’t matter. Lets just get out of here.”
Altallo looks slightly guilty but then notices a nearby manicurist and his expression brightens
“Come on, lets get you refreshed.”
“But what about-” Kiya starts but Altallo interrupts her.
“Oh never mind about that. I won’t have my friend sad and gloomy. Besides we could all do with a freshen up.”
Inside the manicurist, Kiya sits on a stool while several young women buzz around her. One combs her damp hair, while two others file her nails. A fourth applies make up to her face, green and black around her eyes and reddened lips. Kiya looked more relaxed and happier now, as she chatted and giggled with them. It was unusual to speak to people from her own country after so long. After an hour, one of the women hands her a bronze mirror and she examines herself in its polished surface.
“This is beautiful! Thank you so much.”
“Your friends are almost done too.”
In an adjacent room, Asterion is having a bath while Shern’aath and Altallo have their eyes painted with black kohl. Shern’aath peers doubtfully at himself in a mirror.
“Why exactly do we need to do this?”
“Because it makes you look more presentable.” Kiya replies. “It’ll also keep flies and other pests away. Now if only you’d do away with that smelly old rag and wear more-”
“I beg your pardon! I’ll have you know-”
“Thank you ladies!” Altallo says loudly over Kiya and Shern’aath, while ushering them out of the premises. “Come on children stop arguing, its embarrassing.”
Outside they see the two girls who had laughed at Kiya earlier. At first they seem taken aback by her appearance, but one of them starts sneering.
“Do you smell that? I think that’s the stink of fish!”
The girls start laughing again, but stutter to stop as a shadow looms over them. Asterion glares down at them, his arms crossed and in front of him, Shern’aath grins, showing off his sharp teeth.
“You know what, I always wanted to know what Egyptians tasted like. Maybe roasted slowly with extra spices.”
The girls shriek and run pelmet down a street, their wigs sliding off their bald heads.
“Welp, they won’t be causing us any more trouble. Hey have any of you seen Alty?”
“Now that you mention it, no,” Kiya starts. “He was here a minute- oh there he is.”
Altallo rounds a corner and dashes up to them.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh er, just...erm, saw something interesting and went to go and see it!” Altallo replies cautiously, rubbing the back of his head. “But anyway lets go! I really want to see the Nile again.”
Kiya and Shern’aath don’t look convinced, but decided not to press the matter.
“You know I really wish I got one of those.” Kiya casually comments as they pass a store display with busts wearing wigs.
“Why?” Altallo asks surprised, while Asterion sniffs at one of the wigs. “You still have your hair.”
“Yeah but its fashionable to shave your hair and wear one of those. Plus it ensures you’re always clean.”
“Sounds stupid to me,” Shern’aath grunts and Kiya shoots him a filthy look. “What? Don’t look at me like that! I like my feathers. I wouldn’t want to wear a silly pile of fluff like that on my head.”
As they round a corner Kiya’s fall upon a massive building with elegant striped columns and large stone walls. A knot clenches in her stomach and her throat goes dry; she was home again. Glancing back at the others and without really thinking, she drifts towards the temple. Inside, it was completely deserted, without a single soul in sight. But everything was as she remembered; towering brightly painted statues of gods and goddesses, an altar with vases full of holy water and small sealed shrines. The scent of incense hung in the air. It had been so long since Kiya had smelled it and it made her start coughing.
“Who’s there?!” a voice rings out from the bowels of the temple, accompanied by the taping of wood on stone.
A large and lumbering tortoise hobbles into the temple. He glowers down at Kiya.
“The temple’s closed. Get out of here.”
“Erm, I wanted to know if there were two priests here, a cat named Neferure and a crocodile named Ramos.”
The tortoise raises an eyebrow.
“They’ve been dead for over a year now.” he says bluntly. “Why?”
Kiya’s face had drained of all colour and her limbs had started to shake.
“N-nothing.” she mutters and staggers out of the temple.
“There you are, we were worried about you and—hey are you okay?”
Kiya ignores Shern’aath’s questions and walks past him.
“Lets just get back to the boat.” she says in a barely audible whisper.
“Welcome back you two!” Loukianos booms, arms wide open and a massive grin on his face. “You’re back early, what gives?”
Kiya glides past the shark without barely looking at him. Loukianos’ smile faulters.
“What’s with the little princess over there?” he asks Shern’aath.
“No idea, she’s been like this all the way back. Any sight of Altallo and Asterion?”
“Nope. They got a few hours left anyway.”
“You really wouldn’t just leave them here?” Shern’aath asks in alarm as Loukianos returns to sewing up a damaged sail.
“Oh I’m sure Solon was just joking. He won’t give up any payment, seems like we’re always in the red. And the old girl could use some love.” he pats the ship’s mast and sighs.
Basilus lumbers past with a barrel slung over his shoulder.
“Not to sound rude, but the captain won’t be too happy seeing you making idle chitchat.”
“Ah yes you’re right.” Loukianos jumps and starts sewing up a damaged sail.
The sun was hanging low in the sky when Asterion and Altallo returned, looking rather forlorn.
“It was another dud I’m afraid. No statues of Rhea were sold or unloaded on any market in this city. Lots of crocodiles and jackals though for some reason,” he continues, holding up a tiny figurine of a jackal holding a staff. “Where’s Kiya?”
“Shut up in the cabin. Alty I’m worried about her, something’s eating her up inside. She won’t speak to me.”
“Lets try all together this time.” Altallo says and walks over to the cabin door. He knocks. “Kiya? Is it ok if we come in?”
No answer.
Altallo pushes the door open. Inside Kiya is sitting on a bed. She had changed from her brand new garments into her older clothes and had washed the make up from her face. The skin around her eyes were red and irritated looking, she had obviously been crying. Asterion sits beside her and gently nuzzles her head, while Altallo and Shern’aath drag some stools over to sit in front of her.
“Kiya what happened?” Altallo asks. Kiya doesn’t answer at first and just stares blankly ahead.
After a pause, Altallo exchanges a look with Shern’aath and Asterion and then gets up. “We’ll give you some breathing room.”
Before they could exit, Kiya speaks up in a croaky, dry voice. “They’re gone.”
The others turn back to her.
Kiya was looking out of the small window to the sky beyond. “Ramos and Neferure, gone.”
Altallo and Shern’aath look at each other sadly, while Asterion puts an arm around Kiya and holds her close.
“Kiya, I’m sorry. I should have brought us back here earlier-”
“Its not your fault. I didn’t have much future here anyway, not after I was thrown out. I just wish I could see them again, talk to them. Let them know I still care and think about them.”
Shern’aath thought for a moment, while Altallo took hold of Kiya’s hand and Asterion presses his muzzle against her head.
“Would they have a..a tomb?” Shern’aath asks.
Kiya looks up bleary eyed at him and tilts her head.
“I...I assume they would, all priest of that temple are buried at-”
“I have an idea!” the raptor says, rushing out of the cabin before any of the others could ask.
“Captain!” Shern’aath skids to a halt in front of the great white who was carrying a box of fish and almost causing him to tip over. “We need to get back into town.”
“What? But we’ve been here all day and no-one wants our...our stock.”
“Its for personal reasons, look we’ll pay you double for this or anything you want just for a few hours more. Please.”
Solon’s jaw flexes as though he was chewing on his own words and then gives a curt nod. Shern’aath beams up at him and runs to tell Kiya his plan.
“Aww, I think old iron heart is softening up,” Loukianos smirks as he sidles up to Solon. “Helping friends in need.”
“Shut up you!” Solon growls. “This is only for money.”
“Sure it is.”
A massive wooden door swings open and a shaven headed priest shows Kiya and the others in. She, Altallo and Solon carry in offerings of food, clothing and flasks of wine, while the others carry candles to light the way.
“Thank you so much for this,” Kiya whispers to Shern’aath, who winks down at her. “Can’t believe you got them to agree.” She motions to the sharks.
“I told them they won’t get paid. Simple as.” Shern’aath shrugs. “It felt a bit scummy but ah well. Besides Altallo told me about those pyramid thingamies and mummies and I put two and two together.”
The priest led them through a narrow corridor to a larger burial chamber. Embedded into the wall were two colourful life-sized statues of Ramos and Neferure descending a short flight of stairs, with a pair of raised arms perched atop their heads. The walls were decorated with images of the couple praying to the gods, playing board games, holding hands and other things in an idyllic pastoral setting.
“Those are ka statues,” Kiya explains to Shern’aath. “They represent their vital essence, their souls.”
“There aren’t any pictures of you.”
“Didn’t think there would be,” Kiya sighs. “I was disgraced, they wouldn’t want to immortalise me.”
They place the offerings carefully around the feet of the statues, while the priest burns incense which quickly envelops the chamber with a sweet scent.
“Well,” Kiya sighs once a they finished. “Its done. I hope they reached the kingdom of Osiris safely.”
“Ah before you go, they left this for you.” the priest says, holding out a papyrus scroll. Kiya unrolls it and reads.
“To our dearest Kiya. Though years have passed and you may be far away, know that we have never stopped loving you. Wherever you are, across seas, deserts or the endless stars, we’ll always be with you in spirit.”
Beneath this was a small drawing of Neferure and Ramos hugging Kiya. It was simple and lacked the rigid formality of the ka statues, but it had a warmth to it. Kiya clutches the scroll to her chest and wipes her eyes. “They never forgot about me.”
As Asterion and the others hug her, Solon’s mouth clenches. Loukianos nudges him in the chest with a smirk but stops when he hears sniffing next to him. Basilus’ eyes were shimmering and he was desperately trying not to cry. He moves over and joins the group hug, much to their surprise.
The procession then slowly make their way out of the tomb, with the priest sweeping the floor behind them. The massive stone door slowly closes, plunging the tomb into darkness.
Early the next morning, they depart Egypt and soon the great harbour of the pharaohs is but a glint on the horizon. In their cabin, Shern’aath wakes up and stretches to find Altallo repairing a colourful pot, with a mound of broken pottery behind him.
“Hello!” Shern’aath says cheerfully “What are you up to?”
“Loukianos accidentally dropped an olive oil pot and Solon was about to chew him out, but I decided to take it and fix it up. Apparently I did such a good job at it that Solon told me to fix up all this.”
Shern’aath chuckles and then notices Kiya’s empty bed.
“Where’s Kiya?”
“Oh she’s out cleaning the ship.”
“That doesn’t sound like her,” Shern’aath opens the door and stops mid-step. Kiya was standing proudly over her handywork while Solon was looking very impressed.
“Morning Shern’aath.” she says brightly, waving to the raptor.
“You’ve been busy.” Shern’aath notes. “Aren’t worried about the mess?”
“Oh a little dirt never hurt anyone. Besides I couldn’t stay indoors and mope all day, I have to be an active part of this crew. The old girl needs to be shipshape the next time we make port.”
“Where are we going anyway?” she adds to Solon.
“An island colony of the Minoan kingdom which has since declared independence. Its called Thera, also called Atlantis.”
As always, constructive criticism is always welcomed.
It had been over a month since the ship departed Rhodes and the ship’s new crew had settled into a routine. Altallo had joined Shern’aath and Kiya washing the deck, while Basilus took kitchen duties. They had travelled around the edge of the Mediterranean, docking in Cyprus, Phoenicia and several Greek islands, but with no luck. There was no record of any Rhea statues being sold and the Selene had not stayed moored for long. As the days dragged into weeks, tempers were running high. Kiya’s hands were blistered and her knees ached. Her once pristine dress was now ruined and in tatters. All the while Solon was growling under his voice at them about her poor performances and Kiya had to bite her tongue to stop herself from yelling back. Altallo and Shern’aath were slowly getting accustomed to the hard work but they relished the time they could spend alone together in their cabin.
At the dawn of their first month at sea, Altallo peers into the mirror, rubbing his chin where brown hairs had started to grow.
“Mmm, do you think I should get rid of them?” he asks Shern’aath who had just slid out of bed. The raptor puts his arms around Altallo and kisses his cheek.
“I think they look good on you. My little fuzzy Altallo.”
“Oh stop you sly lizard, you’re making me blush this ugly colour!” Altallo giggles, giving Shern’aath a playful nudge in the ribs as the raptor chuckles. Altallo’s cheeks had flushed an odd yellowish colour.
“Aww its so adorable that glow-”
The door bangs open and Kiya stomps, red in the face and smelling foul. She jumps face down into her pillow and starts yelling muffled insults. Altallo and Shern’aath jump apart from each other.
“Erm...are you okay Kiya?” Shern’aath asks awkwardly.
“What do you think?” she snaps. “I had to clean out a horrible barrel full of rotten bits of fish that looks like it hasn’t been used in months! Oh but please, you can keep cuddling each other while I’m here, I don’t mind!”
“I’ll talk to her.” Altallo whispers to Shern’aath who nods and then starts preening his feathers.
“What’s wrong?” he asks sitting next to Kiya.
“Oh I don’t know. The fact we’re on a ship with dumb sharks? I’m tired, I’m dirty, I’m sick of this stupid, ugly, smelly disgusting ship!”
“Hey I heard that!” Solon’s voice bellows from above.
Kiya buries her face into a pillow and groans. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”
Altallo awkwardly pats her on the shoulder.
“I’m sure we’ll find the ship soon. Besides the next stop is Egypt again. You could show us around your home town, that beautiful temple again and all the other sites-”
“I don’t want to go back though!”
Kiya bolts upright, glaring at Altallo and Shern’aath stops his preening, his tongue sticking out comically, to stare at them.
“I’m not some tour guide or curiosity!”
“I wasn’t suggesting that, I just thought-”
Kiya lurched off her hammock and stormed out. Altallo sighs and Shern’aath sits next to him and puts an arm around him.
“I’m still really bad at this.”
“Oh I shouldn’t worry. I’m sure when we’ll reach dry land she’ll bounce back eventually. She has a point though, these sharks are pretty dumb.”
“Stop hurting my feelings!” Solon screams again, followed by sniffles and blubbering.
“And,” Shern’aath continues ignoring Solon. “Remember its probably been a while since we last went there. A lot may have changed; her family and friends might have moved on.”
“You’re right. I guess we won’t know until we get there.”
The next day, they land at a port town in the Nile Delta, where the winding branches of the river drained into the Mediterranean Sea. Altallo and Shern’aath jump ashore and eagerly rush over to a stall selling papyrus maps of sites across Egypt. Kiya hangs back looking moody, while Asterion stands behind her looking concerned. He tries putting a hand on her shoulder, but she flinches away from him.
“We’ll be here all day,” Basilus says to the group. “Captain says be back here before then or we’ll leave without you. Got it.”
Asterion nods solemnly and Kiya merely shrugs.
“Don’t keep us waiting now!” Loukianos calls to them with a smirk while waving a cloth before dabbing at his eyes with it. “It would break our hearts if we had to leave you behind.”
Altallo and Shern’aath meanwhile are obsessed with their papyrus map.
“Oh look, there’s a lion with a man’s head!” Shern’aath exclaims, pointing to a drawing of the great sphinx. “And why is that man green?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe its his favourite colour and he painted himself-”
“Ugh, its Osiris god of the underworld!” Kiya groans, snatching the map from them. “He’s green because it symbolises vegetation and therefore is a sign of rebirth in the afterlife. What are you reading anyway?”
“Its an advert for a guide down the Nile and all the hotspots like these triangles and that lion with a human head.” Shern’aath says excitedly.
Kiya snorts dismissively. “I thought we were here for something more important than sight seeing.”
They make their way into the town’s market, they start searching.
“We’re getting nowhere.” Kiya huffs after an hour. A pair of girls in full make up, wigs and fine gowns walk past, their noses wrinkled when they see Kiya. One whispers something to her friend and they both erupt into giggles. Kiya’s face turns bright red and she seems to deflate.
“Want me to roar at them and tell them I’ll eat their faces?” Shern’aath asks with a smirk.
“Doesn’t matter. Lets just get out of here.”
Altallo looks slightly guilty but then notices a nearby manicurist and his expression brightens
“Come on, lets get you refreshed.”
“But what about-” Kiya starts but Altallo interrupts her.
“Oh never mind about that. I won’t have my friend sad and gloomy. Besides we could all do with a freshen up.”
Inside the manicurist, Kiya sits on a stool while several young women buzz around her. One combs her damp hair, while two others file her nails. A fourth applies make up to her face, green and black around her eyes and reddened lips. Kiya looked more relaxed and happier now, as she chatted and giggled with them. It was unusual to speak to people from her own country after so long. After an hour, one of the women hands her a bronze mirror and she examines herself in its polished surface.
“This is beautiful! Thank you so much.”
“Your friends are almost done too.”
In an adjacent room, Asterion is having a bath while Shern’aath and Altallo have their eyes painted with black kohl. Shern’aath peers doubtfully at himself in a mirror.
“Why exactly do we need to do this?”
“Because it makes you look more presentable.” Kiya replies. “It’ll also keep flies and other pests away. Now if only you’d do away with that smelly old rag and wear more-”
“I beg your pardon! I’ll have you know-”
“Thank you ladies!” Altallo says loudly over Kiya and Shern’aath, while ushering them out of the premises. “Come on children stop arguing, its embarrassing.”
Outside they see the two girls who had laughed at Kiya earlier. At first they seem taken aback by her appearance, but one of them starts sneering.
“Do you smell that? I think that’s the stink of fish!”
The girls start laughing again, but stutter to stop as a shadow looms over them. Asterion glares down at them, his arms crossed and in front of him, Shern’aath grins, showing off his sharp teeth.
“You know what, I always wanted to know what Egyptians tasted like. Maybe roasted slowly with extra spices.”
The girls shriek and run pelmet down a street, their wigs sliding off their bald heads.
“Welp, they won’t be causing us any more trouble. Hey have any of you seen Alty?”
“Now that you mention it, no,” Kiya starts. “He was here a minute- oh there he is.”
Altallo rounds a corner and dashes up to them.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh er, just...erm, saw something interesting and went to go and see it!” Altallo replies cautiously, rubbing the back of his head. “But anyway lets go! I really want to see the Nile again.”
Kiya and Shern’aath don’t look convinced, but decided not to press the matter.
“You know I really wish I got one of those.” Kiya casually comments as they pass a store display with busts wearing wigs.
“Why?” Altallo asks surprised, while Asterion sniffs at one of the wigs. “You still have your hair.”
“Yeah but its fashionable to shave your hair and wear one of those. Plus it ensures you’re always clean.”
“Sounds stupid to me,” Shern’aath grunts and Kiya shoots him a filthy look. “What? Don’t look at me like that! I like my feathers. I wouldn’t want to wear a silly pile of fluff like that on my head.”
As they round a corner Kiya’s fall upon a massive building with elegant striped columns and large stone walls. A knot clenches in her stomach and her throat goes dry; she was home again. Glancing back at the others and without really thinking, she drifts towards the temple. Inside, it was completely deserted, without a single soul in sight. But everything was as she remembered; towering brightly painted statues of gods and goddesses, an altar with vases full of holy water and small sealed shrines. The scent of incense hung in the air. It had been so long since Kiya had smelled it and it made her start coughing.
“Who’s there?!” a voice rings out from the bowels of the temple, accompanied by the taping of wood on stone.
A large and lumbering tortoise hobbles into the temple. He glowers down at Kiya.
“The temple’s closed. Get out of here.”
“Erm, I wanted to know if there were two priests here, a cat named Neferure and a crocodile named Ramos.”
The tortoise raises an eyebrow.
“They’ve been dead for over a year now.” he says bluntly. “Why?”
Kiya’s face had drained of all colour and her limbs had started to shake.
“N-nothing.” she mutters and staggers out of the temple.
“There you are, we were worried about you and—hey are you okay?”
Kiya ignores Shern’aath’s questions and walks past him.
“Lets just get back to the boat.” she says in a barely audible whisper.
“Welcome back you two!” Loukianos booms, arms wide open and a massive grin on his face. “You’re back early, what gives?”
Kiya glides past the shark without barely looking at him. Loukianos’ smile faulters.
“What’s with the little princess over there?” he asks Shern’aath.
“No idea, she’s been like this all the way back. Any sight of Altallo and Asterion?”
“Nope. They got a few hours left anyway.”
“You really wouldn’t just leave them here?” Shern’aath asks in alarm as Loukianos returns to sewing up a damaged sail.
“Oh I’m sure Solon was just joking. He won’t give up any payment, seems like we’re always in the red. And the old girl could use some love.” he pats the ship’s mast and sighs.
Basilus lumbers past with a barrel slung over his shoulder.
“Not to sound rude, but the captain won’t be too happy seeing you making idle chitchat.”
“Ah yes you’re right.” Loukianos jumps and starts sewing up a damaged sail.
The sun was hanging low in the sky when Asterion and Altallo returned, looking rather forlorn.
“It was another dud I’m afraid. No statues of Rhea were sold or unloaded on any market in this city. Lots of crocodiles and jackals though for some reason,” he continues, holding up a tiny figurine of a jackal holding a staff. “Where’s Kiya?”
“Shut up in the cabin. Alty I’m worried about her, something’s eating her up inside. She won’t speak to me.”
“Lets try all together this time.” Altallo says and walks over to the cabin door. He knocks. “Kiya? Is it ok if we come in?”
No answer.
Altallo pushes the door open. Inside Kiya is sitting on a bed. She had changed from her brand new garments into her older clothes and had washed the make up from her face. The skin around her eyes were red and irritated looking, she had obviously been crying. Asterion sits beside her and gently nuzzles her head, while Altallo and Shern’aath drag some stools over to sit in front of her.
“Kiya what happened?” Altallo asks. Kiya doesn’t answer at first and just stares blankly ahead.
After a pause, Altallo exchanges a look with Shern’aath and Asterion and then gets up. “We’ll give you some breathing room.”
Before they could exit, Kiya speaks up in a croaky, dry voice. “They’re gone.”
The others turn back to her.
Kiya was looking out of the small window to the sky beyond. “Ramos and Neferure, gone.”
Altallo and Shern’aath look at each other sadly, while Asterion puts an arm around Kiya and holds her close.
“Kiya, I’m sorry. I should have brought us back here earlier-”
“Its not your fault. I didn’t have much future here anyway, not after I was thrown out. I just wish I could see them again, talk to them. Let them know I still care and think about them.”
Shern’aath thought for a moment, while Altallo took hold of Kiya’s hand and Asterion presses his muzzle against her head.
“Would they have a..a tomb?” Shern’aath asks.
Kiya looks up bleary eyed at him and tilts her head.
“I...I assume they would, all priest of that temple are buried at-”
“I have an idea!” the raptor says, rushing out of the cabin before any of the others could ask.
“Captain!” Shern’aath skids to a halt in front of the great white who was carrying a box of fish and almost causing him to tip over. “We need to get back into town.”
“What? But we’ve been here all day and no-one wants our...our stock.”
“Its for personal reasons, look we’ll pay you double for this or anything you want just for a few hours more. Please.”
Solon’s jaw flexes as though he was chewing on his own words and then gives a curt nod. Shern’aath beams up at him and runs to tell Kiya his plan.
“Aww, I think old iron heart is softening up,” Loukianos smirks as he sidles up to Solon. “Helping friends in need.”
“Shut up you!” Solon growls. “This is only for money.”
“Sure it is.”
A massive wooden door swings open and a shaven headed priest shows Kiya and the others in. She, Altallo and Solon carry in offerings of food, clothing and flasks of wine, while the others carry candles to light the way.
“Thank you so much for this,” Kiya whispers to Shern’aath, who winks down at her. “Can’t believe you got them to agree.” She motions to the sharks.
“I told them they won’t get paid. Simple as.” Shern’aath shrugs. “It felt a bit scummy but ah well. Besides Altallo told me about those pyramid thingamies and mummies and I put two and two together.”
The priest led them through a narrow corridor to a larger burial chamber. Embedded into the wall were two colourful life-sized statues of Ramos and Neferure descending a short flight of stairs, with a pair of raised arms perched atop their heads. The walls were decorated with images of the couple praying to the gods, playing board games, holding hands and other things in an idyllic pastoral setting.
“Those are ka statues,” Kiya explains to Shern’aath. “They represent their vital essence, their souls.”
“There aren’t any pictures of you.”
“Didn’t think there would be,” Kiya sighs. “I was disgraced, they wouldn’t want to immortalise me.”
They place the offerings carefully around the feet of the statues, while the priest burns incense which quickly envelops the chamber with a sweet scent.
“Well,” Kiya sighs once a they finished. “Its done. I hope they reached the kingdom of Osiris safely.”
“Ah before you go, they left this for you.” the priest says, holding out a papyrus scroll. Kiya unrolls it and reads.
“To our dearest Kiya. Though years have passed and you may be far away, know that we have never stopped loving you. Wherever you are, across seas, deserts or the endless stars, we’ll always be with you in spirit.”
Beneath this was a small drawing of Neferure and Ramos hugging Kiya. It was simple and lacked the rigid formality of the ka statues, but it had a warmth to it. Kiya clutches the scroll to her chest and wipes her eyes. “They never forgot about me.”
As Asterion and the others hug her, Solon’s mouth clenches. Loukianos nudges him in the chest with a smirk but stops when he hears sniffing next to him. Basilus’ eyes were shimmering and he was desperately trying not to cry. He moves over and joins the group hug, much to their surprise.
The procession then slowly make their way out of the tomb, with the priest sweeping the floor behind them. The massive stone door slowly closes, plunging the tomb into darkness.
Early the next morning, they depart Egypt and soon the great harbour of the pharaohs is but a glint on the horizon. In their cabin, Shern’aath wakes up and stretches to find Altallo repairing a colourful pot, with a mound of broken pottery behind him.
“Hello!” Shern’aath says cheerfully “What are you up to?”
“Loukianos accidentally dropped an olive oil pot and Solon was about to chew him out, but I decided to take it and fix it up. Apparently I did such a good job at it that Solon told me to fix up all this.”
Shern’aath chuckles and then notices Kiya’s empty bed.
“Where’s Kiya?”
“Oh she’s out cleaning the ship.”
“That doesn’t sound like her,” Shern’aath opens the door and stops mid-step. Kiya was standing proudly over her handywork while Solon was looking very impressed.
“Morning Shern’aath.” she says brightly, waving to the raptor.
“You’ve been busy.” Shern’aath notes. “Aren’t worried about the mess?”
“Oh a little dirt never hurt anyone. Besides I couldn’t stay indoors and mope all day, I have to be an active part of this crew. The old girl needs to be shipshape the next time we make port.”
“Where are we going anyway?” she adds to Solon.
“An island colony of the Minoan kingdom which has since declared independence. Its called Thera, also called Atlantis.”
Category Story / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Gender Any
Size 120 x 120px
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