XXXV. THE EMBALMERS

  Their party left the barges in the reed dense shoal, and continued the journey to De-Anu by horseback. Nia was just grateful to be off the damned flatboat and back onto solid ground. Up ahead, the Ashenian princess sat awkwardly on her steed, a mare that Wyn-Kai had jokingly named Sunbeam, whose disposition did not match her namesake. Sunbeam was clearly as agitated with the princess as the princess was riding her. Nia fought to tamper her amusement as the princess fought to keep Sunbeam forward on the dusty road.

  Nia still was not sure what had possessed her to confide in Admrilia the truth. Perhaps nearly drowning by the advisor’s hand had made her arrogant. Either way, Admrilia was the enemy. And, if the princess knew of the true origins of the dagger at the bottom of Nia-Uro’s bags, she would not hesitate to kill her.

  Nia rubbed her sternum. The knowledge that she possessed the weapon that the Ashiphiex’s desperately coveted was making her paranoid. At the very least, they were headed back to De-Asha. With any luck, Nia could find a way to gather her family and convince them to run.

  Oh shameful tomb raider. The Peddler’s voice floated in her mind. Scornful as always.

  The sun inched overhead. With any luck, they should arrive at the legate’s garrison by nightfall. Wyn-Kai rode up ahead, engaging his sons in philosophical conversation as the hours wore on. The wind began picking up from the West, stalling their progress. Eventually, Advisor Clavo raised his fist, and they dismounted for a break.

  After relieving herself, Nia peered over Tho-Kai’s shoulder as he regarded a map on his haunches. The papyrus displayed the great swath of desert between De-Asha and the quarries of De-Urs. Few villages scattered the desolate landscape so far from the Kerxa river. Nia knew even fewer would be occupied. Tho-Kai glanced up. “We should be there within a few hours.”

  Nia nodded. She had figured as much. She stretched her back and aching quads as the princess’ guards began preparing lunch. Nia turned when she heard Ajaxi’s high pitched squeal. The princess was attempting to search her bags. Nia broke into a sprint, panic flooding through her. “Stop! What are you doing?” Admrilia reared her hand back as if it was burnt. “Don’t go rummaging around what isn’t yours.”

  The princess’ mouth thinned. “Where did you learn that, tomb raider?” Despite the sarcasm, the princess seamed nervous. Almost put-out. Nia bit her tongue as the aker stirred curiously. Admrilia cracked her knuckles in front of her, seemingly out of habit. The princess frowned, her hands falling to her side. “Listen, my intention was not to be a thief. Gods below this is mortifying. I’m—”

  “Bleeding.”

  The princess’ eyebrows shot into her braided hair. “How do you know?”

  Because my teeth are aching. Nia ground her molars together. The sooner she could be rid of the princess, the better. Nia quickly dug through her bags, passing over the linens.

  The princess accepted them gratefully. “Thank you, I’m in your deb-”

  “Sandstorm! Sandstorm! Find cover—”

  They turned in unison as the funnel of wind met the earth. The gust rushed towards their camp as their party screamed. Nia vaulted into Ajaxi’s saddle as Admrilia stood, completely gobsmacked by the wall of dust. “What in the gods?”

  Nia offered a hand down to Admrilia. “Hurry up! You can’t outrun that.”

  Admrilia took it without hesitation. Nia ignored the warmth of Admrilia pressed against her back as her muscular arms tightened around her torso. Nia spurred Ajaxi North, away from the storm.

  “What about the others?” Admrilia screamed over the storm’s roar.

  “Later! Cover your mouth!” Nia pulled up her scarves as the sandstorm cut through their clothes and sliced at their cheeks. The flaps of her packs rose, the goods rattling inside. Nia could only pray to the Lady of the Dunes that they wouldn’t go flying off. If she lost her bags she could very well never find them again.

  Admrilia ducked low— squeezing her torso tightly as Ajaxi switchback against the vengeful gusts. The storm swallowed them into a dark, orange haze. Nia struggled to make out the black shadows of the terrain. Nia pushed them further as a shadow broke from the earth. Ancient mastabas loomed in the nearby Great tombs of a past era when all of Ker was united under one Monarch instead of ten separate houses.

  Sensing her silent command, Ajaxi placed one foot in front of the other towards the monolith of rock. Ajaxi misstepped, stumbling down a shallow revine. The princess yelped and squeezed her tight. “Stormlord’s Tits!”

  “Does your god even have tits?” Nia asked. She missed Admirala’s muffled reply. She extended a hand out, running it along the large bricks of the mastaba. Ajaxi circled the perimeter of the monument, before they both paused, sensing the opening. Nia dismounted, crawling inside the tunnel. She beckoned Admrilia forward. Ajaxi collapsed in the tomb's entrance, completely exhausted.

  “Holy gods it’s dark in here.”

  Nia pressed her forehead to Ajaxi, thanking his loyal mound. Standing, she dug around her packs for the flint. The torch roared to life. Nia examined the walls, her eyes adjusting to the faint yellow, red, turquoise, and green pigments. Nia walked a little further into the tunnel as it sloped downward. She knew when she was in the land of the dead. There was a certain stillness in the air. A reverence.

  “Fuck.” Admrilia cursed behind her. “These pants are completely soiled.”

  She’s defenseless. The aker spoke. Now is the time to strike.

  Nia bristled as the aker sent her an image of the Tuat. The monster was already on the surface of her consciousness, and Nia was out of time. Nia exhaled slowly, trying to quail the aker’s insistence bloodthirst. “Princess, I need you to throw me the pack from Ajaxi’s right flank.”

  “What’s wrong?” The princess was immediately alert.

  “Quickly.” Nia dug her nails into her palms, trying to stay in the present as the Tuat flashed in and out of her vision. She heard Admrilia unstrapping the pack behind her. “No.” Nia ordered at the footstep. “Don’t come any closer.”

  “You are being unnecessarily dramatic at the moment.” The princess said.

  Nia turned around. “Open the pack. Inside you’ll find flint and rations. There is also a rope. Throw it to me.”

  “Nia, this is a noose.”

  “Just throw it please.” Nia ground out. The noose landed at her feet. “Stay here.”

  Admrilia crossed her arms. “Like hell I will. You cannot seriously expect me to sit by while you go traipsing through this tomb. Tomb raider.”

  “That’s not what I’m doing.”

  “Then why are you acting all suspicious?”

  “Damn it Admrilia.” Nia snapped. “The aker won’t attack the horse. Stay here.” Without waiting for a response, Nia ran down the tunnel. There was a solid column off of a freese around the bend that would serve as the perfect anchor point. Nia threw her clothes overhead as darkness floated over her eyelids. Her hands shook as she tied the base of the rope around the column’s post. She slipped the noose over her neck. “Stalemate.” Nia whispered as the aker broke free.

  Nia heaved, sitting upright in a rust-colored dune. Above her milky constellations snaked their way across the dark dome of the Tuat’s sky. Movement in the corner of her eyes alerted her to the aker’s presence. The beast prowled up the dune towards her, taut muscles flexing with every step. Nia was trapped in the molden gold of the aker’s furious eyes.

  Welcome back, ai. The aker snarled. You once again come to deny us justice. The monster tilted its head, displaying the noose taut against its thick throat.

  Nia met the aker’s murderous gaze. I know the prince that’s paid when you are freed.

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  I? I! No— the aker lunged forward and Nia raised her forearms to block against the aker’s brandished teeth. She grunted against the animal’s full weight. The aker dipped her head until they were nose to nose. There is only us. The aker and the ai. The two halves of the wyrd that comprise Nia-Uro of De-Asha. We are but ONE!

  Thumbs pressed against Nia-Uro’s eyelids, releasing the sediment buildup from her lashes. A long nail peeled away the clumps of earth around her nostrils. Nia reached out with tired arms. “Admrilia?”

  “Welcome traveler.” A weak masculine voice replied. Nia blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the total darkness of the tunnel. An old man’s face blossomed with concern as arthritic hands gently lifted the noose around her neck. “Were you trying to kill yourself child?”

  “Trying not to kill another.” Nia responded weekly.

  “Ah, the woman at the front of the tomb?”

  “Yes.”

  Nia leaned her head back against the slanted wall. Her flesh stank of sweat. The elder watched as her exhausted arms wrestled her shirt overhead. “Who are you?”

  The elder leaned back on his haunches. “That depends, who are you?”

  “My name’s Nia-Uro.”

  “And your companion?”

  Nia hesitated. She considered lying, then thought better of it. “That’s Admrilia Hortus Ashiphiex.”

  The old man inhaled sharply. “What is the Ashenian doing here?”

  “She was on her way to meet the Legate of De-Anu when a sandstorm ravaged our camp. We took shelter here.”

  “I see, and why is she here in Ker?”

  “Orders of the Conqueror.”

  The old man’s mouth thinned further. “And what are you to her?”

  Nia considered the question. What was she to the princess? “I’m her guide.” She said shortly. “The princess seeks her glory in the west.”

  “Are you loyal to her?”

  Nia balked. “To be loyal to her would be to court death.” No, Nia thought. I could never be loyal to her.

  The stranger rose. “Come.” He ordered gently. Nia rose. She hesitated. “Leave her be, she will not follow.” Nia followed the elder further into the tomb. The tunnel slanted upwards. Her eyes adjusted quickly in the dark.

  Nia was awed by the well preserved funerary art that lined the walls. “Where are we?” Nia asked.

  “The great tomb of Osi-Anu, the founder of our House.” The old man quickly bowed his head in reverence.

  “Anu? As in the embalmers?”

  “The very same. The Ashenians thought they had destroyed us, but they should have known it would be impossible to vanquish one of the royal Houses of Ker.” The elders hand curled into an arch. “I am Kamat-Anu, the last baron of this great House.”

  “I thought you had been destroyed during the Conquering.” Nia whispered.

  “Our survival is a secret few breathing keep. My people have chosen to take refuge here.”

  “How many of you are left?” Nia asked.

  “Forty.” Kamat said with no shortage of pride. “Enough to cause trouble for the legate who foolishly declared himself king over the dead. Stop for a moment. We are here.” They stopped at a barricade blocked by two middle aged men.

  One rose a torch. “Who is that father?”

  “This is Nia-Uro from the House of the Doorway. She will seek refuge with us tonight.”

  Kamat’s son’s exchanged skeptical looks as they removed the barricade. Nia blinked rapidly as she was waved forward into a large, brightly lit chamber. The vaulted ceilings rose with the slant of the mastaba, rock lined with the soot from the braziers placed around the cavernous room filled with carpets, low tables, and sleeping mats. Two dozen people jutted their heads up inquisitively as they entered. “Who is that?” A woman demanded.

  “This is Nia-Uro from our sister House.” Kamat put a hand on her filthy shoulder. “We shall offer her refuge tonight.” Kamat-Anu sidestepped around a dozing cobra. A jackal dozed on a sleeping mat near a roaring fire. Nia’s aker stirred at the proximity of being so close to her fellow kerai. Suspicious whispers tore through the chamber. Nia nervously stepped back and whirled around as she collided with someone.

  A young boy massaged his temple. “Ow. you elbowed me in the face.”

  “So, sorry.” Nia stammered. Hadn’t he been a cobra just moments before. “I didn’t see you there.”

  The boy shrugged and melted back into a venomous snake. He slithered around Nia’s feet before seamlessly refolding into a person. “That’s fair! I can be hard to spot.”

  Nia’s eyes quickly darted away.

  “Setnai put some clothes on!” Someone heckled.

  “I’m sorry I need to breathe! Clothes are constricting.”

  Kamat-Anu steered Nia away by the shoulders. “Don’t mind Setnai.” He apologized. “Spending one’s childhood underground makes one—”

  “A nudist?” Nia asked.

  “I was going to say neurotic.” Kamat-Anu guided her to a low table. “But it doesn't matter. Goddess willing my grandchildren will soon see the sun—”

  A woman deposited a stale hunk of bread and walked off. Nia was fully aware of the room watching as she waved Kamat-Anu’s offered hand away. “I cannot eat your food.”

  “My family has survived fifty years belowground, do not insult our resourcefulness.” Kamat tore off a hunk and passed it over. “Eat. You are bound to be starving after the aiea.

  She was. The Anu’s watched curiously as Nia chewed, and chewed, and chewed. She swallowed heavily. “Thank you.” She watched as Setnai chased a young girl— probably his sister, around a fire. “Why do you choose to hide here?”

  “After the Conquering, our people were left with few options. The Kai’s aligned themselves with the Ashenians, praying that their bloodlines would merge to benefit them. Others were subjugated to the occupation of the legion, and we chose to bid our time, waiting for when we could return to the sun. Finish that and come.” Kamat ordered gently.

  Nia left the rest of the bread and followed to the other end of the chamber. She ducked her head to avoid the ancient beams as Kamat led her down another passage. Kamat’s torch illuminated the caches on either side of the narrow tunnel. The carefully stacked dead.

  “These are the brethren of the House.” Kamat said. “Generations of our people have been laid to rest here.” The tunnel continued further and the elder pulled back a curtain to reveal what Nia could only describe as a workshop.

  The room was rectangular and lined with braizers. A slab was situated in the middle of the room with a wash basin and crates of tools stacked around it. Bodied in various states of decay were laid out in the salt beds along the perimeter of the room. Nia lifted her scarf to her nose. The smell was abhorrent.

  “I began my training as an embalmer when I was a boy, long before war ravaged my home.” Kamat said. “All sons of the House are trained in the practice, and after the Conquering I have found it as necessary as ever to continue my work.” Kamat moved towards the slab. Wordlessly, Nia accepted his torch as the elder shuffled to the wash basin. He pulled up his sleeves, revealing intricate tattoos of geometric scales traveling up past his elbows. He dried his hands and moved to the body on the slab. He lifted a knife. “Sit.”

  Nia found a crate. “Who were these people?”

  “Wanderers mostly, or our fellow kerai running from the legate up north.” The stale bread shot up Nia’s throat as Kamat-Anu made his first incision on the cadaver. “All are worth their rites.” Kamat cracked the ribcage. “So, Nia-Uro of De-Asha, you are quite the enigma.”

  Nia flinched as something went plop into a bucket. Her eyes trailed the five tipped stars on the chamber ceiling to distract herself from the horrible sounds of Kamat-Anu’s work. “Why do you ask?”

  “In the sacred resting place of Osi-Anu I find a kerai with a rope around her neck.” Nia kept her eyes glued to the ceiling as there was another plop. “What a shame, that you reject the gift of our goddess. Look at me child.”

  Kamat gestured to the open cadaver between them. “All men are born with an ai, the body. It is the head and the lungs, and the stomach too. But within the body resides the wyrd. The wyrd is not an organ or a limb. It is—” Kamat-Anu raised his bloody hands. “Of the gods. Now, the Lady of the Dunes gifted her people with the ability to manifest their wyrd into the physical world. The aker.” Kamat-Anu said.

  “I already know this.” Nia insisted.

  “Do you? You do not live it.”

  “I- I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  The sudden memory sent a shiver down her spine as flesh ripped below her nails. The blood curdling scream as a hand flew to cover the remnants of a face. “Because I cannot control it.” Nia whispered. “I cannot control when it manifests, or what the beast does when I sink into the Tuat. It is like I am a prisoner in my own body. The last time I let the aker free, I nearly killed our legate. My family is now trapped under his mercy.”

  Kamat-Anu wiped his hands. “Nia, if you do not embrace the goddess’ gift, you will never be able to help your people. Praise be to the goddess and her Ten.”

  “Says the man hiding in a tomb.”

  Kamat-Anu positioned a thin metal rod against the dead man's nostril. Nia flinched as the metal ground against bone. “Child.” He chided. “Why do you think that Atesh was able to win the war against our noble houses? It wasn’t his men or their firepower. It was because Atesh possessed a forsaken ability. He can tear the aker straight from the ai.”Kamat set the rod aside. “Next time you grow resentful of your elders, consider the choice we had-” Tears pricked in Kamat-Anu’s ancient eyes. “Against a god who cleaved the world in two.”