Mr Montford winced as the sting from the antiseptic burned the deep wounds. Tears sprung to his eyes but he swiftly blinked them back, offering a shrug to Ash.
"A bit like garlic, the smell makes the eyes water."
The room Marie had taken them back to had been the office of the security officer. The glass front gave an overview of the entrance and the additional monitors, now a haze of silver static, had meant he could observe the rest of the building. The small space reeked of coffee, spilled over the equipment in his haste to flee, and the undertones of sweat and antiperspirant.
Ash smiled slightly, shifting uncomfortably. The smell did indeed bring tears to the eyes but the pain in those watery orbs showed it was much more.
He didn't comment on it, focusing on the patterns on the monitors that made his head feel strange.
"Suck it up," Marie elbowed Mr Montford gently as she tossed the soiled cotton into the overflowing bin. "You'll live longer, that's what my ma always told me. Considering my job, it's a good thing she did, you'd be amazed at the hazards you encounter even being a cleaner."
"I can imagine," Mr Montford disguised his wince with a small shudder. "I remember reading tales of what cleaners find in hotel rooms. Highly unpleasant."
Marie nodded. She had never worked in hospitality and had never wanted to, not after hearing complaints from friends of hers.
She continued in silence, crafting a makeshift dressing from her handkerchief, the scraps of bandage in the box frayed and useless. They would only stick into the wound and cause more pain and possible infection. The handkerchief was crisp and clean and would do for now.
"That's the best I can do," she said weakly as she stepped back, looking at the white covering that was already tarnished his rusty blood and the flesh wept. "As soon as we can we need to find you a real doctor, that could..."
Mr Montford wafted his hands airily and jumped up from the sunken chair. He paused for a second as his head span, sending his sight into nothing for a grey vortex. Feeling Marie's grip on his arm he laughed weakly and flapped her away.
"Time enough for that later! Right now, I need to get to my office and see what's left in there," he said, stumbling towards the door. "I'll admit I've been proven wrong on the existence of Gods but I still stand by my Uncle's words, don't wait for God, if he's there he's busy enough." He held the door, leaning his weight against it, the blood loss had taken its toll and weakness coursed through his muscles. "He was an odd one, had a perpendicular burial, rather intriguing."
"Why would anyone want that?" Ash stood close as he exited the room, ignoring the irritated glare as he took his elbow. "If you can't lie down when you're dead then when can you?"
"Always one for space saving, my uncle," Mr Montford groaned as Marie flanked his other side. "Not like me, anyway, you'd best focus on keeping yourself standing right now."
It felt humiliating as they slowly returned to the stairs, to be seen as an old man whose limbs refused to support him and had it not been so urgent, he could have pushed both away, steeling himself and continuing regardless of his burdens. Seeing the coagulated gore lapping at the lower steps silently reiterated that this was no time to wallow in personal pride and argue.
And outside the storm raged on, shards from the windows and domed ceiling hurtling to the ground like missiles as it shook to the foundations.
________________
Shu waited impatiently, arms folded and tapping his foot in thin air above the wispy clouds, as the ibis sought to catch him up in a flustered flapping of feathers. Yahya aimed as pointed glare at the hovering God, the bird hadn't the speed of the deity and exhaustion was something that plagued him also.
Seeing the expression Shu softened and gave him an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, I tend to forget that my flight is far beyond the capacity of most creatures."
The bird made no sound but the stiff poise seemed to relax as it hovered, working with the wind and looking towards where the air seemed to contort, rippling occasionally to show the transparent outline of a building. The aura was strong, cold and unwelcoming and its heart trembled.
"Fear not," Shu held out his held to soothingly touch the bald head, slipping the pen into the roll of paper. "He is not there; I would not allow you to even approach if he was. You will come to no harm, I promised Thoth that and I always keep my promises. Be bold, scared one, I shall repay you some way and surely Atum will also."
At the mention of both Thoth and Atum, Yahya gave a sharp flap of its wings, bolstering himself before surging forward. There was a loud crack as his body penetrated the field of energy that concealed the dwelling from human eyes and a small static shock prickled his feathers, sending an uncomfortable itch to the skin beneath.
Light surrounded him, an all-encompassing halo as he hurtled through the glassless window and landed with a soft whimper on the floor.
Isaac almost dropped the cup, juggling it also comically before guiding it back to the table.
"What on...?"
Yahya craned his neck, fluffing his chest out to rid his nerves of the tingling that ricocheted about his body still. He lifted his leg, shaking the pen and note free.
Isaac watched the crumpled parchment roll towards him, hesitating before edging forward to pick it up, his eyes fixed on the interloper and glazed with utter bemusement as his fingers closed around it.
So many questions played on his lips and it seemed foolish to voice them; the bird could not answer. Yet several spilled free, the silence and the constant beady gaze unnerving.
"I suppose someone sent you," he said, feeling idiotic as soon as he did so. "How else would you come? I wish you could talk, but I suppose that's more Narnia than Egypt."
Moving to the table he pushed the jug aside and unfolded the note, squinting at the handwriting. It took him a moment to figure out the script, handwriting wasn't something read that often anymore. Even the notes with the shipments were typed, albeit often crudely.
"Thoth..." He whispered, unconsciously leaning to place the cup on the floor, offering the water to the ever-watching ibis. Yahya strutted over eagerly, throwing his head back to allow the cool droplets to soothe his throat.
Answering might not be possible. The note read. Yet anything you can give will be to your benefit and that of those below. Am Heh is ruthless but clearly you were taken for a reason. Think hard and recall what you can, write down whatever information you have, however inane you may think it is. Yahya will bring your reply back.
But your survival depends mostly on you. Until something is found it is not wise for another God to approach.
"Am Heh," Isaac's fingers clenched, almost tearing the note as the name resonated through him again. Images of sights like this, heated sands and breezes that billowed warmth and sultriness. His heat throbbed and the paper dropped from his hands as his clutched his screaming temples, breath heaving from panicked lungs that felt as if they were drowning in the air.
"I have...have to tell them this," he moaned lowly, sinking to the floor as the world span around him. "Even if it might...just be all in my head."
Reaching out he found the pen, pausing to admire the craftsmanship before putting it to the back of the paper. His writing was uneven, his eyes unable to properly focus and words pouring from him. There was so much he wanted to say and yet it was hard to explain it.
He ended up writing far more than he intended, his letters small and squashed at the end. He could only hope it was decipherable.
His breath was ragged and long drawn as he finished, sweat blistering on his brow. Yahya moved over, picking the paper up in his damp beak, looking at Isaac as if concerned.
He smiled weakly.
"I'm fine," he tied the pen against the bird’s leg. "I have to be right?" He pushed back the dark curl that fell damply over his eye. "This is just another bump in the road, or maybe I ought to say clouds?"
The bird gave a chirrup of apparent amusement and flapped its wings.
"Be careful," Isaac added as is took off to the window. Hearing him he paused, looking back for a short moment and Isaac could almost hear the well wishes he sent in return before taking flight.
Despite having people think otherwise, life for Cherie Reynolds had been a scenic walk in the park with seldom a pit to catch her costly heels.To hear her speak one would think life had nothing to offer but rancid lemons and it was an excuse she used when airing the frequent torrents of complaints whether in person or over the phone.That morning had gone from bad to worse. From waking to find she had been sent the wrong artisan loaf, to her coffee being too bitter and now this. Black insects gnawing at the door, blood staining the carpets from their many feet.For once her mind was not on her décor although at the back of her mind she was concerned still about her new shoes.It was strange, how inching out of the second storey window and seeing the congealing slurry below, how priorities changed.Wisps of blonde hair clung to her frantic face, damp from tears she hadn't realised she'd shed as her h
Mr Montford's face fell when he saw the disarray of his room. The storm that had shook the core of the building had detached the shelves from the walls, sending them and their contents crashing to the floor. Papers, or what was left of them, floated in pulped lumps on the surface of the bloody waters.His bookcase had fared no better and, while it remained intact, the various books and objects were past repair."Years of work," he whispered as he slumped limply against the wall "lost and ruined."Marie and Ash gripped hold of him as his legs buckled, his eyes growing distant as they stared at the loss of his life's passion. To him, it was worse than losing his home, it had been everything.Marie led him over to a chair that had miraculously remained standing, its balance aided by the shelf falling from behind. His arms hung limply at his sides as she pushed him down, his fingertips trailing the water
Cherie slowed as Kyle approached the run-down building, he called home, her eyes looking over the peeling sills and grubby frontage. It reminded her of a seedy half-way house, a haven for thieves and other ill-bred occupants.The carpet on the stairs was tacky underfoot and it was impossible to tell what colour it had been, clearly the fibres had not been cleaned since it was laid down, maybe even before, she assumed the sickly shaded matting had been second hand to begin with.She dared not even touch the breaking handrail, Lord knew what germs and filth bred on it."How can you live like this?" She asked with genuine intrigue as she stumbled in the gloom. "No offence but I'm not surprised the scarabs didn't touch here."The smell of cannabis reached her nose as she turned the bend for the final steps, leaking from the room opposite and home to a former student. Kyle never believed he had ever been at college; th
Thoth was sat in the wicker chair outside, watching his beloved Ibises with a glass of ruby wine at his side. A small smile was cemented on his face, the adoration for the creatures clear.He barely looked away as Shu arrived, creating a flurry of sand as he did so."Wine?" Thoth gestured to a covered pitcher on the window sill. "It's homemade, rather more potent than most." He gave a sheepish chuckle. "Truthfully I really ought to keep to tea or water but I thought in such circumstances I've earned it.""I'd best not, flying and alcohol rarely mix," Shu smiled. "I've done it once before and I ended up marooned on some island in the pacific. Nice area, but not when you've somewhere to be or when you've a shocking headache."Thoth laughed softly. "Indeed, but anyway, enough of the idle chitter chatter. What is it you've come for? I take it Atum is in need of my help?" He pressed his hands together with subdued exci
Pain throbbed through Cherie's skull, reverberating down her neck and into her upper spine. The blow had been hard and blood coagulated on the back of her head.Her vision was skewed. The world around her was hazy and rocking as if she was a baby in its arms but it was not comforting, instead it was terrifying.Trying to move her arms and legs she found them bound, the wire tight and wickedly sharp. Struggling too much meant it would pierce her flesh with the ease of cutting through butter. Already it was digging in menacingly and creating scarlet ditches.The room was dark, the blinds concealing the outside world, and a smell of burning wax highlighted the air. The only light was coming from behind her, a warm glow from three candles stood on the cabinet.In the centre sat the strange statue, seeming more sinister as the glow highlighted the vacant eyes and illuminated the malign grin on its apish face.&n
The moon was high outside and casting its cold glow on the exotic gardens and fountains of marble and stone.Peacocks had finished their nightly preening and had settled for the night near the high walls built to prevent intruders from breaching the rich interiors. Marble and sandstone and without flaw.Behind the grandeur, guarded by two large hounds, was an entirely different view.A small path from a less kempt area led to landscape of fire when the blooms were tongues of flame and the waters were molten lava.Even the grass seemed to hiss with infernal fury as heat rose through the charred earth into a rufescent sky. Only if one walked with the Gods or their guardians was is possible to bear such a vista.
Am Heh barely looked up when he heard the knock, continuing to read over the scroll with even less interest. It was the pause before entry that caused him to lower the papyrus,his dark eyes observing the meek entrance of the young man. The face was not one he recognised but, unlike the others, the aura emanating from the mortal was calmer, perhaps nerves.He gestured to the table nearby, half judging each movement the new slave made."Put it there," he instructed placidly, unable to look back to the papers he was reading, the mortal having piqued his curiosity. "And wait for a moment, there may be other things I need you to do..."Ishaq opened his mouth to reply, snapping it shut quickly as he remembered his instructions. He gave an awkward bow instead, faltering under the weight of the jug again before making his way over and relieving himself of the burden. Automatically he rolled his shoulders, cramped from tens
Am-Heh kept to his word and, as the sun started to sink into its wearing bed, he entered the stone courtyard that housed the dogs overnight.The cobblestones were delightfully chill against his bare feet and the high walls gave shelter from both heat and wind should it ever blight the realm.A slim mist rose up from behind, the mighty structure built to hide the lakes that were beyond them. Hidden from view, they were not erased from the ear or other senses. The dull scent of brimstone flowed like a dying river about them and the hiss as the flames fought each other was often heard.The dogs were a fine sight.Elegant and athletic, their large upright ears heard every minute sound about them. They romped playfully, delighting in each other's company and few rounded stones that had been placed for their amusement.Eight pairs of amber eyes turned on Ishaq as he slipped through the gate, looking him up and down