Song of Isis Read online

  She remembered, as a child, examining a large heap of this stuff, barely able to discern the crude renderings committed to stone many millennia before. "Only this is fresh."

  A shiver passed through her, again. Not so much from the cool breeze, but from the realization that she was in the center of the very civilization her father had spent his life studying. His one dream had been to find the great, mythical healer who had helped the Egyptians conquer vast secrets enabling them to live long and prosperous lives. His belief was that this civilization revered life so greatly they spent an eternity waiting for rebirth. Now, she'd be able to prove or disprove his theories, once and for all. That is, if she ever got back home again. Something else plagued her. This was Abydos. The very same town overshadowed by Seti's enormous temple, its figure filling the background, and everywhere one gazed its outline would be in view. But here, now, the temple had disappeared. Or hadn't been built yet?

  A shiver grew along her spine, taking control of her movements and the piece of ostraca slipped from her hand, clattering against the pile. Rational scientists had scoffed at her father's proposal. Called him a foolish old man, a Don Quixote, searching for something that didn't exist. They'd even laughed at her suggestion that Egyptians could have known CPR.

  Yet, here she was, sitting at the base of an ostraca, waiting for Seta to fetch water for their escape across the desert to an unfinished tomb. She was a doctor. Nothing special in present day. But in ancient Egypt the possibilities were endless.

  "IS THIS HOW you repay my kindness, slave?" Tarik shouted the words and a dusty, frightened Seta was pushed to the ground at Alex's feet. The girl covered her head with her sack, but his angry voice continued. "Running away? From the friend of Pharaoh? From a noble in the court of Mentuhotep? I shall repay your transgression in kind."

  Shadows hooded his face. Alex stood to get a better view. "Look here, you can't...." She scrambled to her feet and gazed into Tarik's dark, angry eyes.

  Chapter Four

  "QUIET WOMAN." Tarik glared down at her. "Is this my payment for protection from the wrath of Ra?"

  This wasn't happening. Alex was stuck in a melodramatic scene from a bad B-movie. In twenty-four hours she'd gone from the twentieth century to two thousand years before the birth of Christ. Four thousand years. Fear gripped her, but she stood firm and matched his angry look with one of her own.

  "No...I...."

  Tarik pointed toward the servant. "This unworthy one has disobeyed the laws of the Living God and must be punished."

  Alex pushed Seta behind her and planted her hands on her hips. "Punish me. I did it. I made her take me."

  A wary smile crossed his lips. "With what? Your mighty weapons? Your great power?"

  Alex folded her arms. "I do have power. I'm from another place and time. Believe me, in my lands I am also a Sinw."

  "What I believe is that Ra's heat has turned your thoughts to madness. This lowly servant was charged with your care and she disobeyed my orders. For this she will be severely punished." Tarik rested his hand on the gilded handle of the dagger strapped to his side.

  Guilt cloaked Alex. "Look, it's really all my fault." She glanced back at Seta who bowed her head in supplication. Her body shook with fear. Fear of what? "Say, what're you planning here?"

  Tarik reached out and took his charioteer's whip. "As is the custom, you are a gift from my house to Mentuhotep, pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt and the mightiest of mighty."

  He glared at her quizzically and slowly unrolled the whip, its snaky ends flicking the dust.

  "What did you say?" She folded her arms across her chest. "I won't be part of any pharaoh's harem. No way. That went out a long time ago.

  "God! How do I get across to you," she said, kicking the earth. She didn't want to end up a slave, or a concubine, or even a wife. "I'm a doctor, a Sinw. Do you understand? I'm not afraid of you, and I won't bow down to you, or your pharaoh. In my land--er--time, I'm respected as much as you. I won't stand for this. Understand?"

  Tarik's eyes darkened in anger or suspicion. She didn't know.

  "It is no matter who you are. You are still my slave until I give you to pharaoh. Do you understand?"

  She may have been transported by some crazy glitch in the universe to this place in time, but she couldn't change who or what she was, and she'd find a way to prove it. "I'm one of your Sinw and I'll prove it." She lifted her arms into the air and whirled around. "I'll make so much magic, you'll fall down and worship me."

  If she could just do a few parlor tricks of modern medicine, he'd think she was a wizard, maybe even a goddess. Hell, her stethoscope, alone, would be enough to amaze him.

  "I've got to have my medical bag. It's back at the tomb. Take me. Please."

  "No. It is the unfinished resting place of the Holy One, the Living God, Mentuhotep, and you would force my servant to desecrate his royal place--"

  She was already sick of his condescending attitude, one not unlike her colleagues.' But, of course, no matter what the century men seemed to always act the same. "We have names, you know. Mine's Alex and hers is Seta--"

  "Silence woman. Know your place in the presence of a noble." He motioned to his guards and pointed to Seta. "Take her from my sight. I will deal with the fair-skinned one, myself."

  "No way!" Alex had to do something. "Stop!" She flattened her hand on his chest and shoved. "Did you hear me? The whole thing was my fault, my idea. I forced her. I--ah--threatened her with death. I'm to blame. You must punish me."

  A flash of emotion crossed the darkness in his eyes. Was it anger? No. Amusement? Yes. The bastard thought the whole thing was funny.

  "With what? Your magical powers of Sinw? Your weapons? Hah!" His laughter filled the night air. "You expect me to believe she understood what you wanted. With your thickness of speech, I can hardly understand your words, myself, and I am educated in Persian, Nubian, and Greek."

  "I'll show you funny, mister." She squared her shoulders and swung a fist, but he jerked easily out of reach and it missed its mark. "Get this straight. I'd rather die right here and now than be somebody's courtesan, slave, or anything else you have up your sleeve. I'll never stay here. I'll--I'll escape." And escape she would. She just had to figure out how.

  He shook his head, raised an eyebrow, and narrowed his gaze. He hadn't reacted to a word she said. Just stood there, glaring.

  She raised her voice and emphasized each word. "I'll slow down, if you can't comprehend."

  "Too much of what you say is very clear to me." He leaned close. He smelled of sun and wind and the sweet perfumed oil that glistened on his skin. "Although I do not understand what is up my sleeve, I understand this much, fine lady, you are a thief, a liar, and not very intelligent, or you would not rebuff the protection of my hospitality."

  "Now wait a minute, you--you arrogant relic. I'm no liar and I got a three-point-seventy-eight QPA all through medical school. And as for thief--" She pushed against his chest. "--I've taken nothing but your maid. Besides, almighty one, you're not so intelligent, yourself, or you would've known I wasn't from your time, and that what I'd said was true about needing to get back to the tomb."

  She leaned down and wrapped her arms around Seta. "Seta's my only friend in this bad dream." Nothing had turned out as she'd expected, and Alex feared she'd made things worse by her outburst. She glanced up to see Tarik toying with the whip. Were they about to receive a beating? The first of many to come, no doubt.

  "All right, jerkoff, you win. If I promise to obey, will you leave Seta alone?"

  TARIK STARED down at the defiant woman shielding his servant. An instant of relief flooded him. He had no intention of hurting Seta, or this strange and beautiful lady. But the woman was so obstinate. "How is it you can speak our language?"

  Her gaze sparked fire. "When I was a child, I...my...father taught me."

  He stalked around her, studying her form, her face, her demeanor. The linen garment hung loose on her thin frame, yet it molded to
her ample breasts and narrow waist. "If that is so, why did you not understand my words yesterday? I speak the truth about your lies."

  She threw him a haughty look as if he dared to ask the unthinkable. "I don't know." She rubbed her forehead. "I guess I forgot. I hadn't spoken your language in a very long time."

  No. This woman had not forgotten. What was it she had said? Although heavily accented, her speech proved she was educated. Perhaps of noble birth from another land. Yet, what were these words about being from another time? The sun had scrambled her senses to talk about such things. So defiant. He'd captured a madwoman. Or, perhaps a spy from Lower Egypt sent to kill Pharaoh or his chief physician.

  Thoughts of danger only fueled his curiosity. She would no doubt be a fiery match in bed. As friend of the king and living god of Upper Egypt, it was his duty to ensure pharaoh's safety. How better than to tame this madwoman, this infidel, this spy. To taste the delights of her flesh, cool her fire, enslave her with his loins.

  "How is it that you expect me to believe you, when you talk of things that make no sense?"

  Alex stopped rubbing her head and stared up at him. "What?"

  "What does this mean when you say `jerk off'?" He was confident it was no compliment. An innocent smile crossed her face. No doubt she would lie to him again.

  "They're part of my language...words I speak in my own country when we address a great noble."

  She was good at her lies, but he was not so vain as to believe this. She may have used a word from her country, but it was not part of a noble's address. Of that he was certain. "I fear you are lying, again."

  She stomped her foot and kicked at the ostraca. "What's the use? You won't believe me, anyway."

  She plopped down next to Seta and crossed her hands in her lap. As appealing as the thought of tussling beneath the bed covers was, he had to find a way to control her, stop her impudence. More for her own protection than to break her spirit. A wrong glance or action in pharaoh's court, and she would be struck down. What was it the queen always said? `Beware of strange women from strange lands, for they will betray thee.'

  This would require the entire concentration of his heart. Arguing back and forth with his ka, he paced the perimeter of the ostracon, studying his captive, evaluating the situation, and forming a plan.

  He reached out, pulled her to her feet and placed his lips close to her ear. Her scent of full-blooded woman and exotic flowers and dark sensuous nights invaded his senses. Yet he would not be tricked by her sorcery. He had some magic of his own to perform.

  "You seem to care for this woman, Seta. Is that not so?"

  She nodded her head but kept her lips sealed. Good! Now he had his own weapon and a way to ensure her cooperation. "I may strike a bargain in return for your acquiescence?"

  Her sky-blue eyes widened with distrust and flashed anger, defiance, nobility. "That depends."

  "I will consider your request to protect this woman, Seta, from harm. But you must not attempt escape. You will not lie to me further. You will submit to the teachings of Nafari and learn the ways of Pharaoh's court. Is it agreed?"

  The fire in her eyes grew hotter and she narrowed her gaze. "I--I--." Her teeth worried her lower lip and never taking her gaze from his, she nodded her head slowly, as if struggling against a great weight. "All right. Yes."

  Consent. He pulled the bull-whip from his charioteer and gave it a slight flick. The leather snaked out, almost touching Seta. A loud crack rent the air and sent her cowering. Alex remained stoic, neither flinching nor showing any sign of fear.

  "It is settled then." He pointed the gilded whip-handle at her. "I will hold you to your promise."

  She reached out and grabbed the handle. Her gaze sharpened. "Look, Tarik. I'll agree to your little deal, if that keeps Seta from harm. But I need my medical bag. All my instruments of healing are inside. I left it at the tomb. Will you take me there?" She lowered her lashes, just enough to imply subjugation, but not acquiescence. Crafty, this one. But not so much that he could not outsmart her. She had simply provided him with another way to control her.

  "That depends upon how well you learn Nafari's lessons."

  "Damn." She stamped her foot again in the dusty earth.

  This Alex's temperament was similar to that of the great Queen and mother of pharaoh's only child, Tem. Sweet to gaze upon, yet her viper's sting was poised only for him, if he did not submit to her advances.

  ALEX RUBBED her eyes and unfolded her body in a long, lazy stretch. The sun's rays peeked in through the windows and slashed across her. As awareness lifted like a morning's fog, she startled to a sitting position.

  It had all really happened. And, she'd agreed to be a willing participant in Tarik's folly. She shook her head, finger-combed her hair, and rubbed her teeth with her finger. This'd have to do until she figured out something to substitute for toothpaste. Salt would do the trick. Surely, a rich Egyptian would have access to salt. Egypt was nothing more than a big salt lick.

  A soft knock and the door opened. Nafari entered followed by Seta, arms laden with clothing and papyri.

  Alex smiled. "Seta? C'mere."

  From the girl's appearance she'd been treated well. Alex grabbed the bundles, tossed them aside, and proceeded to examine her extremities, her back, her legs. From her cursory perusal there was no apparent sign of brutality. No bruises, cuts, or welts. Tarik seemed to be as good as his word.

  "I guess it's the least I can do to keep mine," she muttered in English.

  Nafari glanced at her quizzically. "Come woman."

  "My name's Alexandria, not woman." She folded her arms across her chest and smiled. "But you can call me Alex."

  "Alec?" The woman's gruff voice did not hide the kindness in her eyes. "You are covered in filth and must be prepared to receive your Master."

  "Excuse me? Did you say Master? And what do you mean by receive?"

  This time Nafari's voice was softer. "Seta will bathe you. Come, follow her to the bathing room."

  "But I'm still hung up on that receiving thing...."

  Nafari smiled. "It is of no consequence to you. You must do as we say."

  Seta scurried about, gathering Alex's discarded clothing, then, all three padded down a long hallway that divided at one end leaving them in front of a large, gilded door. Nafari opened it and motioned Alex through. "Go with Seta, and I will see to your meal."

  Alex followed Seta down two flights of stairs, and into a cool subterranean alcove lined in white alabaster. "Wow! All the comforts of home."

  Alex surveyed the room. "What's this?" She lifted the lid of a large, round jug filled with sand. "A human cat box? How ingenious. I always wondered how...."

  "Step up here, Mistress, and I will bathe you." Seta led Alex to a pedestal directly over a drain-opening and she pulled off her dress and undergarments.

  Seta gently removed the clothing from Alex's grasp. "I wash."

  It was hard to let go of clothing of any kind. Tarik could enter at any moment and she'd be exposed to whatever crossed his evil mind. "You'll bring them right back?"

  "Of course, Mistress."

  Seta picked up a long jug and poured the water over Alex's head. The refreshing coolness jarred her completely awake. "A shower. All the modern conveniences. Who needs plumbing?"

  Seta poured several jugs between scrubbings with a sweet smelling unguent and wrapped her in a large linen sheet. "Is Mistress refreshed?"

  Alex eyed Seta. The girl had determined that she was her mistress. Alex laid a hand on Seta's arm. "Thank you. You make me feel comfortable. And I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

  Seta beamed. "It is you who makes me safe. I shall never forget your intercession. I will serve you always."

  "No, Seta. I don't believe in servants. You are equal to me, to Tarik, to Pharaoh."

  Her eyes widened in obvious fear and her gaze darted back and forth. "No, Mistress. Pharaoh is the Living God. He is not a lowly mortal." She clutched
at the sheet and ushered Alex up the stairway to her room. "Never say these words again, Mistress. I beg you."

  "Sorry. Sometimes I forget where I'm at. People in my country are all equal under the law. They are free to say and do what they please, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. If they disobey, they go to prison."

  Seta lowered her voice. "It is the same here. People are equal. Only Pharaoh is God. And Pharaoh's friend and those of his court are not equal to those who toil the fields and monuments. And crimes of irreverent speech are rewarded with a most severe punishment."

  Seta pulled the sheet away, rubbed Alex down with perfumed oil, and draped her in filmy, gilded cloth. Noticing the sheerness of the fabric, Alex shook her head. "This won't do. I can't go anywhere in this."

  "This is the dress of a noblewoman. There is no other."

  "What about that baggy number I wore yesterday? Get me one of those."

  "But--" Seta raised her arms in protest.

  "Get it." Alex pushed her lightly. "I'll fix it so the great and powerful Wizard of Id won't be offended."

  Seta cocked her head to the side. "Wizard? What is this?"

  Alex opened her hands in supplication. "It's a private joke. Nothing of consequence. I was referring to Tarik's ego."

  "Oh," Seta said knowingly.

  "Hooray!" She collapsed into laughter on the bed. "We've finally connected. Talking about the male ego is the universal language. In four thousand years men are still the same. Nothing's changed. Only what you call it. I can live with that."

  "Four thousand years?"

  Alex gazed up at Seta's concerned expression. "I don't know how to explain, exactly. I'm not just from another land." She sat up. "I come from a time in the far distant future."

  How much of this would she understand? Alex didn't even understand it herself. Even Einstein had said one couldn't travel back in time.