Page 167 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“We may not have to go far,” Zahra signed. “I don’t know how, but we still have some of thenetjeru’spower with us.”
Namir looked down at the glow emanating from his chest. “My father once told me about his promise with Re. I had asked why he could not control the sun. He told me that his promise did not work like that. He protected the land of Aur and the people within, and in return, Re gave him a portion of his power.” He looked between Zahra and Ramses. “Iset may have taken the sun and sky through my bloodline’s connection to Re, but she can’t take the part which was already promised to us.”
“Selene made my people a promise as well,” Zahra signed. “That’s why this place is safe from thekeres—for now.”
Ramses looked out through the open door before he turned back to them. “You protected me with that light before. Is there a way we can do the same here?”
Zahra nodded. “We can try. It might protect us from Iset if—when—she comes.”
“We can’t remain here,” Namir insisted. “Iset will find a way past our defenses, and she will kill us all. We must leave this land—even if we can only take a few with us.”
Zahra thought of the vision she and Namir had shared. “No.” She shook her head. “We cannot abandon our people.”
“We will start anew,” Namir promised. “We will take boats out on the Sea, and we will find a new land. With this power, we can protect our new home.”
“Our people were gifted this land,” Zahra signed. “In my vision of us, we stood over Aur. Our future cannot happen if we abandon this place.”
“I saw it, too, but we have no choice but to leave.” Namir gestured to her. “Your people were forced to leave their home, Zahra. We must do the same.”
“I was forced to leave my home because it was fate that our people would become one,” Zahra stated. “Our duty is to protect and unite our people onthisland.”
“But Re is gone. Nebthet—Selene—is gone. Only darkness and thenetjeru’spromises to us remain.”
Zahra’s heart faltered, and she gritted her teeth. “But this is our home.”
“I know.” Namir took her hand, signing with the other. “But we must come to an agreement.”
Zahra looked past Namir to Ramses.
Ramses nodded with sad eyes. “Leaving Aur is our best chance.”
Zahra let out a heavy sigh, covering her eyes. After several moments, she pulled her hand away, summoning strength with a breath. “If we are to do this, we must do two things: send messengers to other cities and villages to tell them of our plan and retrieve the Thoth.”
Namir’s eyes narrowed. “What good will the Thoth be? We can’t very well use it in these circumstances.”
“But we will find a use for it. At the very least, it’s a powerful artifact that holds Re’s power. We need all the help we can get against Iset’s servants.”
Namir considered her words, looking at Ramses before nodding. “Very well. I will speak with Waaiz on the matter and see who we should send to retrieve it.”
“We will retrieve it ourselves,” Zahra signed. “We can warn people on our way.”
Hesitancy filled Ramses’s face. “You are the Pharaohs. You should stay here.”
“No, she is right,” Namir signed. “Our people need their leaders to show them the way, and only I know where the Thoth is hidden.”
Ramses’s jaw clenched. “Then I will join you.” He tried to stand, but he cried out, falling back into his seat.
Namir put his hand on Ramses’s shoulder. “Rest, friend. We will return shortly.” He offered his hand to Zahra, pulling her to her feet. “Let us go.”
Zahra and Namir rode on Victory. Pesha and the other Naqada Ionians walked behind them, along a few common people. Waaiz and a couplemedjayalso rode on horses on the sides and back of the group. As they passed by villages or homes, themedjaywent and explained the plan. Waaiz had sent others to ride north to see what boats were there. It would be impossible to transport any boats from the Iteru to the Sea now that it was dried up.
A lump formed in Zahra’s throat as they entered the capital city once more. It was exactly as she had seen it in her visions—fire and ash were everywhere. She turned away from those that had perished from the attack, praying to Selene for theirpsyches.
Zahra’s heart fell as they entered the road leading up to the temple andpr-aa. The road was filled with people making their way away from the fires and toward the temple. Among them, Zahra noticed some of the maidens that had been at the Feast, all walking in the opposite direction of Namir, Zahra, and their small army.
Femi and Keket were there as well, helping their injured father walk. Keket looked up and saw Zahra sitting behind Namir, but her face only grew more heavy at seeing the blood and smoke on Zahra.
Zahra turned back to the road, looking up toward thepr-aa. It was still burning, but the flames were only on the northeast side. Iset had taken her attack north, wreaking havoc on that part of the city.
