Page 176 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Herstefanahung in her hand, scratched but still intact. She placed the crown on her head, sucked in a quivering breath, and turned and made the trek back toward thepr-aa. The fires had gone out hours ago, but the soldiers and servants who had died from Zosar and Iset’s flames were still numbered among the crumbled stone. It would take many days to sort through the wreckage, and even more to deliver the awful news to their families—if they were still alive to receive it.
The once-lush gardens were covered in ash and soot. The remnants of flower beds protected by stone could barely be seen through the wreckage. In the middle of the garden, no longer hidden from view, was a stone bench covered in ash. Upon it sat a Pharaoh King, who leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his eyes trained on his wounded home.
Zahra placed her hand on Namir’s shoulder. Numbly, he reached his hand up and placed it on hers. She placed her other hand on his other shoulder, rubbing his tense muscles. “How are your uncle and Ramses?”
“Waaiz is as stubborn as he has always been,” Namir remarked. “He refuses to rest despite his injuries.”
Zahra smiled softly, though it faded as she considered Namir’s silence. “And Ramses?”
Namir was quiet. He took in a trembling breath. “He is resting, but he may never walk again.”
Zahra placed a kiss on Namir’s curls. “But he is alive.”
Namir nodded, but still he focused on the burntpr-aa. “I cannot help but think, while my people bury their loved ones, here I am with half of my family gone and no bodies to bury. Only ash and their memory remains.”
“O méli.” Zahra massaged his shoulders. “You cannot blame yourself.”
“I should have known.”
“Neither of us could have known. You don’t blame me for not knowing, do you?”
“Of course not,” Namir said, “but she was mysister. I… I thought…”
Zahra’s heart hurt as his voice broke. She sat beside him, rubbing his back as he cried. The pain would not soon leave, she knew. The ache sat in her chest, too. Though her father and people were still alive, she mourned with Namir. For a mother that cared for him and a sister he chose over all others.
Zahra stood when she heard someone approaching and placed her hand on Namir’s shoulder. He wiped at his eyes, glancing back. Waaiz’s forehead creased in worry for a moment, but his stoic face returned, and he bowed with his hand on his chest. “My Pharaohs, the people request an audience. They are afraid and need your leadership.”
“Have them gather by and on the Iteru,” Zahra instructed. “We will come when we are ready.”
Waaiz bowed his head. “Yes, Pharaoh Queen.”
Zahra knelt in front of Namir once Waaiz had turned away. “I can speak to them alone if you need more time.”
Namir shook his head, removing his hand from his eyes. “Today is the first day that I am their Pharaoh. I must make a good impression.”
Zahra smiled softly, brushing her finger gently on the crusted blood from the cut on his cheek. The wound was deep but short. It would heal, and so would he. They all would.
Zahra and Namir walked hand in hand toward the river. Their clothes and skin were still covered in ash, but they had cleaned up their faces and arms a bit. The last many hours had been spent helping the remainder of the people who had survived escape their homes. With the last person rescued, the eagles had taken to the skies and disappeared into the stars.
When they stood on the hill overlooking the Iteru, Zahra saw thousands upon thousands of people awaiting them, Aurans and Ionians alike. Torches and lamps covered the river and shores.
The Iteru itself extended well past the border of Aur in the distance. They had received word not long ago that the wall at the south end of Aur had crumbled because of the force of the water. The Iteru now flowed into Deshret, sharing the water’s blessings with the Naqada.
Waaiz and othermedjayapproached Zahra and Namir. Waaiz bowed his head. “Speak whenever you are ready,Pharaohs, and we will carry your words to those who cannot hear.”
Zahra squeezed Namir’s hand, smiling encouragingly. “They will listen.”
Namir glanced at her, taking a long breath. He turned to the people, and the valley went quiet. “Last night was one of the longest nights in our history. We were attacked on all fronts, and Re and Nebthet themselves disappeared from the skies. But they did not abandon us. They fought with us, and the darkest part of the night has passed.”
Zahra continued. “Never again will this people suffer at chaos’s hands. Last night was our darkest moment, but today marks a new era. One where we are united against evil instead of susceptible to its servants.”
“From this day forth, we will be one people,” Namir proclaimed. “Those from Ionia and those descended from the first Aurans—including our brothers and sisters in Deshret—will beone.”
“The days to come will be filled with mourning,” Zahra said, “but we must mourntogether. Only if we are together will we be able to rebuild what was lost today and pay tribute to those we have lost.”
Namir nodded. “Evil has taken much from us. Fathers. Mothers. Brothers. Sisters. Dearest friends, and our very own queen. But their memory will not be sullied. We will build monuments to remember this day, and we will rebuild Re’s temple and build many others for the othernetjeru, starting with the othernetjerof the sky, Nebthet.”
Zahra smiled softly at Namir, thanking him with her eyes as the people cheered.
