FEATHER OF MA'AT
“Well, now what?” Rick said. He ran a hand through his hair, making it look less like an ordered hairstyle and more like a bad thatching job. Evie nearly laughed at the thought. She was hardly ready for this. They had bickered since Evie had been brought back from the Dead. Heaven had been waiting for her, and she had been in Heaven as she had died. Now she was on Earth, and this was Hell. She closed her eyes, remembering the declarations she had said, in ancient Egyptian, before the goddess Ma’at, and Anubis, the god of Embalming and Mummification. Then her heart had been weighed against the Father of Truth, and the sensation of rising had made her see that the Feather was heavier than her heart. She would be going to Eternity instead of being devoured. As she got to Eternity she was greeted by her parents and friends who had died, including Ramesses, her brother, from Seti’s time, and Seti himself, as well as the Medjai from Egypt whom had died. She felt complete, almost. Something was not there, someone, yes, Imhotep was not there. Neither was Anck-su-namun, but that was not lamentable. She had been rather fond of Imhotep in her previous life, and now she sought him so she could apologize for what had happened. Then, the wonders of Eternity and the West were ripped from her. She was hauled out of Heaven, and thrown back into her body. Alex stood over her, the Black Book of the Dead in his hands. He had resurrected her! She felt like sobbing. “Now what? I was in Heaven, Rick. Heaven! And Jonathan and Alex pulled me out; shoved me back into this Hell. I can’t be here anymore. You ripped me from my happiness, my reward for a life well-lived.” “Oh, God,” Rick whispered. He had gone white, like a field of snow on a winter morning. “We… Alex pulled you from Heaven?” “Yes, he did. My only hope now is to return there, and to be in Eternity again. No one has had the… opportunity won’t be a good word… of being Weighed against the Feather of Truth a second time. I am going to Egypt again, and am going to live there.” Evie went up to her room, and began to pack. “Evie! Please, let us…” “Rick, no. Say goodbye to Jonathan and Alex for me.” She finished packing, then went outside to where Rick had started the car. “If I can’t persuade you to stay, then I’ll have to drive you to the docks at least. Or would you rather me hire a pilot?” “No. Not after Izzy and Winston. I’ll be fine with a boat. Thank you, Rick. I’m sorry, but—” “I understand. You have to get away so that you can learn to live again.” “Good phrasing, if not entirely truthful,” Evie said with a smile. “And I won’t be Evie any more. I’m going by my name in Ancient Egypt. “What is that?” Rick asked. “Nefertiri. I’m going to take my mother’s maiden name as well, Ishak.” “Nefertiri Ishak. It sounds very Egyptian.” “Good. I’m glad you approve.” “I don’t entirely approve as such, it’s just that… I… You’re leaving, and you’re not coming back. You’re not my Evie any more. I don’t know how to say that anyways… Evie, you are my life. I can’t simply abandon that, or you. I’m coming with you when you leave. At least I’ll be able to help you, even if we have to join the Twelve Tribes and become part of the Medjai.” “I won’t do that, Rick. Or rather Senahktenre.” “That was my name?” Rick asked. “What a mouthful!” “You were called ‘Tenre for short. Father had assigned you to my protection, and you took that very seriously. I eventually married you, and Ramesses made you a noble and you had your own set of Medjai who were trained to be somewhat like the Secret Service.” “I see,” Rick replied. “So I became the leader of a group of Medjai, like Ardeth Bay is.” “Yes. ‘Tenre, I still enjoy your company, though I never will love you as much as my first love. When I didn’t see him in Eternity, I knew that he was still here, probably reincarnated. Then I remembered, and if I were to return, he would be there. I hope.” “Who is he?” Rick asked darkly. Nefertiri didn’t answer. “Tall, bald, likes bandages?” When Nefertiri didn’t answer again, but felt her face heat up, Rick’s face went white. “It’s him, isn’t it? That damned Priest. You love him.” “Yes, I do. It doesn’t matter now. He’s dead, and that’s that.” “You brought him back once, by mistake or design, and you can do it again. Don’t, Evie, please.” “My name is Nefertiri, Senahktenre, or did you forget? “And my name is Richard O’Connell. Don’t forget my name or call me that mouthful again!” “Sen—Rick, please. I can’t be here any more. My memories of past and present are mixing. I don’t know what’s here and what was then anymore! Sometimes I expect Ramesses to walk through a door, or Anck-su-namun to challenge me with blades. Sometimes I think that my father will challenge you for my hand, or that I will see Menet-ka in his priestly garb.” “Who is Met-ka?” “Menet-ka, ‘Tenre. He was my brother. When my adopted brother returned from who-knows-where with an ultimatum, Ramesses didn’t comply. Then, the world began to spin out of control. The crops were destroyed by hail and grasshoppers, the river became blood and killed the fish, which had eaten the frog eggs in the past, blowing the frog population sky-high. The dead frogs attracted both gnats and flies, which brought an outbreak of some desease with them—” “Moses?! Your brother was Moses?!” “Yes. Menet-ka was the firstborn. They found him draped over the alter like a sacrifice to Set. Our firstborn, Kiron, was found with the Medjai, some of whom had died. Other Firstborns also died, save the Israelites. They were the only ones spared of the scourge.” “So… This is getting more complicated every minute. Can I sleep on this a bit?” “Yes. I’ll be going to the Records office and getting my name legally changed.” “I see. So your name will now be Nefertiri Ishak.” “Indeed. I will be back.” She left, closed the door behind her, and started a new life. Celebwen Telcontar: Well people... please review! Please review indeed!
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