SWORD MAIDEN OF SEKHMET

Chapter 12: Lord Ra

Lord Ra sat on his throne of gold, his radiance filling the great audience chamber, reflected and magnified by the sheaths of gold that wrapped its towering columns.

He looked down with distaste at the dark shape of the visitor who knelt below, his head bowed.

"My Lord Anubis," he said, "This is an unexpected pleasure. Please rise."

Anubis got to his feet and raised his head, his blood-red Jackal-eyes half-closed to shield them from the terrible brightness.

"Lord Ra, Great God, He-Who-Is-One-With-The-Sun, I come to ask your justice."

"My Lord Anubis seeks justice? I am surprised that a God as great as He should need my help."

Anubis bowed his head and the next words he spoke were half-growl, half-whine.

"I have been wronged. Insulted."

"How so?"

"Forgive me Great Lord, but by Your Daughter, the Lady Sekhmet."

Lord Ra's hands tightened on the armrests of his throne.

"My Daughter, you say?"

"Yes, Great One, she refuses my hand in marriage."

The radiance around Lord Ra grew even brighter. He knew well the pain it brought to the God whose realm was darkness.

"My Daughter is free to choose whom she will. She is a Goddess in her own right and not to be compelled. Even by her Father."

Anubis raised his head, his eyes blinking furiously from the light.

"There is more, Great-Sun. One of her Sword Maidens - a novice at that - has slain one of my warriors and badly wounded another."

Lord Ra chuckled.

"Two Jackal warriors overcome by a novice girl? Perhaps My Lord should look to his warriors' training if they are so easily beaten."

"It was trickery...magic..." Anubis whined, "who knows what powers these She-Devils possess?"

"And what would you have me do?" Lord Ra asked.

"Blood calls for blood. A murder has been committed, here in the City of the Gods, an insult to my honour..." Anubis paused for a moment, "...and Yours."

"It is for me to decide whether my honour comes into this," Lord Ra replied, with an edge to his voice, "and I find it does not."

Anubis flinched and took half a step backwards.

"However...I agree, with some reluctance," continued Lord Ra, "that a death within our sacred walls cannot be ignored. Although I find it hard to believe a Sword Maiden would kill without provocation."

Anubis remained silent, his head bowed.

"I will look into the matter and give my judgment, if indeed any judgment is called for. Now good day, My Lord Anubis."

©Adriana Nicolas 2016