CHAPTER 7: "WIND AND WAVE BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN"
Three spears whistled through the air, plunging into the thick bag of grain I held before me. Tossing it aside, I lifted the other sack as the pursuing wagon came alongside us. As I prepared to hurl it I could now see Samson under the torch light. Sword in hand, he crouched low, preparing to spring over into our wagon. But I did not give him the chance. Lifting the bag high, I hurled it to the ground before the rapid hooves of their horses.
The lead beast tripped and fell as I had planned, the two others ran over him, and then the wagon exploded as the wood hit the horses. The men went flying high into the air, their screams and curses joining the painful cries of their horses.
Leaning over the side of the wagon, I dripped with perspiration. The wrecked wagon disappeared into the darkness behind us as Nala cried out gleefully.
"Well done Memnon!"
I looked up and grunted, then lay down on the floor of the wagon. Watching the stars, I let Nala drive us on into the night.
Hours later I placed the Baa en pet in the hands of Kho-An-Sa. He grasped it enthusiastically, hefting it high into the air. The flecks of metal in the rock gleamed and glittered under the light of the three-quarter moon.
"Ahhh!" he exclaimed. "The sky-metal!"
He took some time to admire it, then handed the rock to a warrior, who walked to a nearby wagon and placed it carefully inside a heavy sack. Satisfied that is was secure, Kho-An-Sa turned back to Nala and I.
"Did you encounter much trouble getting it?" he asked.
"Not as much as we could have," I began, "but we..."
"Memnon was magnificent!" interrupted Nala.
"We would surely have been killed if not for his quick thinking."
Kho-An-Sa smiled slightly. "We will discuss this along the way. Let us leave for Gaza before they come searching for us."
We mounted Kho-An-Sa's wagon and rode away to the north, leaving behind the asses and the wagon we had stolen from the people of Ish-Ra-EI. While I sat in a corner of the wagon, wondering about the fate of Samson and his men, I watched Nala and Kho-An-Sa talking. Nala spoke breathlessly, mentioning my name several times, often gesturing and glancing my way. Kho-An-Sa nodded frequently, apparently pleased with what she told him. Finally, he raised his hand for Nala to be silent and spoke to me.
"It seems Nala is very pleased by your actions, young panther," he said. "I am pleased also that you accomplished your first task so well."
I grunted and looked away. As the wagon rolled on through the night, I drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
I awoke hours later as the rays of Aten touched my face and saw that we were on the streets of a very large city. Within moments I recognized the familiar language of the people of Canaan and knew we had at last reached Gaza. Winding our way through throngs of people from many different lands, we took in the early morning sounds and sights of a major seaport: the cries of merchants as they sold their wares, musicians playing for food and shekels on the streets and the spicy, sweet and pungent odors of early morning meals being cooked in a thousand pots.
At last tall sails loomed ahead of us and we came to a stop at the seaport of Gaza. Kho-An-Sa got down from the wagon and disappeared inside a small building on the edge of the docks. Nala looked at me very strangely as she offered me dried fruit and water to break the night's fast.
"How was your rest, Memnon?" she asked.
Something about her voice made me look into her eyes. I found a passion there that I had never noticed in a woman before.
"It was...bearable," I said, taking the fruit. "Thank you."
As I popped the morsels into my mouth, Nala lifted a flask to my lips and poured the cool liquid down my throat. I swallowed vigorously until she stopped and pulled the flask away.
"Memnon..." she said. "I have been assigned to teach many men the things I am to teach you, but I have never taught one quite like you."
Wiping the water from my lips with the back of my hand, I took another bite of the fruit.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You are young, but there is something about you," Nala replied. "You have strength beyond your years...you are handsome. . .you are. . .desirable."
I was about to ask her to go on, but Kho-An-Sa appeared.
"Out! All out!" he cried. "We will board the ship now," he bellowed, then turned toward Nala and I.
"Come, we will sail immediately. Memnon, bring the Baa en pet."
I seized the sack containing the sky-metal and followed behind him. Nala carried her own bags beside me, and we boarded a large vessel of the type known in most ports as a "Blybos ship," named after the great Caananite city of shipbuilders. It was perhaps 350 cubits long and 80 cubits wide, with huge sails and storage space for a trip of two dozen moons or more. Warriors and sailors swarmed all around us, shouting and swearing as they prepared for our departure.
Looking around closely, I saw that the vessel had been outfitted for conflict. There were wooden shelves near the sides of the boat, which I recognized as archery platforms. Small bronze bowls containing pitch, used to light flame arrows, sat in wooden frames, while large urns for the water used to put out fires sat nearby. Spears and javelins were also strapped to the sides of the ship. Wherever our journey would take us, I reasoned, it surely must be fraught with danger.
Kho-An-Sa took the Baa en pet from me and directed Nala and I to a structure built onto the deck of the ship. Upon walking inside we found it was a sleeping room, modestly furnished with a large bed and a small couch. Nala seemed to like it very much and tossed her bags happily to the floor. She plopped down upon the couch, bouncing up and down playfully.
"This is your sleeping quarters, Memnon," Kho-An-Sa said. "And Nala's."
Nala looked at me with a big wicked smile and a gleam in her eyes. Kho-An-Sa looked at us both and grinned knowingly.
"I will interrupt you very little during this journey, young panther. You have much to learn," he said, then disappeared through the exit, closing the door behind him.
As soon as he was gone, Nala stood up and walked seductively towards me. I stood with my hands at my sides, not knowing what to do as she circled me, giggling like a small girl. She moved just close enough to reach up and gently touch my face.
"Memnon," she began. "I need time to prepare. Why don't you go and look around the ship. Come back when Aten passes nearly to night."
I knew little of the ways of women, and I had no idea what she needed to prepare for, but at that moment I would have done anything she asked.
As I walked out of our quarters, the ship was leaving port, sails blown full with air, heading north across the Great Green Sea. As a child growing up I had seen many ships and had always been fascinated with the sailing of large vessels. So I watched the sailors pull and tie the huge billowing sheets of cloth and work the rudder that steered the ship. I watched the captain, a burly, dark brown Kushite from Canaan with a slight limp, lick his finger to test the wind and shout orders to his crew.
As I strolled across the deck, I noticed that the quarters for the warriors and crew were also bustling with activity. Standing near the doorway, I watched arguments over sleeping arrangements, proximity to the exit and other pettiness common when men live closely.
But one warrior among them received no argument. Conversations ceased as Cronn walked past me and entered. The giant Tamahu strolled in among them, claimed the space of his choice and cast down his huge sword, sleeping blankets and other belongings.
There had been no contact between us since I humiliated him before the assembly in Petra. Since then he avoided me at all times, walking the other way when I came near or leaving any room when I entered it. Despite having beaten him, I was still cautious near Cronn. I knew he hated me for his defeat and humiliation, and I knew that if he took me unawares I would surely die.
I remained on deck for hours, watching the port of Gaza disappear in the distance. Finally the time came to go back to the sleeping chamber...and
Nala. Walking in, I immediately smelled the scent of sandalwood, the fragrance of Het-Heru, the perfume of passion. The windows were covered with cloth and the room was totally dark. Suddenly two candles on the floor near the bed flamed to light. Standing between them was Nala. Sheer garments of light green and yellow were wrapped tightly around her body and draped about her face, making her golden eyes stand out in the candle light.
Slowly she began to dance, with lingering, sensuously delicate moments that entranced me further into the room. When she flicked her hands, a light chiming sound filled all the space between us, keeping time to her graceful movements.
She came closer and began to dance around me, teasingly chiming near my ears and tossing the corners of her sheer garments into my face. I tried to embrace her, but she was too quick, snatching her hips away before I could close my grasp. I was shaking with desire and breathing heavily when she finally stopped near the bed. Suddenly she began casting off the sheer garments piece by piece.
Taking a deep breath, I gazed at her small dark body, oiled and glistening in the candlelight. In my passion I leapt forward and tried to embrace her, but she stepped aside and I landed on the bed, frustrated and confused. Then I felt her soft hands on my back and the heat in my body rose. Turning over, I found her beautiful eyes looking deeply into mine. I opened my mouth to speak, but she placed a hand over my lips and said softly, "Shush, Memnon. You are too fast. You must be gentle."
She then slid her flawless body down onto mine, covering my lips with a kiss. It was then that my lessons truly began.
During the long voyage I was educated by the throes of ecstasy, and Nala's most enthusiastic method of teaching. I learned that the force of Rau runs just like wind and wave between man and woman and that the source of passion and power are the same. After repeated unions with Nala, I learned self control, and the tricky technique of retaining my seed in order to build up this Rau power.
Nala told me that the treatments I received from Sung Li allowed me to feel my Rau to a greater degree than most men; and that I could increase my Rau greatly by tapping into this power generated between us when united. She also said that in order to stay strong I must practice this Kula Yoga for the rest of my life.
Soon we could remain embraced for whole days or nights, with the Rau force traveling back and forth between us. Circulating like blood, it was cool one minute and hot the next. If I retained my seed throughout a session, I came away bursting with vigor and had to run several times around the ship to burn it off.
But there was one other consequence of the techniques Nala taught me that was not pleasant. I first noticed it one day during a run around the ship. Feeling irritable for no reason I could understand, I found myself running under the noon-day heat of Aten. The ship was full of activity as warriors practiced their sword and spearplay and sailors tended to the needs of the vessel. I ran past a group of sailors and warriors who, taking a break from their duties, were grouped together in a circle. Their backs were bent, and their vigorous shouts and oaths indicated they were engaged in a bit of gambling. Running by, I heard one of them laugh and stopped suddenly. I had the distinct feeling that one of them was laughing at me.
"Who laughed?" I asked angrily, turning toward them.
They stopped their game and looked up. There were six of them, four Tamahu warriors and two Kushite sailors from Canaan. I did not think they could understand me, but my anger would not abate. I stepped closer to the group of men, shaking with uncommon rage.
"Who finds me amusing!" I screamed, pointing at a sailor. "Is it you?" I growled at another man. "0r is it you?" I shouted, pointing rudely close to a man's face.
The warrior's complexion turned red and he slapped my hand away. I knew that my reputation struck fear into them due to my defeat of Cronn, but the warrior stood his ground and even took a step closer. Without hesitation, I swung my fist into his jaw and watched him crumble to the deck. As I turned to threaten another man, the sailor I had first confronted leaped upon my back. Then two more leaped forward and the fight was on. Warriors and sailors from all over the deck came over, forming a big ring around us as they watched.
The four of us went tumbling back and forth, cursing and spitting. Around and around we surged as the men hit and kicked me until I would seize ahold of one and throw him to the deck. For long minutes we brawled, and the men fighting against me were as surprised as I was that I did not seem to tire.
Stepping back to catch their breath, they huffed and puffed as they circled me. Blood poured down from my lip and somewhere near my eye, but I did not care. "Come," I shouted, shaking my fist, "who is next? Who wants more!"
The men around us began whistling. Shekels and notes changed hands as bets were laid on the fight. The sailor and the two warriors circled me like cats. I did not know who would leap next, so I prepared myself for an attack by any or all of them. Suddenly I heard the sailor who had circled behind me scrape his foot upon the deck and ducked low. Looking up, I saw him sailing over my head, directly into the belly of the warrior facing me. The crowd roared with laughter as the men tumbled to the deck.
The face of the remaining warrior became livid with rage. Reaching into his boot, he pulled out a knife and lunged toward me. Leaning backwards as the blade slashed inches from my face, I seized his outstretched arm and yanked him to me, slamming my fist into his belly. He doubled over, the knife slipped from his hand and I stepped on it. Then with the other foot I kicked him savagely in his side. Howling painfully, he dropped to the deck, defeated.
There the four men lay before me, writhing and moaning. Blood dripped down my face as I stood there, but still the rage and power in me did not lessen. Just then the crowd grew silent. The men parted and the giant Cronn appeared. An evil joy swept through me and I smiled, anticipating more fighting, but then Cronn stepped aside and Kho-An-Sa was there.
"Cease, young panther," he said. "You have fought enough for now."
Ignoring Kho-An-Sa's words, I fixed my gaze upon Cronn. Feeling an urge to fight that would not be denied, I lifted my foot and picked up the knife. As I walked towards the Tamahu giant, Kho-An-Sa's voice rose in a chant, his hands made signs in the air and suddenly I felt like sleeping. I took two more heavy steps, struggling to fight the drowsiness, but it was no use. The knife fell from my hands and I fell into the arms of my giant enemy.
I awoke in our sleeping quarters to find Nala massaging my body with fragrant oils and singing a soothing melody. The irritable feeling was gone and at last I felt at peace.
"Nala," I asked, "what happened to me?"
Reaching up, she touched my lip lightly and I winced from the pain. "You've been fighting," she answered matter-of-factly.
I sat up and immediately felt dizzy. My body ached and throbbed from head to foot. Groaning from the pain, I pressed Nala for an explanation.
"But why?" I asked urgently. "Why did I feel that way? I wanted to hurt those men, and I don't know why..."
Nala lit a stalk of incense with a candle and handed it to me.
"Here, smell this."
I took a deep breath and a wonderful tingling feeling came over me.
"You were flowing with too much Rau. You have been building it up too much lately without spending it. We have to take it slower."
"But I know about the extra Rau," I replied. "That is the reason that I must run so much. But why did I want to hurt those men?"
Nala shook her head. "I told you, Memnon. You have been flowing with too much."
"But...I don't...."
"Hush, Memnon. Rest now. Go to sleep."
I slipped off into a slumber, but not with my mind at peace. I did not pursue the matter further, but throughout the journey I would often feel angry for no apparent reason, and I could not help thinking that there was something Nala was not telling me.
The voyage lasted a full moon. During this time Kho-An-Sa told us many times about the dangers we might face in the land of our destination. As a place saturated
with the force of the Reckoning, any force of nature could be perverted. I thought of this when we finally saw land and sailed into a deep bay offshore.
Kho-An-Sa chose 20 warriors besides myself and Cronn for the journey. Then he prepared some of his strange flasks and vases for transport and gave each of us a necklace that he said would help protect us-all of us, I noted, except Cronn. After stocking weapons and provisions for the trip, we boarded three small boats and rowed to shore.
We disembarked and I looked at the northern land we had come to. Directly before us was a range of hills covered with thick green forests. Tall grasses and trees I had never seen before stretched in all directions and though it felt warm, there was something in the air, a chill of a sort that I had never experienced. I knew this was indeed a strange and different land.
Kho-An-Sa seemed unusually cautious. Instructing us to be wary at all times, he insisted we report anything unusual immediately. Only Cronn seemed to be at ease as we set off through the unknown wilderness. There almost seemed to be a spring to his step as he led us along, picking out the best routes through areas that seemed never to have been trodden before. I observed him carefully, noticing how he would stop periodically, sniff the air, and change directions.
We walked for hours over hills and flatlands covered with thick endless forests. At times the trees were so close that little light came through, causing the men to walk closer together, peering cautiously all around, jumping at any strange sound or motion. We finally emerged into a clearing as Aten slipped down beneath the horizon. There we built a fire and settled down for the night.
After setting up a defensive system of shields and lances around the camp, four men were posted for the first watch. As we sat around the large campfire, under a full and luminous moon, we noticed other strange things about this land. There were none of the familiar sounds of a forest at night, like insects chirping, night birds signaling their kin or animals dashing on nocturnal hunts.
And besides our anxiety over the lack of these familiar things, somehow we felt we were being watched. Even Cronn grew agitated as he sat near Kho-An-Sa, arms folded across his huge chest, eyes roaming the darkness beyond the light.
Suddenly a loud, long howl pierced the night air. All of us leapt to our feet, brandishing weapons and uttering prayers or curses.
"Calm down," commanded Kho-An-Sa. "It will do no good to panic. Be seated."
We sat back down and Kho-An-Sa turned to Cronn. They made eye contact and the giant rose to his feet. He left the light of the fire, leaving his weapons behind, and walked out into the night toward the direction of the howl. For long minutes we all waited breathlessly, wondering why Cronn would dare to venture forth, alone and weaponless into this strange forest. But he soon reappeared, walked rapidly back into camp and straight towards Kho-An-Sa.
After he whispered into the magician's ear, Kho-An-Sa stood up immediately and cried, "Break camp! We must leave now! Break camp! Now!"
The men started stuffing bags and rolling bedding with great haste motivated by fear.
"It will be dangerous to move about at night," Kho-An-Sa said. "But it will be more dangerous to stay here. There are creatures about that should not be faced under a full moon."
Several men lit torches and handed one to Kho-An-Sa. Then the magician reached into a pouch, pulling out a small vase covered with leather and bound shut with a cord. After placing it on the ground near the fire, he then reached into a larger bag and pulled out a small black cat. It was only a kitten, but it struggled and writhed fiercely to free itself. Kho-An-Sa held it close to his face and spoke into its ear. Immediately the cat closed its eyes and went to sleep.
All the men watched curiously as Kho-An-Sa placed the kitten next to the vase, untied the cord around it and pulled back the leather. A red mist rose from it as Kho-An-Sa began chanting and working a series of hand signs in the air.
The mist swirled above the cat, forming a circle in the air above its motionless body that I recognized immediately. It was what Kam-Atef called a gateway to the Taut, the major tool for the spread of the Reckoning. Most occurred spontaneously, but some magicians could call them forth at will.
A bright flash of red light leaped from the portal, enveloping the feline, and then the portal disappeared. The cat leapt to its feet, emitting a cry as if its heart were being torn out. Its color changed from black to blood red, while crackling noises like the sound of burning wood, emitted from its quivering body.
Then to our astonishment, the cat started to grow. We gasped in disbelief as it swelled to the size of a jackal. Men stepped back when it grew to the size of a panther, and as it grew bigger still, the warriors pointed their weapons at it fearfully.
"Do not be afraid," Kho-An-Sa said forcefully. "It is here to assist us. Make no sudden moves."
Finally, at nearly twice the size of a full grown lion, the cat creature ceased growing. Glancing around at the men assembled, it walked up to Kho-An-Sa, lowering its head obediently.
Kho-An-Sa smiled and spoke to it with authority. "Go forth creature of Herukhuti. Kill those fiends who would hunt us! Kill the wolf-creatures who hunt in the night. Go! Now!"
The huge feline nodded before Kho-An-Sa, then turned obediently and bounded off into the forest.
Kho-An-Sa spoke to us all, pointing in the direction the cat-creature had gone. "My servant will not be able to kill all the beasts that hunt us, but it will keep them busy enough for us to gain some distance. In the morning, when it is safe, we will rest. Now, let us depart."
We traveled through the night with torch bearers on either side, out front and at the rear of the company. The going was slow and we stumbled often, but no one relished the idea of meeting these "wolf-creatures" who hunted us, especially if they posed a danger to the fearsome Herukhuti-cat created by Kho-An-Sa. Cronn led us once again, but this time even he seemed to be disturbed.
I asked Kho-An-Sa to explain our situation and he shook his head sadly. "I had no idea it had gone this far. Nothing is as it should be."
"Will we make it to the workshop of the blacksmith?" I asked.
The look on Kho-An-Sa's face was grave. He looked around at the warriors, then answered me softly.
"Some of us may, young panther...most, perhaps all, will not."
I looked at the three warriors who carried the vases filled with spirits. Kho-An-Sa noticed and pointed at them. "I don't know that these will be enough," he said.
"The big cat...won't he come back to protect us?" I asked.
"Even if the Herukhuti-cat survives his battle with the nighthunters, these conjured creatures can only be asked one task. Afterwards, the creature is free to do its own bidding."
When the rays of Aten broke out over the land, we stood atop a hill overlooking a lush green valley. At its center a strong river churned, flowing from a high mountain in the distance.
"That is our destination," said Kho-An-Sa, pointing to the mountain. "It is there that we will meet the great blacksmith. We must first cross over this river, though, and then we will stop to rest."
As we made our way down the hill I saw signs of animal life for the first time. Small creatures with stripes on their backs ran to and fro, hiding in the grass and behind the rocks on the hill. Birds flew above the valley and I could see fish jumping and thrashing near the surface of the river. We all felt better as we descended into the valley, noticing its bountiful, vibrant life.
Kho-An-Sa, however, did not share our enthusiasm. "Remain careful," he said cautiously. "Do not be fooled by appearances."
As we approached the shore of the river, two warriors prepared to cross it, extending their spear butts to probe the bottom.
"Hold!" Kho-An-Sa shouted. "You know not what lies beneath the surface of that lake."
He walked forward and waved the warriors back. I looked at the river carefully. Though it swept along strongly, it seemed a normal body of water. But I knew nothing was as it seemed in this land saturated by the Reckoning.
&n
bsp; Kho-An-Sa walked forward and stood on the bank, his hands stretched out over the roiling surface of the water. Closing his eyes, he waved his arms and moved his lips for a few moments. Finally, he lowered his hands and turned towards us. "It is safe to cross," he said. "There is nothing to harm us in this river."
Another warrior and I took our spears and waded in. The current was strong and we stumbled slightly as we planted our spear-butts for support. As the other warriors splashed in I kept my head down, probing with the spear for holes or drop-offs. Just then I heard fearful cries behind me. Turning around, I saw them all, including Kho-An-Sa and Cronn, bending low over the river and pointing to the sky.
I felt a rush of air overhead as a dark shadow flew by. Ducking low, I extended my spear upright, confused by the frightened cries of the men behind me. Then a horrified scream rang out and I turned toward the warrior who had waded out with me.
My eyes widened as I saw him struggling in the clutches of a gigantic bird. Flapping its wings a few cubits above the river, it held him in its claws as a falcon would a rabbit, and would have taken off immediately if not for the warrior's valiant struggles.
Screaming in pain and terror, he stabbed into the bird's huge breast with his spear, causing the creature to emit an ear-splitting screech each time it was struck. Water splashed as the beast beat its wings, attempting to fly away. I looked behind to find several warriors holding spears aloft, poised to throw, but afraid to for the sake of the struggling warrior.
I was nearly close enough to thrust my spear at the creature, but the tremendous wings blew enormous gusts of wind, keeping me off balance. Determined to help though, I braced my spear on the rocky bottom of the river, slowly straining toward the hovering creature. I was nearly in position to attack when the giant claws around the warrior tightened and I heard a loud snap.
Suddenly the spear dropped from the warrior's hand and his body grew limp. Immediately I lunged, but it was too late. Beating its huge wings rapidly, it swept up from the surface of the river, bearing its dead prey into the early morning sky.
As I stood watching the huge bird fly away, another roar went up from the warriors behind me, and Kho-An-Sa was shouting the loudest.
"Memnon! " he cried. "Young panther, look to the sky! Look to your right!"
Too late, I brandished my spear and swiveled to my right. But I was struck so swiftly and with such force that all I could only see were stars and a huge, white feathery breast. Then giant claws seized me and shook me violently, squeezing the breath from my body. Gulping for air, I thrust my spear into this new bird, causing it to screech in pain and anger. Jerking and kicking, I thrust deeper, but its claws only wrapped around me tighter.
Looking up at its huge legs and body, I realized fearfully that this creature was larger than the other. As I struggled desperately, I heard Kho-An-Sa shouting to the others.
"Throw!" he cried. "Cut the creature down, now!"
Eighteen spears sliced through the air. A few hit the bird, causing it to screech terribly, but still it did not fall. Gripping my spear again, I thrust until I felt the point hit bone, but it still would not let go. Then I felt a jerking motion, and the surface of the river fell away. The huge wings flapped harder and suddenly I found myself high above the trees, watching Kho-An-Sa and his men becoming specks in the distance.
Higher and higher we climbed, the huge wings gliding on strong gusts of wind. I had no doubt about my fate and struggled on, preferring the quick end of a fall over being eaten by this beast and others who awaited in it's nest. But then its talons tightened around me again, shooting terrible pain throughout my body, especially my back. Resolving not to cry out, I clenched my teeth in bitter defiance, awaiting the awful snap that would surely seal my doom.