Kate looked around for her rescuer. Siptah still grappled with Min, but behind them a figure stood behind a boulder, a sling dangling in one hand. Alara.
Alara stared at Emma. One long finger beckoned Emma, drawing her closer and closer.
Go to her, Emma, thought Kate. Hurry. She gave Emma a little push.
“I see her,” shouted Djal, his voice high pitched and unbelieving. “I see the princess!”
Emma ran to Alara. The princess grabbed Emma’s hand and hurried her away to safety. Kate breathed a sigh of relief.
“She is ...” Djal turned around. “She is ...” he pointed “she is over there somewhere. I could not ...” His eyes focused. “By the Goddess, I lost the image, but I know she is in the cavern.”
Hebany stepped towards Min and Siptah.
“No, to the right,” said Djal.
Kate’s mouth dried. If they found the second entrance, Alara and Emma would be doomed.
Kate spun to the empty gap that she and Emma had used to get here. “Alara! Go the other way. He’s coming!” Kate kept her face anxious, hoping Hebany would fall for her ruse. Relief swept through her when he bolted towards the gap.
Unexpectedly, Hebany turned toward Kate. A large hand reached out and grabbed her. Kate eyed the dagger in the dirt. She couldn’t reach it. Weaponless, she looked around the cavern, searching for help. She caught a glimpse of Siptah and Min. Both had cuts and bruises. Both had discarded their weapons and now fought with fists. Clasped together, they rolled out of sight.
Hebany pulled Kate across the clearing to the well. He swung her roughly around and pushed her back against the stone. The flames in the well roared behind her. The heat bit into the back of her head and enveloped her.
“Alara.” Hebany’s voice was deep and masterful. “Come out from your hiding place, or I will push this human into the fire.”
“No!” Kate struggled. She found strength she never knew she possessed, but still it wasn’t enough. Hebany’s dull gold eyes penetrated hers.
He means it.
Could she smell her hair being singed? Her heart pounded. She struggled against him and kicked his shins, but Hebany stood fast, his huge hand holding her in place.
“I am losing my purr-patience,” said Hebany.
Kate’s eyes watered. Flashes of light swirled around Djal’s golden circlet.
“Stop!” Siptah stepped into view.
For the second time, Kate felt fingers squeeze her throat. Hebany’s grip was powerful. The air trapped in her body, but an instant later the pressure released.
“Siptah, bring Alara to me. I will kill the human.”
Djal released his power. A spark flashed across the cavern. Boulders exploded into tiny pieces.
Siptah dropped to the ground, covering his head. Hebany fell backwards, forcing Kate down with him. Her back scraped against the stone edge of the well. Her knees hit the dirt with force. The grip around her neck disappeared.
On her feet in a heartbeat, Kate jumped over the dazed Miuan and ran towards Siptah, who had already climbed to his feet.
“Djal, you idiot!” roared Hebany from the ground.
Siptah grabbed Kate’s hand and pulled her along behind him. They raced into the cover of the boulders, hearing footsteps close behind them.
“Find the purr-princess and kill her,” yelled Hebany. “Kill all of them!”
Rounding a corner, they ran into Alara.
“Where’s Emma?” asked Kate.
“Safe.” Alara’s eyes indicated the top of the mound.
“Come. We must flee,” said Siptah. He pushed them along the path. “We will have to go through the entrance.”
“It is too late for that.” Min stepped out in front of them. “You must all die. Here and now, but the purr-princess goes first.”
Min’s gold eyes glinted. He raised his spear and hurled it at Alara.
“No!” Kate and Siptah yelled in unison.
Kate pushed Alara to one side. Sharp pain exploded in her thigh. Her breath caught in her bruised throat and she fell to the ground.
Pain. So much pain. Kate closed her eyes. Voices echoed around her. Hands tilted her backwards and pressed against her thigh. Flashes of light. Screaming. Darkness.
Chapter Thirteen
The darkness lightened into grey as Kate struggled back to consciousness. She tried to force her eyes to open. She moved and felt her chest tighten. Pain shot down her leg. Her hand reached out, her fingers closing around something solid. The spear.
“Kate, you are losing blood,” Siptah whispered in her ear. “Keep still.”
Kate realised the pressure on her chest was Siptah’s arms holding her close. She allowed herself to lean back against him and look around. How much time had passed? A minute? Five minutes? Longer? Little had changed. Maybe it was mere seconds.
Alara stood in front of Kate, her only weapon a sling. Min and one of his henchmen advanced towards her.
“Your death will be quick, but not necessarily purr-painless,” said Min.
Alara remained silent and rigid, her sling ready.
“Get it over with, Min,” said Hebany. He and a guard advanced from the rear. “You have a crown to claim.”
Kate glanced up at Siptah. He looked different somehow, older.
“You will never get the crown,” Alara said to Min. “Never!”
“I have to help the purr-princess,” Siptah whispered to Kate. “This will not be our resting purr-place. Not without a fight.”
Unable to speak, Kate nodded.
Min laughed. “Strong words—”
“Min!” Hebany shouted. “Get on with it.”
Siptah lowered Kate’s head to the cavern floor, and joined Alara. Side by side they awaited the onslaught. When it came, Kate could only moan and shut her eyes, but she could not shut out the pain.
“Pr-Aa!” Djal’s shout was loud, his voice surprised and terrified.
Kate’s eyes fluttered open. Siptah had overpowered Min, who lay face down in the dirt with one arm twisted savagely up his back. Alara struggled with her assailant.
A deep, haunting noise sounded. It started out as a low groan and built up to a steady pitch, much like a horn. A stern command followed and, although Kate couldn’t see what was happening, she knew many Miuans had charged into the cavern by the rumble vibrating through the ground.
Hebany turned and tried to flee. Min struggled to gain his freedom, but Siptah drove his knee into Min’s back, forcing him to remain on the ground. The guard holding Alara in a headlock shoved her to one side and ran. She fell to the ground beside Kate.
“Pr-Aa!” Djal shouted again.
“Take him!” A deep voice roared. “Strip him of his circlet and take him away.”
“No, no, purr-please no ...” Djal’s voice faded.
Kate trembled with pain. She looked into Alara’s mysterious eyes and found the princess smiling at her.
Alara reached out and touched her face. “It is over. That is Siptah’s father. Everything will be fine now.”
A tear dripped from the corner of Kate’s eye into the rubble. She slid back into darkness.
***
Kate heard voices. Her head felt foggy, her body relaxed. She couldn’t force her eyes to open. She listened momentarily then drifted off into a deep sleep.
***
Kate opened her eyes and looked around. The chamber was large, with no windows and only one door, which stood ajar. Colourful drawings had been painted directly onto the stone walls. On examination, they seemed to tell a cryptic story. Two flaming torches were the only source of light, but Kate could see places for more torches if the need arose.
She turned her head to the right and smiled. Emma lay asleep in a bed not far away. The bed, perfectly shaped for the body, had an elevated head, which meant no pillow was required, and a dip where the backside would rest. Two dozen or so thick, soft cushions were used instead of a mattress and a tan fur took the place of a blanket.
; Kate looked at her own bed and found that it was the same as Emma’s. Soft and comfortable, she felt warm and safe. Beside the bed, a jug of water sat atop a low table. Parched, Kate leaned towards the jug, but her fingers couldn’t reach it and she didn’t feel like moving.
Lowering her eyes, she looked down at her injured leg, but could see nothing because of the fur blanket. The spear had been removed. She wondered why there was no pain. A warm sensation quivered up and down her leg. The longer she lay awake, the less she noticed it.
Kate wondered how long it would be before she could walk. She had to get Emma home. Mum would be frantic by now.
“Ah, you are awake.”
Startled, Kate jolted upright and was, yet again, surprised by the lack of pain in her leg. Glancing at the door, she found Alara and Siptah walking towards her.
“You have slept for hours,” said Siptah, his smile reassuring. He wore a clean tunic and had replaced the leather boots with soft leather wraps. His wounds had been cleansed and bandaged.
“I feel much better,” replied Kate.
Siptah reached for the jug, poured water into a wooden mug and handed it to her. Kate swallowed a few mouthfuls of cool water and then smiled.
“Thank you, Siptah.” She turned to Alara. “Did you make it back in time?”
The princess wore a long, flowing gown. Glitter laced the grey fur on the top of her head. Many rows of tiny coloured beads and jewels, almost the width of her shoulders, lay against her bodice. “Yes—”
The door swung open. A skinny Miuan, a servant in a short white tunic, hurried into the room followed by an elderly, plump Miuan male. The elderly Miuan, leaning heavily on a cane, made his way across the chamber. The servant closed the door, knelt down and waited quietly.
Fur of pure white, the elderly Miuan’s eyes glistened and his smile was broad and welcoming.
Kate turned to look at Alara and Siptah.
Alara’s face beamed. Eyes bright, her smile wide, she clasped her hands to her chest and then rushed forward to throw her arms around the old man’s neck.
“Careful, my girl. Careful,” the old Miuan said in feigned anger. “You cannot do that every time you see me.”
“I cannot help it. It is just—”
“Hush.” The old Miuan looked from Alara, to Siptah, to Kate. “You must introduce me to your guest.”
The Miuan came closer, Alara clutched his arm, the smile never leaving her face. As they came level to Kate’s bed, Siptah suddenly bent forward in a low bow. Kate caught her breath, her eyes darting among the three of them.
“Kate, this is my father, King Wosret,” announced Alara.
Kate had never heard Alara speak with such excitement and pride.
“As you can see,” said Alara, “my father was not murdered. I was so relieved when Siptah’s father took me to him. His leg has been badly injured, but he is recovering quickly.”
“My age hinders my healing,” added King Wosret.
Kate swallowed and her eyes met the king’s.
“Well, yes, it was unfortunate that my daughter was told of my death. I did not believe news would reach her so quickly. We,” he looked at Siptah and smiled, “your father and I, that is, suspected foul purr-play for many long months and set about making our own purr-plans.
“First, I removed my daughter from the Pr-Aa,” seeing Kate’s confused look, he added, “the Great House, and then we waited. When the attack came I had advance warning and was able to safeguard myself.” He looked down at his leg and shrugged. “I did not expect this wound, but I think it made my death more believable. There was a lot of blood.”
King Wosret grinned.
“However, Siptah’s father was unable to get the attacker to speak the name of the betrayer,” the king continued. “Even though we knew it was my obnoxious brother and his wretched son, we had no proof.”
“So what did you do?” asked Kate.
“We sat back and waited until they got desperate enough to do something daring and stupid.”
“With the king thought to be murdered, Min announced that he planned to take the throne by the full moon, if the purr-princess did not return to claim it,” added Siptah.
King Wosret nodded. “It is a custom from centuries ago.”
“Your Majesty,” said Siptah, “I do not understand who sent the messenger then. It was not you, you have already admitted that, and why would Min do such a thing?”
King Wosret turned to look at his daughter. “Your maid is loyal to you, I can attest to that. She believed me to be dead, and she sent her brother to warn you.” He turned back to Siptah. “Min found out and followed him. We knew nothing of these events until it was too late.”
King Wosret stepped forward and patted Kate’s shoulder. “Unfortunately, we did not foresee you and your darling little sister getting dragged into our troubles. My deepest apologies.”
Kate opened her mouth to say something but didn’t know what to say so shut it again. A warm flush of embarrassment crept over her face.
“Kate?”
They all turned to look across the chamber. Emma sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes.
“Yes, Emma,” replied Kate.
“Kate!” Emma jumped off the side of the bed and ran across the chamber. She stopped beside the bed, her face changed from a smile to a frown. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
“Kate, I thought you were dead.” The words tumbled from Emma’s mouth in a rush. “I was crying and scared and everything. I thought you’d left me here on my own and I’d never, ever see you again.”
To Kate’s surprise, Emma punched her on the arm. She stared at her sister’s face and saw worry and concern.
King Wosret broke the silence that followed with a small cough. “Kate, your sister refused to leave your side while the healer was seeing to you.”
“Kate, the healer used the Power to heal your wound,” said Siptah quickly. “You will not even know how bad it was ...”
The look on King Wosret’s face stopped Siptah saying more.
“As I was saying,” the king said. “She sat with you for a long time. It was only when she fell asleep that we were able to put her to bed, where she belonged. She looks up to you.”
It was a simple statement but it had a deep meaning behind it. Deep within Kate something stirred, something changed. Her mind felt lightened of her previous torments and doubts. She had discovered a part of herself that she didn’t know existed.
Kate looked at Emma. “I’m sorry. I’ve been a mean big sister, but that will change from this moment on. I promise. I love you, Emma.”
“I know.” Emma plonked her elbows onto the cushions beside Kate. “Did you know they cut off animal’s legs to make this bed?”
“No, they didn’t,” said Kate. She turned to look at Siptah. “Did you?”
“No, the wood is carved in the shape of large bull’s legs,” replied Siptah with a grin.
The Miuans laughed. It was good to hear the deep, throaty laugh of King Wosret. It was infectious and before long Emma and Kate were laughing too.
“When our guests are ready, bring them to my chamber and I will use the sceptre to send them home,” said King Wosret, a few minutes later.
“Father, before you go,” said Alara. She turned to look at Siptah, patted his arm and smiled. Then she turned back to her father. “I want you to step up Siptah’s training. I officially announce that I want him to be my personal bodyguard.”
Siptah’s mouth dropped open. His eyes widened with astonishment.
“Excellent choice, my daughter,” said King Wosret. “He will learn from his father. There is no better.” The king placed his hand on Siptah’s shoulder. “I know my daughter will be safe in your hands.”
The king removed his hand and Siptah bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Everyone watched the king limp across the chamber. The servant scrambled to his feet and quickly opened the door for King Wosret. They left the chamb
er, leaving Kate and Emma alone with Alara and Siptah.
The awkward silence was broken by Emma clapping her hands and jumping up and down. “Siptah’s going to be a bodyguard. I can’t wait to tell Mummy.”
Alara shared a smile with Siptah and then turned to Kate. “Come on, get up. It is time for you and Emma to go home.”
Chapter Fourteen
In daylight, the blue light radiating from the well didn’t look half as bright, and didn’t reach anywhere near as high in the sky, as it did at night. The stone well wasn’t as big and frightening either. The light snapped off, leaving the unremarkable imitation well in its place.
Kate and Emma stared in silence at the little well. Their hands clasped, each girl lost in her own thoughts. The events of the past twenty-six hours seemed unbelievable, surreal.
Squeezing Emma’s hand gently, Kate broke the silence. “It’s over, Emma. We’re home.”
“And we’ll never see Alara and Siptah again.” Emma’s voice choked with the loss that both girls felt.
Kate looked at her sister, and found tears rolling down her sister’s face. The truth was like lead in Kate’s stomach and the lump rose to her throat again. Saying goodbye to Alara and Siptah had been one of the hardest, and saddest, moments of her life. She wanted to say that they might, one day, see each other again but she knew she’d be fibbing. Kate bid her friends a final, silent farewell.
Emma touched something beneath her pyjama top.
“What’s that you’ve got there?” asked Kate.
Emma pulled out a small wooden trinket on a length of cord that had been placed around her neck. “King Wosret gave it to me. He said I shouldn’t show everyone because they might ask questions, but I can keep it forever to remind me of Miu.”
Kate stared at the trinket. “That was nice of him.”
“I remembered to say thank you,” replied Emma.
Kate smiled and they stood quietly for a moment longer.
“Are you hungry?” Kate tried to sound happy and positive. “Let’s go inside.”
The girls turned and walked towards the house. As they drew closer, excitement started to bubble in Kate’s stomach. This was the start of a new day, but it was also the start of a new life. By the time they reached the steps leading up to the back door, Kate’s smile was genuine. She was happy.