Chapter 2: Shining Against the Dark Horizon
Teo brushed his legs and stood. "I thought I'd lost you."
The thought had pained Teo? Realizing how he would have felt had their positions been reversed, Horus bowed his head. "What I did wasn't fair to you. I'm sorry."
Teo took a step back. "You're different." He cocked his head. "You okay?"
"I'm beginning to understand," Horus answered and rose.
"Maybe I should let you dunk yourself in the sea again then," Teo said gruffly.
"You want me to leave?"
"Think. Of course I don't." More softly, he added, "You're like a little brother to me."
"I am?" Horus' heart leapt. Confused, he searched inside himself, as Nalia had taught. "Hm." After so long feeling out of place, he now had the joy of connection.
Teo's eyes widened. "I mean it's my duty, no, I mean it's my honor—"
"Please, don't try to fix it. It makes me happy."
From within the family circle in the distance came the quick flicker of a fire.
Was it possible to feel its warmth from so far away? Horus turned to Teo to ask.
But Teo was staring at the ocean. "I suppose you want to look in my eyes again."
Horus took Teo's hand in his. "No, I'm going to stand here with you and wait till you're ready to tell me."
"You really have changed." Teo gave Horus a sidelong look, his eyes holding wonderment. He angled his jaw. "I'm afraid, Horus. Not of Seht. Well, yes, of him. But more than that I'm afraid I'll fail you."
A secret shared. Horus directed his quick smile to the waves. "Though I'm scared of a lot of things, I'm not scared of that."
"Well, you should be."
"No. I believe in you, Teo. If I could teach you to see into my eyes, you'd know I'm telling the truth."
Lips parted, eyes glistening, Teo turned to face him. "What happened to you down there?" he asked, hushed. "Whoa. You're shining. What's that mean?"
Surprised, Horus stared at his arms. "Don't know." He slid his gaze back to Teo.
"Right," Teo said quietly. Shaking his head, he laughed. Finally, brows lifted, he nodded. "We should go back. Mother's waiting."
Suddenly, the whoosh of the waves seemed more melodious, the blue-green of the water clearer, the white sand like sparkling crystals. With Teo, Horus turned to the trail. The green hills rising far off in the distance, in the middle of the island, seemed like watchful, loving friends. The stars brightened as if to light the way.
Reaching a gentle bend where white sand met and mixed with black earth, Horus marveled at the patterns of curls and sprays. The sand swept to the sides of the trail, the slight mounds and indentations in the dirt leveling. He blinked. Then blinked again.
Across a smooth canvas of earth, sand drew together, swirling, into small circles, their pure white radiant atop the black soil.
Horus looked at the stars glittering against the black night sky and down at a flawless recreation. At his and Teo's feet lay Sirius, Orion, the zodiacal constellations, the elegant curve of the Milky Way. It was as though they were walking together across the heavens. "Oh, my."
Teo glanced at him. "Mm?"
Horus pointed to the sand and earth. But the patterns had shifted to become a sun resting on the horizon.
"Oh, I see it now. It's like dawn, isn't it, and, look, the rays are pointing us back to Mother. I've never seen anything like this. Extraordinary," Teo added. Abruptly, he straightened. "'Oh, my', indeed," he murmured.
Laughing, Horus squeezed Teo's hand. "Come on."
A breeze ruffled the thick grasses and brought the smell of salt, blending it with the musky scent of rich earth. The high shish-shish of the grasses joined the rumbling rush and retreat of the ocean. Then joined the sloo-sloo of the swaying reeds, the deep ruup-ruup of the frogs in the marsh, the cadence of Horus' and Teo's strides, into a perfect song.
The ground felt softer, and even the shadows of the marsh seemed friendlier. The dense green of the trail opened into their clearing, and Horus' gaze followed its circle.
Baskets of food leaned together on their table to the left, Teo's spears hidden behind. To the right was the fuel Teo gathered for their fire and the tools he used to fashion their weapons. Back a short way was the hut Teo and Nalia had built. The baskets and sacks Nalia had woven and the staff and stones she used in her rituals lay just under the hut's overhang. Nearby were their bowls and small pots, their loose bundles of clothes.
Horus' gaze moved toward the middle of the circle, to the one inside it, and it felt like...home.
Nalia sat in front of the low fire, her delicate fingers releasing broken pieces of dried reed into its center. She blew, her cheeks hollowing, till the flame was strong enough to hold split stalks. Light danced around her, illuminating her. She seemed almost to glow.
"We're back," Teo called.
What remained in Nalia's hands dropped onto the flames, almost extinguishing them. She leaned back, covering her face with her arm, and was still. Finally, she lowered her arm and smiled. "I've been waiting."
Horus rushed to her and flung his arms around her neck.
"I'm so glad you're here," Nalia said, rocking him. "Understand, Teo and I are with you because we want to be. It's an honor to perform such an important duty. It's also a joy because we love you. Together we'll find a way to face whatever comes." She kissed the top of Horus' head. "Now, please don't frighten me like that again. Agreed?"
"Yes." Horus bobbed forward and kissed her cheek. "After all, this is where I belong."
Nalia tilted her head. She turned her querying gaze to Teo as he lowered beside them.
"I don't know," Teo responded. "He went in the ocean. Submerged. When he came back to shore, he was different."
Nalia's expression smoothed, becoming veiled. "I see."
Horus shifted to sit beside her and recounted as best as he could. "I don't really understand it." He leaned back, waiting for her to explain.
Finally, Nalia asked, "Do you remember the flower you watched this morning, opening to the light?"
"Yeah. What about it?" Realizing she'd say no more, Horus sighed. Pulling his lips to the side, he pondered the clue she'd offered. "Life needs light. So, what, I'm like the flower opening to the sun? But what does that have to do with what happened in the sea?"
"You've touched upon a great mystery," Nalia said. "Only you can discover its answer." She smoothed her gown then folded her hands together and gazed at the fire.
She was drawing inward. To attempt to discern more about what Horus had revealed? Or in response to his shift? Horus leaned closer. "Nalia? I may have changed, but I'm still me."
"Yes. You are." Nalia's eyes held amazement and tenderness. Gently, she embraced him.
Comforted, Horus released the tension from his shoulders and stretched back. "Maybe this means I can progress with your lessons now."
"I dare say you will," Nalia answered softly.
Teo poked Horus' arm. "And you're going to progress with my lessons. Starting tomorrow."
Pleased, Horus rolled his eyes and grinned.
Teo jerked back. "Mother? What's it mean?"
Horus looked between them before realizing he was shining again. He turned to Nalia, awaiting her answer, and found her staring at him in astonishment. Would she withdraw from him again? He fidgeted unhappily. Maybe he could find a way to make his shining stop.
Nalia blinked and swiftly lowered her gaze. "We're nearing land. Your mother's priestesses will be sending baskets soon. Will you go with Teo to get them, Horus?"
Puzzled by her redirection and his feeling of disappointment, Horus turned his thoughts to the surprises that awaited on the shore. What had Isis' followers sent them? His stomach growled. Patting it, he followed Teo toward the ocean.
"This is tonight's signal it's safe," Teo said and held his hand out, fingers to thumb then spread. "Show me."
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Horus complied then stretched out his hands, brushing his fingers through the trail's undergrowth, enjoying the interplay of textures, prickly, tacky, smooth, fuzzy, waxy.
"Pay attention," Teo commanded.
"I am."
"Then you'll have no trouble telling me what birds, animals, and reptiles are around us and whether any sounds seem out of place."
Horus sucked in his lips.
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
"Hey," Horus retorted irritably, "I can do it." He pricked his ears. "Three ducks and five ducklings, there, to the right. A small snake, there, by that fallen branch. A heron, ahead. Twelve frogs—"
"Good. Now keep listening and watching."
Eager to find the baskets, Horus nodded his assent. But, really, why did he need to be watchful? Teo and Nalia were always on the lookout. More times than he could count, they'd spared him from one disaster or another. And he hadn't made their tasks easy. Still, they loved him. He tipped his head back and smiled at the stars.
But Nalia and Teo couldn't protect him from Seht. That was clear enough now. Returning his attention to the trail, he chewed his lip. He'd have to find a way to protect himself, and it didn't have to do with listening to the birds and frogs. Maybe something about his shining could help.
Or could his shining act as a beacon, alerting Seht's spies? Alarmed, he thrust forward his arms. His skin exhibited only its natural sheen. Relieved, he again flicked the bushes' leaves.
But what had Teo said earlier? Horus clicked his teeth. And Seht will kill him, along with whoever holds him. His breath caught, his shoulders tensing. He wasn't the only one in danger. The stakes were just as high for Nalia and Teo.
No, there had to be a way to keep them safe, and he had to find it. Pushing back his shoulders, he lifted his chin. "I won't let Seht hurt you," he whispered his vow.
Nalia was a priestess. She knew about spells and potions. If he demonstrated to her satisfaction his commitment to learning what she taught, surely she'd leave for later his lessons about feelings and logic and begin instructing him in the ways of magic. After all, Isis was the one who'd taught the priestesses, and he was Isis' son.
Teo was a warrior. Though he couldn't battle Seht himself, he'd know what Horus should learn. Horus nodded. He'd show Nalia he could focus, and he'd start training with Teo in earnest tomorrow.
And what of the Sword of Osiris? Nalia and Teo, when they'd thought Horus was asleep or couldn't hear, had spoken of it with awe. Maybe if he could find it, learn how to use it, the power it held would flow through him. Yes, with Nalia's and Teo's training and Osiris' sword, Horus could keep his family from harm.
Nearing the shore, Teo unsheathed his short stone knife. "Duck back in the bushes and stay there till I tell you to come out." He darted to the edge of the trail and, crouching, surveyed. "Alright," he said and signaled.
Horus pushed back the branch tickling his neck and skipped forward.
Teo grabbed Horus' shoulder, halting him. "This isn't play time. Stay alert. I mean it. If you don't, you're going back, and I'll get the baskets myself."
Why was Teo worried? Seht's spies wouldn't be waiting here. Isis' priestesses knew how to keep their secrets. Horus opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself. Teo was always edgy when the island neared land. Sweetly, he replied, "Yes, O Protector."
Still scanning, Teo frowned. "That's right," he responded brusquely. "And you'll remember it, too. Get the baskets. And be quiet."
"Hello, sea," Horus whispered amiably. Under bright moonlight, he waded up to his calves and hurried to collect the large woven-reed baskets, sides stretched with a bounty of bread and fruit, bobbing along the shoreline. "Thanks to you, friends, and to yours," he reiterated Nalia's words and raised his head in salute to the far shore, gazing a moment at its lonely-looking trees, sparse grasses, and light-grey sand. The island drifted past.
Nalia said he'd touched a great mystery, and only he could discover its answers. But where did they lay? Yearning for dawn, he rested his gaze on the dark horizon.
And where was his father's sword? In a land with lots of honey would be good.
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