The Pharaoh's Cry by Laurie Woodward

Author:Laurie Woodward [Woodward, Laurie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peculiar Possum - A Next Chapter Imprint
Published: 2017-08-05T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30

“Remember to lie perfectly still until Osiris gives the command,” Isis said as Alex climbed into the stone sarcophagus. “Never forget you are a Creator. Air, water, food…it is all at your command. You have only to dream it.”

Alex listened intently. Sure, it was easy for her to say. She wasn't lying in King Tut's coffin. So what if this single block of quartzite stone was beautiful? Who cared if it had carvings of goddesses in each corner and was the one untouched tomb discovered in the twentieth century? It was still a dark box she was closing him up in.

Emptied now to make room for Alex, this coffin had contained two other sarcophagi fitting inside each other like nesting dolls. At its center had been the amazing 22-carat gold form of King Tut, and since he was a sculpture, here in Artania he was alive. The young pharaoh's face had shone like sun on the Nile when they'd met earlier.

“Thank you, Deliverer,” he'd said. “It is most brave of you to take my place as bait for the Shadow Swine. I, for one, fear them.”

“No problem. Let's just kick some Swiney butt.”

The yellow gold of the boy-king's face rippled and his lapis lined eyes crinkled into a smile. “May you triumph over the Anti-Artist Army.”

Such amazing work! Alex wanted to reach out and pet the vulture nuzzling the cobra on the headcloth. He wondered what it would be like to have golden skin and wave around the crook and flail inlaid with lapis-blue stripes. The necklace he could do without since it seemed like a girly collar all set in red and blue glass.

Alex gave him a thumbs-up before saying goodbye.

Now squirming inside the sarcophagus, horribly cramped and even a little scared, he still was glad the real King Tut was tucked safely away. Soon Isis would come to close the coffin. Then he would be alone in the dark under a huge granite lid.

Sandaled feet shuffled across the floor, and Alex peered over the side to see the disk-crowned goddess approaching. When she began to seal him in, Alex placed a hand over her wrist to stop her. “Why do I have to be bait? Why does Bartholomew get to hold the papyrus while I'm stuck in this death box?” he asked.

“Your mind is so filled with thoughts of death that even Lord Sickhert will be fooled into thinking a mummy is here.” Isis said. “You must face this fear, or you will be of little use to us. Remember the guardians in each corner of the sarcophagus are here for you.”

“Fear not. We are by your side,” the four goddesses whispered. They beat their outstretched wings against the side of the coffin and cool air met Alex's face.

He looked away, not knowing how to reply.

“Ready?” Isis asked her dark face full of concern.

Alex nodded. Like a diver preparing to descend, he filled his lungs and lay down. He knew he could create more oxygen, but it still made him feel better to gulp a few mouthfuls first.

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