Roth: Protector(Shapeling Trilogy #1) (2nd edition)

Chapter 12: Across the Nile

They reached the outskirts of Luxor late in the afternoon.

Roth glanced at Rainey. "About half a million people live in Luxor. It was the ancient city of Thebes and part of a trade route for exotic imports and exports. It was also known as the City of Amun."

"Another history lesson? Where are we going?"

"I'm working on that."

Rainey furrowed her brow, but didn't comment.

Roth spotted an outcropping of rocks and pulled the car to the side of the road. He needed privacy. "Wait here," he said and stepped from the car.

"Where are you going?"

He didn't answer. Walking to one of the smaller boulders, he sat with his back to Rainey. Bowing his head, he prayed the Prayer of Connection. In his previous prayer, he had received the word Luxor. This prayer gave him a specific location, Temple of Karnak. He smiled and thanked the Source.

Returning to the car, he maneuvered back onto the highway and waited for Rainey's barrage of questions.

"Okay, Roth, that was weird. Are you going to tell me what you were doing?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. You looked like you were praying. Were you?"

"Maybe. We're going to the Temple of Karnak."

"A few minutes ago you said you didn't know where we were going, and now you've just figured it out?"

"Yes."

Rainey exploded. "You're impossible! I don't know why I put up with you!"

"I wasn't aware that you did."

Roth spotted a small restaurant and parked. "Our snack food is gone and you must be hungry. Let's relax and eat before going to the temple."

"We're going there today? Why don't we stay at a hotel and go tomorrow? I'm hot, sweaty, tired–"

"–and irritable. Come on Rainey, let's eat. Maybe it'll improve your mood." He opened his door and circled the car to open hers. With exasperated mutterings she joined him and entered the restaurant. Requesting a secluded table, he followed the hostess to the back of the room while guiding Rainey with the tip of his index finger on her back. After his stupidity the night before, he intended to keep contact to a minimum. He pulled out her chair and then seated himself across from her. The pretty waitress wearing a lovely blue hijab covering her hair gave him a menu and wide smile. At least some human women are pleasant and comely. He studied Rainey's severe hairstyle and disgruntled expression, and sighed. She started to say something and he held up his hand to stop her. "Not now, Rainey."

The look she gave him wasn't pleasant and he almost smiled. In a weird way, tangling with Rainey was almost fun. After perusing the menu, he beckoned the waitress back. Because their time was limited, he ordered for both of them—chicken kebabs and kurshari for the main meal, and ruz bi laban for dessert. For their drinks, he requested a large pitcher of black tea. He handed their menus back to the waitress and received another beauteous smile. He returned her smile and then shifted his attention back to Rainey.

She asked, "Since I had no say in our order, what is it I'm supposed to eat?"

"Chicken and a dish made of rice, lentils, and macaroni; and for dessert, rice pudding. Trust me, you'll like it."

"Since when do you know what I like?"

Roth quirked an eyebrow and watched her turn multiple shades of pink.

***

Evening shades of yellow and gold painted the sky by the time Roth hired a felucca to transport them across the Nile. After paying the fee, he moved the Toyota to the parking area and told Rainey to gather her backpack.

"So, we're going to cross the Nile and go to the Temple of Karnak when it's probably about to close. What sense does that make?"

Roth gathered his own backpack and motioned for her to follow.

"You didn't answer me, Roth."

"Rainey, consider this another adventure and stop asking questions."

As they walked to the felucca Roth kept his face impassive while listening to Rainey's disgruntled murmurings. A waiting boatman assisted them on board.

"What kind of boat is this?" she asked.

"It's called a felucca. It's a cross between a sail boat and a row boat and it's the same style boat that transported tons of granite used in building the pyramids and temples. We'll be on the other side in less than thirty minutes."

Rainey maneuvered to the stern of the boat and sat in a chair anchored to the deck. Roth stayed at the bow and talked with the old boatman, while a younger sailor set sail. The old man steered them across the Nile on the wings of a gentle breeze, and when they reached the center of the river, Roth's attention was drawn to Rainey. Her hair, capturing the light of the sinking sun, and her face tilted upward with eyes closed, reminded him of a queen demanding respect. He thought about Tahnoon's words, "She is the mother of a prince." Mesmerized by her exotic stance he couldn't draw his gaze away. She opened her eyes and stared skyward. Instinctively, he knew her thoughts. She was searching for the eagle. Fighting his body's desire to shift and soar for her eyes only, he gripped the side of the boat. Her gaze moved to his, staring deep into his soul, and in that moment, there was no truce, no animosity, no secrets. He glanced past her. They were nearing shore. He flexed his shoulders and returned his attention to the old boatman. A few minutes after docking he hailed a taxi and within minutes they reached the temple complex.

Leading Rainey to the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, entrance to Karnak, he reveled in his return to the temple. Flooding his senses was the remembrance of his first mission—Protector to Titi, daughter of Ramesses III—in the form of a large black cat. He wanted to shift into that cat and stalk the temple grounds searching for his contact. Casting that desire aside, he considered where to begin his search. Should he start in the temple of Amun, or perhaps the temple of Mut, or the smaller temple dedicated to Khonsu? Maybe he should visit the Great Hypostyle Hall with its massive pillars. Instead of going to any of those places, however, he veered toward the Holy Lake. When they came within sight of the water, Rainey exclaimed, "Oh my, that's incredible."

Roth scanned the man-made lake of almost two hundred feet in width and four hundred feet in length, and his gaze stopped at a figure leaning against a palm. The figure stepped forward and Roth recognized Endesha, his guide and mentor. Like a child, he wanted to run and embrace him after such a long absence. Measuring his steps, he approached the much aged, former shapeling who had cared for him and taught him after his parents were killed.

Standing face-to-face, Roth and Endesha measured each other while Rainey watched from the sideline. Roth said, "Rainey, I'd like you to meet Endesha, someone I haven't seen for many cycles of...years." He looked back at his mentor.

Endesha slowly smiled before turning that smile on Rainey.

She said, "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Ende–"

"Just Endesha, without the 'Mister' part. I'm pleased to meet you too, Rainey. That's a lovely name."

"Thank you. I was born on a rainy day."

Endesha returned his gaze to Roth. "Where are you two staying? Have you eaten?"

"We ate before coming here. I don't know where we're staying yet."

"Then you must join me at my home. It seems we have much to discuss."

Roth placed a hand on Endesha's shoulder and pulledhim into a hug. Quietly, he said in his ear, "Yes, much."