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Nainur wrote: ↑5 months ago
Anna at her best! At her ultimate best! Great stuff.
Thank you!
Chapter 100
“Plans”
The Western Desert, the Stronghold of the Medjai around the same time:
Sophie and Evie watched as Kirsty and Sarah introduced a group of Medjai to the use of the modern weapon systems their dromedaries had carried “Sarah and Kirsty are very good this” the Lawyer smiled as the Briton and the Canadians drilled the Medjai “I bet the two will have made some new friends when this day is over”.
Evie watched the Canadian and the Briton “Sophie, do you know if Sarah has some military background?” “Why do you ask?” The Egyptologist shrugged “Pure Interest, I guess” Sophie waited “Kirsty is a highly decorated Soldier” Evie explained “We know that” She paused “And Sarah seems to know what she is doing …”
“Interesting that you ask Evie” Sophie nodded “I did myself ask the same question once” Evie smiled at her lover “And?” The Lawyer smiled “I did ask Sybil to do some digging – I mean deep digging.
Sarah plays her cards even more to her chest than Chris” Evie nodded “That says something” The Egyptologist did not know Chris for a long time – but had already learned, that the Pianist was as close as an oyster when it came to her feelings or emotions. “And what did Sybil find, tell me!” Sophie had to smile, Evie´s natural curiosity got the better of her.
“Sarah has a military background” the dark-haired Woman that looked so much like Sophia Loren replied, “What do I get if I tell you?” She smiled coyly at her lover. Evie pouted “I would be extra nice to you ….” The Lawyer smiled “In that case ….”
She got serious “Sarah has served in the CSOR” “And?” Evie shrugged – obviously clueless “The Canadian Special Operations Regiment, Doofus” Sophie teased her “Special Forces” she added as she saw that Evie still drew a blank “But the interesting thing” the Lawyer continued “Sybil cut not hack the complete file” Evie shrugged “That means?” Sophie smiled “Sybil is World Class Hacker who hacked the Pentagon and got away. Sybil thinks Sarah must have done some serious classified stuff, while in the Army”.
The Egyptologist looked at Sophie than at the Canadian and back …
Sophie changed tack.
She took in the vast complex of the abandoned fortress “For you this must be a dream come true Evie” The Egyptologist shrugged “Naturally. Such a well-preserved fortress is unique. I know no other. There is the fortress of Buhen below the Second Cataract in Sudan – but this complex she gestured at the surrounding walls is much much larger and much better preserved”.
“It has been in use till Roman Times! There is even a bath complex inside!” The Egyptologist beamed at her lover “I can hardly wait to wash off the dust and dirt – and I can think of other things!” Evie Callahan smiled coyly “What could that be?”
Sophie feigned innocence “We will see …”
In the Fortress:
Chris sat together with Kate in Ardeth Bey´s private rooms. The Chief of the Medjai´s English was very good, even if he spoke the language with a heavy accent. The Medjai had welcomed them yesterday with an opulent feast – Chris had attended. Skipping the Event had not been an option – for the “Warrior Princess of the North”.
The Pianist had done her best to cover her pain under a veil of ostensive Cheeriness – but Ardeth Bey had sensed her Grief. As a Gentleman he just did pretend not to see it. And Chris had been grateful for that display of courtesy.
She concentrated again. Keeping her focus was difficult these days. Chris knew it and hated herself for this weakness. The decisive battle was looming at the Horizon. There was not much room for Error. She had to get a grip. And soon. What had happened when they ambushed the Daughters of Isis in the Desert couldn´t happen again. The Medjai, her friends relied on her.
Chris focused on the Meeting again, Chris could tell, the Medjai had noticed her laps of Concentration. Decisively she shoved any Distraction aside.
“We have informants in the Palace” the Medjai just explained “So we know pretty much what is going on. Together with the intelligence you brought with you, we know enough, to make a plan of attack – the latest reports we got tell us that in forty-eight hours there will be a duel to the death in the Arena. The Arena is located outside the main gates. The duel is scheduled at dawn – if we attack then, the surprise and chaos will be total”.
Chris and Kate exchanged a look “Sounds solid” the American said, “Do you know who will fight in the duel?” Ardeth Bey shook his head “No, only that it will be two high ranking members of the devil´s court – very high-ranking members” He added.
“It doesn´t really matter” Chris shrugged “Another thing Ardeth Bey!” the blonde added thoughtfully - she had pondered the question for a while now “The Medjai will fight then under my command Ardeth Bey? Will they fight under the command of a woman?”
The Leader of the Medjai smiled “There are female Medjai´s as you know – but you are right, there might by some reservations among some of my men – there is an easy way to convince them though” A mischievous smile crossed his serene features.
A smile which Chris found … intriguing. At a different place and a different time, she would have seen an opportunity here. But this was not the time. So, Chris just asked:
“Which is?” the blonde´s eyebrows rose “You will fight three of my best men this in the evening – preferably without loss of limb on their part, that should suffice” Ardeth Bey smiled.
Chris smiled back “I will be careful. I cannot guarantee though that their pride will not get hurt” “Humility is good for the soul – Allah says” the Medjai returned with a sanctimonious little smile.
The blonde grew serious “We have a problem at our hands though – what do we do with Shana when this is all over? The Chancellor´s daughter we take with us, but her?” Ardeth Bey´s face grew heard “Let the desert do its justice”.
“I will have to think about it – I despise a traitor, but I am not a cold-blooded Killer” the blonde stated firmly.
Kate chanced a glance at Chris: Something was on Chris´ mind. She had asked that question for a reason …
Outside in the desert at the training field:
“Those guys are pretty good” Kirsty observed. The Briton and the Canadian demonstrated the handling of the FGM 148 Javelin to a group of selected Medjai “Yep” The Black Lady nodded “They got the knack of it pretty quick – they should be ready when we attack”.
The training with the 81 mm portable mortars had gone also well – Kirsty should know: “Davy Crockett” her comrades in Afghanistan had dubbed her for her skill with the weapon, which was perfect for their purpose.
“There are some pretty good marksmen among them” the Briton looked at the Medjai training with the McMillian TAC 50. No problem had been the use of the Negev NG 7 machine gun, firing the 7,62 x 51 mm NATO Cartridge.
In the morning Chris, Kirsty and Sarah had worked out a plan of attack together with the leaders of the Medjai – based on the Intelligence they had gathered: Interestingly enough, only the Eastern Wall of the Compound had been fortified with towers.
Six altogether with the two guarding the Gates, outside the walls was the Arena, which had been modelled after Roman templates.
“The towers have to go” Kirsty had concluded after a look on the plans and photos. The details they would work out in the next two days “We will attack in 48 hours at dawn” Chris had ended the meeting.
She rose quickly and left – without looking back.
Kate looked after her. She sensed something she just could not place yet. If she had to guess? The Pianist had just made an important decision. But what about?
The Western Desert: The Palace, the Training Field:
Anna stepped into the glistening sun on the Training Field. Her oiled body glistened in the Sun. She wore a bronze cuirass above a gleaming white tunic, bronze bracelets at her wrists, hobnailed sandals, and bronze greaves.
Her long dark tresses she had bound in a firm ponytail. The cuirass fitted perfectly – by now Anna was not really surprised anymore, just annoyed. That Al Mansour had gone to the trouble to obtain all her measurements? It was unnerving and creepy.
Anna touched the Cuirass at the Place where the barely healed wound was. The polished Metal felt warm under her touch. The fresh scar above her left breast she had bolstered with gauze again. Now Anna was thankful for the excellent Treatment of Pharaoh´s Physician and her good Genes: She healed quickly, ever had.
The Grand Vizier had informed her about the Rules of Engagement. Her “Ally” had visited her personally – which surprised Anna. Ramose could have just sent a Messenger. “Obviously he wants to get a lay of the land personally” Anna thought. He had been polite and even courteous – but the Russian did not allow herself to be fooled. Too much was at stake here: Her life and that of any other Soul on the Planet.
This he had explained to her:
The Rules for the Ritual Combat stated that each Combatant had the right to use the Training Field. Training was open to the public. As accused Party Anck-Sun-Amun had had the right to select the weapons, each opponent could use.
The High Priestess´s choice had been conservative: Spear, Sword, Battleaxe and bow. Anna took the bow from the rack: It was a composite bow, which had been in use by the Ancient Egyptians in Antiquity.
She weighed the Weapon: It was perfectly balanced. The Target had been placed 20 Meters away. The Russian knew that a lot of eyes rested on her. Her hands glided above the string. Anna selected an arrow. Its tip – made of tapered steel - glittered in the sun.
The violinist nocked the arrow. Anna breathed in deeply and pulled the string far behind her right ear. She blended all sensations out, concentrated on the target only. She let loose. With a soft thud the arrow hit its target. Anna set the bow down: She had hit the target perfectly.
The Violinist fired three more arrows in quick succession: The four arrows formed a neat bundle in the centre “Double the distance” Anna ordered. The two soldiers looked dubiously at her “Double the distance” Anna repeated calmly. She heard the excited whispers around her and watched as the target was moved backwards.
The Russian selected four more arrows “Watch this, Anck-Sun-Amun!” Anna smiled grimly. She fired the four arrows in quick succession, but with a twist she had shot two times only. Both times two arrows at once “Check the target!” she ordered one soldier. The Guard walked to the target, checked twice, and returned to the shooting line. His face bore a look of deep fascination “Your Grace” he bowed deeply “This was the most perfect shooting I have ever seen”.
Anna returned the bow “Thank you!” She turned to the audience and spotted Anck-Sun-Amun in the crowd. Anna´s dark eyes drilled into those of her opponent, and she smiled: This battle was not only fought with real weapons but in the head also. And Anna was pretty sure she had scored a hit.
She turned to the Drill Sergeant supervising the training: “Bring the Spear!”
The Western Desert, the Stronghold of the Medjai, a Cell:
Shana stared at the northern Wall of her cell: As soon as they had arrived at the Medjai Stronghold, they had been left out of the bags – and transferred to this cell: They had been allowed to clean themselves up, fed and watered.
Their handlers had even allowed them to exercise. But her handlers had always been watchful and never let them out of their sight: They had been manacled at ankles and wrists – when inside their cells.
Hetepheres´ spirit had obviously been broken. Her expression had been sullen. The younger woman had been resigned to her fate it seemed. The Egyptian had tried to get through to her fellow Daughter of Isis. But with no success.
Maybe the High Priestess had overestimated Hetepheres. Though Shana had to admit that the Renegade had done a good job – till to that fateful Moment at Aswan. Where von der Marwitz and her People had played them so cleverly – and mercilessly.
Shana stood and began to pace the floor. She was restless. Hot hate boiled in her – but she had to give their Enemies their due: Never had they left her an Opening. And the Medjai hadn´t either.
The Medjai had made it clear, that they harboured no sympathy for them. Shana knew she had to bide her time. She had no idea where she was precisely. To escape the cell was one thing, to get through the desert to the Palace an entirely different thing. The odds were not in her favour … she hit the Wall with her right fist – hard. And supressed a course. Hetepheres didn´t even look up, just starred on the Ground.
A commotion outside interrupted Shana´s musings. The Medjai guarding the cell saluted: The cell door opened, and Chris von der Marwitz entered. Shana had not seen the pianist in the last days: The blonde looked calm and composed her eyes clear. She wore her blonde mane openly – and her desert khaki. With a fluid motion she sat down in the lotus seat.
Calmly she looked at Shana. Long.
When she finally spoke, she sounded as calm as she looked “You know Shana I was severely tempted to put a bullet in your head or leave you in the desert to rot. But that is more the style of you and your lot”.
Her contempt was obvious.
“Some things I will never forgive myself. That I trusted you is one of them” The Pianist paused her Gaze never leaving Shana´s face “Anna´s Instincts were better than mine. She doubted your loyalties from the start – I should have listened to her.”
The Egyptian replied nothing. There was something in the Air Shana could not place. She was certain of one thing:
She sensed the blonde had not just come to gloat “Ardeth Bey suggested, letting the desert work its justice. That would be the easy way. But that is not my style. I am no sadist like you”. Shana was surprised: She expected some emotion, rage – but von der Marwitz spoke as cooly and controlled as if she was delivering a lecture about Chopin. Her beautiful features were calm and serene, gave nothing away. Her emerald-green-eyes drilled into hers.
“You don´t deserve it but I will offer you a chance though: As I know, the Daughters of Isis are skilled with the Khopesh. Why don´t we leave it to the gods? You fight me this evening in single combat – to the death. You beat me - you go free, wherever you want. You have my word”.
“And I should believe you?” An arrogant smile crossed the Egyptian´s face “Well” Chris smiled back “The double crossing, deceiving, and lying is more your style. I prefer a straighter forward approach – as you should know by now. I stand to my word. Always.”
Shana glared at her, constraining herself. Rage filled her. That blonde claiming the moral High ground – too bad the bomb blast at Luxor had not killed her too. The Pianist seemed to sense her agitation:
“Ouch” Chris smiled “That hit home” She continued “I live by a code of honour, by the way of bushido. I know that this concept is foreign to you, the concept of honour itself. You have none” The Pianist paused “Sensei Nakamura would despise a Ronin, and that is what you are: A Ronin” Chris smiled coldly, her disgust was obvious “But I offer you a chance: Take it or leave it. I have arranged for you to train and exercise”.
Shana just stared at her – her face an inscrutable mask. Minutes passed.
Chris rose “I will have your answer in 30 Minutes” and turned to leave “Wait!” Shana called her back “I will fight you!” The blonde turned and smiled – a cold smile that did not reach her eyes - “See you later then!”
“You will do what?” The Black Lady asked Chris later “I will give her an honest chance – to go out like a hero” the blonde said simply “Ardeth Bey said a demonstration would be best – and a duel to the death will do the trick”.
The thief looked long at the pianist: Chris had almost spoken emotionless “You are sure about your motives Chris?” The Canadian paused “I do not judge you; I understand you” The pianist nodded “I know” And I am sure, as sure as I can be” She returned the Thief´s scrutinizing gaze calmly “So be it then” Sarah McKenzie acknowledged calmly. Chris turned swiftly on her heels and left. The Canadian looked long after her.
“I hope you are right, Chris”.