Ancient Times #35
Dread, a rising panic, then an empty, hollow feeling emanated from the pit of her stomach were the contributing factors that led to her shortness of breath. “Oh shit,” Mai gave voice to her present state, which didn’t really do justice to the reality of how she really felt.
Perhaps Mai hadn't lost it? Or so she was secretly hoped. Maybe she hadn’t actually lost it at all. Perhaps she had just mislaid it and it would turn up like it always had done before.
Not normally given to expletives, Mai had given such voice to her present predicament purely out of the frustration that was slowly taking a grip of her.
Things were slowly beginning to close in on her world as the gravity of the situation was beginning to dawn.
It was quite unbelievable really? It went against everything Mai believed in. She could never rationally justify it to herself, so she had never bothered to try.
Mai knew she was above all a rational person. A very rational person. The fact that she felt the need for a comfort blanket, or in this case a comfort small statue, defied all logic.
The fact was, she did, and now it had disappeared. Heaven and earth were currently being moved in an effort to locate it.
Ky in an extremely rare moment of sentimentality had, just after Mai’s birth, presented her with a small statue of Osiris that he had found. From that day until this Mai had become inseparable from this symbol of security.
With the increasing realisation that this calming object of serenity might be gone forever, the cast iron certainties that Mai had held onto thus far, were moving farther from her reach at an extremely fast pace indeed.
*****
He had always taken it for granted. All Zem had ever had to do was put his head down and he was away. As he lay on his workbench and listened to the snores of Tej, Zem’s frustration grew. What had recently changed in his life?
It had taken Zem ages to get to sleep last night after his usual session at The Grapes. Now he couldn’t sleep during breaktime. What was the matter with him?
*****
Having taken to her cot like a lush feeling emotional after over-indulging, Mai wasn’t at home to callers. Everybody was tasked with turning the house upside down in search of her Osiris statue. Unfortunately to no avail so far.
*****
Meanwhile Ky also continued the trend of those beginning to lose confidence in life’s little certainties.
“Bloody Hell Ky, you’re going bald,” she humorously exclaimed.
Ky had been vigorously attending to his latest conquest. The timing hadn’t been too appropriate. The place also hadn’t been at all appropriate either. She had a fierce grip on his head, hanging on for dear life, and had noticed a sparseness of hair about the crown area.
Unfortunately giving tongue to her new discovery happened to coincide with Ky’s manic build up towards his release. Needless to say, his amour’s ‘comment’ massively hampered proceedings.
Ky’s self-image, which had slowly built up over many years, was now in tatters. He couldn’t get past the fact that virility didn’t necessarily equal strength, endurance and above all hairiness. Lying there long after his companion had departed, Ky pondered on what his next move was. For the first time in his life, he felt like his dad.
*****
“I’ve tied a piece of string to it,” smiled An, with much more patience than she actually felt. “I suggest you tie it ‘round your neck for safekeeping.”
“You’ve found it,” shrieked a miraculously rejuvenated Mai, as she leaped out of bed to hug her mother.
*****
Ky staggered out of the temple with his head held higher than it had ever been. He had just experienced the best sex he had ever had during the previous four hours. The priestess had done things to him he hadn’t known were ever an option.
Ky had reasoned that the only path left open to him after recent experiences was to join the priesthood. His instructress had obviously known that Ky’s newly chosen vocation wasn’t a true calling. Nevertheless, after shaving him from head to toe, which produced an inevitable state, she had decided to test his faith.
The new clean, mean, streamlined, aerodynamic Ky strolled home with a new purpose, ready for action.
*****
Hory and Irikira simultaneously reached an amicable conclusion. They decided that they would never both go away at the same time, ever again.
The proprietors of The Grapes had just taken a three week sojourn to visit her family in Abydos. The mistake that had been made was to leave the delicate art of brewing beer in the hands of Minnus, a mere novice.
Minnus was a trainee of sorts. Very enthusiastic, but not very good.
After having to throw away nearly three month’s supply of beer, and brewing a fresh batch, Hory managed to halt the many complaints. He even managed to retain most of his regulars.
Hory’s and Irikira’s new batch of ale reinstated a sense of normality to The Grapes.
Dagi stopped wetting the bed.
Psally’s teeth stopped itching.
There were tales of headaches, stomach aches and sight returning. In one case hair started to grow back. All again was right with world.
Zem was suddenly cured of his insomnia.
*****
Excuse me miss? Could you direct me to the square please? I need to make a proclamation,” said a tall, good looking official type.
Aby wasn’t the sort of girl to look a gift horse etc, and firmly believed in any port in a storm. Taking her new friend by the arm she gently led him towards the barn.
The official had scoffed when reading his horoscope over breakfast that morning. It said he would be more than rewarded by the gods of love when an exotic encounter with a voluptuous stranger would take place. He was now a firm believer in the stars and their messages. He would never contradict their validity ever again.
When proceedings had run their course to their inevitable conclusion Aby began to wonder what miracle had brought them together. “What exactly is it you have to proclaim?” Aby asked her new friend.
“Oh Yeah,” said the messenger jumping to his feet and standing to attention. Whilst staring into the middle distance he announced, “pharaoh and his victorious army have nearly completed their long march home after conquering Egypt’s enemies. They will arrive in Thebes at noon tomorrow.”
I would like to thank everybody who has read and commented on Ancient Times. I have immensely enjoyed writing the saga so far.
I still have a lot of story ideas for where and how this dysfunctional family can develop.
On reflecton, perhaps Wealthy Affiliate isn't the platform to air my views and sense of humor regarding ancient Egypt.
I am aware that there are those who avidly follow Ancient Times, an average of 6.56 likes across 30 blogs, tells me its not everybody's cup of tea though.
I shall revert to my homespun wisdom in the form of future blogs in click-baity WA style.
Thanks Again.
Recent Comments
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It was a glorious ride, Kevin! I hope you at least try to publish it as an eBook! You never know, people might buy it, my friend!
Jeff