Chapter Ten

“Interesting.”

Thoth sat back in the wicker chair overlooking the lake beyond the terrace. The crystal waters shimmered like a mirror from amongst the reeds. Along the banks several long beaked birds waded without a care, their beady eyes looking for the tiny fish that inhabited the still waters.

The ibis was still the favoured bird in the former God’s heart and he could not have settled anywhere that lacked them. Nor could he have left the glory of equatorial Africa, the sights and sounds of that sun kissed land were his reason for living.

In human form he still held some resemblance himself; his features slim and angular, his nose sharp and eyes wise yet placid.

Shu twiddled his fingers impatiently as Thoth rocked complacently, eyes gazing into the distance and at events long erased from memory.

“Do you think you can help?” He broke the silence with an air of agitation. Each second, he stood there felt like a second wasted. “He will surely know if I breach that veil.”

“As he will if I do,” Thoth’s eyes turned to rest on him. “Am Heh is not a fool, you know that. Any Godly aura would be sensed, in animal or human form.”

Shu opened his mouth to protest but Thoth continued, wafting a hand to quiet him.

“However, one of my birds could carry a message and they could not be detected. If they happen to leave a feather or debris then I doubt he would suspect much, especially if I send one of the breeds that are lesser known to our homeland.”

He smiled lovingly over to the birds that strode elegantly through the waters, proud and tall and without a care in the world.

“I had some brought over. I never really believe in taking them from their own habitats but they were in danger of dying completely. In the minds of humans one of these is already extinct,” sadness darkened his eyes. “Such beauty they were given and so little appreciation they have.”

Shu followed his gaze with little interest. In different circumstances he too would have felt the affection and the nostalgia at seeing the beauty spanning before him, and perhaps a touch of unhappiness at the memory of those no longer in the world.

At the moment there were other things to focus on, things that would wipe out all this and more.

"Humans are their own worst enemy but that does not mean they ought to be abolished completely. We at least have the knowledge and moral standing that we attempted to aid and guide them. Their free will decides on their own path though."

Thoth did not respond. Instead, he lifted two fingers to his lips and whistled towards the flock. The sound echoed in the air and caused the birds to lift their heads. Only one responded.

With a prideful air it strode over, its bald head and curved bill were pitch black, stark against the long white body, flawless except for the dark plumage on its rump.

Soft brown eyes, surrounded by a scarlet orbital ring, gazed up at the deity whose own eyes were full of affection for the bird before him.

"Groete my skoonheid," he cooed softly, smiling when the bird rewarded him with a puppy like sound. "Ek het 'n taak vir u."

The bird tilted its head keenly, listening as Thoth explained the task in African tongue. It gave its rare yelping trill, giving its assent without hesitation.

Shu stood quietly, unable to hold back the smile at the affection and devotion that radiated between the pair. A trust that had spanned the centuries and would continue for many more.

He knew why Thoth had chosen this particular bird. This was the breed held sacred to him in his ruling days of the past and no God who wished to remain concealed would dare touch a revered creature.

Finally, Thoth got up and turned towards the doorway. "I can attach a note to his leg and he will carry it wherever you lead," he said primly. "Do not allow him to come to harm, they are like links to my own life and I cannot bear to see any fall for a reason other than natural death. Yahya is the last offspring of my favoured bird."

"If they come, I will take the blows myself before I allow your bird to come to harm," Shu promised "Yahya will be safe with me."

Thoth nodded appreciatively and wandered barefoot into the sparsely fitted homestead, trailing sand behind him. It was little more than an oversized cabin that one would normally find nestled in the embrace of the forests. Crude wood and wicker furniture were sat in no particular order, coloured and decorated with woven cloths and fabrics of reds and oranges, all the hues of the dawning sun.

Stepping towards a low table set near the window Thoth rummaged through the clutter of papers and books for something without anything already scribbled upon it.

All about him were beautifully inked parchments, done by his own hand in languages both known and unknown. He had never lost his love for writing or language and on those few dreary days the land offered he spent by the window advancing his already great skills.

"How is Ma'at?" Shu asked to break the silence as Thoth finally found a spare piece of paper amongst the hoard. "I have not seen her for some time."

"She is fine," Thoth plucked a pen from his drawer, admiring the craftsmanship before turning it to the paper. "She and I decided on different areas, mostly so she could find somewhere to study the stars and the cosmos more. Now women have more sway she is doing very well, we are often in touch though."

His wife was an independent woman. She always had been. Her interests had often been curtailed and held back due to the more puritanical views of the times and only in these latter years had she been able to follow her pursuits and loves. It meant they had little contact but both felt it made their relationship stronger.

He wrote as he spoke, filling the crisp paper with cursive script. Admittedly most mortals did not write like this anymore, if indeed they wrote, typing and email had long overtaken the skill of the written word. However surely, they still knew how to read and his writing was not the chicken scrawl that he had seen doctors and others use.

After a moment he held it up, waiting for the ink to dry before rolling it neatly and handing the pen to Shu.

"I will tie it to his leg and all you need do it guide him where you need. He will find his own way back if you need to report to Atum," Thoth plucked a thread from the tapestry hanging nearby as he passed it. "I daresay he will want to be kept informed, and I do also," he looked solemnly at Shu. "You know I have much sway over judgements, I do not intend to give up that right."

Yahya stood patiently waiting for his master, the sharp eyes seeming to brighten when he emerged. Without having to be told he lifted a leg, balancing skilfully on the other.

Kneeling down Thoth tied the missive to the limb, firmly but carefully so as not to chafe the skin, whispering a few words of encourage that clearly pleased the loyal bird.

Straightening up he nodded to Shu.

"Remember your promise. No harm is to befall him." His eyes were drawn to the pen, the expensive silver shimmering in the light. "Take care of that also, it cost me rather a lot back in the day."

Shu rolled his eyes. "Have no fear. Neither your bird nor your pen will come to any harm." He gave a snort. "Honestly, I sometimes wonder which of us is the older!"

"As do I." Thoth smiled placidly. "However, that if of little consequence," he motioned to the note. "I have instructed the mortal to write down what he knows before giving it back, we can work from there. He might not know anything but I sense there is a reason why Am Heh took him and not any of the others. He is unpredictable but there is always some method to his apparent madness. Once you have done that and consulted Atum then inform me, make sure he knows my skill of magic is, as always, at his service."

"That I will, and thank you..."

Thoth shook his head, casting a dismissive gesture as if fanning the heat from him. "Go. This is not something one can dally over."

Shu bowed his head, a slow and meaningful movement before leaping into the air and vanishing in a trice. The bird stared after him for several seconds, awed by the swiftness. With a soft mutter from Thoth, he regained his composure, spreading the white wings and following, guided by the aura the God left in his wake.

Thoth watched as he became smaller and smaller before vanishing in the blue abyss. It was like looking into the depths of the ocean, vast and full of mystery.

A shudder made his spine spasm as a chill flowed over him. It felt as though a dark shadow was falling over them and he could only pray that they once again could confine it.