The coming of Seth Book 3 of the Protectress
We understood their kindnesses and love over 65,000 years ago, long before man made time. Mimicking their old ways destroyed by great floods and land shifts. They taught us how to live when “Khemit” was lush green even to the time when it turned to vast lands of sand. They became stewards of the man-kind and kept close to their hearts the promise. The promise made thousands of years before the building of the ziggurat with the face of the woman Tefnut; the Greeks called the Sphinx. They planned the blending of our races to make supreme beings to live within the balance of the universe.
So long ago, we forgot the laws of the Ma’at…and the phases of universe. The ancient Hindu named these phases the “yugas”, the ancients of Egypt the Precession of the Ma’at. For tens of thousands of years their teachings have become meaningless dogmas and most of us no longer recognize tribe’s presence among us. They have not forgotten their promise. The blending of the two tribes has begun. The son of the Protectress Meretneith, the Ptah a Tanen, has produced a son possessed of all the strengths and powers of the oldest tribes.
His arrival coincides with the cycles of the “yugas”. This is the time of the coming of Seth. He is the first physical expression of the true blending of the tribes that lights our path to Ma’at. This book continues the stories of the Protectress. It tells of her grandson Seth’s arrival and struggles to overcome the treachery of his sister, and of his deep love for the human brother Joshua.
Chapter Excerpts
Chapter 2 Death to My Enemies
His arms around Aisha’s waist, Merneptah took her out the kitchen door to the verandah. They stood in silence in the gardens watching the sunrise. He whispered, “I love you as I can love no other. The day is coming when I must do battle alone. Please don’t ask me when and against whom. I think you know that already. I must face this male alone. Know that I love you and that love is what will get me through this.”
For a long while, she gazed silently into his eyes. Aisha kept her silence walking back into the kitchen and then slowly meandered to her rooms. Merneptah followed close behind. It was not until she began to undress in silence that he noticed the tears falling from her eyes. He whispered,
“Aisha, I have no choice in this,”
“There are always choices Merneptah. What will I do without you? Have you thought of my life minus you? I have. I don’t want that life.”
“Aisha this decision was made long before you were born. Long before any of your family was born. I don’t need your understanding here. I need only for you to know what must be for me. Can you stop loving me for this?”
Aisha glared at him in defiance of his logic. The great green eyes showed flashes of anger. He removed his leather pants, throwing them across the room. They landed on the floor near the sofa. Nude, he strode to the balcony, “You know who I am female. You loved me even when I told you the truth. This is no different. I’ll not stop in my commitment to my tribe, not for you, not for anything. All depends on this fight my last fight with this male. It’s not just about you and me.” He turned on her suddenly, “Listen carefully. You have made it important for me to survive. You Aisha!” He roared, hurting her ears.
She whispered, “Merneptah, lower your voice. Your mother and father will be in here. This is between us.”
“Of course”, He turned his back to her again.
She stole quietly up behind him wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her face to his back. Her hands gently moved down the rock hard thighs, then came to rest on his cock. She pressed close feeling it stiffen. Merneptah moaned her name as he leaned into her embrace and whispered, “Female you madden me. I wish you would understand.”
Aisha whispered against the smooth skin, “It’s not for me to understand you Merneptah; I’m not your sister.”
Turning he gazed into her eyes. His voice was gentle as if speaking to his shrine, “No beloved. You are my heart and soul and I am yours. Of course, you question when your heart is threatened. I could never truly live without you.”
Groaning with pleasure, he lifted her, “Pleasure me female. I have such a need for you.”
Morning had grown old when they lay complete in each other’s arms. Meretneith stole quietly into their room and sat watching her children sleep. She left for the desert without a word to anyone. Ptah watched her from his room as she rode out on Gideon, unaware that her brother was observing her.
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Aisha awoke to the sound of music. The sweet melody tugged at her heart. Deep in sleep, Merneptah’s big arms surrounded her. She snuggled closer to the warmth while listening to his quiet breathing. Their loving was long and hard. Reluctantly the two succumbed to sleep. For the first time since the ceremonies began, Jesse occupied her thoughts. She promised her mother that Jesse would be told about Merneptah when they returned to Chicago.
Throughout her lifetime, Meretneith’s love had become the core of Aisha’s life. She felt there could be few surprises, but she was wrong. Merneptah’s love had taken her heart and soul with a force that no one could deny. Their time together merely codified and strengthen their bond, creating the need for more. The pain of this revelation ran deep. She wondered where the courage would come to face the inevitable. Aisha must leave the first man in her life that she had truly learned to love; Jesse was father of her baby boy. She pressed her lips to the great chest moving in sleep against her, listening to the music coming from Merneptah’s music room above them. She knew the music was Ptah’s mournful themes. The sounds were beautiful, bringing tears to her eyes. Carefully she moved from the big arms. Merneptah shifted then rolled onto his back. Gathering a sleep shirt from the chair, she stole quietly up the winding staircase.
He sat on a chair in the center of the music room playing his guitar. Ptah looked up just as she entered. Smiling into her eyes, he continued his music. Then the deep voice whispered, “You are lucky Little One.”
“How so?” Aisha curled up on the daybed to listen to his music.
“You’re heart has already been taken by my son. I could have loved you just as deeply.”
“No. You couldn’t.” Aisha smiled then whispered. “You’re love for my Meret runs to the core of you. She didn’t go far. She only wants to prepare for the inevitable.”
Head tilted Ptah paused for a moment in his playing, “How do you know these things?”
“I know her son and he is preparing for his own battle. Do you think your sister will allow your child to enter a fight with this ass hole alone? She loves too deeply to allow harm to come to her family. I knew last night when Merneptah told me of his fight that Meret would be involved. It’s her habit to train well before a battle. Isn’t it?”
“Yes.” The music began anew, this time telling her of his life and his sister.
Tears flowed from Aisha’s eyes unbidden. She did not try to brush them away. She merely relaxed into the sofa allowing the music to take her away. Dozing and thinking of Merneptah, she felt his arms and the warmth of his breath. Then she heard him speak her name. Opening her eyes, his lips was close,
“Aisha”. His voice was like the music, warm and sweet.
Startled and unaware she had dozed; she starred into the great green eyes of her love.
“I wanted to hear your father play his guitar. I must have dozed off,”
The music continued. She sat up looking again into Ptah’s face. He had never paused in his playing. The lovers listen for a while to the compelling music. Without warning, it stopped. The sounds of Ptah’s laughter replaced the melodies. Placing the guitar carefully against the chair, he smiled into Aisha’s eyes,
“Little One I’m going to feed you. It’s been a long week, you still look tired.”
Merneptah spoke, “Her fatigue comes from worrying too much about things that she cannot change.”
Aisha immediately felt the rush of anger. “You know…you could have stayed in bed. I don’t need you to tell me how to worry. Your business is my business. I thought we settled that last night.” A frown gathered her beautiful eyebrows.
Startling her, Ptah roared with laughter. Merneptah smiled as she stood suddenly and stared into his eyes. He spoke quietly, “We’ll have quite a life together you and me female. I understand more of why I love you every day.”
He kissed her gently and then turning to his father, “Ab, I’m hungry too. Where is my caregiver?”
“Khalid is on an errand for me. Saul, Huni, Athtar, and Arsay have found Aisha’s gym. Your Mother left us this morning.” Ptah’s smiling face dwelled on Aisha’s for a moment.
Then the rafters shook as he roared in laughter, “I will be your caregiver today”
Aisha smirked as she started for the stairs. She yelled back over her shoulders, “I think the god Ptah needs soul food.”
Merneptah started to protest running after her, “Aisha! My father does not need food for his soul…he’s cooking, you’re not.”
Sprinting for the bathroom and shower, she ignored him; she locked the door behind her. Merneptah roared.
Later in the kitchen, the two big males sat fireside talking. Aisha was at the stove cooking with two caregivers who arrived earlier that morning. One of them was Leah. It was the first time Aisha met the female offspring of Ba’al. Their friendship was immediate. Saul’s Leah watched with rapt attention as Aisha prepared the biscuits and meat. Saul and Arsay’s family entered just as the piping hot grits arrive at the breakfast table. Aisha called to Ptah and his son,
“Ptah breakfast is served. You may want to bring your son. He protests about my soul food, but he seems to enjoy it more than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
Pulling his son from the sofa, the two laughed as they seated themselves at the table. Leah produced ten large crystal pitchers filled with the morning drink. They all consumed it quickly then dove into Aisha’s concoction. Saul was familiar with the food and knew immediately which dish pleased him the most. Arsay giggled commenting on how it reminded her of the old foods of the Hittites. Huni merely began to eat, smiling with each mouthful. Athtar tasted the grits first and commented, “Aisha this is bland there’s no taste.”
“Of course not silly man”, Leaving her chair, she began to spoon the spicy gravy, adding the sausage and biscuits. He ate a mouthful again and looked stunned, “This is truly good. Merneptah you are blessed with such a female. Why do you fight with her so much?”
“Because it brings me pleasure,” Merneptah laughed at his own joke gazing into Aisha’s eyes, “Athtar what a fool question. We argue because it’s my love’s desire to challenge things I do.”
Ptah spoke quietly, “Which you will learn to understand is her way”.
Merneptah paused in his eating of honey and hot biscuits. He looked into Aisha’s eyes then to his father’s. “I understand father. Your words as always speak the truth,” Then resumed his eating.
They left the kitchen chattering about events of the ceremonies and what lay ahead for their tribes. They entered the great room and Merneptah’s deep voice raised above the others. With Aisha wrapped in his arms he yelled to Khalid already at the fireplace building a fire.
“Khalid would you and Huni get the synthesizer and acoustic drums. I want to play something for Aisha. You know that thing we did with Guy in Chicago?”
“Oh yea…” Khalid beamed a smile at Aisha, “This will surprise you. Our Merneptah sometimes even surprises me. Huni are you up for some fun?”
Huni smiled in his confusion, looking quizzically at Merneptah. “Sure”,
“Athtar and father I’ll need your back up for this. Do you think you can follow along?”
“Son…any music you make I can follow.” Ptah wrinkled his nose in laughter turning to gaze at Saul.
Khalid and Huni came bouncing down the staircase with their arms filled with small speakers and acoustic instruments. Huni settled behind the keyboards and began to play Hip Hop. Aisha began with peals of laughter, “No I don’t believe this.”
Athtar went to his son’s side and watching carefully began to mimic the melody and supplied the harmonics. Ptah began to giggle and picking up the electric bass began plucking the heavy beat. Saul roared with laughter. Then the unthinkable happened. Khalid led the other two males, Merneptah and Huni in Hip Hop movements.
Eventually their moves mirrored each other. Arms swaying in counter movement to their hips, the three mimicked each other’s steps flawlessly. Done with the dance and exhausted the trio lay on the highly polished floor laughing uncontrolled.
Athtar reminded the group of their waiting obligations. They had been gone from their tasks for over a week. Tomorrow work on the plan must resume. Merneptah looked at Athtar with gratitude, “Thank you. Thank all of you for a truly wonderful ceremony. I wanted it to be special for a number of reasons.” He looked into Aisha’s eyes.
“The next few weeks will be crucial in the paths I will lead my tribes. Understand that soon I must take a stand and fight an enemy we all know. I have no choice in this. If I survive this battle – our roads to the realization of the Ma’at will be shorter. My children will have an easier task of leadership and our species joined at last as one. Our kind has waited to be one with Man Kind for over 500,000 years. You understand what’s in my heart, so I know you will understand my reasons for facing our enemy alone in the Iraqi sands.
“I ask only two things. If I should not survive this, you will accept my mother’s leadership again, for she knows better than anyone the way. The last is that you guard and cherish my human love from danger.” Merneptah looked into Aisha’s eyes. “She is my only hope for peace of mind and heart. I want her life to be safe if I don’t return.”
Saul interrupted. Walking to the center of the great room, he spoke in his usual smooth way as if he were directing the board. “Merneptah, you don’t have to ask us these things. You and Aisha are our family. I’m coming to understand the ways of the Ma’at more with each day. You are very much a part of achieving our success. Your battle with this old dog is valid and necessary to realizing retribution. Nevertheless, in overcoming Syrus, we will face new battles in achieving equalization, between the tribes. It’s through love that the balance will come to you. The war will then be won.”
Ptah went to Saul’s side, “Saul’s words are wise and his counsel must be heeded. Athtar is right; we need to be on our way. Saul and I have a little girl waiting for her parents. Merneptah needs time alone with Aisha before they depart from each other.”
Arsay walked to Aisha and gently kissed her. They drew close in a loving embrace. Then Arsay embraced the male child who was now a powerfully leader that she was growing to love more each day. No words of farewells, just gentle embraces. Athtar took Saul into his arms then took his lips to his, breathing gently. Saul accepted the embrace and returned the pleasure of it.
Athtar whispered, “Our time is near Chosen One. You’ll need to know more of me and my father.”
Saul said simply, “I know.” Then Athtar was gone from him.
The afternoon found the families preparing to leave. No one spoke of the Protectress all knew her habits. Saul and Ptah left first in Meretneith’s chopper, then Athtar and his family in the limousine driven by Khalid. The house was suddenly quiet. Merneptah and Aisha wonder into the great room. He sat at the grand piano and began to play. Aisha wondered to the fireplace then cuddled on the leather sofa to listen. She gazed out the window thinking of Jesse. Merneptah began playing the song he performed at the Ascension ceremonies. She joined him at the piano, whispering, “Come baby, I want to feel your body with me a little more before we have to go. Can we stay ‘til tomorrow?”
He looked lovingly into her eyes his fingers tracing the outline of her face and hair. He tugged a coil, pulling it to his lips. “Of course we’ll have pleasure tonight and no arguments. I’ll take you to the palace tomorrow. Mother wants us all to travel to Chicago together. After I know the family is settled, I’ll leave you for a while. Tell no one. They’ll all know after I’m gone.”
She couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. “Don’t get angry at my tears. I can’t help it. I’m scared.” She was beginning to understand that this was truly a warrior. The fact of Merneptah’s tears and great love was what made him the greatest warrior alive. He whispered with lips close to hers, “So am I Little One, so am I.”
Lifting her, into his arms he kissed her as they climbed the staircase to the bedroom.
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