Chapter 11 The Father’s Confession #2
Zahra looked down at her hands, sucking in a big breath.
Namir had left some time ago, but before he had left, he had handed off the map and information to his uncle.
Her fingers knotted together as the fate of the people in the Ionian village near there plagued her thoughts.
The entire village could be punished if the Great Overseer wished it, and it would be her fault.
Zahra mouthed a prayer, asking for forgiveness from Selene and that the Great Overseer would arrest only those involved in the assassination.
The rest of the people, she pleaded, would experience the least amount of panic and discomfort as could be helped.
The door creaked as it opened, and Namir walked in. He was now wearing royal garbs and a jeweled necklace. His gaze was trained on the hallway. After a moment, he turned to her. “Your father is coming up the stairs.”
The tightness settled in Zahra’s chest. She took a deep breath. “Thank you for agreeing to listen to us.”
Namir nodded. He settled in a chair opposite Zahra and waited.
Two medjay entered the room moments later, Omar between them. His fear-filled gaze went to her. “Poulaki mou.”
“Patér.” The medjay put their hands up when Zahra tried to stand.
“You may leave him here and wait outside,” Namir ordered.
They let go of Omar’s arms and closed the door behind them.
Omar and Zahra embraced.
“Why are you here?” Omar whispered. “Did you receive my letter?”
Zahra nodded. “I did, but—”
Namir cleared his throat, and Zahra pulled away from her father. “Let us not waste time.”
Omar stepped in front of Zahra, bowing deeply with his hand on his chest. “My King, it’s a pleasure to be in your presence. I was summoned, but I don’t know why, nor do I know why my daughter is here.”
Namir folded his arms, settling his gaze on Omar. “We are here because of what you will do tonight.”
Omar’s face filled with confusion, though his hand that held Zahra’s hand trembled. “I will be attending the festivities with the rest of the priests.”
“We both know that is not true.” Namir’s voice quieted, but the strength of it remained. “You will commit a crime tonight.”
Omar opened his mouth, fear in his eyes, but Zahra placed a hand on his shoulder. “Patér, let us sit, and I will explain.”
Omar glanced between them before agreeing to Zahra’s request with a nod.
Zahra seated him on the couch, holding his hand in hers. “Patér, I need you to listen to me. Whatever I ask of you, you must tell me the truth.”
His features sagged with worry. “I have done nothing wrong.”
“I know,” she said, “but you will. Please, Patér. What are your plans, and why have you made them? Why did you send me that letter this morning?”
Omar shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean. I wished you happiness in your celebrations. That’s all.”
Zahra tightened her grip on his hand. “Patér, please. The King promises to listen to us, but you must tell me the truth.”
“I am telling the truth.” He turned to the King. “I swear it. I have no reason to commit a crime.”
Namir cast a skeptical glance at Zahra.
She swallowed, turning to her father. “Patér, I know you will steal something tonight because I have seen you do it.”
Namir shot Zahra a warning glance. “You promised.”
“He forgets,” she stated, turning to Namir. “He always forgets. Please, my King.”
Namir studied her face. Then he leaned back, gesturing for her to continue.
Zahra nodded in thanks before turning to her father.
“I have lived this day many times. The King and I both have, but only we remember. Each day, you steal a sandglass that shakes the earth with the might of thunder.” Namir’s eyes narrowed as Zahra continued.
“You leave your post early at the hour of Re, and you arrive at the stable house, where you steal a horse and take the sandglass somewhere I don’t know. ”
Omar stared at her with wide eyes. “I… I don’t know—”
“You do,” Zahra insisted. Tears pricked her eyes. “You know what I speak of. I have asked you, begged you, to tell me the truth about your motivations, but each time you refuse. I will not stand it anymore, Patér. Tell me the truth!”
Omar stared at her. His gaze softened, and he lifted his worn hands to her face and cupped her cheeks. She smiled, and the corners of his mouth raised. “You have grown so much since I last saw you.”
Zahra fought a frown. She had changed, though she had changed more in the last few days than she had since she had started ignoring his letters.
Omar sighed and dropped his hand, turning to the King. “I do plan to steal it, but, please, hear what I say before you condemn me.”
Namir studied Omar’s face. His gaze shifted to Zahra for a moment, then he inclined his head toward Omar. “Speak.”
“My daughter is not involved in any of this,” Omar began.
“She knew nothing more than that I warned her to leave Aur.” His voice caught in his throat, and he glanced at Zahra.
“I received a letter early this morning. I don’t know who the messenger or the sender was, for I found it on my doorstep, and it was not signed.
” He sucked in a shaky breath. “They threatened my daughter’s life. ”
He squeezed Zahra’s hand, though he did not meet her gaze.
“If I did not do as they said, they would kill her. In the letter, an object was described that I had to steal. They told me it would be hidden at the temple, but they said nothing else besides that I must take it before the Feast begins.” Omar met Namir’s gaze.
“My King, I don’t want to steal it. I have been Re’s servant for ten years, taking care of his sacred temple.
I wouldn’t betray the Pharaoh, the Hem-netjer, or you unless my daughter’s life was at stake. ”
Namir leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He sat his chin on his clasped hands, deep in thought. After several moments, he lifted his head. “Do you admit to planning to steal a sacred item from the Pharaoh Queen?”
Omar nodded, his shoulders heavy. “Yes, my King.”
Namir sat up, resting his hands on his thighs. “Did you receive any additional papyri with the letter?”
Omar shook his head. “I only received the letter. I would show it to you, but I was instructed to burn it.”
Zahra put her hand on her father’s back. “Oh, Patér.”
Namir eyed Zahra before he continued. “The object you would steal was not seen again last night. Where were you ordered to take it?”
“The letter did not say. I assumed they would come to me.” He hesitated, glancing between Zahra and Namir. “What happens to me?”
“You are captured.” Namir leaned forward. “As you said, your blackmailers must have come to you and taken the stolen object before we found you.”
Omar buried his face in his hands, quieting his sobs. “Re will punish me for what I have done.” He looked up at Zahra. “Did they hurt you? Please, tell me you are safe when I am captured.”
Namir’s gaze landed on her.
She ignored him and continued rubbing her father’s back. “You have no reason to fear, Patér. I am safe every night.”
Namir leaned back, a shocked expression on his face.
Zahra turned away from him, and Omar let out a relieved gasp. “I am so thankful they did not hurt you.”
Zahra chanced looking at Namir once more. He was focused on her father now, deep in thought. He noticed her staring, and his discerning brown eyes focused on her.
Omar looked up from his tear-soaked hands. “My King, what is my punishment?”
Namir’s gaze settled on Zahra, his jaw tight. He took in a breath and opened his mouth.
The door flew open. A medjay stood in the doorway. Namir jumped to his feet. “What is the meaning of this intrusion? I asked not to be disturbed!”
The medjay bowed and stepped aside. Waaiz strolled in and raised his head. “These two are guilty of high treason and theft of one of the temple’s sacred relics. Under the Pharaoh Queen’s orders, I am to arrest them and escort them to the prison.”
Zahra shot to her feet. He couldn’t possibly mean the Thoth was stolen.
“I moved it this morning,” Namir stated. “Perhaps you did not hear—”
“It was stolen from its new location,” Waaiz spat. “Evidence was found in this man’s things that he was behind the theft.”
“No!” Zahra stepped toward Namir, who appeared as confused as she was. “We were with you this entire time. Before this, he was at the temple. You heard my father. He’s being framed!”
Namir stared at Zahra with uncertainty. He turned toward Waaiz and stuttered a response. “Th—They may be innocent. From their account, they were threatened.”
“The Pharaoh will decide whether they are innocent or not,” the Great Overseer proclaimed, lifting his hand. “Detain them.”
Medjay filled the room, securing Omar and Zahra and pinning their hands behind their backs.
“I have done nothing wrong,” Omar cried. “We are innocent!”
Namir stepped forward. “The girl has nothing to do with this. The evidence you found only incriminates him, not her.”
“The letter you intercepted suggests otherwise.” Waaiz held up Zahra’s letter. “And she lied about the assassins.”
“I did not lie,” Zahra cried. “Just because you have not found them does not mean—”
Waaiz closed the space between them, grabbing Zahra’s arm and pulling her toward him. She cried out, whimpering as he tightened his grip. “There was no sign of them. You lied about their whereabouts.”
“No!” Zahra glanced back at Namir, but she couldn’t see him in the chaos of the room. “My King, please! Believe me, I told the truth!”
Omar was pushed out of the room first. His shouts echoed in the hallway. “Someone is framing me!”
Zahra’s heart fell as Waaiz released her arm and the medjay pulled her toward the door. She had failed. She had done all she could, and she had failed.
“Wait,” Namir called. The medjay stopped. “The Pharaoh has not convicted you yet. I will speak to her. I will share what I have learned.”
Zahra trembled. As much as she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t. “They have bound us for execution.”
“Perhaps not—” Namir started, approaching her.
“The Pharaoh will have us killed for a crime we did not commit.” She turned away, soft sobs working their way up her throat.
The medjay forced her forward.
Namir grabbed her arm. “Zahra.”
The sound of her name on his lips calmed the raging emotions within her. Namir’s black eyes fought to keep her gaze. He believed her, and she believed him. He would save her.
“I will speak to her,” he promised, and then he was gone.