Page 49 of Ra
“Without her, the prophecy would have lain dormant, none of them ever having seen the light of day,” Abasi said.
“Is he here?”
“I haven’t seen him myself, but I’d be surprised if he is not,” Abasi said.
“I still expect a wrath of anger from her,” Dr. Clement said.
“Hopefully, she’s grown fond of him, and she won’t be quite so angry as she could have been. I noticed a certain light-heartedness about her the last time I saw her.”
“When was that?” Dr. Clement asked.
“Just yesterday. She was all but glowing. I think she’s in love.”
“If you’re correct, I can only hope that he feels the same. I have second guessed my part in this hourly since gifting her the ring and even more so since she discovered the temple.”
“The prophecy says that she must give her heart willingly, without manipulation from Ra. If she loves him, it will be genuine, not influenced by him. For his part, he cannot pretend or mislead. If there is emotion it must be genuine. If it’s not, that is considered manipulation as well. I don’t know that he’s aware of that bit of it. I’m afraid he thinks without manipulation means he can urge her to do something that she wouldn’t naturally be inclined to do. Neith was a little more detailed than that.”
“Your people have certainly maintained immaculate histories. Without them passing down their loyalties to the gods and goddesses as they have, the possibilities we are currently afforded would have been non-existent.”
“As the priests of Ra’s temples, my ancestors in particular were privy to all associated with him. Then Neith took us, and a few chosen from those who served other gods, into her confidence shortly after she locked them all away. Those she originally chose to oversee the prophecy are the families my people, my village, are descended from. It was our honor to serve her, and to wait patiently until we were again needed by Ra himself.”
“I still find it hard to believe you were right. Who would have thought my Azenath was the answer to The Scarab Prophecy? I never would.”
“While it’s likely, it has yet to be proven either way,” Abasi said realistically.
“Abasi, she woke him. With the ring you gave me to give to her when she was barely a teen. I think it’s been proven she is the woman mentioned in the prophecy. How she proceeds is the part we are unsure of..”
“That much is true. If she does not choose him, the others will not have their chance.”
“And she will be given the choice, as you claimed?”
“She will,” Abasi promised.
“And if she chooses to walk away from him and all the others?”
“Then my family will continue to guard the ancient sites, making sure that no one finds them and they rest in peace. If he stays, and the others get their chances as well, we’ll simply watch from a distance, ensuring their welfare as they find their way just as Ra has, or until they return to the Temple of Ra.”
“Will he become a god again?”
“You know I don’t know the answer to that, my friend,” Abasi said.
Dr. Henry Clement nodded sagely. “It could be a very big mistake we have made if he regains all his powers. I just pray that it was the right thing when I agreed to give her the ring. She’s my daughter. I should have put her first, not a prophecy nurtured by your family for thousands of years.”
“You did, Dr. Clement. You gave her the ability to free Ra, god of the sun, from nothingness. It is an occasion we have prepared for with great anticipation. Your daughter is blessed to be the key to the entire prophecy. She will be thrilled to have been instrumental in giving him life again.”
“Let’s hope she feels that way after all is said and done.”
“I can’t see how she’d feel otherwise. She’s been in love with our ancient culture since she was a child. This is an opportunity to live within it, of a sort, anyway.”
Abasi pushed Dr. Henry Clement’s wheelchair into the elevator at the rear of the building, exiting right away when the doors opened on the balcony level. Abasi guided Dr. Henry Clement to a private balcony on the far right of the auditorium, and settled him right on the edge.
“There! I think I see him!” Dr. Clement rushed out, pointing to the left side-stage.
Abasi turned and followed the direction Dr. Clement was pointing. There on the side stage, just barely tucked on the other side of an elaborate silk curtain, stood a man who could only be described as royal. He was tall, confident, commanding, even beautiful, and effortlessly so. His clothing seemed an afterthought, yet he was better dressed than any other man there. Not because his clothing was more expensive, or better tailored, but because of the way his clothes seemed to caress him, as though they couldn’t thank him enough for their proximity to him. “Yes. That is Ra, in all his glory. Even presented as a human he is unmistakable.”
Dr. Henry Clement sat in his chair, grinning, his eyes sparkling, living out a fantasy he’d never expected to come true. “And I’m alive to see him,” he said reverently.
“We both are. And Dr. Clement, take a moment to notice what he looks at. No, that’s not right. He’s not looking at anyone, he is captivated.”
