Page 50 of Beyond the Ruby River
Mahu patted his chest, the pocket where he kept the gifts lay hidden inside. “Yes, one for each: the twins, Sadek and Sadeh; and Herit’s girls, Imi and Kita.”
“You are such a thoughtful man, Mahu.” Daka planted a kiss on his cheek.
Mahu angled his head for a kiss on the lips instead. “Not that thoughtful. I’m running out of jokes for them. I’m going to need some new ideas.”
“Maybe Niya will have a few.”
“Appropriate for children?”
Daka’s expression clouded. “Oh, right. Maybe not.”
Mahu still felt somewhat intimidated by Daka’s family, Niya especially. She had every right to be protective of her little brother, but most big sisters weren’t as capable of beating Mahu to a pulp as a woman like Niya, who stood nearly a head taller. He planned to stay on her good side.
“Does Niya like jokes?”
“Of course.” Daka grinned. “But most of them are quite dirty. You should ask her.”
“I will.” Mahu shrugged the pack over his shoulder. His chest twinged, causing him to pause as the sensation passed. He cleared the tickle in his throat. “Ready?”
Daka hugged the picnic blanket to his belly. If he’d noticed Mahu’s distress, he didn’t say so. “What if your friends don’t like me?”
“They will.” Mahu didn’t know anyone who wasn’t instantly charmed by Daka. “Don’t fret. You’re an extremely likeable sort of person. And I imagine if anyone is mean to you while your sister is around, you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
Daka laughed. “That much is true.”
They left the house for the bright outdoors. Though the sun had risen hours ago, it hadn’t yet reached its zenith. Yellow rays baked the mudbrick, heat radiating from the street up through their sandals. Ra was promising a hot day.
The walk to the public gardens closest to Herit’s tavern was a short one, and pleasant. Mahu had grown used to having Daka at his side and treasured his joyful presence. Daka had a way of looking around at the town as if everything were still new, though he’d been in Naukratis for months now. His curious bright blue eyes were always seeking amusement.
Daka pointed toward the fountain. “That’s one of my favorite places because it’s where I waited for you. When I’d decided I just had to meet you.”
“I remember. I’m glad you did.”
“Now it’s my lucky fountain.”
“Is it?” Mahu quirked a brow. “So you do have some superstitions then?”
“Oh.” Daka flashed him a smile. “I hadn’t thought about it that way, but yes. You’re right. I guess I do.”
They’d been dancing around the topics of religion, the gods, and Mahu’s beliefs lately. Daka claimed to have none. He hadn’t been raised to revere gods or even to believe in the afterlife, but for Mahu, such worship was all he’d ever known.
What would childhood have been like for Daka, without the temple and priests? Imagining a life so different to his own made him curious. It must have made Daka curious too because his questions came frequently.
What do you think happens in the afterlife? What if you don’t go there? What if you stayed here? What if there’s nothing? Could you ever change your mind?
Mahu didn’t have all the answers, but he found their discussions deeply engaging. He’d never thought to ask the things that rattled off Daka’s tongue with regularity, though he had a hard time imagining nothing came after. He’d a lifetime of believing there would be life beyond death. He’d be reunited with his wife and children and in the underworld, they would continue their lives together.
Perhaps Daka couldn’t fathom such a thing because he was immortal. Without death, what did it matter what came after?
“We’re nearly there.” Daka’s voice chased away thoughts of death and dying.
They passed by Herit’s place to the large garden around the corner. Bugs chirped from their perches among the overgrown plants, their song rising and falling to nature’s mysterious conductor.
“Niya is already here!” Daka ran off to greet her.
Mahu smiled, watching the two of them. In their own way, they looked alike. Big, expressive eyes, plump cheeks, thick long hair, though Niya’s was lighter than Daka’s. But she was so much the larger of the two, that’s where the resemblance ended. Her feminine curves rounded her hips and shoulders. Where Daka was square and on the short side, she was voluptuous and tall.
They shared a warm embrace, and Niya said something into Daka’s ear that made him laugh and brought color to her brother’s cheeks. As one, their heads turned to Mahu, Daka grinning like a loon, Niya more reserved.
