Page 59 of Over the Emerald Valley
Nausea crept steadily up Temaj’s throat. He tamped it down. Losing his stomach would have to wait until they were out of this mess.
“Release the harem, Temaj included, and I’ll do whatever you ask,” said Solon, hands open in front of him.
Temaj thought he was stalling for time. Though he appreciated the general’s words, it wasn’t as if the man had any bargaining chips at his disposal.
The offer was met with Abasi’s curling laughter. “You’ll do what I ask regardless, General. Your lover is captured, and soon, your men will be too. You’re no match for me. But it’s funny you think you can negotiate. Go on. What other demands do you have while I’m in such a generous mood? Emeralds perhaps? I’m up to my eyeballs in the green turds.”
“Where are the missing emeralds, then?” asked Solon. “I never did find out. I’m curious to know.”
A ringingthump thump thumpsounded from farther away. Footsteps! And lots of them.
Temaj whipped his head around to stare down the corridor.
A contingent of guards turned the corner and headed straight for them.
Temaj’s dinner did flips in his stomach. Were these their men? Or Abasi’s? A spark of hope flickered to life and grew to a flame as he spied Ottah. Surely, these were their reinforcements.
Unless Ottah had betrayed them after all, but Temaj didn’t think he would.
Abasi, however, assumed the troop was there to fight for him.
“Men!” the viceroy ordered. “Take them! They are traitors to Egypt, and we will see them punished in the pharaoh’s name.”
Ottah’s expression remained unreadable, but Solon’s concern showed plainly across his face.
They’re here for us.I know it.
As the troop grew closer and Abasi’s scowl turned into an amused smirk, Ottah's voice rose over the crowd. “You’re the criminal, Viceroy. It’s you who will be punished.”
Temaj only had a split second to worry. These converted guards weren’t aware of Abasi’s unnatural strength. And even after everything, he still didn’t want Ottah to be killed. Or any of the others.
The fight erupted all around him. The guards who held his arms were forced to let go.
Solon roared back to life, attacking Abasi head on.
Temaj ducked out of the way and searched for a weapon. Anything he could use to come to Solon’s aid. But he found nothing, so he kept his eyes peeled, waiting for an opportunity.
Khu and Qeb also escaped the fighting. Qeb held Khu’s arm for dear life while Khu desperately tried to shake him off. Miserable old man.
Though Temaj was angry with the young concubine, he also felt sorry for him. Naïve and foolish, he’d gone to the wrong hero to be saved. Temaj hoped he got out of this alive.
Around him, screams and cries echoed off the stone walls. As the battle raged on, it was clear Abasi was losing the upper hand. Too many stood against him, and the guards Khu had brought fought halfheartedly. Hours ago, all these guards had been comrades. Confusion was rampant.
Ottah and Solon fought Abasi shoulder to shoulder. Temaj wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.
Neku spun and delivered a fierce kick, knocking a dagger from the opposing man’s fist. It clattered on the ground.
This was his chance. Temaj dove for the weapon. Hilt in hand, he now had a new purpose. Kill Abasi. Save Solon.
Keeping well out of the fray, Temaj circled the combatants to surprise the viceroy from behind.
Before he could attack, another contingent of guards came clambering down the corridor.
Donkey shit.These probably were Abasi’s men coming to his aid.
They’d soon be outnumbered.Again.
Unless… Temaj could get in a killing strike first.
