Evo took the lead, the two males trailing behind. The marketplace was bustling with people wearing beige-white cloaks. They stared at Evo’s naked body as wide with shock.

“I told you she needs clothes.” Bo stated.

“This place doesn’t exist anymore. This is the past.” Evo told Sino.

“They seem to be able to see you.” Sino said aloud.

“No, they see the person who was actually here, Hathor.” Evo stopped at a cart with large sparkling armor and smiled in the reflection. A bonze complected beauty with dark brown eyes and long black straight hair stared back at the group. Her body was covered in a traditional cloak, but her beauty made her stand out. She walked with the confidence the goddess was known.

Sino and Bo then noticed their reflections were not their own either. Two tall, broad-shouldered women stared back. They also had darker skin, the color of bronze, and deep amber-brown eyes. They carried weapons under their cloaks. Sino’s reflection had a scar running the length of her left cheek, while Bo’s was sporting a blackish-purple bruise.

Evo continued walking through the Market, stopping to look at the carts. They finally reached the temple. Two female guards stood watch. Evo didn’t acknowledge them. Sino wondered where this confidence came from. They walked the path into the temple. Columns hand carved and painted with pictures decorated every section.

The first room they entered was large and square. The walls covered in drawings. A single large rectangular stone block was placed in the center. Standing atop of it was a young girl in her teens. She was surrounded by several older women who were doing her hair, makeup, and fixing her dress. She wore a golden strap over her small breasts. Thick black tattoos were carved into her otherwise flawless skin. Another golden material draped just under her navel, and both glittered with stones.

The young girl noticed their presence first. “Goddess Hathor.” She bowed. The other women immediately stopped what they were doing and followed suit.

“Hetpet, your beauty honors me. “Evo’s voice dripped with seduction. “I have a gift.” Evo opened a satchel and retrieved an instrument she bought from one of the carts. Made from a strange plant, it was carved into a lute. The woodsmanship was surprisingly intricate in detail, with similar symbols.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Goddess Hathor, I am undeserving of such a gift.” Hetpet’s voice was soft and mature for her young age.

“Nonsense. You will honor me with your music before you leave on your journey through the underworld.” Evo explained.

“As you wish.” Hetpet returned, still not returning from her bow.

“I will wait for you in the inner sanctum please ensure every mark is perfect before entering.”

“As you wish Goddess Hathor.” The woman spoke as one.

Evo then continued her walk down another hallway. Pictures of Hathor overseeing the hunting and fishing dotted the walls. Sino even noted Evo stopped at a depiction of a dung beetle. She touched the beetle. Sino’s mouth dropped, watching the beetle appear to move under her touch before they continued deeper into the tomb. They passed several smaller rooms filled with grain, pottery, and even animals mummified in white weavings. The main room had a large sarcophagus adorned in hieroglyphics. The walls also had instructions for Hetpet’s journey.

Evo sprinkled the floor around the sarcophagus with white gravel brought from FaeLand. It sparkled and gave light to the dark room. Then they waited. Perhaps two days passed before bare-breasted women came in wearing light beige skirts and gigantic bird masks. They walked in a single-file line holding rounded instruments made of animal skins. Sino frowned at the indignity. Hopefully, the animal died naturally, but he doubted it. Humans ate the animals here. The women began beating a tempo into the skins. Hetpet appeared glistening in gold. She was breathtakingly beautiful. A small monkey hung from her neck. It jumped down and ran over to Evo, who cooed at the small creature.

Hetpet also had the hand-carved lute. When she reached the sarcophagus, she turned and began to strum the notes echoed through the chamber. The sound, both happy and sad. She played until her fingers were raw, and a single tear escaped her left eye.

Sino watched as one of the bird women handed a small wide bowl to Evo with a bow. Evo wiped her tears and carefully walked over to Hetpet carrying the bowl. The young priestess’ voice uttered a simple prayer. Evo replied with an old witch’s spell. The white FaeLand dust hummered. Sino felt the room’s air get heavy. The ground shook, and the sandstone blocks slid into place. They were trapped.

“Evo! What’s happening?” Sino asked via mindspeak.

“Trust me Dad. This is the path we must take.” She whispered back via mindlink. Sino put a hand on Bo, who was wide-eyed. The birdwomen repeated the prayer over and over as Sino watched Hetpet climb into the sarcophagus.

The poison was quick. Hetpet’s body shook, and white frothy bubbles oozed out of her beautiful brown lips. Sino heard a small cry from one of the women as she watched Hetpet thrash around. Then just as quickly as it started, she was still. One of the bird women slid over a large chest, tears streaking her face.

They made quick work of the body. A long-hooked tool was used to scramble her organs and filled ceramic jars. They wrapped the body in linen and a white plaster. Finally, they painted a prayer over the body. They placed the lute with Hetpet and slid the top over the coffin.