Burning Nile Scene 03 - The All Seeing Eye

Adom stops, frozen for a moment as he takes her in. It figures that the brightness of the sun is still half blinding him to her as his eyes adjust from the dimness of the inside of the temple. As in the river, so in the stream. He had been blinded by lust and ambition before, and here he stands, again seeing well enough only when it is too late.

His eyes linger on her left cheek, burning into the sun-shaped birthmark that had earned her the attention of the priesthood to begin with. It is the only visible imperfection of her body, as he knows all too well. It is what lies beneath her flesh that has made her a monster. That is how he chooses to think of her. And yet...

As his eyes finally meet hers, a matter of a moment as an observer might see it, but an eternity in his mind, he finds the burning hatred for her too intertwined with remembrances and the undeniable pull he feels toward her, even now. His own lips curl in response to the smile on her face. Without thinking, he stands taller and the muscles of his bare torso shift visibly beneath the ornamental collar he wears. He will leave no weapon unused. Let her own body work against her as much as his own is working against him.

"Amenset, dearest. Your beauty always shines brightest in the light of the sun. It grows every time I see you." He steps boldly forward toward her, like a lover parted from his love for too long, moving as though to take her in his arms and kiss her.

Damn. He hadn't expected it to work, really. But now... what can he do? He grits his teeth and stops, eyeing the guards briefly before returning his gaze to her face. Crossing his arms, he shakes his head.

His tone grows icy to match the look in her eyes. "Fine. Apparently your opinion of yourself has kept pace with your ever-growing beauty." The sarcasm isn't as forceful as he'd intended. Seeing her again, and being rejected, stings, even now. "If you really want to know, I was busy nearly getting my arm torn off sticking my hand down a crocodile's throat, looking for more information about the cruel apparition that went rampaging through the streets. I'm doing what I can to actually help before even more people drift down to my master. I will stop at nothing, nothing, to find out what's at the bottom of this and set it right." She may not believe his sudden altruism, but she understands his ambition and drive, as it is mirrored in her own heart.

He pauses slightly, then lowers his voice so that Amenset must strain to hear him. "If you must drag my name through the mud, then so be it. You, more than anyone, know what it means to me to say that. But let me do this thing, if ever I gave you cause to love me." His eyes soften, pleading with her for a chance to do something right for once.

A glimmer of hope appears in his eyes... and he raises his hand to reach out to her again, the bandage still covered in drying blood. "Please..."

Tefri steadies Adom as he stumbles backward. Tefri's fists ball up at his sides as he steps forward between the guards and Adom. You would not think him out if favor if you had witnessed him this day. His god smiles upon him and has helped us on our quest. I know the man that you think he is, I tell you that a different one stands here today.

Adom stands, stunned, by Tefri's declaration. It is too late to shield him from Amenset's anger. In his mind he pictures Tefri reaching out and wringing her perfect neck. His own ire gathers strength. She laughs now, but he will not let it stand. She has thrown away everything, and for what? What he would have... has already... killed for. That thought rings too true, and leaves an unpleasant taste in his mouth.

As she crosses the threshold, he calls up to her "You will find that Sobek's displeasure did not spare his own priests, Amenset, but he spared me. Ask yourself why before you think to dismiss me!"

Another false priest... Tefri stands boldly before the guards, A god who did not want to be addressed would not answer. When did you last see the gods answer her? The gods will judge us all in time. Are you certain that you are safe by her side?