PROLOGUE
Somewhen in the Temple of Ra, royalty shuddered and shook off impatience. The ancient king sat on his throne. He knew something was wrong. Something was not right. There was a change coming. A big change. He thought all of the bases were covered. He thought things were going according to plan. He thought wrong. He heard rushed footfalls echoing through the hall.
“Ra,” a female form knelt before him. “Father. We just got word. The Order has tipped the scales. They have the upper hand.”
Ra stood. His face showing determination, the only hint of concern was a slight glimmer in his eyes. The female before him, his daughter, rose to meet his gaze.
“Father.”
Ra responded with only a raised hand. His eyes void of pupils, nothing but bright almond shaped lights. The markings on his face falcon-like, swept back from his face. Coppers, whites and blacks. His movements soft like a human’s, but sharp like a bird’s at the same time. His salt and pepper hair draped over his shoulders, his face void of all hair. His brow furrowed in a determined scowl.
He took the three short stairs down from the rise his throne was on and stood toe to toe with his daughter, even though he was a good six inches taller. His robes brushed the floor, giving him even more of a falcon appearance.
Bastet’s green, slit-pupiled eyes studied her father’s. Her top and bottom canines slightly pointed and her sleek black hair pulled back in a long braid just brushing her waist; gold fabric entwined in the braid, secures her hair at the end. Grace dripped from her as she studied her father for a response.
“How many do they have involved?” Ra finally spoke. His voice deep and richly baritone. Had he spoken any louder, the walls would have shook.
“They have four involved.”
“And us?”
“We have three.”
Ra let out a short ‘hrmph’. He turned his back to his throne and began walking toward the arch at the far end of the room. His pace was slow and calculated. Bastet’s gate was quicker, but she held her pace with her father’s.
“How do you figure they have tipped the scales? Surely we can hold our own with those numbers. We don’t need to get anymore involved than we need to.”
“Father, they have Shezmu.”
“She is of no consequence.”
Bastet stopped quietly and bowed her head, clasping her hands softly in front of her.
“They sent out Wadjet and Apep.”
This made Ra stop dead where he stood. He turned, robes spinning around him.
“This does warrant our attention. We will need to send more out. Prepare yourself daughter.”
Bastet wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but she couldn’t argue with her father, Ra, the Sun God.
“Yes father,” her head remained bowed.
Ra turned back to the archway. His eyes grew brighter, casting a blinding light in all directions, until Ra and Bastet disappeared in a light brighter than the sun.
Wordsmith 