Chapter Text
Sunshine burned Horus’ back and wings as the demigod flew over the sand, stone, tall rock cliffs, and trees, searching for anyone who looked like one of their invaders. The wind carried flashes of places he couldn’t see, even with his excellent eyesight. Occasionally, he caught the scent of dust, flowers, and water.
Earlier, Thoth said the ships of the invading army had beached and they’d set up camp already, sending out scouts to check the area. So Seth had told Horus to use his wings to patrol. Despite ramped up recruitment and a bit of training, the army wasn’t ready to see any true action, but Seth had ordered the units that were ready enough to head out, in case they were needed, though he doubted it. Seth himself would go ahead, with Maat. Maat had said she could make her own way there, but Seth had said that she would not be arguing on his behalf, at least without him present.
And I am out here, Horus thought in frustration as he studied the terrain for anything that moved. He really meant it when he said we’d be scouting.
“They aren’t far out, yet,” Thoth called from nearby as he flapped his red, blue and yellow wings in his ibis form. “There’s not much to find.”
“You’re certain?” Horus asked. Thoth had never told Horus about the army, after all. Perhaps Isis had told Thoth to keep silent, or she hadn’t even known that Thoth knew, as Horus couldn’t imagine her conferring with Thoth on such a thing. But Horus couldn’t ask Isis, and he hadn’t had the time to chat with Thoth before the they had to depart. There was little value in lying now, but if there was one thing Horus had learned from his mother about some of these ancient gods, it was to never trust them, at least not fully.
“You can’t see it?” Thoth asked. “You should be able to.” There was a challenge in his voice.
“I know they are watching,” Horus replied, which was about all he got from his intuition. It didn’t help that he kept being distracted by his wish that he was at Seth’s side to… ensure what? Seth was Egypt’s strongest fighter. He’d lived for thousands of years more than Horus.
But this whole situation set Horus on edge. “Why did you ask for me for this if you could look at it on your own?” Thoth was fast in his bird form, and they had yet to catch anyone.
“Finding them is not the same as dealing with them,” Thoth replied. “I wanted to ensure that I had someone at my back if I needed it.”
And to stand behind, Horus thought. He is far more ancient even than Seth, and yet he’s ready to let others die for him. He’d heard many of his mother’s tirades about the bird god over the centuries.
“Plus,” Thoth added, “it got you out of the labyrinth, didn’t it? You would have been worse off trapped down in the dark for much longer. Why are you upset?”
“If you’re trying to set Seth up this way, I don’t know how it will work,” Horus noted, not wanting to think about what he’d escaped. “My mother’s magic aided me as much as anything else during the trial.” Without her, much as he disliked the thought and wished to stand on his, he was weaker. “And I don’t know these warriors like she did. They will not listen to me to attack him.” There, his intuition failed him entirely, other than giving him the notion things would work out, somehow.
“They don’t need to listen to you,” Thoth said. “They already have orders. But you’ll need to be here if Seth falls to them.”
“So Maat lied when she said she’d try to keep them out of Egypt?” Horus asked. He didn’t know why Maat and Thoth would go themselves to witness such things, but maybe it was simply to witness. Maybe Thoth and Maat thought they could manipulate these invaders as they manipulated Ra, Isis, and Seth…
“No,” Thoth replied. “Maat will try to get them out of Egypt. A foreign army is the last thing we need right now, even with Seth still in power. But Seth is still volatile. He might not stand by what she says.”
That’s not true, Horus thought. Seth had acted erratically at times, when he was challenged by Horus and Isis, and at the trial, when the other gods were not primed to listen to him anyway, and of course after Osiris, whom he clearly hated, appeared. And then during each match, he was a fierce warrior. But the matches were martial contests, after all. How else was Seth meant to act? Just lay down and accept defeat? It was unlike him.
Seth surrendering would have made it easier for Horus and his allies, but even if Isis imagined it, Horus had never done so.
“He let Maat work after the match,” Horus said as the wind pushed on his wings, and he sent a small tornado to push what he thought was a mortal hiding behind a boulder. There was indeed someone there, dressed in foreign clothes and carrying a bow and arrows, and they ran back towards the shore. “He’s willing to work with people when it’s in his interest.” And it was in Seth’s interest to maintain his power. An invading army would only distract him.
“He’s also a warrior,” Thoth said, flying a short distance away to have a semblance of doing their duty. “And he enjoys sport. Do you think he’ll turn aside fighting with the army for fun?”
“You’re the one who’s been working with him,” Horus replied, sending gusts of wind to more apparent scouts. “You’re the one who’d know.” Horus didn’t like to think about the god who’d been turning humans against Horus in an arena for entertainment enjoying running amok amongst foreign invaders. Horus could easily see the appeal.
Thoth chuckled before saying, “You almost sound jealous.”
Horus frowned. With Thoth’s powers, there was a chance Thoth knew some of what was in his heart, but Thoth had never said anything to Horus directly. And if Thoth had said it to Isis, Horus assumed she’d have challenged Horus about it.
Regardless of his own feelings, what mattered was that Seth not be driven into a corner, if only because that would make everything worse: Seth truly became erratic at such times. And Horus did not think highly of his chances if Seth fell and, while Isis was unconscious, an invading army could wreak havoc in Egypt.
“I’m joking of course,” Thoth said. “This way is clear. We can head back to Seth’s party.”
Horus didn’t breathe a sigh of relief. There was a warning in Thoth’s words, and Horus knew he’d hear more of soon enough.
I am not afraid, Horus thought. I put my all into the matches, and everyone could see it. And I am not ashamed of how I feel.
Seth pulled his sand chariot to a halt, his eyes on the large triremes beached near the shoreline, behind an already set up camp. There were many people scurrying about, mostly in armor, and not all of them looked human. Creatures he didn’t recognize, with blue, red, and green skin, sparked his interest.
It had been some time since he’d fought anything other than humans. Ignoring Horus, of course. And Seth refused to glance behind him to make sure the pigeon wasn’t coming out of nowhere. Seth knew that the whole situation could be another scheme of Thoth’s, to corner Seth against this strange army. But Seth also knew that with only a weak demigod at hand, Thoth would be placing himself in the hands of a foreigner, who would likely not have Egypt’s interests at heart. And Ra wasn’t around to take over once Seth fell. Nor Isis. And Horus didn’t control the army. Anubis, who was traveling with the army now, might help give it to Horus, but so what? The army was still weak. Seth was the real power.
Without me, Seth thought as Maat got off the chariot behind him and stepped onto the ground, and even with Horus and the army, they’d be vulnerable. And they have to know that. Or else they’re fools.
Seth stepped off behind Maat and saw a lone warrior leave the camp and march towards them.
“That is their leader,” Maat said as she and Seth walked forward together. “Thoth described him to me.”
“And you’re ready to send him packing?” Seth asked. He carried his black was staff and walked confidently. The army before him didn’t scare him in the slightest. He was almost grateful to Isis for sending him a proper enemy to deal with. And without Horus and Isis as a distraction, he could focus on it: he was quite ready to form sand constructs to rip the camp apart, as needed. His khopesh alone would wreak havoc on this place.
“Yes,” Maat said, solemnly. “So long as you keep yourself in hand.”
“Being a biddable servant is not going to impress them,” Seth said. They hadn’t talked much in the chariot, and Seth had preferred it that way. He was rather impressed Maat was willing to get in with him, after her fear during the trial. But Maat had noted it meant they’d arrive together, and she could keep an eye on him and what he had planned. “It’s going to make us look weak.”
“Very well,” Maat said. “Do as you must, then. But allow me a chance to try to deter him.”
Seth raised an eyebrow, curious at her willingness to bend. I imagine she just wants this over with, with as little fuss as possible. First she loses her gambit against me, and now she risks foreigners flooding the place. It’s likely frustrating for her. He supposed he should take delight in his enemies suffering, but all of his body was geared towards preparing for a fight.
As they neared, Seth could see more details of the foreign army leader: a tall, bronze-skinned man with long, brown, wavy hair, dark eyes, and a red cloak. He wore golden armor and a white skirt, and showed off his muscles as he moved. He walked casually, but was clearly a trained warrior, and a god, too, though Seth didn’t recognize which.
A small group of soldiers formed up at a distance behind him.
They’re ready for a fight now, Seth thought as he and Maat drew close. But this man isn’t afraid of fighting. He supposed foreign gods were arrogant. Or he doesn’t think we’re a threat. No letters had been sent in advance of their coming. Seth was just prepared to confront whoever they got to.
They came to a stop only a short distance from each other, where they were near enough to avoid not having to shout.
Seth disliked the look the man gave both of them. It was rather lascivious.
“Greetings!” the foreign god said with a smirk. “Are you the welcoming party?”
“We are here to tell you that your contract with Isis cannot be completed,” Maat said. “She’s not in a position to give you what you seek.”
The foreign god’s eyebrows rose. “Really? What happened to her?” He looked at Seth thoughtfully, as if Seth was hiding a whole goddess under his black shendyt.
“That’s not your concern,” Maat said.
“Now you’ve just made me more curious,” the foreign god said. When Maat didn’t reply, he asked, “We came here for war. Perhaps Isis is busy, but I do not know you,” he pointed to Maat, “and you,” he gestured to Seth, “seem to resemble my target.” He smirked.
Of course Isis would tell them who to look for, Seth thought, unperturbed. “So will you attack now?” He itched for a fight. And given Horus was not here and Thoth and Maat were purportedly helping him, well…
The foreign god gave him a thoughtful look, as if he was considering it, before replying, “She told me you were a wild animal and that I should attack before you did. Yet here you stand… oddly calm.”
Seth rolled his eyes. Of course Isis would say that. Seth had hounded her for centuries, and his followers had worked much havoc on Isis’. But it wasn’t like Seth killed everyone he came across.
The foreign god shrugged. “Regardless, I will not renege on a deal.”
“And if I kill you and annihilate all your ships?” Seth asked, making the foreign god study him. “Is that worth believing that Maat is lying?”
The foreign god’s eyebrows rose again, and then he smirked. “It’s an intriguing threat, if nothing else. And fighting you would still accomplish my mission.”
Seth had faced many commanders over the centuries, many of whom were from foreign lands. This one was no different. They all felt that Seth and his forces were weak and would fall easily at the slightest pressure. And Seth always proved them wrong.
Wind whispered around him.
Seth didn’t glance back when he smelled Horus and Thoth approaching. If they were planning to attack, this was the time…
The foreign god looked up and asked, “Reinforcements? So few, though.”
“I felt no need to bring my whole army just to tell you to leave,” Seth said. “Especially when I can handle you all myself.” It was arrogant, but not wrong. This stranger didn’t intimidate him in the slightest.
Horus and Thoth landed on the sand nearby, and walked slowly up to Maat and Seth.
“Uncle,” Horus said as he drew nearer. “We got rid of their scouts.”
Seth made a quiet noise that he’d heard, but didn’t take his eyes off the foreign god.
“You’re Isis’ son,” the foreign god said as he studied Horus. “She showed me images of you, so I’d know you.”
To take his orders? Seth thought.
But Horus didn’t reply.
The foreign god glanced at Seth and then back at Horus. “Where is your mother, Horus?”
“Not here,” Horus said. “She cannot conclude your bargain. And as her son, I would end it, as the bargain was made on my behalf.”
Seth kept his expression cool. He didn’t know why Horus was acting this way, but Seth was willing to see it out. Perhaps he’s not entirely useless as a servant.
The foreign god grinned. “Well, now, that’s interesting…” He glanced around. “Such a waste, though. This land is beautiful, and the immortals here are so fascinating.” He made a considering noise and said, “I’d like to explore, even if we don’t go forward with the invasion.”
Seth reached his power into the ground, ready to strike. He didn’t know this god’s powerset, so killing him as quickly as possible would likely be important…
“You want answers about your destiny,” Thoth said as he stepped forward beside Maat. “I can give them to you.” He smiled. “But in exchange, you and your army must depart. For good.”
The foreign god’s eyebrows rose. “You really want us gone, huh?”
“I’d rather not clean your wreckage from my shore if I had to,” Seth said. Destiny? What destiny?
The foreign god laughed before turning to Thoth. “Okay, color me impressed. What’s this about my destiny?”
Seth and Horus stood together and watched from a distance as Thoth, Maat, and the foreign god talked.
“You can hear them?” Seth asked. His sense of smell was strong, along with his hearing, but he couldn’t hear everything being said, just most of it.
Horus nodded. “They aren’t elaborating on a lot of detail, but clearly Thoth and Maat know much about him.”
Seth scoffed, and resisted the urge to walk over. “Thoth was able to sweettalk Ra about my parents. It’s no surprise.” He had little guarantee Thoth and Maat weren’t somehow convincing the stranger to set up a later invasion, though that was foolish: it would have been more sensible to just let this go forward as planned, if they wanted.
So he had to rely on what he heard and believe they were doing as they’d said: just trying to get rid of the army.
Horus looked at Seth, but Seth ignored him. For now, at least, the bird wasn’t attacking.
“Would you really be able to destroy them?” Horus asked.
“Of course,” Seth replied with a grin. “This is nothing. And they’re likely tired from the trip here, anyway. They’d be weak.” He could shove them into the sea to drown. Tear their boats down to use as weapons. Send an army of sand warriors in amongst them to cause havoc. There were any number of things he could do.
“Mother must have thought you’d be distracted by the trial,” Horus said as he looked over the camp. “That it would split your concentration… Or that she could use it against you, perhaps with me.”
“It’s likely,” Seth said. He finally looked at Horus, irritated once more that the demigod was taller than him, just like Osiris. “So you really persist in the idea that you had nothing to do with this?” The foreign god seemed to confirm it, as he’d indicated Isis had merely told him about Horus rather than introduced him, but still… Horus made it sound like he knew about it in advance, even if he hadn’t done the negotiations himself, or even just overseen them.
“I had nothing to do with this,” Horus insisted, meeting Seth’s gaze with his cool one. “I would have been against the idea if she’d told me. This… is not what this country needs.” He gestured to the ships. “Not now.”
And how would you change it? Seth thought. You’re not the god your father is. You don’t even have Isis’ abilities. “Even when you stand as my servant?” Seth asked aloud with a sneer. “You could command them now, if you wanted.” Horus had to know he was likely bound for the labyrinth again, once they returned to Heliopolis. Why not take the risk?
Osiris would, Seth thought.
“And when they learn that I lost to you?” Horus asked. “That your son has an important position in the army? They’d abandon me in a heartbeat.”
“At least you’re not a complete fool,” Seth commented. But as he turned to gaze at the three negotiating gods, he couldn’t help but wonder just what Isis had really planned for this army presumably succeeding. She must have thought she could manage them… perhaps with Ra’s backing. But he wondered at the idea that Ra would have ever agreed to such a thing. It seemed unlikely.
He thought of the first match, and how Isis had manipulated the water. Would she have used drowning as a threat? Killed them all before they could reach their ships? It was a risky business, at best. An act of desperation, if anything.
If we’d worked together, Seth thought, she wouldn’t have been so desperate.
Finally, the foreign god returned to his camp, and Maat and Thoth walked back over to Seth and Horus.
“He will depart,” Maat said. “And take his army with him.”
Seth watched the camp. “So easily?”
“He said he had what he wanted,” Thoth replied. He studied Seth before saying, “Though you could try chasing after him in the water, if you wish.”
Seth didn’t bother acknowledging the jab as he replied, “We’ll watch to make sure they leave. If they don’t, I’ll do as I said and destroy the whole camp.”
“Excellent!” Thoth said as he clapped his hands and smiled. “We appreciate you being so cooperative, Seth!”
“I didn’t win all the wars I fought through force,” Seth replied. Isis had negotiated plenty of them.
“I appreciate your willingness to negotiate, Uncle,” Horus said as he bowed his head. “It speaks well of you.”
Seth rolled his eyes. “It saves me time, that’s all.” After dealing with tricks from Horus and Isis, though he trusted his own abilities and his khopesh for this, he was wary of fighting foreign immortals here. They might endanger his ability to return to Nephthys and ensure whatever spell was on her was broken.
Horus smiled at him, which was weird. Seth would rather the demigod glared.
Seth turned away and summoned his chariot. One problem solved, at least, he thought.