Asten laughed. Conformity and meeting the expectations of others does not suit me. I was saddened at the death of our teacher, but I did not blame myself like Amon did.
“Then why do you still serve Egypt? You seem to love life and living too much to settle for thousands of years wandering the afterlife. Why don’t you give it up?”
There was no response for a moment, and I was about to repeat the question when Asten answered.
I have considered it. In fact, it is the one thing that occupies my mind the most during my thousand-year sojourns. Well, that and imagining all the women prepared to give me a hero’s welcome when I rise. But even though I can list hundreds of reasons to abandon my call, there is one very pressing reason why I keep doing it millennium after millennium.
“And what reason is that?”
The great bird tilted his head to gaze at the golden falcon trailing just behind us. His wings lifted and he soared slowly until the falcon caught up.
I love my brothers.
Asten’s declaration was quiet but held undertones of a passionate dedication that gave me insight into the man he was.
It’s as simple as that. I would not abandon them for all the nubile women in the world. Present company excluded, of course. If you agreed to fly off with me into the sunset, I’d abandon them in a heartbeat.
Patting his downy neck, I wondered, and not for the first time, what kind of a bird he was; I’d never seen one like him before. With a smile, I said, “No. You wouldn’t.”
For your information, I am a starlit ibis—a very rare and beautiful creature. As to your comment, give me the option, princess.
“You don’t need one. Speaking of which, were there any? Princesses, I mean?”
Are you inquiring if I am available to woo?
I rolled my eyes. “I’m just curious to know what would have happened if you hadn’t become demigods. I assume Amon is the eldest, so he would have married first, right?”
What makes you think he is the eldest?
“I don’t know. I guess because he rose first.”
He is not the eldest. Ahmose beat him by a few minutes, and I trailed behind by an hour or two.
“Wait. Are you saying you’re triplets?”
What is a triplet?
“It’s when three babies are born at the same time to the same mother.”
Ah. I understand your confusion. We do not have the same mother.
“So…your father had mistresses? Concubines?” I added for clarity.
No. My father loved my mother and her alone.
“Then I really don’t understand. How can you be brothers when you have different mothers?”
Our parents conceived us when they began worshipping Seth. We were born on the same day, each in our own kingdom. Because we were considered a gift of the gods, we were reared as brothers with the hope that we would unite all of Egypt under one ruler.
We took turns living in each kingdom. If blood had brought us together as true brothers, we could not have been any closer than we were. Since we were each, in essence, heir to our own kingdom, there was no jealousy or animosity among us.
“It sounds like a nice way to grow up.”
There could not have been a childhood more delightful and happy than the one I had. Now then, I have told you somewhat of my upbringing, so perhaps you can distract me with some tales of your own.
“Oh, I don’t think you’ll find my childhood very interesting.”
On the contrary, I find you very interesting.
“As a person or as a female?”
Can I not be interested in both?
“I suppose. What do you want to know?”
Why not start by telling me your greatest wish?
I laughed. “Why? Are you a genie who will grant me three wishes?”
You mock me, princess. I do have the ability to access the magic that flows between the stars, which is no trifling thing. Come. Tell me what your heart wishes for and I will fly to the farthest star to bring it back to you.