The army now exceeded over three hundred thousand. Men and women who will willingly give their lives for the Pharaoh. The thought actually scared him. He hadn't wanted to be king. This was supposed to be his brother. Yet men and women alike were all willing to lay down their lives for an unwilling Pharaoh.

Ahkmenrah grimaced inwardly as he looked at all the troops lined up before him. All in the leather armour of the imperial army. He looked at their brave faces, so full of love for their Pharaoh. No not just for the Pharaoh. He often saw such an emotion when Kahmunrah walked into a room, a battlefield...anything. He held a certain majestic regal air to him, a kind that you can never deny nor acquire. Not even if you imitate Kahmunrah's actions perfectly would you be able to hold the same regal air. It was kind of air that was always there. In darkness or light. Just like the moon. Unchanging under changing conditions

And Sabra. She had been able to whip these people in shape. It was a long arduous job but in a matter of six days a band of willing farmers had become a band of fearless warriors. It had taken a toll on her body and mind, but she had done it. Though the training could be attributed to all four of them, (Kain, Sabra, Kahmunrah and himself) Ahkmenrah knew Sabra had put all she had in training these people. Therefore she deserved the most credit.

And it saddened him, to think all these people; all this effort and courage would be for a cause already lost before it had even begun. They will lose this war. But worse things will happen if they didn't try. So he put on a brave face and smiled. But Kahmunrah, who stood beside him as they inspected the army, knew that this smile was a sad one. The brave smile. The smile that Kahmunrah had never wanted to see.

Because this meant that Ahkmenrah had lost faith. That was the worst thing that could happen at the moment. Because even though Kahmunrah knew they would lose the war, he didn't want Ahkmenrah to believe so. He wanted his brother to be happy. He wanted his brother to believe they can do this. Because if Ahkmenrah believed this was so Kahmunrah would already be half there.

So after the inspection Kahmunrah pulled him aside. He wanted to start off with a joke. Something that would lighten the mood. But between the two of them he was never the comical one. That was Ahkmenrah's job. So the joke died in his throat and he said grimly:

"You don't believe we can do this can you, little brother?"

"Who said that?"

"Ahk I've known you for sixteen years. I know when you're feeling...." He couldn't find the right word "...down"

"Down?" asked Ahkmenrah quirking his eyebrow. "I think my feelings are a lot worse than..."

"So you agree?" Asked the older brother cutting him off. "You agree that you think we can't do this."

"Yes alright. I admit it. I agree. I have no faith in this cause. And frankly Kahmun, its scaring me. I don't know what to do. These people they're going to die. Protecting us. How can I have faith?"

Kahmunrah didn't know how he managed to say the next words. Or where they came from. Because when he spoke he felt like his father. No he felt like a God.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark. "

"So you're telling me to go with it. Close my eyes and believe it will all be alright."

"I think that sums it up pretty well."

"Alright Kahmun. I'll try."

With that Kahmunrah put his arms around him in bear hug. Ahkmenrah only managed to squeak out:

"Ribs!!"

Laughing Kahmunrah pulled away.

"You've gotten stronger" remarked Ahkmenrah in mock bitterness.

It's because of the Tablet Kahmunrah wanted to say. But he didn't. Because it would only serve as a reminder that Ahkmenrah wasn't meant to do this job. That was the last thing they needed.

But the look in their eyes was unmistakable. There was a gleam of faith in both of their eyes. Just a gleam.

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This very sword had taken thousands of lives. This very sword will now take another thousand. She unsheathed it. The curved blade smiling at her. Her face was stone. She sheathed her sword.

Slowly she emerged from her tent. The outside of Ineb-Hedg was an array of tents: red, gold, blue and silver. Far out the horizon Sabra could see a dark ominous line. Sargon's army.

The line was getting closer. They will arrive at a good distance by nightfall rest then attack. Half the Egyptian army will keep guard at night in case of surprise attacks. But today was a day of rest and prayer.

Sabra may not believe in the Egyptian deities but she too sent a prayer of her own as she look at the merciless blue sky. The sun searing through her clothes and blinding her eyes.

Dear Lord, give me strength tomorrow. Give me courage. Give us all strength and courage. But all is in your hands. Amen.

With that she walked forward, through men and women alike. They all gave her a salute. For the youngest she was a mother, for the veterans she was a daughter and for those of her age she was a sister.

She had no idea where she was going. But she walked. She found herself in front of Kain.

"Are you alright Sabra?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Your thinking back to then aren't you? Whatever happened is in the past you know. We can't change it."

"I'm not stupid Kain. I know we can't change it. But what if we lose?"

"We won't. Have faith Sabra."

"But don't you remember?" she persisted. "They all died. Our whole clan Kain. They were family."

"I know but sometimes you have to let it go."

Let it go.

That was something she would never do. Because quite simply she didn't know how to. She wasn't sure she ever would.

"Kain did you cope? You know with Nailah?"

"To be perfectly honest Sabra. I haven't had much time to think about it. But when I do. I always remember the promise we made to each other on the banks of the Nile."

Sabra didn't ask for an explanation on what the promise was. But she could see all the pent up hurt and anger in him. She could feel it burning in her as well. She wanted to scream it out to the world. She wanted to scream and cry for both him and her. His pain was hers, her pain was his. They were forever entwined. Sabra felt a surge if love for her brother in arms.

So she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his armoured chest. His arms snaked around her waist. For a moment she felt complete in his arms. What ever pain there was she will help him carry it.

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Hey guys how was it?!

I am super sorry for making you wait so long. But I hope the chapter was satisfactory. Please tell me what you think and how think the story should go. Feel free to ask any questions.

I'll try updating more regularly, mayber every Wednesday starting next week.

Love you all! And thank you for 14 K!!