When for three days Alexandros didn't visit Inanna and she very fortunately shoved away the ugly chance of them facing each other, one would assume her to have been fine. But luck wasn't on the good side of Inanna. By every means, Isis was in no mood to provide the mage peace.

Each time Inanna saw a spirit, she could feel the poisonous bite of a scorpion mix in with her healthy blood. Three days she had begged for some rest, for recuperating from the wounds of losing to be a Dreamer. It was only a little bargain. Perhaps Thoth could have given her a triple good night sleep, but he didn't want to gamble with Khonsu to provide her with harmony. What Inanna received were incessant cries from the land of afterlife and unwelcomed visits from the dead.

Inanna sat on the threshold of her cottage, watching the villagers and the medjay pass by. They were all working and finishing their last tasks before dusk. They were never in such a merry hurry before, but she was too tired to question why. She observed the smiling children with their lock of youth dangling like thick climbers from a tree of onyx-dipped midnight, pretty girls bathing under the sunshine and muscular medjay polishing their weapons. She didn't notice Alexandros anywhere. Maybe he was out in the excavation site with another team. Bergin was always accompanying him nowadays, while poor Ishtar had the boring life of keeping records. But the latter had some advantages too; Ishtar could collect information to be sent to Master Hor-Aha, and of course, could do what she did the best– flirt with the men. She was a charmer in and out.

"Lady Inanna?"

A chirpy voice brought her out of reverie. It was a child, maybe aged between four and five, wearing nothing and blissfully naked. Inanna pulled the boy closer. "Yes, my boy?"

"I have got a cat. A black one, very shiny." The boy roughly estimated with his pinkish hands the size of the feline creature. "She has got a cut while playing in the woods. Can you heal her?"

"Absolutely. Nothing to worry about."

Cats were symbols of prosperity and divinity. Having one as a pet, or being good friends with them was seen as a blessing. They were considered no lesser to human life and so very revered. Inanna was glad to be of service to lives other than humans, and so brought out her bag. "Where is your cat?"

The boy gestured her to follow him. His small feet ran, but to Inanna those steps were so short that she merely sauntered behind him. The boy stopped at a gathering of children. They parted ways upon seeing him, as if he were their chosen leader. Inanna came to the centre too, and noticed a cat with a hurt leg.

She knelt beside the creature. It cowered at the sight of a stranger, but Inanna hummed in a baby voice, calling it closer. Gentle caresses and affirmations calmed down the cat. Its yellow orbs scintillated, looking up at Inanna in a daze. She scooped the cat on her lap, admiring its black fur and giving it a few kisses.

Taking out a mortar and pestle, she instructed the boy to crush some herbs to a paste while she handled the cat. The little beauty was curious too, peeking from her lap towards what the boy was doing. When the paste was ready, Inanna applied it on the scar and then bandaged it, attaching a strip of wood to ensure the leg wouldn't move too much. The cat licked her palm, brushing against her belly to show gratitude.

The girls and boys looked at the mage in awe. "Here," Inanna handed the cat to the boy, "make sure she doesn't play too much. She needs to rest for a week, and the scar will also go away. I will come each day and check on her."

"Thank you, Lady Inanna," said all the children in unison.

"Welcome, little ones. May I know each of your names?"

The boy introduced himself as Abanoub, and his friends were named Dina, Osnat, Hruod... Inanna memorised the dozen names, bid them goodbye and went on her way. Before going to her cottage, she decided to go and relax near the lake.

Inanna was happy to see that it was deserted. There were a few ladies on the opposite bank, but they left soon. The waters reflected the blue of Nut, quickly changing into a myriad of shades as a callow twilight swept the village. Trees whispered in the language of breeze, a phalanx of flies buzzing near the budding fruits. Fishes swum in the middle of the lake, making concentric waves with their graceful movements. It was as if a dance had commenced at the precipice of sunset. The red sky draped Inanna too in a warm hug, and she closed her eyes, breathing in a sap-sweet fragrance.

This was a moment she stole from her chaotic life to smile for once, and for herself. The figure of the cat floated in her vision.

"Maybe life as a healer isn't too bad." She drew shapes upon the sand, wriggling her toes at the ticklish touch of leafy bushes. "But it's so bad knowing I have no magic left–"

Wait, I do. Just a kind of magic I don't want.

Inanna loved ambitions but also security. Coupled with her stubbornness, she spent all her life, until recently, believing herself to be a Dreamer. Necromancy was something too far from her reach, and if she was being honest, as deadly as the dead it worked with.

It was a gamble of life and death. Inanna didn't want to be squeezed in between.

"At least I am not a mage and so won't be in trouble if the plague–" Crap, I am a mage. And what? A Necromancer?

I have to come to terms with it. I will have to.

"You are too full of fears."

It wasn't her inner voice speaking, but of some outsider. She turned to see a woman. The lady had a head full of thick curls and balanced a pitcher on her hips. She came and sat beside Inanna. "So full of fears that you miss the adventure of life."

Inanna had not seen this woman before. Maybe she was one of the villagers. "I am." She nervously chuckled. "Can you read minds?"

"Some call me a mind reader, yes."

The woman's eyes were otherworldly. They sparkled like honeyed stars and shone like a thousand suns. Her skin was the colour of walnuts and looked so smooth and unblemished. Much like Inanna's.

"You think this is the end?" The lady giggled. "It's not, dear one. It's only the beginning."

"Should I be afraid?"

"A man can be afraid of so many things. He can be afraid of dying in sleep, in waking up with no memories. He can be afraid of barking dogs to raging storms. If you ask me, one can be scared of anything and everything." The woman paused to pluck a wildflower, pinning it to her bushy hair. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Inanna. Accept it. Accept where life has taken you. What you didn't want to be is now your identity."

Inanna yelped. "You...you know?"

She smiled. "I have eyes and ears, and most importantly, a heart."

As soon as those words slipped out, her bosom glowed and from within the mounds of flesh came a translucent image of the glorious heart. A golden aura surrounded the woman, her outline growing fainter every moment.

"My soul loves you, Inanna. You have a fate you don't know, but I do." Her phantom caress showered affection. "You are a part of me, Inanna."

With this declaration, she vanished. Like she never even existed.

"But you once lived," Inanna murmured. "And souls live forever."

****

When Inanna came out of her house at night, she was surprised to see a celebration running.

Under the star-studded sky, the village came alive. Men and women sat on woven mats, sipping beer and having spiced snacks. Children were adorned with gemstones and rich muslin clothing. Perhaps those were the only set each had for such a special occasion. Inanna tapped her skirt to even out the creases and adjusted the straps on her breasts. She didn't really dress up for the celebration, unlike all. Well, nobody had told her.

"There you are, Inanna!" The resplendent voice of Ishtar caused relief to wash over Inanna. "Come," she pulled at the mage's hand, "we will go sit by the bonfire."

Ishtar took a quick look of Inanna's dress and twisted her lips. "I did not know about the celebration," Inanna said.

"Alexandros should have told you. But he didn't." Ishtar blew a tress off her face. "Come on, this will do. You look delicious anyways."

"How are your days with the medjay going?"

Ishtar blushed. "They have come to like me. Some are trying to make moves, but I am playing dumb for fun."

"You are..." Inanna chuckled. "Don't get your heart broken later, Ishtar. Don't get their curses."

"I don't care about men's curses. They are futile."

Inanna and Ishtar reached the main spot of the party. Around the bonfire were gathered the medjay along with Bergin and some other villagers. Inanna relaxed in a vacant spot, while Ishtar fitted herself between two medjay officials. Inanna suppressed a grin. Her eyes darted across the crowd, and as it would have, landed on Alexandros.

She found him already staring at her. Behind the crackling sparks of the fire, his crimson eyes glinted. They looked so godly and frightening, as if capable of uprooting villages. As if the plague were inside him too.

The thought made her shiver. She averted her gaze, feigning to be engrossed in the talks of Ishtar. But she could feel the burning eyes of Alexandros still on her.

Distracting them all came a bunch of dancers, all village ladies. Accompanying the beautiful maidens were men with musical instruments. Everyone cheered them, and a dance ensued. The girls swayed their hips and clapped to the rhythmic tune of lutes and the tinkling of oud strings. Drums added a strong thud to the tapping feet. The medjay's strong exterior melted and they began to laugh along under the effects of wine and music.

Inanna was mesmerised by the patterns of the women's outfits and their graceful moves. They floated as if birds above clouds. The men circled in and out of the formation, never missing a beat of the drum. The dancers one by one pulled someone from the spectators to join. The medjay looked very stupid, although Ishtar encouraged them to mimic the steps of the women. Inanna found the whole interaction rather cute. Then came the time of Inanna. She wasn't jittery but quite the contrary. Throwing up her hands in the air, she swiveled her hips and sang along.

So into the joy that she didn't realise whom she bumped into while dancing. She turned around with a smile and almost flung her arms around the stranger, only to find it to be Alexandros.

Instantly, she froze.

But Alexandros wasn't one to back down. He took her body, and like a master, guided her to the melody. His arms held her by the waist, drawing her closer to his hardened chest. Inanna felt the hotness of his skin, sizzling and wrathful. She didn't know if his look was meant to burn her in lust or rage. Arms hanging on his torso, she followed him like a puppet in the hands of a puppeteer. Only when the music ended did he free her. She cleared her throat and bowed. "Thank you for the dance."

He didn't reply. Something was out of place, and it had come to his notice. Thus, he ran his fingers over the delicate strap keeping her soft moulds in place, very carefully adjusting the fabric that was slipping down her shoulder. A coldness slithered down Inanna's spine. His touch lingered so close to her sensitive parts.

"Be careful," he said with a smirk.

Inanna was horrified by the looks the others gave her. Those juicy, interested glances, eager to gossip and make stories perturbed her. She ran off, going wherever her mind wandered.

After what seemed an eternity long, she stopped to catch a breath. In front of her were a bunch of big rocks. Panting, she went and rested over one.

The mind kept going back to the minuscule moment when his fingers grazed her bosom. It was scandalous. And she could do nothing.

Steam emanated out of her ears. She sweated profusely. It was night, but to Inanna it felt as if she were just a few hands away from the sun. The face of Alexandros swum across her periphery. Shutting her eyes, she imagined him, and when wide open, she thought of his touch.

"It's strange." She massaged her neck. "Why does he keep coming close?"

"Maybe because he wants you."

The suddenness made Inanna yelp, and the speaker too. She found a man, draped in rainbow patchwork robe sitting beside her. He carried a harp. "You startled me, Inanna!"

"You..." Who is he? "You too!"

"Hmph!" He scoffed. "Girls of this age. You run from love. And then cry when you die with barren wombs."

"Mind your words."

The man raised a brow. "Or should you check your heartbeat?" he sibilated. "You are affected by him. Accept it."

Inanna balled her hands into fists. "It's merely a touch. It is natural to react like this."

"You try to feel disgust, but it doesn't knock your door. Your core is hot."

"It isn't."

"It is. I know."

She squinted. "Did you touch me?"

"No." He snickered. "I need not. I am not yours. He is. He will touch you. And you will touch him."

"I am not here for matchmaking games." Inanna was to get up, but the man yanked her back. "Leave my hand!"

"Hush, sweet lily." He struck the strings of the harp. "Don't run away. Running won't help you. Why, is passion a sin? Is feeling warm a sin? It's only a part of life! Perhaps, it's so shocking that it's you and him, but if it is, it is!"

His words rang in her ears. The man continued, "If you have tasted death, Inanna, now you must taste love too."

Taken aback by the haunting wisdom, she almost fell back from the rock. She sealed her eyes and screamed, only to feel a pair of arms balance her. They helped her stand.

She turned to see the rainbow-shrouded man smiling. And then she saw her saviour.

Alexandros.

"Do you keep following me?"

He grunted. "I can't help it if you end up being in the same places I wish to go."

"Nonsense." She exchanged a glance between the two men, but soon realised that Alexandros wasn't able to see him.

That only means–

"I guess after you hit your head, you have become a lunatic. You speak all alone and utter gibberish."

– it is a spirit.

Inanna pushed Alexandros. "I can do whatever I want!" She ran back to the village.

Alexandros heaved a sigh. Looking around, his vigilant self ensured nobody else was present. The spirit then stood before him, peering straight into his soul.

"Alexandros," he whispered, "half of your heart, your Ka."

The Head of Medjay shook his head. "I cannot."

The man's voice lowered to a soft shrill. "Why?"

"I..." Alexandros' eyes watered. "It costs a lot."

"Love costs, Alexandros!" The man thumped his foot. "You have to."

"Not when it costs the holder of my Ka," he hissed, and just like Inanna, stormed off.

The spirit counted the stars, murmuring a prayer to the ancient lords. "A crimson-eyed man, carrying half a heart, and a lost mage, dwelling on another's Ka."

And poof! He merged with the sandy winds of the desert.