It is often the case that a man gets what he wants when he doesn't desire it anymore. It was what was happening to Inanna.

When the last days she begged to fall asleep in peace without the interference of spirits, she wasn't granted the opportunity. Now when she didn't wish to sleep, her eyelids drooped and she was sucked into unconsciousness.

Waking up at dawn, she was displeased by the way her life had turned out to be. Earlier she was far from seeing dreams, and now when they came, they always had Alexandros in it. Either they were conversing on the banks of that lake, or collecting herbs from the bushes. Sometimes the dreams went as far as pushing them towards heated proximity– their water-glazed bodies, under the mild fragrance of a dusk, coming closer for a kiss that she never got to see. Yet when she woke up sweating, she could feel the faint feathery bliss on her lips. Her thighs would be a little wet, sensations of intimacy lingering in the initial moments of the day.

It was as if she already knew the curve of his hip-bone, the hardness of his chest or the valley of hair that began above his manhood, just from the dreams. She had never explored him in tangible reality. But still she knew so much about him. Perhaps he knew a lot about her too.

Inanna dreaded going back to the excavations. Not only because she was a Necromancer in the making, but also for the fact that Alexandros haunted her in the most beautiful ways possible, making her heart thud wildly. Morning routines were carried out in a rush and meals eaten half-heartedly. Her mind was somewhere else all the time.

Looking herself at the mirror, Inanna unwittingly compared her skin to that of Ishtar. Her friend was fairer while she was more sandy. There was more hair on her body, starting from bushy brows to the sweet forest hiding a woman's lotus. Ishtar was like a statue, an unreachable imagination of beauty.

Inanna's eyes dipped in sorrow as she caressed the line of hair running down from the embrace of her breasts till the end of her womanhood. Was it a good thing to have or a bad thing?

"Why does it even disturb me?" Inanna heaved a sigh. "I need not be pretty as her. I am fine by myself."

But the medjay like her more.

No, they shouldn't like me. It will invite more trouble.

Flashbacks of Ishtar's dream came sprinting. Her friend was fantasizing about the Head of Medjay.

"She does think about every random man." Inanna tucked in the skirt inside her belt. "I shouldn't be thinking about these."

It was a treacherous bee that had stung her heart. Swollen with unrecognisable emotions, Inanna failed to discern her own feelings.

"I must return to the team. Otherwise they will suspect me of hiding secrets. Fleeing isn't a choice."

Maintaining punctuality, Inanna reached the meeting spot of the medjay and mages. Her friends Ishtar and Bergin were also present and waved at her. Bergin was busy talking with the medjay so didn't come to her side, but Ishtar inquired about her health.

"The wound wasn't deep, thank goodness." Ishtar ran a finger over the scar. "You had a dream or what?"

Ishtar's questioning gaze toppled Inanna. She gulped. "I lied to Eman about it. So that she doesn't–"

"I get it, yes." Ishtar said. "You aren't so much of a fool. But then, how did you get hurt?"

"I was feeling low mentally. It was dark and, let's say, I wasn't feeling the best about the whole magic thing. Fears engulfed me. You know our present state."

Ishtar pursed her lips. "Yes..."

"I wanted to drink some water but the jug slipped out of my hands. And then I slipped."

"Alexandros was very unhappy when he got to know you were hurt. The medjay told me his mood was sour the next day."

Inanna's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes. He has brought us and is responsible for our well-being. And he doesn't know who we actually are." Ishtar raised her brows. "So yes, he was worried if something bad happened to you. Even when Grandma Eman assured him it was a minor accident, he was being grumpy all day. Some of the medjay got smacked as a result."

"I-I see." Inanna's breaths were hitched. "I am fine now. I will get back to work."

"Better do. Because lover boy seems to get pissed off when you aren't." Ishtar winked. "Don't tell me you don't get it how he looks at you–"

Before Inanna could protest, their conversation was halted by an approaching Alexandros. Ishtar suppressed a grin, following the way Inanna fidgeted with the pleats of her skirt.

"How are you?" he asked.

Inanna refused to look into his crimson pupils. But instead of just being oblivious, her eyes fixated on his toned chest. She was touching him in the dream, laying her head on his chest. And he was cupping my back.

"I asked, how are you?" His husky voice was laden with a stern authority.

"I am alright," Inanna replied meekly.

Alexandros' thumb reached for her forehead, stopping for a few seconds before initiating contact, as if waiting for consent. Inanna looked down at her dusty feet. His larynx bobbed. Carefully, he traced the wound. "Nothing a healer can't handle. We warriors get hurt worse." Inanna frowned, and his hand fell back to the side, balled into a fist. "Get into the carriage. We will be going a little far today."

"I won't travel with another medjay."

Alexandros scoffed. "Bergin."

Inanna flushed scarlet. "Oh. Then I have no problem–"

"Bergin won't travel with you," Alexandros said. "You will travel with Aswad. Remember that it's me whose word is followed, not yours."

"But–"

"Your behaviour shows you doubt my men to be lecherous. Do you have any proof?"

"No..." I wish I could say they are your men. Which is why... nevermind.

"Then do not be stupid. I don't discriminate between genders when deciding justice. If my men have done nothing wrong, you should have no issue being with them. Your friend Ishtar does, and I see she is already blending well with the lot."

"Oh they are very friendly and polite," Ishtar added, sprinkling salt over Inanna's gaping anger. "Inanna is introverted, so it can be too much for her sometimes."

"Introverted?" Alexandros wheezed. "Never heard a lady of love–" He bit his tongue. "Pardon me, Inanna. You are a healer."

His mischievous smile was so cruel yet contagious that Inanna was unable to retort. As he left away humming, Ishtar went back to her cottage to sort through the records, while Inanna got into her assigned carriage.

Aswad was already present there. He was bald like Bergin and very dark like charred wood. His eyes were warm and he gave a short bow when Inanna entered the carriage. "Greetings to the healer. My name is Aswad."

He was a short man, unlike Alexandros, but had broad shoulders and large feet. "I know your name is Inanna, but I was yet to do my introduction."

"Yes. Nice to meet you."

The carriage rolled on, and the party set off for the destination. There was nothing to start a conversation about, but Aswad struck in with a caring gesture. "I heard you were wounded, and I see the scar too. Please remember to look after yourself while treating us. My friend, Azibo, the one who got hurt during the last excavation is now fit as a fiddle. No infection."

Inanna smiled. "I am glad I could be of help."

"My friend and leader, Alexandros, was very upset. He regards you high."

Inanna almost choked. "What?" Am I dreaming?

Aswad was puzzled. "Yes? It's obvious. He was very angry, as if it were us who had hurt you." Aswad chuckled. "Our leader is hot-tempered."

"That I already know. I have got a taste of it myself."

"Really?"

"Yes. Which is why when you tell me that he considers me special, it feels silly."

"Oh no," he dismissed her words with a shake of his head, "he being rude to you doesn't mean he hates you. Tough life he has. Very tough. And so much pressure. Very risky. So he can be like that. And ends up pouring it all on his closest ones. I have endured it myself."

"That's a bad habit."

"I know!" Aswad puckered. "He does seem sorry for it. Complicated man. But we all have our faults. None is perfect."

Inanna twiddled with her jade pendant. "Perfect doesn't exist." She sighed. "I only see imperfections, so much that it ruins the pleasantness."

"You don't like leader?"

Inanna clenched her jaws. "No, not that! I...I mean to say–"

"He can be unlikeable," Aswad said. "You don't need to lie to me. Be frank."

"Why should I be frank to you?"

"Well, because I am the bestest companion of Alexandros, and for him to place us in the same carriage means he wants to welcome you in the circle slowly."

"It can also be him trying to keep an eye on me..."

"He could have used the more brutal men for that. Not an incessant babbler like me."

Seems like you do talk a a lot. Inanna crossed her arms. "So you want to be friends?"

"Because I think we have a common friend. Or at least you will soon become a common friend through Alexandros. Why not then be on amicable terms?"

Inanna swung her legs. His bright, innocent eyes and bubbly attitude made Inanna feel comfortable, so she took a chance. "I will be a friend in one condition– you will allow me to dislike Alexandros as long as I want."

Aswad broke into a hearty laugh. "All good, all good." He clapped and quivered like a funny twig. "You have a little bit of his bitterness. Two sides of the same coin!"

****

This time, they were investigating burials of some common folk. Permission was taken from their families. They didn't have any choice to prohibit the medjay, given that the medjay wielded enormous power and the graves were already suspected to be tampered with. Signs of digging and trails of foot prints pointed to the strength of the theory.

Inanna was worried if Necromancers truly were behind the plague. Stealing hearts from mummies wasn't a good deed. The soul required the heart to journey to afterlife and continue with reincarnation. To stop them from it was not just deadly and audacious, but could have worse long-term effects on humanity.

She knew her mages from the guild being as taintless as marble. They put their lives at stake to provide reasonable service to the poor public. Why would someone from her guild play with the will of Life and Death? Then, she also wasn't sure if ordinary people practised magic outside of her guild. To Inanna, Master Hor-Aha was the only known seer of magic.

As the medjay unearthed the graves, Inanna sat over a boulder and sipped water from a leather pouch. It was hot and humid. She was sure some of the men would be exhausted by the end, and she mentally jotted down the recipes required to boost energy. Heat strokes could be fatal.

It reminded her of the first spirit she had seen. The soul was so thirsty, and even called her kind for offering bread. Inanna clutched her heart, feeling sorry for the helpless spirits.

"They are being tortured too." She wore a disgruntled frown. "Whoever is doing this, they will suffer."

"Definitely. The ones inviting the plague will be the worst hit by it."

She was startled by the reply. Turning around she saw a breathless Alexandros come and sit beside. "Three graves were found without hearts. Someone is capturing the spirits. Necromancers, if to be specific."

Alexandros' gaze pierced her soul. Undeterred, she faced the tempest of his red eyes. "The culprits will be punished. Ma'at is watching us all. She will deliver justice."

The medjay turned pale, the sharp glimmer of his orbs dying out to a flickering flame. He gestured for water, and Inanna offered her leather pouch. She observed the droplets trickle down his chin to his ruddy chest.

"The men need water." He beckoned one of his attendants. "Go ask the soldiers to take some rest. Get them drinks and some food."

Inanna smiled. He was not completely wicked. He had a heart too, a conscience that wept for justice and loved his companions.

"I was thinking of giving them some concoction tonight for energy," Inanna said. "It will help them work harder. It's the need of the hour."

"Work hard in what way, Inanna?"

Alexandros licked his lips, playfully giving her a captivating sidelong glance.

Inanna groaned. "Digging graves. Are you going to pester me forever?"

"Perhaps."

"You rascal–" She sealed her mouth before saying something rash. But she was surprised by his glowing face, as if bickering with her washed all his tiredness. He looked at her like a young boy would at a rose. It warmed her, made her heart race, even put it back in place. "Won't you eat anything?"

"I am," he said. "Your head."

"My head will sicken you."

"I am already sick. And you want me to fall ill, don't you?"

Inanna huffed and was going to leave when Alexandros grabbed her hand and pulled her close. "I was just joking. You can stay here, I am leaving to check on my mates." And thus he raised his bulky body and strode off for the resting soldiers.

His flaxen curls shone saffron in the beams of afternoon. Inanna was tempted to feel how soft those tresses would be, but could only imagine so.

It was getting difficult to control her passionate senses.

"Stop it! Stop your mind," she chided herself. "He is supposed to be your enemy. He is against mages!"

And so with an ache, she watched his retreating figure, sun rays reflecting off his rippling muscles, a cascading shower of divine light falling over a mighty hero.

****

They were all worn out and drained when they reached Eman's village. The men went for a bath in the lake to cool themselves off, and Inanna retired to her cottage, taking her meal with her. Upon entering her cottage though, she was taken aback to see a white owl.

Its yellow irises inspected her from top to bottom. She cautiously took the bird in her hands, and then noticed the letter tied to its claws. Immediately she understood it was a message from Master Hor-Aha.

She took the parchment and the owl flew off through the window. On opening the letter, it read so:

A medjay in distress. One from your camp. Requires attention. Details to be provided on spot.

Visit tonight. The house with three blue marks on the wall.

Your Baba,
Hor-Aha.