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Wesley thought for a moment. “Well, he’s actually a protection god during childbirth, but he also guards people from dangerous animals and is said to be one of the best at fighting thehatay. He’s more known among the gods as throwing the best parties.”
“Are you talking about Bes?” Jasper suddenly chimed in, leaning in to listen. “Do you remember that party he threw one New Year’s Eve when he was some minor royal, and West got arrested by the palace guard and imprisoned in the tower for a week?”
“He what?” I asked, surprised. “West got arrested?”
Wesley chuckled. “I had forgotten that one.”
“What was he arrested for?” I asked again, tugging on Jasper’s sleeve while watching Austin out of the corner of my eye. Luckily he was out of earshot.
“Oh, nothing bad... just attempting to steal a couple of the crown jewels,” Jasper replied, grinning down at me.
“What?” My mouth fell open, and I stared at Austin.
His eyes locked on mine, and he moved closer. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m learning how you got arrested for trying to steal the crown jewels. How on earth did you manage to work as a high-ranking security officer after that?”
Jasper laughed. “It wasn’t exactly recently, Tor. When was it again, West?”
Austin paused to think. “Hmm, well, it wasn’t that early on. I think it hadn’t been a prison long, so it must have been some time after 1100BC... actually maybe around 1200, I think? We were definitely in tunics and swords...”
“Oh yes, and we had to sneak you in by dressing you like a man,” Jasper said, grinning at me. “Women of status weren’t exactly allowed to go drinking with their men back then, you know.”
“Let me get this straight. We were partying in the Tower of London in 1200BC? And then what?” I asked Austin, praying Neith didn’t arrive before I got to the end of the story.
“We weren’t in the tower, we were in a house nearby,” Wesley began.
“And there was quite a bit of alcohol,” Jasper added.
“Basically, Bes got West pissed and then dared him to try and steal the jewels for a laugh,” Jack interjected.
“Wait, I don’t remember this,” Zayn said. “Where was I?”
“We were in the back room for most of it.” Jasper smirked. “Then afterwards, you passed out, and I came out to see what all the fuss was about.”
“Didn’t we have to bribe someone to get us an audience with the king in order to get him released?” Zayn questioned.
“Yep, that was it,” Jasper said. “Bes bribed the chancellor who got us in front of Henry, and he thought it was hilarious.”
“It bloody wasn’t,” Austin argued. “I had to sleep the hangover of all hangovers off in a stone cell, and then when I finally got dragged in front of Henry, I was told I was going to be put to death for treason.”
“He was only having you on.” Jack grinned.
I shook my head at them all. “I can’t believe I don’t remember this.”
Austin grinned. “Not one of my finer moments, my lady, I’m rather glad you don’t.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a hush suddenly fell across the room, and all faces turned towards the platform as a door on the side of the room opened and a woman entered, gracefully ascending the steps. She stood on the platform and turned to the room, her hands outstretched. A tall red crown symbolising the rule of Lower Egypt stood majestically on her head, replacing the woven band I had seen her wearing before.
“Well, I guess that removes the possibility of embarrassing myself now,” I muttered.
“What’s that?” Wes asked.
“She’s the woman in the garden,” I whispered, and his eyes widened. He turned to stare up at her in horror, and I grinned.
Up on stage, Neith caught my eye and winked before looking out over her audience.
“Family and friends, beyond those doors, my incredible staff are preparing a banquet the likes of which you have not seen.... at least since the last time you were in my house, but I beg your attention for a short time. As per tradition, I ask that you welcome three members of our family who have returned to us since we last shared food together. It is a strange life we live, our cycles repeating over and over again as we watch Earth travel around the sun, but each time we come together, and we remember and know each other, and love each other once again. There are trials, and we have lost loved ones along the way, but our fight against the primordial darkness must endure, and so must we. To those who have returned to us once again, we bid you welcome home. The goddess Bastet.”
