Blessed Lands Egypt Chapter Six
Blessed Lands Egypt
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter 6
Honute followed Dr. Theoris and Akila through the double doors leading into the building. They only had to walk past a few doors to reach Theoris’ main office. Honute stepped in and saw all sorts of electronic equipment. Monitors against the wall, long thin neon bulb like fixtures and lots of wires on the floor.
“Mind the wires.” Theoris said stepping over a branch of twisty vine like strands. “We’ll set up in the smaller office. Akila, could you take Priest Honute there. I’m going to gather a few things. I’ll be back in a bit. Make him feel at home, please.”
Akila nodded. “Please follow me, Priest Honute.” Honute followed Akila into a small office. A couch ran along one wall, a desk and two chairs against the other. On the third wall was a table that had a small refrigerator, a cardboard box with stuff in it, a microwave, and a coffee maker. This office had a window view. He noted Theoris’ vanity wall. She had all her awards, certificates, commendations, and all sorts of other recognition nailed and pasted up. Honute walked over to the wall and noted several Ph.D plaques. A commendation plaque was next to them. ‘In recognition for service above the call of duty the collective regions of the Blessed Lands awards Dr. Theoris this plaque of Commendation.’ It was dated about ten years ago. Around the same time Honute served in the War against the Infidels. He noted that Theoris received the Commendation for identifying and later coming up with a cure for the Night Sweat plague. A bio-weapon developed by the Infidels. Honute, himself, escaped several strikes. He moved on to the next item – this particular plaque drudged up nightmares he wished to not live again. The War was the reason why he became a priest. He had enough killing and murdering humans in the name of defense and the preservation of the Blessed Lands. Luckily, Pharaoh and the Cursed Lands, as his fellow compatriots loved to call it, agreed on a truce. It had been six years now. A little more than the length of his marriage. Honute hoped that his pending marriage disaster would not be the coming sign of war.
Akila watched Honute move from plaque to plaque. She found him strangely curious. His physical build seemed that of a soldier, but he behaved like a humbled soul. She noted the slim waist and solid arms and thighs under his plain cotton robe. It wasn’t tight on him and it wasn’t too big either. It just seemed to fit him so well. He moved gracefully, like he had been a dancer or performed in one of the traveling circuses. And his eyes spoke volumes about the man. Not once had she seen them unfocused. He seemed to note everything within his view. She remembered how he stared out the window and took anything in. The cars, the people, the buildings, everything. To her, Honute seemed to be an enigma. “Priest Honute, may I get you anything while we wait for Dr. Theoris?”
“Call me Honute.” He said while staring at another ‘I love me’ plaque.
Akila caught herself smiling. She wiped it off her face. “Okay, Honute. May I get you anything? Water, tea?” She left it at that.
“Tea sounds nice.” He turned around and caught her staring at him. He smoothly smiled back. “Are you having tea as well?”
She hadn’t planned on it, but it made sense to drink with Honute. “We don’t have a lot of flavors. Raspberry, Lemon Date, Kiwi Aloe, and Bark.”
Honute said, “I’ll take the Bark.”
Akila walked over to the table with the coffee maker. She reached into the cardboard box of stuff and pulled out a box of tea. She then reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a plastic one gallon container of water. She poured a third of the water into the coffee maker and placed a half dozen bags of tea in the plastic pullout top. After replacing the container of water and the box of tea she turned the coffee maker on. She heard the drip hiss sizzle of the water as it gurgled its way from the tubing inside the coffee maker. After several seconds a dark brown liquid poured into the clear coffee pot. Akila reached into the box again and grabbed two yellow plastic cups.
Another minute later Honute and Akila were sitting on the couch sipping Bark tea. Honute particularly liked Bark because of its bitter aftertaste bite. It had a sort of thin oily texture when it touched the tongue but went watery after a second or two inside the mouth. Then the aftertaste was so bitter that it tasted almost sweet. And Akila made it strong – the way he liked it.
“Am I really going to learn magick, Akila?”
Akila had been quietly sipping her tea. Dr. Theoris had been gone for nearly fifteen minutes. Akila didn’t want to stare at Honute, but she wanted to study his face. His skin was a little dry but that was due, she reasoned, to the arid air most of the time during the summer months. She noted his eyebrows. Not thick but not thin. She didn’t think he would look good with the current fad of men plucking their eyebrows until both were paper thin. She decidedly thought he looked much better natural. “Yes, we at least hope so. Dr. Theoris identified the gene responsible for controlling our ability to do magick. She thinks that we all have the capability. It’s just only a matter of learning how to trigger the gene.”
Honute took a sip of tea and let the liquid linger on his tongue. He felt the warm liquid slide down his throat and heat up his insides. “Really?” He was intrigued, but the nagging thought that Hypatia was probably one or maybe two buildings away kept him from completely relaxing and enjoy Akila’s company. “But why me? I’m just a simple priest.”
“Being a simple priest is exactly why she chose you. In order for us to be successful we need someone who is religiously dedicated but not overly zealous.”
Honute laughed. “Over zealous you’ll find I’m not.”
Akila smiled and Honute found himself smiling back. It was her lips he was most drawn to. When she relaxed her face her lips had a natural part to them. The top and bottom would separate just enough to show a little bit of teeth. He also liked the way she blushed.
“The person must also have good focusing ability.”
Honute nodded. “But how will you know?”
“The first thing would be to get a baseline record.”
“Baseline?”
Akila nodded, “Yes, record your brain and physiological activity. Record your DNA and identify other useful markers, run test on your meditative ability, and test how deeply and easily you can go into a trance.”
Honute sipped the tea. “A lot of stuff. Then I’ll learn how to do magick?”
Akila smiled, “We hope so. I hope you are not averse to receiving medication?”
“Medication?” Honute almost choked on his tea. “What type of medication exactly?”
Akila regretted she mentioned the drugs. Dr. Theoris wanted to get Honute comfortable with them before she would tell him about the drugs. But the conversation had been going so nicely. She swallowed hard and slowly answered, “I will be honest with you. We are going to do a lot of things. Some are going to be pleasant while others are going to be a bit uncomfortable. Everything will be completely safe and there is no risk to you well being. . .”
“But what type of medication?” Honute pressed.
Akila took a deep breath. “Some will be psychotropic and others would have physiological effects on you.”
Honute tried to keep a distressed look from his face and his voice. “Such as?”
“Such as controlling your blood pressure and heart rate.”
“Oh.” Was all he said. Honute took a big sip from the cup. The tea had gotten cold and tasted bad. “I think we need to heat up the tea.”
Akila nodded and automatically collected the cups, walked over to the microwave, and placed them in the center. She set the timer to thirty seconds. “Honute, it will be safe, for the most part. There is a chance that something could go wrong, but Dr. Theoris is very skilled and she will have a staff of medical personnel working with her.”
Honute became unfocused and drifted back to a time when he was cold wet and miserable. It was about seven years ago and the war was not going well. He led his squad over a hill and right smack in the middle of the enemy. It was about twenty of them. IQ said the area was clear for at least another ten aturs. Hell broke loose when they cleared a clump of trees. The enemy hyped up on STIM took them by surprise. Half the squad had been killed in less than a second. Honute had been wounded before he stepped behind a large tree for cover. He surveyed the area and spotted the enemy about half a ‘minute of march’ away. Pieta, Kiluyt, Figuli, and Saviofa were firing back. Honute figured he could toss a grenade the full distance if he had the proper coverage. He yelled out that he needed cover soon. He pulled the pin loose and yelled ‘grenade!’ The entire area was sprayed with automatic fire. A second later the grenade concussioned the enemy. Honute threw five more to make sure he got them all. When it was silent he limped over and poked at several of the bodies. All dead. He checked the pocket of one and pulled out a hypo spray syringe. It hadn’t been used yet. On the outside cover it had writing in the Infidel’s language STIM. The enemy had doped up and attacked them.
Honute refocused his eyes. “I’m sorry I drifted.”
Akila looked him in the eyes. “Where’d you go?” She handed him a warm cup of tea.
“A rather bad place. I served in the war.” He lowered his head.
“Oh.” Akila said and she sipped at her tea. After several seconds of silence she asked, “Was it bad?”
Honute nodded. “The enemy had been hyped up on drugs . . .” He trailed off.
Akila thought for a moment. Her eyes opened wide in comprehension. “Ah, I see.” She sipped at the tea again. She was excited because she understood what he meant. He didn’t have to completely spell it out for her. “Will this be a problem?”
He looked her straight in the eyes. He wanted to say ‘What do you think?’ but instead said, “I don’t believe so. I just have this thing about drugs and medication. Pharaoh’s Royal Army would sometimes have us use drugs to fight better. After the truce I got out and became a priest.”
Akila nodded in understanding. Her father had served in Pharaoh’s Royal Army and had been killed in action. It was the worst time of her life. Her father being killed and later her mother getting cancer, but she was a big girl now and she knew her parents would be proud of her – if only they were alive. She smiled sweetly and innocently at Honute. She really wanted to get to know him better. A soldier and then a priest. It must have been really horrible she thought. “You need not worry. It will be safe and you would be doing a service to the Blessed Lands.”
Honute sipped again and smiled. Yes, he really did like Akila. She had a smile that would smooth away all the troubles in the world. He secretly wondered if she was seeing someone or dating, but then he banished those thoughts. He was probably her father’s age. Besides, she was way to smart for a humble man as himself. She seemed full of life and energy, almost like Hypatia. Then it hit him. She seemed to be very much like Hyp. Her mannerisms, the way she walked into a room, how she sat, and her smile. She smiled not just with her lips but with her entire face. She probably had Hypatia’s drive and ambition he thought. Hypatia was probably right to leave him. He was too complacent for the likes of an ambition woman. He sighed and gave Akila a smile. “Tell me more about this program. How are we to make magick?”
Dr. Theoris walked into Hypatia’s office. Hypatia had been staring out the window when she noticed Theoris purposefully walk out the building, across the parking lot, and into her building. She figured the good Doctor wanted to discuss some points, so it didn’t surprise her when Theoris walked through the office threshold.
“May we talk?” Theoris asked.
Hypatia turned her chair around, leaned back and said, “Why of course. Anything in particular you’d like to discuss?”
Theoris stepped up to the desk. “Yes actually. I’ll cut to the chase.”
Hypatia nodded.
“Your husband is here.”
“I know. I saw him walk into the building with you.”
Theoris eased up a bit. She stood a little more relaxed and not as aggressive. “He is my research subject.”
Hypatia nodded again and sat with her back straight against her chair. She absolutely dreaded this. “I understand.”
Theoris stared down at the other woman. “I know about the pending divorce.”
Hypatia swallowed hard. She nodded.
“And I’m hoping that the marital issue between the two of you will not interfere with this research.”
Hypatia couldn’t do anything but listen to Dr. Theoris. For years Theoris had been the dominating force behind the University. Even the Chairman of the Board and CEO bowed down to her influence. Disagreeing with her would be so much as career suicide. She lifted her chin up. “Honute and I are able to work this out amiable. It shouldn’t be a problem. I told him that I will be staying here at the University until I found a place of my own.”
Theoris nodded approvingly and smiled. Her face lightened up and she seemed to have relaxed a bit more.
Hypatia wondered what other bit of personal information Honute told her. It pissed her off that Theoris was in her office throwing her weight around. This was her office and she didn’t appreciate the bitch doing this. ‘Screw you,’ was her thought but she instead said, “Dr. Theoris, you know you will have my full cooperation in your research. You have nothing to worry about.”
Theoris’ face brightened. “That’s what I figured. I just had to be sure.”
Hypatia thought ‘self-righteous bull bitch.’
Theoris pulled up a chair and sat. “I hope I’m not disturbing you or anything. I’d like to discuss with you a possible joint paper on some of my research.”
‘The bitch just made herself at home!’ “Not at all. A joint paper sounds wonderful. What in particular would I be able to make a contribution?”
Theoris rested her shoulders against the chair. Her lower back was away from the chair and the effect made her look like she was slouching.
Hypatia tried not to stare but it was at best difficult not to notice the older woman sitting with such bad posture. She tried to maintain eye contact with Theoris and noticed the Doctor looking intently at her.
Theoris rested in the chair and allowed herself to relax. She eyed Hypatia in a way that would make most individuals uncomfortable. She noted how Hypatia’s chest rose and fell with her breathing and how supple her breasts were. Theoris wished that Hypatia was not sitting behind her desk. She wanted to see all of her. From her shoulder length hair to the tight clinging cotton wrap she worn to the tips of her pretty painted toes. Hypatia was definitely someone Theoris wanted to get to know. She thought how interesting it was that she noticed her much more knowing that she was divorcing Honute. Maybe it was the thought that she was no longer attached to a man and that she would find herself alone at night. Very late at night. “Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations on your recent appointment.”
Hypatia replied, “Thank you. I didn’t think it would happen soon enough.”
Theoris nodded. “Well, when the Chairman asked me about filling the position I couldn’t think of a better person then the one working in the position. You know how some men are, not particularly imaginative.”
Hypatia held in her shock and surprise. Theoris implicitly admitted that she had some part in her finally getting this position.
“It is obvious that women are the more superior.” And she laughed.
Hypatia laughed with her and worried why the Doctor was becoming so chummy. Last week, she barely got a nod of recognition. Now Theoris was chatting as if they were good friends.
Theoris sat slowly straight in the chair. She cleared her throat. “Do you have any plans to celebrate your promotion?”
Hypatia swallowed hard. “I hadn’t thought about it. I hadn’t expected the promotion. If I were to go home Honute would insist on cooking a celebration meal, blessings and everything. But all this morning my thoughts were only of getting a cot placed in this office. . .”
“A cot!” Theoris blurted out.
Hypatia nodded and pressed her lip inward and together.
“Why not a hotel? Any relatives in New Heliopolis?”
Hypatia shook her head. “I have family over in the Four Corners area. And I was trying to save a little money.”
Theoris chortled. “You got a promotion. You should be thinking big now. Don’t tell me Honute controls all the accounts and credit cards?”
“No, I handle all that. I didn’t want to take all the money. His salary would never pay for the rent, I did that, but I didn’t want to leave him without a place to live. At least not for another month or two.”
“How sweet of you Hypatia! I can see some of the reason why he married you. Very thoughtful. Okay, tonight you will be my guest.”
Hypatia was horrified. “Thank you, Doctor Theoris, but I couldn’t impose.”
“Call me, Theoris. We are equals now, and you would not be imposing. I have a house that is way too large and empty for me. It’ll be nice to have some company and it’ll be much more comfortable that some old cot.”
“But, Doc . . . Theoris that is so generous of you.”
“Nope, not another protest. I insist. You will be my guest tonight and I am going to take you out to celebrate.” And she gave Hypatia a steely cold gaze.
Hypatia felt a cold chill envelope her body. She felt trapped and tricked. Her mind raced to find a graceful way out of being Theoris’ guest. But she couldn’t come up with something satisfactory. She felt powerless and couldn’t see a ‘safe’ way out of this predicament. “Yes, Theoris.” Then she thought, ‘I’m gonna make you pay for my company. Expensive dinner, expensive drinks, expensive deserts. Wait and see! I’ll cost you so much money tonight it’ll be cheaper for you to pay for my hotel room for a month.’ And she relaxed and smiled. The evening won’t be so bad after all. Honute can eat his meal over his prayer book. She would dine on caviar, water crest crackers, lobster, two hundred deben wine, and super rich, high fat, high cholesterol desert.