Protectors of the Desert

Hapu wandered the hot desert on camelback, hoping Alexandria wasn’t much further. Running into a caravan would be more than ideal, but it was unlikely to find one without a road to follow. Her crude bandage was tearing apart and only remained in place if she held it there. It wasn’t the first time she took a sword to the gut but with the amount of blood she’s lost, this may very well be the last. Dizziness forced her off the camel and she tumbled down the sand dune. “Not like this,” she mumbled, unable to get up. She made a promise to herself long ago that she wouldn’t die in the barren wasteland of the desert she called home. Any death was better than burning in the unforgiving sun and sinking into an unmarked grave deep in the sand. With her last ounce of energy, Hapu unsheathed her sword and held it up. At least she would go out, sword in hand. This mindset would be the very thing that saved her life. For luck waved his hand in the right direction that day and a caravan happened to see the glistening sword as they passed by. Hapu would live to see another sunset, even if it was a bloody one.

Hapu awoke from her slumber, properly bandaged inside a royal’s caravan carriage. The carriage was swaying back and forth as the men outside carried it. An elderly lady with white, ragged hair and fine clothes with complementing jewelry sat across from her in the carriage, walking cane in hand. “You gave my men quite a scare,” The royal said with her old, raspy voice. “You should’ve seen the looks on their faces as they went through a storm of emotion. At first, they thought they found a body to loot. When they realized you were a breathing female, they changed their tone. We had been without company for a while now and I wouldn’t judge them for making a move on you. An old woman has little influence in such circumstances, even if I am their boss. Then they saw the symbol on the hilt of your sword. Many of them haven’t seen a Protector of the Desert before. Some were innocent enough to feel honored. Most didn’t want to make enemies with your order. A small few were wise enough to know they’d be compensated for helping you, which brings you here.”

“The wise ones are the true fools,” Hapu said. “I have nothing to offer.”

“Do not worry, young one. The compensation will come through me. My name is Meskhenet.”

“Hapu.” She looked around the small carriage in search of her sword. It was filled with exotic fruits from Alexandria and pots filled with water.

“I had my guards hold your weapons and armor outside. I didn’t know if you’d be hostile when you came to.”

“You have nothing to fear from me. But I must get back to my task.” The truth was, Hapu had no task that needed completing. Nor was she a member of the Protectors of the Desert anymore. She ran away from that order long ago, reaping the rewards of joining and abandoning her post at her first opportunity.

“Right now? But you’ve only just been able to stand.”

“One of the many secrets that the Protectors hold close to their hearts. We drink a potion when we join the order that grants us with swift healing. It won’t keep us from death, but it’ll make our recovery faster.”

“You seem rather comfortable spilling a well-guarded secret.”

“You saved my life, you earned it. Besides, you seem like good people.”

“Looks can be deceiving.”

Hapu shrugged off the remark Meskhenet just made. “Regardless, it’s time I went on my way.” Shouting erupted from outside as horses galloped around the caravan, forcing them to stop. “I guess that’s my queue.”

Hapu jumped out of the carriage and saw the guards preparing for an attack from the horsemen that surrounded them. Hapu scanned the guards, looking for her equipment. Her armor pieces and sword were divided amongst the soldiers. She walked from guard to guard collecting her equipment. When she reached the one boldly wielding her sword, she knocked him down to take it back. “This is mine.” She said. The guard next to him had her helmet. She kicked him to his knees and yanked the helmet, nearly snapping the guard’s neck. “So is this.”

The foot soldiers stood their ground but jumped every time a horse snorted. “This quarrel does not concern you, Protector,” One of the horsemen said. “Go about your own business.”

“My business is whatever I want it to be and you’re attempting to steal from a group that saved my life. Leave now or forever be an enemy of the Protectors.”

“These int-”

Hapu cut them off before they could argue anymore. “I don’t want to hear it. If we are going to fight, let’s fight. Otherwise, begone and quit wasting my time.”

The horsemen broadened their shoulders, egging their commander to give the order. But they would never openly attack a Protector. “You’re meddling in affairs that you do not fully understand.” The horseman said as he turned and rode off in the distance with the other riders.

When the riders were out of sight, Hapu sheathed her sword and equipped the armor that was taken from her. “Are you leaving,” one guard asked.

“My business is done here. I must be on my way.”

“But the riders could return.”

“You took my equipment in the hopes I would die in that carriage. I’ve done more than you deserve.”

“Are you not truly the protector you say you are?”

Hapu let out a discreet sigh. If she didn’t help these people, her cover would be blown. She would go from a missing Protector without a face to a rogue one who abandoned her post. Wanted posters would fill cities to bring her to justice. The cost of being a Protector was beginning to outweigh the worth. “I can escort you to your destination. But after that, I really must be on my way.”

“Thank you.”