Chapter 7

A gasp rippled through the remaining people as they stared down at the head, its blank eyes looking up at them, a silent scream formed on its lips. Larry was frozen in shock, unable to pull his gaze from his son's severed head. Beside him, Octavius was just as still, a shocked expression on his face. Neither spoke as Larry looked down at it, his hand slowly going to his mouth. Jedediah came over first, solemnly quiet as he stood beside Larry, disbelief clouding his eyes. Sacagawea and Teddy came next, the Native woman taking the old night guard in a hug, avoiding the head as best she could. Lance came last, his eyes portraying little emotion as he looked upon the head of the boy.

"I'm sorry, lad." Teddy whispered, his head bowed. Larry just nodded, thanking the president for his kind words, but refused to speak. Teddy fell back into silence.

After a few moments the president beckoned to the two once miniatures, and said to them in a low voice, "I want you to get his body. Octavius, find some torches. We'll hold a ceremony in a few hours."

With solemn nods the two departed to proceed with their duties, and once again the room fell into silence.

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Larry stood over the pile of stones, his hand on the one at the very top, which he'd just laid. His friends...no, his family, were gathered around him, each with a hand on the burial mound. The torches were set up in a rough circle around it, the light casting flickering shadows on the walls around them. Octavius stood a few paces away in front of them, eyes closed and speaking the oration in his own language, since he was the only one who knew how. Though it was hard to understand, Larry knew it was a speach fit for a warrior, which was exactly what his son was. Jedediah understood a few words, and whispered in his ear that the Roman was speaking of "a soldier's bravery," the bravery Nicky had embraced while searching for Ahkmenrah. He continued to explain, quietly, that the Roman was speaking of the great things the young man had accomplished in his short life, and how dearly he would be missed by his friends, and his father. Larry swallowed his sorrow as Octavius concluded, in so many words, the farewell speech, and stood with his head bowed, hand still on the final stone.

Jedediah nodded once to Octavius while removing his Stetson, and the Roman walked over to join the small circle of people around their dead family member. He removed his helmet. Teddy took off his hat as well. All had their heads bowed. They remained that way for about an hour before Lance left, followed soon after by Sacagawea and Teddy. A while later Jedediah took his leave, giving his old night guard friend a small pat on the shoulder and nodding once to the Roman. Only Octavius and Larry remained.

The night guard swallowed, then whispered quietly, "That was a good speech, Octavius."

"He deserved better," Octavius said sadly, looking down at the stones. He sighed. "I only knew the one used for fallen soldiers. Not for a father's son."

"He would have liked it," Larry said quietly.

Octavius nodded, and looked up at the night guard. "I am sorry for your loss, Larry." He whispered, his eyes sincere. "Nicky was a good man...it is hard, losing a child." He paused, a knowing look in his eyes, before continuing. "But he will do great things where he is now. And smile down on you as you continue on."

"Where is he?" Larry asked, meeting the Roman's gaze.

Octavius was silent for a moment before he answered. "That depends on what you believe. We are a different people. All of us. But I will pray to my gods that he is happy, wherever he may be."

"Thanks, Octavius." Larry said, smiling sadly. He then glanced at his watch. "It's late. There's still a few hours until morning. Why don't you get some sleep."

The Roman nodded, rising to his feet. "I shall try, but I do not believe any of us will rest well tonight. Not with Ahkmenrah still out there." He took a pace before stopping, turning to the old night guard. "Will you be alright?"

Larry nodded, his eyes closed and his shoulders trembling. He wasn't aware of the Roman's departure, and just sat, leaning against the makeshift tomb they had erected for their beloved Nicky. His mind was at war. Nicky had been his son. His only son. His only child, at that. He'd watched him grow up, but never saw him reach full adulthood. He'd gone so abruptly...Larry stopped himself as he felt silent tears fall from his eyes. He sniffed, and gazed out towards the light of the fire near the entrance of the shelter. Ahkmenrah had done this. He was responsible for Nicky's death. The pharaoh he'd come to love as a second son, and an older brother to Nicky, was the reason for his death. He would get him for this, he swore silently to himself. He would get him.

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The next morning, the others found Larry asleep against the stones, and had left him to rest longer while they looked for supplies. The sun had finally come out, and its light drifted in through the fragmented glass of the windows, its beams like lengths of rope as they reached out to the exhibits within. None of them had slept well. Octavius, as promised, had prayed the night before. The small, makeshift altar still stood behind the shelter, the ashes upon it the remains of his offering, his cape, the very symbol of his honour. Jedediah had explained how important the cape was to Romans, and they all were touched by his offering. Even Lance, who seemed to know everything about honour and the warrior way, was surprised, if not touched, by the actions of the Roman. But he didn't show it. Instead, he placed his sword upon the stone tomb, and attempted to shake the night guard awake.

"Don't, Lance." Teddy said, standing behind the knight. "Let him sleep."

"He's slept long enough." Lance persisted, raising a hand to the night guard's shoulder. Teddy grabbed his wrist and shook his head. Lance glared. "We need to keep moving. His oversleeping has slowed us down."

"He's just lost his son. He needs to sleep."

The knight glowered angrily, his hand going to the pommel of his sword. "You and your friends' arrogance was what caused this in the first place!"

"What are you talking about?" Teddy asked, looking confused.

"You refused to follow me. I would have led you to safety. Instead, you followed..." The knight paused, seeking out the figure of the Roman. "Him! You chose to follow him!" The knight marched over to the Roman, grabbing his arm and throwing him down to the ground. He yelped in surprise. "You followed this fool, who led you here. And here," He paused again, staring down at the Roman with contempt. The other exhibits were watching now. "You found the snake. He led you all to the snake."

"That is not true," Sacagawea said, a glare in her eyes. "The snake could have been here without him knowing."

"And it could have been here with him knowing. Traitors love it when you think that."

"Ockie ain't a traitor!" Jedediah snarled, his hands balled into fists.

Lance smirked. "That's what his supporters say..."

Jedediah was barely able to restrain himself as he stepped menacingly towards the knight. "I ain't no traitor, either." He then glanced down at his Roman friend. "And neither is he."

"Oh, really?" The knight said, his eyes traveling towards the Roman's makeshift altar. "He made an offering to the snake."

There was a gasp from the exhibits, and Larry glared with pure hatred at the Roman.

"So you helped kill my son..."

"No!" Octavius said, shaking his head frantically. "I did not!"

"Then what is this?" The knight said, kicking the altar on its side. Sure enough there was a small serpent carved into the bottom. All eyes turned to the Roman. "Explain this."

Octavius looked at the faces of his friends, his mind racing for an explanation. He hadn't put that there...

"Ockie," Jedediah said softly, his voice confused. "Did you...?"

"N-No I, I did not-"

"Ha!" Exclaimed the knight, jabbing a finger at the Roman's chest. "He stutters! The speech of a coward who has been discovered!"

"So you did do this!" Larry yelled, jumping to his feet. "You murdered my son!"

"Larry please!" Octavius cried, struggling to back away. He was stopped as the knight grabbed his wrist, yanking him up by his arm.

"And look at this!" The exhibits and Larry stared in astonishment at the snake-shaped cut along the Roman's arm. "The mark of the serpent!"

"Then it's proven!" Larry shouted, lunging at the Roman. Teddy grabbed him before he could reach the shaking figure.

"Lawrence! Come to your senses, man! There's a logical explanation-"

"He's the traitor!" Lance said, urging on the anger that burned inside the knight guard. "And I have a test to prove it."

There was silence as the knight drew his sword, pointing the tip at the Roman's throat. Octavius didn't struggle or back away. He was too confused and frightened to do so. He never felt any pain...so how did he get that mark? What was going on?

"If you are a traitor you will run back to your master. " The knight paused, a slight grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He made sure only the Roman saw it. "If you aren't, then you will die honourably."

"Stop it!" Jedediah yelled, moving to push Lance away. He was grabbed by Larry, and restrained from any further movement. "Have ya'll gone mad!? This ain't right!"

"No. Betrayal is not right." Lance said. He looked down at the Roman. "Make your choice."

Octavius looked at the knight, anger and confusion the only emotions in his eyes. He looked at Larry. He looked at Teddy and Sacagawea. He looked at Jed, pleading for help. The cowboy looked away. He took a breath, and stood, turning and running down the hall as fast as he could, refusing to look back. Lance smirked.

"That takes care of that." He said. He then turned to the others. "I guess that makes me your leader now."

The others, too shocked to react, just nodded their consent.

Jedediah stared after his friend, part of him wanting to run after him, to go with him. But then he'd endanger his own life. There was safety in numbers, he justified to himself, looking at the others. But Octavius was a look of betrayal at his once called friends, the cowboy turned and followed him. Running with a "traitor" was better than following that rodeo clown.

"Octavius!" He called, trying to keep up with the fleeting figure. The Roman made a sharp turn down another hall, and the cowboy had to quickly reroute his course to keep up. He saw a head duck down behind a slab of quartz, and slowly approached. "Octavius..."

"Go." The Roman said, huddling down to the floor. "You are not safe here."

"I ain't safe there, either. Octavius, don't listen 'ta him. I know you're not a traitor."

"How do you know?" Octavius hissed. He then clamped a hand over his mouth, a tremble traveling down his spine. Jedediah paused a foot from his friend.

"Oc-Ockie?"

"I-I do not know what is wrong with me..." Octavius whispered, his breath hitching in his throat as if he was about to cry. He felt Jedediah sit beside him, and turned towards him, laying his head on his shoulder with a strangled sob.

Something was not right.