Epilogue

 ~~/*\~~ Jannes ~~/*\~~

Pharaoh held court, though more than three quarters of his government had not survived. Those that did were scrambling, all of them mourning a lost loved one of their own. Those that attended anyway were trying to brief Pharaoh on the losses, but they didn’t have a count. The people who would normally report such things were decimated. As were the people who made the announcements, or kept the records, or transcribed what was said.

Finally, Pharaoh was sick of hearing people admit all the things that they didn’t know for sure and sent them away. Egypt was to remain ‘closed’ for the next three days, as people mourned their dead.

“The dead are the greatest matter of concern, Great King.” Jannes said as the Court left them alone. “Egypt is a nation that cares greatly for the state of those who have gone ahead to the next life. Having to cremate the bodies is as great a tragedy as the loses themselves. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that the embalmers still gave your family priority. A great many people are worried about what will happen to the souls of their own firstborn, without the embalmers being able to get to everyone in time.”

“Go away, Jannes.” Pharaoh didn’t look at him. “Obviously, I no longer need a tutor for my son.”

“I loved Prince Nem-ur too, lord.” Jannes said honestly. “All my hopes for the future of our great nation were in the next Pharaoh.”

“Nem-ur is dead.” Pharaoh growled. “Egypt has lost everything.”

“Great Pharaoh, who sits on the Throne of the World, we have lost far less than you think.” Jannes soothed him. “We suffered casualties, of course, but I have faith in our gods. If the slaves have left Egypt, it’s because that’s what the gods want. You, their incarnate form, can only do as the gods decide.” He said smoothly. “If their presence in Egypt was a danger to our people, or our Temples, then the logical move is to remove them from our own kind… and now you’ve done that. After all, we could do anything once they’re far away from our people, couldn’t we?”

Pharaoh finally seemed to focus on him. “Jannes...” He spoke slowly, as though emerging from a long dark tunnel. “Our people surrendered before I did. If I hadn't let them go, they would have killed me. Jambres said as much a dozen times.”

“The people were beaten down by the Plagues. But now that Egypt has rid itself of these troublesome charlatans… the Plagues will stop. And with that time over, what’s left but to build them back up? The Temples are still where people have to go for food, for treatment… Give me another few months, and I’ll have the people behind you again. You’ll be able to parade Moses’ head on the end of your spear.”

Pharaoh stared at him, licking his lips. “So… it wasn’t surrender. It’s strategy.”

“We had slaves in every wealthy household, working in every industry. We were occupied! They proved it by inflicting their Plagues on every level of our society. And you got rid of them, My King.”

“You really think you can whip our people into shape? After everything they’ve lost?”

“Because of everything they’ve lost. After all of this, they’re expected to rebuild without slave workers? They’ll turn to their anger as soon as their grief wears off.” Jannes promised smoothly. “Jambres was a fool. He thought he could convince the gods to serve at his call. He never understood that we serve them. The gods of Egypt have allowed this Plague. Do you think they want our people awash in despair, or riled in fury, ready to strike back? You lost as much as anyone, great one. Aren’t you ready to take the same from those people?”

Pharaoh looked back in the direction of his son’s body. “No. I want to take a thousand times more.” He said finally; with low, crazed rage. “I want to exterminate anyone who ever said the name ‘Jehovah’ or ‘Moses’ aloud. I want people to be afraid to say their names for fear of my sword. I want the name ‘Jehovah’ to be a curse word that brings death and terror wherever it goes.” He looked hard towards the other man. “And you, Jannes? You are going to help me. Get my people ready to avenge our fallen.”

“With you leading the charge, how could they ever fear to fail, Divine One?” Jannes bowed gratefully, blood still dripping from his knife. “My only goal has ever been to serve.”

~~/*\~~ Satau ~~/*\~~

They were marching according to Tribe, but the Egyptians who had decided to come along (and there were more of them than anyone expected) had no family within Israel. It was almost laughable. Some of the Egyptians who kept domestic slaves now followed them around, unsure of where else to go, not knowing anyone else.

Takarut and Satau stayed together. Tzioni was busy organizing several details of the march; and had little time for them. Leahe could say the same, helping the elderly ones that she had known over the last few months.

There was little to do but walk. It wasn’t a sprint. It wasn’t even a marathon. They walked, under the light of a huge full moon. Satau noticed other Egyptians in the mix. Some he recognized by their features, or their clothing. One or two he recognized personally. “Ashura?”

The young woman, washed clean of her makeup and stripped of all her Priestess’ icons turned at the sound of her name, smiling broadly when she recognized Satau. “Firstborn.” She said softly, pointing to herself. “And still alive. Jehovah be praised.”

Satau went over and gave her a quick hug, grateful to have as many familiar faces as possible. “Do you have any idea what’s going to happen next?”

“No.” She said easily. “But I came with them for the same reason I became a Priestess: If the Gods are real, then nothing else could possibly matter more than serving them with all our hearts. Jehovah agreed, it seems. Apparently, after a lifetime of serving, changing, dancing, bowing, and obeying the Priests… All it took to obey Jehovah was painting the doorposts.”

“Doesn’t seem real, does it?” Takarut commented as he joined them. His head was on a swivel as he looked around. “All these people.” He murmured. “All Egypt’s armies didn’t march with this many people. And when they did, they didn’t take old women and little babies along… How can one man possibly keep all these people walking in the same direction?”

As if to answer him, a beacon was suddenly lit ahead. At least, Takarut thought it was a beacon. Except the flame kept building, higher and higher, and higher, until it extended as a pillar of flame, up into the night sky. Bright enough to light the way, focused enough that they could still see the stars and moon. The two of them stopped and stared at it in awe as it burned merrily ahead of the crowd. And after a long few minutes, they realized it was moving.

“I’ve got to get to the front.” Ashura said in awe. “I have to see who’s casting it!”

“I think we know.” Takarut said to himself as the young woman ran ahead. “And I don’t think it’s Moses.”

~~/*\~~

Tzioni fell into step beside his daughter. “We’ve just sent a new batch of scouts to spell the ones that went out when we began the march. The team that has been taking the lead since we left? They say that the usual caravans that journey across Egypt have all turned and run. They’d never seen a march this big before; and don’t know what it means.”

“Probably some ridiculous rumors going around after the last six months.” Leahe guessed.

“Six months.” Tzioni shook his head. “After a lifetime… It was over in six months.”

As if to answer, the sun suddenly peeked over the Eastern horizon, starting a brand new day. For some reason, the colors seemed richer, the light seeming brighter than ever before. The cool air was crisp and seemed fresh on her face. Leahe looked around despite herself. The sun had risen, and nobody had announced the shift. No chores to do, no foreman waiting to gather the right number of workers for whatever task was first. Leahe had no wells around to draw water from, or fear of what would happen if she didn’t walk faster…

It was the first time a new day hadn’t been a guarantee of more hard labor, or a threat of more abuse.

“My God…” Leahe said, and it was the most fervent prayer she’d ever spoken aloud. “It’s really true, isn’t it? It’s really happening. It’s really… over. I mean, you’ve been telling me about these promises of Jah for my entire life, but the old men were telling you the same thing for your entire life, and… To have it just… be today.”

“God had the day picked since before He called Moses.” Tzioni said, tears shining. “He knew the day and the hour. Our lives, until now, have been brutal, but it was always going to be today.”

“No more lash.” Leahe whispered. “No more Masters, no more foremen. No more beatings, no more…” She rubbed her severed arm. “No more.” Leahe felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She saw them on the faces of all her people as the sun rose over them slowly. “It’s really over.” Leahe said, the tears finally coming. “It’s Dawn. Our first day as free people.”

Tzioni had tears on his face too. “The first of many, dear one.”

Ohad-Ittai fell into step behind Tzioni. “So, Leahe.” He said jovially. “When we get to wherever we’re going… What do you want to do first?”

Nobody had ever asked her that question before. Leahe burst out laughing. “I have no idea!”

~~/*\~~ Nate ~~/*\~~

It was the third morning after The Day, and the Elders had gotten everyone organized. The local congregations had all found each other. There had been wonderful miracles already, providing lavish feasts for those who had come through the storm. Angelic choirs had filled the sky with songs of praise.

The health problems and infirmities had all been cured instantly. Those that weren’t sharing their stories of what it had been like for them, were still talking about the chorus of praise that had rung out across the sky once the dust settled. Those that were more interested in the future were debating what to do next, or when to expect reunions…

Nate noticed that people were drifting together in family groups, or in the same groups that they’d been in while they waited it out. News from other regions was rare, but everyone now and then, someone came driving up, trying to reconnect with family; and they heard tales of what it had been like.

“We’ll be telling the story for a thousand years.” Paige commented to Nate. “One way or another, we’ll hear everyone’s version eventually.”

“I’m sure someone is collecting stories already.” Alvin agreed.

Overhearing, Del chuckled. “On that note, this is goodbye.”

Nate and Paige turned to Del in surprise. “They found you some transport at last, huh?”

“For all of us. Turns out the fuel is lasting as long as it needs to. After that, finding wheels was relatively easy.” Del nodded. “As much as I’d like to stay-”

“No, of course. You must get back to your wife and son.” Alvin agreed immediately. “Well, it’d be hard to say it was fun; but it’s certainly an experience I’ll never forget.”

Del shook his hand tightly. “Me neither. Alvin, Nate... I don’t think I would have made it through without you all.”

Paige pushed his extended hand aside and gave him a tight hug. “Keep in touch? I mean, I know the mail isn’t quite what it once was, but… Don’t forget about us?”

“Never.” Del promised.

Alvin clasped his hand and they bowed their heads in a prayer for a quick and safe journey, no matter what he found. While the majority of stories were positive, there were a handful of stories making the rounds about people who had given in at the fatal moment and signed the Renouncement, or disobeyed directions at the worst possible time. Some of the survivors were in shock at who had made it… and who hadn’t. Every surprise had made Del more determined to get home and check on his family.

As the group watched him drive away, Nate and Paige looked at each other. “So. What do we do now?”

“I have no idea.” Nate admitted. “But we’ll find out soon enough.”

~/*\~~/*\~~/*\~

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