"The Rio Affair" Chapter 4 ~ for PicFic Tuesday.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Link to: Chapter 3

A woman suddenly appeared, walking very regally up the steps to stage.

She was clothed in the manner of Egyptian queens with a royal crown of horns in which a sun disk was set. A golden uraeus cobra was depicted in combination with the vulture to symbolise divinity as the 'feathered serpent'. That combination was one with which he was not familiar.

Yet it was reminiscent of  Quetzalcoatl, the serpent god in Aztec mythology. That perhaps was an homage to the indigenous people in this area and their possible relationship to the ancient Egyptians?

The woman’s long pleated gown shimmered and being somewhat transparent, her near nakedness was revealed beneath it.

She wore a bright multicolored cape and when she raised it, spreading it out, it resembled the wings. It was an image he knew all too well and it was one that still haunted him...Isis.

Illya’s mind raced with flashbacks; the ceremony in the temple of Isis in Egypt when he was forced to have sex with the woman Anucis Sakr, who was dressed in a similar queenly costume.  They were both drugged out of their minds and had no control over their actions.

He shivered thinking about it, as neither of them could stop what they were doing; it was if they had been under some ancient mystical spell.*

The cult members believed he would channel the god Osiris and the woman Anucis was representing the god’s consort Isis and their union would produce a child which would be Osiris reborn in human form.

Illya couldn’t let his mind go there. No, it was long ago. The woman disappeared after they were rescued; he never found her and never knew if a child had been conceived.*

That clouded his thoughts until he forced himself to calm down, and it was  Kuryakin’s worry now as the woman standing next to him in the guise of Isis was none other than the lunatic, Leticia Machado.

“Ah absolutely stunning!” Maahes Zuberi pronounced as the appeared out of nowhere. “You are the perfect incarnations of the Lord Osiris and the Lady Isis.” He stopped himself, doing a double take at Illya.

Kuryakin recognized it as the same stare Zuberi gave him the previous day down in his office, and feared the worst; he’d been recognized.

“Come I would like you two to accompany me to my office. I wish to make a special offering to Bastet for such a perfect pairing.”

Illya feigned ignorance, “Quem é Bastet?” He tried disguising his voice.

“Who is Bastet?” Zuberi laughed, “Why she is only my mother and you wouldn’t want to insult a man’s mother would you? Once we take care of that you will return here and prepare to head out for the next parade that is due soon.”

“No Senhor, I would not want to show a discourtesy to your mother,” Illya said.

“Good then it is settled. Follow me please?”

Illya and Leticia descended the steps of the stage; the Russian allowing her to go before him.  He breathed a small sigh of relief that neither she or Zuberi recognized him, and he felt rather pleased with his disguise.

He was led through the door that Kuryakin was all too familiar with and down to Zuberi’s office.

Two armed guards appeared standing on either side of the Russian, taking hold of his arms.

“You thought you could fool me Mr. Igor, “Zuberi smiled. “Or should I say Mr. Kuryakin? Darling Leticia told me your true name, and that you and your friend are from U.N.C.L.E. Your disguise, though is quite effective, did not hide something you may not be aware of… something only a true believer, such as myself could see.”

“What are you going on about Zuberi?” Illya kept his voice cold and calm.

“You were very much aware of my gazing at you when we first met, were you not?”

Illya shrugged his indifference.

“You see Mr. Kuryakin, you bear the mark of Osiris, specifically on your chest.  Though I couldn’t see it beneath your clothing, I sensed something. Now that you are dressed appropriately it is as plain as day to me.”

The Egyptian plugged in a small light, a wand with an elongated bulb...some sort of black light Illya guessed.

It was held over Illya’s chest and there it was, a blue glow showing a distinctive hand print and a small cartouche with hieroglyphic symbols representing the name of Osiris.

“You are he who should have been sacrificed to the god, your life was to open the gates for the rebirth of Osiris into human form. The child of your union with Isis is to bring a new era, heralding the return to the old ways and the true gods and goddesses.”

“You are mad Zuberi. What child, I do not know what you are talking about,” Illya lied.

“Ahhh so you do not know then. There was a child born, though we have not found him yet...he and his mother.”

“Come, let us complete the ritual that had been interrupted,” Zuberi clapped his hands.

Zuberi pulled a lever on the wall, opening a hidden door; gesturing for the guards to take the agent through it.

Illya’s heart began to pound, his mind was racing trying to figure a way out of this predicament as well as the realization he had fathered a child with Anucis Sakr. He had a son…  That made the Russian all the more determined to stop these lunatics at whatever cost.

He tried to make a run for it but the guards grabbed his arms as Illya struggled but he froze when Leticia stepped forward, whipping out a dagger and holding it to his throat.

“It is a shame we will not have another chance to dance together again, and I do not mean a samba. Still I will have my revenge when I drive this knife into your chest and cut out your heart.”  Her look was wide-eye and feral.

Illya not at a loss for words, had his usual pithy comment “What no mummification this time?”

“No,” laughed.” Only a blood sacrifice will do.”

He was led down a torch lit corridor, and to a room where there was a ritual altar of sorts. The walls were painted with Egyptian images, and there was an empty shrine towards the back of the room.

“See that Kuryakin? That is where your heart will be offered up to the gods!” Leticia cackled.

“There were no human sacrifices in ancient Egypt.”

“I know she smiled, but we are not there and we don’t have the facilities to do a mummification, so I suggested a ritual akin to those of the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. We are in Rio after all.”

Illya rolled his eyes. “You do not have to remind me of that. Please tell me that you and I do not have to have ritual sex?”

“Me and you,” Leticia howled with laughter. “Although a condemned man can be granted a last wish?”

“Not if you were the last woman left on Earth,” Illya practically spat at her.

Leticia did nothing but sneer back at him.

The guards dragged him to the altar, holding him down as Zuberi entered the room. The man was wearing Egyptian style robes and on his head was a lion head dress; he carried with him a silver goblet.

One of the guards grabbed Illya by the hair while his mouth was forced open and the contents of the goblet drained into his mouth.

It took but a few minutes for the drugged wine to take effect. Illya began to feel light, as if disconnected from his body.  He was still conscious of his situation, moved his arms slowly across his chest, reaching for a small scar with his fingers while he still had the where with all to do so.

He pressed against it with his thumb, activated the homing disc that had been embedded beneath his skin as soon as the and Solo were ordered to begin their investigation.

In the background he could hear Zuberi beginning his chants, reciting no doubt the words from the Egyptian book of the dead.

”Manu revives you in pieces, Maat embraces you at times of morning and evening. He gives glory, strength and truth of voice and the power to come forth as living soul to seek Harnak, his to seek the Ka of Osiris, true of his voice before Osiris.”

“He says O all you, gods of the house of the Ka, the soul, weigher of heavens and earth in the balance, giver of food and sustenance. Give praise to Ra, lord of heaven, prince; life strength and health to him,

maker of the gods! “

Leticia began to paint symbols on Illya's body, marking the thirteen pieces where Osiris had been cut apart. Though it was mythology to the Russian, these people apparently believed in what they were doing, well maybe not Machado as she was as mad as a hatter and would go along with whatever Zuberi told her to do.

Illya was still very self away, watching her detail the hieroglyphs on his skin, and made note she hadn't painted his private parts gold as the temple priests had done last time he'd gone through this ritual in Egypt. He found some relief in that knowledge, though those feelings would be short lived. There would be pain soon, and he knew he'd live long enough for him to see his beating heart in Leticia's hands.

Zuberi picked up another goblet, handing it to the her as she was still dressed as Isis.  Letitica took it and downed the contents; Illya guessed for her to hallucinate her into thinking was channeling the goddess herself.

The woman’s eyes went wide, and in her pupil appeared what looked like a star.  What ever she’d taken had her under its spell now. It was time for her part in the sacrifice.

Slowly she lifted the jagged ritual dagger in her hands, holding it above her head.

No longer able to move; Kuryakin closed his eyes, not wanting to see it coming. It was the only thing he had left that he was able to do. Seemingly, his signal to Napoleon was too late, or perhaps they were too deep underground for it to have been received...

* ref “The See the Pyramids Along the Nile Affair”

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Oh no, you can't leave it there! This story has me absolutely gripped :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, thank you for that reaction. I've have a bad time of it since just before Easter. Luna being sick, vet bills, trying to get grey cat adopted, a long-time friend passing away and so much more, so I was finding it hard to write at all. I still need to catch up on 2 short affairs, and didn't think I could do this chapter.

Found the words, but this is a story that I finding hard to control, if that makes senses? I didn't think this chapter was that good, so you're reaction is making me feel better about it.

Not sure if I'm a little burned out right now, so thanks for the encouragement.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

It was definitely a good chapter. Put it this way, I was sitting with my mouth open by the end. Literally.

Life has done it's best to throw a lot of crap at you in the last few weeks, so it isn't surprising you're feeling a little burned out. All I can do is offer you virtual hugs and a lot of long-distance support :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Thank you cuz, sending hugs back at you too. "D

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

She does her best work (in my opinion) when she writes this kind of story. It sort of grabs you and pulls you in. I was grinning ear to ear when I started this as I could sense what was coming.

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

EgyptoAztec? I hope Sekhmet gets them for that.

The Osiris cartouche was a neat touch.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Yeah, EgyptoAztec...funky huh? :D Thanks so much for reading and keeping up with this one. Wasn't even sure I could get this chapter done. Life has been complicated as of late. sigh.

[pactnmmt.livejournal.com]

In the words of Yogi Bara, for Illya it's "déjà vu all over again." Quite a cliff hanger you have left us and I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment. However, take care of yourself first!!! I hope all works out for gray kiddy, and wishing Luna a speedy recovery.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Love the quote! I do get poor Illya into some interesting dilemmas don't I? Thanks so much for commenting nd the encouraging words as well.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

So Illya has a son with Anucis Sakr! More info, I need MORE info. I love this continuation of 'See the Pyramids Along the Nile Affair.'

Another cliffy, and what a cliffy it is! It's not nice to tease invalids, M.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hey I'm the invalid here, you're just on a temporary hiatus from walking....(wink wink) I have no idea why this story morphed into this; an adventure in Brazil with an pseudo Egyptian/Aztec ritual sacrifice to be performed. Holy Moly Batman!

Glad you're liking the story. I think one more chapter left.

Thanks for the great comment Bionic Woman!