for you, I suppose. You get to keep your payment.”
“Get to keep my payment whether I ferry you alive or dead. Makes no difference to me.”
Something he said triggered a thought. “You’re Charon the ferryman, aren’t you? And this is the river Styx!” I added excitedly.
He snorted and then hocked a ball of spit over the side of the boat. “Don’t know too much, do ya?”
I frowned and folded my arms. “Well, if you’re not the ferryman, then who are you?”
“I got no reason to tell you nothing. Not like talkin’ with the passengers is a part of my job description.”
“Well, would you be so kind as to at least tell me your name? Please? I’d like to know who to thank for getting me to the afterlife safely.”
“Name’s Cherty and this here’s my boat Mesektet. And just so’s we’re clear, I didn’t decide to take you because he wanted me to. Don’t need him telling me how to do my job. I reckon I can choose for myself who rides with me and who doesn’t. Even if he is my boss.”
“Who tells you how to do your job? Horus?”
“Not Horus. Your bird friend. Amun-Ra.”
“Amun-Ra? You must be mistaken.”
“No mistake. Only one person takes the form of that particular bird and that’s Amun-Ra.”
I mumbled, “So Amun-Ra’s the benu bird?”
“Haven’t seen him in that form for quite some time.”
“Horus said he hasn’t appeared in a while. It makes sense, I guess. But why would he guide me as the benu bird instead of as himself? And why would he help me when he explicitly told me he wouldn’t?”
Cherty shrugged. “I don’t pretend ta understand what motivates gods. They’re all too busy arguin’ and courtin’ and generally makin’ a mess outta things. Most of which means extra work for me.”
“So am I the first kicker you’ve taken across?”
“Not the first.” The boat rocked a bit when we hit a rough section of the Cosmic River, but Cherty deftly adjusted the rudder and we moved past it. “Took a lad once. Heart was near torn from him. He’d lost his lady love and was determined to get her back. I warned him it was foolish. He paid well, though, and I figured it was his life to lose. Still remember the grand music he played while we sailed the night sky. He almost made it back with her, too. Nets got her and then Apep got him soon after. Real shame. Oredes or Oreptos or Orpheass was his name, I think.”
“Orpheus. I’ve heard that tale.”
“Have you? Not too surprised. Your human world likes their bedtime stories.”
“Is that why you won’t admit who you are? You don’t like what humans say about you?”
His mouth pursed as his hands tightened on the tiller. “Don’t hardly matter none what people say. I know the truth.”
“I was frightened of you at first, you know. I’m not now. It must be lonely and sad doing what you do.”
“Don’t forget dangerous,” he added.
“Well, that goes without saying.”
He shrugged. “Needs to be said. What with the odds of you dyin’ and all. Reckon you won’t be meetin’ up with your boyfriend. Least with your scarab jewel, ya know how he’s feelin’ about ya.” He nodded at the jewel on obvious display. “Most people I take across the river don’t even get that much. I hafta listen ta their whinin’ and bellyachin’ the whole trip. Most days I’m more like a psychiatris’ than a grim reaper. They make it seem like I’m the one that causes death when in mos’ cases they bring it on themselves.”
We journeyed on in silence for a time, and I was enjoying the gorgeous night view when the breeze suddenly died, the billowing sails gradually falling against the mast. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“We’re enterin’ Apep’s territory. Best be silent, girlie. I’ll try my best to get you to the other side of his waters alive, but I make ya no promises.”
Quickly, he took down the sail and deftly bound the length of it against the mast. Positioning himself on a bench between the two long oars, he dipped them into the Cosmic River and we began moving ahead again. Every once in a while, he’d stop, lift the oars, and listen. A few minutes later, I heard a ghostly moan, like the song of a whale and Cherty froze, whispering, “Hand me my river sticks.”
“River Styx?” I mouthed. “Aren’t we on it?”
He rolled his eyes and directed my attention to the two sticks with sharpened points.