Rolling sun-baked dunes spanned across at every angle of sight. In the distance, a dark cloud loomed above the sands, but it would not bring rain to this long droughted land. Instead, it would bring blinding winds and burning sand. It would bring even the most knowledgeable man to his death if he dared stay out and let himself be consumed by it. Thankfully, this man knew better than to be caught in such a storm. Hazel gaze shifts over to view his newest companion, a hand lifting from the reigns of his camel to point it out.
"
We should find shelter before that catches us. A sandstorm like that, and we'll be dead." His hand falls back to the reigns, pulling them to the left so that the camel changes its course.
"
I thought I saw some run down buildings out this way. We can hide out in there until it passes, and hope to god the winds don't catch us." Is offered from his companion.
Sammuel's tongue kisses his teeth as he nudges the camel along, its gait picking up as the two attempt to outrun the storm. He hoped that the air would be cooler the faster they moved, but sadly he was wrong. Sweat still beaded his brow and ran along his spine every so often. These deserts were unforgivable, but that was what he loved the most. The thrill of adventure and the excitement of his findings. He would be a terrible archaeologist if otherwise.
"
Sammy, do you really think we will find the tomb of Pharaoh Tantamani?" Is questioned from the side.
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I told you not to call me that. Not even my mother calls me that anymore." Is grumbled in response, hazel gaze shifting sharply to the side. "Maybe I should call you Micky instead of Micah. Regardless of your poor choice in name calling, to answer your question I think its more along the lines of how can we not find it." Eyes shift behind them to gauge the storm's distance before continuing. "You're new, I understand that, so I'll be nice when I say this. I've been searching for this tomb for most of my career. I've checked all but one place, and it has to be there. No doubt."
"
We're going to find the last Nubian King of Egypt, and we're going to be famous." Sammuel laughs, a grin spreading across his face as his gaze turns to Micah. "We'll have museums begging at our feet for anything they can get like the scavengers they are, offering us thousands of dollars for a mere piece of gold. We'll be rich, untouchable, and we'll have the ladies hanging from us like hungry dogs begging for our meat." Sammuel's words are followed by a laugh.
"
You're sick, always thinking about the pussy you'll get when you make a discovery like this." Micah retorts with a disgusted scoff, but he can't help the greedy grin that spreads over his lips at the thought. "Do you have this mapped out or something? I mean, it would make sense, I just want to make sure I'm not going end up lost with you for months at a time with no reward and a slow agonizing death."
"
Of course I have it mapped, you idiot. What kind of moron wouldn't have everything ready to go in the event of an emergency? I only have enough supplies on me to get there and set up a camp. Once the storm passes and we rest up we begin our journey, no time to wait."
Silence follows the two soon after, the only sound being the grunts and moans of the camels they rode and the scrape of the sand as it rushed over itself around them. Sammuel could see the buildings ahead, it looked like the remnants of an old outpost of some kind. Likely dated years back, he was surprised it wasn't further degraded but also thankful that it would be suitable enough to sit out the sandstorm that waged behind them. Maybe they would find something of interest within? It was highly unlikely, but he could dream of artifacts and wall paintings that told a story of the past inhabitants.
The storm waged closer and closer with each passing moment, and so did their destination. Thankfully, it seemed that they would reach the gaggle of buildings in time to find the most sturdy one, and set up camp before hell was upon them. Sammuel let his gaze wander but for a brief moment, settling out to the horizon as the sun began to sink below the sea of sand. Tomorrow they would set out for the location of the tomb. It had to be there, no doubt about it. He couldn't imagine that his readings had been incorrect. He was rarely wrong, and with a discovery this big, he would never make a mistake that could potentially end his life. The man was too careful for that.

"Sam?"
The word instantly breaks his train of thought, shattering his imaginative view of the tomb and the artifacts they would find within. His head shakes slightly before snapping up to find Micah had pulled ahead while he daydreamed. Shit, whoops.
"
You're going to be food for the Sandman if you don't hurry it up. We still have to find a building to shelter in."
"
Quit nagging me, I got lost in thought for but a moment. Not like I drifted off course or anything. Just a little sidetracked about or imminent success." Sammuel replies with a slight chuckle, eyes landing on the outpost in front of them. "You go to the left, I'll take the right. It's likely the better buildings are in the center, but you never know what you'll find if you look hard enough. I'd say we have about an hour before the storm hits."
"
Alright alright, shout if you find anything of interest. Or, if you find something that'll keep us live for the next few hours. Preferably something without scorpions." Micah shudders atop his camel at the thought before nudging the beast and heading off.
"
Scorpions? Fucking pansy. God forbid you run into a Cobra." Sammuel rolls his eyes, shifting the reins to the right and wandering into the buildings. Most were mere shells of their former selves, the only thing left being broken walls and caved in roofing. After dismounting the Camel with careful precision and pulling the reins around the front to guide the animal, he peers into several of the broken homes. Nothing was left. The items were either taken by the inhabitants or lost to the sands. A shame really, but his thoughts didn't dwell on it too long.
"
SAMMUEL!"
His name echoes around him, bouncing off the broken walls like a rogue ping pong ball. It makes finding its location only that much harder. The man quickly glances around before thankfully spotting the waving arm of Micah from a few footpaths down. A sigh of relief leaves Sammuel as he finds Micah okay, and not injured much like he had feared. While the man was still a new companion, it would be devastating to have something terrible happen to him.
Quickly, Sammuel makes his way over, pulling the bored camel along with him as his feet slosh through the sands. Potentially passing up the opportunity to find something within the buildings to save his ass from the storm that was rushing in. Without hesitation, he pulls his scarf up from around his neck to cover his mouth and nose and keep his air quality somewhat clear.
"
Did you find something?" He asks, the words faintly muffled from the scarf.
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I found a place with a partial roof. The part that's down is facing the storm thankfully. It should keep us safe." Micah replies, quickly ushering Sammuel forward.
Upon reaching the building, they quickly tie the reins of the camels through a window and door frame before scrambling for their packs. Tossing the bags in and ducking inside just as the winds began to tear through the outpost. The winds were slow at first, but as the storm fully set in, the wind ripped past the windows to create an eerie howl that echoed within the small room they would call home. It would be a miracle if they even slept.
"
The camels will be okay?" Micah asks, pulling out a lantern and pulling a match against the wall to give them some light.
"
Oh yeah, their skin is thick enough to withstand the sand. They can always poke their heads in the window or door if they feel like it. They're quite adapted to this environment. You'd be surprised at what they can withstand." Sammuel replies, pulling out his makeshift cot and pulling it close to a wall without a window.
"
You should probably set up here too," His hand motions beside where he stands before continuing, "That way we can set up the stove by the window and get dinner started."
"
Sure. I'll get my bedding sorted and start on the stove, but I think I'm going to pass on dinner. Somethings not sitting right with me." Micah shrugs, dragging his pack over beside Sammuel's already set up bedding. "I'll save my ration for a rainy day."
"
Rainy day? In the Great Sand Sea desert? Funny." Sammuel laughs half-heartedly but passes a grin toward Micah to let the man know he'd understood completely. "I hope it settles soon. Maybe have a bit of my meal to at least keep your strength up for the journey tomorrow."
With that Sammuel turns to unpack the stove, unfolding the metal and pulling out the small candles that would heat the coils up. Striking a match against the nearest sandy wall, he lights the candles, using small bits of broken wall to block the wind from blowing it out. As the coil begins to heat up, he unwinds the lid on his daily ration, dumping it into the small pot and prodding it with a spork. It shouldn't take too long to heat up to a good temperature, and that would leave him with some time to hydrate and speak with his new companion.
"
So, have you heard of any stories in this part?" Sammuel asks lightly, pulling the waterskin out of his insulated bag and taking a few sips.
"
Nothing really. I came here to find my own stories. Perhaps make my own."
"
Interesting enough, though I wouldn't mind sharing a few I know of until bed if you're interested?"
"
Well at first I wasn't, but now you're just teasing." A chuckle follows the words as Micah sits at the end of the cot, balancing his head upon his fist with his chin.
"
Alright, let us start with the tale of Khaliset. Khaliset was a consort of Atlanersa, who was a Kushite king of Napata. Atlanersa is the son of either Tantamani or possibly Taharqa. The inscriptions in his tomb were not preserved fully, his mothers' name is only partially known. Regardless, She was a wife of Atlanersa, but also his sister. Their rulings back then were much different than now, as I'm sure you know." He pauses briefly, stirring his dinner and rolling his shoulders.
"
They tried for many months to conceive a child, but due to incest, no child could make it within her womb. She believed herself cursed, and prayed for many many nights to Qetesh, the Goddess of fertility, that she could bear her king and her brother a son. She surrounded herself with talismans of Tawaret, the Hippopotamus goddess of childbirth, in hopes that she would protect her pregnancy and allow her to give Atlanersa a son. Eventually, she grew mad with grief at the loss of so many children that she turned her back on the Gods. She spat at Osiris's face and damned him for taking so many of her children into the field of reeds. It is a sad tale, honestly, and that is the last I have read on her in recent findings. It seems she never was able to bring a child into the world for Atlanersa, perhaps she was exiled, or executed." His shoulders pop up in a shrug as he concludes his story.
By this time, his food had begun to bubble happily in the small pot, meaning it was time to eat. Carefully he lifts the pot from the stove and blows out the single candle so that it would cool while he told Micah of his plan for the next day. Just as he begins to stand, Micah moves as well, shifting something just out of sight. It was odd and gave Sammuel a strange chill in the heated air.
"
Sad tale indeed. You really seem to know quite a bit about the Egyptians. So anyway, are we going to go over the plan for tomorrow? I'd love to see the map, see if we can plot a shorter course to the tomb." Micah quickly fills the silence, eyes remaining on Sammuel but his features calm.
"
Well, it's kinda my job to know all about the Egyptians. Otherwise, I wouldn't get paid." A laugh is offered as he turns toward his pack. "I was actually just going to grab that. It's better that we start tomorrow already knowing where we're headed. That way if something comes up unannounced, we can easily either avoid it or take it in stride." His hands pull out a dusty map, and he spreads it across the sandy floor. Using small rocks, he keeps the corners pinned so that it can't roll itself back up.
"
Once the storm clears, I'll have to shoot an azimuth with the Pyramids and pinpoint where we are so that we end up in the proper place." He brushes the map a few times with his hand to rid it of sand. "But this is where we're headed." He lets his hand fall on a spot with a small little mark to indicate the location. "That's where he'll be."
"
Fantastic! I can't believe we're this close." Micah exclaims, having suddenly perked up now that the map was visible.
Sammuel couldn't help but feel something was a little off about the situation, especially with how keenly Micah's eyes were when he was putting the map back in a safe container to preserve it from the sand and winds. With his back turned to the man now, he began to pour his food into a small bowl so that he could consume it easily. Each second that passed left more and more of the hairs along the back of his neck raising. Something wasn't right. That fight or flight instinct was kicking in, and his instinct told him that he needed to keep Micah in his sight at all times.
His mind pauses to process this all, brows furrowing as he realizes what he's actually thinking. Micah wouldn't actually do anything, would he? Sure, he didn't know the man all that well, but that didn't mean that he would stab him in the back the second he got.. would he?
"
On second thought, I'm actually pretty hungry. Would you mind if I took your ration and gave you one of mine from my pack? I don't want to skip a meal and be weak for the trip tomorrow." Micah suddenly mutters, damn near scaring the shit out of Sammuel.
"
Oh, that's fine I suppose. I seemed to have lost my appetite anyway. I'll just wake up earlier to cook a large breakfast for myself." His words are breathy as if he had just run a few paces in the heat. It made him even more nervous when Micah gave him a strange look.
"
I'll just turn in for the night. You'll wake me if you hear anything yeah?" Sammuel offers, passing the food off to Micah before slumping into a sitting position on his own cot. "My internal alarm will have me up before the sun, so no need to worry about that." His grin is forced as he slowly sinks into the bedding.
"
Oh, yeah sure no worries! Thanks for the food by the way. Sorry for just, taking it." Micah adds the end in sheepishly, turning to watch as Sammuel faces away from him. Making what came next all too easy.
A knife slides easily from its sheath, making little to no sound as Micah shifts in his bed to get closer to Sammuel. This man was a fool and made it entirely too easy to take advantage of him. Those riches would be his, and he would never share the fame. Sammuel would not be waking up, and if he did, he'd never leave this desert alive. All those rations of his would be used, nothing would go to waste, aside from the man's body that would be left out to rot in the heat.
The bowl of stew is placed in the sands, leaving Micah with his hands-free to do what they needed to. Quietly, he stands, taking very careful steps forward with the blade in hand. Just jab and its done. Right?
"
No hard feelings, Sammy." Is whispered as the knife flies forward, sinking into Sammuel with ease.
A yelp comes from the bundle which begins to thrash on the cot, causing the knife to slide out of the wound and nearly causing Micah to trip over his own as a flash of metal catches the reflection of the lantern. Sammuel had come prepared but had not listened to his instinct. If he could not have the treasure, then neither of them would have it.
A deafening clap, followed by a shriek of surprise fills the building. In the trembling hands of Sammuel rests a pistol, which was fully loaded and now only missing one bullet. Hazel gaze watches as Micah falls to the ground, turning over the bowl of stew in the sand while he clutches his chest. The once tan shirt is now darkening with his blood as the man's wide gaze shifts to Sammuel.
"
No hard feelings." Is spat from Samuel's mouth, blood following his saliva and dripping into his bedding. The initial shock had masked the pain, but now he felt the wound. It was deep, in the side. He could already tell from the shortness of his breath that this lung was fucked. He already knew he was going to die in this stupid run-down shack, and that all his work was for nothing.
"
Sonnofabitch." He groans, falling back into his bedding as his body shrieked at him with all sorts of alarms in the form of pain. "So this is how it ends." Hazel gaze etches the ceiling for a moment before shifting to where Micah lay. He was already dead, his head slumped forward, and his hand now laying limp in his lap. Serves him right, but Sammuel knew that he was soon to follow. This was not good, there was no way to get help. At least, he had the time to pray for his soul, and what better Gods to pray to, than the ones of this land.
"
Anubis, please walk with me in the field of reeds. Guide me into the afterlife and deliver me into the hands of Osiris. I pray that Mafdet has witnessed these crimes, and only he may judge me for my past." The words are broken, nearly panted as his left lung collapses, and his chest begins to fill with his own blood. His head feels light as his heart attempts to pump the ever-diminishing supply of blood through his body. "Osiris, please take my Ka, nurture it and protect it along with Isis until I can be born again through Khepri."
And then, it all went dark.