Alysha "Ali" Duncan Wentworth stood on the deck of the Egyptian Star watching as the port of Cairo grew closer by the minute.
She was so lost in her thoughts she did not hear her daughter Elizabeth approach.
"Mother…Mother" Elizabeth said touching Ali's arm bringing her out of her thoughts.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I was lost in my thoughts, I guess" Ali said taking Elizabeth's hand.
"It's alright Mother. Are you nervous?" Elizabeth asked, taking in the odd look on Ali's face.
"Nervous and excited" Ali said smiling a small smile.
Elizabeth nodded and then added as she watched her brother Jonathan and her Aunt Caroline and Uncle Peter approach "I think we are going to be docking very soon"
Ali nodded and turned to speak to her family, her voice rather low so only they could hear "Remember everyone, Mr. Sayed from the Museum will be meeting us and we are here as patrons of the Museum."
Everyone nodded and then Ali continued "He will take us to the hotel where we will stay and he will tell us about the rest of our stay in Cairo".
Just as Ali finished they heard "All ashore" and they made their way to disembark.
As they stepped onto the dock, Ali began to search the crowd. That's when she heard Jonathan say "There, there he is".
Ali looked in the direction Jonathan was pointing and saw a well-dressed man holding a sign saying "Wentworth".
As they walked up to him he spoke "Mrs Wentworth?" Ali nodded and he spoke again "I am Mr Sayed."
"It's nice to meet you Mr Sayed." Turning, she then introduced him to her family.
Afterward he motioned to the 2 men with him and they took Ali's family luggage and moved it to one of the waiting cars. He then directed Ali and her family to another car.
Arriving at the hotel they made their way up to the suite that would be Ali and her family's rooms.
After the men brought in the luggage and left Mr. Sayed turned to Ali and bowed "My lady it is my honor to serve you and your family, while you are here".
Ali smiled "Thank you Mr. Sayed"
They then went about discussing the plans for their time in Cairo.
As Mr. Sayed prepared to leave he bowed again. "Again My Lady, it is my great honor to assist you."
Ali smiled "Thank you and we will see you after breakfast in the morning."
"Yes, My Lady. Please remember they are expecting you in the private dining room tonight at 7pm". And with that he was gone
The next day and half went by quickly for Ali and her family. The following morning Mr. Sayed took them on a tour of the museum and then around the city. That evening they attended a Gala at the Museum where Ali made a donation in her late husband John's name.
Even though they arrived at their hotel late that night they knew they would have to be up early the next morning, as they were to meet Mr. Sayed in the private dining room at 6 a.m.
That next morning as they were finishing their breakfast Mr. Sayed entered the dining room.
Good morning my….Ma'am" he corrected himself.
"Good morning Mr. Sayed"
He sat down and lowered his voice a bit "I have sent the men up to get your bags as we discussed. They will take them to the stables."
"Thank you Mr. Sayed." Looking around the table and see that her family was finished with their breakfast she added "I believe we are ready to depart"
A few moments later they were in a car headed across town toward the stables.
As they arrived Mr. Sayed directed them toward the back of the stable.
Reaching the back he said "Just a moment. Let me make sure everything is ready for you".
Moments later Mr. Sayed returned "Please follow me"
They made their way through the back doors of the stable. As they turned the corner Ali stopped. There in front of her were 2 Medjai.
She instantly knew neither were Ardeth, but still seeing a Medjai after twenty years was almost unreal.
She was even more surprised when one of them took down their veil. "Oh my gosh, Ahmed!" She almost cried.
"Hello My Lady" then noting the smirk on Ali's face he adds "Ali" with a grin.
Without thinking Ali stepped forward and hugged him. Stepping back she blushed and Ahmed smiled. Nervously she added "Let me introduce you to my family. Turning she said "This is my daughter Elizabeth, my son Jonathan and my brother in law and sister in law Peter and Caroline."
"It is very nice to me you" Ahmed said then added "Let me introduce you to my son, Jahar".
The other Medjai stepped forward and took down his veil and said in a bit more heavily accented English "Hello everyone"
Ali just happened to notice Elizabeth's face as Jahar spoke and she smiled. She also noticed that Jahar's eyes lingered on Elizabeth a bit longer than the rest. Finally looking at Ali he reached out his hand and as they shook hands he said "It is an honor to finally meet you My Lady"
Ali smiled 'It's good to meet you"
Ahmed spoke up "We should leave so to get to the village before the noon sun". He then turned to his horse and when he turned back around he had a pile of dark clothing. Looking at Ali he said "I believe you wanted to wear these"
Ali nodded "Yes I think it would be best". Taking the robes and turban material she helped her family dress. A few moments later they were ready to depart. Ahmed aided Ali onto her horse, as Peter helped Caroline. Before Jonathan could help his sister Elizabeth, Jahar and said "May I help you Elizabeth?" Elizabeth nodded.
Moments later, the caravan that included Ali and her family, Ahmed and Jahar and several more Medjai, were headed out across the desert to the village Ali thought she would never see again.