Chapter 1
Lady Verena looked out the French windows of her parent's chateau in Switzerland. The 800 hundred year old chateau sat on a hill, overlooking the near by village of Riederalp. The chateau was surrounded by a snow covered garden in the back and while in the front, where the stables and driveway where located the frost covered gate stood still, like Swiss Guard standing tall and proud. Jack Frost had arrived in Switzerland; even though it was barely a foot of snow it was early for mid October, but soon the skiers would flock to Riederalp for the annual Skier's Fest. Where the locals bring out their homemade goods and sell to the tourists who flock like birds heading south.
Lady Verena sighed; she had everything she could ever want, well almost everything as she placed her hand on her stomach. Even though she was wearing an ebony silk blouse she felt the scars that covered her stomach. It had been six years since the accident that killed her older brother Jonathan and their long time diver Hans Peter. Verena was lucky enough to come out with her life, but her brother wasn't so lucky, he had died in the accident and was buried while Verena was in the hospital. When Verena's parents, Lord Charles Hertz and Lady Christine Hertz found out that she couldn't have any children, they abandoned her. To them a woman, who wasn't able to bare children, was worth nothing. For her parents blood and status meant more to them than family ever did. Henry was the only one who really loved Verena even more after the accident. After Verena was released from hospital she was sent to live in Switzerland, to which she didn't mind because that meant she didn't have to listen to the gossip that would ensue at balls, picnics, and what ever else the London season could produce.
Verena looked down at the news article in her hand, it was dated two days ago, but the headline burned into her memory.
Lord and Lady Hertz killed! Pont Del l'Alma Tunnel
The world stands in shock as the Pont Del l'Alma Tunnel claims two more lives of the British nobility. Lord Charles Daniel Hertz and his beloved wife, Lady Christine Angela James Hertz where killed when a truck carrying fruits and vegetables lost control and crashed into the couple's Mercedes Benz on October 19th. This is the same tunnel where just 15 years ago killed the world's beloved Princess Diana, Princess of Wales. Police where on the scene within minutes after the accident. Lady Hertz was pulled from the wreckage by a passing motorist, but died shortly after. The police are starting their investigation, they are not commenting at this moment. They have closed the tunnel until their investigation is done. "The British couple where passing through France to see their daughter Lady Verena Engel Hertz who lives in Riederalp, Switzerland." Says British ambassador Mon. Henry Jordan. Lord Charles Hertz, who was made a lord 26 years ago on the birth the heir, Daniel Markus Hertz in 1986; he made his fortune in both the cosmetics and fashion industry. Lord Charles and his wife; Lady Christine will be greatly remembered. Our hearts go to the three surviving children, Lord Daniel, Lord Henry, and Lady Verena Hertz.
Verena dropped the French newspaper and cried into a velvet cushion near her. "Dame Hertz ist alls all right" asked an older woman in a servant uniform. Verena kept on crying". "Was ist" said the fiftyish looking woman as she sat down beside Verena. Verena kept on crying, "Ah hush meine kind, alls ist all right" she soothed in broken English. Just then, the phone rang. "Du stay here. Ich get telephone" came the broken English again. Verena look up and smiled weakly, she loved, Jasmine very much. Jasmine was new when Verena came here to live. Over the years they had more of a mother daughter relationship than a servant to mistress relationship. "Dame Hertz ist es Meister Hertz from Egypt" called Jasmine from down stairs. Verena's heart soared, "Henry" she said as she stood up and hurried down the marble staircase.
The clicking sound of Verena's heels announced her presents as she took the phone from Jasmine and smiled a brief smile. "Henry" stated Verna her voice choked up. "Vee, how are you handling things? I heard about what happened to mom and dad…I'm sorry I really hoped I could be there for you right now" said the soft gentle voice of Henry Hertz. "I know, feel so broken right now, I feel all alone. First Jonathan and now dad" wept Verena. "I know what you mean, and to think that Daniel is now the second Lord of Cornwall is rather scary" came the reply. There was no reply from Verena, "You know it sounds like you need a vacation. Why don't you join me here? In Egypt, you'll love it I just know you will," suggested Henry as he waited for his sister's reply. "I don't know, with all that's happened in the news lately. I mean wealthy Egyptians are getting attacked all the time", said Verena wearily. "Come on Vee, is this the same girl who punched the Blackmore boys after they called her a chicken. Where is your sense of adventure" encouraged Henry.
Verena looked at the grandfather clock, which was standing in the hall. She sighed, "Alright, but for how long?" asked Verena. "As long as my baby sister wants" smiled Henry. "Okay I guess it won't hurt to get out of the Europe for awhile," replied Verena. "Alright my sis is coming to Egypt. Don't worry me and Jacques will meet you at the airport in Cairo" said Henry. "Okay, but before you get all excited, Daniel called this morning. He said he was going to send all of father's Egyptian collection to me, here at the chateau. He wanted me to tell you that" said Verna. There was a long pause on the other line. "Henry are you still there?" asked Verena. "Yes" came the quiet response. "Why does Daniel want all of the Egyptian collection in Switzerland and not at home?" asked Henry. "He said something about not wanting to be around "creepy old stuff" those are his words" quoted Verena. "I see…hold on one moment…. yes…yes…okay…" "Henry are you talking to someone else?" asked Verena. "Okay thanks, Hi I'm back. Oh yea that was Jacques giving me a report of something I needed. Hey listen I got to run, but call me when you know when your flight gets in and don't forget to pack your summer things. It's technically winter here, but it's still warm though. So pack clothes that are decent, okay the men down here are rather picky and I don't want you to get kidnapped or something okay sis". "Okay big brother" smiled Verena. "Okay hope to see you soon. Love you bye" ended Henry as Verena heard a click on the other line.
"Jasmine…pack my bags…I'm going to Egypt"
As Henry ended the call, he looked over to where Jacques was getting the workmen ready. He walked over to the army jeep, and got in the front seat. "Who was zat you were talking to?" asked Jacques his messy brown hair blowing in his face. Henry turned to face him. "Oh that was my little sister, Vee as I call her. I asked her to come to Egypt for a break" replied Henry. "Is zat right, you know it's rather dangerous for a mear woman to come to a foreign country that is in the middle of an uprising" stated Jacques as he lowered his safari hat over his eyes more, thus making him look more dangerous then he already was. Henry stood up from his seat in the jeep and rising to his full height of 6'4. "Listen do you think that I don't know that. Verena is different from any mear…woman. She beat up three boys for calling her a chicken when she was only ten, and she is not the social butterfly that everyone here thinks she is. She is more of a wallflower if anything," stated Henry in a deeper tone of voice. Jacques glared at him, but Henry glared back. "You know what, you are right" smiled Jacques as he backed off and let Henry have his way. "I guess I can't judge a book until I have read it". Henry laughed, "You know Jacques, I don't believe what every one says about you. You can be a funny guy, you know that". Jacques laughed too. "Listen no hard feelings," asked Henry. "None Monsieur Hertz" said Jacques as he bowed his head. "What have I told you about the Monsieur thing, it's Henry, just Henry. No need to be so formal, when were playing in the sand box after all" joked Henry. "That's right. I best go back to work," replied Jacques. "Alright let me know when we can head out," said Henry as he turned to relax in the jeep. "I will, you won't last long though," said Jacques under his breath as he walked away.
Somewhere in the desert near the Valley of the Kings, Ramses opened his eyes. He immediately shaded his eyes, since the bright sun shone directly into his eyes. Ramses slowly stood up, and looked around. The dryness of his throat told Ramses that he needed to find water fast. "If it were only night, then I might be able to find the path to Thebes" said Ramses in ancient Egyptian. The sandy brown desert stretched as far as Ramses could see. Ramses looked down and saw that he was wearing a simple white linen kilt. He noticed that he was wearing his golden sandals and arms bands. His well-defined tanned body glistened in the hot Egyptian sun as he felt the searing scorch his skin. Ramses tried to make sense of what was happening. He was sure he died, but he couldn't remember; all his memories from his live were gone.
Suddenly out of the corner out of his eyes he saw moving figure, as Ramses strained his eyes, he could make out to what looked like a traveling caravan. He ran as far as his long legs could carry him up the nearest sand dune. As soon as he reached the top of the nearest sand dune, he again squinted to see if it wasn't mirage he saw, but there it was, still moving was the caravan. Ramses ran down the other side of the sand dune towards the moving caravan, but there was a voice at the back of his mind saying that something was not as it seemed.
"Hey Abdulla did you see that in the distance" asked Mohammed Bali. "What do you mean Bali? Are you seeing things again, it's just a mirage" stated Abdulla as he reined in his horse to face his friend. "No I'm sure I saw something this time…hey what's that" pointed Bali as he also reined his horse and pointed to a moving figure. "I don't know, but what ever it is, it's coming this way. Lets go and investigate," stated Abdulla as he grabbed his ancient Winchester rifle from its holster. "Are you sure we should" asked his friend. "Of course, you never know, we might get our selves another slave. Maybe someone we could actually sell to Jacques Maline. You know he wasn't happy with our last batch of "workers" I don't think he'll ever find that Heart of the Nile. Everyone knows it's just an old wives tale," stated Abdulla with disgust. "Okay, Mali bring me the ropes and the old mule," hollered Bali to one of the riders not to far behind him.
A few moments later the mule and ropes where brought to the front of the line. The captured prisoners looked at each other in fear, each one was worrying about what was going to happen. As they saw this transaction being done, a small ten-year-old girl with sad brown eyes peeked out of a small cart. She then held the plain rugged looking wooden cross; it was the same cross she had carved out of piece slightly charred wood six months ago. The child sent a prayer, hoping that the poor soul that the slave traders where going to capture; had the guts to run away from them. "Run away brave soul, run for your life" said the child as she watched the two traders ride towards the figure.
Ramses stopped running, he saw that two riders where coming towards him. He looked down on his left side and that was when he saw the incision scar. "Wait, this isn't making any sense. I would have only received this scar unless… No that can't be…how can I be…dead," said Ramses in confusion as he ran his left hand over the scar. "None of this is making any sense…" but before Ramses could finish his sentence the two riders had approached.
© 2012 D.V.L.H