Chapter 3: That no one else can see...
(Revised)
As thoughts escaped down distant tunnels,
soon recollection was lost balancing upon the tip of his tongue,
walking a fine line through thsese otherworldly passage ways,
light had given into the dark,
foreshadowing that which was about to come.
The sea was a shining symbol of freedom, a force so massive, so powerful it could engulf islands, wreck ships, yet still could hold the captivating beauty that one could devote their lives to. Daniel had been at sea for what seemed like a century before making it to land. The entire time he had spent at Herbert's side was nothing but shared philosophies, histories, and superstitions.
These things were a marvel to the young brunette as he listened to the words of his aging mentor. As time went by Daniel soon lost all recollection of the emaciated woman at the seaside inn, for his mind was too focused on the events to come.
"Daniel do you believe in fate?" Herbert asked as they stood looking over the broad expanse as the sun hit the horizon. Painting the sky pink and the ocean a dazzling array of yellow and black that seemed to mimic the ever burning stars.
"Fate? Why would you ask about fate?" He pushed himself off the ships railings having spent most of his time resting his head and elbows while watching natures daily routine take its course.
"Well, many people believe it to be either an ominous force engulfing a person in either tragedy or great fortune. It is inescapable much like death, or aging and can tie the most unlikely people together."
Daniel watched his mentor before reiterating his previous question to his senior.
"Why are you asking about fate Herbert?"
The old man pulled an ivory pipe from his pocket before slipping out a small satchel of tobacco. Filling his pipe he set to lighting taking a deep drag before letting the smoke loose through his nostrils. The very sight reminded Daniel of the strange oriental dragons he had seen inked on silk scrolls brought over from the asian continent.
"It's been bothering me Daniel," Herbert took another drag, his usually jovial face was now tight and serious as worry lines bloomed across his brow. "I feel as though something ominous itself is just over the horizon calling our names. Like fate is beckoning us onward to a strange and unexplored fate."
For whatever reason at all Herbert's words struck Daniel like a hard blow as he felt his stomache tighten nervously. He had not felt this till now but as he looked at the ever growing night sky he had to reassure himself that it was just his mind playing tricks. The most he would have to worry himself of would be the inevitable booby traps that awaited them at Tin Hinan's tomb.
"Herbert," Daniel looked to his mentor. "Do you believe in fate?"
The old professor turned to his pupil his eyes softened with tented brows. "Yes Daniel, I believe I do."
It hadn't occurred to Daniel how Herbert had found this location amongst the vast nothingness of the Algerian desert. However they had made it to the site with a great deal of men and even some ship hands that were to help move and carry equipment they didn't trust to hand off to the natives.
When they had made camp and the tents and food had been readied did Daniel notice an odd little creature sitting away from the group.
"Herbert? Who is that fellow?"
Herbert who had been having an interesting conversation with one of the deck hands about knots and their various uses and turned to look towards the person in question.
"Oh," his voice bored with the topic, "That would be the cabin boy, apparently he was half starved when they put him on the ship. Captain had nearly sent him away when under inspection but the boy had some crack pot story about his vast knowledge in sailing, which turned out to be a lie, and now the scamp is here to carry luggage for some extra coin."
"Oh," Daniel replied lamely. He couldn't shake the strange feeling that he had seen this small man before. Going through his mind, reeling through his memories Daniel couldn't believe he had ever seen this man before in his life let alone on the ship.
"Well," Herbert patted Daniel on the shoulder giving him a slight shake and stirring him from his train of thought. "I'm off to bed, I would suggest you do the same."
With that Herbert made his way to his tent as many of the other men did much the same. However Daniel seemed to be stuck in place as he watched the thin figure of the cabin boy. The small man seemed to looking out into the vast dessert not pertrubed at all by the chilling night air.
"Daniel," Called Herbert, "we have a long day tomorrow come inside before you freeze to death."
Daniel kept his place as he watched the cabin boy spring on his feet his clothes were baggy and worn consisting of a large brown cap that covered his face well, a loose white shirt, and rough brown pants. He turned to see Daniel spying on him he turned away making use of shelter in a small poorly pitched tent.
"Come on Daniel!" Herbert called again.
"I'm coming," Daniel shouted irritation getting the best of his nerves as Herbert vanished back inside. Daniel took one last look to the small tent before making his way back to his own shared shelter.
"Herbert!" Daniel said as the older man tied the pink and wight lacing around his head. "I look positively ridiculous."
"Oh, hush up. It's better than being exposed to the sun." Once Herbert was done he reached back among the luggage and pulled out a parasol that matched the bonnet placed on young Daniel's head. "Besides I got a good deal on these and I will have them put to good use."
"Somehow I am getting a rather nagging feeling your doing this just to play some sort of joke on me." Daniel said with a bit of an edge showing his displeasure.
"Now, Daniel," Herbert feigned shock, "It pains me to see you this way. However beggars can't be choosers and you forgot to bring any means of protection from the sun. Maybe next time you'll pack wiser."
Digging was only possible at Dusk and there was almost no escaping the heat during the day. The Cabin boy seemed to elude Daniel since the expedition began much to his own displeasure. He would have gone on a search himself, but with the expedition underway and all the managing Herbert and Daniel had to do, it was forgotten.
Tomorrow was the day, Daniel's crowning moment. Herbert had told Daniel to go ahead and lead the expedition, he would venture down into the very heart of the tomb and seize any treasures or discoveries he might find.
Soon all of there hard work would bare fruit and Daniel could prove his father wrong.
Perhaps these were all the ill-conceived notions of a youth believing himself to be upon the brink of discovery, however somewhere deep down his his subconscious something told him that he would find something life changing.
The stone had fallen and Daniel was encased in the pitch black nothing he had spent his entire life trying to escape. Clawing at the thin seams in the door he quickly found that the chamber had little to no air. He stood gasping as his breathe became more labored...
A shining light seemed to call his name. He turned and saw the glowing path of colors he could not place, in shades he had never seen, he followed the strange glow seeing it's source, it's power. Taking that power in his hands it grew and grew until...
An hour had passed and Herbert's voice was shrill, he and every man on the sight were working to move the massive stone structure even the cabin boy with his scrawny limbs did his best in their efforts.
Finally the rock gave way and opened to a great chamber. To all those who were present it held next to nothing but his student, his friend, lying on the ground. As he stood stupefied the Arabs were upon him carrying his limp body out.
"Is he fine?"
"Look he isn't breathing!"
The native looked to each other and Herbert could hear the sounds of the natives who muttered about curses and ancient folklore.
"What do we do?" One man yelped.
To everyone surprise it was the cabin boy who was first to act. He turned Daniel on his back placing an ear to his chest listening for the audible sign of life a light thumping sound was enough as the Cabin boy took a deep breath smothering Daniels mouth, breathing life back into him. It took a while before Daniels natural reflexes hit him sending him into sputtering coughs as he gasped for air.
However as he looked towards the eyes of the Cabin "boy" he immediately knew who it was who this illusive person was; his hands still firmly held to the shards of the strange orb.
"It's you... you're the girl from the inn."
A/N: It's been a while but I had some writers block on this story. XP AWWW Well. I atually like how this one is turning out and I want to keep it good. Hopefully people still want to read this story cuz I plan on making some chapters for it. This part is a little rushy because I don't want to waste to much time in Algeria and I want to get to Brennenburg where the juicy stuff happens +w+ you know what i mean.
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