Chapter Four

"We'll need to refresh on supplies before we can even think of heading into the desert," Evie told the group as they as they walked down the streets of Cairo, passing street vendors and noisy bars. "We'll need water, and snacks and we'll need a way to get to the pyramids and maybe we should…"

"Maybe," Rick placed a finger over Evie's lips to silence her, "We should get some dinner before we head out on our big adventure."

"That's a brilliant idea," Evie's face lit up, "We'll have to split up if we want to get started before sunset."

"We could always start tomorrow," Rick suggested.

"Nonsense," Evie insisted, "We've already wasted a day. And I'm quite sure Professor Lambert wants to get back to her group. Don't you Professor?"

"I have been gone for quite some time," Vivienne nodded, "And please, don't feel obligated to call me professor."

"Fine," Rick said with a slight grumpiness creeping into his voice, "We'll split up. Alex and I will go get water and some camels or horses. Evie, you take Jon and Vivienne to find dinner for tonight and snacks. Fair?"

"Fair," Evie and Jonathan replied simultaneously while Vivienne simply nodded her agreement.

"We'll meet back here in an hour," Evie told Rick before placing a soft kiss on his lips and giving Alex a big hug, "Be careful you two. She watched as Alex and Rick headed across the street, unable to shake the feeling that she should be worried about them.

"Where to first ol'mum?" Jonathan asked, breaking Evie's reverie. She turned back to her companions with a smile on her face, not at all betraying what she really felt. Evie knew this part of town quite well and remembered this wonderful little restaurant she used to eat at. Their menu was the most divine selection of authentic European food; something that Evie knew would please everyone.

"I know the perfect place," Evie announced, "It's around the block, but there's a little shortcut we can take. Follow me." She led the group down the street, past a few more buildings before stopping in front of a dimly lit alley. Peering down the alley, Evie could see where it met the next block. She could see her restaurant from here, with the bright lights and chatting people sitting outside. "Well, come on," she started into the alley, motioning for her brother and Vivienne to follow. Admittedly, Jonathan was a little sceptical. In all his years in Egypt, he had run into some trouble in the alleyways. Still, he had been rather intoxicated and deep in debt those days, so maybe there was nothing to worry about. And besides, Evie was already halfway down the alley, Vivienne not far behind her. Jonathan hurried to catch up to the women. He had taken no more than ten steps before a strong hand came down on his shoulder. Jonathan let out a startled cry before he was shoved against the wall, coming face to face with his attacker, or rather attackers. The man pinning him against the wall was a large, burly man and he wore a mask to hide his face, as did the other, slightly smaller man, who was pointing a rather menacing knife at Evie and Vivienne, who had stopped and turned at Jonathan's cry.

"What's a little worm like you doing with two pretty ladies like this," the larger man asked Jonathan. His breath reeked of strong gin and a mixture of other alcohols, nearly making Jonathan gag. The fact that the man had his elbow digging into his gut didn't help much either. With one forceful thrust, the man threw Jonathan to the floor and kicked him in the stomach. Jonathan heard Evie scream, only to be threatened in harsh words by the smaller man with the knife. Jonathan sincerely hoped he would not use the weapon on his sister, nor Vivienne for that matter. With another sharp kick the man began to talk to Jonathan once again.

"I hope you don't mind that I'll be taking these pretty ladies off your hands." Jonathan moved to get up, but felt cool metal against his neck. He knew there was a blade there and he knew this man would use it. Closing his eyes, Jonathan waited for the pain to come. Instead, there was a loud crack that Jonathan recognized to be a gunshot, followed by shouting in Arabic and screaming from women. Another gunshot rang out and Jonathan covered his head with his arms, hoping that the shooter was on his side. He peeked out through his fingers to see Evie and Vivienne crouched low, but seemingly unharmed. That was very good.

"Is everyone alright?"

Jonathan recognized the deep voice that had posed the question. He watched as Evie and Vivienne both stood, Evie running to their saviour and Vivienne stopping to help Jonathan stand, which he could not do without wincing in great pain. As soon as he was standing, Jonathan's eyes met with the eyes of the man who had saved his life.

"Ardeth, old friend," he smiled as best as he could through the pain still ripe in his abdomen, "I believe a thanks is in order." Ardeth, who stood a few feet from the opening of the alleyway beside Evie simply smiled as he placed his pistol back on his waistband.

"No need to thank me friend," he replied, "Just know that Allah was watching over you tonight."

"Oh Ardeth," Evie hugged the Med-Jai once more, "Thank you so much. I was terrified. How did you know we were here?"

"I did not," Ardeth answered, "I simply saw the scuffle and decided to intervene. I did not realize it was you until after the thieves fled. You and your brother simply can not stay out of trouble, can you?"

"I'm afraid not," Evie grinned.

"And now, I find myself wondering," Ardeth continued, "Have you found yourself a wife Jonathan?" He gestured his hand towards Vivienne, "She is truly lovely." Vivienne felt herself blush at the compliment. She quickly looked down to the stone street so that her cheeks would not betray her. Truthfully, this man was quite handsome.

"Who?" Jonathan chuckled, "Vivienne? No, I'm afraid not Ardeth. She's on a dig down in Giza and came to London asking for the help of the brave O'Connells…and myself."

"Ah," Ardeth stepped up to them and took Vivienne's hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Vivienne smiled as Ardeth placed a gentlemanly kiss on the top of her hand.

Now," Ardeth said, still brushing his fingertips against Vivienne's, "Where are the rest of the O'Connells?"

"Gathering some supplies," Evie answered, "We're heading out into the desert tomorrow."

"Yes," Jonathan nodded, "But I must ask what brings you all the way out here Ardeth?" The Med-Jai looked thoughtfully at the group, his gaze lingering on Vivienne as though he were trying to decide whether or not to trust her.

"You see," Ardeth began; inner battle apparently over, "Imhotep, both his body and his soul, have been banished to the Underworld. He no longer poses any type of threat, leaving my people with no set task. Still, we patrol the desert, watching for trouble, mostly keeping ancient tombs safe from grave-robbers. However, I recently received word that the tomb of Khafra has been uncovered and opened."

"Khafra," Evie cut in, "Isn't there a legend that says he bound Sekhmet to protect him in death?"

"It is no legend," Ardeth shook his head solemnly; "By opening the tomb of Khafra, the goddess Sekhmet has been reawakened. She will destroy any who enter the tomb, until she is released from her oath." Evie opened her mouth, curious to ask how one would release Sekhmet from her oath, but Vivienne spoke first, her voice shaking with fright.

"Where was the tomb uncovered?"

"In the shadows of the Sphinx…" Ardeth answered. Vivienne suddenly found her chest to be very heavy and breathing became a difficult task. She felt as though she was going to faint. Ardeth slung her arm over his shoulder, attempting to support her close to limp body.

"Vivienne," Jonathan's tone was worried, "What's the matter?"

"That's it," Vivienne said in barely more than a whisper, "That's the place. I told James not to dig, I told him to stop. He didn't listen. We have to go now."

"What?" Evie and Jonathan questioned.

"We have to go now," Vivienne repeated, "Khafra's tomb…that's where we were digging."

"This is not good," Jonathan stated, earning a glare from Evie.

"Come on," Evie began to run back through the alley, completely forgetting about the restaurant, "We have to find Rick." The four friends ran back through the alley and wove their way through the dissipating crowds. Evie was continuously calling out for Rick and Alex, but it was Ardeth who spotted them first.

"There," he shouted, pointing to a small stable where Rick was saddling up three horses. He looked up to see a group of sweaty and stressed looking people heading towards him and raised his eyebrows. However, when he saw Ardeth his face cracked into a smile.

"Ardeth, buddy," Rick waved, "I thought I recognized that horse." Rick pointed over to a stallion tethered just inside the stable doors, "What brings you all the way out to Cairo?"

"No time to explain," Ardeth said as he untied his horse and jumped into the saddle, "We have to make haste to the Great Sphinx."

"Evie," Rick said in an unsure voice, "Don't tell me we have Imhotep problems again?"

"No, nothing of the sort," Evie assured her husband as she jumped onto a horse, "Alex, double up with Uncle Jonathan." Jonathan helped Alex onto a horse and then jumped up himself. Vivienne got onto the third horse and Rick doubled up behind Evie. Without another word, the five horses took off at lightning speed.

"So what did you get to eat?" Rick said into Evie's ear.

"Now is hardly the time to be thinking of food," Evie replied.

--x

The group of rushed travellers arrived in Giza late that night and Vivienne nearly choked at what she saw. The door to the tomb she had specifically instructed not to be dug up was completely exposed, but sealed tight. Vivienne jumped off her horse, completely forgetting everyone she was with, and began to look around the campsite. It seemed completely normal, equipment scattered all over the place and tents in a tight circle just to the left of the dig. The only thing missing was the people. Vivienne crept over to a tent and peeked inside. There was no one.

"James?" she called out in desperation, "James? Charlie? Lucy? Anybody?" When she received no answer, Vivienne fell to her knees in the sand. What had happened here? She felt a careful hand rest on her shoulder and looked up to see Evie and Alex standing next to her.

"They're all gone," Vivienne whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's alright," Evie kneeled down beside her, "We'll fix this."

"Mum," Alex tugged on Evie's sleeve, "Take a look at that." He pointed off into the distance and Evie followed his gaze. She couldn't exactly see what it was, but she did see a blob of light, almost like a lantern, rapidly heading towards them.

--x

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