Yay! I was able to update sooner this time! :) Enjoy!
Evie partially awoke, having detected a change. Why had that nice rocking motion stopped? It had been so relaxing and soothing.
"Evie?" Came a voice, Jonathon's.
"Shhh. Let her sleep." Rick's voice sounded.
Evie felt hands wrap around her and pull her down off of the horse that she now vaguely remembered she had been on. Still in a sleepy haze, Evie gave a slight jump of fear when she felt herself falling. Then she felt a pair of arms under her, supporting her and carrying her somewhere.
"Shhh. It's ok Evie. Sleep." Rick said comforting her as he carried her through camp to their blankets near the waterfall.
Evie felt the cool moist air coming off of the waterfall hit her skin. Since the coolness of the night was fading away and was being replaced by the increasing warmth from the breaking of day, it felt nice. Evie's eyelids fluttered when she felt herself being lowered down onto a blanket but they remained closed. Feeling the smooth blanket and soft sand beneath her, she buried her face against it to help block out the growing sunlight. Though she was exhausted and desperately needed to get some sleep, she didn't fall back to sleep just yet. Their voices caught her attention.
"What do you think happened while she was in there?" Jonathon asked with brotherly concern evident in his voice.
"There are any number of things that could have occurred. Whatever it was we know that it must have happened in the temple of Osiris because that was where you last saw her." There was a brief pause before Ardeth's voice sounded again. "She could have met up with the creature."
There was a soft growl. "He had better not have done anything to her or I'll send him to his undead hell again." Rick threatened.
"If she possibly met up with him, then is she somehow hurt and we do not know?" Jonathon wondered.
Ardeth was the one who answered him. "No, she doesn't seem to be hurt. She just seems weary. If she did meet up with the creature, it appears that he did not harm her."
"How could she have gotten away from him? She was never able to get away from him last time. How did she do it?" Jonathon asked curiously.
There was a brief moment of silence before there was the sound of Rick's voice.
"I don't know. I would have thought that mummy would want to kill us. We killed him and he obviously is one to hold a grudge. Maybe she tried to run away and not only lost him but got lost herself in the depths of the city." Rick stated thinking through his own ideas of what might have happened to her.
"I believe that there is even more to this than we can imagine. When she is ready, she will tell us what occurred." Ardeth told them. There was a pause, before he spoke again. "Sleep will do her good. We will let her sleep for a couple of hours before we head to Cairo."
There was the sound of fading footsteps and Evie guessed that Ardeth had walked away. The sound of soft movements nearby indicated that Rick and Jonathon were settling down to get some rest themselves.
"We should have gone back sooner. We knew better than to leave her there." Rick remarked, the sound of regret in his voice.
"Aw ole boy. My baby sister can handle herself. Besides there was no choice or time to go back. I wish we could have but there was nothing we could do." Jonathon spoke and was silent for a while before speaking again. "I just near about died of fright when that Priest of Seth chased us and swooped through us. I still don't know why he did that and didn't kill us, but I'm glad he left quickly."
"It almost seemed like the Priest of Seth thought we might have what he is looking for." Rick commented.
Jonathon gave an aggravated huff. "I wish we could hurry up and get rid of these Priests. Going through all of this is driving me crazy."
There was an agreeing murmur from Rick before they both fell silent. Somewhere in the distance she heard the sound of the other Med-Jai moving about and a horse neighed. Her exhaustion finally caught up with her again and Evie fell into a deep sleep.
Evie stirred and rolled over in her sleep a bit restlessly because she was dreaming of another reincarnation memory…and Imhotep was in it.
She was sitting on a soft large bed with golden silk sheets. A small, graceful jungle cat with spots lay curled up beside her. She was stroking its soft fur while it purred contentedly. The sound of voices coming from outside her huge lavish bed chamber, caught her attention. Then the double doors opened and two figures came through them.
It was her father Pharaoh Seti and behind him followed Imhotep, the handsome Priest of Osiris who she had known since youth. Just as soon as they had entered her room, the Med-Jai guards posted outside her room closed the doors.
"Nefertiri." Pharaoh Seti, her father, said walking further into her room to stand in the center. Imhotep stopped and stood a little ways behind and off to the side of him.
She had noticed lately that Imhotep's gaze always seemed to be fastened on her. Though his gaze always made her feel a bit nervous, strangely she got the feeling that he was understanding and sympathetic of her. It seemed that he had noticed her glum mood ever since her father had begun spending so much time with Anck-su-namun. She felt somewhat betrayed by her father and she absolutely hated Anck-su-namun with a passion. So she was glad that the only times she for sure had to endure being around Anck-su-namun was when they met for dueling lessons once a day.
Even now Imhotep watched her with a sharp intense gaze that unsettled her and confused her. Why was he looking at her like that?
She diverted her gaze away from him and instead looked to her father. All the while she kept stroking her palace jungle cat. "Yes father?"
Pharaoh Seti took a step forward. Her eyes went to Imhotep expecting him to move to but instead he stayed where he was and flashed her a slow, stunning and charming smile. She ducked her eyes away from him and returned her gaze back to her father.
"Tonight at the celebration feast for the gods, I want you to show off your new fighting skills. You and Anck-su-namun will duel. It will fill me with pride to watch my daughter duel before the Priests, Officials and guests of the Pharaoh. I know you will make me proud Nefertiri." Seti told her.
Her good spirits fell at the mention of Anck-su-namun. She had no desire to see that concubine again. But if she were to spar with her tonight, Nefertiri wanted to make sure that she would give Anck-su-namun a challenge in the fight. She wanted to make sure that she was a worthy opponent.
In her peripheral vision, she saw a change in Imhotep. It was like his spirits had gone down as well when hers had.
She nodded and issued a forced smile to please her father. "Yes father. We will spar tonight for you."
Seti smiled oblivious to the fact that she seemed sullen now. "Dress in your finest and be ready for tonight." Seti turned and started walking to her bed chamber doors.
She watched her father go but looked to Imhotep for he hadn't moved to leave yet. She gazed curiously at him. Imhotep still watched her with his deep gaze. His eyes moved over her in a leisurely sweep that instantly made her self- conscious and awoke butterflies in her stomach.
Unable to hold his gaze, she looked away and back down to her jungle cat. Reaching out she ran her fingers through its fur and it started purring again.
It wasn't until her bed chamber doors started to open and her father was fixing to leave, did Imhotep turn and start to leave too. She watched out of the corner of her eye so it would seem that she wasn't paying him any attention. Her father went out the doors and down the hall. But when Imhotep stepped out into the hall, he stopped and threw one long last glance back at her before finally leaving too.
As the Med-Jai guards closed the doors, she sighed in relief. It wasn't that she disliked Imhotep. They use to be good friends. It was just that now he always looked at her in ways that she didn't understand. It confused her and made her nervous to be around him now. She felt self-conscious and confused whenever he acted like that. For his eyes always seemed as of late to hold a intensity in them. She felt like she was supposed to know what that intensity was but she couldn't define it. One thing she did know was that she never could forget the way he looked at her.
Evie sat up quickly taking in deep breaths for in her dreaming, it was like his gaze had taken her breath away. Obviously her abrupt awakening had caused her to gain attention because Rick was instantly beside her.
"You alright Evie?" Rick asked.
Evie took a steadying breath. "Yes I'm fine."
There was movement on her other side and Jonathon plopped down beside her. "What was it? Another bad dream?"
Evie wasn't sure how to answer. It hadn't necessarily been a bad dream but it had definitely been an unnerving one. It was trying to further prove to herself that she was Nefertiri and that even then Imhotep had loved her like he had said he did. For that intense gaze he had looked at her with back then, was the same as the one he looked at her with now. The only difference was that he seemed more driven and determined than ever before since so many years had passed and he had not been able to make her his.
Evie shrugged. "Sort of."
Jonathon made an apprehensive face. "Do I even want to know what it was about?"
Evie looked away toward the waterfall. "No. It doesn't matter. It's nothing important."
Jonathon arched his eyebrows and gave her a sly smile. "Is it some sort of fantasy dream that suddenly got scary?"
Evie whirled her head around to face her pesky brother and she swatted at him. "Jonathon stop it. I'm not in the mood. And no it wasn't."
Evie searched through her things trying to locate her canteen. Spotting it, she picked it up and shook it to see how much water she had left in it. From the sound and the weight of it, it indicated that she didn't have much left. She stood and made her way over to the waterfall. Kneeling next to the edge of the pool of water, she dipped her canteen in to refill it.
There were the sound of footsteps in the sand and then a shadow fell across her as the person stopped behind her. Looking back behind her to see who it was, she saw Rick standing there looking down at her.
Rick was studying her with a serious expression. "What happened Evie while you were down there? What are you not telling us? I know when there is something not right going on and I know when you lie because you are not a good liar Evie."
Evie pulled out her now full canteen and took a drink. When she was through she put the cap back on. Standing up, she faced Rick.
"I don't really want to discuss it right now." Evie stated.
Evie started past him back toward their blankets and things but Rick reached out and grabbed her wrist stopping her. Having overheard their exchange, Jonathon stood and came closer to them. Rick released his hold on her wrists, but both he and Jonathon looked at her expectantly.
"Please Evie. Tell us. We want to know. Something seems different about you." Jonathon told her.
Evie looked from Jonathon to Rick, debating on whether she should just go ahead and tell them. After all she knew she needed to tell them at some point, but she dreaded it. Out of her peripheral vision she caught sight of Ardeth approaching.
"I came to tell you that we should leave now but I see that I've interrupted something." Ardeth said looking around at all three of them.
Evie gave a resigned sigh. "I probably shouldn't keep you all in the dark about this. You all do have a right to know. I won't tell you all of it but I will tell you enough for now."
Evie paused, looked at each of them in turn before she spoke again. "The Book of Amun-ra was not where it should have been so I no longer know its exact location. However I couldn't stay in the city any longer and I don't need to be around Hamunaptra for a while. So the best place to go is to Fort Braydon in Cairo. When the time is right I can come back and look for the book again."
Rick's expression grew even more serious. "Why wasn't the book there? It should have been there unless someone else found it and took it."
"Someone did find it and I do not know where they are keeping it." Evie answered.
"Who could have found it?" Jonathon asked looking puzzled.
Evie didn't have to answer. Rick started guessing.
"It couldn't have been the diggers, archeologist or the Priest of Seth. The Priest wouldn't want for it to be found for it can kill him and the diggers or archeologist wouldn't dare try to find it either." Rick's expression hardened and grew angry. He fixed his gaze on Evie. "He found it didn't he? He has it?"
"Who?" Jonathon asked.
"The creature." Ardeth answered who was focused on Evie in the similar fashion like Rick was.
Evie barely nodded. "Yes."
"Why did you have to leave the city? Why do you have to stay away from it?" Rick asked her demandingly.
"Did you come upon the creature?" Ardeth questioned.
Evie tried to control her expression but obviously failed. She knew she couldn't lie. Like Rick had said she was not a good liar.
"What did he do? Did he try to hurt you?" Rick asked angrily.
"He was there when I realized the book was gone. He had been in the temple like we had suspected he might be." Evie shook her head. "Though I had thought that he would want to kill me, he didn't. Surprisingly he didn't even hurt me."
Evie remembered the voices and conversation that she had heard early this morning before falling asleep. She remembered the peculiar thing that Jonathon had said about the Priest of Seth.
"When did the Priest of Seth chase you?" She asked them.
Rick looked a bit confused for he hadn't told her about that and therefore hadn't thought she knew.
"Last night I heard you talking. Before I went back to sleep Jonathon said something about the Priest of Seth chasing you and swooping through you. When did that happen?" Evie clarified.
"When the Med-Jai scout told us that the Priest of Seth was coming, we took off out of there. We knew we couldn't tackle him yet. We had gotten out of the city and were out in the open riding across the sand dunes when he came upon us fast. He used his powers to blow through us and around us as he rode upon a cloud of sand. We thought he was going to try and kill us all but after he had blown through us, he left and hightailed it to the city."
"And you think he was looking for something correct?" Evie asked.
Rick nodded in affirmation. "It seemed that way."
"He must have been searching for whatever it is that he wants. Though I don't know why he would believe that we might have it in our possession." Ardeth remarked.
"It was downright frightening ole' mum. I'm glad you were spared that." Jonathon added. "I wish I could have been spared of it too." He muttered.
If the Priest of Seth had searched for her in their midst then it seems he had thought that she had already left the city and was with them. Only he hadn't found her and the moment he discovered that she was no longer in Hamunaptra and was again lost to him, there was no doubt that he would come after the Med-Jai knowing that would be the first and best place to look for her. She couldn't let that happen. She didn't want anyone to get hurt because of her.
"We should go now. The sooner we get to Cairo the better. If the Priest came and looked through you all once, there is the chance that he might do so again. It won't be a good scenario if he should come upon us while traveling across the open desert. He has been among you once without inflicting death or injuries, but I fear that might not be the case the next time around." Evie said looking between the three of them.
Rick nodded. "Let's pack up and head out."
Ardeth turned away and headed back through the rest of the camp to go get his horse. Evie knelt down and started rolling up her blanket. After that she started getting her things together and ready to put on her horse. Their caravan of camels that she, Rick and Jonathon had when they had been in the ancient city ruins, arrived last night. So the camels would carry their gear while they rode the horses.
Everywhere throughout the camp, things were being packed up on the camels and horses. Having gathered their items, they took them over to where the horses were tied. Evie's white horse stood patiently as she put her blanket roll, canteen and a set of saddlebags on it. After Rick had his horse packed, he went to go make sure all of their previous luggage on their camels were secure. Jonathon's horse wasn't being cooperative for him. So with her horse ready to go, she lead her horse over to where her brother was.
"Here Jonathon, let me hold your horse while you put that on." Evie took the reins from her brother and held both her horse and his.
Jonathon's brown horse tossed his head a bit restlessly but Evie started crooning to it. With gentle hands she stroked its nose and spoke softly to it. The horse stilled listening to her. Her own horse stepped up closer and rubbed its head against her wanting her attention too. So as she took time petting the horses, Jonathon was able to pack up and be ready to go.
"Thank you baby sister. It went a lot faster with you holding him. He even seems to take a liking to you." Jonathon shrugged. "Guess you are just better with horses than I am."
Evie petted her white horse's forehead. "I think horses are beautiful. They are graceful, powerful and majestic. Intelligent too. I enjoy them."
There was the sound of approaching hoof beats as Rick rode up to them. "The Med-Jai are ready to go. We are heading out now."
Evie swung up on her horse with growing expertise. She was getting the hang of this and enjoying it. "So are we."
Jonathon, once aboard his horse, followed them to the group of mounted Med-Jai. They all headed across the valley to the path in the cliffs that they had taken upon entering here. When they reached the path, about half of the Med-Jai led the way while the remaining half took up the rear.
Evie reached where the path narrowed to the width where only one horse could enter at a time. Jonathon went first and then she followed behind him. Behind her, Rick came and then eventually more Med-Jai. Through the path, riding all alone, she tried to keep her mind clear of her complex situation. She wanted to have a moment of peace and just enjoy riding. She didn't want to start thinking over the confusing, difficult and crazy things that had been happening recently. However even though she was alone going down the bends of the narrow trail, she came to the realization that she didn't feel alone. Evie felt like there was a presence with her.
Evie didn't have to wonder whose presence she felt for there was only one presence like that. It was powerful, determined, fierce, frightening, and amazing...it was Imhotep. Wildly Evie looked all around her. She looked down the path ahead of her, down the path behind her and even up toward the tops of the cliffs expecting to see him. But all of her searching revealed nothing. Even though she strongly felt his presence right now, he was not here...or if he was he was not visible to her eyes.
"Nefertiri."
Evie heard his voice lovingly and longingly whisper the name in her mind. She had heard it as clearly as if he were standing next to her, though he was nowhere nearby.
Evie stopped her horse in surprise and shook her head in disbelieving wonder. She realized that she could feel his presence and hear his voice through the mind link that he had established between them. She wasn't sure how it worked but she hoped it wouldn't always be a constant thing.
Evie sat there still listening, waiting to see if the voice would come again. She didn't hear anything except the soft warm desert breeze blowing through the path and the noises of her horse underneath her as it breathed. Evie's horse shook its head and its white mane rippled against its neck. It gave a soft blow of air through its nostrils almost like a sigh. Then she heard the clacking sound of horse hooves coming from behind her.
"Evelyn? What are you doing?" Rick's voice sort of made her jump.
Evie twisted around in the saddle and looked back behind her to see Rick sitting on his horse. "Oh, sorry Rick. I thought I had heard something but it turns out that it was nothing."
Evie started her horse going again and Rick followed. Since he had caught up with her, as they continued down the path, he was never far from her or out of her sight for very long. Evie came to the end of the path and saw the rest of the Med-Jai sitting on top of their horses waiting for the remaining part of their group to emerge from the cliff path.
Evie saw that Ardeth was sitting on his black horse near the cliff base in the shadows. He had his horse backed against the cliff so that he faced forward to look out at the desert. Jonathon had stopped his horse over in the shade too not far from Ardeth. Evie turned her horse toward Jonathon and Ardeth with Rick following alongside her. Evie rode her horse over beside Jonathon and turned it about to face out to the desert. Rick backed his horse up to the cliff base and sat there between Evie and Ardeth looking out at the vast desert before them.
Evie's white horse arched its neck and nipped at a fly on its front leg. Evie reached out and stroked its neck before relaxing back in the saddle. She looked over at Jonathon who seemed to be dozing. He swayed just a bit in the saddle and she wouldn't doubt it if in a bit he was going to fall off. But the idea of closing her eyes for just a second did sound nice. So she closed them and enjoyed the feel of the soft slightly cool breeze. Now that she was around others, she did not feel Imhotep's presence as strong now though she knew that it was still there.
It wasn't until about eight minutes later, when Ardeth's voice captured everyone's attention.
"Everyone is through. Let's go now so we can make good time."
Evie opened her eyes to see all the Med-Jai and Ardeth starting to head out into the desert. Rick looked over to her and then past her to Jonathon.
"Better wake him up." Rick told her.
Evie looked over to Jonathon who was still dozing. She moved her horse closer to Jonathon's and reaching out she shook his arm. "Jonathon wake up. We are going now."
Jonathon swayed more and gave an unhappy groan. But he finally opened his eyes and picked his reins back up. Evie turned her horse and started out after the Med-Jai. Rick was just a little bit behind her and Jonathon was behind him. They merged with the moving group of Med-Jai as they rode their horses across the sand.
Evie sure doesn't want to have to tell them the full truth yet, does she? But can you blame her? LOL
And just in case you might have found this chapter to be a little slow, I can assure you that there will definitely be more action coming up in the next chapters!
Until next time, hope everyone has a good weekend!
