Author´s note: I beg you please forgive me for the delay. This months are being a bit weird so I haven´t able to work much on the story. Shame! Anyway, better late than never. So here we go. In this chapter, we go see what Botti and Smaug are doing before going on with our heroes. And yes, a bit of good old Mr. Regicide.

Songs belong to Within Temptation, Panic at the Disco (whose singer Brendon Urie gave me the idea of Botti´s looking in the clip) and Latibaer (singed by that wonderful Stefán Karl Stefánsson who inspired Botti, by the way).

15. The Mountain of Fire

Smaug smells around looking for his way to Thebes. He always gets pissed off when he doesn´t. And no matter if Botti says this or that, he needs to be sure. He is the Great Earth Wyrm, the mountain of fire that always destroys his enemies (with the worst sense of direction in the world, according to the Witch Doctor). And where is that Ink Blot, anyway? Ouh, yes. He went to Thebes again to trick Ahmes into thinking that there is way of power or something like that. That scurvy dog as always, acting on his own. Well, at least Smaug has just smell his way around.

Hm? Is one of those ink birds of Botti.

"Master says that you move on towards the river. He will handle the kid."

"Sure, and what else?"

"Master´s orders. And Abra´s." Oh well, best not to get people mad.

"And what is Botti going to do? I don´t think that hero would fall as others."

"Just follow orders!" Bark the birds before taking off.

"That ink punk is going to get his clock cleaned." He grunts and disappears under the sand.

"I'm searching for answers

'cause something is not right.

I follow the signs,

I'm close to the fire.

I fear that soon you'll reveal

Your dangerous mind.

[Chorus:]

It's in your eyes, what's on your mind.

I fear your smile and the promise inside.

It's in your eyes, what's on your mind.

I fear your presence, I'm frozen inside.

I'm searching for answers

Not questioned before.

The curse of awareness,

There's no peace of mind.

As your true colours show

A dangerous sign.

[Chorus 2:]

It's in your eyes, what's on your mind.

I see the truth that you've buried inside.

It's in your eyes, what's on your mind.

There is no mercy just anger I find.

I just have know, while I still have time.

Do I have to run, or hide away from you?

[Chorus2]"

Guy feels lucky today. Ahmes is in the Court with his empty words and usual stuff but he knows nothing about the real deal. Good, very good. The only bad thing is that he keeps that darned witch beside him and that woman has warned him against Guy and his intentions. Grrr. Now he needs to find a way to put that spoiled prince against her but how?

"A pain in the neck, don´t you agree?" Says a familiar voice and Mr. Regicide spots Botti sitting lazily on top of a roof.

"Abra send you."

"Yes... and no. I am here to help you but my goal is to lead the kid away of our business here."

"Ah- ha. And how are you going to trick Ahmes while that Aso Queen around?"

"Watch and learn."

"There will be no more audiences today."

"So, what? Is perfect. You deal in the court while I play my deck during the night. I´ll trick that jerk! Hahaha! But first, send your dogs there and make sure that he´s alone. I do my part and you the rest"

"Is a deal." Guy walks away.

"Now... Is disguise time! I luv disguise time!"

"Hahaha!

Worst villain that I know.

Worst villain I´ve seen.

Because he is known for vicious tricks,

Like villainy and formidable crime.

Haha!

The bandit he is Glanni Glaepur,

Glanni Glaepur that is exactly me.

But now I am Rikki Rikí

I can flash you a pleasant smile.

After asuming an amiable manner,

I can lie about what I want.

In good form and pleasant,

I want to solve everyone´s problems.

Amiable, cool,

I´ll win their trust with ease.

Hahahaha.

He only thinks in one way

Because he is a villain, he is Glanni Glaepur.

Glanni Glaepur that is exactly me.

Rikki Rikí and I want to assist you.

The villain he is Glanni Glaepur,

Glanni Glaepur that is exactly me.

Rikki Rikí and I want to prove myself a friend.

Good Luck follows me without hesitance.

Here is Rikki Rí, here I am!

Here am I!

And I! (Sinister tone)

HereIam."

Queen Aso is a gorgeus woman that knows everything about dark magic and serves Seth. She is pretty sure of their thriumph over Egypt but what she hasn´t expected is someone knocking her door at this hour.

Is a messenger and carries very disturbing news.

"She paints her fingers with a close precision
He starts to notice empty bottles of gin
And takes a moment to assess the sins she's paid for

A lonely speaker in a conversation
Her words were swimming through his ears again
There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa,
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa,
I'd pay to see you frown

He senses something, call it desperation
Another dollar, another day
And if she had the proper words to say,
She would tell him
But she'd have nothing left to sell him

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa,
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa,
I'd pay to see you frown

Mona Lisa wear me out
Pleased to please ya
Mona Lisa wear me out

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

Woah, Mona Lisa,
You're guaranteed to run this town
Woah, Mona Lisa,
I'd pay to see you frown

Say what you mean
Tell me I'm right
And let the sun rain down on me
Give me a sign
I want to believe

There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you've paid for."

XXXX

Ahmes is drinking with his allies and once alone, he dreams of his reign. Hu? Someone´s at the courtyard. A strange looking man that smiles at him.

"What are you doing here? I shall let the dogs or the guards have you."

"Perhaps but perhaps not when I tell you about that traitor called Aso and about a way to get immortality."

"Really?"

"But of course, trust me. I know everything about spirits and if you do as I tell, you´ll end up as a god."

"Then out with it. I´ll deal with that viper later."

Botti is one heck of an actor when he wants.

What is the Witch Doctor planning?

How will our friends survive?

Is Ahmes going to get his butt kicked?

Next stop: Land of Tears.