Disclaimer: I own nothing (except sharp wits), Universal Studios owns everything (except sharp wits, too). Sorry, just kidding!
Author's note: Ok, Llarian (hope I spelled it write). It seems you
keeps track of events in this story better than I do Author overturns
full bucket of ashes on his head in shame >. Anyway, Imhotep wasn't wounded
seriously, it was just scratch (it was kinda "warning shot", cozz our dear
Ju is still too law-abiding guy to shoot somebody dead without obvious
reason), so no special powers was needed.
And about his tranquil behavior-well, he's passionate guy, no doubts,
but he's a clever guy, too. He had time to calm down and think about his
chances (which he had, of course), and about his plans (which he had of
course too) Voice in Author's head "You are revealing the plot, idiot!">
Ok, I'm not going to reveal the plot. And soon you'll learn about Randy's
strange new-attained abilities (in next chapter, to be more precise). Thanks
for reviews, enjoy!
Seti the Last/High Priest of Seth
Chapter 2: Never trust High Priests!
They were trudging down the narrow, dim-lit corridors for hours. Escort of scarab beetles, Randy's "guard of honor" followed them for some time, but then fell behind and dissipated, returning to their scarabs' business (scaring the wits out of nosy tourists). The air was stiff, hot and humid; water was trickling down the walls, still covered with mysterious ornament, and dripping from the ceiling in big annoying drops.
After a lot of quarrelling and exclamations like "Let me tell this!" the whole story of Imhotep's resuscitation was related to Julian, who nevertheless might remain doubtful if not for magical healing of his leg. Now he felt a strong temptation to talk with Imhotep in private, because his marvelous ability to speak Egyptian kept pestering him, and the guy looked like expert in pestering marvels. But no privacy was available at the moment, and Randy had a strong suspicion that any signs of conspiracy with High Priest would piss off O'Connell, who was now busy bickering with Evelyn.
"I don't trust him, it's a trap!" would cry O'Connell with exasperating monotony.
"I too, so what?" would answer Evy with angelic patience.
She appeared to be involved in quarreling only half-heartily, because most of her attention was preoccupied with examination of paintings on the corridor's walls. They changed their pattern now, and most of it looked on Randy's uneducated eye like couple of guys with horrible snouts for faces, crowding around giant brass scales. On the one huge pan lay fluffy feather, on the second-something, which looked suspiciously like a human heart. As if to increase the tension, under the scale sat unpleasant beast with crocodile head, oggling the heart with greedy expression in its small piggy eyes.
"Hall of Justice", muttered Evelyn under her breath, running her fingers along the painting. "Feather of Ma'at".
"Would you please start making sense?" snapped Randy at last. "What the Hell does this bullshit mean?"
O'Connell looked at him daggers, but Evelyn was able to defend herself without any help.
"It means that this way is leading, probably, to Underworld", answered the girl coolly and turned again to the painting.
Jonathan jumped and dropped his precious staff, Randy stumbled and nearly collided with Rick, who froze on the spot.
"UmmÉdarling", mumbled Rick after considerable pause. "Are you sure we want to go to Underworld?"
"Yeah", squeaked Jonathan, picking up the scepter and tucking it under his belt. "I don't like the expression f this animal'sÉerÉface".
"It's Ammit, devourer of human souls", informed them Evelyn calmly. "And I'm sure you guys have done enough naughty things to end up in its stomach".
"Only after you, baby!" smiled Randy, and earned one more furious Rick's glance.
"Well", continued he hastily. "Why couldn't we just ask our taciturn
guide about where this passage is leading? Mind, I don't think he has any
semblance with Vergilius, so "The-Guiding-To-Underworld" isn't supposed
to be his main job".
Rick gaped at him as if he sprouted carrot from his ears, and Evelyn
sighted sadly. Her hero obviously hadn't read 'The Divine Comedy'. But
what means lack of education comparing to nobility, and bravery, andÉ
Leaving the sweet couple to their problems, Randy turned to Imhotep, who kept ten-pace distance behind the company, and asked "Nah halim taian-tero?" ("Where does this road lead?")
"To the river", answered High Priest with his usual blank expression.
"To the river", reported Julian to the others, still amazing about his prowess with dead languages.
O'Connell frowned.
"To Nile? But it's miles from Hamunatra, almost two days of camel-riding".
"Well, may be it's sort of shortcut", said Jonathan hopefully.
"And may be it's sort of snare!" returned Rick to his old song.
Evy, Jonathan and Julian sighed and continued their way without spare
word.
***
Hour (or, rather, several thousands of steps) later air became even more humid, very hard to breath, and all of them were soaking in sweat. Dull splashing sound became hearable from ahead, which immediately made O'Connell to suggest that some unknown monster was waiting for them at the far end of the corridor, licking its lips and wheezing in sweet anticipation. However, it sounded more and more like surf of underground river. But this proof of Imhotep's words hadn't made Evelyn a bit happier.
"Every mortal has to cross river on his way to Underworld" exclaimed she, scowling at Imhotep.
"Very useful bit of information", interjected Randy immediately. "So, the point is that we don't want to cross it".
"Anyway, we couldn't", answered Rick wistfully. "To cross goddamn river we need a boat or something like that".
"Very bright for you, O'Connell", smirked Randy and deserved Evelyn's scowl, too.
They approached cautiously to the bank, which turned out to be completely monsterless, but also boatless. Black waters floated in silent current, only minute waves splashed occasionally against the stone banks. Dripping of water, and soundless force of torrent filled the vast space of underground chamber, which ceiling was hidden in darkness overhead and opposite wall (if it ever existed) obscured by clouds of gray fog, floating over surface of water.
Traveler's stayed in silence for awhile, awed by grandness of underground torrent. Then another sound emerged from splashing and dripping, something stiffed gurgling and bubbling. Black shape drifted from the darkness, gliding down the stream.
O'Connell, who first overpowered awed feeling, rushed to the water and spluttered "It's a boat!"
"Yes it is", declared Randy, squinting in the darkness. "The question is, who's gonna volunteer to jump in this river and bring it here? Not me, anyway".
"Take it easy, guy, you don't need to make such a great sacrifice", answered Rick, unfolding the rope (which he untied from the statue after all the company descended by simple yank, causing indignant yelp of Evelyn, who was sure that the knot is as firm as iron). Than he made kind of lasso, swung it over his head, andÉdropped it into the water with loud splash. Second attempt was as successful as the first one.
"It's floating away!" cried Evelyn alarmingly.
"That I noticed", replied O'Connell, puffing.
"Let's me try", suggested Randy and, not waiting for permission, yanked the loop from Rick's hand. He rolled it thoroughly, aimedÉthe rope swished over his head and shot into darkness, catching the prow of the boat. He tugged it and the ship turned to the bank reluctantly.
"That was impressive!" applauded Evelyn, and Jonathan joined applause to Rick's further distress.
"Just a little practice on rancho in California", answered Julian modestly, not mentioning the fact that the main item of their lasso-hunting was empty brandy bottles on the back of the dingy pub.
When they pulled the boat close to the shore, it became clear that apart of it they hunted down somebody else. Bald thin man was sound asleep on the bottom of vessel, snoring peacefully, with his arm under his cheek. His second hand embraced some parcel, which emitted a white light through the cloth wrapping it.
"What the Hell is this guy doing here?" screeched Rick indignantly, as if he had found the bald man sleeping in his, O'Connell's, own bed.
"He's sleeping", answered Jonathan wistfully.
"And snorting", added Evelyn.
"And embracing some weird beaming lump", finished Julian.
"That I noticed", grunted Rick, looking at bald man suspiciously.
Instantly their uncommunicative companion, Imhotep, snickered and pushed the guy with his left foot. Nothing happened, except that the sleepy person snored loudly.
"Why our creepy friend is giggling like girl after her first kiss?" inquired Rick.
High Priest stopped his snickering and turned to Randy (he had been ignoring Evelyn as deliberately as she was ignoring him) and explained. Randy also cackled, staring at dozing man, Evelyn chuckled and translated
"Well, he said it's the boat of Amon-Ra, and the man inside is
some deceased Pharaoh. He said that the God sometimes is getting tired
of this floating day and night, so it's justÉ substitution. He gave this
guy his crown with sun disk, which is glowing parcel, only the man got
tired, too, and decided to take a break.
Oh, if Bembridge Scolars had seen me now, they would have hanged themselves!
Me, stealing the boat of Amon-Ra!" Evelyn smiled dreamily.
"Yeah, they'd accept your applications without pare word and any field experience!" nodded Jonathan, giving his sister a little nudge.
They both went on giggling.
"Well, what we gonna do with him?" asked Rick, obviously amused.
Imhotep solved this problem for him, just pushing the man out of the
boat, along with his bundle. The head of dead Pharaoh hit the stone with
audible crack, but he just continued his snoring exercises. Then High Priest
jumped in the boat, leaving to others no another possibility than to follow
him. They cast off the bank and drifted down the stream, silent but strong.
Snorting of Pharaoh died away with distance, and they were alone under
the arching dome of darkness.
***
There were no oars in the boat, so they just let it float on its own down the river. Evelyn fell asleep on the stern of a boat, soon followed by Rick and Jonathan who had had enough during these crazy days. Julian was tired, too, but even more eager to talk with Imhotep. The last, however, didn't look like he'd be pleased to join the conversation, and sat on the prow, staring pensively on the black surface of the river.
Randy sighed and decided to delay the talk, and curled next to Jonathan's
boots. Soon he was asleep, too.
Evelyn was first to awake. She stretched, released her knees from O'Connell's
embrace and surveyed the scene. Imhotep was still sitting on the front
of the boat like some kind of weird prow sculpture, but the panorama outside
changed drastically.
First of all, instead of humid darkness overhead she saw the sky, full of constellations. Three stars in the belt of Orion blinked hospitably. Fresh chilly wind brushed her hair, caressed her face. They were free, out of terrifying gloom of necropolis! Then she turned her glance to the banks. Night obliterated all shapes and contours, but she deemed the groups of trees, may be palm-trees groves, and several squat quadrants, which might be buildings. Scent of water, cypresses and oleander blossoms made her smile happily and spring up. Her movement awakened the rest of the party, and they started to stir, yawn and complain loudly about their numb limbs.
"So", assumed Randy with yawn. "The reverend wasn't lying at last. We are at large!"
"Mortals, beware", added Rick, looking at him with considerable exasperation.
"Hey, guys, how much would it probably cost, taking into account terrible crisis at gold market?" chirped Jonathan excitedly, pulling golden staff from under his arm.
"Hey I'm in share!" declared Randy immediately, looking at scepter longingly.
"I don't know about what you are talking!" puffed Jonathan indignantly.
"You little scroogeÉ" started Jonathan, but was interrupted by Evelyn.
"Shush! There is something wrong here!"
"Did you join the band of 'Panicking guys' recently?" asked Randy innocently.
Then he traced Evelyn's gaze and choked. Moon, full and idle, floated from behind the silver flock of clouds, pouring its white shine over the silent earth. And, crossing this silver shower, some weird shape glinted over the horizon in its pale beams, sending strange shadows over the flat roofs of nearing town. Shadows, shaped as pair of giant, enormous, impossible horns.
"Horns of Apis", whispered Evelyn faintly.
"What?" chorused Rick, Jonathan and Randy.
"In legend, Pharaoh Menes had founded the city, Memphis, on the place where Upper and Lower Egypt met each other. He ordered to construct a magnificent temple of Ptah, crowned with the silver Horns of Apis. Temple was built, but it existed only for thirty years. It had been destructed by strong earthquake, and its likeness was never constructed", related Evelyn flatly, in strange detached voice.
"Don't tell me", croaked Rick.
"It was about 5000 years ago, in 2970 BC".