Chapter 3
Our rag tag little group walked to the end of the bridge, away from the dilapidated bus.
Rick had his arm around Evie and was trying to comfort her with his whispered words. Jonathon walked slowly beside me, his arm across my shoulders, and Ardeth strode purposefully in front of our group.
When we hit the main road Ardeth stood at the curb trying to hail a lorry. I could only imagine what the driver's thought when they saw this huge man dressed in black robes frantically waving his arms in the air. Many slowed down, but one quick look at Ardeth and they sped away.
"What in the name of Allah am I doing wrong?" he asked as he turned towards me.
Rick and Jonathon had now formed a protective huddle, off to the side, around Evie.
"Well for one thing your dressed all wrong," I said. I dropped my eyes to his boots and them slowly travel up his face. I smiled and ordered him to, "Stand back and let me try."
I took at step towards the curb, put my left hand on my hip and use the other to ruffle my hair. Headlights were heading in our direction. I could see the light on the top of the lorry was on. It was vacant! I began to wave my arm.
"Step back into the shadows Ardeth, you don't want to frighten him away!" I said
Ardeth took a step backwards and the cab slowed to the curb. There was only room for three so we sent Rick, Evie and Jonathon in the first cab and the driver radioed for a second one.
"You sure you'll be all right Miss" the driver said as he look at me and then to Ardeth.
"Oh perfectly, he's an old family friend from Egypt," I gaily answered, "I'll be just fine!"
I turned to look at Rick, "Don't dawdle OK 'Lissa, as soon as we get home I am making arrangements to get back to Cairo," he stated.
I looked up to see the other lorry coming down the street.
"We're be right behind you" was my reply.
The lorry left the curb and the second one pulled up in its place. Ardeth opened the back door and I dropped into the seat. He sat down beside me and instructed the driver to follow the first lorry.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the cool leather seat. I was exhausted and terribly frightened for Alex.
"I hope we get him back in time" I said flatly.
"We will," was his reply.
Opening my eyes I looked directly at him and asked, "What the hell just happened?"
He opened his mouth to speak and then caught the driver staring at him through the rearview mirror. Closing his mouth he shook his head slowly.
I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I couldn't lose someone I loved so dearly, not again, I just couldn't go through it again. It would kill Evie and Rick. Jonathon, well he would just be devastated. This little family would never recover. My hands flew to my face and the tears started to roll down my cheeks. I felt two strong arms pull me into an embrace and I lay my head on Ardeth's chest.
"I promise you we will find him and return him to his parents," Ardeth whispered into my hair.
I pulled back from his arms and looked up at him.
"God, I hope so. We can't lose him, we just can't," I softly cried.
His fingers touched my cheeks and began to wipe away my tears.
I had managed to pull myself together by the time the driver pulled into the driveway. The poor man had no idea what to make of the dark mysterious stranger in his cab and kept shooting worried glances, via his rearview mirror, in my direction.
Rick was standing outside the house waiting for our return. The first lorry was still sitting there with its engine going.
"Melissa get in the house and grab what you need from your suitcases. Pack light, Jonathon is rounding up some packs; use those for your clothes. I have a private plane waiting at the airport. We leave in fifteen minutes."
I headed into the house leaving Ardeth and Rick standing by the lorries. On the ride back from the bridge, Rick and Jonathon must have filled Evie in on the details regarding the bracelet. The contents of her suitcase lay scattered on the floor. She angrily snatched at her clothes and tossed them into the pack Jonathon had given her.
"Hurt my baby, you'll pay if you so much as touch a hair on his head!" she yelled at no one in particular.
We were to land in Cairo in a few minutes. Rick had sat up front with the pilot, Jonathon and Ardeth sat just ahead of Evie and I. The plane had room for fourteen passengers, two per bench seat, seven seats in all. It had been used for island hopping in the Caribbean but had been privately purchased and was about to be refurbished. The owner was a friend of Rick's and when we couldn't get a flight out of London, Rick just called in a favor. We had made two stops on the way for refueling but otherwise we were making excellent time.
I had held Evie's hand for most of the trip and she had told me the story of Hamunaptra and how they had first met Ardeth Bay.
"Why didn't you tell me about this before!" I exclaimed.
"Well we did tell you about how Rick and I met, but we just figured the whole Mummy episode might be a bit unbelievable, anyway that was ten years ago" she replied.
"After what I saw last night, I believe!" I exclaimed.
Rick and Ardeth stood off to one side deep in conversation while Evie, Jonathon and I shielded ourselves from the hot Cairo sun. By the side of the small dusty airport a group of Med-jai warriors sat waiting on stallions. Rick walked back to us and reached down to pick up several of the backpacks, "We need to get a car," he stated and headed off in the direction of the small airport. Jonathon pick up the remaining packs and followed. I took Evie's hand and we started after them. Ardeth did not move from where he stood. I turned my head and asked, "Are you not coming with us?"
Evie looked at Ardeth and then squeezed my hand, "I'll go ahead and find Rick," she said.
I turned to Ardeth and waited for him to answer my question.
"I must go and tell my people all that has transpired these last few hours. We must prepare, incase we have to go into battle!" he said quickly, "I will return, I promise."
He took my hand and brought it to his lips. My pack slip down from my shoulder, off my arm and landed with a thud on the ground. No man had ever kissed my hand! The shock registered on my face. He noticed and started to smile. He then released my hand and walked over to join his waiting tribesmen. With one quick movement he was on his horse and riding toward the city. The Med-jai disappeared in a swirl of dust but not before he took one last glance back at me. My hand still tingled and I swear I could still feel his lips brushing over my knuckles. "Oh good Lord" I thought as I shook my head, "What are you playing at, school girl fantasies?"
"Melissa, are you just going to stand there all day, get a move on!" Rick yelled across at me.
I stooped to pick up my pack and ran full speed towards Rick, Evie and Jonathon.
I had not anticipated a three-hour car ride, especially after being held captive on a small cramped plane for hours. My leg muscles screamed in agony, but I kept silent, as did everyone else. We finally reached our destination, the Magic Carpet, a small flying business owned by Rick's friend Izzy.
Izzy was not pleased to see Rick and words were quickly exchanged, but when he took one look at the staff of Osiris, which Jonathon just happened to pack, he quickly changed his mind.
Izzy took us around the corner of a small building to show us the "plane" we would be using. Rick took one look at the dirigible and shook his head.
"Does it fly?" he asked Izzy.
"These machines are the thing of the future!" he exclaimed, his gold front tooth glinting in the sunlight.
Rick spent the afternoon going over the entire ship with Izzy. Evie and I headed off to purchase supplies in the marketplace while Jonathon stowed away our packs in the bow compartments and helped make ready for our journey.
Evie and I, our arms heavy with supplies, slowly made our way back to the air ship.
Jonathon was already aboard and we handed him the blankets and canned goods that we had purchased.
"I'll make sure these things get stored away properly," Evie said as she climbed the ladder.
A lowing rumbling could be heard off in the distance and a cloud of dust formed out in the desert. As it moved closer towards us, I realized it was the thunder of horse hooves. Thirty or more Med-jai warriors, mounted on their magnificent stallions, stopped in front of the air ship. Rick popped his head up from the stern of the ship to see what was causing the commotion.
I stood on the ground and looked up in awe at these fearsome men. The horses slowly moved apart and Ardeth suddenly appeared.
"I always keep my promises," he said as he gazed down on me from his mount.
"Yes I guess you do. Well that's one, now how about the other," I said referring to his promise to get Alex back.
"We're working on that one," he replied.
He dismounted, pulled a thick leather glove from his saddlebag and placed it on his hand.
"Horus" he called.
A falcon flew off an elderly tribesman shoulder and landed on Ardeth's glove.
"Horus, will be able to send messages back and forth to my tribes. I need to keep them informed of our whereabouts," he explained.
He turned to his tribesmen and spoke his native Arabic. They turned their horses and rode off into the desert.
Ardeth walked over to the airship and climbed the ladder. He placed the bird on a small wooden beam near the stern and then turned to talk to Rick. Izzy was now climbing down the ladder to make final preparations for our journey.
I stood and looked out over the desert. It was so beautiful and yet could be so deadly. I was torn between the wonderful times I had enjoyed here with my parents and the dreadful way they had died. Only weeks earlier I had finally returned to my home with Evie, Rick and little Alex and now we were in danger of losing this beloved child forever. I wondered, "Why would I consider living here again? Could I live here again after all I had been through, after all we had been through?"
"Melissa, are you going to come aboard?"
I turned around to find everyone staring down at me.
"I'm, I'm sorry," I stammered, "I was just…."
"Reminiscing" Evie filled in for me.
I nodded my head and walked towards the ladder. Ardeth leaned down and held his hand out to me. I reached out and took it, as he helped me up and over the side. Evie and Rick sat huddled in the bow, her head resting on his shoulder. Jonathon had found a spot right beside Izzy, keeping watch over the Staff of Osiris. Izzy had claimed it as payment for his services, but Jonathon hoped to get it back. Ardeth had settled into a seat and looked up expectantly at me.
"Please, sit here," he said as he gestured to the seat beside him
I sat down as Izzy announced that we were taking off. The ship floated up into the air and I watched in fascination as the ground moved further and further away from us. I started to lean over when Ardeth's strong arm came about my waist and pulled me back down beside him.
"It's along way down Missy," he said with a smile on his face.
"No one has ever called me that," I said, "I get 'Lissa from Alex and Rick. Sometimes Alex calls me Mel, but only when he's angry with me. But no one has ever called me Missy."
"Does it bother you?" he asked.
"No, I, no if you want to call me Missy that's fine," I turned and smiled up to him.
As we sailed on over the vast desert I asked Ardeth to tell me about his adventure with Rick and Evie at Hamunaptra. He talked about the beauty of ancient Thebes and then told me the story of Seti, his mistress Anck-su-namun and her lover, the priest Imhotep.
I suddenly realized that the sky had grown dark and the stars twinkled down on us like diamonds. The night was clear and the moon was full. The harsh desert looked so beautiful in the moonlight.
Rick moved up towards us and handed me a blanket.
"Evelyn's getting some rest and you should to," he said softly.
"Thanks Rick," I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He crept back to the bow and moved Evie back into his arms and then covered them both with a blanket.
Ardeth took the blanket from my hands and wrapped it around me. Izzy was busy instructing Jonathon on how to make coffee over the fire pit on deck.
"Hasn't anyone in this Godforsaken country heard of tea," he whined.
I smiled at Jonathon and then turned my attention back to Ardeth. He had taken Horus down from his perch and was feeding him small pieces of dried meat, from a pouch attached to his belt. When he had finished he returned the bird to his perch and then turned his attention back to me.
"You never did get to the part about meeting Evie and Rick," I said with a smile.
"Ah yes, meeting the O'Connell's. Actually it wasn't a formal introduction. If I remember correctly we were shooting at their camp, trying to scare them away from Hamunaptra…"
I opened my eyes. It was dark, the stars were still twinkling but the breeze was quite cool. I looked toward the bow and saw Evie standing there staring into the night. Rick and Jonathon sat quietly by her. The men conversed in whispers and they each held a mug of steaming liquid. I sniffed the air "Coffee" I thought. I then realized I could hear a heart beating and there was a heavy weight on my left side. I lifted my head ever so slightly and saw that I was leaning up against Ardeth. My head rested on his shoulder and his arm was wrapped around me. "I must have fallen asleep," I thought.
"Rick, I can't believe your just going to give it to him," Jonathon whispered loudly in disbelief. I new from the look on Jonathon's face he was talking about the staff of Osiris.
"Shush," Rick replied and from my slightly parted eyes I saw him point towards Ardeth and I.
"And what the devil is that all about? " Jonathon muttered as he looked over at us.
"Big Med-jai warrior protecting innocent girl! I think it's kinda' cute," Rick replied a smile playing on his lips.
Ardeth stirred and stretch his arms. I sat up quickly and he smiled down at me.
"Did you sleep well?"
"I'm sorry I must have dozed off during your story,"
"These past twenty hours have been most difficult for all of us. You needed to rest. You leaned up against me and closed your eyes. I just didn't have the heart to disturb you."
I looked over at Evie, still staring from the bow, "I am so worried about her," I whispered.
"I promised you we will get him back, did I not?"
I turned back to him and nodded my head. He reached over and touched my hair.
"You look so peaceful when you sleep," he whispered, "but I am more enchanted with your beautiful green eyes when you are awake."
He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine.
"NO," Evie yelled
I turned quickly to see Rick jump up and grab Evie as she fell over the side. Ardeth rushed to his side and they both brought Evie back into the ship.
"EVELYN WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON," Rick yelled as he grabbed her to his chest.
He walked her down to where I sat and pushed her into the seat next to me. I reached out and put my arm around her covering her with my blanket. Jonathon had moved beside Izzy and they were both taking small nips from Izzy's flask. Rick and Ardeth sat across from us as Evie told us about her vision. Apparently she had been having quite a few of these for the last little while, but this one was so vivid.
"You're the reincarnation of Nefertiri!" I said in awe. I looked around our small group and saw the shock registering on everyone's face but Ardeth.
Ardeth reached out and touch a small tattoo on Rick's wrist. "That would explain this. How long have you had it?"
"As long as I can remember, why?" Rick replied.
"It is the mark of the Med-jai. You are here to protect Evelyn. She is the reincarnation of Nefertiri. Nefertiri was the daughter of Seti I. If Evelyn's vision is true, and Nefertiri did witness the death of her father at the hands of Imhotep and Anck-su-namun, Evelyn could be in great danger and you are her Protector!"
The sun was starting to rise and Izzy yelled from the stern "Karnac is ahead, hey what's that train doing down there!"
The five of us leaned over the side and saw the train sitting by the Temple.
"I'm going to land over there," he said as he pointed to an area quite a distant from the train, "just in case they are still around, we'll be able to surprise them."
The air ship gently landed on the north side of Karnac. Izzy and Jonathon stayed with the ship while the rest of us disembarked and ran toward the Temple.
"We'll check out the train, you girls head towards the Temple!" Rick yelled at us from over his shoulder.
"Be careful!" Ardeth warned.
Evie and I walked through the Temple, searching each room and alcove. We walked into an open area filled with statues. She headed south and I headed north. I could hear the shouts of the men coming from the train.
"Rick!" Evie yelled. I ran towards her voice. She stood by a statue holding Alex's tie in her hand. Rick and Ardeth quickly joined us and Evie handed Rick the tie.
"He was here!" she exclaimed.
In hopes of finding something more from Alex, I slowly walked around the base of the statue. Stopping dead in my tracks I looked down at the small sculpture in the sand. Ardeth moved away from Evie and Rick and had come over to where I stood. He reached for my hand and squeezed in tightly.
"What is it?" I asked.
"The Temple by the Sea, good boy Alex," he said softly.
"Evelyn, Rick, we must head to the Temple by the Sea that is where they are taking him next!" he exclaimed.
We spent the next several days following the clues that Alex had left for us. Each time we hoped to find him, but instead we would find a small drawing or sculpture carved out of the sand.
Ardeth had kissed me only one other time. We were searching a ruin for more of Alex's clues and were having trouble finding one. Evie was becoming frantic and Rick was doing his best to calm her down. Ardeth decided we must sweep the perimeter once more, there had to be a clue. I found several rocks and a hieroglyphic in the sand close to the base of a large stone pillar. When I called to Ardeth that I had found something he came running over to me. When he saw the clue in the sand he swung me up in the air and kissed me right in front of Evie and Rick. It was quick and over in two seconds but my lips burned for hours afterwards.
Late into the night, while the ship floated onwards, I would catch Ardeth looking at me in a most peculiar way. The heat of his stare burned through my clothes. I moved away from him with an excuse to make fresh coffee. I returned with steaming mugs for everyone and then Evelyn asked Ardeth to tell us about the Med-jai.
Later as everyone lay sleeping, Ardeth asked my about my family. I told him of my life in England, my schooling and about my parents. I told him of their lives and how fulfilled and happy they were, and then I told him of their deaths. Of how they died for nothing, a rumor, hearsay, there was no gold or jewels just pottery and history and those bandits rode in and tore apart my entire life. I cried after I told him their story. He reached over and squeezed my hand.
I wiped my tears away, "You see," I said, "that is why I can't lose Alex, we can't lose Alex."
"I made you a promise, Med-jai keep their promises," was he reply.
And now it had come to this, we had only one more day left. We needed to find Alex today so that we could get to Ahm-shere by dawn tomorrow. Alex's last clue had indicated that Imhotep was headed there and so we followed. Rick stood at the bow of the air ship trying to guide Izzy through a particularly treacherous route. Ardeth stood on one side and Jonathon the other. We were high above a river entombed by steep cliffs on either side. Each man was trying to guide Izzy with his commands, through the tight walls.
Evie sat beside me and we both held each other's hands.
"I think Ardeth is quite taken with you," she said softly.
I lowered my eyes and then raised them to hers "as I am with him."
Surprise registered on her face, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," was my only reply.
"The other night while we were sleeping, Ardeth asked Rick if there was anyone special in your life."
"And what was Rick's reply," I whispered to her as I stole a look to see if the men were listening.
"Only Alex, but Rick told him not to consider our son as heavy competition."
I started to giggle and so did Evie. Ardeth and Jonathon looked over at us, "This takes a lot of concentration ladies, would you mind keeping in down," Jonathon shot at us sarcastically.
"Oh Evie, he does make my heart leap into my throat every time he looks at me. He kissed me yesterday, and I can still feel his lips on mine."
"He most certainly did," she whispered back, "I thought you were going to fall, he swung you so high!"
We went silent.
"Is this wrong?" I asked her softly.
"What does your heart say?"
"It's right, it's so very right."
She smiled and gave me a hug, "Whatever you decide, Rick and I will stand by any and all of your decisions." She leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"Looks like the river is widening a bit, I think I'll head up and see how Rick is doing," she said and then made her way up to the front of the ship.
Ardeth let her pass and then settled into the seat she had vacated.
"What were you two ladies talking about?"
"Oh, this and that."
He reached into his pouch, pulled the dried meat out and handed it to me. I reached up to where Horus was perched and placed the meat beside him. Ardeth had already sent Horus back to his tribe to informed them of Alex's clues. The bird had returned to the air ship several hours later.
"He is quite taken with you."
"I know," I smiled at Horus and then turned to Ardeth, "as I am with him."
Ardeth's hand covered mine, "I am quite taken with you," he simply stated.
My breath caught in my throat and my heart beat faster. I lowered my eyes and then raised them slowly. I needed these few seconds to calm myself.
"As I am with you," I slowly replied.
He leaned down and kissed me. His lips touched mine and I felt them turn to fire. I placed my hand on his face and felt the tip of his tongue encircle my lips. The wind picked up and the shipped rocked back and forth.
Ardeth broke our kiss as Rick yell, "Faster Izzy, OH MY GOD!"
We both looked to the stern and saw a wall of water heading towards us. Izzy put the motor in overdrive and Rick ran to the bow and grabbed Evie. Jonathon dove onto the deck and covered his head.
"FASTER IZZY, FASTER!" Rick yelled again.
"SHE CAN'T GO ANY FASTER!" Izzy yelled back.
The water was lashing at the back of the boat and was growing higher and stronger. A face appeared in the wall of water.
"IMHOTEP!" I screamed and pointed.
Ardeth grabbed me up in his arms and held me tightly to his chest.
"HANG ON EVERYONE, HANG ON!" he bellowed.
His arms squeezed tightly around me, I could scarcely breath. I wrapped my arms around his waist, push my face into his chest and held on for dear life.
"MISSY, I'VE GOT YOU, HOLD TIGHT MY LOVE!" he shouted over the top of my head.
The roar, from the water, was deafening as it crashed into our little air ship.