The delay was caused because of lack of supplies. Some of their things turned up missing once they'd gotten off the boat. It took them a day just to restock. Initially, Rick had blamed Jonathan, thinking he'd lost them in a card game.
"I did no such thing!" Jonathan protested. Rick still believed he had.
So once the sun rose and Hamunaptra came within sight, they rode to the City of the Dead as fast as they could. Imhotep was sure to be there.
The team was not disappointed. Right outside the city walls stood several mummified priests, guarding the entrance. Ardeth and Rick jumped off their horses and made quick work of them. They rode onward, Ardeth leading the way.
Once inside, they made their way downward, into the chamber that held the sacred alter.
"He doesn't need a sacrifice for this, does he?" Evelyn asked uneasily.
Ardeth shook his head. "No, but he will not be happy to see us. We must be on our guard."
A screech came from behind. Jonathan jumped, pushing Evelyn to the floor accidentally. Rick and Ardeth turned to see more priests. After several minutes of fighting, they were once again alone.
They looked around. The whole place was empty. Not a sound came from anywhere.
"Well, where is he?" Rick asked, sword ready.
Ardeth shook his head and motioned for them to move on.
"Evelyn, you stay by me," Rick said.
There was no reply.
"Evelyn?"
Looking around, they saw no trace of her. Jonathan sighed. "Here we go again."
"Evelyn!" Rick yelled.
"No!" Ardeth shouted. "We mustn't let him know where we are!"
"You yelled too," Alex pointed out.
Ardeth just looked at him.
"Well where is she?"
"Didn't you already say something like that?" Alex said. He didn't seem worried about his mother in the least.
"Be useful," Rick replied. "Find your mother."
Alex trotted off in a different direction.
"Jonathan, go with him."
Jonathan pouted, but he went.
Rick and Ardeth turned down a hall. After getting lost in the maze, they finally came upon a piece of wall that was turned outward, revealing a secret room. Quietly, they entered.
Imhotep stood with his back to the door, in front of a long table. The two men moved around so they could see the table, being careful to stay behind him and out of sight. In the middle of the table stood what looked like a tall, slender vase. Resting on top of it was the Jewel of Fate.
He muttered something in Ancient Egyptian. Rick and Ardeth looked at each other, upset that they had none of their interpretors with them. They wanted to come up with a plan but were afraid to even whisper with Imhotep in the room. They slipped back outside.