EPILOGUE
You cannot run from your fate, you cannot run from your destiny.
From the Harvester's Journal
Six months later: Somewhere in the Sierra Madres… The valley was overgrown with jungle growth; small waterfalls tumbled down the sides of the sheer rocky cliffs. If you knew what to look for, there were signs that the valley had once been inhabited, but most of those signs were buried under centuries of debris. In a small clearing was a six-foot tall obelisk carved from a huge milky white crystal. In front of the crystal was a depression with a jade bowl set in it. In the bowl, a fire burned.
The one who set the fire knelt before it, crumbling small bits of rosemary and incense in it, praying softly. Imhotep stood a respectful distance away, watching her, knowing that this was the site of her old village, knowing that this marked the gravesite of her family.
She finished and got up, brushing the dirt from her trousers. She looked at her "twin" and smiled softly. On the ground were the books of the Living and Dead. "We could resurrect them Hathor," he told her.
She shook her head. "No brother. Let them rest. They deserve that much." She moved to pick up the Book of the Living and he bent down to retrieve the Book of the Dead. Together they would hide the priceless books in the valley.
"Will you take Ardeth's offer?" he asked as they walked deeper into the jungle valley.
"No, I don't think so." She looked at the sky speculatively. "The Medjai have enough problems to deal with. I can't expose them to the Shadow Realm and the enemies I already have."
They made their way to the cliffs and stood before a dark opening in the rock, a natural cave. They gently, reverently placed the books in two small alcoves at the back of the cave and walked out. Then they stood on either side of the opening of the cave and both murmured a spell in ancient Egyptian. The rock shivered and flowed over the opening, sealing the books inside.
"What will you do now brother?" she asked. "You have atoned for your crimes."
He smiled. "But I am not yet redeemed. I think I shall stay for awhile."
"Fine by me," she laughed. Behind them, two pair of eyes watched as they left the jungle. As the sun set, the owl and crow launched themselves into the air, winging their way elsewhere, following a path only they could see.
