Chapter 2
It had not taken Evie long to find Rashid Omar's house opposite the Museum of Antiquities. During their last adventure with Ardeth Bey, the Medjai leader had told her that should she ever need to find him or the Medjai, this man could be trusted and would be her contact.
Rashid Omar was a man of 60 years, with a genuine and honest face covered in wrinkles. His eyes creased in concern as he listened to Evie's story about the German professor and the artifacts he had shown her as he had shown her into his living room. At the rear of the house, Evie could spot several Medjai though the rear door. Since she had arrived back in Cairo from Ebgland, she had already seen several of the black-clad warriors watching the Museum at all times and most likely they have also been watching her. Somehow knowing that Ardeth Bey had his men ready to protect their ancient secrets even in the middle of Cairo, made her feel safe and protected. And even though she never took an oath, since their last adventures, she knew that she was also a part of this secret society and had a duty to fulfil.
Several hours had passed since she had delivered a message through Rashid Omar to Ardeth Bay and returned to the Museum. It was now almost 7:30pm, the time the German professor had promised to come back. The sun was slowly setting, throwing its dying rays through the large windows and creating strange shadows across the exhibits. Evie had not stopped walking nervously up and down the entrance lobby of the museum since she got back. Where was Ardeth? Did he get the message? And what would she do if he didn't show up? Suddenly, a dark shadow stepped out from behind one of the sarcophagus and walked slowly up to her.
"Where is the object?" a soft voice asked.
Evie gasped and turned around, facing the dark figure. As the shape stepped closer, she could make out a dark robe and from above a veil covering the lower half if a face, a set of familiar dark eyes looked at her.
"Ardeth?" she asked. "Is that you? God, you scared the living daylights out of me!"
Ardeth Bay, smiled apologetically as his hand came up to his face and removed the dark cloth that had covered it. "I appologise, Evie. " he said and smiled. "I did not mean to scare you."
Evie took a deep breath. "What is it with this keeping in the shadows all the time." She then waved her hand as Ardeth tried to say something. "No, it's okay. I understand." Then she looked around. "He's not here yet. He said he'll be back at 7:30 to see if I had managed to find out more about this bracelet he has."
Ardeth's face was serious. "You are sure it is the bracelet of Anubis?"
Evie nodded. "Yes, I am absolutely sure. Remember, my son was wearing it! I just don't understand how it got from Am Shere to Cairo and in the hands of the Nazis!"
Ardeth looked at Evie. "Nobody has been to Am Shere since that cursed day. But a few days ago, a group of diggers stopped at the location of the lost oasis and began to excavate. They were commanded by several soldiers."
"Germans." Evie whispered.
"Yes." Ardeth replied. "I do not know how they found the location, but before we could intervene, they had already removed several objects from the site. I hoped that they had not found the bracelet and realised that they had indeed found Am Shere, but I guess I was wrong."
Evie sighed. "Well, it was definitely the bracelet we found at the temple and which Alex was wearing." She she looked up at Ardeth. "Oh, God, what are we going to do now? If they raise the Scorpion King ."
Ardeth shook his head and placed a calming hand on Evie's shoulders. "We must retrieve the bracelet at all cost. And all is not lost. After Imothep's death, I am the only one who knows how to raise the Army of Anubis at Am Shere now."
"That is indeed good news!" a voice came from above them.
Both Evie and Ardeth looked up to see two men, one highly decorated Nazi soldier and one older man in civilian clothing, standing on the balcony above the lobby.
"Professor Schwanter?" Evie said shocked.
Schwanter and the general smiled down at Ardeth and suddenly the tall Arab and Evie were surrounded by German soldiers storming the building through the entrance door.
With a fierce battle cry, Ardeth drew his sword and pushed Evie protectively behind his back. Out of the shadows came several Medjai warriors to help their chief and a fierce battle began. Above the lobby of the museum, the two Germans watched the scene below them for several minutes as more and more of their men were cut down by the fierce fighting and highly skilled Medjai. They were certainly not outnumbered, but definitely outskilled.
"General, this is not going as well as we'd planned." Schwanter mumbled.
The General shook his head and rubbed his leather-gloved hands together. "My friend, what is the best way to defeat a snake? You cut off its head."
With this he drew his gun and aimed at the tall, black-clad warrior who was obviously the leader of the band. He titled his head and took aim just as the tall Medjai raised his scimitar to kill another German soldier. The bullet found it's aim and the Medjai's fingers lost the grip on his weapon as he clutched his side and fell to the ground.
The General's gun then fired another shot into the ceiling, causing mortar and dust to fall onto the group below. Then he pointed the weapon back at the fallen Medjai leader and bellowed over the battle noise. "Stop it, now and put down your weapons or your man gets it!"
There was a moment of shocked silence as the Medjai tried to work out what to do, their eyes finding their injured chief.
"Ardeth!" one of the younger warriors shouted and moved forward, closer to their leader, who was still laying dazed on the floor at the feet of the German soldiers who had closed in around him and Evie. The librarian had fallen to her feet and pulled Ardeth into her arms.
The general motioned to his soldiers and three of them placed their guns at the fallen warrior's head. The General's eyes looked over the group of Medjai. "One step closer and he gets it." Then he and the professor made their way down from the balcony. As they approached the group, the General smiled. "Now that we have your attention, I think we should talk about this. We need information about the legendary Army of Anubis and we need it now."
"Neither I nor my men will tell you anything." Ardeth said coldly and even under the pain, his voice made his conviction clear.
The General nodded. "Yes, I thought as much. But we've heard that you know all about this army and we have ways of making you talk. I'm sure we will get to a mutual understanding in the end."
"I would rather die." Ardeth hissed.
"Well, we try and avoid that. For now. But we have means that should help loosen your tongue."
Then he motioned to some of his men standing behind him, and before Ardeth could move, the slodiers had grabbed Evie, pulling her roughly away from him. Another two soldiers dragged him off the floor and restrained him between them. Ardeth drew in a sharp breath and as he quickly assessed the situation, his hopes sunk. He knew that he couldn't allow the Germans to use Evie against him as he would not be strong enough to watch them torture or kill her. He owed the O'Connells and his own people this much. Ardeth' eyes wandered across the faces of his men and rested on Hamid's, his most trusted friend and second in command. There was understanding and fear in his old friend's eyes, as he understood the silent message. The Medjai could not allow their leader to be taken alive. Slowly, Hamid raised his rifle and aimed at Ardeth's head. He closed his eyes for a split second and took a deep breath. But the moment of hesitation brought the attention of the German soldier to him and with a swift move, he pulled a gun from his holster and shot Hamid in the chest.
"No!" Ardeth shouted and started to struggle against his captures, as his eyes fixed on the lifeless body of his old friend.
"This was quite a noble attempt, Medjai, but I'm afraid we need you alive and kicking." He indicated two of his soldier to drag Ardeth up from the ground. "Now I suggest you call off your men or I will kill them all one by one. What good will that do to your cause?"
The tall warrior raised his head painfully and looked into the anticipating eyes of his men. "Live today, fight tomorrow" he said in Arabic and he could see in their eyes that they understood. He had dismissed them, but they would be back.
The two German soldiers roughly dragged him straight. "What shall we do with him, General?" one of them asked.
"Bring him. And the woman." he snared coldly and turned to walk toward the door. The two Germans tightened their grip on the semi-conscious Arab and the group dragged him and Evie behind the General out of the Museum.
TBC .
It had not taken Evie long to find Rashid Omar's house opposite the Museum of Antiquities. During their last adventure with Ardeth Bey, the Medjai leader had told her that should she ever need to find him or the Medjai, this man could be trusted and would be her contact.
Rashid Omar was a man of 60 years, with a genuine and honest face covered in wrinkles. His eyes creased in concern as he listened to Evie's story about the German professor and the artifacts he had shown her as he had shown her into his living room. At the rear of the house, Evie could spot several Medjai though the rear door. Since she had arrived back in Cairo from Ebgland, she had already seen several of the black-clad warriors watching the Museum at all times and most likely they have also been watching her. Somehow knowing that Ardeth Bey had his men ready to protect their ancient secrets even in the middle of Cairo, made her feel safe and protected. And even though she never took an oath, since their last adventures, she knew that she was also a part of this secret society and had a duty to fulfil.
Several hours had passed since she had delivered a message through Rashid Omar to Ardeth Bay and returned to the Museum. It was now almost 7:30pm, the time the German professor had promised to come back. The sun was slowly setting, throwing its dying rays through the large windows and creating strange shadows across the exhibits. Evie had not stopped walking nervously up and down the entrance lobby of the museum since she got back. Where was Ardeth? Did he get the message? And what would she do if he didn't show up? Suddenly, a dark shadow stepped out from behind one of the sarcophagus and walked slowly up to her.
"Where is the object?" a soft voice asked.
Evie gasped and turned around, facing the dark figure. As the shape stepped closer, she could make out a dark robe and from above a veil covering the lower half if a face, a set of familiar dark eyes looked at her.
"Ardeth?" she asked. "Is that you? God, you scared the living daylights out of me!"
Ardeth Bay, smiled apologetically as his hand came up to his face and removed the dark cloth that had covered it. "I appologise, Evie. " he said and smiled. "I did not mean to scare you."
Evie took a deep breath. "What is it with this keeping in the shadows all the time." She then waved her hand as Ardeth tried to say something. "No, it's okay. I understand." Then she looked around. "He's not here yet. He said he'll be back at 7:30 to see if I had managed to find out more about this bracelet he has."
Ardeth's face was serious. "You are sure it is the bracelet of Anubis?"
Evie nodded. "Yes, I am absolutely sure. Remember, my son was wearing it! I just don't understand how it got from Am Shere to Cairo and in the hands of the Nazis!"
Ardeth looked at Evie. "Nobody has been to Am Shere since that cursed day. But a few days ago, a group of diggers stopped at the location of the lost oasis and began to excavate. They were commanded by several soldiers."
"Germans." Evie whispered.
"Yes." Ardeth replied. "I do not know how they found the location, but before we could intervene, they had already removed several objects from the site. I hoped that they had not found the bracelet and realised that they had indeed found Am Shere, but I guess I was wrong."
Evie sighed. "Well, it was definitely the bracelet we found at the temple and which Alex was wearing." She she looked up at Ardeth. "Oh, God, what are we going to do now? If they raise the Scorpion King ."
Ardeth shook his head and placed a calming hand on Evie's shoulders. "We must retrieve the bracelet at all cost. And all is not lost. After Imothep's death, I am the only one who knows how to raise the Army of Anubis at Am Shere now."
"That is indeed good news!" a voice came from above them.
Both Evie and Ardeth looked up to see two men, one highly decorated Nazi soldier and one older man in civilian clothing, standing on the balcony above the lobby.
"Professor Schwanter?" Evie said shocked.
Schwanter and the general smiled down at Ardeth and suddenly the tall Arab and Evie were surrounded by German soldiers storming the building through the entrance door.
With a fierce battle cry, Ardeth drew his sword and pushed Evie protectively behind his back. Out of the shadows came several Medjai warriors to help their chief and a fierce battle began. Above the lobby of the museum, the two Germans watched the scene below them for several minutes as more and more of their men were cut down by the fierce fighting and highly skilled Medjai. They were certainly not outnumbered, but definitely outskilled.
"General, this is not going as well as we'd planned." Schwanter mumbled.
The General shook his head and rubbed his leather-gloved hands together. "My friend, what is the best way to defeat a snake? You cut off its head."
With this he drew his gun and aimed at the tall, black-clad warrior who was obviously the leader of the band. He titled his head and took aim just as the tall Medjai raised his scimitar to kill another German soldier. The bullet found it's aim and the Medjai's fingers lost the grip on his weapon as he clutched his side and fell to the ground.
The General's gun then fired another shot into the ceiling, causing mortar and dust to fall onto the group below. Then he pointed the weapon back at the fallen Medjai leader and bellowed over the battle noise. "Stop it, now and put down your weapons or your man gets it!"
There was a moment of shocked silence as the Medjai tried to work out what to do, their eyes finding their injured chief.
"Ardeth!" one of the younger warriors shouted and moved forward, closer to their leader, who was still laying dazed on the floor at the feet of the German soldiers who had closed in around him and Evie. The librarian had fallen to her feet and pulled Ardeth into her arms.
The general motioned to his soldiers and three of them placed their guns at the fallen warrior's head. The General's eyes looked over the group of Medjai. "One step closer and he gets it." Then he and the professor made their way down from the balcony. As they approached the group, the General smiled. "Now that we have your attention, I think we should talk about this. We need information about the legendary Army of Anubis and we need it now."
"Neither I nor my men will tell you anything." Ardeth said coldly and even under the pain, his voice made his conviction clear.
The General nodded. "Yes, I thought as much. But we've heard that you know all about this army and we have ways of making you talk. I'm sure we will get to a mutual understanding in the end."
"I would rather die." Ardeth hissed.
"Well, we try and avoid that. For now. But we have means that should help loosen your tongue."
Then he motioned to some of his men standing behind him, and before Ardeth could move, the slodiers had grabbed Evie, pulling her roughly away from him. Another two soldiers dragged him off the floor and restrained him between them. Ardeth drew in a sharp breath and as he quickly assessed the situation, his hopes sunk. He knew that he couldn't allow the Germans to use Evie against him as he would not be strong enough to watch them torture or kill her. He owed the O'Connells and his own people this much. Ardeth' eyes wandered across the faces of his men and rested on Hamid's, his most trusted friend and second in command. There was understanding and fear in his old friend's eyes, as he understood the silent message. The Medjai could not allow their leader to be taken alive. Slowly, Hamid raised his rifle and aimed at Ardeth's head. He closed his eyes for a split second and took a deep breath. But the moment of hesitation brought the attention of the German soldier to him and with a swift move, he pulled a gun from his holster and shot Hamid in the chest.
"No!" Ardeth shouted and started to struggle against his captures, as his eyes fixed on the lifeless body of his old friend.
"This was quite a noble attempt, Medjai, but I'm afraid we need you alive and kicking." He indicated two of his soldier to drag Ardeth up from the ground. "Now I suggest you call off your men or I will kill them all one by one. What good will that do to your cause?"
The tall warrior raised his head painfully and looked into the anticipating eyes of his men. "Live today, fight tomorrow" he said in Arabic and he could see in their eyes that they understood. He had dismissed them, but they would be back.
The two German soldiers roughly dragged him straight. "What shall we do with him, General?" one of them asked.
"Bring him. And the woman." he snared coldly and turned to walk toward the door. The two Germans tightened their grip on the semi-conscious Arab and the group dragged him and Evie behind the General out of the Museum.
TBC .
