Chapter 9

The sun had begun to raise and Ardeth prepared himself to rally his men for the ride to the remains of Am Shere. The tall Medjai leader stood outside his tent and took a deep, cleansing breath. But this time, he did not feel the typical calm before a battle. This would be the day they would return to what was left of Am Shere and face the German soldiers, and he had no doubts that there would be a battle. A battle, in which many of his men would loose their lives. And all because of him. Their blood would be on his hands and Ardeth swallowed painfully at the disgust this realisation brought up within his stomach. A screetching noise from above caught his attention and he saw a falcon flying towards him. Ardeth extended his arm and the bird landed safely on it. Around his leg was a small metal box and the Arab reached for it, opening it and pulling out a small piece of paper. It was a message from one of Ardeth's look-outs. The Germans had arrived back at the excavation site at Am Shere but had still not found the statue of the Scorpion King.

Not long after, the group left the campsite.

The trip through the desert was silent. Jonathan tried to keep the balance on his horse. Next to him, Ardeth Bey was focussing on their way ahead.

"So, tell me, my friend. How come the Medjai aren't joining in with the other Arabs to fight the Turks or the French or the ... er ... British? In fact, you've watched everybody fight over this land and never took sides or did anything about it. "

Ardeth's eyes darkened. "My family has seen enough fighting, death and sorrow for generations. They have fought for this land and given their blood countless times." Then he kicked his horse and galloped to the front of the group.

Jonathan looked at the Medjai riding next to him. "What was that all about?"

Sayyid's eyes followed his leader and then he met Jonathan's gaze. "Ardeth has a long and proud family history. He is a direct descendent of the Mameluke Sultan Quait Bey who ruled over this state many generations ago. Under him, most of Cairo was built."

Jonathan's eyes went wide in surprise. "The descendent of a sultan? And he now lives in the desert? What happened?"

"After the what you call Cape of Good Hope was discovered by the Europeans as a route to India, the income of Cairo through trade had decreased so badly that Cairo asked India for a trade agreement. But India refused and a war broke out, which the Mamelukes lost. The Turks took the opportunity to invade and took over Egypt. But a few years later, Ali Bey occupied Cairo and sent the Turks back to Porte. He then attacked Syria and Arabia and defeated them. They called him the Calif of Mecca."

Evie had closed up to them and listened to the story. "I remember the story. Ali Bey was murdered and then Murad Bey took over the rule of Egypt. Then Napoleon arrived and Murad Bey was not strong enough to fight the French and the Turks at the same time. They lost the fight and had to flee or be killed."

Sayyid nodded. "You know our history well. This was the most tragic of moments in the Bey family history and in the history of all Mamelukes. When the French entered Cairo, the people were stunned and shocked as they did not realize that the Mamelukes, whose job it had been to protect the city and failed miserably were no longer capable of defending them."

"So they had to live in exile?" Jonathan asked.

"For a few years, they did. But then, in Shahin Bey, Ardeth's great- grandfather, the Mamelukes had a powerful and charismatic leader once again and the Turks became worried. Afterall, the Mamelukes had an ancient right to the land. So the Turks lured them into a trap and killed them all. Shahin Bey was wounded and then beheaded, his head presented to Muhammad Ali, the Turkish leader. After that, the Turks raided the houses of the Mamelukes and murdered many, including the women and children. But some of those who survived escaped deep into the desert, where we have lived ever since."

Evie creased her eyebrows. "But what about your secret society of the descendents of the bodyguards of Set I?"

Sayyid nodded. "We are indeed those protectors. But as the pharaohs seized to exist, our duty to continue to honour our secret oath and the secrets that have been bestowed upon us was still very existent. The best way to fulfill it was to be at the centre of control. And as then various tribes had fought, the Mamelukes came out of the desert and took power easily. We have defended not only the secrets of the pharaohs, but also the land and the people. Until we were forced to return to the desert."

"What a sad tale." Evie whispered. "It is one thin g to carry the burden of leading the Medjai, but this is so much more."

At the front of the group, Ardeth rose next to Rick in silence for some time. The American saw the dark expression on his Arab friend's face. Rick threw a look over his shoulder at Evie and Jonathan. "What's going on back there?"

Ardeth continued to stare ahead. "An excursion into the history of my family. Evie is very interested in it."

Rick laughed. "Yeah, especially if she finds out that there is a pharaoh or a king in it somewhere."

The Medjai chieftain looked at him seriously and Rick's eyes went wide. "Oh, right. I see. Bad luck, buddy."

"You say it, my friend."

"Well, now you know what I feel like when people dig in my past. Like this whole Medjai chosen one business."

Ardeth shook his head. "You should take your past seriously, my friend. It is who you are and it is your destiny, once you will embrace it."

Rick sighed heavily. Then suddenly he froze and looked at Ardeth. "Hey, wait a minute. How come you knew those words you said to me back in England? You know, the whole I'm a traveler from the East business?"

Ardeth was quiet for a moment. Then his words were almost unauditable. "I was taught these words when I was only a boy. So that I would recognise the chosen one. The lost Medjai."

Rick stopped his horse dead. "Oh, here we go again." he sighed, not believing a word he had just heard. "Lost Medjai? You guys don't strike me as people who loose stuff. Certainly not people. And I mean don't get my wrong, my friend, I like you and the Medjai. I think you're a bunch of great guys, always ready to save the world and keep evil at bay. But let's face it, you protect the world from people like . well . like me! I'm no chosen one."

"You were destined to stop the Scorpion King and knew how to defeat him." Ardeth insisted.

"I saw it on a wall."

"It was destiny."

"It was coincidence."

Ardeth also stopped his horse. "You know what I think about destiny. And I had hoped that the events of last time would have made you believe, too. And I can see it in your eyes. Your tongue says one thing, but your heart already knows the truth. We are brothers."

Rick laughed. "Brothers? Hell, Ardeth, I wish that would be true. I would have nobody else rather for a brother than you, my friend. You are honest, brave, reliable and honourable. In fact, you are the direct opposite of me. You wouldn't want me for a brother. Trust me." He looked ahead into the distance and then continued with a smile. "Besides, I look nothing like you."

Ardeth returned the smile. "There are more things to being brothers than genetics, O'Connell. Brothers of the soul, brothers in spirit and brothers in arms."

Rick looked over at the tall Arab and reached out for his hand. "That we are, my friend." he said as Ardeth took it in a warrior's handshake. "That we are."

A shout from one of the Medjai behind them made the two men turn their heads and look forwards.

"Am Shere." Rick whispered as he spotted the partially excavated ruins.

"And so it begins again." Ardeth said and spurred his horse on.