~~~~~~~~~TAVERN IN CAIRO~~~~~~~

Marcus Spencer sat in the corner of the dimly lit tavern, sipping his drink. Light from the nearby fire bounced of his small rim glasses. His searched the room for his messenger. The front doors opened bringing in a gust of warm air and his man. The man was dressed in scarlet robes, his name was Hareem. He recognized Spencer and made his way to him. The man sat in the chair opposite him and ordered a drink.

"Have u discovered it?" Spencer asked quietly.

"Yes," Hareem responded.

"Then you have it?"

"Uh...no," Hareem saw the look on Spencer's face and quickly continued, "A girl found it before we could get to it. Her name is Grace Lockhart she is in Cairo with the O'Connells, their brother, and the Med-Jai leader Ardeth Bay"

"Grace Lockhart of all people," he chuckled, "I never thought she'd be an asset to me. Ardeth Bay could be trouble though. We'll just have to find his weakness."

Hareem nodded, "I will watch him."

Spencer nodded, "Order the others to watch too and if this girl happens to be alone get her, we need to her for the ritual"

He nodded and left leaving Spencer to himself and his thoughts: 'Soon Grace you will prove your worth to me'

~~~***~~~

Grace woke up as light seeped in through the window. She walked to the window and looked out. The second story had a great view of the Pyramids of Giza. She left the room and walked down the marble to stairs to find Ardeth. She wanted to ask him about the staff. She found him in the library

"Good morning," she said cheerfully.

He turned in her direction, she looked beautiful. Her hair was in a loose braid that fell over one shoulder and her smile brightened her whole face.

"Good morning," he answered back.

"I came to ask about the Staff of Set." She said

"Well it said that over 3,000 years ago a man named Khamenra was Pharaoh's Chief Advisor. He was a power hungry man and one day he killed Pharaoh thinking he could take over as the ruler, but the Med-Jai found him, he put up fight with the only weapon he had, his staff. One of the Med-Jai cut it in half with his scimitar and another slew him. As he lay in his own blood, dyeing ,he made a pact with the dark god Set that if he gave him the power to conquer he would give him his soul. Set granted his wish. It is said that if his staff is put back together the wielder would take on the power of Khamenra." Ardeth said.

"Oh and how do they do that? Crazy Glue?" She giggled at her own joke.

Ardeth looked at her seriously and said, "By spilling the blood of the person who carried it from the city."

Her face paled and her laugh was cut short, "Oh my,"

Ardeth came over to her and put his strong hands on her shoulders, "Do not fear, I don't plan on letting this happen."

She looked up at him. He stared down at her and it seemed that he could see into her very soul. His hand slowly reached up to touch her cheek, so softly like the slightest touch might break her, his head lowered slightly, at this moment it seemed that they were the only two people in the world. That is until they heard the door open and Jonathon came barging in.

"Oh please," he muttered.

They stepped apart and Grace laughed nervously, "Jonathon what are you doing here?"

"I was just wondering what you wanted me to do with this gold stick thingy," Jonathon said holding one stick in each hand, "I mean I could hold onto them...you know for safe keeping."

"I think it would be best, my friend, if I kept them." Ardeth said.

"Are you sure, I mean your the first person they'll think of that has it." Jonathon replied looking covetously over the gold.

Ardeth rolled his eyes, "No, I think it's best if I take it." Ardeth said grabbing one stick. He pulled but Jonathon held onto it. He pulled harder and Jonathon let go this time.