Okay, I finally got the next chapter ready. Sorry it took so long, but I can't get to my account at my own computer still. I should have the next chapter up before the end of the week. If not, I'll get it up on Monday.
Okay, next chapter I will finally introduce Siris. After that it won't be long before everyone is back in Japan and with Joey and Mai.
As always, I hope you continue to enjoy the story
^_____^
"Ah, sand, sand, and more sand. What a wonderful place for a vacation, don't ya think Carter?"
"Well, maybe if we had something to drink, and something to stand under to get out of the sun, sure, it would be a nice place for a vacation."
"Carter, what sun?" O'Neilll said staring at the swirling black and blue of the shadow realm.
"I was being sarcastic Sir."
"Ah."
"What do the directions say on that scroll of yours, we won't find her just wandering around." Jonas asked, walking up to Dark.
"We already followed the first part of the directions by having Red take us this far, now it says that we must find the forgotten river that flows forever in Ra's presence."
"Forgotten river, that probably means that it is a river that dried up long ago, but perhaps you can still see the riverbed."
"That sounds about right, plus, if I remember correctly there is a pyramid that is dedicated to Ra not far from here. If we're correct then the river should be around there." Daniel stated. Deciding that that was the best possible plan at the moment the group headed off. Celt made sure to scout ahead, while Dark attempted to keep Mag's attention.
"Looks like you were right about the pyramid Daniel, but where is the river bed?" O'Neill asked as the group arrived.
"Well, the sentence said forever in Ra's presence, so I would think that it is talking about part of the pyramid with a symbol of Ra or even a statue. If we can find that, then we will know in which direction the river will be."
"Makes sense. So, do we just start walking around?"
"Basically." With the exception of O'Neill and Mag, everyone began to look for some sign of where the river would be. O'Neill looked around impassively, his focus being drawn by Mag. She was walking backwards, muttering something under her breath. She had her eyes closed in concentration and was making deliberate motions with her arms. O'Neill was going to ask her what she was doing when she suddenly cried out and fell from sight. Running over to where she had been he found himself looking down at a shallow slow moving river, in which Mag was lying on her back in the middle.
"Colonel, what's going on?" Carter asked as she and the rest of the group reached where O'Neill was now standing.
"Um, Danny boy, how's this for forgotten?"
"Huh, what are you talking about Jack?" In answer O'Neill simply pointed down. Everyone followed his finger to see a soaked Mag trying to dry off while standing in the middle of the river.
"Niiice. So, now what?" Celt murmured.
"I, uh, guess we go down and find the next step towards finding Siris. By the way, what would the next step be?" Daniel said.
"It says here that the doorway will lie halfway between Anubis and Horus."
"Okay, so somewhere down there will be two symbols, one of the jackal and one of the falcon. Once we find those we find a way to find the halfway point and find the door."
"I doubt it will be that simple, but let's give it a try kids." That said O'Neill, followed by the rest, began the trek down to the river and the group split up to search both banks at the same time.
"I found point one Colonel!" Yugi shouted from the far bank where he stood next to a stone circle inscribed with a Falcon.
"And point two is right here Sir!" Carter signaled from her spot next to a stone circle with a jackal, on the opposite shoreline from Yugi.
"Okay, start walking towards each other, when you are almost at the same point is where the door should be." Daniel spoke up.
"I suggest you take small steps Carter, we want to be halfway after all." O'Neill said as the two began to walk towards each other. Ignoring the comment Yugi and Carter walked towards each other. When there was about three feet between them they stopped and let the rest of the group join them in the middle of the river.
Celt was leaning forward slightly looking down into the water when Mag approached him from behind. She went to say something to Celt, only all she got out was a stifled shout as she suddenly lurched forward slamming into Celt. He promptly lost balance and fell into the spot between Yugi and Carter, and disappeared.
"Celtie! Oh, don't worry, I'm coming!" Mag shouted, though everyone doubted that he would be able to hear. Before anyone could stop her she had jumped forward, promptly disappearing as well.
"It would appear that all we have to do is jump. After you, Yugi." Dark said after they had recovered from Mag's display. Nodding Yugi stepped forward and jumped. Dark followed after, and soon SG1 jumped in one by one. When everyone had gone through they had time to notice their surroundings.
They were in a cavern of some sort, already lit with numerous torches. Three tunnels led out, all marked with various hieroglyphs. Dusting himself off O'Neill looked around at the group; he couldn't help but laugh at the picture of Celt trying his best to hide behind Dark, who was not cooperating, giving Mag free reign.
"Okay kids, I don't know if I've said this yet, but I really hate surprises." He said, things were not going smoothly in his mind and he wanted it rectified.
"You know Jack, something tells me we are going to be seeing lots more of them as we go. There wouldn't be any clue as to which tunnel we are supposed to take, would there?" Daniel asked as he was already translating the hieroglyphs along the center tunnel.
"Let's see. The last thing this scroll says is this 'a father had to choose his heir from among his triplet sons. All were healthy and strong, but only one showed wisdom.'" Dark read off.
"Okay, so we want the tunnel that mentions wisdom. I don't think it's this one." Daniel, Jonas, and Teal'c began to read the walls, looking for any mention of wisdom. Yugi was tempted to help, but he couldn't see most of the hieroglyphs due to his height. However, as he was watching the others he noticed something on the roof of the center tunnel.
"Hey, Doctor Jackson. I think it is the center tunnel we are supposed to take." Yugi called out moving to get a better view.
"I looked around that one; there is no mention of wisdom in any of it." Daniel spoke as he walked up to Yugi.
"I know, but the riddle said 'only one showed wisdom', right?"
"Yes."
"Well, look up." Daniel did and couldn't help the grin that came to his face.
"Okay, so the center tunnel it is." He motioned for everyone to follow, and as they did they looked up to see what was going on. There in the center of the roof was the symbol for wisdom, only visible when seen from below. As they began their trek down the tunnel they could only hope Siris was at the end of it. Especially since there were no more instructions on where to find her.
They came out of the tunnel into a darkened chamber. Quickly Dark cast a spell that illuminated the area, and lit the torches that were placed around the wall. There were no tunnels leading away from this chamber, the only object was a simple stone sarcophagus near the far wall.
"I thought you guys said that she wasn't dead." Carter spoke up as they approached the sarcophagus.
"We only told you what we were told. Besides, we were told that as far as our informant could tell some part of her had survived. We might have to do something to actually meet her." Celt said as he walked briskly to the sarcophagus and braced against the lid. Teal'c moved to assist, and was soon followed by O'Neill.
"There had better not be a rotting corpse in this thing." O'Neill muttered as the three of them pushed the lid off, causing it to crash to the ground on the other side. After it was removed the three of them merely looked into the lidless sarcophagus.
"Well, no rotting corpse anyway." Celt mentioned, hoping to perhaps lighten the mood. O'Neill glared at him before reaching down and snatching something. He took one look at the parchment he held and walked over to Daniel and handing it over.
"It's empty. This is all that was there. What does it say Danny?" Daniel looked over it for a moment before looking back up at the group.
"Well,
I don't know how to put this."
"Just read the thing
Daniel. How hard can that be?"
"Okay. 'I was not about to spend 5,000 years in this place, so I got a room elsewhere. It is quite easy to find, compared to what you must have done to get here. So, just push the symbol underneath this note and you will be led straight to my new resting place. Find me if you will. Siris.'"
"Come on Danny. What does it really say?"
"That is what it really says. Here, you read it Jonas."
"You don't need to. That sounded like Siris all right. She was never one to be very subtle when she didn't have to." Dark said, stopping any further discussion on the matter. Carefully he walked up to the empty sarcophagus and easily located the symbol that had been mentioned. With a spoken word a tall staff appeared next to him. Dark took a step back and used the staff to push down on the symbol. When some of the others looked at him oddly he shrugged and said he never took chances.
As soon as he had pushed the symbol the sarcophagus was lowered into the ground soundlessly. When it had disappeared from view completely they were left looking at a hole that contained a staircase heading down. Since there were no lights a few members of the group took a torch and headed down.
The staircase went on for some time, and with the torches only lighting up the area right ahead of them they could not tell when they were getting close to the end. Right about when O'Neill was losing what little patience he had, they suddenly stepped into a well lit chamber. One corridor exited the chamber in the far wall. Directly across from where they stood was what appeared to be a small hole. Above them on the opposite side was a shelf like outcropping that traveled partway around the chamber. The last thing of notice was the tall man in a pale green hooded cloak, in the center of the chamber.
"I sure hope that isn't Siris."
"Don't worry, that is not Siris, but perhaps he knows where she is Colonel."
"Okay, Dark, I get the clue. Let's ask. But, let me do the talking." Satisfied that he would be given the lead the group headed into the chamber and towards the newest mystery.