"The chest is with my horse," she said. "He'll know where to find me though."

As if one cue, the horse came around the group and up to her. The young woman spoke softly to the animal, who snorted. She took off the chest off his back and handed it to Ardeth as a stunned Evie walked up to him.

"What's in it Ardeth? By the way, it may be none of my business but are the horse and lynx Catlanda's?" she quietly asked.

"Yes, they are. The horse's name is Geb and the lynx's name is Isis," he quietly replied.

He opened up the chest to reveal a sparkling jewel. Evie gasped once she saw it.

"A part of the jewel of Ramses?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, it is. I'll explain everything later. Now is not a good time with enemies in the area," he replied, closing the box.

"Ardeth, I'd like to talk to you for a minute," Catlanda told him.

He walked over to the mountainside with her, very worried with what she was going to say. She leaned in closer to him as she leaned upon her rod. Glancing back at their guests, she couldn't help but give a deep sigh.

"They've got the first piece. I can feel it. They're somewhere nearby, trying to reawaken the Demon," Catlanda said.

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A group of men ran into a nearby temple to be greeted by an impatiently waiting man.

"Well, where is it?" demanded Laron.

"We couldn't get it. We had unexpected problems between a cat, a cloaked figure and a large group of men with guns," replied the leader.

"We need that piece of the jewel. Then we only need the third and more bigger piece," Laron yelled. "Go back and get that piece of the jewel before I deal with all of you!"

The group leader trembled in fear before hurrying out of the temple with his troops. Laron snickered as he watched them leave.

00000

Alex walked up to Catlanda. Her long black hair shone in the sunlight. She did not appear happy as she leaned against the rod she was holding.

"Catlanda, what's that rod you're carrying?" he asked.

It was a long black staff. It had a snake's head on top of it and it's green body swirled around the rod, the tail winding back up at the end. On the front and back were red stripes. The back one had yellow atop the red and the front had a white one.

"It's a rod which has been in my family for generations," she replied.

Evie, Rick and Ardeth looked on, the Medjai quietly contemplating the situation.

"We have to travel some distance to the south, to a place outside Luxor immediately. Somebody must have found one of the other pieces and is after the other two," Ardeth suddenly said.

"Well let's go south then. But first, we have to stop into Cairo. Stuff to take care of first," Rick said.

Rick climbed onto the camel and he watched as Catlanda climbed onto her horse and helped Alex on behind her. He gave a sigh as Isis remained by Geb as they headed off to Cairo.

00000

Once in Cairo, they headed to the place where the O'Connells were staying. The three walked into the room as Jonathan appeared from another.

"Where're you going?" he asked.

"South, towards Luxor. Apparently, it's the same old 'take over the world routine' again. Ardeth's waiting outside for us," explained Rick.

Jonathan walked outside to find Ardeth and Catlanda, the horse and lynx standing beside them.

"Excuse me but how is Imhotep on the loose again? I thought we defeated him for good the last time" asked Jonathan.

"He's not but very soon, another threat that's just as dangerous will be," replied Ardeth.

Rick, Evie and Alex soon walked out and climbed into the car.

"Looks like there won't be enough room for all of us," Rick said.

"Then start the journey without me. I'll go on by horse," Catlanda told him.

She climbed onto her horse and started to move when Ardeth climbed onto his horse nearby and moved the animal beside her.

"I'll join you, just give me enough time and tell the others of our plans," Ardeth said. "We could use their help."

Isis growled from between the two Medjai, indicating her agreement.

"We will meet you there," Ardeth said to the O'Connells.

"No, we'll all go together. We'll leave the stuff here and get our camels so we can join you," Rick suddenly protested. "No way am I going into unknown territory without some sort of 'guide' along."

Out of nowhere, came the group of men, guns pointed at the small group. One man stepped forward and moved towards the two Medjai, who were careful

"Give us the chest!" the leader yelled.

"Never!" Ardeth yelled back. "That Creature is dangerous and should never be awoken."

Evie grabbed the chest and held onto it but somebody came from behind her and grabbed it from her clutches. She tried to run after him but the leader stood in front of her.

"Hello. We'll take this. Now all we have to do now is find the third piece," he laughed. "Shoot them!"

Guns went off. The bullets missed Alex and everybody else ducked. One of the men ran up and punched Ardeth hard in the stomach. He held onto his stomach in pain and winced as he looked at his assailant. Catlanda and Isis ran up to them and pushed the man away as the gunfire from Rick and the attackers continued. Evie and Jonathan soon joined them. Geb worked his way to Catlanda and lowered himself to the ground while Catlanda helped Ardeth stand up. She put Isis on top of the horse.

"Keep an eye on him," she told the cat.

The horse helped Ardeth to a nearby building as the fighting started to quiet down.

"We got what we came for, come on! Let's move!" cried the leader.

The group turned and started to head south with the chest, leaving a stunned Rick behind. He angrily stepped in the direction the group went in, inwardly slapping himself for letting them get away with attacking his family.

TBC...