Cairo, Egypt 1935
Amanda looked up shielding her eyes from the blistering sun. She had never been to Egypt, but she was certain this would be a great time. Carolyn followed closely behind her best friend, Amanda. They had arrived only hours before, and they were trying to find the place they would stay. Cairo was not a friendly place and the bizarre was busy on this day.
Amanda was on a search, she was a student at the University of Florida along with her best friend, Carolyn. They had been friends for years. Carolyn studied to be a Ranger, while Amanda studied the arts and humanities. Amanda and Carolyn had met through their parents during the 20's prohibition act. Amanda's grandfather sold bootleg alcohol under the alias of George. Her mother was still in the booze business and the Crosses were still loyal patrons.
Carolyn looked around, "Okay, where now guide?"
Amanda shrugged, "I have no idea, I've never been here."
"Well, this time, I'm leading then," Carolyn said.
Amanda wrinkled her brow, in disgust. Amanda's brother supported her quest. Rex was a famous physicist up in Boston, and he wanted only the best for his 21-year-old kid sister. The previous summer Amanda had packed up her best friend and they had gone to a small town in France called Rennes le Château in search of the Holy Grail, or and ancient clan of strange religious people called the Cathars.
They only succeeded in getting into trouble. Amanda was in search of a ling between all ancient cultures, and she was sure she would find it in Egypt. Carolyn was an adventurous spirit willing to come along and keep her best friend out of trouble.which she had a special way of finding.
"This place is very similar to Florida," Amanda told Carolyn
"Yeah, you know all those deserts in Florida," Carolyn said looking around the bizarre. She was watching the people and then under her breath she finished, "I hate Florida."
"Yeah, but this isn't Florida, this is better," Amanda smiled doing a twirl in the street. A young boy came wising past Amanda nearly knocking her over. She turned to see, what looked like, two angry parents chasing after him.
"Alex!" The father yelled, "Get back her! See what Egypt does to us. This is a bad idea Evie."
They ran past telling Amanda sorry for their son.
"Okay, maybe it's a little strange," Amanda turned to a disturbed looking Carolyn.
"A little? Mandy you better not get us killed."
Amanda threw her arm around Carolyn pointing off into the desert with a map she had picked up from a local, "This is going to be great! Lead the way my friend, lead the way to adventure."
"Yeah, okay. But maybe we should get supplies first."
"Right, good thinking," Amanda smiled.
"I believe we can catch a train to the Nile just north of Giza. Then we leave civilization for Lord know how long," Carolyn smiled. "We are going to have fun. But." Carolyn stopped and stared at Amanda, "no surprises. You know something that I should know, tell me. You find something, tell me. Got it?"
Amanda batted her eyelashes innocently, "Why of course, I would never steer you wrong."
Carolyn was now leading the way when the family went wising past them again, "Oh, I guess there is something."
Carolyn stopped and looked her friend in the eye, "What? Tell me now?"
"But it'll be dangerous, and."
"Mandy?"
"Okay, okay. I want to travel out past the pyramids."
"And?" Carolyn sighed.
"Into the desert."
"Yes.looking for what?" Carolyn was growing impatient.
"Well, it's said that out in the desert the great pharaoh Akhenaten's ancient city is still there."
"Uh-uh," Carolyn shook her head, "No way. Mandy I don't think so."
Amanda reached out and took her best friend's hands, "But it'll be great.going where no bodies ever been."
"Uh-huh. That is what you said about that church in France last summer. 'Not in years'. The Templars didn't seem to think it had been years."
"We were younger then."
Carolyn cut her off, "NO!"
As the boy ran past a third time Carolyn reached out and grabbed him by the collar and brought him to an abrupt halt.
"Are the people chasing you your parents"
"Yes, what of it? Let me go."
Carolyn ignored the child as he whaled about in her grasp, "Mandy you have no idea what the desert is like. Surely, had this city existed, it would have bee found by now."
A young woman only a few years older than the two adventuring friends finally caught up to her son.
"Alex, you run like that again and your father and I will send you home to spend the summer with your Uncle Jonathan." She looked up to Carolyn, "Thank you. Believe it or not we have been chasing after him for over and hour."
"Oh no problem," Carolyn handed the collar over to her, "Good luck to you."
"No of course not, it would be written down," Amanda pulled a book from her knapsack and waving it around she said, "Everything that has been discovered had been written. Besides, records of Akhenaten's were only discovered within the last decade."
Carolyn rolled her eyes. The woman thanked Carolyn again, only moments later she took in the wholeness of what Amanda had said.
"Excuse me?" Evie said, "Not to intrude, but did you say Akhenaten?"
"That's right," Amanda said putting her hand in the arch of her back, flexing her muscles.
"Thank you," Carolyn smiled, "tell her to forget it."
"No," the woman said, "I have recently been researching him as well. Seems that little is known about him."
"Yes, quite fascinating. But I must repeat myself.had there been anything to find, surely it would have been found my now."
"Oh quite the contrary. The things we have yet to find, likely, out number the few things we have found," the woman smiled.
"See, I told you," Amanda shot her friend a snide look and then turned to the woman, "The research I have done suggests that his city was somewhere southwest of Hamunaptra."
The woman smiled, she was impressed, "Quite right. But that is not well known information. Are you a digger?"
"Oh, no. Or at least not yet."
Carolyn sighed, "Oh no, here we go again."
The woman was obviously impressed with Amanda's knowledge, and sympathized with the passion she held for her quest despite the opposition she faced.
"My husband, my son, and I are indeed going to find and explore the city. If you are willing to help us when we get there we would be glad to have you join us."
"Of course," Amanda said.
"No," Carolyn argued.
Amanda grabbed Carolyn by the shoulders and spinning her she spoke quietly. "Come on Carolyn," Amanda pleaded. "They know what they are doing, they know. It won't be so dangerous. It'll be safer with them, and you know I'll convince you eventually. You are a Ranger, you can keep me alive out in the desert. It'll be great."
Carolyn heaved a great sigh, "An adventure?"
Amanda nodded with a smiled.
"Okay, okay."
Amanda smiled and turning back to the woman, she offered her hand, "We're on!"
"Evie! Evie?" Rick came to a screeching halt as he saw the two women shaking hands, "Oh on.what's going on?"
"You don't want to know," Carolyn answered.
Evie completely ignored her husband, "Meet us in front of the train station tomorrow morning at nine."
"We'll be there. Do we need to bring anything beyond basic supplied?"
"No Rick and I have all the digging tool we'll need."
"Um, Evie, dear. You wanna fill me in?" He husband asked, rather annoyed.
"Oh, come on," Evie turned to her husband, and taking her son's hand, she disappeared into the bizarre.
"This is so grand!" Amanda said.
"I don't know."
"Of course you don't. Not now, but you'll see.
Across the desert the Med-jai still protect Hamunaptra. But in the darkest of nights in the evilest of hearts, one Med-jai, a decent of the great Amusaru, gave to the evil. His ancestors had not always been faithful to their pharaoh, they had been a dark bunch. He knew it was coming upon the last rotation in the zodiac, the Age of Aquarius. That meant that Egypt was going to change, it was time.
As Amanda arranged fro the acquisition of their final supplies Carolyn studied the people around her. The natives had quite a band of thieves interwoven among them. Someone had attempted to pick her pockets at least once and hour since they had entered the market.
The next morning the two friends were surprised to find that they had acquired another group member, a man named Jonathan. After pleasantries and introductions were complete, they were off.
Amanda had nuzzled herself in a corner of the train where she could watch the desert. She had never seen a desert. Carolyn had told her about the deserts out west. Before her father left the military Carolyn was a New Mexico native, and proud of it. Carolyn was a tough woman who could certainly take care of herself and her best friend. Amanda had always found it strange that such a tough person could have such a feminine side. Amanda squinted, the desert was infamous for mirages, and she wanted to see one of the illusionary oases.
"Excuse me?" Evie interrupted Amanda's thoughts
"Huh? Oh sorry," Amanda looked up to the smiling woman, and removed her feet from the chair she had them propped up on, "Please, have a seat."
"I didn't mean to interrupt you, but I thought perhaps we could talk."
Amanda nodded offering Evie coffee. Evie politely refused.
"You don't strike me as the treasure seeker, why are you looking for the city?"
Amanda sat up straight, "Well, it's not all about Akhenaten." Amanda admitted pushing her open book in Evie's direction.
Evie tipped her head in confusion, "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You see I am a researcher. I think somehow someone was educating all the ancient civilizations. All the creation myths are so similar it's uncanny. The Egyptians, the most detailed." Amanda looked to the book and pointed to the picture, she said, "You see this."
Evie cut her off, "Akhenaten city."
Amanda shook her head, "No, at first glance one might think so. From the ariel view it does look like it, laid out perfectly. However this is a small city in Mexico called Cambola.it's the city of Xeth built by the Incas."
Evie raised her eyebrows.
Amanda pulled another book from her bag, "And this is a Navaho reservation in southern Arizona, also very similar."
"How strange," Evie admitted, "You'd think they were the same city."
Amanda smiled with a nod, "And the crown jewel of them all, Rennes le Chateau." Amanda reviled, yet, another book.
"Rennes le Chateau?"
"Yes a small town in southern France."
"And why aren't you there?"
"Well, I have been there. My friend and I kind of caused a little trouble in France last year. We got on the bad side of some French monks called the Templars, no big deal. However we won't be going back to Europe any time soon." Amanda smiled, "Besides, Egypt is my favorite. So much more culture," Amanda sighed, "and it reminds me of home. Similar climate, temperature and relation to the ocean. It even had a river, the only other known river to flow north."
Evie smiled, she remembered thinking the way Amanda did a few years back, only Amanda's quest was slightly bigger than hers had been. With luck they would have the opportunity to answer Amanda's questions, as they had hers.
"And you? Why do you seek it?" Amanda asked.
"Well, I am always seeking artifacts. And I fear that with the dawning of a new time on the brink, Egypt is in danger. And this city might be the missing link."
Amanda looked up behind Evie to see her husband standing there. Rick looked disgusted.
"So, Amanda.have you ever seen a mummy?" He questioned kicking a chair out so that he might sit down.
"Uh, well." Amanda stuttered, "yes, in museums."
Rick laughed.
"Darling, don't try to scare her," Evie said.
"Scare?" Amanda asked, "Mummies aren't frightening."
Rick laughed again.
"Well what's so scary about several thousand year old skin and bones, stuffed with flowers, herbs and wrapped in strips of cloth?"
"So you said Templars?" He smiled changing the subject.
Amanda nodded, "That's right. A little trouble, that's all. You learn how to sword fight fast.when your life is on the line."
He smiled again, and quickly standing he knocked the teacup and saucer off from the table. Amanda saw it out of the corner of her eye and quickly reached out and caught, both saucer and cup, without spilling a drop. Rick smiled broader.
"Good to have you with us Amanda," he said patting her on the back and disappearing around the corner.
Amanda cautiously set the dishes back onto the table, "He's fun to be around, huh?" Amanda asked sarcastically.
"You get used to it. So why the city? How will you find the link there?"
"Well, it's written that the sister library to Alexandria is located there, and if not located there it explains the way to get there. The sister library is supposedly 10 times the size of her sister. And will certainly house the secrets of the ancient culture."
"You really do know your history," Evie looked proudly upon the girl. Amanda smiled back with a nod, "I like to think so."
"Your friend seems very loyal."
Amanda looked back out the window disappointed, "Yes, too loyal; I think sometimes. She will follow wherever I go. Don't get me wrong, I would do the same for her; only I think she makes better decisions than I do. I fear only day I shall lead her to her death. I would never forgive myself, she trusts me completely. She trusts me more than I do."
Amanda looked up shielding her eyes from the blistering sun. She had never been to Egypt, but she was certain this would be a great time. Carolyn followed closely behind her best friend, Amanda. They had arrived only hours before, and they were trying to find the place they would stay. Cairo was not a friendly place and the bizarre was busy on this day.
Amanda was on a search, she was a student at the University of Florida along with her best friend, Carolyn. They had been friends for years. Carolyn studied to be a Ranger, while Amanda studied the arts and humanities. Amanda and Carolyn had met through their parents during the 20's prohibition act. Amanda's grandfather sold bootleg alcohol under the alias of George. Her mother was still in the booze business and the Crosses were still loyal patrons.
Carolyn looked around, "Okay, where now guide?"
Amanda shrugged, "I have no idea, I've never been here."
"Well, this time, I'm leading then," Carolyn said.
Amanda wrinkled her brow, in disgust. Amanda's brother supported her quest. Rex was a famous physicist up in Boston, and he wanted only the best for his 21-year-old kid sister. The previous summer Amanda had packed up her best friend and they had gone to a small town in France called Rennes le Château in search of the Holy Grail, or and ancient clan of strange religious people called the Cathars.
They only succeeded in getting into trouble. Amanda was in search of a ling between all ancient cultures, and she was sure she would find it in Egypt. Carolyn was an adventurous spirit willing to come along and keep her best friend out of trouble.which she had a special way of finding.
"This place is very similar to Florida," Amanda told Carolyn
"Yeah, you know all those deserts in Florida," Carolyn said looking around the bizarre. She was watching the people and then under her breath she finished, "I hate Florida."
"Yeah, but this isn't Florida, this is better," Amanda smiled doing a twirl in the street. A young boy came wising past Amanda nearly knocking her over. She turned to see, what looked like, two angry parents chasing after him.
"Alex!" The father yelled, "Get back her! See what Egypt does to us. This is a bad idea Evie."
They ran past telling Amanda sorry for their son.
"Okay, maybe it's a little strange," Amanda turned to a disturbed looking Carolyn.
"A little? Mandy you better not get us killed."
Amanda threw her arm around Carolyn pointing off into the desert with a map she had picked up from a local, "This is going to be great! Lead the way my friend, lead the way to adventure."
"Yeah, okay. But maybe we should get supplies first."
"Right, good thinking," Amanda smiled.
"I believe we can catch a train to the Nile just north of Giza. Then we leave civilization for Lord know how long," Carolyn smiled. "We are going to have fun. But." Carolyn stopped and stared at Amanda, "no surprises. You know something that I should know, tell me. You find something, tell me. Got it?"
Amanda batted her eyelashes innocently, "Why of course, I would never steer you wrong."
Carolyn was now leading the way when the family went wising past them again, "Oh, I guess there is something."
Carolyn stopped and looked her friend in the eye, "What? Tell me now?"
"But it'll be dangerous, and."
"Mandy?"
"Okay, okay. I want to travel out past the pyramids."
"And?" Carolyn sighed.
"Into the desert."
"Yes.looking for what?" Carolyn was growing impatient.
"Well, it's said that out in the desert the great pharaoh Akhenaten's ancient city is still there."
"Uh-uh," Carolyn shook her head, "No way. Mandy I don't think so."
Amanda reached out and took her best friend's hands, "But it'll be great.going where no bodies ever been."
"Uh-huh. That is what you said about that church in France last summer. 'Not in years'. The Templars didn't seem to think it had been years."
"We were younger then."
Carolyn cut her off, "NO!"
As the boy ran past a third time Carolyn reached out and grabbed him by the collar and brought him to an abrupt halt.
"Are the people chasing you your parents"
"Yes, what of it? Let me go."
Carolyn ignored the child as he whaled about in her grasp, "Mandy you have no idea what the desert is like. Surely, had this city existed, it would have bee found by now."
A young woman only a few years older than the two adventuring friends finally caught up to her son.
"Alex, you run like that again and your father and I will send you home to spend the summer with your Uncle Jonathan." She looked up to Carolyn, "Thank you. Believe it or not we have been chasing after him for over and hour."
"Oh no problem," Carolyn handed the collar over to her, "Good luck to you."
"No of course not, it would be written down," Amanda pulled a book from her knapsack and waving it around she said, "Everything that has been discovered had been written. Besides, records of Akhenaten's were only discovered within the last decade."
Carolyn rolled her eyes. The woman thanked Carolyn again, only moments later she took in the wholeness of what Amanda had said.
"Excuse me?" Evie said, "Not to intrude, but did you say Akhenaten?"
"That's right," Amanda said putting her hand in the arch of her back, flexing her muscles.
"Thank you," Carolyn smiled, "tell her to forget it."
"No," the woman said, "I have recently been researching him as well. Seems that little is known about him."
"Yes, quite fascinating. But I must repeat myself.had there been anything to find, surely it would have been found my now."
"Oh quite the contrary. The things we have yet to find, likely, out number the few things we have found," the woman smiled.
"See, I told you," Amanda shot her friend a snide look and then turned to the woman, "The research I have done suggests that his city was somewhere southwest of Hamunaptra."
The woman smiled, she was impressed, "Quite right. But that is not well known information. Are you a digger?"
"Oh, no. Or at least not yet."
Carolyn sighed, "Oh no, here we go again."
The woman was obviously impressed with Amanda's knowledge, and sympathized with the passion she held for her quest despite the opposition she faced.
"My husband, my son, and I are indeed going to find and explore the city. If you are willing to help us when we get there we would be glad to have you join us."
"Of course," Amanda said.
"No," Carolyn argued.
Amanda grabbed Carolyn by the shoulders and spinning her she spoke quietly. "Come on Carolyn," Amanda pleaded. "They know what they are doing, they know. It won't be so dangerous. It'll be safer with them, and you know I'll convince you eventually. You are a Ranger, you can keep me alive out in the desert. It'll be great."
Carolyn heaved a great sigh, "An adventure?"
Amanda nodded with a smiled.
"Okay, okay."
Amanda smiled and turning back to the woman, she offered her hand, "We're on!"
"Evie! Evie?" Rick came to a screeching halt as he saw the two women shaking hands, "Oh on.what's going on?"
"You don't want to know," Carolyn answered.
Evie completely ignored her husband, "Meet us in front of the train station tomorrow morning at nine."
"We'll be there. Do we need to bring anything beyond basic supplied?"
"No Rick and I have all the digging tool we'll need."
"Um, Evie, dear. You wanna fill me in?" He husband asked, rather annoyed.
"Oh, come on," Evie turned to her husband, and taking her son's hand, she disappeared into the bizarre.
"This is so grand!" Amanda said.
"I don't know."
"Of course you don't. Not now, but you'll see.
Across the desert the Med-jai still protect Hamunaptra. But in the darkest of nights in the evilest of hearts, one Med-jai, a decent of the great Amusaru, gave to the evil. His ancestors had not always been faithful to their pharaoh, they had been a dark bunch. He knew it was coming upon the last rotation in the zodiac, the Age of Aquarius. That meant that Egypt was going to change, it was time.
As Amanda arranged fro the acquisition of their final supplies Carolyn studied the people around her. The natives had quite a band of thieves interwoven among them. Someone had attempted to pick her pockets at least once and hour since they had entered the market.
The next morning the two friends were surprised to find that they had acquired another group member, a man named Jonathan. After pleasantries and introductions were complete, they were off.
Amanda had nuzzled herself in a corner of the train where she could watch the desert. She had never seen a desert. Carolyn had told her about the deserts out west. Before her father left the military Carolyn was a New Mexico native, and proud of it. Carolyn was a tough woman who could certainly take care of herself and her best friend. Amanda had always found it strange that such a tough person could have such a feminine side. Amanda squinted, the desert was infamous for mirages, and she wanted to see one of the illusionary oases.
"Excuse me?" Evie interrupted Amanda's thoughts
"Huh? Oh sorry," Amanda looked up to the smiling woman, and removed her feet from the chair she had them propped up on, "Please, have a seat."
"I didn't mean to interrupt you, but I thought perhaps we could talk."
Amanda nodded offering Evie coffee. Evie politely refused.
"You don't strike me as the treasure seeker, why are you looking for the city?"
Amanda sat up straight, "Well, it's not all about Akhenaten." Amanda admitted pushing her open book in Evie's direction.
Evie tipped her head in confusion, "I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You see I am a researcher. I think somehow someone was educating all the ancient civilizations. All the creation myths are so similar it's uncanny. The Egyptians, the most detailed." Amanda looked to the book and pointed to the picture, she said, "You see this."
Evie cut her off, "Akhenaten city."
Amanda shook her head, "No, at first glance one might think so. From the ariel view it does look like it, laid out perfectly. However this is a small city in Mexico called Cambola.it's the city of Xeth built by the Incas."
Evie raised her eyebrows.
Amanda pulled another book from her bag, "And this is a Navaho reservation in southern Arizona, also very similar."
"How strange," Evie admitted, "You'd think they were the same city."
Amanda smiled with a nod, "And the crown jewel of them all, Rennes le Chateau." Amanda reviled, yet, another book.
"Rennes le Chateau?"
"Yes a small town in southern France."
"And why aren't you there?"
"Well, I have been there. My friend and I kind of caused a little trouble in France last year. We got on the bad side of some French monks called the Templars, no big deal. However we won't be going back to Europe any time soon." Amanda smiled, "Besides, Egypt is my favorite. So much more culture," Amanda sighed, "and it reminds me of home. Similar climate, temperature and relation to the ocean. It even had a river, the only other known river to flow north."
Evie smiled, she remembered thinking the way Amanda did a few years back, only Amanda's quest was slightly bigger than hers had been. With luck they would have the opportunity to answer Amanda's questions, as they had hers.
"And you? Why do you seek it?" Amanda asked.
"Well, I am always seeking artifacts. And I fear that with the dawning of a new time on the brink, Egypt is in danger. And this city might be the missing link."
Amanda looked up behind Evie to see her husband standing there. Rick looked disgusted.
"So, Amanda.have you ever seen a mummy?" He questioned kicking a chair out so that he might sit down.
"Uh, well." Amanda stuttered, "yes, in museums."
Rick laughed.
"Darling, don't try to scare her," Evie said.
"Scare?" Amanda asked, "Mummies aren't frightening."
Rick laughed again.
"Well what's so scary about several thousand year old skin and bones, stuffed with flowers, herbs and wrapped in strips of cloth?"
"So you said Templars?" He smiled changing the subject.
Amanda nodded, "That's right. A little trouble, that's all. You learn how to sword fight fast.when your life is on the line."
He smiled again, and quickly standing he knocked the teacup and saucer off from the table. Amanda saw it out of the corner of her eye and quickly reached out and caught, both saucer and cup, without spilling a drop. Rick smiled broader.
"Good to have you with us Amanda," he said patting her on the back and disappearing around the corner.
Amanda cautiously set the dishes back onto the table, "He's fun to be around, huh?" Amanda asked sarcastically.
"You get used to it. So why the city? How will you find the link there?"
"Well, it's written that the sister library to Alexandria is located there, and if not located there it explains the way to get there. The sister library is supposedly 10 times the size of her sister. And will certainly house the secrets of the ancient culture."
"You really do know your history," Evie looked proudly upon the girl. Amanda smiled back with a nod, "I like to think so."
"Your friend seems very loyal."
Amanda looked back out the window disappointed, "Yes, too loyal; I think sometimes. She will follow wherever I go. Don't get me wrong, I would do the same for her; only I think she makes better decisions than I do. I fear only day I shall lead her to her death. I would never forgive myself, she trusts me completely. She trusts me more than I do."