Favoured Friends

Part 20/?

Summary: An invitation to the National Egyptology Conference quickly becomes deadly race for the mythic Ichriem against an old rival of Sydney's - the assassin known only as 'the Viper'.

Note: This is a round robin originally posted at the Relic Hunter Yahoo Group. Although I'm posting it, I did not write the entire thing. This part was written by snaggletaz@yahoo.com

Also, I have Support Services. That means that, if you want, you can put me on Author Alert and receive notice when other stories of mine are posted, even if you haven't paid yourself.

Posted: Thursday, May 1, 2003

Derek, Preston and Claudia had all told her she was being foolish, wanting to catch the first available flight to Cairo. Sydney knew they were right, she would be of no help to Nigel if she fell flat on her face from exhaustion, but with each moment that passed Sydney felt Nigel slipping further away.

Sydney sat alone with her thoughts, absently running her fingers along the band of Nigel's watch. Just holding it made her feel closer to Nigel. Sydney knew she should be sleeping, but her mind kept replaying The Viper's words from the conference as he told her his intentions for Nigel.

As she clutched Nigel's watch to her chest Sydney finally gave into silent tears as she whispered . "I will find you. I swear on my life, I will bring you home."

Nigel felt Sydney's hand touching his face. God she was beautiful. As his eyes began to focus, it was not Syd's face he saw staring back at him as he had hoped.

"Hello Nigel, miss me?" The older man said with a devilish grin on his face.

Nigel tried to pull away, but found his arms and legs were still bound.

"Don't take this the wrong way Nigel, but you might want to think about changing your deodorant." The Viper said, thoroughly enjoying himself as he watched the fear dance in Nigel's eyes.

Nigel watched as The Viper pulled out an Egyptian Dagger. A strange calmness fell over him. As Nigel stared at the blade, knowing his death was imminent, he was still intrigued by the beauty of it. It was a match for the one Sydney had been stabbed with.

The Viper moved closer to Nigel as he ran the exquisite dagger lightly across Nigel's neck.

"Beautiful isn't it. What a shame I had to leave its twin behind in New York."

There was a sudden blur of motion. This is it, Nigel thought as he prepared himself to die. But instead of slicing the knife through his throat, the man cut Nigel's wrists free, and was now cutting the ropes that bound his legs.

"Get up" The Viper hissed.

Nigel did his best to comply, but hours of being tied down had made his arms and legs stiff.

Loosing patience with Nigel's slowness, The Viper grabbed his arm, and dragged him into the bathroom.

"Clean yourself up." The Viper's voice was even more menacing, as he tossed both Nigel, and an old bar of soap into the shower. Before turning on the water he added "Were going to be spending a lot time together you and I before this is over, and I prefer not to have to smell you during it."

As the older man headed out the door. "You'll find your clothes waiting for you when your done. And if escape is on your mind, I wouldn't advise it. If the desert doesn't kill you, I will, and trust me, you'll be begging for mercy before I'm done with you."

As Nigel stared at The Viper he was amazed at the sudden transformation on the mans face, he had gone from a menacing glare, to a relaxed smile in an instant.

"Oh, come Nigel, give me a smile, this will be fun I guarantee it."

End Part Twenty