The two torches that hung on the walls were the only things that illuminated the inside of the cave. The new-formed group sat around discussing how to beat Kauket. They figured that using the talismans was the best option. So it was settled. Each person had a their own talisman. Foo had the snake, Jackie had the rabbit, Finn had the rooster, Chow had the ox, and Jade carried the horse just in case. It was only now that Jackie noticed the two eagles perched on a high rock.
"Hmm, this must be their home" Jackie pointed at the birds.
Jade turned to see what he was pointing at. Her eyes widened in excitement.
"Wow, cool" Jade said.
The eagle that reported to Kauket the first time took off for the entrance of the cave while his brother remained in the cave. It sent a chill down Jade's back when she saw the way it was looking at her. Foo looked up to see the remaining eagle looking smug and content.
"There is something very odd about those two birds" he said.
"They are just birds. What could they possibly do?" Black asked.
Foo shrugged and continued to listen to their plan. They waited until the sun started to go down until they went to look for the book. As much as they wanted Maya back, they weren't going to risk 110° in the shade temperatures. However, in the dessert the temperature will drop dramatically at night. So basically they went from one extreme to the other. The group left the cave and continued to search for the book. Foo happened to catch the fact that the same eagle was following them.
"The eagle from the cave is following us" Foo said.
Everyone turn to see. And indeed, there was the same eagle looking down on them from the air.
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"Master, I have more information about the talismans" the eagle said.
"Good. What is it" Kauket asked.
"They are several that they are in possession of. A snake for invisibility, a rabbit for super speed, an ox for super strength, a rooster for levitation, and a horse for healing" the eagle answered.
"Speed, strength, invisibility, levitation, and healing. No matter, I am still superior. Is you brother still with them." Kauket said.
"Yes, he has never left their trail. He is currently making sure that they retrieve your book" the bird said.
Kauket smirked. How she loved the loyalty of her pets. She sat back in her thrown and drank wine from her gold goblet. Ordering her servants to bring her a fresh roasted bush pig, Kauket began to plan an attack against the talismans. Not that she needed a plan. Retiring to her chambers for the night, Kauket prepared for sleep. With her temple warmed by magic she need not worry about the cold wind blowing that night.
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At 10:00 they group stopped to make camp. They had gathered firewood, but no one had a lighter or matches. Jade had apparently forgot to tell the others that she had one other talisman with her. The dragon. Pulling it out, Jade easily lit the fire. Just before Jackie started yelling at her, telling her that the dragon talisman was not a toy. That was the only thing that concerned the eagle. With the power of combustion, his master could have a serious problem. Jackie sacrificed his sweater for himself so Jade could stay warm. The group was awakened by a shrill scream of terror.
"Holy shit, get it off" Valmont yelled.
When he turned around everyone saw an enormous scorpion clinging to his back. As serious as this was, no body could help chuckling. Valmont was dancing around and squealing like a girl. Jade started to cry she was laughing so hard.
"It's not funny. Someone please get this thing off of me" Valmont pleaded.
"Ok, just hold still" Jackie said.
With a swipe of his hand, Jackie knocked the scorpion off. Valmont let out a great sigh of relief. With that fiasco over, the group continued with their journey. Around 11:30 they needed to stop and find shade. The temperature was steadily rising well over 100° again. It was just their luck that they were still on the banks of the river Nile. After everyone re-hydrated themselves, they sought the shade of a large boulder.
"We have to be careful around here. There are crocodiles in the river, as Valmont found out the hard way; scorpions, and lots of venomous snakes" Jade said.
Everyone was on edge. They were already wondering around the dessert looking for a book, now they have to deal with all sorts of unfriendly critters.
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By now both eagles were resting comfortably on the back of Kauket's thrown. The last to return had reported that the child held one other talisman. The dragon talisman had the power of combustion and was able to destroy things pretty easily. Kauket took this in to consideration. Now she would have to have a plan to beat them now. Using the power of her 'Vision Sight' she could continually watch the group of idiots. She wanted to have a little fun with them, so using her powers she sent several cobras their way. In Kauket's sick and twisted mind, this was her entertainment. Sipping her wine her watched as the first cobra moved into position.
"Mr. Chan, I hate to disrupt you. But you might want to come take a look at this" Valmont said.
When Jackie walked over he saw a massive Egyptian Cobra. Grabbing a nearby branch, Jackie was ready to fight it off if needed. The snake made a lunge at Jackie's leg. But when he backed up he heard the hissing of another cobra. This one was just as big as the first one. The rest of the group came over to see what the commotion was about. Two more cobras now trapped them from behind.
"Jackie, what's going on?" Black asked.
"This has to be one of that psycho's games. Bad day, bad day, bad day." Jackie said.
The group made a run for the rocks. They were cut off by yet another cobra. This time it was a spitting cobra. Jackie managed to distract is long enough for the others to get to the rock. Jade wanted to help her uncle but Captain Black held her in her place.
"You know something, I don't even know why we are going on this wild goose chase for a book. I could be doing plenty of other things right now. But no, I here helping convicted criminals trying to get an employee, who is currently possessed by ancient sprit, back" Captain Black rambled.
"Shut up Black. Maya is more than an employee, she's our friend" Foo replied angrily.
"Yeah, she's really cool. Not to mention funny, sweet, and nice" Finn added.
"Nice! You call her nice! She put a steel blade right through me!" Black exclaimed.
"Nobody said anything about you having to like her, but since you're here, you will help her" Valmont said.
Black didn't reply, he just sat there with an angry look and mumbled to himself.
Kauket was laughing at the confrontation that was happening. She finally got board of tormenting the group so she called off the snakes. Taking a big bite of broiled fish, Kauket began to plot other ways of torturing the group. By now it was mid-afternoon, and the heat had become unbearable. Kauket went to the river for a cool down. When she stepped out of the water the heat dried her almost instantly. Putting her clothing back on she made her way back inside her temple. Every servant in the place dropped to their knees as she entered. Kauket took a seat and drank from her goblet.
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For the dessert travelers, food was something they were lacking. They did manage to kill a couple of snakes and some kind of bird. Although not the best source of water, they drank greedily from the river. Jackie, Jade and Captain Black sat on one side of the fire staring at the others while the Dark Hand sat on the opposite side staring right back. Someone had to do something real soon to break the tension or else. Jackie tried to start a conversation with anyone but nobody listens. Jackie gives up and went to sit by the river.
Kauket couldn't have been more pleased. This was a live action drama and she had front row seats.
'Ha, looks like there's trouble among the troops' she thought.
"More wine my queen" a servant asked.
"Yes" Kauket replied.
As the liquid was poured she continued to watch what was happening.
It happened so suddenly you wouldn't be able to tell how it started. Everything was peaceful, then out of nowhere Black and Valmont started fighting. Jackie grabbed his friend and Foo grabbed his master. Eventually they pulled the two apart. Valmont had a split lip and a shiner and Captain Black had a bloody nose.
"Do I have to continually monitor you two. Stop it right now, you are acting like children" Jackie scolded.
Both men gave a 'Humph' and crossed their arms while sneering. Jackie shook his head a led his friend away. Jade went up and kick Valmont in the shin. Hopping around on one foot, Valmont yelled in pain. But as a surprise she also kicked Black in the shin. He also yelled in pain.
"Ok listen, I didn't want to do that but I had no choice. We have to work as a team to beat that thing. If even if you don't like something, you still have to do it for the well being of everybody else" Jade said.
All eyes were locked on the sand below them. Every adult knew that Jade was right. If they wanted to save Maya and possibly everyone else they would have to work together.
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Kauket watched this seen unfold. The wise words that came from someone so young amazed her. A little light bulb went on inside her head. That was only way to make sure those fools got her book. She would hold the child for ransom. Kauket laughed. She sent out her two fastest pets. She sent a lion and one of the eagle brothers. The eagle carried the note explaining the situation while the lion would carry Jade back to her. Her plan was in motion.
"Kaharie, you and my fastest eagle bring the child back to me. Go now," Kauket instructed.
A wicked smile appeared on her face. Nothing would stop her now. Not even those mortals with the talismans. Kauket relived her servants for the night as she walked out to look at the stars. Settling down in her bed she prepared for sleep.
Silently and quickly, Kauket's two pets made their way across the dessert. Upon arrival, it was nearly 1:00 in the morning so everyone was asleep. Creeping over and around the sleep form of the Dark Hand, Kaharie made her way to Jade. The eagle placed the note at where Jade's head was. Careful not to drop her, Kaharie picked Jade up placed her on her shoulders. The eagle settled on top of Jade to make sure she didn't fall off. About ten yards from camp Jade woke up and noticed she was no longer with her uncle, so she screamed. Everyone awoke at the scream. Jackie looked over to where Jade was supposed to be and saw a note. In the distance she saw the silhouette of a lioness carrying Jade back toward Kauket.
"Shit!" Jackie yelled.
Captain Black took the note and yelled the same thing as Jackie. The two explained what happened to the Dark Hand. They in turn were pissed.
'It's bad enough that thing possessed Maya, but now she takes an innocent child for ransom. She's going down' everyone thought.
"Ok guys, we have no other choice, we have to get that book" Black said.
Everyone nodded and started walking again.