Warning: Some spoilers for tStCatD!
Chapter 2:
This was not the first time that I had cause to resent my son's impetuosity. Really, much strife could have been avoided had Ramses enough sense to know when he was neither wanted nor needed and that his parents could survive without him. It was all because of Ramses that we were near the wharves that brilliantly sunny day at the end of the season where, had we not been in such a convenient location, we would have quietly returned to Amarna.
Then again, it might have happened anyhow.
This egyptological season was by far the most taxing that I could remember, all of which was caused by three male persons of whom I ought to have expected to cause trouble, though not on such a large scale.
The originator of this strife originated with my spouse Radcliffe Emerson, the preeminent egyptologist of this, or any other age. His fearsome temper had caused him to be named Father of Curses (which he well deserved) by our admiring Egyptian workmen in combination with his extremestubborness had contributed greatly this taxing in Luxor he was taken prisoner by an enemy of his known as Schlange. This was not so extraordinary in itself, but for one feature; that all his reccolection of the past 13 years was lost. I have rarely had worse moments in my life than when our Reis Abdullah and I crept into the foul kennel where he was kept, not even knowing whether he still yet lived. These recollections still pain me. Yet, I am sure I would have triumphed easily over the impediment of Emerson's faulty memory had it not been for Cyrus Vandergelt, one whom I thought was a great friend.
Cyrus ensured that we would be kept apart, and though I did not at that time realise, he plotted to have Emerson disposed of by Schlange. This vital step 'on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap' was conquered and I was certain that my life would resume its natural course, when I recieved the letter.
Ramses and Gargery were coming. I had decided not to ask exactly how Ramses had persuaded our butler to accompany him to Egypt, but they were both sure that we required asistance. Emerson's responses to Ramses overly longwinded letters were not forth coming because of the aforementioned problems and I am certain that the entire family was frantic with worry when his disappearance was noted in the papers. Despite the family's own problems in London, as soon as he was sure that everyone there would come to no harm Ramses rushed off on the next ship to Egypt, against my direct order.
In the anticipation of meeting them (and most likely sending them back as soon as possible) Emerson and I abandoned our excavations in Amarna and were then waiting at the major port in Cairo for the anticipated ship. Even though it was early in the season to close down our excavations Emerson was anxious to see his family, and I admit that the idea of a rest from our work was congenial to me.
The steamer came in half an hour later that it was meant to and Ramses and Gargery were the first to be seen rushing onto the dock. I observed with some surprise that Ramses was now almost of the same height as Gargery (which is not so grand a feat in itself) and that he had a more distinguished resemblance to his handsome sire.
We had only a moment to greet them and try to answer their many questions and frankly ridiculous comments. Gargery was fervently describing how he would have been of assistance to us ( "Oi could 'ave watched over you Sir and Ma'am, you would 'ave been safer with us than 'ere alone, you would.") when he was shoved in the back by a woman covered in blood and supporting an old man.
They made an extremely strange pair. Despite the blood and a hideous scarf draped around her neck the woman was a perfect model of an aristocratic lady while her companion was gaunt and haggard anddressed like an (impoverished) Egyptian. He also reeked rather horribly of opium.
I was at first at a loss as to why they should be in such a hurry, until I looked in the direction from which they had come. A literal swarm of angry Egyptians werecoming up behind them; carrying weapons and yelling obscenities in Arabic. It was a rather fearsome crowd and I could not blame them for running away. Even before I could point this out to Emerson he was running to stop the crowd before they reached the pair who were standing on the edge of a neighboring dock, looking rather forlorn at the comparitivelyempty river. Naturally I followed Emerson, and Ramses and Gargery quickly followed as well.
The crowd must have been extremely angry, for they ignored Emerson's protests (and extreme temper) and pushed against him to reach the figures on the dock. I rushed into the fray, parasol in hand to assist my dear Emerson when suddenly they were silent and stood gaping at something behind me in shock. I turned around and beheld one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen.
It was an enormous ship, a great monster of steel and iron that seemed to block out the sky. It was no normal ship however. The terrifying apparition was in the shape of a horrendous giant squid, and had the forbidding name Nautilus carved into its side. A drawbridge creaked open and a giant of a man emerged, dressed in Indian garb and with a giant beard obscuring his features. At the sight of this man, the crowd's anger was resumed and they rushed forward, pushing us with them. The woman dropped her companion and rushed forward to push us to the side not a moment to soon. The Indian pulled out an enormous gun which shot out a stream of fire, instantly incinerating all that stood before it.
I am sure that we were all of us paralyzed with horror and were easily lead into the forbidding ship. I was in such a state of shock that I did not quite realize what had just occurred until I heard the metalic clang of the door as it shut behind us, locking us in.
I am ashamed to say that I rather lost my head at that moment. Emerson (and I, I must admit) shouted obscenities at these three strange figures and demanded to know what was going on while Gargery angrily shook his fist at the Indian and Ramses stared in fascination at the interior of the ship. The old man and the Indian just stared unabashedly at us, not even attempting to answer our questions. The woman, who introduced herself as Mina Murray, calmed us down and took us to a small sitting room.
"I am exceedingly glad that you were able to find us." Miss Murray began, "I was attempting to find you when Mr Quartermain and I-"
"Quartermain?" Emerson interrupted incredulously, "That is Quartermain?"
The old man nodded sadly and quietly replied, "Yes. Quite different now I am afraid, Emerson."
Before I could enquire exactly how my husband and this strange man were acquainted, Miss Murray sighed and said, "I suppose that I aught to tell you how all this came about." And she began a strange tale of her trip to Egypt on behalf of a Mr Moriarty to 'collect' us for some unspecified purpose. "We are now going back to London, and I hope that you will join us. Your country needs you both." she concluded.
I was of half a mind to accept this offer, at least until we knew exactly what it was that we were doing. The sight of Ramses created my doubt however. He had been all too silent during this exchange, and I felt sure that he was already planning ways to accompany us. However, if he could be made to stay with his aunt and uncle...
"Certainly not!" shouted Emerson, "It is completely idiotic of this 'Moriarty' to presume to tell me what to do. I have no obligation to do whatever he asks, nor do I plan to do it, and you will tell him that Miss Murray." He stood up and looked as though he was about to leave.
"But Emerson," I protested, "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori -"
"Bloody nonsense." He said, and without a further word walked out of the room.
Just a note, the quote that Amelia says is from Macbeth. You know. Just because I like it. Please review!
