Curse of a Breaker
Bill ran through the streets of Cairo. What the hell had he done? He should have researched what the udjat was. But no, the thought of a good pay and he'd just gone and done the job. If anything terrible happened well then it would be his fault. He had gotten the most dangerous object in existence and given it to a man off the street.
The sign for the 'Tutty Fruity' was up ahead. He didn't know where to look for Ramah but he knew the place where he would have to start. He made to run through the door only to find it locked. He bounced out onto the street pain radiating through his body.
Standing slowly he walked back to the door and pounded on it. He kept knocking and knocking until he heard somebody yell inside.
"We're closed come back – Bill?"
Bill forced himself through the door and looked at Samah. It was only just passed nine and he looked like he hadn't long gotten up.
"The Udjat is the eye of Horus!"
The man gave him a funny look.
"Of course it is Bill."
Samah's calm voice was not comforting to Bill. The Egyptian was looking at him closely and Bill knew that what he had done was known by this man.
"How could you let me?"
"You're a grown man."
"I thought that since you'd introduced me he was going to be a decent bloke. He wasn't decent Samah and you know it."
His older friend shifted in an uneasy manner. There was something about him that was different. He stood in a different manner as if uneasy. His wire rim glasses were slanted and his goatee looked unkempt. This wasn't Samah; he took pride in his appearance.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing Bill."
They stared at each other for a moment. Bill knew that something was being kept from him. A female voice called in Arabic and Samah called back. It was that which broke the trance between them. Samah shot Bill a look and moved closer to the door.
"Look I can't tell you much. Ramah was a friend of my nephew Zuberi for a long time. Ramah came to me about two weeks ago and told me he wanted to meet my assistant. I refused and he threatened me."
"You must have known then that what he wanted was dangerous, or something valuable."
"Of course I did."
"Well then why didn't you stand your ground? You're a fighter Samah. Everyone told me about how you stood up to the resistance. You were a key figure in the establishment of your government. How could you have let him win?"
"He was going to kill Kakra. I might be a lot of things but a bad husband isn't one of them. I wasn't going to put my wife in danger. I'm sorry I had to introduce you."
Bill nodded slowly.
"Family comes first. I understand that. But I need your help now."
"I can't track him down with you."
"I need to know where to look, and anything you think could be important."
"You should head to the other side of town. Its rougher there, not a place for nice folk. There's a pub called Hot Chicken Soup -"
"What is it with Egyptians and making fun of the Pharaohs?"
"Someone's got to do it."
Bill chuckled as Samah seemed to try and remember what he had been about to say.
"Yes. Well go to Hot Chicken Soup. It's run by a witch named Masika you need to speak to her."
"Why?"
"She was married to Ramah once. Divorced now … something bad happened. I don't know what but it could be important."
"Thanks Samah."
Bill opened the door and went to step outside when Samah grabbed him.
"Bablak. It's Ramah's last name. It might come in useful."
Smoke filled the room. It was dusky and Bill could hardly make out anything. Samah had been right this was a bad place. It was almost as though the amount of smoke was there to conceal the identities of the drinkers. Back home Bill had been in the Hogs Head that had been the 'worst' bar to drink it, but next to this it was a palace.
He finally got to the bar and dropped onto a stool. A hand came close to him and a glass appeared. He could see the fingers moving as a honey coloured liquid was poured into the glass. Then it was pushed towards him.
"Didn't order anything."
"I always know what my drinkers want."
A girlish voice sounded through the smog. Leaning closer to the voice Bill could finally make out the face. A dark woman was stood the other side of the bar. Her black hair fell in loose waves around her round face. He was sure that her eyes were dark but he couldn't be too sure.
"Haven't seen you around here before."
"Never been here. Got recommended by a friend. Trying to find him actually."
"What's his name?"
"Ramah Bablak."
A smash sounded from her direction. Yes he had the right person he was sure of it.
"Out you're not welcome."
"You must be Masika."
"Who are you?"
"Bill Weasley."
Her face came close to his and her voice was just higher than a whisper.
"Well Bill you can give a message to Ramah from me. I want him and all his friend's out of my life."
He picked up his glass and downed it in one. Slamming it against the wooden bar he smiled lightly.
"Well I need your help Masika."
"Out."
"If you help I can guarantee that Ramah will be out of your life for good."
She went quiet and he knew she was studying him. She could see him clearly through the smoke that filled her bar. His eyes were adjusting but it was easier now to focus."
"Who are you really?"
"Someone you're ex-husband upset. I need to catch up with him and I need your help for that."
She scanned the room and indicated for him to follow her. He got up and moved around to a side door. When he stepped through it he was surprised to find that this room was much better cared for. There was none of the defensive smoke but a clear area. There were two chairs in front of a fire and she directed him to one.
"What do you need to know?"
"Have you heard of the udjat?"
"Every Egyptian has. Why?"
"Ramah has it."
Masika became stiff and started muttering quickly in Arabic. Suddenly she stopped and looked at Bill.
"Well what do you think?"
"About?"
"What I just said."
"Oh I don't speak Arabic."
"Fine. The udjat it has powers. Have you heard of them?"
"Yeah. I heard that the person who wears it can't be killed. They become unstoppable."
"That's right. Well Ramah has been trying to get hold of it for years."
"Why?"
"His father was a resistance fighter. He didn't want our government. Ramah believes very much the same thing as his father. He has the idea that if he has the udjat he will be able to over throw the ministry and go back to our ruler times –"
"Oh let me guess. Ramah will be the ruler of Egypt?"
"Of course."
"But how will the udjat do that? Sure they won't be able to kill him, but they could still stop him."
"Not if he has the 'bow of the gods' Ramah always said that would be key."
"What is it?"
"Some ancient weapon. I really don't know."
"Alright Masika this is important. Do you know where the weapon is?"
"No idea. Ramah never told me."
"Where would he have gone?"
"Anywhere. He has businesses up and down Egypt. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan. Your guess is as good as mine."
"Thank you. You've been helpful."
"How?"
"I know what he's going to do. Thank you for your time."
"Mr Weasley you said that Ramah will be out of my life. How?"
"When I'm done he'll be thrown into prison."
Okay so I just finished writing this chapter. Too tired to revise will fall asleep after the day I've had. Anyway I don't have anymore written (hey come on I only just finished writing this one) so the next chapter will be, well when I've written more