Chapter 16
The pharaoh was pleased. Over the course of a couple of weeks, he'd managed to learn how to read basic English sentences with dangling modifiers; he couldn't understand why anyone would think those were impossibly complex. Now silent letters, on the other hand...
"All done with your reading assignment? Excellent! Ah ah ah, wait right here while I check it for you." Ahkmenrah waited patiently while Fergus looked for any errors. Satisfied, the good doctor replaced the sheets upon the desk. "You're doing so well, it's remarkable! I can't understand it, simply can't understand it... Regardless, perhaps it's time for a reward, eh? I'll go get the biscuits," he said cheerfully, leaving the pharaoh alone at his desk once more. Ahkmenrah sighed- by now, he enjoyed tea almost as much as Dr. Fergus did, but he was anxious. Since the first night he awoke, he'd been confined within the parameters of Fergus's office- for his safety, according to his host. He supposed there was truth to the sentiment, but he was growing restless; he longed to stretch his limbs out even as nearby as the corridor, to feel the sun upon his skin again. Yet here he remained, like an ancient relic locked away. Though he was unknowingly naive, common sense dictated even he should not be wandering around in the halls, where any stranger could grab him and snatch him away.
Restlessness melted into anger- was he a dog to be trained? He'd seen canines less restrained than this! Unconsciously he began pacing around his desk, waiting and praying the kind doctor would return soon. His stomach rumbling did not assist matters.
"Since you've been so good these past few evenings, you deserve a reward!" When the pharaoh held out his palm- those biscuits were rather addictive- Fergus shook his head. "No no, not mere cookies. You've been eager to stretch your legs, haven't you? Longing for some fresh air?" The pharaoh nodded more vigorously than any bobble head. "I can't grant you the latter- I don't know what kind of effect the elements would have on you now, you know, since you're a mummy and all. You might crumble into dust!" He chuckled at his own joke, which the pharaoh failed to see the humor. "I can imagine the kind of stress you must be enduring, but never fear, things will look up in the end! Am I right?" He asked, jostling Ahk's shoulder in comradery."Well, worry no more! You've probably been wondering where they've been all this time, and I probably should've told you earlier, I simply couldn't bring myself to show you yet; had to see how you handle stress. Tonight, you shall go out into the world and see your lost treasures! No need to thank me," he smiled.
For his part, the pharaoh failed to understand a word that had passed from the man's lips, but he comprehended the pleasure behind them. Something wonderful would be in store for them tonight.
Soon, Dr. Fergus returned with a medium-sized bundle craddled in his arms. "Ready for your new identity? Lucky for you, one of the workers has an assistant around your age- these should fit you nicely." When the pharaoh stared down in uncertainty, he continued, "If you want to check to see if everything else followed you safely from the grave, I'd suggest you get dressed. Do you understand?" Ahkmenrah nodded. "Excellent! I'll leave you to get changed."
Not wishing to appear ungrateful, Ahkmenrah struggled into his clothing the best he could. In truth, the strange apparel was rather comfortable, but it would take time to grow accustomed to it.
To his mild dismay, Fergus laughed when he stepped out shyly. "Not bad for your first try! You've just got your shirt on backwards; here, let me." He helped the young man correct the problem, noting with surprise the condition of his body. "Wonderful! You'll blend in perfectly, just don't speak- don't want anyone knowing your true identity now, do we." For the first time in perhaps centuries, the pharaoh felt exposed- his new costume was nothing like his typical flowing garments. Ignoring his discomfort, he followed Fergus out into the hall.
He bit back a cry as he watched the men handle his belongings. Though it seemed the men were doing their best maneuvering cumbersome stone around tight corners, he winced with each inevitable, agonizing crunch, crack, and thud. Surely they could be handling it a bit more carefully?
Oblivious to Ahkmenrah's discomfort, Dr. Fergus immediately approached the head excavator. "Evening, Mr. Fredericks! Had a good haul, I see?" He chuckled.
The man smiled, a striking contrast against his dirty, weather-beaten face. "Amazing doesn't begin to cover it! We're lucky we excavated everything before the sandstorm hit. Hey, don't touch that!" A fellow mover hastily replaced a collar back in its packaging. "These are four thousand year old artifacts. Have some respect, for Pete's sake!" The others, spurred on by the archaeologist's words, paradoxically grew clumsier in their hast. "Watch it, that's fragile!"
Ahkmenrah felt the rest of their conversation fade from his senses as realization struck him. The whole tomb? They emptied our entire tomb?! Then surely... One of his prayers was answered when he spotted a golden, heiroglyphed corner poking from a thin box. Yet where were?..
"And the pharaoh's parents?" Fergus pressed.
"They're in a separate storage facility, pending how we're going to divide everything. It'a almost certain they'll... Hey you, what do you think you're doing? That's museum property!"
Everyone jumped as they noticed a young worker replace a golden bracelet inside a box, unable to swipe the guilty expression from his face. "Yeah that's right, I'm looking at you! Come over here now, I don't want to shout this to the whole neighborhood." Despite their hushed tones, Ahkmenrah overheard Fredricks lecturing the man on how this was his third reprimand this month; obviously this wasn't the first time he'd gotten into trouble. Although he remembered the harsh punishments tomb robbers faced in his day, or perhaps because of them, the pharaoh pitied the worker; he looked rather impoverished, with his raggedy clothes and bare feet. He hoped Fredricks was a forgiving man.
Apparently he was, for young Koshner got away with barely a rap on his hand, like a naughty child reminded of his place. Ahkmenrah released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"NEVER let me catch you doing that again. These are priceless relics, not pawn shop items!" His head hung in shame, Koshner walked off quietly. Ahkmenrah's eyes followed him off to a corner.
"Now who might this handsome fellow be?" Fredricks asked.
Fergus gently placed his hand on the pharaoh's shoulder. "This is Amun, my new assistant. He's staying with me for a couple of nights until we get all these sorted out." Ahkmenrah shyly shook the archaeologist's hand. "Please excuse him, he can't speak English very well."
"Nice to meet you, Amun! Gotta go, a lot to sort out," Fredricks hurried off. Despite his reservations about the men's treatment of his family's belongings, Ahkmenrah was rather impressed with their leader's enthusiasm- it was matched only by Dr. Fergus's own. Turning to better inspect a bust of the godess Bast, he accidentally bumped into a crate- the very one containing his artifact. Naturally as he approached it, who else but Fergus materiallzes near his elbow.
"Come on, lots to see!" All the pharaoh wished to see was his tablet and his loved ones. Risking a backward glance at his relic, the pharaoh allows himself to be led out of the storage area.
"Earth to Ahk?" McKenzie snapped her fingers in front of his face, forcing Ahkmenrah out of his flashback.
"Sorry," he murmured. "My mind was otherwise engaged. I am listening!" He did not need to hear her huff to know she didn't believe him.
Hello happy readers! I sincerely hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving with their families, despite the encroaching commercialism of what businesses want you to believe is Christmas. What's your favorite Thanksgiving food and why? If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, what other traditions do you have this time of year?
