Chapter 26

Over the next couple of weeks, the pharaoh continued experimenting with his tablet. To his chargrin, little progress was made. "You're doing all right, I think," McKenzie assured him, observing from a distant crate. "And yet you're holding back."

Ahkmenrah paused, his palm in midair like an unfinished greeting. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know, really. It just feels like you could be doing more with it, somehow."

The pharaoh stared stubbornly ahead into empty space. It is not through lack of effort on my part. Something about his posture and politely blank expression alerted McKenzie she'd done it again- she'd said something to unnerve him. How did she manage to keep doing that? Obviously he was frustrated his tests weren't going as planned!

He wasn't the only one uneasy. In a nearby corner, the 26th president cleared his throat uncomfortably. If only the man weren't so perceptive... Then again, McKenzie figured good leaders had to be perceptive. "Perhaps a break is in order?" Teddy asked, looking pointedly at Ahkmenrah. The young man nodded.

"One more moment, please. I only need to place this shard..."

Therein lay the rub. Though he was able to mend abstract sculptures, so far he'd failed miserably at pottery. If he could not fix this green vase, he might just give up the tests for a while. So far, he'd succeeded in shoving all the pieces of it into a tight semblance of its former beauty, but he could already feel the pressure building up behind his temple- like a string straining to maintain the connection between all the shards. Come on, only one more piece! Why is this so painful?! The instant the miniature glass petal resumed its place, as it had every time before, the mental string snapped, and the shards disintegrated on the floor. Ahkmenrah felt like collapsing along with them.

Teddy joined him in his mute misery. "Truly, a break would be beneficial. I say we grab some pizza from the lounge! A fine treat from our beloved night guard, eh?" Laying a comforting hand upon Ahkmenrah's shoulder, he added softly, "There's no point in straining yourself as you've been doing, my boy. Believe me, I know."

"I do not understand! If I was able to repair an entire exhibit twice, how can I not fix a simple piece of pottery?"

McKenzie joined them in their observance of the sad pile of green. "Maybe it's stress? You've been a bit off ever since the accident. Teddy's right, Ahk- cut yourself some slack."

Reluctantly, Ahkmenrah forced himself not to look back on his failure as he left with his friends.


I have failed yet again, journal.

It appears I cannot make my tablet work properly; every experiment this week has failed. Teddy and even McKenzie have been remarkably patient with me, but I cannot look at them- I fear to see the disappointment lurking in their eyes. A king is supposed to be in control at all times. Yet how can I-

His writing was interrupted by screeches of enthusiasm, followed by successive bangs and the thundering of mammalian feet. Not again! Octavius and Jed had promised him not to enter the Hall of African Mammals again unattended!

He ran outside of his tomb, joining Teddy, who was riding towards the scene of chaos. "I swear if those two have been trying to ride the ostriches again, I will personally ground them for a month! We can't afford this much trouble! We haven't even finished repairs after their mess last Friday!"

"It sounds like they released the elephants again," Ahkmenrah supplied. Instantly he wished he could swallow those words; Teddy flinched as he recalled the last time the miniatures had done that: there were still hoof marks on a couple of areas of the ceiling. "It could be worse. Remember the pythons?" This time, Teddy shuddered.

"Fair point. Let's just get this over with," he muttered.

The Hall was practically in ruins. Larry frantically ushered the human exhibits back to their areas before joining Ahkmenrah and Teddy. Both noticed there were no animals in sight, though they could still hear the elephants trumpeting and the lions roaring in frustration at losing prey. "They're gone, he's let them all out! When I get my hands on-"

"Rest assured, Lawrence, Jed and Octavius will be disciplined," Teddy sighed, though inwardly he was ready to tear out his hair much as the night guard was doing.

"Not them, Dexter. He stole my keys again! I found them missing when I was heating up dinner. Serves me right, thinking they were safely locked away in my desk. Though how he managed to get a hold of my drawer key when it was tucked under my shirt is beyond me!"

Ahkmenrah decided there was little point in reminding Larry there were few ways to secure possessions from the naughty monkey- Dexter had managed to steal his crown at least three times. The only way to keep him from one's belongings was to hide them, a difficult task in and of itself; Dexter knew the museum better than Teddy did.

"Let's get this over with," Teddy repeated. "We'll deal with Dexter once this crisis is resolved."

Speak of the Devil, the proud primate rode past them on a gazelle out the front doors, mock saluting them like a general astride his noble steed.

"Who's the evolved one now?" Larry growled at Teddy.

Larry had never felt more grateful for the pharaoh's presence than at that moment- without his incantation, they would never have herded all the animals in time. For his part, Ahkmenrah was happy to be of service. "That's almost everyone," McKenzie called, ticking another name off her list. "We're still missing one of the male lions, a zebra-"

"One zebra found and recovered!" A familiar Western accent called down. Jed and Octavius were astride the zebra, beaming down at everyone.

Gazing at them jaw agape, McKenzie stuttered, "How did you?.. What?.."

"Us cowboys are full of surprises, little lady," Jed tipped his hat towards her.

"Well, thank you. Most impressive. Soooo, now we're only missing a lion and Dexter."

Larry cursed under his breath. Of course Dexter would be among the last recovered- he made it no secret how he yearned for more freedom. With sunrise only an hour away, his mind flitted back to an unfortunate Neanderthal who'd strayed too far too late. The only inhabitant he'd allowed to be destroyed through his own carelessness. Screw that happening again. "We've gotta find them ASAP. If they've gone as far as the city-" he shuddered to consider the possibility.

Ahkmenrah bit his lip. By now, he'd learned enough to realize the tablet should have summoned them back- unless they were possibly too far. But what was too far? "I will try the spell again." However, before he could, a screech made them all jump. A screech of pain.

"He's close, come on!"

It didn't take them long to find Dexter- he lay crumpled up and in shock, in a pool of scarlet.

"No. No no no... Dexter, can you hear me? Dexter!" Larry covered up the wounded monkey into his jacket as Ahkmenrah and Teddy looked on in horror and shock. The lion was nowhere to be seen, for which everyone was secretly grateful for. Luckily home was close by.

By the time they were inside and had found Sacagawea, the Capuchin was unconscious. One look was all the Shoshone needed to confirm that he was beyond her care.

Ahkmenrah could feel the tears trickling down his cheeks as he buried his face in Dexter's fur. What was there to do? Surely there was something! No, he could already feel his pulse dimming. There must be something! Surely they could somehow keep him alive until sunrise? Yet he wasn't sure... He'd never seen an inhabitant die before, had only heard of the exceptions who'd stayed outside for too long. He had no way of knowing...

Dexter must live. He must survive the night!

Even as he thought this, breathed this, he felt a warmth kindle and spread from his torso to his arms, his hands. A warmth he'd never experienced before. As it spread, his energy left him, like it was trickling out with the warmth. Well, grieving was extremely draining. Why was there a glow behind his eyelids?

Dexter opened his eyes.

Despite his newfound exhaustion, Ahkmenrah grinned in relief as the tiny primate sat up and began animatedly chattering. The others' cheers further bolstered Dexter's spirits, and he unabashedly scampered up onto the pharaoh's shoulder, soaking up the attention. "Do not get any ideas," he hissed in a mock-serious tone. "Next time you might not be saved from your brush with death." Never mind how in the gods' names he'd done it this time! The Capuchin merely kissed him in response.

Ahkmenrah gradually became aware of a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right? What happened?" McKenzie asked.

An excellent question. He considered it as the cheers and chatter combined into a tumultuous roar. He should leave. Now. "Not here."

"You look pale!"

"Just help me up," he whispered. Dexter's weight suddenly felt unbearable as he staggered up. The others made way for them as they watched in varying degrees of awe and trepidation. What had just happened? How had one of their own been at Death's door one minute, then with their pharaoh's touch, healed? Ahkmenrah himself couldn't elaborate, for he himself didn't fully understand what had happened. All he knew was the glow he'd seen and experienced could only have come from one source. Waving away and extremely confused Teddy, he allowed McKenzie to gently steer him back to his exhibit.

Once they were out of earshot, the interrogation began. "What in bloody hell happened? And don't say you don't know- what you did, however you did it, was a bloody miracle!"

"I am afraid I must disappoint you, for I truly do not know." The roaring in his ears hadn't entirely ceased, and it was all he could do to avoid clutching at his eardrums. "Was it my tablet? Yes, unless Ra himself decided to intervene, which I will admit is unlikely."

"Are you sure you're ok? You look peaky."

Mustering the remnants of his strength, Ahkmenrah plastered on a weak smile. The stumble didn't help matters. "Truly I am well enough. I only wish to retire early." I would also appreciate better control and a warning next time. She could help him with neither one.

"At least let me help you into your sarcophagus."

"No, thank you. The guardian will probably be along to assist me soon, if necessary."

Reluctantly, she interpreted that as a sign to leave him be. Only when he was alone did he limp inside.

His tablet was glowing on the wall.

Regarding it cautiously, he didn't realize he was walking until his nose was an inch away. As if in a trance, he raised a hand toward it before touching it and collapsing.


I will just skip the formalities- you all know I feel awful about waiting so long to post another chapter- and delve into wishing you all happy reading. This installment was heavy, but I couldn't help it- it just poured out. At least our favorite monkey survives, eh? Don't worry, there will likely be lighter ones in the future, but no promises as to exactly when and where. I'm working on the next one as we speak... And you read this one... Hopefully. ;)