Author's note: I finally wrote the first chapter for all my fellow Amelia Peabody fans who read this. I hope to get the next chapter out faster. Hope you enjoy, and feel free to comment.

Disclaimer: In case anyone missed it I don't own these lovely characters of Elizabeth Peter's. This warning goes for all future chapters.

Feather on the Scales

Chapter 1

The family was gathered in the parlor of Amarna Manor, it was a few weeks before the excavation season would begin and to my knowledge we did not yet have a concession. Each individual was occupying his or her attention. Ramses was hunched over a table with Walter translating a manuscript, which he had recently acquired, in hushed tones. Nefret was busy reading correspondence from her many clinics in Egypt. Emerson held a newspaper before his face, puffs of pipe smoke floating out the top. The young people chattered quietly in their group. I was reading a long awaited correspondence from Katherine Vandergelt. Even Sethos had found a book from the library to occupy himself.

Sethos was the first to break the silence with his loud exclamation of disgust. "Did that boy actually write this rubbish?" Every occupant of the room, even some of the wandering cats, looked at him. The book he held was the wretched self glorifying memoir of my nephew Percy. He continued without an answer. "And he dared claim this is truth?"

"I'm glad to say it's not even that, it's rubbish that's been twisted from his truth?" Ramses responded, displeased to see the book again.

"I'm have a hard time believing that that egotistical supremacist would risk his life for an Arab."

"Yes, I quickly began regretting my decision to save him." Ramses replied seriously. Sethos gave Ramses a knowing smile. I decided that now would be a good time to change the subject. I was about to speak when Nefret beat me to the punch, as they say.

"Ramses, do you still have all those white feathers?"

"Yes actually, David and I made them into a Thoth mask. The rest I believe we put on one of your hats." At the mention of the mask of Thoth I gave a reminiscent look to Emerson, who was looking suspiciously at Ramses, wondering just how much of that particular escapade we had told him. Ramses returned to the manuscript.

"The Vandergelts shan't be going to Egypt again this season."

"Why the Devil not?" Emerson exclaimed loudly. His volume and tendency towards profanity had not changed over the years, his hair had begun to turn from the glossy black to grey that for from suggesting age and weakness lent him an air of experience as it had for our former Reis, Adbullah. When this inevitably began I had dispensed with my little bottle of hair dye.

"They have yet to recover from their losses at the beginning of the Depression."

It was at this moment that the doorman entered carrying a letter and curiously following by Seth. He delivered the envelope and left the room quietly, the door had barely shut when Seth spoke.

"What is it, Father?"

"Mind your own beeswax, Seti. It's private."

"How do you know?"

"Because if it wasn't Jeremy would have told you."

"Who's to say he knew what it is?"

"Now, now, settle you two." Seti looked disappointedly at his father.

"It's nothing, Seti, just some business." As he moved away, resigned, Sethos motioned for Seti. From a very young age Seti had been intrigued by his namesake, and Sethos had become quite attached to the lad. Everyone knew that he had taught the boy some of the basics of disguise, though only the two new how much else. Though I couldn't helpbut think of how far Ramses had come in disguise with only the influence of some of Sethos' supplies.

Once general attention had been restored to prior activity. I saw Ramses open the letter, as he read no reaction, save an odd twitch at the corner of his mouth, crossed his face.

"Isn't Budge writing about the excavations at Giza?"

"It will probably be his usual surmising dribble." Emerson replied with all his normal disdain for the man.

"Why don't we find out just how much dribble it is?"

I, along with much of the assemble, was baffled by this last statement. "We would need the concession, and the Service de Antiquites still holds a grudge against your father."

"What if I told you that I have the concession in my pocket?" His expression had not changed all through his saying this, now one of his wonderful smiles spread across his face. I could envision vividly the three great pyramids and the tought of exploring those passageways brought back what Emerson called my passion for pyramids.

"Let me see that/" Emerson demanded elated by this news. "Good Gawd! Peabody, you finally got your pyramids again."

"We're going back to Egypt this?" David John, asked quite eagerly, tearing himself from the conversation he had been in

"Are we really going?" Kathy joined, she shared an enthusiasm for Egyptology with her older brother.

"We can leave tomorrow if we pack quickly." Emerson decided engrossed in the document presenting him with Giza.

"Emerson, we won't be able to for at least a week."

"I suppose, Peabody, you intend to do your shopping."

"Precisely. Prehaps I can cut down to four days, but you and Ramses need new shiirts, Seti has probably grown out of most of his working clothes."

"I believe I'll join you, Mother, there are some new medicines I would like to take to Egypt for the clinics." Nefret's clinics for the unfortunate women of Egypt had spread from single surgery manned by her as the single female surgeon to clinics dotted throughout the area each with women fully trained in their medical professions.

"Good, so we'll go into London tomorrow and start our shopping. It shouldn't take more than a few days."

"It will take you less, then we will go." Emerson put in the last word, with a look which suggested that he hoped that I would give in, and I most certainly would not.

Later Evelyn returned to Chalfont House, while Walter remained to continue work on the manuscript.

The next morning Nefret and I prepared to leave for London. Not long after I had gotten dressed, Charla came in to inquire whether she could join us in order to 'get a few things'. While getting our coats Walter, Ramses and David John informed us that they would be joining us, as there was a new manuscript at the museum they wished to see. We went out to find the car, and Emerson sitting in it with Kathy and Seti.

"We're going to the museum." Relenting to the fact that my hopes of being able to shop peacefully with the knowledge of where everyone was were dashed, while the triumphant grin on Emerson's face told me he knew this full well. As we were about to leave, all of us packed in like sardines, Sethos came out of the house.

"I'm coming too. I'm certainly not staying here alone and cleaning."

"Great, prehaps you can enliven the tour by telling us which one's you've tried to steal." sarcasm dripped from this statement, but I sensed his silent triumph. Sethos knew the back allies of London like the entire family knew the undercrust of Cairo, and I knew that if he went Seti would follow. After this day I was ready to leave England, even willing to cut short my shopping. I leaned to Emerson's ear and whispered, "I shall conclude my shopping today, and we shall leave as soon as the appropriate arrangements can be made."

My first stop was the haberdashery, there were three men at home all desperately in need of clean and untorn shirts. I fear that the knack for destroying shirts is indeed hereditary. After placing the order and informing the clerk that I would return to retrieve the order later, I went next-door where Nefret was helping Kathy in choosing an appropriate set of working clothes and a new dress.

"What do you think, Grandmama?" Kathy inquired as she pulled from the bag a many pocketed outfit of a light material.

"It certainly appears useful." I replied , wondering what she planned on using all those pockets for.

"I believe this is my doing, Mother. I may have a few too many stories of your belt."

"Perhaps we should be going to the pharmacy now." With the consent of all, our trio stepped out into the noisy streets of London.

"I like shopping in Egypt better, its more interesting."

"It is that. We'll be there soon."

"Very soon." I added, giving Nefret a meaningful look. In the pharmacy Nefret went immediately to and entered into the medical conversation, leaving me to search for my favorite useful commodity, laudanum, while attempting to keep Kathy from where she shouldn't be. After several other shops we returned to the haberdashery, bag laden and with pained feet. Nefret and Kathy were in a corner, looking at pre-made shirts for Seti. I approached the counter, when the clerk saw me he began to prepare the packages of the completed order.

"Your order, Mrs. Emerson, that will be the usual price." I went through my wallet for the money. As I handed the money over I was addressed by another customer.

"Mrs. Emerson?"

"Yes?" the speaker was a young man, in his mid-twenties, thin and blonde though rather short, with a friendly face, which vaguely reminded me of someone I couldn't quit put my finger on.

"Wife of Professor Radcliffe Emerson?"

"Yes. And who, may I ask, are you?"

"I'm a student of photography and have a great interest in Egyptology. I would like to know if you are in need of a photographer on your staff?"

"I am unaware of any prior employments in that area but you will have to discuss it with the Professor. Come with me if you please." I took up the clothes from the counter then began walking out, the young man following on my heels.

Passing where Nefret and Kathy stood, I stopped. "Who's this, Mother?"

"This is Mr. ... Do forgive me I seem to have forgotten your name."

"The fault is mine, I didn't say it. Lucas McGuffy." he said offering his hand to Nefret. "Pleased to meet you."

"And you, I'm sure."

"Mr. McGuffy is a photographer who has interest in Egyptology."

"Well that's good, we need a photographer. You'll need to talk with the Professor of course."

"I look forward to it. And please, call me Lucas."

"Speaking of the man, he should be showing himself any time now." As I said this the car came roaring up the street with Emerson at the wheel. He stopped abruptly, jolting all the occupants.

"Well, Peabody, it seems you've picked up another one of your strays. Who the devil is this one?"

"Lucas McGuffy, Sir, it's a great pleasure. I hear you're in need of a photographer."

"You're hired, McCuffy."

"It's McGuffy, Sir."

"Yes, in the four of you." Entering the packed vehicle we sped back to Kent at great risk to our lives. "I trust you finished your damned shopping."

"Indeed I did. We can leave a-"

"Tomorrow."

"Emerson?"

"I made the preliminary arrangements today, I will call to confirm them. I say, that won't be an inconvenience to you, McCuffy."

Nefret gave the young man a light tap. "Oh. No Sir. I have everything I need here." he assured, indicating his small bag which I had neglected to notice.

The following is an excerpt from Manuscript H

Ramses sat in the back, pinned between Sethos and this man Lucas McGuffy. Refusing to speak with his uncle due to the temporary disappearance of his son in the company of the man, he began a conversation with his mother's newest stray.

"My only suggestion, do what he says and do not question anything."

"I suppose you're one to know, thank you."

"So, where are you from?"

"Oh, London, here and there."

"You certainly were shopping well packed."

"Well, you never know when a break might hit. I must say, I'm honored to be working with your family." the young lad said excitedly. He had blue-grey eyes, the color of the London sky, fair blonde hair, and an amiable face bearing a persistent excited smile.

The car pulled up to Chalfont House, a door opened to let out Walter. "Ramses, may I continue work on that manuscript?" Walter asked extracting himself.

"Of course, I'd be happy for the help. Contact me if there should be any interesting developments."

"You know, I don't need to go to Egypt what with Margaret in Germany. Walter, wait up, I'll come with-" Sethos began as opened the door and prepared to exit.

"Oh, no you don't!" Ramses and Nefret exclaimed in unison as the former caught hold of his arm and pulled him back into the cramped vehicle.

"You're not getting off that easily."

"Father, it wasn't Uncle Sethos' fault. I went with him, willingly and by my own volition."Seti defended from the next seat forward.

"It most certainly is uncle Sethos' fault, he knows better. And you I shall talk to later."

"Now Ramses, I'm sure that there was no harm done. After all there is Sethos' promise to Mother." Nefret reasoned with her husband, exhibiting the weak spot she'd always held for Sethos. Personally, Ramses still didn't wholly trust his Uncle. "David John, are you feeling alright? You've been awfully quiet."

"Yeah, Mother, I'm fine."

"He's in love..." Charla taunted, in response to which David Job gave her a severe look which she failed to see, "with his new papyrus. He has barely talked of anything else."

"Oh, shut up, Charla."

The car finally arrived at Amarna Manor, interrupting the fight that was about to break out. McGuffy hurried into the house as soon as he escaped the confinement of the car.

"Ramses, my boy, I am sorry. No harm, no foul?" Sethos proffered his hand.

"As it is nearly impossible to harm Seti no foul can fairly be called." Ramses replied, accepting the handshake.

"Don't be too hard on the boy, as I recall you were not so unlike him." Ramses gave only a consenting nod. "I say, that McGuffy is an odd fellow."

"Does he remind you of anyone?" For an unknown reason the fact that Lucas had also been the name of the first villain his parents had uncovered, came to the forefront of Ramses' mind.

"No."

That ends this excerpt from Manuscript H

Back at Kent we could remove ourselves from the increasingly stuffy retched car. I looked eagerly towards the following day and our return to our beloved Egypt.

After a very interesting dinner with a slightly burnt soup, Emerson and I were dressing for the night. "I wish that McGuffy would stop using 'sir' every sentence addressed to me."

"He's a sweet young men, a little odd I'll admit, but he seems pleasant and competent enough."

"Competent, that's an understatement, Peabody, Ramses knew more about Egyptology at the age of five than he does."

The next morning the entire house was in a rushed panic to pack. Everyone was busy, running to and fro. After successfully and efficiently packing my own bags, I proceeded to repack Emerson's thrown together bags.

In the drawing room, preparing to load the car I found the next bag heavier than I had recalled it to be. Glancing around the room I spotted the back of a blonde head attached to a thin yet short frame. I approached the distracted person. "David John, would you-" the person who was in fact not my grandson turned to face me.

"Pardon, Mrs. Emerson?"

"Oh, forgive me, Mr. McGuffy, would you help me with this bag. I thought you were... where is that boy anyway?"

The following is an excerpt from Manuscript T

David John had been acting strangely of late, more strange than usual that is, and Seti planned to get down to the bottom of it. As Seti approached David John's room, the door to which was slightly ajar, he could hear the rustling of papers and the occasional scratch of a pen. David John sat at his nearly covered desk. On the spur of the moment Seti pushed open the door the rest of the way and stood in the doorway. "David John." His older brother gave a great start and began quickly shuffling papers to cover what he had been doing.

"What is it, Seti?" David John said at a volume to match that of their grandfather and an disguised tone of exasperated anger.

"I was sent to see if you were almost packed." he lied.

"Well, I'm coming. I'll be there in a moment." He concluded by shutting the loudly in his little brother's face.