VI. The Shadows' Warning
Adele's breath hadn't slowed down even after Miss Burns had made her stallion stop. She looked down; her arms still were firmly wrasping the American's middle. As if untangling two ropes, she finally let go and got off the horse, her knees almost giving in the weight of her body. She could already feel the bruises in her thighs caused by the saddle's leather. She gazed back to Eleanor, who was watching her, and nodded. "Thank you, for everything."
Miss Burns smiled. "You're welcome." Slowly, she started to walk away.
"Bloody beast..." She wasn't sure of what she had been expecting while reading about Hamunaptra, but so far, reality had surpassed her most hare-brained expectations. Not visually, that's it. She could discerned only the temple and tomb's pylon alongside some columns and, if her eyes weren't betraying her, a statue of Anubis half-buried. His jackal head and his torso were visible, whereas the rest of his body disappeared in the sand. The dromos was missing, though. Yet, it was the athmosphere what made her shiver, even with a weather that could match Hell's and a temperature above 40 degrees. Mr. O'Connell was right, there was something off about this place. Mentally shaking herself, she continued her way. Her steps guided her towards Evy's camel, now laid on the ground so his rider could get off. Evelyn smiled broadly.
"Adele!" Her colleague threw her arms around her and, smiling to herself, she returned the hug. Of course, Evelyn would be too excited to feel her unease. "What happened to you? Oh, I swear, none of us knew what to do...!" Adele made room between them so she could look at the other woman's face.
"Evelyn, I'm fine, that's what matters, alright?" She told the older woman. "Let's just... forget, about the whole boat incident."
Miss Carnahan frowned. "But..."
"Evy." She cut in, sharply. "Please." Evelyn frowned before nodding. The sound of another camel's bellow interrupt their little reunion.
"Addie!" The adressed woman looked at her right, towards the way the cheerful male's voice had come and the man himself, perched atop the animal. "Oh, I'm so thrilled to see you made it!" Mr. Carnahan exclaimed while moving the reins around. "Seriously...! Ah, wait a second." Jonathan started to click his tongue and make noises. "C'mon, stinky, cooperate with me here." He told the camel. As if understanding him, the animal bellowed once more louder this time, nevertheless getting down too. "Thank you."
Mr. Carnahan threw his right leg over the saddle and, after landing a little clumsily on the ground, he started to walk towards them, smiling. "By the way, is that your friend from the port?" He whistled. "My, that's a very nice mount she got there, and fast! My bets are a thoroughbred, look at those..." SLAP! Jonathan grunted, holding his left cheek. He looked back to Adele. "What was that for?!"
Adele had separated from Evelyn right after she had seen Jonathan, not remembering her own words. The sound of her palm smacking her idiot of a friend was way too satisfying to contain her smirk. "That was for pushing me over the gunwale."
"So?" Mr. Carnahan asked, confused.
"I can't swim, you bloody sap!" Adele cried out, punching his shoulder. Mr Carnahan's facial expressions changed from confounded to that of someone who just made a great realization.
"Oh..."
"What?" Evelyn exclaimed herself. "What were you thinking, Jonathan?" She asked.
"I didn't know!" For once in her life, Adele allowed herself to forget all etiquette she ever learnt and rolled her eyes. After a few minutes of arguing banter between the Carnahan siblings, Jonathan turned back to her. "Hold on! If you can't swim, how did you...?" Adele didn't answer, simply looked over her shoulder, then back to them with her eyebrow perfectly arched.
The Carnahans followed her gaze, coming across Miss Burns and her brother. "...That's why I liked her." Jonathan added, breaking the silence and earning another glare from both Brit women.
"You!" Daniels called to half of their workers, "Set up the tents." He turned to the other half. "The rest of you! With Henderson and Dr. Chamberlain." Immediately, the men did as told, dividing the crowd. They had decided to claim the ruins nearer the City's entrance on advise of the Doc. He watched as the natives passed cloths among them, from hand to hand, scattering them all over their camp. He scanned the faces until he found Bernie walking towards one of the newly settled tents, carrying his bags. He followed him inside, pushing aside the fabric which served as a door. Nellie was already inside, putting together the mattress that would be her bed.
"Hey, Dave." Bernard said, gaining back his attention. "What's a good old bimbo like you doing in a place like this?"
Daniels saw from the corner of his eye Nellie grinning. "Caper ya. O'Connell's gonna come get his money."
Bernard fished his wallet out of his jacket's pocket and opened it, his skilled fingers running over the bills. He was the more trustworthy when it came to money. Suddenly, he frowned and gazed back to him. "How much was it?"
"Five damn hundred," Daniels answered bitterly, making his friend's frown deeper. Eleanor didn't dare to tease him about the bet.
"I only got four here."
"Ya kidding?" Asked the other American, striding up to his taller friend.
"I don't kid with our bucks." Answered Burns with all seriousness. Daniels smacked his lips, irritated, before asking again.
"You sure you counted it right?"
"I'm an accountant, Dave."
He paced the tent, looking at the ground. Then, an idea popped into his head. He glanced at Bernie. "Ya think Doc would mind if we spared some of his cash?"
Bernard frowned again. "Uh, probably..."
"Too bad." Daniels answered him, walking out of the tent. Burns sighed as he adjusted his spectacles, following his friend.
"You can't be serious, Bernie..." Eleanor said, getting to her feet.
"Trust me, it's better if I go with him. We both know he ain't exactly Mr. Subtle." Her brother said before exiting their tent. She sighed, knowing he was right in that. Well. She shook her head as she decided to set Bernie's mattress as well. When she was done, the American took a couple of steps back and looked around; she felt a déja-vu from the moment she and Miss Jennings had shared Faaria's tent after the boat's ambush. As an improvised floor, their workers had put around the tent some carpets to protect them from the hot sand and any scorpions, snakes and whatever else that could pop from beneath it. They only had both of their beds and, separating them, a wooden box placed upside down that served as a small table. Resting on it, there was an oil lamp... currently turned off, clearly. Her two bags were on her mattress whereas Bernie's were on the carpets, beside his bed. Only that stupid tool kit laid on his mattress.
She turned around, ready to walk out, when an unexpected visitor made her release a small shriek and her heart miss a beat. With a hand above her chest, she squinted her eyes. A little boy, around ten or so, stood by the tent's entrance, with his brown eyes open wide, as if he had been caught in the middle of a mischief. Something was familiar about him. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
The boy closed his ajar mouth to swallow before speaking. "Ahmed."
Eleanor frowned more. "What?"
"Ahmed!" He repeated, pointing at his chest while moving his head to emphasize the name. Suddenly, Eleanor's mind recalled the memory. "That's right! The lad from the boat..."
She took a few steps towards him. "Why are you here?" She asked him; it was Ahmed's turn to frown, making Eleanor sigh. "You don't understand my language, do you?" Again, he just frowned.
She took a deep breath, then walked out of the tent. Eleanor stopped her march to look behind her. The boy hadn't moved from his spot, watching her. She held out her hand as she motioned him with her head, making some of her black locks fall partially onto her face. "Come." She repeated the head movement while, with her other hand, moved her hair from her face. Finally the boy walked up to her, so she resumed her way. Only a glance behind her shoulder was enough to let her know Ahmed was following her skirts closely.
Henderson had always razzed Burns for his need of wearing glasses; even so, the man still had a scary accurate aim, but to him, it was fun to try to get on his nerves. He, on the other hand, had a good eyesight since he was born, thankfully. That's why he was able to spot her with so much distance separating them. She was talking with the other broad, the sister of that funny egg, John Carnahan, while both supported something shiny. He took off his hat and, after a moment, turned back to Dr. Chamberlain, who -still under his umbrella- was having the time of his life bossing around. Both men stood on the lintel of what, according to the Brit's judgement, was one of the entrance of the tombs. It was blocked by countless rocks, however, stones that were being removed by their diggers. "Do they know something we don't?" He asked the man.
Dr. Chamberlain turned to him, wearing an air of confidence Henderson couldn't remember to have seen it in him before. "They're led by two women. What does a woman know?" Henderson gave him a grim, ironic smirk that seemed to satisfy the doctor, since he turned around to keep inspecting the natives' work. Meanwhile, he turned back to scrutinize the other camp. "What don't know that woman?" Henderson thought to himself.
"Dr. Chamberlain!" A feminine voice caused him to look down. Nellie was circling the gateway, with a kid following her trail.
He smirked, putting back his cowboy hat on his head. "When did ya decide to adopt, Nellie?"
The two crossed the dune that served as a walkway and came to stand in front of them. "Ha, ha. You slay me, Howard."
"Ah, Miss Sarcasm is still in there..." He thought amused.
"Where did that child come from?" Asked Dr. Chamberlain. Eleanor directed her blue gaze towards him.
"I have no idea. I met with him once in the boat before we were raid, but that's it. He doesn't speak a word of English, so I thought you could be his interpreter." Eleanor said hesitantly. She was sure the idea wouldn't exactly be appealing to the uptight British man.
Said man scoffed, confirming her thoughts. "I was hired to advise and provide Egyptian knowledge, Miss Burns, not to babysit a pipsqueak who, by the looks of it, surely is just another pickpocket."
She took a deep breath. "Please, I just need you to translate a few questions and his answers, doctor. It won't take long, and we can't just abandon him."
"Women..." Dr. Chamberlain murmured to himself while releasing an annoyed sigh. Eleanor bit her tongue as well, trying to contain herself.
"I already know his name is Ahmed, ask him what is he doing here." She stated. Dr. Chamberlain did so, and Ahmed answered instantly.
"He says that he remembers you were disposed to help him out at the boat, so he followed you." The man translated, sounding bored.
Eleanor frowned. How could this boy cross the Sahara and reach Hamunaptra without a mount? He asked Dr. Chamberlain to translate her thoughts. "He robbed a horse to follow us."
"Just to see me...?" She couldn't help but wonder quizzically. She twisted one of her inked locks before continuing the conversation.
"Ask him what he expects now."
"He wishes to work for us, particularly for you." Eleanor frowned. Upon seeing the woman's expression, Ahmed rushed to say something else. Eleanor looked from him to Dr. Chamberlain, who translated the boy's petitions. Henderson watched the three of them silently. "He said that he can cook and clean." Eleanor ran her hand through her mane, unsure. "If you want my advise, Miss Burns," Dr. chamberlain spoke again. "We already have enough issues. He will only be another wage to pay, even if more limited, and an extra mouth to feed."
Eleanor paced a little over the lintel. She looked to Henderson, but he kept silent, watching her. A single look told her that he was divided as well; what the doctor had said was true, but the two of them knew the struggles of life, probably better than that pompous ass. She turned back, trying to avoid glancing at Ahmed. Otherwise, she would agree instantly. "Ask him how old is he, and if he has any family."
She watched both conversing before the Brit faced her once more. "He says he's twelve, and that he has no family alive." Dr. Chamberlain translated, "Of course..." He added to himself wryly.
After what felt like hours, she finally sighed, earning a glare from the doctor. Both he and Henderson knew what that meant. "Tell him that he can stay but, that so far, we can only pay him with food, clothes and a sleeping place." Dr. Chamberlain inhaled deeply. "Also, tell him that he must learn a basis of English so we can understand him."
Dr. Chamberlain puffed his cheeks. "Miss Burns..."
"Ya heard the lady, Doc," Said Henderson. "C'mon, ya're gonna be paid anyhow." She smiled gratefully at her friend. The other man obeyed, and right after Ahmed threw himself at her leg, as if thanking her. Uncomfortable, she separated him from her as gently as she could.
She glanced back at Dr. Chamberlain. "Thank you." She thought about asking him to write a list of words and phrases in both, Arabic and English, but decide against it. She turned to Henderson, "See you later." He gave her a smile.
That said, they parted ways. Eleanor walked back to her tent, Ahmed following close behind. She was about to take hold of the entrance's cloth, when a tall man emerged from it, making her take a step back. He was handsome, part of Miss Jennings' team, and was the one who had thrown off Mr. Gabor from his camel during the ride. She almost blushed. Why was he in her tent? And what was his name...?
"What were you doing there, Mr...?" The quivering of her heart increased in anticipation.
"O'Connell." He provided smoothly. She opened her mouth to say something else, when she catched glimpse of what one of his tanned hands was holding behind his back.
"That's ours..." She stated with a small voice.
He feigned a frown. "What?"
She scowled, abandoning her shy nature. "The tool kit you're holding behind your back, Mr. O'Connell." She said, looking at his face. She swallowed, immediately averting her eyes, fixing them back to Bernie's kit. "Give it back, please."
Mr. O'Connell faked a smile. "I have no clue what you're talkin' about, lady. If you excuse me..." He began to walk away, but Eleanor surprised both of them by stepping in his path.
"My brother, Mr. Burns, gifted me that kit." She swallowed again, extending her hand towards him. "Please..." She asked with a small voice. She forced herself to not be intimidated and look at his eyes. He had blue eyes too, a shade a bit lighter than her own. After some seconds passed, the man allowed his impassive mask to crack ever so slightly, looking a bit guilty. He handed her the tool kit and, without a word, walked away. Eleanor looked down at it, wrasping the leather firmly and taking a deep breath. "Foolish girl." Eleanor thought to herself. What was she expecting, love at first sight? Gazing at the Egyptian ruins surrounding her, she exhaled. Seemed like Egypt was doing her good, after all.
"Oi! Come on, let's go!" Henderson shouted. They were about to enter the tomb; on one hand, Eleanor was excited beyond words, but on the other, fear began to show up in her body too. Dave and her brother came to either of her sides.
"If you feel unwell just tell us," Bernie told her with a soothing voice. She knew she was his most soft spot, along with Lizzie.
"He's right," Added Daniels. "Or ya can always wait 'ere for us." She knew he didn't really mean to upset her, but Eleanor wasn't stupid enough to ignore that all of them, especially Dave and Howard, were anxious to set feet inside the dark ruins. Of course, they cared for her well-being, nevertheless they wanted as few burdens as possible. Her pride began to scream, so she answered its call.
"I'll be fine." Dave nodded, then moved to the front whereas Bernard remained by her side. Ahmed had been forbidden to go into the ruins. Instead, she asked him to unpack her clothes and books while she was gone... several feet underground... Oh, God. "Suck it up, Burns." She ordered herself mentally.
And so, they got into the darkness.
The workers carried shovels, hammers and any other implements they could need down there; Dr. Chamberlain led the way. They twisted the corners of the corridors, first to the right, then right again, then left... "This place a trap, a labyrinth." Then again, wasn't that the idea? To keep treasure hunters like them away. A noise above them made them all jump in surprise. Everybody aimed towards the ceiling, looking frantically around. Eventually, the noise disappeared.
"The hell was that?" Asked Henderson.
"Bugs, probably. Scarabs by the sound of it." Answered Dr. Chamberlain, still looking wary around him. Nobody said anything else, so they resumed their way.
Several of them were carrying lighted torches while some took lanterns, her brother one of them, making Eleanor even more uneasey. The shadows that the light and the fire casted on the tomb's walls, in which relieves had been carved in an effort to decorate them, seemed to take will of their own. She discerned a hunting scene where a figure, bigger than the rest -presumably the pharaoh, or some deity-, threw a spear against an enraged lion. The following scene showed the lion dead, bleeding with the spear piercing his head. She looked away. Apparently no one dared to break the imposing silence, at least just yet. Finally, they reached a bigger room. In front of them, Eleanor saw a large rectangular thing made of black stones. The sufarce seemed to have been polished and engraved with a similar motif that she couldn't quite discern. She looked over the group; most workers appeared reluctanct, contrasting with Dr. Chamberlain's satisfied expression. "Gentlemen, we found our first digging area."
Suddenly, they heard muffled noises coming from the other side of the... thing. The workers pushed themselves against the wall perpendicular to the... coffin? Eleanor had no clue of what to call the thing. Meanwhile, the six of them -including Mr. Gabor and the doctor-, pushed their back against the black stones. Silently, Bernie handed her a smaller revolver which she took. They waited a moment, then, all of them stood out of their barricade, their arms stretched out ready to fire. She breathed in relief at the sight before her. All of them lowered their guns.
"Scared the shit out of us, O'Connell," Said Henderson.
"Likewise." Replied the American, lowering his arms too. Eleanor saw Miss Jennings standing beside her friend, the other woman whose name she couldn't remember right now. None of the two had a gun, unlike her. The other British woman then spoke up.
"Well, have a nice day, gentlemen and miss," She briefly looked at her, who was standing between her brother and Dave. "We have a lot of work."
Dr. Chamberlain's head emerged, then, filling the empty space between the Burns siblings. "Push off! This is our dig side."
"It's not." Said Miss Jennings.
"It's too!" Dr. Chamberlain exclaimed.
"We got here first." Said the other broad determinedly, making all of them raise again the guns, excepting Eleanor. She gazed at the different people; Mr. O'Connell, her brother, the female archaeologist, Daniels, Miss Jennings... None of them willing to back off.
"This is our statue, friend." Dave said, glaring at the other leader.
"I don't see your name written on it, pal." Retorted he. A tense moment passed among both parties that Miss Jennings decided to break.
"This is ridiculous," She said, taking a step towards them. "This place is big enough for all of us, you shouldn't need to tote a gun to make your point, gentlemen." She glared at Daniels and Henderson, with her fiercy brown eyes fixed in their revolvers. She then moved her gaze to Nellie's lowered arm and the gun she held limply. Eleanor could swear she had caught glimpse of Howard lowering both of his arms a bit.
"Perhaps ya should take yer own advices, miss." Told her Daniels.
"Indeed," Added Mr. Gabor. "Since there's only five of you, and sixteen of me, your odds are not so great, O'Connell."
"There's more to that statement..." Eleanor thought upon seeing the resentment and frustration in Mr. O'Connell's face as he took the safety off his revolver and aimed it at their guide. "I've been worse." He almost growled.
"Yeah, me too." Another man of Miss Jennings' team with British accent added.
"For goodness' sake, let's play nice, children." Said the Brit woman, making her way to the front and positioning herself between both groups. "If we're going to play together we must learn to share." She continued, looking to all of them in the first line, including Miss Burns. She gazed back to O'Connell. "There are other places to dig." She told him, placing her hand on his still raised arm. Eleanor felt a knotch in her stomach. Thankfully, it worked. The group started to left; Miss Jennings was the last to follow them, giving one last glance to both Eleanor and her blonde friend.
"God, I hate that man..." Murmured Daniels.
Eleanor swallowed before turning to Bernard and handing him the gun. He shook his head. "Better if you keep it, Nellie." She looked down at it, then back at him and nodded.
"What now?" She asked no one in particular.
"If I'm correct, Miss Burns, here," Dr. Chamberlain caressed the stone surface. "Is where the treasure lies..." He whispered, almost to tell himself that. She looked at the... sarcofagus? Skeptically.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Daniels asked.
Dr. Chamberlain turned his head to look at him. "First I need to decipher these hieroglyphics, to confirm we're at the correct location." He then looked back to the stones, moving his lips as if he was reading them. Eleanor guessed he was.
She walked near a lighted torch and took her bag, ignoring her surroundings. She crouched to the ground and opened it, inspecting the contents. Firstly, she picked her canteen and drank some water, trying to ease her nerves. She didn't want to go claustrophoic now of all times. Then, she looked through her supplies; forceps, a scalpel, various syringes... she had brought most from home, not trusting the medicine advances outside of those that she knew, the American. She even managed to get a couple of samples of penicillin and liquid ethyl ether. She didn't really like to admit it, but James surely had contacts in the medicine world. Everything was in place. Good. She took another swing of water and poured a little on her nape.
She didn't know how much time had passed when Dr. Chamberlain finally cried out for them. "It's here! It's here, gentlemen..." He said, taking some steps back.
Henderson grinned and picked up a crowbar. "Let's get us some treasure!" He forcefully put it in between a fissure of the stone the other man had indicated.
"Careful!" Dr. Chamberlain yelled while gripping the crowbar Howard was about to use as lever. "Seti was no fool. I think perhaps we should let the diggers open it." Her brother walked up to him.
"I think we should listen to the good doctor, Henderson." Agreed Bernard.
Henderson looked at Burns, then unclasped the crowbar. "Yeah, sure." He lifted his arm in a 'go ahead' gesture. "Let them open it." He handed the tool to one of the men as three of them approached the stones. Dr. Chamberlain kept giving them orders in their native tongue while the four of them, along with the rest of the group, stood a few metres behind.
Unconciously, Eleanor gripped her brother's forearm as Dr. Chamberlain's yells became louder.
The stone finally dropped, followed by some gas that made all of them jump; the smell was awfull. The smoke began to disappear, but the three diggers kept yelling; they turned around, clutching their faces. Eleanor felt her bile rising up to her throat; she screamed, along with Daniels, Bernard and Howard. Pretty much all of them. The diggers' skin was covered with burns and blisters all over their faces and arms. Breaking apart from the group, Eleanor rushed over one of them and placed her hands in his back, where the gas hadn't affected the clothes or the skin. She turned to a shocked Dr. Chamberlian, whose mouth was hanging open. "Tell them to guide them back to the surface like I'm doing! They can only touch their backs." She commanded. The man kept unresponsive, too shocked. "Now!" She yelled, finally snapping him out of it.
Dr. Chamberlain translated her message and, immediately, a couple of their workers put their hands on their peers' back, with the doctor guiding them back to the surface.
The hurt diggers kept crying and shouting. "Tell them they'll live, I'll treat their injuries!" The Brit did so, guiding the whole group out of the tomb. Once outside, Eleanor moved to one of the largest tents, probably the doctor's or one of her friends'. Most people began to deploy, too sensitive to stay and watch; nevermind, Eleanor would have kicked them out had they decided to stay. "Doctor, I need you to stay and translate for me. I need men to help them change from clothes; they can't touch the front part of them, is where that kind of acid has affected the fabric; we'll have to burn the clothes. The injured will have to wear only pants too, so I can get a good look at the damage. And, please! Ask them to lay down on their backs" She said without looking up, already setting on a high table all of her supplies. She first prepared the ether and the syringes; those would be the first she'd have to use. Then she washed her hands. Once Dr. Chamberlain told her the patients were ready, she turned around, filling a syringe with ether. She walked to the first digger and, like she had done so many times at the hospital, she pierced the arm's skin. Then she began to provide the ether until the patient had relaxed almost to the point of losing conciousness. "Someone bring me another syringe, please." She asked, leaving the one already used beside the digger. She'd have to disassemble and sanitize it later, so it could be used again.
A worker held the syringe she had asked for in front of her, just taking it with his thumb and index finger. She took it, and repeated the procedure until the three diggers were properly anesthetized. Then she proceeded to clean their burns, break their blisters so the pus wouldn't create later an infection and clean all of the injuries. Afterwards, she applied a sort of plasticine that would help with the pain of the burns, then she began to bandage their arms, shoulders, torsos and necks. Their faces were the most complicated part; they'd hardly be able to open their eyelids, and she couldn't be sure if they had lost their eyesight, at least partially. She opted for bandanging them as well, leaving a space for their mouths and eyes. She finally straightened her back and shoulders, hearing her bones popping into place. Eleanor took the three used syringes. She faced the people in the room. "They will wake in an hour or so, someone should stay with them until then. Once they're awake I need to speak with them and see how they feel." She told Dr. Chamberlain, her voice going back to her usual tone, instead of the commanding one she had used while working. Dr. Chamberlain nodded, then told the two other diggers what she had said. They nodded and settled themselves on the floor, waiting and whispering between them. Once she had taken all of her stuff, she exited the tent. Outside, Eleanor saw Bernie, Daniels, Henderson and Ahmed waiting for her. Henderson was the first to approach her.
"How are they?" She sighed.
"Some nasty burns that will leave scars, but they'll survive." He swallowed thickly and nodded slowly. She frowned a little, then cupped his cheek with her hand. He took a deep breath before gently taking her wrist and moving her arm from him. Henderson gave her hand a squeeze, then left wordlessly. She sighed again, watching her friend's back.
"What was that thing?" Asked Daniels quietly, almost as if he was talking to himself. She approached him a little.
"My guess is acid, for the smell I'd say salt acid." She asnwered him softly. He briefly glanced at her, then back to the tent before running a hand over his dark hair.
"I need a fucking cigarette..." Eleanor gave his shoulder a squeeze. After nodding to both her and Burns, he walked away too.
She strode up to Bernie who, without a single word, wrapped her in a hug. She closed her eyes, allowing her weight to rest on his brother's chest. God, she felt so tired now... "You okay, Nellie?" He asked gently. She just nodded, still pressed against him. Finally, she stepped back and the three of them, including Ahmed, walked to the siblings tent.
Meanwhile, the sun was beginning to set.
When Adele had caught sight of him, she was convinced that he would've at least looked back to her. But, then, Howard Henderson had ignored her and kept on his way, oblivious to the world. She frowned; something had happened. She looked over her shoulder, Evy was already on the surface with Mr. O'Connell, who was helping Jonathan out of the hole they used to get in and out of the ruins. She looked back towards where she had seen the cowboy storm off, unconciously playing with her mother's ring on her right finger. Then, against her better judgement, she followed his trail. Adele found him alone, sitting on a column that had fallen horizontally on the sand. Slowly, she approached him. He looked once at her when she had come within his eyesight, but that was it. Tentatively, she sat down near him, still keeping her distance. "Mr. Henderson?"
After a minute of silence, she turned her gaze to the front. The sunset was beautiful, she had to admit. "Did ya hear it?" He asked all of sudden. She turned back to him, frowning.
"Hear what?"
He chuckled dryly, without any amusement. "The damn screams... I swear they was so loud I thought ya and your friends had heard too." She kept silent, watching him. Eventually, he elaborated. "Three a' our diggers almost melted today. Some acid in a... compartment, that they opened." He took a very deep breath. "Ya know the best bit?" He asked rhetorically. "I was the dumbass about to open it before I was stopped..."
Adele gazed intently at his face, her mouth ajar. Why was he telling her, of all people? She couldn't help but wonder, annoyed. It was her turn to swallow, trying to untangle the knot that had appeared in her throat. More importantly, why was she so annoyed after knowing he could have died? Bloody idiot... "Next time think before acting, Mr. Henderson. Then no one will have to mourn you..." She said, earning another dry chuckle.
"Sounds logical..." He murmured wryly. She gave a small chuckle now, then reached for his shoulder before placing there her hand. He looked at her, not bothering to hide his surprise. She ignored him, watching the sunset. Finally, he faced the horizon too.
After a few minutes, darkness ruled again in Hamunaptra.
Eleanor entered her tent to find her brother with his suspenders falling at either side of his hips and his jaw and cheeks covered in foam, standing in front of a mirror. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Has Lizzie already seen you like this?" She asked, going over her bed and sinking down on it. He moved his head to look at her.
"She'll have to! One day..." He answered, then resumed his shaving.
She kept grinning. "Pray that moment comes once you have already walked the aisle." He faked a mocking laugh, not looking away from the mirror. She glanced around. "Where's Ahmed?"
"Who?" She rolled her eyes.
"The boy!"
He shrugged, "Haven't seen him in a while." She was about to say something else when she heard a riot. Bernard had frozen too, cocking his head to the side. "You hear that?" She nodded, standing to her feet. He left the razor and took out his gun; Eleanor reached for hers and both stepped outside their tent. "God, not again." Eleanor thought.
Horsemen dressed in the same outfits as the boat attackers were all over the City, carrying torches, guns and swords.
Their camp was being raided.
The attackers were shooting against everybody and throwing the lighted torches to the tents; one of the smallest was already burning. Some of them swung their swords, opening throats and killing remorselessly. She could smell the smoke of the fire.
"Mr. Henderson!" She heard Dr. Chamberlain yell, running as a horseman galloped after him. Upon hearing his name, Howard ran out of his tent, gun in hand. He shot Dr. Chamberlain's attacker, the body falling off the horse towards the ground. Someone touched her arm, making her jump.
"Stay inside the tent!" Bernie told her before running towards Daniels and Henderson. She didn't listen; Eleanor stood there, watching her surroundings. Then, a shot sounded too close to her, making her throw herself to the ground. One of the men passed by her side, not bothering to check if he had truly hit her. Not that she was complaining. She didn't know how long she laid there; however, she knew that the horseman aiming for his brother's back was what made her regain control of her body. She stood up and sprinted towards them.
Stopping dead in her tracks, she quickly took aim and fired. She didn't kill the man, but she wounded him, for his shot was diverted. Instead, the bullet had reached Dave's left arm. Her brother killed the man for her. Eleanor lowered her arm, breathing heavily. But then, a neigh at her side warned her that she had gained the attention of another attacker, who was riding towards her with his sword raised above his head. She aimed shakily but missed, then decided to run for her life. She turned around and began to move her legs as fast as she could manage; it felt as if she weighted more than the iron. A shoot echoed through the air, then she couldn't hear her attacker anymore. She stopped her race, looking over her shoulder; the white horse was nowhere to be seen and the man on the floor, dead. She turned back to the front and recognized her savior's back; O'Connell. However, he was now busy fighting another of the men. O'Connell jumped out of the way of the curved sword, then rolled on the floor until he stopped beside her, stretching his legs and with one hand holding something out for the attacker to see, the other arm stretched out in front of her. She swallowed. "Dynamite."
The man looked at the cartridge, then at them. His brown eyes, almost black, were the most intense eyes Eleanor had ever looked into. Not dropping his gaze from neither of them, the stranger lowered his weapon. Only his face was visible; Eleanor noticed the tattooes in his cheekbones. They were similar to those of one of the men she had seen attacking the boat. Were they some kind of tribe? A sect? Why were they attacking them?
"Enough!" He commanded with a thick accent. "We'll shed no more blood." He told them firmly. Then he looked at her, making her gulp. "But you must leave. Leave this place or die!" He said solemnly. Eleanor opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came. The man threw them one last glare before turning around and walking towards a rider that was holding a horse's reins. He mounted the white horse expertly, then faced them again. "You have one day."
The man, clearly the leader of the party, ordered something else in Arabic, then all of the horsemen turned around and rode into the night, disappearing into the darkness like shadows.
A.N/: There it is! I'm finally back! I'm sorry for my abscence, but as you all know, life tends to get in the way. During this chapter I had to make quite a bit of research in medicine during the 1920s, so I hope I got my facts right. If you see any mistake, not only concerning the medicine stuff, don't doubt to tell me and I'll fix it as soon as possible. I hope you enjoyed your reading. Thank you everyone who has read, followed, faved and reviewed! :)
Now that I got my holidays I'll be able to update more often, hopefully.
Until next time.
~Se acerca el invierno
Sap = Fool
Bimbo = A tough guy
Caper = A criminal act or robbery; to rob
Razz = To make fun of
Egg = A person who lives the big life
You slay me = That's funny