The Hidden City
Rick O'Connell sighed as he surveyed the amount of luggage his wife thought was necessary for their trip to Egypt. "Evie we're only going to be away for a couple of months, do you really need to take every piece of clothing you own?"
"You should know the answer to that, dad," chimed in Alex O'Connell who had just gotten out of school for the summer. "So why do you bother to comment on it?"
Rick looked at his son who had just turned eleven a few months ago. Rick was annoyed for a moment then sighed because he knew Alex was right, but did his son really need to remind him of it? "Alex why don't you go talk your mother out of taking the whole house with her?" Rick suggested with an absolutely evil grin.
Alex sighed and knew he had walked into that one but couldn't help giving a token protest. "Dad, do you want to lose your only son, by feeding him to the lions? You know what mom is like when she's preparing for a trip."
"Evie won't kill you," said Rick then added what seemed almost an afterthought. "At least I'm pretty sure she won't."
"That's real reassuring, dad," said Alex sarcastically but with a sigh he headed up to the second floor to try to talk some sense into his mother.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Not much later they were finally on their way and with a sigh of relief for Alex had actually convinced Evie to leave a couple of suitcases behind.
The O'Connells made their ship not more than ten minutes before it was to leave port. And since it was the same ship they usually took the first mate who was waiting at the top of the gangplank greeted them by name. "Mr. O'Connell, Mrs. O'Connell, Alex, welcome back aboard the U.S.S. Queen and as you know bound for Egypt."
"How you doing, Ben," Rick said cordially. "Still working the London/Egypt route I see."
"Yes, sir," said Ben with a grin. "Captain Bowman was wondering just an hour ago if you were going to make it before the ship left port.
Rick laughed and Evie blushed. "I'm afraid you can blame my wife for that."
"The captain told me to invite you to sit at the captain's table for all of the voyage."
"Tell the captain it will be our pleasure," said Evie with a smile.
"I will," Ben assured with a smile as he watched the family head towards their cabin.
Later at dinner
"Well Rick, Evie," said George Bowman. "I see you made it. My first mate told me you came on board with very little time to spare."
"Yes, and I'm sure he informed you as to why to," Rick said dryly looking at his wife who blushed.
"You know I've always been meaning to ask why is it you go to Egypt every year. I mean you would think it would get a little boring. I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds here."
"Oh no," Evie assured him with a smile. "As for the reason we go to Egypt every year, well I'm an archeologist of sorts and I'm afraid I've given Alex here the same bug."
"But don't you have trouble with the language?" asked Bowman. "I mean most of the people over there don't speak much English."
"Oh no," said Evie. "I speak both Arabic and Egyptian and so does Alex. I grew up in a bilingual household. You see my mother was English and my father Egyptian so I was taught to speak all three practically from my very first word. And even Rick's been learning in the last year or two. And more of the people speak English then you think at least enough to be understood."
Bowman looked impressed. "I had no idea you spoke both Arabic and Egyptian."
"Yes, well, not many people do," said Evie with a smile. "This year however we are coming to see a friend of ours. He invited us to visit him at his home instead of him coming to see us at our house in Cairo."
Bowman looked interested so all three O'Connells spent the next hour talking about their friend Ardeth Bay, but never once mentioning him by name or how they'd met. Bowman noticed this as he also noticed there were a few gaping holes in the details about their friend so either they didn't know these details or they didn't want to reveal them for one reason or another. Bowman would bet on the second reason though for the O'Connells were not people who trusted easily and it was very clear from their comments about this man that they trusted him with their very lives.
It had taken years for the O'Connells to relax in his presence and the presence of his staff. The staff had had to prove themselves honest and trustworthy before Rick O'Connell had stopped greeting everybody with a very obvious gun at his hip. The staff had been very wary at first after all being greeted at the door with a gun, even one that was not drawn would make anyone wary, but Rick had calmly explained to the captain—who had then explained it to his crew—that they had many enemies and they had almost been drowned on one of their firsts trips to Egypt because of a gunfight. It was just a precaution Rick had assured him but so far the trips had been peaceful ever since the O'Connells had started taking this ship every year.
Over the last six years, ever since their son Alex was old enough to make the journey to Egypt they had been going every year. And since they were regulars on the voyage the crew and the O'Connells had become good friends.
Dinner was over an hour later and the O'Connells wished the captain a goodnight.
"Sleep well, my friends," said Bowman wondering not for the first time if the rumors he had heard about them in Egypt were true. The rumors basically said something about them—minus Alex of course since he hadn't even been born when the events occurred—and an Arab defeating some kind of ancient curse. Even after over ten years the rumors still persisted which meant there was probably at least some validity to them. Bowman wondered again if it was the same O'Connells for it would have to be back before they had been married or had any children. It was possible they weren't the same ones, O'Connell was a pretty common name in England. But what other family named O'Connell went to Egypt every year? Or spoke the languages? Or was American? Or carried multiple guns with him wherever he went? Bowman shook his head and figured he'd probably never know and that perhaps he didn't want to for if even a tenth of the rumors were true then the O'Connells had survived something that would have killed most other people—dead.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
The trip by boat passed relatively quickly for the O'Connells and even Alex who was dancing with impatience to be there thought the trip was a fast one. The days just seemed to fly by and before the O'Connells knew it the Queen was docking in Cairo.
"We'll see you on our trip home, captain," Rick assured Bowman with a smile, shaking the captain's hand in farewell.
"We enjoyed ourselves," said Evie also with a smile.
"Me and my crew hope to see you again on your way home."
"You will," said Rick. "We'll be back in two months."
Bowman and his crew watched as the O'Connells disappeared down the gangplank to be swallowed up in the crowd.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Rick kept his eyes open as he not only looked for a cab but kept his eyes open for pickpockets and other dangers for Cairo could be a very dangerous city if you weren't careful.
Rick spotted a couple of Medjai in the crowd that he recognized a waved to them in greeting. They waved back and smiled for they knew their king would be very happy to see the O'Connells. Ardeth had been looking forward to their visit all month he had been almost like a child anticipating a present a very unusual reaction for their king. Most of them had been at the ceremony make Rick O'Connell and Ardeth Bay related by blood. Most of them had seen the flash of light the minute their bloods touched. The news had spread about the dreams that their king and Rick O'Connell had shared and how they just weren't blood brothers, but were twin brothers who were also Medjai 5000 years ago. That little piece of information had come as something of a shock for most of the Medjai who lived in that camp instead of Hidden City. After all, the Medjai couldn't be going back to Hidden City when they were patrolling places like Hamunaptra. It was too far away from most of the sacred places that the Medjai guarded for one thing. So some of the Medjai had made semipermanent homes in tents just a few hours ride away so that there was always Medjai close enough to deal with any intruders before they could cause any trouble. They switched off every few years though so that none of the Medjai burned out. Of course there were exceptions to every rule and some Medjai chose to live their whole lives in the crude village instead of in the City of the Medjai.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Rick checked them into the hotel and the clerk at the desk called them by name for the O'Connells stayed at the same hotel at least twice a year.
"I hope you and your family enjoy your stay with us, Mr. O'Connell."
"We will, although it will be just for tonight. We'll be meeting a friend of ours in the morning."
"Yes, sir," said the clerk.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
Later, there was a knock on the O'Connells hotel room door and the door opened before Ardeth had a chance to knock a second time.
"Ardeth," said Rick giving his brother a quick hug before opening the door wider to let him in before closing it behind him. "We didn't expect you until tomorrow."
"It is good to see you, my brother," said Ardeth with a smile as a feeling of contentment spread through him as he looked at his newfound family.
"Ardeth, are you really my uncle now?" came the voice of Alex as his form hurtled towards Medjai at top speed.
Ardeth knelt and caught the boy in his arms hugging him tightly. "Yes, I am," said Ardeth. "I'm sure your parents have told you about the blood brother ceremony and what happened afterwards."
Alex nodded. "They said that there was a flash of light after you exchanged blood and that afterwards both of you shared the same dream that were actually memories of when you were both Medjai 5000 years ago."
"And you do not find this hard to believe?" asked Ardeth in amusement at the look on his brother's face.
Rick snorted. "Are you kidding me? He accepted it easier than I did. He doesn't seem to find it at all strange."
"They also said that dad adopted you as a brother," said Alex.
"This is true," said Ardeth. "What else did they tell you?"
"That you were going to take us to Hidden City the home of your people and that you want them to get tattoos to let your people know that they are also Medjai."
"We were unsure if you meant for Alex to get a tattoo as well," said Evie speaking for the first time. "He is a bit young."
"The Medjai get their first tattoo at the age of 12," said Ardeth. When Alex's face fell in disappointment, Ardeth added, "But if a child proves themselves before he comes of age then the first tattoo is granted early. I would say that includes you."
Alex's face lit up at Ardeth's words. "Great."
Evie looked proud and resigned all at once. Proud because the Medjai thought her son had earned such an honor and resigned because she knew it would probably be painful.
"In fact, I have talked to the council of Elders at Hidden City about you. They mostly agree that you have earned the right."
"And what about us?" asked Rick with a quirk of his lips the only sign that he was trying not to smile.
"And what about you?" asked Ardeth his expression unreadable except for the amusement that showed in the back of his eyes.
Rick rolled his eyes and Ardeth did smile then. "Most of the council agree that you have earned the right, but of course there are always a few dissenters."
"The same ones who objected to Alex getting his, I assume?" asked Evie.
"And also objected to outsiders knowing so much about our people. They are the ones who think you should have been killed on sight ten years ago, despite the fact that the world would be overcome by evil and the Medjai people would be wiped out."
"Idiots," Rick muttered under his breath.
"Rick!" Evie protested more for forms sakes than anything else. Privately she agreed with him.
Rick didn't look the least bit like he repented his words despite the glare Evie was throwing at him. Finally, Evie gave in with a sigh and a shake of her head.
"I'm afraid that the Medjai are just like anyone else. Some good, some bad and some indifferent. And then there are those that refuse to see we must change with the times or suffer the consequences at some future date," said Ardeth with a shake of his head.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
The four of them spent the evening together just talking and enjoying each other's company, but eventually it grew late and Alex was sent to bed right after a late dinner protesting every step of the way.
"Alex you must get your rest we leave very early in the morning," Ardeth told the boy gently. "In fact, I think all of us should go to bed so that we can all be alert and fresh when we have to get up at dawn.
"That's a good idea, Ardeth," Evie agreed with a smile as she watched Ardeth gently tell the boy that he needed his rest in order to be ready to begin their journey tomorrow.
"I will see you tomorrow."
"And where will you be spending the night?" asked Evie.
"I have got a room in this hotel," said Ardeth with a smile. "I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast in the morning."
Rick nodded and wished his brother a goodnight before showing him out the door.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
The next morning they were on their way by six-thirty after a leisurely breakfast. Rick had gathered all the supplies they would need the day before and so they were ready to go right after they had eaten. Some people who were also up early for one reason or another watched as the three foreigners and the Egyptian with the tattoo marked face rode out of Cairo on horses to disappear into the desert in the distance.
They made quite good time that day even with stopping to rest in the greatest heat of the day. During the journey Ardeth relaxed and joined in on the conversation and he also told them about the tattoo ceremony and their parts in it.
They stopped and made camp just before the sun set the three O'Connells looking tired for it always took them awhile to adjust to the desert heat since they only visited twice a year.
"We will start out at dawn tomorrow," said Ardeth.
Rick nodded knowing it was better to start traveling before it had a chance to get to hot and to rest during the hottest part of the day to conserve the body's moisture.
All four of them went to bed early and rose just before dawn to eat a quick breakfast and be on their way.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~
"We will arrive tomorrow," Ardeth announced one evening on their fourth night camping
"I thought you said it was about a week of traveling?" asked Evie.
"We made better time than I thought we would," Ardeth admitted. "Since we kept riding until way after sunset and got up early that made a difference. Those extra miles we covered are going to get us there about a day and a half early."
"This is great," said Alex enthusiastically. "I can't wait."
"Alex—" Rick begun
Ardeth gave Rick a look and Rick fell silent. "Let me handle this," Ardeth suggested. Rick and Evie nodded and Ardeth said, "Alex, although I appreciate your enthusiasm about seeing my home you must understand that it could also dangerous. Some of the Medjai might try to do you harm."
Alex sobered at this gentle reminder. "I know, dad and mum explained about how some of the Medjai hate outsiders just like they do in the Medjai village we visited. They think they should have been killed on sight."
"I am afraid you'll find Alex, that the Medjai are human just like anyone else, and being human means we all have our opinions and sometimes those opinions are not always beneficial to anyone else."
"In other words some of your people are bloody idiots," Alex said as if that explained everything.
"Alex!" Evie warned. "Language!"
Both Rick and Ardeth were fighting back smiles at Alex's comment for despite the language what Alex said was true.
"Yes," Ardeth agreed gravely. "Some of my people are idiots. I would not say that to their faces however."
"Please," said Alex his voice extremely sarcastic. "I may be a kid, but I'm not stupid."
"No, you are not," Ardeth agreed gravely. "You are a very mature and smart young man."
Alex beamed at Ardeth as if the Medjai had just made his day. "But Alex you are still a child in many ways and you must cherish the experiences of your childhood for they will not come again. There is such a thing as growing up to fast."
"I know," said Alex, not quite able to suppress a yawn.
"Bed!" Evie said firmly. "In fact, I'm headed that way myself. We want to be as fresh as possible for our arrival tomorrow."
"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Rick agreed. "See you in the morning," he added looking at Ardeth.
"See you in the morning Rick, Evie, Alex," said Ardeth sitting by the fire and staring into the flames deep in thought. Finally, he too headed to bed to get a few hours sleep for he knew dawn would come all too soon.
~~~Rick and Evie~~~