Hello People of ! So, I loved the original Mummy movies and I love Ardeth as a character, although Oded Fehr is an amazing man IRL.

Before we dive in to this fiction I would like to go on record to say that my OC is half Native American but I am as white as white bread. I love and respect Native American culture and its people. I think they are amazing people who have suffered greatly but have not lost their warrior spirit.

Some Native lore will be here and yes I did change it a bit for my story but I kept to the base of the legend, so if you take offence to this I apologize in advance and I hope you can over look it to enjoy the story.

Also, if you are going to Troll just to troll, keep it to your bloody self thank you!

Words- Arabic

Words-Hopi


There is a prophecy as old as the pyramids themselves. A tale passed from one generation of Medjai to the next, each of the twelve tribes told of this prophecy.

One day a woman of a different land would arrive upon the sands of Egypt; handpicked by the Gods themselves to lead the Medjai against a greater evil and help lead them forwards into the future as Queen of the Medjai.

All the children of the tribe were taught this prophecy so that all would know their Queen upon seeing her.

Their Queen would be touched by darkness and survived so that all Madjai would be able to know her.

Her flesh will be blessed by the hands of Rah, her hair drenched in the light of the moon and her eyes would be the color of the richest fig.

She would come from distant lands, knowledgeable and wise, kind and calm. Though her kindness would hide a spirit of iron that would show itself in defense of her people.

She would trust the gods, old and new, know the land upon which she walked and honored and respected the ancient places they guarded.

She would be a queen but would not act it.

She would be of the people, for the people, and her love would flow as strongly as the Nile for her people until the end of her days upon this plane.

She would come at a time of great strife, and offer not only her love, but her sword in defense of all the tribes.

All Medjai knew this prophecy, but as the generations passed none were sure they would never find their Queen.

Until one day, they did.


Shadow Azalea Sinclair was in heaven.

Gently shifting her headscarf to better protect her face from the sandy wind blowing towards her, the woman grinned at the grumbling and grunting behind her.

Lexie Southerland and Tracie McCree were part of this little expedition; and both blonds were miserable. Then again, it was their own fault for being here in the first place. Karma and all that.

All three girls were students at Harvard, Shadow was majoring in Archeology, Lexie and Tracie were majoring in 'Get into the sexy professors pants and have daddy pay for my A's'. The sexy professor in question was one Dimitri Saint; six two, raven hair and emerald green eyes, he was the youngest professor at the college.

A small competition was held for his classes, three students with the best essays depicting how life was truly like in Ancient Egypt would be taken on a true dig in the sands of Egypt. Shadow was confident that those two fools had their parents pay for their essays, but who was she to complain. Shadow was just happy to have the chance to be in the land of the burning sands.

The trio moved through the bustling streets of Cairo, the two blonds huffing and grunting as they lugged their many suitcases and bags behind them. Seriously, who needed fifteen bags worth of clothing for a month-long expedition? Shadow rolled her eyes at Lexie yelped once more; and another nail bites the dust hey hey. At this rate the pair would have no evidence of their French mani's by the time they reached their hotel.

"Why couldn't we catch a cab or something? I can't take another nail break!"

Glancing over her shoulder, Shadow smirked. "As I recall, you tried to hail a cab by insulting the drivers' mothers. Truly, your Arabic is atrocious."

Lexie looked like she swallowed a lemon while Tracie huffed and glared at her through her Gucci sunglasses. Shaking her head once more, Shadow paused at a beggar's side.

The man was covered in layers of black fabric that showed its age, dirty bandages covering his eyes as he shook a nearly empty tin cup, begging for money. Digging into her pocket, Shadow slipped a few coins into his cup before moving on quickly as Lexie and Tracie started complaining louder.

"Seriously girls, the hotel is right ahead. Cool drinks and comfy beds await us."

Instantly the girls perked up, only to droop again at the shabby façade of the building before them. It's paint was worn by age and sand, the only thing dictating it to be a hotel was a sign swaying from rusty chains by the heavy wooden door.

"Oh my gawd! Seriously? We fly half way around the world to stay at a hovel? No way! I refuse to go in there!"

"Really? Well, that's a shame! I wish you luck finding better accommodations than 'The Sultans Palace'!"

All three women jerked at the deep baritone of Dr. Dimitri, the tall man hanging out of the doorway of the worn building, a huge smile on his tanned face.

"No! No Dr. Dimitri! You know how it is! Jet lag!" Both blond idiots tittered and blushed, pushing their chests forwards and batting their eyelashes.

Rolling her eyes, Shadow shifted her duffle bag across her shoulders as she passed the good Doctor and ducked into the 'hotel'. As soon as she stepped in, it was as if she had stepped into the past. It was a serious case of do not judge a book by its cover.

While the outside looked aged and near decrepit, the inside was an oasis. An open atrium played host to a large, bejeweled fountain at its center, squat tables with plush pillows surrounded it, leading the eye towards the sides of the truly elegant room. To the left was a bar and hookah lounge, men in white robes were puffing away and chatting while at the other end a grand staircase lead upwards to the four floors of rooms, all its doors opening in on the courtyard below. Palm trees, flowers and wind chimes decorates the space of exposed brick and Prussian blue paint, mosaic tiles making up the floors and the grand staircase that led further up. All in all, it looked like something out of Arabian Nights.

"Ah! Welcome! Welcome! I am Rafique, owner and manager! Come, come! Let me show you to your rooms! I am sure after so much travel you are tired and hungry!"

Rafique was a portly Egyptian man, dressed in a white suit, complete with red fez perched precariously atop his head. Smiling, Shadow happily followed the jolly gentleman, smirking as Lexie and Tracie scrambled to pick up their luggage once more.

"Misses Tracie and Lexie shall share a suit, here."

Both blonds quickly scrambled into their room, gushing over the four poster beds and clearly English themed room. All hard wood and modern accruement. Closing the door, Rafique guided Shadow further around the atrium, opening another door that looked down directly at the fountain.

"And this is your suite Lady Shadow. I hope it pleases you?"

Stepping in, Shadow couldn't help but smile as she took in her own living quarters. Where the dumb blonds had all the comforts of a Motel 6, her room looked like the inside of a sheiks tent. Rich ruby carpet accented the plain white walls; the bed was no fourposter, but a nest of plush pillows surrounded by a gauzy curtain of mosquito netting. Lanterns were hung, and instead of a window, she had a balcony that overlooked all of Cairo, and in the distance, the pyramids loomed large.

"Mr. Rafique, this is perfect. Thank you."

The portly man blushed as he bowed repeatedly. "I am glad you like them! Dinner shall be served at seven, so please, relax and enjoy."

"Don't you worry Rafique! My girl Shadow is all set! Why don't you check on Tracie and Lexie for me?"

The portly man quickly left, leaving Shadow and Dr. Dimitri alone. The raven-haired man grinned at her as she moved deeper into her room, resting her duffle against the edge of her nest.

"You'll have to excuse him, and all the men around these parts. Your hair and eyes are going to draw a lot of attention from the natives."

Shadow simply nodded; it was no surprise to her. In a land of dark eyes and dark hair, her snow-white locks and purple eyes were bound to draw attention. It was a recessive gene in her family tree, only occurring to the females of her family. She was just grateful she managed to inherit her Native American fathers skin tone. If she was pearl white like her mother, she'd be a walking ouch in the desert.

"I'm used to the stares and whispers, nothing new. So, what's up Dr. Saint?"

The man chuckled, waving her off as he seated himself at the small squat table resting in the corner beside her balcony. Belatedly she noticed a tray with glasses and a tall teapot atop it.

"No need to be formal out here, Dimitri is fine. Come, sit, I have to explain a few things to you about this dig."

Frowning, Shadow sank down into the cushion opposite her teacher. Dimitri sighed, rubbing a hand through his hair, looking anywhere but at her.

"You see, I got some news after I landed a week ago. The dig site, well, we found something. Something huge. It turns out it wasn't just a settlement for the workers of the pyramid, no. We believe we have stumbled upon the Temple of Set. Now, normally, we would go right in, but there are local stories."

Instantly Shadow perked up. She knew oral history from her grandmother, the medicine woman of their tribe. Shadow knew there were things out there that science couldn't explain, she'd seen it firsthand.

"Let me guess, a curse? We go in and mess around something big, bad and evil will awaken?"

Her teacher nodded, quickly gulping down his glass of tea. "Yes, something like that. I know with your background, you would be hesitant, but trust me! It's just folk stories! Tales spread to keep tomb raiders away. This is a huge find! And I can't have you staying here for a month and not help with the dig. So, what do you say? Put aside all that mumbo jumbo and help us dig?"

Shadow forced herself to bite her tongue. Seriously? Mumbo Jumbo? There was no such thing as mumbo jumbo. She knew the world of magic was real, you don't walk away from a face to face encounter with a Wendigo and not believe. Narrowing her eyes to slits, Shadow snarled softly, ignoring how the man before her flinched.

"Fine. I will come. I will help, but the moment people start dying because you want to ignore the warnings, I am out. If that is all Professor, I am very tired from my flight and would like to rest. I'm sure you know where the door is."

The Professor opened him mouth as if to argue but thought better of it. She ignored him until he closed the door behind him, releasing a breath when she was finally alone. How could he be so brash as to ask her to ignore such a thing? Did he not care for the safety of the people on that dig site? Yes she believed curses, she knew they were true, and that they held incredible power.

Absently she rubbed at the scars beneath her shirt, wincing softly to herself. She had been incredibly lucky that night. The Wendigo was a terrifying creature, something she had believed to be a tall tale, a lesson on never allowing the harshest conditions to drive you to the point of no return.

Shaking herself, Shadow stood. A shower and a nap were in order. They were to have a week before they headed to the official dig site. Tonight, dinner and rest. Tomorrow was a gala at the Cairo Museum, hopefully she would be able to sneak away and ask the curator for any information about the Temple of Set.


She awoke as the sun was setting, lanterns across the city lighting up like thousands of fireflies, every color and pattern painting the city in a rainbow. Slipping into a black yelek decorated with gold and silver leaves and vines over a white tank top and slipping into billowing grey shintijan pants, carefully settling the headscarf about her head before making her way out of her rooms.

The grand courtyard was empty, in its place a long table had been set up, plush cushions decorated the floor while servants placed plate after plate of delicious smelling food onto the long low surface. What drew her eye the most was the group of men garbed in black robes standing around the courtyard, one standing beside Rafique, the owner smiling and chatting with them in Arabic.

Slowly making her way down the stairs, she nodded at the men who walked past her as she reached the floor, the leather sandals on her feet making no noise as she slowly made her way towards Rafique.

"Greeting's Mr. Rafique, dinner smells wonderful."

The jovial Arab smiled widely and warmly at her, his eyes glittering as he took in her traditional garb.

"Lady Shadow! You look stunning! Please, allow me to introduce you to a very good friend of mine! Lady Shadow, allow me to introduce you to Chieftain Ardeth Bay of the Twelve Tribes."

Ardeth Bay was a six-foot-tall, imposing figure with a sharp face, tanned by the unforgiving sun, eyes as black as the night, neatly trimmed beard and mustache and tattoos decorating the tops of his cheeks. Shadow bowed deeply, keeping her eyes to the floor.

"Greetings to you Chieftain Bay of the Twelve Tribes, I am Shadow Azalea Sinclair, American student of archaeology."

The man didn't speak, instead lifted his hand to cup her chin, forcing her to lift her head and gaze to meet his own. He studied her for what felt like ages before a radiant smile tugged at his lips, revealing two rows of pearl white teeth.

"Greetings to you Shadow Azalea Sinclair, you do not need to be formal with me. You may call me Ardeth."

"Then please call me Shadow. Tell me Ardeth, do you know the Temple of Set?"

The smile instantly fell from his face as did his hand, his once warm eyes darkening dangerously. The men at his back murmuring amongst themselves.

"The Temple of Set is a holy place; all are welcome to its embrace to ask the god to take vengeance against their enemies. Only those who dare steal from the Temple shall face the Curse of Set. You would be wise to heed this warning, Lady Shadow."

The pair stood staring at each other, no words passing between them, neither moving a muscle until a pair of shrill voices rang through the courtyard making Shadow wince and Ardeth lift a brow at her pained expression.

Lexie and Tracie were clomping down the stairs, short shorts, rhinestone encrusted tank tops, platform flip-flops and at least four pounds of makeup each, both practically wrapped around the arms of Dimitri Saint. The Arab men all began muttering, this time about the two dumb blonds. Shadow buried her face into her hands, her cheeks flushed red with utter embarrassment.

"Shadow! There you are! Why are you wearing those god-awful drab things?" Dimitri Saint questioned as the trio stopped at her side, Lexie and Tracie clutching even tighter to the raven haired mans arms.

"I'm wearing them because I believe in obeying the customs of the land I am in. If the two of you stepped out into the streets like that as an Arab woman you would be stoned to death."

The two blonds huffed and puffed at her words, fluttering lashes and pursing red lips out in obvious pouts.

"Oh please, we're Americans! We can do whatever we want! And we're here with Dimitri! He'd set them all straight. Wouldn't you Professor?"

Shadow could see the disgruntled looks on the tribesmen's faces as two more people came to greet the group. The first was a lovely woman with rich brown hair and warm hazel eyes with a tall broad-shouldered man with dirty blond hair and narrowed brown eyes.

"Ardeth! It's so good to see you again! And Doctor Saint!" The woman's smile was pure with warmth as she addressed the Chieftain, her tone was clearly forced when it came to the pompous ass that was Dimitri Saint.

"Evelyn! It's been too long! I hear you got married, congrats!"

"Oh yes, meet my husband Rick. We heard about your expedition to the Temple of Set and knew we just had to see it for ourselves!"

As Evelyn chatted away with Dimitri, both ignoring the disgruntled glares of the two young blonds, Rick migrated to Shadow and Ardeth, the men shaking hands with true smiles on their faces.

"Ardeth, been a while. I seriously hope this expedition won't end up like the last one."

"Indeed, my friend. This is Lady Shadow Azalea Sinclair; she is also a part of the expedition."

Rick smiled as he shook her hand, glancing over his shoulder at his wife and the rest of the team.

"Nice to meet you Shadow; I can already tell those three are going to be a problem."

Shadow snorted, blushing when both men raised an eyebrow at her un-lady like response.

"The only reason those two prostitutes, oops, students are here is because their fathers paid for their grades and hired someone to write the papers to get them onto this trip. Expect lots of whining, little help and attempted seductions."

Both Rick and Ardeth winced at the high-pitched shrieks that rent the air, the blonds staring at a stunned Evelyn in states of pure horror.

"What do you mean we have to ride camels? Can't we take a car?" Lexie whined, stomping her foot as she pouted.

Shadow sighed, rubbing a tired hand over her eyes as she grumbled beneath her breath in Arabic, unaware of the surprised looks she received from the dessert men.

"May the gods above and below give me the strength not to kill those two idiots!"

Thankfully dinner was announced, distracting them all especially Shadow from her murderous thoughts. While Lexie and Tracie happily cuddled on either side of Dimitri, Shadow seated herself beside Rick with Ardeth taking the seat across from her with Evelyn seated across from her husband. The four sat towards the other end of the table, surrounded by the tribesmen and well away from the nerve grating voices of the two blonds.

"You're Arabic is very good for an American Lady Shadow."

Blinking, Shadow met the warm gaze of the Chieftain across from her; smiling softly she bowed her head a little as a blush danced across her cheeks.

"Thank you Ardeth. My mother teaches Languages at Harvard so I grew up speaking at least four different languages, Arabic being my third."

"And what was your second?"

Rick spoke up before she could respond, the handsome man shaking a finger at them with a rather adorable pout on his lips.

"English for the table you two! I heard Harvard but other than that, meh."

Evelyn giggled softly behind her hand as she filled her plate with the many succulent dishes being passed down.

"I've tried teaching him but he's not one for languages. Shadow was saying how her mother teaches Languages at Harvard so she grew up speaking at least four, Arabic being her third dear."

Shadow relaxed, these were good people surrounding her making it easier to relax.

"Ardeth was asking about my second language, which is Hopi. I'm half Hopi Indian on my dads side and Russian and German on my mothers."

Rick snapped his fingers, his face splitting into a handsome boyish smile. "Ah! I knew I detected some Native American in your features!"

The desert men were all listening in, many with curiosity shining in their eyes.

"Yes, my grandmother is the medicine woman of the tribe, and my father is chieftain. Both insisted I learn my mother language. Unlike most other cultures, our history and language is passed down orally, and I love being able to speak the mother tongue of my ancestors."

One of the men tilted his head, clear curiosity glowing in his eyes as he spoke up.

"What does your mother tongue sound like?"

"Like this warrior of the sands. Our language is an ancient one, and one that I am glad to be able to speak now and until the end of my days."

All at their end of the table froze, eyes wide at the lyrical quality of the Hopi language. The warrior blinked slowly before another spoke up.

"Your mother tongue suits you Lady Shadow."

The girl flushed softly, ignoring the soft giggle that Evelyn attempted to smother behind her goblet of wine.

"Thank you honored warrior. I enjoy speaking the language of my ancestors, too many of my tribe have forgotten the old words."

Conversation was from then on was pleasant, Ardeth and his men asking her questions about life in her tribe; many of the men surprised she knew how to hunt and track.

"They are skills every child must learn, we try to keep the old ways as much as we can. Unfortunately, time moved quickly and many choose to leave and live elsewhere and forget their history. I admit, when I was a teenager I tried to leave it all behind but an, 'incident' changed my view of the world greatly and for that I cannot help but be grateful."

Ardeth tilted his head in silent question while Rick frowned softly. Glancing down the table to ensure the idiotic trio weren't listening in, Shadow carefully tugged down the collar of her top revealing the large scars that decorated the upper half of her chest. The four raised scars cut through her collar bone, from her right shoulder clear across to the other the first just beneath her jugular and tilted downward to her collarbone. Thicker than three fingers each they were raised and stark white against the natural dark caramel of her flesh.

All the desert men gasped, Eve chocking back a shocked shriek while Rick cursed softly beneath his breath.

"I should have died that night. Its claws cut cleanly through denim and thick lamb's wool like a hot knife through butter. It shattered my collar bone and dislocated my shoulder. I laid there in the snow for what felt like ages, I waited for it to finish me off, but it didn't. It just hovered over me, watching me, then it just left. From that day I learned everything I could about my tribe and our history. Who knew nearly losing my life could change it for the better the way it did." She shrugged softly, readjusting her collar and resettling herself onto her cushion.

Not many had believed her when she finally stumbled back into the camp, many assumed it was a bear that had attacked her. Her Grandmother though had scoffed, berating the men of the tribe for the foolishness and ignorance.

"This child has faced a Wendigo and has survived to tell the tale! She has gazed into the eyes of death itself and it left her to live! The great mother has blessed this child with a strength you shall not find in your lifetimes!"

Shadow shook herself from her thoughts, putting aside her memories to focus on the men around her. She asked them about their lives in the tribe, their traditions and legends. She was enthralled by their stories, Ardeth and his men happy to share their world with someone who clearly wished to know for their own knowledge and not to simply study them.


The night ended with promises to meet again, Dimitri and the disastrous duo stumbling away drunk and giggling, thankfully allowing Shadow to follow Ardeth and his men to the edge of the city with Evelyn and Rick. The night was cold, the wind tugging at robes and clothing as the group walked through the quiet streets of Cairo.

"I look forward to seeing you again Lady Shadow. It has been quite some time since I have had such an enjoyable meal with Americans."

The woman chuckled softly as they reached the edge of the city, her chuckle morphing into a gasp of delight at the sight of the horses waiting and greeting their masters with whiney and nickers.

"I enjoyed this evening as well Ardeth. It was nice to have intelligent company during this trip. I look forwards to seeing you at the dig as well." At this the Chieftain chuckled, his stallion nudging at her shoulder to gain her attention.

Shadow didn't even think as she reached up to stroke the Arabians downy nose, the hand she had been using to keep her head scarf in place now occupied by the noble creature allowed the wind to tug the fabric away, revealing to all her head full of lily-white hair.

The silence was deafening, all eyes locked on her before soft murmuring swept through the group. Noticing the sudden shift in mood, Shadow swiftly rewrapped the cloth about her head, blushing and ducking her head. She knew that Arab women weren't to show their hair to anyone but their husbands.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to offend."

"No, Lady Shadow, you did not offend, merely shocked us. We have never seen such a color hair before." A warrior known as Abas quickly spoke, smiling softly at the woman standing before them. She glanced about them, her luminous purple eyes glowing in the light of the moon that hung low and swollen above their heads. She merely smiled a soft, gentle smile before speaking.

"Good night honorable warriors may your travels be safe and your sleep untroubled. And may the Gods above and below bless you and your people."

The warriors watched as the woman, Lady Shadow, turned away and made her way back towards the sleeping city of Cairo, her sandal covered feet making no noise as she moved with the swiftness and grace of a warrior. Ardeth had no words, his tongue numb inside his mouth as he watched the woman disappear into the shadows of the city.

"Ardeth buddy, you, okay?" Rick gently nudged the other man, finally gaining his attention.

"Y-Yes my friend. I must return to my tribe. I must tell the other Chieftains what has transpired this night. Good night my friends. I shall return tomorrow evening to attend the gala as you wish."

Evelyn stepped forward, a frown on her face. "Ardeth is something wrong? You, you and your men, you all looked shocked when you saw Shadows' hair." She looked suspicious as she glanced at the warriors still milling about.

The Arab frowned, glancing at his men who were mounting up, many chattering excitedly amongst themselves. Word would travel quickly through the tribes.

Their Queen had arrived.

"It is an old prophecy, a prophecy the Madjai have held near since the time of the Pharos. Lady Shadow, she, she fits the prophecy perfectly. I must tell the other Chiefs what I have discovered. Evelyn, Rick, if she is the woman of Prophecy, Lady Shadow will become Queen Shadow Azalea Sinclair of the Twelve Tribes."

Rick and Evelyn both froze, sharing a stunned gaze. Ardeth did not wait to hear their protests, swiftly climbing into the saddle and urging his mount into a gallop. He needed to speak to the others, he needed advice of how to approach Lady Shadow. He was no stranger to women, but she was of a different world, how could he explain to her just what her role was in a century's old prophecy that all Madjai had waited to be fulfilled for generations?


Shadow awoke before the sun rose fully into the sky, the hum of activity outside her balcony pulling her from her bed and putting a smile on her face. Last night had been wonderful; Ardeth and his men, Evie and Rick, they would make up for Dimitri and the two blond idiots. A knock at her door pulled her from her bed, smiling at the trio of tittering women that greeted her.

"Good morning Lady Shadow! We have come to escort you to breakfast! Your companions have not answered their doors, do you wish us to awaken them?"

"Please, allow them to sleep. They foolishly over indulged last night and it will serve them right to miss breakfast. Thank you for awakening me, please tell Rafique I will be down shortly."

Closing the door the woman moved towards her freshly unpacked clothes, thankful once more that her mother had allowed her to borrow many traditional Muslim style clothes from her own trips to Egypt. While she knew it was perfectly acceptable to go out in Western styles so long as her shoulders, knees and most of her skin was covered, Shadow found that most Muslim clothing were incredibly comfortable to wear in the Egyptian heat, not to mention very stylish and beautiful.

Donning a black Abiya decorated with turquoise colored piping around the neck and bottom of the sleeves over a pair of white shintijan and slipping on her soft sandals from the day before, Shadow carefully wrapped a turquoise-colored scarf about her head before making her way down to the grand courtyard.

The tables were filled with more men in black robes, many pausing to look at her as she softly padded across the marble floor and towards a table tucked away into a corner, half hidden by short palm trees and hanging ferns.

A man servant quickly offered her a tray of fresh fruit, cold meats and flat bread and tea, bowing deeply as he departed without a word. Shadow didn't pay much mind to the men occupying the other tables, simply enjoying her meal and the relative peace of the morning. She would enjoy these moments as much as she could. Tracie and Lexie would only complain about it not being low fat, low carb, keto or whatever the new diet fad was, and Dimitri would simply boast about something or other, flashing his white smile all about. No, Shadow would enjoy the simple breakfast with the music of tinkling water and hushed Arabic as her music.

"Greetings Lady Shadow, Rah smiles brightly upon you this day."

Looking up, Shadow found a man garbed in the same black clothing as Ardeth and his men, his mans beard greying at the sides and twinkling brown eyes seated upon darkly tanned skin. She didn't recognize this man as one of Ardeths' men, but he seemed to be a member of the Twelve Tribes.

"And greetings to you warrior of the sands. I believe Rah smiles brightly upon all his children this day."

The man chuckled softly before motioning questioningly to the pillow like seat across from her and she nodded her assent. Almost instantly the man servant returned with another tray and glass of tea to set before the man.

"I am Suka, Leader of one of the Twelve Tribes. Ardeth Bay sends his regards, and wished for me to escort you about the city until he could join you this evening at the Gala."

Shadow smiled softly as she reached for a fresh fig, humming happily as the delicate fruit released a burst of flavor across her tongue.

"Then I thank you Chieftain Suka for spending the day with me. I wish mostly to go to the Cairo Museum to speak the curator. I wish to know more about the Temple of Set. I know there is something dangerous there, and I wish to be prepared."

Suka frowned, his dark eyes hardening slightly. She nodded softly. He had the same reaction as Ardeth.

"I know. Unlike the idiots I came here with. I know magic and curses are real and extremely powerful. I also know that even if the gods are old, they still wield great and terrible power. I want to know what to expect."

The man looked at her with something akin to pride on his face before he nodded.

"The Temple of Set is a dangerous place. Set is a vengeful god on his own, but angered? He is extremely dangerous, and vengeful. Those who disturb the Temple are cursed with the rage of Set. We do not know what the rage of Set entails, but stories of villages and entire communities were wiped off the face of this Earth during these Rages. I would take care Lady Shadow, this is a dangerous situation. However, you are wise to recognize the power of the gods. I know of a place that you may procure weapons. Though they may not aid you in battle against Set, they will help you on your journey."

Shadow felt a chill run down her spine as her scars began to burn softly. So, there was something dangerous lurking about the dig site, and whatever it was it had a temper. Just fucking perfect. So much for an easy trip and an exciting dig.

"Thank you for the warning, Chieftain Suka. I cannot promise that the others of my group will understand or even believe the dangers that we now face. However, I will not allow myself to fall victim to such foolishness. Shall we head to the market?"

The older man blinked slowly, clearly surprised at her reaction before a smile tugged at his lips.

"It is good to see you know and are understanding of such as this. Come, I shall take you to the best weapons maker in Cairo. He is the man who makes all weapons for the tribes. His family have been in the service of the Medjai since the time of the Pharos."


The market of Cairo was bustling with life even early in the morning. Spices scented the air, metal jewelry glittering in the early morning sunlight while a myriad of voices filled the air around Shadows head as she was escorted through the narrow market streets by Suka.

The man smiled indulgently as she paused at various stalls, his smile widening as she bought several more headscarves that were made of a thicker weave, perfect to keep the desert sand out of her eyes and nose. She knew the man was pleased that she didn't dawdle, spending inordinate amounts of time fluttering from one stall to the next. Shadow had never been one for shopping anyways. She preferred to go in, get what she needed and get the hell out.

He paused them at a fruits stall, the pair sharing a small tray of sweetened dried figs as Suka lead them deeper into the market and down a darkened alley where only a red door flanked by two glowing blue lanterns hanging on either side of the door.

Suka stepped forward, knocking in a pattern and waited as the door slowly swung inward to reveal an old man blinking up at them in curiosity.

"Greetings to you Chieftain Suka, how may I be of service this day?"

"Lady Shadow needs weapons."

The old man turned ancient eyes to her, his gaze stripping away everything to peer into her very soul before a smile tugged at his mouth.

"You honor me with your presence Lady Shadow, please, come in."

Slightly confused, she carefully stepped inwards, her eyes alighting with delight at the myriad of weapons that hung on the walls and sat on tables around the room.

Beautiful swords and perfectly crafted bows, deadly knives and chakram seemed to glow in the lantern light all around her. The whole room was filled with fine weapons, clearly of a high quality and meant for battle and not decoration.

She didn't pay any attention to the two men as she slowly moved about the shop, her hands instantly landing on a beautifully crafted bow and its quiver of arrows.

The moment she lifted the finely crafted weapon it felt as if it was designed for her hands, resting perfectly in her palm. Shifting slightly, she spotted a sword that called out to her just as the bow had. It was shorter than the others hanging beside it and was not as curved as the others but still held a deadly flint to its finely sharpened blade.

The sword felt prefect in her hand, the black cloth rubbed pleasantly against the callouses of her palm, filling her with the feeling as if she had always had this sword in her hand for years. It was perfectly balanced, as long as her arm, feeling as if it was an extension of her arm.

"Fine choices Lady Shadow. My great grandfather crafted those weapons many years ago. He refused to sell them, saying that a great lady would come one day to collect them. Take them Lady Shadow, for they were clearly made for your hands only."

Blinking in shock, Shadow turned to look at the two men who still stood in the doorway, unaware of the image she cut.

Cast in the glow of low lamp light, dressed as she was, headscarf tilting back to reveal just a few wisps of snow-white hair catching the soft light that cast a glow about her head. A sword in one hand and a bow in the other, she looked to them like the Queen offered by the prophecy, Suka and the old man awe struck for a moment before the woman quickly seethed the sword and made her way to the old man.

"Sir I couldn't possibly take these without some form of payment! Your family took great care to create such fine things for battle, I could not possibly,"

Her words were cut off with a raising of the old mans hand, her eyes widening as he gently touched both of her hands, still wrapped around the weapons she had chosen.

"Payment, Lady Shadow, would be to see you use these weapons wisely and in defense of the innocent to beat back the darkness that touches this land. But you, you have already been touched by that darkness, haven't you?"

Suka looked at her strangely, but Shadow could not lie. Something in this mans gaze urged her to speak to the truth, the same truth she had only told once. Closing her eyes, Shadow nodded, recalling the night that changed her life forever.

"I was only fifteen, I thought I knew everything and that the world beyond my tribe was where I would find my destiny. Grandmother always warned me not to wonder the forests at night during winter, for that is the time of the Wendigo. A creature born of the vilest of transgressions a mortal could make against another. It is an old story, as old as my tribe; a hunting party of brothers went out to hunt during a snowstorm. The tribe was dangerously low on food, and the four brothers, the strongest of the tribe, set out to hunt. They soon became lost, trapped by the snow that blinded them and forced them from the hunting trails. One by one they fell to the cold and ice, until the last brother remained alive; he refused to die, to meet his end without the honor of falling in combat. In a foolish act that angered the Great Mother, he consumed the hearts of the men that were his brothers."

"The Great Mother, angered by this cowards' actions, cursed him. His heart turned to ice, and while he would live forever, be faster and stronger than any other warrior, he would always crave the flesh of his fellow man. I thought it was all a story, meant to scare, but I was found by the wendigo that night I wandered from the firelight, into the forest. It was so quiet; I didn't hear a thing. Not even the snow that fell all around me or the animals of the forest I wandered through with such foolish confidence. One moment I was walking and the next I was on my back in the snow, my chest on fire and it was hovering over me. Its eyes were black as a starless night, empty and void of any warmth. I thought, in that moment, that it would cut me open and consume my heart. But it didn't. I hovered over me as I struggled to breath, watching me, waiting for something, then, it was gone without so much as a whisper."

Shadow kept her eyes closed, the hand with the bow lifted to rub fingers against the scars hidden beneath her cloths. The phantom pain of the attack still haunted her, and remembering it only added to the ache in her chest. Her life had changed after the attack; many members of the tribe had shunned her, feared her even.

What had the embodiment of Death itself had seen in her that scared it off? Did it leave her alive to do its bidding? Would she transform into a Wendigo? Grandmother had scolded them all, but it still hurt, hurt even deeper than any scars ever would.

"The Gods allowed you to live for a reason Lady Shadow. You were touched by a great darkness, yet you stand before me now, refusing to take without giving something in return. The light that shines within you is strong, overshadowing the darkness that touched you. Take these weapons, wield them like the warrior you are, and bring honor to your people."

Glancing up, Shadow found Suka and the old man smiling at her, the Chieftain with awe in his eyes as he gazed at her.

"Come, Lady Shadow, allow me to show you the rest of Cairo, I will have your weapons delivered to your quarters."

Nodding, Shadow didn't notice the look the two men shared behind her back, nor did she notice the old man hurry to the back of his shop upon the pairs departure. Hastily writing all that he had heard the old man sent a messenger hawk to the Tribes.

Their Queen had arrived!