by Rai Aren
She took a deep breath, “What you were told was only a small part of the truth.”
“What do you mean?” Uta asked.
“I had no choice but to keep this secret from you, please understand. There was much at stake.”
“What secret, Panarra? What are you saying?” Ehrim asked, growing more and more concerned.
“My name is not Panarra. It is Anjia. Princess Anjia.”
Her parents just looked at her, stunned, as they tried to make sense of what they were hearing.
She continued. “My mother, Queen Axiana, had just been assassinated, I was with her when it happened and barely survived. I was immediately sent away for my protection. My family was in danger. I was in danger.”
Uta and Ehrim both clearly recalled hearing the news that the Queen and Princess had been killed in a boating accident.
“But the news was that the Princess’ body had been lost to the river after the accident,” Ehrim said. “They had a Royal funeral. The King said…”
“The King…my father…does not know I am alive. No one does. The decision to keep my survival a secret was made by Head Priest Assan. Odai and Senarra acted according to his wishes. That is why you were never told the truth. It was to keep me safe from my enemies.”
They struggled to absorb what they were hearing.
She sat quietly for a few moments, allowing the life-altering news to sink in.
Uta shook her head in disbelief. “Not only did they lie to us, but the priests lied to your own family, lied to the King, and let everyone believe you were dead?”
The statement stung deep. Tears well up. “Yes, to protect them from our enemies,” she said sadly.
“That is unbelievable,” Uta replied. “It is cruel beyond words.”
“And they had you live a lie all this time?” Ehrim asked incredulously. He saw the pain in his daughter’s face. “That is a terrible thing to ask of a child. Unthinkable.”
“It all happened so fast. This was not something they had planned or ever considered. I very nearly died. My mother was assassinated. They intended to kill me, too. Someone got close to our family, very close. Assan could not guarantee the assassins would not be successful in killing me the next time. He did what he had to do. He felt I was not safe anywhere, so they let everyone think I also died that day.”
They were horrified at what they were hearing.
“I wanted to tell you, but I was not allowed to. It hurt to keep the truth from you.” Her eyes were downcast.
Uta hugged her daughter, “I am so sorry for this burden you have carried.”
Anjia nodded, wrapping her arms around the woman who had been every bit a mother to her. Her tears spilled down her face, onto Uta’s shoulder. Mother and daughter held each other.
Ehrim’s mind raced with a thousand questions. He did not know which to ask first.
Finally, Anjia pulled away. She wiped the tears from her face. She got up from the table and walked to the window. She loved their small yard. Life was simple here.
Her parents just watched her, not knowing what else to say. The shock of her admission was hitting them hard. They did not know what this would mean for them.
She turned back to face them. “There is something else,” she said.
Her parents looked at her in disbelief.
“Do you recall the ancient prophecy of a child who will one day be saved by a magical lion to reign in peace over our people?” the Princess asked, sitting back down.
“The Child of the Prophecy? Are you saying…?” Uta could barely get the words out.
“I was pulled from the water’s edge that day by Amsara, the lion kept by the priesthood. He saved my life.”
Ehrim stood up and paced the room. “But why did Assan choose not to tell us? Why keep us in the dark? We would not have said anything to anyone. We are simple farmers.”
“My identity had to remain secret. There was too much risk in telling anyone. Think of the pressure it would have placed on you – of never being able to reveal this truth, always having to pretend. I am sorry.”
“That is the pressure they placed on you, though,” he said compassionately. “We could have shared your burden. Perhaps eased it somehow.” His eyes glistened with tears and heartbreak.
Uta began to cry. She squeezed her eyes closed, and bowed her head. She thought back on the last nine years, on their life with their daughter. The memories seemed to fade away, as though they were nothing but a dream.
Ehrim put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “What does this mean now? You told us this today for a reason, I am guessing.”
“Yes, I did.” She steeled herself.
Uta looked up. “You knew this day would come, that one day you would have to tell us the truth.”
Anjia nodded, her emerald eyes now clear, her gaze direct. “Just as I know it is now time for me to return.”
“Return?” her mother asked. “You are leaving us.” Her hands flew to her mouth. “No…”
“I need to go back now,” Anjia said. “I am so sorry.”
Uta wept openly now.
“Is there no other choice?” her father asked. “No other way?” But as he asked the question, he realized it would be asking another family’s suffering to continue.
Anjia just looked at them, the pain of this admission etched on her face. She knew what this was doing to them. She would give almost anything not to cause them any more anguish.
Ehrim hugged his wife. Their hearts were breaking. The thought of losing another child, even this way, was almost more than they could bear.
After a short time, Ehrim tried to compose himself. He took his daughter’s hand. He looked at her, remembering the young child who had come to their doorstep one fateful night. He managed a slight smile. “In spite of the circumstances of your coming here, you have been our daughter, and we would take care of you for the rest of our days, if we could. Having you here has been our greatest blessing.” He looked at her, seeing how much she had grown up these last few years. He touched her cheek tenderly. His voice caught in his throat, as he choked up. “You have enriched out lives beyond measure.” With his other hand, he reached for his wife. He held her hand and squeezed it. “But you are a Royal Princess and we must respect your wishes.”
Uta could not speak, as the tears fell down her cheeks. She could scarcely comprehend what was happening. Their world, their lives…it was all falling apart. Their only child was being torn from their home as suddenly as she had entered it. Again.
Anjia hugged them both, holding them tightly. They just held each other for a time.
Anjia spoke first. “Thank-you, for everything.” She looked at them, her eyes glistening with tears. “I truly am sorry. I wish I could have told you the truth long ago. I wish a lot of things were different. My heart breaks to leave you. It is not because I want to leave, it is because I must.”
“We know,” Uta said, as the words wrenched her heart.
“Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Panarra…I mean Anjia…” he father said, “we love you. That is all that matters.”
They all cried and held each other again. Finally, the Princess let them go and sat up straight. She brushed the stray hairs away from her face, her expression serious. “I must speak with the priests at once.”
Chapter 3
Return to the Sands, Present-day Egypt
THE Cairo airport was a bustling hotbed of international travelers rushing to their destinations. There was a measure of order to the chaos, as police and army soldiers patrolled the airport, weapons in hand, scrutinizing the activity.
The four friends, wearing rumpled traveling clothes, were exhausted from their whirlwind trip. It had been a long flight, and they
had gone a couple of days with next to no sleep. There had been so many preparations to make in such a short span of time, plus the anticipation had been nearly overwhelming.
“I don’t like this,” Bob said, bleary-eyed and looking around nervously. His mass of thick, black curls had taken on a medusa-like quality.
“Bob, we already went through this on the plane. Several times,” Jack replied, shaking his head. He was struggling to pick up his luggage from the crowded conveyor belt.
Bob helped his friend with his bag.
“Thanks, man.”
“Jack, we’re in a foreign country, waiting for some mystery person to show themselves for some cryptic purpose,” Bob said. “I don’t care what you say. This is not a smart thing to do. Things didn’t go too smoothly last time we were here, if you’ll recall.”
“But we made it out with our hides in tact,” Jack said, patting his shoulder.
“Barely.”
Alex was nearby and couldn’t help but overhear their conversation. “Hey Bob, we’ll just make sure to keep our wits about us. Plus, we’re all together. We’ll watch out for each other, ok?”
“Alright,” he mumbled.
She smiled sympathetically. He did look scared. She was too. She knew they all were.
Jack slapped him on the back. “We’re here now, so we may as well just head on down the rabbit hole and see where it leads us.”
“I guess, but I still don’t like this,” Bob said as he scanned the throngs of people at the Cairo Airport. Even though it was June and the low season for tourism travel to Egypt, the airport was packed. “What if we get in trouble again? We don’t even know who we’re looking for, for pete’s sake.”
“We’ll be careful,” Alex said as she put a reassuring hand on Bob’s arm. “I’m nervous too, but think of how important our finds were – a highly advanced yet ancient civilization that could change history. We worked very hard, together remember, to uncover that knowledge,” she said. “Someone here may be able to help us with our research in return for our assistance. Don’t you think we should at least explore it further?”
“It’s what kind of assistance they want and to what end that I’m worried about,” he said, frowning.
“I know,” she replied, gently patting his arm.
Mitch stood nearby watching and listening, as they waited for the rest of their bags to arrive. He smiled. Alex was always the one to comfort others. She was like a mother hen to them in many ways. None of them would ever admit it, but they all loved her for it.
The four friends retrieved the last of their luggage and made their way to the main exit. They were hoping to see if whoever sent them the plane tickets would meet them there. They all looked around for a familiar face, or a sign with their names on it, but no one came forth.
“There are too many people here,” Mitch said, “but it’s too hot to wait outside.” He looked around. He didn’t see anyone he recognized. “Let’s head over there. It’s not as crowded,” he said as he pointed to a less busy area.
They followed him towards a side hallway.
“Let’s put our stuff down here,” Mitch said as they all set their bags down, “and see who comes looking for us.”
“I’ve been secretly hoping its Khamir or Dr. Khadesh,” Alex said, pulling her long blonde hair back into a ponytail.
“Me too,” Mitch nodded, pushing his glasses up. “Or at least someone friendly. If it’s not…”
“Yeah, that could be a problem,” she whispered. She didn’t want to admit it, but inside she was beginning to agree with Bob. The plan was starting to seem more and more foolish with each passing minute. She watched the armed security personnel patrolling the airport. Her heart beat faster as uncomfortable feelings of vulnerability and anxiety started to well up within her.
The foursome put their luggage down in a corner and waited for their contact. They scanned the passing crowds to see if anybody would approach them. They continued to wait and wait, as the seemingly endless crowds hurried by, but still no contact. The sun would soon be setting and they were growing hungry and tired. Not to mention, they were in danger of catching the attention of security if they didn’t get moving soon.
As if reading Alex’s mind, Mitch leaned over and whispered to her, “This is a little crazy, isn’t it? Flying all the way to Egypt, and not knowing who we’re here to meet.” Now that they were far away from the safety of home soil, it was beginning to feel like a very bad decision to him.
Alex nodded, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Alex had just sat down on her suitcase, as her feet were aching, when she noticed four men heading their way. She grabbed Mitch’s arm. “Look,” she said nodding in the men’s direction.
He glanced over as the men approached them. “Dr. Logan, Dr. Carver,” a tall, well-built Caucasian man, wearing a dark business suit said as he smiled and extended his hand. He spoke with a strong German accent. His face was tanned and rough and his blonde hair was kept short in a military crew cut. Three muscular men in similar looking suits accompanied him. They wore dark sunglasses. Their faces bore no expression.
“Welcome back to Egypt, we have been expecting you,” the man said as he shook Mitch and Alex’s hands. His hand was cold to the touch and his handshake was strong. He had a steely, intense gaze that belied the warmth his smile was trying to project. He nodded to Jack and Bob.
They just looked at him warily, but said nothing.
‘The weather in Cairo is a scorching 45 degrees Celsius and these men are wearing dark suits?’ Mitch thought to himself.
“I’m sorry, who are you?” Alex asked, feeling a little scared.
“I am Hans, and these three gentlemen are my associates. We are here to escort you to your accommodations. Your safety is the utmost importance to us,” he said, smiling at her.
She didn’t smile in return. Her skin crawled. Mitch stepped closer to her.
Hans took note of the protective gesture. He looked Mitch straight in the eyes and held his gaze for a moment, before bowing his head in a conciliatory fashion. “As I said, you are expected.” He waved his hand and the men behind him grabbed the four Americans’ luggage.
Mitch’s instincts were telling him this was all wrong. He didn’t like the look in the man’s eyes, in spite of the friendly pretenses.
“Wait,” Alex held on tight to her luggage, refusing to allow the man to take it. “We have some questions first.”
Mitch, Jack and Bob were also playing tug-of-war with their luggage. With a heave, Bob managed to wrestle his suitcase back. The man holding onto Bob’s suitcase lost his balance and stumbled, his jacket flapped open, giving Bob a glimpse of a holster and sidearm.
“Gun!” Bob started to yell, as the man clamped a huge hand around his face.
“Shut your mouth, fat man,” he hissed, “or your friends will not make it out of here in one piece.”
Jack gasped and took his hand off his bag.
Hans, struggling with Mitch for his backpack, pushed him into the wall, pressing his forearm into Mitch’s neck. He was far stronger than Mitch. “Come quietly and nobody will get hurt,” Hans said in a low voice, applying more pressure to his throat. “Understand?”