by Rai Aren
“That’s it, I’m going home,” Bob said as he started to get up.
“No,” Jack huffed, “you’re not.” He yanked his burly friend back down.
Dr. Khadesh continued, “Here in Egypt, Maximilian has control over some of the Egyptian politicians, through threats, blackmail, bribery, and promises of future benefits from these discoveries.” The look of disgust on his face was unmistakable. “As often and as loudly as I protested, in defense of this country’s history, this monument, they would not listen.”
“Their minds had already been made up,” Khamir added, “and unfettered greed and self-interest won out.”
Khadesh leaned back in his chair with a heavy sigh. He nodded, his face still flushed with anger, now also tinged with profound disappointment.
He looked older in that moment, Alex thought sadly, older and very tired.
“These politicians then circumvented my authority and issued Maximilian the permits.”
Mitch thought for a moment. “The permits that you issued to us …”
“They are still valid today, which brings us to why all of you are here in Egypt.” Dr. Khadesh paused, taking a deep breath. He leaned forward. “There is no easy way to tell you this.” He looked at the four Americans sitting together on the sofa. He felt much pity for them, for what he was going to ask of them.
“What? What is it?” Alex asked, growing nervous.
Bob squirmed and held his cup tightly. “Here we go…” he whispered to Jack.
“We need you to retrieve the Pharom before Maximilian Reichmann gets it.”
Jack’s eyes practically bugged out of their sockets.
Bob nearly fell off the couch.
The four friends looked at each other in total shock.
“You…have…got…to…be…kidding us,” Bob said, his face reddening. “These are ex-Stasi for crying out loud! What do we look like, some kind of highly skilled commando team?” He reached to put his cup down, and nearly missed the table.
“Cuz we’re not,” Jack stated. He was definitely on Bob’s side now. ‘Adventure be damned,’ he thought to himself, ‘these were Stasi they were talking about.’ He pointed to Bob, who was now finished fumbling with his cup. “See? He can barely do something as simple as setting his coffee cup on a table without having a near accident. He’s also been known to faint at the most inopportune times. I guarantee you, we’d suck at this.” He shook his head and waved his arms. “No way. No freakin’ way.”
“I’m with him,” Bob added emphatically, “no can do. The Stasi are not in our wheelhouse. Can we please go home, now?” He was practically shouting.
Khadesh lowered his head.
Khamir did not know what to say. He felt bad for his friends, for what they were asking of them.
The room fell silent.
After a few moments, Khadesh looked back up. “I realize the magnitude of what we are asking of you, but please understand, Maximilian’s influence is too strong and stretches too far for me to trust this to anyone in my department, or even the local police. Besides that, and most importantly, nobody but the two of you,” Dr. Khadesh pointed at Mitch and Alex, “has recent experience getting by the secret chambers and puzzles.”
“Which means that’s another reason that Maximilian was after us…” Alex started to say.
Khamir finished the thought for her, “Not only can you two get him inside, but because of what his spy told him, he believes you know how to operate the Pharom…safely.” He walked back over to them. “You found it, and set it on the platform, which activated its power source. Then, you managed to deactivate it after it killed his spy, and hide it without further incident.”
“Right…” Mitch said. It was all making sense to him now…all but one not so insignificant detail. “But wouldn’t Maximilian’s men be in the area when we try to retrieve the Pharom? He knows we’re here. His men would be on the lookout for us and watching the area like hawks.”
Dr. Khadesh put his hand up. “You would have to enter the secret chambers in the middle of the night. Maximilian’s team does not scan, nor will they dig, at nighttime. It was a condition of their permits. Even the politicians who were bought or blackmailed would never let the Sphinx be accessed at night this way. In the dark, there would be too much room for mistakes or accidents with their equipment. By nightfall, Maximilian’s excavation team is to retire back to Cairo. He is allowed to post a handful of guards in the area, but since Khamir will be working on his team, he knows where they will be, how to deal with them and how to smuggle the four of you to the Sphinx without being seen.”
Jack jumped up, and started pacing the room. “So, let me get this straight. You want us all to go on a night-time raid to one of the most important historical sites in the entire world, while simultaneously bypassing a team of highly lethal armed guards, who also happen to be former Stasi officers?” Jack asked, panic evident in his voice. “What is this? An Indiana Jones movie?! I mean, why not, right? In the movies everyone gets out safe.” He spun around. “Oh, wait, no they don’t. Even the good guys die horrible deaths.” He put his arms out, looking to Bob for help.
Bob’s face was buried in his hands. “This is completely insane.”
Alex stood up as well. “With all due respect, I have to admit, this is a pretty big thing you’re asking us to do. I don’t see how we can possibly pull something like this off,” she said shaking her head. “It’s just too much.” She crossed her arms in front of her.
“Khamir will be there to help you,” Khadesh said.
“Wait, you’re not coming?” Mitch asked.
“I apologize, but I cannot. I must attend to making preparations for the protection, and new hiding place, for the Pharom, once you bring it back. There is much to do, and no one else can be involved,” Dr. Khadesh replied, placing his hands on his knees.
“I really think you should come if you want us to go,” Mitch said incredulously. This plan sounded absolutely ridiculous to him, no matter who was coming.
“He cannot,” Khamir said. “We have given this a lot of thought. We are completely out of options, it has all moved too fast. We need your help, all of you,” he said, sitting back down, his hands open. “There is no other way.”
“This is a very dangerous task,” Dr. Khadesh said, his expression serious. “However, we will do everything we can to protect you. But know this, Maximilian has shown in the past that he is power hungry and cruel. It is his legacy, in truth. His intentions for the Pharom would be nothing short of criminal and immoral. I am certain he would want to weaponize it and he will stop at nothing to get it. There is only so much I can do to impede his progress regarding the Sphinx complex. I have been blocked at every turn.” He held his hands out. “We now have no choice. We must beat him to it.”
Silence.
Mitch recalled something. “We also hid the other chest with the ancient scrolls and guide to deciphering Kierani glyphs back in the same chamber.”
“We need you to retrieve it as well,” Khamir said. “It is not safe there any longer.”
Alex took a deep breath. She recognized the inherent danger of something so powerful, so sophisticated and potentially deadly, falling into the hands of ex-Stasi officers. “Our research did show the Kierani nearly wiped themselves out because of an accident with the Pharom.”
“Yes,” Khamir said, pained at the thought, “it was a terrible event. And one that could soon be repeated on a much larger scale.” He looked at each of them, “Now do you understand why we need your help? We have to stop him from getting these artifacts.”
“Then I guess that’s what we’ll do,” Alex said, trying to sound confident. She was anything but.
Chapter 6
Confession and Truth, Circa 10,000 B.C.
THE Head Priest, Assan, who resided in the main city, was given
word from the village priests that the Princess, whom he had long ago sent into exile to live anonymously, was ready to return.
Assan had gone to the main temple in the city to think and to reflect. He entered the temple’s inner sanctuary, which had been designed and constructed exactly like the original one that was destroyed by the accident with the Pharom. Its design elements, though deceptively simple, served an important and specific purpose for the priesthood.
He stood in the center of the room. It was midday, the sun shone bright through the small square window cut high into the wall. On the wall across from the window, was an altar, above it, the only other decoration in room, was a large, golden-bronze disk placed directly across from the window. The sunlight reflected off of the polished disk, bathing the room in a warm glow.
The Sun Disk, inscribed with Kierani hieroglyphs signifying their spiritual beliefs, had been a gift to the priesthood from Victarius, the former chief engineer for the Royal Family. It was meant for their spiritual meditations in acknowledgement of the vital and important role they played in Kierani society. The disk was made from a special metal alloy, some components of which were also used in the Pharom’s construction. The Sun Disk had the ability to absorb the sun’s rays, illuminating the room, and bestowing some of that transmuted energy upon anyone who stood in the room. It enhanced their spiritual enlightenment and fostered a sense of wellbeing, and clarity of thought and purpose for the priests. It was a most precious gift.
The Sun Disk had been lost for a time in the catastrophic events following the Pharom’s malfunction, but was found again and given back to the priesthood by Victaren, who was the new chief engineer, overseeing all Royal projects, and Victarius’ son. He had followed in his father’s footsteps, and was granted the important position not long after his father’s death.
Assan stood very still, his eyes closed, letting the disk’s reflected rays from the sun spill over him. He felt awash in its warm, invigorating energy. Memories surfaced, back to a dark day, the assassination of Princess Anjia’s mother, their Queen, which had almost taken the young girl’s life as well. It had been a miracle that the Princess survived. He knew then that she would not be safe if she stayed, or if it became known she was still alive. She had unusual intuitive abilities, which manifested themselves nearly from the time she was born. These abilities grew and were noticed by others – others who feared them. She had a power to see into people and sense their desires and motivations, and an ability to communicate across distance and see glimpses of the future. She was, without a doubt, the Chosen One spoken of in ancient prophecy, the one who would lead the Kierani people to a better and more united future…if she survived.
Assan had also realized that her father, King Traeus, would never agree to be separated from his only daughter, nor would he want her twin brother to be apart from her. He knew him well. The King would not accept that the prophecy was more important than keeping his family together.
But Assan had to be certain the Princess’ enemies were gone or would no longer pose a threat. So he made the painful decision to keep the truth of her survival from everyone, even her own family, until the day came when it was safe for her to return. Everyone, that is, except Odai and Senarra, the two members of the priesthood who had spirited her away in the night to her new adoptive family. Under strong protest, the priest and priestess had been sworn to secrecy.
Assan reflected on both the choice he had made, as well as the surprising choice the Princess herself made when she had been told three years ago, it was believed safe for her to return at any time. She had chosen to stay. He understood her reasons at the time. He knew she had bonded with her new family, and having been so young, he could imagine it would be hard to leave her home and family once again. Princess Anjia had not had much peace or stability in her young life. Once she decided to return, she knew it would turn her life upside down and thrust her into a very public position. She had not yet been ready to face all of that at the time, nor did she believe it was meant to be then. She did not feel the time was right, she had said. He knew to respect her judgment. She had a keen intuition about things.
Now that she was ready to resume her place in history, Assan’s day of reckoning was near at hand. He would soon answer for what he had done. He took a deep breath, he kept his eyes closed, and focused his mind. He felt the energy transference from the Sun Disk give him clarity of thought, and strengthen him for what was to come. He knew what he had to do. He also knew the secrets he had kept would never be forgiven…
Standing in the temple sanctuary, he thought back to the day he had received word that the exiled Princess wanted to come home. He had gone to the village to speak with her personally. She told him of her premonition, but she told him not to say anything of it. She would reveal it when the time came. He had admired her clarity of purpose, her courage, and her willingness to face up to her responsibilities. She was nearly a young woman now, the promise of the child now becoming fulfilled. He knew the difficulties she would soon face.
Assan recalled returning to the city and planning the trip, much the same way he did after the assassination of Queen Axiana, by the traitorous, and long dead, Princess Zazmaria. Today, he had sent Odai and Senarra, now married and with a child of their own, to bring the Princess home. While the priest and priestess went to bring the young girl back, Assan prepared himself to finally face the consequences of the decision he made nine years ago. Standing in the disk’s reflected light, he said a prayer for guidance and for his King, and then left the sanctuary and went in search of Traeus.
The Head Priest arrived at the King’s office, draped in his customary long white robe. He fingered the heavy ceremonial ankh pendant set with topaz that he wore around his neck. He ran his hand over his smoothly shaven head, then took a deep breath. He knocked on the door. “Your Majesty, it is Assan. May I speak with you?” He heard some rustling inside, then quick footsteps to the door.
The King opened the heavy door, “Assan, of course, come inside.” Traeus motioned him inside, towards an ornate wooden table. “Please take a seat. I was just reviewing plans for the remaining renovations to the Palace before a meeting I will be having with Victaren later.”
Assan sat down, surveying the plans scattered about the table.
The King sat down near him. “The east wing will be the last of it. I am pleased we have come this far. It will be a relief to have it done,” Traeus said, running his fingers through his thick, shiny jet black hair - a trait shared by all Kierani. The King was tall and well-built like all of the Selaren men, cutting an imposing figure. He wore a loose tan-colored linen shirt and wide-legged pants, perfect for hot days.
The Palace was slowly being rebuilt over time, as resources allowed. The original Palace had been destroyed in the accident with the Pharom at the Amsara monument. There had not been enough to salvage, so they started over.
“That is very good to hear,” Assan said, managing a smile. He watched Traeus going over the construction plans, his emerald green eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What did you want to talk to me about,” Traeus asked, looking up from the blueprints.
Assan hesitated to answer. Now that the time had come, a moment he had long imagined and played over and over again in his mind, he found words escaping him. He was having trouble looking his beloved King, whom he had always served loyally, in the eye. He felt his heart race. At this moment, he felt sickened and ashamed and traitorous. However, he tried to fight back these dark thoughts. He reminded himself that what he had done all those years ago was the right thing. The Princess had survived. She had flourished protected in her anonymity, far away from her enemies.
The King looked at him inquisitively. He sensed something serious. “Assan? What is it? What did you want to speak with me about?”
Assan hesitated again. He knew from this point on, their relationship would be irrevocably chan
ged. He just hoped the damage could one day be healed. “Your Majesty…” he said, his throat now dry, “I was thinking back on times gone by, reflecting…” his voice trailed off as he pictured Odai and Senarra riding out to bring the Princess back. He knew he had very little time. Much would have to be done, to be prepared for her arrival. Others would have to be told as well.