by Rai Aren
“You know,” Bob interjected, between bites of pizza, “you guys aren’t going to be allowed to just run amuck while you’re there. I hope you realize that.”
Mitch rolled his eyes. “We know. But that doesn’t mean we have to only do what Dusti-mean says. We’re just going to keep our eyes and ears extra, extra open, right, Alex? Maybe look around a bit more than asked to.”
“Right you are!” She was grinning from ear-to-ear, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.
Bob frowned. “Seriously though, don’t be getting any wild ideas into your heads. We’re going to be in a foreign country. I don’t want you guys getting us into any trouble we can’t get out of.”
“I hate to admit it,” Jack said, “but my friend here has a point. You two have some crazy ideas. Don’t be going all Indiana Jones on us over there. We wouldn’t fair too well in a foreign prison, you know.”
“What he said,” Bob added, tucking into another slice of pizza.
Alex sat up. “You guys have been all over our crazy ideas until now. What gives with the nervous nelly routine all of a sudden?”
Bob scowled at her, only half playfully. “Crazy ideas are fine in the comfort of one’s own home, or at a friend’s place. Not necessarily in the real world, where there are actual, horrible, terrible consequences.”
“Yeah, horrible, terrible consequences suck,” Jack agreed.
Mitch laughed. “Don’t worry, we’re not going to get into trouble. Are we, Alex?”
“Not on purpose,” she said, winking at them.
CHAPTER
8
Circa 10,000 B.C.
The newly crowned, young King Traeus was deeply disturbed by the events following his father’s funeral. Protestors had brazenly spoken out against his Kingship. People asking for him to step down, to make way for new leadership, shouting that he was not fit to be King. It had been shocking and hurtful. He had not been prepared for such animosity on a day of remembrance. It had shaken him deeply.
Although the Royal Guards had swiftly removed the protestors and Head Priest Assan had stepped in to calm the crowd and refocus their attention, the damage had been done, both to his confidence and to his people’s perceptions of him.
“My love,” his wife said, walking up behind him. She wrapped her arms around his chest and pressed her cheek to his back. “I know this was a sad and troubling day, but do not take it so hard.”
They were alone in the Palace library. It was late. Everyone else in the family had finally retired for the night. The fire in the fireplace was slowly dying. Traeus was too tired to tend to it.
He placed his hands over hers. “You heard what they said. They can sense that I am not ready for this.”
“Do not listen to those who are so cowardly they speak only when camouflaged by a crowd.”
“But I also know I am not ready to be king,” he admitted in a low voice, feeling ashamed of his insecurity.
She stepped around to face him. “You are being far too hard on yourself.”
He looked into her eyes. “My beautiful Queen,” he said, stroking her long, silky hair. “I am so grateful for you.” She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, inside and out.
She smiled softly. Her heart went out to him. “And I you. I am proud of you. Your mother and father would be very proud of you as well. I hope you know that.”
The sting of the loss was still fresh. He sighed, trying to muster a smile in return. “I appreciate you saying that.”
She stroked his cheek. “It is true. I want you to believe that. Believe in yourself, as I do.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “I do not know what I would ever do without you.”
They held each other for a short time, being comforted by one another’s presence.
“Would you like me to have anything brought to you?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, I am fine.”
“Then, shall we retire as well?”
He considered it for a moment. As exhausted as he was, he was feeling unsettled. Sleep would not yet come, of that he was certain. “I am tired, but before I go to bed I need some time to think, to try and clear my mind.”
She nodded. “I understand. You have been through so much in such a short amount of time. Be patient with yourself, my handsome King.” She kissed him. “I will await you in bed.”
He watched his wife walk away to retire to their chambers. He loved her so much, more than anything in the world. He could not bear the thought of failing her, of not living up to the faith she placed in him. Nor, could he stand the thought of failing his family and his father’s legacy.
He was not just feeling sorry for himself. He knew he had a battle in front of him. He could lose everything, not just for himself, but for those he loved as well. He could not let that happen. He had to find a way to secure the trust of his family and his people in his Kingship, and gain their commitment to a shared vision of their future. And he knew he had to do it fast. Based on the way the protestors were so boldly and callously speaking out at his father’s funeral, he had a very bad feeling of what would happen if he did not succeed. He fervently prayed for guidance.
Finally, after pacing the library and walking the now quiet halls of the Palace, seeking an answer, fatigue took hold of both his mind and body. He returned to the Royal chambers where Axiana was fast asleep. He had a fitful sleep that night, his mind refusing to let him fully relax. Wild dreams permeated his sleep, a mix of fantasy and reality.
When he awoke a few hours later, the sun was rising, and a single image came to his mind. At once, it sparked an idea. The blueprint for the stone monument his father had been working on. With a major enhancement. His wife still slept on, so he left her in peace. Skipping breakfast, he rushed off to his office within the Royal Palace and began sketching out his idea. He started researching various aspects of it as well.
Over the next few hours, he had another epiphany. It was almost startling. Thrilling even. “Could it be possible?” he whispered to himself.
Excitement brewed inside him. He had much more work to do. He knew he would also need help with design and engineering expertise. If he could accomplish this, if it was even possible, it would change his life and the lives of his people forever. It would give them hope.
He thought of his family. Should he bring this idea forward for discussion? His mind raced with possibilities. No, he thought to himself, this was too much to tell them right now. They were already overwhelmed with the transition of him to King and with the loss of his father. He would keep this to himself for the time being and then only broach the subject with those whose help he would absolutely require. He would not want to disappoint too many people if this proved to be an impossible dream. Most importantly, what he was conceiving of was very, very dangerous. In many ways.
“What harm could be done by keeping this secret for awhile?” he asked himself aloud. Now that he was King, it was up to him to guide his people’s future and make decisions in their best interests. He envisioned what this could mean for them. He made his choice. “It is a secret I must keep for now.”
Traeus remained sequestered for the rest of the day. The young King explained he needed time alone to make plans for the days ahead. With all that had happened recently, no one questioned his desire for time to think and grieve and plan in private.
Late that night, after everyone else was asleep once again, and without telling anyone where he was going, Traeus crept down a set of stone stairs into an underground vault within the Royal Palace. At the bottom of the staircase he unlocked a large wooden door and slowly opened it. Its hinges creaked. He walked inside, closed the door behind him, and lit a torch on the wall. The room, constructed from large stone blocks, was cool and had a slight earthen smell to it.
Torchlight flickered on the walls, casting shadows around the room. He was grateful to have this time alone. He needed to breath, to clear his mind, to be free of the endless stream of interruptions that
his life as King now consisted of. In this quiet place, in the stillness of the night, his thoughts were crystallizing even more. Traeus stepped carefully around the room. Items of great importance were kept here, but none more so than the one he sought.
The more he had considered his idea and imagined the incredible potential it had, the more inspired he felt. But it would not be easy. He recalled his father’s deathbed advice to trust his instinct. Traeus had a strong feeling this was exactly what he needed to do to give his people a renewed sense of hope and purpose. To be an architect of their future, as a King should be. To forever change their destinies.
In the flickering light, he spotted what he was searching for. He knelt down in front of an exquisitely carved golden chest. An ankh had been carved into its front and other glyphs decorated its surface. Noble markings to signify its importance. He ran his fingers lightly over the lid, feeling a faint tinge of energy as he did. It was an incredible sensation. It energized him.
“This is it,” he whispered, next tracing his fingers around the carved ankh. The sensation was electric. The idea he had was catching fire in his mind. Slowly, he lifted the lid of the metallic chest. A luminescent blue glow emanated from within. It was beautiful. And powerful. He felt drawn to it. His heart beat faster. “I must do this,” he swore to himself. “At any cost.”
Continue the journey with The Secret of the Sands Trilogy...
“There are no secrets that time does not reveal.”
—Jean Racine
Other Works
THE SECRET OF THE SANDS TRILOGY
Hidden deep below the Great Sphinx, and within the heart of the Great Pyramid lie otherworldly secrets...
Hold on for a wild ride! The Secret of the Sands Trilogy is an adventure story in the spirit of Indiana Jones & The Mummy!
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The Secret of the Sands Trilogy
THE SECRET OF THE SANDS TRILOGY
SECRETS. DESTINY. REVELATIONS.
DISCOVERY. WAR. REDEMPTION.
From the Great Sphinx to Petra to the Great Pyramid, journey on this epic archaeology adventure, weaving between the past and the present, to uncover hidden ancient secrets and fascinating mysteries about a long lost civilization...
Secret of the Sands
For 12,000 years a dark and deadly secret has been hidden deep below the Great Sphinx. In present day Egypt, two archaeologists discover mysterious artifacts belonging to an unknown civilization. A frightening and awe-inspiring story unravels as the archaeologists race against time to decipher the dangerous knowledge they hold...
Destiny of the Sands
Some secrets cannot remain hidden... and some cannot be forgiven...
The Great Sphinx of Giza has guarded a secret, both dangerous and incredible, for 12,000 years. Now deadly enemies emerge, and those involved must face startling truths and deep sorrow, in the fight against the forces of tyranny...
Revelation of the Sands
A stunning revelation of secrets and destiny that will change everything...
Complete the epic journey begun in Secret of the Sands...
The mystery deepens. The danger is ever-present. Incredible discoveries await.
The Great Sphinx is not the only ancient wonder that has incredible secrets hidden deep within it. But uncovering these secrets will have life-changing consequences. There will be no turning back. It will take a great deal of courage and the testing of faith, on multiple fronts, to face them...
The final chapter in this archaeology adventure trilogy now unfolds. The characters you’ve come to know are suddenly thrust down a new, completely different, and even more personal path, to a point of no return. Their journey is about take another perilous turn with mysterious and surprising outcomes that will alter the course of their lives forever.
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About the Author
Rai Aren is the co-author of the award winning, bestselling archaeology adventure novel, Secret of the Sands, and its sequel, Destiny of the Sands. She is also the author of the final instalment of The Secret of the Sands Trilogy, Revelation of the Sands and Lost City of Gold, which was her first solo effort. She looks forward to penning more stories surrounding ancient mysteries for you to enjoy. There are a lot more fun & exciting adventures to come!
Rai has a life-long interest in archaeology and adventure stories and movies. She can usually be found cuddling with her rescue kitties, hanging out with her family, binging on her fave sci-fi & mystery shows, and reading and writing mystery and adventure stories.
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Rai also often tweets about her interests in archaeology, space exploration, sci-fi, books, movies, and more: twitter.com/raiaren You can also visit her at: www.raiaren.com to learn more about her writing, visit her on Facebook: Rai’s Facebook page or send her an e-mail at: [email protected].