Treasure of Egypt

by Barbara Ivie Green

  Alec then asserted his clever plan by saying, “He should be able to bear his own weight soon. We’ll just have to ride double for a day or so.”

  ~*~

  Waves of heat shimmered in the distance. The desert, awash with the current, enveloped the riders as they journeyed across the white expanse. Genevieve hadn’t realized it was possible for two people to sit together on the back of a camel and yet stay that far apart from each other. She had to stifle the urge to laugh at the sight. It actually appeared as though a large V was wedged between the men as they rode a short distance away.

  Alec cursed his luck again! So much for thinking he could insist she ride with him. All he’d received for his efforts, was Samuel’s non-stop grumbling.

  “I swear to God, that if I ever set eyes on another camel after this, it will be too soon.” Samuel groaned as he swayed on the back of the camel.

  “What was that again about how horses don’t do well out here?” Alec reminded him. “They have a tendency to expire without water.”

  “And I’m sure you’ll never let me forget that either,” Samuel complained. “But you can’t blame this one on me. It wasn’t my dimwitted idea that left us in this situation. Couldn’t you have come up with a better scheme to get her to ride with you than to convince her that the camel shouldn’t be ridden?

  “Obviously my plan backfired.”

  “Oh yes, the plan,” Samuel leaned closer. “The plan was to find the tomb the map speaks of, yet now that we’re here you’re suddenly hell-bent for England.”

  “No… The real reason I left was to avoid getting married and since you rather neatly handled that for me, I am now fulfilling my obligation to take her back home.”

  “Oh, come on, what if we were to just show her the map?” Samuel hedged. “What harm could come of that?”

  “We’re through!” Alec looked back at him crossly. “The only place we’re going is back to England.”

  “You’re not even slightly curious?” Samuel attempted to goad him.

  “No!”

  “How can you say no, when we haven’t shown it to her?” Samuel threw his hands up in dismay.

  “We showed the last guide if you recall, just before he stole our water and left us for dead,” Alec retorted indignantly.

  “Yes, but he obviously didn’t have the foggiest clue how to read it.” Samuel rushed on. “At least now, we have someone who really may be able to.”

  “No!” Alec repeated sternly, “and no more buts either.”

  “How can you say that, especially when we’re right here,” Samuel demanded. “For the love of God man, we can’t just leave when we’re this close.”

  “We’re not close,” Alec turned in his seat. “Not by a long shot! That damn map is so old, we’re off by centuries. If we’d embarked on this journey a millennium ago, it may have proved useful.”

  “It could still be here.”

  “Even if we knew where here was, it would still be impossible.” Alec tapped his ear. “Haven’t you been listening? It’s too damn old. Hell! If the clues haven’t disintegrated they’ve been completely swallowed up by the desert.”

  “What if she’s heard the riddle?” Samuel said choosing another route. “Didn’t you think it odd that our last guide became so nervous after we asked him about it?”

  “We’re going back to England,” Alec’s voice was flat.

  “No!” Samuel stubbornly declared. “You’re going back to England. I’m staying right here.”

  “You can’t possibly be serious,” Alec said with censure.

  “And why not?” Samuel asked with the lack of it.

  “Why not? For one thing your mother would kill me if I returned without you.”

  “Don’t give me that!” Samuel sputtered indignantly. “I’m a grown man… Bloody hell! I certainly don’t need you… or my mother to protect me!”

  Truly irked, Samuel fought the urge to clobber him; instead he swung his leg around. “I believe I’d rather walk.” He added stiffly before jumping down from the camel. “And don’t forget the times I’ve saved your skin, Alec!” Samuel yelled after him.

  “Damn it all to hell!” He’d be damned if he was going to stop for the lout. The hot head could just walk it off. The fool always did have a quick temper, Alec thought irritably. Glancing back he was surprised to see that Genevieve had stopped to pick up the braggart.

  “Why that damn little sneak!” Alec swore under his breath.

  “Unreasonable, bloody…” Samuel was grumbling as he walked.

  “It’s quite a bit further.” Genevieve rode up beside the unlikely pedestrian. “Do you really want to walk?”

  “Not especially,” his surly tone surprised her. “But I could not tolerate my circumstances any longer.”

  Genevieve wondered what could have happened between the two. She’d seen the heat cause this type of thing before. Concerned, she offered him a skin of water.

  He looked up optimistically, “Double malt scotch?”

  “Sorry, plain, old water,” Genevieve responded lightly. “Take some, it will do you good.”

  Samuel eyed it dubiously, but took a swig of it anyway. “Aaugh, you’re truly a saint, Lady Genevieve, to offer me anything but poison after what I’ve done to you.”

  Genevieve raised a brow at this. He seemed so sincere she couldn’t help but ask. “What have you done, Sir Samuel?”

  “What have I done? Why, the worst thing imaginable,” he practically snorted. “I have done the most horrible deed conceivable.” His expression was pained as he looked up at her. “Please tell me you’ll forgive me for marrying you to that ill-begotten, miserable…” he paused, remembering himself, “Sorry.”

  Genevieve raised both brows in surprise at this and wanted to laugh. She was starting to see the ploy. No doubt, the ill-begotten one had put him up to this. She hesitated for a moment before saying. “You needn’t say this on my account.” She lifted her chin. “You needn’t try to spare my feelings. I know that he intends to annul our marriage when we return to England.”

  Samuel practically fell over in surprise at her comment. “You do?”

  He seemed so taken back by her confession that she rushed on. “Yes, and I’m quite relieved too.”

  “You are?”

  Genevieve fixed him with her steady regard. “Why yes, I didn’t know how to broach the subject myself.”

  “Really,” Samuel responded with astonishment. “Does this mean that you’ll forgive me after all?”

  “Of course,” Genevieve stated with certainty. “Would you care to ride with me and we can discuss it further?”

  Samuel accepted gladly, listening to her as he climbed up.

  “Actually,” Genevieve continued optimistically, “I was rather hopeful that we wouldn’t have to tell anyone back in England and avoid the annulment altogether.”

  Samuel’s brows shot up in surprise as he seated himself. “I say, that is rather forward thinking of you.”

  “Well,” Genevieve hedged, “Considering it took place against the wishes of both bride and groom, I don’t think it’s legally binding.”

  He coughed uncomfortably, “You may be right.”

  Not wanting to beat around the bush any longer Genevieve stayed her course. “I believe that, once we are back in Cairo, it would be best if I employ a female chaperone to accompany me back to England.”

  “You do?”

  “Why, yes. It will solve all sorts of problems upon my arrival.” Genevieve equivocated. “Don’t you agree?”

  “I think it’s a wonderful solution,” Samuel nodded with a grin.

  Alec had slowed his mount considerably, Samuel noticed, as they passed him. Alec gave him a look that bespoke of dour consequences. In response, Samuel waved cheerfully, mocking him with a sardonic smile.

  Alec had had quite enough and rode up beside them. “Don’t listen to a damn thing he has to say.”

  “Excuse me?” Genevieve responded anxiously.

&
nbsp; Samuel threw his hands up in innocence. “What?”

  “I know what you’re up to and it won’t work!” Alec’s eyes narrowed on the braggart.

  “It won’t?” Genevieve asked hesitantly.

  “No! I’ll not permit it.” Alec stated vehemently with his gaze fixed on the troublemaker behind her.

  “But why in heavens not?” quite distraught, Genevieve pleaded with him. “Surely you can’t mean to keep it?”

  “You’d have to find it first.”

  “Find it?” Confused, Genevieve looked from one to the other. “What are you talking about?”

  Alec couldn’t help but notice her perplexed expression. “What are you talking about?”

  Samuel decided to spare them both and chimed in. “He’s blathering about a silly, old map,” then looking pointedly at Alec, “and she’s decided to let you off easy old chap and forget you were ever married.”

  “What do you mean forget?” Alec demanded, looking toward Genevieve for an explanation.

  “What map?” Genevieve asked in turn, looking to Samuel for hers.

  Chapter 8

  “Did I say map?” Samuel exclaimed as he looked over at Alec who was glaring at him. “Yes, well apparently it will lead us to an endangered cat.” It was almost the truth.

  “Cat?” Genevieve glanced back at him.

  “Why yes. It would probably surprise you to know that we are here on a scientific expedition.” Samuel gave Alec a conspiratorial wink. “You know Alec has several degrees in biology and physiology.”

  “Really?” Amazed by the information, Genevieve looked over to Alec who seemed rather uncomfortable by the praise. “So there really is a horny toad?”

  “Lizard,” Alec corrected.

  “Yes,” Samuel grinned over her head, “nasty little buggers.” When Genevieve turned around he quickly wrinkled his nose for her benefit.

  “I take it that’s not your specialty?” She said over her shoulder.

  “I’ve been accused of worse I suppose,” he laughed. “Actually, I have a degree in mathematics, but I believe that I have a real knack for languages, especially those of love.”

  Alec shook his head and threw his eyes up in dismay.

  Genevieve laughed as she watched him. “Do you have a degree in that as well?”

  “He’s an honorary linguist.” Alec replied sarcastically, “and whatever you do, don’t let him negotiate for you.”

  “Well I never,” Samuel smiled at the insult. “Why, you’d think he’d be grateful. It’s not every day when a man is blessed by such beauty… and all because of my considerable skill in the art of haggling.”

  Genevieve laughed. “I was wondering how it was that you merited being married to the Plague of Egypt?” She looked over at Alec as she spoke. “Now I know.”

  “Well now, that is actually one of the good things he’s done.” Alec smiled showing her the dimple in his cheek. “You should have been there when—”

  “Alright, alright…” Samuel interrupted, “I believe she gets the idea. But, since you brought it up, I’ve been dying to know how it is that you became known by such a horrid name.”

  “It was actually meant to protect me,” Genevieve confessed.

  “Protect you, from what?” Samuel puzzled.

  “Getting married.”

  “Well,” Samuel snorted with a laugh, “that certainly backfired, didn’t it?”

  “It worked surprisingly well for eight years.”

  “Is that how long you’ve been out here?” Alec looked at the beauty who rode beside him with empathy.

  She nodded, “It did keep me from becoming one of the Sheik's many wives.”

  “Good grief,” Samuel was clearly mortified. “I’m glad you found a way around that one. But tell me, why did the Sheik say that you caught the whole village on fire, or that you could wilt a man with a look?”

  “The Sheik is an idiot.” Alec looked at Samuel as if the Sheik wasn’t the only one.

  “It’s actually true.” Genevieve couldn’t help but laugh at their expressions.

  Alec coughed, while Samuel sputtered, “It is?”

  “Yes, well… partially.”

  “Which part?” Samuel asked despite himself.

  Alec gave him another look that spoke of dire consequence.

  “Not on purpose, of course. You see I had been left to tend the cooking fires. It was very smoky, and I thought if I removed some of the grease it would help. Unfortunately, I tripped and it splashed into a pile of kindling that was too close to the fire. Before I could stop it, the pile burst into flame.” She laughed at the memory. “I was so startled, I probably wasn’t thinking clearly. I should have left the container of oil where it was, but I was afraid it would cause further damage, so I took it with me. I hadn’t realized it was leaking as I ran to get help. The flames followed me everywhere until the grease had run out.”

  “Apparently, you ran quite far.” Samuel guessed as he looked over at Alec with a brow raised.

  “No not really, just to the Sheiks tent where the meeting of the elders was being held.”

  “I’m beginning to see why he was so motivated,” Samuel remarked. “But, what about the other… thing.”

  “Oh, that was Aura’s idea. She’s the old woman of the tribe.” Genevieve clarified.

  “Is she the woman you went to speak with after the ceremony?” Alec asked.

  “Why yes,” Genevieve looked at him shyly, startled that he’d noticed. Glancing quickly away, she continued with the tale. “It’s said she has the gift of sight. Of course that’s debatable. She is however, quite the prankster. She used to tell little Habieb that if he should continue to lie, toads would spring from his mouth. He didn’t stop until he awoke one morning with frogs in his bed.”

  “She sounds like my grandmother,” Samuel laughed.

  “Aura decided that if she told the women of the tribe that should a man get near me he would suffer.” Genevieve paused, “Um—great loss to his—um…”

  “Oh, yes… Great loss,” Samuel nodded in understanding.

  “It wasn’t until I was left to watch the sheep that the fib actually grew to biblical proportions.

  “Why is that?” Samuel couldn’t help but ask.

  “The sheep fed upon a bush that I didn’t know to keep them away from. As a result, they didn’t go into season again for another month. It only proved the lack of male potency in my presence.”

  “Oh,” Samuel expelling a breath, “Is that why?”

  Alec hadn’t been aware that he too had been holding his breath until he let it out. Both he and Samuel exchanged a look of relief.

  “Of course,” Genevieve was taken back. “You didn’t actually believe that nonsense did you?”

  “Of course not,” Samuel announced at the same time as Alec denounced it saying, “No, no... I never entertained the notion.” Again their eyes met over her head.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had just about enough of this for one day.” Samuel stretched. “What say you, Alec? How about letting up on this grueling pace? It’s not as though wild dogs are nipping at our heels.”

  Alec was surprised at how close this described how he felt. He had been thinking about continuing till dusk just to put more distance between the tribesmen and themselves. Damned if he could shake the feeling of being followed.

  “Just think of this lovely, young lady’s sensibilities.” Samuel interjected when it looked as though Alec might keep on going.

  “Oh, I’m fine, really.” Genevieve reassured with a nod.

  “No, no. I must insist,” Samuel inclined his head. “Look, there is a nice area over there by that rock that looks like an elephant.” He pointed to one of the many rock formations that decorated the landscape. “Besides I’m absolutely famished.”

  Alec took stock of their immediate surroundings. The occasional rock outcrop slowly gave way to cliffs that bordered the land in the distance. The sun was sitting lower on the horizo
n creating long shadows from the towering structures.

  “I think that crevasse in the rocks over there would be an even better spot, plus we’d have protection from the elements under the overhang.” Alec replied, although he was thinking more about sheltering them from the human element rather than the other.

  “Excellent,” Samuel readily agreed.

  Alec wasted no time setting up the tent after they stopped. He created a small enclosure for her use by simply fastening a rope from each side of the rock walls and stringing a cord taunt across the expanse. After that, he simply draped fabric over the line.

  Samuel saw to the camels while Genevieve prepared a meal of dried meats, cheese, flat bread and dates. She created a table by dragging her trunk onto a blanket and then placed the saddles around it for back support. All in all it was quite comfortable.

  ~*~

  “Ah, that’s what I needed.” Samuel sat back with a sigh after he’d consumed a plateful. “Tell me Genevieve. Are you familiar with any of the ancient stories of this land?”

  “Some of them,” she nodded.

  “Have you heard the story which tells of a Sphinx which stands guard over a city? In order to pass she asks you a riddle. If you cannot answer it, she devours you.”

  “It sounds familiar.” She thoughtfully nibbled on a date as she considered it. “What is the riddle?”

  “What has four legs when it’s born, two legs as an adult and three legs when it dies.”

  Alec had seemed to grow more annoyed with Samuel as he spoke. “Not this again,” he groaned. “Genevieve would you care for more figs?”

  “Yes please,” she watched as he stood up.

  “None for me, thanks,” Samuel piped up even though Alec hadn’t offered him any.

  “Promise me you’ll not get bit by the treasure bug too.” Alec called over his shoulder as he walked away.

  “Treasure?” She turned to look at Samuel with surprise. “I thought you were on an expedition?”

  “Well… we are. You see the map tells of a sacred cat. It’s far easier to show you.” Samuel replied as he raised his pant leg, exposing the top of his boot.