Treasure of Egypt

by Barbara Ivie Green

  Against all odds, the scroll that Samuel pulled out was none other than the one her father had on him when he’d been killed. Genevieve stared as he unfolded it and spread it out before them on the makeshift table.

  “Where did you get this?” Genevieve barely recognized her own voice as she asked it. She leaned forward studying the scroll before her, though it was hardly necessary for her to do so. She knew every line, every crinkle in the piece of parchment. That is with the exception of the dark stain that now marred the upper corner. She could barely control her trembling when she realized what it might be… blood.

  She felt her own blood drain from her face as she stared at the discoloration that might very well have come from her own father. She took great care to control her reaction and discreetly folded her hands in her lap to conceal their shaking.

  “Aaugh, well that was Alec’s doing,” Samuel interrupted her thoughts. “He won it in a card game of all places.”

  Alec, she noticed was intent on avoiding anything to do with the map. He was still busily rummaging through the food sacks.

  Genevieve had to still her panic, she could feel her heartbeat racing in her chest. How could this be? Had all the years of hiding in the desert been for naught? She watched as Samuel mulled over the Egyptian writing on the one side. He then flipped it over displaying another drawing with a seven-pointed star.

  Samuel leaned forward pointing to the drawing. “The circle within a circle in the center depicts the land with the ocean surrounding it.” He glanced up to see if he had her attention.

  She nodded her understanding, not trusting her voice.

  Encouraged by her avid interest, Samuel continued by indicating the area at the top of the map, placing his finger between the two star points closest to the top. “This of course indicates north.”

  Genevieve raised her brows. Could they truly be this misinformed?

  Within the circles lie two long rectangles which crossed in the center forming a shape much like that of the letter I. “The small horizontal one on top,” Samuel ran his finger over it, “represents the Mediterranean Sea, and vertical one is the Nile River.

  Genevieve watched further amazed by his explanation as he pointed to where he thought the treasure lay. “Right here in the center.” He placed his finger where the two rectangles crossed.

  “How did you discover that?” Genevieve finally found her voice.

  “It makes perfect sense,” Samuel grinned up at her. “X marks the spot.” Humor sparkled in his eyes as he said it. “Like all great treasure maps.”

  Genevieve forced a smile of her own before focusing down at the map. She didn’t want him to see the turmoil within her own eyes. The area where he thought the treasure lay was directly in the center of the map, indicated by a red circle marked suspiciously with an “X" in the center of it.

  “Actually, I had this translated by an understudy of Champollion himself,” Samuel stated, obviously proud of the achievement.

  They’d had it translated… Oh, dear God! Did they know?

  “It seems the circle with a cross inside it is not only the hieroglyphic symbol for a city, but the place where the tomb is to be found.”

  A frown furrowing her brow as she asked, “Do you know what city is it?”

  “Unfortunately,” Samuel sighed, “that still remains a mystery.”

  She let out the air she had been unconsciously holding. They didn’t know.

  “But, there is a key.” He added, searching through his jacket. Pulling a flask out of his pocket he smiled sheepishly. “You just never know when it might come in handy.”

  From deeper within the pocket he retrieved a small book. “Ah, here it is,” he smiled, “Just where I left it.” With the look of a magician who had just pulled a rabbit out of his hat, he displayed his find. “In my notes, I have a symbol.”

  He’d opened his book and pointed to a collection of hieroglyphic symbols saying, “It is the symbol for life, the Ankh.”

  She studied the page seeing the precise drawings that he’d made on the paper. “And you believe that this is the key?”

  “Yes, you see it opens the tomb.”

  She swallowed, trying to make her voice sound as light as possible. “How does it do that?”

  “I’m not sure, but I believe the answer lies in the mystery of the language itself. You see, first we have the symbol of the Egyptian ankh, followed by a jagged line representing water and sounds like ‘n’.” He glanced up at her, “The ebb and flow of life.”

  “This symbol here,” Samuel excitedly pointed to another symbol, completely oblivious to her turmoil. His finger hovered above the etchings, “The one that looks like a ball of string or…” Samuel leaned towards her conspiratorially, “I have also heard that it may be a placenta.”

  “Excuse me,” Genevieve raised her brows in dismay over his bizarre revelation, “Did you say placenta?”

  “Sorry my dear, if I speak too candidly?” Samuel seemed sincerely alarmed that his frankness may have shocked her sensibilities.

  “Good heavens, no... I was just surprised,” Genevieve reassured him.

  He looked back to the page. “The ball of string is pronounced “kh”, as in Bach.”

  He looked up to her and smiled. “See, not only does this pictorially spell ankh, but phonetically it also pronounced the word, n-kh, or ankh. Brilliant, isn’t it?”

  She nodded wordlessly as she scanned the page. He had many symbols with their meanings next to it. Most of it was correct she noted, with one exception, “T” a bun or loaf of bread.

  It was indeed the symbol for “t”, but it was hardly a sticky bun. She certainly wasn’t going to argue the point, however, since it was in her favor that he was so confused. She watched as he went to close the book. “You are a very good artist. May I see it?”

  He looked mildly uncomfortable at her request. He cleared his throat, saying rather apologetically. “I’m sorry Lady Genevieve, but I have many drawings from the temples of…” He looked over to Alec as if he could be of some help. He wasn’t, in fact, he looked to be avoiding anything to do with the map.

  “I’m rather chagrined to admit to you that there is much here that would be…” Samuel paused, trying furtively to put it delicately, he cleared his throat again. “Not for the viewing of young ladies,” he finished uncomfortably as he placed it back inside his pocket.

  Grasping at anything that may keep him talking, Genevieve smiled encouragingly. “Did you say Jean-Francois Champollion?”

  More than willing to change the subject from the dangers of his diary to a safer one, Samuel responded with certain degree of relief, “Why yes… you’ve heard of him?”

  “I’ve been living in something quite close to isolation.” Genevieve confessed, “I do, however, remember hearing something about his genius.”

  “But of course you must have known of him, how else would you know how to read all of this?” Samuel laughed as the obvious occurred to him. “Tell me, what do you make of it?”

  Genevieve practically froze at his words. “Who told you such a thing?”

  “Why, the Sheik of course,” Samuel looked baffled. “He told me you were proficient in all the ancient languages of these lands.”

  “I’m sorry Samuel, but you were misled.” Breathing became difficult as she waited to see if he believed her.

  Alec, having listened to their conversation as he rummaged through the bags, joined in, “That’s perfect!” He chuckled, “She obviously doesn’t know a thing about it.” Alec seemed to truly enjoy Samuel’s dismay.

  Incredulous, Samuel sat back stymied, “I can’t believe he deceived me.”

  “It’s about time someone pulled the wool over your eyes.” Alec reveled in the information as he plopped down beside her, offering a plate of dried figs. “My hat’s off to the man!”

  Genevieve accepted a piece, if for no other reason than to keep her hands busy, “Thank you,” she nodded, looking at him. “I don’t understand, i
f the map shows the city where the Nile meets the sea, shouldn’t you be looking there for the city instead?”

  Alec shrugged while Samuel answered her. “Excellent question, I asked that of Champollion’s understudy myself.”

  “What did he say?” She turned to him.

  “Apparently these seven circles scattered throughout the map somehow place the “X” in a different location.” Samuel indicated seven circles that dotted the other side of the map.

  “Oh, I see.” Genevieve replied.

  “Really, because I’m really quite confused,” Samuel’s brow was furrowed as he looked down at the parchment.

  She breathed uneasy. Had she said too much?

  “Our last guide told us he knew exactly where it was located.” Samuel briefly glanced her way. “Unfortunately, we now know that he duped us.”

  “He means left us for dead,” Alec clarified with an edge to his voice.

  “Really?” Genevieve’s eyes widened with that information.

  Alec nodded in answer as he threw up a date, catching it in his teeth.

  It didn’t appear she would get any information from him as she watched him chew. She looked back over to Samuel, who was still intent on the drawings. “I believe I have heard something of this riddle,” Genevieve offered up, hoping he might reveal more. He looked up with interest as she spoke. “It’s a fable from the city of Memphis. The answer being ma-”

  “Man.” Both Alec and Samuel finished at the same time.

  “We actually managed to crack that one,” Samuel smiled at her. “Man, who crawls when he is born, stands upright as an adult and walks with a cane when he’s old. We’ve been there. The other clues didn’t match.”

  “What other clues?”

  “Where the cat arches over the door.” Alec announced prophetically.

  “Have you been to the Temple of Hathor which is dedicated to the goddess Bastet?” It was the very least she could do… mislead them.

  “No, I don’t think we’ve seen it.” Samuel pulled another map out and spread it over the table. “Where is it?”

  “If I remember correctly, it is here.” Genevieve pointed to an area north of the Temple of Karnack.

  “I think we should add this to the list of possibilities.” Samuel enthusiastically looked over to Alec who rolled his eyes in response. “What?” Samuel eyed him defensively. “It’s on the way back home.”

  “You actually think you’re going to find it?” Alec assessed him critically.

  “It’s got to be somewhere.” Samuel folded up the map.

  “I think it might as well be on the moon,” Alec countered.

  Genevieve choked on the date she was chewing with that revelation.

  Alec leaned forward to pat her on the back. “Are you all right?” He asked with concern.

  She nodded. “Please excuse me, will you?”

  “Of course,” he stood offering to assist her. She flushed as he helped her up. The dimple in his cheek deepened as he noticed. She looked away shyly before taking her leave.

  “She seemed rather choked up,” Samuel whispered over to him as soon as she was out of earshot. “Do you think she’ll abscond in the middle of the night like the last guide?”

  Alec looked over to him. “You don’t ever stop do you?”

  “What?” Samuel replied, “I’m just trying to be careful, considering what happened the last time I showed someone.”

  “If that were the case, I think you’d find it far more effective if you just took silent.” Alec commented dryly.

  “Where would be the fun in that?” Samuel bandied back. “You should calm yourself Alec. You’re like a clock that’s wound so tight it’s only a matter of time until you pop a spring.” He sat back taking his flask out for a nip. “You don’t think she’ll steal our water now, do you? Perhaps we should tie it to the camels.”

  “She just might leave with those too.” Alec looked at him with irritation. “I know… Why don’t you tie it to your person?”

  “Excellent idea, I’ll do that.”

  Alec threw his eyes heavenward and shook his head in disbelief.

  Chapter 9

  Genevieve was sitting on a rock that looked out over the desert, watching the sun sink below the horizon as Alec walked up behind her. A full moon had already risen in the east.

  He watched her for a moment, amazed at how breathtakingly lovely she was. “It’s beautiful isn’t it?” he spoke softly. She appeared to be in such deep thought that his words startled her. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” he added quickly.

  She looked up at him and smiled in relief. “Sorry, I’m not usually so easily startled.”

  The striking color of her eyes held him entranced for a moment. He had to give himself a mental shake before he spoke. “I was wondering if you would like some of the kaf that I prepared… to take the chill off.”

  “Thank you,” she accepted the mug in his hands with a smile, then coughed after taking a sip. It had to be the worst concoction that she’d ever tasted and some of the brews that Aura had made were positively lethal. She managed to swallow the bitter liquid, giving him a weak smile.

  “Too strong?” he stood awkwardly before her, “I’m sorry. You don’t have to finish it.”

  She watched him drag a hand through his hair as he turned to stare out over the silvery landscape. He looked like a man with a lot on his mind. She wondered if it was the map or their marital vows that troubled him.

  “Would you care to join me?” She invited, scooting over to make room on the rock where she sat. She knew she was playing with fire as soon as the idea occurred to her, but she needed some answers. Even if it meant resorting to using her feminine wiles to get them.

  “Yes, thank you,” Alec smiled as he seated himself rather stiffly at her side, leaving several inches between them. One might think there was a ballroom full of matrons chaperoning them, instead of just the two of them beneath the light of the full moon.

  A romantic scene… Genevieve thought, wondering how to best use it to her advantage. She’d no idea that she’d feel this insecure once she started to play the vixen. Tromping down her fears she mentally urged herself, you can do this! Women had done this from the beginning of time. How hard could it be?

  She resituated herself in such a way that the movement allowed her scarf to slip, exposing a creamy shoulder with a little cleavage.

  “I was just wondering,” she purred.

  “I was just thinking…” Alec began at exactly the same time. “Ladies first,” he turned towards her.

  Awkwardly, the moment she looked into his eyes all thoughts fled into the night. How did he do that to her? She wondered as she tried to fill the silence with something. She shivered instead.

  “Are you cold?”

  “A little, but I’m fine.” She hesitantly glanced over at him, aware that he had nothing but his arms to offer for warmth. What was she thinking? It was also going to be difficult to remain in control of this situation if she didn’t keep her head about her.

  Alec reached forward and pulled her scarf back up over her shoulder in a purely platonic fashion.

  Oh, bother! This was going to be harder than she thought. She looked out at the star-filled sky, plotting her next move.

  “I wanted to talk to you about our marriage,” Alec spoke softly. “I’m glad you’re agreeable to…” He started then paused, considering his phrasing, “to…”

  “You mean… forgetting about it,” she added helpfully, watching him.

  “Yes— I mean. It’s not that… I—umm,” he cleared his throat. Alec had hoped to apologize for the circumstances they found themselves. Though why he felt the need to explain himself at all was frustrating. Her eyes were far too expressive, he could see that his words pained her even though she tried to hide it.

  Damn! This was more awkward than he ever envisioned. He’d thought to forge a truce, though watching her in the moonlight was a savage temptation. Especially when all he
wanted to do was kiss her.

  “I don’t…” He paused as he gazed down into her upturned face, she was so lovely. It had been hell to pull up her wrap, when all he wanted to do was rip it off.

  “Wish to be married?” Genevieve prompted as she quickly looked away.

  “Right…” Alec blurted out, realizing that his attempt at an apology was having a disastrous effect. He was so distracted by her it was hard to think. He always seemed to make a complete ass of himself around this woman.

  What had happened to his ability to lie? He could have said something charming and had her in his arms instead. No! He silently berated himself. He could not afford to start something with her.

  She spoke up, saving him from his inner conflict. “I am glad that you’re agreeable to forgetting about our… marriage. I believe we can consider it annulled by mutual consent.” She continued in a remarkably businesslike fashion.

  It was amazing the strength of backbone the pain of rejection could create. Just like a proper English miss, she thought, embracing her heritage. She had a stiff spine and an even stiffer upper lip.

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Alec, all too aware of the conflict within himself, couldn’t help but wonder at it. What the hell was wrong with him? He should be happy that she was agreeable to forgetting about their marriage. Right?

  He’d been staring at her throughout the conversation, but was startled when she turned to look at him. Her eyes, lit softly by the moon, shimmered like pools. He wanted to kiss her now more than ever. What was it about her?

  With her face turned slightly up towards him, her lips beckoned. God, he wanted her, in this moment under the stars he wanted this woman more than any other he’d ever known.

  “I’m relieved that you understand and that you’re not going to…” She started to say, distracted by the smoldering heat she saw within his eyes, “going to…” Struck speechless by the longing she saw there, she could feel herself lean forward, drawn by the pull of his gaze.

  Covering the rest of the distance between them, Alec’s lips touched hers. His kiss was all at once soft and demanding. His arms enfolded her in an embrace that only succeeded in deepening his kiss. His lips urged hers to open and his tongue caressed hers in intimate play.