“What cave-in?” Samuel eyebrows shot up.
Alec groaned.
“How could you betray your people?” Akeim growled as he too strained against the ropes that bound his arms to his body.
“Betray?” the Dragoman laughed. “It is not I who has betrayed their people. It is you who have aided the Englishmen against your own.”
“I have taken an oath to protect the S’ba.”
“You actually think the English woman is the S’ba?” the guide mocked him.
“Why do you think he took them you fool?”
The guide’s eyes lost their laughter as he stared at Akeim. “It is you, old man, with your misguided loyalties that is the fool.”
“And your loyalties obviously lie with the White Devil,” Akeim sneered contemptuously. “Or is it just that you’ve been bought by the Englishman’s coin.”
“Enough!” the Dragoman shouted, turning to his guard. “Place that over there,” he ordered the man who held the canister. The space he’d indicated was right between Alec and Samuel. One of the dozen men who had followed them into the tomb gave the Dragoman a long reed.
“Wait,” Samuel spoke up. “We can tell you where to find King Solomon’s gold.”
The Dragoman paused before looking over at Akeim. “You see my point.”
“What?” Samuel responded to Akeim’s angry look.
“Out!” the Dragoman ordered his men as he stepped closer to the canister, using the long stick he tipped the lid, which balanced precariously on the edge of the container.
“Don’t make any sudden moves gentlemen,” the guide laughed before leaving. “They don’t like sudden movements or loud noises. It aggravates them.”
They watched, as the lid rocked on the edge as something pushed from inside.
The heavy, iron door used to seal the tomb creaked on its hinges as the Dragoman left. A moment later they were plunged into darkness as the heavy door closed, blocking out the light.
“That went rather well,” Samuel’s attempt at levity was lost in the darkness.
The door opened briefly and a stick of dynamite was thrown inside.
“Perhaps I spoke too soon,” Samuel replied sourly as the glowing end of the fuse burnt away in the darkened corridor. They heard the heavy, iron bar on the other side of the door slide into place, followed by a second thud closer by.
“Was that you?” Samuel questioned.
“No it wasn’t me!” Alec struggled against his ropes as the lid hit the floor. “Damn it, I hate snakes!”
“There is a small cut out over here,” Akeim’s voice called from across the room, “Follow my voice.”
Scuffling sounds and heavy breathing mingled with the hiss of the fuse.
“Bloody damn!” Alec swore again, “Watch your boot!”
“Oh, sorry,” Samuel apologized as they scooted across the dirt floor. “I didn’t realize that was your head.”
“Hurry!” Akeim shouted from far off.
“Is he serious?” Samuel grumbled, “How did he get so far away?”
“He must have figured out a way to st-a-a-a-n-d,” Alec called out as he rolled down an incline.
Thunk!
Crash!
“God, would you watch your boot!” Alec swore again as Samuel joined him in a heap at the bottom of a rather steep corridor.
BOOM!
The percussion of the sound reverberated in their ears. Tremors tore through the ground beneath them as dust blasted down the narrow passage covering them with a thick layer.
Cough, cough, and cough.
“Ah—Ahh—Choo,” Samuel sniffed. “Augh, I’m allergic to dust.”
“And still you chose to come to Egypt?” Alec replied sarcastically.
“Keep your faces covered.” Akeim cautioned as the dust settled.
“Damn it, Samuel!” Alec swore.
“What now?”
“Move your boot!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I suppose you’re going to tell me, that it’s not you rubbing against my leg.”
“It’s not me.”
“Oh Hell!” Alec’s voice was muffled.
“Ahh, the poisonous canister of snakes… How could we forget?” Samuel commented.
“I didn’t forget,” Alec gritted out.
“Be quiet!” Akeim whispered, “You must lie perfectly still. I cannot do anything until I get out of these bindings.”
“Ahh—ah—ah…” Samuel tried to stifle a sneeze so not to aggravate the situation.
“Oh, hell,” Alec groaned.
“I caught it,” Samuel sniffed, “Ah-Choo-oo!”
~*~
“Prepare to cast off.” The Admiral ordered his men as he stood on the deck of his ship.
“Wait,” Sophia turned worried eyes toward him. “Akeim has yet to come aboard.”
“I’m sorry dear, did I not tell you?” The Admiral turned to her. “He was delayed and said to give you a message.”
“What is it?” Sophia’s brow knitted with concern.
“He had something of importance to take care of and said he would meet up with us in Cairo.”
“That isn’t like him,” Sophia looked back to the temple in the distance.
The Admiral sighed as he watched her. “I didn’t want to say anything, but I believe he wanted to,” he paused as if to spare her delicate nature. “Interrogate, the villain who was chasing you. He asked that I keep you safe until his return.” When she still looked undecided he continued. “If there is one man that can take care of himself, it is that one,” he smiled at her reassuringly.
Sophia nodded in agreement.
“I’ll have my man here,” the Admiral summoned the servant behind him. “Show you to your rooms if they are ready.”
“Of course,” she smiled her gratitude.
The servant bowed with a nod in order to imply they were. “We have just aired them out.”
“Good then,” the Admiral nodded. “Let us get you safely away from here, shall we.”
“Yes… and Percival?” Sophia looked up to him.
“Yes, my dear?”
“Thank you.”
“I have never given up my hope of finding you,” the Admiral said with a slight misting of the eye. “My prayers have been answered that you and Genevieve have been safe all these years.”
~*~
“Be prepared to act quickly Samuel,” Akeim advised as he knotted a piece of cloth around a piece of wood, “The light may startle it.”
Samuel gripped his knife ready to fling it once the light flickered. “Is it still against your leg?”
“Yes, it’s against my inner thigh,” Alec whispered.
“Really that must be… How high?” Samuel asked curiously.
“High enough,” Alec said meaningfully.
The flint lighter sparked but didn’t light the cloth. Another try brought a brief flicker of light before it too was gone.
“Third try is the charm,” Samuel replied as Akeim struck the flint again. A small but steady glow of light permeated the darkness.
“Well?” Alec whispered in frustration as he waited. Being trussed up like a Christmas goose with a poisonous snake near his groin wasn’t his idea of a bloody holiday. “Can you see it?”
Samuel came nearer squinting in the darkness, “Yes.” The head of the thing had risen above his leg. He tipped back his wrist then paused.
“Kill it!” Alec hissed. What was taking him so bloody long?
“Hold still, it’s too risky,” Samuel slowly came closer. “I’m going to grab it with my hand.”
“What?” Alec cried in alarm, “No!”
Samuel made several attempts before seizing the piece of twisted wood that rested between Alec’s legs. He made a grand show of grappling with it as Alec wilted with relief.
Alec’s eyes narrowed on him when he realized what it actually was.
Akeim came forward to cut Alec’s bindings with a look on his face that sa
id he was tempted to deal with the idiot. “I could secure his bonds again if you’d like.”
“Watch out Alec,” Samuel warned. “There is another piece of wood behind you.”
Alec sat up, rubbing his wrists. “I’m seriously reconsidering my threat to kill you.”
Akeim gave Alec another look that said it would be his pleasure to do so as Samuel continued to laugh.
“That won’t be necessary,” Alec stood, brushing the dirt from his pants. Considering the quantity of dust it was a wasted effort, their hair and clothing was covered in a thick layer.
“Ah-ah-choo,” Samuel sneezed.
Alec stood over him as he shook his hair out for good measure.
~*~
“Genevieve dear?” Sophia entered her daughter’s room aboard the ship. “I just thought I’d check on you. Are you settled?”
Genevieve had been looking out the window watching the ruins of Karnack fade away. Everything reminded her of Alec. The smell of the pillow she held, even the comb at the washbasin. Her imagination was certainly playing tricks on her. “Yes,” she sighed with a slight nod.
Sophia could tell something was troubling her daughter, “What is it dear?”
“So much has happened,” Genevieve said.
“Eight years is a long time,” Sophia nodded.
“I meant with Alec,” Genevieve sighed. “I just can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever see him again.”
“Of course you will,” Sophia said comfortingly.
“You don’t understand,” Genevieve said at a loss and turned away.
“Then why don’t you explain it to me.”
“He didn’t come for me.” Sadly, Genevieve sat down on the bed. “I thought that once he saw that the ship still sailed after us, he would come for me,” she looked back to her mother with troubled eyes.
Sophia came forward, sitting down beside her on the bed. “He is probably doing his best to do just that. I’m sure he’s on his way.”
“I don’t think so,” Genevieve said with a heavy heart.
“Didn’t I hear him tell you that he would see you in Cairo?” Sophia questioned. “After all he is your husband.”
“Oh, Momma,” Genevieve sobbed, “We agreed to annul it.”
“Oh,” Sophia put a comforting hand on her shoulder, “I see.”
Genevieve turned to her with tear filled eyes, “I’m so sorry I lied to you.”
Sophia patted her shoulder in understanding.
“It's all my fault. If I hadn’t lied then we never would have been…” Genevieve paused. “I put us all in great danger.”
“Nonsense,” Sophia said matter-of-factly. “It is I who put you at risk. I should not have left you alone.” She paused, “I’m sorry. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the Sheik would dare to marry you off.”
Genevieve inhaled a shaky breath at her words.
“Sweetheart,” Sophia soothed. “I’m not sure what you and Alec agreed to, but sometimes actions speak louder than words.”
Genevieve looked up at her, “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” her mother replied softly. “I believe your husband will come for you.”
“You really think so?” she sniffed.
“I think I know a man in love when I see one,” Sophia nodded insightfully.
“You think he loves me?” Genevieve looked at her mother with troubled eyes. “Oh, Momma what have I done?” she sighed. “I let him go and never told him how I felt.”
“He knows.” Sophia smiled.
Embarrassed, Genevieve looked away, “Was I that obvious?”
“Yes,” her mother squeezed her.
~*~
“How long have we been digging?” Samuel asked tiredly.
“Three days,” Alec replied.
“I’m so thirsty,” Samuel sighed as he settled back onto a dirt mound to rest. He retrieved the bottle from his pocket and eyed it skeptically. Finding the contents entirely unappealing he returned it without taking a sip.
Alec pulled another boulder from the debris at the front of the tunnel and sat back on his haunches wiping the sweat from his brow. “At least we have a little ventilation,” he looked up at a few cracks of light which could be seen above the door they had finally unearthed. He motioned back at Akeim who was turning one of the snakes on the small fire he’d built from the fallen timbers. “Not to mention food.”
Akeim came forward and offered them each a morsel from the meat he had cooked.
“Thanks,” Alec mumbled as he accepted the meager fare.
Samuel eyed it skeptically. “Augh, I’m tired of these too. They are most disagreeable to my system.”
“We know,” Alec replied while Akeim raised a brow in response.
Choosing to change the subject, Samuel asked, “What is the plan once we’re out of here anyway?”
“It should not be hard to track them,” Akeim responded as he crouched down beside them. “I know a man in the next village that will loan us a horse.”
“A horse?” Samuel questioned, “As in one?”
“It is one more than we have now,” Akeim replied briskly, ripping a bit of the tough meat from the stick.
Samuel rolled his eyes and looked at Alec with disbelief.
“What do you know of this White Devil?” Alec asked Akeim, speaking aloud what had remained unsaid. “Will he hurt them?”
“He will not hurt them as long as he needs them,” Akeim tore another piece off with his teeth.
“What does he need them for?” Samuel asked. When his question remained unanswered he asked another. “What did you mean when you said that you protected the S’ba?”
“Nothing,” Akeim stood abruptly. “Hurry up, we haven’t time to waste.”
A puff of air blew in from one of the cracks above the door silencing any other questions Samuel might have had. All three men remained perfectly still as the light which had been streaming through the fissures was blocked by something on the other side.
Akeim, closer than Alec and Samuel, slowly made his way forward. With great caution he approached one of cracks. The sound of sniffing was followed by a snort and another puff of air as he looked out.
“Samuel,” he whispered as he climbed back down the mound of dirt. “I believe you have a visitor.”
“No, kidding?” Surprised, Samuel wiped his fingers on his pants before climbing up to look out. “Hey there fella,” he spoke softly. The air above his head swirled with a puff of dirt as the animal on the other side sniffed at him.
Samuel fought back a sneeze then turned back with a smile. “Can you believe that? Now there is a loyal pet,” he laughed, “I knew there was a reason I chose you!”
Cupid, standing above the earthen mound started to paw at the earth after hearing his voice. The action revealed how thin the earthen layer must be now that the dynamite had blasted the area. Dirt started raining down from the ceiling next to the door.
“You’d better move,” Alec warned as a huge clump of dirt fell on top of Samuel’s head. He rolled forward just as a hoof broke through, followed by the rest of the camel.
“Augh, get him off me,” Samuel groaned as the animal frisked his body until he found his bottle of spirits.
“Well,” Alec replied as he watched them. “I don’t know about loyal but he is spirited.”
“Or in need of spirits,” Akeim corrected.
Samuel fended off the animal, “At least he has good taste.”
“I can truly say I’ve never been happier to see him,” Alec breathed deeply as sunlight and fresh air poured down from the hole.
Making their way past Samuel and his loyal pet, both Alec and Akeim climbed to the top of the dirt mound and looked around.
“Hey,” Samuel called to them, “Help me out here.”
It took quite an effort to get the large animal up out of the steep hole, but they managed by adding a few stones to the hill, and tempting him with libations on the other side. Once out, Akeim whistled for his ow
n faithful steed who appeared almost instantly.
“Well,” Samuel replied good-humoredly as he draped an arm across Alec’s shoulder. “It appears that you have no other solution but to double up with one of us or walk.
Alec didn’t seem amused.
“Look at it this way,” Samuel smiled. “At least you got the girl.”
Alec gave him a sharp glance before turning to Akeim. “Didn’t you say you knew a man with a horse?”
“Indeed.”
Cairo, Egypt. Three weeks later
“You’re still up?” Sophia asked from the door to Genevieve’s room. The house Percival had rented in the city was beautifully designed in the Moroccan style. The haremlik, where the women stayed, was opulent with its Persian rugs and silk trappings.
“I couldn’t sleep,” Genevieve spoke quietly from her perch next to the window. The large, harvest moon was just rising on the distant horizon lending a golden glow to the city. She sighed, as she gazed at it, thoughts of Alec were never far away, especially on a night such as this.
Sophia stepped closer, “I’m going out for a while.”
“Out?” Genevieve turned to look at her, “Now?”
“I have just learned that there is a possibility that the artifact might be in jeopardy.”
“You mean,” Genevieve stared in disbelief, “The artifact?”
Her mother nodded. “I can hardly believe it myself.”
“How can that be?”
“Do you remember when we first came to Egypt we met a man by the name of Monsieur Auguste Mariette who was starting to excavate the temple?”
“I thought he’d given up when he realized the enormity of the task.”
“Apparently, he didn’t,” Sophia sighed.
“I’m going with you,” Genevieve said as she started to scoot off the cushion.
“No,” Sophia shook her head with regret. “It’s not safe.”
“All the more reason as to why I’m going with you,” Genevieve replied stubbornly.
“I need you to stay here to cover for me,” Sophia whispered. “Just in case one of the housekeepers notices I’ve left.”
“It’s late, they won’t know.”
“In case I get back late tomorrow,” Sophia glanced cautiously back at the door. “You can tell them I’m not feeling well and not to disturb me.”
Treasure of Egypt Page 24