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Part 2

Rick raced down the road to where the doctor lived and then they hurried back in the mans car. He told the doctor where Ardeth was and what had happened and then walked into the kitchen.

“The doctor is upstairs. We’ll know something soon” he said pacing the floor.

It was a while before both the doctor and Evy came down. They asked how he was.

“He will fine in a few days. I have put some stuff on the wound that will take out the infection and given him something for the temperature. He is a lucky man, some how that knife, although heated up, was rusty and it was that that was causing the infection. You weren’t to know Masala, you did what you thought was right. Keeping his temperature down was the best thing you could have done. I will come back tomorrow and redo the wound. I will see myself out” he said.

“That was short and sweet” said Masala “Didn’t seem like he wanted to talk to us at all”

“Don’t take it personally” replied Rick “That is just his way but he is a brilliant doctor”

Evy showed the men where they could freshen up and sleep. Rick said he would make some dinner for later. He was still trying to get back into Evys good books after what he had put them all through. His wife went back upstairs to look after Ardeth.

She hadn’t seen the man without his robes before and she wondered why she had never noticed just how attractive he was. As she wiped his face with the cloth, she studied his face. He had strong features, a neat beard, tattoos adored his body as well as his face and he had that thicker bottom lip that she found rather sexy. The thing she did remember were his deep brown eyes. It was about 3am when he started to wake up and wondered where he was.

“Take it easy” she said “You’ve been shot Ardeth”

“Evy?  How did I get here, where are the others?” he asked softly.

“You have been unconscious for about five days and have been very ill. The others are asleep. You are at my house…do you want a drink?” she asked.

“Please…I feel so weak…I remember going into a house, a shot and then this burning pain in my side, then nothing. Rick…is he here?” he asked remembering nothing of late.

She put an arm round him and helped him sit up a bit so he could drink some water. Then she laid him down again.

“Yes, everyone is okay. You got back here with no problems luckily. Now you are feeling a bit better, I can kill Rick with no problems” she said.

“No Evy…don’t blame him for this, he was only doing what he thought was the right thing…for you. I would have done the same in his shoes” said Ardeth

Ardeth winced in pain as he moved and Evy told him to stop talking as get some sleep. She brushed his hair back with her hand and he closed his eyes. Making sure he was asleep, she got up to leave the room. Suddenly without warning, she turned back and bending down, kissed him on the cheek and then on the lips. She didn’t know why she did that but maybe it was because she would never have another chance.

Closing the door, she went downstairs to get herself something to eat. She was exhausted and Masala found her asleep with her head on the table in the kitchen about 5am. He took the cloak he had laid over the back of the chair and draped over the womans shoulders. Then poured himself a coffee and sat on one of the other chairs. All the others were still asleep but he had been worried about Ardeth and couldn’t sleep properly. But looking in on the man, he found that he looked a bit better and his temperature was well down. He left him to sleep, he could talk to him in the next day or so. He realized that he must have come round or Evy would not have left him. She heard a noise and woke up and saw Masala sitting on the chair with his coffee.

“Sorry didn’t mean to wake you” he said “How is Ardeth, I did look in and he seemed a bit better”

“He came round, I think he will be fine in a few days, with rest. I am still so angry at Rick. I know we are broke but there must have been another way to get some money other than take that bracelet” she said yawning.

“I know he was irresponsible but I think he feels guilty enough about what happened to Ardeth and what could have happened to you” replied Masala.

“Suppose you are right. I’d better check on Ardeth. Try and get some sleep yourself” she said going out of the door.

A couple of days later, Ardeth was up and about. His side was still sore but he was feeling much better. He reckoned he would be back to normal in a few days. He was talking to Rick about what to do with the bracelet. No-one could be allowed to get it again.

“We have to find somewhere to put it that no-one can find” said Ardeth looking at it. “We dare not risk anyone else finding out about it like Hitler did. Next time we might not be able to stop the Scorpion King or his army”

“I know, but where?” Rick asked.

While they were talking, Masala had rode out to the camp to let the others know that everything was fine and that Ardeth would be back in a few days. He wasn’t expecting what greeted him when he arrived. Mohammid came running over to him.

“Masala, thank the gods you are back, we have big trouble” he said grabbing the reins.

“Calm down, what is wrong?” asked Masala getting off his horse.

“While you and Ardeth were trying to find Rick, someone has been to Ahm Shere and found the Black Book of the Dead and maybe the Book of Amun Ra. We found some dead bodies there and evidence that they had been inside. If someone has those…it doesn’t bare thinking about” said Mohamid.

“Damn, this gets worse. Okay thanks for telling me. Get some men and try and find out where they have been taken. Someone must know something. I will get back to the O’Connells and let them know what has happened” he replied shaking his head.

With that he rode of at high speed towards Cairo. He hoped that they could get the books back before anyone decided to try and raise Imhotep or anything else. It was evening before he reached the house and jumping off the horse, didn’t even wait to knock on the door. He raced in, making Rick run out into the hall to see who it was.

“Masala…it’s you…whatever’s wrong, didn’t expect you back for a few days” said Rick

“Neither did I. Where’s Ardeth, I must see him and you, it’s important” he said getting his breath back.

“He is in the study, so is Evy…look what’s wrong?” asked Rick following him.

Masala hurried into the room and the others also looked surprised to see him back so soon.

“Ardeth, I must speak with all of you. Something terrible has happened” he said.

“What is Masala?” asked Ardeth slowly getting up. “Sit down please”

Masala sat down and took the drink offered to him. Then he related all that Mohamid had told him when he reached the camp. Ardeths faced paled and he sat down.

“Oh my God, they have the books…even without the bracelet, they can still raise Imhotep again. Damn it Rick, you have really started something again. If we can’t get those books back and stop before it’s too late. Then….” he said

“Do we know where they are?” asked Evy “The books or the men who took them”

“No” said Masala “But I have men trying to find out. We will hear as soon as they know. I just hope we are not too late and they haven’t already left for Germany”

Rick sat down with a thump and stared at the man.

“I know I am going to regret asking this…but why Germany?” he asked

“Because that is where they will be going. Without them and the bracelet they could not have raised the Scorpion King. They needed the books but even without the bracelet, those books are dangerous in the wrong hands. Anyone reading from the black book could invoke everything we stopped before” said Ardeth

“Let’s hope they haven’t left Egypt, how long since they got the books do you know?” asked Evy.

“I am not sure, no more than a week I wouldn’t think” said Masala “We should hear something very shortly as to where they are”

Rick leaned on the old fireplace and rubbed his neck with his other hand.

“How can you be sure, Egypt is a big place and they could already have left” said Rick.

Ardeth walked over to the sofa, holding his side, it was still quite painful. Evy told him to sit down.

“You should be resting that, now come on, sit down Ardeth” she said.

“Sorry, I thought it was okay. Look we have people all over the place, not necessarily Med-jai but they let us know about things. Someone will know if they are still here and if they have left, we will know exactly where they are” replied Ardeth.

Although the network was good, it wasn’t as good as he made out and he glanced across at Masala. They would have to leave and find those books one way or another. No-one must learn the secrets of them. He knew he wasn’t really well enough to go but he couldn’t let them do it alone.

“Hang on” said Evy “You have some hair-brained scheme of going with Masala to find these books, don’t you Ardeth. You’re not fully recovered yet, you can’t go, it would be madness”

“I have to Evy, I am their commander, I can’t expect them to do what I will not do” he said taking her hand.

“Even to the point of risking your health” said Rick “No, you will stay here, I will go with Masala. At the end of the day, this is all down to me anyway. They would not have the books at all if it wasn’t for me and that damn bracelet”

They decided that they would wait till morning to hear from his men, it was no good arguing with Ardeth now. If they didn’t, then Masala and Rick would leave and try and find out themselves. As it happened there was a knock on the door about 2am and Mohamid came in with two of the other Med-jai.

“Mohamid” said Masala opening the door “Have you found out anything?

“Yes, can we see Ardeth?” asked the man.

“No” said Evy coming down “He is asleep, he must rest. You can tell us what is going on”

Masala nodded to them and they all went into the study, Rick joined them a few minutes later. He had made sure that Ardeth was asleep first. He knew what the man was like if he thought something was going on.

“They were seen getting a boat to Yalta on the Ukraine peninsular. Word has it that they are camped at a place called Oktiabrske which is about 100miles north of there. Trouble is there are quite a lot of soldiers there. Our scout has told us that the men, of which there are only two now, are travelling to a place called Berchtesgaden on the Austria/German border. Apparently this is where Hitler has a mountain retreat” said Mohamid.

“That must be where they are taking the books. What do we do, go to the Ukraine or straight to Hitlers place?” asked Rick.

“If we can get Izzy to help us again” said Masala “I think we should go straight to Berchtesgaden, we can be there before these men arrive. They will be going either by boat or over land for some of the way. We have no idea if they are being picked up. We have to assume they are not”

“Okay, that would mean we could be there in just under three days” said Rick working it out roughly knowing the speed of Izzys balloon.

“That would be brilliant” said Masala. “I have to tell Ardeth we are leaving, I need to know what he wants us to do with the books once we have them again”

Rick and Evy wasn’t too pleased about this but he did need to know. It was keeping Ardeth there that was going to be the problem, he was so stubborn and obstinate. He would put his duty first before his own health. He had done it before.

“Get me to help doing what?” asked Izzy coming into the study.

Rick told him what was going on while Masala went up to see Ardeth. Izzy was unsure at first, he didn’t like the idea of going into Germany, especially to Hitlers home in the mountains.

“Look it isn’t going to be easy, we know that. We also don’t know if Hitler himself will be there. All we k now is that is where they are taking the books. I am hoping he isn’t, it will be easier that way. But we have no idea how many soldiers will be in the area” said Rick “You will be paid well, if that is what is worrying you”

“Okay, if I get paid well for it, then I will take you. But you will owe me big time for this O’Connell, big time” replied Izzy.

Rick shook his head and knew that his friend meant it. He had got him into trouble before and shot, but this would be the most dangerous thing they had done together.  Masala told Ardeth where the men were going and what they had decided to do.

“When we get the books back, what do you want done with them Ardeth. They have to be put somewhere that no-one can ever find them. This is becoming a habit” said Masala looking out of the window onto the dark grounds of the house.

“I know exactly what I will be doing with those books when I have them back” said Ardeth but did not elaborate.

He got out of bed and walked over to the window, he was holding his side and Masala saw the look of pain on the mans face.

“You will have to stay here Ardeth. That side of yours is not healed enough for you to come with us. I can handle what needs to be done” said the man.

“No, I am going. If I bandage it up well, it will be fine. I am not riding, we will be in the balloon. I will not stay here because of this, I have been wounded far worse than this before and have still ridden with my people. This will not stop me” Ardeth said leaning on the window ledge.

“Okay, I might reluctantly agree but Rick and Evy won’t like it. You know how she fusses over you. I might even go as far as to say, if it wasn’t for Rick….”

Ardeth looked aghast at him, shocked at what he was implying. Evy…interested in him if Rick wasn’t there…no, he was wrong about that. She was just a caring person, no more, no less he thought. However he didn’t answer Masala, he didn’t want to get into a debate over this subject.

“Come, let us go and talk with Rick and make arrangements for tomorrow. Now please back me up with regard to me going, I will be careful, I assure you” said Ardeth.

Masala knew he couldn’t insist upon Ardeth remaining at the house so he agreed to back him up. He would make sure the man did not do anything that might endanger his health. They walked downstairs and found the others in the kitchen having coffee.

Ardeth told them what he was doing and after a long argument, Evy stormed off upstairs, angry that Ardeth had no respect for his own health. She knew he was a stubborn man but this was madness.

“I have found a map of Austria and Germany” said Rick opening it on the table “Now Berchtesgaden is at the base of the Watzmann mountain and Hitlers place should be somewhere around there. We can find that out when we get there. Izzy has made a list with Mohamid of what we will take with us, supplies, warm clothes, etc”

“What about rifles, do we have enough of them?” asked Ardeth “And how many of us are going?”

“Well, there is me, Izzy, Masala, Mohamid, Abdul, the other two men that were with before and you” said Rick “Is that enough?”

“Yes, we need to be as small a group as possible, that way there are no mistakes, we can stick together easier” said Mohamid “If you remember, we were only small when we found you at the city that day”

Rick remembered, how they had run outside and were confronted by about eight men with rifles, they had never seen where they came from. Ardeth said he would go and speak to Evy. He needed to make her understand why he was going.

He knocked on Evy’s door and went in when he heard her call out. She was sitting on the bed and it was obvious she had been crying. He walked over to the window, his back to her.

“Evy, I am sorry but I have to go. I have never missed going on a patrol or anything else just because I have been hurt. Believe me I have been shot, knifed and other things over the years, some of them a lot worse than this. I will be fine and I won’t be on my own, Rick and the others will be there” he said.

“I know and I’m not trying to tell you what to do…it’s just that I care about what happens to you. I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help it. You have done so much for us over the years and as far as I am concerned, you are part of the family” she replied.

“Thank you and I feel that when I am here but this is my duty, just as it was to destroy Imhotep. If you will bandage this tightly before I leave, it should be fine, it is healing well now” he said turning to her.

She got up and telling him to take off his robe, she said she would be back in a moment with the bandages and then she could see to the injury. He laid his robe over the chair and sat on the bed while he waited for her. She was back in no time and sat beside him.

Undoing the old bandage, she put some cream on a piece of cloth, then got him to hold it in place while she wound the bandage round him, pulling it fairly tight. He said it was okay. Evy still couldn’t get over all the other tattoos that he had over his body. It was very rare that anyone saw them with all the robes he wore.

Ardeth could smell the perfume that Evy always wore combined with the scent of her bath oils, making a rather warm, heady aroma. He knew if she didn’t hurry up, he would end up embarrassing her and himself. Masala had been right of course, at least on his part, he had cared more about Evy than he should have done.

“There, that should be okay Ardeth. Just try not to do anything too strenuous or you could open it up again, it isn’t healed enough for fighting” she said looking up at him.

“Th…thank you…I’ll try not to…do any fighting I mean” he said softly.

For a moment she couldn’t take her eyes off him and then she snapped out of it, got up and put the stuff back in the box which she didn’t use. Did she imagine it or was he looking at her differently all of a sudden? Had he been awake the other night when she kissed him? Maybe she had given something away that she had kept hidden for years. She turned to leave the room and bumped straight into Ardeth, who had stood up to replace his robes before going downstairs.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you had got up…I…I had better go down before someone comes looking for us…for me” she stammered.

“Evy…no, doesn’t matter, yes we had better go down, I might end up doing something we will both regret” he replied unlocking the door.

She walked up behind him and touched his arm, causing him to stop what he was doing.

“What might we regret?” she asked looking up at him.

She didn’t know whether she really wanted to know and yet…..Ardeth opened the door and stepping out into the hall, stopped, looked up and down, then turned round taking her into his arms and kissed her. Then he walked towards the stairs, leaving her staring after him, touching her lips where he had kissed her and wondering what made him do it. Evy wanted to run after him but it wouldn’t be appropriate with Rick and the others downstairs. She would ask him about this later…if she dared.

“Have you got a plan?” he asked walking into the study.

“Yes we have” replied Masala “Did you speak to Evy?”

“I did, everything is fine. She understands why I have to go. She re-bandaged my side, it should be okay now. When do we leave?” asked Ardeth.

Rick told him that it would be later that day as long as Izzy could get the dirigible refuelled that morning.

“Ardeth, what are you going to do with the books when we get them back?” asked Rick “You never did say”

“I will destroy them, then the pieces will be scattered to the four winds of Egypt. No-one will ever be able to raise these creatures again” he replied.

“And what if we don’t find them?” asked Izzy “What if Hitler already has them and reads them? What if he has already raised this army or this mummy? Believe me O’Connell, if he has, then you will be finding your own way home. I will have already left the area”

“Okay Izzy” replied Rick putting his arm round the man “I think we get the message, now will you please get that damn balloon ready”

“DIRIGIBLE – it’s a dirigible” relied Izzy marching out of the door, swearing as he went.

“Would he really leave us there?” asked Evy worried.

Rick and the others looked at her.

“No of course not” said Rick “And what do you mean by us – you are not coming, not on this trip”

Masala and Ardeth decided to go and help Izzy as the O’Connells started a real ding-dong of an argument about whether or not she should go with them. Two hours later, they emerged from the house and walked down to where the balloon was still moored after the landing a few days ago.

“Evy is going with us” stated Rick handing some things to Masala who was in the balloon.

They looked at each other and then at Evy, standing there with her arms crossed and knew it would be wise not to dissuade her. Obviously Rick had had no luck. Ardeth sighed and walked to where Izzy was fiddling with the engines.

“I really wish she wasn’t coming” he said “This is going to be no place for her”

“From what I know of Evy O’Connell, and I have not known her that long, is that nothing scares her and she won’t be left behind like the normal little wife” said Izzy as the man passed him a spanner.

“I know” said Ardeth.

Within a few hours they were on their way. Masala had sent one of the men back to the camp, to let them know what was happening. Mohamid would be left in charge, with instructions that if they heard nothing from them within ten days, to assume that they were dead. There was no way the Med-jai could help them all that distance away. This time they were on their own.  There was always a possibility that they could engage the help of the local resistance, without telling them too much of what they were after. But that would be a last resort. 

The two men had reached a place called Oktiabrske in the Ukraine and had to stay in an old ruined cottage just outside. It was more like a camp really as there was hardly any roof on the cottage and the kitchen was wrecked. They still had to get to the German/Austrian border but were going to find it hard going as the people who were supposed to pick them up had been shot down near the coast.

“I don’t like this, it is going to take us forever to get back to Germany” said one man.

“We will find transport somehow” replied Claus “After what I have seen so far, the quicker we get these books to Hitler the better. I have a bad feeling about these things and wish I had never seen them”

“They are evil, that’s what they are…evil” said the other man.

“Come on, let’s try and ambush a lorry or something. I heard engine noise from over that hill. We’ll be in Germany before you know it” said Claus getting up and making sure his gun was loaded.

Ardeth and the others had made good time and apart from a couple of engine problems were now, according to the map, travelling over Germany. They used the wind when possible, especially over areas where there could be German troops and at other times, when they did use the engines, no-one on the ground seemed to notice. Of course it did help in the fact that it was cloudy and raining for most of the time.

Only once had they had to put the engines at full power and that was over the Austrian border as they headed towards Germany. They had flown over a castle and instead of carrying on, decided to have a closer look. Suddenly flack from guns on the battlements of the castle whizzed past the dirigible, making them panic. If the balloon was hit then they would crash and possibly all be killed, they were travelling at a height of about 3000ft in that area. They made it with only a few holes in the main hull of the dirigible, the balloon itself untouched.

“We will have to avoid looking at any more castles” said Rick “It looks like they are a main source of the German guns”

“It was your idea O’Connell” replied Izzy “Always going in with your feet, never your brains. Being shot is one thing but being blown up, in midair is not my idea of fun”

Izzy went to inspect the damage with Masala, he was angry but even he hadn’t thought they would have guns in castles.

“He is never going to let you forget when he got shot” said Ardeth “Still he is right, we don’t want to take any more chances”

“I realise that now. With Izzy it is a life long campaign to make me feel bad. I think he forgave me years ago but he likes to remind me now and again” laughed Rick. “How is your side now, I saw you holding it earlier”

“Not too bad. It doesn’t seem to want to heal quickly this time. Maybe I am getting old. It was different when I was younger, things never bothered me. I’d get shot and it would be healed within a couple of days, the same as other injuries. But now, everything seems to take longer” replied Ardeth.

“Comes to us all my friend, it comes to us all”

Rick left Ardeth watching the mountains pass them as he poured himself a coffee and went to help Izzy. Evy went over to the man and stood beside him.

“Do you want me to have a look at that bandage?” she asked.

“Not at the moment, maybe later” he replied without looking at her.

He took a deep breath and turned so that he was leaning on the side of the dirigible.  She looked around to see where everyone was. Rick was with Izzy at the bow of the balloon, Masala was behind them and the other men were asleep. She left him to go and see Rick, it was getting uncomfortable being this close to Ardeth. As she stood up, Ardeth grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She smiled at him and he let go as she walked away.

Rick told Masala that they should be close to the Watzmann mountain in an hour or two, they would be able to land in the woods that were marked on the map and walk from there.

“Hopefully it shouldn’t take long on foot. Let’s hope that Hitler doesn’t have an army of his own, guarding him” replied Masala.

Evy handed Rick a coffee and sat down beside him, he was looking at her strangely and she asked him what the matter was.

“You know he loves you don’t you?” he said.

“Who loves me? What are you talking about?” she asked wondering what he had seen.

“Ardeth, I see the way he looks at you. Seen it for a long time” replied Rick.

Evy stood up and pretended to be looking for something in her bag, trying to avoid Ricks eyes, just in case she gave anything away.

“Don’t be silly Rick, what ever makes you say that, after all this time” she asked.

“Little things, a smile here, touch of the arm…a squeeze of the hand and I suppose the way you rush to help him when he is hurt or unhappy…little things. Hey I’m not angry…I think it is nice, especially the way I have been lately. Do you love him?” he asked.

“Of course I don’t, I still love you…why are you being like this. What are you hiding? I know you Rick, you hide things behind statements. Are you fed up with me or have you got someone else?”

Rick couldn’t answer, he knew what she said was true, up to a point. And not wanting to get into an argument, even though he had been the one to bring the subject up, went back to where Izzy was and left Evy, shocked and wondering what he had meant and what was going on.  He had been staying out at night and spending longer away from Egypt whenever he could. He had always made a joke or said it was because things had to be done there and then. But now she wondered. Or had he seen Ardeth kissing her the other night?

She didn’t get a chance to ask him as Izzy shouted that they were almost on top of the mountain and would have to land earlier than they had anticipated.

Trying not to hit anything, they managed to land in a clearing, in the forest which lined the sides of the mountain. They would wait till daylight to find out exactly where they were and how far they were from Hitlers mountain home.

Unbeknown to them, they had been seen landing the balloon, even though it wasn’t quite light. A small group of four resistance men were scouting the area. They were always around there just in case there was any chance of getting to Hitler or some of his entourage. Creeping through the trees, they saw the balloon in the clearing and decided to keep an eye on it till daylight.

As the light became better, Rick and the others climbed down the side the of the balloon, Izzy decided that he would stay there just to keep an eye on things and be ready in case they needed to get out of there quickly. The four men could see that these people were not Germans and could possibly have been forced to land. They would have to risk talking to them.

“Rick…we have company” said Evy as she saw the men walking towards them.

“It’s okay, I don’t think they are Germans…let’s see what they want” replied Rick “Masala, wait”

Masala had raised his gun and was pointing it at the men as was Ardeth. The men reached a safe spot and spoke.

“Who are you, have you crashed?” asked Hans.

“No, we landed here” said Rick.

He introduced the others standing there and then the four men came closer and did the same. They shook hands and they told Rick about the area and why they were in the woods.

“Now you know about us, why are you here? It is not the safest of places to land, Hitler has a home up there on the mountain. If you can, I would suggest you get this thing going and leave” said Hans.

“I am afraid we can’t” replied Ardeth “We have to retrieve two books that we believe are either in his home or on their way here. It is of the utmost importance that we get these back and return them to Egypt”

“You’re not thinking of actually going into the place. There are guards and although we know Hitler himself is not there at the moment, he is due in two days time. We have a good grapevine and know the comings and goings of this place. You will be killed” said Pierre.

“We have no choice” said Rick “Hitler wants these books and if it hadn’t been for me he would never have got them. We have to take this risk”

Hans asked about Evy and said she should stay at the balloon but she made it very plan that she was no feeble woman and wasn’t going to be pushed about by men who thought her place was at home. The four men soon got the message. Rick showed them the map he had and they marked exactly where the house was and how to get there.

“Here is a guard house, with maybe three guards at the moment. When Hitler is there, the guards number about fifty. Then the entrance to the Eagles Nest is just along the lane” said Pierre.

“But I thought it was half way up the mountain?” asked Masala.

“It is, but to get to it you have to go through a tunnel into the heart of the mountain, then there is an elevator that goes straight through the mountain, right into the building itself. There is quite a trek before you get to the tunnel. The Eagles Nest is about 6000ft above sea level. You have about 1000ft to go before you reach the tunnel entrance” said Hans.

“An elevator, right in the mountain…who built all that?” asked Evy.

“Possibly Albert Speer, Hitlers architect, it was built about four years ago…Look if you are determined to get in there, we will help you. We know this area well, you do not. But once you have the things you want, we have to leave. Even then it will take us till tomorrow to get there and back. As I said Hitler is due here in two days but his guards arrive a day ahead of him. So we could have problems if we are not out of there in time”

Rick told the men they didn’t have to help but was thankful that they are offered and went to get the bags they were going to take with them…just essentials and their guns of course.

“I wish you would stay here” said Ardeth to Evy as she put her bag over her shoulder.

“I have to go…want to go. Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. After Imhotep and the Scorpion King, this will be a piece of cake” she replied walking away.

She didn’t want to get into a deep conversation with Ardeth after what Rick had said because she knew that she felt the same about the man…although she would never admit it to Rick and anyway, she still had to ask Ardeth why he had kissed her that night.  About five hours later, they had reached the road that lead to the guard house and Pierre pointed up to where they could see the Eagles Nest.

“Just along there, about a quarter of a mile is the guard house. Ardeth, Rick, you come with me, Pierre you stay here with Evy and Masala. We will signal when you can proceed” said Hans.

They hid in the trees as the others crept along the side of the lane towards the guard house. Hans waved his gun as a signal for them to stop.

“There are two guards standing in front of the guardhouse, the other must be inside, it is where they sleep as well. Johann, Rick, you two go round the back, Ardeth, you come with me, we’ll go this way”

Ardeth put the rifle over his shoulder and took out one of his knives. He told Hans that he worked better in this style of encounter with a knife or sword, it was quieter for a start. When they saw their friends arrive at the back of the guardhouse, they crept up to the front.  Hans took one of the guards and Ardeth dealt with the second one from behind. Both were dragged into the trees are making sure they were dead. Rick and Johann sneaked round and went inside the guardhouse. Unfortuanately there were another four guards inside and as they walked in…

“Hands up” shouted a voice from behind the door.

Turning round quickly, Rick and Johann found themselves being relieved of their guns and being told to move over to the other side of the room. From outside, Ardeth and Hans heard the commotion and stood for a few seconds either side of the door.

“When I nod, we go in, I will shout down and then we open fire. Let’s hope Rick understands quickly” Hans whispered to Ardeth who nodded.

The man waited a few seconds and then nodded to Ardeth, then both together rushed the door, shouting down at the same time. Rick and Johann did exactly that and there was a hail of bullets and the four guards fell to the floor before they could even respond.

“You two okay?” asked Ardeth lowering his rifle.

“We’re fine, thanks to you two” said Rick “I thought there was only supposed to be three guards here?”

“Normally there are, could be because of Hitlers arrival, there was an attempt on his life a while back, perhaps he feels that he needs more security. Anyway, let’s get rid of them and then get to the tunnel. The quicker we are out of here the better” said Hans.

Up in the Eagles Nest, the two men who had brought the books and had arrived the day before after getting that truck which they drove all the way there with little trouble. They were sitting on the balcony, waiting for when Hitler arrived. There would be no chance of that when he did get there. Both men would be told to get back to the servants quarters, no-one was allowed in the main house while the Furher was there.

“Did you hear gunfire?” asked Claus “I wonder what it was?”

“Could be anything, locals shooting deer, the guards killing a thief, don’t worry about it, we are safe here” replied the other man “Come on, let’s eat. Those books are in his office and he won’t be here for another 24 hours at least. Did you see those two new servant girls…we could have some fun tonight”

The other man agreed and laughed at the thought of spending a night with two beautiful girls, having good food to eat for a change and plenty of wine. Hitler would never know.

“There is a storm coming” said Hans “You can hear it in the distance, we have to get into the Eagles Nest before it arrives or the elevator could be out of action. The storms round here are quite bad and effect the power stations, come on”

Johann went back to signal the others who were waiting in the trees. They had heard the gun shots but were pleased to learn that no-one had been hurt from their party. As they all made their way to the tunnel entrance, the heavens opened and they were soaked by the time they got there. Lightening flashed around them and the thunder crashed.

“Are storms always this bad?” shouted Evy

“Yes, they build up over the mountains and converge on each other, making one big storm. Come on, quickly, before the power goes” shouted back Pierre.

They ran into the tunnel and made their way along it, till they reached the elevator and getting inside, pushed the button that took them up to the Eagles Nest.

“Keep you guns ready” said Hans “We don’t know who may be waiting for us when this thing stops. There should only be the staff, which I think number about six”

“Let’s hope the men with the books are here already or we will have to wait for them” said Rick.

“If they are not here, then we will have to wait back at the tunnel entrance. We can’t wait here, just in case they don’t arrive till Hitler is already here. We’ll have a good look around to find out. I wish I had some explosives with me”

“Why?” asked Ardeth.

“Because we could plant them inside the Eagles Nest and blow Hitler up, we might never get another chance like this” said Hans.

“There will be other chances to do it, now we have been in here once, we can get in again” said Pierre.

The elevator doors opened and they found themselves inside the building. Most of them split up and searched the downstairs. Pierre and Rick found the staff in the kitchen. They were scared when they saw the men with guns and did what they were told.

“Tie them up and put them in the pantry, lock the door. We don’t need to kill them, we will be gone before they can cause us any trouble” said Pierre.

“Is there anyone else here?” he asked before gagging the older man.

“Three people, two men who arrived yesterday and a servant girl, all of them are upstairs. What do you want here, you will never get away with this” he said.

“The two men are who we are here to see, then we will be gone. But believe me, we will be back, your Furher will get his comeuppance” said Rick.

They locked the door of the pantry and went to find the others, who were waiting by the stairs. They told them that the two men were upstairs with a girl.

“You go and see to them, we will look for the books” said Rick “They have to be down here, they wouldn’t keep them with them”

“Okay, but be careful and do not show any lights. The blackouts are not in place yet, use your torches” said Hans.

He and Pierre, along with Masala went upstairs to find the two men. It didn’t take them long to find one of them, who was asleep in one of the rooms. They dealt with him and then went to look for the other one. Unfortunately the other one, Claus, had heard movement on the landing and coming out of the room, saw the men dragging his friend along the hall to another room. He wasn’t sure but his friend looked like he was dead. Grabbing his gun, Claus crept along the landing in the other direction and down the stairs. He guessed what they were after…the books…he had to get them and hide them ready for Hitler.

Outside, back at the guardhouse, four more guards had arrived and one of them had found the bodies of the others in the trees. They knew something must be going on up in Hitlers home.

“Come on, we have to get up there” shouted the guard above the storm.

They ran along the road to the tunnel and then made their way to the elevator, suddenly the man stopped.

“Wait, if there is someone up in the house, then they will hear the noise of this coming down. We will use the stairs…they have only just been finished and lead up into the kitchen” said one of the guards.

Going up the spiral stairs, they emerged in the kitchen and found the staff tied up in the pantry. Telling them to wait, they would go and deal with the people and then go back to rescue them.

Rick and the others had found the office just off the main room that led onto the balcony. Inside they found the books laying on the desk. Ardeth went over and checked them.

“Thank the Gods” he said “We have found them. Now let’s take them and get out of here, this place gives me the creeps”

“Here, put them in this bag I brought…that’s it…do it up while I hold it…now come one” said Rick.

“We have to find the others” said Evy “I think I heard them outside the room”

“Wait…it could be someone else, be careful” said Ardeth.

They crept to the door and looking out, saw no-one and started to walk along the corridor towards the elevator. Suddenly they heard a muffled cry and turning round saw Evy in the arms of a German guard, his hand over her mouth and a gun at her throat.

“Stay where you are or I will kill her” said the man loudly. “Now get in there”

He pointed to the main room that they had just come out of. Ardeth and Rick moved towards the room, with their hands in the air, knowing that one false move would result in Evy being shot. Hans and the others were then coming down the stairs when they saw what was happening.

“Wait” whispered Hans “we will have to get them out of there. Once we are down the stairs, I’ll create a noise out here and you two jump whoever comes out. With a bit of luck, Rick and Ardeth can deal with the other one”

“Okay, but be careful, the other one has Evy” said Masala.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs and got ready to rescue their friends, Masala moaned and crumpled to the floor as one of the other guards hit him over the head, Hans felt a gun in his back as the other one reached round and took his gun.

“Inside…shnell” said the guard.

The other guard, grabbed Masala and dragging him into the room, dumped him on the floor. Evy was standing beside Rick as they went in and seeing Masala, wondered if they would ever get out of there alive or if they would be kept there until this Hitler arrived the next day. Ardeth went to go over to his friend but the guard stopped him.

“Let me see to him, he needs help” said Ardeth “you have my weapons”

The one that seemed to be in charge nodded and the man ran to his friends side and checked to see if he was still alive. He was but had a lovely bump on his head. He would be okay in a while. Getting him onto the sofa, Ardeth went back to Rick and the others.

“There are only four of them” whispered Hans “We have to jump them or we will be in a position soon that will mean we all die once Hitler arrives”

“The power has gone off, so in this candle light it should be easy” replied Ardeth “Evy you go and sit with Masala and keep as low as you can”

She picked up a glass of water and motioned to the guard that she was taking it over to the man on the couch. He nodded his agreement but watched her closely. She knelt on the floor and put the glass to the mans lips, he was starting to wake up and seeing her there was about to say something but she put her hand on his mouth and shook her head.

As the others saw her kneeling down they made a grab for the other guards. Shots rang out and Pierre was hit in the chest and fell to the floor. Ardeth fought one of them while Hans took on another. Rick on the other hand found he had two to deal with until a shot rang out and one of them fell. Hans had shot him in the back.

The one remaining guard lunged at Rick and the two of them ended up on the balcony, the guard trying to plunge his knife into Rick. The tables went over and the chairs, but none of their friends could get a clear shot at the man without hitting Rick, especially with the torrential rain that was falling making everything slippery and wet. Suddenly as Rick managed to get away for a second, the guard jumped over one of the chairs as he pounced on him and the two of them fell over the railings. Evy screamed and the others ran to the railing to see if they could see the two men.

“Oh my God” she screamed as she looked over the edge and saw nothing but blackness “They are both dead, I know it”

“They could be okay, there are ledges all along here, he may of only fallen 20ft or so. Come on, let’s find some rope and try and find him” said Hans.

Johann found some rope in the kitchen and ran back to the balcony where the others were standing. Masala was holding onto the railings and his head at the same time, Ardeth was standing beside him.

“Come on…sit down…we can do this” said Ardeth

He helped the man sit down on one of the chairs that were stood up, as he did he looked up at Evy who was still crying. He stood up and went over to her while Hans was tying the rope to the railings.

“I am sure he is okay Evy, nothing can get him, if Imhotep couldn’t then this mountain won’t” he said.

She flung herself into his arms and he held her tight while she cried. It broke his heart to see her and hoped that they would be able to get Rick out of this situation without any injuries.

“Ardeth, we’re ready…do you want to go down with me or stay here with Johann?”

“I’ll go down, at least I can’t see how high we are in the dark” he replied.

Johann helped the two men over the railings after the ropes were tied to their waists, it was dark, wet and cold up there but they had to find Rick. Lowering themselves down, they slowly made the treacherous decent.

“Be careful” shouted Evy above the storm.

As the two men plunged over the railings, Rick found himself falling and then hitting the ground hard, rolled down, hitting a few rocks before coming to a stop, how far down he didn’t know but what he did know was that he was hurt…badly. For a few seconds he was conscious but then the pain made him black out. As the rain poured down on him, blood mingled with it and ran across the grass the was laying on.

Hans reached the ledge and with his torch, saw the dead German laying across a rock, Rick shouldn’t be too far away. Shining the torch around, he picked up the mans shape on a ledge about 15ft down. He pulled at Ardeths arm and pointed down, the man nodded and they carried on their decent.

Reaching the man, Hans untied himself first and then helped Ardeth do the same, it seemed safe enough where they were if they were very careful. Making their way in the torch light to where Rick lay, they knelt down beside him. They saw the blood forming a puddle in the rain beside him.

“He’s in a bad way, we have to try and get him up there” said Hans in between the thunder.

“How are we going to do that, we only have the rope and we could do more harm than good, we have no idea what injuries he has. There is a lot of blood there…Rick, Rick can you hear me?” said Ardeth as close to him as possible.

The man opened his eyes and moaned as Ardeth put his outer robe over him.

“We have to try and get you back to the house up there” he said “Can you tell us where you are hurt”

“My…head…I can’t…move my legs” he managed to say “Not…going…to…make it…Ardeth….take care…of Evy…she loves you pal”

“Rick, don’t talk like that, we’ll have you up there in no time and then get you some medical help…just hang in there please” said Ardeth.

Hans grabbed the mans hand and Ardeth looked up at him in the rain to see him shaking his head. He knew at that moment that his long time friend was going to die and there was nothing he could do.

“He isn’t going to make it Ardeth, his injuries are too bad. We can only try and make him comfortable” said Hans holding his coat over the man to stop the rain falling on him.

“Ar…Ardeth…can’t hold on…much longer…promise me…you’ll look…after Evy…sorry about…all..this” he gasped.

“I promise Rick…it’s not your fault, you did what you thought was right…is there nothing we can do?” asked his friend.

The man shook his head slowly and as Ardeth held his hand, the man took his last breath and died. Ardeth found he had tears running down his face, mingling with the rain as he pulled his robe up over the mans face. He sat down on the grass, his head down. The other man put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“There was nothing we could do Ardeth, his injuries were too bad”

“What am going to say to Evy…we can’t leave him here” said Ardeth.

“Look, I’ll stay here, you go back up and find something to wrap him in and then we shall take him up…okay”

Ardeth nodded and tied the rope back round him and started up the rope, using the other as an anchor to the house. Climbing over the railings, his eyes found Evy and the look on his face told her that Rick was dead. She collapsed in tears and Ardeth pulled her into his arms and held her tight, forgetting his feelings for after all, Rick was her husband and his best friend.

“We need something to wrap him in and to bring him back up here. Hans is still down there. His injuries were too bad Evy, there was nothing we could do for him, I am so sorry” he said.

“Did he say anything?” she asked.

“He told me that he loved you” he replied.

She knew there was something else and looking straight into his eyes, knowing they would never lie to her, she asked him what else he said.

“That was all” he said averting her gaze.

“Please I know he said something else Ardeth…please tell me, what ever it was” she asked him wiping the tears away.

“He told me to look after you…that was all” replied Ardeth.

He held her until Johann handed him a blanket and another rope was tied to the railings. Masala pointed to the dawn coming up over the mountain top.

“I know this is hard Evy but we have to get Rick and leave this place, we have no idea when this Hitler is going to arrive. If we are found here with these dead guards, then…” said Masala.

“He is right…we will be shot or worse…come Ardeth I’ll help you bring him up” said Johann.

Half an hour later, they had Rick laying on the balcony and the men untied the ropes and coiled them up, they would take them with them just in case they were useful. Evy looked at Rick, brushed the hair off his face and kissed him, then allowed the others to wrap him up again and secure the body so that they could take it back to the balloon.

Ardeth spoke to Masala who was picking up the guns and reloading them, just in case they met any more guards on the way out.

“Masala…I want you to keep an eye on Evy, I can’t do it…Rick was my friend and you know how I feel about her…it wouldn’t be right, I couldn’t trust myself at the moment” Ardeth told him.

“Okay, but she is going to ask why you are avoiding her, what do I tell her?” he asked.

“You’ll think of something, I just don’t want to be in this position at the moment, you understand”

Masala led Evy away behind Hans while Johann and Ardeth carried Rick. It was going to be quite hard making their way back to the balloon but the quicker they were out of there the better they would feel. At least the woods provided plenty of cover if there was any trouble.

The power was still off and they found the stairs that the guards had used to ambush them in the first place. It was difficult to carry Rick down spiral stairs but they managed and were soon in the tunnel that led to the outside. As they got near the entrance, the sound of engines came floating down the road.

“Oh my God, soldiers or worse” said Hans “The trees…over there…run, now”

They all ran as fast as they could towards the trees to the right of the tunnel and just about made it when two tanks, followed by three cars and an enormous staff car carrying Hitler himself pulled up.

“Guards…take the Furher up to the house…you four, come with me, we will find out why there is no-one at the guardhouse, it could be trouble. The rest of you guard this entrance” shouted one of the men in a high ranking uniform.

There was a lot of running around and Ardeth and the rest of them could see Hitler being ushered into the tunnel, while the others stood outside. The officer and the other soldiers went running down the road towards the guardhouse.

“Come on…we’ll have to go this way, it is more dense and provides more cover. We dare not be found now” said Hans.

They picked up their stuff and Rick and as quietly as they could clambered over the undergrowth and went further into the woods, relying on Hans and Johann to guide them back to the balloon without getting lost.

Back at the Eagles Nest, Hitler found the bodies of the guards in the house and the mess in the main room and on the balcony. He was fuming, ranting and raving up and down as the General came back from the guardhouse.

“People have managed to get in here” shouted Hitler “There are bodies everywhere and the staff are tied up in the pantry. It is your job to protect me – if you don’t come up with a reasonable explanation then you will be sent to the Russian Front – that is if I don’t shoot you for incompetence”

The man tried to calm Hitler down but to no avail, he was livid and demanded that the bodies were disposed of and the place cleaned up before Goring, Speer and the others arrived later that day. The shouting also masked his fear, the fear that even here he was not safe anymore – people could get in and…then a thought struck him and he stormed into the office.

“General Von Strom – are any of the bodies here, civilians?” he demanded.

“Yes Mein Furher, upstairs, two men, one is Claus and the other is….”

“I know who the other one is…the books…they have also gone. Whoever it was in here, they knew exactly what they were looking for. I want soldiers to do a sweep of the area, they cannot get far, not on the mountain. I want them found and the books returned to me…now GO” shouted the man.

The general almost ran out of the room and relayed the orders to the guards who in turn phoned the garrison that was about a mile further down the mountain. They were told to go out immediately and find these people. He knew that his life would not be worth living if they came back empty handed.

Luckily for the friends, Hans knew the area well and within a couple of hours they were a long way from the Eagles nest and the soldiers. They felt at ease enough to rest for a while. Evy who was exhausted, both physically and emotionally sat by a tree, her thoughts miles from there.

“We will rest for a while and then get back to the balloon, we should be there in about four hours…it will take a little longer because of coming this way and a bit more rugged” said Johann “once we get you back, we will leave you, we have to report what we have seen and a description of the house. We will try and go back in once Hitler goes back to Berlin and leave him a little present but after this we will need more men”

“You are going back…I know you have to but please be careful, we could never have done any of this without your help” said Ardeth.

“No thanks are needed, I am just sorry that one of you was killed. You don’t realise just how helpful you were to us, we would never have gone in there without planning it before hand. You could be responsible for the demise of Hitler soon. Will she be alright?” asked Hans.

Ardeth looked across at Evy and his heart broke to see her like this but he gave nothing away as he answered them.

“She will be fine, in a few days I am sure. Evy is a very resilient person, a survivor, you would never believe what she has battled against over the years. She has a son back in Egypt, well he will be soon and a brother, they will look after her” he replied.

“She also has some good friends Ardeth, the Med-jai are great warriors…yes we have heard of you and recognised you at once. The stories from Egypt have also reached here – especially the ones about Hamunaptra” said Hans.

Ardeth’s head shot round at the mention of this place but the look on the mens faces told him that nothing needed to be explained and he knew nothing would be mentioned. He shook the mans hand in a silent understanding. Hans told everyone to get ready, they were moving off. Masala helped Evy get her things while Ardeth made sure that the books were still secure. He would be glad to get them back to Egypt and able to deal with them.

Back at the Eagles Nest, the soldiers hadn’t found anything and went back to the guardhouse. Hitler had calmed down a bit but demanded that the security was stepped up inside and outside the place, whether he was there or not. He could not risk anyone else getting in and maybe planting a bomb or something. He had survived one attempt on his life and he was scared that another would be made. The general persuaded him that shooting the staff would not help either, they were needed for the meetings in the next few days to feed the men and keep everything going smoothly. Hitler reluctantly agreed, much to their relief.

Izzy had had no trouble whatsoever while he waited for his friends to come back, except when he heard tanks in the distance and thought they were heading his way but the noise subsided and all was quiet.  As he lay there watching the trees, he heard a rustling and getting his gun, he aimed it at the trees but lowered it when he saw Ardeth come through the trees with the others. He ran to the ladder and climbed down. It was then he saw the body Masala was carrying.

“What happened, who’s in the blanket….hang on where’s Rick?” he asked.

Ardeth put a hand on his shoulder and no words were said but Izzy understood who it was and put his head down.

“You stupid son of a bitch…you had to get shot didn’t you…what am I going to do now, I’ll have no-one to moan at….I” he started to say tears showing in his eyes.

“Izzy…he wasn’t shot, he fell down a mountain” said Evy “He liked you Izzy, liked you a lot, he told me…you always have us…will you take us home please?”

The man nodded and climbed back on board while the others said their goodbyes to Johann and Hans. Evy was the last to thank them for helping and she got a hug off both of them.

“Take care Evy and we are sorry about what happened” said Johann.

“Yeah so am I…but none of us would have been here in the first place if he hadn’t have been so stupid. Greed is a killer in the end” she replied giving a slight smile.

They helped her up into the balloon and stood back while Izzy fired up the engines, slowly the thing lifted and waving to each other, they headed back towards Egypt, leaving the men to find their friends and hopefully do something about Hitler.

Rick was laid at the back of the balloon but Evy sat up the other end, she didn’t want to deal with that now, she needed to see Jonathan and Alex first. Masala went over to Ardeth.

“Are you going to talk to her, she asked me why you hadn’t said anything since the balcony. She thinks it is because you never liked her in the first place and only spoke because of Rick. She is insecure, she needs you” said Masala.

“I know, but I don’t know what to say to her. You were right that day when you said if it wasn’t for Rick but I can’t use his death to step into his shoes. It wouldn’t be right” he said.

“No-one is asking you to jump into bed with her Ardeth, just be the friend she needs right now, what happens later then that is up to you. I am sure that is not on her mind either at the moment” replied Masala.

Ardeth knew he was right, he was just being silly. He poured two cups of coffee and taking a deep breath, walked over to where Evy sat. he handed her a cup.

“I owe you an apology Evy, I haven’t known what to say to you since…since it happened. Please forgive me” he told her.

“Ardeth, there is nothing to forgive…I just thought…oh it doesn’t matter, I was being silly. There was nothing anyone could do, his luck ran out. If he had never taken that bracelet, none of this would have happened, none of us should have been here. It will be hard but I’ll cope. To be honest we weren’t as close as we were, not since Ahm Shere…my fault entirely, I pushed him away…I felt he wasn’t good enough for me after I found out what my life was like. Then when I came to my senses, it was too late, we had already drifted too far apart. Oh we stayed together because of Alex and for other people but we didn’t love each other as we had all those years ago” she told him.

“But neither of you said anything” replied Ardeth.

“I know, maybe we should have confided in you at least…but we never got round to it. We were the best of friends but as a married couple, that ended a long time ago. Anyway enough of that for now…what are you going to do with those books. It would be a shame to destroy them totally, is there any other way?” she asked.

“I don’t know…when we came here I was intent on destroying them so that no-one will ever be able to raise Imhotep or anything else ever again. But now, because of Rick I am not so sure. There must be somewhere they can be put, under lock and key so that no-one has access to them” he replied.

“There is a vault in the basement of the museum. It hasn’t been used for years, they could go in there and you could have the key. We’ll deal with that when we get home. Stay here with me Ardeth, I don’t want to be alone tonight…please”

He had dreaded her saying that but moved closer and allowed her to snuggle against him while he wrapped his arm round her shoulder. They were soon both asleep and Masala draped a blanket over them, then went to help Izzy.

“I still can’t believe Rick is dead” said Izzy “Things will never be the same without him”

Masala looked over at Ardeth and Evy and shook his head as they headed towards Egypt, the sun starting to set on their right.

“No, I don’t think they ever will, Izzy”

The End...

Possible sequel soon!!!!! Feedback please.