Chapter Two
“How many chambers have we gone through?” Alex asked. He knew Kalil would have been keeping track. He’d probably remember something about each chamber and each passageway.
“Twenty-three…six more than once…and five passageways…two more than once…I think. I may have lost count somewhere.”
“So we aren’t going in circles…”
“No, but we have gone in the wrong direction several times and ended up backtracking. That is what this thing does, isn’t it?”
“Yes…” Alex said as he inspected yet another wall. “This chamber is very interesting…” he mused.
“You’ve said that exactly thirteen times now, about thirteen different chambers…and we’re still not out of this accursed place and we still have not found Za’id” Kalil said, and Alex could tell he was worried and angry. And they were both hot and thirsty and tired.
“I’m sorry, little brother…I have gotten you both in quite a mess” he said, still studying the wall. He was sure there was something different about this chamber. He thought that maybe he wasn’t thinking about what the walls said in the right way. He stood in the middle of the chamber and looked at each wall, not reading the hieroglyphics as much as viewing the picture that they created on each wall.
“You know, you probably shouldn’t stand in the middle of the floor like that” Kalil suggested.
“I know, but look at this.” Kalil moved over to where Alex was standing and looked at the wall. “I’ve been so concerned with deciphering the jumble of nonsense on most of these walls, mostly a bunch of stuff they put there to confuse the poor idiots who ventured in here and could manage to read at least some of the hieroglyphics, that I wasn’t seeing the beauty of it all.”
“Beauty? Alex, we’re not here to…”
“I know…just look. I’m sure it’s not the same on each wall in each chamber, but I’ll bet if we went back and looked at each chamber, we’d see it…at least on the walls we were supposed to pay attention to. The hieroglyphics start at the same level at the top, each line. It doesn’t matter what they were trying to say on each wall. But see how the bottom of each line ends at a different level, creating a picture, or at least the outline of something. There’s probably a story throughout the entire maze. If seen and read right, it would lead you through the structure.”
“Yes…it’s very nice, Alex” Kalil said, and Alex could tell his friend had lost all his patience for his fascination with the ancient writings.
“Just look at the wall, Kalil, the picture on the wall. See, on this one you can see what was probably meant to look like the palace…and there, the pyramid.”
Kalil could see it now, “Why this chamber?” he asked as he turned to look at each wall.
“It was probably like this on each wall we were supposed to go through. The hieroglyphics on every wall teases you into thinking you’ve figured out which is the right wall to access, telling you what you think you need to know.”
“But you forget, back when this was built, only a very few people were educated, fewer could decipher the hieroglyphics. And even fewer ever learned it through the centuries. It quickly became a lost language, a lost art. How could tomb raiders ever decipher this stuff?”
“They probably couldn’t. If they by chance saw the pictures created by the writings, they might find their way through the maze, but I’d bet that those few who did actually make it to the burial chamber, those who plundered it and burned Amenemhet, were simply lucky. They stumbled around long enough, survived long enough, that they finally made it in and then back out. And I’d bet only a very few of the hundreds who entered the pyramid actually made it out. Some of those markings we’ve seen on the walls were probably them marking their way along. Some are just lucky. But you’ve also seen how many didn’t make it. We’ve seen how many skeletons throughout the maze?”
“Yes…” Kalil muttered as he continued looking at the walls. “If you are correct, then I believe we’ve come farther than we thought. That wall…” he said as he faced the wall he’d spent the most time staring at.
“You saw it…” Alex said with a smile on his face.
“Yes…a coffin. You can see the head and body and the feet. That way to the burial chamber.”
“I think so, too…hopefully…”
“But how does all this help us find Za’id?”
“It may not. But the burial chamber is likely deep in the structure and we know Za’id is a level below us…unless he’s gone farther down…so at least we’d be going in the right direction.”
“Ok, then how do we open this particular wall?” Kalil asked as they both stepped up to the wall. Surprising them both, the wall simply slid open. They looked at each other and then hesitantly out of the chamber and into another long passageway.
As they stepped out into the passageway, the wall closed behind them. There was only one way to go as the chamber opened into one end of the passageway. They could see several chamber doorways along the walls and the end of the passageway, which looked to split off in either direction at the end.
“He’s Medjai” Kalil said as he inspected one of several skeletons in the first chamber they came to.
“So’s this one. That one isn’t.”
This was the first time they’d seen any signs of Medjai in the pyramid, but it made sense. The Medjai would have been the pharaoh’s protectors, in life and in death.
“They probably followed the raiders in and were killed.”
In one other chamber, they found more Medjai skeletons. Kalil was amazed at their appearance. As he knew was the case with a great many bodies that had died and decayed in tombs, as the body dried up the skin tightened and in a sense adhered to the skeletal remains, leaving the person almost recognizable. He could see the facial tattoos and those on their arms and chests. They wore very little then, only the barest of loin cloths.
As they moved down towards the end of the passageway, the priestly ghosts roared down after them as if to attack them. Instinctively, Kalil drew his scimitar, though he was sure it would do him no go, it hadn’t thus far. The spirits hovered around them, taunting them, their laughter loud and evil. And then as suddenly as they appeared, they disappeared, some floating off and sweeping down both directions where the passageway split and continued in opposite directions, some through the walls.
Then, as they were deciding which way to go, both agreeing that they should not split up, a different sound boomed towards them. It was almost a roar, as if meant to instill fear…and it did. It was unlike the sounds they’d heard thus far. They turned around and stared down the way they’d come, watching in awe and a bit in horror as the Medjai warriors they’d just seen dead in the chambers now advancing on them, scimitars at the ready.
“Oh!” Alex whispered, “This is not good…what do we do?”
“I don’t know…” Kalil said, and then “This way…” pushing Alex down the passageway to their left. At least it didn’t look like a dead end, but they’d both seen how the maze had changed on numerous occasions and knew that they could be boxing themselves in.
They ran into a large chamber that opened up at the end of the passageway, both jerking around trying to quickly determine how to open another doorway. As the dead warriors burst into the chamber after them, Kalil readied himself to fight, feeling that it was wrong to fight them, but having no other choice. Seeing him poised there waiting for them, a scimitar in each hand, they paused for a few seconds, as if confused; but only a few seconds. Then, as they moved towards him, spreading out as much as the size of the chamber allowed, Kalil yelled “Any time, Alex.” Looking at them, though he knew they were dead, their bodies not fully formed, no muscle and tendons and tissue, he was amazed to see that they did appear to have eyes, eyes that looked at him in anger. He thought he must be seeing things, the ancient dead could not possibly have such expressive eyes.
“I’m trying…I’m trying…” he yelled back, knowing that Kalil couldn’t possibly win against them all, and then he’d be done also. He quickly twirled around where he stood, looking at each wall, not believing what he was seeing. “This can’t be…” he said.
Kalil was now in full battle with his dead ancestors, finding that though they were good, they seemed a bit stiff from their centuries of inactivity. It gave him just a bit of an advantage – but not much. Like the ghostly priests they’d encountered earlier, these Medjai warriors didn’t seem to feel pain, but their limbs did sever quite easily, so he aimed his swings at their arms and their legs when he was bending and crouching to avoid their weapons. And then just for good measure, when he could, he aimed for their necks. As he dismembered them, even one limb from their bodies, they simply crumpled to the floor, their bones seeming to fall apart as if their skin no longer held their skeletons together. Try as he did, he couldn’t avoid cuts from their blades, and the vague thought ran through his head that their ancient, decayed, rusted blades could cause serious harm. A simple cut, if it became infected, could be deadly. Of course, if they managed to run him through, as they did appear to be seriously attempting, he wouldn’t have to worry about whatever germy infection he might get.
“ALEX!”
“It’s the same chamber” Alex yelled back. “Over here…” he yelled as he moved to the center of the chamber.
Kalil sidestepped towards where Alex was now standing, seeing one of the warriors rushing towards him. Kalil swung out at the warrior, deflecting his swing before his blade hit Alex, just as the floor fell out from under them, forming a slanted ramp down to the level below them. They slid down and onto the floor below and instantly jumped to their feet, Kalil whipping around to face the warriors that had surely followed them down. But none had. They both looked up and saw the three warriors that Kalil hadn’t managed to dismember just standing there staring down at them, huge grins on their faces.
“They know something we don’t” Kalil said as they watched the floor move back up in place, just as the floor had done after Za’id had fallen through it. “That wasn’t what I think it was.”
“Yes…that was the same chamber Za’id fell through.”
“No…no…it couldn’t be. We cannot be back at the beginning.”
“I don’t think we are.”
“Well, we certainly didn’t start out in the middle.”
“No…we didn’t.”
They both jerked towards the only opening in the chamber in which they now stood at hearing heavy foot falls. Someone, or something, was running towards them. Kalil readied himself to fight whatever it was that was coming for them. He knew he didn’t have to tell Alex to figure another way out of the chamber.
When nothing, no one, came through the doorway, Kalil cautiously stuck his head out, finding that it was a very large chamber with an open doorway on the opposite wall. He saw no one – but he could still hear the foot falls, heavy and fast. He pulled back into the chamber and stepped back, looking at the opening. From where he stood, it appeared to be a simple passageway outside the chamber. He could see a wall just four feet from opening. It had to be a passageway. But then he stuck his head out again, and again it was a large chamber. And still he could hear someone, or something, running towards them.
“Figure it out now, Alex, this is creepy.”
“I’m trying…I’m trying…” he said anxiously, and then “Here…this one.” As he read the hieroglyphics, his hand feeling the etching and the bright paints that turned the words and pictures into such a beautiful scene on the wall, the wall whooshed up.
As they moved through the opening, they found themselves in another large chamber, this one different from all the others. It was huge compared to the others, and contained objects scattered about. For the moment forgetting what they were running from, forgetting that something had been running towards them, they slowly looked around the chamber. The remnants of torches, wooden objects, an ornate throne against the back wall, even odd pieces of jewelry, gold and silver bowls and cups, all scattered about.
“The treasure chamber, Kalil” Alex said, not able to mask the look of total awe on his face. He felt he should not be so impressed. They were not here for any treasure. They were here to find their lost warriors. But he couldn’t help himself. He hadn’t thought he’d actually be so close to Amenemhet’s burial chamber, but he knew now that it was close, very close.
The foot falls seemed to be right there with them, and then shocking them both, Za’id burst into the chamber through the same doorway they’d come through, his scimitar in one hand, his knife in the other. And if they had been anywhere else, under any other circumstances, his entrance and subsequent smacking into Alex, knocking them both to the floor, would have been comical. But right then, it wasn’t. Za’id was on his feet in one fluid motion.
“They’re coming” he yelled, as Alex picked himself up off the floor.
“Who…who’s coming” Alex asked, immediately thinking that was a stupid question. It didn’t matter who was coming, as from the way Za’id had been running from them, and the look on his face, whoever it was meant trouble.
Breathing hard, trying to catch his breath, Za’id managed “Where’ve you been…” just as half a dozen mummy warriors burst into the chamber. Kalil recognized three of them as those he’d been fighting in the chamber above before the floor fell in.
As the warriors advanced on them, Za’id told Alex to take his second scimitar, and was grateful that Alex didn’t argue and just reached up and pulled it from its sheath on his back. He had always carried two scimitars, and continued even after his injuries, his arm and shoulder becoming incapable of wielding a scimitar. But he could shoot a gun and use a knife for cutting low and stabbing. Rick had had a special holster made for him so that he had easy access to his pistol with the least movement of his arm, and a special bandoleer that included a sheath down his back for his second scimitar, making it reachable with his good hand should he lose the other scimitar in battle. Alex was quite familiar with scimitars, though he always professed to hate fighting. Much like his father, though, if he had to fight, he preferred guns. But he knew in this case, bullets would prove quite useless.
“Go for the neck…or the arms or legs…” Kalil said as he whipped around from a swing.
“I know…I know…” Za’id said. “What do you think I’ve been doing?”
Alex looked intently at the warrior he was fighting, and then it dawned on him.
“They don’t know, Kalil…they don’t know you’re Medjai” he yelled.
“What are you talking about?” Kalil yelled back, just as he was wondering why they always came at him in pairs. But he guessed he should be grateful they didn’t all charge him at once. Za’id, too, was trying to keep two at bay. They did notice that the biggest warrior was standing back watching the fight, a big grin on his face.
“They think they’re keeping more thieves from the tomb…your faces aren’t marked…pull your robes open…”
With his scimitars in his hands, he wondered how he’d manage that, and wanted to laugh at Alex.
“Sure…if I don’t get myself killed here, I’ll do that…” Kalil groused back at him as he blocked another blow. But he knew now that Alex was right. The younger Medjai warriors did not mark their faces as Medjai had done since the beginning of time. These warriors did not recognize them as their descendants. To them, they were just more thieves, no better than those who had managed to steal their pharaoh’s treasure and burn his remains, leaving him to suffer there, dead but not able to find peace in the afterlife.
Surprising his opponents, he swung around wide and then flung himself at them, knocking them both to the ground. He quickly righted himself, and as quickly as he could, he dropped his weapons and ripped open his robes and shirt, pulling them as wide open as he could without having the time to remove his bandoleers and sash. He hoped they could see the familiar tattoos of their people on his chest.
To his surprise, as he hadn’t truly thought it would work, the big warrior who’d been standing back watching the battle, rushed forward into the middle of them all and growled, his thunderous voice booming around the chamber. Slowly, he moved up in front of Kalil, his face still a mask of anger, but giving Kalil some degree of relief, the big warrior sheathed his scimitar as he came near. As he inspected the tattoos on Kalil’s chest, Kalil pushed his sleeves up, exposing the tattoos he did have on the back of his hands. The big warrior then ran his withered fingers over one particular tattoo on Kalil’s chest, the mark that told him Kalil was a Bay.
Upon seeing that tattoo, the big warrior looked him in the eyes, and apparently satisfied, he backed up and respectfully nodded to his Chieftain. He then looked at Za’id, looking him up and down, obviously seeing that he was dressed the same as Kalil. Za’id pulled his robes and shirt open to show his tattoos. Again satisfied, the big warrior respectfully nodded. He then looked at Alex, obviously seeing that he was not Egyptian, certainly not Medjai, he stormed up in front of him, his breath hissing from his nostrils. Kalil and Za’id quickly moved to Alex’s sides, edging themselves between him and the warrior. Kalil looked him in the eyes as if to say that Alex was no enemy and then, hoping he was getting the words right, it had been far too long since he’d learned what little ancient Egyptian he knew, told him who they were and why they were there.
The big warrior spoke to the others, who then sheathed their weapons and backed towards the opening, then standing as if guarding the doorway. Alex then spoke to the warrior, expressing his sorrow at what had happened to Amenemhet, and to them. He explained that if they wished, if Amenemhet would permit it, he would try to find a way to give the pharaoh peace. He was sure his mother could find something in one of the many books and scrolls in the museum library to help send Amenenhet into the afterlife. The warrior studied him for a few seconds and then nodded as he then backed up towards the other warriors.
The warrior’s eyes then looked behind them, and as they turned, they saw Amenemhet standing there, a surprisingly peaceful look on his face. Alex sighed loudly. Never in his wildest dreams had he hoped to ever see one of the ancient pharaohs. Of course, as a young boy, he’d seen and had been touched by Imhotep, the resurrected high priest of the great pharaoh Seti I. But to actually be in the presence of a pharaoh, dead though he was, was truly amazing.
Amenemhet simply nodded to them, and then as if on cue, the room was filled with the mummy warriors they’d seen throughout the maze, including those they had fought. Their slain friends were carried in by the last of the ancient warriors. Thankfully, none of the mummy priests joined them. It was then that Za’id saw the knife that he’d seen earlier in Zaheer’s chest now sheathed on the big warrior’s side. Za’id looked at him and could see a look of sorrow on his face, as he obviously understood what Za’id had realized, that he’d killed their warriors.
<<<<*****>>>>
Ardeth woke late into the night and felt her next to him, leaning against his side. He’d been so tired when they finally made their way home, he’d undressed and fallen onto the bed, asleep before she’d finished undressing and crawled next to him. She’d obviously covered them with a blanket and cuddled up next to him. Now, he chastised himself for not waiting for her to join him so that she could sleep in her usual spot. They rarely stayed that way throughout the entire night, but he knew she slept better when she could fall asleep on him with his arms wrapped around her.
He slowly turned on his side to face her and pulled her against him. She smelled of sand and sweat and he wondered what he must smell like. Probably worse, as he’d spent a good portion of the day helping to clean out the stables and livestock pens, and then he and Nafad helped the men clearing out the fields of crops, or what was left of the crops. After the injured and elderly and ailing were seen to or taken to be tended by Fyad and Ani, the next priorities were unburying the springs and pools, and then the crops and finding the livestock that had scattered. Through the centuries of enduring sand storms and earthquakes and attacks by any number of enemies, they, like every other group of people living in the desert, had developed an almost ritualistic system, very orderly, for making their little world livable again.
He laid there and held her for some time, thinking about his people, picturing each one who’d been injured in some way, and each of their elderly who tended not to handle these things well. Their tribe consisted of several thousand people, but he knew everyone of his tribe, if not personally, by sight and knowledge of the family to which they belonged, how each person fit into their tribal family. As his father had before him, and likely all of his forefathers, he’d made it a point to know his people, last least by sight. He knew it was impossible to truly know that many people, and then also a great many from all the other tribes, but he felt it was important, to them as much as it was to him. He ran through the process of restoring their village, sure they’d forgotten something, but hoping they had not. There was still much to do and it would take days, if not weeks, to make everything right, but they’d made a good start and he was sure now that they hadn’t neglected anyone who needed assistance or anything that would prove disastrous if not done immediately.
And then he thought of his family. He’d made sure that Daya and Ani were together before the storm hit, insisting that Evy, Marie and little Jacob stay with them, and that Becca and Nabil were with Mara. Marie had never experienced a sand storm so he was sure she’d find some comfort in being with others. And then he’d checked on Alana and Kayla. He knew Zahi was with his detail and that they’d accompanied Kalil and Za’id on their patrol north to the Libyan border. They were to stop at Alex’s dig near Faiyum on the way back and should have been there yesterday. He knew they would stay for a few days, but he also knew that Za’id would want to return home before Daya’s due date. And he guessed, if he knew his son-in-law as he was sure he did, that Za’id would be pressuring Kalil to make it a short stay.
He’d checked on his loved ones once the storm had passed to make sure all were ok before beginning the immense task of organizing such an overwhelming process as removing the sand – huge deposits of excess sand - out of a village in the middle of the desert. A sand storm picked up anything that wasn’t closed tightly or tied down securely, carrying it off to be deposited elsewhere along its way through the desert, leaving behind deposits of sand that it had swept up along its way. A sand storm was simply a horrific repositioning of the desert’s sand, grains of their desert’s life moving along on a nomadic journey, much like the lives of most of the desert’s people.
Ani had left Daya with Marie, insisting that they stay inside, out of the heat. Though winter was approaching and the nights were certainly colder than usual, it was still exceedingly hot during the day. Winter and sand storms did not mean a huge break in the heat. Ani and Evy went to help Fyad.
Ani moved slightly against him and he thought about how hard she’d worked during the day and late into the night. He knew she had as she tended to exhaust herself in her need to see that everyone who needed help got that help. He had to smile at the thought that she’d say as long as she kept moving she was fine. It was when she finally stopped moving that her body would simple shut down. If she dared sit still for even a few minutes, her body would refuse to allow her to begin again. He’d seen her several times during the day as they each went about their work, and even from a distance he could see her slight limp. It broke his heart to know that she would forever be scarred by what Kareem had done to her, because of him. She’d seemed to heal in most ways, only the stiffness and ache in her knee and the occasional nightmares still plaguing her. And he knew she didn’t tell him when the memories of that horrid day bothered her, when the nightmares forced her to relive it all.
She moved against him again, he thought probably sensing he was awake and now worrying about her. He held her tightly and rolled onto his back, pulling her onto him. She moaned as she settled on him in her usual spot, not waking, telling him just how truly tired she’d been. She nuzzled his neck and soon settled back into a deep sleep. He rubbed her back and bottom until he, too, fell back to sleep.
<<<<*****>>>>
Ardeth woke thinking of Kalil, sensing that something was wrong. But he felt he must be wrong, as surely Kalil or Za’id would have radioed if something had gone wrong at the dig. He knew that any number of things could, and often did, go wrong at any dig. He thought he’d radio the dig sight just to make sure all was well.
Ani was still lying on him, and now whispered “Ardeth” pulling his attention from his worries about Kalil.
“Yes, Little One” he said, now giving her his full attention. He slid his hands down her back and gently squeezed her bottom, chuckling when she pushed her bottom in his big hands.
“I need a bath, Ardeth” she said as she kissed his neck, and he noticed that she didn’t say that he, too, needed a bath.
“As do I, Little One.”
“But let’s stay here for a little while. I’m not ready to get up yet” she said as she hugged him tighter.
“As long as you wish, my love.” Both knew, though, that they would not linger long as there was still too much to be done.
Slowly, she moved up on him and kissed him, caressing his face and then settled back down on him, nuzzling her face alongside his head. He rolled her onto her back and settled against her, kissing her passionately. “Your leg bothered you yesterday. Does it still?”
“No, sweetie…I think it’s fine now. I was just so tired. It gets a bit sore when I’m on it that much.”
“I worry when you overdo like that, Little One” he said as he looked down at her, his fingers combing back through her hair.
“I’m fine, sweetie…really. And everyone, especially you, worked hard yesterday, as I’m sure we all will today.”
“Yes…there is still much to do.”
She looked up at him and could see he was worried about her. “You know how much I love you.”
“Yes, Little One, as much as I love you…more than life” he said and kissed her again, then edged down a bit and rested against her, nuzzling her neck, his hand fondling her breast. “I guess we should get up.”
“Probably…I do want to check on Daya.”
“And I want to radio Kalil.”
Hearing something in his voice, she asked “Do you think something’s wrong? We haven’t heard anything.”
“Exactly…we haven’t heard anything for a couple days. I just had an odd feeling during the night. But I’m sure everything’s fine. Knowing Alex, he’s kept them busy.”
“He did sound excited about the palace and pyramid, didn’t he.”
They laid there holding each other for a few minutes. Then as his concern for Kalil and Za’id urged him to finally get up, they heard someone in the main chamber, Nafad’s deep voice saying “Ardeth…there are vehicles coming, one from the west, one from the north.”
Ardeth quickly rolled off Ani and off the bed, grabbing a pair of pants from his trunk, and asked “Can you tell who they are?”
“No…the sentries spotted them. The one from the north will be here at least half an hour before the other.”
Ardeth grabbed a shirt and his boots and kissed Ani “I will see you later, Little One…please don’t overdo today” he said, knowing she probably would overdo and she would tell him later that she was fine, things needed to be done, and any number of other excuses.
“Please be careful” she said as she got off the bed.
<<<<*****>>>>
His worries about Kalil, Za’id and Alex momentarily pushed to the back of his mind when he saw that it was Sergeant Jeffrey Talon in the jeep with three warriors from their compound in Cairo.
He had once invited Jeffrey to come visit them, but doubted that he ever would. He had been a good friend since the war and had again helped them when they were forced to travel to
“Jeffrey…it is nice to see you” he said, indeed happy to see his friend. “Armad did not let me know you were in
“I asked him not to…thought I’d surprise you.”
“It is a good surprise, my friend.”
As they walked towards the village, Jeffrey was amazed at how it had changed.
“I can’t believe you’ve actually built houses, Ardeth. What made you change your mind? I couldn’t even get you to update your irrigation and plumbing when I was here during the war.”
“I do not like change…” Ardeth said shortly.
“I remember that…but this is all so amazing” he said as he looked around. The village was indeed transformed. But then he noticed that all was not quite right with the entire village. “The sand storm did this?”
“Yes…we still have much to do.”
“Yeah, the storm swept west and just missed us late yesterday, but we saw the aftermath all long the way.”
“Yes, I have details retrieving what the storm carried off.”
As they approached Ardeth’s house, Jeffrey thought to himself that Ardeth still lived as simply as possible. He was sure he could have had a large luxurious house built to replace their simple tent, but he’d obviously not. His home was no larger than the rest in his cluster. He could appreciate that. He knew how the Medjai people as a whole loved and respected their Chieftain and would do anything for him, as he would do anything for them, including giving his life for them. But he preferred to live with them rather than over them.
As they entered the door, Jeffrey noting the two guards appraising him, he remembered that Ani was always guarded. She was as much a treasure to the Medjai as Ardeth was.
“Hey…you have a chair” he said in surprise.
“Two actually…one is presently at Daya’s house” Ani said as she came out of the bedchamber and greeted him. “Sergeant Talon…it is nice to see you again” she said with a respectful nod.
“It’s nice to see you, too, Ani” he said with a nod. He knew it was not appropriate for him to touch her, even to shake her hand, and he respected the ways of his friends. He did notice that she looked older, reproaching himself for the thought, as of course she looked older, it had been years since the war, since he’d seen last seen her in Cairo. But, still, he thought she was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen.
As they sat and talked, Jeffrey actually shocked at hearing that Daya was a married woman and pregnant, almost ready to deliver, a young warrior announced himself at the door.
As he entered, Ardeth recognized him as one from Kalil’s detail and knew that his earlier worries were correct.
By the time the warrior finished explaining the situation at the pyramid, Ani came from the bedchamber with Ardeth’s pack in her hand and a knowing look on her face. She’d known earlier when he’d said he was worried, but not sure about what, that he’d probably be leaving.
Ardeth kissed Ani and said something to her that Jeffrey didn’t understand, though he was sure he had some idea of what he’d said, and then looked at Jeffrey, a question in his eyes.
“I’ll go…we riding or taking the jeep?” he asked. He knew that Ardeth would not ask him to go as there might be danger and as he knew all too well, there might be death. It was the way of things here in the desert. It was the life of the Medjai. And as for himself, he’d never shied away from danger or death. He’d faced is many times during the war…and since.
Ardeth looked at Rick and Nafad.
“You take Rick and Jeffrey with you” Nafad said as he touched Ardeth’s shoulder. “I’ll stay here in case Daya goes into labor.”
“Don’t tell her anything yet…not until…”
“I understand…” Nafad cut him off. He knew there was no sense upsetting her, at least until, unless, there was anything definite to tell her. And he hoped that there would be nothing unsettling to tell her.
As they hurried towards the vehicles, Ardeth thought to ask the young warrior if he’d rather stay there in the village, but he knew from the way he’d stayed in step with him that he would not stay behind. His detail was there at the pyramid and none knew what had happened since he left. He would return to his detail and face whatever confronted them. Ardeth appreciated that in his men and he smiled to himself that his son had engendered the same loyalty in his men.
“Who’s in charge?”
“Zahi…Kalil entrusted everything to him” the young warrior said without hesitation, not seeing the proud smile on Nafad’s face. But Ardeth did.
<<<<*****>>>>
Kalil and Za’id didn’t know how long they’d all stood there, Alex speaking to Amenemhet. Their tired bodies now feeling the fact that they had not slept during the night, the affects of such frustration and worry now making their bodies ache, their heads ache. They knew that Alex, too, had to be ready to drop, but he was obviously so enthralled with his contact with Amenemhet that he wasn’t feeling it.
All but the big warrior had stood stone still the entire time, their features now again looking like the mummified remains that they were, their eyes gone. It had amazed Kalil when he’d noticed earlier that they did appear to have eyes, when they truly could not. But then, they truly should not have been able to come to life as they had either. Thus far unchanged, the big warrior still stood between them and his men, as if he was not yet finished with his task.
Then as if to say their time there was done, and Alex’s audience with the pharaoh was at an end, Amenemhet waved his arm slowly before him and they heard a great whooshing sound move throughout the maze and the familiar sound of walls opening, stone grinding against stone.
Amenemhet suddenly vanished and they turned to see the big warrior now turning towards the doorway. He looked back at them as if beckoning them to follow. Za’id made to pick up Zaheer, but Kalil stopped him, “Leave him, my brother…we will come back for them all. They should all be given rest.”
As they followed the big warrior through the maze, the structure now amazingly so open and simple, Kalil noticed that Alex kept looking at him.
“What?” Kalil finally asked.
“You…”
“Me?”
“Yes…watching you fight…it was like watching your father.”
“You’ve seen me fight before…and you’ve watched me practice. What was so different today?”
“Nothing really. I get the same feeling every time I see you fighting, even when it is just practice. It’s like déjà vu. I was only eight the first time I saw your father fight…at Ahm Shere. He was awesome. It was like his scimitar became part of him and his body flowed as he moved. Even when Lock-nah hit him or kicked him, it didn’t seem real.”
“I’ll bet if felt real…” Kalil groused, rubbing his jaw and remembering how more than one of the skeletal warriors had hit him, one even kicking him in the stomach to force him stumbling back. And he had various cuts and bruises about his body. They fought much the same way today, their fighting techniques spanning the ages, and he realized just how ancient his people were. He’d always known the Medjai were an ancient people, but for the first time he’d actually experienced, had seen, his ancestors. He’d seen them in action. He just wished they hadn’t been fighting him.
“Yes, I’m sure it did. But watching you today was like watching your father all those years ago…awesome” he said and they could hear in his voice that he’d been truly impressed. He thought it was probably just the circumstances, similar in so many ways to the situation all those years ago, that made him feel as he did.
“Well, big brother, I am glad that you appreciated my abilities…and that I managed to entertain you” he said with a big smile.
“Hey…what about me and my awesome skills?” Za’id quipped. And then, “Oh, I remember now…I was all alone fighting my way through this accursed place.”
“I am sorry, little brother” Alex said, “but we did try to find you. I was beginning to think we were just going in circles…and then we did end up back in that chamber where you fell through the floor. That’s how we ended up down there.”
<<<<*****>>>>
As their jeep screeched to a stop at the camp near the pyramid, Zahi stood waiting for them. He’d grown worried about Kalil, Za’id and Alex, and more than a bit nervous at having to face Ardeth and Rick, and tell them that he feared their sons were lost forever in the great maze.
“We’ve tried digging back into the antechamber, but it just doesn’t want us in there” Zahi told Ardeth and Rick when they arrived. “Kalil said not to enter the pyramid even if the whole thing opened up for us, but I have to admit I was considering going in anyway. They’ve been in there for more than twenty-four hours.”
“I could probably bulldoze into it…if I had a bulldozer” Jeffrey commented as he inspected the structure.
As they talked, Ardeth feeling desperate to get into the pyramid to find his sons, Rick pacing anxiously across the opening to the antechamber, the structure groaned and they could hear the huge heavy walls opening, the sound growing louder as the walls closer to them moved. He and Rick were both quite familiar with the sound, as they’d heard the same thing when the walls within Hamunaptra shifted and closed shut after they’d sent Imhotep back to hell so many years ago.
“We haven’t heard any of that before” Zahi said.
“It’s opening…getting closer…” Ardeth said hopefully. He knew his boys and he knew Alex, so much like his mother and father. He could feel that they’d found a way out, found a way to make the maze release them, show them the way out. And though he felt it in his heart, a heavy sigh still groaned from him when the final wall of the antechamber opened.
They quickly drew their weapons upon seeing a large figure, obviously a mummified creature, with them. Kalil, though, held up his hand to let them know they were ok and their big friend was no threat. The big warrior stood back in the chamber adjacent to the antechamber, obviously unable to exit the structure in his present state. He looked at Ardeth standing there in the antechamber, and then at Kalil, a smile crossing his face as he understood now. He nodded respectfully to Ardeth.
Alex spoke to the warrior again, and then with another nod, the big man collapsed where he stood.
“What’d you say?” Za’id asked.
“I told him we would be right back and would take them all home…the warriors anyway. The priests must stay with Amenemhet. So we must hurry. I don’t believe they’ll leave this place open for too long.”
“Zaheer and Ahmed?” Zahi asked from behind them.
“They are dead…and there are other warriors here. We will explain later…” Kalil said as he quickly greeted them all. Then looking at his father, he said “We must retrieve them all quickly, father. Amenemhet will allow us time, but Alex thinks we should hurry.”
After retrieving the bodies of their friends and the remains of the other warriors who had died there protecting their pharaoh, fulfilling their ancient duty throughout the ages, they carried them all back to their camp and laid them all in a tent, wrapping them all carefully for the journey home. They would all be cremated as was their custom, all finally finding peaceful sleep.
Before they left the antechamber, hearing the walls of the maze closing from deep within successively out until only the back wall of the antechamber was left open, Alex stood there, sure that Amenemhet could hear him, and repeated his promise to try and find a way to give him peace also. The wall closed and when he left the antechamber, the outer wall also closed. But somehow he was sure that when he returned, Amenemhet would open the maze to him again.
As they all sat around the campfire, all discussing what had happened and contemplating what would be a long trip home, Kalil noticed his father staring intently at the fire.
“Father…you look upset. Is something wrong?”
“No, son…not really wrong. I was just thinking that you two don’t need me coming to your rescue anymore. I guess I thought you’d need me for a while longer.” He knew they would know he wasn’t truly upset that they’d figured it out and hadn’t needed him to rescue them. He was simply acknowledging that they were grown up and quite capable of dealing with the many dangers they would surely face in the future, as they lead the Medjai.
Ardeth simply groaned when they all chuckled at his little pout.
<<<<*****>>>>
Ardeth entered their bedchamber quietly. It was late and he didn’t want to wake her. Rashid had said she wasn’t sleeping well. It was quite normal for her not to when he was away. It had always been that way and he knew it always would be. By nature, she was a worrier, and she’d always been plagued by nightmares.
She seemed to be sleeping peacefully, he guessed because she knew he was on his way home. He’d radioed Nafad to have him assure her, as well as Daya, Becca and Marie, that everyone was ok. They’d lost two warriors, but the boys were fine. It was dark, but he could see her well enough. He stood by the bed watching her for a few moments. Even in the semi-darkness of their bedchamber, she looked so beautiful, her breathing soft, her long thick hair fanned out behind her. He couldn’t wait to crawl under the covers with her and feel her warm body against his.
He removed his shirt and tossed it on the trunk in the corner of the room. As he unfastened his pants, his back to the bed, he felt her small warm hands now sliding slowly up his back, causing a shiver to run through his body.
“Little One…”
“Yes, my love.”
“I’m sorry I woke you.”
“You didn’t…I was just resting until you got home. Kalil and Za’id are ok? And Alex?”
“Yes. They had quite a time in the pyramid, a little beaten up, but they are fine. We did lose two warriors…”
“I’m sorry, Ardeth.”
“How is Daya? I’m sure she was worried.”
“Yes, very worried…but she is fine.”
As they talked, he stood still, losing himself in the sensation of her hands moving about his body. She caressed his back and kissed various tattoos and scars, knowing every inch of his body even in the dark. She moved around to his side and then in front of him, now brushing his hands from where he’d started unfastening his pants. Slowly, she finished and then slid her hands around his hips just inside the waist of his pants, slowly edging them down over his hips. She backed him towards the bed and as he sat, she pulled his boots off and then his pants.
As she caressed his face, she straddled his legs, hearing him sigh, his hands immediately moving to her breasts, caressing, fondling. She moaned as his thumbs circled her nipples until they tightened and puckered. She took one of his hands and moved it down her belly, to her, smiling when his breath hitched at feeling she was bare for him. Even after all these years, it still excited him when she did that for him, always saying she could not spoil him by remaining bare at all times as some wives did.
She closed her eyes, moaning, now lost in his touch, his hands bringing her body alive. As her excitement built, her moans and whimpering growing louder, he wrapped his arms around her and flipped her back on the bed, and was on her, his lips, his tongue, and his fingers exciting every nerve in her body. As her moans grew still louder, her body moving with his attentions, he kissed her passionately, his body pressed against her, and she could feel how hard he was for her. Slowly, he moved onto her, settling between her legs. He drew his knees up and out so that her legs draped over his thighs, and rubbed her excited body with his rock hard shaft, teasing her.
“Ar…deth…” she groaned and he could feel how anxious she was to feel him inside her. As he finally did slip inside her, slowly as she liked it, he leaned down on her and kissed her, his fingers combing back through her hair. He kissed her passionately as he began moving inside her, their bodies harmoniously building towards their thunderous climaxes.
<<<<*****>>>>
Za’id couldn’t wait to get home and see Daya. He knew she’d been scared, Nafad saying as much when they’d radioed to say they were on their way home. He had promised Ardeth he wouldn’t tell her anything, and he hadn’t, but she knew her father and Rick leaving the village so suddenly meant something was wrong. He nodded to the guards as he entered their house. He expected to find her in bed, but instead found her sitting in the chair Ani had moved over from their house, one of the chairs Rick had sent Ardeth. Daya did find it more comfortable and easier to get up from than the pillows. She was asleep, with her arms wrapped around her big belly as if even sitting she was trying to support it. As she grew the past couple months, her back hurt and she tired so easily.
He set his weapons down just inside the door and as he moved towards her, he removed his boots and robes.
He knelt down in front of her, whispering “Daya…my angel…” as he caressed her cheek.
She woke abruptly, her arms flying around his neck as he leaned in to kiss her.
“Za’id…I was so afraid you wouldn’t get home before…”
“I know, and I am sorry, my angel…but I am home now.”
Looking at him, she gasped “You are hurt…Nafad said you were ok…”
“I am…just a few scrapes and bruises. I was also worried that I might not get home before our little one came” he said as he slid his hands up under her tunic and caressed her belly. He could feel their baby immediately reacting to his touch, as always amazing him. He could never have imagined such a thing. He’d never thought he’d have children, only imagining himself being a warrior, the Medjai mission being his life. But she had changed all that…and him. She loved him, and he found that amazing also.
He pushed her tunic up exposing her great belly to him, to his lips as he kissed his way around her, smiling as their child moved with him.
“Daya…why are you out here? It’s late…why aren’t you in bed?” he asked now worrying that she wasn’t well or that she was close to delivering.
“I am fine, Za’id…really” she said as she caressed his face. “Well, as fine as I can. I think you are right…we will have a son, a big warrior just like his father. He never stops moving. He’s probably going to come out of there carrying a scimitar and riding a horse. I can’t seem to find a comfortable position in bed. You weren’t here to hold me…” she said with tears in her eyes. He could see it wasn’t the baby’s activity that was upsetting her, as her hand gently touched the bruise on his jaw. He knew he would tell her of their troubles in the pyramid, but not tonight. He only wanted to get her in bed and feel her body against him, feel his baby moving against him.
“Let’s go to bed…” he said as he hooked his arm around her and helped her up.
As they lay in bed, he held her, his arm under her head, her body leaning against him, the weight of her belly resting on him. Her arm was draped over him, hugging him.
“You have bruises and scrapes all over you, Za’id. I should clean them” she said softly.
“In the morning…we both need to sleep now. You probably haven’t been sleeping well, am I right?”
“Yes…I mean, no…I just can’t get comfortable without you.”
“Well, I am here now and I will not leave you until the baby comes. Kalil has promised that nothing will take us from the village for the next few weeks.”
She just sighed and hugged him tighter, and he felt her finally relaxing. And then slowly the child settled, he’d swear resting against him, not just because Daya had leaned her belly on him, but because their child also felt comfortable resting there on him, felt safe with him there. He was sure his son was also happy that he was ok and home with them now.
“I love you, my angel” he whispered.
“I love you, too, sweetie” she whispered back.
The End