Trey Roberts and the Ancient Relics

by Lee Magnus

  “It is very dangerous where you wish to go. It has become a preferred route of terrorists and smugglers.”

  He paused for another unpleasant length of time with an expressionless glare directed at Nick.

  Nick again adjusted his seating position.

  After another moment Seth said, “I will take you as promised.” He placed both hands on his knees while leaning forward. “I have a cousin that operates in the area and feel we will be relatively safe. He will also arrange passage into Libya if necessary.”

  “Thank you, Seth. I appreciate you coming back for me.”

  Seth’s face softened and his jovial smile from the airport returned. “Have you ever been to northern Egypt?”

  “I’ve never been to Egypt.”

  “You are in for a treat,” he said with a clap. “The way along the Mediterranean is beautiful.” He opened his arms and turned his hands up then brought them together in a closed handed prayer position. “We will visit my cousin who lives just outside Alexandria. But we must leave right away, it is not safe here. We will rest at my office for a few hours before we set off.”

  “You sure do have many cousins.”

  “More than fifty scattered around the world, but most live in and around Egypt.”

  “That’s a lot of cousins. I only have nine.”

  Nick grabbed his pack then they walked out of the hotel onto a moderately lit sidewalk.

  “What happened to the brown car?”

  “It was too damaged. I borrowed this one.”

  “Let me guess, from a cousin?”

  “Yeah. How’d you know?” Seth smiled.

  They drove twenty minutes through the vibrant city night. Nick admired a tall blue-lighted tower across the Nile River shortly before Seth parked on the third floor of a somewhat crowded parking garage. They exited the opposite side of the garage on foot.

  “Through here,” said Seth as they turned down a narrow alley. “In here, quick,” as they ducked inside an unlocked alley side door.

  Nick began to question the integrity of his hired guide amid the hustle.

  Seth locked the door behind them.

  “Hey Seth. Maybe we should just go back,” Nick said uncomfortably.

  Seth looked at him without saying a word as he continued to hurry through the building.

  They passed through a narrow corridor, and then exited the building to the right. Nick trailed back a little, looking around frantically. Having no idea where he was, he chose to follow his trusted guide.

  “Please keep up Mr. Nick. We must get out of sight,” Seth said sternly.

  “Look man. I don’t know where we are or where we are going…and I just met you. Can you help me out a little?”

  “We have just a little further to go. Stay close.”

  Nick looked around, reluctantly followed the burly man across the street, down another dark alley, and then through a door to the left into a frenzied kitchen that smelled of steamed rice, garlic and strong cheese.

  It was about 10:30 PM when a sous chef eyed them suspiciously. A waiter greeted Seth as they exited the kitchen into a serving area before continuing to the dance floor. The crowd enjoyed a live DJ playing electronic dance music. Nick enjoyed the steady beat of the music in his chest as the two pushed their way through an energetic crowd.

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  Nearing the front entrance, they heard a thunderous voice roar, “Seth Nahas?”

  Seth cringed and mumbled, “It can’t be! Not tonight!”

  He turned to find his trepidation to be justified.

  “Mr. Soliman,” Seth said in an overly cheerful tone still moving toward the door. He continued in Arabic, “How are you this evening? I’d really love to catch up, but we’re in quite a rush.”

  Nick studied Arabic in college and choppily followed the conversation.

  Mr. Soliman motioned for two men to stop them. Several more moved in around.

  The men hustled Nick and Seth to a large table which sat an imposing, slightly overweight dark-skinned man in a white fedora and matching suit. A fat cigar protruded from his teeth of which he didn’t seem to be pulling – smoke swirled around his corpulent head.

  As they approached the table Mr. Soliman said in Arabic, “Seth, my old friend! It has been so long. Why have you not come to see me before now?” Soliman lowered his tone in a sinister sneer, ”I believe we have unfinished business. Where is my talisman?”

  “Well…um, you see sir, I had it then…well it… um…was sort of taken from me in Somalia.”

  “Who could steal from the great Seth Nahas?” Soliman said sarcastically.

  Seth hung his head at the insult.

  “Tell me who!” Soliman demanded as he slammed a fist onto the tabletop.

  Startled, Seth said, “By, uh…” he tried to think of a better answer but failed, “…by a member of the Order.”

  “The Order huh,” Soliman said dryly as he stared coldly into Seth’s eyes. “Do I look like a fool.”

  “Really, I –“.

  Soliman leaned forward over the table and yelled, “Tell me, Seth! Do I look like a fool to you!”

  “No! No, Sir. You’re no fool.”

  “Then why do you treat me as such with foolish talk about this Order?”

  “I know it sounds crazy but it’s true. They took it and I’ve been trying to get it back. You see, I even have this professor from America to help me. We’re travelling west to recover it now.”

  Nick cut his eyes at Seth.

  “Silence! You intentionally deceive me and then make a fool of me!” grumbled Soliman. “Where would I be if all my associates mocked me in this way. My empire would be crushed. He stared at Seth for a moment more then said dismissively, “I’m tired of looking at his face. Take him out back and make sure I never see him again.”

  “And the American?” the man holding Nick said.

  “Him too. He’s seen too much.”

  “But sir! You must believe me! I can get – ” Seth pleaded.

  The beat continued in the background.

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  One of Soliman’s men grabbed Nick’s arm – with a flash Nick twisted the attacker’s arm awkwardly, then kicked him in the back onto the table, tossing drinks and food on Soliman.

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  Soliman thundered in anger as Seth punched one of Soliman’s men into the crowd. Seth struggled with another of the men while Nick engaged one more, threw several body blows, avoided a wayward punch by placing one hand on the man’s wrist another on the back of his elbow forcefully dislocating it with a loud crack. He thrusted a knee into the attacker’s gut stepped back, then ended the man’s fight with a roundhouse to the left temple sending him limply along with a table into the dance floor.

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  Soliman fired three rounds into the air from a 45-caliber pistol creating a panic. People began rushing toward the exits. Nick tossed a heavy plate and a glass toward Soliman. The glass dislodged the pistol from his hand and the plate struck Soliman’s throat sending him sprawling to the ground. Nick sprinted toward Seth, lept into the air and struck Seth’s opponent with a precise foot to the jaw.

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  “Let’s get out of here!” screamed Nick.

  They ran into the street with the wailing crowd then ducked out of site into another building.

  Nick heaved deep breaths as he asked, “Who were those guys?”

  “Oh, it’s a long story.”

  “I have time,” Nick replied.

  “Not here. Let’s keep going.”

  They passed through two additional buildings before climbing three sets of stairs. They finally entered a small room decorated with peeling wallpaper and thick layers of dust.

  “We’ll rest here for a few hours. We leave at six tomorrow morning,” Seth said as he reclined back in a chair and closed his eyes.

  Nick sat on the corner of the bed staring at Seth. “Tell me what’s going on Seth.
Who was that man in the club? Who or what is the Order?”

  “Can’t we just rest for a bit?” Seth asked without opening his eyes.

  “No. I need to know what’s going on. Were they the guys chasing us at the airport?”

  “Arrg,” Seth replied grunting as he sat up in the chair. “They aren’t the same as at the airport. I work for, well used to work, for Mr. Soliman. He is a very prominent businessman in Cairo. When he needed something to be found, he would call me to find it. You see like I said before, my family is large. I have many ears in the city and spread out across the region which makes it relatively easy for me to find stuff. Several years ago, he hired me to find an antique metal talisman with a single stone in the middle. I traced it to Somalia where it was held by a large sea tro…” he cleared his throat. Well, let’s say it was protected by a big bad guy who lived in a cave near the ocean. I was able to sneak by him when he was asleep during the day. He awoke when I accidently hit him with a sword that he was also protecting. However, I was in disguise and was able to steal the talisman without being noticed but had to leave the sword.

  “The problem I had was that the talisman was missing the stone. I met with a friend of my cousin who said there was a group of people in the Oasis region that knew of the talisman and may have the stone. But before I could get there the talisman was stolen from me by some old crudgy man in a panama hat.”

  “He works for the Order?” Nick asked. “The crudgy man?”

  “I believe so. I never knew who he was or how he knew I had it, but somehow, he found me and was able to get it. I have no idea where it is today, but I would like to get it back in addition to the stone to pay my debt to Mr. Soliman. He is not a man you want on your bad side.”

  “Even after today, you still have loyalty to him?” asked Nick.

  “Well, not so much loyalty as much as keeping my life and name in this city. If it gets out that I failed, no one will hire me again. Lucky for me, Mr. Soliman is proud and doesn’t like to admit failure. So, I'll help you get your geode and you help me get the stone, deal?”

  “I can live with that. So now tell me about the Order.”

  “Okay. According to folklore, there was a great king by the name of Ronodan.” He said this as if he didn’t quite believe in the story or perhaps, he didn’t believe it was folklore. “He was loved by his people. A sorcerer by the name of Khaitu appeared out of nowhere and overthrew King Ronodan. He destroyed Ronodan’s army along with his loyal followers. He also took Ronodan’s only daughter as his wife. The Order of Hsehk were seven ancient beings bound by a cruel curse to serve Khaitu. They turned on Khaitu after a horrific slaughter of a whole city. They afterward gave their lives entombing him in a relic, then banished him to a dimension of ghostly creatures known as the Etherios.

  “Seven relics were left behind along with several other artifacts such as the talisman I am seeking. A group of mortal humans vowed to protect the relics so that Khaitu could never return. Most of the relics were dispersed across the world. If they are ever brought together again, Khaitu could become free and with the power of the relics to himself, he could conquer the world sending it into pain and destruction. That’s why I asked if you were seeking ancient artifacts as well as why I believe they are after you. They want to stop you from finding whatever it is you are seeking.”

  A long silence was broken by soft laughter that quickly gained in fervor.

  “That is one hell of a story Seth. You say it with such passion that someone more gullible might actually believe it. So, you think these mythical beings are after me?”

  “No. Those guys are long gone. The Order are the group that vowed to protect the relics. Unfortunately, it has changed over the years. Under the leadership of the Phoenix, they have lost sight of the original purpose.”

  “Riiiight,” Nick said patronizingly. “Ancient kings and mythical creatures. It just sounds crazy.”

  “I suppose it does.”

  “That’s all you have to explain what Soliman was after?”

  “Yeah. That’s the story.”

  “Well, I understand why he was so mad at your excuse. I don’t believe you either.”

  “That’s okay. You don’t have to believe it yet. Try to get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”

  Nick laid back in a twin bed, taking in the musty apartment. His mind buzzed as he ran the day’s events through his head including how Seth finished the conversation.

  What did he mean by I don’t have to believe it yet? That was a ridiculous story.

  He thought he would never sleep. As exhaustion took over, he drifted off to horns beeping a melodic tune.

  “Wake up Nick,” Seth said in a whisper.

  Nick fluttered his eyes and asked sleepily,” Wha…What’s going on?”

  “Be quiet, someone is outside the window. I don’t know how they found us.”

  Nick groggily rolled off and crouched behind the bed while Seth slunk to the right side of the window which was the only source of light emanating from the city outside. The window opened with a smooth shhhhhh. Nick readied himself to launch into action while Seth prepared to grab whoever was coming through. Steadily waiting, Nick trembled with anticipation. Suddenly, a wet sticky smack alighted on Seth’s left cheek. Startled at the unexpected attack, he fell back into the television, knocking it off the dresser as he tumbled off to the side onto the kitchen floor.

  Drawn to the commotion, Nick missed the assailant enter the room. He rushed to the window prepared to attack but found nothing. Laughter came from the kitchen – Nick briefly let down his guard.

  “Mmmm, Seth, who do we have here? Looks delicious. Can we eat him?”

  Nick quickly turned toward the scratchy voice to find nothing speaking.

  “Show yourself and I'll show you how delicious I can be!”

  “Brave and fast. I’m not sure you have chosen wisely, old friend,” said the voice.

  “Cievan! You slimy cuss,” Seth said still laughing. “What in the world are you doing here?”

  Suddenly, a five-foot-tall man with an overly large Cheshire Cat toothed grin appeared in the corner of the room. He wore a brown t-shirt, beige shorts and no shoes.

  Clievan looked at Nick with cold, deep orange eyes and a mischievous smirk and said, “I know you only use this place when you’re up to something, so I often stroll by looking for excitement.” A fat slimy tongue the size of a Saint Bernard’s slid across a thin upper-lip – it grazed his nose before submerging out of site.

  “What gave me away? How’d you know I was next to the window?” asked Seth.

  “I can recognize you from half a mile away,” Clievan snickered.

  “Of course, you can. I forgot about your heat sensy thingy.”

  “Heat? What? What’s he talking about Seth?” Nick questioned scratching his head.

  “Nothing Nick, this is Clievan. He’s from, well, I don’t really know where he’s from.”

  “Hi, Nick,” Clievan said with a moist, reptilic voice. He waved a hand with large, bulbous fingers.

  “Yeah, uh, nice to meet you,” he replied – trying to hide obvious discomfort with the strange looking man.

  He’s not grotesque, Nick thought with an inquisitive expression – he held his hand to his chin and a raised an eyebrow along with a curled nose. He’s just very weird looking. He almost looks human if he’d keep his mouth shut. What’s the deal with those toes? They look just like his fingers – fat and sticky. Now where have I seen fingers and toes like that before?

  Seth continued the introduction while Nick studied his new acquaintance. “We met many years ago while I was attempting to reclaim a priceless heirloom from England. It was rarely moved and was the only opportunity I had to retrieve it while it sat in a temporary location. However, I wasn’t the only one.”

  “Let me guess, he was also there to steal the heirloom,” said Nick issuing a thumb at Clievan.

  “Steal is a strong word. England stole if first, so technica
lly we were reclaiming previously stolen property. And yes, Clievan along with two others working independently and a team of three. It was a boisterous party, let me tell you!

  “We found ourselves in a real bind, two of the independents began fighting while Clievan and I watched from under cover. I had no idea he was there. I had to act fast before security arrived, so I disguised myself as a security guard. I ran in yelling at the others, ‘What are you doing here!’ I pretended to press an alert button in my jacket hoping they would scatter allowing me to walk away with the item. I didn’t fool anyone. They rushed me. I was able to quickly subdue several, but a masked woman appeared from nowhere. She was tough.”

  “He was really getting his butt whipped by the girl,” laughed Clievan.

  “Hey! She was very skilled at several martial arts and every bit of six feet tall.”

  “Yeah, especially Jiu Hits You!” Clievan laughed out loud at his witty burn.

  “Anyway, he helped out with the woman by,” he regarded Clievan then turned his attention back to Nick, “uh, surprising her. About that time the real security came in. There were too many, so Clievan grabbed the heirloom, I grabbed the woman and we all left through the ceiling.”

  “And we’ve been best buds ever since,” added Clievan.

  “I wouldn’t go that far but he did eventually turn into a great finder of things,” Seth finished.

  “You were able to just escape through the ceiling?”

  “Yeah,” Clievan said moving a stubby hand through the air like a kid pretending it’s an airplane. “We just flew right out of there like we had wings,” he chuckled.

  “I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on. You don’t have to make fun,” Nick said annoyed at Clievan’s remark. “Why did you help the woman?”

  “I’m not sure,” Seth replied. “I just couldn’t leave her behind. There was something about her that made me feel strongly about helping.”

  “Why didn’t you take the heirloom for yourself, Clievan?” Nick questioned.