Richard was still soaking in the scene when Vincent Vance waddled up to his newest employee.
“What do you think of Luxor, Mr. Franks?” Vincent asked.
“Francois, sir,” Richard corrected. “And from what I’ve seen while standing here, I can’t wait to explore all the fascinating history around us.”
Vincent took his glasses off and cleaned them with his handkerchief. “You’ll have some time to do that when you’re not leading a tour. But your primary responsibility is going to be handling Lord and Lady Drummond on a trip to the Valley of the Kings.”
“Is there anything specific they want to see?”
Vincent placed his glasses back on his nose and then reached into his coat pocket and produced a map. After opening it, he held it up for Richard to see.
“This is the official Thomas Cook & Son guide for the Valley of the Kings,” Vincent said. “It will require a ten-mile ride by horseback to the valley.”
Richard’s eyebrows shot upward. “Ten miles on horseback? Have you interacted with Lady Drummond? I met her briefly on the boat. She doesn’t seem like the kind of woman who will enjoy such a long excursion.”
“She’s English nobility. This won’t be the first time she’s been on a horse.”
“But ten miles there and back over rough desert terrain? I’m not sure how many of the people I saw on the boat could handle a trip of that length.”
Vincent chuckled. “Your job isn’t to assess the physical fitness of our clients, though, given the amount of complaining we usually have to endure, such a requirement might not be such a bad idea. But nevertheless, you’re hired to take them there. If it takes three hours, it takes three hours. And then simply explain the consequences. It either means less time exploring the tombs or embarking on a risky return through a place I like to call the Valley of the Thieves.”
“That dangerous, huh?”
Vincent put his hands up. “Don’t let it scare you. It’s not common, but we’ve had a few incidents in the past.”
“Do these robbers carry guns?”
“This isn’t the Wild West. They mostly use either a scimitar or a dagger and travel in packs of anywhere from four to six. But they’re more apt to rob our wealthier clients using motorized transportation.”
“I’m always up for a good horse chase.”
Vincent scowled. “The adventure we offer here, Mr. Frampton—”
“Francois.”
“The adventure we offer here, Mr. Francois, is centered around our sightseeing, not enticing Arabian bandits into a horse race across the desert sands.”
“You have to admit that one would be far more entertaining.”
Vincent wagged his finger. “Not to the upper crust of British royalty, who is our intended clientele. Now, stop this foolish talk before I rescind my offer of employment.”
Richard smiled and nodded. “Lord and Lady Drummond will be in my capable care, sir, and I promise you won’t regret hiring me.”
“Let’s hope not,” Vincent said. “They’ll meet you outside the Winter Palace Hotel in one hour. I suggest you go get checked in there now and come downstairs dressed in the proper attire and ready to embark on your tour.”
“Of course, sir. Thank you again.”
Vincent waved dismissively. “Just do a good job.” He spun on his heels and then headed in the opposite direction.
Richard hustled inside the hotel and spent the next hour preparing for his first opportunity to lead the Drummonds.
On his way downstairs to meet them, he heard someone trying to get his attention and looked around to see where the noise was coming from. He descended slowly, scowling as searched.
“Pssst. Pssst,” came the whisper again.
Richard stopped at the bottom of the steps and then saw a boy hiding behind a nearby statue.
“You trying to talk to me?” Richard asked, pointing to his chest.
The kid nodded.
Richard eased over to the boy and crouched next to him so they were eye to eye. “What do you want?”
“You go to the Valley of the Kings?” he asked.
Richard nodded. “I’m about to leave right now.”
“Be careful. The Arabean Lusus plan attack tonight.”
“Who is the Arabean Lusus?” Richard asked.
A man started walking toward them, and the boy dashed away. Upon reaching Richard, the man sneered and hustled after the kid.
Richard wasn’t sure what to make of the warning or the man chasing the boy, but the Drummonds were waiting. Several tours were preparing to leave, which started with a short ferry ride across the Nile before reaching the stable contracted by Thomas Cook & Son.
Richard strode up to the Drummonds and introduced himself.
“Jonathan Francois,” Richard said, offering his hand to the lord.
Lord Drummond shook it vigorously. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Francois. I can’t tell you how much Lady Drummond and I have been looking forward to this adventure.”
Richard smiled and took Lady Drummond’s hand before kissing it.
“My Lady,” Richard said.
She chuckled softly before giving him a coy look. “You’re more—how should I say this—muscular looking than other Thomas Cook & Son tour guides we’ve had in the past.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Richard said, glancing at his left bicep and then his right. “Hopefully, the services of my muscles won’t be required. I’m expecting a smooth trip out to the Valley of the Kings this morning.”
“We are as well,” Lord Drummond said. “This excursion has been the one we have been looking forward to most since we signed up.”
“I hope I can help make that so,” Richard said. “Now, if you’ll follow me. We need to take this ferry across the crocodile-infested waters of the Nile in order to arrive safely on the other side and begin our trek by horseback to the tombs.”
“There are crocodiles in the water?” Lady Drummond asked.
“The Nile is rife with them. I know from firsthand experience that it’s not impossible to survive an encounter in the water with them. But it takes a fair amount of skill and luck.”
“Which apparently you have or else you wouldn’t be standing here,” Lady Drummond said as she blushed.
“Lady Drummond, I believe you’re creating an image of me that I might not be able to live up to.”
“Those bulging muscles and tales of adventure suggest otherwise,” she said as she stepped onto the ferry. She sat down and Lord Drummond joined her on her left. Patting the empty seat to her right, she look up at Richard.
“Thank you, but I’d rather stand,” Richard said. “We’re going to be riding for hours, so I want to stretch my legs as much as possible.”
“Oh, Mr. Francois, I don’t bite.”
“Oh, leave the gentleman alone, dear,” Lord Drummond said as he waved dismissively at her. “I’m sure he has other things to do.”
She stamped her foot. “Well, he’s our guide—and our tour starts now as far as I’m concerned. I want to hear more about how he managed to escape a crocodile.”
Richard shook his head. “It sounds far more exciting than it really was.”
“Any brush with death is exciting. I want to know exactly how it happened.”
Richard shrugged and sat down before spinning a tale that only sounded vaguely like the truth. By the time he was finished, the story had evolved to include spear-throwing Egyptians, multiple reptiles encircling him, and a tiger prowling along the riverbank.
“Do you think we’ll see any tigers on this trip?” she asked.
“Perhaps,” Richard said. “Egypt is a curious place. You never know what you might come across, especially while out in the open desert plains.”
Richard was telling the truth, as far as he knew it. Since he’d never been to Egypt, he had no experience to draw upon. While he had read that the wildlife was relatively tame in populated areas, the likelihood of seeing ferocious predator
s prowling about was slim. But it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility. Or maybe Lady Drummond was joking with him. Despite his voracious reading habit and his mother’s love for exposing him to so many different books that opened the world for him, Richard wasn’t sure he knew as much as the Drummonds. He imagined they sat around their grand estate immersing themselves in books, taking breaks only for meals and teatime.
Once the ferry reached the opposite side of the Nile, Richard pointed out several crocodile sunning on the bank about a hundred meters away. Lady Drummond clapped her gray-gloved hands with delight.
“This is going to be so much fun,” she said.
As the small groups filed off the boat, they made their way to the stables where horses were already assigned. Richard glanced around at the other guides who were helping their clients up into their saddles. Then he looked at Lady Drummond and swallowed hard.
Lady Drummond wore a flowing dress that couldn’t hide her rather large frame. Despite her comments about his muscular appearance, Richard wasn’t sure he was strong enough to hoist her onto the animal. He also didn’t want to insult Lord Drummond by asking him for help. Richard stared at the horse for a moment and then glanced back at Lady Drummond.
He clenched his jaw and approached her from behind, preparing to boost her up. But something else caught his eye in the distance beyond the stables. Taking a few steps backward to move around a series of posts obstructing his view, Richard gazed at a scene that made him sick: Jabari leading the Reichswehr unit toward the Valley of the Kings.
“Mr. Francois,” Lady Drummond called. “Yoo, hoo. Are we ready to begin?”
“Oh, yes,” Richard said before rushing back to assist her. He interlocked his fingers and held them next to her left foot. She placed her hand on his shoulder for balance and stepped into his hands.
Richard resisted the urge to grunt as he strained to lift her up and over. Much to his surprise, he succeeded. Lady Drummond applauded for herself before earning plaudits from her husband.
“You look like a real explorer,” Lord Drummond said, turning to Richard. “Please keep her safe. She has no idea what she’s doing up there.”
Richard nodded before assuring Lord Drummond that she was in capable hands. Once they had all mounted their steeds, Richard went over a few basic instructions about riding the horses, tips he’d learned while riding on his family’s Tennessee farmland as a young boy.
“Be gentle with these animals,” Richard said. “The environment here can be very unforgiving, and we don’t want anyone striking off across the desert on a runaway animal. Does everyone understand?”
Lord and Lady Drummond both nodded, giving Richard the signal he needed to continue. He eased his horse in front and struck off in the direction he’d seen Jabari take the Germans.
“Mr. Franks,” called a familiar voice.
Richard almost ignored it, but Lord Drummond shouted too.
“Mr. Francois, I believe Mr. Vance is trying to get your attention,” he said.
Richard jerked on the reins and turned back to see Vincent scowling and shaking his head about twenty meters away. He gestured for Richard to come over.
“What is it, sir?” Richard asked after galloping to his supervisor.
“The fastest route to the Valley of the Kings is that way,” Vincent said, pointing in nearly the opposite direction. “Trust me, you don’t want to go the way you’re headed. You’re likely to run into the Arabean Lusus if you don’t change your route.”
“You’re the second person to mention the Arabean Lusus today,” Richard said. “What is that exactly?”
“The fiercest group of Arabian thieves you’ve ever seen. It means ‘Forty Thieves’ in English. And if you aren’t careful, they’ll not only take everything you own, but they’ll also kill you.”
Richard cocked his head to one side. “I thought you said that there were only a few bands of robbers in the desert, small groups of like four to six who most likely would attack your clients using motor vehicles to reach the site?”
Vincent shrugged. “So, I omitted a few things. You were the one so eager for the opportunity, and I needed someone. Besides, who tells everything on the first day on the job?”
Richard pulled out his dagger and flicked the tip of the blade against his thumb. “Fine, I’ll stay away from that route. But I’m not happy with the fact that you hid the real nature of the danger from me.”
“Sorry, Mr. Frankle, you and all the sense of adventure you have will get over it, I’m sure, once you lay eyes on the tombs.”
Richard had been so engrossed in his conversation that he didn’t hear Lord Drummond gallop up. His horse whinnied and then snorted, interrupting the curt discussion.
“Our guide has never been to the Valley of the Kings?” Lord Drummond said, his eyes widening. “I thought you said you were teaming us up with one of your most knowledgeable leaders.”
“I’m afraid you’ve stumbled into the middle of our conversation,” Vincent said. “What you heard was—”
“Correct,” Richard said. “This is my first time leading a tour to the Valley of the Kings, but I promise you that you will get the adventure you seek or else Mr. Vance here will refund your entire trip.”
Vincent set his jaw and narrowed his eyes, locking his gaze on Richard. Before Vincent could say a word, Lord Drummond broke into a gentle smile.
“In that case, let’s get going,” he said before steering his horse back toward Lady Drummond.
Vincent was still glaring at Richard. “I swear to you if—”
“It’s going to be fine,” Richard said. “Problem solved. And you didn’t have to lie about it.”
“Better get moving,” Vincent said, relaxing his icy stare.
“Sure thing, chief,” Richard said before digging his heels into the side of his horse and joining the Drummonds.
“How long will this take?” Lord Drummond asked.
“Depends on how fast you want to ride,” Richard said.
Before Lord Drummond could respond, Lady Drummond kicked her horse, which took off into the desert. She hadn’t gone more than fifty meters before she started leaning to the right and was headed for a disastrous fall without a quick intervention.
Richard raced after her in an effort to prevent a potential injury. As he was riding, he shot a quick glance in the direction of Jabari’s caravan. It had disappeared over a dune.
Chapter 20
RICHARD WAS CERTAIN HIS list of new experiences was growing by the second, and noon was still an hour away. Serving as a tour guide and striking out for the Valley of the Kings were among the things he had never done—and so was speeding across the desert on a horse at top speed to save a woman.
Storming up to the right side of Lady Drummond’s horse, Richard reached beneath her armpit and yanked hard. She didn’t budge and slipped farther, creating even more instability. Remaining by her side, Richard sought a different solution. He needed to get her momentum moving in the opposite direction and required an unconventional way to do it.
He reached over with his free hand and grabbed the reins in an effort to guide both horses toward the remains of a dilapidated rock fence. Richard tugged hard, pulling both animals toward a collision course with the boundary. When they reached the obstacle, both horses leaped in unison, and Richard held Lady Drummond steady.
When they hit the ground, Lady Drummond bounced upward. Richard seized the opportunity to get her upright again and shoved her as hard as he could. She shifted in her seat and landed in the correct position. Tugging on the reins again to slow her horse down, Richard eased both animals to a stop.
Lord Drummond kicked up a dust storm as he skidded to a stop next to them.
“Are you all right, Lady Drummond?” Richard asked.
She nodded and smiled. “That was quite an athletic feat, but it doesn’t surprise me given how burly you are.”
“Lady Drummond,” Richard said, shaking his head.
“Thank
God you’re all right,” Lord Drummond said. “That was incredible. I thought she was going to break every bone in her body—or worse. I could hardly stand to watch and have no idea how you managed to return my wife into an upright position. How can I ever repay you?”
“Your enjoyment of the Valley of the Kings will be payment enough for now,” Richard said. “Now, let’s start moving, but not quite so fast, okay?”
The Drummonds nodded in unison. Instead of a fierce gallop, Richard led them in a steady trot.
Two hours later, they arrived at the Valley of the Kings. Several employees of the Egyptian Antiquities Society roamed the grounds, ushering guests toward more popular tombs and answering any questions that arose. Richard soaked in the experience as well as the information he learned. Touring with a woman as inquisitive as Lady Drummond challenged Richard in many ways, including being able to retain everything he heard about all the pharaohs laid to rest there.
One of the employees warned them about straying beyond the boundaries demarcated by a yellow rope. There were several tombs that were closed off over a nearby ridge. Small campsites were set up close to the dig areas, while the smell of delicious grilled meat wafted down into the valley.
“What is being excavated up there?” Richard asked.
“More tombs, I presume,” said the employee. “But please heed our caution.”
Richard nodded in agreement, but he had something else in mind.
When they finished investigating the tombs of Amenhotep I and Ramses X, Richard walked outside and looked up at the tents on top of the rim overlooking the valley.
The Secret of the King's Tomb Page 11
