The Tomb Builders

by Kevin Ashman

  ‘Well, like it or lump it, that’s exactly what we are doing,’ said Brandon, ‘and though I have been our own biggest sceptic, I have to admit I am beginning to get a buzz about all this.’

  ‘Why, what’s changed?’ asked India.

  ‘Everything,’ said Brandon, ‘but when Tarik told me that many of the mountains within the canyon are named after Egyptian gods I knew it was too much of a coincidence.’

  ‘It does seem a bit strange,’ said India. ‘After all this searching around, we finally end up at one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world.’

  ‘Hidden completely in view,’ said Brandon.

  ‘Yes, but to be fair, nobody in their right minds would think they had been named by actual Egyptians thousands of years ago, they probably thought they had been named by modern day explorers with vivid imaginations.’

  ‘Well, whatever the reason,’ said Brandon, ‘the fact that the whole area is named after Egyptian deities is too much of a coincidence in my book.’

  ‘You do know,’ said India after a few moments, ‘that we will be breaking the law again. All that area of the park is off limits and we will be trespassing.’

  ‘After what we’ve been through India, it’s the least of our worries. If we are discovered we’ll just claim we are lost and act grateful that they found us.’

  ‘If you say so,’ replied India. ‘How long now?’

  ‘About an hour,’ said Brandon. ‘We’ll stop off at the southern rim and take a look from some of the viewpoints and then find somewhere to park this baby up. Tomorrow morning we’ll get an early start and get down into the canyon itself.’

  India fell quiet again but after a few moments, sat up straight.

  ‘Brandon, stop,’ she said.

  ‘Why what’s the matter?’

  ‘I’ve just had an idea, reverse back to that last turning.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Helicopter tours,’ said India, ‘for once, let’s make it easier for ourselves.’

  Brandon nodded as he realised the benefit and slowed down the camper. A few minutes later they were heading down a side road and soon found a small airstrip amongst a couple of dilapidated buildings. He parked the van and all three got out into the hot afternoon air.

  ‘Howdy folks,’ said a man in a Stetson walking toward them wiping his hands on an oily rag. ‘Can I help you?’

  ‘You can,’ said India, ‘we were wondering if it was possible to get a tour of the canyon this afternoon?’

  ‘Sure can,’ said the man, ‘we just got ourselves a cancellation so your luck is in.’

  ‘Excellent, ‘said India, glancing at Brandon, ‘how much is it?’

  ‘Couple a hundred bucks,’ said the man. ‘If you’re up for it, I can get you up there in about half an hour. How does that sound?’

  ‘Perfect,’ said India, ‘we’ll take it.’

  ‘Go and grab yourself a coffee in the diner there and I’ll get the bird ready. My name’s Tom, by the way, and I’ll be your pilot.’

  ‘Good to meet you Tom,’ said Brandon, ‘I’m Brandon, this is India and our friend there is Tarik.’

  ‘Howdy,’ said Tom. ‘Right, I’ll catch you all in a half an hour.’

  He walked away and all three went over to the trailer he had indicated as the diner.

  ‘Three teas, please,’ said Brandon.

  ‘Sweetie,’ said the buxom black woman behind the counter, ‘we do coffee three ways, black coffee, white coffee or no coffee, your choice.’

  India giggled at the look on Brandon’s face.

  ‘Well, I guess it’ll be two white and one black,’ he said.

  ‘Good choice,’ said the woman reaching for the cups, ‘because I was all out of no-coffee. You go and sit your sweet butt down, Honey Pie and I’ll bring those drinks right over.’

  Brandon glanced at India who was doing her best not to laugh out loud.

  ‘That would be lovely,’ he said hesitantly.

  ‘Sure would, sweet cheeks,’ answered the woman, ‘now get that bootie moving before Mama Cass hauls your ass over here to get a closer look.’

  They walked over to a table and sat beneath the shade of a parasol.

  ‘Wow, she’s a character,’ said Brandon.

  ‘I think you make a fine couple,’ smiled India.

  Brandon shook his head at the thought but sat back in the seat, enjoying the break from the drive.

  A few yards away, a toddler no more than three years old played ball in the dust with his older brother. India smiled as the younger child carefully placed the ball on an empty cardboard coffee cup before kicking it as hard as he could, laughing hysterically as his older brother chased it across the parking lot to bring it back again.

  ‘They’re having fun,’ said Brandon.

  ‘Not a care in the world,’ said India.

  ‘Looks like they are indigenous,’ said Brandon, ‘one of the tribes who live around here perhaps.’

  ‘Could be,’ said Tarik, ‘there are several tribes who live in and around the canyon, The Navajo for instance.’

  ‘Hopi,’ said a voice and they all turned to see the large woman with the coffee.

  ‘Sorry?’ said India.

  ‘The children are from the Hopi tribe. Their father works for us as a guide taking tourists into the canyon and their mother helps out in the shop.’

  ‘They’re adorable,’ said India.

  ‘Sure are, Honey,’ she said, ‘so, where y’all come from?’

  ‘We’re from the UK,’ said India pointing at Brandon and herself, ‘and Tarik there is from Egypt.’

  ‘Jiptian?’ exclaimed the woman, ‘must be something in the air, you’re the second Jiptian we’ve had here today. You lot on an organised trip or something?’

  ‘No,’ said India, ‘we’re travelling alone.’

  ‘Well there’s a fellow Jiptian just a few miles ahead of ya. Left a few minutes before you showed up.’

  ‘Really?’ asked Tarik, exchanging glances with Brandon. ‘What did he look like? I may just know him.’

  The woman shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘Big fella,’ she said, ‘bald head, beady eyes and a nose like Barry Manilow.’

  ‘Muburak,’ said India quietly.

  ‘That’s the one,’ said the woman, ‘he never said his name but I recall his wingman calling him from the car.’

  ‘What did he want?’ asked Tarik.

  ‘Looking for a guide for a few days,’ she said. ‘Apparently going into the Canyon on a geology trip but he don’t fool me, he’s probably looking for the same Jiptian treasure they all come looking for.’

  Brandon choked on his coffee and looked up at her in astonishment.

  ‘You too, huh?’ suggested the woman

  ‘Um, I’m not sure what you’re talking about,’ said Brandon glancing at India.

  ‘Aw come on honey,’ answered the woman, ‘your face says it all. You’ve come looking for the treasure that everyone thinks was left by the Jiptians thousands of years ago. Well you are kinda cute so let me save you a few dollars. Honey, don’t you bother your cute little ass, it’s just a story made up to attract the tourists. Not that I’m complaining mind, it gives us a living but it makes me kinda sad to see all them folks come full of dreams and leave a few days later realising it’s all been for nothing.’

  ‘Well,’ said Brandon after a few moments silence, ‘now we’ve been rumbled, perhaps you can tell us about what it is they come for?’

  The woman looked around to check if she had any customers before placing her ample rear in the one remaining chair.

  ‘Well there’s not much to tell, Honey,’ she said. ‘A hundred years or so back, some museum guys came exploring and claimed they found a load of tunnels out there in them there hills. They said it was full of Jiptian mummies and the like and there was even a full page article in the nationals but since then it’s all gone kinda quiet and nobody’s ever found them again. The treasure hunters, oh they keep a
coming and long may they continue but it’s all a trick, sweet cheeks, why don’t you save your money and take your girlfriend there out on a hot date in Vegas?’

  ‘I’m not his girlfriend,’ said India a bit too quickly for Brandon’s liking.

  ‘Really?’ said the woman in surprise. ‘Then you’d best get them pretty eyes tested lady coz this one’s hotter than a snake’s ass. In fact, I wouldn’t mind a piece of him myself.’ She leaned forward and took Brandon’s hand in hers. ‘How about it, sweetie pie, you wanna take Mama Cass over to Vegas for some action. There’s some seriously good times left in this old gal yet.’

  India’s hand flew to her mouth to stop herself laughing out loud.

  ‘Um, thank you,’ said Brandon, blushing furiously, ‘perhaps some other time.’

  ‘Well that’s a doggone shame, sweet cheeks,’ said the woman standing up, ‘coz once you’ve had a piece of Mama, you aint never going back to no skin and bone white gal, aint that the truth.’ She turned to India. ‘You get them eyes tested young un,’ she said, ‘get yourself a pretty dress, put on some cherry lipstick, grab that cute butt of his and hang on for the ride coz if you don’t honey, there’s many who’ll jump right in ahead of ya.’

  As she left, India’s mouth dropped open and they all held their laughter the best they could.

  ‘Well, that was an experience,’ said Brandon eventually.

  ‘What a woman,’ said India, wiping away the laughter tears, ‘wow, I needed that.’

  ‘What do you think about her views of the treasure?’ asked Tarik, bringing the mood down a little.

  ‘To be honest, it doesn’t surprise me,’ said India, ‘if anything had been found we’d all know about it by now.’

  ‘And you’re not disappointed?’

  ‘Not really,’ said India, ‘I know the chances of us finding the actual tomb is minimal but to at least see the site of his final resting place will be quite emotional.’

  ‘What about Muburak?’

  ‘Why would he have any better luck than us?’ asked India. ‘So far, everything he’s got is from our efforts. Let him play at being the treasure hunter, we’ll just look after our own business.’

  ‘He could be a threat,’ said Brandon, ‘remember, just a few weeks ago he threatened to kill you.’

  ‘That was in Egypt,’ said India, ‘this is America and different rules apply. Out here he’s just another tourist with no jurisdiction. No, we’ll keep him in mind but won’t let him spoil the adventure.’

  ‘So what’s the plan?’ asked Tarik.

  ‘Let’s just get the helicopter ride done,’ said India, ‘and take it from there. Perhaps we’ll see something that’s worth exploring.’

  ‘Sound’s good,’ said Brandon, ‘but I’m not holding my breath.’

  For several more minutes more they chatted until they saw Tom walking toward them.

  ‘Hi Guys,’ he said, ‘the bird’s all done. You ready for your flight?’

  ‘Sure are,’ said Brandon.

  ‘Good, you head over to the chopper while I take a leak and we are good to go.’

  As he left, the three of them stood up.

  ‘Well,’ said Brandon, ‘it looks like at last you are going to see this pyramid you’ve been chasing, India. You ready for this?’

  ‘Sure am,’ said India with a smile, ‘let’s get your cute butt over there.’ Tarik and India walked away leaving Brandon standing a few yards behind them staring at India with surprise. She looked over her shoulder.

  ‘Well, sweet cheeks,’ she said, ‘are you coming or not?’

  ‘Alright,’ he said with a hint of annoyance in his voice, ‘and stop calling me bloody sweet cheeks.’

  ----

  As they walked over to the red helicopter, Tarik stopped and stared across the car park.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ asked India following his gaze.

  ‘Shit,’ she said suddenly and started running toward the road but Tarik was already far ahead of her, sprinting as fast as he could toward the oncoming traffic.

  ‘India what are you doing?’ called Brandon.

  ‘The baby,’ screamed India and Brandon turned to see the toddler running after his ball. The problem was, the ball was the other side of the road and the low scrub bushes meant any approaching traffic couldn’t see the potential for an accident.

  The child emerged out of the bushes and headed straight into the path of a truck, oblivious of the danger. The driver saw him at the last moment and with a screech of brakes, swerved suddenly but the trailer lost traction and slid sideways toward the child.

  Tarik didn’t hesitate and surged forward to snatch the baby from in front of the giant double wheels. His momentum carried them both forward and though they avoided the wheels completely, the side of the trailer smashed against his shoulder and sent him sprawling onto the tarmac with the baby in his arms.

  ----

  ‘Tarik,’ screamed India as the body of the truck swept over him and squealed to a halt in a cloud of dust.

  Brandon ran past her, closely followed by Tom the pilot and ducked beneath the stationary truck. The driver climbed down, visibly shaken.

  ‘It wasn’t my fault,’ he cried, ‘they came from nowhere.’

  Moments later Tom emerged holding the baby. Behind India, a dark skinned woman came out of the diner and ran toward the accident.

  ‘Lanu,’ she cried as she ran past India.

  ‘He’s okay,’ shouted Tom walking up to her, ‘he isn’t hurt at all, just a bit shook up.’ He handed over the crying toddler to the mother who collected the other child and carried them away from the scene of the accident.

  ‘What about Tarik?’ asked India.

  ‘He’s had a bump,’ said Tom, ‘but I don’t think it’s serious. I’ll call 911 just in case but at least he’s sitting up and talking.’

  ‘Thank heavens for that,’ said India and walked out to the road to see if there was anything she could do to help.

  ----

  An hour later, the traffic started to flow again and Tarik sat in the back of an ambulance, his arm and shoulder strapped into a temporary sling. Brandon stood at the rear doors while India sat on the stretcher bed opposite.

  ‘Look at you,’ said India with a reassuring smile, ‘you’ll do anything for attention.’

  ‘I’m fine,’ said Tarik, ‘just some cuts and bruises.’

  ‘You don’t know that, Tarik,’ said India, ‘the medic said you’re your arm may be broken. We’ll let the doctors decide what’s happened at the hospital. I’ll come with you.’

  ‘No,’ said Tarik, ‘I want you to continue without me. Take the flight and map out any likely locations for potential entrances to the pyramid. I’ll be out in a day or so and can meet you back here.’

  ‘No, Tarik,’ said India, ‘you’re not going to hospital on your own.’

  ‘India,’ said Tarik, ‘I am a grown man and fully insured. The injuries are minor and I can assure you I am more than capable of looking after myself. I need you to continue without me.’

  ‘Why?’ asked India, ‘the pyramid isn’t going anywhere.’

  ‘No but Muburak is. We can’t risk it, India, you and Brandon have to carry on.’

  ‘Forget Muburak,’ said India, ‘he’s not important.’

  ‘India,’ said Tarik, ‘I have worked for something like this all my life, now we are so close I cannot risk a crook like Muburak stealing it from before my very eyes, you have to go on. It’s okay, I will join you tomorrow.’

  India turned to look at Brandon.

  ‘He’s right,’ said Brandon, ‘there’s nothing we can do at the hospital so we may as well stay here.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ asked India, turning to face Tarik.

  ‘Positive,’ said Tarik, ‘get yourselves on that chopper and see what the canyon has to offer. I’ll see you in a day or so.’

  India leaned forward and kissed Tarik on the forehead.

  ‘Okay,’ she said, ‘but make s
ure they take care of you. In the meantime, we’ll see what we can find.’

  She climbed out of the ambulance and waved at Tarik before the medics closed the door and drove him away.

  ‘Well, ‘she said as the ambulance disappeared, ‘what now?’

  ‘Now,’ said Brandon, ‘we take a trip in a whirly bird. Come on, let’s do this for his sake.’

  He held out his hand and together they walked over to the waiting helicopter.

  ----

  Chapter Twenty Six

  The Lands of the Sinagua

  2600 BC

  Haji stood high on a rock at the centre of a circle of small fires. In his hand he held the spear he had carried from Egypt and on either side stood Mensah and Manu, each holding their own spears, the polished copper heads gleaming in the flickering fire light. Below him, the remainder of the Kushnis sat in rows looking up at him, his outline fearsome against the starlit sky.

  ‘People of Khemet,’ he said, ‘devotees of Khnum Khufu, children of Osiris. Together we have crossed the worlds of man to fulfil the prophesies of gods. During this great and wondrous journey, Anubis has taken the weak and the unholy from amongst our number. Those who doubted our purpose now wander forever the halls of Duat, never to have their hearts weighed against the feather of Ma’at. Theirs is a fate to be feared but those who remained faithful, now sit before me, the few chosen from amongst the many.’

  ‘Only you amongst the multitudes of the people of Osiris will see the last resting place of Khnum Khufu and when it is time for your Ba to fly amongst the stars then I promise that your mortal remains will lie within a tomb fit for gods.’ He turned and lifted his spear to the enormous outline of the pyramid shaped mountain behind him.

  ‘Behold the greatest pyramid the world has ever seen’, he continued, ‘formed by the hands of Atum himself. For many moons we have sought this place, relying on the tales of the ancients handed down from father to son. Many foretold this place but few believed. Now, after a trial of hardship I, Haji, high priest of Khnum Khufu have brought you forth from darkness unto the light of truth.’