The Amarnan Kings, Book 6: Scarab - Descendant

by Overton, Max

  "So what's needed now? I want to move on this quickly."

  "A team, with jeeps. The regions above the cliffs are generally inaccessible except across the desert. We will need a fully equipped expedition, leaving from either Edfu or Esna, depending on which site you think is most likely."

  "Who can say?" Sarraj looked at the map again, noting the presence of roads and the nature of the terrain inland from the maps. "Start at Edfu and work our way north, I think. I'll call the garrison there and tell them to have a squad and a half-track waiting for us in the morning. We'll take the launch up overnight."

  "That quickly?"

  "If we cannot find it in a week, it may be too late."

  * * *

  Dani and Nick swapped stories in a little caf� near the bazaar while Daffyd sipped his tea and listened. Nick took copious notes in shorthand and asked many questions. From time to time, he would say something like, "Do you have a photo of this?" or "What do you think is the significance of that?" and even once, "You really believe that's what happened?"

  To this last question, Dani replied, "If I had the golden scarab with me, I'd prove it to you."

  "Would you, by George? You could do that? It answers to you?"

  After Dani and Daffyd had eaten as much as they could, they repaired to Nick's hotel room with fresh pots of tea to finish off the stories and discuss what they meant. Dani sat cross-legged on the bed, while Nick and Daffyd sat in armchairs, the one writing rapidly and the other making comments to enlarge on the tale Dani spun. A while later, as she was finishing up a description of Amarna, Daffyd glanced at his watch.

  "It's nearly closing time at the museum, lass," he murmured.

  "Is that significant?" Nick asked.

  Dani explained how they had become separated from their friends, and how she had left a note for them in Edfu, to look for them at opening and closing times in Luxor. "We should go and meet them, if they're there, but the police are out in force."

  "I could go," Nick said. "The coppers don't know me...on the other hand; Your friends don't know me and I don't know what you're friends look like either."

  "Hmm, both about middling height, five nine or ten. Marc's got a bushy chestnut beard, hair a bit darker, light complexion, usually smiling, Muammar's clean-shaven or maybe with a thin beard, dark hair. Both were wearing khaki shirts and trousers when we last saw them. I suppose if you're in any doubt, speak English--tell them Dani sent you."

  Nick departed for the museum, while Dani and Daffyd took advantage of his absence to use his bathroom--bathing properly and washing their hair for the first time since they left Edfu. They chatted while they cleaned up, saying how good it would be to see Marc and Muammar again and what their plans for the future might be.

  "First up--find the tomb," was Daffyd's opinion.

  "I hate to leave Luxor now that I know Nazim has it," Dani said.

  "We know that Bashir will be heading there, if he can find it. Presumably Nazim and this army fellow will be going too, so the scarab won't be staying in Luxor."

  "I really only came to Egypt to retrieve the scarab. I'd be quite happy to leave her tomb in peace, but with Bashir after it, I suppose we have to do something to prevent him."

  "So we either follow them to it, or try and beat them to it. Either way, I don't see how we can stop them plundering it."

  "We'll think of something, but I'd like to get there before Bashir."

  "Unfortunately, we don't have our direction finder scarab."

  "I think I can probably find the tomb," Dani said, "Even without the golden scarab. Remember how I said it was west of here when we were on the ferry? I think that's true, so if we can go back there, we can find the starting point of our quest."

  "You know where we were on the river?"

  "Roughly. Enough to start our search."

  The door opened and Nick entered, his face glum.

  "No sign of them," he said. "I hung around the entrance, watching everybody leaving. I even asked a couple of people, without success. There were a few people standing around, even a couple of rough-looking fellaheen, but nobody that resembled your chappies."

  "Damn," Dani said. "I really hoped they'd be here by now."

  "There's no guarantee they've even got the message we left with the imam in Edfu," Daffyd said. "Too many things could go wrong--the imam forgot to send it to Sukrah, Muammar didn't make it to Edfu, they're on their way but ran out of money, had an accident..."

  "Or my letter never got to even the imam," Dani concluded. "Hafiz turned us in to the army colonel, so his apparent helpfulness was just an act. Perhaps he just destroyed the letter."

  "All of which puts us in a quandary. Do we wait indefinitely for them to turn up, or do we strike out for the tomb immediately?"

  "By George," Nick said. "You actually know where the tomb is?" A look of boyish excitement flooded his florid countenance. "I don't suppose I could tag along? I wouldn't be in the way and...and discovering it would be a great climax for your story."

  "It could be dangerous," Dani said. "We know Bashir is pretty ruthless, and if he sniffs gold in the tomb, who knows what he might do."

  "And there's desert travel involved," Daffyd added. "Have you ever been in the desert? It can be pretty disagreeable."

  Nick grinned. "I'm an investigative journalist. I've lived rough from time to time, chasing stories in wild places. And I've faced down bigger villains than Bashir."

  "In that case we'd be happy to have you along," Dani said with a smile. "As for when--I hate to leave without Marc, but I think we'll have to. We can't delay if we're to get there ahead of Bashir."

  "We could stay another day," Daffyd said. "That would give us another three opportunities to find Marc and Muammar--opening and closing tomorrow, and opening the day after."

  "Just our luck, they'd arrive an hour later."

  "I say, I've just had an idea," Nick exclaimed. "Look, I know the Director chappie at the museum--Dr Karim Zewali--I could probably persuade him to post a note on the door for your friends. You could tell them where to go next. Sort of like a treasure hunt game, but for real."

  Dani considered this idea for a few minutes and then nodded. "Can you get me in to see this Dr Zewali? It's not that I don't trust you, Nick, but I'd like to talk to him myself."

  "I think I can do that. I'll recce the place again tomorrow at opening and if your friends don't turn up, I'll make an appointment with Zewali."

  They ate that night at another secluded restaurant in one of the quieter streets after Nick checked out the area for police presence. A quick meal later, they were back in Nick's hotel room where they bunked down on the floor--or rather, Daffyd did. Nick graciously gave up his bed to Dani, and slept in the bath. The following morning, they breakfasted early--at yet another caf� ("no sense in being seen too often at one place," Nick said)--and then Dani and Daffyd waited impatiently while Nick checked out the museum once more. He was gone longer this time but returned alone.

  "Not a sausage, but I got you an appointment with Zewali at eleven o'clock."

  "You'd better be careful out there on the streets," Daffyd said. "The police are still out in force."

  "A spot of disguise is called for, I think," Nick said. "How do you feel about hijab and veil?"

  "I've no objection to that if it'll get me through the city," Dani said, "But I'll need the whole outfit. A hijab with my western clothes would look odd."

  "Or you could wear a full burka," Daffyd said. "You could be wearing anything under one of those."

  "Let's not go overboard, old chap. A burka is fine for the really straight-laced societies like Saudi Arabia, but a hijab is fine for Egypt. Even a veil isn't necessary, but you'll need it to keep your face hidden."

  "Waste of a damn nice face," Daffyd muttered.

  Evans went out again, returning half an hour later with an ankle length skirt, a baggy blouse and scarf, and a hijab. He laid them out on the bed with an apology.

  "I had to guess at th
e sizes, but too big is better than too small. You can wrap the scarf around your lower face and with a pair of dark glasses; nobody will be able to recognise you."

  "They'll be fine, Nick. Thanks. Keep a tab of what we owe you, we'll pay back every penny."

  "Nonsense," Nick cried. "This story will make me a prized commodity. It's a pleasure to be of service."

  With half an hour to spare, Nick ushered a muffled Dani out into the streets, bidding her walk ahead of him to the museum.

  "The police are looking for a man and woman, so let's not make it easy for them. I'll be behind you, keeping an eye out for the local bill."

  "Won't it look odd for a woman to be walking alone?"

  "In other Muslim countries maybe; not so much in Egypt. Go on, I'll be right behind you and I'll catch up once we're inside the museum."

  They made it to the Luxor museum without incident, even passing close to a pair of policemen who barely spared Dani a glance. Once inside the doors, in the cool, dark atrium, she removed her dark glasses and freed her face from the scarf while Nick approached the clerk behind the desk.

  "We can go straight up," Nick said, returning to Dani's side. "I'll introduce you, then you can talk in private if you want."

  Zewali admitted them to his office and Nick made the introductions. The director waved them toward chairs and sat behind his desk, regarding Dani with thoughtful eyes.

  "So you are Dr Danielle Hanser of Midland University and late of the British expedition to Syria," Zewali stated. "I have heard a lot about you."

  Dani smiled nervously. "All good I hope?"

  "Very little of it, truth be told, Dr Hanser."

  Dani's smile was replaced with a frown. "What have you heard?"

  "Minister Ahmed Bashir has spoken of a discovery in Syria that is of great interest to the Department of Antiquities here in Egypt. I made some enquiries and found that the leader of the expedition that found these remarkable chambers had been deported from Syria for despoiling them. Now I find that she is in Egypt, and I am concerned that not content with her depredations in Syria, she is now intent of discovering the tomb alluded to in the inscription, and intends to loot it. What do you have to say, Dr Hanser?"

  "I, and my team, were deported from Syria, but on trumped up charges by Minister Bashir. We had found chambers which contained an account revealing the presence of an undiscovered tomb and treasury. We intended to reveal the inscription to the world and institute an open joint search for the tomb, but Bashir confiscated all the evidence and blackened the names of everyone on my team. I believe he has come to Egypt to find the tomb and plunder it. I have come to retrieve an object he stole from me, to expose him, and to prevent him despoiling Egypt's heritage."

  "Can you prove any of this?"

  "No, but I hope you will watch Bashir. Sooner or later he will seek out the tomb and you will have to act fast to prevent its destruction."

  "I can back up some of what she says," Nick said. "I went to Midland University and talked to other members of the expedition, and then to Damascus where I talked to people I know there. They warned me about Minister Bashir. It seems his charge of despoliation was based on his personal word and he offered no evidence. From what I have seen of the man here in Luxor, he is not to be trusted."

  Zewali considered the two statements carefully before answering. "Based on my own investigations, and what my colleague Mr Evans says, I'm inclined to believe you, Dr Hanser. Why have you come to see me?"

  Dani glanced at Nick, who smiled encouragingly. She took a deep breath and put her future in Zewali's hands. "I'm in the country illegally and what documentation I had was stolen, so I'm limited in what I can do. Two of my companions--Dr Marc Andrews and Muammar al-Hadi--have become separated from us but I have sent word to them that we should meet outside the museum at opening and closing times. Now I have learned that Bashir and his associate Colonel Sarraj are about to set off for the tomb, so I must leave immediately if I'm to get there before them. That means I cannot wait for my friends to turn up. I would like to leave a note at the museum for them, but of course, I need your permission to do so."

  "You know where the tomb is?" Zewali asked.

  "I think so."

  "The sun's rays through the cliff top pylon illuminate the shining crown of Scarab's green mountain in the desert."

  Dani went pale. "Where did you read that?" she whispered.

  "Bashir's secretary, a Mr Manouk, came to see me. He brought with him photographs of an inscription and wanted to know if the original translation he had was accurate."

  "And you told him what it really said?"

  "Incompletely. He withheld things from me--for instance, he refused to disclose the significance of the scarab symbol, so I did not disclose what I believe to be the true interpretation. He knows about the pylon though, and the shining crown of the green mountain."

  "He could find it with that information."

  "As could you, Dr Hanser." Zewali paused, before continuing diffidently. "May I ask how you translated that passage? I found out a bit about you and I know that Egyptology and hieroglyph translation is not your speciality. I would defy anyone to get a true meaning from those symbols without years of study."

  "I'm not sure I can give you a satisfactory explanation."

  "Please. I'm interested."

  "It...it just seemed right."

  "Just seemed right? Yet you rattled off a lengthy translation as if you'd been born with an understanding of hieroglyphs?"

  Dani smiled nervously. "I don't know what else I can say, Dr Zewali. You say you've looked into my professional life and saw that I don't have the expertise to translate passages fluently, but I did so anyway. So, it's either 'just seemed right' or you posit something else like reincarnation or possession."

  Zewali ventured a small smile at her words. "I don't believe in reincarnation, and you don't appear to be possessed of a djinni, Dr Hanser, so I suppose I must accept your rather lame explanation."

  "You'll let me leave a note for my friends?"

  "Answer me one thing first. You are about to chase off after the tomb alone..."

  "I'll be going too," Nick said.

  "And a friend of mine," Dani added.

  "All right. Three of you go out with the intention of stopping Bashir from looting the tomb. How are you going to stop him? Colonel Sarraj, as a military man, has many men at his disposal, and a reputation as being ruthless. If you balk these men, I fear that you will find yourselves in lonely desert graves. I would not like to have your deaths on my conscience."

  "I...I am not without resources."

  "I'm sure," Zewali said, "But I would like to add one more resource. Take me with you on this quest for Scarab's tomb. Where you are just an ordinary citizen--and an illegal one, at that--I have an official position and Sarraj would think twice before doing away with me. Furthermore, it is only proper that the Department of Antiquities takes part in any search for ancient artefacts."

  Dani considered the offer for a few moments and then nodded. "You would be very welcome, Dr Zewali. Will you then let me leave a note for my companions?"

  "Write what you want and leave it at the front desk. I will have a man stand outside for an hour either side of opening and closing, and who will ask anybody who approaches whether they are Dr Andrews or Mr al-Hadi. Will that suffice?"

  * * *

  "They have gone to Luxor," Alif said.

  "How?" Zufir was tired and angry, having led his men through a hot day, following the bus north along dusty roads to the town of Esna. The men they looked for had not been at the bus station, and once more the Bedouin leader had sent his men out searching for any sign of them.

  "They took the river ferry," Alif reported back. "A man answering the description of our cousin, together with an infidel disguised as a peasant boarded it. It left barely an hour ago."

  "Then we must follow," Tahir declared. "When is the next one?"

  "Tomorrow at dusk, but who will care for our
beasts when we are on this boat?"

  "We will not take the ferry," Zufir said. "We rest and eat tonight, and in the morning we ride north until we are opposite this city. Then we shall take a boat across leaving our camels safe on the western shore. I would have them close at hand."

  Return to Contents

  * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Sarraj's expedition--there was no longer any pretence that Bashir was in charge--left the Luxor docks in the early evening, carrying the minimum of equipment. Lieutenant Jamal al-Din was left behind. Bashir could see no use for him and told him so, but Nazim worked to soften the blow to the man's pride.

  "Who knows what we may yet need on this expedition," Nazim said. "You look after our interests in Luxor, so be prepared to come to our aid at a moment's notice."

  The colonel had radioed ahead to the Edfu garrison to have two half-track vehicles equipped and provisioned for two weeks in the desert and a dozen men on stand-by. Acceleration pinned them in their seats as the launch captain opened up the engines and sent the craft flying upriver with scant regard for the safety of others on the river.

  Bashir and Nazim slept in their seats, the former peacefully and the latter once more beset by dreams of terrible beings. Sarraj dozed intermittently, dreaming of the coup now almost within his grasp, or waking to stare hungrily at the dark river stretching out before them. Had the colonel possessed a bit more romance in his soul, he would have appreciated the crystal points of a star-washed heaven reflected in the rippling waters as wavering ribbons of light and the yellow man-made glimmers scattered along both shores as the launch swept past small villages and sleepy towns, past fields and palm groves, past scrub and bare rock.

  Hours slipped by like the miles of rippling water. They passed Esna and, as the stars wheeled and faded in the early morning sky, the launch captain cut their speed. The exhaust burbled noisily as he guided the craft in toward the docks at Edfu, where an army officer waited with a handful of soldiers. He shaded his eyes against the dawn light flooding over the river.

  "Captain Massri, Colonel." The officer saluted. "I have a vehicle to take your party to headquarters."