Once, a Long Time Ago

by Kendra G. Johnson

  “Gabbie, we are about to dine. and I want you at my right hand. And Jacob, my new friend, come here on my left.” Everyone assumed seats on generous comfy cushions and Leo clapped his hands. Young men with biceps bulging, carried trays laden with delicacies. Roasted meats and root vegetables, warm bread and pudding with fermented fruit. Conversation flowed genially. Judy was surprised that everyone spoke English, but this was a natural outgrowth, she supposed, from having an aristocratic Brit as their adopted pasha.

  Andy leaned into Judy and whispered, “I wonder if we’ll have jelled monkey brains for dessert?” She snorted and then covered it with a cough. She didn’t tell him she had been thinking of the same scene from the Indiana Jones movie. They need not worry. They were served Turkish Delight and strong coffee. When everyone was thoroughly sated, Leo called for attention.

  “Here is our plan. Tomorrow we will head toward the destination determined by the location Gabbie called to me yesterday. It is near enough to a major trading route that it will not seem unusual for us to be there. The area is riddled with stony outcroppings, so we should also be able to find shelter to use for observation if needed. I assume everyone has ridden a camel.” His blue eyes twinkled as he threw his head back with booming laughter.

  “Not to worry. They are wonderful creatures.” And he laughed again.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Danny Mac had fallen asleep on top of the coverlet beside Kenann. He was unaware when she began to moan and whimper but when she started to fight out against the constraints of her covers, he awoke. He raised up and touched her shoulder.

  “Hey Kenann, it’s all right. You’re dreaming.”

  She jerked awake, her eyes wild. Grabbing Danny Mac’s shirt front with both hands, she pleaded, “Danny Mac don’t let him take me. Please. He can’t finish this.”

  He sat and pulled her into his arms trying to console her. The more he tried to convince her she was dreaming the more frantic she became.

  “Danny Mac, you don’t understand. If he does this, we cannot go back. Nothing will be the same.”

  “Kenann, what happened when you went with Pierre? Did he touch you?”

  “No…no… He said things to me though. Disgusting things.”

  Danny Mac went rigid with suppressed rage. He would deal with Pierre. But first they had to get free.

  “We will beat him, Kenann. He will not fulfill his stupid prophecy and I will take you home.” He continued to speak soothingly until her breathing evened out and he felt her body relax in sleep.

  He was so proud of her and the way she had conducted herself throughout this whole ordeal. She seemed naive and sweet, and she was, but he could see now that there was an iron strength in her as well. Even though she was afraid, she pressed on. He loved her with all his heart and prayed for a lifetime to prove it to her.

  Blade came in the next morning and stood staring down at them. Neither Danny Mac or Kenann moved. Blade shrugged and walked away. He decided to do a little exploring of his own. Couldn’t hurt. He wandered out into the thoroughfare and looked both right and left. He and Danny Mac had explored the pyramid temple last night when Kenann went with that Pierre guy, so he turned right and wandered down the first side alley he found. He checked for unlocked doors. Finally, he found one open and went in. It was obviously a back room cluttered and in disarray. There were boxes of old brown robes and long-stemmed torches. Blade heard footsteps. He dove for cover grabbing some robes to hide under and made himself as small as possible. Two men came in and started picking up the boxes of robes and putting them on a cart. They worked without speaking and Blade felt like his breathing was the loudest thing in the room. When they had finished stacking all the boxes of robes they could fit on their cart, they turned and maneuvered it out of the room. Blade breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Even though he knew they would probably just run him off or take him back to Danny Mac, these people gave him the creeps.

  Everyone acted like he wasn’t even there. He was nothing to them. He didn’t trust anyone but Danny Mac. Well, Kenann too, but it was Danny Mac who was going to take care of everything. He figured he had better get back. Adults got freaked out when you weren’t where they thought you were going to be. After a parting thought, he rolled up some robes and put them under his arm. He then grabbed a couple of interesting looking canisters off the shelf and slipped them into his deep pants pockets and left through the back.

  He was right. When he walked up the steps to their rooms, he heard Danny Mac hollering for him. He sounded scared. Blade broke into a run and slid into the main room just as Kenann came in from her bedroom looking sleepy.

  Danny Mac rounded on Blade, “Where have you been?’

  “I was out looking around. I was careful,” he added because Danny Mac now looked really mad.

  “Don’t ever go off by yourself like that again. Do you understand me?”

  “Uh huh. Sorry, man, but you guys were asleep, and I thought I could find out some stuff. I did find a room filled with boxes of old brown robes. These two guys came in and carried some of them away on a cart.”

  Danny thought about this for a few seconds and then remembered he was supposed to be mad at Blade. “Well, just remember what I said. Stay with one of us all the time, okay Buddy?’

  “Okay.”

  Danny Mac realized Kenann had come in and sat down. She was hollow eyed and pale. “Feeling better?”

  “I’ll manage.”

  “Hey, boy wonder here, despite disobeying me by going out alone -”

  “You never said I couldn’t.”

  “Don’t split hairs. Anyway, he found a storage room filled with boxes of brown robes. Want to bet that’s the dress code for tonight’s ceremony? It could work to our advantage for everyone to be dressed alike especially when we make our escape.”

  Blade produced the robes with an impish grin.

  “Good job, Buddy.” Kenann smiled at him too.

  “What’s the plan?”

  “If we can manage to make our way to the underground passage without being seen we can maybe make it to the outside before we are apprehended. And then hopefully Andy will be able to pick up our signal again. Then our only job will be to stay alive until the cavalry comes.”

  Blade’s eyes lit up. “Do you really think they will bring in the cavalry?”

  Danny Mac tosseled Blade’s hair. “With Mrs. Gage on the case, I would not be at all surprised.” Danny Mac turned back to Kenann.

  “Kenann, you’re starting to concern me. Do you think you are coming down with something?”

  “I don’t know. I feel really weird.”

  “Do you hurt anywhere?

  “No. It’s my head. It feels like cotton wool. I keep trying to clear it but then the fog rolls in.”

  A voice from the doorway responded, “I will have our physician come immediately to examine you.”

  Kenann jumped. Her hand went to her throat in a nervous, defensive gesture.

  “There is no need, Pierre. I am sure I will be fine.”

  “No, I insist. He will be here within the hour.”

  Danny Mac wondered how long he had been listening at the door. He gave no indication he had heard their discussion about escaping but it was a solid reminder to be more careful. Pierre came over and touched Kenann’s hair. She flinched imperceptibly. He smiled at her with a new air of propriety that Danny Mac did not like. Danny Mac took Kenann’s hands in his and coaxed her to her feet.

  “Come along Your Highness, you need to lie down. Excuse us, Pierre.”

  “Of course.” His hooded eyes followed them as they left the room looking like that of a King Cobra ready to strike.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  Judy was relieved that her camel docilely followed the one in front of her. She had finally become adjusted to the rhythmic jerk and sway of the camel’s gait, but she doubted she would be able to steer the thing. Their caravan appeared nondescript in traditional black robes. Leo estimated it would take the
m a better part of the day to reach their destination. Judy settled in and tried to take her mind off the heat and smell of their hairy conveyances. Mrs. Gage turned occasionally to inquire how she was fairing. Judy hoped to maintain her relationship with Mrs. Gage after all this was over. She truly fascinated her. She allowed her mind to replay the events of the last several days. How was it possible that so much could change in such a short period of time? She couldn’t wait to lay eyes on Kenann again. Without knowing it, Kenann had been her lifeline since they had met their freshman year of college. With her gentle, goofy ways she had soothed and comforted Judy and made her feel safe. A wave of murderous rage rose up in her as she thought of Kenann getting hurt. Her hands fisted, and she clenched every part of her body at the thought. She would rip the head off anyone who stood in her way to get to Kenann. Her camel turned its head and grunted at her. She realized she was digging her nails and knees sharply into its skin. She laughed and said, “Sorry.”

  “Excuse me, dear. Were you speaking to me?” Mrs. Gage had turned.

  “No, to my camel.”

  “My, the heat is getting to you,” and laughed. “We should be stopping soon for midday repast. Can you manage?”

  “I’m fine Mrs. G. I was just thinking of what I planned to do to those people who were holding Kenann and I guess I was taking it out on my ride here.”

  Mrs. Gage nodded and turned back in her seat. She certainly understood hatred and a need for revenge. Those sentiments had controlled her life for many years.

  * * *

  The witch doctor, as Kenann considered him, came to examine her in the promised few minutes. He and Pierre insisted that Danny Mac leave during the examination. He took one look at Kenann’s face and crossed his arms over his considerable chest and refused, daring them to try to throw him out. Something was happening with Kenann and he felt powerless to know what it was or how to stop it. He prayed silently, ignoring Pierre who sat waiting by the bedroom door. He called upon the protection and power of the Lord and felt strength, not of his own, fill his heart and was encouraged.

  ‘Thank you. Lord,’ he silently said.

  After the doctor took her temperature and poked around on her awhile, he proclaimed, “She is fine. Just very tired. She must rest all day to be ready for the ceremony tonight. Give her this to drink in her juice.” He produced a packet of powdered substance.

  “What is in it?” Danny Mac was suspicions.

  “It is only a mild sedative. She appears nervous about the ceremony. It is understandable. But she must rest so please make sure she takes it.”

  “All right.”

  Pierre motioned for the doctor to follow him outside. “Well?”

  “It is as you wish. Her temperature is elevated, and her abdomen is tender when palpated. She is ripe with fertility on this day. You must implant her with your seed tonight.”

  * * *

  Their caravan stopped at midday. They were getting into rockier terrain and found some shade on the lee side of a large outcropping. After eating and conversing, they all settled back to rest their eyes. Johnson and Whitaker never spoke to anyone except Andy. They sat off to themselves at the fringes of the group but kept vigilant watch. When Judy woke from her refreshing nap, they were still alert and on guard. Where do they get these guys? But she couldn’t help but be glad they were on their side.

  They remounted and continued. They reached the last known GPS coordinates before sundown. They saw nothing out of the ordinary and were deflated. They had no other leads.

  The men remaining back in Alexandria were monitoring Katarina’s conversations but were gleaning nothing useful. Danny Mac and Kenann could be anywhere now. Mrs. James had said very little for days, content to listen and observe. She cleared her throat, and everyone turned her way.

  Speaking with a quiet confidence she said, “Can we move on and come back to watch this area after dark?” No one questioned her reasoning. They had no other course of action so this one seemed as good as any. When darkness fell, they tethered the camels, leaving them with Leo’s men, and walked the mile or so back on foot to the area. The desert is a cold place at night and Judy was eternally grateful for the long, concealing robe for covering. Luckily there was little moon or starlight visible through the clouds. With all but their eyes covered in black, they were virtually undetectable as they walked silently along. Andy, wearing night vision goggles, was able to keep them on course and avoid pitfalls in the rocky terrain. He heard the sound first and halted the group. He motioned for them to crouch down and hug their bodies to the base of the nearest rock. It did not take long for the rest of them to hear it too. A helicopter was making its way toward them and landed not fifty yards from where they crouched. Eight people disembarked and walked up to a rock face. The helicopter immediately rose and flew away into the night. Andy watched intently as one of the parties, pulled on what appeared to be a viney protuberance and a dark opening appeared in the rock face. The party entered, and the dark cleft filled in again.

  “Well, I’ll be ...” Andy whispered. It appeared they had found what they were looking for. In a few minutes another helicopter was heard approaching and the same scene was played out. Andy had a plan. He quickly outlined it to the group. No one argued with him but waited silently as they heard him make his way over to the cliff face that housed the secret opening. Johnson and Whitaker also had the night vision goggles. In deference to his experience and rank, Johnson gave his set to Jake. Jake acknowledged them with a nod and placed them on. He could see Andy in position but well out of sight of the now concealed opening. When the next load of people made their way to the rock face, he could see Andy making ready and as they began filing into the doorway, he silently joined the back of the group and was swallowed up into the darkness beyond. Jake realized he had been holding his breath and let it out in a sigh.

  “Well, now we wait and pray.” And he did.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

  Kenann was being attended by young, dark skinned women sent to her loaded with white diaphanous material, jewels and perfumed lotion. She moved as in a dream while the women bathed and rubbed her with the lotion. The gown they draped over her head felt soft and luxurious against her skin. She wore nothing under it. They wound her hair into intricate braids around her head. Tendrils of hair curled around her face. They placed large golden intricately engraved bracelets on her upper arms bent in place with light pressure. They stood back and surveyed the result. Satisfied with her simple elegance, the women left as quietly as they came. Kenann stood motionless in the center of the room. Danny Mac found her this way several minutes later. Dressed in his own white robed material, he tried to keep his voice light.

  “Kenann, are you ready for our command performance?’

  She turned slightly and looked at him. His dark skin and hair looked exotic against the white material of the flowing robe. She was once again struck by the rugged beauty of his face. Her thoughts returned to the night ahead.

  “What are we going to do about Blade?”

  “We have it all figured out. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Are you sure?’

  “Yes. You just need to wow the crowd with your beautiful reincarnated self. Kenann, you are beautiful. Do you know that?”

  “No.”

  “Well, trust me, you are. And I am proud of you.” He walked over and took her face in his hands. She smiled up at him and he was undone by her honesty and vulnerability. He managed to smile back and then lightly kissed her on the lips.

  “Listen, when this is over, we are going to talk.”

  Kenann could not respond. She was still concerned that Danny Mac was being affected by their situation and was not really in love with her. He had the power to destroy her heart and she was so scared to take that chance. She changed the subject.

  “How much time do we have?”

  He didn’t push her for a response. “About half an hour.”

  “Where is Blade?”

  “He�
�s getting things ready.”

  “What do you two have up your sleeve?”

  “An ingenious bit of trickery. We need to be watching for a way to get the three of us into the back without being followed.”

  * * *

  It seemed like hours since Andy was swallowed up in the black hole of the rock face. Several contingents came and entered before they saw Andy appear at the entrance and motion with his arm for them to come quickly. They didn’t hesitate. Andy grabbed each person as they came to the doorway and shoved them into a dark alcove near the opening. He motioned for them to be silent. In the next moment they saw a man appear and wait at the main entrance. It opened to the next group of arrivals and the man ushered them to an area half way down the hallway, where they were handed something before continuing. In a few moments, the area was quiet again.

  Andy whispered, “Those people are being issued brown robes with hoods. I’ve been able to grab a few and watch what’s going on. They are taking them down to the end of this passage and then someone else is taking charge of the group and leading them off somewhere to the left.”