“Believe me, I will.”
“Will what?” Genevieve looked around him.
“Avoid unfortunate traps in the future.” Samuel turned back to say with a smile. “Tell me about these snakes which guard the door?” He was quick to change the subject.
“The cobra goddesses of ancient Egypt?” Genevieve warmed to her subject. “Some stories say that they ask a riddle and if you do not know the answer, they will devour you. Other stories say that you must be pure in order to pass and only by speaking their name, will you have power over them.”
“I’ve heard of this,” a glimmer of excitement lit his eyes. “Wadjet!” He yelled out.
Both Sophia and Akeim turned to look at Samuel in surprise.
“Amaunet! Tefmet!” He yelled again. “Open sesame!” He shrugged when nothing happened. “It was worth a try.”
“Where did you get that?” Sophia asked him when she noticed the figurine.
“The doll?” Samuel raised the statue in his hand. “Why, Akeim gave her to me.” He couldn’t help but grin as he held it up.
Akeim gave Samuel a black look before Sophia turned to him.
“Where did you find it?”
“I will show you,” Akeim led her over to another wall where the plaster had long since fallen away. Leaving only the false door that had been cut into the stone and a small shelf beside it.
Samuel examined the stone for cracks. “I say, how does one open a pretend door?”
“By turning the pretend handle,” Alec responded with the obvious.
“Funny,” Samuel replied.
“Samuel, may I see that statue?” Sophia stood looking at the rubble at her feet.
“By all means,” he handed over the figurine. “Do you think she’s the key?”
“I’m not sure. The hieroglyphs speak of the door being guarded by Sekhmet.” Sophia turned it in her hands, wiping the dirt from its crevasses. “Hmm, it does appear that she has lost the rest of her head piece. It must have broken off.”
“But isn’t Sekhmet a lioness? Samuel asked as everyone else started shifting through the debris around the area where Akeim had found the statue.
“What of this?” Alec held a piece of wood that looked like two fingers.
“I have found something too.” Genevieve cleaned the dirt from what looked to be a round disk that had once been orange in color.
Sophia took the two pieces and fit them together. “That’s what I thought, this is no ordinary Shabtis.”
“Is that a good thing?” Samuel strained to see over her shoulder.
“It is if it opens the door,” Alec replied.
“Would you look at that!” Samuel exclaimed when she held up the figure. “It’s just like the drawing on the map.”
“This is a statue of the Goddess Hathor, mistress of the west.” Sophia looked over at him. “You see, Hathor and Sekhmet are one and the same.”
“No kidding. So our girl went from servant to goddess lioness just like that?” Samuel snapped his fingers. “I knew there was something to that hat.”
“Ah, yes the feather in one’s cap,” Alec noted.
“Out of curiosity… How can you tell that it’s Hathor?” Samuel pointed to the statue. “Even Ramesses’ queen at the small temple at Abu Simbel wore that headdress.”
“His queen, Nefertari, was the high priestess of Amun,” Sophia replied.
Samuel expression was one of confusion as he looked over at Alec. “That explains everything.”
“Considering we’re going to need to work together to get through this,” Alec appealed to her better nature. “Wouldn’t it be best if we understood more?”
“Even though this tomb has been compromised,” Sophia replied soberly. “This information is not common knowledge.” Turning her attention toward Samuel she continued. “And to make it so, could put us in mortal danger.”
“I shall guard it with my life,” Samuel pledged.
“What I need is your silence,” she said prudently.
“Mum’s the word,” Samuel nodded.
She appraised them critically. “All right, I shall explain.” She held the figurine up. “The feather in her cap is actually the double plumed crown of the God Amun.”
“As in Amun-Ra,” Alec winked at Genevieve who had told him this.
“This could take a while,” Sophia sighed. “You see Ra represented the sun, whereas Amun was worshiped in part for his association with the moon. Combining Ra and Amun together joined the two most powerful deities that the Egyptians worshiped… the sun and the moon, essentially fusing the aspects of female and male together into one.”
“Ah, like the Pharaoh Akhenaton.” Samuel nodded.
“I’m sure that is where he got the idea, but before we get too distracted.” She held up her finger. “Let me explain your first question. You see, it was Amun’s association with the night that gave him knowledge of the underworld. The double, plume headdress depicts the two lands which the moon travels through. Day and night, the lands of both the living and dead.”
“Ah, I see. That explains the feathers, but what of the horns of fertility around the sun disk?” Samuel used his hands to draw an imaginary headdress.
“For one, that is not the sun,” Sophia sighed yet again. “It is the moon or harvest moon to be correct. It represents a woman in her prime, fertile and pregnant.” She paused, “After all, the symbol for woman is the half moon.
“And here I thought that was a loaf of bread.” Samuel said under his breath.
“This is a loaf of bread.” Genevieve pointed to a wall which depicted a table piled high with food and wine.”
“What of that symbol in the Ankh, you said that was the moon as well? The one I thought was a ball of string?”
Sophia raised her brow. “You mean placenta,” she clarified. “It is the moon in all its phases. Much like life itself, it represents the stages of a woman from her birth to death. The waxing of the moon is her adolescence. The full moon is her birthing years. The waning of the moon is woman in her maturity. The full circle of life.”
“I thought Champollion had this all figured out.” Samuel tapped a finger against his lips. “Why is this still so misunderstood?”
Again, Sophia appraised him before speaking. “It was no doubt due to the role of women within the temples. You see, the priests in the temples of Amun were dedicated to the burial of the pharaoh’s body and to see that the pharaoh was guided by these writings, but it was the priestess who was ultimately in charge of his resurrection.”
“I thought that was Anubis?” Alec spoke up.
“Many do,” Sophia nodded. “He is the god of embalming. Have you heard of the story of the god Osiris who was killed by his jealous brother Seth?” She turned toward the false door as she asked it.
“I was afraid it would turn biblical,” Samuel commented under his breath.
“Isis brought the body of her dead husband to Anubis to prepare, but it was she who brought him back to life.” Sophia explained as she studied the wall.
“Ahh, the fertility cults,” Samuel raised his brows suggestively.
Alec nudged him, giving him a warning glance.
“Fertility is another word.” Sophia stated nonplussed by his behavior, “Describing not only the act of creation, but the power of birth. In this life and in the afterlife it was the female who was bestowed with this most awesome gift.”
“That explains why so many warriors carried amulets of fertility goddess into battle,” Alec replied. “They were seeking life after death.”
“Just so,” Sophia placed her hand on the small shelf and brushed the dirt away. “It was a common practice in many different cultures of the day.”
“So that’s it?” Samuel said deflated. “It was all about rebirth.”
“Yes.” Sophia replied simply.
“Well, the afterlife just got a lot more boring,” Samuel said under his breath. “Next she’ll tell me they did away with the forty virgins too.”
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“Considering that belief comes from a different country altogether I think it safe to say they’re history.” Alex commented to the side.
“There are plenty of women in the Egyptian afterlife.” Sophia commented, despite the fact she had her back to them.
Samuel looked only slightly chagrined at being overheard. “I say, remind me that she has the hearing of a hungry bat chasing a mosquito in the wind.”
“All right, I will.” Genevieve, who had been standing behind them, smiled before joining her mother.
Before Samuel could comment Alec leaned over, “I think, in this case, silence is golden.”
Samuel nodded in response, his mouth pursed and eyebrows raised.
“What have you found?” Genevieve asked.
“I’m not sure.” Sophia blew at the rest of the dust. “Akeim, could you bring that light closer?”
With a nod, the Arab held his knife blade overhead so she could see as she brushed the rest of the dirt off with her sleeve.
Samuel held his flaming sword up as well, studying the ceiling. “No sign of any spears.”
The shelf had a groove in the bottom that matched that of the figure. Sophia placed the statue in the niche that had been carved for it.
“Should we duck and cover?” Samuel anxiously looked around. “Hold our breath?”
“Yes, you should hold your breath.” Akeim answered him.
Samuel gave Akeim a sour look as they waited for something to happen. When nothing did, Samuel whispered, “What now?”
“I wonder,” Alec stepped closer, running his fingers around the shelf itself. “It appears to be a separate stone.” He pressed gently on it and felt it move. “Stand back everyone,” he said before pushing on it.
“Up there!” Genevieve pointed to a stone high above the false door. “That stone is moving.” It slid back a few inches, accompanied by the sound of grinding within the walls.
They watched as a passage opened up, revealing a small opening above the false door.
“Still no sign of spears,” Samuel diligently continued his search of the ceiling.
“Nicely done,” Sophia stepped back to get a better view. “We just might make it out yet.”
Samuel’s brows shot up in surprise. “Might?”
Sophia ignored him as she assessed the opening. “It looks awfully small. It appears as if we’re going to have to crawl.”
“Like the riddle?” Samuel nodded. “What has four feet when it’s born, two when it’s an adult and three when it’s old.”
“Actually that was only written on the map in reference to the sphinx,” Sophia replied. “Not as a note of how to proceed.”
“Oh,” Samuel looked over with obvious disappointment.
“But you never know, now do you?” Sophia smiled back at him. “Can you give me a boost?”
“No offense, but I believe one of us should go first.” Alec said, indicating one of the men.
“Of course,” Sophia said with a smile. “But one of us should follow directly after… just in case of booby traps.”
Samuel looked over at Alec in alarm. “You first,” he invited.
Alec rolled his eyes. “Give me a lift.”
Samuel handed Genevieve his torch while he cupped his palms together and offered the required assistance. Once Alec climbed up, he held his hand down for Genevieve. She placed her hand in his, giving Samuel back his torch and climbed up after him.
Alec smiled at her as he pulled her inside with him. The space was so tight that she had to slide across him until they were nose to nose. She held herself up, hovering above him until her foot caught in the folds of their clothing. The stumble caused her to press herself against the length of him.
“Hmm,” he whispered. “I think I like exploring tombs.”
“Me too,” Samuel’s head appeared over the edge.
“As always,” Alec placed a quick kiss on her nose before scooting back. Unable to turn around in the small space, they moved deeper into the tunnel making room for Samuel to climb up to the ledge.
Akeim handed Samuel’s torch up next.
“Watch out,” Samuel hollered as flames spread across the ceiling. “I believe I’ve just singed my eyebrows off. “Ow!” He rolled the sword across the stone to extinguish it. “Bloody thing makes a good branding iron.”
“Here,” Akeim’s voice sounded from below, “See if you can manage this one.”
“As if I couldn’t handle a wee little knife,” Samuel grumbled under his breath. Gingerly, he passed it over to Genevieve in order to help Sophia climb in. “It’s getting a might close in here,” Samuel looked over his shoulder, “Mind moving up a bit? I feel as though I’m in a tin of sardines.”
Alec slowly crawled away from the opening so that the others could have more room, clearing cobwebs from his path as he went. Genevieve followed right behind him. The shaft went for another twenty feet before another opening appeared.
“Take this,” Genevieve passed Alec the light.
Looking over the edge, he held the small torch aloft. Before him was a room almost identical to the one they had just left. Genevieve scooted up next to him and peered out.
“What do you think? Alec looked over at her. “Is it safe?”
“Unfortunately, there is only one way to find out.” Shoulder to shoulder with him she looked down at the floor. “Lower me down.”
“Not on your life.” He shook his head. “I’ll not watch something happen to you.”
“Where does that leave us?” She lifted her chin stubbornly, “Because I most certainly am not going to watch something happen to you.”
“I’m glad you care,” he grinned at her.
“Did I mention that I’m claustrophobic?” Samuel said from behind them. “Someone had better move. I have a hot poker and I’m not afraid to use it.”
“Perhaps you would like the honors then?” Alec handed him back the small torch. Sliding partially out of the opening, he dangled his upper torso out into thin air. “Grab a hold,” he rolled over, reaching a hand back toward Samuel. Twisting into a sitting position, he scooted far enough away to get a leg out. When the other was free, Samuel let go of his hand dropping him to the floor.
“Is he still there?” Samuel crawled forward curiously.
“Thank you for your concern,” Alec gave him a disparaging glance as he assisted Genevieve to the floor. “Your morbid curiosity warms my heart.”
“I say, it’s almost exactly like the room we just left.” Samuel dropped down beside them. “That is with the exception of that cobra shaped torch, the different drawings on the wall and all these little balls covering the floor.” He held the light up as he turned around. “And let’s not forget the scary passage leading down that dark hallway.”
“In other words,” Alec gave him a sideways glance. “It’s completely different.”
“Exactly,” Samuel smiled as he picked up several round pebbles which were curiously scattered across the floor. “I wonder if this is some type of child’s game?”
“I’m having a hard time seeing children at play here,” Alec moved a few of the stones with the toe of his boot, “even the ones in the afterlife.”
Samuel walked over to the dark hallway. Holding the flickering knife up, he peered across the threshold. The mummified heads of a jackal and a ram, which had been skewered on either side of the opening, greeted him. “Good God, I hope this is not a common theme.” Samuel took a step forward.
“Actually,” Genevieve put her arm out, blocking his progress. “It would be safer for you not to go any further.”
“Right,” Samuel nodded, backing away. His retreat sent several of the small stone marbles rolling down the incline of the darkened opening. Within the span of a heartbeat, sharp spikes shot up from the dirt floor covering every foot of the passage.
“Holy hell!” Samuel swallowed hard as he stared at the deadly forest of spears. “I almost walked over that.”
“How did you know that w
ould happen?” Alec asked from behind them.
“I was told bedtime stories of the journey through the underworld since I was a child.” Genevieve answered as she took the light from Samuel’s frozen grasp. She carried it over to her mother who was studying the hieroglyphs on the wall.
“That’s grim,” Samuel commented, “even grimmer than Grimm.” He smiled at his joke. “You know he just died?”
Alec gave him another sideways glance. “Then you should look at the bright side.”
“And what is that?”
“Perhaps, you’ll get a chance to meet him while we’re down here,” Alec replied dryly as he turned away.
“That’s hardly funny,” Samuel gave the deadly spikes one last glance before following him.
“This appears to be the litany of Ra,” Sophia studied the many names scrolled across the wall.
“And what of this?” Samuel looked at the wall Genevieve was standing in front of. Two sets of nine baboons were drawn on either side of the God Ra and his two companions. Below them were a number of otherworldly beings, including twelve cobras that bordered the scene.
“This is the Pharaoh with the Path opener and the guide of boat.” Genevieve read the wall for him. “The baboons are here to sing to him as he’s greeted by the collective dead.”
Samuel’s eyes shot down the darkened passage. “Good God, we’re not going to be greeted by the collective dead now are we?”
The corner of Alec’s mouth lifted at his concerned expression. “I would imagine that would depend.”
“On what?” Samuel quickly turned his head back to him.
“Whether or not you are living or dead,” Alec smile broadened. “Considering we are still among the living, I doubt we’re invited to the celebration.”
Samuel looked away, ignoring him. “So what are the baboons singing about?”
“It speaks here of a goddess whose job it is to light up darkness.” Sophia read further down.
“Which goddess?” Samuel perked up with interest.
“That is part of the puzzle,” Sophia responded.
“Perhaps the cobra sconce over there has something to do with it?” Alec wondered aloud. “That would light it up.”
Treasure of Egypt Page 28
