Akeim moved forward before she could do more. “Allow me,” he replied, pushing on the seal.
Slowly, the center block at the top of the wall moved back. “It looks like we’ll have to crawl again.” Alec replied.
“Yes it does, doesn’t it?” Sophia grumbled.
One by one, they emerged from a tight, narrow hole into yet another square room.
“This looks exactly like the other room,” Samuel remarked when he emerged from the opening, “Except for those drawings and that spooky, dark hallway.”
“Don’t start,” Alec replied as Samuel jumped down.
“There aren’t any small round balls on the floor are there?” Samuel quickly assessed the ground around his feet. He turned into Akeim who raised an eyebrow in his direction.
“Sorry,” Samuel cleared his throat, turning around. “So were we swallowed then?” he asked, looking back at the hole where they had emerged.
“Actually no,” Genevieve replied. “Symbolically, we have been reborn.”
“So, we’ve come out the other end per se,” Samuel chuckled.
Alec nudged him.
“You know you are absolutely no fun,” Samuel stared at him accusingly, “Even in hell, you are really quite boring.”
“Actually, that is where you are wrong,” Alec winked at Genevieve who blushed in return.
Samuel shook his head before moving to the front of the line. He found a few bits of rock on the floor that he cast across the threshold. “Just checking,” he smiled over at Akeim who grunted in response.
The passage continued for several yards before it ran into another, T-ing off into two different directions. “Which way?” Samuel looked back at the others.
“West,” both Genevieve and her mother answered.
Samuel turned back looking undecided as he peered down one side and then the other. “Ahh, is there going to be water involved in this?”
“Let me have your bottle,” Akeim replied.
Samuel turned around in shock. “You want my whiskey?”
Removing a thin, metal pin from his belt, Akeim held out the palm of his hand. “Pour some over my hand.”
“Why?” Samuel eyed him suspiciously, holding the bottle close. “It’s my last drop.”
Akeim looked up with an eyebrow raised.
“Oh, alright,” Samuel sighed as he poured out the last of the bottle.
Akeim rubbed the pin against his clothing then settled it in his palm. They all watched as it turned toward his thumb.
“That’s interesting, so which end is north on that needle?” Samuel asked.
Akeim indicated the hall on the right with a nod of his head.
“Are you sure?” Samuel eyed it warily. “What if it’s like last time and it’s the other East? We still have a fifty-fifty chance of finding the wrong one.”
“We also have a fifty percent chance of finding the right one,” Alec replied as they came to a dead end.
“Great!” Samuel threw his hands up. “Let’s go back.”
“No,” Genevieve motioned toward another hieroglyph on the far wall. “This is it.”
“It is?” Samuel spoke up from behind the others, “Are you sure?
“It is Shu, the god of air,” Genevieve went to stand before the figure of a kneeling man holding the sky bar above his head. There were two lions, much like the ones on the map on either side of him.
“It is the god of air that seals the tomb as the Pharaoh leaves the underworld and ascends to the heavens,” Sophia spoke softly. “Be very careful.”
“Oh look, he’s wearing the same headdress as that of the sphinx. I thought only the Pharaoh could wear that.” Samuel examined the folded blue and gold striped cloth on the rendering.
“I’m not an authority, but even I know that a god's wardrobe preferences would be above that of the Pharaoh’s,” Alec replied sarcastically.
Genevieve laughed, “The pharaoh wore that because it is a symbol of the sky god. It is the rays of both the sun and the moon shining down on the land across the sky.”
“Here we are,” Sophia said. In her hand was a lever that had been hidden in the wall. “Are we ready?”
“Are we actually voting?” Samuel raised his brows in surprise.
“No,” Akeim replied, stepping over to her he placed his hand on the lever. “Now we are ready.”
Sophia stepped away as he pulled down on the lever. Samuel ran over and tackled him to the floor just as a huge stone fell down where he had stood. They rolled across the ground ending in a heap against the wall.
“I had a feeling it was just like the entrance we first came through,” Samuel rolled off of him. “I suppose you now owe me your firstborn child,” he smiled a big toothy grin, “forever in my debt.”
Akeim stood brushing himself off.
“Not even your everlasting gratitude.” When he still didn’t respond Samuel sighed, “Alright, how about we’re even with the marriage thing and the short dress and the—”
“How about your silence,” Akeim replied as the stone below that of the god Shu moved back revealing another passage.
“Would you look there,” Samuel replied as he gazed down the passage. Light could be seen filtering in through the gaps between the stones. “Finally,” he sighed, “there is light.” A breeze ruffled past as he spoke.
Cautiously Sophia glanced around as the wind picked up whistling past them, “We must leave here quickly.” It wasn’t but a few seconds after they passed beneath the threshold that the block moved back into place, sealing off the passage.
“I think I might just miss it,” Samuel replied as he stood watching.
“What, hell?” Alec lifted a brow looking over at him, “It’s probably only a matter of time before you find your way back.”
“Your opinion of my final destination in the afterlife warms my heart,” Samuel replied as he pushed on a small stone in the crumbling wall. It broke free, rolling down the steep incline of the great pyramid. “This looks like the area where Belzoni tried to blast through. It’s remarkable how close he actually came to finding the tomb,” he said as he climbed up, poking his head out.
“We need to be careful,” Sophia whispered.
“Ah, this is more like it,” Samuel sighed. With the morning sun shining on his face, he inhaled deeply the fresh, crisp morning air. “We’ve done it!”
A shadow crossed above him, the legs of a man straddled the opening.
“So you have,” the Dragoman replied.
“Ah, Com’on!” Samuel swore in disgust. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Chapter 27
Samuel hit the stone block with his fist, “Bloody—”
“It’s about time you showed up,” Akeim climbed up beside him, “Is everything ready?” he asked, receiving a nod from their former guide as well as a hand up.
“What?” Samuel was slack jawed. “You’re a part of his—”
“He,” Akeim turned around offering Sophia a hand up, “works for me.”
Samuel’s mouth worked a moment before any sound came out, “What about the cave in?” he finally said.
“We escaped,” Akeim pointed out.
“The poisonous snakes?”
“Harmless,” Akeim shrugged.
“The attack?”
“Unavoidable,” Akeim sighed.
“And what of the ammunition?” Samuel was indignant.
“That was an oversight,” Akeim replied as he turned away from him.
“An oversight!” Samuel sputtered, pointing a finger at the Dragoman as the two walked away. “You owe me some ammunition,” he yelled as they joined three other men. “Of all the dirty tricks,” he shook his head, looking over at Alec, “Can you believe it?”
Alec clapped Samuel on the shoulder as he climbed past him offering Genevieve his assistance. “I’m just relieved he’s on our side at the moment.”
“And he calls me a sneaky fox,” Samuel muttered to himself as he climbed out. “That… t
hat snake!”
Sophia chuckled, “He is known to his enemies as the Black Serpent?”
Samuel eyed her with disbelief, “You knew as well?”
“The White Devil knew too much and we too little.” A haunted expression passed across her features as she glanced over to where Akeim stood. “He felt it would be best to place some spies of his own.”
“So we were never in danger?” Alec asked.
“Those men in the town… in the boat were his?” Samuel spoke up at the same time, his expression clouded with suspicion.
“Yes and no, we were in peril,” Sophia looked over at Alec. “Only a few men know Akeim’s true identity.”
“And what would that be?” Samuel looked back at the men. “Is he their king or something?” When she didn’t respond, he harrumphed. “That actually explains so much,” he muttered. “Arrogant bloody—”
“Samuel,” Sophia interrupted.
“Yes?” he quickly turned to her.
She gave him a high brow before taking the statue of the S’ba from her pouch, handing it to him. “Help me with this.”
“What do you want me to do?” Samuel puzzled as he held it.
“Hold it upside down while I open it.”
“It opens?” he turned it upside down curiously. It looked solid to him.
Sophia slipped her knife along the edge, loosening the bottom of the base. Gently she removed the false bottom, exposing a small wooden box within it.
“Whew!” he whistled as she opened it revealing a diamond the size of a goose egg. “Would you look at that,” he exclaimed. “What do you think its worth?”
“Being that its only crystal, I’m sure it’s quite worthless monetarily.”
“What?” he looked at her with disbelief. “Tell me we didn’t just go through hell, passing up the greatest treasure known to man, for a worthless rock.” When she still didn’t respond he threw up his hands. “Well?”
“Well what?” she placed a piece of granite from the pyramid inside the statue.
“Tell me we didn’t just pass—“
“We did not,” she silenced him with a look.
“But… Augh, that’s just…” he sighed. “Wait! There is another one isn’t there?” Samuel slapped the bottom back on, holding up the statue. “Another treasure, even greater?” he grinned widely when she didn’t answer. “I knew it!”
“If we act now, we may be able to stop them both,” Akeim replied as he joined them, taking the statue from Samuel, “We will need this.”
~*~
“Whose idea was this again?” Samuel looked over at Alec, and then back at the Dragoman who was tying his hands together. “Ouch! Why so tight?”
“They will check it,” Akeim replied as he stripped him of his guns. “You remember Ahmed,” he glanced over at the Dragoman, “my eldest son.” He lifted a brow as he turned back. “Tell me again why I should give you my firstborn?”
Ahmed chuckled as he relieved him of his other weapons.
“Great,” Samuel commented dryly as he jerked his hands away, “Not the knives!”
“They will check for these as well,” Ahmed tucked them into his own belt. “And I will make sure to tell my cousin who owns the mutton shop that you destroyed, that you said hello,” he grinned widely.
Samuel looked over at Alec. “I don’t know about you, but my enthusiasm toward this plan just dropped considerably.”
“They will not let you anywhere near the Admiral if you are a threat.” Akeim tugged on Samuel’s rope making sure it was secure.
“Considering you’re not being trussed up like a goose,” Samuel assessed him critically, looking over at his white uniform. “Are you going to be the one that cuts us free?”
“None of us will be able to go in with you,” Akeim answered. “Only his close personal servants are allowed near him.”
“Whoa,” Samuel stepped back, turning away from him. “I’ve changed my mind. Let’s go with plan b.”
“This is plan b,” Alec rolled his eyes.
“Let’s go back to a then.”
“We can’t just charge in with both barrels blazing,” Alec reminded him.
“Then c,” Samuel swirled around, “anything is better than being a pigeon.”
“We’re not the pigeons,” Alec stated.
“Are you sure?” Samuel held up his tied hands.
“I’m not letting Genevieve go in there without me,” Alec stated emphatically.
“Don’t you think there might be a better way to protect her than going in as vulnerable as a newborn babe?” Samuel shook his bound hands for emphasis.
“You’re welcome to join Akeim and his men on the outside.”
“Augh,” Samuel sighed in vexation, “Fine, plan b it is. Let us hope it’s just not b for botched,” he grumbled.
~*~
“The artifact, Saiyid,” the Admirals head guard held out the statue to him.
The Admiral took the statue, gazing at it in awe as he held it in his hand. “The S’ba,” he whispered triumphantly.
“The women have also arrived,” the guard informed him, “But they are not alone, the two Englishmen are with them.”
The Admiral assessed him gravely, scooting his chair back from his desk. “And why is that?”
“From what I was told, they have information that you may want.”
“I see,” the Admiral stood, setting the statue reverently on a bureau next to the window. “Send them in.”
The guard bowed backing out of the room.
The Admiral walked back to the desk, removing a gun from the drawer. “Apparently I will have to see to this myself.”
Akeim stepped away from his son once they boarded the dahabiya, slipping unseen behind the wheelhouse. It wasn’t until the prisoners were turned over to the Admiral’s guards that he surreptitiously moved into position, signaling his men.
~*~
Alec was shoved through the door with Samuel stumbling after. “Watch it,” Samuel yanked his arm away from the guard who held him.
“And to what do I owe this pleasure?” the Admiral asked from his place behind the desk.
Alec raised his head, glaring at him. “What kind of evil bastard are you?”
The guard that stood next to him slammed the butt of a rifle into his gut. Alec bent forward from the blow. He glared up at the man, recognizing him as the same one who had hit him upside the head the first time they had been captured. His eyes narrowed.
“I was told you had some information for me?” the Admiral replied.
“Alec,” Genevieve cried as she entered the room rushing over to him. “Stop it,” she turned to her uncle, “Stop this at once.” Genevieve slipped a small blade into Alec’s hand as she spoke.
“I’d love nothing more,” the Admiral replied coldly, leveling the gun he held in his hand toward them both.
“Percival,” Sophia stepped into the room followed by another guard. “You will never be able to use that artifact without us.” The cannon on the main deck blasted as she spoke.
Without a word, the Admiral signaled his head guard to find out what the disturbance was about. The man nodded slipping from the room. “Then it would appear we are at an impasse,” the Admiral replied, turning his head toward Sophia. “What do you propose?”
“Let them go, and I will assist you,” Sophia lifted her head a notch.
The Admiral's laughter filled the room. “Ahh, Sophia,” he chuckled. “You surprise me. You actually think I’d believe that?”
~*~
The head guard left the cabin walking to the prow of the ship where Akeim stood beside the cannon that had fired. The guard unsheathed his sword, opening his mouth to speak. The Dragoman stepped behind him, quickly silencing him.
A black coach pulled up on the pier next to where the large boat was docked. The two footmen, who stood on the back rail, rushed to the door. One opened it as the other fixed the stair waiting for the passenger to alight. A black cane with gold trim
immerged, the hand that held it was adorned with a signet ring on the pinkie.
They were met at the plank by one of the Admiral’s men. “This way,” Akeim bowed his head, motioning for them to follow.
~*~
“What do you intend to do with us?” Sophia demanded as she looked over at the two remaining guards.
“Unless these gentlemen can give me some useful information,” the Admiral answered in a bored tone. “They will have to be dispatched immediately.”
“What do you mean dispatched?” Samuel’s head shot up, “Don’t you think that is a bit extreme?”
The Admiral narrowed his eyes on him as he came around the desk, pointing the barrel of the gun at his stomach.
“Apparently not,” Samuel sighed. “You run a tough bargain,” he looked over at Alec then back to the Admiral. “Alright then, I will make you a deal, release us and I will turn over the map to King Solomon’s mines.”
The Admiral chuckled, pointing the revolver at him. “Is that what you think this is about?”
“It’s no use trying to fool him,” Alec replied. “It’s the location of the tomb of Sheba he wants and I’m of a mind to give it to him.”
“Alec no,” Genevieve gasped, turning pleading eyes toward him.
“I will not let this madman harm you for some ancient knowledge,” Alec kept his eyes on him as he spoke, slicing through the last of his bonds as Genevieve shielded him.
The Admiral’s expression hardened as he cocked the gun pointing it at Alec. “Stand back Genevieve, I wouldn’t want to harm you unnecessarily.”
“I will not—,” Genevieve started as the guard behind her pulled her roughly back.
Alec charged at the guard who held her.
Samuel dove in front of Alec as the gun fired. He hit the floor and rolled. “Holy mother of,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. “I’m shot,” blood oozed from the hole in his thigh. “The bastard shot me.”
Alec stopped in his tracks turning toward the Admiral.
“Now that we all know that I’m serious,” the Admiral aimed the gun at Alec once again. “What information do you have?”
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