Shadows of the Nile

by Jo Franklin

  “You know something,” Jan said confidentially. “She’s got a body stocking on. You can’t see any bare flesh. I don’t call that the real thing, do you?”

  “You have a go, Aline,” teased Ebony. “You’d look really good in your long dress, slinking round all the males. Tell you what, we could do a double act! The two most attractive women in the world! Not only can we dance, but we can sing and we can draw. What do you say?”

  “Yes, go on,” Jan giggled. “Show them how it’s really done!”

  “Well, I’ll tell you what,” Aline said, with a smile. “You go first, Ebony! Then maybe I’ll follow. Ah, that’s a shame; the music’s stopped and it looks like it’s the end of the show. We’ll have to do our double act another time.” All three of them laughed.

  “I’m off to find a drink,” said Jan.

  “See you later,” Ebony smiled. “Oh look, Aline, there’s that perfumery woman, Nephthys. I think she’s only just arrived. Do you know her?”

  Aline glanced across. Nephthys as usual looked absolutely stunning. Her black strapless dress was very tight, very short and very low, showing off most of her breasts. Her hair was pulled up into a diamond clasp on top of her head. She wore no other jewellery.

  “Not really.”

  “Wow, how does she keep that dress up?” Ebony said, curious.

  Nephthys had spotted them and headed their way.

  “How nice to see you together,” she purred. “Aline and Ebony. Two countries united, Britain and the States. You know when I see you sitting there you do remind me of how your type of beautiful woman should look, very desirable and perhaps just a little demure. Well, of course, you’re not really subservient, are you? That’s just an act, isn’t it? You two really must join me in Paris some time. I have some beautiful oils I could give you. Show you where to massage them onto your skin to the best advantage.”

  “That would be nice,” murmured Ebony politely.

  “Well, girls, I’d like to stay and chat some more, but I have a very important man waiting for me, and I can see him getting very impatient. I’ll see you tomorrow before you go, Ebony, and Aline you too. You do look so sweet together.”

  She slunk off towards one of the single men in the party and they left soon after.

  “I have to admit she does know her business,” Ebony said. “She sold me a perfume the other day. Do you know, I’m sure it was some sort of aphrodisiac; my husband took one whiff of it and was bowled over.” She laughed.

  “That doesn’t surprise me. She has a vast knowledge of how to blend and use herbs and other things.”

  “I sense you don’t like her?” Ebony was amused. “Oh, let’s not talk about her. Shall we go up to the top deck and look at the Nile, in all its dusky glory.”

  *

  It was quite dark outside when they got there but the deck lights were on, and the lights in the distance illuminated the Valley of the Kings.

  “Have you ever been to Egypt before, Ebony?”

  “No. I’ve always thought about it. It’s so full of ancient history. But we haven’t really seen anything of interest – it’s just been a business trip. I’ve enjoyed it though, and maybe we’ll come back. Except…” She looked a bit secretive and coy. “I’m expecting another baby.”

  Aline looked down at Ebony’s stomach. “You must be delighted! You don’t show.”

  “It’s early days. You’re right, we couldn’t be more pleased. So it will be back home for me to wait for the little one, and to tell the truth I miss my children, and can’t wait to see them. I love my home life, I couldn’t have anything better. What about you, Aline? You say there isn’t a man in your life. I find it so hard to believe.”

  “There isn’t anyone serious.” She glanced towards the Valley of the Kings.

  Ebony slipped her arm round her waist. “You’re much younger than me. I was married at about your age. I’m sure you’ll suddenly find him, just as I did. I went to a party and there he was, just waiting for me. Talking of him, I’d better go and find him. We’re turning in early. It’s been a long day but I’ll see you in the morning?”

  “That’ll be nice.”

  The two women embraced each other.

  Aline stood for a while after Ebony had gone. She didn’t want to leave the deck. The lights from the Valley of the Kings were comforting. She looked forward to her visit there. For her that was the highlight of the tour. It was somewhere she’d always wanted to go.

  As she got back to her cabin she thought about all the work she had to do to catch up with her articles. But she couldn’t settle to it. All she could think of was Ebony. She remembered snatches of a young girl from long ago, her warmth, and the way she smiled. Aline knew she had been fond of her. Sadly, it was obvious Ebony had no recollection of them in the past. There was no flicker of recognition. For some reason the portal was firmly closed to her, and maybe would never be opened.

  *

  Aline waited on the top deck the next morning. She knew the Americans hadn’t left, but they were having a late breakfast, and then a meeting in the bar to discuss where they were going on to. She wasn’t certain Ebony would appear, but a light sound of feet on the steps and a merry face soon told her Ebony had escaped from the party.

  “Hello, Aline! Where is everyone?”

  “Hi! Well, I think a lot of my crowd have gone shopping and the others are playing table tennis or reading on the lower deck. They say it’s too hot up here at the moment.”

  “Let’s get under the awning. I haven’t got long but I did so want to see you before we go, and to give you my address in the States. We’re in New York. You must come and look us up if you’re ever out that way.”

  “I’d love to!”

  “Ah now! Look at you two again.” Nephthys had appeared quietly from the shadows. “I did so want to see you together just once more. I’m so pleased you’re happy and settled, Ebony. I do hope Aline will find her man very soon. I expect she will.”

  She sat down opposite them, a sardonic smile on her face. Her head was swathed in a turban and she wore a white towelling robe.

  “Good morning, Nephthys,” Aline said, hoping she’d go away.

  “Good morning, Aline. You’re so polite. I do like your sexy black swimsuit. Will you get it wet, or is it just for effect? And Ebony, I have to say I love your simple white dress. I always think girls like you look good in thin white dresses.” Her eyes fixed on Aline.

  She’s goading me, thought Aline. Nephthys was wanting her to make Ebony aware of something. She kept quiet. She knew it was important not to rise to the bait. There was something Ebony shouldn’t know.

  “That’s very kind of you to be so complimentary,” Ebony answered innocently. “I do try to have a bit of dress sense but I have to be guided sometimes.”

  “I can always help you there,” Nephthys drawled. “Sometimes I advise my clients not only on ancient perfumes but also on ancient dress, which could be quite skimpy and left little to the imagination.”

  “Good morning, ladies.”

  Aline welcomed the sight of Achmed, who’d arrived just in time to defuse a tricky situation. A flicker of annoyance passed over Nephthys’s face.

  “I hope you don’t mind me interrupting you but I have come to speak of the visit to the Valley of the Kings tomorrow. Nephthys, I believe you’re not going?”

  “No. I have business in Cairo.”

  “So that’s just you, Aline. It’s another early start I’m afraid but we’ll give you a call.”

  “I’d like to have seen it,” Ebony said. “Many noble people were buried there, I believe.”

  “That’s true. Maybe if and when you come next time we could arrange a visit.”

  “Yes. Mind you, I don’t know when that will be.”

  “Anyway it’s not the sort of place any ordinary mortal would have been buried,” Nephthys interceded. “Not for the likes of people like you and Aline. You’d probably have been put in a hole in the sand and buried.” />
  “Well I’m glad I didn’t live then,” Ebony answered. “I much prefer to live now.”

  There was a pause.

  “I think your party is leaving quite soon,” Achmed said. “Would you like me to come with you to find your husband?”

  “That’s very good of you.” Ebony jumped up. “Goodbye, Nephthys. Oh, and my dear Aline.” Aline stood up and they held each other in a tender embrace. “Here’s my card. I don’t know when I’ll see you again but I’ve loved meeting you and I’m sure things will work out for you.”

  As she walked off Aline had mixed feelings. Glad that Ebony was escaping from Nephthys and her claws, but sad that once again she was perhaps walking out of her life.

  *

  “Why don’t you cry?” Nephthys said when they were alone. “That’s twice you’ve lost her.”

  “You…” Aline exploded quietly. “How dare you treat everyone in such an evil way! You tried to get someone to hurt me! Do you think you can just buy everything and everybody?”

  “Just about,” Nephthys answered lazily. “Besides I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s an illusion; it’s in your mind. It’s your sexual frustration. Don’t accuse me of things which aren’t true or I’ll sue you. I’d like to see you losing your job and rotting in an Egyptian jail; nothing would give me more pleasure. You could be dressed in rags once more, and looking like a tramp, but this time no one would rescue you. Do you think anyone would believe you, a halfwitted writer, against me, a successful and very desirable businesswoman? Let me tell you something, Aline. You stop your tricks with the snakes or I’ll destroy you. I’ll beat you until you tell me which herbs you use on the snakes. Ah, you squirm. You’ve seen people beaten, haven’t you? That’s what I’d do to you. I’d get one of my henchmen to give you a good flogging, to knock respect into you. Why don’t you grovel at my feet and maybe – just maybe – I’ll forgive you. Go on.”

  Aline stared at her. Flashes kept coming back to her. She could clearly remember floggings which were meted out. Men and girls whipped until some of them died. She remembered her rags, and the despair.

  “You’d like to remember all of it, wouldn’t you?” hissed Nephthys. “Well maybe one day soon you will. All of it – just before you die.”

  Aline felt the ring gripping her finger, giving her courage. She felt the sting of the Ankh on her back. She stood up and slowly turned away from Nephthys. Then she quickly looked over her shoulder, noting the sudden shocked expression on the other’s face.

  “See the Ankh, Nephthys? Look at it! You think I do tricks with snakes. Think again. I was sent here to find out something and that’s what I’m going to do. How do you think I got the Ankh? Who burnt it into my skin? Here, feel it. No, you don’t dare touch it, do you? Every day I’m becoming more powerful and more aware, and soon I’ll be able to take you on. Leave Ebony alone, or I’ll burn something into your skin you won’t like, and all your men friends will know just what a tart you are. Businesswoman, that’s rubbish. You’re nothing but a whore.”

  Nephthys’s face distorted in fury. “How dare you! You’re nothing! You’re the tart! You use herbs on snakes to make them attack, and now you’ve had a tattoo. How cheap and nasty you are.”

  “I don’t think so. How did I get the Ankh? I’ll tell you. Very recently, Anubis burnt it into my skin to protect me from the likes of you. Watch yourself, Nephthys. You could disappear in a puff of smoke.”

  “Anubis!” Nephthys scoffed. “Anubis! You believe in all those ancients from the past? They’re all gone and finished with.” She got up. “You shouldn’t meddle with things you don’t understand.”

  “Oh, but I do understand them. You’re part of this, Nephthys, and I’m going to find out how deeply involved you are. Threaten me all you like but I’m not letting go. I’m going to find out everything. Does that frighten you?”

  Nephthys didn’t answer. She left without another word, and didn’t look back as she went down the steps.

  Aline watched her go, a wry smile on her lips. Nephthys was frightened – that much was clear. Nephthys never expected Aline to stand up to her, she expected her to be weak. But Aline, when she took Nephthys on, now found she could ride her hurtful words and surface above anything she said.

  Not that she accepted her. She had a mounting dislike of the woman and felt a great anger towards her.

  *

  “Aline, has Nephthys gone?”

  Achmed had reappeared.

  “Yes, Achmed. Just a minute ago.”

  “Did you two argue? She didn’t look very pleased.”

  “We did have words.”

  “She can be dangerous.”

  “So can I, Achmed.”

  “Be careful of her. She knows a lot of the ancient ways.”

  “So do I.”

  “Aline, if I can ever help in any way just ask me. I have lived a long time in Egypt and I have a great knowledge of the country and its people. I know there is something very unpleasant going on between you and Nephthys. You are both strong and intelligent people. I wouldn’t want to see you destroy each other.”

  “Who are you, Achmed? You’re like a mediator. You’re sensitive and deep, and you feel things, and you too are very wise. Tell me, do you think the old ways could still be around? Do you for instance think Anubis is still with us?”

  “I think we should never scorn anything. There are things we don’t understand. Thousands of years ago it was believed that Anubis had a job to do, to use his book of spells and send people into the afterlife. If for some reason the spells didn’t work the dead would be in limbo. Then Anubis himself wouldn’t be able to rest until he had finished his final deed. So he could still be with us, with any tools he has to use to finish his task.”

  “So are you saying that he’s still here because some people missed the ferry boat, so to speak?”

  “I’m not saying anything like that, Aline. I’m merely saying that if strange things happen in this time, to possibly people like you, and maybe Nephthys, then something perhaps has to be put right. I’m a university lecturer who has studied thousands of years of Egyptian history and I am open to believe anything, if it’s demonstrated to me. I want you to promise me you’ll be careful. You are a beautiful young woman with your whole life ahead of you. You could have a husband and lovely children to look forward to, just as Ebony has now. Think of her and what she’s got. She wants nothing else. Her mind isn’t open to the past. She lives for now. Do you think you could do that?”

  Aline felt tears in her eyes. “No,” she said quietly. “I have to find my Egyptian, and if he’s merely a shadow in the past then that’s what I am too, and I’ll die with him if necessary.”

  Achmed’s eyes misted. “You have a great love for someone, and perhaps you are right. If that Egyptian is so important to you then you should find him, and if you perish, I think it will be in his arms.”

  He gave her a fatherly hug.

  “My prayers will be with you,” he murmured.

  *

  After he’d gone she leant over the railings. She could see Ebony in the distance, her arms round her husband. He was saying something to her and making her laugh.

  It came back to her. The last time she’d seen Ebony was Eboni in the brothel owned by Nephthys. Her lovely young face had been contorted with fear and misery as she was being forced by Nephthys to sell her body to a man she didn’t know.

  So what had happened to Eboni?

  It was time to go back, not only to find her Egyptian but to find out about Eboni.

  She went down to her cabin, stood by the window, covered her ring lightly with her right hand, and held both hands up to the sunlight.

  Chapter 9

  Tadinanefer stirred once again in the Egyptian’s arms. The ring was biting into her skin and causing her a considerable amount of pain. Something was very wrong.

  Then she could hear the sound of hooves.

  “Sire, wake up. I can hear a noise. I think it
’s outside.”

  “Mm? What is it, Tadinanefer? I can’t hear anything.”

  “That’s because you’re not awake. Oh, please Sire, listen to me. I’m sure I can hear horses.”

  “Horses?” Thoth was instantly alert. He leapt to his feet and cautiously glanced out through a slit in the wall.

  He came back to her, a thunderous look on his face.

  “Get dressed quickly,” he murmured. “And don’t make any noise. He put on his clothes and seized his sword. “There’s trouble. You must have been followed or someone gave you away. We might have to fight our way out of this one. There are four or five men waiting out there and they’re armed.”

  She threw on her dress.

  “But who…?”

  “Maybe one of the guards was bribed. They’ve no scruples.”

  “Is Ammon still with us?” She knew his skills would really help them.

  “No. But I have two good men here. Fortunately the horses are close by. I should have got you to somewhere far safer than this place. I just couldn’t wait to make love to you, and now you’re in danger. Do you still have your dagger?”

  “Yes.” She took it out of her belt.

  “Did Ammon show you how to use it?”

  “Yes, sort of, Sire.”

  He gave a grim little smile as he placed her hand firmly around its hilt.

  “Grip it tightly. Use two hands if you have to and thrust it into any part of your attacker’s body that’s accessible. You may not wound him badly but you’ll have the element of surprise, and maybe get away. Don’t be brave, Tadinanefer, don’t fight. Just run.”

  “Yes, Sire.”

  “And don’t call me Sire. I’m your lover. Call me Thoth, please. And something else I should tell you – our Pharaoh is my cousin.”

  She stared at him in complete surprise, almost dropping the dagger. She’d guessed he was wealthy, and maybe a nobleman, but never imagined he was of royal blood.

  “Are you listening to me, Tadinanefer? Conceal your dagger. You must get to the horses as quickly as possible. Can you ride bareback?”