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Chapter 3 of Egyptian fantasy novel Ra's Warrior
Chapter 3
It was an all-absorbing genesis. Even the sun slept in the bosom of the eastern mountains. Privacy necessitated mobility. Andrea and Elise, first to arrive, set up a canopy, barricades, and caution tape at the entrance to the Sphinx. Adel was late, which was oddly out of character for him.
“Good morning, Adel,” they rang out in unison when they heard the barricades topple. Even with sparse sunlight, Andrea could see into the carved earth as if it were noon. A cloying aroma tantalized their senses.
“I’ve been waiting for this my entire life,” Andrea said.
Elise eyed the descending passageway. “It’s really dark down there.”
“You’re still afraid of the dark, sis? Are you going with us?”
Elise hesitated and then said, “Yes on both accounts.”
Andrea straightened the bag across her heaving chest. The sun reached a more illuminating post; she hastened into the earthen hallow. Adel and Elise’s apprehensions held them back for only a moment. Andrea removed a flashlight from her bag.
Click.
A grand staircase descended about thirty feet. Andrea admired the painted ceiling as she went down. Two more light beams sliced through antiquity’s realm revealing spiral frescos, a design not indicative of Egypt. The final step unveiled hieroglyphs so astonishing it was as if the scribe had laid down his brush yesterday. The mural depicted happy times in the Land of Wesir: children frolicked in fields of wild flowers, lovers danced to the beat of celestial bands, and the bountiful harvest provided eternal food for the masses. Floral motifs bloomed under the explorer’s feet. This was infinitely larger than anything Andrea could have imagined.
Thirteen false doors with alabaster lintels, each inscribed with magic incantations, became distinguishable after a slight right turn. The hall was so wide that they could walk abreast. Andrea snapped off photos; her slow advance allowed for the absorption of details and the occasional brush of an ungloved hand against delicate paintings. With every ill-advised touch, the sensation of familiarity dominated her. Time knew her name.
Adel and Elise wandered ahead. Whenever one of them turned Andrea had to shift her head to escape the swathing high-intensity lights. “There’s more down here,” Elise’s voice echoed, but the door Andrea now faced commanded her attention. Unlike the others, it lacked writing on the lintel and doorjamb. Andrea extracted a magnifying glass to inspect the diminutive details painted on the door.
Two tracts of land formed rings around a circular nucleus-island. Covered bridges placed at strategic intervals joined the vast city. Lofty mountains protected the city’s inhabitants from the brutal North Wind. A flat plain extended from mountain to sea with irrigation ditches channeling water across it. An enormous canal connected the harbors to the raging ocean. Luxurious houses and pyramidal-type temples skirted the main island. At the center of the citadel was a self-contained palatial structure. A path bedecked by white blossoms went from the palace, past bath houses, through immense apple orchards, and ended at an enclosure of free-roaming bulls. A racetrack split the second land-ring in half; on both sides were segregated spectator stands, assorted military structures, and docked warships. Public buildings, merchant docks, and the general populace occupied the outermost land-ring. The images were so fluid and detailed Andrea swore it was alive. Elise called out again. Andrea took more photos before walking ahead.
The corridor descended, turned left, and leveled off again. “We must be at least a hundred feet underground judging by the incline and probably directly underneath the Great Pyramid,” Andrea said, aiming the electric torch up. “How did they keep from scorching the ceiling?” Her flashlight, seeking an unknown prize, stretched its meager light into the cavity. “Look, near the end!” exclaimed Andrea en route.
When she spotted the vacant statue niche her pace lost alacrity. Disappointed, Andrea shook her head and something garnered her attention.
It dwarfed her. A cream-colored marble lintel supported by two caryatids, one of Auset and the other of Hathor, guarded the recessed gilded door. But the bedazzled adventurer saw only the jewel-encrusted cartouche of the Pharaoh Khufu as it flashed under the arriving beams of modern lights. "The seal’s intact."
Adel squinted, reluctantly stepped toward it, and said, “So it is.” After examining the carved ebony doorframe, he translated the text aloud. “Hail Khufu, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Keeper of Light. His existence is for all eternity. Beloved by the gods, his soul is the bennu phoenix. Wesir, let be opened to the warrior the things concealed on this day.”
Doubt scattered.
“We need to follow protocol, Andrea.”
Electrified words sparked from Andrea’s lips, “Screw protocol, Adel. Let’s get it open.” It didn’t matter anymore. She was sick of being the good girl, following the rules, and getting nowhere fast. She tossed Elise the flashlight and stepped into the alcove with Adel. Strained groans reverberated through the corridor. Andrea waved Adel back, wiped away gathering perspiration, and probed for a door mechanism.
“I would like to keep the seal intact. We should look around,” Adel said.
They canvassed the surrounding area: fingering doorjambs, shining flashlights overhead, kicking walls in search of weak spots, and, analyzing every hieroglyph. Andrea cursed, “Damn it, we’re going to have to break in.” She wanted to avoid doing that, but she wasn’t opposed to it either. Andrea sighed and wondered if they may have overlooked something. On a hunch, she read the inscription in its original dialect. “Ha Khufu, Nesu båti Khemet. Åri sneket, āhāu på neheh t’er-f. Meriti em neteru, ba-f på bennue. Åusår un en nehnåt śeta em pen hru. Wow, note the suffix of the word ‘nehnåt’. It refers to a female warrior; most likely it’s Ne--”.”
Beneath them, the earth grumbled. A latch clicked. Hinges groaned with the sound of rusty scraping metal. Pushed open by unseen forces, the door fought the ravish of time with a deafening racket. Andrea fell backwards as the eerie glow bathed her in white. It paralyzed them all, the pulsing light. Concealed within the bowels of the earth Andrea discovered all she desired.
They peered inside. Pounding hearts were the only out-of-place sounds in the cavernous underground. Splashing water pouring from lotus-blossom spouts near the waterline of the circular room unnerved Andrea’s companions. A silver abutment supported the sliver of a bridge with gold filigree parapets. The silvery gold of electrum plated walls reflected in Andrea’s enlarging eyes.
“Andrea,” Adel said sharply as she started across, “this is unwise.”
She continued into the room without losing a step. Andrea could hear her companions discussing the strangeness of the tomb as well as her new attitude.
Nine statuesque gods stood eternal vigil over the pharaoh’s body. Male deities were on the left and female ones were opposite their counterpart male. Each pair of male and female deities matched in their material construction. She knew them all: Wesir, Auset, Heru, Hathor, Bastet, Inupew, Neith, Tehuti, and Ra. A literal pantheon adorned with fine linen clothes surrounded her as she partook of each one’s silent, yet graceful, beauty. She took a few more steps toward the square island and stopped. Near the end of the bridge two jackals guarded the inner sanctuary.
Massive columns cordoned off specific areas. Gossamer curtains of periwinkle blue, suspended from copper rods, were secured aside allowing for a full view of all three rooms. Khufu’s sarcophagus rested on a catafalque at the center of the main room; its gold dazzled more than any other artifact. An elaborate throne, flanked by two clay sculptures and elevated on a marble dais, awaited the king’s spirit. A pile of large pillows created a lounging area at the base of the step-down.
Several acacia dressers and an alabaster four-poster bed embossed with pounded gold leaf lilies consumed most of the bedroom area to the left. Oriental silk pillows, a surprisingly modern luxury, strewn on the bed were an inviting touch. An armoire, cosmetic table with a basin, and a foot chest were centered along the left wall. Positioned beyond the red Cedar of Lebanon harp crowned with gold leaf and lapis-lazuli was an ivory bench with two alabaster sphinxes for legs.
The room to the right was cluttered with offerings. Among them was a cedar chariot with bronze-spiked wheels harnessed to a basalt horse, a long enameled chest, granary boxes overflowing with food offerings, and pitchers of libations.
Andrea signaled for them to join her. Elise went forward although her feet resisted. Adel, however, remained steadfast. His button-down galabiyah parted as he bent to one knee and bowed his head. This was the young women’s first encounter with this side of their godfather. Elise clasped Andrea’s hand with ferocity, but Andrea calmly led her sister across the bridge.
“Magnificent,” Elise whispered as she stared up at the hemispherical domed ceiling whose recessed jewels twinkled like stars blanketing a midnight sky.
They stepped onto the miniature gold avenue leading from the bridge to the coffin. Around it, the floor was alabaster inset with metal-outlined, precious stone animal motifs.
“Can you believe this?” Andrea asked.
“Definitely not.”
“How did he manage to do all of this?”
“Andrea, why is the water glowing?”
“There must be a light source below us. This whole place was sealed off thousands of years ago but it shows no signs of old-age.” Andrea looked back at Adel and watched anxiety fill his eyes. “Are you coming?”
“I am forbidden to enter.”
“You know where we are?” Elise turned and questioned.
“It’s the Circle of Gods. We should not be here. My mother told me the story, but I thought it was just,” he paused, “myth.” He returned to a subservient position.
“It’s just us, Elise. Are you ready?” Her twin’s fake smile wasn’t at all convincing.
In unison, they said, “Explore away.”
Textured fur, bronze collars, ebony pedestals, and movement’s illusion given off by the jackals’ eyes enticed Andrea. Having thrown protocol to the wayside, Andrea touched one. Tiny hairs all over her body stiffened. Her brow rose with an inquisitive gesture. “I’m getting a static electric shock.”
Elise mimicked her sister’s actions. Both women had the same thrilled expression. Their excitement peaked, overtaking any reluctance either woman experienced.
Andrea admired the sarcophagus from afar, at first. Garlands of fresh flowers, which defied time’s passing, decorated the columns of the catafalque where the casket resided. The outer-coffin was a little over waist high and at least seven feet long. Glyphs etched deep into the gold surface pledged allegiance to the slumbering gods safeguarding this inner sanctum. Its elegance roused Andrea’s curiosity into moving her forward. Elise followed close behind.
Andrea stepped up onto the sun-yellow marble platform. Her nervous hands were unsure how to react. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Andrea said when Elise got next to her.
“It’s exquisite. What do the inscriptions say?”
Andrea moved closer and leaned over. Her fingers roamed the etchings as she translated. “Khufu, Son of Wesir, Beloved Ruler of the Black and Red Lands, Keeper of the Ankhs, guard well our secrets. Ra graces the heavens and Egypt shall be saved. Arise, oh king! Join the Circle.”
“Whoa!” Elise shivered and then shied away like a spooked horse.
Inching toward the head of the sarcophagus, Andrea sought to see his face only to encounter a blank shiny metallic surface. That’s not fair! After all these years, why can’t I see his face? Agitated, she sighed at her reflection. She briefly watched Elise, who had made her way to the throne and now inspected one of the clay sculptures.
Talking into a mini tape recorder, Elise described the figure. “Height is about five foot, four inches. It has meticulously molded facial features in different colors of clay, a well-defined muscular tone, and lacks defects. The uncommon silk-like fabric has been crafted as a traditional royal garment.” She touched the clothes and paid attention to every detail. “The museum’s collection of jewels pales in comparison. Adorning its head is an asp crown of bejeweled gold. A beautifully beaded choker of lapis lazuli, ivory, and quartzite sets off the gold . . .”
Andrea heard a thud and turned to see Elise sprawled on the floor. She ran over, knelt down, whisked back Elise’s hair, and gently patted her face.
Frightened eyes fluttered open. Her face was flush. The heat must have gotten to her. “Please,” Elise uttered, “please, take me outside.”
“Let me help you.” Andrea pulled her sister up, embraced her, and stroked her sweat-drenched hair.
They inched their way across the bridge. Adel, his face tight with fear, waited. Later he would ask her not to return, but nothing would keep her from the crypt. The sun guided them through the corridor. Every step was a miniature discovery for her as they passed the false, stele doors again and she tried to catch their details. It would take months to chart and catalog every artifact. Years of searching resulted in overloaded senses. Andrea couldn’t believe her luck.
As they climbed the stairs, Elise steadied. Several hours had passed since they first entered the sacred area and the sun blinded them as they stumbled out the door. Adel, the last one out of the tomb, got a carafe from the canopy area. He handed it to Elise, who gulped down the water like a thirsty camel. The two of them stared at Andrea and she hated what they were thinking.
“You cannot announce this find. Andrea, I know you are compelled to explore this further, but I am advising you against it. However, I know you will insist so I’ll allow it as long as I accompany you whenever you go down there. Understood?” Andrea smiled and nodded. “If anyone asks we are repairing some minor cracks on the Sphinx’s body.”
Feeling smug and pleased with his decision, Andrea suggested a lunch break. They sat underneath the canopy, and Adel told them a story as they ate. “When I was a boy, my mother told me about the Circle of Gods. Apep, the God of Chaos, felt cast aside by his father Amun. During Khufu’s reign, Apep conspired to free himself and the others like him who were also condemned to live in darkness. It was Apep’s intent to enslave all the peoples of Earth.” Adel paused for a sip of water, and then continued. “The Gods of Light gathered to summon a warrior. They taught this warrior how to save the empire from annihilation. Although triumphant in the end, the mighty pharaoh fell in battle and the warrior was never seen again. The gods buried the king within the Circle and concealed his body beneath the sands of time. Centuries later when the stars were properly aligned, the truth would be revealed. I am afraid of the consequences you’ll face if you delve any deeper. We should re-cover the tomb with sand and forget you ever saw it.”
“Hell no! This is the greatest discovery of our time. What makes you think I can just forget about it?” Andrea protested.
“Foolish hope.” His breath brimmed with tension. “I am wary of the repercussions. Mark will be long to forgive me if something were to happen to either of you. It’s difficult to locate my courage.”
“I’m a grown woman and responsible for myself. You can’t be liable for everything this family gets into.” Andrea tired quickly of his paranoia. All she wanted to do was explore the tomb, but it seemed they were both against her.
“I don’t agree, Andrea,” Elise said hastily. “Something’s wrong. There’s no feasible explanation for why the water was glowing. The flowers and food should be withered. My instincts are telling me to run, and frankly I trust them.”
“This is ridiculous. I refuse to quit after getting this far.”
“You’ll jeopardize your life and Adel’s just to get your way?” Elise’s voice quavered childishly. “Daddy wouldn’t let you do this and you know it!”
“This is important to me. Trust me, I promise everything will be fine. You’ll see.” Andrea hugged and kissed her sister.
Retrieving a notebook from her shoulder bag, Andrea began scribbling notes. She did this often and read them when finished. Her journals had grown since experiencing this lifestyle at a young age. Their father taught the twins what he knew and encouraged them to assume his role. At age six, Andrea and Elise had accompanied their parents on multiple excavations. Elise made her first discovery before she was seven while Andrea struggled to find even the smallest shards of pottery. By twenty, the twins had graduated college and began their careers as Egyptologists. It took about a year before Elise realized she hated field-work and decided to use her degree to write historical fiction. Her debut novel became a best-seller, making her independent of the family fortune. Regrettably, Andrea still relied on her father to fund this dig. What peeved Andrea most was the fact that Elise would probably fictionalize this discovery even though she wanted Andrea to ignore it.
Andrea wondered if Father would agree with them, but settled on believing that he would pursue this if he were here. No curse or legend governed her; the idea was absurd.
“Adel, I want to go back. Whatever you need, I suggest you get it ready.”
“All I need is my courage,” he replied.
“Don’t look at me. I wouldn’t go down there again for all the recognition in the world,” declared Elise firmly. “It gives me the creeps. Besides, someone needs to keep people away.”
“Don’t be a worry-wart, okay?” Andrea smiled and began gathering her supplies.
Elise leaned over and whispered to Adel, “Right before I fainted I saw the ankh.”
He nodded, stood, and said, “We will not be long.”
“Andrea.”
“Yes, Elise?”
“I love you.”
“Me too, sis,” Andrea replied as they walked away.
Adel, hands trembling, halted just outside the burial chamber. Sweat speckled his forehead even though it was moderately cooler underground.
“Are you coming?” Andrea asked.
“I will stay here.”
“Suit yourself.” With a quickened step, she went into the glowing room. Andrea immersed herself in the tranquility that this room nurtured within her. Awe enslaved her. She had barely enough space to maneuver around the ledge so she could view the statues. Her foot slipped and she teetered on the ledge. Andrea grabbed the waist of the Wesir statue to keep from falling in the water. Once she recovered her balance, she thumped the statue. Solid gold made a dull thud. Wesir wore real clothes, hippo-skin armor with bronze plates, a carved electrum breastplate, and a multitude of other valuable trinkets. The statue warmed beneath her exploring fingers. Its masculine physique turned green as the pulsing light changed colors. Auset, her beauty unmatched, was also gold. The white pleated kalasiris with purple straps defined her curvy figure. Heru, whose folded silvery wings flashed in the changing light, stood proud beside his father. Hathor, Lady of Love, stood across from her husband, Heru. Continuing around the ledge, Andrea studied each deity’s life-like details as the light changed to compliment the god or goddess she approached. Both Inupew and Bastet, who faced one another, were of black dolomite and had the same brushed on fur texture as the jackals. Tehuti faced Neith; they were sculpted from pale alabaster. Ra, Father of the Gods, was set in the middle and lacked a female companion. Dressed like living humans, the deities seemed as if they had physically stepped against the wall and transformed into stone. Andrea paid particular attention to the fact there was no gathering of dust.
Andrea waved to Adel as she stepped back onto the bridge. Crossing over to the interior chamber, blond hair swayed as she admired the domed ceiling. With outstretched arms, she spun like a top. Star-jewels descended from the impromptu sky and cast their spell upon the chosen one.
Adel attempted to enter, but failed to notice the figure sneaking up from behind.
Dancing jewels hypnotized Andrea and beckoned her to join their folly. Step after enchanted step, she heeded their call. She gazed at what hung around the sculpture's throat. The clay woman did not protest when Andrea unclasped the choker on which a gold ankh without inscriptions dangled.
Again, the star-jewels called out, but this time from the other clay woman. Andrea removed its choker as well. Tiny inscriptions on a silver ankh drew her attention; she deciphered them aloud, “Blessed Ankh of Time, deliver us our great warrior.” As she slipped them into her bag the talismans hummed softly.
Confusion reigned as the spell released Andrea. “How did I get so far inside, Adel?” she asked.
No answer.
“Adel?” Andrea, fear and panic rising, turned around to see the crumpled body of her friend. Full throttle, she went to him. She gently slid his head onto her lap. Thick warm blood oozed between her fingers. “Adel, wake up. Adel,” her voice crackled.
Chapter 4
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