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Chapter 9 of Egyptian fantasy novel Ra's Warrior
Chapter 9
Cairo
They wore a hole in the tarmac waiting. The plane, much like her life, had been delayed. Fluorescent lights intensified the deepening shallows on her face. Too terrified to sleep, she had lain awake all night for the last two days, but it didn’t matter because each time she closed her eyes or looked into a mirror Elise saw her sister. If deprived of sleep for much longer her body would press the issue. Biting her hair, she waited. Crumpled paper tumbled by as the plane taxied to a stop. Her pink dress flapped ever so slowly in the breeze.
Even the armed guards couldn’t bar her from bolting toward her father once his cane touched the asphalt. “Daddy!” Despite Elise’s impoverished condition, the force of her embrace almost knocked Mark over.
He kissed her forehead. “I missed you so much.” The soft patting on her back reassured her.
“Adel, old friend, it’s good to see you.” Mark’s arm extended and she felt them shake. Rickety tires squeaked; off-loading luggage banged around. “Let’s go inside and wait.” Taking his daughter’s hand, the trio walked and talked in hushed tones.
“Given the severity of the situation, you look well. But, I fear I have failed you.” Adel’s taut lips and determined gander conveyed mixed emotions Elise had trouble pin-pointing. The world seemed to rotate at different speeds at different times. Odd how she had been taking notice of even the smallest things lately; it was akin to being tugged by a string attached somewhere in the stomach. What the hell is happening to me?
She heard her father say, “You’ve done nothing of the sort Adel. Have the scrolls yielded any clues?”
“If there were any clues I would’ve found them already. I’ve gone through her journals, read every shard of pottery on our shelves, and almost burnt a hole in the papyrus with the magnifying glass. Maybe you can make sense of it once you read it, Daddy.”
“Myths and legends of the local cities may yield something.”
Mark said, “True, Adel. On the way to Giza, you must tell me exactly what occurred before her disappearance.”
“Why are we going to Giza first?” Elise asked.
The warmth of a father’s smile calmed her. “We need to get your belongings. I can not endure the desert heat and I absolutely do not want you alone. Both of you are staying at the hotel with me.”
Arguing with her father was a mute point.
They picked up his luggage and rushed through customs. It was a drab ride to the plateau. The men talked about the events leading up to Andrea’s vanishing act. Elise wanted to cram toothpicks under her eyelids as sleep reared its ugly head again. Daylight would be her salvation. Packing would give her a second wind. I have to stay awake, she thought as her eyelids drooped. Prolonging bed was priority number one. Thankfully, a bump in the road jolted her into alertness. Against a ruby sunrise, the Sphinx was an ominous beast and the pyramids pointed to the last remaining star in the irradiating heavens.
#
The jeep pulled around the waterfall of the Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and stopped underneath the tan and black awning. Mark frequented Le Meridien and when the concierge saw them pull up, the pomp and circumstance began. A line of porters, dressed in black pants and tan button-downs, promenaded out through the sliding glass doors. Wearing a formal suit, the short brunette concierge salaamed. “Good afternoon, Mr. Regal. I see you have your lovely daughter with you today.” He bent and kissed her hand. “Your suite is ready. Allow me to personally check you in.”
Habib walked with his back arched and chest protruding. Shades of warm browns dominated the reception area. Mark’s cane squeaked on the shiny marble floor. An upside down tear-drop chandelier hung over the sweeping staircase. Round tables with palm trees and burnt-sienna leather chairs surrounded the bar across from the Check-In desk. Elise traipsed over, melted into a chair, and put the pet carrier in her lap. Adel watched with vigilance.
The concierge placed the keys into Mark’s hand and palmed the tip in one swift motion. “If you require anything at all, do not hesitate. Please enjoy your stay.” Habib salaamed again and pointed towards the express elevator to the Royal Club Floor.
Mark rounded the two stragglers up. When they walked beneath the staircase, a bell-hop verified their destination and pressed the elevator button. Even first class travel had become painful because of his rheumatoid arthritis; once he sat down, he planned on staying put until the aching subsided. After they found Andrea, he’d tell his daughters about his recently diagnosed heart condition. Until then, it was best to hide it from everyone except Adel. Elise huddled close and gazed up with heart-wrenching puppyish eyes. The poor child jumped out of her skin when the bell dinged.
Tall Inupew statues stood on either side of the full-length window where an inspiring view of the pyramids greeted them; it reminded him of Andrea. Tan Berber carpeting, plush contemporary furnishings, and delicate hand-painted papyrus complimented one another. A tall Arabian beauty smiled broadly and welcomed them, enunciating each word with perfect English. She floated from behind the ebony u-shaped desk and escorted them down the sunlit hallway. Mark admired her elegant gait. It had been such a long time since he had last felt the softness of a woman’s touch. Letting go of Salena encompassed the remainder of his days. He knew the mother of his children waited with open arms beyond the great pearly gates of Heaven, but he had long since lost faith in God. His eternal soul faced purgatory.
Adel slipped the card key into the locking mechanism. Fragrant flowers were positioned on the dining room table. Sand-colored carpet along the perimeter the wall contrasted nicely with the hardwood flooring in the spacious living area. Freed from the cage, Max went straight for the window and meowed. Elise fluffed the red, yellow, and green throw pillows strewn on the couch. Sitting down, she patted the cushion beside her.
“Thank you, sweetheart. The trip across the pond took its toll on me.” His daughter slid a pillow under his feet when he rested them on the oak coffee table. Clicking on the television was the worst thing she could have done. Plastered on the screen was Andrea’s photo and the announcer droned on about the “Curse of the Pharaohs”, which irritated him so much that he quickly turned it off. Since the news reminded him, he decided it was time to talk to Elise about the dreams. And after having listened intently, he said, “We are a family of inquisitive minds; among the three of us, we can figure this out.”
“It would help if I can find a Priest of the Old Ways. But locating a legitimate one will not be easy because there are many charlatans. We must thoroughly check their references to keep from being duped. I can take care of that aspect.”
“Agreed. Elise and I will start with the local legends. It’s all we have to go on right now, and is worth researching. First though, young lady, you must get some sleep.”
The harsh discord of her firm “no” surprised him. “You have to sleep sometime. I will be right here if you need me.”
“I’m not tired, Daddy. I’ll go to bed when I’m ready.” When Adel shook his head, Elise blew a gasket. “Don’t look at me like that. I said I’ll go to bed when I’m damned well ready!”
“Don’t be rude, young lady,” Mark reprimanded. “It’s not his fault you can’t sleep.”
“Yes it is! He didn’t pay attention to his job and now Andrea is gone. It is his fault!” She snorted and stomped out of the room. Four little black paws scurried after her.
“Adel, she doesn’t mean it.”
“Yes, she does and she’s right.”
“I don’t believe that for one second. Things happen for a reason; it was unavoidable. She shouldn’t lay blame. Besides, I refuse to tolerate such behavior.”
“It was worse before you arrived. Her well being concerns me most of all. Lack of sleep is affecting her judgment.”
“I have a confession to make, my friend. We may require the services of a private physician for both Elise and me. I could not say this in front of her, but I have a heart arrhythmia. My doctor wants to install a pacemaker. My old ticker isn’t what it used to be, my friend.” Mark lightly tapped his chest.
“I will keep it under my fez.” Adel’s worry-lines skewed.
“Thank you. Oh, could you pass me the room service menu? I’m starving for some decent food.”
Chapter 10
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