Curse of the sands, p.15
Curse of the Sands, page 15
27
ADAM—The Cursed Pyramid & & Tjenu The Lost Capital, the great sand sea, Egypt
Only half the people who entered the pyramid this morning made it out again. Every team is missing people. We don’t know if the lost are dead or still alive somewhere in the pyramid. Our team suffered lightly in comparison; we came out with just cuts and scrapes - except for John, who defending his wife, took a deep cut across his torso. He has lost a lot of blood. As soon as we were clear of the pyramid, Dave saw to John’s initial triage, doing what he could before Hassam’s doctors arrived. Now he is sleeping, heavily dosed up on painkillers and very pale, but alive.
Hank led us out of the pyramid, using the same route his team took to gain access to the Queen’s Chamber.
Apart from the cries of the wounded and the sobs of loss and mourning, the camp is eerily quiet. Gone is the jubilant atmosphere, the music and laughter from when we arrived. I stand in the mess area, the other survivors called to a meeting by Hassam. Half the seats are empty. Food and drink is handed around but no one is really in the mood for either - except for Dave, who still shows an appetite. At least the snow has stopped.
‘The decision has been made to cordon off the entire vicinity and evacuate,’ Hassam announces. ‘This order comes directly from my government and the Egyptian military. We are to withdraw immediately. Flights are being arranged to take you all back to your home nations.’
‘What about those we lost inside the pyramid?’ a member of the Italian team, Pietro Desio, calls out. ‘My team has four unaccounted for, including Professor Giovanni Conti. We cannot just leave them here in this cursed place.’
‘I saw Giovanni dragged into the sarcophagus at the centre of the room,’ I speak up.
‘Then he could still be alive,’ the Italian says.
‘There is nothing we can do,’ Hassam argues. ‘We have our orders.’
‘Forget orders,’ Pietro spits. ‘I will not leave without my countrymen.’
‘Don’t you even think about it,’ Gabriel whispers in my ear. He knows what I am thinking already.
‘You saw what this place did to our electronics,’ Eva says. ‘You saw what those beasts did to your men. This is not natural.’
‘None of this is natural,’ a beaten and bruised Renee replies. ‘This pyramid, and everything inside, is cursed. The pyramid should not be here. It is centuries older than any other on record and its defences are unlike anything ever seen. The guardians we faced, the sphinxes, are just another layer of protection to prevent us from understanding the truth behind the secrets of this place.’
‘We can’t just stay here while they go in on their own,’ I say to my teammates.
‘We all saw the boy use flames to beat back those abominations,’ Pietro states, pointing at me. I don’t like his use of boy but I listen on. ‘We can use flames to clear our way through and find our lost friends. I will not leave this place without them.’
‘You want to go back in there and face those creatures?’ Gabriel asks in shock. ‘You’re crazy!’
‘I will enter alone if I must,’ Pietro states.
I can’t fault his bravery or loyalty.
‘No, this is wrong,’ one of the Italian team argues. ‘We should do as Hassam says and leave this place. Some things should remain lost to history. Mankind was not meant to rediscover this place. It is not worth our lives. There is a curse on those tombs.’
‘There’s no such thing as a curse,’ Dave dismisses.
‘You didn’t see those things in there,’ Emma replies. ‘How they came out of the walls, and how bullets passed right through them… I’ve never seen anything like it.’
‘No one has,’ Gabriel adds.
‘I will join you,’ Eva Strindberg states, looking to Pietro. Her arm is wrapped heavily in a bandage with another cut at her brow, but her determination is undaunted. ‘It is clear that what hunted my team, what tore apart the Egyptian team, was those beasts. I owe them a great deal for the lives they took.’
‘Screw it, we’ll join you,’ Hank says to my surprise. ‘We owe them for taking Lita from us.’
Eric carried Lita’s broken body out of the pyramid, a deep gash across her throat.
‘We can’t let them go in alone,’ I tell Gabriel, Emma, and Dave. Judith isn’t with us; she’s by John’s side as he receives further medical treatment.
‘I’ve got an idea that might help,’ Dave suggests. I see Emma nod in agreement and that is the only encouragement I need.
‘We’ll help you,’ I speak for our team. Even Gabriel is giving his support. I think Hank’s mention of Lita was all he needed; a darkness came to Gabriel’s gaze after mention of her.
‘We won’t stand by whilst you deal with this alone,’ I say. ‘We would go back in if it was any of our team.’
‘Reckon Giovanni would volunteer to help us though?’ Emma whispers to me.
I don’t reply, but secretly agree with her doubt.
‘That’s disgusting!’ someone shouts, throwing their plate of food away. I look to mine and see the food is covered in mould and maggots. Dave spits out a mouthful – all of it rotten.
‘It’s in the drinks, too,’ Emma says, pouring hers onto the ground. ‘It was water but now it’s red, like blood.’
‘It is blood,’ Gabriel says, sniffing at his own before throwing it away. ‘I really hate this place!’
‘Just like the old plagues,’ Renee says.
Looking around, I see Marie, one of the few people in the camp with a smile on her face, and I blush to realise that I might be the cause of it. I was glad to see she managed to escape the horrors we faced in the Queen’s Chamber.
‘We will join the rescue group,’ she says, speaking for herself and Renee, the last survivors of the French team. Renee looks to argue but a sudden howl of wind drowns out her disagreement.
The wind doesn’t stop, but builds greater and greater. Sand is carried in its wake, blinding us and tearing into the camp. We stagger clear of the mess area, but in the open it’s even worse. I peer through my fingers, seeing the clouds above swirling, lightning rippling through them.
‘SANDSTORM!’ Hassam cries at the top of his voice. ‘FIND SHELTER! FIND SHELTER!’
We run for the tents, but before we can even get close, we see our section of the camp torn apart, our belongings and equipment scattered in the sand.
‘INSIDE!’ Dave orders, pointing to the pyramid.
‘ARE YOU CRAZY?’ Emma replies in shock.
‘WE HAVE NO CHOICE!’ he yells back.
We run, battered by the winds, the sand tearing into any bare skin. Twice I am knocked over by the strength of the gales, and several times I help and push others on. The doctors carry the wounded, John amongst them; Judith still at his side. As we close in on the nearest stone entrance to the pyramid, I see both Gabriel and Emma draw weapons, wary of any return of the sand-demons.
We go no farther than the initial entrance and the next chamber. Those who are armed keep watch. Aflame torches are held ready, just in case. All we can do is wait out the storm, the clouds above still crashing with thunder.
‘Not a good sign,’ I say, looking out towards the tempest. I see the camp’s vehicles, the Jeeps and quadbikes sent tumbling, and don’t hold out much hope for their survival. Even the massive helicopter of Hank’s American team is blown onto its side, shattering the twin rotors. Something doesn’t want us to leave this place, but turning towards the chambers farther inside the pyramid, I realise something doesn’t want us to stay either.
‘Hey, Adam,’ I hear John call to me. He is laid out on a stretcher, hooked up to blood and fluids. John is still pale and his voice is weak. He is covered in sweat.
‘I hear you argued to go back into the pyramid,’ he says.
‘Yeah,’ I reply. ‘Matt would probably be telling me not to be so stupid or reckless.’
We lost all communications when the headset and earpieces were damaged; even those in camp are no longer functioning. No doubt Matt and Abbey are worrying.
‘No, I think he’d agree,’ John says, wincing as he tries to move.
‘I got into all this trying to rescue my brother,’ I tell him. ‘If one of our team was lost, I’d want to go back in.’
‘And that’s why you’re a decent lad, Adam,’ John interrupts with a smile. ‘I see why Charles wanted you to stick around.’
I try to thank him but he’s already unconscious, taken under by his painkillers.
‘He going to be okay?’ I ask Judith.
‘I don’t know,’ she replies. ‘He’s strong but he needs a hospital. I guess we’re not going anywhere in this.’
And now the Jeeps are gone, too, I think.
‘Marie! Marie!’ I hear Renee call out. ‘Has anyone seen Marie?’
‘No, why?’ I ask.
‘I lost her in the storm!’ she replies frantically. ‘She isn’t here!’
Looking back out into the sandstorm, I shake my head, knowing instantly what I’m going to do. I’m already wearing my father’s leather jacket, and I zip it up tightly before pulling on the air filtration unit from my backpack. At least I’ll be able to breathe out there. I also pull on the broken headset, giving my eyes some limited cover.
‘Adam, what’re you doing?’ Emma yells after me as I pace down the passage towards the storm.
‘Something stupid,’ I reply.
Outside, I’m instantly battered by the wind. The sand finds its way between the narrow gaps in my clothes and tries to choke me. I push on, peering through the broken glasses and hands that cover my eyes.
I spot the red rucksack she always carries. It’s half buried in the sand, and when I reach it, I realise it is still strapped to its owner, face down and not breathing. I pull her free of the sand and lift her in my arms before running as fast as I can towards the pyramid. We are blown over repeatedly and tumble in the sand, but each time, I rise back up, carrying Marie on.
Once we are under the cover of the pyramid, I lay her down on the stone flooring. I remember my training and clear her airways as best I can, administering CPR, chest compressions, and mouth-to mouth. Others hurry to my side, and finally, she gasps with life.
Marie coughs repeatedly, struggling for breath and clinging to me as she looks straight in to my eyes.
‘You found me,’ she says. ‘I lost my way. I couldn’t see anyone… I thought I was going to die, but…you found me, blue eyes.’
I try to say something, to play it cool, but Marie doesn’t give me a chance, silencing me with a kiss.
28
ISIS, PRISONER OF SET—Palace of Tjenu, Capital of the upper & lower kingdoms of ancient Egypt
‘Isis,’ calls voice from the darkness. ‘Isis, where are you?’
‘Nephthys?’ I reply. ‘Sister, I am here! Here!’
‘Ra’s blessing that I found you,’ she says, reaching to me through the bars.
‘I thought you were dead,’ I say with joy until I see Nephthys properly in the dim light. She is dressed in lavish robes and glitters with jewels. A golden crown is upon her brow; it is my crown.
‘Sister, did you know?’ I ask of her.
‘No,’ she says. ‘I swear to you, I had no idea. Set had his men escort me away as the prayers began.’
‘You had no suspicion?’ I question, my anger rising. ‘You had no idea your husband would betray Osiris, our king? You had no idea he would murder my beloved?’
‘I swear it to you,’ she pleads. ‘Ra strike me down if I lie. I did not know. I pray for your husband’s soul…’
‘That will wander the underworld in eternal suffering because of your husband’s actions.’
‘I cannot undo what happened,’ Nephthys says. ‘But I can help you now.’
She places a key into lock of the cell door, opening it and freeing me before hurrying to the cell of Anubis.
‘You do not have much time,’ Nephthys urges. ‘I tainted the wine of the guards but they will not sleep forever. Set will kill you all if he finds you. Get out of the city and never return.’
‘Come with us, Mother,’ Anubis says, leaving his cell and reclaiming his jackal helmet from the ground where Set discarded it. ‘Don’t stay here with that monster.’
‘Though I did not know of Set’s plot, I must atone for my sins in not coming to your aid during the feast. For that, I shall eternally seek forgiveness. You must go. I cannot let my son and sister be executed.’
In the next cell, we find Rivonous, with cuts across his body. He is heavy and limp. He had fought to protect me after Osiris fell, defeating countless men before they finally overwhelmed him. How he still lives is a miracle; a gift of Ra. Anubis finds two more of his men, Oxa and Paydun, guards of Osiris captured at the feast.
‘My Queen, we ask for your forgiveness,’ Oxa states. He is a big, dark man with long hair tied back with a leather strap.
‘We should have protected him,’ Paydun says. He wears the mark of Ra across his cheek and his head is shaved of hair. ‘We swore oaths to protect our king and we failed him.’
‘If you wish it, we offer our lives as penance,’ Oxa swears.
‘No,’ I tell them. ‘There was nothing you could have done. Claim your freedom and escape this place.’
‘We will remain with you, my Queen,’ Paydun says. ‘We offer our lives in service, as we did to our true King, Osiris.’
‘I am no longer your queen,’ I say.
‘You are still our queen,’ Oxa states firmly.
I see there is no point in arguing further.
‘Thank you,’ I say.
We find Diona. My servant and loyal friend cowers in the corner of her cell, eyes red with tears. Her body trembles with fear. Despite my words of encouragement, Rivonous has to carry her out of the cell. I see some recognition in her eyes and she clutches the guardian tightly.
Raised voices alert us to the fact we have been discovered. Without weapons, we can only run.
‘Go!’ Nephthys tells me. ‘Go and find a new life for yourself and live it for the both of us!’
‘It is not too late for you to flee this place, too,’ I say to my sister. ‘Set’s anger will be unending when he learns of our escape. Don’t stay and face it alone.’
‘Go,’ she repeats, pulling me near and embracing as if this is the last time we will ever see each other in this world. ‘I will do what I can to buy you more time. Peace be with you.’
She tears herself from me, hurrying back into the prison and I whisper to her, ‘Peace be with you.’
Using the servants’ quarters and passages, Anubis, Oxa, Paydun, Rivonous, Diona, and I escape into the night and the streets of Tjenu. All around us are cries for guards. Set’s soldiers have already cut off many of the streets and roads we would take in our flight from the city.
‘All gates and routes out of the city will be heavily guarded,’ Anubis warns.
‘How are we to make our escape?’ Rivonous replies in anger. ‘We cannot sprout wings and fly!’
‘There are other routes unknown to Set,’ a voice calls to us. Thoth steps out of the shadows.
‘You!’ Rivonous yells, grabbing the priest by the throat and pinning him against the wall. ‘You knew of Set’s betrayal! Your prayers to Ra were the signal!’
‘I knew nothing of his plans for betrayal,’ he attests, though he shows no fear of my guardian. ‘That monster murdered the brothers and sisters of my temple. That monster murdered my king. That monster brings the wrath of Ra upon him. My Queen, I mourn the loss of your husband. I have prayed for his soul every moment since Set’s treachery.’
‘Where were you when the slaughter began?’ I ask. ‘Where were you when my husband, your king, was murdered?’
‘I am but one man and no warrior,’ he says. ‘My soul would have joined all those lost to the underworld this night. I would be no use to you dead, but alive, I can aid you.’
‘How?’ I question him, hearing the march of soldiers approaching. Set’s men are hunting us.
‘I can get you out of the city,’ the high priest says. ‘There are tunnels. I can show you, but that is not all – I am your only hope of returning your husband to you.’
‘His desecrated corpse, you mean?’ Rivonous states coldly. His words strike me hard with anger and sadness.
‘No,’ Thoth says, with a reassuring smile upon lips. ‘I can reunite you with the man you loved. You will see Osiris once more – among the living.’
29
ADAM—The Cursed Pyramid & & Tjenu The Lost Capital, the great sand sea, Egypt
It takes two hours for the storm to die down. By then, the camp is a ruin, as is most of our equipment and transport. Luckily, one of the Jeeps is salvaged. It’s beat up but still running, and two of the doctors along with three of the worst wounded, set out into the desert. They will rally aid, as without communications, we haven’t been able to contact anyone. Even the nearest settlement is too many miles away to walk in this heat.
John remains behind at camp; his condition is worsening, he’s growing paler and weaker. We don’t tell him or Judith about the other injured we have lost, one to fever and another – well… I shake my head trying to shake away the image of the poor man’s chest bursting to reveal a whole colony of spiders. I won’t be forgetting the screams anytime soon.
John told us repeatedly not to go back inside the pyramid without him, but he can barely walk in his condition. He will stay at the camp with a doctor whilst the rest of us stick to the plan, including Judith. If we push on beyond the Queen’s Chamber she wants to be with us. She has to see this to the end.
Dave joins us, too, not taking no for an answer this time. Using his military experience, he uses the petrol tanks from the ruined vehicles to patch together two fire units. He doesn’t like it when I correct him and tell him that they are flamethrowers. Dave carries one and Pietro of the Italian team, the other.
There are seventeen of us in total going back into the pyramid. Everybody arms themselves with what they can find from the ruined camp. Hank offers me a gun but I decline. I stick to the bow and the eight arrows I have left, including one drill-head. I tie cloth around the other seven arrows, soaking them in oil and pickpocketing a lighter from Gabriel. My torn rucksack is filled with what medical supplies we still have, ready for use on any wounded survivors we find.
