Chapter 12
Ardeth rode confidently with the other Medjai. He had been the official chieftain for three years. His Father had been assisting with matters as a tribal elder, but it was essentially Ardeth’s responsibility. It had all played out exactly as his Father and Hazeeb had predicted. Ardeth rose within the rest of the soldier’s esteem. He was well liked and fair. Ardeth was a deeply loved chieftain even over the short period of time he had led his men. There had been more and more fights for Hamunaptra as the digs throughout Egypt progressed. It was unfortunate that so many remnants of Hamunaptra were being discovered within those digs. It was making their jobs as protectors more and more difficult. Ardeth had to hope that the archeologists would steadily lose those clues to the city itself and those efforts would steadily decrease.
Ardeth looked regretfully over the latest skirmish. Thankfully, they had not lost their own soldiers to this fight. The marauders were fighting each other, and his men picked off the leftovers as they fled on their horses. The fight was down to one man staggering towards the desert. Ardeth didn’t know exactly why he had stopped his men from taking care of him. But… there was something about him. Something that felt important. So… he had left him. Ardeth didn’t think he would live long anyhow. He would be lost to the desert. Ardeth would only scant weeks later come to regret his decision.
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“I am NOT getting in that coffin, Jonathon.”
“It’s a sarcophagus, Hermione.”
“It could be the king’s bed for all I care. There is a dead body, and I do NOT lay down with dead bodies just for a lark,” Hermione faced a clearly depraved Jonathon as he had already climbed right into the ‘sarcophagus’.
“Then be a lamb, fiance of mine, and hide.” Jonathon said with frustration.
“I’ll do one better. See ya.” Hermione walked out of the show room and shut the door firmly shut behind her with a roll of her eyes. Even the twins had known better than to play with dead bodies. Hermione decided to stroll through one of the newer exhibits. It had some frankly silly life depictions of Seti riding a chariot, but she was curious to see what else was on display. Hermione heard strange thundering sounds, but after a pause; they went away and she kept on walking. Hermione snorted in amusement at the loud shriek that was clearly Jonathon’s prank taking effect. She hoped Evelyn smacked the crap out of him.
“Will I NEVER be rid of you!?” Hermione turned to see Doctor Bay more flustered than usual. It had been five years; yet, her and ‘Mister’ Bay were as at odds as ever.
“And I you?” Hermione said serenely. “I am just observing magnificent artifacts and well… REALLY unnecessary wax depictions. Why must history be turned into a dramatic reenactment? Is history not enough?” Terrence rubbed the temples on the sides of his head. He did not have the energy to deal with the catastrophic skills of Evelyn Carnahan and the verbal repartee of Hermione Evans all at once. He just threw up his hands and walked away. Hermione’s eyebrow raised in bafflement. It was not often that Terence Bay didn’t at least TRY to have the last word. Hermione walked in the direction he had come from… and her mouth dropped in shock. Every single shelf was on the ground. Books littered the floor. Hermione carefully stepped through so as not to step on any of the books.
“Hermione!” Evelyn walked up to Hermione with excitement. “Jonathon actually FOUND something!”
“Don’t sound so shocked. I am more than a pretty face I’ll have you know.” Hermione was still trying to get over the magnitude of what was formerly the very organized library.
“Evelyn, what happened to the library?” Evelyn blushed and flustered in embarrassment.
“It was an accident.”
“That… is quite an accident.”
“But… Hermione, Jonathon found something amazing. He found a MAP. To Hamunaptra.” Hermione couldn’t describe the feeling that settled in her blood. The very name Hamunaptra settled coldly in her throat.
“Hamunaptra,” Hermione said dumbly.
“The city of the dead,” Evelyn said with the biggest grin to match the most macabre subject.
“Don’t go.” Hermione couldn’t describe how she felt. It was simply a VERY bad feeling.
“Oh, Hermione. We HAVE to go! This is the discovery of the century.”
“And there is bound to be gold!” Jonathon interjected. Hermione stood numbly as they walked past her. When Hermione came to herself, the two of them were gone. She felt adrift. There was absolutely no reason Hermione should feel so panicked… over just a NAME. She had barely even heard of Hamunaptra. And yet, it was like when her and Harry had entered Bagshaw’s home and were faced with a snake masquerading in her skin. It was just a horrible feeling Hermione couldn’t describe. Hermione knelt down and picked up a book. She was being silly. Nothing was going to go wrong.
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“Hermione, I have a huge favor to ask of you!” Hermione was picking up and stacking books when Evelyn and Jonathon came back.
“And what would that be?” Hermione smiled.
“Would you clean up the library for me, and cover my duties while I go on an expedition? You’re really the only one I can ask and I need Jonathon to help me because DR. BAY,” Evelyn had to take deep breaths, she was so upset. “BURNED the map to Hamunaptra and now we need to find another way there.” Evelyn was babbling at warp speed and Hermione was woefully behind.
“Dr. Bay… Burned the map?”
“On accident,” Jonathon growled. Hermione didn’t buy it.
“So would you please take care of things while I’m gone?” Hermione was tempted to say no. If only so that Evelyn wouldn’t go to Hamunaptra, but Hermione could sit in Evelyn’s eyes. NOTHING was keeping her from going to Hamunaptra. And if what they were saying was true, they didn’t even have a map anymore. What were the chances that they would still make it to Hamunaptra without it?
“Alright. I’ll withstand the esteemed presence of Mister Bay while you go off adventuring.” Evelyn actually squealed with delight and hugged Hermione desperately.
“Thank you! Thank you so much!” And they were off. Hermione blew out a huge breath, and observed the mess around her. Well, at least she had something to do while they were gone.
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Ardeth was in Cairo. It had been two years since he had been here. He had received panicked communications from Uncle Terrance… concerning Hamunaptra. Ardeth had thirty Medjai soldiers awaiting instructions just outside the city. He prayed he wouldn’t need them. Ardeth walked quickly through the museum to his Uncle’s office. Terrence didn’t know what to do. It had never occurred to him that one day, the daughter and son of his close friends would one day be the ones to be eliminated… for their cause. It was breaking something inside of him that he didn’t know was even there. Terrance didn’t want to… and he had no choice. There was nothing he could do to keep Evelyn and Jonothan Carnahan from going to Hamunaptra if they were unwilling to listen to reason… or a map that had been burnt to a crisp.
“Miss Evans… Does she plan to go with them?” Ardeth felt his heart clench at the thought, but shoved it deep into the back of his mind where he couldn’t see it.
“I don’t know,” Terrance said with frustration. “I haven’t heard that she is going. Miss Evans certainly wasn’t here when they brought the map to me. But where those two go, Miss Evans is rarely far behind.” Ardeth nodded in thought.
“We will have eyes on them in case they leave the city. Hopefully, we are worrying for nothing.”
“Oh!” Terrance suddenly burst out. “Would you please help me with something before you go? Somehow, Miss Carnahan managed to knock down Every. Single. Bookshelf in the library in one fell swoop, and if she is off gallivanting and finding a way to Hamunaptra I need help righting them. I doubt the Carnahans will be leaving this very night.” Ardeth nodded and followed Terrance to the library. However, Terrance stopped cold in shock at the sight that greeted them. Every single shelf was upright, the books were in piles, and Hermione Evans was sifting through them with her sleeves rolled up and her hair in a bun on top of her head in the middle of it all.
“What… HOW did you get all the shelves upright?” Hermione looked up from the book she was attempting to find the missing page to.
“I hired a big man named Moose,” Hermione returned sarcastically. In actuality, Hermione had used magic to right the shelves, and determined it was best to do the rest by hand for appearance sake. If she occasionally fixed a book beyond repair with magic… no one would be the wiser. If she was using magic for EVERYTHING… it would take a day, two max. But, that would hardly get passed the anal Dr. Terrance Bay. Both the men looked at her in disbelief and Hermione sighed.
“Jonathon helped me.”
“Jonathon Carnahan?” Ardeth asked with disbelief. After several occasions observing the man, he didn’t seem like the masculine type.
“Yes.” Hermione was going to pretend that it didn’t sound completely ridiculous. It was a funny thought… Jonathon righting the shelves. It would definitely be accompanied by drinking and a lot of complaining from Jonathon. Hermione went back to focusing on her books. It was her word against their disbelief. Jonathon could lie with the best of them, and probably wouldn’t bat an eye before lying for Hermione even without any words needing to be said. They had an agreement to go with each other’s bullshit in a pinch. Jonathon had pretty much become Hermione’s brother from another mother. Fiance jokes aside. Hermione had found her family in Jonathon and Evelyn, and she hoped desperately that they were not going to actually make their way to Hamunaptra.
“So… you burned a priceless artifact?” Hermione said conversationally. Terrence tightened up immediately. He could feel it again. The feeling of pressure in the air. Ardeth did too. He never understood before… but now he felt stupid for not sensing it. The air was thick… like breathing in smoke. “Is that the sort of… silly… mistake a curator would make?” Hermione turned her eyes on Terrance and he felt like he was staring into the eyes of a feared interrogator.
“Happens to the best of us,” Terrance gulped. Hermione’s eyes narrowed. He was hiding something.
“Does it?” Hermione challenged. Ardeth instinctively put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Hermione’s eyes suddenly shifted to his sword hand. A soldier. Ardeth hadn’t ever before seen her as a hardened soldier… but she was. Hardened and capable. Ardeth’s heart beat faster as Miss Evans looked up into his eyes. Ardeth’s face was shielded by cloth. He knew she didn’t recognize him, and Ardeth almost didn’t recognize her. But… Hermione Evans was still beautiful. Beautiful and lethal. Like a lioness assessing her prey. Then… it was gone. Ardeth and Terrence could breathe again and Hermione Evans was paying full attention again to her books. “I suppose so.” Terrence nodded numbly before walking briskly out the door with Ardeth following.
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Evelyn and Jonathon had agreed to meet Hermione at their usual cafe after Hermione had worked Evelyn’s shift at the museum. Hermione prepared herself for the worst… but she hadn’t prepared herself for a smelly unkempt man of questionable origin to accompany them.
“Hermione… this is Mr. O'Connell.” Hermione was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“And… you need me to lend him my bath and razor?” Jonathon snorted, but immediately shut up as the man in question looked threateningly in his direction.
“He.. is going to show me and Jonathon the way to Hamunaptra.” Hermione’s heart took a sickening drop.
“Hamunaptra?” Hermione’s voice came out weak and desperate. “Please don’t go.” It was so quiet Evelyn almost didn’t catch it. This was the second time that Hermione had begged Evelyn not to go.
“Finally, someone with common sense.” It sounded almost silly hearing those words coming from Mr. O’Connell. Hermione didn’t know where the Carnahans had found him… but he wasn’t wrong.
“Hermione,” Evelyn chastised. “I didn’t take you as one to believe in myths and rumors and hocum.” Hermione felt red hot anger and desperation brewing in her soul. Hermione did NOT appreciate being put on the same level as Professor Sinestra and superstition in general.
“I am NOT, but I will tell you right now… This is a bad idea. I can’t tell you why, and I can’t tell you how… but I can tell you that I have never heard any of the MYTHS you are talking about and I am BEGGING you… please don’t go!” Evelyn’s face flushed with anger.
“I AM GOING! I need to prove myself to the Bembridge Scholars! This is what I need!”
“The BEMBRIDGE SCHOLARS!” Hermione burst out. Hermione stood in anger. Those hacks? Yes. They had ‘discovered’ most artifacts in the academic world. But, that was because they were the Gilderoy Lockharts of the Muggle World. “The Bembridge Scholars are a group of stuffy old men sitting around a table with sticks shoved up their asses deciding who is academic and who isn’t based on a mere whim! Who the HELL gives a SHIT what the Bembridge Scholars think!?” Hermione was good and angry. She had never been so infuriated with Evelyn. “FINE. GO. Go to a cursed place that will probably kill you. I will continue to do your job while you’re gone. Come find me if you actually live to tell the tale.” Jonathon’s mouth dropped in shock and Evelyn was close to angry tears, but Hermione didn’t care. She grabbed her coat. “It was awful meeting you, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Likewise,” he said automatically. And Hermione stormed off. Ardeth was lurking in the nearby alley and couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Miss Evans was trying to talk Miss Carnahan out of going to Hamunaptra. He couldn’t quite believe it. But, it seemed like it wasn’t going to do any good. The Carnahans and Mr. O’Connell were determined to set out the next morning. They would have to deal with them. Ardeth hoped that he and his men would be able to deter them before they were forced to take drastic measures. If not for their sakes… for Miss Evans sake. Ardeth followed close behind her until she stopped in an alley, and burst into tears. They were the type of sobs that were gut wrenching and broken with grief and loss. Hermione didn’t know how to feel when sandalwood scented arms wrapped themselves around her. But, it had been so long since she had been held just for comfort that Hermione completely broke down. She missed her father and her mother. Hermione missed Harry desperately. Why did nobody ever listen? Evelyn was walking to her potential death, and it was the same old story. Hermione was being too cautious and too stuck in the rules. And she knew. Hermione knew that something horrific was going to happen and she was powerless to stop it because Evelyn was intent on being just as stupid as the rest of humanity.
Ardeth held her and Miss Evans clung to him like her life depended on it and sobbed. He didn’t know how, but Miss Evans knew that Hamunaptra was probably going to kill her best friend and fiance. And she was steadily breaking his resolve with every moment. Was there some way to spare them? Maybe they could sabotage their transport and hopefully deter their journey? Hermione’s crying eventually slowed and she backed away from the person she could only assume was Ardeth Bay. It was hard to recognize him, but his smell was exactly the same as it had been; just replaced with a man who dwarfed her with his bulk.
“Sorry,” Hermione muttered quietly. Hermione looked up and smirked a little. “Still haven’t stopped wearing black?” Ardeth chuckled. He resisted the urge to reach out to her.
“It suits me.”
“Tell…” Hermione started shakily. “Tell your Mother and Father I said hi.” Ardeth looked at her in surprise.
“Alright.”
“Thanks for letting me borrow your shoulder.” Hermione didn’t say another word. She just walked away, and Ardeth was left in her wake.
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“So, they have found a guide to Hamunaptra?”
“It appears so.”
“And Miss Evans… is AGAINST it?!” Terrence did not know what to think about this turn of events. Miss Evans was the thorn in his side. She did NOT agree with him! And yet, she did. Miss Evans was trying to talk Evelyn Carnahan out of going to Hamunaptra and even got into a row with her about it. “Do you think Miss Carnahan will listen?”
“No. I’m afraid not,” Ardeth wished she would. He couldn’t get Miss Evan’s heartbreak out of his mind. “They were both in tears by the end of the meeting.” Terrence nodded.
“We will just have to hope that cutting off their transport will deter them then.” Ardeth breathed a sigh of relief that Uncle Terrance was thinking along the same lines.
“I hope so too.”
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Evelyn had never been so upset in her life. Hermione had never gotten angry with her. Not once. Hermione was all sarcasm and intelligence and fun. But today… Evelyn felt like she had been gut punched.
“Are you alright, old girl?” Jonathon was showing a rare moment of concern for her. “We don’t have to go… if you don’t want to Evy.” Evy knew that this was a lot coming from Jonathon because he wanted to go just as much as Evelyn did. She shook her head.
“We HAVE to go. When are we ever going to get a chance like this again?”
“You should listen to your friend.” Evelyn bristled at the words from O’Connell and became more resolute than ever.
“Just be at the pier tomorrow,” Evelyn said haughtily, and stood up with Jonathon to go prepare for their trip. Evelyn slid O’Connell some money. “Take a bath while you are at it.” O’Connell slid the money back to her.
“I don’t need your money,” O’Connell said with a humorless smile before downing his coffee and walking away from them. Evelyn pushed back her surprise and how upset she was. She focused on all the excitement. They were going to Hamunaptra!
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Evelyn was shocked to see a frowning Hermione at the pier waiting for them. Hermione held up her hands.
“Peace.” Hermione pulled several necklaces from her pocket and placed one around Evelyn’s neck. “Keep this on you.” Hermione had put several safety charms on them. Hopefully they would give Evelyn some safety and give her time to come to her senses. Hermione placed one around Jonathon’s neck also. Jonathon smiled brightly at her. He was glad she was here. It would be terrible leaving for Hamunaptra with the way they had left things the day before.
“Hermione….” Evelyn swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Hermione pleaded. “That is all I ask. There is a grain of truth in every myth and I don’t want to have to bring you back from the dead just so I can whack you for your stupidity.” Hermione hugged Evelyn.
“I promise,” Evelyn said tearfully. Hermione pulled away and looked around.
“Where is your guide?” She held up another necklace. “I brought him one too.”
“Mr. O’Connell. If he actually shows up,” Evelyn scoffed.
“He will. He’s an American. His word is his word. I know the type.”
“Well,” Evelyn huffed. “I think he’s rude, dirty, a complete scoundrel! I don’t like him one bit!”
“Anyone I know?” Evelyn whirled around to see an incredibly attractive, strapping American man.
“Oh,” Evelyn breathed out. “Hello.” Hermione snickered a little to herself. Oh, indeed.
“Strapping day, O’Connell!”
“Yeah, strapping,” Hermione nodded in understanding to see him not so subtly checking for his wallet.
“You two have a past, Jonathon?” Hermione asked with amusement. Jonathon had the presence of mind to be embarrassed.
“Oh, I would never steal from a partner, partner!” Hermione held out the charm to O’Connell and he took it with a raised eyebrow.
“For my peace of mind,” Hermione said simply. O’Connell nodded with confusion, but placed it over his head anyhow.
“Oh, sorry for the…” Hermione’s face broke out into a slow smile as it became clear to her that O’Connell had punched Jonathon.
“Oh, no. It happens all the time.”
“I’m sure it does,” Jonathon glared at the grinning Hermione.
“Some loving fiance YOU are!” Jonathon said huffily.
“I gave you a protection charm. How much more loving do you want to be? I’m not massaging your feet,” Hermione said with a snort.
“MISTER O’Connell,” Evelyn interrupted Hermione and Jonathon’s snarking. “Can you assure me that this isn’t all some sort of flim flam… because if it is, I am warning you…”
“YOU’RE warning me? Listen Lady, my commander believed in this so much that without orders, my whole garrison went out to find that damn city. And when we got there, all we found was sand and blood. Let me get your bags for you.” Hermione looked at Evelyn with a deep frown. Evelyn didn’t meet her eyes for a minute.
“I’m sure we will be fine!” Evelyn attempted to assure Hermione.
“That is so reassuring,” Hermione said sarcastically. Evelyn watched Mister O’Connell’s behind as he walked up the plank. “Try not to get engaged while you’re gone.”
“Didn’t you hear, Hermione. He’s rude, dirty and a complete scoundrel! Nothing to like there at all,” Jonathon said with a grin. Evelyn gave each of them a look.
“Great good morning to all.” Hermione couldn’t hold back the sneer on her face at the putrid gentlemen.
“Oh, no! What are you doing here?” Evelyn said with horror.
“I’m here to protect my investment. Thank you very much.” Jonathon and Evelyn sighed.
“Well, we best be going. We WILL be careful, Hermione. I promise.” Hermione hugged Evelyn and Jonathon tightly.
“You better. And try not to get fleas from,” Hermione gestured to the putrid gentleman in question. “.... That.”
“That is a legitimate concern,” Jonathon responded dryly.