Treasure of Egypt Page 23

  “I think it is best we keep this to ourselves for now,” Alec advised.

  “I agree,” Samuel nodded, tucking the map inside his boot once more.

  ~*~

  “Look lively men!” the Admiral commanded as he spied through his telescope at the three ships that loomed on the horizon.

  Alec’s stomach was in knots as he looked out over the water. Borrowing the Admiral’s lens, he placed it up to his eye. The sun was low on the horizon making it hard to see in the dusky light.

  “What do you see?” Samuel shaded his eyes to see.

  “Nothing yet,” Alec adjusted the telescope to see further, beyond the boats. He could barely make out the sails of another ship. “I think it’s them. It’s still too far to see clearly.”

  “Here,” Samuel motioned, “Let me have a go.”

  Alec handed him the eyeglass.

  “Yes, yes! It is them,” Samuel cried excitedly.

  Alec breathed the greatest sigh of his life as he heard the news. Genevieve was still safe.

  “What do you know?” Samuel chuckled as he handed the lens back to Alec. “That black serpent could out sail the devil himself,” he clapped Alec on the back. “We’ve got her now!”

  Alec peered through the lens again in time to see a flickering light land in the water beside the ship. “Bloody Hell!”

  “Was that what I thought it was?” Samuel asked squinting. “Are those bastards shooting flaming arrows at them?”

  “It appears that way,” the Admiral said as he came up beside them. “Man the cannons!” he ordered his men. “Let’s send these vermin to hell where they belong!” he yelled as the crew ran to their battle stations.

  Alec could feel his nails biting into the palms of his hands as he stood there wanting nothing more than to plow his fist into the Dragoman’s face for what he dared.

  “Fire!” the Admiral commanded. A cannon under their feet blasted, sending a plume of acrid smoke upward.

  Samuel covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve. “Nothing like the smell of cannon fire to lend atmosphere to the chase,” he coughed as the air swirled about them.

  They watched as the cannonball exploded into the water far short of its mark. “They are still out of range,” the Admiral scowled, “but we’ll catch them.”

  Samuel started checking his pockets and vest assessing his weaponry. “Although it may appear that I’m dressed for battle,” he motioned to his guns. “I don’t suppose you have some extra ammunition that we could use?” Samuel looked over at the Admiral, “Perhaps some for this?” he held up his rifle.

  The Admiral turned to another of his guards, “See them properly armed.”

  The man nodded and motioned for them both to follow him.

  Alec shook his head, “I’ll stay here. Just get me some ammo.” He turned to the Admiral, “Thank you. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

  “Their safety is thanks enough,” the Admiral nodded.

  Alec watched in anguish as another burning arrow flew through the sky lighting up a sail on Genevieve’s ship.

  ~*~

  “What has happened?” Samuel asked when he returned a few minutes later.

  “I’m afraid they have done some damage to the ship that the women are on.” The admiral delivered the news solemnly. “They set one of their sails to flame and are steadily gaining on them. I only hope we can get to them in time.”

  Alec wore a tortured expression as he stood watching the black smoke rise up from the ship. Willing everything in his being to keep her safe, he offered up a silent prayer, God please, keep her safe. Don’t let me get this close to only let her— he couldn’t finish the thought.

  “Look!” Samuel hollered, “They are abandoning the ship!”

  “Indeed they are,” the admiral spied through the lens again. “That may be the smartest move they could have made. If they’ve horses, they might elude capture yet.”

  The Admirals ship steadily gained on the others boats. They sent round after round of cannon fire toward the vessels damaging one and sinking another. The largest and fastest of the three continued on to where the burning skeleton of Akeim’s ship was moored at the edge of the bend in the river.

  Alec watched as the men from the big boat boarded Genevieve’s ship. He knew all three had escaped, but he still stared unblinking as the men scoured the ship searching for something.

  The Admiral handed him the telescope once again. Alec watched as several horses from the Dragoman’s ship were dumped into the water with their riders and carried to the shore by the current. He could almost make out the treacherous bastard as the men took off on horseback toward the eastern desert.

  “It looks like they are headed toward those ruins,” Samuel commented when Alec handed him the glass. “Hum, it also seems that the men who’ve stayed with the ship have taken Genevieve’s trunk,” Samuel watched as the men put the old trunk on their boat. “Damn! Sure wish I’d kept that little book now,” he sighed regretfully.

  “Keep firing!” the Admiral ordered. “Spineless dogs!” he swore as the men on the large ship cast off in an attempt to get away.

  Alec watched as they sailed past the smaller ship the Admiral had targeted earlier. The sails of the sunken ship were still sticking out of the water dragging the hull across the bottom. The men who had been on her had swam for the closest land.

  “If you see any of those scallywags on the bank,” the Admiral ordered his man at arms. “Shoot to kill.”

  The houseboat came up alongside the ship that he’d been on only hours before. Alec found himself staring down at the prow, remembering the night he’d spent there with Genevieve in his arms.

  “Get those animals ready!” the Admiral ordered.

  “Are you coming?” Samuel asked him when it appeared that he too was joining them.

  “I shall follow this until the end,” the Admiral spoke with finality.

  ~*~

  “What are they waiting for?” Samuel glanced over at Alec as they took cover behind the remnants of a stone wall.

  Alec continued to watch the group of men who had followed Genevieve into the ruins of Karnack. They had dismounted and were hiding behind an outcropping of stone… waiting.

  They heard the sound of gunfire coming from just outside the temple. One of the men grabbed his backside as he fell on the ground.

  “Never mind,” Samuel whispered again. “Mystery solved. Your wife it seems is a crack shot.”

  “Yes,” Alec couldn’t help but smile at the pun. “So it seems.”

  They continued to watch the men as they took cover from Genevieve’s accurate, if not deadly, aim. A few returned fire, making Alec pull his rifle out, his eyes narrowed as he placed the Dragoman in his sights.

  “Hold up there,” the Admiral placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s not let them know of our presence just yet. I think if we take them by surprise, it will avoid a standoff. I am going to see if I can flank them. The bastards won’t know what hit them if we come at two sides.”

  Alec released the lever he was about to pull and looked over at the older man.

  “We know that your wife is still safe,” the Admiral removed his hand. “Let’s keep it that way.”

  Alec knew he was acting impulsively, but even if it were the wiser choice, waiting while the Admiral maneuvered into position wasn’t going to be easy. As it was, he winced at every shot that was fired upon the temple wondering if Genevieve was safe or if this time the bullet had found her.

  “You two stay here and command these men,” the Admiral motioned toward twenty of his armed guard. “I won’t be long,” he looked directly at Alec, “Wait until we’re out of sight before firing.”

  Alec nodded as the Admiral clapped him on the shoulder again. “She’ll be fine,” he promised before leaving them. He went to speak with the highest ranking of his guards and then left with a handful of men.

  “Have them divide themselves into three groups and watch for my signal,” A
lec instructed Samuel who conveyed the order to the men the Admiral had left behind.

  Samuel looked over to Alec, “Ready when you are.”

  “Once the Admiral is out of sight, we’ll start firing to take the heat off Akeim and the women.”

  ~*~

  Genevieve had taken cover by one of the many ram-headed sphinxes that lined the walkway leading to the Temple of Karnak. The ruins, which had once served as the seat of power for the pharaohs of Egypt, lay partially buried in the sand behind her.

  “We are running out of gunpowder,” Sophia looked worriedly over at Akeim as she loaded her rifle. Spying over the paws of the statue she sighed wearily, “And now it seems there are more men joining them.”

  “But aren’t those the men who were firing from the other ship?” Genevieve asked.

  “In this case, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, may not apply,” Akeim replied grimly as he watched through his spyglass. “I cannot tell who they are, they have taken cover,” he brought down the lens. “For all we know they are jackals fighting over the spoils of war.”

  “Let us take refuge further back where we can better defend ourselves,” Sophia gazed up at the two giant, seated statues of Ramesses that guarded the entrance to the huge, pillared hall. “Perhaps a little height might be to our advantage as well.”

  Akeim nodded his approval as he looked up at the large stones that crossed over the tops, creating a latticework above them.

  They backed carefully away from the leonine statues into the large hall. The light was all but blocked out by the forest of stone trees that rose up to a dizzying height. The shadows from the setting sun cast stark patterns of light on the columns.

  “Follow me,” Akeim whispered. “Be careful.”

  A roosting bird flew from its nest high above crying out against the intrusion. It’s eerie call summoning all sorts of demonic imaginings in its wake.

  Genevieve couldn’t help the ripple of fear that raced down her spine as she edged around the cold, stone surface of a pillar. The etchings of Ramesses in battle rippled under her fingers as she followed the path of Akeim toward the back of the ruins.

  ~*~

  “Fire!” Alec shouted to the first group. The area around him exploded in a cacophony of sound as the men discharged their weapons. Surprised by the attack, the Dragoman’s forces turned around and started to fire in their direction, leaving the assault on the temple forgotten for the moment.

  Alec watched as Samuel reloaded his weapon. Timing was everything. Samuel emptied gunpowder down the throat of the musket as Alec signaled the next group.

  Samuel slammed the rod down his musket. “And here I thought the Admiral said he had the latest in technology. There is not even a flintlock among us!”

  Alec ignored his ranting focusing on the remaining group of men. “Fire!” Again the sound of gunfire rang through the air.

  “Take that ye' slimy bastards!” Samuel yelled. “Let them try to make a move now,” he chuckled as a constant stream of fire rained down on the Dragoman’s men.

  “Fire at will!” Alec shouted as he aimed his weapon. “It’s better than what we had before,” he replied as he lit the fuse of the rifle he held.

  “What is?” Samuel asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

  “The weapons… the guns,” Alec looked over to Samuel and shook his head. “Honestly, why do I pay attention to your complaints when you don’t even bother to remember them?”

  ~*~

  “Sounds as if the jackals are fighting amongst themselves,” Sophia whispered. Distant gunfire reverberated through the stone cathedral as they stood before one of the crumbling walls. Akeim climbed a wall of uneven blocks that ended in a sheer drop several feet below the large stone stretching across the pillars joining them at the top.

  He looked back at them and shook his head implying the way was impassable.

  “Stay here,” Sophia motioned to Genevieve. “I’m going to see if I can make some progress.”

  Genevieve nodded in response and watched as her mother climbed up to where Akeim stood.

  “Could you lift me up there?” Sophia asked, indicating the twelve-foot ledge above them.

  He glanced back at her and nodded. Rather than give her a shoe up with his hands as she thought he might, he placed his hands about her hips and lifted her off the ground. It may have been easy to dismiss the familiarity if they hadn’t made eye contact.

  Sophia didn’t think to feel again after the loss of her husband, but the simple act gave way to a flood of sensation throughout her body. She watched as his eyes darkened with passion. Her eyes flared with something akin to shock.

  “Mother,” Genevieve whispered from above. “Give me your hand.”

  Mortified, Sophia jerked her head around. “How did you get up there?” she gasped, taking the hand that Genevieve was holding out to her.

  “I don’t think you want to know,” Genevieve stated as her mother climbed up to the ledge. She looked around her to see where her daughter had come from. She could see nothing but vertical drops.

  “Honestly Genevieve, you gave me a fright,” Sophia whispered as they helped Akeim up.

  ~*~

  “Where do you think he is?” Samuel leaned over toward Alec. “Don’t you think the Admiral has had plenty of time to get into position?”

  Alec scanned the desert looking for any sign of the Admiral and his men.

  “I don’t like it,” Samuel’s forehead creased, “Were starting to lose the light.”

  “Those men are headed for the temple,” the guard pointed. Alec looked up to see the Dragoman and his men pull forward despite the shots being fired.

  ~*~

  “Shhh,” Akeim whispered placing his finger to his lips. “I hear something.”

  They had made their way to the tops of the blocks crowning the pillars. Laying down flat they peered over the ledge. A shadow crossed the angular light on the floor below. In silence Sophia trained her rifle on one side as Akeim did the same on the other.

  The same shadow emerged once again, coming closer. Sophia could see the shoulder of the man as he stood by the column. She pressed her finger against the trigger waiting for a clear shot.

  “Sophia, Genevieve?” The man called out in a hushed voice.

  Sophia released her finger with a jolt of surprise. She hadn’t thought to hear that voice again.

  “Sophia, it is all right. You can come out now,” the voice called again.

  Sophia almost questioned her hearing. “Percival?” she stared down at him.

  “Thank God!” the man sighed in relief. “I had thought that I would be too late.”

  “Uncle Perry?” Genevieve peered over the edge.

  “Dear God in heaven! It is you,” the Admiral smiled as he looked up at their faces. “I had thought when I was first told that you had been seen, that it would be yet another goose chase.”

  “It was you in the large boat with the cannon?” Genevieve asked.

  “Yes indeed,” Uncle Perry came forward. “How in God’s name did you get up there?” He looked around curiously. “Come, we must hurry.” He waved them down as he looked cautiously around. “I have men on the other side fighting, but it is only a matter of time before the infidels take advantage of the fading light and flood into here.”

  “We’ll be right down,” Sophia called.

  ~*~

  “Was that cannon fire?” Samuel asked.

  “I believe it was,” Alec nodded as he glanced behind them in the direction of the boat.

  “We cannot wait any longer,” Samuel squinted at the fading sun. “It’ll be too dark and we’ll lose them if we don’t take action.”

  “I don’t think that will be possible now,” Alec in a low voice at his side.

  “What do you mean?” Samuel looked over at him, surprised at first at all the rifles now trained on them. “What the hell is this?” he questioned.

  “It appears that we’ve been set up… again.”


  “By who?”

  “The White Devil,” It was Akeim who spoke up from behind them, just before he was thrown to the dirt at their feet.

  The Dragoman stood before them, his teeth gleaming in the light of the setting sun as he smiled down at them.

  “You treacherous bastard!” Alec swore as he started for him, only to be hit upside the head with the stock of a rifle by the guard that he’d so recently called upon.

  Knocked to his knees he glanced over to Akeim. “Where are the women?”

  “Percival has taken them,” Akeim bit out in anger.

  “What happened to protecting them with your life?” Samuel questioned.

  “He tricked me,” Akeim glared at their former guide as he answered, “by leaving me in charge of his men.”

  “Ahh,” Samuel nodded in understanding, “Tricky bastard.”

  “Silence!” the Dragoman ordered.

  “Do we kill them now?” the Admiral’s head guard asked, pointing his rifle at Alec’s head.

  The Dragoman grinned, “We’re to make it look like an accident.”

  Chapter 19

  “No one is going to believe that this is an accident!” Samuel accused the Dragoman while he wrestled with the bonds that held his arms against his sides.

  “For once would you stop helping them?” Alec swore as the guard who was securing his bonds tightened the rope at his wrists.

  The Dragoman sneered at them, “I don’t imagine you will remain tied up for long.” He motioned to one of his men who held a canister. “Just long enough for this to take effect.”

  “What is it?” Alec eyed the clay vessel warily.

  “Oh, that is a surprise,” the Dragoman smiled coldly, “One which you are sure to enjoy.”

  “You will never get away with this.” Samuel narrowed his eyes at their former guide as the guard secured his legs.

  “I already have,” the Dragoman replied confidently. “This tomb is one of many which have already been sealed for the season. By the time they check it next year, you will have long since perished in the cave-in.”