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TITLE: Something Lost, Something Found. By : Aryea Chapter 7 “Syd? Where are we going?” Nigel asked in a hushed voice as their jeep zoomed through the darkness across the Egyptian sand. They had stopped long enough to gather bottles of fresh water and some food, before starting off again. Da Viega had once again made Sydney give up her knife, having acquired a new weapon, and now Sydney now sat in the back of the jeep with Nigel, her hand on his knee as an added comfort in his new, uncertain darkness. Da Viega was at the wheel, and mentioned only that they were on a schedule and he’d explain where they were going when they got there. He had tried to insist on dropping Nigel and Preston off, less people to worry about, especially with Nigel’s injury, but Sydney wasn’t about to leave them behind, or go off alone with her nemesis; Nigel had insisted on that not happening. “I don’t know,” she whispered back, and pulled a blanket out of the back to wrap around him; he was shivering and the temperature dropped in the desert at night. Sydney and Preston had their jackets at least, Nigel only had on a T-shirt and the button down Sydney had been wearing, which could no longer be fastened. “Are you warm enough?” “Not really, but I’ll survive.” Sydney smiled and patted his knee. “I really don’t like this, Syd. We can’t trust him.” “I know. Don’t worry, we’ll be careful.” “Are either of you thirsty?” Preston asked from the front, handing back a bottle of water. “Thanks, Preston,” Sydney returned, accepting the bottle and offering it to Nigel first. He took a couple of swallows, and then handed it back to her, his fingers brushing against hers, searching with a newfound timidity. “I hate this!” he hissed, scratching at the bandages over his eyes. “Why can’t I take this off?” Sydney gently pulled his hands away from the wraps. “Because you may damage your eyes permanently if you do. We’ll have them checked when we get back to the states, better to be safe than sorry.” “If we get back to the states.” Sydney squeezed his hand. “We will.” “They may have lied about my eyes, Syd. They could be fine.” Sydney heard the slight desperation in his voice, the fear of not seeing again, that he was trying to conceal. “Maybe, but there’s no reason why they should, they wanted you healthy.” She smoothed her hand across his hair, which was standing up in places due to the bandages. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Stop worrying.” She wasn’t as sure as she sounded, she remembered the explosion all too well and there was indeed a good possibility that Nigel could have been blinded permanently, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. “What of those other fellows?” Preston inquired. “Do you think they’ll be following us?” “Undoubtedly,” Da Viega answered, grimly. “They have at least an idea of where we are going, which is why we have to get there first.” “And where is there, exactly?” Nigel pressed. “I see almost being blown up hasn’t dampened your curiosity, Bailey.” Nigel scowled, he didn’t remember what happened to cause his injuries, but he wasn’t going to give Da Viega the satisfaction of knowing that. “It comes with the job. Now where the hell are we going?” Da Viega’s answer was to bring the vehicle to a sudden halt. “Right then, this is where you take over, Professor.” He pulled out his gun and aimed it at her. “Come along, tick tock.” Sydney reluctantly climbed out and slid behind the wheel. “I can’t drive when I don’t know where I’m going,” she reminded. Da Viega took her place beside Nigel and casually slid his arm around the TA, to discourage any attempts to flee; not that Nigel would abandon Sydney Fox; while the barrel of his gun settled at Nigel’s ribs. “The temple of Isamidi, of course.” Nigel and Sydney froze. “Where?” Sydney asked, coyly. “This is no time for games, Sydney. I know you found it, or else how would you have retrieved the scepter? I don’t care for that little trinket, I’m out for bigger fish, something inside the tomb, and you’re going to get it for me.” “Who says we found the scepter in the temple?” Da Viega raised his gun to Nigel’s head. “Do you want to know how it feels for your precious assistant to really be dead, Sydney? There will be no mistake this time.” Sydney slid the jeep in gear and starting driving. Da Viega returned the weapon to just under Nigel’s ribs. “Good girl.” “What is it you’re after, exactly?” Nigel demanded. “The Tome of Ramses’, naturally.” “The Tome of…” Nigel shook his head. “That’s a myth, there is no such book.” “Oh, but there is, I have proof.” “Even if it did exist, why would you think that it would be in Izamidi’s temple?” Sydney asked. “He lived centuries after Ramses died.” “Izamidi’s third wife Isres was a descendant of Brae-Nu-Then, a maid in Ramses’ house, who it was believed stole the Tome and fled with the Hebrews during the time of the Plagues.” “Yes, yes, she stole the Tome, believing it was the power behind Ramses’ sorcerers, to gain favor with Moses, only she betrayed him and tried to use the Tome to destroy him.” Nigel finished, in a huff. “It’s a childhood story, there is no proof that it ever happened. I can’t believe you’re dragging us all the way out here for…” Da Viega poked him with the gun and Nigel shut up, abruptly. “I liked you better when you were dead, Bailey,” he said. “I have an original letter from Saro-ule, Isres’ mother, to her daughter about the Tome, stating that their shame must end with her and so their misdeeds must be put to rest.” “It has to be a fake,” Sydney reasoned. “Where did you come across this, letter?” “I have my sources, and the letter was authenticated by an expert.” He made a face. “Do you really think I wouldn’t have checked it out, Sydney?” “You think the book was buried with Isres?” Preston asked, turning in his seat, intrigued. “It would seem to fit.” “What makes you think she’s buried in the temple?” Sydney asked, noticing that Nigel was remaining quiet after Da Viega’s comment, and she couldn’t blame him. “She was Isamidi’s favorite wife, where else would she be?” “Isamidi’s tomb hasn’t been found,” Sydney lied. “It was rumored to be in the Temple, but we never found it.” “Actually, the scepter was rumored to be in the Pharaoh’s chamber,” Preston offered. “And you did say that you found that, right?” “Shut up, Preston!” Nigel hissed. Sydney glared at the older Bailey, who flushed and turned around in his seat. “Don’t worry,” Da Viega replied. “I already know you found the tomb, and you are going to lead me to it.” He pressed the gun against Nigel’s ribs again. “Or Nigel here will have more than just his eyes to worry about.” Sydney pressed her foot on the accelerator.
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