Shadows of the Nile (20 page)

She dressed and, putting her shawl over her head, wandered out. It was still very early but several priests were up and about, going to prayer. They didn't look at her when she passed them. She'd proved herself and was accepted. The lake looked peaceful in the morning light. Soon it would be very hot and everyone would seek the shade, but at that moment it was still comparatively cool, and walking was a pleasure. She thought of Eboni, gone so soon. Tears ran down her cheeks. She wished she could have done more for her. She hoped she hadn't suffered any pain. The guards were usually quite professional in what they did. Surely the one who did the dreadful deed would have been compassionate?

“Good morning, young lady.”

Glancing up in surprise, having been so deeply in thought, she saw that one of the many priests had joined her. She didn't recognise him from the day before but guessed he'd been present at her cleansing and the cobra rite. He was a kindly looking man, quite tall, with a little beard, and quite old.

“Sir.”

“May I walk with you for a bit?”

“I'd like that.”

They sauntered along quietly, not speaking for a while. Then the priest smiled at her.

“You are very young. Yet I feel you've been through a lot in your short life. I have heard the terrible tales of how your adopted father, who had looked after you and who you must have trusted, turned on you and then tried to kill you. Then you got caught up in that sinful brothel. That must have been devastating for you.” He laid a kindly hand on her arm.

“Not as devastating, sir, as the loss of my friend, Eboni, in the brothel. She was murdered, and I feel responsible.”

“But how is that?”

“She was killed because I escaped.”

“No, that doesn't make you responsible. She died because of the times we live in. It was nothing to do with you. It's quite possible they would have got rid of her as soon as she lost her appeal. You are not to blame. You had the right to get out of there when someone offered you a helping hand. Eboni would have done the same in the circumstances, and she would have had the same thoughts as you, that she should go back and rescue a good friend. She is still here in your thoughts, and alive in your memory, as in life. There is an Egyptian belief that to speak the name of the dead is to make that person live again. You will never forget her, and that means she will live and comfort you for as long as you want.”

Tadinanefer smiled. “You have great wisdom, sir.”

He threw up his hands. “I say what comes from my heart. You, Tadinanefer, are not of our race and yet you have such a great love for Thoth. It is so gratifying to see you two together. I think he loves you above all other women.”

“I hope so, sir. I feel as if I've always known him, although I only met him a short while ago. Do you… do you think I could have met him before, somewhere else, another time?”

“In a previous life? That is a deep question, Tadinanefer, and one we can't answer. However there are many strange things in this world and the next, and who can say? If you think it's so then maybe it's possible. One thing is certain – your love for him will last for eternity, and his for you.”

“I'd always want to be with him whatever happened.”

The priest looked suddenly very serious.

“Would you give your life for him?”

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in her answer.

“We should go and pray. Will you come with me?”

“Am I allowed to?”

“I know that a servant of Wadjet, and Thoth's lady, would be allowed to enter one of our temples. We'll go to one of the smaller ones. Follow me.”

She bent her head and respectfully kept a small distance behind. He led her to a small room which had drawings of gods on the walls and a large one of the Snake Goddess.

The priest stood with his head bowed, and Tadinanefer did the same. She watched him closely. He didn't kneel at all but was deep in thought, his eyes closed. He looked so distant, as if his spirit had gone on a journey.

After a few minutes he opened his eyes and gently led her outside.

“I'm so pleased to have spoken to you, Tadinanefer.” His kindly eyes looked seriously at her. “You must take care in everything you do.”

“I will.”

“I must say goodbye, then.”

“Sir, will I see you again?”

“I expect so.”

“May I know your name?”

“I have a strange name, which I think you will always remember.” He took her hands in his.

“I am called Achmed.”

Achmed. Eboni. Eboni had died young and violently. It wasn't surprising Ebony today wouldn't open her mind to the past, even if she wanted to. It was best she never remembered. Achmed seemed to instinctively know that Nephthys was out to cause trouble and had stopped her.

Achmed was an intriguing person. Aline was sure he was helping her to go back in time in his own inimitable way. She guessed he knew about the Egyptian…

Thoth, yes, that was his name! She could now speak the name of the man she loved so much! Maybe she could make him live by repeating his name over and over. She must try, oh she must try!

Some things were slowly becoming clearer, but much of it was still very dim, like shadows of the Nile. The times she went back to were slightly unreal, as if she was in a film; it was so authentic when she was there, but some things were lost to her when she returned. The one thing she was totally certain of was her love for Thoth and his love for her. It was all coming together but for the moment the outcome was still hidden. She'd go back again soon. But first of all she had to visit the Valley of the Kings. Maybe that royal site would reveal a few secrets.

It was a free day. Nephthys had gone off to Cairo. The Americans had departed. There was only Aline's party left on board the ship. The sun shone and the river was calm. It was the sort of day to relax after all the exploring, but not for Aline. She worked hard on her magazine articles.

Not for long! There was a loud knock on her cabin door.

Peter stood outside, a big grin on his face.

“I know you're probably trying to write. But do leave it till later, my lovely Aline. A group of us – Mary, Jan, Gerald, Cheng, and I – have decided to hire a big taxi and go to a most delicious fish restaurant for lunch, entirely my treat. It's on the Nile, and has the most amazing reputation for good food. You must come with us. You can't stay imprisoned in your little cabin all day when Egypt calls you. Drop everything!”

She laughed. “Oh Peter, I really should work. If I don't get these articles written I could get thrown out.”

“No, not you. They wouldn't do that. Write them later, when the sun has gone down. They do say fish is very good for the brain. Do come, Aline. We need your youth and beauty.”

She didn't need much urging. She quickly changed into a silky top and trousers, and tied her shawl round her waist.

They were waiting for her. Jan was all in pink, cut-off pink trousers, pink shirt and even her hat was pink. Pink and white beads hung round her neck and glittered in the sunlight. She waved energetically at Aline.

“I got all this in the market early this morning,” she said.

“Very nice! You look great.”

Peter wore his usual white suit and panama hat and was smoking a large cigar. Mary held his arm.

Gerald and Cheng were already in the taxi.

The taxi driver beamed when he saw Aline, and his eyes twinkled.

“So, the young one of the party. Now we are ready to go.”

They were all a bit squashed. Peter sat in the front and the rest in the back, with Aline sitting on a pulled out seat, which was more than a little uncomfortable as they drove at hair-raising speed along the dusty road. She didn't mind. She could see out and enjoyed looking at the countryside and the river in the distance. She could hear Peter chatting merrily to the driver, and the driver coping as well as he could with his limited knowledge of the language. It was like an oasis for her, a moment of peace, even though she still felt uneasy. She wished she could talk to someone about what was happening to her, but who'd believe her? Achmed would listen, but he'd warn her not to play with fire.

At the restaurant they were guided to a long table and sat together at one end, overlooking the river. Jan was in her element.

“I do love fish,” she said. “Do you know when I was young I used to go fishing with my brother. We went to the nearby lake and took our fishing rods and caught all sorts of little fish, some of which we threw back in. But shall I tell you the most exciting adventure we had?”

Five amused faces looked her way.

“You caught a whale?” Peter suggested.

“No, don't be silly.” Jan laughed. “One day we put on our wellies and paddled down the shallow river and we caught eels. Can you imagine it? We took them home and our mother cooked them for our tea. They were delicious.”

“How do you kill eels?” Cheng asked.

“I don't know. I didn't get involved in that sort of thing.”

“I don't think you'll get eels here,” Peter teased.

“Oh, well, I don't want them here. I want something expensive.”

“A nice piece of steak.” It was Mary's turn to joke.

“No, fish.” Jan smiled, then carefully studied the menu.

“I like crabs,” ventured Aline. “I used to eat a lot of freshly caught ones when I went on holiday in Norfolk as a child. I like shellfish but I did get put off cockles as a kid because I ate too many of them and was very sick.”

“Too much of a good thing is bad for you,” warned Peter. “Remember that, my young Aline. I tell you what would be nice to have with our fish – a very good white wine. I'm sure we could get one.”

“Wine isn't good for you in this climate,” Mary grinned. “Too dehydrating.”

“Nonsense,” chuckled Peter.

*

A little later, after they'd finished eating, Aline got up. “I think I might go and have a look round. Does anyone want to come with me?”

“Ah,” Peter mused. “Our writer is off to draw pictures in her mind. Shall we all feature in your article on a fish restaurant, my dear Aline?”

“Take no notice of him.” Jan jumped up. “I'll come with you.”

“I think we all will,” Mary said. “I need to stand up and walk a bit after all that food, which I did enjoy, I might add.”

“I'm off to sketch some of the boats.” Cheng picked up his bag which he had next to him and wandered off.

“I might sketch a bit later,” Gerald laughed. “We're doing so many drawings this holiday we hardly spend a moment together during the day.”

“Well, sometimes I've seen Aline with a faraway look in her eyes,” Peter said. “Sometimes I think she's not completely with us.”

“That's not true!” Aline smiled. “I have to be very alert and alive to take you on, Peter, with all your banter.”

“Here, give me your camera,” Jan said to Aline. “I'll take a photograph of you against the Nile.” Aline had just been using it to take shots for the magazine. Jan seized it, and stood with a sunny expression on her face. “I know, let's have the first one with you, Aline, in the middle and Peter and Gerald on either side. Then someone else can take one of me with the rest of us.” She took it and then returned the camera to Aline.

“I'll take some now,” Aline said.

Peter posed, deliberately holding his cigar aloft and smiling broadly.

“Natural, please.”

“Oh, but my dear Aline, if we are to go in your magazine we must look our best.”

“These are for me.”

“Well in that case I'll look my usual ordinary but charming self.”

When they'd finished their photo session Jan leant over the wall.

“Let's go and look at the river. Be nice to have a swim.”

Gerald slipped her arm through Aline's.

Aline felt the warmth of the sun on her face. All around the air was balmy. She loved being with her crowd from the cruise ship. They all got on so well. She turned to see where Jan had gone.

Then she gasped. She couldn't believe her eyes. There was the Egyptian standing on a balcony of the next floor of the restaurant, the man she had seen before. This time, at last, she could see his face. Utter shock hit her. He looked like Thoth! Surely not. It couldn't be him. She stared at him even more. He was no ordinary person. His muscular build showed through his long striped shirt worn casually over skinny jeans. His dark hair and bronzed brown skin was that of the Egyptian. He wore sunglasses, which hid his eyes, but there was no mistaking his distinctive nose and his royal forehead. Aline stared and stared. It wasn't… it couldn't be… it must be someone who looked like him. She released herself from Gerald's arm and rushed back into the restaurant. She found the stairs and ran up them, scattering people on their way down. But when she reached the balcony he'd gone. She rushed out again and searched but he was nowhere to be seen. She was quite certain who he was. Not only had she recognised him but she'd felt his warmth. She'd seen the Egyptian from the past!

“Are you okay?” Gerald stood at the doorway. “You rushed off as if you'd seen a ghost.”

“I thought I saw someone I knew. An Egyptian I'd met here.”

“Did you bump into him?”

“No. He's gone.”

“Oh, what a shame! But you might see him on the way back to the taxi. I think Peter wants to get back to play cards. Are you joining in?”

“No, as much as I'd like to. I must do some work.”

Aline couldn't settle after that. She'd have liked to stay on to search for him. But she knew it was probably futile. He could have gone anywhere. The others were ready to leave anyway and were jostling her along. Back in the car she craned her neck out of the window, examining every man she saw, and quite determined to stop the car if she saw anyone like him. But she didn't.

*

On returning to the boat they found several people congregating round the gangplank and when they looked they could see fresh blood on the stone walkway nearby.

“Whatever has happened?” Aline asked.

Achmed appeared. “Nothing to worry about, people,” he said reassuringly. “One of the crew members missed his footing after lunch and hit his arm on the ground. He's had one or two stitches. He'll be fine. Now come back on board, as carefully as you can. We don't want any more accidents. I'll see you all at dinner and we can talk about what we shall be doing tomorrow.”

Aline held back. Blood from a man's arm. She… she had used a knife. She'd plunged it into someone's arm. Someone who was trying to hurt her. Who?

“You look puzzled,” Achmed said. “Is everything all right?”

“I think so. It's reminded me of something.” Something really nasty, she thought.

He didn't question her further and she went straight to her cabin to try to resume her work. It was difficult after seeing the blood. And she thought of Thoth. Maybe she'd seen someone who just looked like him, but she didn't think so.

She found it difficult to concentrate. Perhaps she was trying too hard. She had enjoyed the meal and the laughs but her uppermost thought was of the handsome Egyptian she had seen at the restaurant. She shouldn't have left with the others. That was stupid. She should have remained where she was and searched the entire place for him. He couldn't have gone far.

A thought came to her. She picked up the camera. Supposing… just supposing, she'd taken a photograph, and he was in the background. It was possible, wasn't it? She switched it on and went backwards through the pictures. All were normal until she got to the very first one, which Jan had taken. She gasped. She was standing between Peter and Gerald, but all three of them looked very different. Peter and Gerald, in contrast to her, were of a different race and colour. They were Egyptians! Peter wore a short shift with gold round his neck, and Gerald a thick white dress. Then she stared at herself in the middle. Her white skin glowed in the sunlight. She looked younger, about fifteen, and her dress, unlike Gerald's, was almost transparent. Peter and Gerald were very serious as they stared at the camera, but Aline was smiling at someone on the balcony above!

She stared and stared. Something came back to her. Gerald… had loved her and been very gentle, teaching her to draw pictures and read. Peter too had been very kind, and had protected her when she was somewhere very unpleasant. This photograph was evidence indeed to show to someone straightaway, like Achmed. But even as she thought about it the picture started to fade and the camera went blank and switched itself off.

“Oh no,” she cried, hastily putting it back on. All the other photos were there but the one she so wanted had gone, leaving nothing. She'd seen it, hadn't she?

So… Peter and Gerald had been in her past life, along with Nephthys, Ebony and Achmed. Were they all coming together in their different ways to help her find Thoth?

She felt the ring, stroking it with her fingers. What if Thoth were alive now? Did this mean she no longer had to return to the past to find him? Her spirits lifted.

Her energy restored, she worked until dinner. Then she joined the others. Peter was at his jolliest. He'd enjoyed the adventure at the restaurant and couldn't stop talking about it, making the others laugh at his fish tales.

Achmed joined them briefly.

“We're having an early start tomorrow,” he announced. Everyone groaned. “It's best we get out at dawn and make our visit then, to avoid the crowds. It will get very busy later. We are going straight to the Valley of the Kings where we'll see two of the tombs, and then on to the Valley of the Queens where we have one visit planned. Please bring your usual things like water and head coverings because it will be very hot even at that early hour.”

Aline glanced at him quizzically. Did he mean by ‘head coverings' her snake shawl? He needn't worry. She'd every intention of covering herself in such a religious place, not just out of respect for the dead but also for the living. If she somehow met Thoth he might expect it. Her modern attitude began to merge with her feelings for him. She loved him and would become whatever he desired.

She found it difficult to sleep. He could be here in her own world, alive and warm. She had to find him. She was certain he loved her still.

*

It was another hot day and she was pleased they'd set out early. Even at eight o'clock the coaches were queuing up for parking and crowds were on their way through the gates.