Shadows of the Nile (25 page)

*

They had breakfast on the balcony of Thoth's hotel. Neither ate very much. Neither of them could really believe they'd come through the terrible ordeal of destroying Nephthys's evil ways.

Thoth held her hands in his.

“I suppose, my dear Tadinanefer, we have to find out about each other in this modern world of ours.”

Aline smiled. “Yes we must.” She told him the origins of her name Aline. “I was born here, but as you can obviously see, I'm not Egyptian. I'm English. No one knew who my real parents were. I was left as a newborn baby just inside the British Embassy in Cairo with a note to say my parents were English and lived near Avebury, where the stone circle is. Of course my parents were never traced, and I was adopted by an English couple who were living in Cairo for a while; we all later moved to England. I'm older now than when I last saw you. Tadinanefer was fifteen. I'm twenty-six. I'm a writer and work for a travel company, and it's their work which brought me back to Egypt. They wanted some articles written about the country. It was only when I was here that I realised I had memories of a different time. I met people who helped me to remember. They were people from my past life. Then, of course, there were places I'd been to, and Nephthys soon made sure I knew of my young existence in her time. My power given to me by Wadjet has always challenged her and she's always been out to destroy me because of it. And then there was my great love for you. She never could understand the meaning of love. It was something missing in her personality. I wonder what she's like now, stripped of her evil ways, but enough of her. Tell me, Thoth, about yourself – and is that still your name?”

He kissed her fingertips. “No. It's Edward.”

“Edward, Edward,” she said softly.

“Like you, I had adopted parents; my father is Egyptian and my mother English, hence my name Edward. No one knew who my real folk were either. There were no papers. I grew up in Alexandria. My father is a partner in the travel company you work for, and I am learning the business. He told me a beautiful English girl was coming to do research in my country and write articles, so I planned to meet you, wanting to find out everything about you. Just after you arrived I dreamt I came to your hotel; it was so real. In it I gave you a shawl and a dress. After that I came to your cruise ship, determined to meet you. I saw you and thought how lovely you were in the moonlight as you looked at the Valley of the Kings, and I desired you instantly. I wanted to rush to your side and make myself known to you – but something held me back. I left, in a turmoil, not understanding what I was doing. Later I saw you at Kom Ombo, and then at Aswan. But each time I found you the same thing happened to me. Something held me back from meeting you. I looked at you and longed for you, but for some reason I just couldn't get to you. I turned and fled in panic, thinking I had to wait before I could hold you, otherwise something dreadful would come about and we would destroy each other. Can you imagine the frustration I felt? I was so near to you – and yet a thousand years away. I couldn't stop the agony. Then I started having so many more dreams of you, both of us living in an ancient world; it haunted me and increased my desire for you. Nephthys was there too. She tried to make you out to be nothing but a beautiful whore, but I knew otherwise. I kept falling asleep, even in the day, and I kept dreaming, going back. I had to see you again, and that was at the restaurant. The truth finally hit me. I worked out our connection in this life, and I began to fully understand the royal status that I had thousands of years ago, and incredulously to accept the fact that you then, and now, are the daughter of the High Priestess of the Stones, and a servant of the great Snake Goddess.”

“Oh, my darling. If I could have reached you and touched you, I would have held you and loved you.”

“But we had to fulfil our obligations in order to live, take the test. That's why we couldn't meet in this life until the moment of truth was upon us. We had a task to destroy Nephthys in order to help not only ourselves but the great Snake Goddess.”

She hugged him. “You fought so well. Oh, we were both so young in our previous life. I think Anubis brought us back older and wiser and more ready to take Nephthys on.”

“Yes, I think you could be right. I'm twenty-nine now – much older than I was then.”

He fondled her middle finger and then examined it closely.

“Have you looked at this?” he asked.

“What?”

“You have a scar going all the way round which must have been hidden by the ring.”

“Ptah cut my finger off.” She traced the scar. “But it was repaired. It was never there before. It must have come through from my former life. Why do you think that is? Is it a warning?”

“No… Maybe some symbols live on. I don't think it means anything.”

*

Later that morning Aline returned to the cruise ship. She hurried to Peter's cabin and found him there alone.

“Why, Aline, this is a pleasure,” he said, in his usual teasing way. “I don't often have a beautiful young woman coming to me so early in the morning. We all missed you at breakfast, but we were told of your liaison.”

She smiled. “You know, then, it all went well.”

“I never doubted that the lovely Aline would get her man, and they do tell me young Edward is a very good catch; very handsome, intelligent – and rich too, of course. Oh, do come here.” He held out his arms to her and gave her a warm, fatherly hug. “You did so well, Tadinanefer. So well. You risked everything for Thoth, totally single-minded in everything you did. You really are greatly admired. You should both be safe now, but there are still things and people to protect you should anything evil remain. You're still the servant of the Snake Goddess. But I do hope now you'll have some sort of ordinary life – and lots of children.”

“You've always been a true friend,” she murmured, tears in her eyes at his sudden demonstration of affection.

“And I always will be. Always.” He smiled. “Well, now, we have things to do. You must go and find Jan. I think she wants to go on a last shopping trip with you before we fly home, and of course she wants to hear all about your mysterious man!”

Jan was on the top deck talking to Achmed. They both gave her big smiles.

“Oh, Aline. What have you been up to,” Jan said. “They say you've met the most gorgeous man and fallen madly in love with him. You never mentioned him to me. I'll have to get to meet him before we go home.”

Achmed patted her on her shoulder. “I'm so pleased you have at long last found him, the one always meant for you. I'll think of you in my prayers. Well, I must go. We'll have one last dinner before we all split up, and I hope you'll bring Thoth with you.”

“Thoth?” Jan said. “I thought his name was Edward.”

“Ah, yes, of course. How remiss of me. I'll see you later, ladies.”

Jan took Aline's arm.

“Do say you'll have one last shopping expedition with me, Aline. I do so want to buy a last bit of frivolity. It's going to be so boring back home without all these handsome dusky men forever telling me how gorgeous I am and wanting me to buy their bangles.” She paused. “Oh, and look, there's Gerald.”

“Aline!” Gerald called. “I can't stop now, but I'm thrilled to hear your news. Can we chat later?”

“Yes, we must.” Aline smiled and waved back.

“So, shall we meet in reception in a few minutes?” Jan urged. “I do so want to buy you a parting gift – maybe a great big hat to make you always remember me.”

“I could never forget you,” Aline laughed.

*

As she changed to go out, Aline thought of Nephthys. No one had mentioned her. Her evil had been destroyed in the tomb, so she couldn't destroy again, could she? She was still out there somewhere. The last Aline had heard of her was she was in Cairo. A nagging doubt clouded her happiness. She could still be a danger.

“You do look pretty,” Jan said. “And you do look as if you could do with a hat in this hot sun. Where's your lovely shawl? No matter, we haven't time for you to go back for it because we're being bullied by this lot here who say we've only an hour or so to shop. Come on. Let's go and have some fun!”

They soon got to the market and found a stall, where they tried on lots of different styles of hats.

“This is you,” Jan said, picking up a big floppy white hat with a ribbon round the brim.

“Here, let me put it on for you.” The stallholder placed it on her head with a big toothy smile. “Ah, all ready for Ascot.”

“What do you know about Ascot?” Jan grinned.

“Me? I know all about Ascot, and Henley. I read all about the UK. One day I will go there and sell lots of hats at Ascot. I think all the ladies there are very pretty. Now this hat makes you look like a queen.”

They laughed.

“Okay, that's the one,” Jan said. “And, Aline, you must always keep your head covered when you're out here. Your fine white skin will burn very quickly if you don't. You must always keep covered.”

It was the way she said it that made Aline stare at her. It was something Masika always said to her as a child. ‘You mustn't let anyone know you are different to us. You must hide your skin. Always keep covered.'

“Why did you say that to me, Jan?”

“What was that?”

“About keeping covered.”

“Well, the sun will burn.” Jan smiled.

Aline caught her breath at that smile. There was something in it which reminded her again of Masika. She was about to pursue the subject but Jan seemed already to have forgotten the conversation, had picked up another hat, turned her attention to the man and was chatting to him about whether it suited her or not.

Jan wasn't happy until she'd bought a further two hats. “I don't know how I'll get them into my luggage.” She laughed. “Whew, I need a coffee after that, Aline. I can see you looking longingly at that temple up there. Why don't you go and take a last look at it and come and meet up in the cafe in a few minutes.”

Aline didn't need any persuading. This really would be her last chance of looking at something interesting before flying back to Heathrow early the next morning. How she would miss Edward, but she would be back as soon as she had finished her assignment.

*

The temple was quiet and deserted. Aline felt the peaceful atmosphere, and relaxed. But not for long, for suddenly she heard the tap of high-heeled sandals and up the steps came Nephthys, all smiles and friendliness.

“How sweet you look,” she declared as soon as she saw Aline. “What a lovely white hat and what a lovely white dress, maybe just a bit tight and short for you and exposing perhaps a little too much cleavage. But there you go. You have your man now and you'll have to dress to keep him. Don't forget the exotic perfumes to intoxicate him. As I've always said, I could help you with that, and the right potions for him to drink. Ah, I've touched a sensitive spot. Poor Thoth, poor Tadinanefer! Never mind.”

“You have no powers now,” Aline retorted. “You're as ordinary as the next person. Your lotions and potions are useless. You'll lead a good, albeit bitchy, life to the end of your days. Think on that, Nephthys.”

“Believe what you like.” Nephthys smiled. “You too have lost all your power. No shawl. No ring. How will you possibly protect yourself and the great Thoth in this world? Perhaps I could send you a shawl and a gold ring of my choice for you to wear. That might help you. Well, I have enjoyed our chat, but life calls. I've a successful business to run, and an influential man to bed. Do be careful, my dear Tadinanefer. Watch your back.” She laughed.

Aline was glad to see her go. Everything she'd said was threatening and true. Both she and Thoth were vulnerable to any evil influences Nephthys might have retained. But she meanwhile had nothing.

She turned and gave a little cry. For behind her was an enormous cobra. ‘Watch your back.' Nephthys's last words had been mocking her. She must have seen the snake before she left and assumed Aline no longer had any power.

She dared not move. The snake was very close, its head poised, its eyes unfriendly. ‘Oh no,' she thought. ‘Am I about to lose everything I have just fought for?' The snake couldn't have come from Nephthys. She didn't have the power.

Aline held out her hand. “I am the servant of your great Goddess,” she said gently. “She would not want me dead. You must not attack me.”

The snake looked about to strike. Then it slid backwards slightly. Aline started to walk towards it. She took a step. It hissed at her. She still held out her left hand. She could feel her heart pounding. She was apprehensive. But there was something she had to do. Very slowly she knelt in front of the snake. It still held her gaze, and then it opened its mouth. Aline took a breath. This was it. But it did nothing. From under it something rolled towards her. It glistened in the sunlight. It was her ring!

“Thank you,” she breathed; she put it back onto her middle finger. She held her hands together and bowed her head. It had been given once more to protect her. As she got to her feet the big snake slid away.

*

“You were quick,” Jan said on her return to the cafe. “I've only just finished my coffee. If it's okay with you I think perhaps we should go back.” She took Aline's hand. “Oh, you've got your pretty ring on. I didn't notice it earlier, but then I'm not very observant. I do like it. I must try and get one like it when I get home. Do you think someone might give me one – like a handsome hunky fella? Well you never know, do you? Come on, darling. Let's go home.”

She put her arm round Aline's waist and held her close as they walked very slowly back to the cruise ship.

*

It was the very last evening in Egypt. Aline had packed her cases in readiness for the early start the next morning. She dressed in something special for dinner and went to wait for Edward near reception. As soon as she saw him she ran to him.