CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The next day. The warriors immediately inform Ardeth as he arrives at the medjai base camp. He turned to Babu who stood beside him, knowing he wanted to help because of Imhotep.

Ardeth won't let him. "I can help you, Ardeth, give me a chance". Babu said in Egypt. "I know Imhotep".

"I need you with them". he pointed at the warriors. "They need you on the ground". he tapped Baby's shoulder. "Let me do my job helping this family. I will see you there when the time is come".

Ardeth stormed out of the camp. Babu tries to stop him but other warriors stop Babu by touching his shoulder.

"We need you here. It's happening again and this time there is a very bad thing that I don't want you to be involved in. Let the chief do his job and we wait for his next order".

Moments later. Ardeth hears from the start until Evelyn wipes her tears upon Dakota's death if they do not reach the pyramid of Ahm Shere within a week.

He sighs, Evelyn and Jonathan already pack their bags for the journey. Eventually they wait for Ardeth to lead them to Ahm Shere and save Dakota.

Promising himself he will help the family if it happens again. Yes. It happened after twelve year.

What he didn't understand that, why Imhotep needed him? Because he and the medjai and the priest like Imhotep trusted the medjai. Ardeth didn't get it.

He understood the assignment but Imhotep needed him, sounds weird but this is the truth. Imhotep didn't lie about this especially for his son's life.

Ardeth eyes studied them. "Very well. I'm not gonna say I agree with Imhotep what he says about Dakota. I believe the bracelet and yes the bracelet could kill him. So I believe his words. Let's face it Imhotep tries to be nice to save his son (Evelyn eyes shoot up) your son. I went to Abu Simbel for a couple of days and everything went chaos".

Inhaled and he breathed deeper than he needed. "I know someone that could help us with Ahm Shere".

Somewhere, the train whistled. Steam engine coming out from the train. The compartments are shaking because of the train movement.

Dakota rubs his eyes as he gets his sight, he finds Imhotep wasn't there with him inside the compartment.

He and Imhotep share the compartment together as a father and son. The cult, Baltus Hafez, Meela and Lock-Nah at the other compartment not far from them.

He sat there for a moment until he decided to look for breakfast but first he needed a drink. Anything, perhaps milk?

Exactly that moment, the compartment door slid open and revealed smirking Meela stood at the frame. He watched her slide the door shut behind her, she then took a seat on the chair facing him.

"Guess you weren't my mother's friend you met in Abu Simbel".

"Why do you think that? I didn't know until (she pointed at Dakota) the lord having a child with that woman".

"Don't you dare call my mother like that. She had a name and her name is Evelyn!"

"Oh". snickering. "Then why are you here Dakota? fighting with your mother wasn't a good thing to do. You upset her and ran away from home and found his father with the bracelet on his wrist, you are the reason our journey was complicated. If I was your father I would just cut your wrist then leave you behind".

Dakota smirking, he didn't buy that story. "I am not a child. I know what is right and wrong but your story? trying to scare me aren't you. Poor you. It won't work on me". he laughed. "I know you Meela Nais. I've begun investigating your background since we've met".

"Should I be proud of what you did?" she leaned closer to him. "If you know about me boy.. don't.. make.. me.. lost my temper".

He leaned on her. "I am not afraid of you". he grit his teeth.

"I was thinking bringing her was a mistake you did". said Imhotep in ancient to Baltus Hafez.

They were standing at the entrance door of the train while it moved, watching the view and talking about Meela.

"I don't think it was necessary to bring her to Ahm Shere".

Baltus Hafez stared at the view, he spoke. "It was her who found you in Hamunaptra, my lord. The vision she has, you are here. I don't say that finding you was the mistake, killing Scorpion King wasn't my ability to do. Only you can".

"And what?" Imhotep stared down at him. "Conquer the world? I am starting to build my own family and then this".

There is silence between Imhotep and Baltus Hafez, something bothering his mind.

Of course it's about Meela but what will she do? "I don't think I could kill the Scorpion myself".

"Why not my lord?"

Imhotep eyes lowered at him. "Something is not right and will happen without my notice".

"Meela?" guess Baltus Hafez. Imhotep nods. "Probably right. I was told that Miss Carnahan was taking care of disabled man but she will not stop to explore the ancient".

"Disabled man? who?"

"Bettany's. You don't have to focus on the fact that my lord is just her job. What we need to focus on is your son's life. We need to reach there before the sunrise and the bracelet is everything".

Imhotep inhaled. He was out of words. All he wanted to do was to save Dakota. He doesn't need to kill, he doesn't need anything. He just wants a family that he never had.

"I need to check on my son".

Bettany House. Same day. Earlier, the medjai come to the house telling them that Evelyn won't be here for Robert until she gets her son back.

Robert was facing the window looking at the view, a miserable man like him who suddenly missed her.

The house is completely silent without her presence around the house. His mother Amelia creeped behind him then took a seat near him.

She smiled, reaching his hand. "Quiet isn't it this house without Evelyn. She'll be back.. just not today".

"I'd never known her life was full of adventures (turn to his mother). Does she really have a child with the man who lived over three-thousand year and the priest of the pharaoh? So it is true she wakes him and chases the mummy that man whom Ardeth told us about".

"Even now, yes". Amelia smiles. "Her story was full of romance and she didn't realize it. We hear half of the story from Ardeth but not from her. All she needs now is her son, let us pray that she and her family are back safely".

Robert studied his mother. "I hear the medjai say if that man unleashed the dark magic our world will be destroyed".

"Imhotep his name darling. I've been seeing Dr. Bey and talking about it. He's a dangerous man that you wouldn't be involved with".

"You went to see Dr. Bey?" he sighs. "Mother, how about we're going for a walk. Since Evelyn is here she changes me alot, she remembers who I was before. I feel happy the way I am.. I've been in a different state (he points at himself). How was that? can we go out together as a mother and son".

Amelia nodded her head, giving him a hug. "I know she managed to change you, my darling. Of course, oh you remind me of Joe".

"I need him". helping himself. "I can't manage by myself to invite McDaniel if he wants to come with us".

Imhotep slid the door then shut it. He comes into the compartment after Meela, he takes a seat. Dakota looked up.

"I brought you something to eat". he hands Dakota a sandwich. "Not much that all I could find".

He reached it. "Thank you. I was about to find food. Where are we actually".

"Middle of the desert". Imhotep smiled. "You are the fighter Dakota like your mother. I don't know if your mother understands what I've been telling her".

"You met mum?"

Imhotep nods. "I can't hurt her anymore Dakota she needs to know your condition that you are safe with me. I will do anything to protect you and your mother. This tongue (he points inside his mouth) this tongue helps me to speak English. I managed to find an American man. A traveler and I had to kill him".

"Why?"

"Would you rather I spoke in ancient English with you?" Dakota shakes his head no. "And that's why I had too".

"How do you know I was your son?"

"I don't know. When Baltus Hafez raised me up I didn't sense anything, probably I don't have a nose with me".

Imhotep laughed. He never laughed before, just a smile. "I ask him what year it is. And it begins to regenerate myself, it all starts to find you and your mother".

Imhotep breath, he spoke back. "I met you in the library that day".

"I don't have any photo of you so I thought everyone could be Imhotep. And it was you". Dakota then eats the sandwich. "It's good".

Later. Jonathan kills the engine, Ardeth gets out the car. Evelyn leaned closer to Jonathan who she seated at the back. Whispering.

"We've met someone beside the McGowan".

"Miss that man. Hear he moved away".

"Really? well I hear he moved in with his girl. Russian".

Jonathan's Dussenberg trundles across the desert and up to a beat to shit airport hangar.

A sign read: MAGIC CARPET AIRWAYS.

Evelyn and Jonathan get out of the car. The hangar door opens. A wild-haired mechanic covered in grease steps out.

This is Piper. He takes one look at Ardeth and immediately runs back inside, slams the door and locks it.

Evelyn gives Ardeth a look. "I see you've met".

"Of course. When I found out he tried to do illegal business here". he turned to Jonathan. "Jonathan, get your bags. I'll deal with this man".

Jonathan lifts up the Scepter of Osiris and the bags. Doesn't know where he got that scepter, perhaps from the gambling he did, or stolen.

Ardeth walks up to the hangar door, he kicks the door open, then courteously waves Evelyn in.

"I didn't know you could kick that door like that. It's sealed".

"I'm Medjai Evelyn". Piper is very upset, pacing and ranting. "Calm down. I am not gonna kill you!"

"Forget it, Ardeth! Every time I hook up with you I get my buttsword off. Look! See! I hardly got any butt left at all. Remember that night in Marrakesh?"

Ardeth rolled up his eyes. "That's because you were drunk! I had to save you from the group of camels that tried to kiss you".

"That's a lie! I haven't drank so much like that. You sold me!"

Ardeth turns to Evelyn. She looks at Piper.

"Really? because I remember you almost lost everything. Enough of that!" Ardeth slams a bundle of cash onto the table, trying to change the subject. "Not much. That's all we've got".

"Ardeth, have you looked around here? What do I need money for? What the hell am I gonna spend it on!?"

"Look Piper. This woman's little boy is out there and I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get him back".

Ardeth notices that Piper has been staring at the Scepter Jonathan had under his armpit. Where Jonathan walks Piper's eyes follow it. He points it to Jonathan. Piper's eyes are locked on.

He called Jonathan. "My friend, come here please".

"Why?" ask Jonathan.

"Just.. come here". Ardeth snatched the Scepter from under his armpit as he was close to him, Jonathan let it out snarled.

Ardeth hands Piper the Scepter. He grabs it. Ardeth doesn't let go of it. "So we have a deal, Piper?"

"You can set me on fire and call me names". Ardeth lets go. Piper gleefully scurries away.

Jonathan staggers up and drops the luggage. "I gambling that I can remember".

"We did the right thing my friend".

Ardeth and Jonathan step out of the hangar, followed by Piper, wiping his greasy hands across his dirty yellow shirt, and giving Evelyn a flirty, rotten toothed smile.

And then he spots Ardeth twelve medjai warriors sitting on horses. He stops in his tracks, suddenly nervous.

"They are the commanders of the twelve tribes of the Medjai. In case you missed it (he lifts his arm) Horus!"

A falcon on the arm of one of the Medjai Commanders flies off and over to Ardeth, landing on his outstretched arm.

Jonathan looks at Ardeth and grins. "The bird is still alive".

"He's my friend Jonathan". Ardeth lovingly strokes Horus' feathers. "My best and most clever friend. He will let the other commanders know.. of our progress, so that they may follow".

Evelyn walked up to him. "So did Babu?"

"He had too".

Ardeth looks at the other Commanders, then with an open palm he touches his heart and waves it towards the sun.

"Harum bare shad!"

The Commanders make the same sign and call back. "Harum bare shad!" Then they rear their horses around and gallop off.

"If the Army of Anubis arises, they will do all they can to stop them".

Ardeth, Evelyn and Jonathan round the side of the hangar. They come to a dead stop as they look up and see..

A small golden dirigible, a blimp, floating in the air, held down by mooring lines. Slung to its under belly is a decrepit old fishing trawler. An airplane propeller sticks out of the rear of the boat engine.

It all looks very handmade and jerry-rigged. Piper stands in front of it, grinning proudly. "Isn't she beautiful!"

"It's a balloon". said Jonathan.

"It's a dirigible".

"Thought it was a plane. Why does this place call an airport if we flew by balloon!"

Ardeth shakes his head. "Why can't you people ever keep your feet on the ground?"

"Well? Coming or not!?"

Moments later. Piper cuts the mooring lines. The blimp begins to ascend as the blimp motors off into the desert towards a gorgeous setting sun. Dissolve to a fantastic full moon, as the blimp floats across it. A billion stars twinkle brightly.