“Let’s go.” Hunter said as he clasped his wife’s hand and started jogging behind Ghaelvord.

“Hunter, I don’t trust him. Keep an eye on him.” Tiyana said under her breath.

Hunter replied under his breath, “Definitely. I don’t like him at all.”

As they drew near the end of the rows of stone shelves, Hunter began sprinting. He exited the line of shelves just before Ghaelvord.

He called out to the crew, “Hongo! Everyone relax. I am going to introduce you to someone. He has agreed to help us.”

As Hunter came alongside Hongo, Hongo said, “What now Mr. Price?”

“Just be cool and stay on your toes Hongo. Be cool, but be ready for anything.”

As Ghaelvord exited the rows of shelves, Hunter heard gasps and exclamations from the crew. Ghaelvord merely glanced at them and walked off in the other direction.

“Ghaelvord!” Hunter cried out. “These are the people you agreed to save! One of them has a broken leg and needs medical attention.”

Ghaelvord turned to face them and Hunter heard more gasps and exclamations as the crew saw his terrific face. Ghaelvord smiled wide as he said, “Excuse me; I forget that every moment has precious meaning for you.” Then his expression changed to one of annoyance, “I have more pressing matters to attend.”

Hongo drew his carbon-steel utility knife. “Will wonders ever cease? I like you Mr. Price. I like both of you.” He said as Tiyana jogged up to them. “But, I am sorry to have met you.”

“Can’t say that I blame you. Can’t say that I do.” Hunter replied. “Look, we met him in a hidden room back there. He promised to help us get out of here if we helped him. We did and well, now, we’re hoping that he can get us all out of here. What do you think?”

Hongo’s face was all business. “He has weapons. We are unarmed. We should not attack him, but we should even the odds. I will have Andwele and some of the others gather whatever we can find. I advise you and Mrs. Price do the same. Keep the weapons hidden. Look for short blades.”

Ghaelvord disappeared behind piles of treasure and lithic shelves. Hunter felt an urge to follow him. He expected, however, that Ghaelvord would know that he was being followed. Also, he did not want to leave his wife or the crew.

“Malmech!” Hunter heard Ghaelvord shout.

Then silence. They waited.

Eventually, they heard heavy footsteps and knew that Ghaelvord had returned. He brought a man with him. The man had a lean figure with olive skin and bright yellow eyes. He strode forward with an air of confidence. He wore robes similar to Ghaelvord’s, but dark scarlet in color. Bright yellow eyes shone out from beneath his coif. As the mysterious group drew near, Ghaelvord veered to the side. He grasped two sides of a tall shelf and tore it from its foundation.

“Gurrah!” He grunted as he lifted the heavy shelf.

He carried it the short distance to the crew and hurled it onto the pile of artifacts that they had been building. The tall shelf’s base connected with the ground and the top rested on the pile. Ghaelvord then repeated the process to create a series of two diagonally resting shelves that reached up to the platform with the great door.

Hunter’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the pathway to the door; he spoke up on behalf of his group, “Thank you.”

Ghaelvord’s attention finally turned to the group. He approached and stood unnervingly close. People cowered.

“Reckless explorers, you never should have found me, but I am pleased that you did. You awoke me early and for that I am eternally grateful. As your reward, take everything that you find here. You are welcome to it. I must go. I have much to learn of your world.” As Ghaelvord finished his speech his eyes fixated on Shenouda. “Ahhh, the member of your clan in need of medical assistance, I presume.” The giant kneeled in front of her and went on, “My lady I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Loctyein nya teribu.” Shenouda replied in Arabic.

She said that her appointed time drew near. Her eyes opened partially. Sweat drenched her body. Her leg had continued to swell throughout the night.

“She thinks that she is dying.” Said one of the Egyptian men.

Ghaelvord stroked her cheek with one of his fingers. “You remind me of a woman I knew long ago. To let elegant beauty leave this world would give me grief. Come, if this frail form survives long enough, I will remake you.” With that, Ghaelvord cradled her in his tree-trunk sized arms and stood.

Hunter’s heart raced. He had already let too many people die. He would not lose another one.

He panicked and reacted impulsively, “Stop right there!” Hunter commanded. “The girl stays with us.”

“Really? Malacoda did you hear that?” Ghaelvord said, addressing the scarlet-robed man.

The man smiled, but said nothing. With that Ghaelvord moved toward the pathway to the door. Hongo and Hunter made eye contact. Then, Hunter bum rushed Ghaelvord wielding a heavy mace that he had found earlier. Ghaelvord smiled and swatted Hunter aside like a fly. Tiyana, in defense of her husband and not wanting to be outdone, threw a javelin at Ghaelvord’s legs. She aimed high, but not high enough to hit Shenouda. The javelin bounced harmlessly off of his platinum-coated cuisses. Meanwhile, Hongo had been stealthily flanking the giant. As Hunter bounced to his feet and made another run at him only to be swatted away a second time, Hongo pounced on the giant’s back. In a leap and a bound, Hongo climbed up the giant’s backside and wrapped a silver chain around his neck.

“Let her go!” Hongo shouted.

“Impressive.” Ghaelvord muttered.

As he said the word, he reached over his shoulder and grabbed Hongo by the back of his shirt. Ghaelvord yanked Hongo away from his position and held the Kenyan in the air. “I have to say I admire your prowess. I should bring you all along with me I suppose. Malacoda?”

The scarlet-robed man spoke up for the first time, “Ni havi strib yardo… aur chronum.”

“I suppose you are right. Come, we are off. Enjoy the riches. Never say that I am not munificent.” With that, Ghaelvord dropped Hongo.

Then, Ghaelvord and the scarlet-robed man ascended the platform. At the top, Ghaelvord brought his knee to his chest and push-kicked the door. The handles shattered along with the locking mechanism. Hunter heard a loud bang as the door slammed open.

Hunter tried to get up, but he fell back to the ground. He felt a splitting pain in his head. Then he saw tiny dazzling white stars fill up the room. He lost consciousness.

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