The Fae Cavern

Chapter 1

Three men are sitting at the booth in the corner, their heads hunched and sweat dripping from their dark hair. They all have on thin cotton shirts and scandals. Travelers then. No one living in Luxor would go out in any less than ten layers with all of the recent sandstorms. They are all whispering under their breaths with worried expressions and I lean in to see what I can make out.

"Excuse me?"

I flinch and slowly turn around to see my boss, Thea, glaring at me. She has her fists clenched at her sides like she always does before a lecture.

"What, exactly, are you thinking?" she leans in and harshly whispers in my ear so the customers can't hear. "Gawking at them like this is a zoo??! Remember what I told you? Tourists have pocketfuls of cash. Maybe if you did your job we would actually see some of it." She sees some customers noticing and steps away. "I'm going out for the night. Close up at twelve and leave the money at my house before you go... wherever it is that you go." She throws her purse over her shoulder and briskly walks out before I can say anything. As the door closes, some of the sweltering heat from the surrounding desert rushes in, making the bar even warmer than normal. This is going to be an awful night.

Sure enough, one of the travelers that I noticed earlier waves me over. As I get close I notice that they all have the same appearance. They are all quite large with thick black hair and pale faces that proves my earlier prediction that they weren't natives correct. The man on the left who seems to be the smallest of all three (a younger brother perhaps?) is speaking. "...an airport near here? We have money if you could help. Here, take this fifty."

He reaches out to put the bill in my hand but notices my bewilderment. "Sorry, what was that?"

"Where is the nearest airport? My brothers and I just received news that we are needed back in Quebec. We must get back before Friday." he says, worry written all over his face.

"It is in Alexandria. You won't be able to make it by Friday though. The next group doesn't get here until 5:00 on Sunday." I inform them, feeling sorry because of how distressed they all seem to be. The young man seems to be sweating even more, if that's possible.

The trio stands up and heads for the door but I stop them. "Wait! What are you doing?"

The youngest one looks at me knowingly and hands over the money he was trying to give me before. "Thank you for your help. It was greatly appreciated." He says.

"No, no, not that," I throw the money back at him. "I just wanted to know what on Earth you are thinking right now. You won't make it an hour in the desert. Do you even have camels?" I ask them, incredulous.

"I'm calling a cab. We will be fine," he assures me.

"No, you most certainly will not be 'fine'," I yell at him, starting to get frustrated. "You are in the middle of the desert right now. There is no transportation here. There is no way for you to possibly make it there. You are stuck here with the rest of us. Unless..." I think of what Thea said to me. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to help them out. This guy is throwing money around like its nothing after all. I won't take his money if he just hands it to me but if I actually work then why not?

"Meet me outside at midnight. I think that I can help you get to the airport." I tell him.

The young man looks at me questioningly but eventually nods his head in acknowledgment. Maybe this night won't be so bad after all.