The Curse of Kalaan

Chapter 2The mysterious edifice

As the awkward Lil' Louis descended the dune on his rear end, the sand began, once again, to produce the startling sounds they call the 'song of the dunes' and the song continued as his three more dignified companions went dashing down after him on their feet.

A few moments later they were standing at the entrance of the astonishing construction while the count of Croz's men followed close behind. Among the thirty odd men were some local workmen, but also sailors and Kalaan's traveling companions. Everything about them showed how frightening they found this discovery. The anguish in their eyes spoke louder than words.

What the devil! This isn't the first time they've found themselves in front of a tomb! Kalaan thought gloomily.

"We mustn't remain here," grumbled Salam.

Meanwhile Jean-François went up to the hieroglyphs covering the wall that served as a door. Kalaan didn't bother wasting his breath yet again by replying to his stubborn friend. He crossed his arms over his powerful chest and waited to hear what Champollion would reveal to them.

"These inscriptions are magnificent!" exclaimed the scholar. "Pure hieroglyphs, so many figurative symbols and cartouches... all in such perfect condition. I could swear they were only just carved yesterday! I'll get started immediately on the translation!"

He started moving back and forth from one point to another almost bouncing with excitement and every time he stopped, he would loudly exclaim 'I've got it!' before scribbling something in his notebook. It was as if Champollion had, all of a sudden, completely shut out the rest of the world.

"You've got what?" Kalaan couldn't help but ask after sighing heavily. He had been watching his companion's odd little dance for at least twenty minutes.

"It's fascinating..." he gasped without stopping what he was doing.

"Ye know what's fascinatin'? We're all goin' te be roasted like pigs on a spit. There's already a smell o' burnin'," muttered Lil' Louis wiping his damp red face for the hundredth time.

"Return to the boat!" Kalaan was more concerned for the older man than annoyed.

He was clearly worried for his old friend who stood up with difficulty after sitting a few minutes on the sand, when Champollion exclaimed, "That's it, I've translated the most important parts and I still can't believe my eyes!"

He nervously went up to Kalaan.

"This name, Imhotep, I saw it at Saqqara where the step pyramid is! But I also noticed it while I was studying the royal collection in Turin. He is described as some sort of healing god, 'son of Ptah', doctor, grand vizier, scribe, architect and magician. It is difficult to know if he was a man or a real divinity. I hope to learn more in continuing my journey. However, my dear Kalaan, the best is yet to come!"

Jean-François was positively beaming at the count. Not able to resist anymore, Kalaan had to ask,

"What is left to come?"

"Akhenaten!" exclaimed a very excited Champollion. "He is mentioned here, on this very door! And it is not a woman, as we presumed, but a man, a pharaoh! Listen. It is written that in this place, so that the reign of the pharaoh Akhenaten may pass in peace, a magic ritual was practiced, according to the sacred dictates of Imhotep. Wait. I must read this again!" and Champollion, returned grumbling to study the inscriptions.

"Ancestral charms!" Salam was not pleased. "I warned you that this had nothing of a tomb. We must go no further. The magic of the ancient ones is feared and respected, for it is all powerful."