Amun-Ra laughed. "Ramesses, my faithful warrior and leader of men, may you be forever happy in the Fields of Reeds." He watched the Egyptians until they faded into the warm mists of the Fields. Then Amun-Ra clapped his hands and the manifestations of Jayhawk, MRed, Gustavia and Civis were returned to their particular realities.
And so ended the involvement of Ramesses, Nephisis, Seti, Ankhensenamen and Tut-Ankh-Amun in the matter of Imhotep the Physician... It would be for their living descendants to manage any other challenges of this kind set before them by Amun-Ra or others if and when they should occur.
Meanwhile, back in Carter's camp...
"Do you feel a little lightheaded?" asked MRed of Gustavia.
"Why, yes. A little," replied Gustavia. "Like I'm not entirely here."
"Me too," said Civis. But Jayhawk understood. On his plane of existence he sometimes communicated in silence with those of his ilk in other places. This time it was Amun-Ra and Anubis that claimed his attention with respect to Ramesses and the other Egyptians. Soon it was over and the three in the Valley of the Kings began to feel more like themselves.
"Rest will do us all good, I think," said the Seraph. "Tomorrow we will be leaving so a good night's rest will be a perfect prelude. Good night, my friends."
Gustavia and Jayhawk, of course, didn't need rest as angels never sleep. They chatted into the wee hours of the night then performed their usual mind cleansing reverie.
As the morning sun began to climb over the horizon, the angels performed their morning oblations and waited for their mortal friends to rise. It was then Gustavia announced she would stay and assist her "uncle" Howard Carter. MRed,too, decided to stay, if only to have an opportunity to fly her Fokker bi-plane to her heart's content. She said she had found a new herb. It seemed medicinal but she wasn't sure how she found it. The bottle seemed to simply appear in her hand when she awakened. Jayhawk provided the explanation. MRed was pleased and content. Civis and Jayhawk bid them farewell, until they should meet again.
As the Count Di Civis and Jason Hawke approached Carter and Carnarvon to say their goodbyes, they couldn't help but notice the array of beautiful Egyptian artifacts neatly arranged for counting and tagging. Carter and Carnarvon were nearly head to head looking at one on their inspection table. It was an ancient papyrus scroll. Jayhawk could see the Egyptian symbol for "Ramesses" prominently appearing among the other heiroglyphs on the scroll. He smiled. It seems they have found it where Gustavia and I placed it last night. Good! Carter will take very good and proper care of Ramesses' tomb, Jayhawk was sure.
Jayhawk cleared his throat to get their attention. Carnarvon noticed first. "Oh, Mr. Hawke, a pleasant morning! Indeed a pleasant morning! Wonderful things, Mr. Hawke! Simply wonderful. Oh, and my dear Count... why, you seem to be dressed for a journey. Are you leaving us? So you are, and so soon! How very disappointing. We have hardly begun, lads. Stay awhile longer!
This time Civis answered. "Lord Carnarvon, we cannot. I have urgent business in Rome and need Mr. Hawke's services there. But I wish to thank you and Mr. Carter for your hospitality and for the adventure of a lifetime here."
Jayhawk almost chuckled. Smooth, Civis, very smooth. You're getting better at this all the time, he thought to himself. Civis continued unabated. "We must leave you now with our best wishes for your continuing success in this Valley."
"And to your success as well, Count Di Civis and to your good health," responded Carnarvon. "And to yours, Sir," said Civis. Jayhawk's expression changed only slightly. Anubis... he thought, there is Anubis...
Hand shakes followed and Jayhawk and Civis accepted Carter's offer of a truck and driver to return them to Luxor. From Luxor they travelled to Cairo. Next day, they departed for Rome via the dirigible they rode once before. Now they stood in the same little room ready for the time bending trip back to Ancient Rome and Civis' villa.
Like before, no clothes, Civis sword tucked under Jayhawk's black wings, Civis' eyes closed to combat the nausea... Sudden bright lights... Now the familiar smells of his villa filled the warrior's nostrils. He opened his eyes.
"BY THE GODS!" he bellowed, for he was standing unclothed near the fountain (not in his antechamber) in plain sight of 5 servants, 3 of which are women. "Oooops" said Jayhawk. The angel promptly folded his black wings around himself and tossed the sword to Civis. Never in his career did Civis made finer use of his sword than he did at that moment.
One of the women ran giggling to find Apolita, Civis' consort. She emerged with clothes for both. Modesty restored to him, Civis greeted Apolita as a husband who has been gone for many days should. She greeted Jayhawk warmly as well.
Shortly afterwards, Civis noticed something different about Apolita. In the weeks he had been gone, she had changed somewhat. Her face was much more pink and fuller than he remembered and she seemed even happier than before. Curious, he asked her about the change. She smiled and pointed to another room. "Follow me," she said. "You too, Jayhawk. It's okay."
They followed her to one of the formerly empty chambers. New furniture was there, smallish in size and in design.
Civis was puzzled. "Gifts from Titanicus," she said. "That one too." Civis followed her pointing finger to a small furniture item in the corner. A wooden object, it seemed to be a small bed... on rockers?!
"Apolita!" Civis exclaimed.
"Yes, Civis. You will be a father in a few months." He hugged her once more, and at last her tears flowed, tears of joy and relief that her warrior was home once more.
Jayhawk quietly stepped out of the room and closed the double doors behind himself. Best they be alone for awhile he thought. Let them enjoy the moment. The future can wait for just this little while.
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MRed: See, you're alive and kicking and doing your favorite thing: flying your bi-plane! Enjoy! And thanks for all of your great entries in this story.[This message has been edited by Civis Romanus (edited 04-06-2000).]