Return to Egypt, Chapter Two

Chapter Two:

There he was, and he was magnificent!

They’ve found Amenisis, a Pharaoh from Egypt’s ancient past. Not much is known about him. The only mention of him is on a couple of tomb walls, but Sera-Jane has made it her mission to find out all she can.

She is also deliriously happy that they have found the body of his wife, who has been buried beside him. More is known about Mutyata, who many Egyptologists believe was the true ruler of the province, with her husband being the head in name only.

Sera-Jane and her boyfriend, Xander were excavating in Egypt for months before their dream was realised. She was the Egyptologist, he had a burning, insatiable curiosity in everything ancient Egyptian.

Sera-Jane and Xander met in college. She was studying anthropology and ancient history, and he was studying English. Their mutual friends thought they would be perfect together and set them up. Everyone was overjoyed when they hit it off immediately.

Xander had always been interested in history; and ancient Egypt in particular. He always figured this was part of his attraction to Sera-Jane.

As they became more and more serious he started going on excavations in Egypt with her. He went to give her a hand with the digging, but he relished every moment of it. He didn’t know why, but he felt completely at home in Egypt.

~ * ~

The search in the Egyptian valley was exhausting, but the couple were enjoying themselves. They felt like Howard Carter during his quest for Tutankhamun in the 1920s. The only element spoiling the experience for them was the presence of Sera-Jane’s rival, Eric. He was furious that Sera-Jane had been named lead investigator, as this was usually his role.

On one hot and very muggy day, Eric decided to take a very valuable and irreplaceable shabti statuette without telling anyone. Everyone knew he had taken it and hidden it somewhere, but he wouldn’t confess, nor return it. As the head of the excavation Sera-Jane had to step away from the removal of a fragile Anubis shaped chair to sort it out.

“Eric, this is beyond ridiculous, just give it back! I’m sorry if you feel I have usurped you, but it is what it is. If you want to stay with this excavation then you’ll have to behave yourself and stop annoying the people around you. If not, then I’m afraid you’ll be on the next plane back to London. The decision is yours.”

Eric can feel his blood boil throughout his body. He knows he can’t stay with the excavation while Sera-Jane is in charge. He should be the lead person on this excavation, not some little girl who should be at home dusting artifacts that he has found, not be out finding them herself. His loathing of her will not cease.

“I’ll be leaving soon, don’t worry. But I will make you one promise Sera-Jane. This is not over. Not by a long shot!”

Sera-Jane turns to go back to the Anubis removal. Her heart is pounding through her rib cage. She has never been good at confrontation, and this was particularly difficult.

She can feel Eric’s eyes burning into her back. She knew when they set off on this trip that she wouldn’t have Eric’s respect. And although she had to admit she was glad Eric was leaving, she was saddened they couldn’t work together. She has always admired Eric and his work, and hoped they would have some great adventures together. Alas, that was not to be.

~ * ~

The corpses of Amenisis and Mutyata had been well prepared for burial, and as a result they were both beautifully preserved. Their people had obviously thought a lot of them.

Sera-Jane spends more time with the body of Mutyata, allowing another Egyptologist on the team to work on Amenisis. Xander is with her every step of the way.

Mutyata’s body is draped with breathtaking jewellery, from the chains around her neck and wrists to the exquisite rings on her fingers. No one can believe how lucky they are to have made this discovery.

While inside the tomb Xander gets a strange sense of déjà vu. He puts it down to excitement, or the fact that this is the first tomb he has been a part of excavating. He has dreamed of this day for so long, and now the moment has arrived, his body is practically quivering with joy. He can’t imagine how ecstatic Sera-Jane must be at the discovery.

With each item they reveal, they become more and more elated. The amount and quality of the artifacts rivalled that of Tutankhamun. Sera-Jane and Xander are beyond delighted, and they can’t wait to bring their discoveries back to England to do a complete examination.

~ * ~

Over the next few days and weeks Sera-Jane and Eric work methodically to uncover the mummy before they slowly and steadily bring him to the surface for the first time in thousands of years.

Subsequently, Mutyata and Amenisis are ready to be transported to their temporary home in London. They are to be thoroughly examined there while the Egyptian and English authorities debate his final resting place.

When back on English soil, the couple are invited to a grand party at the museum, where Sera-Jane is greeted with cheers and applause from her work colleagues.

“Congratulations on your success! We knew you could do it!”

Externally Sera-Jane is overwhelmed by the recognition, but Xander knows she loves it.

Eric stays away from the celebrations. He’s revolted by the entire sequence of events. This should be his party, his celebration, but Sera-Jane has stolen it away from him. He will never forgive her.

“Thank you everyone. I’m just happy to bring home such a bounty!”

As the guests raise their glasses, she turns to her boyfriend.

“Did I just say ‘such a bounty?’”

Xander has to let out a giggle.

“Yes, I’m afraid you did.”

“Oh Lord. The Egyptian sun must have melted my brain matter.”

As the party continues, Eric sneaks in to the museum and pops into the manager’s office. Colin has a variety of books in his office, but there is one in particular he is looking for. He quickly finds it. He flips to the pages he wants and photocopies the relevant sections. He grins insanely to himself as the light from the photocopier highlights the red anger in his eyes.