In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 21):

There didn't seem to be much more to say. Madame Agatha promised she would write Chi-Yin every day. "I consider you a friend, dear, and should enjoy corresponding. It will take my mind off the heat and primitive circumstances."

Roger smiled and nodded, then lowered his voice. "Of course, old man. Do you have a particular reason for visiting the digs? The diggers looks as surly and unfriendly as the rest of them. I can't wait to leave." He let Bathony lead the way.

In reply to Madame Agatha (msg # 22):

"I shall do my best to write." Chi-yin promised, and left.

The Count used his plantation panama hat to fan himself as they walked, before the heat just became to much and they returned to the car and some much needed shade. The Count took some water when it was offered, "I am sorry but I was unable to make anything untoward out by simply looking over the dig."



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"Better to try and come up with nothing than skip our due diligence. I appreciate your sweating on our behalf.

"I can't think of anything further in Cairo that will benefit us, unless we're planning to fly. We can resupply further south and continue on immediately?"

In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 25):

"Me either. Who knows what these people get up to in the dead of the night? They all look a bit depraved if you ask me." Indeed, compared to the average Egyptian and Cairene, there was something "off" about the workers.

They retired to the car and quickly compared notes before leaving. Bedford offered, "I don't think we came up completely empty-handed. We heard from another source there was something awful in the works at the end of the month. We don't know where or what, but back during the War if we heard rumours of an impending offensive from more than one source we paid attention. And if it's like the foul ceremony the members of the Carlyle expedition held, then it will be terrifying indeed. That Bessart fellow who witnessed it went mad! And that Nyiti fellow that rescued him had half his fact melted off! Worse than Phosgene.

"So we maybe know when. And even have a hint at what, a ceremony to resurrect Nitocris, the bride of the Black Pharaoh."

In reply to Roger Bedford (msg # 27):

"And imagine what will happen if the ceremony succeeds." Chi-yin said worriedly.

"Is it likely to be in the pyramid where was met the thing ? Where the portal appeared ?"

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In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 29):

At that moment, Madame Broadmoor bustled out of her tent.

Coming over to Chi-Yin, she pressed a packet of letters into her hands. "I've been meaning to send these out via mail. It just slipped my mind and there won't be another chance for days. Be a dear and post them when you get to Cairo?"

She then leaned in to whisper in her friend's ear, "there is one addressed to you there. I dared not send it through the regular mail, where... prying eyes might see it. It is regarding my visions, you see.

"Ta ta! Don't forget to mail those!"

With that out of the way, they loaded up the car for the trip back to Cairo.

Leaving the camp, they felt an oppressive weight and tenseness lifting from their shoulders, that they maybe were not even aware was there.

Once they were on the gravel road leading north to the city, their feline companion hopped onto the seat and meowed at Chi-Yin, pawing at the letters she held.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 31):

"Hello." Chi-yin nodded at the cat, and unfolded the opening of the packet. She pulled out the letters one by one, looking for the one addressed to her, and when she found it, she put the others back into the packet.

Then she opened the letter, wondering what it said.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 32):

Chi-Yin read the letters on the long and dusty drive back to Cairo.

It would take some more detailed reading later, but Miss Agatha's recorded dreams (or nightmare) feature a ghostly pharaoh figure with no features, only a midnight black skin on body and face. The repeating nightmares also featured sphynx, both the giant one that lay half-buried on the Gizeh plateau, and smaller ones that could fly and pace upon the ground. These were servants of the unnamed pharaoh, ancient and cruel as he.

Some phrases were repeated:

"She is close to awakening!"

"The gate will be opened!"

"The gate is under the ground!"

Miss Agatha seemed to be concerned at first as her early dreams featured mass unholy ceremonies where she was to be sacrificed. But then those dreams stopped while the others remained.

From the newest set of dreams starting just a week ago she recorded a sketch of the statue of the Sphynx at Gizeh. Many holes and niches were shown on this detailed sketch. Being an expert Egyptologist, Chi-Yin identified these as being previously known and explored. But there was one new entrance she was not familiar with, several paces away to the north. A previously undiscovered entrance? If so, like the giant and ancient statue itself if was cut from the live rock of the limestone plateau itself.

"I suspect we have our next destination.

"Before we set out, I'm wondering if it might be worthwhile to purchase some additional tools. Electric torches, rope, chisels. Perhaps something to prevent us from becoming lost? And, if we're being frank, I wouldn't be opposed to a quantity of dynamite, although I know we'll have to be careful with procuring and handling it."

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 33):

The vision was terrifying to think about. Perhaps it had something to do with the rite that was being planned.

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 34):

As a professional outfitter, Alexander would be able to get them a lot of the equipment they needed. As for Dynamite or other explosives, his Egyptian Army connections might be useful there as well.

Studying the mysterious entrance further, Chi-Yin came across an additional note in reference to is. "When Khonsu hides his face".

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 36):

Curious. Did it have anything to do with the possibly undiscovered entrance?

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 37):

Chi-Yin does think the notation did seem to indicate the mysterious previously unknown entrance.

In reply to The Keeper (msg # 38):

Chi-yin decided to check out the entrance when they got there.

In reply to Wong Chi-yin (msg # 39):

"Sounds good. Let's swing by Giza and have a look on the way back to Alexander's mansion. Any objections?"

"No, no that sounds like a good plan." The Count took a sip from his canteen, still feeling the effects of the sun.


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"Indeed. Notably, I'm feeling more and more like dynamite would be a handy team consumable."

"Well we managed to secure a few mills bombs from the weapons market. I should think dynamite given it solely civilian usage might be available as well ?"


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In reply to Count Sigismund Bathony (msg # 43):

"We have a Lewis gun we brought from Blighty, and a case of Mills bombs. We could be better-prepared with some Dynamite. I am sure Alexander could help!"

They took the turnoff at the El Gezira Bridge. This lead first to the island (Gezira) where Alexander's mansion was located. But it led further to the west bank of the Nike. Guarding each end was a pair of large bronze lions.

Following the dusty gravel track to the ancient pyramid site the stopped at the now-excavated Sphynx. The sun was getting low but it was not yet time for prayer. There were a few Egyptians around, some were guards and others part of the government's grounds, repair and excavation crew, but they were a distance away at the work shacks at the perimeter of the site.

Following the sketched map in Miss Agatha's dream journal they came to a spot SE from the rear of the massive edifice. But it was just an empty spot of sand.

Cynthia (and Asenath, if so inclined) will emerge from the car and pace around the area, not so much looking for clues as getting a feel for it's place in the greater context of the terrain.

"Do you know if there was anything about the time or the date? These folks do like their phases of the moon."