A Journey to Egypt - 8. Chapter 8

Secrets of the Beetle

As the evening progressed, Reginald and Alexander decided to retire to their room for the night. Omar and Kareem escorted them back, ensuring their safety. Once inside, they locked the door and took a moment to relax. As wonderful as their dinner had been, it was also very stressful. Why did the merchant who sold the scarab track them down and try to buy back their treasure?

The following morning, Reginald and Alexander awoke feeling refreshed and ready to continue their adventure. They decided to visit the Khan El-Khalili market to explore the vibrant culture. They had a light breakfast with Omar and Kareem.

While enjoying their last cup of coffee, they talked about what they might find there. They wanted to buy some hats—fedoras and pith helmets. Omar and Kareem accompanied them as they made their way through the bustling streets of Cairo. The market was a sensory overload, with colorful stalls, the aroma of exotic spices, and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares.

The bustling Khan El-Khalili market was a delight, filled with vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and the lively chatter of vendors and shoppers. As Reginald and Alexander strolled through the narrow alleys, they were captivated by the rich tapestry of sights and sounds. The air was thick with the fragrant scents of exotic spices. Vendors displayed many large mounds of colorful spices in woven baskets, from golden turmeric to fiery red chili powder. The aroma of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves mingled with the scent of freshly ground coffee, creating an intoxicating blend. The rug shops were a feast for the eyes, with intricately woven carpets and tapestries hanging from every available surface. The rugs' vibrant patterns and rich textures told stories of ancient traditions and skilled craftsmanship. Stalls selling a variety of hats added a whimsical touch to the market. The selection was diverse and colorful, from traditional fez hats to wide-brimmed sun hats. Shoppers tried on unique styles, laughing and chatting as they found the perfect fit. They bought the hats they wanted and wore the fedoras, looking wildly dashing in the hats.

The jewelry store was a treasure trove of glittering gems and precious metals. Reginald and Alexander were drawn to a particular shop that displayed fine rose gold rings adorned with hieroglyphics. The symbols engraved on the bands made them exceptionally beautiful.
Intrigued by the intricate designs, Reginald asked the shopkeeper, an old man dressed in a pristine white suit, "What do these symbols mean?"

The shopkeeper smiled warmly and replied, "May the god Ra watch over you. It is a protection spell."

Captivated by the rings, Alexander said, "Then we must have them."

The shopkeeper nodded and carefully checked their ring sizes. "I will have them ready for you in an hour," he assured them.

With excitement and anticipation, Reginald and Alexander continued exploring the market, sensing they would soon possess a piece of ancient protection. The rings engraved with the hieroglyphics "May the god Ra watch over you" would constantly remind them of Ra's divine protection. This symbolic protection provided security and confidence as they faced the challenges ahead.

With Omar and Kareem in tow, Reginald and Alexander entered the rug shop. The shop was filled with beautiful rugs, each more intricate and colorful than the last. Omar pointed out two magnificent rugs, their patterns rich and vibrant.

Reginald agreed, "These are indeed exceptionally fine. I promised my mother that I would buy two area rugs. These will be perfect." He thanked Omar for pointing them out and spoke to the shopkeeper. Reginald haggled over the price of the rugs until an acceptable price was agreed upon. "I'd like these rugs shipped to England, please."

The shopkeeper, a friendly man with a warm smile, assured him, "That will not be a problem. We will take care of everything."

With the purchase arranged, they left the shop and were greeted by the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee. They walked to a nearby food stall and bought four coffees. The rich, aromatic coffee was perfectly made and served with a lump of sugar. The four men sat at a round table, enjoying the moment. "This is turning out to be a fine day," Reginald remarked as they sipped their coffee. Once they finished their coffees, it was time to pick up the rings.

They returned to the jewelry shop, where the rings were ready and waiting. The rings were simply perfect, fitting them both beautifully.

Alexander smiled and said, "This one is on me!" He paid the shopkeeper, who was beaming with pride at their satisfaction. With their new rings and a sense of accomplishment, Reginald and Alexander felt ready to continue their adventure, knowing they had the protection and support they needed.

The Citadel of Saladin, also known as the Cairo Citadel, was a remarkable medieval Islamic-era fortification in Cairo. Its strategic location on the Muqattam hills made it a formidable defensive fortification. The surrounding hills of Muqattam offered a panoramic view of Cairo and the palaces and mosque inside the Citadel of Saladan. The southern palace was the home of Isma'il Pasha, the hereditary ruler of Egypt. The northern palace was actually the main garrison for the Egyptian army. By the time they left, it had been a long day, and they were glad to be returning to the hotel.

They planned a relaxing and rejuvenating evening at the hotel. Reginald pulled the cord for the porter. The porter arrived quickly and Reginald ordered dinner in their room. Enjoying a delicious meal and unwinding was an excellent way to end their day. Reginald writing a letter to his father added a distinctive touch to the evening.

Alexander had the scarab beetle and was examining it in the light of a candle. “That is fascinating. The light shining through the scarab beetle casts an image resembling a map!” It was an incredible discovery for Alexander. There was a hidden mystery waiting to be unraveled. “Reginald. Come look at what I have discovered.”

Reginald was so excited he kissed Alexander on the cheek. "Yes, it looks like a map," he said as he hugged Alexander. Reginald ran to the door and asked Omar to come into their room to look at it.

Omar was as excited as they were. Omar agreed it was a map but did not know where it could be! The map revealed by the scarab beetle was quite intriguing! Since the map was cast by the light shining through the scarab, it might contain some unique and hidden details.

Alexander, Reginald, and Omar could start by examining the map's shapes, symbols, and visible landmarks to determine the clues. It was getting late, and Omar said it would take some time to figure out where this was, so he bid them a good night and left the room.

Reginald and Alexander had an extraordinary moment together. Their bond and excitement over discovering the map made the evening memorable. It was lovely to feel their relationship growing stronger. Reginald slowly undressed Alexander, kissing him all over as he went. Then it was Alexanders turn and he did the same. They were so tired that they fell fast asleep. The following day, they bathed together, dressed, and asked Omar and Kareem to join them for breakfast. They were shown to their table, and they had a delicious meal.

They had a productive conversation over breakfast! Omar and Kareem had talked to an ancient scholar who agreed to help decipher the map. Reginald and Alexander were impress with how quickly their two guards had acted to get help. With the scholar's expertise, they might be able to uncover more details about the map and its significance. This was a fantastic develoment!
They were having quite an adventurous start to their journey, and Omar's urgency to meet the scholar added to the excitement.

Boarding Kareem's black carriage, they quickly realized they were being followed. The streets were bustling with people and traffic, making it challenging to shake off their pursuer. Kareem's quick thinking and daring maneuvers, including narrowly missing oncoming carriages, was a thrilling experience. After a long drive and many turns, they finally managed to lose the other carriage.

They pulled up in front of the scholar's home, a quaint, charming house with an air of mystery. Stepping out of the carriage, they walked up to the door and knocked. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing the scholar, an elderly man with white hair and a beard. He was dressed in long robes. He greeted them warmly and introduced himself as Dr Hosni. Dr Hosni led them into his library, a room with an incredible book and scroll collection. The walls were lined with endless shelves packed with ancient texts and manuscripts. The room had a rich, scholarly atmosphere, with the scent of old paper and leather-bound volumes filling the air. What an impressive and inspiring place to begin their quest to decipher the map!

Dr Hosni retrieved an ancient book filled with large maps. He invited them to make themselves comfortable, as this process would take some time. Hours passed slowly as Dr. Hosni meticulously compared the map from the scarab beetle to each area in the book. Finally, he called them over.

With excitement, Dr. Hosni pointed to a place on the book's map and said, "This is the Temple of Abu Simbel. Off to the west in the desert is this mountain range. Here is where you will find this place." He wished them good luck and said, "May Allah bless."