"I recognize that name." Sylvia doesn't say which name aloud. "We met a...creature...in Shipley whose people were supposedly driven away by him. It."
She quickly scribbles down an abbreviated version of the history Dr. Kafour shares. "A couple more questions if I may. One, do you recognize the name Omar al-Shakti? It is a stretch, but we know he is a member of the cult here in Cairo. We found communications between him and another cult member in England. Two, would it be possible to get more details on the other expeditions? Were they all seeking information on this Black Pharaoh?"
Jake nodded.
"Also, I don't suppose you know a 'M. Besart' as well, do you? He's supposed to be some kind of go-between or expert in antiquities. All the right connections. Doesn't smuggle, but only because he knows everyone else who does?" Asked Jake with a wink. (Passes a 50 pound sterling note folded up under a glass of scotch as he stands a round for everyone.)
"Everyone knows Al Shackti. He is a plantation owner and as far as I know a legitimate businessman. There are apparently whispers about him in the Cairo Underground but nothing concrete.
Besart was working here as a guide for the Carlyle Expedition, although he didn't follow them to Kenya. He's a drunk and from what I've heard an Opium fiend. He lives at the Red Door on the Street of Scorpions.
Apart from the Carlyle expedition the only other expedition I am aware of is currently being run by a member of the Penhew Foundation - a Dr Henry Clive. They have been here for about 6 months and are currently conducting an expedition near Memphis. Clive was the protege of Sir Aubrey and his assistant Edward Gavigan.
You might also want to speak to Faraz Najjar, he had dealings with Carlyle. If he's not in the shop you can usually find him in Fishawi's coffeehouse near the al-Hussein Mosque.
Jake nodded his thanks.
Turning to the others he asked; "What do you say fellows, a trip to Fishawi's? Seems closest at the moment. Then a trip to the Street of Scorpions to interview Besart?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
"A protege of both Sir Aubrey and Gavigan is no doubt worth looking into." Sylvia notes that down as well. "Later, of course. For now I agree that a trip to Fishawi's is in order. Maybe he'll be more inclined to talk to us in public, or at least not make a scene."
Heading to Fishawi's you find a small coffee shop near the mosque serving all kinds of coffee and mint and apple teas together with shisha tobacco. In one corner drinking mint tea is Faraz Najjar. He sees you enter and growls under his breath but does not overly react to your presence.
Sylvia walks over to him, face carefully neutral. "I'm sorry for ambushing you the way we did. But please. Something went very wrong with the Carlyle Expedition, beyond the obvious, and we're trying to figure out what happened. You're the best lead we have." If he doesn't immediately seem hostile, she'll pull out a chair and sit down. "We just want to keep anyone else from getting hurt."
Najjar seems charmed by Sylvia's words.
"Very well, but not here, it is not safe. Come with me to the mosque. We will be safe there on holy ground."
Nodding, Sylvia follows Najjar out the door. "Of course. We can talk wherever you wish." She gives Jake and Colt a significant look, (don't let your guard down), but is otherwise content to go wherever Najjar leads.
Once at the mosque, she makes herself as comfortable as she can without being disrespectful. "Again, thank you for agreeing to speak to us. I guess our first question is this: We know Carlyle came to you looking for certain antiquities. What other dealings did you have with him?"
After asking Sylvia to cover her face and head out of respect to the mosque, Najjar leads you into a small private room of the al-Hussein mosque.
"You want to know about Carlyle? He sought information about the Black Pharaoh, whose reign was supposedly ended by Sneferu, the first pharoah of the Fourth Dynasty.
I had come into possession of a number of items related to the Black Pharaoh, which I offered to Carlyle through his agent Warren Besart. I've not spoken to Besart since.
Amongst the items I sold to Besart was an ancient scroll detailing the entrance to a hidden room in an unnamed pyramid within which the Black Pharaoh was supposedly entombed; a bust of the Black Pharaoh (from the description this sounds like the Bust you saw in Misr House),a small drum bearing odd symbols supposedly of mystical power; and a strange circlet set with a large zircon whish was said to be the crown of the Black Pharaoh and the key to his triumph over death."
Sylvia has no objections to covering her head in the mosque, and sits quietly while Najjar tells his tale.
Sylvia you think that Najjar is not telling you he whole story.
Colt is thinking through all that he is learning, and wondering if his delicate psyche can handle more information, but his curiosity is somehow leading him to continue the journey.
Psychology
"Thank you." Sylvia sifts through the information in her mind. It fits, but she gets the impression there was something he wasn't telling. He'd been so insistent on not talking to them at the shop; why, if this was all he knew?
Plus there was one big thing he definitely hadn't mentioned.
"Your old shop on the Street of Jackals. We went to visit it first, but it had burned down. About the same time as the Carlyle expedition. The locals said you were cursed." She studies him closely. "What happened?"
"Alright I stole the artefacts from the house of a local businessman Omar-al-Shackti. I'd heard rumours about the artefacts after Besart approached me. I later discovered that al-Shackti was the high priest of the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh in Egypt. The day after I gave the artefacts to Besart to give to Carlyle I was in my shop one night when strange creatures appeared without coming through the door or windows. They were composed of fire and burned the shop, when I tried to stop them they burned me. I have no doubt that al Shackti sent them to punish me and warn me from interfering in my business again.
Fresh rumours have reached me that the cult was involved in the recent theft of a mummy from the Clive Expedition, currently digging in Memphis. I've also heard that the Brotherhood wants an item located in the Mosque of Ibn Tulan (not the mosque you are in) but I don't know what it is or why they want it.
If you really want to know more about occult matters you should talk to either the doctor in the museum or there is an old wise woman called Nuri. She lives in the town of El Wasta, about 7 miles southeast of Meidum. I'm fairly certain her sons worked for the Carlyle Expedition during their time in the region."
Jake raised an eyebrow and turned to the others.
"Interesting. A lot of thievery going on in this case, I wonder if they're connected?
"Well then, who's closest? Anyone up for a day trip to the mosque of Ibn Tulan?" He asked the others.
Colt continues his new habit of continually biting his fingernails and nods in agreement.
"Seems like the logical next step".
"Thank you, Najjar, for your honesty." It seems this Omar-al-Shackti was the High Priest, meaning he was far more involved than they had originally thought. Far more dangerous.
"The mosque does seem like a good idea. However, first do you mind saying where these rumors came from? The people who spread them might be in danger of an attack similar to the one you faced."
"The rumours I have heard have come from the criminal underground, I think some of the members have had dealings with Besart, he is an opium addict after all."
The mosque of Ibn Tulan is about half a mile (800m) due west of the Citadel
of Saladin, and near due south of the Ezbekiya Gardens. The
windswept wilderness of the City of the Dead begins just over
half a mile (900m) south of the mosque.
The oldest complete mosque in the city of Cairo, Ibn Tulun
is less ornate than many of Cairo’s later holy places. Traditional
mosque design imitates the courtyard of Mohammed’s house
in Medina, where the great prophet first taught. Originally,
Ibn Tulun was a walled court, open to the sky, with shade
along several sides; however, since the middle of the 19th
century the mosque has been converted and used as an asylum
for the infirm and insane, rather than as a place of worship.
As you arrive you see a medical orderly at the door who greets you and asks you how he can help.
Jake tipped his hat in greeting.
"Hello! Jake Westfield, Westfield pictures.
"I'm here shooting a film; a kind of travelogue if you will. Your mosque is fantastic!" He said, stepping back to admire it.
"I wonder if you would grant permission to film on your mosque's grounds?
"Certainly I think it would be fine to film the exterior, however as we are a hospital I do not think that you would be allowed to film inside to protect our patient's identities. However, it is probably best if you speak to one of the scholars, I believe Ahmed Al Dhababi is free at the moment."
The orderly leads you to a small office. In front of you is an elderly man in his early 70s. He has a lined and careworn face framed by a long, white beard. He wears the traditional taqiyah or skull cap.
"Well, what do you want, I have no time for tourists, gawkers or frivolities, I have serious business to attend to."
"Well, as I said, we are filmmakers. I am following the footsteps of an expedition and its trials, tribulations and adventures here in Egypt and elsewhere. I'm trying to show the land and its people as it is instead of sensational fiction.
"For example, you have a wonderful example of religious art here at the mosque. Have you had to deal with thieves or tomb robbers?" He said earnestly.
"I am afraid I am not really interested in making films. However someone has already attempted to steal that which is in my keeping. Fortunately, the thieves were easily repelled and I think it unlikely they will try again. There is a powerful artefact within the mosque, but that it is safely guarded from all comers. The evil ones shall not have it In'shallah."
Sylvia's eyebrows raise slightly at the mention of a powerful artifact. "Yes, we had heard there was something within your mosque that...evil ones...desired to have." She pauses, debating how much to tell the older gentleman. If the Brotherhood wants something here, they are unlikely to stop after one repelled attempt. But how much does she dare reveal to a complete stranger?
Ultimately her compassion wins out over her caution.
"Sir. Efendim. I must confess that we are not merely filmmakers." She casts an apologetic look towards Jake as she blows their cover, but nonetheless continues. "We have been following the actions of a cult known as the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh, and have reason to believe it was they behind the break-in attempt."
She bites her lip. "I know you have no reason to trust us. But please. If nothing else believe that you are in danger. These people do not stop. Not until they have what they want."
"The Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh, but they have been gone for millennia. Do you have proof that they still exist?"
"On us? No. It's only recently we've even heard the full name." Sylvia doesn't mention from whom, out of respect for Najjar's paranoia. "We do however have proof of cult activity. A letters from Omar al-Shakti to Edward Gavigan in England, talking about their 'master' and the work they intend to complete in his name. Another unfinished letter discussing the murder of our friend, Jackson Elias, because they believed he might be an obstacle to their 'Great Plan.' It all goes back to the Carlyle expedition and what they unearthed about the Black Pharaoh." She closes her eyes for a moment. "If you had any idea of the horrors we've seen, you would not doubt the existence of this cult."
"Given thieves have already tried to take the artefact it would seem prudent to consider your advice. What would you suggest?"
Jake frowned.
"Well, what is this artifact anyway? Is it something that a crook can slip in his pocket, or would they need a forklift and a truck?" He wondered aloud.
"It is a girdle and easily transportable. Unfortunately this would make it easier for thieves to steal it as they would not need much to make an attempt."
"However, while it is here, I feel that it is best to protect it here. I would value any assistance you can provide."
"I'm not sure what assistance we can provide, other than warning you of the danger. Perhaps...is the girdle guarded? I know you said the assault was rebuffed, but are there guards stationed nearby?" Sylvia looks at her fellow companions. "We still have some investigating of our own to do, but perhaps one of us could stay here to help guard the artifact. I do not know why the Brotherhood wants it, but it seems important to prevent them from taking it."
Jake shrugged.
"Unless you'd like us to take turns staking out the place, I have no idea." Jake replied, grinning a the absurdity of christian foreigners traipsing about in a islamic holy site to do so.
Then a thought struck him.
"Well, we could have a duplicate created and placed there instead of the original. How about that?
"If that won't serve, well I don't know. I guess I could hire some local security guys. I'm well off enough to pay them for a month or so. The situation should be resolved by then."
"The girdle is guarded. I would be wary of hiring locals if I were you, it is entirely possible that they have been infiltrated by this cult. The idea of a decoy is not a bad one, I will get one of the artisans to create one."
Jake shrugged.
"Well, at this I don't know what else we can do to help. Will your eminence need any cash to pay for the decoy?" He asked.
"No that is unnecessary, thank you."
Jake stood and handed a card to the Imam.
"Well, here is my card if anything develops. We'll be at the hotel there, or we'll leave word of where we will be." Jake said.
Jake tipped his hat and ushered his teammates out.
Outside, Jake shook his head.
"Dry hole I'm afraid fellows. What say we go have a chat with the Clive Expedition boys down in Memphis? I gather they'll have a tale or two to tell about their rivals."
Sylvia leaves reluctantly. "I wish we could do more, but I'm not really sure what else we could do. Hopefully the ruse with the decoy works and they're able to protect the artifact." She wipes her brow, conscious of how much sweat is gathering there in the desert heat.
"The Clive expedition seems like a good next step. If they're following the same route that the Carlyle expedition did, they might be in a lot of danger."
It's getting quite late in the day now, you could get a train which would get you in late at night (around 9pm) as train services after about 5pm are more sporadic or you could get the earliest train in the morning which would get you into Memphis at around 8am.
Jake isn't in a great hurry.
He advocates returning to the hotel for an evening meal. Sleeping there. A leisurely continental breakfast (reading the english paper) and taking the train to Memphis later that morning.
The net morning you get the earliest train and head off to Memphis. The journey is relatively smooth and the train itself is relatively empty. Memphis itself is a much calmer place that Cairo and you are soon able to discover that the Clive Expedition is just over a mile away on a plateau taking part in their excavation.