Chapter Text
- Americans were trying again to find riches in places that didn’t belong to them, and with that, they found fights.
Andrew was aiming his gun at the hundred horses approaching fast, hitting one here and there. It was just work, he was a bodyguard and nothing more. He wasn’t supposed to be fighting a war, with a pistol and knives. These people had been following them for ages, and were never hostile before, only when they finally arrived in Hamunaptra did they attack. And their caravan didn’t seem to be the first to find their fate in the hands of those men. Bodies and blood covered the sand. But it made no sense for the man of the desert to protect gold when they gave water so much more value.
Riko Moriyama, was by his side, another one employed by the Americans for his knowledge of the place. But even he didn’t know why the men were attacking, or he knew and didn’t bother to mention it. Since day one, Andrew noticed how much of a vermin he was, and wouldn’t trust Riko for anything. Confirming his suspicions, Riko was the first to run away from the fight to the city.
Andrew fought, but even he wasn’t willing to die for nothing against a hundred men alone and followed the remaining man to the ruins of the city. Riko closed the rock door in his face and left him under the rain of bullets, Andrew cursed and ran. He ended up falling and losing his gun, he stopped by the huge Anubis statue. Surprisingly enough, a sandstorm started to form under his feet, and the men that were attacking retreated.
Andrew used the opportunity to escape into the desert, the Magi watched as he left, without attacking, they sure thought the desert would kill him faster. Andrew couldn’t say they were wrong, but he had been through worse in his life.
Back in Cairo city, Neil Josten was looking at the library he had just destroyed when he caused a domino effect on the shelves. It hadn’t been on purpose of course, but Wymack, the director was cursing at him like it had indeed been on purpose.
“I have no idea why I keep you here.” Wymack sighed at last.
“It’s cause I’m the only ancient hieroglyphs translator in this city, besides Kevin, who is not here, by the way.” Neil reminded the man, who fumed and stomped out barking orders.
Neil started picking up books, it would take at least a couple of days to organize it all, so he had to find Kevin to help him. He heard a noise coming from the antiques room. He walked there cautiously and heard the noise again coming from a coffin, he walked there already knowing what he would find.
“If it isn’t Kevin Day, sleeping in a coffin, drunk again. If you are so eager to die-”
“Shut it, Josten!” Kevin groaned waving the other away.
“I have to take care of you too much, you know. Not very older brother behavior of you, Kevin.”
“Step brother you little shit.” Kevin said, opening his eyes, and checking his liquor bottle, empty.
Neil sat beside the coffin and took the bottle. Kevin barely fit inside the coffin, his long legs must have been cramped, had he been there all night?
“I have something for you actually, got it yesterday, a nice guy gave it to me.” Kevin said fumbling with the coat he had been using as a blanket, he took a metal piece from a pocket, it was an artifact, and Neil could tell just by looking. “The man said he got it from Hamunaptra.”
Neil turned the piece in his hands, if he was correct, it was some sort of triggering device, he read about it, but right now he wouldn’t be able to find the damn book in the mess that was made in the archive.
“Hamunaptra? Why would he just give it to you?” Neil said turning the engine.
“Ok, I stole it, but I was drunk, and he was drunk as well. But the thing is, he tried to kill me and some other people who were messing with his friends. And got arrested. So he doesn't have any use for it anymore. Does he?”
Neil was barely listening to Kevin's drinking problems and that now a bad guy was probably after him. Hard to believe knowing he was a coward. Suddenly the device opened and inside there was a piece of parchment. Neil held his breath, he knew the parchment could be just a paper the bad man stuck in there, but it could also be a piece of parchment no one had ever touched in three thousand years.
It did not crumble when it was exposed to oxygen, so Neil thought it safe to touch. He took it out of the device and unfolded it carefully, and he could identify a map. There was no mistake, it was indeed a map. Kevin was looking over his shoulder.
“Do you know what this means?” Kevin said smiling, he couldn't read as well as Neil, but he must know what it said.
It read Hamunaptra in the hieroglyphics.
“Let’s find Wymack.”
Wymack put on his glasses to take a good look at the map. He was a renowned historian, and if he agreed, Kevin and Neil could go on an expedition to find the lost city, the museum could make a lot of money with that, while Neil and Kevin got the credit for the finding and got to study some new site never found by modern society.
“No, I don’t think this is accurate.” Said Wymack after looking at it for minutes.
Neil was in front of the table. “What? Check this here, it is accurate, and we can find it. I'm sure!”
“Neil, there are no distance measurements, and the drawing style is nothing like we have found up until now. It is clearly not a real artifact, and knowing it came from a drunk man in a bar Kevin was also drunk in…” Wymack reasoned scowling at his son, Kevin squirmed. “This man probably bought it from a flea market down the river.”
Wymack extended the parchment over the table to give it back, and it suddenly burst into flames. Neil yelped and grabbed the paper, the three of them unsuccessfully tried to save the map. Hamunaptra was gone and they were left with the desert and burned patches.
“I’m sorry, Neil.” Wymack said. “But it wasn’t a loss, okay?”
Kevin sat loudly on the chair Wymack just vacated. The dream burned up so quickly.
But Neil wasn’t one to give up.
“The man.” Neil said in sudden realization. “The man you stole the map from, he knows the way!”
Kevin blanched. “Yeah, the man who tried to kill me, and is now in jail, that man knows.”
Neil was already turning his back to Kevin. “Up, we have to talk to him.”
Kevin groaned loudly.
The next morning they were being allowed inside the prison, and the director, Seth Gordon was guiding them both. Kevin was trembling in his boots. Neil tried to comfort him, the man had been drunk, and he probably didn’t remember Kevin.
The prison had grated cells with inside doors like it was a zoo, Neil wondered if his dad had stayed in one of those filthy cells, and hoped he had. The man was being dragged from the door by two guards, he had long sandy filthy hair, a beard, and was dressed in rags.
“Why is this man here?” Neil asked Seth.
“I didn’t know before you asked to see him. Well, he says he was defending himself. But left four men badly injured.” Seth said, leaning against the wall.
The man was put against the grate, his hands cuffed and he wore a murderous gaze. It changed a bit when he saw the brothers.
“Who are you?”
“We are here in representation of the Cairo Egypt History Museum.” Kevin said.
The man nodded, he was quite uninterested and smiled up at Neil. “And who’s the pretty boy?”
Neil and Kevin exchanged a look. Seth Gordon laughed. “He is quite drugged, he’s too violent to walk around sober. So he might spur some nonsense.”
“I might be drugged, but I still have eyes.” The man said, hands dangling from the grates and a jerk smile.
Kevin took a step near him, crouching down to his level. “It came to our knowledge that you know the way to a certain place we need to go.”
The man frowned and the next second he punched Kevin, who fell, Neil helped him up, his nose bleeding. “I know you! Fucker stole my shit!”
The guards held him back and pulled at his clothes using their clubs on his back. Seth laughed and barked orders. The guards thrust him against the grates again.
“Be nice, Minyard. The pretty boy has questions.” Seth smiled at Neil who didn’t like it in the least, he took a deep breath and approached the grates.
“Forgive my brother’s misbehavior when you met him… Mr. Minyard.” Neil said lowering his voice as he crouched down, the man had no reason to punch him, he hoped.
Neil covered his face with his hat so no one would get what he was saying besides the man. “But it is vital that we… get to Hamunaptra. That is if you weren’t lying about your visit there.”
The man took a long look at Neil before answering.
“I’m not a liar and you are not one to go to waste.” The filthy man smiled. “Come closer and I’ll tell you.”
Neil leaned closer, if he wanted to punch him, Neil would take it, and fight back, he needed the information anyway. But no, the man held his jaw and pressed his lips roughly against his mouth. The man pulled away one inch. This close, Neil could see his amber eyes clearly, they were fierce and true.
“I’ll take you to Hamunaptra. Take me out of here and you have a deal.” The man said as the guards pulled him back, he fought them, even drugged and probably food and sleep deprived he gave them a hard time.
“You okay?” Kevin hurried to get him up and away from the grates. “This fucker-”
“I’m fine, it was nothing.” Neil said still feeling his warmth against his lips. He turned to Seth. “Where are they taking him?”
“He’ll be hanged.” Seth said uninterested and turning to the patio.
Neil followed desperately, he needed to save Mr. Minyard, he was the only chance to get there with the map ruined.
Seth sat on a chair, popping grapes in his mouth, Neil sat beside him as Mr. Minyard was dragged to the palanquin, and they prepared the chords.
“I’ll give you a hundred pounds for that man.” Neil offered as they pulled the chord over the man’s head who grunted.
“I’d pay a hundred pounds just to see him die.” Seth said laughing and barking at the guards. “Hurry up! There are twelve more on death row today.”
“Five hundred!”
Seth lifted his hand to the guards, who stopped. “And what else? Minyard is quite right, you are a very pretty boy.”
Neil must have let his disgust show on his face, cause Seth frowned and gave them a sign. The palanquin was opened and the man fell, struggling against the chord.
“No!!!”
“His neck didn't break, he'll suffocate till death.” Seth laughed.
Neil took his wrist. “He knows how to get to Hamunaptra, a lost city with riches hidden for three thousand years. Save him and I'll give you a part.”
“Fifty.”
“Ten.” Neil refuted.
“Forty.”
“Twelve.”
“Twenty-five.”
“Eighteen!”
“Fifteen!”
“Deal!” Neil smiled.
Seth groaned. “Cut the rope!”
The guard promptly obeyed.
Mr. Minyard fell to the ground and gasped for air, coughing. Neil approached the railing looking down, he might have made a bad deal, but at least he got him out alive. His heart was beating like crazy, he had seen a lot of death in his lifetime, but none of them had gotten him as desperate as that one close call.
The man got up, and with a hard jerk, he broke the ropes that were tying his hands. He looked up at Neil who mouthed: “We have a deal.”
The man nodded and made a two-finger salute on his forehead. Neil couldn't tell if it was mockery or a thanks, so he turned his back to get out of Seth's presence and those amber eyes, he had to find Kevin and tell him everything.
Kevin wasn’t excited about the news, nor was Wymack, who insisted they were wasting their time. Neil had the money to fund 30 or more expeditions thanks to his father's inheritance. So they booked the passages and made arrangements even if Wymack was against it. Mr. Minyard would meet them on the boat. Not two days later they were boarding.
“You think he’ll show?” Neil said looking around the Cairo Gazi Harbor.
“Minyard? He better.” Kevin said putting a bag over his back, scrunching his green eyes in the sunny morning. “He’s honest enough, promised to punch my face next time he saw me. He did.”
Neil chuckled. “Honest… He is a filthy, mentally unbalanced, violent man, I don’t like him one bit-”
“Someone I know?”
Neil and Kevin turned to the voice source. Mr. Minyard was walking in their direction. His clothes were clean and dark, his hair neatly cut, no trace of his beard or maniac smile. He was serious and composed, like a different person, but Neil would recognize his eyes anywhere.
“Andrew Minyard. Good to see you…” Kevin said faltering and stepping back, even having at least a foot on the other man.
“I’ll be clear, stay out of my stuff.” Andrew said, his voice leaving no room for discussion.
Kevin nodded and took yet another step back, even if not attempt to return what was stolen.
“Good thing you showed, I was beginning to believe I was lied to.” Said Neil, being a great liar himself.
“I don’t lie. My crew believed so much in Hamunaptra that they crossed the desert for it, in the end, there was only blood and sand for us to find.” Andrew told him with those fierce eyes. “We have a deal, I’ll take you safely to Hamunaptra.”
He walked past the brothers to board the boat.
“As you said. Filthy, mentally unbalanced, violent man, I don’t like him one bit.” Kevin said, staring at their guide's broad backs.
Neil crossed his arms staring all the same, that would be an interesting trip.
“Morning.” Seth Gordon said, taking both brothers out of their thoughts, he was carrying bags and ready to depart.
“What are you doing here?” Neil asked exasperated, he certainly didn’t invite that man.
“I supposed that as an investor, I should take a close look at this enterprise.” Said Seth climbing aboard.
Neil groaned and Kevin chuckled. “This one is even worse.”
They climbed aboard.
It was late at night when Andrew left his room, it was hot and he wanted to clean his weapons somewhere. He walked to the common deck where Kevin was playing cards with some Americans, he could tell by all the pistols and clear privilege on their faces, not that Andrew wasn’t American himself. He still wanted to hurt him for stealing his metal box.
“Are you Mr. Andrew Minyard?” A girl on the table asked, he nodded. “I’m Catalina Alvarez.”
The blonde guy on the table smiled, all teeth. “I’m Jeremy Knox. Mr. Day here says you are going to Hamunaptra. Bet we can get there before you.”
“Oh, he said that.” Andrew asked taking a step near the table, Kevin was way bigger than him, and Andrew would still throw him overboard for opening his big mouth. “Funny, he sounded so secretive when I was hired.”
“He is quite drunk.” The girl from the other side of the table said arranging her cards. “Laila Dermott, we bet five hundred.”
“I’m not really into bets, but what gives you such confidence?” Andrew pushed to see if he could get more information, as he knew, no one else knew how to get there.
“We have a man, who’s been there before.” Jeremy said smiling.
“Oh? Cause we-” Kevin started but shut up when Andrew put a knife to his back. “Uh, what about another round?”
Andrew walked away from the table leaving the drunks to their games. He hadn’t been drunk when he met Kevin, he had just stayed in the desert for three months, slowly traveling with caravans back to civilization. He went to the bar to have some real food. He examined the metal box over the table as he had some drinks and dinner. Kevin approached very interested in talking, of course, he was a historian, but he didn’t say it then.
He asked to see it after Andrew told him where he found it, being honest he just found Kevin good-looking, and that was the only reason he was willing to talk. But when he tried to pocket it, Andrew lashed out. He pinned Kevin to the floor trying to get his box back, and some people attacked him, he fought back and Kevin ran.
And there it was, the redhead boy, reading a book near the horses and camels. His auburn hair was illuminated by the fire as his sky-blue eyes roamed along the printed words. Neil Josten, Kevin had called him. They didn’t look like brothers at all.
Andrew placed his weapon bag over the table, startling the unassuming man, who glowered at him.
“Scared you?” Andrew asked.
“You don’t scare me, Mr. Minyard.” Neil said calmly opening his book again.
Andrew opened his weapon bag over the table and sat before him, Neil would be better company than the drunkards in the common area. He looked at the knives and guns displayed and something dark crossed his eyes.
“Where are we going to? War?” Neil asked putting his book down.
“There’s something there, and I like being prepared.” Andrew answered.
“Something? It’s just ruins of a lost city, it's only history .” Neil smiled skeptically and Andrew was taken aback by him once again.
But he knew the danger they were all going towards. He grabbed his Benelli and started the process of cleaning it, Neil watched his hands while they worked, he seemed interested and haunted at the same time.
“You’ll understand when we get there.” Andrew said ominously.
Hamunaptra was indeed cursed, but he had a deal, and would never break a promise. Plus, that man had saved his life. He wouldn’t forget it.
Neil looked at him for a long time before speaking again. “Why did you kiss me?”
Andrew stopped his hands to look back at Neil, he had never been one to waste his words.
“You have no idea of how beautiful you are, do you?” Andrew told him, Neil was out of words and only stared with his impossible eyes. “Plus, they were going to hang me, still… I should have asked.”
Neil scoffed as if offended. “Well?”
“If you are waiting for an apology, you better know that I don’t regret anything.”
Neil rolled his eyes and got up, a shame really, Andrew liked his presence, not that he would admit it to himself. His eyes would have lingered on Neil leaving if another person wasn’t eyeing him, Andrew got up not believing his luck.
“If it isn’t my old vermin of a pal.” Andrew announced.
Riko Moriyama turned to him and blanched, then smiled like a two-dollar bill.
“Oh my, Minyard, you are alive-” He couldn’t finish cause Andrew pressed a hunting knife to his throat.
“Not thanks to you, you vermin, I think I’m killing you, Riko.”
“Mercy, please.” Andrew snarled at that word making Riko tremble. “Andrew, I’m on my way to that forsaken place again.”
“You are the American’s guide, huh?” Andrew wasn’t surprised.
“I barely got out of there alive, but the pay is good, since my uncle you know, disowned me, I have no money…” Riko cried about his problems all the time, Andrew couldn’t really hear it.
“Yeah, yeah, keep your pity for someone who cares.”
Riko then frowned. “Wait, you are going back there as well? Why?”
Andrew looked to his right where Neil Josten caressed one of the camels, he looked at them, rolled his pretty eyes, and left. “That man saved my life.”
Riko’s eyes followed Neil until he disappeared. “You and your shitty deals.”
“Yeah, and as I’m not working for the company, I think I can kill you with no consequences.” Andrew established.
Riko pleaded for a couple more minutes, but Andrew felt no compassion for him whatsoever. Riko was only alive because Andrew had no interest in another ticket to prison. But there was something wrong, there were wet footprints on the deck.
Andrew took only a few seconds to connect the points. They were under attack.