The Eye of Ra

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John lay perfectly still, he was happy to stay there for a few moments longer; during the time they had traveled along the tunnel, which he supposed to be a time tunnel, Charlotte had clung to so him tightly and had finally landed on top of him in the cave. As for Charlotte, she was more than content to stay where she was, as she was very frightened and took comfort from John's presence.

Charlotte stood up and to her amazement they had both had their clothing transformed into the attire of their Egyptian ancestors, "nice outfit" John said, "likewise I'm sure" she retorted. "I wonder if we can attract the attention of those people outside" John said getting to his feet. "No," Charlotte shouted at him, they are our enemies, "How do you know that?" John said. "I can't explain it, I just know," she said frowning.

"Fine, and so it begins, I think I'm going to have to trust your judgement, but if at any time you are not 100% sure, please feel free to share such information with me." Charlotte sensed his bruised ego "I'm sorry, I did not mean to be so dogmatic, it's just a feeling I have, and I just know it will lead to danger." "No problem" he said sheepishly, feeling that he had over reacted "we can work these things out as we go along," and he gave her hand a squeeze.


"I'm afraid my ex-boss has come to a sticky end, that's an ornate dagger stuck in his back," said John leaning over the body. "I doubt will we ever find out what happened, the blood on his jacket is still damp, it looks like he was murdered recently, the question being whom, and how did they get out of here?" "I don't know John, but I think we may need that dagger if you can bear to retrieve it." John removed the dagger from the body, wiped it on the sleeve of his jacket, and tucked it in his belt. Charlotte involuntary shuddered.

"John we must find a way out of here, I have so many questions I need answering especially about my ancestors, but they can wait; since I've been here I keep getting flash backs in time, different characters appearing to me, but I don't know who they are." "Ok lets feel along the walls to see if we can get any draughts from the brickwork, it maybe an opening" said john running his hands over the wall of the cave. Charlotte walked to the opposite cave wall and copied John's actions.

"Over hear," called John. Charlotte joined him at the other side of the cave. "I think that I've found something" he said excitedly "I think your right there is a definite draft coming from the brickwork just here, she said running her hand down the bricks", Charlotte froze as she felt, but could not see, the something that guided her hand to push against a particular large brick. John could sense her unease "It's ok push, it may be the way out" he urged.


Charlotte and John pushed against the brick with all there might, as they did so, the sound of brick grating against brick, echoed throughout the cave. A chink of light began to show making them half close their eyes against its brightness. They watched, as the opening grew larger, John picked up the casket, which he had placed on the floor of the cave, and led the way through the opening. Charlotte followed, close behind, they found themselves in a chamber, on the other side of the chamber there was an opening and together they ran towards it.

Charlotte stopped just before the opening, and put out her hand to stop John. "What's the matter?" he said. "I think you may need to have that dagger handy, do you know the name "Set?" I'm afraid so, legend has it, that he was around some 5,000 years ago, and was bad news, why?" "A voice keeps repeating beware of Set," "Well mythology tells us he was the slayer of Osiris, and brother of Isis. Osiris was husband to Isis, and Set became their enemy," said John beginning to feel uneasy.

"So maybe the voices outside are our enemies; what do you think we should do? We have to get out of here; we have no other weapons apart from the dagger." John was about to say more, when he looked across at Charlotte who seemed to be in some sort of trance. "What is it?" "I don't know, I'm told to look in the casket at one of the parchments": Charlotte said shaking her head as if to clear it; the action seemed to bring her out of the trance. John opened the lid of the casket, one of the parchments had the 'Eye of Ra' (Utchat) symbol on it, he carefully opened this reading the word 'powers' inscribed on it he passed it to Charlotte.


"I think we need you to read this," said John "Well if I can understand the language, maybe I can read and speak it," said Charlotte taking the parchment from his outstretched hand. Charlotte was right; she could read and speak the language, and John had to admit to himself far better than he could. As Charlotte finished reading, the verse the chamber was filled with blue smoke. As the smoke began to clear, they found themselves surrounded by of a group of Egyptian guards.

The guards fell to their knees, and started bowing to Charlotte, who gestured for them to stand; speaking to them in Arabic, she explained to them, the possible peril outside the cave. A guard who seemed to be in charge by the look of his attire, spoke saying they where her personal guards, and they would protect her with their lives.

They then made, their way to the chamber entrance, which they found barred by a group of men. A surly individual spoke saying, "Where did you come from?" "Out of our way" said Charlotte with authority pushing him aside. This provoked the man, who appeared to be the leader of the group, he signaled to his men, who promptly set upon the guards and John, while he tried to hold onto Charlotte.


To John's amazement looking across at Charlotte, she raised her arm and sent the man flying across the ground, as well as any other attacker that got in her way. She managed to do this with what seemed like a bolt of lightning coming from the palm of her hand. This frightened the attackers, who soon realized that they where loosing, the fight; they started to flee with one of them shouting 'Isis' over, and over again, as they ran towards the hills. John ran to Charlotte's side and lifted her up in his arms, spinning her around saying "well done, that's put pay to them for bit, adding I think they may be back with reinforcements, but we are ok for now."

John froze; he felt several spears jabbing into his back. Charlotte spoke sharply to her guards who reluctantly moved away. "Sorry, I got carried away by the moment" said John "feeling grateful she was able to control them. I'm afraid they think I'm 'Isis' Charlotte whispered and that I should not be touched." "Yes I can see why they would think that, you put on some show with those attackers." "I don't know how it all happened, I was being told what to do every step of the way." Charlotte replied. John turned away to hide his frown, even he was beginning to have doubt's as to who Charlotte really was.

The group started walking towards the village, which they could see someway off in the distance, they had no transport apart from a mule left by the attackers, which Charlotte was riding. They estimated it would be late morning before they reached the village, so they decided to walk until dusk, then they would make camp for the night. This left Charlotte time to think; so much had happened in the last few hours it was like a dream, yet she did not feel a stranger to this land or its people, indeed, she had the feeling that she was returning home.


As for his part, John was convinced that his assumption had been correct, about Charlotte having blood ties to Isis. The amazing thing was she was acting as if she was her, as if some power had taken possession of her. It was becoming increasingly hard to part fact, from myth. She really was a stunning, looking woman in her golden robe. "What?" Charlotte said "you where staring at me." "Was I, I'm sorry, it's just that you are so different from the person I met in France a few hours ago." "I think we have left her far behind" said Charlotte wistfully.

They traveled for a while longer then made camp, some of the guards wondered off into the shrubs, returning with a couple of rabbits, and several different plant roots; they then set about making a fire and barbequed the rabbits, and charred the roots, which made a surprisingly delicious meal, John and Charlotte could not believe how hungry they where. With their stomachs satisfied, Charlotte turned to John and said. "Are you up to filling me in on a few details yet?"

"Of course, I'll tell you all I know, and you can ask me any questions later." John told Charlotte how in ancient Egypt the gods had ruled the land, 'Osiris', was one of the gods, brother of 'Set' and husband to 'Isis'. Set, was jealous of Osiris, and murdered him, he then tore his body into fourteen pieces and scattered them throughout Egypt. Through the magic of Isis, he was resurrected for a short time, long enough for him to produce a son named 'Horus'. Osiris then died, becoming ruler and protector of the deceased. Osiris is usually portrayed as a bearded man, mummiform, and wearing a crown, his hands standing out from dressings. He holds a crook, whip, and sceptres.


"My god, he's one of the visions I keep seeing," said Charlotte in utter amazement. "I'm not all that surprised, has he spoken to you?" John asked. "I'm not sure, I do hear a voice telling me things, I believe it was his hand on mine pushing the brick in the cave." "Carry on please I'm intrigued", she said. Set was the god of strangers, and the desert, often described as the evil god; he is portrayed as a human with the head of a pig, snake, crocodile, or some other animal. He also hated Isis for helping Horus too eventually overcome him, and maintain a balance in the universe.

As for Isis, she was the sister and wife of Osiris, and the most popular of the goddesses; she personified faithfulness, and motherhood, and had healing powers. She also had other magical powers; and was believed to be the most powerful magician in the universe, she became, known as the goddess of magic. Isis learned most of her powers from Ra, the first god, he was known as the sun god. John lifted Charlotte's hand, this ring is called an 'Utchat', meaning amulet of protection, and it is used to repel evil. It is believed to loose its powers at night though, as it is the symbol of the sun god.

Charlotte got up and put some branches of scrub wood onto the fire, she stood gazing at the dancing flames. John continued telling her about Ra the sun god, who shone down on all Egypt, but he was a lonely god, so he created two children. One day they became lost. Ra plucked out his left eye sending it out to find them, when it returned it had the children, so as a reward he placed it on his brow, becoming the all powerful 'Eye of Ra'. Ra is portrayed as a hawk-headed man or a hawk.


Charlotte slumped to her knees. "He's the other vision I see, 'Oh John', what is going on, why is all this happening to me I don't understand." In the distance, they could hear a horn being blown, men shouting and coming closer to the camp. The guards surrounded Charlotte protecting her as she got to her feet. Just then a group of men came rushing through the bushes, they where brandishing spears, but kept a respectful distance; a man on a donkey appeared from behind them, he looked like a holy man by the robes he wore, he alighted from the donkey coming towards them in a defiant manner saying...