A snippet

As soon as they spoke the words, the air seemed to shimmer and the messy office faded away. Instead, they saw a huge wall covered in colorful symbols. As the scene came into focus, Nick held up the book and saw that it was the same wall from the picture. There was the column with the professor’s note scratched into it. The room was empty except for the giant black cat, curled on the golden throne. She opened one eye lazily to look at them.

“Nick, it worked!” Valerie said excitedly. Her laughter echoed in the empty room.

“Shhh, hang on a second Val. We should be careful. We don’t know if the people here are friendly. After all, the professor did ask for help!” Nick told her in a whisper.

Just as he said this, they heard the clatter of metal on marble and turned around. In the doorway behind them stood a boy about Nick’s age. He was wearing nothing but what looked like white skirt and a heavy gold bracelet around each wrist. At his feet were a golden tray and an overturned golden bowl. Figs rolled over the marble floor.

Without thinking, Valerie picked up a handful of figs and walked over to boy. She held the figs out with a smile. “You dropped these!”

For a long moment, the boy stood frozen, then he slowly bent down and picked up the bowl and the tray. Valerie dropped her figs in the bowl and bent down to pick up more.

“Thank you,” said the boy. “But who are you and why are you in the most sacred throne room?”

Valerie started to speak, but Nick shot her a glare that only a brother could give. She knew right away that he was thinking carefully about their answer.

“My name is Nick and this is my sister Valerie. We are travelers from very far away. We certainly didn’t mean to wander into the throne room. It was an accident.” Nick explained.

“Who are you?” Valerie chimed in. Nick sighed, with a smile. His little sister was always really friendly. Sometimes even when she should be staying quiet and letting him do the talking.

“My name is Bes. I am a cupbearer for the Pharoah.” He looked at Nick and Valerie. “It is one of my duties to escort visitors to see the Pharoah, but perhaps you would like to change into some more…appropriate clothing.”

“We are going to meet the Pharoah?” Nick asked.

Bes looked at him, confused. “Well of course. Is that not why you traveled here from your far away land?”

“Oh, yes, of course,” Nick said quickly.