"MAGIC CARPET"

Dorey was deep in thought while Rick tried to persuade his old friend Izzy to take them to Carnac.  It took some doing, but Izzy conceded when Rick gave him Jonathan's gold scepter.  While she was watching the interaction between the two old friends, she noticed Izzy's expression change from mild annoyance at Rick to uncertainty when he saw something approaching.

She turned to see Ardeth approaching on horseback, leading twelve other Medjai commanders, and her heart leapt in her chest.  He gazed at her intently, letting her know he was just as pleased to see her.  She listened attentively as he explained who his companions were and how they would lead the fight against the Anubis warriors, if the time came.

A beautiful, light tan colored falcon was perched on one of the Medjai's forearms.  Dorey watched in wonder as Ardeth called out its name and it flew majestically toward him, landing softly on his outstretched arm. 

"This is Horus, my most trusted and loyal friend," he said, introducing the falcon, all the while stroking the soft feathers of its chest.  He watched Dorey approach him pensively, and nodded to her when she made a gesture that she wished to touch the bird.

She smiled brightly; thrilled Horus would let her touch him.  "He's beautiful," she proclaimed, stroking the falcon as Ardeth had.

"Okay, people, let's get going," Rick urged, anxious to be on their way to find his son.

Izzy led them around the crudely constructed wood buildings to their "magic carpet."  Rick was less than impressed when he saw a primitive looking balloon.  Izzy was quick to tell him it was a dirigible, not a balloon. 

"Why can't you people ever keep your feet on the ground?"  Ardeth complained, recalling the last flight he took with Rick the first time Imhotep rose from the dead.

As they flew in the dirigible, Ardeth told Jonathan more about the gold pyramid in the Oasis of Ahm Shere.  He was amused with Jonathan and Izzy fighting over the gold scepter that Rick had given Izzy as payment for his services. After some time, he noticed Dorey sitting alone by the fire; Evelyn and Rick were standing at the bow of the aircraft. 

"You are very quiet,"  he said while he sat down beside Dorey. 

She watched as he perched Horus on a box behind them.  "You left without saying goodbye," she stated flatly.

He shrugged. "I was in a hurry to get to the Medjai.  They will be essential if the Army of Anubis arises."  He could tell that although his words rang true to her, she was nonetheless upset with him.  "Of course, that does not excuse my manners."  He smiled compassionately.

Dorey couldn't help but smile at him. "No, it doesn't.  But I suppose I will have to forgive you."  She knew in her heart that she would probably forgive this man anything.

Her thoughts turned to Alex as she watched her brother and sister-in-law comforting each other.  "I was thinking about the danger that lies ahead and I'm worried for my family's safety," Dorey explained when Ardeth asked her what she was thinking about.  "It has taken me so long to find them.  I know it's selfish of me, I guess that is why I wanted to come along.  Whatever happens to them, I want to be there, to be with them when it happens."

He put a comforting arm around her shoulders, "It is not selfish, and I think you are very brave to be on this journey.  Your love for your family makes you strong, it will serve you well." 

"Thank you," she whispered and snuggled to his chest. She felt his arms encircle her and sighed contentedly.  She felt warm and safe in his arms, a feeling she had never felt before. 

Ardeth rested his cheek on the top of her head.  "Think good thoughts, Little One, and we shall prevail."

Rick and Evie joined them by the fire, "Something I should know about, little sister?" Rick asked thoughtfully, eyeing Ardeth guardedly. 

"I'm sorry, O'Connell," Ardeth said hastily as he moved away from Dorey, "I forget my place."

Rick smiled, "Your place is wherever you choose.  I'm just wondering what this is all about." 

Dorey placed her hand on Ardeth's. "He was just offering a little comfort, brother.  I was being childish, fearing the unknown."

Rick nodded, "I know, you've already lost so much in your young life.  I was just surprised by our friend's display of tenderness.  He's usually so cut and dried about the mission at hand." 

Ardeth chuckled, "It is difficult to resist your sister's charms, O'Connell."

"Oh, really!"  Dorey exhaled, "You two are acting absurd, now hush, both of you."  Dorey stood and made her way to the back of the aircraft and sat by Jonathan, curled up and tried to sleep.

Evie rose and resumed her position and the bow of the aircraft.  A strange fog enveloped the aircraft and she began to hear strange voices in an ancient language.  A vision formed in her mind and she watched events unfold in her previous life as Nefertiri, daughter to Seti I, Pharaoh of Egypt.

The occupants of the dirigible remained quiet during the next hour of the flight, until Evie let out a scream and tried to dive over the side of the ship.  Rick barely caught her by the leg in time and hauled her back up into the ship. 

She explained the vision she had; the memory of her past life as Seti's daughter, and how she watched Anck-Su-Namun and Imhotep kill her father.  She had been calling to the Medjai, the Pharaoh's bodyguards, when she fell over the edge.

Ardeth brought up the significance of Rick's tattoo, that he was a sacred Medjai warrior that was destined to protect Evie, who in her past life was the protector of the Bracelet of Anubis.  It was their son who was chosen to lead the way to Ahm Shere.  Rick shook off the notion, considering it absurd.

When they reached Carnac they found an empty train.  Alex and his captors were on their way to the next destination, but he left them a sand castle showing them the next stage in the journey.  They traveled for four days following Alex's signs. 

They were traveling through canyons above the Nile when they heard a loud rumbling from behind.  A wall of water, propelled by Imhotep, was rapidly approaching them, intent on sending them to their deaths.  At first they out ran it, with the booster engine Izzy had installed on his aircraft, but they went crashing down when it ran out of fuel.

Rick instructed Izzy to stay behind and repair the aircraft, while the rest of them went looking for higher ground to keep a lookout for Alex.  Ardeth attached a message to Horus to send back to the Medjai and sent him on his way.  It was only minutes later when they heard a shot from a rifle.

"Horus!"  Ardeth yelled, he knew immediately that his loyal friend had been killed. He had been ready to leave the group and go in search of the Medjai, but stayed after Rick begged for his help in finding his son. 

Later that night they found themselves on a precipice overlooking the entrance to Ahm Shere.  Rick and Ardeth were discussing the best approach while Dorey, Jonathan and Evie were preparing their rifles. 

Ardeth approached Jonathan, "You any good with that?" he asked and motioned to the rifle.

"Three times fox and hound grand champion, I'll have you know," Jonathan boasted.  "You any good with that?" He asked about Ardeth's sword.

Ardeth deftly removed the sword from its sheath and held it to Jonathan's throat.  "We'll soon see," he said, quirking a brow at Jonathan's look of horror, "the only way to kill an Anubis warrior is to remove its head."

Dorey found herself smirking at Jonathan and Ardeth's attempts at judging each other's stealth at weapon use, even in light of their current situation.  She watched Rick give Evie pointers on using her rifle.  She could see the fear and love in both of their eyes.  Dorey could not bear the thought of her brother and his wife losing their son, they just had to prevail.

Dorey watched while Rick kissed Evie goodbye, then left, with Ardeth trailing behind.  Ardeth stopped when he reached Dorey, "Be careful, Ardeth."  She touched his cheek gently. 

"I will see you soon, Little One," he kissed her quickly and caught up to Rick. 

Dorey watched them closely as they fought with Imhotep's warriors.  She had no idea what else was fighting along with them, but there was something else in the oasis' jungle killing Imhotep's men.  She watched Imhotep and Anck-Su-Namun escape further into the Oasis. 

Evie and Jonathan began firing and cleared a path for Rick to reach Alex.   Rick scooped his son into his arms just as Lock-Nah attempted to cut the bracelet from his arm, and ran for safety. 

Dorey's eyes stayed fixed on Ardeth, who was in the midst of a sword fight with Lock-Nah.  She could try to shoot Lock-Nah, but they moved quickly and was afraid she would shoot Ardeth.  She kept watch for an opportunity, but none was needed; Ardeth's blade found its mark. 

Ardeth stood after defeating Lock-Nah and heard a shot ring out.  It took an instant to realize he had not been hit.  He looked up to find Dorey, who had fired the shot, and then heard a man fall dead behind him.  He gestured his thanks to her for saving his life, then turned and ran off.  He needed to find the Commanders to ready themselves in case the Army of Anubis was raised. 

Dorey watched him go. "Godspeed, my love." 

"Let's go," Evelyn called to Dorey and Jonathan.  

They quickly joined Alex and Rick below.  Evie hugged her son tightly and kissed her husband.  That was when Dorey discovered what had been attacking Imhotep's men, the pygmies arrived and they ran for their lives.  When they were safe, Alex told them he needed to be in the pyramid before the sun hit it or the bracelet would kill him. 

Evie noticed the sun starting to rise, "Rick!"  She pointed behind them to show him the sunrise, and Rick and Alex took off running for the pyramid.  Dorey, Evie and Jonathan followed. 

Dorey ran to the pyramid while Jonathan and Evie stopped short.  She turned around when she heard Rick yell, seeing Anck-Su-Namun pulling a blade from Evie's stomach. 

Dorey held Jonathan and Alex close while she watched helplessly as her brother knelt over his dying wife.  There was nothing anyone could do, and within moments Evie was gone. 

When Rick's tears subsided, he instructed his sister and brother-in-law to take care of Alex.  He then headed for the pyramid in search of Imhotep and the woman with him.  He would make them pay for Evie's death.

Jonathan began consoling his nephew.  He mentioned that Evie was in a better place, like the "Good Book" said and Alex remembered the Book of the Dead that Anck-Su-Namun had with her.  He tugged on his aunt and uncle's arms, begging them to follow him.

Jonathan carried Evie as he, Dorey and Alex went in search of the book.  Jonathan was less then convinced Alex' plan could work, his remembrance of the dead language quite limited.  But, as Alex lead them through the pyramid; reading the hieroglyphics on the walls, Jonathan started to believe.

He distracted Anck-Su-Namun while Alex retrieved the Book of the Dead from the ledge where Anck-Su-Namun left it.  To his amazement, this woman was a fighter, striking blow after blow on his cheekbone.  He hoped Alex would hurry, not sure how the outcome of this fight would be.

Dorey watched while Alex performed the ritual on Evie.  He called out to Jonathan, for help with a symbol he was unfamiliar with.  Thankfully, Jonathan knew exactly what it was, allowing Alex to complete the incantation.  Dorey was amazed by her nephew's knowledge and watched astounded as Evie returned from the dead. 

Evie then took over the fight for Jonathan and sent the others to help Rick.  She and Anck-Su-Namun fought with sai, as in the ancient times.   With Evie's memories and knowledge of Nefertiri's fighting skills and the defensive moves Rick had taught her, Anck-Su-Namun was no match.  She ran from Evie and went in search of Imhotep.  Evie was in close pursuit.

They all watched with horror as the Scorpion King attacked Rick.  Rick was trying to tell Jonathan about the spear when he saw Evie…alive….and temporarily forgot the monster behind him, until it was almost too late. 

Jonathan tried to kill him by turning the Scepter into the Spear of Osiris and aiming it for the Scorpion King, but Imhotep intercepted his throw.  Evie cried out to Rick as Imhotep threw the spear and barely cut off his throw.  Rick managed to run the Scorpion King through and with his death; an earthquake ensued causing both Rick and Imhotep to fall into the chasm filled with the souls of the dead that surrounded the chamber.  

Amidst the falling debris and crumbling rock, Evie ran to save Rick, although he pleaded for her to leave.  She pulled Rick to safety and watched while Imhotep pleaded with his love to save him.  Instead, Anck-Su-Namun turned and ran.  Imhotep, his heart broken, let go and plunged into the chasm. 

They left the pyramid to find the whole of the oasis was being sucked into the pyramid.  Rick urged them to climb to the top and they struggled their way upward. 

"We're trapped," Evie cried, clutching her son and husband to her. 

Dorey watched Jonathan looking around frantically, desperately seeking a way to escape.  She knew there was no way to escape.  At least they were together.  She only wished she knew what had happened to Ardeth; was he alive?  Surely he was, she would have sensed otherwise, she told herself.  Her only regret was that she would not have the chance to say goodbye, or to tell him...

"Ahoy!"  Came a shout from behind.

"Izzy!" Rick yelled, seeing the broken down airship.  He had managed to convert the airship from gas to hot air.  

Rick helped Alex, Evie and Dorey onto the ship.  He and Jonathan had to grab onto the sides and pull themselves up.  Jonathan managed to tangle himself in the ropes, falling from the ship.  The ropes that tangled around his ankles, all that saved him. Amazingly, Jonathan managed to grab the huge diamond that was atop the pyramid before Rick pulled him to safety.

Dorey, although thrilled her family was safe, only had thoughts for the Medjai and Ardeth. She looked desperately for a sign, but found none.  She felt someone tug at her sleeve and turned to see Rick pointing at the sands below.  Dorey's gaze followed the direction he pointed, and there, in the vast desert, she saw a lone horseman. 

"Ardeth!"  She exclaimed with relief and waved to him frantically.   Dorey turned to Izzy,  "Take her down, please, Izzy?!"

Ardeth was more than thrilled to see all of his friends had made it out alive.  His heart leapt when he saw Dorey waving to him.  When he noticed the aircraft lower towards him, he rode to meet it and watched as Dorey climbed down the ladder.  He helped her on to his horse, sitting her in front of him. 

She turned to see his face.  He was cut and bloody, but otherwise looked as if he was in good health.  She placed a hand behind his neck and urged him toward her, lifting her face so that he could kiss her.  He passionately obliged. 

Rick called down to him, "We'll meet you in Cairo.  Please take care of my baby sister."

He broke the kiss to answer his friend, "Until then, my friends."  Both he and Dorey waved to their friends and family in the aircraft; watching as they flew away towards Cairo.