Chapter 1
The air was hot, dry and particles of sand seemed to levitate through the air almost constantly. Large, canvas tents lined the dig site protecting it from sand storms and camel wanderings. Tent openings flapped in the breeze as well as the different flags on top of them. In the distance you could hear camels braying for their morning grains and hay. At the very center of all this was one tent in particular, the flag on top indicated dig owner and funder was beneath it's shelter. Inside the tent lay a beautiful young woman, tossing and turning in her sleep.
Alania loved Egypt. She loved Egypt ever since she was just a wee one sitting on her father’s lap and listening to his stories about pyramids, pharohs and lost treasures. One year, when her father came home from a particular excavation near the great pyramids of Giza, he brought with him a cartouche necklace pendant. It gleamed and shone in the light, casting reflections across the ceiling. He would dangle the pendant over her as she listened to those stories of the ancient ones and legends long passed.
Alania's father was extremely well known in the archeological field. You could hardly go to any museum, social event or benifit that didn’t know him by name or reputation. He was a strong, intelligent, successful and handsome man. He was her hero, she admired him completely. She was certainly a father's daughter and strived for nothing more than to follow in his footsteps. inside her tent she tossed and turned watching that necklace spin and spin in her dreams.
Alania awoke in a slight daze, clutching her father’s necklace around her neck and breathed heavy for a moment. The way she always woke after dreaming about her father and the memories she had of him, especially that one. It had been several years since his mysterious death, and his necklace was the only thing she had of his that brought her closeness. She still would pause and wait to hear his voice outside the tents even though the years of grief flew by and occansionally reminded her of him. This was one of those moments.
Alania got out of bed, stretched and started to prepare for the day. She walked over to the washing basin and got ready. It was very easy out here since she didn't have to put on so much etiquite and social status graces. Alania loved being able to leave that all back in the states. She noticed a pitchure on the table steam coming out the spout. Her favorite thing in the morning pouring herself some coffee and staring out into the dig, watching the sunrise over the monument. She checked her notes from the previous day, and started looking for her things.
Dusting off the sand from her clothes, and peaked out of the tent to check the weather, and see the sunrise. Chuckling to herself, she started lacing up her boots. The sounds of wind rustling the tent flaps, camels and mixed languages having lively discussions began to seep into her tent as it did every morning around this time. A comfort amongst those who were leading their own dig site. She dreamed her whole life to experience Egpt and its history up close and now it was her life, much to her mother's demise. Grabbing some more coffee, Alania untied the opening to her tent and stepped out into the bright morning sun and into her day.
Just outside Alania’s tent stood a rosey cheeked, portly gentleman who clearly looked as if he did not belong at that location. Bernard was dressed in his best butler service suit, holding a small tray in front of him. She had tried to get him to be more relaxed but her was very proper and took his duties extremely seriously. Especially since he had been there since Alania was born. As Alania approached him, he took aslight bow as he addressed her smiling. “A letter from your mother, Miss Alania. And can we please find more suitable establishments? This is so unbecoming of a lady or me, her butler, for that matter.” He said whilst dusting his suit and snorting while he chuckled, only havnf a slight bit of attitude in his tone. Alania took the letter, kissed his cheek and bid Bernard good morning. She smiling charmingly towards his remarks but clearly ignored them.
As she walked to her work site, even with all the buzz about her, she started to open the letter from her mother.Anxiety started to twist in her stomach. Her mother definitely did not approve of her lifestyle or her father's. But she enjoyed the money that came with it. Only pausing occasionally to make sure she didn’t bump into a ladder, passing camel, cart, or one of the new cars. Alania of course, had an occasional eye roll with every few words that were written.
“Dearest Alania,
I hope you are well and you aren't being too unbecoming. I am writing you to tell you about a party I am throwing this new year's. Everyone is coming and It would behoove you and your future to join us. It truly is going to be the biggest event of the season. Most importantly, the Carter's and their very eligible eldest son, Myles, who comes from a good name and will inherit a handsome inheritance. All the family will be there. If you could see it in your busy schedule to join us, it would be wonderful to see you. Just let Bernard know, and he will make the arrangements.
-Your Mother
Alania sighed, it had been very rarely since her father’s death that she had been at home. She really didn’t plan on going back anytime soon. Especially now that her mother was in so much control over her life. Alania loved her life and loved her freedom. She loved traveling through Egypt, working as her father did. Finding lost treasures and meeting the incredible people of the country. She understood the resentment her mother felt towards that; Alania was her only daughter and all her mother wanted was to have that perfect offspring who reflected her good raising. But Alania couldn’t help it; from the first moment arriving in Egypt to steaming up and down the Nile, Alania was hooked. Egypt was as much a part of her as it was for her father.
Alania took a moment to think about what she was going to do. She folded the letter, chuckling at the fact that her mother had to mention the Carters, and placed it into her notebook. The Carters were one of the wealthiest families next to her's. Alania understood well and good that she was wanted of her and her of her marrying. Regretably Alania knew she would make an appearance and do her duty of being the perfect daugher. But she would not get engaged nor married to anyone that wasn't of her choosing. In fact she wasn't sure set on getting married at all, she loved her life and didn't want that to stop.
“Okay, Bernard, I’ll make arrangements here; we can go home, but just for a few weeks. That’s all I want to stay away for.” Bernard looked as if he was about to leap and dance towards the docks. He was so ready for a proper bath and decent cup of tea. He truly showed that he was ready to leave right then and there. Alania, who was not as enthusiastic, took a deep breath and took as much of Egypt in as she could.
Alania spent the next few hours making the necessary arrangements with her crew. Giving them all the information on how and where to reach her. Assigning each member their appropriated tasks to ensure her dig ran properly while away. "I want reports sent each week." She yelled to her dig master. He waved back to her nodding in agreement. "You have my word, Ms. Alania, your site will be well taken care of. Taking a last look over her site and holding her father's necklace in her hand, Alania was ready to leave. She climbed upon her camel; she refused to leave any other way much to the protest to Bernard. She headed behind him and their belongings in the Packard.
The docks were loud, busy, and full of confusion Alania gave the Camel to the boy who would return it to the dig site giving the camel a kiss on the nose before saying goodbye. "I'll see you soon Cleo." This was one of Alania’s favorite places; she loved the excitement and energy that it offered her. She especially loved seeing all the travelers and newcomers with their over joyed expressions filled with wonder as things flew about them. It was a wonderful way to leave, and even with gentle tears in her eyes, she saw promised to return in a few weeks. She pulled her pendant to her lips, kissed it, and held it towards the sun. Egypt was and will always be her calling, her passion, and her life.
The river steamer chugged along the Nile, making its way towards the ocean, giving passengers a lovely journey back to the States. Jazz poured out every door and window of the ship, with laughing couples and families parading the deck. Alania just walked the ship, looking out over the ocean, twirling her necklace and clutching her leather-bound notebook. She was no doubtibly going through grief of leaving. Plus she had tons of anxiety about returning home.
She had not returned for a long time and feared the questions she knew her family’s friends would ask. Alania did not want to converse in their gossip or small talk. She chuckled at the thought of their noses turning up when she showed up in pants and boots. Knowing Bernard wouldn’t let her walk into the house without proper attire and dreaded the dresses, shoes and updos. Still, it was her other life, she was part of it as much as it was part of her. Alania needed to learn how to balance both. As she walked the decks with her thoughts until she was interrupted suddenly by a drunken gentleman.
Bursting out the doors with a boisterous laugh and tripping into her, almost knocking her over the railing, was a tall, dark-haired, slightly muscular gentleman. Clearly intoxicated, with his equally drunk colleagues. His ear-length black hair fell unstyled about his eyes and mysteriously dark chocolate-colored eyes which looked directly at her, through her and into her at the same time. If not for his drunkenness and abruptness, Alania might have found him quite attractive. Instead, she pushed him up off her with a sigh and stood up fixing her clothes.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said, brushing him off her. He just stared, opened his mouth, and his piercing gaze. He must have been standing for a good minute, for his friends began pulling at his sleeve and handing him another swig from their bottle. "You are excused." He slurred and laughed as he and his friends continued on their way. Not before taking a second look at Alania picking up her things and steading herself. Joking with his friends in his drunken stupor, "well she's no fun." Alania shook her head and decided to go a different direction towards her state rooms.
The days slowly went on, staring at nothing but the Atlantic and the same shipmates bound for America. Alania missed Egypt terribly and her work. She missed her tent, camel and freedom already. She wondered how things were going at her camp. Wishing she could be in her tent now, instead she was dressing for dinner and lacing up her dress. A shimmering evening gown and low-heeled shoes combined with her father’s necklace and hair cascading down her neck. She didn’t much care for evening gowns even though she looked wonderful in one. She passed the mirror in her stateroom, shrugging off her look and moved through the door.
Bernard escorted her to her table along with several other high society guests. Feeling as if she had nothing to offer her dinner mates, Alania twirled her pendant around in her fingers as she stared out the windows.“Is this seat taken?” Alania jumped a bit out of her thoughts. She looked up and staring back at her was the gentleman from a few days ago. She nodded towards the seat and continued to twirl her necklace. She hardly would have recognized him if it wasn't for his eyes. The gentleman was nicely dressed, hair slicked back, styled and sported a pair of round-rimmed glasses. He held out his hand in an introduction manner.
“Edward Clark.” He thrusted his hand out confidently. Alania held out her hand hesitantly as he took it and kissed it gently. “Hmmm....Charming. Alania.” she pushed her glasses up her nose. He sat down next to her noticing the big, intoxicating Ocean clear eyes Alania bore. “I wanted to apologize for the other day. I was not myself and got a little too carried away with my friends.” He seemed a little shy about his approach but it was over powered with the emence confidence he had as well. The table continued with their nonsensical conversations and he just joined right in.
Alania spent most of the night ignoring the small conversations and gossip the majority of the table spoke. When the meal was done she was more than willing to jump up and leave. Before Edward was able to say goodnite he turned and Alania was already out the door. She rushed towards her stateroom and threw off her attire. Laying on her bed reading over her notes and books about Egypt. Her window was cracked open and echoing the sounds of ocean in her room. Alania passed out, sprawled across the bed and lights still burning.
