Page 62 of Stone
Garenthtried to swallow, but a large lump in his throat made it impossible. He started to ask if he would see her again, when the inevitable truth reared its ugly head. “Iwill not be given the chance to tell her goodbye, will I?”
“No,”Kellingwhispered. “And this may be the last time we get to speak before they take you away. But listen to me,Garenth. Listen carefully. First off, do not fight them. Do not do anything to make the police or immigration officials angry. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Also, I am in the process of trying to get you a work visa.Brielle and I have already gone out on a limb and told them you worked for me. We just need to make that official.”
Garenthcast him a dubious look. “Work for you? How?”
Kellinggrinned. “You have the knowledge of ages in your head. You come from a time that we only know a smattering about. You could be instrumental in revealing information about ancient Egypt that we never realized existed.You are a learned man, correct?”
“I am not a prophet or a cleric, but I can read and write, yes. I can also read maps and diagrams.”
“That’s what I thought. And that’s why you would be an invaluable member of my team. Would you be willing to take on that assignment?”
“This would be a job?”
“Yes. It would be a paying job.”
He glanced out the clear wall. “Would I be able to see Brielleagain?”
This timeKellinggently squeezed his shoulder. “I don’t know. I can’t promise anything. But I’m going to do my best to petition in your favor so you can return to the States.”
Heaving a loud sigh,Garenthclasped his hands together. “I will pray to the gods for their benevolence. I cannot see them giving me this new life without just consequence. Yes,Kelling. I will gladly help youin learning of my time.”
Another man appeared in the doorway and spoke toKelling. Behind him were two uniformed guards, but their uniforms were different from the ones the other men wore.
Kellinggot to his feet and turned toGarenth. “It’s time for me to go. I’ll be heading back to Egypttomorrow. I don’t know what they’ll have you do when you return. But when you can, if you can, go tothe digs outside of the Valley of the Kings. Find a man namedIrmineCauseway. He also works for me.” The professor grinned. “He’ll be waiting for you. Tell him who you are and why you’re there. Then, later, tell me how he reacted.”
Garenthgave a nod, and the professor was led out of the room. Once the man was gone, he sat back down and bowed his head.
What would happen to him in the daysand weeks to come was not important. What concerned him more was the fact that he would not be there for Brielle should anything happen to her. He tried not to think about her being attacked again, or being injured. It was a scenario that made him physically ill if he dwelled on it.
I must spend these next few days thinking about my future. Going back to the land of my birth. My new job. Mynext purpose in life. That, and learning this language, so that if the gods deem I should ever see Brielle again, I can speak to her in her own tongue.
It was a vow he swore he would fulfill even if he never accomplished another thing. That, and the promise he would never stop loving the woman whose life meant more to him than his own.
