The curse of Kalaan Read Online Free Page A

exclaimed Kalaan, stubbornly.
    “This edifice is here to protect living creatures from whatever it contains,”Salam replied sharply.
    Kalaan shot a heavy look at his Tuareg friend and turned to look at Jean-François, before speaking again.
    “My dear friend, you are the only one who can tell us the truth. Can you translate the hieroglyphs on the door, as they hold the answers to our questions? Thanks to your studies and catalogues, I can manage somewhat; however, I am just a beginner. Will you do it for us?”
    The Egyptologist only hesitated a moment. He had to admit that although his feeling of foreboding was strong, he felt the same exhilarating curiosity as Kalaan and wanted to see this new adventure through to the very end, despite all the possible dangers.
    “I’m bursting with impatience,” he responded in a loud, yet trembling, voice. “Let us go!”
    “The Lord ‘ave pity on us,” Lil’ Louis mumbled, before tumbling down the slope leading to the mysterious mausoleum on his buttocks.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 2
    The mysterious edifice
     
     
                   A s the awkward Lil’ Louis descended the dune on his rear end, the sand began, once again, to produce the startling sounds they call the ‘song of the dunes’ and the song continued as his three more dignified companions went dashing down after him on their feet.
    A few moments later they were standing at the entrance of the astonishing construction while the count of Croz’s men followed close behind. Among the thirty odd men were some local workmen, but also sailors and Kalaan’s traveling companions. Everything about them showed how frightening they found this discovery. The anguish in their eyes spoke louder than words.
    What the devil! This isn’t the first time they’ve found themselves in front of a tomb! Kalaan thought gloomily.
    “We mustn’t remain here,” grumbled Salam.
    Meanwhile Jean-François went up to the hieroglyphs covering the wall that served as a door. Kalaan didn’t bother wasting his breath yet again by replying to his stubborn friend. He crossed his arms over his powerful chest and waited to hear what Champollion would reveal to them.
    “These inscriptions are magnificent!” exclaimed the scholar. “Pure hieroglyphs, so many figurative symbols and cartouches... all in such perfect condition. I could swear they were only just carved yesterday! I’ll get started immediately on the translation!”
    He started moving back and forth from one point to another almost bouncing with excitement and every time he stopped, he would loudly exclaim ‘I’ve got it!’ before scribbling something in his notebook. It was as if Champollion had, all of a sudden, completely shut out the rest of the world.
    “You’ve got what?” Kalaan couldn’t help but ask after sighing heavily. He had been watching his companion’s odd little dance for at least twenty minutes.
    “It’s fascinating...” he gasped without stopping what he was doing.
    “Ye know what’s fascinatin’? We’re all goin’ te be roasted like pigs on a spit. There’s already a smell o’ burnin’,” muttered Lil’ Louis wiping his damp red face for the hundredth time.
    “Return to the boat!” Kalaan was more concerned for the older man than annoyed.
    He was clearly worried for his old friend who stood up with difficulty after sitting a few minutes on the sand, when Champollion exclaimed, “That’s it, I’ve translated the most important parts and I still can’t believe my eyes!”
    He nervously went up to Kalaan.
    “This name, Imhotep, I saw it at Saqqara where the step pyramid is! But I also noticed it while I was studying the royal collection in Turin. He is described as some sort of healing god, ‘son of Ptah’, doctor, grand vizier, scribe, architect and magician. It is difficult to know if he was a man or a real divinity. I hope to learn more in continuing my journey. However, my dear Kalaan, the best is yet