Gene of Isis

depart Alexandria before we are arrested?’

‘That is a very good idea,’ Mr Banks announced from where he stood by the door of the lounge, waiting to escort us out. We had obviously worn out our welcome. How much of the conversation had Mr Banks overheard— might some of the subject matter have caused him offence. Or was it that he’d just had to spend all this time apologising to the local authorities for the false alarm? Either way, he wasn’t disposed toward hearing apologies or explanations. He just wanted Malory’s six henchmen and us off the premises. FROM THE TRAVEL JOURNALS OF MRS ASHLEE DEVERE

Cingar and I boarded a boat at the Mahmudiya, the canal connecting Alexandria with the Nile. I felt a little guilty to be resting upon a mattress, wrapped in a blanket to keep warm, when our Arab boatmen, ropes wrapped around their chests, were towing our boat down the canal.

I guessed that feeling guilty for them took my mind off feeling guilty for abandoning my dear Mr Devere again. I did miss his company, but I had not come all this way to turn back now. Having nearly been bowled over and discovered by Lord Devere in Maximoff’s courtyard, I felt secure in the knowledge that Earnest would have friends around him, despite my absence. Still, I did wonder what had brought Lord Devere to Alexandria, when he’d been determined to head home to England.

My treasure stone was itching my palm and I summoned my knight to console me.

You did the right thing. Albray manifested and got right to the heart of my anguish. The return of those vials is worth any risk that must be faced in the process.

I felt sure you would think so. I still had my doubts about that. Am I putting my unborn child at risk?

The only risk is that he might be born into a better, safer world.

He? I noted that the knight had given my child a gender and Albray nodded to confirm that it had not been a slip of the tongue.

And a very masterful soul in the field of knowledge synthesis he shall be. Thus, I assure you, there will be no stopping him from fulfilling the destiny that he has charted for himself in this world, my knight assured me in all seriousness. Your wellbeing during this time is naturally a major concern to him and if you thought yourself powerful before his conception, you are triply so now. For he shan’t allow any harm to befall the sacred vessel that shall deliver him unto his destiny.

I smiled, liking the idea that my son-to-be was protecting me.

This soul chose you and this time for a reason, in the full knowledge of your current situation, he continued. Your intuition is one of your greatest gifts, and your instinct was to finish the quest you started, despite putting yourself at odds with the man you love. If you had truly been meant to turn back, don’t you think you would have felt it instinctively? And besides, Bedouin women manage to have children whilst being on the move all the time.

My knight’s reasoning was sound as always. I just wished that my husband could have been so supportive.

‘Feeling guilty?’ Cingar took a seat alongside me.

‘Not any more,’ I replied, pulling the blanket tighter around me. Even my green velvet attire didn’t keep the chill at bay. ‘How do the Arabs cope with these extreme temperature fluctuations?’

Cingar ignored my attempt to change the topic. ‘What is so important that you would risk your happiness to pursue it?’

‘Some things are more important than individual happiness,’ I told him, although I knew a gypsy would find this hard to understand.

‘Like freedom?’ he suggested, trying to fathom my motive.

‘Like obligation and duty.’

He pouted and gave a nod as he considered this. ‘An obligation that is higher than marriage must be serious indeed?’

‘I believe so.’ I suppressed a yawn and gave my eyes a rub. ‘I wish I could tell you the details of my quest, but the fact is, it would only place you in more danger than you already are. It would be wise, after you arrange my transport into the Sinai, for you to return home to Italy.’

‘I am not renowned for my wisdom.’ He sidestepped the issue. ‘And you are weary.’ He changed the subject, as he always did when I mentioned his going home.

I was tired. ‘I cannot get comfortable.’ Every time I tried to lie down I felt ill.

‘Here.’ Cingar offered me a shoulder on which to rest my head and I was grateful for it.

I felt safe nestled between my gypsy and my knight. Two more faithful travelling companions I could not have wished for. Still, as I rested my head and allowed my eyes to close, several things plagued my thoughts. Firstly, that during my hasty retreat from the Maximoffs’ I had left Lord Hereford’s journal with my husband, and my journey through the desert would have been the perfect time to read it. Secondly, I suspected that Molier knew of my intended destination, and that there would be no outrunning him.

The goddesses of the ages are watching over you, I heard Albray’s voice in my mind. Sleep soundly in that knowledge…

By eight o’clock the next morning I was standing on the banks of the River Nile, the eternal river of Egypt, having slept for most of the journey down the canal.

Despite the locals’ praise of the wonderful quality of the waters of the Nile, Cingar warned me against drinking it, lest I spend the rest of the journey ill. He had brought supplies of drinking water from the Maximoffs’ private well in Alexandria for me to drink.

The riverbank was lined with abundant foliage, groves and palm trees, which was a striking contrast against the African landscape. Nestled amid the greenery was the village of Fouah, and with its mosques and whitened domes it made the Nile well worthy of its historic fame and beauty.

Upon entering the Nile we changed boats, to one of a class called canjiah, which was much larger, about seventy feet long, with two enormous triangular sails. The boat was manned by ten Arabs and a