The Shabti looked on from the lengthening shadows at the man called Khamudi. He was the one who Osiris-Ramesses had commanded the Shabti to follow and so it had, from the oasis all the way here to the city as the day grew late. Khamudi, for his part seemed to be taking in the city for all it was worth. He had wandered from the airport to the market where he indulged in some fresh fruit. The Shabti watched as a young boy pinched Khamudi’s wallet and ran off. With a shout Khamudi chased after him but the boy vanished into the crowd.

“Tough luck,” said a young woman, leaning against one of the souks.

“What do you know of it, girl?” Khamudi growled, but the girl responded with a sneer.

“I know a bandit from the Red Land outside Crocodilopolis has wandered into Cairo and I’m curious why.”

Khamudi’s eyes grew wide. “How.. How do you know that?”

The young woman leaned in close and spoke in a low voice. The others would not have heard her, but the Shabti was listening. “The Thousand Eyes are always watching.”

Khamudi jumped back “The Khairataw!” he hissed but was silenced when she placed her finger on his lips. The young woman embraced him like a lover she had not seen from some time.

“You haven’t answered my question,” she whispered into his ear.

“I have to see the Nomarch—”

“Which one? There are over forty.”

“Pafnuty Busiri, the Nomarch of Fayyum,” Khamudi said. “It’s about the tomb he’s got that English shemmo digging for!”

“Ramesses XVIII. The so-called mechanical ka,” the young woman whispered. “Has he found it?”

“Not yet,” Khamudi said. At that the girl pushed him away.

“That’s good to hear.” She turned her back to him. “Tell no one of our little liaison.” Then she walked away with a swish in her step, disappearing into the crowd, leaving Khamudi staring with his mouth open. He glanced around the market once before running off. The Shabti started after him.