Free Imhotep by Jerry Dubs

and then drew a figure
wearing a cap and sitting atop the camel.
    “Looks
like we’re going for a ride, babe.”
    “No,
we’re going back to the hotel.”
    “Aw,
we flew across the entire Atlantic Ocean to get here.  Let’s loosen up and
have a little fun.  We miss the flight to Luxor, big deal.  It’s not
like the temples down there are going anywhere.  They’ll be there
tomorrow.  Let’s see what old Boss Hogg has in mind.  I don’t know
where we are, but I’ll bet there aren’t many other tourists here.”
    “And
that’s a good thing?”
    Instead
of answering, Brian walked up to Paneb and held out his hand for the
spear.  Paneb was afraid of offending him, but didn’t want to upset Djefi
either.  He stole a glance at the priest, but got no sign from him.
    Paneb
offered the spear to the god and backed away, still bowing.
    Brian
walked carefully around the camel sketch and cleared a small space by the head
of the figure riding the camel.  He stuck his tongue out as he
concentrated on drawing.  When he finished he stepped back so everyone
could see his drawing.
    Djefi
stepped closer.  The guard walked over beside the priest to see the god’s
work.  Ahmes, overcoming his fear, sidled up beside his father. 
Djefi looked puzzled at the drawing, Paneb was amused, but kept his expression
serious.  The guard waited to see what the others would do.  Ahmes,
without thinking, laughed and clapped his hands.
    Brian
turned to the boy and gave him a broad smile and a thumbs up.  “One
thousand points for the naked, bald kid.  Come on, folks, lighten up,” he
said to the adults.  “It’s a smiley face.”
    Brian
carried the spear to the guard.  He tugged gently on his arm and said,
“Come on.”
    He led
the guard a few paces down the wadi, away from the others.  The guard
looked excited and worried.
    Once
they were a safe distance from the other, Brian drew back, raised his forward
leg and in a blur of motion stepped forward and smoothly threw the weapon at
the bank of the wadi, grunting as he released it.  The spear buried itself
halfway into the sand.
    Swinging
his throwing arm in a circle, Brian walked to the spear.  He pulled it out
and gave it to the guard, motioning for him to throw it next.  The guard
stepped toward the bank and threw the spear.  The tip entered the sand and
the spear wobbled and then fell over.
    Brian
retrieved it and walked back to the guard. 
    Then
he held the spear aloft again and moved his arm through the throwing motion,
snapping his wrist forward as his arm extended. “Here, try again, naked
spear-chucker dude.  Snap the wrist.”  Brian demonstrated the motion
with his empty hand.
    The
guard nodded and tried another throw, snapping his wrist as he released the
spear.  It hit the sand and the tip disappeared far enough to support the
weight of the shaft.
    Brian
clapped loudly, startling the guard, who was looking proudly at the spear.
    “Alright,”
Brian cheered the guard, “yes, yes, yes.  Now,” he said, slapping the
guard on the back, “We get your hips into the throw, maybe a big old Luis Tiant
leg kick and you’ll be the envy of all the naked spear-chucking dudes.”
    Djefi
called the guard to him and spoke quietly.
    The
guard immediately ran over, pulled the spear out of the sand and walked down
the wadi to watch for the other guard.
    “Uh-oh,
looks like Boss Hogg is upset,” Brian said to Diane.
    “Brian!”
she scolded, but her lips played into a smile.
    Brian
turned to Djefi.  “OK, Boss, where to?”
    Djefi
stared at the huge god, his face tight with the effort to control his anger at
being addressed so casually.  He had no idea what the god had said, but he
understood the tone.  Even a god, if he was a god, should show respect to
a priest of Sobek, he thought.
    “I am
Djefi, First Prophet of Sobek, Netjer of Iteru, Father of the Waters,” he said,
placing a fist against his chest.
    Brian
nodded.  He pointed to the priest and said,