Ch 1: Cairo

[Priest]

Baxter smiles as he notes Burton's quick study of the risque engravings. Another book in the offing perhaps, he thinks, his smile broadening as he noted the young Englishman's behaviour being akin to a small boy found looking at pornographic drawings in an art class.
"You may find these photograph better with more light, Mr Carstairs"

As Sidhom explains the nature of the strange cults and their respective deities to the intrigued Captain, he nods in agreement as he fondles a odd carving with a preposterously long penis, turning it this way and that in order to catch the light.
"Indeed I have heard it said that deep within the interior of Africa their is a tribe that worships a strange toad like god which they present seated on a low stone table." he glances up to see if his words are being noted, "It is told that these people carry out acts of vile sacrifice to this creature when the moon is full".

He looks at each of his companions in turn, "Of course this is only something I have heard, I haven't seen it myself"

[Mr. Handy]

Percy can't make much headway in the Arabic version of Pert Em Hru. However, with Sidhom's help, he is able to track down information on the Toad-King when they visit the library.

[Supercape]

Sidhom peered over the shoulder of Mr Carstairs as he mined the special section of the library.

"You are not wrong, Mr Baxter" he commented solemnly as the writing was read. He was not fond of the way Mr Baxter handled, or some would say, fondled, the outrageously hyperphallic statuette he had found.

"The Toad King...see here, and here..." between Carstairs inquisitive mind and Sidhom's familiarity, aided perhaps by Mr Baxter's experiences, tracts could be seen; often cryptic, sometimes contradictory. And yet, like the vile art in the forbidden aisles they stood in, a pattern of source could be seen.

...With the dawn of men, the great Tsathoggua birthed the first Toad-King, to die and live...

...He ever lives, ever breeds, ever dies...until his father awakens from undying sleep...

...The Cult of the Toad-King was cast from Egypt by the servants of Ra, down the holy Nile to sunken cities and sunless ruins...

...The black and purple toad, whose skin was moist with a [poison?/drug?] that drove men to madness, lived only in the depths of the Jungle, rare and precious to them, giving visions and driving men to furious murder and orgiastic rites...

...Reference in 1865 of new rare species of toad, Purpura Diabolus, whose skin had a profound and unwholesome effect...

...Cult of the Toad King, believed to practice cannibalism and use hallucinogens, which they termed the Spawn-Kiss, considered with fear and loathing by other African tribes. Stories of Shaka, Est 1820, leading raid on cult...

...Sampling the clear and damp liquid, it tasted vaguely of a sickly scent becoming of a putrid flower, or infected wound...yet was not fully unpleasant to the palate...within minutes I was gripped by convulsions, maddening visions of undersea cities and dark things that slept in them, whose architecture was disturbing in itself...and was I not alone I fear for my actions, for I was overcome with bestial urges of violent and sexual nature that I fear I would have been compelled to act...and toads, toads, before my eyes and on my skin...I fear I will never forget the madness of the drug, and yet despite its unwholesome effect on me, I find myself contemplating repeating the experiment...

...August 1972: Khaleed Yaseen, arrested for illegal trade of hazardous pharmacological agent, causing...outbreak of madness and delerium...3 dead...Mr Yaseen committed suicide in Prison, scratching the name Tsugga Soth in the walls with his bleeding fingernails...? Paranoid Schizophrenia?...

There were many other pickings from a variety of sources, Arabic writings often, but also the testimony, theories, and accounts of French, English, and other European explorers and anthropologists.

[Priest]

"Well" says Baxter still handling, almost absent mindedly, the statuette, "I've heard of peoples from all cultures licking things. Isn't that so Captain?" he favours Burton with a wink, "But never toads, fat or otherwise". It is obvious that he is beginning to get to Sidhom, and is enjoying the sense of power, real or imaginary, that it provides.

Then with a visible twitch of his face, he seems to adopt a more serious look, "Mr Sidhom. While Mr Carstairs here satisfies his obvious interest with these dusty, and almost unreadable, books, might I suggest that the rest of us continue to look at these pyramids you mentioned" he turns aside and whispers to Burton, "Unless he has other delights to show us?"

[Tabs]

"Mr. Baxter," Burton returned, "despite what you obviously think, I am a serious scholar. Ecstasy is an aspect of love, and love is divine. Sex is for animals"--his words were heated, but he calmed down. "We shall be together for many weeks so I'd like us to be friends, sir, I only wished to make my viewpoint clear: I detest pornography. I possess a bottle of superb single malt, I'll have Singh bring it to your rooms?"

He said to Sidhom: "I've heard of natives licking toads to induce a frenzy or hallucinogenic state, and quotes 'The black and purple toad, whose skin was moist with a [poison?/drug?] that drove men to madness, lived only in the depths of the Jungle, rare and precious to them, giving visions and driving men to furious murder and orgiastic rites,' interesting, what?"

[Priest]

Baxter turns to Burton a mixture of sadness and hurt swiftly animating his features. He removes his hat, "Sir, if I have in some measure given you offense - then I apologise. I never for one moment thought of you as anything less than a serious scholar of often misunderstood cultural practices. I too wish us to be friends, for I have a feeling that in the none to distant future we may both be in need of a friend. Your kind offer of a single malt would be most acceptable, though I would hope you would accompany it, for I feel it might be a pleasant way to spend a few hours perhaps in discussion of the continent and its mysteries?".

He replaces the cap, and glances to the young journalist. Spending a few moments in contemplation as Carstairs rushes from this book to that with all the enthusiasm of a lad on his first trip to a museum.

"Mr Sidhom, since it appears that we may be here some time, may I suggest we repair to a nearby coffee shop for a brief relaxation?"

[Supercape]

"I've heard of natives licking toads to induce a frenzy or hallucinogenic state, and quotes 'The black and purple toad, whose skin was moist with a [poison?/drug?] that drove men to madness, lived only in the depths of the Jungle, rare and precious to them, giving visions and driving men to furious murder and orgiastic rites,' interesting, what?"

Sidhom nodded in response, loosening his collar at the thought. The perceptive might have noticed his veins throbbing at his neck. "I have heard of the Purpura Diabolus. Every now and again its venom is found on the less reputable markets of Cairo, along with opium peddlers and dens of inequity" he explained. "But almost invariably they are false to their claims"

""Mr Sidhom, since it appears that we may be here some time, may I suggest we repair to a nearby coffee shop for a brief relaxation?"

"An excellent idea" he replied, wiping his brow. "I confess staying to long in the Haram wing always unsettles my mental balance" he sighed thankfully. "Mr Carstairs is no doubt more robust by nature, the blessing of a hardened Journalist, no doubt..."

And with that, a swift retreat to the pleasant aroma of the excellent cafe opposite the museum was in order!

[Tabs]

Burton salvaged several coffee grounds with a spoon. "Some say that for it to be strong enough to drink one's spoon must stand up--disgusting I say!"

"Of course, Mr. Baxter," he said, "I would be delighted to accompany you with the single malt." He took a hookah pipe and puffed thoughtfully, pondering about the expedition.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'll gladly come along," says Percy, the room starting to get to him as well. "The books will still be here when I get back."

[Supercape]

The Great Pyramids of Egypy

Exterior...

The day was still hot, but it was past midday. The sun was lower, the shadows longer. With the Nile cooling the air that extra degree or two, it was actually pleasant. The red sunlight illuminated the pyramids magnificently. They were truly a wonder of the world.

Sidhom had been less than keen to come along, but he had bowed to pressure. Clutching a latern, he had guided the group to the base of the largest pyramid.

"Gentlemen, behold!" he said with a touch of theatre. "They are as magnificent inside as outside, but please be careful, the corridors are dark and small, and it is not beyond imagining that one can get lost. Keep your wits about you!"

[Tabs]

"The Great Pyramid of Cheops," said Burton, standing at its base and feeling insignificant. He stared up at the Pyramid's pinnacle and whistled appreciatively. At mention of the narrow corridors within, Burton patted his pocket containing a stick of chalk. "Any choice of route," he thought, "and I must blaze a trail."

[Supercape]

Although Mr Sidhom did not object, he raised his eyebrows slightly at the chalk.

"I...ah...whilst safety is paramount gentlemen, I need not remind you that this is an ancient piece of Egypt's history. One would not..ah...lightly deface it!" he said, giving a polite bow.

[Tabs]

"I understand," replied Burton.

[Priest]

Baxter stands hands on hips trying to understand the majesty of the construction, he searched for a fitting quip, but was unable to find one. There was something about the building that made any lighthearted remark unecessary.

"Makes you wonder how they were able to construct such an edifice", he glances around quickly at the others, "I mean without access to modern scientific thinking of course"

[Mr. Handy]

"Ah, yes," says Percy, "but of course the ancient Egyptians were advanced in their own right. There is some speculation that they were highly advanced, but the priests hoarded technology and made it appear to be magic. Just look at the Great Pyramid before us! It was built so perfectly, we could not replicate it with modern technology. It was built first, before the other pyramids, which are mere inferior copies of the original. It makes you wonder, indeed."

[Supercape]

Inside the Great Pyramid...

Sidhom was clearly nervous as they ascended through the tunnels. The air was cooler, and would have been almost pleasant if not for the dank, dusty quality that seemed to claw at throat and lungs. The tunnels were smaller than one would have liked. The lamps gave sufficient light, but it was an eerie, incomplete light. This was not a trip for the faint of heart.

"My ancestor talked of the power of these pyramids, gentlemen, in his ramblings..." he patted his jacket, where the makeshift book was kept. "Perhaps he alluded to the mystery of its construction...perhaps, perhaps..."

He ran his hand over the cold masonry. "I have never trod in these halls; I have dreaded them in my waking hours, and had strange dreams of them. Of hidden angles and bizzarre corners, of shifting stone..."

He shook his head and pressed on. They went past the great gallery, past the Kings chamber, into the lower and more mysterious Queens Chamber - nobody was quite sure what this chamber was for.

"Now I am here, it is impressive. The ancient stone, and ancient art; it cannot but drive home a sense of awe. And yet, I feel peculiar, as if something is amiss, or hidden. Maybe it is my over-fertile imagination; this pyramid is the tomb of the tyrant pharaoh Khufu, and I recall that the sorcerer Kotep lived in his time, the sorcerer Kotep that my ancestor wrote of..." he nervously patted the book once more.

[Tabs]

"You are right to feel peculiar, Mr. Sidhom," said Burton, "after the daylight and outside temperature it does feel odd in here--deliciously so," he chuckled mirthlessly. "The atmosphere of this chamber. . . . You must read aloud a passage about this Kotep who your ancestor writes of--and make me shiver!"

[Priest]

Baxter laughs, a laugh of pure bravado. He surepticiously pulls his large hip flask from his jacket pocket, pulls the cork and takes a long, nerve quitening, pull on its contents. Then without offering he re-corks it and replaces it where it had come from.

[Supercape]

in the flickering light, with some hesitancy born of both darkness and fear, Sidhom reads out the garbled messages of his book, translating from poetic arabic to cold English.

"<The sorcerer Kotep had sworn never to die. He sealed himself with his King, the tyrant Khufu, in the greatest of tombs. In a chamber beyond space, and time, hidden and eternal, in the cracks...>" he paused, trying to decipher the undecipherable.

"I do not understand it all, but it seems there is a chant, a ritual, to open up the tomb of Kotep..." he gulped, looking around the chamber fearfully. Cold sweat stood on his forehead and he looked ready to faint at the prospect.

[Mr. Handy]

Percy examines the contents of the Queen's Chamber, but they are beyond him. "I thought I'd heard that nobody was actually buried in the Great Pyramid," he says. "This is the first I've heard of a burial chamber in some other place, but it would make sense. In the cracks, though?" He looks around to see if he can notice any. Then he sets up his camera and snaps a picture of the chamber, being careful to adust for the poor lighting.