"The Highest of the 2 High Priests of the temple of Bast has lost his mind. He is old and frail, and will not present you with a problem. The younger High Priest, will be the problem, he is strong and still only in his 20's. I do not feel that the High Priest of this temple will be a problem. He has not yet been fully appointed, so could be over thrown easily and replaced with some one more suitable." Francois said. The American officer nodded his agreement and was about to answer when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking up he saw a hawk hovering above the temple. "Is it normal for hawks to be flying at this time of day in Egypt?" He asked. Francois looked up. "That is no ordinary hawk. They are planning to smuggle Kieran from the temple to safety. We must follow them. The hawk is better known to me as the younger of Bast's 2 High Priests." Francois replied starting towards the exit of the courtyard. The American officer followed him, intrigued.
"I have been seen. Francois and the American officer are heading towards the courtyard now. You will have to run for your lives. The American has a regiment of troops with him. Make quick you escape, Paul and Kieran, I will gain height and join you shortly." Michael said to Paul. "Come Kieran, we have no time to waste." He said, changing shape. In place of Paul there now stood a dark Bay Arabian Stallion. "Get on my back and hold tightly to the reins. We run for our lives to the tribesmen of the desert." He said. Kieran quickly swung up onto Paul's back, and just had time to steady himself, before Paul galloped from the courtyard and swept towards the desert. "You said that it would be a pure white stallion, not a bay." The American officer said, as he and Francois ran for their cars. "He is trying to throw us off the trail, by using a different colour that is all. The stallion you saw thundering from the temple is the Highest of Bast's two High Priests. And the man on his back was Kieran." Francois replied. They turned their cars round and started to follow the quickly retreating stallion and rider. "They are out to capture you using their cars; you must leave the road and use the sand to your advantage." Michael called out. Paul swerved from the road, quite a distance, and changed direction again. He was now travelling directly west, towards a dry riverbed a mile away. "Hold tight, the route I take is steep, but once we are down, we will be safe. There is no safe way down to the river bed for many miles further back from the route I take." Paul told Kieran, who gripped tightly with his knees, and grabbed at Paul's mane. The slope was only a few strides away and he could feel Paul shortening his stride as he approached, suddenly he lurched forwards as they started down the slope, Paul's hind legs sliding under him and his front legs jumping forwards to keep his balance. After what seemed an eternity, they reached the riverbed and Paul changed direction and started to gallop North-West towards where the tribe was based. "They've gone straight down the slope. There is no way we can get down in the cars. We'll either have to go farther down or get out and walk." Said one of the soldiers to Francois as they stopped short of the edge of the slope. "Then we will walk, there may not be a safe way down for the vehicles, so we have no choice." Francois replied, getting out of his car and walking to the side of the valley and looking down the slope. The American officer and his men followed him. "It is a long way down; we'll have to be mighty careful not to lose anyone." He said. Francois nodded, and started down the slope, the loose sand almost giving way underfoot. The others followed him, picking their way carefully down the side of the valley until they reached the bottom. "They went North-West, the hoof prints lead that way." One of the soldiers said pointing in the direction that Paul and Kieran had taken.
"You are alright, Paul?" Kieran asked as Paul galloped on. "Yes, I am fine, my run with the wild herd last night and the sacrifice have refreshed me sufficiently for this journey. I will rest when we reach the tribe, before heading back to my temple. We are nearly there now." Paul replied. In reality, he was spent, running on adrenaline alone. The thought that they were almost upon the tribesmen kept his legs from giving way. He could make out their tents in the distance and gave a shrill whinny that he knew would rouse those on watch to his arrival. Suddenly, he was amongst them, Kieran was grabbed from his back, and strong arms were holding him up, guiding him to a tent where he could rest. Michael swooped down from the sky, alighting not long after Paul and Kieran had arrived. "The American officer and his soldiers are approaching on foot; they will be arriving in a few hours. Paul, Kieran and I must be kept from their sight or they will kill all of you for hiding Kieran." He said.