Saeed approached Michael. "It must be you and Kieran that I speak with as the Highest of High Priests in Egypt is spent. Why are these invading troops after the grandson of High Priest Nicklaus?" He asked them. "The great Amun-Ra instructed me to make Ademus's life forfiet upon his altar this evening and appoint Kieran as High Priest of the temple in his place. It has not gone down well with the leader of the French invaders, Francois, and he will bring the American troops round to his way of thinking. In Ademus they had no opposition to what they were doing throughout Egypt. In Kieran they have someone who will do everything in his power to stop them." Paul replied weakly from one of the tents. "Then Kieran will be hidden and you also Highest of High Priests. Kieran can easily be disguised as one of our own people, but you must take your equine form. There will be provisions for you to rest for a few days until you are quite able to return to your temple. Michael, I know will only stay the night, and will sleep amongst our own falcons until day break, safe in the knowledge that he will not be noticed." Saeed said. Michael nodded and took the shape of a flacon, consenting to be placed with those belonging to the tribesmen. Kieran was disguised as one of their young men and taken to one of tents. "And now Highest of High Priests, the tent you are in is reserved for your use alone, you will find adequate provision for your rest." Said Saeed. There was no answer, looking in the tent; he saw that Paul had fallen asleep, now in the shape of an old, bright bay stallion.
"They can not be much farther ahead. I see tents in the distance. They have taken refuge with one of the desert tribes." Francois said. He knew that the tribes were loyal to Paul and would soon be loyal to Kieran also, which worried him. "Do we go in guns blazing, or hold fire till we know whether or not they are there?" The American officer asked. "It would be wise if we were not to fire any shots. If we can secure their backing, they will be extremely useful allies to us." Francois replied. A few minutes later, they reached the guards at the entrance to the camp. "Can you tell me if an Arabian stallion has come this way tonight?" Francois asked. In response, the guards started to laugh. Saeed walked over. "We have many Arabian horses here. However, none has come this way since early evening. I am sorry that you have had a wasted journey, but please, come and join us for the night. We have a spare tent in which you can sleep." He said, leading the way into the camp.
Paul awoke with a snort as Francois and the Americans walked past his tent. "What was that?" The American officer asked. "That was our old stallion, Osiris. He is fleet of foot and never leaves a hoof mark to follow him by. It is our custom to provide our best and oldest horses with a tent to sleep in. You can look if you like." Saeed replied. "Can I ask your name?" Francois asked. "My name is Saeed. May I ask the name of you and your friend?" Came the answer. "My name is Francois, and this is Martin." Francois replied. Martin looked into the tent and found himself looking at a beautiful stallion, lying at the far end of the tent, pulling at the pile of hay that had been placed upon the floor for it. "You friends will be in the tent next door." Said Saeed. Martin nodded and walked into the tent. He had seen photos of Arabian horses and seen them in the show ring in America, but had never seen one so close as this. The stallion paid no attention to him as he walked up to him and stroked his neck. "It would be unwise of you to try and hunt down Kieran, Martin. You would bring Amun-Ra's wrath upon the whole world, by that action. Both the temple of Amun-Ra and my own temple, Bast's temple, are no threat to your country's policies. I lie here in front of you unable to defend myself. I have not the strength to stand, and you could easily kill me, yet you treat me with kindness. Kieran would be a much more useful ally to you than Ademus would ever have been. He had no loyalty to anyone, and was only interested in furthering himself. It was his lack of loyalty to Amun-Ra that lead to his death this evening, not my personal dislike of him. After next weekend, I go to find the successor of our late High Priestess, and my period of rest. I do not know how long I will be away from my temple, it may be a few months, or it may be a year or more. I will only return when I feel ready, or am called to return by the goddess." Martin looked round the tent, trying to find the source of the voice, but it was deserted save for him and the stallion.