[hr][hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Deeper%20Than%20The%20Sands:%20Chapter%20One&name=prinp___.ttf&size=30&style_color=f7976a[/img][hr][h3][b][color=f7976a]October 5th, 1924[/color][/b][/h3][hr][hr][/center] 
	Vera listened to what her uncle was saying. Peter was being taken care of and his friend was going to be joining them. That seemed interesting. The mention of provisions and such helped to drown out the reminder of what she had seen in the streets. It shouldn't have but the woman had always been a bit of a blue stocking and it was one of those traits she could use to bury the ramblings of her mind. If she could focus on work then perhaps, just perhaps, she get get the vision of Neema out of her mind and the thoughts of poor Peter being sent back to England for burial. 

	Taking the cigarette from Josephine, she thanked her profusely. Lighting it and taking a deep inhalation was huge mistake because she had never smoked before. The coughing fit was one for the ages but she eventually stopped tripping around the room. Grabbing the side of the bar and waving anyone off that was trying to tend to her. [color=f7976a]"Oh my, that does have a kick to it,"[/color] she said before attempting again, this time being much more careful. She still coughed but it was manageable. Picking up a drink, she sipped it just enough to take care of the dryness in her throat before she went off on a bit of a rattle. 

	[color=f7976a]"On to business. Thank you for collecting everything in which we will need. Where we are going there are roads but with the winds they are easily covered by sand. Yet we are lucky in the fact that Bubastis lays close to one of the delta tributaries of the Nile. Ferry will be the best move of transportation, then horses and camels the rest of the way. I propose we secure passage for this evening and sail on the evening tides. I do believe because of circumstance as each member leaves to collect their personal items they should go in pair protected by a member of the Kings Army if that would be possible uncle. At least until we are on board and have the protection of Mr. Benaszewski. Yes, yes, once Lady Kingston and Mr. Zalil are tended to, we should leave. Post hast this evening."[/color]

	Downing the drink she looked at her watch and her eyes widened. [color=f7976a]"Oh my the time, the time, we must hurry and proceed. It would be three more days for a ferry north to the site and our permit it limited. Yes, we must hurry."[/color] Everything she said was true but she also wanted to get the hell out of Cairo - now. She probably wasn't the only one. Three had died, or was it more? No, there was five? More? Oh the number was growing. It was time to go. 

	Over in the infirmary the doctor worked to get Mahendra patched and stitched up quickly. It didn't take long but it would have been quicker if the ladies were not going at each other. "It is easy to say that until you are facing death," the doctor quipped as he finished up Mahendra. "Keep the wounds clean, the stitches can be cut out in ten days. If you tend to them well there should be minimal scarring within the next year," he added as he went to wash his hands. 

	Going to the cabinet, he pulled out several small bottles. "This will help with nausea," he said as he handed one to each of them. "Three drops in your tea or wine three times a day. No more." Handing two more containers over to the ladies. "Smear this under the nostrils to keep the smell away if something is rancid. Oil of Eucalyptus has a strong order and not the most pleasant but it has it's uses. Though I do suggest you bath and change quickly. There is a wash room there and while the clothing within is basic trousers and button downs of the men of the barracks, I feel it would be preferable to what is on. You may use the loo over there to change sir," he said as he walked over and set a set of clothing down for him as well. "I will go inform the Lord Major how you are fairing, please join us as soon as you are changed."

	Stepping out of the room he shut the door and left them to their own as he made his way across the compound. There was a guard left there on the outside of the door with instructions to lead them over once they had changed. Finding the Lord Major was simple enough, people kept tabs on the man in the barracks. He was the Lord Major after all. Walking in he leaned into the Lord Major and gave a quick update of what was going on quietly before taking a seat himself. He needed a bit of a breather, the air in the infirmary would take some time to air out.