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Ancient Egypt PyramidThe Ka a paranormal Egyptian fantasy
The story takes place in Valley of the Queens, Egypt. Hieroglyphics have always captured my attention. Needless to say, I immersed myself in the writing of this story. The way I talked about it was book promotion even before I began to write.
Everything in this paranormal Egyptian fantasy is taken directly from research. The costumes, the people, the Egyptian culture, it is all real, even the ancient Egypt pyramid later found. Methods used to remove and preserve artifacts from a tomb were all taken from research. The setting and scenes are true to life – all except the fine threads of fantasy that I have woven from modern times through the history of the Ancients.
The KaThe portion of the spirit of the dead that remains inside the tomb with the mummy.
Egyptian magic interpreted from hieroglyphs by a modern-day archaeological team activates ancient spells and rituals that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Magical spells coded into hieroglyphs on the tomb’s walls transport Chione and her former boyfriend—fellow archaeologist Aaron Ashby—back 3,500 years to ancient Egypt.
When other team members speak the spells aloud, they, too, are affected in unfathomable ways by the Ka—the spirit of the entombed person.
Chapter 8 - Last Notes - To Top
The above photo is of Terry Lessig and me. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
He and I had talked for several years in an online workshop format but never met. When I showed up in Arizona, he came and bought a copy of The Ka. Did I say he loved it?
He later told me he was really taken with the Egyptian culture portrayed in The Ka. In fact, he said… well, read his comments on The Ka Book Review page.
Yes, I knew they were coming. But the thrill was that I had never before met this second cousin. It felt like we’ve known each other all our lives. After reading The Ka, she now knows a lot about a hidden ancient Egypt pyramid and the secrets of the magic and spells of the tomb.
Ancient Egyptian culture, the old life, has always fascinated me. I always said I'd give anything to explore just one ancient Egypt pyramid. When I woke from a dream and found this story “given to me” to write, I began making notes immediately. Read about my dream and subsequent research on this novel.
NOTE: All the historical fact in this story is true, from the everyday local people to the ancient Egypt pyramid, and everything between.
I've posted even more information about writing the book. By this point in the story, they have made entry into the tomb and its artifact-laden First Chamber and are trying to decipher whom the mummy might be that they would later find. They have yet to learn that the Ka, the spirit of the mummy, has already cast its spell over them all. Chapter 8
Kendra and Clifford’s tasks, along with clerks supplied by the Madu Museum, would be to tag and number each artifact. Photographs would be taken to document placement within the room. Once artifacts in the front were removed, any concealed behind those would be identified in place. Such procedure provided a permanent record of the placement and condition of each artifact. Between various steps of the procedure, film would be developed to assure information was factually captured before another layer of artifacts could be moved from its resting place. Cleaning and preservation would begin on site should some pieces begin to deteriorate in the fresh air and sunlight. After again viewing the First Chamber, they quietly began to leave when suddenly a low moaning resounded. Kendra grabbed onto Aaron. Bebe seemed more interested in seeing to whom Kendra would turn in a time of distress. The groan was so stunning, Dr. Withers placed a hand on Clifford’s shoulder. Both Aaron and Chione looked to each of the others to determine who was playing a joke. Then it came again. A low muffled tone, almost like someone calling out for recognition. This time, all had heard. No one moved or said anything. Finally, Chione said, "That’s not the same sound I’ve been hearing. A male voice? Which one of you guys is trying to pull one over?" The men looked to one another. The sound came again, vague and indistinct, but none of the men had opened their mouths. "The wind," Aaron said, shrugging. "There’s no air current in here, O Pilgrim," Masud said. "The tomb’s no longer sealed however," Aaron said. After that episode, no further sounds were heard and they slowly exited the spectacular First Chamber. They made their way into the passageway and down the next short flight of steps. Aaron pulled Chione aside. "Why did Masud call me 'O Pilgrim'?" "The Egyptians are very respectful of others." "But why, specifically, 'O Pilgrim'?" "Someone must have told him you’ve been to the Holy Land. Anyone who’s been there is revered by the Egyptians." "So if they respect you, they tack on some sort of title?" "Better than saying 'Hey you', right?" Against a backdrop of walls displaying scenes of the times with artistic splendor, Ginny’s lens continued to record their every move, videographed for posterity. Clifford flashed his light to the ceiling. He flashed again. He motioned for a man to bring a ladder, which Clifford placed precariously close to the priceless wall art. He climbed and again inspected with the light. Finally, he said, "Just as I thought. This dark ceiling contains residue of the oil lamps used by the Ancients when they carved and painted." "No kidding," Aaron said. "Let me see." He held the ladder while Clifford descended. Aaron climbed and gingerly picked at the edge of one spot. He held up fingertips for all to see. "Right again. The restoration people can analyze this grime." More stair steps took them deeper into the passageway. "According to radar scanning," Aaron said. "One wall of the next chamber lies adjacent to the first, though several feet deeper." No visible doorway could be found where radar indicated the next chamber. "Oh, great," one of the engineers said. "Just what we need." "What is it?" Clifford asked. "Look for a sealed passage, anything," the engineer said. "Radar picked up a good-sized chamber on the right. We’ll have to locate the entrance." "Just look," Aaron said. "Try not to touch." Each of the team took a section of the wall and visually examined. Lamps were brought close. "Strange" Bebe said. "I’d heard limestone in this valley was too poor to do much carving. Look at this art." "We’re higher up than Valley of the Kings," Clifford said. "Way back into the hills. Might make a difference." "Hey, I’ve found something," Kendra said in a few moments. "Right where it should be." She pointed along several deep slashes. "Right about here." "How do you figure?" Clifford asked, straining to see. "Look closely," she said, nudging him to bring his face up to the wall. "These cracks were purposely made to look like artistic tool marks, then painted over." Again she traced up one side, across the top and down the other. "Here’s our doorway." "A solid block wedged so tightly you’d think the seams were carved in as part of the design," Clifford said, shaking his head in amazement. Everyone stepped back for filming of the mural before the engineers would cut through. Chione accompanied Bebe and Clifford to sit on the steps near the portcullis shaft allowing a breath of fresh air. Words and exclamations in mixed languages floated through the passageway as the crews worked. The job of loosening a disguised stone block without damaging surrounding portions of the wall would be tedious. More equipment was needed. A nimble Egyptian scaled a notched rope hanging in the portcullis shaft. Soon, he returned with his equipment lowered to him. After what seemed hours, they heard stone grating as it slid loose, excited voices, and Dr. Withers calling them back to the fold. Two muscular laborers strained to pull the loosened granite block outward; taking what precautions they could to avoid scratching the stone floor. Using tenuous finger holds, they pulled and rocked the stone side to side. No one wished to cause damage that could be avoided. With the two-foot thick block almost free allowing a small opening into the chamber, a thick gush of putrid air escaped. Suddenly the moaning came again! Clearly, the noise originated from inside that chamber. They covered their noses and mouths with facemasks. For all their effort to clear, preserve, and enter through the only passage available, who or what could possibly be inside that chamber making those moaning sounds? They waited. No more noises. Finally, Aaron shrugged and began helping to dislodge the stone. More putrid air belched out. He grimaced, cheeks puffing as he paused to blow out a couple breaths to clear the odor from his lungs and sinuses. Unbelievably, the block began moving by itself! A dirty hand slipped around the edge. Aaron took two paces back, grabbed a tripod and raised it like a club. His eyes bulged in their sockets. Everyone stepped back. Way back. Several workers fled. "What is it?" Dr. Withers asked, straining to see from a distance. A dirty arm, with blood on a torn sleeve poked through as the block moved again. Then dirty, disheveled, and favoring the bloody arm, a figure hobbled into the passageway like the dead coming to life. Synopsis - Chapter 8 - Last Notes - To Top
They are just snapshots and happened to be taken facing sun pouring into the window. But snapshots sometimes say exactly what you need to say. My last customer there was a man who had just returned from Egypt. He had been inside one ancient Egypt pyramid after another.
Never told me he was coming. Just showed up with his family and listened to my whole presentation. When I asked people in the audience to tell about their writing endeavors, that’s when he announced who he was. I almost fell over!
I hope you enjoyed this teaser; hope an ancient Egypt pyramid entices you to want to read the book. But at 400 pages, you just know the story is so much more. Let me just say that the archaeologists had to find both the ancient Egypt pyramid and the illusive mummy.
Do you watch the TV shows that document one ancient Egypt pyramid after another? They provide a taste of Egyptian culture. I’ve watched so many, I began to learn hieroglyphics just from TV. In addition to finding and studying the rock type and construction details of a specific ancient Egypt pyramid, I learned a lot about the Egyptian culture in the process. But the construction of the pyramid fascinated me because I need one that would fit through a certain underground passage in order to... Well, I'd better not give away too much.
I also studied the Egyptian language to assure that what the Egyptians spoke meant what I needed it to mean and that I wouldn’t be laughed at or sued later on. All the work that went into this story was actually a lot of fun. Once I learned all that information, I knew I had a lot to offer into my book promotion. But regardless what I talk about during book promotion, finding the ancient Egypt pyramid is always an attention-getter. Really, one last note: An Egyptian woman who taught English/Egyptian at University of Hawaii at Manoa on Oahu some years back read The Ka manuscript. She asked my agent at the time, "Are you sure this author has never lived in Egypt?" What a great compliment that was. And yes, I still wish to explore at least one ancient Egypt pyramid.
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