Hawk crept through the shadows of the Vizier’s palace following after the Nomarch. This was old hat for him, as he recalled sneaking around the camp at night as a child, but he was actually surprised at how quiet Rebecca could be. He would have to ask her about it sometime.

Hawk’s focus returned to the present when he saw the Nomarch stop in front of another man. He stopped and felt Rebecca bump into him due to the suddenness of it.

“What is it?” she asked. Hawk held up his hand to quiet her.

“Stay here,” he whispered. Without waiting for Rebecca’s reply, Hawk moved through the shadows, creeping closer to the Nomarch and the stranger. It was hard to see in the dark, but the stranger did not look dressed up enough to have attended the Vizier’s party anyway, despite trying to look respectable by wearing a western suit. Although even in the poor light, Hawk could tell it had seen better days.

“…and I told you never to meet me here,” the Nomarch grumbled. “What are you doing so far from the Professor’s dig site anyway?”

“My men know how to handle it,” the man said.

“Well, I guess there is honor amongst thieves after all,” the Nomarch said.

The stranger adjusted his collar and shook off the insult. “Besides there hasn’t been much digging since the Professor came to Cairo anyway.”

“His brat of niece,” the Nomarch said. “But they will be leaving tomorrow to return, so I expect there will be some new finds. You can be ready to strike.”

“Won’t be that easy,” the stranger said. “The Professor don’t just have local workmen from the villages. He’s got Berbers.”

“The Imshawshen Berbers?” the Nomarch asked. The other man nodded.

“So if you want us to go up against the Imshawshen, you’ll have to pay us higher.”

“That’s extortion, sir!”

“Honor amongst thieves,” the man said with a chuckle. “We want any gold or silver objects pulled out. All of them.”

“I’ll give you seventy percent.”

“Eighty!” the thief shouted back. The Nomarch looked around and balled his fists.

“Seventy-five and don’t forget, I want any magical scrolls the Englishman finds!”

“Done,” the man said. “A pleasure doing business with you, my Lord.”

“Now get get out of the city before the Khairataw notices you’re here.”

The other man bowed and started walking away, when the sound of stick snapping came from behind Hawk, and both men froze. Hawk looked back and saw Rebecca frozen in her tracks with wide eyes.

“Is someone there?” the Nomarch said. Hawk crouched down lower and gestured for Rebecca to do the same. Hawk waited with bated breath for a few moments before the Nomarch decided not to press his luck and made his way back inside the Vizier’s palace.

“I thought we were bang to rights there,” Rebecca said.

“We almost were,” Hawk said. “We need to get back.”

The two of them crept back into the palace to see the Nomarch discussing things loudly with the Vizier and the Professor.

“And where were you two off to?” Hawk and Rebecca both jumped as Tori came walking up to them.

“I had needed some air and Mr. Ramsey was kind enough to fetch me,” Rebecca said. Tori regarded them with a disbelieving look. “I assure you, Miss Mowi, Mr. Ramsey and I have done nothing inappropriate.” As if to emphasize, Rebecca gave Tori a long glance as she made her way back into the crowd toward Simonetta. “Perhaps you should have a dance with Mr. Ramsey.”

Hawk offered his hand. “Would you care for the dance, Captain Mowi?”