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Goblet Of Sandfire Hill

The wind crawled through the grass making the newly grown bluebells quiver. George looked up at the sky a pinky purple swirl was slowly creeping in at the blue. He paced up and down outside the newsagents wondering whether to spend the pound he had just found in the drain. He decided to go against the idea and save it for later; his dark green eyes glanced at the doorway of Egmont house. The noise from inside was unbearable to his ears. He squinted and began to shake; the screams and shouts were too much. He knew it sounded wimpy but it was his own secret being scared of noise. No one had to know. He twisted the handle and walked in. Being an orphan was bad enough, but being in a home full of teenagers? Too much.

The smell of toast ran to his nostrils and he breathed up, his stomach growled for food. However, the noise was coming from the kitchen; he had better not chance it. He slowly crept upstairs hoping not to be noticed when a strong firm hand grabbed his t-shirt and dragged him back down the four steps. Joe put him in a headlock and wrestled him into the living room. His teeth gritted he pushed George onto the sofa, climbed up onto the coffee table and threatened to jump on him. George hesitated and wriggled onto the floor. In the corner, the TV was flickering, the reporter was telling of an event, which involved an ancient goblet. The goblet of sand fire hill.
George stuffed clothes into his rucksack. The zip nearly bursting he could fit only a few more drinks and snacks. He looked around him, at the old oak wardrobe and the ceiling damp with rot. The carpet was worn and smelling like smoke. He would not miss this place. He flicked his hair to the side and slung the rucksack over his shoulder. Joe was his only friend the only one he would miss, so he slipped silently into his room. Carefully, slide a slip of paper on his bedside table. As he closed the door, he heard a tapping sound from downstairs. He could not chance being caught. Being dragged back, he had to go. He stood caught in his own thoughts for a second until the door behind him opened and a pale Joe stood the letter clasped tight in his hand. The time George had to explain to Joe he could have been at the train station by now.

“So why are going again?” Joe’s voice had turned into a hard whisper his eyes alight with anger. “Because the news reporter said whoever found this goblet, the treasure of Seti the first will be a hero. Everyone wants that goblet, it’s supposedly holds the secret of his tomb or something.” George explained his voice held a determined tone to it. “Who was this Seti anyway? George it’s not your place to go your only a kid!” Joe held a worried look in his eyes. The shine had gone replaced by a dull silence.

“Seti was considered to be one of the best pharaohs and warriors that ever lived. He was the father of Rameses the second. Don’t tell me you have never heard of him on the news and stuff? Seti was also known to have extended his powers beyond the boundaries of Egypt as far east as modern-day Syria. In addition, he is a complete hero, if I went and brought back that goblet I would be one as well. Moreover, before you ask it is important for me to be a hero not for the all the attention. So that some couple out there will finally hear of me George the hero, and will come and finally get me out of here.”

“Seti was considered to be one of the best pharaohs and warriors that ever lived. He was the father of Rameses the second. Don’t tell me you have never heard of him on the news and stuff? Seti was also known to have extended his powers beyond the boundaries of Egypt as far east as modern-day Syria. In addition, he is a complete hero, if I went and brought back that goblet I would be one as well. Moreover, before you ask it is important for me to be a hero not for the all the attention. So that some couple out there will finally hear of me George the hero, and will come and finally get me out of here.”

Joe looked away, his face as pale as snow and sighed. He knew his mind was set and there was no way to change it. Therefore, he listened to his plans how he was planning to get there how he could find it. It seemed like a fairy tale of a confused boy who did not know who he truly was. Maybe it is.

The icy air ran down George’s neck, he pulled up his collar and trudged on through the dark misty alleyway. The moon was shining above leading him a narrow path to the end where the canals shimmering water could be seen. Behind lay, the trains station his destination. The air ripped his throat leaving it hoarse and sore. He took a swig of water from his rucksack and saved the rest for later. He did not know how much money he had took from his account. Enough he hoped. He met drunks on the way he walked past quickly, ignored their comments, and did not look back. He was beginning to think he would never end up getting there when the train station appeared before him. He smiled gently to himself and shivered with excitement inside himself. This was his time to shine be the one to have the attention his name to be mentioned on the news. For the better be called the local hero. These thoughts kept him through the rough parts of that journey when the stares of people made him want to run away.

Where he was safe away from harm though he knew he could not give up now his dream had not come close to being fulfilled. He sat in the carriage; his eyes shut firmly his hand resting on his heart. Listening to it beat his eyes daylight streamed through his window and he realized he had been asleep. His thoughts were his dreams about how his life could change. He wondered how Joe was. Whether he had told them, he had told him not to. However, by the look on his face when he promised he was not to sure whether to keep it.

Joe knew he was a little sensitive to sound just not that it petrified him filled him with images of his mothers screams. The other day in the car, her eyes were screaming even when she was not herself. He shuddered and looked in his rucksack for an apple. A stony robotic voice sounded through the speakers saying that they were nearly at France. From there he knew he could get a boat to Egypt. He could smell the salty air already. The sun was beating down and he was already over excited about his journey ahead. He did not know exactly how he was going to get to the old tomb of Seti yet but he was sure he would find out eventually. The harbor and all sorts of boats tied up. Big, small posh shabby he did not mind as long as it got him to where he wanted it to go. He looked in his pocket at the map he bought on the train. Joe knew he was a little sensitive to sound just not that it petrified him filled him with images of his mothers screams.

The other day in the car, her eyes were screaming even when she was not herself. He shuddered and looked in his rucksack for an apple. A stony robotic voice sounded through the speakers saying that they were nearly at France. From there he knew he could get a boat to Egypt. He could smell the salty air already. The sun was beating down and he was already over excited about his journey ahead. He did not know exactly how he was going to get to the old tomb of Seti yet but he was sure he would find out eventually. The harbor and all sorts of boats tied up. Big, small posh shabby he did not mind as long as it got him to where he wanted it to go. He looked in his pocket at the map he bought on the train. According to it, the ticket office for boats was just ten minutes away down the beach. Not bad, he thought smiling it was a pleasant day and all the families were out enjoying the sun. Inside he was somewhere between happy and sad that there were family’s out. It certainly gave a holiday atmosphere but he never had actually been on holiday a family before. He and Joe had gone to camp but of course, that was much different.

The man at the ticket office smirked down at him. His pale blue eyes were as hard as stone and his expression soon changed to thunderous. “NO!” He yelled his temples bulging and his accent deep. He slicked back his hair once more and pushed George aside letting a young woman through to collect her ticket. George frowned and thought of a way to get inside. People were already loading the boats with luggage and strange objects. He just had to get in a suitcase without a bolt on to get inside the boat. This was when he wished he read more adventure stories. The pitch black frightened him the most stuck inside the suitcase. The men were laughing and swinging it without even knowing how gentle they should swing it. They threw it on with a loud thump. Then silence as a rough deep voice shouted.

“That’s all of em!”George grunted in agony as a sharp pain ran up his left leg. He decided to be brave and forget the sickening pain. Ten minute later when he was sure they had finished, he kicked the top of the suitcase and it opened with a soft click. Gasping for air, he sat in the corner in a small ball his legs tucked under his arms. He rummaged in another suitcase to find his rucksack. He took out his water and took a large gulp refreshing his throat. Therefore, he sat alone and thinking dreaming slightly until he heard the door creak open and a hand grab his neck.

“Who’s this then?” a young voice whispered. George was shaking his nerves would not stop and already the noise from the bar was coming through. He could hardly speak his words would not leave his throat. The boy released his grip and shut the door the light being shut with it. In the dim light, George could make out a slim figure with dark hair and dark blue eyes the colour of the sea to go with it. “I didn’t mean to alarm you I just came down here to get my shoulder bag. Seeing you my curiosity got the better of me. I’m John and you are?” The voice seemed friendly enough and it might be the only and the journey ahead of him.

“I’m George and I’m here because I’m going to find that goblet. The one is in the news. You must have heard even if you aren’t from Manchester most have still heard surely?” The boy grinned from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. His blue eyes sparkling like a lava lamp in the dark. Then came a loud hearty laugh, covering his mouth with his hand to stop him from laughing any louder he muttered.

“Of course even from Essex we’ve heard. But really why are you here?” Still smiling but less this time he sat waiting for his answer. George gave a confused expression, the boy suddenly looked deadly serious and an almighty frown came along with it.

“Oh come on you can’t be serious. You are mere 14 and going to find a treasure that skilled archeologists could not find. Come on what would be the point in even trying. It would be a waste of money even coming down, now do not give me that pathetic story. why are you really down here? To steal peoples stuff. Well you won’t get away with it now it’s my turn to be the hero come with me or explain now and fast if I were you.” His eyes glared at George. As George explained as he did to Joe, Johns eyes looked sympathetically, he had never seen before with caring eyes. He sighed deeply and stood up. “As pathetic as that sounds…” He did not get to finish as George stood up firmly and hissed. “Pathetic, Pathetic that’s what you call my dream after fighting with me to do it.

After being the bravest, I have ever been. I was the one who stood alone for just. You are saying it is pathetic to want to be the hero to have a happy ending like all those fairy tales. You’re calling it all pathetic?” It was the first time ever he had stuck up for himself and felt the happiest he had ever been. His hands steadily on his hips his eyebrows raised and his eyes trying to be alight with anger. John shook his head in a disappointed way. Like he was sorry but had not changed his mind at all. George nodded towards the door and John trudged over switching the lights on for George as he went.

George beamed triumphantly; he laughed to himself and punched the air. He had to follow John to make friends he may have called him pathetic but he might be the only friend he would make and to spend the night alone on a boat that was making him sick was nerves was a little more than he could handle anyway. John told me stories of sailors of storms.” None of them knew the color of the sky. Their eyes glanced level, and were fastened upon the waves that swept toward them. These waves were of the hue of slate, save for the tops, which were of foaming white, and all of the men knew the colors of the sea.

The horizon narrowed and widened, and dipped and rose, and at all times its edge was jagged with waves that seemed thrust up in points like rocks. Many a man ought to have a bathtub larger than the boat, which here rode, upon the sea. These waves were most wrongfully and barbarously abrupt and tall, and each froth-top was a problem in small-boat navigation.

The cook squatted in the bottom and looked with both eyes at the six inches of gunwale, which separated him from the ocean. His sleeves were rolled over his fat forearms, and the two flaps of his unbuttoned vest dangled as he bent to bail out the boat. Often he said, "Gawd! That was a narrow clip." As he remarked it he invariably gazed eastward over the broken sea.” George wrote it down in his notebook his eyes alight with excitement. He had not read at all at Edmond House. He never saw the point but the description the thrill of knowing what happened next. It was what he knew now he loved. He urged John to carry on and he did. “A seat in this boat was not unlike a seat upon a bucking broncho, and by the same token, a broncho is not much smaller.
The craft pranced and reared, and plunged like an animal. As each wave came, and she rose for it, she seemed like a horse making at a fence outrageously high. The manner of her scramble over these walls of water is a mystic thing, and, moreover, at the top of them were ordinarily these problems in white water, the foam racing down from the summit of each wave, requiring a new leap, and a leap from the air. Then, after scornfully bumping a crest, she would slide, and race, and splash down a long incline, and arrive bobbing and nodding in front of the next menace.”

He had to stop because at that moment a fog sounded as it told the boat was coming into its first stop. John gasped, as he knew his parents would be looking searching. He gave George a quick nod and sprinted out shutting the door loudly behind him. George lay silently among blankets he found in the cases he shut his eyes his rucksack under his head of chestnut hair. He closed his eyes and dreamt of what would happen next. He was being shook he did not want to be he loved his dream of the sky floating on cloud peace. Quiet no noise.

“GEORGE.GEORGE YOU NEED TO WAKE UP NOW! GEORGE! The voice roared on until reluctantly he opened his eyes. Sunlight was pouring through the windows and the luggage was all gone apart from the blankets and his rucksack. John was stood over him he heard the urgency in his voice and sat bolt upright. John shook his head. “Come on we’re here. We’re at Cairo.” George yelped as he struggled to gather his things in time. He rushed out the doors into the streaming hot sunlight gulping in the hot salty air. He looked around him memorized at the sights around him. Camels were riding along carry tourists with cameras clutched in their hands incase it happened to slip n smash on the dusty road beneath them. John was walking away up the road a crowd of family around him.

Saddened George felt suddenly desperately alone. He had no idea he would leave so soon. He looked along the harbour front; the water was glistening in the early morning sunshine. I imagined multi-coloured fish and green seaweed, tropical animals and amazing jumping dolphins. Instead, there was just the slow relaxing sound of the waves splashing on the crumbling rocks at the side. Boats bobbing up and down tied up to sturdy wooden posts. John called from down the road beckoning George over. He thought to himself it was a simple goodbye and he smiled to himself knowing he would not leave without saying goodbye. John smiled sadly as if something troubled him; he looked at George in a way of true despair.

“I’m sorry George they’re not letting any transport into Cairo for the next few days and it’s a good half hour away walking. Looks like you will have to take the same boat back and go home where you will be safe.” He gave him a pat on his back trying to make him feel better. George pushed his hand off suddenly feeling uncomfortable knowing he must of told his family because of how they were smiling laughing amongst themselves. George blushed and stumbled down the hill making him blush more. He heard them laughing behind him and he flushed with anger which made his blood boil. He would not stop now he would keep on going. He would not let it stop him nothing could stop him now.

Apart from the doubt that goblet would have already been found which. His stomach growled for food and he had to give in. Clutching his stomach, he walked a little further until he reached the centre where a long stretch of sea and sand lay before him. Sitting on the beach, he scrambled in his bag to find the cheese sandwich he had made the following night. He ate in pure delight a bottle of cool water by his side the sun beating down on him. He would rest to regain his strength and then he would continue. He would not give up being the hero, at least not now.

His legs were aching and were threatening to give way beneath him. He was sweating so much his clothes were stuck to him. He could hardly bring himself to continue. He saw a bus and decided to take it as far as it would go and stop there. Looking out the window, he saw so many sites. The air conditioning was cooling him down fast and he was so caught up in his thoughts he could not help but have a snooze. A woman pushing past with an overlarge handbag woke him up. He grunted and looked up at her inappropriately; she stuck her nose in the air and her handbag under tight under her arm and walked off the bus without a thank you or even a tip to the driver. At that moment, he realized what stop this was, as the bus was turning round and there was no one else left on it. He screamed in fright at the thought of going back to the bus shelter and being left on the bus. He ran to the doors and banged on them loudly.

The bus driver was English as George could hear him cursing he thanked him threw him a tip and jumped off clumsily, bumping towards a haughty woman who woke him up. Nevertheless, how much now he thanked her in his head, he beamed at her and she looked extremely puzzled as George ran off down the road end to the supermarket. On his way, he looked for signs telling him in which direction to walk. He bought three more bottles of water and more fruit to keep him going. He peered about him for any tell tale of a sign anywhere. He spotted a tour guide leading a group of bewildered tourists along the stretch of markets and stalls. Women were shouting that they were starving and begging for money. How it made George laugh to see the tourists raise their eyebrows and tut in disgust.

Typical English he thought. He strolled on until he reached a main road. Bikes, carts and cars in desperate need of cleaning zoomed along beeping and yelling. George took a deep breath and simply ignored the noise. He looked above him to see a sign with a jumble of letters and arrows among them was a Cairo and indicating ‘ahead’ with a number one next to it. One Mile he could do that. He wiped his forehead and looked about for a taxi. Looking into his purse he realized he better not chance it if he wanted food or water for later as he only had £12 pounds left. Eventually he reached a place where not many people were about.

The sun was almost setting now. The sea shined an orange sparkle. Glancing ahead, he saw a boy. He sat across legs fiddling with an old bike chain was well and truly ripped. He looked around the same age as George maybe a little older. His tongue was out and his dark mud eyes were set, narrowed in concentration. He knew a friendly face when he saw one and he walked slowly not willing to startle him. He sat down on the floor next to him and drank some more water. The boy looked up as if he had never seen water before. He looked dreamily at it and then looked away obviously ashamed at himself for daring to ask.

George kindly offered some and the boy drank almost the whole bottle apologizing with a nod and smile at the end of it. George chuckled and threw the bottle in a nearby bin glad to have the company. The boy continued to fiddle until he gave up kicking the bike in despair and rubbing his hands down his already grey t-shirt. Offering him a tissue he looked up and smiled but not with his mouth. With his eyes, a way I had heard people use before but never met anyone nice enough to use it. He used it and cleaned his hands completely before asking if he could put it in his pocket with gestures. George kindly agreeing stood up about to leave the boy jumped up and held out his hand to shake. “Me Abasi.”

He spoke clearly, though accent was clear enough. George smiled freely. “Me George how old is you?” The boy seemed to understand well. Holding his fingers up he managed to say 15. Then he nodded him. I held up 14 and he flicked his jet-black hair back and sat a confused look on his face. “You go where?” His eyes scanned George up and down, almost suspiciously perhaps wondering what an English boy of his age was doing alone in, Seti tomb to find Seti tomb. The boys’ eyes lit up at once. The boy pointed to himself and jumped up and down almost in excitement and his eyes were still filled with wonder. “I know. I know tomb Seti 1. I know where it may lay.”

His voice was deep and almost overpowering as he suddenly gestured they go together leading the way. George did not seem too happy that if, Abasi wanted to win credit. What if he knew where it was, he has to be the hero? He was just his companion. Nevertheless, reluctantly he agreed, Abasi was his only hope of ever finding the tomb without him he would never find it. In addition, company would be good. George nodded and smiled handing Abasi a fresh orange that he ate greedily eyeing passers by suspiciously.

Leading George back to his house a black mist was taking over. Abasi obviously had English in him. When he arrived Abasi’s mother was fussing over him when she layed her eyes upon George. She spoke to Abasi first in Egyptian then to me in English. “Any friend of Abasi is a friend to us as well. You can stay here for as long as you want in the spare room. You can say I am English but his father is all Egyptian.
Make yourself at home I’m June and it’s a pleasure to meet you George.” Her smile melted George’s heart and he felt overwhelmed for a mother to be letting him stay in her home. That night after a delicious supper, George and Abasi went over their plans. How they would get there and what they would do once there. That night as George looked out the window of the house in the spare room he finally felt he fitted in somewhere.

“Wakey wakey, George.” Abasi chucked a rugby ball at him and jumped on the bed wrestling him to the ground just as Joe used to. George laughed rolling round on the floor as Abasi tickled him and shouted to surrender before he pushed him out of the open window. Abasi dragged him downstairs to the table a stern look from his mother told him to release George and to sit at the table like a normal boy. George stood up smoothing his hair and sitting back down, Abasi mimicked him smoothing his hair and sitting upright. At that, moment a young girl and older girl walked in and sat down. June introduced them politely. “Wendy.” She pronounced at the older girl then pointed to the smaller one. “Siobhan.”

At the sound of her name, the little girl stuck her tongue out and giggling slamming a little stuffed doll onto the table. June laid out breakfast of pancakes and fresh orange juice. Abasi tucked in almost at once but George waited until the last person (June) was seated until he started. June nodded in surprise at his manners and began. Suddenly there was a loud bang from the doorway, which made George jump and groan at the noise, which was to follow. Another loud thump and another until it got into a frenzy. Georges inside were churning when all the people round the table started shouting singing and thumping the table with their fists.

Until a tall broad man jumped into the room, bearing great bags stuffed with food. Abasi was the first to get up and greet his father followed by Siobhan then Wendy. Abasi starting to talk again in Egyptian and all eyes fell on George, who blushed kept his head down and ate his food. Then a giant hand grabbed him and flung him in the air caught him and wrestled with him. Abasi’s father was wrestling with him when he did not even know him! George laughed with delight gritted his teeth and barged at his shoulder first. Then Abasi jumped on his back bringing him hard onto the tiled floor. June stood up;hands on hips eyes narrow in disapproval.

Abasi laughed hands on stomach nearly crying with laughter at his sister as she shouted and shouted her hands on hips mimicking her mother. George had to smile at her cheeky face and little pigtails. After breakfast, Abasi loaded an empty rucksack with food clothes and more water for the journey. Telling his mother he was going to his aunties house George could tell he was ashamed to lie to her. They both rushed out down the street skipping and laughing mocking people that begged and running past the markets, the wind in their hair. The sun had not yet fully risen and the air was still cool.

Glancing ahead all that George could see were endless sand dunes. The heat was now blaring down on them, baking them in its heat. Their legs were aching their throats dry and their lips chapped. They dared not drink the water yet as they were afraid, they would run out so every hour they would allow a trickle to run down their throats. Pyramids started to appear in the distance, pointed tops the great shadow cast over the bleach yellow sand. The heat was draining and they no longer had the will to go on. Sinking to his knees George cupped his hands and scooped up sand. “Sand. That’s all that’s, around here. Sand”. That is all there is. How long to go I can’t go on much further.” George’s voice was strained, low and breathless. Abadi gestured two more miles to go and George sighed with relief, only two he could do that. Suddenly a powerful gust of wind bellowed at their clothes. Sand was blowing viciously.

The wind howled at them and the sky turned a threatening purple. Rain bolted down drenching them and thunder cracked open the sky. Abadi heard George whisper just over the storm. “There is inedibility about a storm; we lull when the air is still and heavy, the graying of the light as dark clouds gather, the ominous warm wind that heralds the thunder. The first great drops of rain. You cannot fight it you cannot hide from it. You have to get over with it. You know it will pass and the entire world will be fresh again. This is the lull before the storm. But I never thought it could ever be quite like this.” A single tear rolled down his cheek, which he wiped away instantly and looked in his pocket for the map.

After, two miles… Abadi’s eyes were full of fear he clearly had not ever seen a storm like this before. He knew his mother would be worried watching out the window tea towel clutched in her hand. Arms folded leaning on the sink breathing deep, sick with worry. George was only worried for his and Abadi’s safety not what people were thinking about it. June was sort of beginning to feel like a mother to him now someone to care for him when he was feeling unwell someone to tell him where he went wrong. Nevertheless, he did not want to offend Abadi by asking if she was like that to everyone so he kept is mouth firmly shut.

Besides, she already had three children why would she want 4? His thoughts were saddening and he put his rucksack over his head to cover off the rain. Abadi was taking long steps desperate to reach the tomb. He told George about how no one in Egypt had heard about the goblet and that is why no one had already gone and they would not anyway at the thought that the old curse, which is said to be set on anyway, whom steps foot in the tomb comes upon them. The term curse was used a lot it was rarely true just a rumor to scare away tomb robbers. But in the past and in old dusty history books out of the library George had heard of Egyptian curses and of people beaten savagely eaten alive by wild cockroaches. Then just in the nick of time some hero comes along opens up the tomb and saves them as the cockroaches are exposed to bright sunlight burning their tiny body’s to a mere frizzle.

The storm was calming. The sky was no longer a dark purple of anger but a pale blue with scattered clouds. The wind was less violent and more at peace. Taking a trickle of water Abadi looked about him in fear they had perhaps got lost in the storm. Sand was in their mouths and in their hair. They were not lost he could see it now the pyramid stood proud and tall. When they reached the pyramid, they looked around making sure no one was about, lurking behind them waiting for them to come back out in triumph clasping the goblet. There were two statues at either side of two dogs bent low, growling teeth glinting in the light. Trying to scare intrudsers off, to the left of them was a paw in the air. Bringing it down firmly Abadi nodded and smiled.

A big stone slate was rising up; a waft of bad air came out nearly making the two boys faint. George coughed madly retching the bad air stank of old corpse and bad eggs. It rushed out into the new fresh air, creeping in the door closed automatically behind them making them jump hearts racing. Pitch black surrounded them and an eerie silence until 12 or more torches lit up like a stadium of light all around them. Then the silence was filled by the roaring of torches. The walls were a sickly yellow colour and the ceiling was extremely high with a chandelier with torches hanging down which made George a little frightened. The floor had little round black circles on.

A high pitch scream echoed throughout the tomb as Georges face turned as white as a ghost and from a man willing to fight anything to a terrified little boy, which inside he still was. They were not just black dots they were living breathing crawling spiders. George was paying no attention to Abadi who was telling to be quiet because he could hear a sound coming from the wall. His ear was resting on the wall and he was listening intently his eyes closed in a calm but irritated manner. The tomb looked quite unimpressive actually thought Abadi; there was nothing there but spiders an empty room. He leaned on the wall and rubbed his head in frustration.

There was a loud click and a huge space in the middle of the floor cleared to show a very big drop to the other level beneath. George ran to it peered over the top and shrieked. His eyes were turning to narrow slits as he eyes the spiders around him suspiciously. Abadi grabbed him in a rugby tackle kind of way and threw himself and George down into the pitch black below.

George was dreaming and there were spiders from every direction coming to him biting him and spitting at him viciously. He was not afraid at all he grabbed his water bottle and squashed every last one of them. He stood hands on hips grinning eyes delight everyone cheering. However, Abadi brought him back to reality by nudging him awake. His eyes were bruised and his lip was cut. He grabbed Georges arm and together they examined the room, which was completely covered in gold.

Gold coins, gold books, gold everything. Together they searched frantically for the goblet. Tension was rising, and both of them were beginning to get nervous they would never succeed in finding it when Abadi laughed a cackle of a laugh and punched the air in pure delight. “I find it! Goblet of Sand Fire hill is found! By me Abadi Canterlecter the hero fame and glory as crows cheer.” He held it up and turned round 360 degrees still holding it up. George simply looked in horror shaking his head in disbelief. Stuttering trying to find words to say, he hung his head in despair. He knew he could never be a hero he just knew it. Him George a hero, how people would laugh at him maybe even Joe would laugh at him. The Abadi came over and handed him the goblet.

George looked down in amazement it was encrusted with ruby’s emeralds sapphires. It sparkled in the light and glowed in his hands giving off a warm heat. Abadi smiled and looked straight into George eyes. “George you deserve this. You are the hero; no one can take that away from you. A least not me, a simple Egyptian boy. You can say you found it, but if you can mention I was there. I helped you not for glory but to make my mother proud. Tears were welling in George’s eyes and he didn’t know what to say it was so kind of Abadi he could never repay him for this. He patted his back. “Of course wouldn’t have it any other way. And hey we make an amazing team don’t we?”

Suddenly there was a jolt on the floor and spikes from the ceiling were lowering ready to trap them in. Abadi startled cried out and ran for the door snatching Gold for his parents as he went. George wasn’t aware of what was happening as he was still stood gazing at the goblet and fiddling in his rucksack to put it in the right position in his bag. But the spikes were lowering Abadi was panicking he could feel is pulse raise. His heart thudding wildly in his chest he had no idea what to do if he went back inside none of them would make it. That was when a genius idea hit him.

He grabbed his whip out of his belt and whipped it round George’s waist from the other side of the room. In addition, pulled with his entire mite until his temples were bulging and his muscles tightening. He grunted in agony, as George was being pulled but not harshly. But with a final strength left in him he was swept across the floor and landed straight on Abadi. Luckily, the goblet was still firm in his hands his knuckles white where he had been clinging on. The metal grinding of the spikes were now rubbing together, George clung on to Abadi and gave him a hug still ghostly white. Suddenly a heavy breathing, rasping sound came from behind Abadi looking to see what it was George fainted.

Seeing the look on Georges face Abadi did not have to look around he grabbed him swung his elbow and hit the stained rotting smelling mummy right in the chest. It groaned and staggered bag a low mumbling coming from its mouth. Abadi did not have to think twice he barged past George being dragged he ran as fast as his legs would carry him. Looking down he snatched his whip flung it up attaching itself to the pipe up above and lifted himself and George up. The goblet was safe in his belt.

His belt was shifting under the strain and it would not last much longer. But with Abadi in the middle of the air and George still not coming completely round from his faint he had no choice but to chance it. Eventually his feet reached the ground and he quickly untied his belt and shoved it into his backpack. Looking round, his heartbeat nearly heard from outside his body his eyes were hurting with the strain of vigorous searching for a way out. Eventually he just decided to feel all around the walls like they did in the movies. In addition, at once the door was shifting open reluctantly giving a grinding slow noise as it went.

Abadi saluted the mummy and was off dragging George with him. Once as far away as he could manage Abadi dropped George and himself onto an extremely high sand dune and closed his eyes his mouth formed in a smile. George awoke to his forehead sweating and his eyes in a squint. He weakly lifted his head to find himself and Abadi next to him outside in the dunes the belt and rucksack clung into his arms. George laughed and punched the air snatching the belt and looking inside to find the goblet lying there shining and twinkling likes a nearby star. He shook Abadi and together they made the grueling journey back talking of their adventure so far.

They came home to well no home. Abadi’s families were outside furnisher and all. A tear was rolling down June’s cheek and once she saw Abadi she rushed to meet him. Then glancing at George and taking him into a bear like hug kissing his forehead and singing words in Egyptian. George felt loved and felt warm and fuzzy on the inside a feeling never quite felt before in his life. June explained that they had not been able to afford to stay and had ignored bills for so long that they were forced to move out to the streets. That gave George the best idea yet but before saying anything at all he took Abadi aside and explained. Abadi hugged George tightly and nodded his small teeth forced into an extremely satisfied smile.

“So you see they call them council houses in England. You would be more than welcome. Of course, I would be going back to the care home. However, you would stay closed and well looked after. And benefits yes benefits they help too I’ve read all about it, it would be just perfect!” George exclaimed tears of joy dropping on the belt clutched in his hands. June looked over sadly to Abadi’s father, whose eyes were narrowed deep in thought. “I do not think Abadi’s father would like to move he has been here since a little boy he would hate to leave this city behind.”

She said sadly her deep brown eyes were sad and focused and on her ring which she was shining on her satin dress. Abadi’s father suddenly spoke his voice tough and clear. “We must go. Happy I will not be. Not for a while but it is a sacrifice I must make for my family. All of us together as one will move to England we need no one else. No visits to care home nothing just us.” In addition, he nodded to himself as if all decided and arranged. Abadi wailed out in Egyptian, How they could not leave George did not tell his father about the goblet. His father’s stony expression did not change at all.

“The reason I said no visit to care home because, George lives with us now Abadi. We adopt George, like our family, he laughed a hearty laugh grabbed George and threw him high up into the air. George could not have felt happier at that moment. That night on the boat back to England George and Abadi stroked the goblet. It glinted and suddenly a dazzling yellow light circulated it. It raised forwards into the air and began to speak in an ancient tongue. Abadi nodded to tell George he understood. His eyes went wide with astonishment. “The goblet it says… it says.” He spluttered unable to finish. “What Abadi, what does the goblet say?”

Abadi gulped loudly cleared his throat and continued after the voice which seemed to repeat itself. “You have found the goblet of sandfire hill well done congrats but there is no time to celebrate but we award you just three wishes, spend it on something wise though not on crops or dirty dishes. Remember the power involved you could take over Tutankhamen Remises anyone you want but just three wishes then you do something for us.” The goblet went silent with a long hiss releasing steamy air into the atmosphere. George’s mouth hung open he shook his head in disbelief. “No, that’s impossible it can’t be a magic.

Come one really did it really say that?” George hissed eager to find out more as the goblet sank back down softly into Abadi’s hands. “Exactly that but what should we wish for?” Abadi whispered in his ear. George knew exactly what and as his head filled with different thoughts, he smiled an evil smile.

“So you’re saying the three things we wish for us, eternal life for us and the family, a really expensive house with everything we have ever wanted and butler, chef and adventures every weekend!” Abadi laughed at this he mockingly pushed George and held his stomach tears streaming down his cheeks as he laughed. Then like a mad man he sat bolt upright and spoke quickly. “That George my friend is not a bad idea.” They closed there eyes and wished their breath was knocked out as the boat gave a jolt and was magically at England.