As they reached the door, it banged open in front of them. A red-bearded giant stumbled out, a mug spilling froth in his hand. He leaned against the opposite wall, bent over, and emptied his stomach in a mighty rush.

Nefertiti backed away in a hurry, almost knocking down Jake.

The man stared blearily at them, burped, then wiped his lips. “That’s better. Got more room now.” He swilled from his mug and headed back to the door, but at least he hadn’t entirely forgotten his manners. He pointed to the door. “You going in? Then after you.”

Nefertiti rushed in, squeezing past the lummox, plainly trying not to touch him. Jake followed, just as cautiously.

Inside, the main room of the inn was crowded with people from all manner of tribes, but they shared the same roughshod appearance: scars, stone-hard eyes, patched clothes. It was blisteringly hot in there, made hotter by the fire burning in a long, low hearth against the back wall. Iron pots and kettles, a few bubbling over, dangled above the red coals.

Most of the crowd gathered near the bar along the other wall. Laughter rang out, along with a few bawdy songs.

Nefertiti hid within the hood of her stolen robe. “You say you have friends here?”

As if hearing the question, a sharp call pierced the ruckus. Jake turned toward a small table near the back. A more serious group had their heads bent together. From among them, a man stood up and waved Jake over.

It was Djer, freshly scrubbed, in a loose shirt and belted Egyptian kilt.

Nefertiti leaned close to Jake as they headed over. “That’s Kree’s cousin. Can he be trusted?”

“Considering where I found him, I’d say yes.”

Djer strode forward and hugged Jake hard. “You made it. We feared the worst. The horns have been blowing since nightfall.” His eyes stared over at Nefertiti, still hooded. “Where are the rest of your friends?”

“Captured,” Jake said, his voice catching as worry spiked through him.

Djer clasped his shoulder in sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“I was hoping you could help.”

Djer’s face closed up. “We owe you much for rescuing us, but we’ve heard word that the royal pyramid is locked tight. Now we know why. They will not be caught by surprise again today. Perhaps if we waited a moon or two, let their guard relax …”

Jake balked at that plan, imagining the torture the others would endure in the meantime.

Nefertiti was not any happier. “No,” she said, shaking back her hood. “That is not acceptable.”

The room went dead quiet as all eyes turned to her.

It took Djer several breaths to speak. “By all the stars, you’ve kidnapped Princess Nefertiti!”

A cheer rose from the crowd. Mugs were raised in celebration. Nefertiti’s countenance went dark with anger. Plainly this was not the reception she’d been expecting.

“I was not kidnapped!” she declared with a stamp of her foot.

But no one believed her.