[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][img]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6100219663_efbb8b62e5.jpg[/img][hr][@Pundii] [@Morose] [@FantasyChic] [@Nallore] [@Sigil] [@ONL][hr][/center][hr]

	Vera looked over towards Nora and gave her a very relived smile as the woman helped her to right the stack of papers and kept her from causing yet another mess in the middle of the museum. [color=f7976a]"Thank you ever so much Lady Kingston, I am afraid that I am a bit of a klutz when I am distracted. My mother used to say that I would be the bell of the [i]ton[/i] if I could just pay attention to present rather than the past,"[/color] she said as she sat the stack down on her desk and blew the curls of her bangs out of her face. [color=f7976a]"Problem is I find facts and the past more interesting than the present and gossip,"[/color] she chuckled lightly. 

	Aziza wasn't exactly sure what to think of everything going on. Many of them seemed to be speaking about leaving and heading off on some grand adventure into the desert. The only adventures she had ever found out there were painful ones and she grimaced at the thought of spending more nights than she already had in the rough hot sands. Her fingers tightening a bit on Harry's arm and stepping closer to him, her cheek resting against his shoulder as she stood there looking around. [color=a187be]"Yes, what exactly is going on?"[/color] she asked, not wanting to step out of place but she wasn't about to go into the desert without reason and a good one. Glancing over at Josephine she wondered how the woman could be so excited about the dangers out there or was she actually aware of just how deadly the Sahara was? 

	[color=f7976a]"Oh forgive me, where are my manners. Here we are talking about things as if you all have been privied to all we had discussed before your arrival,"[/color] Vera said before picking up one of the books with Bastets symbols in it and handing it over to Aziza. She went on to explain about the brands that some had received this evening, the lights on the Nile and then she showed Aziza the markings that had appeared on her personal locket. Aziza looked at the symbols and her eyes widened a bit. Taking off her necklace she showed it to Vera, who in turned got a look of intrigue over her face. 

	[color=a187be]"Harry... I mean Mr. Walsh got a similar one on his ring,"[/color] Aziza said, correcting her slip of the tongue by calling Harry by his informal name. It was the first time she had called him just Harry. It felt nice but she doubted it was the right thing to do, especially with people standing around that she didn't really know. 

	[color=f7976a]"You two seemed to have had a similar event as I did and unlike the ones that were actually branded, I wonder why the difference. What sets us three apart from the others and what sets others apart that have yet to have either event happen with them. Curious,"[/color] she said as she ran her fingers over the symbol before handing the necklace back to Aziza and watching as the dancer placed it back around her neck. 

	Pulling her glasses off Vera went on to explain that they were planning on going to see if they could find any explanations or clues to why this was happening at an old site that had long been abandoned. Aziza furrowed her brows slightly. She wanted answers but she didn't want to go alone. [color=a187be]"I see..."[/color] she said nervously before turning and looking up at Harry. [color=a187be]"Well if Mr. Walsh would be kind enough to escort me, perhaps I should go along with you on this,"[/color] she added in a quiet voice. 

	Vera turned her attention back to the others and bit her bottom lip as she thought to herself before speaking again. [color=f7976a]"I am not sure there would be any place that would be able for you to land a plane where we need to go and driving, it could be a problem. There really are not roads. Last time it was visited my uncle said that camels and horses were needed,"[/color] she said before reaching up and tucking a loose strand of curl behind her ear before glancing over at William. [color=f7976a]"Mr. Drake would you be willing to help me with this? Without trying to pocket riches to yourself?"[/color] she asked before her attention was turned to people voicing concerns about the cost. 

	[color=f7976a]"I am sorry, I must have given the wrong impression. Cost is not an issue, just me liquidating the funds will take some time. A few days at least. I would not think between the time it will take for me to get the cash and us being able to arrange for this expedition that we will be leaving Cairo for at least a week or two,"[/color] she said nonchalantly. It wasn't know because of her manner of work or the way she dressed but income and means were not an issue for Lady Munn. Only Reginald would know of her true financial standing or political influence with the Crown. Though she was referred to as Lady, that could mean a great many of things but she was the granddaughter of the 4th Earl of Carnarvon. Lady Munns actual title was Countess Munn of Carnarvon and she had recently repurchased her families estate, Bretby Hall; which her uncle had sold to fund the Tutankhamen dig. Her parents had left her plenty and her uncle even more. Money was not an issue for Vera though one would not think it to look at her.  

	[color=f7976a]"Mr. Drake, do think with the proper funds you could help, along with Lord Major Keystone, secure what we are required for a proper dig while I attend to the more... How shall I say... political ramifications to get us the permits we will require?"[/color]