Jed, the Forgotten Egyptian Prince

From Chapter 1

Before heading for the isolation of the western desert, it was necessary for the team to stock up with extra fuel and fresh food. Fortunately, their travel plan coincided with a local market day at one of the larger villages. Hundreds of people had come to sell and buy vegetables, fruit, grains, meat, crafts, and live animals. Jed jumped from the four-wheel drive vehicle to stretch his legs and look around. He was eager to explore. He wandered through the crowd of jostling people looking with curiosity at the vast range of goods for sale at the market. The noisy scene seemed like a movie set featuring an old-time bazaar. Jed was amused to witness the buyers and merchants loudly haggling over the price of goods, the custom it seemed for Egyptian traders.

“Boy! Red-hair. Over here!”

A trader sitting amongst brass ornaments in his village market stall beckoned Jed toward him.

“Come! Buy souvenir.”

“No thanks,” Jed replied as he slowly turned in all directions to decide which way to go. He was embarrassed about his red hair being referred to by the trader. He hated his red hair.

“Red-hair, buy gift for mother,” the trader yelled loudly in an effort to be heard above the noisy crowd.

Jed waved a no-thank-you sign, tucked his red hair out of sight under his cap, and walked on. Flashes of light drew Jed’s attention to a small stall at the end of a quieter lane in the marketplace. Hanging chains of crystals were sparkling in the sunshine creating a dazzling display. Brightly colored, striped rugs slung over the top of the stall provided just enough protection from the sun for any potential buyer to have some shade. Instantly curious, Jed turned down the narrow walkway that seemed so peaceful in comparison to the main market area.

Featured at the stall was a range of jewelry with colorful gemstones, rings, bracelets, and pendants neatly arranged on purple-colored cloth. Jed was tempted to consider buying something for his mother’s birthday in two weeks. He had been saving for his Egyptian adventure for months and could certainly afford to buy a birthday gift. Thankfully, the persistent brassware merchant had reminded Jed about that special day. One piece stirred Jed’s interest. He bent forward to get a closer look at a gold ring fashioned into a scarab with turquoise wings.

“How much is this ring, please?”

The elderly woman selling the items smiled warmly and spoke with a gentle voice in surprisingly good English, “The ring is beautiful, isn’t it? The ancient beetle was very sacred to our people. It symbolized rebirth. Interesting, don’t you think? Unfortunately, the ring is not for sale, only for display. Do you like anything else?”

“No, not really,” Jed answered. “I only like this ring.”

“I am so sorry. I cannot help you because it is not mine to sell. Since I cannot satisfy your wish to buy this ring, then let me look at your hand young man. You hand reveals all. Maybe I can give some valuable information for you instead.”

A blue scarf framed the woman’s heavily wrinkled face hinting of a long and hard life, but her black eyes appeared warm and caring. She leaned over the display and gently grasped his left hand to examine his palm. Jed was unwilling to allow the woman to inspect his hand, and pulled back. He felt a little foolish and looked around to see if anyone was watching. The old woman’s grip was surprisingly strong. She would not release his hand. Jed finally surrendered by relaxing his clenched fingers to expose his now sweaty palm. A look of shock became evident on her face. She gasped, and instantly placed her hand on her chest as though she had lost her breath, or was having a heart attack. After a short period of silence, her serious expression changed to a huge smile. She whispered something to Jed that made him feel uneasy.

“Green eyes, you make me happy. At last you have come. The ring you are admiring is meant for you after all. Do you remember what I said about the ancient scarab?”

Jed grinned, but was puzzled by the comment. He was convinced that the old woman was now only trying to persuade him to buy the ring. Previously, Jed was interested in the purchase. Now, he felt suspicious of the old woman’s possible intention. He was definitely not going to be tricked into a purchase of an expensive item.

“I am just browsing now,” he said, appearing not to be interested.

This was just a trick to buy the ring, he thought. He was not going to fall for that even though the old jewelry seller seemed trustworthy. The old woman continued as if she had not heard Jed’s reply.

“This ring has been in my family for thousands of years. For some unknown reason, I had to place it in my collection this morning. I know why I had to do this now. I must have sensed your arrival. You are the owner of this special ring.”

Jed could not believe this unusual approach to a secure a sale.

“I think you have made a big mistake. I have never owned anything like this.”

“Take it. Our family has kept it safe while we waited for your return.”

“My return? What do you mean?”

Jed was now becoming frustrated with the strange behavior of the old woman, but did not want to seem bad mannered.

“I cannot take this without paying for it,” Jed said firmly.

Once again, the old woman urged Jed to take the ring, “This is yours. Believe me!”

“How can it be mine if I have never met you before? This is the first time I have been in Egypt?” Jed questioned, sounding confused.

The old woman pressed the ring into his hand, and closed his fingers around it. With a smile on her wrinkled face, she turned to assist another customer. Jed wondered how he was going to explain this to his parents. He was unsure of what to do next. Jed examined the ring. It was quite heavy, and had unusual markings engraved into the gold underneath the scarab. Hieroglyphs, he thought. He hesitantly placed the ring on his finger. Although it slipped on easily, it would not come off. He tugged at the ring with all his strength, and twisted it around the knuckle. It would not budge.

“Excuse me. Sorry for interrupting you, but I can’t get this ring off!”

The old woman did not take much notice as she continued to serve her customer. Jed was feeling so worried about not being able to remove the ring, his hands began to shake.

“I truly cannot get it off. Can you help me, please?”

The old woman turned to him with a large smile and reassured him this was not a problem because the ring was really his.

“The ring was never mine. It is yours! Now, be off with you!” the jewelry seller demanded, as she directed Jed away with the wave of her hand.

Giving in to the old woman’s wishes, Jed shrugged his shoulders and hurried away. He wanted to explain the unusual encounter to his mother who was purchasing fresh fruit at a nearby stall. Her red hair made her easily recognizable from the customers loudly negotiating deals at the stall.

“Mom, I’ve got to talk to you please.”

“Just a minute, Jed. I’m thinking,” she replied, as she considered what fruit to buy.

“It’s urgent! I need to show you something.”

Carla turned to her son to find out the reason for his impatience.

“Mom, look at this ring! An old woman from one of the stalls down there insisted on giving it to me. I said I couldn’t accept it. She refused to listen to me. What should I do?”

“Well, it certainly does look too expensive to be just given away. We must return it,” Carla reasoned.

Carla paid for the fruit and followed Jed back to the stall to speak to the woman. Nothing was there. The old woman, as well as the stall, had gone...