"Where are we going, Hamza? This desert is going to be swarming with scorpions in another week or two, when the rains come. We will be dead in minutes once they come to the surface." a young girl said, her voice shaking.
"We're going to Sanctuary Oasis. No venomous creature dares enter. We will be safe there, Amina. Our camels can drink their fill, and rest. We can wait out the first flood, then continue when the scorpions go back underground."
"Good... How much further?" she asked, taking a small sip of water from her canteen.
"We will get there in the morning, if we keep moving." replied Hamza, neither slowing nor speeding up.
"Hamza... Why do they call it Sanctuary Oasis? Both of those words mean pretty much the same thing. A haven." Amina said, mostly trying to pass the time.
"Because it's sacred, and is also a physical oasis. One of the elders of my tribe once told me that it gets its protective powers from a golden bat statue. He said the bat sits atop a chest of jewels, in an underground cave."
"Oh, my! I want to see that! Is this why you came out here, without a guide or caravan?" she asked, curiously.
"No. I just want to reach my grandfather's farm. I did not like the city, so I am going back to my tribe. How is it you are just now getting curious? Every time I have tried to talk to you before, you made some excuse to stay quiet." he replied.
"I... I guess I was worried that we would never make it out of here." Amina replied reluctantly.
"I found you wandering in the most isolated part of the desert, alone except for your camel and supplies. May I ask where you were headed?" he asked, curiousity burning - but that was nothing new, it had been burning for days, ever since he found her tracks, going in large circles.
"I... Am also going home. My studies are complete, and my parents have sent for me." she replied, eyes down.
"They expected you to take such a journey alone?" he asked, incredulous.
"No, I started with a caravan. But there was a bad dust storm, and the guide was inexperienced. He left me behind, by the time I dug out, I was alone." she replied.
"She's such a liar... And not even good at it." thought Hamza, chuckling softly into his hand.
"He's lying - I know it! Nobody tries to cross this desert without a guide, unless they are running. Or unless they have some other reason to hide what they are doing." thought Amina.
The two went on in silence, each thinking about what had been said. As night fell, they enjoyed the respite from the unforgiving sun.
"Hamza! There's a fire ahead!" exclaimed Amina, urging her camel to ever greater speeds. The animal was eager, knowing that water was nearby. Hamza's mount was close behind.
Soon the two weary travelers were washing their faces with cool water, and preparing a quick camp. The fire in the distance indicated that they were not the first to take shelter there.
The next morning:
Hamza and Amina woke to the smell of hot coffee, and some sort of bread frying. It was coming from a nearby cooking fire.
"Hello, fellow travelers. I thought I would come over and introduce myself. I also thought my new friends might like some coffee and pancakes for breakfast. I'm Michael, from Los Angeles. I'm here to see the ruins and ancient artifacts in this part of the world. Do you know where I might find anything of interest?" he asked, smiling.
"Yes, there are many places just outside of the bigger cities. I can tell you about some of the more interesting ones, but I can't show you. I'm going back to my parent's farm." he replied, yawning.
"And what about the little lady here? Do you know of any good places?" he asked, his smile as bright as ever.
"Nothing except for the regular spots where the tourists visit, I'm sorry. I don't know this area, I got separated from my caravan." she answered sleepily.
"Well, I wasn't really looking for anything like that. I want to see things that few if any know about. And I will reward handsomely for the knowledge." he offered, with that huge smile still plastered on his face.
"So I was right - he was lying..." thought Amina, remembering that yesterday Hamza had said it was his grandfather's farm. Also hadn't he just lied to the stranger?
"She was lying - I knew it!" Thought Hamza, feeling sure she had misled the visitor for a reason. That reason being that she had been out alone to search for treasure.
Two days later:
"If my map is correct, the temple should be right below here." whispered Amina, looking at a small bush. Unknown to her, Hamza was watching from a tall clump of grass.
She began to dig by hand, and several hours later uncovered a circular stone with a large bat engraved on it. She struggled for long minutes, but couldn't budge it.
Huffing and puffing, Amina stopped. She saw a strong pole nearby, and tried to pry the entrance open. It still didn't show any signs of moving. Frustrated, she kicked it.
"Owwww!" She exclaimed, grabbing her foot. Hamza, who had been lying in the cool grass enjoying the show, stood up.
Grinning, he walked over to her. "Are you hurt, Amina?" he asked, unable to hide his amusement.
She jumped and whirled, the sore foot forgotten. "What are you doing here?!?!" Amina demanded, fire in her eyes and voice.
Surprised, Hamza held up a piece of parchment. "I can help you to open it. There's a combination, this isn't really a door. It's more like a lock." he explained.
"You knew that all along, and you let me try to open it? How long have you been watching me, anyway?!?!" she asked, pointing the pole at him angrily.
"A while." he admitted, after she had calmed down, and dropped the very solid pole.
The young man went over to the stone, and touched the bat's left ear, right eye, then the tip of its nose. The disc instantly rolled to the side.
Forgetting their differences, the two young people excitedly entered the tunnel. About a hundred yards down, it opened into a large cave.
In the middle was a large pedestal. Upon it was a massive golden chest. Sitting on the chest, was a giant bat. Its outstretched wings must have been at least five feet from tip to tip.
Eagerly, the two rushed forward, and ran their hands over the intricate details.
"It's so lifelike." Amina marveled.
"It seems like it could take flight." agreed Hamza.
"You two shouldn't be touching that." said a voice from the shadows.
"Michael? How did you get in here? This sanctuary has been locked for centuries." said Amina, more surprised than frightened.
"Locks never really bothered me." he replied, strolling forward.
The treasure hunters gasped. It was the same stranger who had cooked them breakfast that first morning, but he had changed.
Instead of Western clothing, he wore a pure white robe, and sandals. On his back, a set of wings were neatly folded.
"The protections of the statue are going to become very important soon. I suggest we just leave it here. But there might be something in the chest of interest to you..." he said, smiling.
Michael easily lifted the bat, which must have weighed at least five hundred pounds. Setting it down gently, he opened the beautiful chest.
"Each of you may choose two pieces. One you will sell, to help begin your dream. The other you will keep, and pass on to your children. The maps will remain in the sanctuary." said Michael, as he stood aside to reveal the contents.
Inside were thousands of large jewels, finely cut but not set in any objects.
"I will take this fine diamond, and the sapphire which matches it." said Hamza, removing two fist sized stones.
"I choose a twin to the diamond Hamza took, and this beautiful heart shaped ruby." said Amina, also removing two fist sized jewels.
"Goodbye children, live well and use your riches wisely. You will never enter this sanctuary again. Nor will you tell anyone about it, except for your children, on your deathbeds." said the Archangel Michael, in a powerful voice.
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