New Allies In An Old War

[Giovanni Cavelli]

Aaliyah Zevros

Aaliyah moved quickly to get things ready for her recruitment.  News had reached her ears of some former shamans and other channelers that had reason to be disgruntled.  It didn't take Aaliyah long to get ready.  She was used to being on the move.  The news came from Ethiopia, just south of Sudan.  The goal was to get their and recruit some of these shamen.  Giovanni was beginning to build his army.

Aaliyah had the captain assemble the troops they had.  Some would be joining her.  She wasn't aware if Giovanni himself was going to go.  At this point he seemed intent on staying here, but he had a tendency to just sort of do things when he felt like it.  The troops were assembled and Aaliyah addressed them.

"Our mission is taking us to Ethiopia.  We have a few targets that we are going to rescue.  Again, we are rescuing them, and they are not to be mistreated.  Those holding them, or others attempting to take them are fair game for you.  Do as you will with them, but get the targets out.  This is the will of the Master. Do I make myself clear?"

The group spoke in the affirmative.  They knew that this branch of Al Janyar was under new management.  Truth be told, the group knew little of their leader, except that he spoke through Aaliyah.  Most of them were happy that they had actually started doing something instead of lying around as they had under Ibrahim. 

"Good, get prepared to leave.  We head out at 10:00 hours."

The Captain dismissed the group and Aaliyah turned to check in with Giovanni.  He would want to know that they were leaving soon.

She found him in the room he had claimed in his office, a scrap of paper was in his hand.  It was the one he had seen before with the archaeologist.   It was called the Eye of Horus, if she remembered correctly.  Aaliyah waited until he acknowledged her before speaking.

"Things are getting moving.  We'll be off in a couple of hours."

"Good, and good luck."

Aaliyah paused as she noticed Giovanni looking once more at the paper. "What is it?"

Giovanni put the paper down and brought a hand to his face in thought.  "It's this symbol.  It means something - more...I'm sure of it." He met her gaze. "Go.  I may join you in a few days - keep that between us."

"As you command," she said turning to exit the room.  

If she would have turned she would have noticed Giovanni once again staring at the Eye of Horus, stand and look out the window towards the archaeological dig site.