@VisualInspiration

- How long? asked the man impatiently.

- It’s not far, replied Asim. About half a mile.

The man drove the jeep himself, for their English driver had caught a serious infection the same morning. The couple hadn’t been able to find another and they mistrusted the locals anyway. They mistrusted Asim, too, but in the end, they needed a local guide to the ruins. To many Europeans had gone missing in search of the old temple.

Asim disliked jobs like this, but he couldn’t buy penicillin just from the money he earned with selling painted pottery or fake antiques. And without penicillin, Shayal would die within a month, the docotor had said.

The woman looked at him rom the back seat, then cautiously observed the surroundings. Treasure hunters, acting as archelogists, like most of them, and, of course, amateurs. Real archeologists came in teams of at least twenty persons, had five cars – and far more weapons. And were never led to the temple of N’guuth.

- Stop here, Asim said. It’s behind this hill.

- Why can’t we go around the hill by car?

- You’ll see. You do not want to run over the boulders.

Reluctantly, the couple left the car and followed Asim to the entrance. Remnants of pillars and a stone wall. something like a portal leading inside the cave. His employers didn’t even look at the glyphs painted on the stones.

- You go first!

- Have your torches ready, Asim recommended.

Very quietly, he mumbled a prayer and entered the cave. The couple walked behind him, she with an electric torch, he with a revolver in his hand. The walls were darkened with soot so the torch did not reveal too much from what was waiting for the intruders. Asim knew where to set his feet and walked not more than three steps in front. Then he quickly stepped aside and hid behind a corner.

- Hey, what are you…

It was too late. Their feet were caught in noose traps installed on the floor. A N’ghali warrior smashed the man’s right hand with a rock and the gun fell down. Two more warrions, who had been sneeking behind them, constrained the couple.

- Bastard! ranted the woman.

- Today is your lucky day, replied Asim. You will come to see the great altar soon. But now I leave you to my fellow travel guides.

Lousy amateurs! He turned around and left the cave, The man shouted insults, the woman cried for help.

+ + +

Outside the cave, the N’ghali priest handed Asim a small pouch with silver nuggets and the man’s wallet with some bank notes in it. Desperate cries sounded from within.

- Thank you, the priest said. The gods approve of what you do for them.

Asim nodded and returned to the car. Enough for the next four or five months, he thought.

#microfiction
#fantasy #horror