The Golden Goblet

Before dawn, Ranofer follows Gebu outside the City of the Dead and up a rocky path in the hills. Gebu meets Wenamon by the broken tree. After nearly being discovered, he follows the two down into the hot, desolate Valley of the Tombs. Ranofer fears that his presence is angering the bas of the dead. Gebu and Wenamon disappear down a dark crevice in the ground. Ranofer realizes that the crevice leads to a tunnel created when the tomb was built. Robbers like Gebu and Wenamon need only dig down to their tunnel to break into a tomb. The spare alcove on the scroll Ranofer asked Gebu about indicates a tunnel for thieves. He suddenly understands the danger he was in when he asked Gebu about the scroll. Steps lead down inside the shaft, but Ranofer does not want to enter until a flapping, black, winged creature terrifies him, and he leaps inside.

Heqet and the Ancient wait for Ranofer by the docks, ready to take the ferry across the river to the festival. They are puzzled and worried when he does not arrive. The Ancient and Heqet pool their knowledge and realize Ranofer’s troubled attitude and questions about tomb robbers suggest he is tailing Gebu into the Valley.