He smiled. "I'm crossing my fingers for no trouble, mechanical or otherwise."
Their host stood near the bar. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard. Once we're airborne, I'll be happy to serve drinks. We have a fully stocked bar, and I've made sure to include some exceptional whiskies for those with sophisticated palates."
"Now you're talking," Max said, claiming seats for himself and Kyra across from Din and Fenella.
The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom, instructing everyone to buckle up and announcing their departure.
When the engines revved up and the vibration traveled through the airframe, Din gripped the armrests.
"Hey," Fenella said. "It's going to be fine. Lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, right?"
He forced his hands to relax. "I'm not sure about that."
She leaned closer. "Tell me something fascinating about Egypt."
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything. You're the professor. Profess."
As the jet began to taxi, Din fell into lecture mode. "Most people think of Egypt as just pyramids and mummies, but the civilization spanned over three thousand years. To put that in perspective, Cleopatra lived closer in time to us than to the builders of the Great Pyramid."
"Seriously?" Fenella's eyes widened.
"The official history dates the building of the Great Pyramid at around 2560 BCE. Cleopatra died in 30 BCE. That's over two thousand five hundred years later, and she's been dead for just over two thousand years."
"Oh, wow."
"The Great Pyramid is much older than that," Kalugal said. "It was already ancient when the Clan Mother was born."
The acceleration of takeoff pressed them back into their seats, and Din closed his eyes, forcing himself to relax. He'd never been afraid of flying, and even during the emergency landing on the river, he hadn't been overly concerned. Not for himself anyway. It was only after the fact, when he'd learned what could have happened, that the fear had set in.
"See?" Fenella said. "We survived the takeoff."
"I'm more concerned about the landing," he pointed out.
"Pessimist." But she said it with affection.
Kalugal unbuckled and stood, steady despite the slight turbulence. "Now then, who wants a drink? We have approximately fifteen hours to Cairo, with one refueling stop. Might as well enjoy ourselves."
"I'll have whatever single malt you're proudest of," Max called out.
"A man after my own heart." Kalugal walked over to the bar. "Din? What's your pleasure?"
"The same," he said.
"I could make cocktails," Fenella offered, starting to rise. "Jacki, what would you like?"
Jacki shook her head. "Thank you, but I prefer not to drink during flights. Too dehydrating, and I have this little one to think of." She adjusted Darius's carrier. "Perhaps some sparkling water with lime?"
"Coming right up," Kalugal said. "Fenella, what can I get you?"
"Whiskey, neat," she said, settling back into her seat. "When in Rome and all that."
"Excellent choice." Kalugal began pouring with the skill of a professional bartender. "You know, this particular bottle comes from a distillery near Inverness. Twenty-five years old, finished in sherry casks. I'd be curious to hear the opinions of my Scottish guests."
Din accepted the crystal tumbler, inhaling the complex aroma. "Speyside?"
"Highland, actually, though you're close. The distillery sits right on the border between the two regions."
