A normal day, mostly

When Amanda woke in the tent, the sun was still looming over the horizon. Still, she felt quite well rested. Almost overflowing with energy, compared to her usual dull mornings. Since she woke this early, she was in no rush and could take her sweet time going about her morning routine. She even brewed some tea from local herbs she got on the market earlier during the trip. She had planned to wait untill she got home to use them, but it was not a plan set in stone. She was also feeling a tiny bit indulgent. After all, why not? She had some extra time this morning so she could treat herself and enjoy the sunrise. The refreshing feeling of a new dawn.

After about an hour, her companions woke and they headed out for more field work. Nothing exciting happened. It was just more of the same old. But really, what could top that wierd snake-like staff? It was really cool. Although other ancient artifacts also had caught her eye, they paled in comparison to the staff. It ws just an intreaging object. Why was it so well preserved?

When they arrived back at camp, and after filling their stomacks, Chris decided to take a closer look at the staff to see what he could find out. Maybe he could connect the carving patterns on the staff to some ancient era, or maybe reveal some other clue about it? However, after half an hour Chris emerged from the tent. "I don't feel like examining anymore. I felt wierd in my hands, like I'm not the one supposed to examine it. I think I'm the wrong guy for the job. You up for it Samantha?" He declared before the crowd. "Tomorrow, maybe?" Answered Sam. "Yeah, that's what I meant. It's getting late. We should call it a day."

The next day Sam went about examining the staff after their expedition. An hour later she too retiurned from the tent, giving up upon the examination, stating she was not the right person to do so. She let out an excuse that she didn't have the proper academic background to deduce anything. But that got Amanda to wonder. She was an archeologist after all. Why wouldn't she be qualified? Among the group, she was one of the most knowledgeable. In the end, she too passed on the task of examining the staff. Taking note of the (seemingly) difficulty of the task, Olivia, a readhead, spoke up: "Why don't we work in groups to study the staff?" And so it continued. The next day two people studied the staff, but again passed on the task. The next day the last three academicically oriented members of the group studied the staff, with the same results. That only left Amanda and Harold. The two non-academics of the group.

So, it was decided that they should give it a go. They might not have the knowledge of the others, but perhaps they could unveil something of interest? That did not happen. However, Harold said the staff looked good in Amandas hands, which was more of a fashion like statement. The way he said it was comparable to complimenting someone's purse. The others had a laugh at that, and wanted to see as well. Amanda, feeling a bit shy nodded meekly and complied. She held out the staff øike she was showcasing some grandiose, expensive jewlery, which she was in some sense. She got a round of spplause at this silly gesture, and everyone agreed she looked good with the staff in her hands. Like it was natural for her to carry it. She was already chief of item storage, but they all agreed she should be responsible for the staff. She alreday was responsible for the inventory, but they felt like she should be the one dealing with the staff: storing it, moving it, guarding it against theft and all other possible things. She did so for the remainder of the trip, occasionally studying the staff, facinated by it. Occasionally showcasing it to other's, as they would sometimes request her to show them the staff. She didn't know why they had to get her to show it to them, but that became the way things was. In the evenings, illuminated by a starry sky, she would show off the staff. And they would cheer her on. She grew a little more confident, and didn't feel as embarrassed showcasing it as she was the first time. Still not entirely comfortable, but enough that she didn't feel too silly.

Eventually the expedition drawed to an end. They packed up their things, got on the sirplane and headed back. She thought she would simply part with the group at the airport, but was surprised to find they wanted her to come to the facility where they kept artifacts to help unload them. She agreed and they arrived in the vold storeage facility underground. They placed all the items on shelfs and stuffed them away. Later they would mark them with labels and numbers.

After they finished, the group thanked Amanda for participating and helping them uload. Chris came with a black suitcase and handed it to her. "After some discussion, we decided to give you this parting gift. A token of our appreciation for all that you did to help us make this expedition a success. To organize, not just our inventory, but many other aspects of the trip. Know that we want you to have this. You deserve it. Here."

This was very unexpected for Amanda. She took the briefcase from Chris thanking them for the parting gift. She opened the briefcase to see what they got her. Clothes perhaps? It was not very heavy.

When she opened it, she was stunned. Confusion arose in her. How could she accept this gift? How could they so casually give it to her? Wouldn't anyone notice if it was gone?

Inside the briefcase.... was the serpent staff!