Maghrib
Chapter 6
“Wake up, Ardeth.” The words were soft, but he could not keep from listening. “Ardeth.”
He opened his eyes, not surprised to find himself in Thebes still. The room was dark and he was wrapped in Rick’s arms, his head on his friend’s shoulder.
“Let your brother sleep, and I shall wait for you outside. But do not tarry, I have to see AmmunRa to the sky soon, and there is news from the gods for you to take back to Ahm Shere.” Imhotep’s voice was a low chuckle from behind him. “I will give you time to dress, hmm? Not that I would mind if you did not.” Another chuckle. “There is coffee at least.”
Ardeth rolled over, a bit pleased when Rick stayed asleep and waited until the high priest had walked back out to the balcony. Then he got out of bed, wincing a bit at the discomfort it caused. He was sore indeed this morning. But it was not pain, so likely he could ignore it when he woke in Ahm Shere. Allah help him if his tribesmates took to being concerned. Adham would assume the worst, Selim right behind him and then where would he be? He would be hard pressed indeed to explain that not he had not been harmed only he and Rick had spent the whole visit in each others arms and he was unused to such intimacy yet. Adham would laugh, Selim– well if he were fortunate Selim would not disown him or denounce him to the tribes or something. Allah, have mercy please? I know I have sinned, most merciful, in that it is not an act you approve of, but I truly meant no offence or harm. And he desired so to have me inside him. I could not refuse him. If I have disappointed you, oh most compassionate, please forgive me? For I can not find it in my heart to be ashamed of what I have done, only ever thankful for the joy you have allowed me by letting me share my life with him. He finished dressing, leaving his robes unbelted though and his boots and weapons where they were. As if any of his weapons had ever aided him in facing the man waiting on the balcony. Not, thanks be to Allah, that he had ever truly needed them to either.
Ammun’s high priest was sitting on the railing sipping his coffee when Ardeth walked out to join him. “Good morning, Ardeth.”
“Good morning, Priest of AmmunRa.” He took the offered cup with a nod and sipped the hot coffee thankfully. “Is all well in the land of the faithful?”
“It is.” His host smiled a little. “Sit, silly warrior if it does not cause you too much discomfort to do so.” The smile turned teasing.
Allah give him strength, but he found the control not to flush, only sat and took another sip of his coffee. “You wished to speak to me?”
“I did, Ardeth. I did indeed. Ammun says to me that there is yet more to this battle with the Germans. They will not come tomorrow. But only continue as they have been.”
“Worrying us down like hounds to gazelles, as Anubis put it.” He sighed, noting that he would have to find the wherewithal to go out riding after all. His scouts deserved at least that much support that he would take his turn among them.
“Your people as always are fortunate to have such a man to lead them.” Ammun’s priest put in quietly. “Your dedication does you credit, Ardeth.”
“It is not difficult to be a good leader when one is blessed with the best of all people to lead.” He disagreed.
“There may be some truth to that. Surely, I could tell to the Germans, do not be so foolish as to think they will ever give up and leave when they have dedicated themselves to the staying. And they are the damndest foes one could have.”
He smiled a bit. “Thank you, for the compliment.”
His host chuckled. “You are quite welcome. Ammun also says that there is another great battle to come. And that we have yet to fully understand what warnings we have been given regarding it. And we have little time to do so, apparently.”
Ardeth sighed. “Likely. The battle will not come tomorrow, it did not come yesterday, or the day before. And Anubis said to me that it would be only a handful of days before the next fight would come. So likely we have only two more days before the Germans come, and at best perhaps three at best.”
“I will of course tell you if I Ammun chooses to tell me when exactly the battle is to happen.” Ammun’s priest offered.
“I would be thankful for any knowledge we can gather.” He agreed.
“Hmm, there are far worse things that to have your gratitude, Ardeth.” There was no doubt to the teasing the words carried. He only sighed and took another drink of coffee.
“Was there more than AmmunRa told to you, Priest?”
“There was, I am to tell to you that the hardest battle of all shall come when you are certain the easiest is lost. But neither outcome is certain so do not give up hope no matter the despair.” The words were soft in Egyptian. “Death, says AmmunRa, does not always come when we wish it.”
“So he has told me before. Am I going to die then?” Ardeth sighed. It was not that frightening a prospect certainly, to be dead. No doubt the dying would be bad though, but all Medjai expected that. Falling quickly in battle was the best to be hoped for, and that was not as frequent as dying not so quickly in battle.
“I do not know the answer to that, Ardeth. AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt, is a god of life and speaks little of death. Likely the only god who would know is Anubis and he is not likely to tell us.”
“No, that is truth. Perhaps it is better not to know for certain. After all I am not supposed to give up hope am I?”
A smile and a surprisingly gentle clasp of one strong hand on his shoulder. “The glory of Thebes would be a little less bright without your presence to give it spice, Medjai.”
He rolled his eyes. “I am not your pet.”
“No, thanks be to Ammun, you are far too unruly to be a pet, Ardeth.” The fingers squeezed tighter and then let go. “But you are an enjoyable guest despite your manners, and I do enjoy our games of words and otherwise.” Ammun’s priest sighed. “You do not keep servants or slaves among the Medjai do you, Ardeth?”
“No.” He shook his head. “We do not.” It was perhaps sharper than he intended.
“I thought not. It is good I think to not. Slavery– diminishes a man, both the slave and the owner. No matter the strength of one or the compassion of the other.”
“That is– an unexpected answer.” He admitted.
“Why?” Imhotep sighed. “Have you ever known a man or a woman kept as a slave, Ardeth? I have. I will own no one, Medjai.”
He thought for a moment and then asked, because it bothered him a bit that he was too this day bound by an oath to a man he was beginning to think he did not care for, despite his daughter. “Was he so horrible a ruler?”
“Seti?” Imhotep chuckled a little. “No, Ardeth, normally he was not. He was a good Pharaoh and just in most things. He kept Egypt strong and ruled her well. But he was not a compassionate man, and at best he was an indifferent owner of... all things.”
“Then despite my oath, priest of AmmunRa, she has my sympathy for that, certainly. No one deserves to be treated as if they were cattle, least of all so strong a woman.”
His host was silent for a long moment. “Likely, Ardeth that is the first bit of kindness any Medjai has ever shown her.”
“Then I am sorry for that as well.” He took another swallow of coffee. “It seems little enough to offer.”
“No, it is not little at all. And I thank you for it.” His host shook his head. “What is the world coming to Ardeth Bay, when we agree on such things?”
He smiled. “Likely the sun will rise in the night yet at this rate.”
“All things are possible, I suppose.” Ammun’s priest nodded. “Now I am annoyed, you know.”
“Why?” He turned to look at the man, who did not sound annoyed at all. Annoyance he was used to from Ammun’s high priest.
A slight smile proceeded the words. “Because, Medjai, I was going to claim a kiss from you this morning, since I have been very patient and not done so yet. But now, how can I ask you for even that much complacency given your kindness towards Anck-su-naumun’s own?”
Ardeth sighed. “I owe you four kisses. You may certainly claim one if you wish. I did not offer the compassion in an attempt to keep you from asking for one.”
“No Ardeth, I know that. If you had I would not feel so constrained. But it is not your way to be so underhanded. I am thankful for that, I think.”
He shook his head. “I will never understand you.”
“If your god and mine wish it so, no doubt you are right. Very well then, Ardeth, I will ask you for a kiss, likely though I will regret it.” There was a smile to the words. “But set the coffee aside so you do not toss it at me the moment you may do so.”
He smiled a bit himself. “Tempting, despite knowing full well it would do me no good to try.”
“That would depend on the kiss, I suppose. I might be too distracted to stop you.”
He rolled his eyes. “In’sh’allah.”
Ammun’s priest chuckled. “So, you may count this one payment for the ninth tribe then Ardeth, for truly, your cousin’s daughters deserve the chance to grow up and be happy. Even if they are as annoyingly lacking in manners as the rest of their family.”
He smiled a bit more. “They do.” He agreed. “It is not so bad a price I suppose to pay for the joy it gives my heart to see them laugh.” He recalled how that reflection of Khalifa had felt in his arms sobbing out her heart. How Mohamed had knelt beside Adham as he died and then gone to do as all Medjai were bound to and defend what he could, childhood gone in the instant he had taken the weapons Ardeth had given him. Allah be praised indeed that it was only a horror of Anubis’ making. What was one kiss then really in payment for the joy that they would all be there when he woke? He would have paid so much more for that joy.
“Only a kiss, Ahba, I am not so evil as you would think me.”
“No, you have yet to prove yourself so, certainly. It is not a bad bargain in that.”
“Well, better than revulsion and horror I suppose. Stop thinking of them as kisses you do not desire, Ardeth, and simply thank me without words for their safety.” Ammun’s priest traced his jaw with one hand and then slid those fingers back into his hair with still surprising gentleness. And it was not so hard at all to take that step that put him into the man’s arms and give the kiss back as best he could. It was only a touch at first, then slowly deepened until Imhotep’s tongue slid lightly against his. Odd to realize how much more involved this sort of kiss could truly be, and he could not help but think of how Rick kissed him so. It made it even easier to relax into the kiss despite his misgivings and then finally Imhotep released him with a last touch of his tongue to Ardeth’s lips. And the fingers slid out of his hair, and back along his jaw.
“Ammun have mercy on us both, Ardeth. Do not tempt me so, hmm?”
He shrugged a little. “Perhaps it is not so bad to think of them as– very involved thanks and not kisses I do not desire.” He stepped away and picked up his coffee.
“Hmm. Not so bad for you, perhaps. Now I am back to thinking I should know better than to play with fire so. But you are welcome none the less, Ardeth. Take the pot with you when you go back inside and I shall send Tahiri with some breakfast for you.” The man reached over and then traced his jaw again. “Your brother is far more than lucky, Ardeth. And far more fortunate than any man has right to be. Best he appreciate that.” And then the hand was gone. “I shall see you later today, Ardeth. Ammun’s blessing to you, Medjai.”
“Ma Salaama.” He returned, uncertain of what else to do or say to that.
“Ma Salaama indeed.” A chuckle and then Imhotep took only three or so steps across the balcony and simply vanished into the shadows.
“Bis’mil’Allah.” He sighed and then poured himself more coffee before kneeling and waiting for dawn so that he could give thanks to Allah for all the gifts he had been given and try to find a way to ask forgiveness when he was not the least bit ashamed of what he had done.
“Everything okay, habib?” Rick’s voice came from the archway as he finished prayers and the smile of Ammun lit the desert with dawn.
“Very well.” He smiled and rose to his feet. “It is only that I have a great deal to be thankful for.”
Rick smiled back, leaning against the archway, dressed in his normal shirt and pants although the shirt was neither tucked in nor buttoned. “Ardeth?”
“Hmm?” He chuckled. “There is coffee, habibi.”
“What’s so funny?”
“How is it that what I would never have noticed before now makes me smile?” He reached over as Rick came to sit beside him on the rail and smoothed the tousled sandy hair. “Good morning, habib.”
Rick only smiled and then pulled him into a kiss. “You too, Ardeth.”
“I have had coffee and prayer and a kiss I relish, what more could I ask for so early in the morning?”
“Well, waking up in your arms would have been nice.” Rick took the pot of coffee and poured himself a cup and then paused. “We had company?” He indicated the cup Imhotep had left.
“We did.” He nodded. “And I have been told that the battle does not come today in Ahm Shere but soon. And that we have yet to understand what warnings the gods have given us. And that undoubtedly the Germans are going to continue to try and take out my scouting patrols.” He sighed. “Such is the way of war I suppose.”
“If that’s what we have to do when we wake up, Ardeth. It’s going to be harder and harder to mind being here and enjoying loving you.”
“It grows more like Paradise every day does it not?” He smiled himself. “Perhaps I shall ask Evelyn what sort of gift I should give to Bright Bastet for the joy.”
“You and me both.” Rick kissed him again, long and slow, and he relaxed into the embrace that accompanied the kiss. “You’ve had coffee and prayer and two kisses you enjoyed, now, habibi. Any that you didn’t?”
“One.” He shrugged. “It was not nearly so bad as most of the others. We spoke of Seti and Anck-su-naumun first and that always saddens him. So, he was quite kind with what he claimed as payment for the joy of knowing that Adham’s children will grow up yet.”
“I’m glad your family and your people are safe, Ardeth. But I hate what you have to deal with because of it.” Rick sighed and his eyes were darker than Ardeth liked.
“Three kisses yet, habib, that is all. And they have never been worse than the one you witnessed so I can stomach the complacency I yet owe him. Then the debt will be paid and I will be free of it, thanks be to Allah. It was enough to call to mind how you kiss me instead that I could almost not care that he did so.”
“Really?” Rick smiled, the darkness leaving his eyes a little. “You’re getting really, really good at kissing.”
“Am I?” He set the cup of coffee he had only just picked up aside and then drew Rick to him and kissed him fully, with all the newfound skill his friend seemed to think he had. And it was a joy that grew to a hunger and the passion curled deep in his stomach. “Allah have mercy.”
“Hmm. Only if it means I can kiss you again.” Rick said, pulling him close and burying his fingers in Ardeth’s hair to kiss him fully. He wrapped both arms around Rick as well, standing mostly between Rick’s legs as his friend sat on the railing. “How am I supposed to wait all day before I get to do that again?” Rick asked as he broke the kiss.
“Hmm. I have no advice to give, habib. Likely it will be a struggle for us both.” He smiled a bit. “We shall only have to spend the first hour we are here doing nothing else but kissing.”
“Right, like either of us has the patience for that. More likely we’re going to be in your bed already making love.”
“Allah I hope so.” He gave caution to the wind and reached down to run his hand with purpose over Rick’s arousal, finding much to his enjoyment that he was not the only one already growing hard. “Is it normal do you think for men of our age to be as insatiable as youths?”
Rick grinned. “It’s Paradise, right? Aren’t we supposed to be able to do this for hours here?”
“Ah, my mistake certainly. You pick the oddest things to know about Islam, my friend. Although you are not what I imagined a houri to be.”
“Hmm, I think I’m insulted.” Rick smiled.
“Likely no houri or incubus or even one of the angels of Allah could come near to rousing me as you do.”
“Christ Ardeth, where to get the words, huh?”
“You inspire me.” He smiled.
“You take my breath away, habib, much less any fancy words. But God knows you are the only man in the world who’s ever made me feel like this.”
He only smiled more. “And you say you have no words. Come inside, habibi, and we will not worry if either of us have words. Only kisses, and caresses, and as much pleasure as we can share.”
“Sounds good. But do we have time? I’d hate to wake up in Ahm Shere in the middle of making love with you.”
“Hmm. Awkward yes.” He shrugged. “But it would hardly be the first time.”
“No, that’s true.” Rick kissed him again. And then it was almost certainly what Sheatan must have felt when he fell from grace, because he was wide awake in Ahm Shere and no where near Paradise at all.
“Give me a moment uncle and I will join you for prayers.” He managed.
“Very well, Ardeth.” Selim nodded and then went back outside.
“Bis’mil’Allah.” He whispered to himself meaning it fully. If Allah was merciful then he would manage this day without embarrassing himself in front of his people. But it would be a struggle no doubt to keep his joy and desire well under control. He got to his feet and then smiled, because Allah had some mercy for him yet. And the ache he had still felt in Thebes did not bother him upon waking in Ahm Shere. Perhaps riding patrol today would be not so hard after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You could rest, Ardeth. Let Adham or I take the patrol.” Selim shook his head a little.
“It is only a bit of riding, Uncle. Truly, I am not so ill as that.” Ardeth sighed.
“Then we should perhaps go riding patrol together, chieftain.” Arebe put in with a smile.
Ardeth looked over at his old friend and took the cup of coffee his aunt handed him. “Very well, Arebe, let us take the afternoon patrol together shall we?” He smiled a bit. “That way we can rest this morning and make certain we feel up to such.”
Arebe looked a bit surprised but then nodded. “As you say chieftain. Perhaps it will do us both good to do so. However, you may tell Ainya that I...” He paused and looked up. Ardeth followed the gaze, and smiled, holding up his arm for Horus to come circling down and rest upon. “I have never known another falcon to be quite like him, Ardeth.”
“No, nor I have I.” Ardeth stroked his friend’s soft feathers. “Perhaps, it is because he is the only falcon, I have ever known, who has flown the vaults of Paradise and returned.”
“That is true.” Arebe agreed. “Would that he could tell us what he has seen, Ardeth.”
Ardeth shook his head. “I do not know that I would wish to know of Paradise even if I could, Arebe.” He thought about the land of the faithful of old Egypt and smiled. “I trust Allah to surpass my expectations. But truly, what could be more wonderful than to be reunited with all our loved ones we have lost and to know peace and health and joy for eternity?”
“There is truth to that.” Selim agreed.
Hours gave a small chirp and then walked up his arm to perch on his shield and begin to calmly groom one piece of Ardeth’s hair. “Is that an agreement, my friend?” Ardeth chuckled.
“Do you really want to know what Paradise looks like, Arebe?” Evelyn asked quietly as her and Rick, Jonathan and Alex joined them for breakfast.
“Good morning my friends.”
“Good morning, Ardeth.” Evelyn answered and then poured herself a cup of tea.
“Morning.” Rick nodded.
“So, what’s this talk of Paradise?” Jon put in.
“We were discussing Horus, and his most wonderful return to us.” Ardeth picked up his coffee.
“Ah.” Evelyn nodded. “Do you think we can explain it to them, Horus?”
Horus gave a chirp and then regarded her with calm unblinking eyes.
“No, I suppose not.” She smiled and leaned against Rick’s side a bit.
“I did not mean to stir memories I should not have, Sitt O’Connell.” Arebe looked a bit uncertain.
“Hardly that, Arebe. And it’s a perfectly normal sort of question. Hard to answer though.”
“Is heaven a lot different that Thebes, mom? I mean...Well, you’d know both? Wouldn’t you?” Alex put in.
That seemed to surprise Evelyn as much as it did everyone else. “I suppose I would have...at one point, Alex. But Nefertiri’s memories don’t really work like that. It’s rather more like flashes in my mind. Bits and pieces of what she knew and did. Not the whole book.”
“Oh.” Alex considered that for a moment. “I’m just glad you’re here and not there. Either there.” He decided.
Evelyn smiled and reached over to ruffle his hair. “So am I, Alex. So am I.”
“I’ll agree with that.” Rick tightened his arm around Evelyn’s shoulders. “So, what’s the plan for today?”
“Arebe and I were discussing patrols for later this afternoon. Other than that, I think we can only wait. The battle will not come today according to the old gods. And no doubt, if it is to come AmmunRa will send our most unusual ally to us in advance.”
“Great. It’s bad enough I’ve got to be polite to the damned thing while were asleep Ardeth. Isn’t his hospitality over yet? I can shoot him here, right?”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. “No. You may not. Little good it does to shoot him at all.”
Rick grumbled something, but he smiled a bit. “Okay, okay, I’ll behave.”
“Rick gets testy if he doesn’t get to shoot at cursed things at least every few days.” Jonathan pointed out as if it were a common sort of thing.
Evelyn and Alex laughed and even Rick rolled his eyes but smiled. “Yeah well, sort of comes with the job.”
Ardeth shook his head. “I would rather you did not have cursed things about every few days to shoot you know. I am certain that is a break in our oath somewhere.”
“Nah, Evie manages to find almost as much cursed stuff in England as she does here.”
Evelyn just slapped him on the arm. “Hush.”
“Haltu!” Khalifa’s voice was a surprise and he turned to see Adham’s daughters and most surprisingly of all Sana.
“Children of my cousin, Sana. Where are...Adham and Leila?” He looked behind the girls but saw no sign of his cousin or Leila.
“They were taking too long.” Numa answered. “Sana wanted to come and see you. So we brought her.”
“Ah.” He could not find it in his heart to be angry. “Salaam wa alakum, Sana.”
“I will go and tell Adham and Leila where the girls are, chieftain.” Amal smiled and rose to her feet to go and do just that.
Sana said nothing only walked over and much to Ardeth’s surprise sat just beside him and then put her small arms around him and held on.
“Oh Sana.” He drew the little girl into his lap. “There now. Can you tell me what I can do to help?”
Sana only shook, her small body trembling with the tears that Ardeth could feel against his shoulder. It was all the more heart rending that the tears were silent though. He looked about at his friends and family hoping one of them would have a suggestion for him.
“Just let her cry, Arda.” Azza said softly. So he did just that for a bit. But the tears did not ease and finally he shifted her in his arms.
“There now, you promised not to make yourself sick, hmm?” He took the handkerchief Evelyn handed him and wiped the girl’s tears a bit.
“I am sorry, chieftain.”
“Hush, it is nothing to be sorry for, Sana. You may as I told you, cry upon my shoulder any time you wish. I am only worried you will be sick, hmm?” He tucked one unruly curl behind her ear.
“I am not a very good Medjai.”
“Little one, you are without any doubt as brave and strong as any one of us could wish to be. And I am very, very proud that you are part of my tribes.” He corrected gently.
“I miss them, chieftain.”
“I know you do. Allah and I both know that, Sana.” He hugged her close again. And Horus leaned forward and began to groom that same stray curl as he did for Ardeth’s hair. “There now see, you have made a friend.”
Sana looked at the falcon perched on his shoulder for a long moment, dark eyes meeting and neither blinking. “He is very beautiful.”
“Do you think so?” Ardeth smiled. “He likes if you stroke his feathers so.” He took the far too small hand in his and showed her how to stroke Horus’ feathers. Horus gave a soft croon.
“When you fly up to Paradise? Will you tell mama and papa that I love them?” Sana asked softly.
Horus leaned forwards again and touched his forehead to hers. Then he fluffed his feathers and simply launched himself into the sky. “He would be pleased to it seems.” Ardeth answered for his friend.
“Thank you.” Sana looked up and watched as Horus disappeared into the bright blue.
“Have you eaten breakfast Sana, children of my cousin?”
“No.” Khalifa answered. “Can we eat with you, haltu?”
He looked down at the little girl still in his lap and nodded. “If there is enough, Azza?”
“Of course there is.” Azza nodded and made up a plate. “You never eat enough, Arda.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes but took the plate.
“Is she your mama, chieftain?” Sana asked softly.
Ardeth smiled sadly. “No, Sana, my mother and father are with yours in Paradise. Azza is my aunt.”
“Oh.” Sana took the plate Azza handed her. “Do you miss them?”
“Very much.” Ardeth nodded. “Some days it is not so bad an ache, and some days I would give almost anything to have them back with me again.”
“I miss them. And my brother, and sister, and grandmother, and my aunt and uncle and cousins...”
Ardeth set his plate and hers aside and simply drew her close again. “Shhh. Allah and I know you do, Sana. And it is all right to miss them, certainly, only if we let ourselves miss them too much then we can not live for them as they and Allah would wish us too, hmm?”
“I wish Allah had wanted me too.”
Ardeth closed his eyes completely unprepared for that. “Sana...”
“Maybe Allah wanted you to stay here, so that Uncle Ardeth wouldn’t have to grieve for everybody all by himself.” Alex’s voice was a complete shock. He looked over at the boy who came to crouch on his other side. “When my mum died, I was really mad at Allah too, because he’d just saved me you see, and that didn’t seem fair at all to save me and not mum. But Uncle Jon and I we cried together and so it wasn’t so bad.”
Sana sighed, but snuggled a bit more into Ardeth’s arms. “Do you cry too, chieftain?”
“Yes.” He stroked the dark hair gently. “It is all right to cry, Sana.”
“Does it make your heart hurt less that I am not in Paradise with Mama and Papa?”
He stroked her hair again. “It makes my heart hurt much less that Allah and your parents have given me the gift of having you here alive, Sana.” He meant that truly. If somehow he could help this one lost child of Ahmer’s people then perhaps he had not failed them all completely.
“Then I will try to be brave.”
Horus came circling back out of the sky to land on his shield and then tap his beak against Ardeth’s jaw. Ardeth turned to look at his friend and then blinked a bit in surprise, staring at the bright gold chain Horus held in his beak and the gold feather that hung from the end of it. “Here now, Horus...and his namesake have a gift for you, hmm?”
Sana looked up from where her face was still pressed against his robes, fresh tears in her eyes and on her cheeks Horus leaned down, nearly off his perch and wiped some of the tears from her cheek with his head. Her eyes brightened just a little. “For me?” She took the gold chain and looked at the feather. “Is it his?”
“After a fashion.” Ardeth answered.
“Thank you, Horus.”
Horus only rubbed his head against her cheek again and then fluffed his feathers.
“Here.” Ardeth took the chain and put it over her head. “There now. That is a gift from Horus, his namesake and I. To thank you for the gift you have given me of allowing us to grieve together hmm?”
“Is it all right if I cry again then?”
“Any time you need to, Sana.” He drew her close and this time let her cry herself to sleep. Ardeth looked over at Alex who was still sitting beside him. “Thank you, Alex. I had no idea how to answer that.”
“Made sense to me.” Alex shrugged. “Couldn’t we find her mom and dad for her uncle Ardeth? I can read from the book again.”
Ardeth freed one hand and squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “They are days long dead, Alex and buried. I do not know that even the book of the Dead would work now. Nor if Anubis would grant us the magic even if you were to request it.”
“You want me to ask him, Ardeth?” Rick offered quietly. “I will.”
“I know you would my friend. I...do not know. Likely he is too angry at us at the moment to even consider it. Perhaps it would be better if we ask AmmunRa tonight in Thebes and see if perhaps he who was lord of both kingdoms of Egypt will take our request to both Anubis and Allah hmm?”
“Yeah, okay, we can do that.”
“Truly, Ardeth, were your father here, he could not have done better.” Selim came over and clasped his shoulder.
“Thank you, uncle.” He let go of Alex’s shoulder to grip Selim’s wrist. “It is not an easy thing to do is it?”
“No, Arda it is not.” Selim’s fingers tightened. “Allah willing you will have children of your own some day and realize both the joy and the trial that it can be.”
“In’sh’allah.” He smiled sadly, but let go of Selim’s wrist to put both arms around Sana.
“I can take her, Ardeth.” Leila came over and knelt down in front of him.
Ardeth shook his head. “I think she can do with the sleep, Leila. Will you join us for breakfast cousin, Leila, children of my cousin? It seems we are already gathered.”
“So it does.” Adham nodded, looking from one of his daughters to the other.
“Sana wanted to see haltu Ardeth, papa. We did not want her to cry again so we brought her. But it only made her cry more.” Khalifa held out both arms to Adham, who picked her up and settled her on his hip.
“You should not have left without telling us what you were doing.” Leila pointed out.
Khalifa only hugged her father tightly, and Numa put her small arms around his legs and whispered something. “What Numa?”
“I am thanking Allah papa.” Numa replied.
“And what are you thanking Allah for, daughter?”
“That I am not Sana papa. Will Allah understand that?”
Ardeth did not miss the sadness that crossed his cousin’s face as he bent down to pick up his older daughter in his other arm. “Of course he will. Come now, we will have breakfast and then the two of you can help your mother with the dishes, since you ran off without telling us where you went.”
“All right papa.” Numa did not even argue and Khalifa was only still hugging her father tightly. Ardeth glanced eastward and thanked Allah himself for the joy of having his family and friends there well and whole. He had so much lately to be thankful for even in the midst of horror.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The snipers are in position captain.” Heinmann reported.
“Very good.” Schwartz looked over the assembled men. “I want these men taken alive if at all possible, as many of them as possible. I need prisoners to question not corpses to leave behind. Is that understood?”
“Yes sir.” The five men there replied.
“Good. You may also take out their horses, the other men will appreciate the meat and it keeps the other arabs from knowing that their compatriots are down quite so quickly.”
“One of them just rode off back toward the river.” Heinmann said.
“Good. Give him time to get out of earshot and then take out your targets.”
His snipers set themselves to their rifles and he waited for the outcome. And when you come to rescue them this time, whoever you are, I will be better prepared for it and we shall know what it is that is going on here. He addressed the thought to the man who had shot at him the day before. No doubt if he could take away the reason for the arabs presence here they would disband quickly enough and leave him to the treasure his Fuhrer wished to have. Then he could continue on to the canal and Germany would be one step closer to winning this bloody war. Whoever the man was that had gathered these arabs together he had to give credit for the forces he had mounted. How the man had gotten the arabs to follow him was a mystery yet. And one Schwartz looked forward to solving. And what weapons the man, probably an Englishman, the stubborn Britains, had managed to gather that could decimate his tanks was another question he wanted answered. So, he would bait the trap as best he could and be ready to spring it this time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Ardeth!” The call came echoing over the dune before the ridder, and Ardeth pulled his patrol to a sharp halt until he could place the direction of the voice. “We have lost another patrol.”
“Horus, fly back to camp, find Rick and Evelyn for me.” He tossed his friend into the air, drawing his spear and shield into place. “Where was the patrol?”
“To the north east Chieftain.” The rider pointed in that direction. “I went to inform the southern patrol we were well and came back to find their horses shot and slaughtered. And three of our tribesmates dead.”
“Three? They took seven prisoners? Bis’mil’Allah.” Ardeth closed his eyes. “As Allah grants me strength my friends, I shall bring them back.”
“We will go with you, Ardeth.” Arebe’s voice was as cold as Ardeth had ever heard it, and he marveled a bit at his friend’s courage to face the men who had so harmed him only a handful of days ago now.
“I do not know that I can carry us all to the German’s camp and return with our other tribesmates, Arebe. You recall how much strength it took for you to carry only yourself, Selim, and Sallah do you not?”
“Yes.” Arebe sighed. “But you can not go alone.”
“I do not plan to. I plan to go and get Evelyn and Rick as I did before. There is a great deal of magic to the weapons and armor they wield and it may be that we can get in and out as we did before. Ride back to camp if you will, and get Sallah to bring the books to the lookout area where Adham has his cannon.” He slid to the ground.
“Be careful.” Arebe caught his eyes and he met the haunted gaze with all the understanding he could.
“As Allah allows me to be.” He replied. “Go.”
“Allah entu hafaz.” Arebe offered, taking Ardeth’s horse’s reigns..
“And protect you as well.” Ardeth returned and then recited the prayer he had become so used to voicing. “Ai hetrem heset heru.”
“Ardeth! What’s wrong?” Rick’s voice came to him a moment before he located his friend. Evelyn and Rick both came over one of the dunes. Both with their weapons and armor, thanks be to Allah, and following Horus apparently because his friend came out of the sky as well and landed on his shoulder.
“We must go and rescue more of my tribesmates from the Germans.”
“Great. Okay then.” Rick put away the sword and drew his pistol. “Same as before?”
“In’sh’Allah.” He held out his shield to Rick and took Evelyn’s arm. Horus gave a cry and launched himself back into the sky. And the bright God of Vengeance it seemed was being very kind indeed today because he was not the least bit winded when suddenly they were in the midst of the German camp. And he did not have time to think only strike out at the men who grabbed for him and reach for the two of his tribesmates he could see, both bound and kneeling on the ground. Gunfire came from somewhere to his left, but thankfully seemed deflected by Rick’s armor. Rick fired off several shots in return, but whether his aim was successful or not Ardeth had no time to check.
“Englander!” One of the Germans made a grab for Rick instead of him, and fell away with a scream. It was a surprise enough for Ardeth to grasp both his tribesmates. Evelyn had ahold of his shoulder and Rick just reached back and touched his shield. Then they were gone from the German camp and back at Ahm Shere. “Are we all well?” He looked about, setting his spear aside and cutting his men free. “Where are the others?”
“In the large tent to the right of where we were. Two of them may be dead. The doctor was trying to save them, chieftain.” Malik replied.
Ardeth nodded. “Rick, Evelyn?”
“We’re all right.” Evelyn nodded.
“Good. Are you both well enough? We must go back for the others.” He gripped Rehan’s shoulder.
“We are well enough, chieftain. Go with Allah.”
“We can pray.” Ardeth agreed. And held out his shield again.
“I think we’ll do better with guns and shields than our weapons, Ardeth. You want my shotgun? Since I don’t have my Thompson?”
Any other time Ardeth would have smiled at the remembrance. “Yes, please.”
“Take mine, chieftain.” Another Medjai Ardeth could only recall was one of Usman’s sons handed him a Thompson and he nodded his thanks. Evelyn took one of Rick’s pistols and then they were gone again from Ahm Shere and back at the German camp.
The tent they found themselves in had to be the same one they had rescued Jurji from the other day. Medical beds and wounded seemed to lie everywhere.
One of the people working on the wounded stared at them for a long moment and then began shouting.
Rick took aim, and shot the first German who came through the tent. And Ardeth in turn shot both the men standing guard beside three beds. Rick fired again as two more men came through the opening and Ardeth tried his best to keep his friends in sight as they ran for the beds the men had been guarding. One of the Medjai lying there raised his arm weakly and gripped Ardeth’s robe. “Ar- deth.”
“Courage.” He offered in Medja.
“Put down your weapons or your other two men die.” The words came in Arabic from outside. “You will not shoot my doctors I do not think.” That was in English.
Ardeth took a deep breath.
“Victory no matter the cost!” The cry was in Egyptian, from outside, a voice he could almost place and then shouts in German that he could not understand and gunfire.
“God grant you Paradise.” He whispered and reached for the three men lying in the medical beds. Evelyn grabbed onto his free arm and Rick once more reached out a hand to touch his shield. A falcon gave a cry overhead, either Horus or the Bright god of Vengeance Ardeth was not certain and they were gone from the tent to Ahm Shere. “See to the wounded, Evelyn. Rick? I must know if they are dead.”
“Yeah I know. One more trip, huh?” Rick only nodded and kept ahold of his shield. “Be back soon, sweetheart.”
“Keep safe, the both of you.” Evelyn was kneeling beside his wounded tribesmates, the medallion of Sekhmet already lying on one man’s chest. Ardeth gave a quick prayer to Allah that he would find them all well when he returned and then asked for Horus grace once more.
They arrived once more in the German camp, right in the middle of a group of soldiers. Rick took a broad swing with his shield and at least half fell to the ground dead probably before they hit. Ardeth dropped to his knees one hand on each of the bodies lying bloodied on the sand and gave no thought to whether there was a point to saving them or not only voiced the same prayer even as he moved.
“They breathing, Ardeth?” Rick asked as they reappeared in Ahm Shere.
“I do not know.” He started to check either man for signs of life as Evelyn came to a skidding halt beside him and reached for both as well.
“Go get the books from Sallah!”
It took him a moment to realize she was speaking to him and he cursed himself for a fool as he asked Horus’ to take him to wherever Sallah was. He barely took time to blink only making certain Sallah had all four rucksacks with him and gripped his friend’s arm to take them both back to Evelyn’s side. Sallah dug out the book of AmmunRa even as Evelyn grabbed for Sekhmet’s. Ardeth only backed away and left them to their work, not certain of what else to do.
“That was nuts.” Rick shook his head. “You okay?”
“I am fine, I think.” Ardeth nodded. “And you?”
“I’m fine. It’s kinda nice being bullet proof. We’re staying put now?”
“Yes.” He did not take his eyes off of Sallah and Evelyn as they worked, trying to follow the prayers and incantations they were using.
“Okay then I’ll go get rid of the armor. Tell Evie I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Thank you, my friend, for helping me save my tribesmates.”
“I’m just glad it worked, Ardeth. Your people are pretty amazing. And we did manage to take out a few more Germans.”
“That is true.” Allah help him but he was glad for it.
Rick started to say something and then seemed to rethink it and only went to put the armor away. Ardeth shook off his own sense of shock and rose to his feet. “Bahriha, please tell Evelyn her husband has gone to put his armor away. I must go and see the tribal leaders.” He caught the attention of one of the women about who’s name he could recall right now.
“Of course chieftain.” She nodded.
He nodded and then directed his thoughts to the bright god who had been so kind to him today. “My thanks to you, great Horus, for thy grace and thy blessings. Please, Bright god of Vengeance see me to Arebe’s side so that I may know how the rest of my tribes fare.”
And he found himself standing on the dunes looking out toward the German camp. Horus gave a cry from overhead and then came circling down to perch once more on his shield.
“Did you find them, Ardeth?” Arebe asked, coming to his side with Adham and Selim right behind. Abdul and Hassan behind them.
“I did. I am uncertain if two of them are yet amongst the living but Evelyn was trying to heal them all when I left. I thought to come and make certain that you and the other scouts returned safely.
“We did.” Arebe nodded. “How badly– injured where the others?”
Ardeth reached over to clasp his friend’s shoulder only then realizing his hands were still wet with his tribesmate’s blood. “I am not certain, Arebe. I had time to reach for them and get them back to camp only.”
“If you think we are safe enough now, Ardeth. I will go and check on them. Perhaps it will do them good to speak of what happened to someone who understands. Will you join us as soon as you are certain it is safe to do so?”
“Certainly.” He nodded, trying to put his support into his eyes and voice. “I think we are safe enough. They do not seem to come in a full attack, only pick off our patrols. We need to increase the number of men riding each patrol and perhaps pull the patrols in a bit closer. It will not do us any harm to increase the distance between our camp and theirs. In fact Abdul will you tell Pasha to move his tribe to the far side of the encampment? That will increase the distance between camp and the cannon line. Adham will you move your tribe with Pasha’s please? You two are closest to the line here.”
“Of course, Ardeth. I will go and tell Pasha to do so as well. Only come and get me if we need to fight.” Adham clasped his shoulder.
“I have never known you to miss a fight if at all possible, Adham.”
“Then I shall not start now.” Adham squeezed his shoulder tighter and then let go and headed back to camp.
“Horus my friend, will you fly once more today and see if any of the Germans come towards camp? Only be careful, hmm? I do not want to lose you again.”
Horus gave a surprisingly soft chirp and launched himself back into the sky heading eastward.
“I do not know that there is anything else we can do, Ardeth. Arebe and the others brought back the bodies of our slain tribesmates. Their families are seeing to them now.” Selim put in.
“I will mourn their loss, although Allah knows they died well and are undoubtedly with him in Paradise already. But he must also know we have buried too many of us in these last few days that I do not know if my heart can take the loss of more.”
“Come, you can wash and then go and see the wounded and we will call council and see if any of us can think of any way to make our patrols safer than what you have already done.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you and Ardeth both all right?” Evie asked as she and Rick walked into their tent. Healing the wounded Medjai had left her tired but it had been more than worth it.
“Yeah, sweetheart. I think we all made it through all right.” Rick shrugged out of his shoulder holster and set the guns aside. “How many Medjai did we loose?”
“Two.” She set her own weapons aside. And then smiled when he began to rub her shoulders for her. “Everyone else is fine.”
“That’s good. You must be tired.”
“A bit. I’m just so very glad it all worked.” She leaned back against his hands. “I’m quite a mess though. I’d never really realized how horrid nursing wounded is. She shuddered. “I should go wash up, before Alex comes back from riding.”
“Yeah, we could both use a bath.” Rick agreed. “I’m glad you saved them, Evie. They’re really brave men.”
“I suppose most of the Medjai have to be really. To survive the life that they live. Then again, I think most soldiers are usually brave when it comes to battle.” She leaned back against him, glad when he wrapped his arms around her.
“Nah. Most times soldiers are just as scared as anybody, sweetheart. It’s just that you don’t have an option to run most times.” He squeezed her tighter. “But these guys...They amaze me you know? I mean they’re willing to go up against any enemy no mater how bad the odds or how insane it is to try because it’s their duty. I don’t see how Ardeth does it sometimes.”
“I think you’re just as brave as Ardeth is.” She wrapped her arms around his.
“You think so, huh?” Rick kissed her throat with just a slight smile. “You’re biased.”
“Well yes.” She leaned her head back a bit more. “But that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.”
“Maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced though. “I wonder sometimes you know, how he manages it, to be so brave day after day. I don’t think I have that sort of courage.”
“Yes you do.” She stroked her hands down his arms to intertwine their fingers. “In all my life, in all the books I’ve read, and all the memories I have of what used to be, I can not think of one man in the lot of them who is braver than you, Rick.”
“You’re still biased.” He kissed her again.
“This isn’t about being biased, which yes I know I am. But that doesn’t mean I’m only making it up either. What makes you think Ardeth is braver than you are silly?”
“If I had to put up with what he does in Thebes every night, Evie, I’d be a basket case.”
“I thought you said it was only words?” She frowned again and began to work out in her mind the spells she’d need to get to Memphis instead of Thebes and exactly how she was supposed to present this to a man who had once been her father. Maybe Ramses was around too, and Ramses had adored her. That might work.
“So far yeah, and kisses, the bastard. But he doesn’t even pretend he doesn’t want him Evie. And he isn’t subtle about it you know? So it’s like always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Though maybe I managed to keep it okay. I hope.”
“So Imhotep hasn’t slacked off in his teasing of Ardeth because you two are lovers now?”
“Some, maybe, it’s so hard to know Evie. Sometimes he can be so damned polite and he even seems to kind of like us you know? And then he says something that just makes me so angry.”
“Hmm, so what have you done to manage to keep everything okay for now then?”
Rick was silent for a long while. “I don’t know that I should tell you.” He answered finally.
“Well that guarantees you should. Yes. Rick?” She turned around to straddle his lap and face him. “Talk to me.”
“You’re going to be angry at me.” He ducked his head a bit, managing to look so very much like Alex for a moment.
“I’m going to be angry at you if you don’t tell me.” She pointed out, and then reached over to stroke his bangs from his face. “Rick?”
“It was a stupid wager to make I know. But– I couldn’t not make it if it gives us half a chance at peace and getting Ardeth out of this okay you know.”
“Hmm, no of course you couldn’t. What wager, Rick?” She asked firmly.
“He thinks he’s got a chance of seducing Ardeth. I don’t. So we– bet on it. He has six months to try, no coercion, no force, nothing but just seeing if he can seduce him, and if he can’t then he has to give the whole thing up. No more teasing or anything.”
“Well, that’s quite a bet.” She sighed, because knowing Rick he had thought it was worth whatever his end of it was. And she knew her husband, nothing mattered to him in the world but the people he considered family. And he’d do anything for any one of them. “And what did you bet, Rick? What does he get if he succeeds.”
“Besides Ardeth?” Rick muttered.
“Well yes, that’s obvious. Which I agree is not going to happen, but, what else does Imhotep get if he succeeds? He wagered giving up on something he wants very badly, Rick, so it must be quite a bet for him to do that. He isn’t about to back down over nothing.” She could recall very clearly slapping him across the face just the other night.
“You’re going to be angry.” Rick sighed.
“Richard.” She put her hands on his shoulders. “What does he get if he wins?”
“Me.”
That took her a bit longer than it should have probably but it was so far from anything she’d been considering. “You?” She was surprised that it came out at all, not angry, not even annoyed, only probably the gentlest tone she’d ever heard in her own voice. “Rick, what do you mean he gets you?” She brushed his hair away from his face again.
“Like I said. Anything he wants Evie, for the night.” He leaned forward and put his forehead on her shoulder.
“Well he’s going to have to kill me, all the Medjai, and any of my father’s army I can steal first.” She said firmly.
“You’d do that, huh?” Rick pulled her close.
“I would. I love Ardeth enough to share your love with him, Rick. I do not love him enough to let you hurt yourself so, when there’s an option.” She sighed. “Which of course, he wouldn’t let you do either. So, let’s tell him about this stupid bet and then he’ll never let Imhotep seduce him even if it were possible, which it isn’t.”
“I can’t tell him, Evie, if I do the bet’s off. That’s part of the deal. The damned thing can’t do anything but try to seduce him and Ardeth can’t know about the bet. Because we all know he’d never let me keep it.”
She growled out a very nasty curse in Egyptian and then made him look at her. “You are not going to...”
“Sell myself?” Rick put in when she couldn’t find the words.
“Well...not exactly what I was looking for no, but regardless. You are not letting that bastard hurt you, Rick. I don’t care what the bet was. Besides which, if he lays a hand on Ardeth, I’ll kill him before he gets to succeed, and then you won’t have anything to worry about.”
“You will, huh?” Rick smiled a little. “Promise?”
“Certainly. Like I told the damned priest myself, if I have to go to Memphis and bring back Pharaoh’s entire army, I’ll do it. Don’t doubt me, Rick.”
“God I love you Evie, you know that right?”
“Well, I would certainly hope so.” She kissed him, softly at first and then deeper when he moved to push her back onto the pallet of blankets. “Mmm. Didn’t we want to go wash?”
“Let’s go wash after I make love to you, okay?” He whispered the words against her lips.
“Oh.” She smiled and pulled him closer, wrapping her legs around his. “Then we’ll both definitely need a bath.”
“Sounds good?”
“Do you have any other stupid questions to ask me Rick?”
He chuckled which she admitted was the point. “Will you marry me?”
“Well, maybe, you’ll have to convince me though. I might get a better offer.” It was an old game but she smiled as she said it.
“Hmm. We’ll see about that.”
Maghrib:ToC