Disclaimer: The character of Ardeth Bay and the name Medjai belong to Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios. No infringement intended. All other characters belong to the author, and are copyrighted. Many thanks to Ladybug for allowing me to use and abuse her boys – no worries, I'll treat them kindly. And many thanks to my beta, Tori. Please, if you want to use an idea or borrower a character, let me know and of course, feedback is greatly appreciated. Email Mommint@msn.com.

I would also like to acknowledge the research that A Jackson did for me regarding this story and yes, this has appeared elsewhere. She came up with the tribe names and the history of the Sahara, and she assisted me with one scene in the story. Fair is fair and I gladly give credit where credit is due.

The Rwalla-Hunud do not exist and in fact were two separate tribes. I combined them along with the Berber names that I've chosen for some of the characters - no offense intended for twisting around historical facts for the purpose of this story. Finally, this tale could technically take place after "Somewhere In Time"…I hope you enjoy. J

Rated: PG-13

~*~

Blood's thicker than water, and when one's in trouble
Best to seek out a relative's open arms.
~Euripides

In time of test, family is best. ~ Burmese Proverb

Live together like brothers, and do business like strangers. ~ Arabic proverb

~*~

Prologue

They became friends before they were old enough to realize that they were enemies.

Three boys, each in the tenth summer of their lives, had met under the most unlikely of circumstances and despite the hatred that had existed for thousands of years between their tribes…

… despite the cultural differences…

… and away from the prejudicial eyes of their elders…

… a Medjai, a Tuareg and a Rwalla-Hunud were able to temporarily escape the constraints of their individual destinies. They played together as boys of their age often did, and the days of their youth were filled with mock war games and exploring.

As the years passed, they went from innocent childhood into the awkward years of their youth, and yet they managed to keep the friendship between them intact, untainted by the numerous political upheavals around them.

~*~

When the hatred between the Medjai and Tuareg escalated three months ago, and the Elders of the latter enthusiastically called for war, the three friends decided to meet for one last time to say farewell to one another. It had become too much of a risk to keep their association a secret any longer.

Once where it had been three boys who met secretively in the desert, they were young warriors now; age had laid the cloak of maturity on their shoulders and they all carried it well.

Their reunion was bittersweet and short.

However unbeknownst to the young men, a small war party had followed the Rwalla-Hunud warrior and had spied on the meeting in progress. They attacked and in the ensuing chaos, the Tuareg had managed to escape but the Medjai had been captured and blamed for the death of the Rwalla-Hunud named Tabari-Yervant.

For three months he was held captive – tortured, beaten and starved. They tried to break his spirit and force a confession but the warrior had steadfastly refused, claiming his innocence during each interrogation.

The Tuareg named Drevick Moubaye did not abandon his remaining friend. With a fierce loyalty that was well-known among his people and often admired, he petitioned his father to aid the Medjai. Again and again, he appeared before the council of the tribes and pleaded with them to intervene on his behalf. But his requests fell on deaf ears.

The Tuareg were preparing for a war with the Medjai and nothing could dissuade them, not even the chieftain's son.

Afraid that his friend would eventually die at the hands of the Rwalla-Hunud, Drevick decided to act on his own.

With a small party of his own hand-picked warriors, he set out one day shortly before dawn and rode towards the infamous Il Wasi Qa'a" or Medjai stronghold. He carried within his heart the hope that his appearance there would not incite a war but instead, goad the chieftain Ardeth Bay to finally act.

And rescue the Medjai named Reyhan Abbasi…half brother to Commander Nabil al Fa'ud.