Intro

It should've been easy.

They ended their summer evenings as always; finish their chores/business, wash up, pray, eat, complete evening chores, etc. Though, recently, something always interrupted him, which was to be expected when one led tens of thousands of people. Privacy had been voided from his life long ago. He was constantly plagued with disputes among his people, though he somehow managed them all with ease. He was truly born to lead.

The one thing he indulged in was his family.

Somehow, he'd managed to acquire enough time during the early summer evenings to take his younger brother, Elias, out to further train him.

The boy, who was really a young man of twenty-four, was a hair-trigger. He was quick to react and was lively in most all his actions. Truth be told it reminded the Chieftain of his American friend; but he would not be so foolish as to mention that to Elias…The boy would remember how the American helped save the world and think that-he too-could conquer anyone, just like the fearless American.

Ardeth had been teaching Elias to scout. It was a valuable task which should teach his younger sibling patience and discipline.

"It's that way," Elias pointed towards the small city, "I can see it on the horizon."

Ardeth went rigid. It had been the sixth time they'd tried this exercise and the sixth time Elias gave up much too easily. Ardeth had promised their mother that morning that he wouldn't strangle Elias or abandon him in the desert (like he had done when they were children…) But Elias' unwavering arrogance tried Ardeth's already worn patience.

"That isn't the point," eased Ardeth. He needed to consider his words carefully lest he wanted his brother to talk himself out of the task once more. Ardeth tried to change the rules, "Imagine you can't see anything further than three meters ahead of you. How do you know someone has passed through here?"

Elias went on to describe how the upturned dirt along the road was fresh. The hoof tracks were deep indicting the horse was carrying something, or someone. They could tell road was frequently traveled due to the lighter, shallower hoof prints and track marks which indicated older travel.

Ardeth was pleased. It seemed Elias did retain information, but as soon as an ounce of respect was gained, Elias opened his mouth and became a child once more.

"Can we have lunch yet?" Elias whined to his brother, "I'm hungry."

Ardeth shook his head with a smile, "Such a child," he muttered.

Elias was a good person and a great warrior, but his confidence granted him pettiness. As the day grew long, Ardeth's younger brother became less and less serious.

"I don't see why I have to do this…" the young man mumbled after a time in the shade.

The air was thick, dry, and to say the least, stifling. Ardeth felt as the day grew, the heat became nearly unbearable, as some summer days often outshone normalcy. The brothers had taken a break at an oasis where some sunlight bled through the sparse shrubbery. The horses drank their fill of the provided water, while the men shared a canteen.

Ardeth playfully nudged his younger brother, "I promised I would help you, only for you to think you are above help."

Elias opened his mouth to either apologize or make a witty remark. Ardeth did not feel the need to hear either. The elder brother never gave Elias the chance to speak while he explained, "I also promised Mother I wouldn't strand you in the desert, but you had me consider it once or twice."

Elias groaned and fell backwards into the soft sand. He commented, "No one will ever let that go!"

"If I have to still hear about my wrong-doings from everyone," Ardeth mock-chided, "Then you get to hear about the one time I accidentally left you in the desert."

"Accidentally?!" Elias laughed, "That was intentional!"

"And that is a matter of opinion," Ardeth cracked. "But now you know why I'm always the one who has to find a certain under-Medjai when they get lost in the desert."

"I don't get lost!" Elias defended, "I—I get distracted! There is a difference."

The brothers' different perspectives kept them laughing for longer than Ardeth originally planned. He cherished these fleeting moments, as it was rare he could take a whole afternoon to himself. In a manner of speaking, he was working as well, but the light air he kept with his brother stole the stress of his job away.

Burnt orange splayed itself in the sky, as the sun said its last good-bye for the day. Such was an indicator the brothers needed to return home. Once the sun was gone, the land grew bone-chillingly cold, which was unfavorable for both men and their horses. The journey home was no more than an hour, and the pair had been welcomed by their family.

Despite the near ten-year age gap, the brothers had something in common: they were the last bachelors amongst the Bay men. They, especially Ardeth, were living a taboo lifestyle, most felt. Onlookers felt their mother should've arranged something, especially for the Chieftain. However, Nazerah Bay was a matriarch who came from an arranged marriage. She often reminded people how long it took her to conceive (despite it being her duty) due to the fact she began her marriage hating the then-chieftain, Khalis; who "picked" her from a group of women to marry. Her now deceased husband tried his hardest to woo her, though she was stubborn and strong-willed. Eventually, after years of hatred, they were mature enough to get to know the other, during which Nazerah decided Khalis would be an acceptable husband and father. (Yet another taboo: the wife deciding one what terms she would bear children). Fortunately, together the couple lead a loveable and traditional marriage, and—by the gods—reared eight children: five unruly boys who were of their Chieftain father, and three stubborn, strong-willed girls.

No one was going to tell Nazerah's progeny who to marry, not even herself.

"You've come back early," the aforementioned matriarch welcomed both her sons with open arms. Among her were her other adult children and their own families. All nightly meals were eaten together, no matter how many people were involved.

"I wouldn't forget him—this time," Ardeth smiled

Elias rolled his deep eyes and knew he'd never live it down.