Disclaimer: me no own... how sad
Rick raced over to the only horse that had made it over to their side of the shore. Its head was low as it carefully moved around Alexia's unconcious form that was caught in its lead.
For a moment Rick thought Alexia was dead as he untied her hand from the horse's lead.
Alexia groaned and coughed all at once as her body fought to take in air. She could hear horses whinnying and Rick and Evy calling her name as Jonathon attempted to give advice.
She opened her eyes to see an overly concerned Rick looking down at her.
"Well thats not what I wanted to wake up to." she muttered as she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position.
Rick laughed realizing Alexia was okay as Evy let out a relieved breath.
"I'm so glad you're okay." She told Alexia as she helped her stand up.
"Yeah me too." Alexia laughed.
"Who was my rescuer?"
"Him." Rick said pointing towards Jonathon and the horse.
"Jonathon?" Alexia asked bewildered. Evy laughed at Alexia's face.
"No the horse. Your hand got caught in his lead."
Alexia laughed as well and took the horse Jonathon was offering to her.
"Glad to see you made it." he told Alexia.
Alexia smirked. "Yeah you to Jonathon."
The horse nickered at Alexia and butted his muzzle gently into her chest.
"And thank you mi amour." Alexia mummured rubbing the horse's neck. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"Hey O'Connell! Looks like I've got all the horses!" They heard Beni shout from the other side of the river.
"Hey Beni! Looks like you're on the wrong side of the river!" Rick shouted back smiling at Beni's cursing figure.
"Now what do we do?" Evy asked. "We lost everything. Our equipment, my clotehs."
"Relax. There is a small village not far from here." Rick told Evy as they headed away from the shore, Alexia leading the horse.
"We could trade the horse for some camels. Ow!" Jonathon yelped as Alexia smacked him.
"Amour aint goin nowhere!" Alexia threatened him.
Jonathon started to object but stopped at Alexia's look making Evy and Rick laugh. Looks like Amour was officially Alexia's.
Alexia smiled at her friends sheepishly watchin as Rick kept glancing at Evy out of the corner of his eye. They had better get to that village soon.
They arrived at the village within the hour. The women of the village took Evy to get some clothing and offered it to Alexia as well but Alexia politely turned them down.
Rick had sent Jonathon to barter for four camels while he resupplied the food. The warden, who had regrettfully survived the boat fire, wondered on his own while Alexia went in search of tack for Amour.
Alexia couldn't help but smile as the villagers pointed her towards the right vendor while Amour followed patiently behind occasionally blowing into Alexia's hair. Amour was a solid black Arabian stallion who was obvioulsy desert bred.
The tack vendor pushed black and silver halters, bridles, woven blankets and a saddle into Alexia's arms. Along with saddlebags holding a few brushes for Amour's mane and coat.
"How much is it?" Alexia asked him gesturing towars the tack and her purse.
It took a moment for the vendor to understand her. He smiled raised his hands and bowed slightly.
"For you. Gift." he said in broken english. Alexia thanked him and quickly settled Amour into his tack.
Once that was done she made her way over to Rick and Jonathon.
"You wont' believe how much these flea bags cost!" Jonathon whined as Alexia joined them.
"Oh stop your complaining Jonathon!" Alexia laughed.
"But its true!"
"And thats why I stick to horses."
"You know we probably could have gotten them for free. Just give them your sister." Rick cut in.
"Awfully tempting isn't it?" Jonathon agreed.
"Awfully. Ow!"
"Be nice guys!" Alexia started to laugh. Her laugh deepend as Rick caught sight of the newly dressed Evy.
Alexia let out a wolf whistle as Evy startedt to blush.
"Now I need an outfit like that." She added. Evy sent her a grateful look as Rick helped the warden onto his camel.
Alexia and Jonathon had to fight down their laughter as the warden nedarly fell off the otherside.
Once everyone was ready the headed out into the desert.
"Let the games begin." Alexia said quietly to herself as Amour easily matched the pace of the camels.
AN: TADA! thanks to everyone who has faved it and put it on their alerts. Also thank you to Lady Galriee: i am so glad you are enjoying it and thank you for reviewing.
Also to Kaycee-x John Cenaholic: i am glad you're enjoying it so much! Again sorry that I said Ardeth will be here soon but now its only three chapters away!