Act VI – Amulet

Mulder awoke in a bed with several compresses placed across his body. Some of the lashes that Jabal inflicted were deep and they certainly still hurt. There was a cold breakfast next to him consisting of a boiled egg (which Mulder found ironic), toast with jam and an orange. He was hungry after that night of terror, but slightly elated that he had made it past 3 of the 5 tasks. He wondered what tonight held for him, but tried not to dwell on it. Jabal was already annoyed at him for getting this far.

He sat up and ate as much as he could. He needed his strength and they must have been watching him because as soon as he finished, Hanan, the wife entered.

"You are to be cleaned."

The agent was not in the mood. "I'll clean myself. Where is the bathroom?"

Hanan insisted. "I will have you cleaned."

The look in the woman's eye gave him pause. There was a feeling that he should take her offering and decided to give in. "Alright." Hanan brought in several young women that helped him up and took him to a private bathroom. The door closed and Hanan remained behind.

Mulder was not in the mood for games. "I'm already naked. What else do you want?"

The head wife approached him cautiously. "I need to speak to you. This is the only place that isn't…how do you say…bugged."

"Ok. Say on."

"I am sorry you are going through this. My husband was chosen for me and up until now, I didn't care that he brought these other women in. It deflected me from having to sleep with him, but I didn't realize that someone they loved was missing them. You changed that. I will try to help you. The master will keep his word if you win in front of witnesses, but he will try to sabotage you before that. He already has. His whip was laced with a slow acting poison. It would have killed you already, if I hadn't counteracted it. The sheik will be surprised to know you survived the night."

"How do I win when he is cheating?"

"I will do what I can. I am tired of his ways and the lives he destroys. I will deal with him. You will rescue your Dana and then come back for the others. However, you still have to survive 2 more tasks. I cannot do that for you. All I can do is make you as healthy as possible for tonight. Will you trust me?"

Mulder didn't really have a choice. "Yes. Thank you."

Hanan sadly smiled. "I was in love once too. He was deemed unsuitable. I was wedded to Jabal instead. I remember what it felt like to lose the one you love. That is why I help you. You love her and have endured much for her. Know that I am on your side."

"No offense, but this could be a trick."

"It could be. You decide for yourself." Hanan left and several women entered and tended to him.

XXXXXXXX

Scully wept. Mulder was enduring unimaginable things for her and she was helpless to stop it. The other women were kind enough to leave her alone for a while after they witnessed her naked lover beaten and whipped trying to save her. She just wished there was something she could do.

"Your man is a fool," Trisha said. Scully could tell she didn't mean it. "He could have been killed three times last night. Why are you so special?"

"I'm not." Scully was being honest. "Mulder is." That caused a hush in the room.

"I think you are right about that." Marjorie sighed and walked away. "I wish there were more men like him. Maybe then none of us would be here."

XXXXXXXX

The day passed and the women were prepared for their nightly demonstration. This was Scully's last day of training and she was to become Jabal's consort tonight, if Mulder didn't free her. The milk bath continued, but the henna designs didn't fade. She only wondered how Mulder was doing. The servants wouldn't talk and she didn't see Hanan all day.

When the expected line-up came after the women's evening meal, Scully was taken to be decorated with the kohl blacking of the eyes, the designs were reinforced, her hair was brightened and the gold dust replaced. She was given a red skirt this time and it wasn't a choice.

The women streamed into the dining hall and Scully nearly broke down and cried. Mulder was there, in the seat next to Jabal, covered in wounds. Even the robes didn't disguise them. He looked weary and drained, but when he saw her, his eyes brightened and Scully danced harder. She twirled and swayed for him and no one else. Mulder noticed and the man looked stronger by the second.

After kneeling prostrate in front of the sheik, the concubines continued their dance expecting one of them to be chosen for sex, but Jabal did nothing. In fact, he clapped his hands and through his motions, shooed the women to the side. Scully was confused, as were the others, but after getting a good look at the pallor of the man, she realized that he wasn't feeling well.

"Ministers, forgive the change in plans, but we have a game to conclude tonight and I am anxious to get on with it. Agent Mulder has completed 3 of the 5 tasks required and I am ready to finish the other two. Were he to lose, I will take the redheaded Dana to my bed tonight and for many nights thereafter as I enjoy my new prize. If he wins, he and she will be free to go. Bring out the wheel!"

The servants brought out the large device and Mulder stood. Scully wanted to hold him, but when he turned and looked at her, she could see his determination. He walked forward.

XXXXXXXX

This was it. Either he won or he lost. Mulder was ready for either, but for Scully's sake—he had to win. Hanan was true to her word and the care she gave throughout the day had strengthened him. Without it, it was doubtful he would be able to stand tonight, much less complete any dangerous tasks.

He saw Scully's concerned gazes and wanted to reassure her, but he needed to concentrate. The wheel was spinning and landed on #4. Both men read the card. *Fuck*. He was to fight his head guardsman Qadir—to the death. That man was built like a brick shithouse. Mulder wasn't strong enough to take him down before he was damaged by torture and poison and certainly not now. He still had an out and was considering using it, but what if the 5th task was worse? Mulder couldn't take the chance of tripping at the finish line. He would do it.

Jabal chuckled. "Too bad, Agent Mulder. Qadir is an expert in several forms of martial arts and weaponry. According to the card, you are each allowed one melee weapon. Choose."

An assortment of armaments was ushered in and Mulder had first pick. There were clubs, maces, knives of all kinds, brass knuckles, iron fists and the like. He wasn't sure what to choose to take down that brute, but a plan occurred to him. Mulder chose the mace with the ball and chain. Qadir took a long knife. The battle was joined.

Both men were allowed to wear trunks of a kind, and didn't have to fight in their robes. Mulder realized he was showing the whip marks to Scully and the other spectators, but they saw them last night. Besides, whatever Hanan did to help him, made them barely hurt. He was ready.

Qadir faced him in an aggressive stance. Mulder realized that by choosing the mace, he had to be a distance away to use it. When the guardsman rushed, he dodged. The man tried again and Mulder got a slash in the arm for his trouble. It wasn't deep, but it was disheartening. The men in the room cheered. Finally, Mulder made an offensive move and to the bystanders it looked like he slipped. He fell to the floor, slid close to his opponent and neatly wrapped the chain part of the mace around Qadir's legs. With a deft move, one yank and the giant was on the ground. As hoped for, the unexpected contact caused him to throw up his hands and Mulder grabbed the knife. He held it at the guardsman's throat and the room stilled.

Mulder looked at Qadir. He could see the terror in his eyes however, he worked for a madman that enslaved innocent women. Without his help, this couldn't have happened. He deserved to die. Every cell in his body wanted to do it. He may not have been able to kill Jabal outright, but killing his right hand man was close enough for horseshoes. He started to cut and heard a small gasp in the silence. It was Scully. *Damn* This was deliberate, premeditated murder no matter what side of the globe they were on. In the end, he had to look himself in the mirror. So did she. He backed away.

"I'm using my out, Jabal. I won't kill him."

"Really?" The madman stood. "That was foolish. You could have killed him and taken my gift to set your woman free. Now, you still need to perform one more task. You Westerners are too sentimental." The sheik clapped his hands. "So be it. Get up Qadir. I am disappointed in you."

Mulder looked over to see Scully's beautiful blue eyes shining with admiration. Despite the last challenge, he felt rejuvenated, but Jabal didn't waste any time. He ordered the spinning of the wheel for the last time. Mulder was tired, beaten and bloody, but at least he wasn't a murderer. He was going to win Scully with his integrity intact.

When the wheel stopped and the men inspected the card, Jabal threw up his hands. "You have a kind spirit looking after you, Agent Mulder. The Vizier's Wheel has mostly dangerous options, but there are some small rewards and you have landed on one for your final task. 'Worshipping the Goddess' is a term used to express a particular delight. However, it must be publicly witnessed. You may choose one of my concubines and you must have sexual intercourse with her…in this room…before us all. Choose."

"I choose Dana."

"I thought you might." Jabal was bitter. "I could press and force you to take one of the others, but then I would have to get rid of them as I am the only male allowed to enter them this way. I see that I will lose my redheaded prize anyway, so you might as well take her. However, it must be publicly done. Such a pity. I never got to enjoy her." He waved a hand. "Oh well, I will find another. At the very least you have provided me with two nights of entertainment. My servants will bring a bed and you will get on with it."

XXXXXXXX

Scully was scared. Mulder appeared to have won the game, as long as he has sex with her in the open room. The ministers, the women, the musicians, and servants—they all will see. After all she and Mulder have been through, this seemed minor, but it made her self-conscious.

The smaller women brought in a small bed and placed it in the middle of the room. Her best friend, partner and lover walked over to her and held out his hand. Scully placed her palm in his and he led her to the bed.

"I'm afraid." Scully whispered to Mulder.

"Don't be. It's just you and I. Keep your eyes on me."

"Everyone is watching."

"It's just you and me." Scully looked at Mulder and saw his hazel eyes focusing on her. She wanted to kiss him, but he pre-empted that. The deep kiss he gave in front of all the room, settled it to a reverent hush. "I love you and I'm going to make love to you."

He steered her to the mattress and lowered her down. Her breasts were already exposed and he hadn't put on his robes from the fight so there was little fabric between them. He started kissing her lips, moved to her throat and then to her breasts. He spent some time there. Scully tried not to see the people in the room and after he aroused her with his nipping and suckling, it was easier.

Mulder held her gaze. "This is me. There is no one else. You know that I love you."

Scully nodded and she felt him peel apart her skirt. He had already revealed his penis and was taut and ready. When he entered, Scully gasped. It was like having a long-lost person coming home. He pushed inside her and no one else mattered. Mulder held her gaze and she submitted to him. When he was completely in, he started to move.

There wasn't a sound in the room. Even the musicians weren't playing. It was only heavy breathing from Mulder, soft mewing sounds from Scully and a respectful silence.

Mulder focused on her. "You are why I live." He pushed in and out. "You are what makes me care." Another push and pull. "I cannot exist without you." He pumped again. "I love you with every fiber in my being and I would rather die than be without you." Mulder thrust and the entire room watched as he enjoyed her. The elation, desire and determination on his face was not easily forgotten.

The sex act crested and Mulder came to a point when he was banging Scully against the mattress. Neither could prevent the escalation and Scully forgot the spectators and was moaning loudly. When Mulder finally came and ejected into her, the room stilled again. They seemed to recognize the worship and gave it honor. Jabal was not so kind.

"Take her and go." The master of the estate was livid. "I want both of you out of here—*now*."

*Amulet - A charm worn that the Ancient Egyptians thought had magical powers.