It's been awhile, but here's the next chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I will admit SangoLadyWolf WesternLands you made me laugh and want to write once more.
The First Female Medjai
Chapter 8
The end of the tunnel opened into a large cavern. There were houses built into the sides and filling the circular space of the village. Evy gaped at the way the people had built their homes. Each home was different, but they all looked as if they were over 3,000 years old.
Rick shifted Ardeth a little as he watched the shocked people around the small group. Everyone around them was covered in clothing, only leaving the face, hands, and feet exposed. He caught sight of a few people with clay masks.
Alstra counted sixteen warriors, besides the ten with them. There were large circles around them; the people didn't go near the warriors. She saw three men wearing the color of farmers. Four people had the robes of a craftsman. Alstra noticed that there were around twenty children peeking through their mother's robes. She was amazed at all the people around her.
"Elder, how long has this tribe been here?" Alstra asked quietly. "I know only of stories told over and over through the years. Could you tell me the story of this village?"
"Of course, Sister, but I believe you all need medical assistance," his voice boomed over the round cavern.
Alstra noticed the people parting for three women in dark blue robes. Their robes were tighter than the warrior robes, but she could tell they had blades hidden in their sleeves. They didn't wear cotton hoods like her people's medics did. Instead they wore smaller, half-face clay masks.
One of them nodded to Bakari and he started through the crowd. Once again, the crowd parted for the travelers. Rick noticed that the villagers seemed to cower away from the warriors. As they walked, the three medics started taking care of the small scratches, gashes, bumps, and bruises. After three minutes of walking they ended up at the other side of the cavern, in front of a large dark blue tent.
"The medical tent," Alstra sighed. She was relieved some of the things were the same between the two tribes.
"Yes, Sister, and where you will stay until you are fit enough for battle," Emuishere snapped. Alstra almost flinched at the term 'Sister'. Her people rarely called her that.
Alstra noticed her tone, having heard it dozens of times from Mesi. "Why, Sister, perhaps you would like to test how fit I am."
Emuishere stopped going into the tent and turned to face Alastriona. "What was that, Sister?"
"Perhaps the times have made our tribes different, but I would be considered well enough to fight. Ardeth, however, would be bedridden for two days. Evelyn and Rick would be treated and sent home. I would stay the night and return to my home in the morning. Of course, I wouldn't want you to change your traditions for me." Alstra smirked under her mask when she saw Bakari and Emuishere look shocked at her. It was a load of bullshit, but Alstra didn't want to be confided to the medic tent for however long they tried to keep her.
In truth, she would be held for a week. Rick and Evy would be confined to the tent for a night for observation. Ardeth would stay for a week and a half to two weeks, possibly three. It all depended on his injuries.
"It is true," Ardeth spoke quietly, "we would be home before the end of the week."
Bakari stared shocked at him. "Men are warriors in the sister tribe?"
"Many things have changed, Elder," Alstra told him. She didn't confirm or deny Ardeth's claim. She told the truth, just not the answer Bakari wanted.
"As they have here," Bakari recovered. "You and Ardeth, was it?" Alstra nodded. "You two shall stay in the medical tent for three days. The other two will be here for the night, and then only leave when someone of the warriors is able to go with them."
"Reasonable," Alstra faked a groan, "I suppose."
They entered the tent and were shown to small cots to sit on as more medics looked over their more serious injuries. Ardeth and Alstra were forced to lay on the cots as the medics looked at them. Rick and Evy simply sat on their cots and were bandaged.
Alstra let the medics do what they wished, but she drew the line at taking off any of her clothing. They seemed to understand and left her alone once she stated that. Ardeth followed Alstra and did not let the female medics take off his robes. He stated he would get them later, on his own. Rick simply took off his shirt and let the women tend to him. Evy kept her clothes on; no one asked her to take them off when her husband agreed.
Once the medics were done, they left the tent. Alstra stood from her cot and walked over to Rick. She sat next to him as he put his dirty shirt back on.
"There will be people watching us at all times. While we are here, please keep Evy with you, and in my sights. I will tell Ardeth the same thing, but we need to stay together. They will not let us leave as easily as they brought us here." Alstra looked to the tent opening.
"Yea, stay together and don't start any fights. Show them they can trust us," Rick summed.
"And hide your gun under your cot. I do not think they saw it. I also do not think they know what it is," Alstra explained.
"An ace," Rick replied.
"Yes," Alstra smiled behind her mask. "Sleep, I will not be able to tonight."
"Me either, Sister dear," Rick teased.
Alstra laughed at him as she walked back to where she and Ardeth were set up. The desert warrior was almost asleep on his cot. Alstra worried about him sleeping so she shook him.
"Ardeth, Rick and Evy will sleep tonight. Will you stay awake with me?" Alstra almost pleaded.
She needed to get him back where he could be properly cared for. The medics here had very few medicines, and Ardeth was worst one out of them. She could still not understand how he was so injured yet she wasn't. She felt her memory of the fall was fuzzy, but she couldn't figure out why he was most injured than her. They fell from the same height.
"I will stay with you," Ardeth replied. "Though, you may need to help me. My eyes are very heavy tonight."
"It is the morning, Ardeth," Alstra teased. "We shall help each other to stay awake. Come, tell me how you met the O'Connells."
