Disclaimer: I do not own The Mummy, The Mummy Returns or even The Curse of the Dragon Emperor. If I did, Ardeth Bay would have a bigger part and Curse of the Dragon Emperor would have never been shown in cinemas without Ardeth Bay. Thank you.

10 Questions

Ardeth forced himself not to pace or even to run his hands over the stone walls, searching for any weaknesses, in order not to frighten Evelyn or Alex anymore. He noticed when O'Connell shot him a grateful look when he refrained.

But that did not mean Ardeth wasn't searching. Under the guise of easing himself onto one of the benches, Ardeth carefully took note of its size and took a guess at its weight. They might be able to use it to force the door.

Jonathan had just slumped on the bench next to Ardeth's when the door opened suddenly. Instantly, Ardeth was back on his feet. O'Connell placed himself between the door and his family.

The door swung wide and what appeared to be a large stone jar on legs entered the room. Without even thinking about it, Ardeth stepped forward and helped ease the jar into the only free corner of the room.

The bearer straightened and Ardeth was able to take in her features. She wore a white linen dress that was held up by two shoulder straps and fell to her ankles. Her dark hair was braided in the same intricate weave that the other women's hair had been arranged but had beads scattered throughout the design. She wore bracelets around her wrists and soft shoes on her feet. Amused brown eyes met his when they reached her youthful face. She couldn't have been older than thirty.

"The storm still rages, Med-jai." She said to him. Her accent made the words she spoke sound old and archaic. "The High Priestess said that you and your friends would be allowed to wash away the sand and rest while waiting for the storm to settle. There is water." She motioned to the jar, "And I will bring cloth to dry you and soaps to wash away the grime."

While she spoke the door remained open, but Ardeth saw movement just outside the threshold and knew without seeing them that there would be at least two armed guards waiting to block any attempt to escape.

"How long do you plan to keep us here?" Evelyn demanded suddenly, "Surely you don't think you can keep us prisoners forever!"

A pained expression crossed the woman's face.

"Not prisoners, lady, guests…but please understand you are the first outside our group to enter this place. We cannot allow you to wander our halls."

"Some hospitality you have then." Jonathan scoffed quietly but the woman heard him.

"Do not lightly throw away what is given to you!" her eyes flashed in anger, "Be grateful you were given shelter here. If He had found you, He would not have shown mercy, innocent or otherwise!"

She stepped outside and retrieved a basket filled with smaller jars, a couple of bars of soap and thick cloth. She quickly placed it beside the jar. Then she shot us all a cold look. Ardeth quickly decided that we did not need to anger the strangers even more.

"Forgive my friends' hasty words. They are tired and still in shock from what happened." He said, "Please relay our most grateful thanks to your…High Priestess." Ardeth remembered the title she used.

O'Connell forced a laugh, "My wife's a trifle hot-headed…and Jonathan…well, he's just an idiot most times."

"Hey!" Jonathan protested.

The woman gave a small nod, accepting the apology.

"We have clothes that will fit you." She told Evelyn, "And perhaps something for your son. Unfortunately, nothing we have will suit the men."

Evelyn obviously understood that we shouldn't anger the strange women any more than was possible.

"It's of no importance," she said lightly, "Don't trouble yourself so, our clothes will serve until we can reach our own camp; we can bathe properly then. The sand storm can't possibly last much longer, can it?"

Ardeth chuckled inwardly. He should have known Evelyn would try to find out how long they would hold them while still appearing to chatter meaninglessly.

"Sand storms can last from a single hour to days on end. Fortunately for you, this storm is not of natural causes and He can only sustain it for a while longer. You will be on your way soon."

"Who is this man you keep referring to?" Evelyn asked, genuinely curious.

"The Thief, whom you set free," her tone was clipped. "I shall leave you to freshen up. Should you need anything more, simply knock on the door and someone will come."

"I would thank you, kind lady, if I but knew your name." Ardeth said quickly.

She appeared startled, "I am named Quibilah. Commander of the Twelve Tribes, your thanks is accepted most humbly."

Then she gave a short but graceful bow and left, closing the door behind her before anyone else could speak.

"Well that didn't help at all." Jonathan complained.

"On the contrary," Evelyn said, "We now know that they don't intend to keep us here forever."

"We know that something got out of that temple." O'Connell pointed out, "And apparently, it also wants to wipe out the world."

Evelyn dragged her son over to the jar of water. After briefly checking it, she then began to scrub furiously at the sand and dust that had settled on her son's face.

"Mum! Do you have to?" Alex complained.

"They were gracious enough to supply all this so we might as well use it." Evelyn said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Same goes to those men over there."

"Evelyn…" O'Connell started but stopped at his wife's glare.

"Choose your battles wisely, my friend." Ardeth murmured to him.

"So we just wait here?" Jonathan exclaimed, "They could change their minds you know? This is as bad if not worse as that experience with the Scorpion King!"

"Ardeth?" O'Connell asked, "Any brilliant ideas?"

Ardeth shrugged, "Unfortunately, my friend, I am as in the dark as you are."

"Brilliant." Jonathan grumbled.

Evelyn somehow coerced her husband and her brother into washing up. The desert leader was already striding to the cleaning implements before she could open her mouth to tell him that he should wash as well. Ardeth knew when to take his own advice, choose your battles wisely.

After washing most of the grit off his face and arms, Ardeth placed himself next to the door, leaning against the wall in a seemingly casual position. From here he should be able to hear anyone approaching the door. O'Connell realized soon after what Ardeth was up to and set about distracting his family so they wouldn't panic. He didn't include Ardeth in their conversation which allowed the warrior to focus his thoughts on the recent events. Ardeth found it was strange…which, coming from him, meant it was really very strange.

Only a short time passed before the door opened again. In the name of Allah, Ardeth swore he never heard Quibilah coming until the door opened. No one could move that silently, not even his most well-trained scouts!

"You have refreshed yourselves?" It was not really a question. She continued without waiting for an answer, "Food has been prepared, if you would follow me."

She turned and walked right back out the door.

O'Connell met Ardeth's eyes and with a small gesture, Ardeth indicated that he would lead. He did, keeping close to him his wife and son, while Jonathan followed close at his heels. Ardeth took up the rear. They weren't blindfolded this time; apparently their hosts felt that they wouldn't be able to find the way back to the entrance. It was obvious that the women still didn't trust them though. The two armed women trailing after them spoke more than words.

As they were led through the corridors, Ardeth heard several bits of murmured conversation. Ardeth understood not a word. Remembering what Evelyn told him before they entered this stone labyrinth, Ardeth came to the suspicion that they were speaking in Ancient Egyptian…a supposedly dead language.

Alex had lagged behind his parents. Ardeth couldn't blame him for his fascination of the walls. From floor to ceiling, the walls were covered with hieroglyphs and several depictions of what the medjai realized were images of Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. Trust the son of Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan to forget the danger and see only beauty surrounding him. But his fascination did give Ardeth an idea. Wary of the watchful eyes behind him, Ardeth fell into step with the young boy. His robes hid the quick boot Ardeth placed on his shoelace, pulling it undone but releasing it before Alex could trip. He continued walking, not noticing his now untied shoelace.

Ardeth waited until they came upon another conversation, and then brought Alex's shoelace to his attention.

"Alex." Ardeth said.

Alex looked up at the medjai, a question on his young face. Ardeth nodded at his feet. His eyes brightened in understanding.

"Oh! Thanks Ardeth."

Quibilah hadn't stopped, and Ardeth waved a hand at O'Connell, motioning for him to go ahead.

"I'll wait for him." Ardeth reassured his friend, "Our fine hosts shan't allow us to get lost, I'm certain." he nodded at the guards who remained silent, throughout the entire trip.

"Can you do it yourself?" Ardeth asked Alex.

"Of course I can! I'm not a child!" was his indignant reply.

Ardeth smiled, meeting Alex's eyes with his own. Knowing that Alex O'Connell was an uncommonly bright child, Ardeth was marginally sure Alex would understand what he wanted of him.

"Of course you're not. I'm sure you're tired of hearing that all the time."

"Yeah, it gets old." Alex said with a grin, and then dropped to one knee to tie his shoelace, "It's really quite annoying…" He prattled on absently as he slowly tied his shoelace, his actions were slow and deliberate and he stared hard at his boot, as if recalling how to go about it.

Finally he got his laces tied up tight. He stood up with a grin and stuck his booted foot out for Ardeth to see.

"See? Told you I could do it!"

Ardeth gave him another grin, and then nudged him forward. They continued down the corridor. The guards followed the pair, still not speaking a word, when they needed to turn they indicated the new direction. They finally reached an indoor dining area. At least Ardeth assumed it was since O'Connell, his wife and Jonathan were seated at a wooden table partaking of the simple desert fare offered.

Quibilah nodded at Ardeth when they entered. "I'll leave you to eat then." she said.

They were left alone. Even the guards didn't enter the room. Ardeth supposed they thought it more polite. They were probably just outside the entryway.

"Ardeth, have some of this. It's actually quite good." Evelyn told the medjai.

Ardeth sat down and took the offered plate.

"Alex?" he asked, in between bites of food.

"We got lucky." he said excitedly, and then quieted when Ardeth gestured, "There were two of them at the very least. They said something about a thief and that a bunch of them were going to head out to fight him or something."

"Numbers, little one, we need numbers." Ardeth whispered.

"Ten or more I think." Alex replied, his mouth full.

"Alex, don't talk with your mouth full." his mother reprimanded.

"Evelyn, this isn't really the time." O'Connell said.

"One of them sounded concerned, I think. She kept saying that they didn't have enough warriors. Not enough to fight and to protect the temple at the same time."

"What temple?" Jonathan asked.

Alex shrugged, "I dunno. Hey! Maybe we're in an undiscovered temple!"

"I sincerely doubt that." His father scoffed.

"Anything else?" Ardeth pressed, 'Allah, give me patience! This family would drive me crazy.' He thought.

"Yeah, umm…I think, if I understood correctly. Only six people will be left here after the warriors leave."

"One guard for each of us, then, plus one extra?" Jonathan mused.

"Sounds like it." O'Connell said, "I don't know whether to be relieved or insulted."

O'Connell and his ever present joking, will it ever cease?

If it came to a fight then it would most likely end up, two each for O'Connell and Ardeth, perhaps Evelyn and Jonathan could take out the other two between them. Still Ardeth knew that, if pressed, he could take on the six alone.

"Alex, did you hear when they would leave?"

O'Connell had a point. If they didn't know when the warriors would leave, they wouldn't be able to use it their advantage.

Alex shook his head, "Sorry dad. I could only stretch out tying a shoelace for so long you know."

"That's okay, kiddo." O'Connell reached over and ruffled his son's hair, earning an annoyed 'Dad!' for his trouble.

Quibilah returned just as Ardeth was finishing my cup of cool water. Quickly setting the cup down, Ardeth rose from his seat together with O'Connell.

"The storm is slowly dying. Soon you and your friends can leave." Quibilah told Ardeth.

"Thank you." he replied.

"We cannot spare the people, so only one of our numbers will guide you back to the desert. She'll bring you to a place where you can find your way back to your village."

"Why do I hear a 'but' coming?" Jonathan muttered.

"The High Priestess asks only that you agree to blindfold yourselves during the journey out of the pass. Once you have reached a safe distance from this place, you will be allowed to remove the blindfolds."

"And if we refuse?" Ardeth asked.

Quibilah's voice turned hard, "Then you shall journey from here unconscious. We'll leave you and your belongings somewhere your people can find you."

"Now wait a minute!" O'Connell exclaimed.

Thankfully his wife stopped him in time.

"We'll do it." She said, looking at O'Connell but speaking to Quibilah, "I'm sure our guide will not let us stumble. We can leave peacefully."

Quibilah bowed, "That is all that we ask for."

O'Connell turned and hissed at his wife, "Why did you agree? We can't trust them!"

"But they were willing to trust us." Evelyn argued, "Can't you see that? They don't want to be bothered by outsiders. That is why this place is so well hidden. Blindfolding us, with just one person guiding us? What would…could!...one person do if we decide to just pull them off?"

O'Connell slumped, "Alright."

"Are you all done arguing?"

While O'Connell and Evelyn were arguing, another person entered. Ardeth assumed she was a woman as well since he had yet to see evidence of any male presence here.

"Yes." O'Connell huffed; unsurprised that someone had entered the room without his noticing.

Ardeth studied the woman. Somehow she seemed familiar. She was dressed in the white robes that appeared to be the norm here. Her head and lower face covered with white cloth. A bow and quiver were slung over her back and a curved saber hung at her waist.

"I am to be your guide." She paused then continued, "I would have your word not to remove the blindfolds until I say you may."

"Do we have a choice?" O'Connell asked bitterly.

"Yes." I could hear the smile in her tone, "Conscious or unconscious."

"You have my word." Ardeth interrupted before O'Connell could get them into any more trouble.

The rest gave their assent.

"Then follow me."

They followed her through the stone labyrinth once more. Ardeth was surprised by the lack of guards. Their hosts had either decided to trust them or they were so confident in this woman's skill that they believed she could take on three grown men.

Shortly they arrived in an area that appeared to act as stables. Their horses were all saddled and ready to be ridden. Ardeth quickly checked his own stallion, running his hands over the horse's head, back and down his legs, murmuring to the horse as Ardeth did so. Apparently, they really didn't mean them harm since even their horses where as well as they could be, considering they just rode through a sandstorm some hours previously.

Their guide, who still didn't introduce herself, allowed them to mount before handing them each a familiar strip of black cloth. She let them tie it themselves this time, only checking to see if the knots were tight before taking the leads of their horses.

"We leave now."

And so they did.

To Be Continued

Update: 5/4/12

Hi, someone mentioned that the priestesses don't have Egyptian names. To my chagrin, I realized my mistake. I didn't change anything from the plot. I simply changed the names.

Previous name – Present name

Adara – Aziza

Fareeda – Khepri

Glabsil – Bahiti

Keaira is actually a Celtic name but I'm keeping it for story purposes. Keaira has an Egyptian name, just think of 'Keaira' as a nickname.

Chapter 11 is almost done, I swear.

Thanks,

Sparkalie

Update: 7/15/13

Hi. By the way, there's no need for previous readers to re-read the updated chapters. The plot and story hasn't changed. I just changed all the I's. Now I'm sick to death of finding all the I's, me's etc. and changing them to Ardeth and so on.

Sorry for taking so long.

Struggling student,

Sparkalie