Ch. 10~ Pyramid
"If a man does not embrace his past, then he has no future." Ardeth sat down across from the O'Connell cousins, who were cleaning and loading all their weapons.
"Look, even if I was your sacred Madji, what good does that do me now?"
"It is the missing piece of your heart, the reason you have always felt so lost."
Jeweli got up, trying to ignore the fact that Ardeth's presence both soothed her and wound her up tighter than a coiled spring. This was nothing like what she'd felt with Danial. With Danial, it was always strained, mostly because love was still new to her, her stomack was always in knots. All she ever wanted to do was drop whatever she was doing to go see him, to see if he felt the same. With Ardeth...she...she wanted to do everything possible for him. Damn it, what was going on with her? Alex was out there God knows where, having God knows what done to him. And here she was thinking about a man she'd known two days! Yes, he'd shown her nothing but kindness and was always considering her thoughts and feelings, before he'd ever even known she might be interested, and his touch mader her feel safer than she ever had before. Like noghting could touch her.
Danial had been different. He had basically ignored her unless she was feeding him, until she'd actually told him that she liked him. After that, he was always trying to get close to her. His touch hadn't calmed her, instead, it felt dangerous. And maybe that was what she had wanted. Rick was always going on adventures, even after his parents died in Egypt. Meanwhile, she was stuck on a farm cooking and cleaning and behaving like any other seventeen year old girl. She wanted someting a little more exciting than that. She wanted adventure and danger. And that's what got her into trouble in the first place. Also, unlike Danial, Ardeth didn't seem to mind her sharp tongue and rough ways. In fact, where the other would tell her to shut up, he actually seemed to like it.
"Hey, Evie?" Jeweli came up next to the other woman. "Have you ever known you shouldn't feel something for a guy, because you knew it would never work, and still felt it anyway? You know, the whole completely different backgrounds, traditions, religions, maybe even countries? I mean, I know you and Rick worked out, but...what if the person you felt like that for was part of something you could never even begin to be a part of? God, I'm so confused, Evie." She looked at her cousin's wife to see her staring off into the night. "Evie?" she waved her hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention. Nothing. Not even a twitch.
Suddenly, Evie screamed, and threw herself over the railing. Jeweli barely managed to grab her ankle before she fell too. For a split second, she thought they were done for. They'd never see Alex again, never get to see their home. She'd never know if her and Ardeth could ever amount to anything. Every mistake she'd ever made, and all the wonderful things she'd never do flashed in her mind's eye.
Then, she felt a horrible jerk around her waist. Jeweli gagged as she stopped falling. She looked up to see Rick hanging off the side, holding onto her belt with great difficulty. Ardeth was climbing over the side, calling for Evie to grab his hand, while Jon held onto Rick. Finally, whatever spell she was under broke. She pulled herself up and grabbed the man's hand. He hauled her up, then called down to Jeweli. Evie joined her brother. Her cousin swung her a few times, until she could grab the haul of the ship as well as the Madji. Once Jeweli was safely in Ardeth's arms, the siblings started pulling Rick up.
"You just haven't been yourself lately, what with all these dreams and visions you've been having." Rick hadn't let go of his wife since they all sat down.
"No, no. They're memories...from my past life. It all makes perfect sense."
"And that's why we found the Bracelet?"
"Yes, because I was its protector."
"Do you believe me now?" Ardeth asked.
"Oh, yeah. She's a reincarnated princess and I'm a warrior for God."
"And your son is the way to Ahm Shere. Three sides of the pyramid. This was all preordained thousands of years ago."
"But how does the story end?" Evie asked.
"Only the journey is written, not the destination."
"Convenient."
"So, where do the rest of us fit in?" Jeweli wasn't looking at anyone.
"I do not know."
"Right," she scoffed, "And here I thought you were supposed to have all the answers to everything." She got up and wwent to the prow of the ship.
Ardeth
He stared after her. Why did this always seem to happen? Every time he thought he was making some headway with her, he said something that upset her.
"Poor girl." Jon sighed.
"I'll go talk to her," Rick said getting up.
"No, no. Let me." Jonathan patted Rick's shoulder. "I think I know how to solve this."
"Jonathan, what could you possibly say to her to make her feel better. She's my cousin."
"Yes, indeed she is, old boy. But, ther's just something about growing up in someone else's shadow that brings people together." And with that, he walked away from a very confused group.
Jeweli
The cool evening air quickly dried her tears to salt on her cheecks, making them itch. She knew he was beside her without looking. And she knew why.
"They just don't get it, do they?" he started, "They don't understand how it feels to be told you're insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Don't worry, darling, I know. Evie was always the apple of our parents' eye growing up. She was the best, even though she was younger. Mum and Dad praised everything she did, so my few small accomplishments were nothing compared to hers. And now this? Wow, bet they're proud to know their daughter really was a princess, while their son is still a scoundril."
Jeweli sniffled, "All my life, everyone always knew me as Rick O'Connell's cousin. No one really knew, or even cared what my name was. The girls on ly liked me because they wanted to know how Rick was when he was at the Cairo Orphanage. The boys only liked me becuase they thought Rick was cool. Mom used to watch us together, then ask me why I was so shy. She said I needed to be more outgoing, more like Rick. Then, Mom died and he was all I had. I love my cousin, more than anything at the moment, and the fact that he let me live with him, with no expectation of repayment...I'd forgotten what it was like to hate being compared to him. Until all of this happened, and all then...I go right back to being just Rick O'Connell's cousin. They start thinking, 'Oh, O'Connell's cousin is just like him, but she's just some random tag-along, what good is she? Maybe she can charm the opposition into giving up.' And now there's this! Three sides of the Pyramid, Jon. People like you and me, we don't even exist in history. Everyone's gonna remember the amazing O'Connell Archiology Trio. and us...we'll just fade into the background. But, somehow, you don't even seem fazed by it at all."
"Well, lass, that would be because I learned not to care about it. I made my piece with Evie being the better of us two years ago. Besides, I tend to drown what few sorrows in booze and busty women. I'm a very shallow person, if truth be told."
"Really? I never would have guessed." She leaned against the railing and rubbed her face. "I feel bad for complaining now, because I have absolutely no reason to."
"Of course, you do. Don't feel bad just because you complain a little. You never complain about anything, never question anyone without good reason, and on top of all than, you do everything possible to make everyone else's life a cakewalk. But what are you really doing? Hm? You're taking all that stress and putting it on yourself, old girl."
"Am I that transparent?" Jeweli asked sheepishly.
"Not at all, love. I just happen to notice more than people give me credit for. Listen, Jeweli," he put an arm around her, "When all this is over, promise me something."
"What's that, Jon?"
"Promise me you'll do something for yourself. And don't feel guily about it, ever. You have just as much right to be happy as any of us, and we all have different happinesses. Me, for example, I just wnat some gold with a bottle of good wine and a curvy blond on my arm. Evie and Rick, well, Alex is their happiness. and you?"
She sighed, "I don't know, Jonathan."
"Really? Are you sure it's not, say, a certain country? Or maybe a certain...mysterious desert man?" Jon gave her a knowing look in response to her alarmed one. "Like I said, I notice more than I let on. I've seen you two getting rather cozy. Don't worry, I'll not say a word to Rick."
"Thanks, Jon. I tried to talk to Evie about it earlier, but, y'know, she was in the trance. I don't think she hearda single word I said."
"Well, you can always talk to me, darling." Jon kissed her head. It wasn't the kind of kiss he gave any other girl. No, this was sone he usually reserved for his sister, so she was honoredthat he would show her such affection. "Now, it's late. Izzy says we'll be at Karnak rather early. Get some sleep."
"Kay. Night, Jonathan."
"Goodnight."
She went to the other's and said her goodnights, giving hugs and kisses where they were due (this means everyone but Ardeth and Izzy). Then, she went below and curled up on the cot she'd made in the corner of the crowded haul. the gentle rocking of the ship lulled her into sleep's dark embrace quickly.
Ardeth
It was official, he was insane. He had to be for the other man's arm around Jeweli to stir something akin to anger within his chest. It was a friendly gesture, brotherly even, so there was no reason for him to feel like letting Horus peck Jonathan's eyes out. But, something about the way he had kissed his woman...Wait? His woman? Oh, Allah, what was wrong with him? He had no claim to the girl, and there was no way he ever could. He was a Madji, and a cheiftan on top of that. He did not have time to follow a small fancy. But...wasn't that exactly what he'd done earlier, when they were sparring?
Jonathan sat down. "Everything's alright now. Poor girl just needed to vent."
"Vent what?" Evie asked her brother.
"Hm? Oh, nothing, just worries is all."
"Is that so? Because you'd think, as her cousin, she'd come talk to me."
"Well, she would have, chap, if she didn't know you were already stressing over Alex. Besides, Jeweli's not used to not doing something all day, she's just antsy."
But, something told Ardeth that Jonathan wasn't telling the whole truth. Something else had been said, something that had made her look alarmed. Jeweli had been ignoring him all evening, directly at least, until she'd asked him about the prophecy. What had he done? Three days with three moments where he managed to learn more about her. She was opening up to him slowly, like a lotus, petal by petal. But, then, she snapped closed as quickly as a crocodiles jaws, and just as viciously. Ardeth thought back to the first time they'd really talked to each other, that night as she dressed his wounds. Out of reflex, he touched his wounds, where the mummy had scratched him. He could feel the new stitches in his robes, invisible to the eye. She had sewn the cuts closed before washing them. And she'd done so well, in face, that he almost hadn't noticed when putting them on.
Ardeth waited until everyone else drifted off, then went down below to talk to Jeweli. It took him a moment to find her hidden bed, but there it was. She was fast asleep, eyes already moving behind her lids. Dreaming, he thought. But of what? Horus twittered on his arm, turning his head towards the sleeping woman, then flew off of him with no command, and landed next to her on the floor. The Madji watched as the bird settled near her head nad affectionatly nipped at her hair. It was interesting to see an animal who never let anyone but his closest warriors even catch him, and never let anyone but Ardeth pet him, nestle down to sleep next to a woman he'd only just met that morning. When he reached forward to pick Horus up, the bird snapped at him.
"Horus?!" he whispered, "Come here." Instead of obeying the command, Horus scooted closer to Jeweli and put his head under his wing. Ardeth sighed, wondering at the odd behavior, but put it out of him mind. He smoothed Jeweli's hair away from her face, "*May Horus watch over you in the dream world as he does in this one.*" Then he kissed her forehead, got up, and went back up top to sleep.