Chapter Four - Dreams and Revelations

Rick woke up slowly, every muscle in his aching body lax with sleep. He turned his face into the soft hand caressing his cheek and opened his eyes. Evy smiled down at him. "Hello there."

"Hello," he mumbled. "What time is it?"

"Just after noon, I'd imagine. How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over by a herd of camels. How's Ardeth?"

"He's sleeping, that's all I know."

Rick's forehead creased in a frown as he went over the night's events in his head. "Evy, what the hell happened out there last night?"

His wife shook her head. "I'm not sure. I think Safiya can explain, though. She wants to see you when you're ready."

Rick sat up and forced his tired legs over the edge of the cot. "I'm ready."

Evy put a hand on his arm. "I think breakfast first, questions after. You haven't eaten in almost a day. Here," she handed him a tray of food. "Eat this and I'll see if Safiya's ready for us." She kissed him quickly and went outside, leaving Rick to his own thoughts.

What the hell had happened last night? He couldn't remember. His palm flexed on it's own and he stared down at it, looking for answers in the unmarked flesh. Safiya had cut him, he thought. But there was nothing, no trace of a wound. Had he imagined it all? He ate mechanically as he sat staring into space, not tasting the food, just filling up the hole in his stomach. Evy was right, he needed to eat, even if he didn't feel hungry. He only wished that answers came as easily as chewing did.

Before too long, the tent flap lifted and Evy poked her head in. "Ready?"

Rick nodded and followed her outside. "Where's Alex?"

"He's with Jonathan, helping Izzy get the balloon ready. Izzy's going to take Jonathan back to Cairo. Then he's going on home to fix things up before we get back. We did leave the house in a bit of a mess."

"Where are we going?" Rick wanted to know.

"Wellllll," she said slowly, with a decided glint in her eye, "we've been invited to return with the Med-jai to the Garden City as their guests of honor. Since the Garden City is another place that isn't supposed to exist, I thought it might be fun to see it."

Rick stopped walking and turned Evy to face him. "Honey," he explained patiently, "we haven't exactly had great luck with places that aren't supposed to exist. We always seem to end up running for our lives before our trip is over. And, I don't know about you, but I've had enough running for my life to last a while. A long while."

Evy smiled affectionately and patted his arm. "This is different, Rick. The Garden City is supposed to be a wondrous place, a place of safety and haven for the Med-jai. I'm sure we'll be fine."

Rick grunted. "Famous last words." Evy just kissed him again and smiled up at him like he was the biggest, bravest, handsomest man in the whole world. Rick felt himself melting, like he always did when she looked at him like that. Still, he would give it one last try. "I don't know, Evy..."

"Rick," Evy's expression grew serious, surprising him. "Bashaar told me we are the first outsiders to be invited into the city in centuries. It is a very great honor. I know they wouldn't be insulted if we declined, given the circumstances, but . . . Oh, Rick! . . . I really want to see it! It may be our only chance!"

Rick O'Connell looked into his wife's pleading eyes and knew he'd been had - again. He sighed. "Alright, alright. We'll go. But anything starts to get weird, we're outta there. Agreed?"

Evy grinned. "Agreed. Now, let's go. Safiya is waiting."

The interior of the tent was dim compared to the brightness of the outside, but not so dim that Rick couldn't make out the richness of the furnishings within. Thick carpets were laid over the sand. Large pillows trimmed in gold and silver braid lay scattered about. Lanterns rested on low, ornately carved tables or hung from the tent poles. A finely woven tapestry hung near the back, blocking off what Rick assumed was a sleeping area. Sitting in the center of the tent's common area was the old woman, Safiya. She smiled in welcome. Bashaar stood near her. He, too, smiled at them. "Welcome, O'Connell's."

Rick nodded. "Hello, Bashaar, Safiya."

"How is Ardeth?" Evy asked after greeting the others. "No one seemed to know much other than he was sleeping."

Bashaar beamed. "He will be fine. Would you like to see him? He is very much, how you would say, "out of it", but you are welcome to look in on him if it will ease your minds." He gestured toward the tapestry. Evy took a hesitant step forward then turned to look at Rick. She pulled on his hand and he reluctantly came with her. Bashaar pulled the tapestry aside.

Zahrah sat on the floor next to a large cot. She was fully veiled again but raised a hand in greeting. Evy wasn't sure, but thought she detected a smile behind the gauzy covering that hid her blind eyes. The sleeping area was dark. Bashaar must have realized they couldn't see much and reached behind them and grabbed a lantern. Light spilled into the room and Evy's breath caught in her throat. Beside her, Rick's intake of breath told her he had seen as well.

Ardeth was indeed sleeping. Even from here, Evy could tell his was the sound sleep of the healing and not the deep unconsciousness of the very ill. His chest was bandaged once more, the white linen a stark contrast to his dark skin. However, it wasn't this that caused their surprise. Curled up against Ardeth's right side, head cradled on his outstretched arm, was the most beautiful child either of them had ever seen. She could have been any age from three to five. Long, black hair curled about her shoulders. Impossibly long eyelashes rested against cheeks still plump with the last vestiges of babyhood. Ardeth's chin rested against the top of her head and his arm was curled around her waist, protective even in his deep sleep.

Evy turned questioning eyes to Bashaar who whispered "Azizah." Evy turned back to the child once again and simply stared. She should have known without Bashaar's confirmation that his was Ardeth's daughter. Her full lower lip and curling hair were blatant testaments to her parentage. Still, she was amazed at the sight of the fierce warrior, Ardeth Bey, sleeping peacefully with this tiny child. "Like the lion and the lamb," she thought. Evy shook her head in wonder and glanced up at Rick. He, too, seemed genuinely taken aback and raised an eyebrow at her look. Evy held a hand over her mouth to stifle a suddenly welling giggle and the two of them backed out into the tent's common room.

Safiya began speaking as they returned and gestured for them to sit. "As you see, he is being looked after. Zahrah will call if he needs anything. Please, sit, be comfortable."

"When did Azizah get here?" Evelyn asked.

"Last night, after you slept, she arrived. It was right that she should be here, regardless of what happened with her father."

"Isn't she a little young to be exposed to something like that?" Rick asked, a little horrified.

Safiya shrugged. "We live a hard and dangerous life. We do not shelter our children from the truth of things. It is our way."

It suddenly occurred to Rick that Safiya was speaking English. "How come you didn't speak English yesterday?" he asked suspiciously.

Safiya nodded. "Ah, a very good question, O'Connell. I will tell you that Zahrah does not speak your language. Therefore, when we are working I speak so she will understand."

Rick nodded, accepting her reasons. But he had more questions. "What happened last night? I don't remember much. I know Ardeth was dead. And I think you cut me, but there's no scar, no wound, nothing. What did you do to me?"

The old woman looked at Rick, compassion in her eyes. "Before I tell you what you want to know, O'Connell, you must open your mind. You have seen many mysterious and wonderful things, questioned them and found answers for their existence in your mind. Now, you will hear of things that you will want to question, but will find no answer for. You could search a thousand years and still find no explanation for what I am about to reveal to you. However, if you accept as your heart's truth, you will be satisfied."

Rick was confused, to say the least. "Heart's truth? What's that?"

"Your heart is wise," she explained, "and more trustworthy than your mind. Your heart knows things to be truth that your mind cannot explain. Like the existence of God Allah. You cannot explain, nor prove, yet you know His existence to be truth."

"What if I don't believe in God?" Rick countered, still trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about.

Safiya smiled. "Perhaps another example, one that you will understand. Your love for Evahlyn. It is something your mind cannot explain. Yet it is truth."

Rick jumped, startled. "How did you know . . ." He stopped and looked at Evy. She was grinning at him impishly, as if to say "Defy that one." Rick had to concede that Safiya had him on that one. "Alright, I understand what you're saying. I think."

"Good," Safiya seemed satisfied with that. "Listen, then, and I will tell you what you desire to know." The old woman folded her hands and bowed her head a moment, as if in prayer. When she raised her eyes, they seemed to be glowing. Rick and Evy both felt a chill run down their spines.

"As you journeyed here, I had a vision. Ardeth would be near death when he arrived and what had to be done would kill him. His death would be a terrible blow to the Med-jai, he means much to our people. I prayed for Allah to reveal to me how I might save my king. In another vision, it was revealed to me that Zahrah held the power over his life. I saw her holding his life in her hands. Then I did not know what the vision meant but I knew that she could restore his soul when the time came. All day I prayed upon this, waiting for a an answer. When you arrived, and no answer had come, I had no choice but to proceed, praying that it would be revealed to me in time. Then, Ardeth breathed his last, and Zahrah held his soul in her hands. By the light of his ka, the answer came to me. The blood of his brother would restore his soul."

"And that's when you cut me?"

"Yes. Your blood flowing into his body called out to the bond that was severed. When I joined your hands together, Ardeth's blood flowing into your body created the bond anew, bringing together two halves that were never meant to be apart."

Rick was shaking his head. "I can't believe this. This is the most farfetched story I've ever heard. Ardeth Bey, the reincarnation of my twin? Not likely."

"Wait a minute, Rick," Evy's thoughtful tone sent up warning flags in Rick's head.

"Oh, come on, Evy! You aren't buying this, are you?" He looked into her eyes. "Christ! You are buying this! How can you believe this? It's ridiculous!"

"Rick, listen to me! I've known several sets of twins in my life. Ones who'd spent their lives together, and ones who'd lost a twin. In each of the twins I knew who'd lost a twin, the surviving twin felt as if a part of themselves was missing. Some elemental aspect of their souls had been erased. When you were growing up, did you ever feel like that? Like there was some other part of you lacking somehow?"

"Hell no, I never felt that way! I always felt whole or complete or whatever it is you're getting at."

"Exactly!" Evy couldn't believe Rick couldn't see it. It was clear as day to her. "You didn't feel that way because your twin wasn't really gone. He was alive in Ardeth!"

"Oh, come on! You can't be serious, Evy."

"Rick, do you remember after Hamanaptra? After the first time we'd met Ardeth? You kept saying there was something familiar about him. I told you it was because he reminded you of yourself!"

"What's that go to do with anything?" he demanded.

"Rick! You and Ardeth, you're two peas in a pod." Evy began counting on her fingers. "Stubborn to fault. Brave to the point of stupidity. Noble beyond expectation. More loyal than a pack of St. Bernards. In a time when ordinary men are hard pressed to do the right thing, you two are extraordinarily single minded in your notion of what's right and wrong." Rick gritted his teeth. "That doesn't prove . . . This is ridiculous." He got to his feet began to pace the confines of the tent.

Evelyn sighed. "I'm sorry, Safiya. He can be very stubborn."

"I am familiar with the trait." Safiya's eyes were laughing.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here," growled Rick from behind them. "I not some . . ." Rick didn't finish. A soft, lisping voice calling in Arabic from behind the tapestry cut him off. The curtain moved and Ardeth Bey's daughter stepped into the common area. She and Rick each stopped in their tracks at the sight of one another.

"Ah, Azizah." Safiya said. "Come and meet our guests." The little girl sidestepped toward her grandmother, not taking her eyes off the tall American.

Evelyn couldn't help but smile at Azizah's serious expression. "Hello, Azizah. I'm Evelyn O'Connell."

Azizah turned to her, reluctantly, manners overcoming her obvious curiosity. "I am honored to meet you," lisped the little girl formally in English.

"And this," Evy continued, indicating Rick," is Rick O'Connell, my husband.

Azizah frowned, thoughtfully. "You are O'Connell?"she asked.

"Yeah, kid. Nice to meet you," mumbled Rick, ignoring Evy's glare.

"My father speaks of you.

"I bet he does," Rick's temper didn't improve with this news. Evy could just imagine in what context Ardeth had spoken of her husband.

Azizah nodded. In the way of the very young, she took his less than enthusiastic responses as interest. "When the elders speak of how O'Connell helped defeat the Creature, Babu rolls his eyes and says he could not have done it without him."

Evy laughed then tried to stifle it when Rick glared at her. "Now, Rick," she cajoled, "I'm sure it's not like it sounds."

"Even now, babu speaks of you. I heard him. That is what woke me up."

Evy thought this was very interesting. "What did he say."

"I am not certain," Azizah frowned. "I heard the name, O'Connell. But he must have been speaking of someone else. Your name is Rick?" The child was obviously puzzled. Rick nodded. "It was not you then. He was speaking of someone called David. I do not know anyone called David. Do you?"

Rick didn't answer. He simply stared Azizah. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost and it scared him witless. Evelyn stood up, concerned. She reached out a hand. "Rick?" But she was too late. Rick had fled the tent.

Evelyn stared after him for a moment, then turned to Safiya. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I'd better go and talk to him."

"No!" Safiya's voice brooked no disobedience. "You must leave him be for time. He has much to ponder. Now, Azizah, it is time for you to go with Bashaar. He will see that you are fed."

Azizah nodded slowly, still a little unsure as to what exactly had just happened, and held up her arms to the waiting warrior. He lifted her with a smile, and as they left, Azizah waved goodbye to Evelyn.

Safiya sighed and watched them leave. "Even our most hardened warriors come when Azizah but beckons. She is most, what is your word?, ah, yes, spoiled." Her grin belied any real concern.

"Bashaar certainly seems taken by her."

"The warriors would die for her as they would for her father. Ardeth and Azizah are beloved by the Med-jai. They are our soul. I do not believe your husband understands how much we owe him. Now, you should go. I have kept you from your son too long."

Evelyn stood at the polite dismissal. "Thank you for explaining what happened, Safiya. I will try and help Rick understand." She turned to leave. As she reached the tent flap, Safiya's voice carried to her.

"He will understand. He is Med-jai. He only needs to listen to his heart and he will know."

author's note: I believe the term for 'daddy' is 'baba' but since it's my story..... ;-)