~~~~~~~~~~LATER THAT DAY~~~~~~~~~~~
Ardeth found Grace outside in the gardens, cleaning her pistols. He came up behind her and watched. "So has the council found somewhere to put that staff?" She asked without looking up.
Ardeth was caught a little off guard, 'How had she known he was there?' "Yes, there's an oasis outside of Hammunaptra. We decided that's the best spot for it." He walked over to her and sat down.
His presence next to her made her stomach flutter, "When will you take it there?" She said keeping her voice calm.
He stretched out his long legs casually, "Perhaps tomorrow,"
She looked up at him and asked, "Would you mind if I went with you? I mean since it could mean my death if it is found, I want to be there and make sure you hide it good enough."
Ardeth's sensuous lips rose in a smile and he laughed a bit " I assure you the Med-Jai will make sure that know one sees that staff again,"
"Yes I'm sure they will, but..." she said staring at her pistol.
"Say no more, you may accompany us," Ardeth said.
"Thank you Ardeth!" She said flinging her arms around his neck, forgetting the pistol in her hand. He grunted as the handle of the gun hit his head, "oh, sorry," she said as heat rose in her cheeks.
Ardeth laughed, " It's alright," He pulled back and looked at her, taking in the way the sun hit shone off her hair, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. He began to think that she was finding a way into his heart. He reached up a large hand and touched her cheek. She leaned into his touch. Very slowly he closed the distance between them and their lips touched. Unexplainable warmth spread throughout her body, racing through her veins. He loved the feeling of her soft lips against his. His hand moved to the small of her back and pulled her closer. She opened her lips a bit, and he took the chance to deepen the kiss. They both pulled away breathless. Grace had never been kissed like that in her life. She gazed deep into his eyes; the dark orbs had a fire burning behind them. They were so intense it almost scared her. Then he smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. Her heart melted and she smiled in return. They sat together and watched the sun set in shades of red, content just to be in each other's arms.
Grace, Ardeth, Rick and a small group of Medjai set out the next morning for the oasis. Jonathon had conviently taken ill and could't join them; Rick had pursuaded Evelyn to stay in their Cairo home and watch after him. The group moved at a leisurely pace, not wanting to push the horses to hard in the hot sun. Grace enjoyed the trip and rode next Ardeth the whole time. They stopped for a light lunch and continued on, wanting to make it to the oasis before nightfall. The sun sank lower in the desert sky, and Ardeth noticed a small smile playing across Graces mouth.
"What are you thinking?" He asked softly.
"We are almost there; the staff will be hidden away and i dont have to worry about it anymore." She replied.
"I wouldnt let anything happen to you," he replied seriously, " We are nearly there,"
Just as nightfall set in the group reached their destination. The oasis consisted of a group of thick trees and a good sized pool of clear, blue water. The men set up the humble tents that would serve as their camp for the night. Grace wandered over the water and dipped herhand in. The water was still slightly warm the after afternoon sun, and it felt wonderful against her skin, which was thick with sand residue. She made up her mind to go for a swim when the men had retired to their tents. Slowly the men left the campfire and Grace was free to enter the water. Taking one last look around to make sure no one was watching she stripped off her gritty clothing and jumped in. The water was about chest deep and the coolness felt amazing against her body. She ran her hands through her hair ridding it of any last traces of sand from the days ride. She stopped abruptly when she heard a masculine laugh. She turned slowly to see Ardeth leaning casually against a tree. Her face burned with the oncoming blush; she was just thankful that the water was deep enough that it covered her, but she sank a little lower anyway.
"Would you kindly hand me clothes and turn around? I'm coming out." She said trying to keep the embarassment out of her voice.
He laughed again, "No, I'm coming in," he responded.
She barely had anytime to respond; he took off his clothes and jumped in. Grace turned her back as he did.
"You can look now," He said.
She slowly turned and was overwhelmed at the sight of him. His long hair cascaded to his shoulders and shown brightly in the moonlight. His chest was very well muscled. She noticed scars across his shoulders and upper chest. His stomach was begging her to run her fingers along the defined muscles.
"You have so many scars," She said, tracing a slightly indented line that ran from his shoulder to his chest.
"The life a Medjai is not an easy one," He said taking her hand and intwining their fingers. For a while they gazed into each other's eyes. Then slowly they both moved towards each other and met in a slow, compassionate kiss. His hand reached up to entangle in her long, fiery hair. Her arms went instinctively around his neck. He pulled back and looked at her slightly flushed face. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, and that he loved her more than anyone he had ever known. "Grace, " he bagan.
"Hmm?" she replied.
He wanted to say it, but something inside just wouldn't let him. He had never been good at voicing his emotions, "We should probably get out and get some sleep; we have a long ride ahead of us,"
His voice had lost its emotion and it was like a slap in the face for her, "Oh, alright." She said and averted her eyes as he climbed out. He put on his clothes and walked to his tent.
Inside Ardeth was tearing himself apart. He know how he had sounded, cold and careless, but that was exactly the opposite. He sighed as he laid on the blankets; tomorrow he would explain to her, for now he would let his troubled mind rest.
Marcus Spencer sat with his men atop the sand dune that overlooked the oasis. The Med-jai werent hard to track, and they had no idea that were there. He watched with interest the scene that played out before him. The Med-Jai leader left Grace Lockhart alone; this was going to be easy.
"Hareem," he called out.
Hareem rode up next to him, "Yes?"
"Order your men to attack. Grab the girl and get the staff from the Leader," Spencer said.
Hareem shouted out in Arabic and fifteen men one horse back swarmed into the unsuspecting camp.
Grace had just finished redressing, feeling rather gloomy, when she heard a battle cry and the sound of hooves. She looked around and saw a group of men in scarlet robes coming into the camp waving scimitars. She reacted quickly and grabbed the pistol she had left with her clothes. She took aim and fired three times, taking down three scarlet clad warriors. She aimed at another and squezzed the trigger, nothing happened. She tried again, nothing. 'Damn!' She had forgotten to reload. She tossed the pistol aside and rushed at one of the warriors. He caught her fist as she tried hitting him, as another taclked her to the ground. A scimitar was placed at her throat.
Ardeth bolted upright at the sound of a gun firing. 'Grace!' he quickly grabbed his simitars and rushed out. The other Med-Jai were also awakened by the outburst. O'Connell had his shotgun out and was ready to fire, but stopped when he saw Grace.
Hareem came to the front holding Grace tightly to him, a scimitar held against her pale throat. Ardeth connected with her eyes and he saw fear in them. Ardeth motioned for his men to hold off their attack.
"Let her go," He said calmy.
"Give me the staff first," Hareem said. Ardeth hesitated, "No?" He dug the blade deeper into her skin erupting a cry of pain from grace.
"Stop!" Ardeth said. He reached into his robes and produced the pieces. He handed them to Hareem who snatched them away quickly. "You have the staff, now release her," Ardeth commanded.
Hareem laughed, "You are a fool Med-Jai. We need her for the ritual. Follow us and you'll be killed." He pulled Grace with him put her on his horse and climbed up next to her; securing his arm around her; she shuddered at his touch. He gave the horse a kick and they sped off. The other warriors followed him..
"Grace!" Ardeth yelled and tried to run , but Rick grabbed him.
Ardeth gave him a questioning look and tried to go again, but Rick held him there, "A good friend of mine once told me 'Live today, fight tomorrow'" Ardeth looked at him and understood, his death would do Grace no good. "Dont worry, we'll get her back." Rick said.
Ardeth looked off into the direction they went, and simply nodded.
Ardeth found Grace outside in the gardens, cleaning her pistols. He came up behind her and watched. "So has the council found somewhere to put that staff?" She asked without looking up.
Ardeth was caught a little off guard, 'How had she known he was there?' "Yes, there's an oasis outside of Hammunaptra. We decided that's the best spot for it." He walked over to her and sat down.
His presence next to her made her stomach flutter, "When will you take it there?" She said keeping her voice calm.
He stretched out his long legs casually, "Perhaps tomorrow,"
She looked up at him and asked, "Would you mind if I went with you? I mean since it could mean my death if it is found, I want to be there and make sure you hide it good enough."
Ardeth's sensuous lips rose in a smile and he laughed a bit " I assure you the Med-Jai will make sure that know one sees that staff again,"
"Yes I'm sure they will, but..." she said staring at her pistol.
"Say no more, you may accompany us," Ardeth said.
"Thank you Ardeth!" She said flinging her arms around his neck, forgetting the pistol in her hand. He grunted as the handle of the gun hit his head, "oh, sorry," she said as heat rose in her cheeks.
Ardeth laughed, " It's alright," He pulled back and looked at her, taking in the way the sun hit shone off her hair, the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. He began to think that she was finding a way into his heart. He reached up a large hand and touched her cheek. She leaned into his touch. Very slowly he closed the distance between them and their lips touched. Unexplainable warmth spread throughout her body, racing through her veins. He loved the feeling of her soft lips against his. His hand moved to the small of her back and pulled her closer. She opened her lips a bit, and he took the chance to deepen the kiss. They both pulled away breathless. Grace had never been kissed like that in her life. She gazed deep into his eyes; the dark orbs had a fire burning behind them. They were so intense it almost scared her. Then he smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. Her heart melted and she smiled in return. They sat together and watched the sun set in shades of red, content just to be in each other's arms.
Grace, Ardeth, Rick and a small group of Medjai set out the next morning for the oasis. Jonathon had conviently taken ill and could't join them; Rick had pursuaded Evelyn to stay in their Cairo home and watch after him. The group moved at a leisurely pace, not wanting to push the horses to hard in the hot sun. Grace enjoyed the trip and rode next Ardeth the whole time. They stopped for a light lunch and continued on, wanting to make it to the oasis before nightfall. The sun sank lower in the desert sky, and Ardeth noticed a small smile playing across Graces mouth.
"What are you thinking?" He asked softly.
"We are almost there; the staff will be hidden away and i dont have to worry about it anymore." She replied.
"I wouldnt let anything happen to you," he replied seriously, " We are nearly there,"
Just as nightfall set in the group reached their destination. The oasis consisted of a group of thick trees and a good sized pool of clear, blue water. The men set up the humble tents that would serve as their camp for the night. Grace wandered over the water and dipped herhand in. The water was still slightly warm the after afternoon sun, and it felt wonderful against her skin, which was thick with sand residue. She made up her mind to go for a swim when the men had retired to their tents. Slowly the men left the campfire and Grace was free to enter the water. Taking one last look around to make sure no one was watching she stripped off her gritty clothing and jumped in. The water was about chest deep and the coolness felt amazing against her body. She ran her hands through her hair ridding it of any last traces of sand from the days ride. She stopped abruptly when she heard a masculine laugh. She turned slowly to see Ardeth leaning casually against a tree. Her face burned with the oncoming blush; she was just thankful that the water was deep enough that it covered her, but she sank a little lower anyway.
"Would you kindly hand me clothes and turn around? I'm coming out." She said trying to keep the embarassment out of her voice.
He laughed again, "No, I'm coming in," he responded.
She barely had anytime to respond; he took off his clothes and jumped in. Grace turned her back as he did.
"You can look now," He said.
She slowly turned and was overwhelmed at the sight of him. His long hair cascaded to his shoulders and shown brightly in the moonlight. His chest was very well muscled. She noticed scars across his shoulders and upper chest. His stomach was begging her to run her fingers along the defined muscles.
"You have so many scars," She said, tracing a slightly indented line that ran from his shoulder to his chest.
"The life a Medjai is not an easy one," He said taking her hand and intwining their fingers. For a while they gazed into each other's eyes. Then slowly they both moved towards each other and met in a slow, compassionate kiss. His hand reached up to entangle in her long, fiery hair. Her arms went instinctively around his neck. He pulled back and looked at her slightly flushed face. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, and that he loved her more than anyone he had ever known. "Grace, " he bagan.
"Hmm?" she replied.
He wanted to say it, but something inside just wouldn't let him. He had never been good at voicing his emotions, "We should probably get out and get some sleep; we have a long ride ahead of us,"
His voice had lost its emotion and it was like a slap in the face for her, "Oh, alright." She said and averted her eyes as he climbed out. He put on his clothes and walked to his tent.
Inside Ardeth was tearing himself apart. He know how he had sounded, cold and careless, but that was exactly the opposite. He sighed as he laid on the blankets; tomorrow he would explain to her, for now he would let his troubled mind rest.
Marcus Spencer sat with his men atop the sand dune that overlooked the oasis. The Med-jai werent hard to track, and they had no idea that were there. He watched with interest the scene that played out before him. The Med-Jai leader left Grace Lockhart alone; this was going to be easy.
"Hareem," he called out.
Hareem rode up next to him, "Yes?"
"Order your men to attack. Grab the girl and get the staff from the Leader," Spencer said.
Hareem shouted out in Arabic and fifteen men one horse back swarmed into the unsuspecting camp.
Grace had just finished redressing, feeling rather gloomy, when she heard a battle cry and the sound of hooves. She looked around and saw a group of men in scarlet robes coming into the camp waving scimitars. She reacted quickly and grabbed the pistol she had left with her clothes. She took aim and fired three times, taking down three scarlet clad warriors. She aimed at another and squezzed the trigger, nothing happened. She tried again, nothing. 'Damn!' She had forgotten to reload. She tossed the pistol aside and rushed at one of the warriors. He caught her fist as she tried hitting him, as another taclked her to the ground. A scimitar was placed at her throat.
Ardeth bolted upright at the sound of a gun firing. 'Grace!' he quickly grabbed his simitars and rushed out. The other Med-Jai were also awakened by the outburst. O'Connell had his shotgun out and was ready to fire, but stopped when he saw Grace.
Hareem came to the front holding Grace tightly to him, a scimitar held against her pale throat. Ardeth connected with her eyes and he saw fear in them. Ardeth motioned for his men to hold off their attack.
"Let her go," He said calmy.
"Give me the staff first," Hareem said. Ardeth hesitated, "No?" He dug the blade deeper into her skin erupting a cry of pain from grace.
"Stop!" Ardeth said. He reached into his robes and produced the pieces. He handed them to Hareem who snatched them away quickly. "You have the staff, now release her," Ardeth commanded.
Hareem laughed, "You are a fool Med-Jai. We need her for the ritual. Follow us and you'll be killed." He pulled Grace with him put her on his horse and climbed up next to her; securing his arm around her; she shuddered at his touch. He gave the horse a kick and they sped off. The other warriors followed him..
"Grace!" Ardeth yelled and tried to run , but Rick grabbed him.
Ardeth gave him a questioning look and tried to go again, but Rick held him there, "A good friend of mine once told me 'Live today, fight tomorrow'" Ardeth looked at him and understood, his death would do Grace no good. "Dont worry, we'll get her back." Rick said.
Ardeth looked off into the direction they went, and simply nodded.
