~A huge thanks to my reviewers. It seems that riddles appeal to you. I may have some more if there is inspiration. . . ~
Ardeth nodded. "I know it is really strange, but something crossed my mind. It could be O'Connell. He is inside because he is a med-jai but outside because he doesn't live here. And he hasn't got tattoos." Rafic nodded. "Yes, about these you are right. But what is that about the leader being very high? And the lion?" "Well, the lion could mean really brave. And the leader could be someone who is leader and is very good." Faris turned his eyes on Ardeth as he spoke. Ardeth's lips formed a bitter smile. "No Faris, it is not that easy. After all I am inside and I do have markings." Abdul shook his head thoughtfully. " Ardeth is right. And even if we find someone we consider fitting we must be sure it's him, otherwise we would be sending a man to meet his death. But it looks to me like a dead end." Faris let his head hang in despair. "Zainde would know what it is trying to hide." He whispered. Rafic looked at him sternly. "Zainde is dead and we'd better let her spirit rest. She is no more here and was must do what we can by our own." Then he turned to Ardeth. "Ardeth, I suggest we take one more day to think about it each one separately. Then we can meet again with more ideas and a clearer head." Ardeth thought about it before replying. " Yes, we can delay it by one day. But don't forget that by every hour we delay it more people are dying and whole tribes will soon start disappearing."
Ardeth sat on the soft cushions round the low table. He tried to consider every single person he knew or has heard of in every different way possible. But no one seemed to fit the description of the prophecy. A med-jai . . . No markings . . . Leader but very high . . . And finally very brave. . . it could be someone who was too young to have marks on him. But there was no such leader. Ardeth buried his head in his hands. * Damn. Damn. Damn * He thought as no possible solution appeared. As he was sitting by the table his head dropped and he fell asleep, after more than three sleepless nights.
~ For the first time, although it was his old dream he welcomed it. It looked now like an old friend, part of something lost together with the ability to help people. It was him again and he was standing alone in a big, beautiful room richly furnished. A shrine dedicated to Bastet, the cat goddess stood inside the room. There was also a statue of the goddess and a real cat roaming in the room. Suddenly a woman- almost a girl to say the truth, she appeared no more than eighteen- came inside too and turned towards him. Ardeth recognized the woman with the crown in the last dream. She smiled at him and he returned the smile. She walked towards him and they embraced. Ardeth looked at himself hugging the woman. She was rather short (her head reached his chest) but very beautiful. Her face was sleek-skinned and was framed by long shiny dark brown hair. Her eyes were big and almond-shaped with big, curly lashes. The upper lid was pained slightly green and kohl made the eye appear really beautiful. Her lips were red and full. The body was firm with sensual curves. She looked up to him and talked in a slightly husky voice. "Ardeth, we are in really big trouble. Father doesn't even know about the last events. Matma and Hasan just told me. You have to save yourself". Then the image dissolved and another replaced it. This time he wasn't there. Only the woman was there wearing the diadem and holding a scepter. Her body was engulfed by a warm golden glow. She turned her eyes and Ardeth for the first time had the impression that she was looking at him, directly at him. She started talking slowly and warmly. "Ardeth, listen to me and understand my words. I am the star of morning and dawn, I am lady of the two lands. I am the guardian of our secrets. I am inside the med-jai although I don't live with them. I am a med-jai. I am your leader. I am the lioness and the cat."