Chapter 11
"You and Ali had a good conversation?" Yasmeen asked as soon as the men walked away. She released Rose's arm, but there was no force or malice in the act.
"Good? Yes, I suppose," Rose answered. Then she caught Yasmeen's eye and asked, "Did you know he had plans to marry me?"
Yasmeen nodded and moved toward the water. She stuck her bare foot into the river and said, "I knew. That is why I brought you to the Council meeting tonight. My father is very influential in the Council and he had other designs. Seeing you, however, changed his plans."
Seeing her had changed his plans? Again Rose yearned for the simple, uncomplicated life she had been living in California. Though she had been hiding from her family, her life there made sense. Nothing in this country made an ounce of sense to her-except for the way she felt about Ali. Otherwise, every event was shocking and each new conversation left her feeling more and more confused. Wasn't this little village just a tiny spot on the map with a people who were uncomplicated and traditional? Isn't that what she was supposed to be discovering instead of this strange web of vague conversations and disappearing boyfriends with duties to fulfill?
"What does that mean?" Rose inquired.
"It means what it means," Yasmeen answered. "My father had plans for Ali, you changed those plans."
"Your father had plans for Ali? That makes no sense," Rose insisted, then felt the breath catch in her lungs as she realized just what Yasmeen was saying. "Unless, your father was trying to get you and Ali together."
Yasmeen shrugged. "Perhaps. But it is of little consequence now, because you are to be Ali's wife, not me."
Rose frowned and said, "But I have not yet said yes-not exactly. How do you know I will be his wife?"
"Because you will be. He loves you. He only declared it to the entire village tonight and publicly defied my father. I was there when he told everyone he did not love me and loved you."
"Yasmeen, I'm sorry," Rose replied, never having wanted Yasmeen's feelings crushed by this entire situation.
"It is okay, really," the woman assured Rose. "I realized something these past few days, and that is, I don't love Ali. I care for him, of course, because we have such a long history of knowing one another. But I don't love him and he does not love me. Nor did he ever love me-not really. In fact, I do believe the only woman who has ever claimed his heart is you. And it was obviously meant to be."
"Meant to be? All this talk of destiny and fate is really driving me nuts," Rose insisted. "This is a strange place, Yasmeen, and I really wish someone would fill me in on what this village is really all about."
Yasmeen smiled with conspiracy and asked, "So Ali has not told you the entire history of our people?"
"No. He's told me some, but I have a feeling he's been leaving gaps in the story," Rose answered. "Perhaps you could fill me in?"
Yasmeen shook her head and any trace of a smile disappeared from her lips. "And suffer Ali's wrath when he discovers I was the one who let his secrets out of the bag? No. I am sorry, but I will not."
"So I was right in thinking that there is something Ali has not told me about himself," Rose commented. Since they'd arrived in Egypt, Ali had been acting as though there was something about him he was trying to avoid confessing to her. When they'd been friends, he'd always been rather private, but now it seemed amplified, something bigger than just wanting mere privacy.
"It is not a bad thing, Rose," Yasmeen assured her. "Do not worry so."
Rose dropped the topic for the time being and again sat down on the sandy bank of the river. The night sky looked like a dark velvet blanket with the stars as pinholes of light shining through. A warm breeze carried with it the smell of the desert and Rose marveled at how tranquil a place this lonely village was.
She took in a deep breath and exhaled noisily. Though there was much she did not yet know about her future, just being in this place made her feel as though she had nothing to fear. Nothing to fear from Victor, her father or even the Medjai. She was happy here and knew she would remain so as long as she lived here with Ali and the new friend she was finally making in Yasmeen.
"Tell me about this place, Yasmeen. Tell me about the people," Rose insisted and for a long while Yasmeen obliged her and together they sat along the sandy bank talking of the village and the traditions. Not once, however, did Yasmeen mention the Medjai or her people's most honored tradition of protecting ancient Egypt's secrets.
They talked of their pasts and their childhood and Yasmeen amused Rose with stories of Ali as a boy. His incorrigible actions would have seemed out of character for the Ali Rose had known in California, but most accurate for the man she knew here in Egypt. And their stories continued until they both fell asleep along the banks of the running water. **** Victor Galbadon and Oscar Mann were becoming fast friends. Tony stood at the edge of the room, near the open door, watching the two converse. The more he watched and listened, the more nauseous he grew. Both were maniacal, twisted and perverse. He had always known Victor harbored a dark side. That dark side had driven Rosa away. Yet the things Tony was hearing now coming from his mouth in agreement with this man they had joined forces with was down right scary. Part of Tony had always liked Victor. After listening to he and Oscar talk for the past hour, Tony now liked nothing about him.
How then, was he supposed to ditch Victor and their newfound "friends" and rescue his sister? If his sister even needed rescuing. After all, the group that had taken her and the other woman seemed a far better option for Rosa than going back home or falling into Victor's hands. And that beautiful woman Rosa had been with had willingly jumped onto the back of a horse with a Medjai warrior. She'd been smiling with triumph at the rescue, in fact.
"What do you say, Tony?" Victor suddenly called across the room of the shabby hotel suite they had acquired. "Think that's a plan?"
"Is what a plan?" Tony asked.
Victor threw him a look of annoyance for Tony's inattention, then said, "Oscar here has asked us to join him. Says he has a scheme that'll make us a bundle."
"Yes, and I could use the assistance seeing how I am a few men short now, thanks to the Medjai," Oscar chimed in.
Tony didn't like a thing about Oscar Mann. There was a baneful look in his eye and when he smiled, Tony was positive he was staring at a serpent and not a man. Only pure evil existed in that man's soul and Tony could recognize evil for he had been raised amongst it.
"The Medjai appear to be your common enemy then," Tony drawled.
"The Medjai are our common enemy, Tony," Victor corrected, piercing him with that look of distrust that Tony's father often directed his way as well. It was no secret Alfonse San Giovani didn't trust his only son. Because Tony had balked at getting involved in the family business, Alfonse had found someone else to become his confidant. Therefore, Tony was not privy to family business and his father thought him a traitor for that.
"Yeah, sure. Our enemy," Tony mumbled.
A bunch of robed men on horseback were certainly not Tony's enemy. The Chicago Mafia, Oscar Mann and even Victor were his enemy, but certainly not a group of desert warriors. In fact, the more Tony was learning of the legendary tribe, the more he wished they had captured him along with his sister, just so he would no longer have to suffer the company of these men in front of him.
"Anyhow," Victor continued, "Oscar here has suggested we join him. He'll help us get Rosa back, we'll help him find this ancient temple he's seeking. Says this place is worth a fortune. I always heard Egypt had buried treasures everywhere."
"This treasure is worth more than you could ever imagine," Oscar said.
Again Tony saw that serpent smile cross the man's face. Disgusted, he turned and walked out the door.
The village they'd landed in wasn't much, but it was a better sight than that broken down Range Rover he'd been stuck in during last night's sandstorm. The pilot had said that flying back to Cairo was too dangerous, for the authorities were looking for Oscar and his group. Apparently, Oscar's group had murdered someone in Cairo, which didn't shock Tony any. So, they'd opted for a small village with a dirt road for a landing strip and a metal shed for a hangar and this shabby hotel that barely passed as adequate, just to be safe.
Outside, Tony bumped into the only man among the group that didn't strike him as evil, Jean Danton. He was an older man, probably in his fifties, with a bumbling, scholarly look about him. He was seated on a wooden chair, fiddling with a long stick, his face filled with frustration.
"Mind if I join you?" Tony questioned as he took a seat next to the man.
"Be my guest," the man answered with his hint of a French accent mingled with his English. "I suppose I could use the company right about now."
The man carefully set the object on the patio table in front of him and sighed.
"What's that?" Tony asked, nodding toward what now looked like a staff and not a stick.
"It's an ancient relic-The Staff of the Sun," Jean said.
"May I?" Tony asked as he reached for the staff.
"Be my guest. I'm about ready to break the blasted thing," the man declared.
Tony ran his hand over the fine carved ivory of the staff. It was nearly five-foot long and topped with a disc-shaped gold symbol. He was positive it was an artifact worth much and he mentioned so to Jean.
"Oh, it's worth quite a bit indeed," Jean announced. "But if legend is true, its power could be worth an incalculable amount."
"Power?" Tony laughed. "What kind of power?" He figured he'd ask just to humor the man, though Tony was certain it was merely the ramblings of a man who'd been exposed to the desert sun for one too many days.
Looking around to ensure their privacy, Jean lowered his voice and whispered, "It is written that this staff, if used at the Fortress of Aten, can create a time warp and catapult someone back to the past."
"And you believe this?" Tony questioned.
Jean nodded. "Like I said, it is written."
"And just where is it written?"
Jean pointed to the carvings on the ivory shaft of the staff. "Right there on the staff itself. Of course, it's more of a riddle than anything else, but that is the common interpretation."
Again thinking the man was stretching the truth, but finding he'd rather talk with the Frenchman than anyone inside the hotel suite, Tony asked, "If that's true, then why aren't there more people out here looking for this thing?"
"Because no one can find the Fortress of Aten for one thing. And for another thing, if they did come close, the Medjai would attack."
"The Medjai? Yes, I can see how they would scare people away. After all, they did almost kill us," Tony surmised.
"Then you know the fierceness with which they fight," Jean said gleefully. "Both our groups have been their victims. We are lucky to still be living at all. And I'm afraid that Monsieur Mann angered them further by assassinating their chief a few months back."
"How'd he manage that?"
Jean touched the staff. "With this."
"What? He whacked the chief over the head with it or something?"
Jean chuckled and shook his head. "No, no. You see, I have done extensive research into this relic and into the Fortress of Aten. It has been my life's ambition and on an archaeological dig a few years back, I discovered an ancient scroll that talked of the Staff of the Sun. It said the staff not only turned the Fortress of Aten into a time machine of sorts, but that it also gave one the powers of second sight."
"What do you mean by that?" Tony was wondering if perhaps going back inside to Victor and Oscar's company was a better idea after all. This historian was starting to sound like he had spent several months too many in the desert sun.
"Ah, you do not believe me. But no matter, most never have. For years, I have been mocked by my colleagues. My articles are turned down by academic journals, my chances of finding a job at a reputable university are non- existent-all because I believe in this staff and its powers. In fact, Monsieur Mann was the only person who truly believed in my theories. He's funding this expedition-and quite generously I might add."
"I'm sure he is," Tony remarked dryly. "But how do you know this staff really has any powers?"
"I'll show you," Jean insisted and he took the staff from Tony, holding it upright in front of him with two hands and commanded, "Show me the Fortress of Aten."
A three dimensional hologram of a canyon and ancient temple sprang up in front of them and Tony nearly fell out of his seat. It appeared as if the golden disc was projecting the image into thin air and for a long while Tony was certain it was a joke.
"This is fake, right?" Tony asked, still not believing his eyes. "You're playing a huge joke on me."
"No, its real," Jean said and took one of his hands off the staff, causing the image to disappear. "The only problem is, it gives vague pictures only. I have not yet figured out how to read it well."
"That can't be real," Tony argued. "It just can't be."
Jean handed the relic to Tony. "Here, you try. Ask to see something or someone I would not know. Go on, ask it."
Hesitantly, Tony took the staff in his hands and imitating Jean he ordered, "Show me my sister, Rosa San Giovani."
Again, a holographic image shot from the golden disc and hung before the men in thin air. Rosa was lying on the bank of a river, another woman a few feet away. They were sleeping peacefully and Tony would have smiled at the image had he not been so stunned.
"Wow!" he said. "Its real. How strange."
He continued to look at the image, thankful his sister was all right, but awed by the workings of the artifact.
"And it'll give you any image you ask for?" Tony inquired.
"Any image in Egypt. At least, that's what the legend states. I guess there's just something very mystical about this land, forces that we don't quite understand that operate without our knowledge and control this staff. The only trouble is, I can see the image, but I cannot locate it once its shown. The staff uses no discernible directions or coordinates."
Tony again looked at the image of his sister sleeping, a small village in the background, the starry night sky above. He wished he were there with her instead of in the company of lunatics.
"You can't use the stars to navigate?" Tony questioned out of curiosity. "I mean, if you have an exact date and time and plug your star positions into a special software program, you should be able to find an exact spot on the earth."
"The stars?" Jean asked, aghast. He took another look at the image and suddenly howled with laughter. "That's it! You are a genius! That is the key-the stars. All the while I was reading this in daylight, thinking it must work in conjunction with the sun to give direction. But it doesn't. It uses the stars as navigational keys."
The man grabbed the staff from Tony and the image of Rosa disappeared into the night. Quickly the Frenchman ran into the hotel suite, shouting out this new discovery to the men inside while Tony sunk into his chair and exhaled with dread. What had he done?
**** He sat upon his horse, a dark rider upon a dark stallion, staring down at the two women. He sighed with relief, then pulled his two-way radio off his belt and notified Devraj that he'd found them. Leave it to Rose and Yasmeen to place fear in his heart! They were two women who refused to follow any predictable protocol and it shouldn't have surprised him he'd find them sleeping soundly along the riverbank where he'd left them several hours earlier.
It was still dark out, though it wouldn't be for much longer. Ali and Devraj had already accomplished much having worked all night. They'd reached Tarek in Switzerland, finding out that large amounts of money had been moved from a German shipping company's account in Switzerland here to Egypt. The owner of the company was a man named Oscar Mann and his money had been used to make some interesting purchases in Egypt-guns, ammo, vehicles, communication equipment and a chartered helicopter. With that information, Ali then traced the helicopter transaction and found the name of an air service at the end-Pyramid Air. From there, he was able to use his computer to hack into their company's computer files and look at their records. Oscar Mann's name was on the lease to a helo!
It appeared as if this Oscar Mann was a prime suspect and Ali already had people trying to dig into his background. He hoped they had something substantial by today so that he could either cross this man off their list or confirm he was the one who was funding this expedition to the Fortress of Aten.
With those projects finished or underway, he and Devraj had then driven a Jeep the fifty miles into the desert, taking an indirect route to the Fortress of Aten to check on their men. It was a very desolate location where the fortress was located and one had to know the secret entrance to even enter the pathway to the fortress. Because the Pharaoh Amenhotep had been so meticulous in the design and placement of the fortress, no outsider had looked upon it for hundreds of years. Of course, there were rumors about the fortress and ancient records about it, but the placement of the fortress and the vigilance of the Medjai had kept the fortress safe from invaders. Ali did not plan to become the first Medjai chief to fail in that regard.
With his men doing fine on their desert watch and in communication with the village, Ali and Devraj had returned, deciding to take a ride through the night to settle their nerves before sleep. Before leaving for their ride, however, Ali had sneaked into his mother's house to check on Rose. He tasted fear when he saw her bed empty and quickly ran to Yasmeen's dwelling, which she shared with her father. Her room too was empty and Ali and Devraj mounted their horses to search the village before sounding an alarm. Of course, ten minutes later, Ali discovered them asleep where he had left them, and he could breath easy again.
Pulling his veil over his face, Ali jumped from his horse and moved to stand next to Rose. He was able to bend down and actually touch her shoulder before her eyes opened with awareness of another presence.
"Hello, my love," he whispered to her, again disguising his voice with a stronger accent as he had done before to avoid detection.
Rose's eyes shot open with shock, then she nearly jumped out from under his hand, pushing back away from him, her heels and hands digging into the sand. She bumped into Yasmeen who also sprang awake with surprise until her eyes landed upon Ali and she visibly relaxed.
"Go away, Medjai," Rose warned, fear filling her face.
"Is that anyway to talk to your future husband?" Ali asked with humor.
Rose glared at him with impatience and so did Yasmeen. Standing and brushing the sand from her light colored skirt, Yasmeen said, "Yes, please leave us alone, my lord. We really should return to our homes now."
Yasmeen reached out and clasped Rose's hand, ready to pull her away, when Ali heard Devraj's approach and asked, "Are you so certain you want to run off now ladies? My warrior and myself were just about to ask you to join us for a morning ride."
Ali saw Yasmeen hesitate at his offer. During their drive to the Fortress of Aten, Devraj had revealed that he and Yasmeen had gotten along well during their talk by the river earlier in the evening. He even thought perhaps there was some attraction between them, but had not explored it further for it was still strange to him to consider Yasmeen loving anyone other than Ali. Since they'd been children, Yasmeen had vied for Ali's affections and now that she was sending subtle signals Devraj's way, the warrior was hesitant to read too much into them. Ali hoped to push them together a bit more and this ride was the perfect opportunity. It was also the perfect opportunity to reveal himself to Rose.
"A ride?" Rose asked, aghast. "Do you really think I would voluntarily leave this village to go into the desert with you? I'm thankful you saved my life and all, but really, I'm not leaving this place now that I'm here. And since you've mentioned marriage again, I think you should know that my friend, Ali, has asked me to marry him."
"Asked? That is all?" Ali questioned. "He has not persuaded you to say yes yet?"
"I'm thinking about it," Rose answered. "And I'm really starting to think I should."
"Do not marry him just to avoid me," Ali warned.
"Its no avoidance maneuver," Rose insisted. "I love him."
Ali smiled widely under his veil. It was the first confession of true love on her part and it warmed his soul.
"Ah, then you have chosen your fate, Rose," he said.
"And you'll accept that?" Rose questioned, her voice full of suspicion.
"Of course. You have chosen with your heart, have you not?"
Rose nodded. Then she reached up and unclasped the Medjai necklace she wore around her neck. "Here, you really should have this back," she offered.
Ali shook his head. "No, keep it, along with my heart, my love. It is a sign of my honor and protection. Wear it always and you will be safe in this land."
A small smile crept up her face and she looked up at him with bright blue eyes. "Thank you. I won't forget you anytime soon."
"Nor shall I," he replied. Then he swung up onto the back of his horse and extended his hand down to her. "Please, oblige me one request. Ride with me and I will tell you news of your brother. I will not take you far."
Rose visibly balked and looked back at Yasmeen. Devraj arrived at that moment, his gray steed most impatient to run as it danced from foot to foot. Yasmeen smiled and nodded her head. She gave Rose a small push and said, "One ride. What harm will it do, Rose? We'll go together and you can ask him about your brother." When Rose still hesitated, Yasmeen added, "We can trust the Medjai. They will not take us far and they will return us safely."
Rose nodded and reached up, clasping Ali's hand. She used the stirrup to swing onto the back of the horse, then lightly held on to his waist.
"Just don't think this is some sort of date, Medjai," Rose drawled. "It's just a ride."
"I will be a perfect gentleman," Ali returned as he lightly nudged Raja with his heals and cantered into the desert. **** She was insane, she knew she was. Why else was she riding through the desert at night with the same Medjai warrior who had captured her not three days earlier?
Rose justified her decision by telling herself that she did owe the man something after he'd risked his life for her and also that she needed to hear his news of Tony. Of course, she'd risked her life for him as well, so technically they were even. Yet there was something intriguing about riding through the desert night with a warrior and his horse. It conjured up visions of centuries past when heroes and heroines did just that. Even Yasmeen was interested for she was holding tightly to her warrior, her face filled with pure enjoyment as the wind whipped at her long hair. The freedom of the desert at night was infectious, and though Rose was riding behind a warrior and not Ali, she still smiled.
The horses ran for ten minutes, then climbed up a series of switchbacks carved into a cliff wall. Rose was dismayed to discover she had to cling tightly to the man in front of her to avoid sliding off the back of the horse as it climbed. When they reached the top, however, the view was worth the effort.
"We are here," the warrior announced as he stopped his horse near the edge of the cliff. "Dismount."
Rose began to swing off the back of the horse and the warrior assisted her by holding her arm as she dismounted. Then he jumped from his horse and walked to the cliff's edge.
"There," he said, pointing into the distance. "That is your village."
Rose moved next to him and gazed into the distance. There was a small patch of lights indicating the presence of the village and the river next to it was illuminated with shimmering light from the full moon. It was a grand view and Rose was glad she had experienced it.
"Its lovely from up here," Rose commented. "And so small."
"Just wait, Rose," Yasmeen suddenly interjected from a few feet to Rose's left. "When the sun peaks over those foothills to the east of our village, it's a grand sight."
And Yasmeen was correct. As the first bright rays of sunlight kissed the light brown adobe structures of the village, it created the illusion of gold. The tiny village appeared to be coated with layers of yellow-gold and for a brief moment, it was ablaze in the sun's early light. The illusion came and went quickly, but for that one moment in time, it was the most beautiful sight Rose had ever seen.
"It looked like something out of a fairy tale," Rose said in awe. Then she turned to gaze upon the warrior standing at her side. "Thank you for bringing me here."
He bowed his head slightly, then reached out and touched the necklace around her neck. His finger's barely brushed her skin in the process and she felt a strange energy from his touch. Only Ali's fingers had ever created that sensation upon her skin and she took a step back as she remembered him.
"Please, don't," she said quietly. He obliged and returned his hand to his side and Rose again looked across the desert at the view of her new homeland. She yearned for Ali. She wished he were standing at her side and racing her through the desert instead of this warrior. Though she liked the warrior, she loved Ali and in that moment she made a decision about her future.
"Could you return me to the village now?" she turned and asked the warrior. "I'm tired and I want to find Ali."
The man hesitated for a moment and Rose feared he would not return her to the village. Then he asked, "Do you not want the news of your brother?"
"Of course," Rose answered. "Please tell me what you know."
"We did not find him or any of his acquaintances in the place where we left them. The vehicles were still there, but no men anywhere." He paused and a dark look invaded his eyes.
"What? What is it?" Rose prodded.
"I fear your brother's group has combined forces with the men seeking the Fortress of Aten. I have no solid proof, aside from evidence of a helicopter landing, but my gut tells me that Jeffreys has connected the two groups," the warrior revealed.
Rose sighed. At least it sounded as if her brother was well. This new collaboration, however, had her nervous.
"I thank you for looking for him. And please, if you find the group you are seeking and it is true that my brother is among them, don't harm him," Rose requested.
The warrior's eyes shuttered away from her, as if he was going to refuse to grant her wish.
"Please," Rose pleaded and placed a hand upon his arm. "He has nothing to do with any of this. He's simply along for the ride, looking to protect me. He's not a criminal like Victor. He's not."
"Then I will ensure his safety when we find them," the warrior promised. "Because I love you, I will grant you your wish."
Rose balked at his words. She feared that if this warrior truly believed he loved her that she would never live in peace. Her mind conjured up images of the Medjai stealing her away in the night to be forced into a marriage with their chief. She didn't want to live with the threat of this man's love for the rest of her life as he had lived with the threat of Victor's for the past five years.
"Please, take me home," Rose requested with a whisper.
The warrior surprisingly nodded and then strode to his horse, swinging upon its back with lithe athleticism.
Rose admired his movements and the look of him upon the midnight black horse and again thought he made a perfect heroic figure. She could appreciate the brave picture he made and wondered if Ali possessed any warrior skills. She'd always respected Ali's keen intelligence and controlled demeanor, but never until this moment had she wondered or cared if he could fight off a band of bandits with just a sword. When they'd been in California, Rose certainly would have laughed at such a thought. After what she'd witnessed of him in Egypt, she was actually starting to believe he could be this very same warrior upon the Arabian horse in front of her.
"Shall we?" the warrior asked as he held out his hand to her.
Rose nodded and climbed onto the back of the horse. Yasmeen followed suit with the other warrior and within moments, they were descending the cliff and galloping back across the sand toward the village. ****
Ali halted his horse on the bank of the river, the spot where he'd found Rose and Yasmeen and assisted Rose to the ground. Her bare feet sunk into the sand and she brushed at her skirt and readjusted her shirt that had slipped off one shoulder, revealing the smooth, tanned skin underneath. The ride had not been long enough to satisfy him. He'd enjoyed the feel of her behind him, holding on tightly as they'd raced through the sands and he wanted to ride further into the desert with her.
He'd also not yet accomplished his goal, and that was to tell Rose who he really was. Ali had considered doing just that when they'd been atop the cliff, but he'd changed his mind at the last moment for the timing had not seemed right.
Who was he kidding-the timing wasn't ever going to be right! Rose would be disappointed in him whether he told her now or later. She'd understand, but she'd be disappointed.
"Well," Rose began as she looked up at him, "thanks for the ride. I guess I'll be seeing you next time I'm held hostage in the desert."
She turned to walk away and Ali felt a pang of guilt wash over him. Rose really had no idea who he was! She didn't even suspect him. Realizing that he could not allow her to make a decision about marrying him without being aware of the entire truth, Ali jumped from his horse and said, "Rose, wait."
Rose halted and swung back toward him.
"There is something you need to know about me before you go," he continued, trying to screw up the courage to reveal himself.
He could face death in the desert and dangerous enemies, but he could not tell the woman he loved the truth about his identity. It struck him as odd that he was such a coward when he was faced with the possibility of losing her. Yet now was the time, he could wait no more.
"My lord," a voice suddenly announced in Arabic.
Ali halted his hand on its way to his veil and he looked up the dirt path that led to the village and saw Hammad tottering their way. The old warrior was dressed in a white gambaz and light beige pants, his feet covered in sandals. He smiled at Ali and continued to move forward.
"My lord," Hammad continued, "I thought I saw you racing across the desert this morning."
"Hammad," Ali said with reverence in the same language, "it is good to see you well this morning."
The old man laughed and returned, "It is good to see me well any morning at my age! But I did not seek you out to talk of my health. I came to inquire of Rose. Have you revealed yourself to her yet?"
Ali shook her head. "I was about to."
"Do not do so now. Now is not the time," Hammad insisted. "You both look unrested. Take the day, rest, relax, then tell her."
Ali studied the man for a long while. Hammad always seemed to know how the course of events would unfold. Whether he was good at guessing, extremely wise or really had the gift of some extraordinary power was the mystery, but Ali never questioned him.
"Of course, Hammad. I will," Ali answered. To Rose he said in English, "I will bid you farewell now, Rose."
****
She smiled and waved and he swung onto his horse and rode away, Devraj following behind. He would leave the mystery of his identity in tact as Hammad had requested and tell Rose tonight. That dark, mysterious warrior was riding off again and Rose was slightly relieved. Life was simpler without a super hero complicating everything. He had showed her a brilliant sight, but she was glad to be back to the village she was beginning to feel welcomed in. And the old man standing on the path in front of she and Yasmeen was one of the people who truly made her feel welcomed.
Hammad looked at her with a twinkle in his dark eyes and gestured for the Rose to join him. She took his arm, still strong at his age, and walked beside him while Yasmeen fell into step behind them.
"How are you, my dear?" he inquired as they walked. His accent was not nearly as thick as one would suspect and his English impeccable.
"I'm fine," Rose answered, feeling completely at ease with the old man and wondering if perhaps she hadn't met him somewhere before.
"Good. I am glad for that. How do you like our small village thus far?"
"I like it," she returned. "Its peaceful."
"And the Medjai? What do you think of our local warriors?"
Rose paused and regarded him with a furrowed brow.
"Local? Just how local?" she asked.
"They have been in these parts for centuries," he answered. "Their history is long and honored."
"Have you ever seen them without the veils?" she inquired.
They were reaching the first dwellings in the village. Though the morning was still new, several people were starting their day. Rose noticed that more than a few eyes strayed to her and regarded her with much curiosity just as had been the case the night before at the Council meeting. She thought perhaps it was because the scarf covering her head was draped across her shoulders instead of being worn in the traditional fashion. Yet several other women about the village were not covered and some were even dressed in pants instead of skirts. She was certain that was not the case. It must surely then only have to do with the fact that she was new-an outsider whom Ali had insisted he planned to marry. Of course that made her a novelty until people got to know her. And she hoped that soon she would be able to spend some time amongst the villagers, amongst Ali's people, acquainting herself with them all.
He nodded. "I have. On several occasions." His smile held a hint of conspiracy and Rose felt a strange vibe emanating from the old man's demeanor that told her he knew much of the desert warriors. "You will too, very soon. After all, your image is depicted upon their Cave of Prophecies and you cannot deny your destiny."
Rose's feet froze at the old man's words. Was he telling her the same fantasy that the Medjai chief had told her in the cave during the sandstorm? Did this old man seriously believe in that same myth that she was to marry the Mejai chief? When the Medjai warrior had uttered such absurdity, Rose had not felt the same amount of fear she was feeling now that Hammad was saying it. His tone, his words were confident and convincing and Rose's first instinct was to run from the man. Knowing that would be rude, she politely released his arm and shook her head.
"No, that wasn't me on that cave wall," she refuted. "I don't want anything to do with any other man other than Ali. Ali is the reason I'm here."
"Yes, Ali is the reason you are here," the man agreed.
"And Ali will be the only reason I stay," Rose added.
It was the old man's turn to shake his head. "No, you also stay because of the danger you face at home. But do not fear, my child, your father will not have you under his control again. Your future lies in this desert and with the Medjai."
He clasped her hand, squeezing it with surprising strength, then turned and walked away before Rose could refute anything he'd declared. Looking at Yasmeen, knowing her face was turning red from the anger and confusion she was experiencing, Rose asked, "Did you hear what he said?"
"I heard," Yasmeen said, then added reassuringly, "But do not fret so. I am positive all will work out for the best." Yasmeen turned Rose and began pushing her up a long flight of steps between buildings that led to the next level of the village. "Lets get you home. I am sure Ali will be by to see you shortly."
Rose returned to Iman's house only to find the woman gone. Yasmeen left Rose and as she shut the door behind the woman, she yawned and stretched her arms over her head.
She was exhausted and slightly stiff from sleeping on the ground. In fact, she was so tired she didn't even have the energy to worry over Hammad's words to her about the Medjai.
Stepping into the bathroom, Rose washed her face, brushed the tangles from her hair that the wild morning ride had created and brushed her teeth. She was almost asleep as she made her way into the small bedroom she was using and stripped out of her borrowed clothes. She didn't even bother to dawn a T-shirt to sleep in. The circular movements of the air made by the ceiling fan were cool against her skin and Rose slipped between the sheets of the double bed and immediately drifted off to sleep dreaming of wild Arabian horses, soft desert sands and a band of cloaked warriors. ****
"You and Ali had a good conversation?" Yasmeen asked as soon as the men walked away. She released Rose's arm, but there was no force or malice in the act.
"Good? Yes, I suppose," Rose answered. Then she caught Yasmeen's eye and asked, "Did you know he had plans to marry me?"
Yasmeen nodded and moved toward the water. She stuck her bare foot into the river and said, "I knew. That is why I brought you to the Council meeting tonight. My father is very influential in the Council and he had other designs. Seeing you, however, changed his plans."
Seeing her had changed his plans? Again Rose yearned for the simple, uncomplicated life she had been living in California. Though she had been hiding from her family, her life there made sense. Nothing in this country made an ounce of sense to her-except for the way she felt about Ali. Otherwise, every event was shocking and each new conversation left her feeling more and more confused. Wasn't this little village just a tiny spot on the map with a people who were uncomplicated and traditional? Isn't that what she was supposed to be discovering instead of this strange web of vague conversations and disappearing boyfriends with duties to fulfill?
"What does that mean?" Rose inquired.
"It means what it means," Yasmeen answered. "My father had plans for Ali, you changed those plans."
"Your father had plans for Ali? That makes no sense," Rose insisted, then felt the breath catch in her lungs as she realized just what Yasmeen was saying. "Unless, your father was trying to get you and Ali together."
Yasmeen shrugged. "Perhaps. But it is of little consequence now, because you are to be Ali's wife, not me."
Rose frowned and said, "But I have not yet said yes-not exactly. How do you know I will be his wife?"
"Because you will be. He loves you. He only declared it to the entire village tonight and publicly defied my father. I was there when he told everyone he did not love me and loved you."
"Yasmeen, I'm sorry," Rose replied, never having wanted Yasmeen's feelings crushed by this entire situation.
"It is okay, really," the woman assured Rose. "I realized something these past few days, and that is, I don't love Ali. I care for him, of course, because we have such a long history of knowing one another. But I don't love him and he does not love me. Nor did he ever love me-not really. In fact, I do believe the only woman who has ever claimed his heart is you. And it was obviously meant to be."
"Meant to be? All this talk of destiny and fate is really driving me nuts," Rose insisted. "This is a strange place, Yasmeen, and I really wish someone would fill me in on what this village is really all about."
Yasmeen smiled with conspiracy and asked, "So Ali has not told you the entire history of our people?"
"No. He's told me some, but I have a feeling he's been leaving gaps in the story," Rose answered. "Perhaps you could fill me in?"
Yasmeen shook her head and any trace of a smile disappeared from her lips. "And suffer Ali's wrath when he discovers I was the one who let his secrets out of the bag? No. I am sorry, but I will not."
"So I was right in thinking that there is something Ali has not told me about himself," Rose commented. Since they'd arrived in Egypt, Ali had been acting as though there was something about him he was trying to avoid confessing to her. When they'd been friends, he'd always been rather private, but now it seemed amplified, something bigger than just wanting mere privacy.
"It is not a bad thing, Rose," Yasmeen assured her. "Do not worry so."
Rose dropped the topic for the time being and again sat down on the sandy bank of the river. The night sky looked like a dark velvet blanket with the stars as pinholes of light shining through. A warm breeze carried with it the smell of the desert and Rose marveled at how tranquil a place this lonely village was.
She took in a deep breath and exhaled noisily. Though there was much she did not yet know about her future, just being in this place made her feel as though she had nothing to fear. Nothing to fear from Victor, her father or even the Medjai. She was happy here and knew she would remain so as long as she lived here with Ali and the new friend she was finally making in Yasmeen.
"Tell me about this place, Yasmeen. Tell me about the people," Rose insisted and for a long while Yasmeen obliged her and together they sat along the sandy bank talking of the village and the traditions. Not once, however, did Yasmeen mention the Medjai or her people's most honored tradition of protecting ancient Egypt's secrets.
They talked of their pasts and their childhood and Yasmeen amused Rose with stories of Ali as a boy. His incorrigible actions would have seemed out of character for the Ali Rose had known in California, but most accurate for the man she knew here in Egypt. And their stories continued until they both fell asleep along the banks of the running water. **** Victor Galbadon and Oscar Mann were becoming fast friends. Tony stood at the edge of the room, near the open door, watching the two converse. The more he watched and listened, the more nauseous he grew. Both were maniacal, twisted and perverse. He had always known Victor harbored a dark side. That dark side had driven Rosa away. Yet the things Tony was hearing now coming from his mouth in agreement with this man they had joined forces with was down right scary. Part of Tony had always liked Victor. After listening to he and Oscar talk for the past hour, Tony now liked nothing about him.
How then, was he supposed to ditch Victor and their newfound "friends" and rescue his sister? If his sister even needed rescuing. After all, the group that had taken her and the other woman seemed a far better option for Rosa than going back home or falling into Victor's hands. And that beautiful woman Rosa had been with had willingly jumped onto the back of a horse with a Medjai warrior. She'd been smiling with triumph at the rescue, in fact.
"What do you say, Tony?" Victor suddenly called across the room of the shabby hotel suite they had acquired. "Think that's a plan?"
"Is what a plan?" Tony asked.
Victor threw him a look of annoyance for Tony's inattention, then said, "Oscar here has asked us to join him. Says he has a scheme that'll make us a bundle."
"Yes, and I could use the assistance seeing how I am a few men short now, thanks to the Medjai," Oscar chimed in.
Tony didn't like a thing about Oscar Mann. There was a baneful look in his eye and when he smiled, Tony was positive he was staring at a serpent and not a man. Only pure evil existed in that man's soul and Tony could recognize evil for he had been raised amongst it.
"The Medjai appear to be your common enemy then," Tony drawled.
"The Medjai are our common enemy, Tony," Victor corrected, piercing him with that look of distrust that Tony's father often directed his way as well. It was no secret Alfonse San Giovani didn't trust his only son. Because Tony had balked at getting involved in the family business, Alfonse had found someone else to become his confidant. Therefore, Tony was not privy to family business and his father thought him a traitor for that.
"Yeah, sure. Our enemy," Tony mumbled.
A bunch of robed men on horseback were certainly not Tony's enemy. The Chicago Mafia, Oscar Mann and even Victor were his enemy, but certainly not a group of desert warriors. In fact, the more Tony was learning of the legendary tribe, the more he wished they had captured him along with his sister, just so he would no longer have to suffer the company of these men in front of him.
"Anyhow," Victor continued, "Oscar here has suggested we join him. He'll help us get Rosa back, we'll help him find this ancient temple he's seeking. Says this place is worth a fortune. I always heard Egypt had buried treasures everywhere."
"This treasure is worth more than you could ever imagine," Oscar said.
Again Tony saw that serpent smile cross the man's face. Disgusted, he turned and walked out the door.
The village they'd landed in wasn't much, but it was a better sight than that broken down Range Rover he'd been stuck in during last night's sandstorm. The pilot had said that flying back to Cairo was too dangerous, for the authorities were looking for Oscar and his group. Apparently, Oscar's group had murdered someone in Cairo, which didn't shock Tony any. So, they'd opted for a small village with a dirt road for a landing strip and a metal shed for a hangar and this shabby hotel that barely passed as adequate, just to be safe.
Outside, Tony bumped into the only man among the group that didn't strike him as evil, Jean Danton. He was an older man, probably in his fifties, with a bumbling, scholarly look about him. He was seated on a wooden chair, fiddling with a long stick, his face filled with frustration.
"Mind if I join you?" Tony questioned as he took a seat next to the man.
"Be my guest," the man answered with his hint of a French accent mingled with his English. "I suppose I could use the company right about now."
The man carefully set the object on the patio table in front of him and sighed.
"What's that?" Tony asked, nodding toward what now looked like a staff and not a stick.
"It's an ancient relic-The Staff of the Sun," Jean said.
"May I?" Tony asked as he reached for the staff.
"Be my guest. I'm about ready to break the blasted thing," the man declared.
Tony ran his hand over the fine carved ivory of the staff. It was nearly five-foot long and topped with a disc-shaped gold symbol. He was positive it was an artifact worth much and he mentioned so to Jean.
"Oh, it's worth quite a bit indeed," Jean announced. "But if legend is true, its power could be worth an incalculable amount."
"Power?" Tony laughed. "What kind of power?" He figured he'd ask just to humor the man, though Tony was certain it was merely the ramblings of a man who'd been exposed to the desert sun for one too many days.
Looking around to ensure their privacy, Jean lowered his voice and whispered, "It is written that this staff, if used at the Fortress of Aten, can create a time warp and catapult someone back to the past."
"And you believe this?" Tony questioned.
Jean nodded. "Like I said, it is written."
"And just where is it written?"
Jean pointed to the carvings on the ivory shaft of the staff. "Right there on the staff itself. Of course, it's more of a riddle than anything else, but that is the common interpretation."
Again thinking the man was stretching the truth, but finding he'd rather talk with the Frenchman than anyone inside the hotel suite, Tony asked, "If that's true, then why aren't there more people out here looking for this thing?"
"Because no one can find the Fortress of Aten for one thing. And for another thing, if they did come close, the Medjai would attack."
"The Medjai? Yes, I can see how they would scare people away. After all, they did almost kill us," Tony surmised.
"Then you know the fierceness with which they fight," Jean said gleefully. "Both our groups have been their victims. We are lucky to still be living at all. And I'm afraid that Monsieur Mann angered them further by assassinating their chief a few months back."
"How'd he manage that?"
Jean touched the staff. "With this."
"What? He whacked the chief over the head with it or something?"
Jean chuckled and shook his head. "No, no. You see, I have done extensive research into this relic and into the Fortress of Aten. It has been my life's ambition and on an archaeological dig a few years back, I discovered an ancient scroll that talked of the Staff of the Sun. It said the staff not only turned the Fortress of Aten into a time machine of sorts, but that it also gave one the powers of second sight."
"What do you mean by that?" Tony was wondering if perhaps going back inside to Victor and Oscar's company was a better idea after all. This historian was starting to sound like he had spent several months too many in the desert sun.
"Ah, you do not believe me. But no matter, most never have. For years, I have been mocked by my colleagues. My articles are turned down by academic journals, my chances of finding a job at a reputable university are non- existent-all because I believe in this staff and its powers. In fact, Monsieur Mann was the only person who truly believed in my theories. He's funding this expedition-and quite generously I might add."
"I'm sure he is," Tony remarked dryly. "But how do you know this staff really has any powers?"
"I'll show you," Jean insisted and he took the staff from Tony, holding it upright in front of him with two hands and commanded, "Show me the Fortress of Aten."
A three dimensional hologram of a canyon and ancient temple sprang up in front of them and Tony nearly fell out of his seat. It appeared as if the golden disc was projecting the image into thin air and for a long while Tony was certain it was a joke.
"This is fake, right?" Tony asked, still not believing his eyes. "You're playing a huge joke on me."
"No, its real," Jean said and took one of his hands off the staff, causing the image to disappear. "The only problem is, it gives vague pictures only. I have not yet figured out how to read it well."
"That can't be real," Tony argued. "It just can't be."
Jean handed the relic to Tony. "Here, you try. Ask to see something or someone I would not know. Go on, ask it."
Hesitantly, Tony took the staff in his hands and imitating Jean he ordered, "Show me my sister, Rosa San Giovani."
Again, a holographic image shot from the golden disc and hung before the men in thin air. Rosa was lying on the bank of a river, another woman a few feet away. They were sleeping peacefully and Tony would have smiled at the image had he not been so stunned.
"Wow!" he said. "Its real. How strange."
He continued to look at the image, thankful his sister was all right, but awed by the workings of the artifact.
"And it'll give you any image you ask for?" Tony inquired.
"Any image in Egypt. At least, that's what the legend states. I guess there's just something very mystical about this land, forces that we don't quite understand that operate without our knowledge and control this staff. The only trouble is, I can see the image, but I cannot locate it once its shown. The staff uses no discernible directions or coordinates."
Tony again looked at the image of his sister sleeping, a small village in the background, the starry night sky above. He wished he were there with her instead of in the company of lunatics.
"You can't use the stars to navigate?" Tony questioned out of curiosity. "I mean, if you have an exact date and time and plug your star positions into a special software program, you should be able to find an exact spot on the earth."
"The stars?" Jean asked, aghast. He took another look at the image and suddenly howled with laughter. "That's it! You are a genius! That is the key-the stars. All the while I was reading this in daylight, thinking it must work in conjunction with the sun to give direction. But it doesn't. It uses the stars as navigational keys."
The man grabbed the staff from Tony and the image of Rosa disappeared into the night. Quickly the Frenchman ran into the hotel suite, shouting out this new discovery to the men inside while Tony sunk into his chair and exhaled with dread. What had he done?
**** He sat upon his horse, a dark rider upon a dark stallion, staring down at the two women. He sighed with relief, then pulled his two-way radio off his belt and notified Devraj that he'd found them. Leave it to Rose and Yasmeen to place fear in his heart! They were two women who refused to follow any predictable protocol and it shouldn't have surprised him he'd find them sleeping soundly along the riverbank where he'd left them several hours earlier.
It was still dark out, though it wouldn't be for much longer. Ali and Devraj had already accomplished much having worked all night. They'd reached Tarek in Switzerland, finding out that large amounts of money had been moved from a German shipping company's account in Switzerland here to Egypt. The owner of the company was a man named Oscar Mann and his money had been used to make some interesting purchases in Egypt-guns, ammo, vehicles, communication equipment and a chartered helicopter. With that information, Ali then traced the helicopter transaction and found the name of an air service at the end-Pyramid Air. From there, he was able to use his computer to hack into their company's computer files and look at their records. Oscar Mann's name was on the lease to a helo!
It appeared as if this Oscar Mann was a prime suspect and Ali already had people trying to dig into his background. He hoped they had something substantial by today so that he could either cross this man off their list or confirm he was the one who was funding this expedition to the Fortress of Aten.
With those projects finished or underway, he and Devraj had then driven a Jeep the fifty miles into the desert, taking an indirect route to the Fortress of Aten to check on their men. It was a very desolate location where the fortress was located and one had to know the secret entrance to even enter the pathway to the fortress. Because the Pharaoh Amenhotep had been so meticulous in the design and placement of the fortress, no outsider had looked upon it for hundreds of years. Of course, there were rumors about the fortress and ancient records about it, but the placement of the fortress and the vigilance of the Medjai had kept the fortress safe from invaders. Ali did not plan to become the first Medjai chief to fail in that regard.
With his men doing fine on their desert watch and in communication with the village, Ali and Devraj had returned, deciding to take a ride through the night to settle their nerves before sleep. Before leaving for their ride, however, Ali had sneaked into his mother's house to check on Rose. He tasted fear when he saw her bed empty and quickly ran to Yasmeen's dwelling, which she shared with her father. Her room too was empty and Ali and Devraj mounted their horses to search the village before sounding an alarm. Of course, ten minutes later, Ali discovered them asleep where he had left them, and he could breath easy again.
Pulling his veil over his face, Ali jumped from his horse and moved to stand next to Rose. He was able to bend down and actually touch her shoulder before her eyes opened with awareness of another presence.
"Hello, my love," he whispered to her, again disguising his voice with a stronger accent as he had done before to avoid detection.
Rose's eyes shot open with shock, then she nearly jumped out from under his hand, pushing back away from him, her heels and hands digging into the sand. She bumped into Yasmeen who also sprang awake with surprise until her eyes landed upon Ali and she visibly relaxed.
"Go away, Medjai," Rose warned, fear filling her face.
"Is that anyway to talk to your future husband?" Ali asked with humor.
Rose glared at him with impatience and so did Yasmeen. Standing and brushing the sand from her light colored skirt, Yasmeen said, "Yes, please leave us alone, my lord. We really should return to our homes now."
Yasmeen reached out and clasped Rose's hand, ready to pull her away, when Ali heard Devraj's approach and asked, "Are you so certain you want to run off now ladies? My warrior and myself were just about to ask you to join us for a morning ride."
Ali saw Yasmeen hesitate at his offer. During their drive to the Fortress of Aten, Devraj had revealed that he and Yasmeen had gotten along well during their talk by the river earlier in the evening. He even thought perhaps there was some attraction between them, but had not explored it further for it was still strange to him to consider Yasmeen loving anyone other than Ali. Since they'd been children, Yasmeen had vied for Ali's affections and now that she was sending subtle signals Devraj's way, the warrior was hesitant to read too much into them. Ali hoped to push them together a bit more and this ride was the perfect opportunity. It was also the perfect opportunity to reveal himself to Rose.
"A ride?" Rose asked, aghast. "Do you really think I would voluntarily leave this village to go into the desert with you? I'm thankful you saved my life and all, but really, I'm not leaving this place now that I'm here. And since you've mentioned marriage again, I think you should know that my friend, Ali, has asked me to marry him."
"Asked? That is all?" Ali questioned. "He has not persuaded you to say yes yet?"
"I'm thinking about it," Rose answered. "And I'm really starting to think I should."
"Do not marry him just to avoid me," Ali warned.
"Its no avoidance maneuver," Rose insisted. "I love him."
Ali smiled widely under his veil. It was the first confession of true love on her part and it warmed his soul.
"Ah, then you have chosen your fate, Rose," he said.
"And you'll accept that?" Rose questioned, her voice full of suspicion.
"Of course. You have chosen with your heart, have you not?"
Rose nodded. Then she reached up and unclasped the Medjai necklace she wore around her neck. "Here, you really should have this back," she offered.
Ali shook his head. "No, keep it, along with my heart, my love. It is a sign of my honor and protection. Wear it always and you will be safe in this land."
A small smile crept up her face and she looked up at him with bright blue eyes. "Thank you. I won't forget you anytime soon."
"Nor shall I," he replied. Then he swung up onto the back of his horse and extended his hand down to her. "Please, oblige me one request. Ride with me and I will tell you news of your brother. I will not take you far."
Rose visibly balked and looked back at Yasmeen. Devraj arrived at that moment, his gray steed most impatient to run as it danced from foot to foot. Yasmeen smiled and nodded her head. She gave Rose a small push and said, "One ride. What harm will it do, Rose? We'll go together and you can ask him about your brother." When Rose still hesitated, Yasmeen added, "We can trust the Medjai. They will not take us far and they will return us safely."
Rose nodded and reached up, clasping Ali's hand. She used the stirrup to swing onto the back of the horse, then lightly held on to his waist.
"Just don't think this is some sort of date, Medjai," Rose drawled. "It's just a ride."
"I will be a perfect gentleman," Ali returned as he lightly nudged Raja with his heals and cantered into the desert. **** She was insane, she knew she was. Why else was she riding through the desert at night with the same Medjai warrior who had captured her not three days earlier?
Rose justified her decision by telling herself that she did owe the man something after he'd risked his life for her and also that she needed to hear his news of Tony. Of course, she'd risked her life for him as well, so technically they were even. Yet there was something intriguing about riding through the desert night with a warrior and his horse. It conjured up visions of centuries past when heroes and heroines did just that. Even Yasmeen was interested for she was holding tightly to her warrior, her face filled with pure enjoyment as the wind whipped at her long hair. The freedom of the desert at night was infectious, and though Rose was riding behind a warrior and not Ali, she still smiled.
The horses ran for ten minutes, then climbed up a series of switchbacks carved into a cliff wall. Rose was dismayed to discover she had to cling tightly to the man in front of her to avoid sliding off the back of the horse as it climbed. When they reached the top, however, the view was worth the effort.
"We are here," the warrior announced as he stopped his horse near the edge of the cliff. "Dismount."
Rose began to swing off the back of the horse and the warrior assisted her by holding her arm as she dismounted. Then he jumped from his horse and walked to the cliff's edge.
"There," he said, pointing into the distance. "That is your village."
Rose moved next to him and gazed into the distance. There was a small patch of lights indicating the presence of the village and the river next to it was illuminated with shimmering light from the full moon. It was a grand view and Rose was glad she had experienced it.
"Its lovely from up here," Rose commented. "And so small."
"Just wait, Rose," Yasmeen suddenly interjected from a few feet to Rose's left. "When the sun peaks over those foothills to the east of our village, it's a grand sight."
And Yasmeen was correct. As the first bright rays of sunlight kissed the light brown adobe structures of the village, it created the illusion of gold. The tiny village appeared to be coated with layers of yellow-gold and for a brief moment, it was ablaze in the sun's early light. The illusion came and went quickly, but for that one moment in time, it was the most beautiful sight Rose had ever seen.
"It looked like something out of a fairy tale," Rose said in awe. Then she turned to gaze upon the warrior standing at her side. "Thank you for bringing me here."
He bowed his head slightly, then reached out and touched the necklace around her neck. His finger's barely brushed her skin in the process and she felt a strange energy from his touch. Only Ali's fingers had ever created that sensation upon her skin and she took a step back as she remembered him.
"Please, don't," she said quietly. He obliged and returned his hand to his side and Rose again looked across the desert at the view of her new homeland. She yearned for Ali. She wished he were standing at her side and racing her through the desert instead of this warrior. Though she liked the warrior, she loved Ali and in that moment she made a decision about her future.
"Could you return me to the village now?" she turned and asked the warrior. "I'm tired and I want to find Ali."
The man hesitated for a moment and Rose feared he would not return her to the village. Then he asked, "Do you not want the news of your brother?"
"Of course," Rose answered. "Please tell me what you know."
"We did not find him or any of his acquaintances in the place where we left them. The vehicles were still there, but no men anywhere." He paused and a dark look invaded his eyes.
"What? What is it?" Rose prodded.
"I fear your brother's group has combined forces with the men seeking the Fortress of Aten. I have no solid proof, aside from evidence of a helicopter landing, but my gut tells me that Jeffreys has connected the two groups," the warrior revealed.
Rose sighed. At least it sounded as if her brother was well. This new collaboration, however, had her nervous.
"I thank you for looking for him. And please, if you find the group you are seeking and it is true that my brother is among them, don't harm him," Rose requested.
The warrior's eyes shuttered away from her, as if he was going to refuse to grant her wish.
"Please," Rose pleaded and placed a hand upon his arm. "He has nothing to do with any of this. He's simply along for the ride, looking to protect me. He's not a criminal like Victor. He's not."
"Then I will ensure his safety when we find them," the warrior promised. "Because I love you, I will grant you your wish."
Rose balked at his words. She feared that if this warrior truly believed he loved her that she would never live in peace. Her mind conjured up images of the Medjai stealing her away in the night to be forced into a marriage with their chief. She didn't want to live with the threat of this man's love for the rest of her life as he had lived with the threat of Victor's for the past five years.
"Please, take me home," Rose requested with a whisper.
The warrior surprisingly nodded and then strode to his horse, swinging upon its back with lithe athleticism.
Rose admired his movements and the look of him upon the midnight black horse and again thought he made a perfect heroic figure. She could appreciate the brave picture he made and wondered if Ali possessed any warrior skills. She'd always respected Ali's keen intelligence and controlled demeanor, but never until this moment had she wondered or cared if he could fight off a band of bandits with just a sword. When they'd been in California, Rose certainly would have laughed at such a thought. After what she'd witnessed of him in Egypt, she was actually starting to believe he could be this very same warrior upon the Arabian horse in front of her.
"Shall we?" the warrior asked as he held out his hand to her.
Rose nodded and climbed onto the back of the horse. Yasmeen followed suit with the other warrior and within moments, they were descending the cliff and galloping back across the sand toward the village. ****
Ali halted his horse on the bank of the river, the spot where he'd found Rose and Yasmeen and assisted Rose to the ground. Her bare feet sunk into the sand and she brushed at her skirt and readjusted her shirt that had slipped off one shoulder, revealing the smooth, tanned skin underneath. The ride had not been long enough to satisfy him. He'd enjoyed the feel of her behind him, holding on tightly as they'd raced through the sands and he wanted to ride further into the desert with her.
He'd also not yet accomplished his goal, and that was to tell Rose who he really was. Ali had considered doing just that when they'd been atop the cliff, but he'd changed his mind at the last moment for the timing had not seemed right.
Who was he kidding-the timing wasn't ever going to be right! Rose would be disappointed in him whether he told her now or later. She'd understand, but she'd be disappointed.
"Well," Rose began as she looked up at him, "thanks for the ride. I guess I'll be seeing you next time I'm held hostage in the desert."
She turned to walk away and Ali felt a pang of guilt wash over him. Rose really had no idea who he was! She didn't even suspect him. Realizing that he could not allow her to make a decision about marrying him without being aware of the entire truth, Ali jumped from his horse and said, "Rose, wait."
Rose halted and swung back toward him.
"There is something you need to know about me before you go," he continued, trying to screw up the courage to reveal himself.
He could face death in the desert and dangerous enemies, but he could not tell the woman he loved the truth about his identity. It struck him as odd that he was such a coward when he was faced with the possibility of losing her. Yet now was the time, he could wait no more.
"My lord," a voice suddenly announced in Arabic.
Ali halted his hand on its way to his veil and he looked up the dirt path that led to the village and saw Hammad tottering their way. The old warrior was dressed in a white gambaz and light beige pants, his feet covered in sandals. He smiled at Ali and continued to move forward.
"My lord," Hammad continued, "I thought I saw you racing across the desert this morning."
"Hammad," Ali said with reverence in the same language, "it is good to see you well this morning."
The old man laughed and returned, "It is good to see me well any morning at my age! But I did not seek you out to talk of my health. I came to inquire of Rose. Have you revealed yourself to her yet?"
Ali shook her head. "I was about to."
"Do not do so now. Now is not the time," Hammad insisted. "You both look unrested. Take the day, rest, relax, then tell her."
Ali studied the man for a long while. Hammad always seemed to know how the course of events would unfold. Whether he was good at guessing, extremely wise or really had the gift of some extraordinary power was the mystery, but Ali never questioned him.
"Of course, Hammad. I will," Ali answered. To Rose he said in English, "I will bid you farewell now, Rose."
****
She smiled and waved and he swung onto his horse and rode away, Devraj following behind. He would leave the mystery of his identity in tact as Hammad had requested and tell Rose tonight. That dark, mysterious warrior was riding off again and Rose was slightly relieved. Life was simpler without a super hero complicating everything. He had showed her a brilliant sight, but she was glad to be back to the village she was beginning to feel welcomed in. And the old man standing on the path in front of she and Yasmeen was one of the people who truly made her feel welcomed.
Hammad looked at her with a twinkle in his dark eyes and gestured for the Rose to join him. She took his arm, still strong at his age, and walked beside him while Yasmeen fell into step behind them.
"How are you, my dear?" he inquired as they walked. His accent was not nearly as thick as one would suspect and his English impeccable.
"I'm fine," Rose answered, feeling completely at ease with the old man and wondering if perhaps she hadn't met him somewhere before.
"Good. I am glad for that. How do you like our small village thus far?"
"I like it," she returned. "Its peaceful."
"And the Medjai? What do you think of our local warriors?"
Rose paused and regarded him with a furrowed brow.
"Local? Just how local?" she asked.
"They have been in these parts for centuries," he answered. "Their history is long and honored."
"Have you ever seen them without the veils?" she inquired.
They were reaching the first dwellings in the village. Though the morning was still new, several people were starting their day. Rose noticed that more than a few eyes strayed to her and regarded her with much curiosity just as had been the case the night before at the Council meeting. She thought perhaps it was because the scarf covering her head was draped across her shoulders instead of being worn in the traditional fashion. Yet several other women about the village were not covered and some were even dressed in pants instead of skirts. She was certain that was not the case. It must surely then only have to do with the fact that she was new-an outsider whom Ali had insisted he planned to marry. Of course that made her a novelty until people got to know her. And she hoped that soon she would be able to spend some time amongst the villagers, amongst Ali's people, acquainting herself with them all.
He nodded. "I have. On several occasions." His smile held a hint of conspiracy and Rose felt a strange vibe emanating from the old man's demeanor that told her he knew much of the desert warriors. "You will too, very soon. After all, your image is depicted upon their Cave of Prophecies and you cannot deny your destiny."
Rose's feet froze at the old man's words. Was he telling her the same fantasy that the Medjai chief had told her in the cave during the sandstorm? Did this old man seriously believe in that same myth that she was to marry the Mejai chief? When the Medjai warrior had uttered such absurdity, Rose had not felt the same amount of fear she was feeling now that Hammad was saying it. His tone, his words were confident and convincing and Rose's first instinct was to run from the man. Knowing that would be rude, she politely released his arm and shook her head.
"No, that wasn't me on that cave wall," she refuted. "I don't want anything to do with any other man other than Ali. Ali is the reason I'm here."
"Yes, Ali is the reason you are here," the man agreed.
"And Ali will be the only reason I stay," Rose added.
It was the old man's turn to shake his head. "No, you also stay because of the danger you face at home. But do not fear, my child, your father will not have you under his control again. Your future lies in this desert and with the Medjai."
He clasped her hand, squeezing it with surprising strength, then turned and walked away before Rose could refute anything he'd declared. Looking at Yasmeen, knowing her face was turning red from the anger and confusion she was experiencing, Rose asked, "Did you hear what he said?"
"I heard," Yasmeen said, then added reassuringly, "But do not fret so. I am positive all will work out for the best." Yasmeen turned Rose and began pushing her up a long flight of steps between buildings that led to the next level of the village. "Lets get you home. I am sure Ali will be by to see you shortly."
Rose returned to Iman's house only to find the woman gone. Yasmeen left Rose and as she shut the door behind the woman, she yawned and stretched her arms over her head.
She was exhausted and slightly stiff from sleeping on the ground. In fact, she was so tired she didn't even have the energy to worry over Hammad's words to her about the Medjai.
Stepping into the bathroom, Rose washed her face, brushed the tangles from her hair that the wild morning ride had created and brushed her teeth. She was almost asleep as she made her way into the small bedroom she was using and stripped out of her borrowed clothes. She didn't even bother to dawn a T-shirt to sleep in. The circular movements of the air made by the ceiling fan were cool against her skin and Rose slipped between the sheets of the double bed and immediately drifted off to sleep dreaming of wild Arabian horses, soft desert sands and a band of cloaked warriors. ****