Chapter 19
Though the cave was cold and damp, Rose was able to sleep much better in it than she had in the Medjai camp. She realized the reason she could sleep here was because it reminded her of the night she'd spent here with Ali. Of course, during that time, she had been clueless to his true identity and had pretty much despised him.
Okay, perhaps "despise" wasn't the correct term. There had been an attraction that she'd felt and though she had hated being held against her will, she had to admit that the Medjai warrior side of Ali had drawn her in. There was just something about a mysterious warrior in black that fulfilled her fantasies, yet she was glad that she had realized her love for Ali before she'd discovered he was the Medjai chief for it would have always had her wondering if her love was real and true.
But her love was real and true, and if she could relive that fateful night over again, she would have remained in Iman's house and listened to Ali's explanation with more calm and forgiven him. Those guilty thoughts disturbed her sleep and once again she found herself awake in the middle of the night.
She pushed to a seated position and tried to untangle the hem of the robe that constantly tangled in her legs. When it refused to cooperate with her in the dimly lit cave, Rose yanked it off and threw it in a bundle on her bedroll. She raked a hasty hand through her hair that needed a good conditioning and blow-dry and sighed in frustration.
"You are awake?" Ardeth's deep voice asked from somwhere in the cave and Rose wondered if her sigh had been that loud to awaken him.
"Ardeth? Did I disturb you?" she asked back.
He appeared from the far end of the cave, carrying the torch, and answered, "No. I have been awake for a long while."
Before Rose could ask why he hadn't been sleeping, for it was obvious little Hammad was snoring away nearby, he held out his hand and insisted quietly, "Come with me."
Rose didn't ask where he was taking her or why he wanted her company as he held her hand and led her down a narrow passage at the back of the cave. She had not noticed it before when she'd been in the cave with Ali and wondered where it led. She had thought this was the extent of the cave, but the narrow path was leading them deeper into the earth. The longer they traveled, the colder it got and Rose was sorry she had left the robe behind.
The path finally opened into another chamber. This earthen room was enchanting. Stalactites and stalagmites adorned the roof and the floor of the cave and in the middle of the chamber was a shimmering pool of water. Ardeth's torch caused the pool to reflect its golden glow and it took a moment for Rose to pull her eyes from the water and see that the walls were also decorated as in the first chamber.
She released Ardeth's hand upon this discovery and moved toward one of the walls. Upon closer examination, she found that these walls were written upon in small, consecutive letters. It looked like the prose read like a book and there were no lists, no pictures, no intricate artistic designs like in the outer chamber.
"What is all this?" Rose questioned Ardeth as she gestured toward the wall.
Ardeth carefully put the torch in a holder on the wall and answered, "This is where the ancient history of our tribe is written."
Drawing sarcastically, Rose said, "You'll find that in the future, there are more efficient ways to store information."
"Yes," he agreed, "as there are today."
He moved a giant rock and revealed a deep hole in the wall of the cave. Reaching inside, he removed several hard cover journals.
"Two centuries ago, our tribe copied the information into these books. We leave them here for safekeeping. There is too much danger of our secrets being revealed if we left these in camp. Only certain Medjai even know of this cave and certainly none of our enemies. And," he added as he opened one of the heavy journals and held it toward Rose, "it is written in an ancient form of Arabic. Few in the world can even read it."
He gestured as if Rose should take the book and she obliged him.
"Interesting," she said, "but I can't make out a word of it."
"You will, one day," he said. "The wife of every Medjai chief must learn the ancient language-learn how to read and write it-so she can pass it down to her sons and daughters."
"Well, that'll be a good trick, seeing how I'm horrible at languages. My father tried unsuccessfully to teach me Italian. Can't even speak a word of it today except for 'hello' and 'good-bye.' Besides, if I never make it back to 2001, I won't be a Medjai chief's wife," she insisted.
Ardeth stared at her with an utterly strange look upon his face, then reclaimed the book from her hands and said, "In these books is written the possible location of the Staff of the Sun. All the secrets that we protect are written in here. I have been in here reading for the past few hours and I think I know where we must start in our quest for the staff."
"Where?" Rose questioned.
"Cairo," he answered. "We need to start at the museum there. A fellow Medjai, a very trusted Medjai, works there. He will allow us into the catacombs beneath the museum that holds the key that will unlock the tomb where the staff is supposedly buried."
"Tombs?" Rose gave a fake shiver. "Scary."
"Not entirely so. Everyone there is dead.or mostly dead," he said with the smallest hint of humor.
"Quit teasing me. You know, Ali constantly taunted me too," Rose declared. "What is it with you Bay men? You're arrogant, taunting and too handsome for your own good."
Instead of laughing at her light quip, Ardeth again stared at her with the weirdest of expressions, then turned and replaced the journals in their hiding spot. He was looking at her as if she were an alien from outer space. Granted, her stories about the future were more than likely absurd to him, but they certainly didn't warrant such a hard, unexplainable glare. Rose wanted to know what it was about her that was creating such a look so as he moved to the far wall to gather the torch, Rose moved toward him.
"Ardeth, what was that look for?" Rose asked, placing a hand on his arm to halt his movement toward the torch.
He turned his head and again stared at her with that "look" and pulled his arm back as if she'd burned him.
"What look?" he inquired, taking a step back.
"You're staring at me like I'm from outer space," she insisted.
He gave a short laugh that sounded incredibly forced and asked lightly, "Are you going to tell me that in the future the world meets people from outer space too?"
"No. But we can travel in space and land on the moon," she told him seriously. "And I realize you probably think me crazy for all the things I've told you. I don't exactly blame you for looking at me like I'm some freak of nature, but its making me uncomfortable."
He sighed and looked upon her with apology.
"I am sorry, Rose. It was my intention to not make you feel uncomfortable," he confessed. "I have failed in that, but I am afraid I do not know how to act any differently."
Rose wrinkled her brow and stared at him as if he were the oddity.
"I don't follow you," she said slowly.
He shook his head and said, "It is nothing, Rose. I have been in this room reading for too many hours in the journals. There is news in there that I did not enjoy reading and I am afraid it has affected me."
"Bad news?" she asked worriedly. "Does something happen to Ali or to you? Or to me? What is it?"
He gave her a short smile and she realized his smiles never lasted as long as Ali's. Ardeth looked like a man who was carrying too many burdens on his shoulders and he gently placed a hand on her arm and answered, "It is nothing that should concern you, my dear. The history and prophecies in these journals just made something very clear for me." Then ever so carefully and ever so shockingly, he moved his hand to her cheek then removed it before Rose could even register the touch.
Ardeth grabbed the torch and ordered quietly, "We should return to the other chamber." He led her away. ****
Ardeth had already known that destiny had certain designs for Rose. He had known it the first moment he'd laid eyes upon her Medjai ring and it had been reiterated in the Medjai history that was written quite plainly. She was to be the woman who brings the ideas to Ardeth for the future of the tribe, but she was not to be the woman who helped him realize that future at his side. She belonged to his grandson and as much as he knew that the future was already written in the stars, he was finding it very difficult to accept in his heart. ****
When the first man stepped through the light, Ali was not surprised to see it was Rose's brother. Jeffreys was next, then another, older man. Victor was the last one through and in his hand was the Staff of the Sun. What Ali was surprised by, however, was that there was no Rose. She was not with the group and he feared what that meant.
In fact, his fear was so paralyzing, thinking that he'd never see his Rose again, that Ali failed to move. Devraj was out from behind cover first, gun aimed and running toward the men before Ali even made an effort to leave his cover. Once the realization that Devraj was acting hit Ali, he too charged forward. They had to disarm Victor and his group and get the Staff of the Sun before they recovered from their trip through time.
It took a moment for Victor and his group to even notice the Medjai, Ali realized. They were all looking around their surroundings as if in a fog and Ali knew now was the time to act for the effect would be gone in a matter of seconds.
Two men raised their weapons first, apparently cognizant of their surroundings, and fired at the rushing Medjai. Ali and Devraj fired back. One man, an older man, was hit and fell to the hard stone floor. Jeffreys rushed at Devraj and the men tumbled to the floor as well, struggling for dominance. Victor lunged for the hole in the ground where the Staff of the Sun went. He plunged it into the hole at the same time Tony dove at him and grasped his own hand on the shaft, fighting to pull the staff away. The telltale pressure filled the fortress interior. The light emerged and Victor and Tony continued to struggle with one another until Ali arrived and reached for the staff. Suddenly, the light disappeared. ****
"Get up," a voice demanded, and Rose forced her eyes open.
Her surroundings were still dim, so she wondered why it was time to awaken.
"We must leave soon. Cairo is 2 days ride from here," the voice spoke again and Rose realized that voice belonged to Ardeth. His stare was hard and he frowned at her as if she he again angered him.
She yawned, stretched and then quipped, "My aren't you cheery in the morning."
He frowned deeper and returned, "Are all people so sarcastic in your time?"
Rose sat and shrugged. "Maybe its just you Ardeth. Maybe you just bring out the sarcasm in me."
He shook his head, quipped, "Enough sarcasm, woman," and turned away. Rose decided it best to ignore his tantrum for it was easier than trying to constantly argue with him. His moods changed quickly and she wondered why, for last night he had been so attentive and agreeable and this morning he was a bear. She would never mention so to him, however, for Ardeth was not as understanding a man as Ali.
Instead of arguing, Rose found herself some food and sat on her bedroll eating. She stared at the far wall that had contained an opening the night before. It was where Ardeth had taken her to show her the secret manuscripts and writings of his tribe. That opening, however, was now gone and she suddenly wondered if last night had been a dream. Rose turned to ask Ardeth, but found him gone. Hammad, however, was sitting in front of the opposite wall of the cave his attention focused on a project in front of him.
"Hammad?" Rose inquired.
The boy turned her way and smiled.
"What happened to the opening at the end of this chamber?" she asked.
"It is now gone," he answered simply. "The secret to opening it is something I cannot reveal."
"Secret cave openings, ancient transcripts.what else?" Rose mumbled more to herself than for her young audience. But apparently having heard her words, Hammad smiled wider and scooted back from the cave wall.
"This," he told her and pointed to a newly painted portrait and list of names.
That's when Rose saw the paintbrush in Hammad's hand.
"It came to me in a dream last night," he continued as Rose stood and rushed to the wall.
There upon the wall was the same words and image that Ali had shown her in 2001. It was that portrait of a woman with ice blue eyes that Rose had insisted could not be her. And next to it was three freshly painted names and though she could not read them, she knew what they said.
"Hammad, how did you know?" Rose questioned as she studied the picture closely.
"I just know," he returned. "When I was born, the tribe knew I had a gift. I can see things in my dreams. This I saw. See, I have drawn you."
Rose nodded in agreement. "Yes, you certainly have." She realized then that portrait was indeed of her.
The boy continued as he pointed to the wall. "Aarif Bay will be Ardeth's son, Ali will be his and Adan will be yours. You will be Ali's wife. And you carry his child even now."
"What?" Rose asked her mind reeling with his revelation.
The boy didn't answer her, however, and merely continued on. "And Ardeth, he knows this too. He knows you will marry Ali and bear his great grandson." Hammad gathered his things then stood. Looking down at Rose, he added cryptically, "He does not mean to be sharp with you. He will find his own love one day. His time has not yet come."
Hammad left the cave without looking back at Rose and she was glad for the boy would have seen her gasping for air. She was as shocked as could be by his revelations about the future and especially about she and Ali's baby. Did this boy really have a gift?
Rose gently touched her stomach and felt panic for a brief moment. If it was true and Hammad could see these things, then it was even more important she get back to Ali. If she was carrying his son, she could not stay here. ****
Where was he? Ali lay on his back, staring at a stone ceiling. It was a high ceiling in a large room, but he still could not quite grasp his surroundings.
Then he heard the voices. There were two voices. Men's voices. They were arguing. Ali couldn't figure out why they were arguing and it was another moment before he felt the contact and realized just what had happened.
His mind grasped everything in that instant as Victor and Tony rolled into him. They were fighting for the Staff of the Sun and before Ali could respond, Victor kicked Tony off of him, grabbed the staff and stood.
"Looks like I'm going home fellas," Victor shouted in triumph as he raised the staff over his head, ready to plunge it into the hole in the floor.
Ali reacted quickly then. Still on his back he drew his sword and swung it at Victor. He sliced across the man's chest. It was not a death blow, but it halted Victor in his actions and the staff fell from his grasp. Victor and Ali both lunged for the staff, but Victor recovered it. Bleeding, haggard and breathing hard, Victor stood with the staff again and held it in front of him. Ali jumped to his feet.
"One more step, Medjai, and I snap this in two," Victor threatened. "Then you'll be stuck back here in 1930 forever along with that no good girlfriend of yours."
At hearing Victor refer to Rose, he hung back, sword poised to strike, and asked, "Where is Rose?"
"Hopefully dead," he growled.
Ali cocked his arm back, angered, hurt and frustrated by Victor's words, and was ready to strike when Tony said, "Don't Ali. He'll break that staff in half before you kill him. I know he will."
Tony's announcement couldn't have come at a worse time, for Ali's pause gave Victor the opportunity to swing the staff like a club. Ali tried to duck and turn away, but the staff still connected with his shoulder, hitting his bullet wound squarely. A rush of pain like never before surged through Ali's body and he cried out in an angry howl.
"Like that?" Victor asked as he raised the staff for another blow.
"Victor, no!" Tony shouted and jumped in the way, knocking the staff from Victor's hands. The relic scattered across the stone platform and tumbled down the steps. An audible crash was heard and Ali feared the worse.
"Hell, Tony," Victor chastised. "What did you go and do that for? You should have let me finish him off."
Ali then pushed to his feet despite the weakness caused by the bullet wound, the loss of blood and the recent blow from Victor and wielded his sword. With little ceremony and no negotiations, he stabbed Victor in the chest. The man's dark eyes opened wide with shock and Ali never once looked away from his dying gaze.
"That's for Rose," Ali growled. "You'll never hurt her again."
It was a long, painful death, and Ali relished every moment the man suffered. But just as he was about to take his last breath, a small, evil smile played about his lips as if he was sorry for nothing he had done.
"See you in hell, Medjai," he said with the last of his air as he held up the Medjai charm he'd stolen. "And Rose too."
Victor's body slumped to the stone floor and Ali wiped the blood from his sword on the man's shirt and reclaimed his necklace. The Fortress of Aten was now safe. All he had to do was find Rose and return to their time.
"Tony, he is dead. Let's find Rose and get home," Ali announced, sheathing his sword.
Tony turned away from the ledge of the platform and frowned. His face, so much like Rose's, was lined with worry.
"I don't think we can do that, Ali," Tony said. "The staff is broken."
Not only was the Staff of the Sun inoperable, but little did Tony and Ali know that they had just missed Rose and the Medjai by a few hours. ****
Devraj and the rest of the warriors had secured Jeffreys and the wounded Jean Danton. It was then that Hammad and Yasmeen made their way out from behind their cover. Yasmeen immediately ran to Devraj, checking on the minor injuries he had acquired in the fight with Jeffreys while Hammad took his time and looked carefully around the fortress.
"Where is Ali?" he finally asked, after his inspection of the chamber was through.
"I am afraid he was throw back in time with the other men," a worried warrior answered from the stone platform.
Hammad frowned and quickly found himself a seat on the steps of the platform. He was visibly shaken and Yasmeen left Devraj's side to inquire of his health.
"No, I am fine, my child," he insisted to Yasmeen. "But, I am afraid we have changed the course of history for Ali was not supposed to return to 1930."
"What?" Yasmeen asked and upon hearing Hammad's confession, Devraj hurried to kneel in front of the sitting old man.
"How do you know this, Hammad?" Devraj asked respectfully.
"It is not written in the Medjai history. That is how I know it. I have never seen it in a vision and have never heard of it being told in our stories. It just wasn't supposed to happen," the old man said.
"Our path is not entirely written for us, Hammad," Yasmeen argued. "We do have free will and self-determination. What is written for us is to guide the Medjai, not to rule our every action."
Devraj nodded, seemingly in agreement with Yasmeen and looked urgently at Hammad. The old man gave a loud sigh, placed a hand upon Devraj's shoulder and agreed, "Perhaps Yasmeen is correct. I have faith our chief will make the correct decisions and not alter history for the worse. Ali will serve us well." ****
The desert heat was bearing down upon them as they made their way through the desert on foot. They walked during the early morning and evening when the sun was lower and rested when the sun was at its height. Ali was weak still from his wound and Tony was certain the fight with Victor had drained the last of his strength. But the man was a fierce warrior and he found some deep reserve of endurance to carry him on.
Tony was also glad Ali knew his way through the Sahara. Ali pointed them in the direction of water and food and they were able to sustain themselves as they walked. They had no other choice but to traverse the desert by foot and look for the Medjai of 1930 for the Staff of the Sun that was broken in two was worthless-incapable of generating the power needed to time travel. They had no chance of returning to their time without the staff of 1930 and Ali had insisted the Medjai would know where it was.
"And if they do not yet have it," Ali said, "they will find it. We have a catalogue of all the ancient secrets, myths, sites and curses. With the clues left behind by the Medjai of centuries past, we can find just about anything in Egypt that hasn't already been looted. Even that does not mean it is unattainable." He'd smiled at Tony then with a hint of confidence, but his face was showing more pain and exhaustion than anything.
It had been two days since they'd ventured away from the Fortress of Aten and Tony had to wonder just how long they would have to walk in the desert until they found someone to help them.
That help came in the form of a trading caravan not two hours after Tony's contemplation that very morning. It was a large caravan and they waved it down along a desert path and inquired if they had any camels or horses for trade.
"We have camels," one trader had said roughly with a sneer upon his face. "But what do you have, Medjai, that we would want in trade? Your kind in particular disgusts me and I would rather not barter with you for anything."
Ali had glared at the man then and said in his most menacing tone as he drew his sword and placed it at the man's neck, "Not even for your life?"
"And there are twenty men here who would shoot you dead as I fell," the man had replied and when Tony tapped Ali on the shoulder and said, "Uh, the man's right," Ali had returned his sword to its sheath and wished for his modern weaponry. He only carried one handgun with a seventeen round magazine, his knife and his swords. And though in ordinary circumstances that was more than enough firepower. Being weak, outgunned and without his automatic M-P 5 rifle or backup, however, he knew it was better to back down.
"How about this?" Tony had then asked as he pulled the gold Rolex watch from his wrist.
The trader had studied the timepiece closely and then offered, "One camel."
"One.what? One camel? Are you insane? That's a Rolex. A $10,000 watch," Tony tried to argue and Ali grabbed his arm and yanked him away.
"One camel will do," Ali had insisted and they collected the beast and continued their journey.
"Why did you fold so easily, Ali, especially after you were ready to kill the man?" Tony later inquired after they had ridden for another hour.
"I fear I did not have the strength to fight should any of those traders have challenged me. They were an unscrupulous bunch, but still, they would have defeated me," Ali explained.
"You know, I'm really sorry I had to shoot you, Ali. I felt I had no choice. I was trying to protect my sister from Victor," Tony relayed, wondering why Ali had not broached the topic before, though it was obvious it was the bullet wound that was causing his weakness.
"You need not apologize," he insisted weakly, his voice growing as feeble as his body felt. "You did what you had to do to save Rose. Besides, I have a feeling it was supposed to happen."
Tony said no more until an hour later they were traversing a deeply carved ravine in the desert ground and stopping in front of a cave.
"What is this place?" he inquired.
"A place that will hopefully hold some answers. And after we have found some answers, we're going to find Hamunaptra."
Tony shook his head. "No way. I'm not going back there. That place is creepy."
"Yes, we will go back there," Ali said as he stepped off the kneeling camel, his legs almost buckling as he did. Tony caught him by the arm to steady him and Ali added, "If we go to Hamunaptra, the Medjai will find us."
They walked into the Cave of Prophecies together as Tony asked, "Why will they find us there? And don't you know where they're at?"
"Hamunaptra is an ancient site we guard with our lives. There are dangers there we want no one to discover. Any interloper is found within a day. And I do not know where the Medjai of 1930 are, for in this time there are still several tribes scattered throughout Egypt. They are mostly nomadic or at least live in makeshift camps. There are few permanent Medjai settlements and my grandfather's tribe has not yet given up their nomadic ways. And from what you told me, it was my grandfather who rescued Rose."
"Well, I didn't get a name, but he looked just like you-add a few tattoos that is," Tony said.
Ali nodded and then pointed to the far wall of the cave they had entered. There, freshly painted upon the wall was Rose's picture and his name.
"Ardeth Bay," Ali said as he touched his grandfather's name. "This is who you saw, I am certain. And this is Rose. She is destined to be my wife."
Ali then looked up at Tony with a challenge in his eyes as if to say, "Dare defy me on that point." Tony merely smiled and said instead, "I hope she will be too, Ali. You're a good man."
Ali nodded and sat on the ground under Rose's picture, his back to the wall. He sighed heavily and announced, "From the looks of the fire pit, I'd say someone has been here recently. And the paint of this picture is still relatively new. I will need help getting the information we need, Tony. Can I trust you to help me?"
"You once trusted me with your life, didn't you? Besides, you can trust me to do anything, Ali, that's going to help my sister," Tony said.
"Good," Ali returned. "You can start by opening the hidden entrance on that far wall. ****
Rose awoke early the next morning, the first to arise. She was surprised to find the man and the boy still sleeping, for during their travels thus far, they had both always arisen before her. But she had beaten them to the draw this morning and she pulled off the Medjai robe that she'd covered herself with for the night, and stood to stretch.
Quietly, so as not to disturb the others in the gray dawn hours, Rose sipped some stale water from her canteen, then ate a few rations of dried fruit. As satisfied as the rations and water could make her, she then took a good look around the area they were camped. The night before they had stopped after sunset, the sky dark, and she had no idea where they were. Yet as she continued to glance around the area, something looked familiar.
In the distance, she saw running water-a stream, or a river perhaps. And they were camped at the base of a tall plateau. There was something about the landscape that she caught her attention and that was odd, for everything so far had looked exactly alike.
Grabbing her horse and not bothering to saddle it, she swung onto its back and was just about to ride out of camp when a strong hand caught the mare's reins.
"Going someplace, Rose?" Ardeth asked and his voice held a hint of suspicion.
Rolling her eyes with exasperation, for Ardeth had barely said a word to her the day before and when he did, only spoke blunt and tersely, Rose answered, "I'm just going to ride up this rise. I'm curious about something. Come along if you must."
She saw Ardeth hesitated for only a moment before he grabbed a handful of the horse's mane and swung himself up behind her, bumping her in the process. He was built tall and powerfully, just like Ali, and again she was homesick.
Once he was settled, Rose gently kicked the horse into a walk and started up the barely worn trail of switch-backs cut into the side of the plateau. As soon as the incline increased, Ardeth reached around her-one hand grabbing a fistful of mane again, another encircling her waist. Rose too had to hang onto the horse's mane for fear of sliding right off the back and taking Ardeth with her.
"I'm sorry, I guess I should have saddled the horse," Rose apologized half- way through the ride.
"It is no inconvenience," he replied matter-of-factly. "However, it will be interesting to see how we get down without sliding right over the horse's head."
Rose laughed for Ardeth's light moments were so few and far between, she wanted to take advantage of them. Ali had made her laugh a lot. She loved that sense of humor about him. She wished Ardeth possessed more of that. Yet she had realized something these past days watching him and listening to his and Hammad's stories about the Medjai, and that was how incredibly daunting his role in this era was. Not only did he have to guard the ancient secrets of Egypt, but also keep track of warring tribes and desert bandits. Tomb raiders were still a threat in this age and Rose knew exactly what history had in store for the world during the next fifteen years. Taking all that into consideration, she realized why Ardeth's humor was so rare.
Thinking of that, Rose remained quiet the entire ride up the plateau. It took at least five minutes to reach the top and when they finally reached level ground, Ardeth said with more humor, "I do believe that is the longest I have heard you go without talking."
He had released the horse's mane, but his other hand was still on her stomach, resting lightly. She didn't even notice for she felt comfortable with his nearness.
"Are you complaining?" she asked back.
"No. In fact, it was rather nice," he drawled sarcastically.
Then he slipped off the back of the horse and held out a hand for Rose. She frowned at him, faking more anger than she felt, and jumped down without assistance.
He pulled his hand back then and returned her expression.
"Are all women of your era so.stubborn and independent?" he inquired.
"Most," she replied, then placed a challenging hand upon her hip. "Why, does that threaten you?"
She was expecting him to frown at her again for her taunt. Instead, he smiled easily-it was a lazy smile, one that Ali had thrown her on more than one occasion when he'd felt he had gotten the best of her-and then said, "Actually, I find it quite intriguing. I wish more women of this era possessed that attitude. A Medjai chief would be wise to make such a woman his wife."
If he was expecting her to blush at his compliment, he was wrong, for all she did was laugh in that giddy way she sometimes let show.
"Your grandson said the exact same thing to me not so long ago," she confessed. "In fact, we even fought side by side against some of Oscar Mann's henchmen in that very same Cave of Prophecies we just left yesterday." She visibly shuddered then. "I still get nightmares about having had to shoot a man. But I saved Ali so I guess it evens out."
Ardeth's eyes swept over her body, clad in those strange and form-fitting clothes of her time, and watched as she shivered at the memory. It again intrigued him as he realized she could be so very feminine and then so very tough. It was an unusual combination and again he was attracted by the forbidden.
"Most women would not have been so brave," he insisted. "You have shown that bravery over and over since you have been in my company. You.impress me."
Rose smiled at his compliment for it meant a lot to her. Being accepted by Ardeth and his sometimes rough ways was like being accepted by Ali's family. If the family patriarch approved, then she was truly supposed to be Ali's wife.
Then the smile faded from her lips as she realized she was not quite so brave when she considered what the future could hold. She could very well be carrying Ali's baby and stuck in 1930 with only its great-grandfather for comfort. It was an odd scenario and suddenly she wondered if Ali would ever see his child.
When the look of uncertainty settled upon Rose's face, Ardeth asked, "I said something wrong?"
She shook her head and rushed at him throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in his robe. It was covered in as much dirt and dust as she was, but she didn't care.
"Rose, what is the matter?" Ardeth inquired hesitantly, taken aback by her sudden display of affection. The affection she had bestowed upon him in the Fortress of Aten had made sense. She'd been looking for comfort after just having been left behind in 1930. What she was looking for now was unknown to him.
"Tell me, Ardeth," she began, feeling one of Ardeth's hands finally land lightly upon her shoulder, "does Hammad really possess a special gift?"
"He does."
"And what he sees really comes true?" she continued.
"So far. I am convinced of it, or I would not have a twelve-year old boy ride with my warriors. He is too young to be among us, yet we always keep him near for his revelations have saved us many times," he explained. "He is wise beyond his years at times. Other times, he is just a boy."
Rose again buried her face deeper into the folds of Ardeth's robe and contemplated her future.
"That's what I was afraid of," she said quietly, "that he was right all the time. I know everything he told me back in my time has come true and I'm afraid what he told me yesterday will too."
"And what did he tell you yesterday?" Ardeth questioned, placing both hands on Rose's shoulders and pushing her back from his body. That brave, confident woman looked anything but and he suddenly felt fear himself.
"I'd rather not say just yet, Ardeth. Its rather private." Then she bit her bottom lip and leaned her forehead against his chest, obviously in search of comfort. "I need Ali," she whispered quietly, and Ardeth wondered if he was even supposed to hear her words as he allowed his grip on her shoulders to loosen and she again snuggled against his chest.
He relented and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly for a very long time, then said quietly, "I am sure, whatever it is, will work out for the best, my darling."
Rose laughed softly then confessed, "Oh how you sound and feel just like Ali. In fact, as long as I don't look at your tattoos, I'm positive you are him sometimes."
"I am not him," he returned with a rough edge she did not catch.
"Don't shatter the illusion. Let me pretend a while longer, would you?" she asked, her voice muffled against his chest. "Let me remember what if felt like in his arms and how his voice would wash over me as he called me 'my darling' too. I loved the feel of his solid chest against my cheek.it felt just like it feels now. So strong, so smooth and your heart beating with the determined pulse of life. I laid there and listened to it beat so strongly that day we made love, Ali. I'll never forget what it felt like to be with you even if I never make it home."
Finding himself drawn into Rose's fantasy, it took Ardeth a moment to even realize she had switched realities on him. Suddenly, he felt like a prop and as much as he wanted to continue to hold her, he knew he could not.
Holding her at arm's length, Ardeth said firmly, "I am not Ali, Rose."
She stared at him with a blank expression, then blinked, blushed and stepped away.
"God, I'm sorry!" she said, throwing a hand to her flushed cheek. "I'm really sorry, Ardeth."
"No harm done," he answered stiffly.
"Yes, there is. I embarrassed you," she argued. She had embarrassed herself, she realized. Not only had she made Ardeth feel uncomfortable with her actions, her words had obviously been too intimate, expressing nearly every detail of hers and Ali's relationship.
Ardeth chuckled at her then and there was something predatory in the way he sounded. "I cannot speak for your Ali, but I am not put off by such intimate talk."
That Bay arrogance reared its ugly head and Rose suddenly wanted to make Ardeth feel as uncomfortable as she now felt.
"Is that so?" she challenged. "Well, then maybe you'd like to know why I am so upset this morning. Maybe you'd like to know that Hammad told me yesterday that I'm carrying Ali's child.the next chief of the Medjai who's name he painted on the Cave of Prophecies' wall."
Rose had reached her goal and then some. Ardeth gaped at her for a moment, then looked away, his tanned cheeks blushing lightly under his tattoos of honor and strength. Rose never would have thought him a man that would blush, but he was doing so and she would have smiled had he not then suddenly paled.
"I guess you succeeded in proving me wrong," Ardeth finally said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Rose told him, " but I guess I really just had to tell someone to see if it was real."
"If Hammad said it was so, then it more than likely is."
Rose sighed. "That's what I was afraid of. Now do you understand why I was so upset this morning? I have no qualms about having a baby. What I'm worried about, is having a baby here in 1930 without Ali." She reached out and touched Ardeth's shoulder and asked urgently, "Ardeth, what will I do if we can't find the staff and I'm stuck here?"
Ardeth's brown eyes, usually dark and intimidating, softened as he scanned her face. It was a look that told her he understood and despite his rough ways he did harbor a soft side. It was that soft side that obviously prompted him to gently caress her cheek, kiss her forehead and say, "If you must remain here, you will be treated like a member of my family and cared for as such. And I will help you raise this child and instruct him in the ways of the Medjai. But you see, Rose, that is not what the future holds, for your place is back in your time. You belong to your Ali and you will see him again."
Smiling at him with the questioning look of a child, Rose asked, "Is that a promise?"
Nodding once with resolution, Ardeth agreed, "That is a promise."
Though it was a promise he did not want to make he had no choice. His duty came before his happiness and after spending such close, intimate time with Rose this morning, he realized she loved Ali, his grandson, with every fiber of her soul. She could come to care for Ardeth as a member of Ali's family and any affection and closeness she shared with him was only out of that bond. And the fact that Rose saw him as more of a double for Ali than as his own man proved to him again what destiny had waiting.
Rose smiled one last time, then suddenly turned her radiant expression away and gasped. The sun was rising over the far eastern plain and the river valley below was bathed in a glorious wash of sparkling gold light.
"Ardeth, look!" Rose gasped, pulling away and walking toward the edge of the plateau that dropped off like a cliff. "It's just as I remembered it. I thought this spot looked familiar."
When he joined her on the edge and looked at her with questions, Rose explained, "This is where you will settle the Medjai and make a permanent village. This is where Ali lives now and all the future Medjai."
"All the Medjai?" he asked, suddenly interested in this topic. "But there are twelve tribes now. Thousands of warriors."
Rose shrugged. "I only know about that one tribe. I'm not sure there are twelve in the future."
Ardeth completely forgot about any intense feelings of attraction he'd felt only moments ago with Rose and felt only dread. He had an idea as to what exactly would happen to those large numbers of Medjai. They would more than likely be greatly hurt when the Army of Anubis came forward. He, however, mentioned none of that to Rose and instead looked down at the river valley below.
"There's plenty of water here," Rose continued. "The river, obviously, but also a rare underground aquifer. It'll become a unique village. A grand mix of tradition and modernism."
Ardeth nodded, then said, "When this is all through, I will send tribesmen to scout the location. If it has what you say it does, Rose, then my tribe will settle here."
Rose smiled at him and he smiled at her. Then he nodded in the direction of the horse and said, "Lets try and ride this beast back down without falling off."
Rose nodded and followed him to the horse. Climbing up behind him and holding on as they rode back down to camp, she had a feeling she had just made a wonderful friend. And if things were drastically different, if she'd been from his time instead of her own, she could easily find herself as madly in love with him as she was with Ali. ****
Though the cave was cold and damp, Rose was able to sleep much better in it than she had in the Medjai camp. She realized the reason she could sleep here was because it reminded her of the night she'd spent here with Ali. Of course, during that time, she had been clueless to his true identity and had pretty much despised him.
Okay, perhaps "despise" wasn't the correct term. There had been an attraction that she'd felt and though she had hated being held against her will, she had to admit that the Medjai warrior side of Ali had drawn her in. There was just something about a mysterious warrior in black that fulfilled her fantasies, yet she was glad that she had realized her love for Ali before she'd discovered he was the Medjai chief for it would have always had her wondering if her love was real and true.
But her love was real and true, and if she could relive that fateful night over again, she would have remained in Iman's house and listened to Ali's explanation with more calm and forgiven him. Those guilty thoughts disturbed her sleep and once again she found herself awake in the middle of the night.
She pushed to a seated position and tried to untangle the hem of the robe that constantly tangled in her legs. When it refused to cooperate with her in the dimly lit cave, Rose yanked it off and threw it in a bundle on her bedroll. She raked a hasty hand through her hair that needed a good conditioning and blow-dry and sighed in frustration.
"You are awake?" Ardeth's deep voice asked from somwhere in the cave and Rose wondered if her sigh had been that loud to awaken him.
"Ardeth? Did I disturb you?" she asked back.
He appeared from the far end of the cave, carrying the torch, and answered, "No. I have been awake for a long while."
Before Rose could ask why he hadn't been sleeping, for it was obvious little Hammad was snoring away nearby, he held out his hand and insisted quietly, "Come with me."
Rose didn't ask where he was taking her or why he wanted her company as he held her hand and led her down a narrow passage at the back of the cave. She had not noticed it before when she'd been in the cave with Ali and wondered where it led. She had thought this was the extent of the cave, but the narrow path was leading them deeper into the earth. The longer they traveled, the colder it got and Rose was sorry she had left the robe behind.
The path finally opened into another chamber. This earthen room was enchanting. Stalactites and stalagmites adorned the roof and the floor of the cave and in the middle of the chamber was a shimmering pool of water. Ardeth's torch caused the pool to reflect its golden glow and it took a moment for Rose to pull her eyes from the water and see that the walls were also decorated as in the first chamber.
She released Ardeth's hand upon this discovery and moved toward one of the walls. Upon closer examination, she found that these walls were written upon in small, consecutive letters. It looked like the prose read like a book and there were no lists, no pictures, no intricate artistic designs like in the outer chamber.
"What is all this?" Rose questioned Ardeth as she gestured toward the wall.
Ardeth carefully put the torch in a holder on the wall and answered, "This is where the ancient history of our tribe is written."
Drawing sarcastically, Rose said, "You'll find that in the future, there are more efficient ways to store information."
"Yes," he agreed, "as there are today."
He moved a giant rock and revealed a deep hole in the wall of the cave. Reaching inside, he removed several hard cover journals.
"Two centuries ago, our tribe copied the information into these books. We leave them here for safekeeping. There is too much danger of our secrets being revealed if we left these in camp. Only certain Medjai even know of this cave and certainly none of our enemies. And," he added as he opened one of the heavy journals and held it toward Rose, "it is written in an ancient form of Arabic. Few in the world can even read it."
He gestured as if Rose should take the book and she obliged him.
"Interesting," she said, "but I can't make out a word of it."
"You will, one day," he said. "The wife of every Medjai chief must learn the ancient language-learn how to read and write it-so she can pass it down to her sons and daughters."
"Well, that'll be a good trick, seeing how I'm horrible at languages. My father tried unsuccessfully to teach me Italian. Can't even speak a word of it today except for 'hello' and 'good-bye.' Besides, if I never make it back to 2001, I won't be a Medjai chief's wife," she insisted.
Ardeth stared at her with an utterly strange look upon his face, then reclaimed the book from her hands and said, "In these books is written the possible location of the Staff of the Sun. All the secrets that we protect are written in here. I have been in here reading for the past few hours and I think I know where we must start in our quest for the staff."
"Where?" Rose questioned.
"Cairo," he answered. "We need to start at the museum there. A fellow Medjai, a very trusted Medjai, works there. He will allow us into the catacombs beneath the museum that holds the key that will unlock the tomb where the staff is supposedly buried."
"Tombs?" Rose gave a fake shiver. "Scary."
"Not entirely so. Everyone there is dead.or mostly dead," he said with the smallest hint of humor.
"Quit teasing me. You know, Ali constantly taunted me too," Rose declared. "What is it with you Bay men? You're arrogant, taunting and too handsome for your own good."
Instead of laughing at her light quip, Ardeth again stared at her with the weirdest of expressions, then turned and replaced the journals in their hiding spot. He was looking at her as if she were an alien from outer space. Granted, her stories about the future were more than likely absurd to him, but they certainly didn't warrant such a hard, unexplainable glare. Rose wanted to know what it was about her that was creating such a look so as he moved to the far wall to gather the torch, Rose moved toward him.
"Ardeth, what was that look for?" Rose asked, placing a hand on his arm to halt his movement toward the torch.
He turned his head and again stared at her with that "look" and pulled his arm back as if she'd burned him.
"What look?" he inquired, taking a step back.
"You're staring at me like I'm from outer space," she insisted.
He gave a short laugh that sounded incredibly forced and asked lightly, "Are you going to tell me that in the future the world meets people from outer space too?"
"No. But we can travel in space and land on the moon," she told him seriously. "And I realize you probably think me crazy for all the things I've told you. I don't exactly blame you for looking at me like I'm some freak of nature, but its making me uncomfortable."
He sighed and looked upon her with apology.
"I am sorry, Rose. It was my intention to not make you feel uncomfortable," he confessed. "I have failed in that, but I am afraid I do not know how to act any differently."
Rose wrinkled her brow and stared at him as if he were the oddity.
"I don't follow you," she said slowly.
He shook his head and said, "It is nothing, Rose. I have been in this room reading for too many hours in the journals. There is news in there that I did not enjoy reading and I am afraid it has affected me."
"Bad news?" she asked worriedly. "Does something happen to Ali or to you? Or to me? What is it?"
He gave her a short smile and she realized his smiles never lasted as long as Ali's. Ardeth looked like a man who was carrying too many burdens on his shoulders and he gently placed a hand on her arm and answered, "It is nothing that should concern you, my dear. The history and prophecies in these journals just made something very clear for me." Then ever so carefully and ever so shockingly, he moved his hand to her cheek then removed it before Rose could even register the touch.
Ardeth grabbed the torch and ordered quietly, "We should return to the other chamber." He led her away. ****
Ardeth had already known that destiny had certain designs for Rose. He had known it the first moment he'd laid eyes upon her Medjai ring and it had been reiterated in the Medjai history that was written quite plainly. She was to be the woman who brings the ideas to Ardeth for the future of the tribe, but she was not to be the woman who helped him realize that future at his side. She belonged to his grandson and as much as he knew that the future was already written in the stars, he was finding it very difficult to accept in his heart. ****
When the first man stepped through the light, Ali was not surprised to see it was Rose's brother. Jeffreys was next, then another, older man. Victor was the last one through and in his hand was the Staff of the Sun. What Ali was surprised by, however, was that there was no Rose. She was not with the group and he feared what that meant.
In fact, his fear was so paralyzing, thinking that he'd never see his Rose again, that Ali failed to move. Devraj was out from behind cover first, gun aimed and running toward the men before Ali even made an effort to leave his cover. Once the realization that Devraj was acting hit Ali, he too charged forward. They had to disarm Victor and his group and get the Staff of the Sun before they recovered from their trip through time.
It took a moment for Victor and his group to even notice the Medjai, Ali realized. They were all looking around their surroundings as if in a fog and Ali knew now was the time to act for the effect would be gone in a matter of seconds.
Two men raised their weapons first, apparently cognizant of their surroundings, and fired at the rushing Medjai. Ali and Devraj fired back. One man, an older man, was hit and fell to the hard stone floor. Jeffreys rushed at Devraj and the men tumbled to the floor as well, struggling for dominance. Victor lunged for the hole in the ground where the Staff of the Sun went. He plunged it into the hole at the same time Tony dove at him and grasped his own hand on the shaft, fighting to pull the staff away. The telltale pressure filled the fortress interior. The light emerged and Victor and Tony continued to struggle with one another until Ali arrived and reached for the staff. Suddenly, the light disappeared. ****
"Get up," a voice demanded, and Rose forced her eyes open.
Her surroundings were still dim, so she wondered why it was time to awaken.
"We must leave soon. Cairo is 2 days ride from here," the voice spoke again and Rose realized that voice belonged to Ardeth. His stare was hard and he frowned at her as if she he again angered him.
She yawned, stretched and then quipped, "My aren't you cheery in the morning."
He frowned deeper and returned, "Are all people so sarcastic in your time?"
Rose sat and shrugged. "Maybe its just you Ardeth. Maybe you just bring out the sarcasm in me."
He shook his head, quipped, "Enough sarcasm, woman," and turned away. Rose decided it best to ignore his tantrum for it was easier than trying to constantly argue with him. His moods changed quickly and she wondered why, for last night he had been so attentive and agreeable and this morning he was a bear. She would never mention so to him, however, for Ardeth was not as understanding a man as Ali.
Instead of arguing, Rose found herself some food and sat on her bedroll eating. She stared at the far wall that had contained an opening the night before. It was where Ardeth had taken her to show her the secret manuscripts and writings of his tribe. That opening, however, was now gone and she suddenly wondered if last night had been a dream. Rose turned to ask Ardeth, but found him gone. Hammad, however, was sitting in front of the opposite wall of the cave his attention focused on a project in front of him.
"Hammad?" Rose inquired.
The boy turned her way and smiled.
"What happened to the opening at the end of this chamber?" she asked.
"It is now gone," he answered simply. "The secret to opening it is something I cannot reveal."
"Secret cave openings, ancient transcripts.what else?" Rose mumbled more to herself than for her young audience. But apparently having heard her words, Hammad smiled wider and scooted back from the cave wall.
"This," he told her and pointed to a newly painted portrait and list of names.
That's when Rose saw the paintbrush in Hammad's hand.
"It came to me in a dream last night," he continued as Rose stood and rushed to the wall.
There upon the wall was the same words and image that Ali had shown her in 2001. It was that portrait of a woman with ice blue eyes that Rose had insisted could not be her. And next to it was three freshly painted names and though she could not read them, she knew what they said.
"Hammad, how did you know?" Rose questioned as she studied the picture closely.
"I just know," he returned. "When I was born, the tribe knew I had a gift. I can see things in my dreams. This I saw. See, I have drawn you."
Rose nodded in agreement. "Yes, you certainly have." She realized then that portrait was indeed of her.
The boy continued as he pointed to the wall. "Aarif Bay will be Ardeth's son, Ali will be his and Adan will be yours. You will be Ali's wife. And you carry his child even now."
"What?" Rose asked her mind reeling with his revelation.
The boy didn't answer her, however, and merely continued on. "And Ardeth, he knows this too. He knows you will marry Ali and bear his great grandson." Hammad gathered his things then stood. Looking down at Rose, he added cryptically, "He does not mean to be sharp with you. He will find his own love one day. His time has not yet come."
Hammad left the cave without looking back at Rose and she was glad for the boy would have seen her gasping for air. She was as shocked as could be by his revelations about the future and especially about she and Ali's baby. Did this boy really have a gift?
Rose gently touched her stomach and felt panic for a brief moment. If it was true and Hammad could see these things, then it was even more important she get back to Ali. If she was carrying his son, she could not stay here. ****
Where was he? Ali lay on his back, staring at a stone ceiling. It was a high ceiling in a large room, but he still could not quite grasp his surroundings.
Then he heard the voices. There were two voices. Men's voices. They were arguing. Ali couldn't figure out why they were arguing and it was another moment before he felt the contact and realized just what had happened.
His mind grasped everything in that instant as Victor and Tony rolled into him. They were fighting for the Staff of the Sun and before Ali could respond, Victor kicked Tony off of him, grabbed the staff and stood.
"Looks like I'm going home fellas," Victor shouted in triumph as he raised the staff over his head, ready to plunge it into the hole in the floor.
Ali reacted quickly then. Still on his back he drew his sword and swung it at Victor. He sliced across the man's chest. It was not a death blow, but it halted Victor in his actions and the staff fell from his grasp. Victor and Ali both lunged for the staff, but Victor recovered it. Bleeding, haggard and breathing hard, Victor stood with the staff again and held it in front of him. Ali jumped to his feet.
"One more step, Medjai, and I snap this in two," Victor threatened. "Then you'll be stuck back here in 1930 forever along with that no good girlfriend of yours."
At hearing Victor refer to Rose, he hung back, sword poised to strike, and asked, "Where is Rose?"
"Hopefully dead," he growled.
Ali cocked his arm back, angered, hurt and frustrated by Victor's words, and was ready to strike when Tony said, "Don't Ali. He'll break that staff in half before you kill him. I know he will."
Tony's announcement couldn't have come at a worse time, for Ali's pause gave Victor the opportunity to swing the staff like a club. Ali tried to duck and turn away, but the staff still connected with his shoulder, hitting his bullet wound squarely. A rush of pain like never before surged through Ali's body and he cried out in an angry howl.
"Like that?" Victor asked as he raised the staff for another blow.
"Victor, no!" Tony shouted and jumped in the way, knocking the staff from Victor's hands. The relic scattered across the stone platform and tumbled down the steps. An audible crash was heard and Ali feared the worse.
"Hell, Tony," Victor chastised. "What did you go and do that for? You should have let me finish him off."
Ali then pushed to his feet despite the weakness caused by the bullet wound, the loss of blood and the recent blow from Victor and wielded his sword. With little ceremony and no negotiations, he stabbed Victor in the chest. The man's dark eyes opened wide with shock and Ali never once looked away from his dying gaze.
"That's for Rose," Ali growled. "You'll never hurt her again."
It was a long, painful death, and Ali relished every moment the man suffered. But just as he was about to take his last breath, a small, evil smile played about his lips as if he was sorry for nothing he had done.
"See you in hell, Medjai," he said with the last of his air as he held up the Medjai charm he'd stolen. "And Rose too."
Victor's body slumped to the stone floor and Ali wiped the blood from his sword on the man's shirt and reclaimed his necklace. The Fortress of Aten was now safe. All he had to do was find Rose and return to their time.
"Tony, he is dead. Let's find Rose and get home," Ali announced, sheathing his sword.
Tony turned away from the ledge of the platform and frowned. His face, so much like Rose's, was lined with worry.
"I don't think we can do that, Ali," Tony said. "The staff is broken."
Not only was the Staff of the Sun inoperable, but little did Tony and Ali know that they had just missed Rose and the Medjai by a few hours. ****
Devraj and the rest of the warriors had secured Jeffreys and the wounded Jean Danton. It was then that Hammad and Yasmeen made their way out from behind their cover. Yasmeen immediately ran to Devraj, checking on the minor injuries he had acquired in the fight with Jeffreys while Hammad took his time and looked carefully around the fortress.
"Where is Ali?" he finally asked, after his inspection of the chamber was through.
"I am afraid he was throw back in time with the other men," a worried warrior answered from the stone platform.
Hammad frowned and quickly found himself a seat on the steps of the platform. He was visibly shaken and Yasmeen left Devraj's side to inquire of his health.
"No, I am fine, my child," he insisted to Yasmeen. "But, I am afraid we have changed the course of history for Ali was not supposed to return to 1930."
"What?" Yasmeen asked and upon hearing Hammad's confession, Devraj hurried to kneel in front of the sitting old man.
"How do you know this, Hammad?" Devraj asked respectfully.
"It is not written in the Medjai history. That is how I know it. I have never seen it in a vision and have never heard of it being told in our stories. It just wasn't supposed to happen," the old man said.
"Our path is not entirely written for us, Hammad," Yasmeen argued. "We do have free will and self-determination. What is written for us is to guide the Medjai, not to rule our every action."
Devraj nodded, seemingly in agreement with Yasmeen and looked urgently at Hammad. The old man gave a loud sigh, placed a hand upon Devraj's shoulder and agreed, "Perhaps Yasmeen is correct. I have faith our chief will make the correct decisions and not alter history for the worse. Ali will serve us well." ****
The desert heat was bearing down upon them as they made their way through the desert on foot. They walked during the early morning and evening when the sun was lower and rested when the sun was at its height. Ali was weak still from his wound and Tony was certain the fight with Victor had drained the last of his strength. But the man was a fierce warrior and he found some deep reserve of endurance to carry him on.
Tony was also glad Ali knew his way through the Sahara. Ali pointed them in the direction of water and food and they were able to sustain themselves as they walked. They had no other choice but to traverse the desert by foot and look for the Medjai of 1930 for the Staff of the Sun that was broken in two was worthless-incapable of generating the power needed to time travel. They had no chance of returning to their time without the staff of 1930 and Ali had insisted the Medjai would know where it was.
"And if they do not yet have it," Ali said, "they will find it. We have a catalogue of all the ancient secrets, myths, sites and curses. With the clues left behind by the Medjai of centuries past, we can find just about anything in Egypt that hasn't already been looted. Even that does not mean it is unattainable." He'd smiled at Tony then with a hint of confidence, but his face was showing more pain and exhaustion than anything.
It had been two days since they'd ventured away from the Fortress of Aten and Tony had to wonder just how long they would have to walk in the desert until they found someone to help them.
That help came in the form of a trading caravan not two hours after Tony's contemplation that very morning. It was a large caravan and they waved it down along a desert path and inquired if they had any camels or horses for trade.
"We have camels," one trader had said roughly with a sneer upon his face. "But what do you have, Medjai, that we would want in trade? Your kind in particular disgusts me and I would rather not barter with you for anything."
Ali had glared at the man then and said in his most menacing tone as he drew his sword and placed it at the man's neck, "Not even for your life?"
"And there are twenty men here who would shoot you dead as I fell," the man had replied and when Tony tapped Ali on the shoulder and said, "Uh, the man's right," Ali had returned his sword to its sheath and wished for his modern weaponry. He only carried one handgun with a seventeen round magazine, his knife and his swords. And though in ordinary circumstances that was more than enough firepower. Being weak, outgunned and without his automatic M-P 5 rifle or backup, however, he knew it was better to back down.
"How about this?" Tony had then asked as he pulled the gold Rolex watch from his wrist.
The trader had studied the timepiece closely and then offered, "One camel."
"One.what? One camel? Are you insane? That's a Rolex. A $10,000 watch," Tony tried to argue and Ali grabbed his arm and yanked him away.
"One camel will do," Ali had insisted and they collected the beast and continued their journey.
"Why did you fold so easily, Ali, especially after you were ready to kill the man?" Tony later inquired after they had ridden for another hour.
"I fear I did not have the strength to fight should any of those traders have challenged me. They were an unscrupulous bunch, but still, they would have defeated me," Ali explained.
"You know, I'm really sorry I had to shoot you, Ali. I felt I had no choice. I was trying to protect my sister from Victor," Tony relayed, wondering why Ali had not broached the topic before, though it was obvious it was the bullet wound that was causing his weakness.
"You need not apologize," he insisted weakly, his voice growing as feeble as his body felt. "You did what you had to do to save Rose. Besides, I have a feeling it was supposed to happen."
Tony said no more until an hour later they were traversing a deeply carved ravine in the desert ground and stopping in front of a cave.
"What is this place?" he inquired.
"A place that will hopefully hold some answers. And after we have found some answers, we're going to find Hamunaptra."
Tony shook his head. "No way. I'm not going back there. That place is creepy."
"Yes, we will go back there," Ali said as he stepped off the kneeling camel, his legs almost buckling as he did. Tony caught him by the arm to steady him and Ali added, "If we go to Hamunaptra, the Medjai will find us."
They walked into the Cave of Prophecies together as Tony asked, "Why will they find us there? And don't you know where they're at?"
"Hamunaptra is an ancient site we guard with our lives. There are dangers there we want no one to discover. Any interloper is found within a day. And I do not know where the Medjai of 1930 are, for in this time there are still several tribes scattered throughout Egypt. They are mostly nomadic or at least live in makeshift camps. There are few permanent Medjai settlements and my grandfather's tribe has not yet given up their nomadic ways. And from what you told me, it was my grandfather who rescued Rose."
"Well, I didn't get a name, but he looked just like you-add a few tattoos that is," Tony said.
Ali nodded and then pointed to the far wall of the cave they had entered. There, freshly painted upon the wall was Rose's picture and his name.
"Ardeth Bay," Ali said as he touched his grandfather's name. "This is who you saw, I am certain. And this is Rose. She is destined to be my wife."
Ali then looked up at Tony with a challenge in his eyes as if to say, "Dare defy me on that point." Tony merely smiled and said instead, "I hope she will be too, Ali. You're a good man."
Ali nodded and sat on the ground under Rose's picture, his back to the wall. He sighed heavily and announced, "From the looks of the fire pit, I'd say someone has been here recently. And the paint of this picture is still relatively new. I will need help getting the information we need, Tony. Can I trust you to help me?"
"You once trusted me with your life, didn't you? Besides, you can trust me to do anything, Ali, that's going to help my sister," Tony said.
"Good," Ali returned. "You can start by opening the hidden entrance on that far wall. ****
Rose awoke early the next morning, the first to arise. She was surprised to find the man and the boy still sleeping, for during their travels thus far, they had both always arisen before her. But she had beaten them to the draw this morning and she pulled off the Medjai robe that she'd covered herself with for the night, and stood to stretch.
Quietly, so as not to disturb the others in the gray dawn hours, Rose sipped some stale water from her canteen, then ate a few rations of dried fruit. As satisfied as the rations and water could make her, she then took a good look around the area they were camped. The night before they had stopped after sunset, the sky dark, and she had no idea where they were. Yet as she continued to glance around the area, something looked familiar.
In the distance, she saw running water-a stream, or a river perhaps. And they were camped at the base of a tall plateau. There was something about the landscape that she caught her attention and that was odd, for everything so far had looked exactly alike.
Grabbing her horse and not bothering to saddle it, she swung onto its back and was just about to ride out of camp when a strong hand caught the mare's reins.
"Going someplace, Rose?" Ardeth asked and his voice held a hint of suspicion.
Rolling her eyes with exasperation, for Ardeth had barely said a word to her the day before and when he did, only spoke blunt and tersely, Rose answered, "I'm just going to ride up this rise. I'm curious about something. Come along if you must."
She saw Ardeth hesitated for only a moment before he grabbed a handful of the horse's mane and swung himself up behind her, bumping her in the process. He was built tall and powerfully, just like Ali, and again she was homesick.
Once he was settled, Rose gently kicked the horse into a walk and started up the barely worn trail of switch-backs cut into the side of the plateau. As soon as the incline increased, Ardeth reached around her-one hand grabbing a fistful of mane again, another encircling her waist. Rose too had to hang onto the horse's mane for fear of sliding right off the back and taking Ardeth with her.
"I'm sorry, I guess I should have saddled the horse," Rose apologized half- way through the ride.
"It is no inconvenience," he replied matter-of-factly. "However, it will be interesting to see how we get down without sliding right over the horse's head."
Rose laughed for Ardeth's light moments were so few and far between, she wanted to take advantage of them. Ali had made her laugh a lot. She loved that sense of humor about him. She wished Ardeth possessed more of that. Yet she had realized something these past days watching him and listening to his and Hammad's stories about the Medjai, and that was how incredibly daunting his role in this era was. Not only did he have to guard the ancient secrets of Egypt, but also keep track of warring tribes and desert bandits. Tomb raiders were still a threat in this age and Rose knew exactly what history had in store for the world during the next fifteen years. Taking all that into consideration, she realized why Ardeth's humor was so rare.
Thinking of that, Rose remained quiet the entire ride up the plateau. It took at least five minutes to reach the top and when they finally reached level ground, Ardeth said with more humor, "I do believe that is the longest I have heard you go without talking."
He had released the horse's mane, but his other hand was still on her stomach, resting lightly. She didn't even notice for she felt comfortable with his nearness.
"Are you complaining?" she asked back.
"No. In fact, it was rather nice," he drawled sarcastically.
Then he slipped off the back of the horse and held out a hand for Rose. She frowned at him, faking more anger than she felt, and jumped down without assistance.
He pulled his hand back then and returned her expression.
"Are all women of your era so.stubborn and independent?" he inquired.
"Most," she replied, then placed a challenging hand upon her hip. "Why, does that threaten you?"
She was expecting him to frown at her again for her taunt. Instead, he smiled easily-it was a lazy smile, one that Ali had thrown her on more than one occasion when he'd felt he had gotten the best of her-and then said, "Actually, I find it quite intriguing. I wish more women of this era possessed that attitude. A Medjai chief would be wise to make such a woman his wife."
If he was expecting her to blush at his compliment, he was wrong, for all she did was laugh in that giddy way she sometimes let show.
"Your grandson said the exact same thing to me not so long ago," she confessed. "In fact, we even fought side by side against some of Oscar Mann's henchmen in that very same Cave of Prophecies we just left yesterday." She visibly shuddered then. "I still get nightmares about having had to shoot a man. But I saved Ali so I guess it evens out."
Ardeth's eyes swept over her body, clad in those strange and form-fitting clothes of her time, and watched as she shivered at the memory. It again intrigued him as he realized she could be so very feminine and then so very tough. It was an unusual combination and again he was attracted by the forbidden.
"Most women would not have been so brave," he insisted. "You have shown that bravery over and over since you have been in my company. You.impress me."
Rose smiled at his compliment for it meant a lot to her. Being accepted by Ardeth and his sometimes rough ways was like being accepted by Ali's family. If the family patriarch approved, then she was truly supposed to be Ali's wife.
Then the smile faded from her lips as she realized she was not quite so brave when she considered what the future could hold. She could very well be carrying Ali's baby and stuck in 1930 with only its great-grandfather for comfort. It was an odd scenario and suddenly she wondered if Ali would ever see his child.
When the look of uncertainty settled upon Rose's face, Ardeth asked, "I said something wrong?"
She shook her head and rushed at him throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in his robe. It was covered in as much dirt and dust as she was, but she didn't care.
"Rose, what is the matter?" Ardeth inquired hesitantly, taken aback by her sudden display of affection. The affection she had bestowed upon him in the Fortress of Aten had made sense. She'd been looking for comfort after just having been left behind in 1930. What she was looking for now was unknown to him.
"Tell me, Ardeth," she began, feeling one of Ardeth's hands finally land lightly upon her shoulder, "does Hammad really possess a special gift?"
"He does."
"And what he sees really comes true?" she continued.
"So far. I am convinced of it, or I would not have a twelve-year old boy ride with my warriors. He is too young to be among us, yet we always keep him near for his revelations have saved us many times," he explained. "He is wise beyond his years at times. Other times, he is just a boy."
Rose again buried her face deeper into the folds of Ardeth's robe and contemplated her future.
"That's what I was afraid of," she said quietly, "that he was right all the time. I know everything he told me back in my time has come true and I'm afraid what he told me yesterday will too."
"And what did he tell you yesterday?" Ardeth questioned, placing both hands on Rose's shoulders and pushing her back from his body. That brave, confident woman looked anything but and he suddenly felt fear himself.
"I'd rather not say just yet, Ardeth. Its rather private." Then she bit her bottom lip and leaned her forehead against his chest, obviously in search of comfort. "I need Ali," she whispered quietly, and Ardeth wondered if he was even supposed to hear her words as he allowed his grip on her shoulders to loosen and she again snuggled against his chest.
He relented and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her tightly for a very long time, then said quietly, "I am sure, whatever it is, will work out for the best, my darling."
Rose laughed softly then confessed, "Oh how you sound and feel just like Ali. In fact, as long as I don't look at your tattoos, I'm positive you are him sometimes."
"I am not him," he returned with a rough edge she did not catch.
"Don't shatter the illusion. Let me pretend a while longer, would you?" she asked, her voice muffled against his chest. "Let me remember what if felt like in his arms and how his voice would wash over me as he called me 'my darling' too. I loved the feel of his solid chest against my cheek.it felt just like it feels now. So strong, so smooth and your heart beating with the determined pulse of life. I laid there and listened to it beat so strongly that day we made love, Ali. I'll never forget what it felt like to be with you even if I never make it home."
Finding himself drawn into Rose's fantasy, it took Ardeth a moment to even realize she had switched realities on him. Suddenly, he felt like a prop and as much as he wanted to continue to hold her, he knew he could not.
Holding her at arm's length, Ardeth said firmly, "I am not Ali, Rose."
She stared at him with a blank expression, then blinked, blushed and stepped away.
"God, I'm sorry!" she said, throwing a hand to her flushed cheek. "I'm really sorry, Ardeth."
"No harm done," he answered stiffly.
"Yes, there is. I embarrassed you," she argued. She had embarrassed herself, she realized. Not only had she made Ardeth feel uncomfortable with her actions, her words had obviously been too intimate, expressing nearly every detail of hers and Ali's relationship.
Ardeth chuckled at her then and there was something predatory in the way he sounded. "I cannot speak for your Ali, but I am not put off by such intimate talk."
That Bay arrogance reared its ugly head and Rose suddenly wanted to make Ardeth feel as uncomfortable as she now felt.
"Is that so?" she challenged. "Well, then maybe you'd like to know why I am so upset this morning. Maybe you'd like to know that Hammad told me yesterday that I'm carrying Ali's child.the next chief of the Medjai who's name he painted on the Cave of Prophecies' wall."
Rose had reached her goal and then some. Ardeth gaped at her for a moment, then looked away, his tanned cheeks blushing lightly under his tattoos of honor and strength. Rose never would have thought him a man that would blush, but he was doing so and she would have smiled had he not then suddenly paled.
"I guess you succeeded in proving me wrong," Ardeth finally said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Rose told him, " but I guess I really just had to tell someone to see if it was real."
"If Hammad said it was so, then it more than likely is."
Rose sighed. "That's what I was afraid of. Now do you understand why I was so upset this morning? I have no qualms about having a baby. What I'm worried about, is having a baby here in 1930 without Ali." She reached out and touched Ardeth's shoulder and asked urgently, "Ardeth, what will I do if we can't find the staff and I'm stuck here?"
Ardeth's brown eyes, usually dark and intimidating, softened as he scanned her face. It was a look that told her he understood and despite his rough ways he did harbor a soft side. It was that soft side that obviously prompted him to gently caress her cheek, kiss her forehead and say, "If you must remain here, you will be treated like a member of my family and cared for as such. And I will help you raise this child and instruct him in the ways of the Medjai. But you see, Rose, that is not what the future holds, for your place is back in your time. You belong to your Ali and you will see him again."
Smiling at him with the questioning look of a child, Rose asked, "Is that a promise?"
Nodding once with resolution, Ardeth agreed, "That is a promise."
Though it was a promise he did not want to make he had no choice. His duty came before his happiness and after spending such close, intimate time with Rose this morning, he realized she loved Ali, his grandson, with every fiber of her soul. She could come to care for Ardeth as a member of Ali's family and any affection and closeness she shared with him was only out of that bond. And the fact that Rose saw him as more of a double for Ali than as his own man proved to him again what destiny had waiting.
Rose smiled one last time, then suddenly turned her radiant expression away and gasped. The sun was rising over the far eastern plain and the river valley below was bathed in a glorious wash of sparkling gold light.
"Ardeth, look!" Rose gasped, pulling away and walking toward the edge of the plateau that dropped off like a cliff. "It's just as I remembered it. I thought this spot looked familiar."
When he joined her on the edge and looked at her with questions, Rose explained, "This is where you will settle the Medjai and make a permanent village. This is where Ali lives now and all the future Medjai."
"All the Medjai?" he asked, suddenly interested in this topic. "But there are twelve tribes now. Thousands of warriors."
Rose shrugged. "I only know about that one tribe. I'm not sure there are twelve in the future."
Ardeth completely forgot about any intense feelings of attraction he'd felt only moments ago with Rose and felt only dread. He had an idea as to what exactly would happen to those large numbers of Medjai. They would more than likely be greatly hurt when the Army of Anubis came forward. He, however, mentioned none of that to Rose and instead looked down at the river valley below.
"There's plenty of water here," Rose continued. "The river, obviously, but also a rare underground aquifer. It'll become a unique village. A grand mix of tradition and modernism."
Ardeth nodded, then said, "When this is all through, I will send tribesmen to scout the location. If it has what you say it does, Rose, then my tribe will settle here."
Rose smiled at him and he smiled at her. Then he nodded in the direction of the horse and said, "Lets try and ride this beast back down without falling off."
Rose nodded and followed him to the horse. Climbing up behind him and holding on as they rode back down to camp, she had a feeling she had just made a wonderful friend. And if things were drastically different, if she'd been from his time instead of her own, she could easily find herself as madly in love with him as she was with Ali. ****