The Medjai Chronicles:  Ardeth's Younger Years

Samir, a Visit to Rana's and the Tuaregs

By Ladybug

Disclaimer:        The character of Ardeth Bay is owned by Steven Sommers and Universal Studio's.  No infringement intended.  All other characters were created and are owned by the author.

Author's Note: This is the second installment of the series and picks up approximately three months after the Egyptian Hornet's incident.

Again, special thanks go to my beta, Tori, who helped me create the scene between Adiva and Samir.  Thanks a million, toots!

Rated PG-13

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ardeth sat quietly underneath the early morning sun and carefully cleaned his weapons.   Sitting on a favorite spot less than a mile outside of his village, he was still close enough if needed, yet far away enough not be bothered unless it was an emergency.

He enjoyed coming out here to think.  On this small rise of a sandy dune, he could look out and easily see the village where he lived and beyond it.  Carefully, he ran the oiled rag back and forth across the blade of his scimitar.  In the dry hot desert, it was important to keep your blades clean and oiled.  To his left, a large strip of material lay out over the sand and his other weapons – a small sword, a dagger, a rifle and his bandoliers lie out waiting for his attention.

As he cleaned, his thoughts turned once again towards Karimah.  Three months had passed since he'd last seen her – three months since he'd walked into his parents tent and found her sitting - circled by his sister's friends.  More and more his thoughts would drift to her – keeping him off balance and distracted.  It was starting to interfere with his duties, which at the moment were not life threatening, but in a few short months, he would turn twenty-one and receive the tattoos of the Medjai.  His duties would change, he would be patrolling and standing watch at Hamanaptra, he could not tolerate the distraction.

He sighed softly as he glanced down at his bandaged wrist – evidence as to how distracted his thoughts of her had become.  Just the day before while practicing with Kedar, his mind had wandered and Karimah's beautiful face had floated before his mind's eye. 

His memories flashed him back to the last time she'd visited the First.  It had been the day that he and his friends had had the mishaps with the Egyptian hornets – Karimah had been at his parents tent visiting with his sister, Jumanah – and for the briefest of moments when their eyes had met, he'd been lost, just as he had been lost yesterday.

In that split second when his concentration had been broken – Kedar had swung his scimitar up, nicking his wrist.  The cut had not been deep, but nonetheless, it had bleed profusely.  Kedar – ever the rock – had moved swiftly, tearing off a strip of material from his robes and bandaged the wound.

"For Allah's sake, if not for mine, would you talk to her before you get yourself killed!" 

It was the only thing Kedar said before he walked off to attend to his assigned duties for the day.  Ardeth had stood there stunned.  Kedar knew of his interest in Karimah, but she had never been mentioned again since that day three months ago when Kedar had goaded Ardeth into admitting his feelings for her – that day when he'd last seen her.

It shouldn't have surprised him as much as it did.  He and Kedar were as different as night and day, yet they were closer than brothers.  Kedar knew him better than anyone just as he knew Kedar – best of friends – kin of the soul.

Perhaps Kedar was right.  Perhaps he should speak with Karimah – make his intentions known.  Maybe by setting the future, he could survive the present.  He would speak with his father – ask for permission to ride over to the Third Tribe sometime in the next week or so and settle this.  With the decision made, he felt a heavy weight lift from his shoulders.

"Ardeth!"

He lifted his head and turned to see Kedar hurrying towards him.  They had been born the same day – within the same hour – perhaps that explained the bond that lay between them and why Ardeth had a sudden sense of foreboding as his large friend stopped before him.

"We have a problem," Kedar said between breaths.  He was bent over at the waist - his hands resting against his thighs just above the knees – trying to catch his breath from running full out all the way from the village.

"Tell me!"  Ardeth immediately stood and began the task of attaching his bandoliers and other weapons to his muscular and now tensed-for-action body.

Kedar straightened to his full height.  He was only two inches taller than Ardeth, but he outweighed him by a solid fifty-five pounds.  "Husam and Humam have taken Samir to Cairo."

Ardeth's head whipped around, his dark eyebrows furrowed in a frown.  "What on earth for?"

"You know how they tease Samir about his . . . you know, his innocence."  Ardeth nodded, knowing full well how badly the twins teased Samir. 

"Well, they have been trying to get him to Rana's ever since the incident with the Egyptian Hornets.  It had been their plan then to take him there when we reached Cairo, but you know how that ended." 

Again, Ardeth nodded, remembering clearly what had prevented the twins and Samir from reaching Cairo that day.  It had taken sex weeks for the swelling to go down in Husam's hand and on Samir's arm and face.  They had found out later, from the healer of the Ninth Tribe, that because of Samir's relatively small size, if he'd received just one more sting, it might have killed him.  Egyptian Hornets could be very deadly. 

"Apparently they snatched Samir during the night intent on deflowering our little friend before his twentieth birthday."

Ardeth stared intently at Kedar, trying to figure out what the problem was.  He could think of worse trouble for the twins to be getting into than kidnapping Samir and taking him to the local brothel.  "So what is the problem, ya saHib?"

Kedar exhaled heavily.  "They have gone without permission."

Ardeth sighed softly, his eyes closing in resignation.  "Laish ana (Why me)?" he groaned as his hands came up to rub roughly across his face.

~*~*~*~*~

Forty-five minutes later, Ardeth and Kedar rode as fast as they dared towards Cairo.  Already the burning heat of the Sahara was oppressive, the sun high in the sky and beating down on them, but it couldn't be helped.  They had to get to Cairo and get the twins and Samir back to the village before anyone else, besides Ardeth's father, knew they were absent or there would be hell to pay. 

He was actually surprised at how well his father had taken the news that the twins and abducted Samir and taken him to Rana's.  Memories of that earlier conversation floated through his mind as he and Kedar pushed their horses as hard as they dared…

Ardeth had struggled with what to tell him father.  He had no valid excuse for him and Kedar to go to Cairo, yet he couldn't lie to him.  However, Ardeth's worry was for nothing.  As he and Kedar were discussing how they were going to manage the impossible, Amid Bay solved the problem for them.

"Ardeth," his father called to him as he strode over to them from the Council's tent.  He'd just left a meeting with Elders when he'd been approached by Commander Bishr that the twins had not been seen all morning and they were due to report in for duty later that afternoon.

Both Ardeth and Kedar had froze and had turned slowly to face Amid Bay. 

"Aiwa, Abu," Ardeth answered, noticing right away that his father was not happy.

"Do either of you know where the twins are?"

Ardeth winced knowing he'd have to tell his father the truth.  Kedar shifted nervously beside him and whispered one word,  "Haqiqa (truth)."  It was Kedar's way of telling him that he knew he could not lie to his father and would support him.

"Aiwa, Abu," Ardeth answered softly as his father came to a stop before him.  His father raised a questioning eyebrow and waited Ardeth's answer.  "They have gone to Cairo."

"Cairo," Amid repeated.

"Aiwa, Abu," Ardeth confirmed.

"Without permission."  It was a statement, not a question.

"Aiwa, Abu and they apparently have abducted Samir and taken him with them."

Amid blinked in surprise.  "Why on earth for?"

"To, um . . . deflower our young friend," Kedar answered while fighting a smile.  He couldn't help it.  Though he was fully aware of the seriousness of what the twins had done, Kedar couldn't help but see the humor in it as well.

Amid turned his dark gaze on Kedar.  "They have taken him to Rana's?"

"Aiwa, ya sidi."

Amid sighed.  "What am I to do with those two?"  It was a rhetorical question and neither answered.  Amid studied both young men for a moment, deep in thought.  He knew he would have to deal with the twins, but he wished to do it quietly.

"Go get them and be quick about it.  When you've returned to the village, they are to report to me immediately, understood?"

"Aiwa, ya sidi," they both answered in unison and turned to hurry to the stable where their horses were kept.

At a normal pace, it was a half-day's travel to Cairo from their village.  At the pace they were traveling now, they should be there within three hours.

~*~*~*~*~

"We are going to be in so much trouble!"

Husam rolled his eyes and pushed Samir forward.  All the way to Cairo, Samir had complained about how much trouble they were going to be in when they returned from their illegal trip.  Now they stood outside of Rana's.  Samir's stomach was twisted in knots. 

Husam hissed, "Ralaq fauq!  Kaaf ma'a il istaka (Shut up!  Enough with the complaining!)!"

Humam opened the door at the entrance of the rather large looking house and stepped in with Husam, pushing Samir in from behind.  The foyer was large and spacious.  Couches lined the walls and a half dozen beautiful girls sat in various places, chatting and giggling amongst themselves.  Though they were dressed scantily in colorful material that was very sheer and left little to the imagination, every single one of the girls had a veil that covered their faces, leaving only their dark eyes exposed to visitors.

Samir swallowed hard and tried to back up, his palms sweaty, his hands shaking in terror.  He hit a hard wall that was Husam's chest and felt the hard grip of Husam's hands clamp down on his shoulders.  "Sahl (Easy), Samir.  They will not bite," Husam grinned.  "Unless you want them too."

The girls all recognized the twins and they waved and called out to them flirtatiously.  A moment later, an older woman appeared from another room and stopped before the warriors.  She was dressed in colorful robes of fine, expensive material. 

Smiling, she greeted them, "Sabah al khair, Saiyid (Good morning, gentlemen).  What can we do for you this morning?"

"Sabah al khair, Rana," Humam returned the greeting.  "We have brought a friend here that is in need of some . . . attention."

Rana looked at the pale handsome warrior with the blue eyes before her and smiled.  "What is your name?"

"S-s-samir," he stammered.  Rana's smile widened.

"First time, Samir?"  He nodded, his eyes wide and fearful of the unknown.

Husam's hand tightened on Samir's shoulder.  "Aanisa (Miss) Rana," Husam spoke quietly.  Her brown eyes lifted to meet his dark gaze.

"Aiwa, Husam?"

"I would like to request Adiva for Samir's first time.  Will that be possible?"

Rana smiled and nodded.  "Aiwa, of course.  Adiva would be perfect."

"Who is Adiva?" Samir whispered to Husam nervously.

"Adiva is a sweet young mara (woman) who will be gentle with you," Husam answered.  "Do not fear, Samir, she will take care of you or I would not allow this to happen, understand?"

Suddenly, Samir took a deep breath and let it out slowly and nodded.  He understood what Husam was saying and it helped him to relax a bit.  The twins may enjoy targeting him for their teasing and their jokes, but they were loyal friends and would make sure he was treated right.

"Adiva," Rana called out.  "Come and meet Samir."

A small, young woman stood from one of the couches.  She was dressed in array of yellow silk and sheer material that seemed to sparkle beneath the lights.  A sheer yellow veil covered her face leaving her dark eyes bare.  Black kohl accented the shape of her eyes, bringing out the rich brown color of them.  Samir's eyes widened at the beautiful, shapely woman that approached them, his breath quickened as his body reacted to the sight of her lush curves.

"She is to your liking, yes?" Husam whispered in his ear from behind him.

Samir nodded, his voice refusing to work.  Humam chuckled at his young friend.  "She's all yours, Samir, have fun.  Husam and I will wait for you here.

Samir's eyes shot to Humam.  "You are not going to-"

"La," Husam answered a little disappointed, his eyes seeking out Dalal, his favorite.  "This trip is for you.  My brother and I will return another time."

"Well then," Rana interrupted.  "Adiva, go ahead and take Samir to a room."

"Aiwa, madam," she answered and reached out to take Samir's hand.  He stared at her as if in a trance as she led him from the main room.

"Now then," Rana looked at the twins.  "Which one of you will be paying for this?"

~*~*~*~*~

Outside of Rana's two Tuareg warriors watched as the three Medjai warriors entered the building of the well-known whorehouse.  They had been following the three Medjai since they'd left their tribe.  They had been watching and waiting for an opportunity such as this.  They were seeking revenge - revenge against the Medjai for the death of their friends during a recent raid – a raid that the twins had been a part of.  The band of Tuaregs had been thieves and murderers - the two, the only survivors of their group.  The Medjai acting as the law in the desert had wiped them out, putting a stop to their attacks on unsuspecting travelers.

Now the two survivors wanted revenge and they would start with the twins.

"What do you think, Qutaiba?" asked his friend, Mus'ad.

"I think that neither one of us is good enough to take on the brothers.  We must have leverage if we plan to bring them both down."

"What kind of leverage?"

Qutaiba smiled, but it was not meant to be friendly.  "We will take their friend and when they come to rescue him, we will have a trap set and waiting for them."

~*~*~*~*~

Adiva led Samir down a long hallway and into a room.  It was sparse, with only a bed and a table, but for what they were used for, it was all that was needed.  The bed was neatly made, with clean sheets.  The table was large enough to hold a bowl of fruit, a plate of cheeses and a jug of water.  The window that opened up into an alley was pushed partially open to let in the fresh morning air – a warm breeze sifted through, causing the lightweight curtains to float up in the air as if waving to the occupants.

Samir watched with wide eyes as Adiva closed the door behind them and turned to face him.  "May I remove my veil, ya sidi?" she asked softly.

Samir swallowed and nodded his head.  "P-please, c-call me Samir," he stammered as he watched the soft yellow gauze material come away from her face.  His breath hitched in his throat. 

Hulu ir-raHman Allah (Sweet merciful, God)! He thought to himself, hiya kwaiyis (she is beautiful)!

As petite as her body may have been, her features were large and lush, promising a bounty of pleasure. The sheer yellow silk made her dark caramel skin seem like it was glowing.  Her large beautiful eyes held Samir's attention as he stood there dumbly, staring at her beauty.  He licked his lip nervously as he gazed at the rest of her face.  Her lips were lush and had a light shine to them.  Her smile was sweet and inviting and yet Samir stood frozen to the spot.

Adiva pushed herself away from the door and approached Samir.  With every step she took towards him, he took a step backwards, away from her.  Adiva smiled softly, small straight white teeth contrasting against her skin as she spoke, "There is no need for fear, Samir.  There will be no pain for you.  A young man's coming of age is unlike a young woman's."

Flustered, he sputtered, "I am we- well aware of that.  It's… it's just…"

She took another step towards him and with his own step backwards, his legs connected with the bed and he found himself sitting on it a moment later.  Taking this as a positive sign, Adiva finished her approach to Samir and dropped to her knees, her hands finding a resting place on each of his young, strong thighs. 

"It's just what?" she murmured.

Dropping his eyes, to stare blindly at his hands that were clasped tightly before him, he whispered, "I'm not like the twins, or Kedar.  I don't know the first thing about pleasing a woman."  His face flamed red as he admitted the secret that had kept him from coming to Rana's before now.

"I see," Adiva answered softly.  Her hands moved slowly, easily back and forth along the tops of his thighs, feeling the hard muscles beneath.  Samir may have been smaller than his friends and more interested in books than fighting, but he still worked out, sparring with the other warriors and doing manual labor around the village making him strong and his muscles hard. 

"And is that what they expect of you?  To be like them?"

"Well…" Samir hesitated.  He lifted his long black lashes, his dark blue eyes gazing into Adiva's soft brown ones.  "Kedar does not, but then again, I don't think anyone could be like Kedar."

Adiva laughed softly.  "Aiwa, that is true enough.  Kedar is one of a kind, alhandullallah (thank God).  I do not think we could handle more than one Kedar, however, the twins?"

Samir shook his head, his eyes dropping once more.  "The twins would be a different story.  They are the ones pushing this – pushing me here."

"And you do not approve?"

"It's – it's not that exactly," he began softly.  "It's just…" he sighed softly, frustrated with his inability to express himself.

Adiva shook her head slowly as she continued to stroke his legs.  "There is no shame in what we do, Samir.  We are blessed with many senses and those senses bring us pleasure.  I am not asking anything more from you than that you derive pleasure from me.  I do not expect you to treat me as the twins do or even as Kedar does.  None of the girls would."  She raised one soft coffee-colored hand to his face and he nearly flinched at her caress, eyeing her with near-fear.

She brushed his jawline with her fingertips.  "I have an idea.  Close your eyes." 

He stared wide-eyed, "But-, but why?"

She tilted her head, her voice patient.  "Because I think it will help to relax you, instead of having you jump at my every move."

Samir smirked slightly when he realized how correct she was.  Here I am, with a beautiful woman and behaving as though I were trying to avoid a scorpion bite.

Shyly he nodded and closed his eyes.  He felt her hands brush against his hair as she removed his turban.  He sighed softly when he felt her slender fingers push through his short black hair, lightly massaging his scalp.  Slowly he felt himself begin to relax, his hands resting on either side of his hips on the bed.  Next he felt her hands at his waist, unfastening his belt.  His robes loosened as she pulled the belt away, then her expert hands slipped inside his robes to touch his warm skin. 

Samir breathed in sharply at the feel of her soft hands flattened against his hard chest.  He swallowed convulsively as they moved upwards to push the material off his shoulders and down his arms.  He was already so hard that it was nearly painful.  His breath was coming faster, heavier now.  He nearly jumped when she suddenly leaned in and felt her breath near his ear as she said huskily, "Wait a minute.  Open your eyes again."

Confused, he opened them, and found her dark brown eyes gazing into his.  She whispered, "You have the loveliest blue eyes I have ever seen, Samir.  Right now, they are as dark as sapphires – filled with passion."  His cheeks flushed a deep red at the sound of her sweet seductive words.  "Okay, you may close them again now."

He shut his eyes again, squeezing them tight as his hands clutched nervously beside him on the bed.  But the next instant truly began the burning within him.  His lips were touched by silk.  No, velvet.  No, it was satin.  Then he realized the warmth resting on his lips.  Allah, she's kissing me.

He gasped as her lips moved expertly against his – shaping, molding them as she applied more pressure to his own.  He felt her hands press against his knees, seeking more space for her body.  He slackened the muscles in his thighs haltingly, his mind barely able to respond to the touch of her hands while her lips were touching his.  Her tongue slipped out to slowly trace his bottom lip and he whimpered.

Adiva draped herself across his chest.  He shuddered at the sensation of her soft curves draping over him.  Her hands drifted from his knees back to his thighs.  He sighed as his hand reached out to rest upon her hip.  He began slowly to return her kisses when one of her hands slid towards the juncture of his thighs and caressed him.

Samir's breath caught in his throat as his body reacted the only way it could from having a beautiful woman touch him where no one else had ever touched him, except for himself.  She was tracing the shape of his firm erection with her fingernails; softly cupping the hard length of him when she looked up into his face to see the instant that pleasure collided with his handsome features.

A moment later, he gasped then his cheeks burned again, but this time from shame, as he turned away from her kisses, his breath short.

Adiva bit her lip as she grasped his shoulders.  "Oh, my Samir, it's alright, really."

He shook his head.  "La, it is not alright.  I am certain that this has never happened to you."  Then suddenly his eyes widened with fear.  "And the twins," he exclaimed with a groan.  "Ir-raHman Allah, I will never hear the end of this."

Adiva fought a smile that threatened to break free across her lips.  "It happens more than you think, my handsome warrior," she said as she rose and gathered some water in a cloth napkin and handed it to him.  Slowly, he gazed at her, his eyes showing embarrassment and hope, hope that she was speaking the truth and not simply humoring him.

She smiled as she sat beside him and caressed his short onyx hair.  "Come back when you're ready, Samir.  And not to worry… your friends will not hear of this from me."

She pecked him on the cheek and rose up.  Heading for the door to give him privacy, she spoke over her shoulder, "Good bye, Samir, until our next time."

~*~*~*~*~

Outside, Qutaiba and Mus'ad moved unseen through the alley that ran past the back of Rana's.  "Wait here and keep watch," Qutaiba commanded softly to Mus'ad, "while I go see where that Medjai kalb (dog) is.  When I give you the signal, get the horses and be waiting."

"Aiwa, ya sidi," Mus'ad answered as Qutaiba slunk off towards a partially open window at the back of the house.

Looking around to make certain that he was unseen, Qutaiba flattened himself against the house next to the window.  He could hear voices coming from inside - a woman's voice as he eased his head over to peer inside.  Qutaiba smiled.  Luck was with them this day as he spotted his prey inside.  Now if the whore would just leave, he could get on with his business.

"It happens more than you think, my handsome warrior," Qutaiba heard the whore say.  He watched as she stood up and moved to get a wet cloth.  She returned and handed the cloth to the Medjai then caressed his hair.  "Come back when you're ready, Samir.  And not to worry… your friends will not hear of this from me."

Qutaiba pulled back and snickered silently as he realized what must have happened.  So this was the young whelp's first time, was it?  And apparently, he'd cum in his pants like an overeager boy.  He peeked in again just in time to see the whore leaving.  Perfect, he thought to himself.  Now we can grab the kalb while he's dressing.

Stepping back away from the window, Qutaiba let out a soft yipping sound, like a small dog.  He watched as Mus'ad turned and made eye contact with him.  Qutaiba nodded his head once and Mus'ad turned and hurried away to get their horses.  Qutaiba moved back to the window and peeked inside.  The Medjai kalb was now standing, dabbing at the front of his pants with the wet cloth.  Qutaiba had to swallow his laughter, but allowed a grin to spread across his face.

While the warrior was distracted, his back to him, Qutaiba eased the partially opened window the rest of the way up.  He thought the warrior must be deep in thought to not have heard him.  Young and inexperienced, he thought.  For though he moved as silently as he could, still, he made enough noise that he should have attracted the young man's attention.

Carefully, he eased himself through the open window and stood up, amazed that the young Medjai had still not sensed his presence.  By now the warrior had pulled his robes on and was intent on buckling his belt around his waist.  It wasn't until Qutaiba took a step forward, landing on a squeaky floorboard that the warrior lifted his head and turned in his direction.

Samir frowned as he saw the Tuareg warrior standing several feet away from him.  "Who-"

But that was as far as he got for the Tuareg suddenly lunged at him, slamming him to the floor.  Samir felt his head explode as the Tuareg's fist met his jaw and then he slipped into the black void of unconsciousness.

~*~*~*~*~

Ardeth opened the front door leading into Rana's.  Kedar followed him in and immediately a chorus of feminine voices rang out in greeting.

"Kedar!"

"Marhaba Kedar."

He grinned as Ardeth rolled his eyes, shaking his head.  "Just remember, we don't have time, Kedar," he told his friend.  "We are not staying long enough for you to play."

"I can be quick, ya saHib," he answered as a small group of women gathered around him all talking at once.  Kedar slipped his arms around the two next to him, drawing them both close against his side, his lips spreading in a wide, playful smile.

"Kedar," Ardeth growled, but his warning was lost in the sea of feminine voices.  He shook his head in a combination of humor and frustration.  His friend's good looks and charms drew women like magnets, the thin wicked scar across the left side of his face - that Kedar forever hounded him about - constantly drew their attention, but now was not the time for it.

"Ardeth, what are you doing here?"

Ardeth turned to see Husam walking towards him.  Humam sat on a couch nearby talking with several women.  "Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you and Humam are in?"

Husam winced, then shrugged his broad shoulders.  "I take it we have been missed."

"Aiwa, ya saHib, you have," Ardeth answered.  "Ya abu sent Kedar and I here to bring you, Humam and Samir back to the village.  He wants to see you and Humam the minute we return."

Husam sighed softly.  "Your abu knows, huh?  Well, I suppose it was unrealistic for us to think we could slip out and get back unnoticed," he said, then smiled.  "However, the punishment will be worth suffering through for Samir."

Ardeth looked around the room.  "And speaking of Samir, where is he?"

"In back with Adiva."

Ardeth nodded, his lips twitching into a smile.  He'd always been a firm believer that Samir needed to visit Rana's only when he was ready, however the twins were not of the same mind and it had been a constant battle with them since Samir turned sixteen and made the mistake of mentioning an interest in one of the maidens within their tribe.  Since then, the twins had been relentless in their endeavors to see Samir brought into the world of women.  "Adiva, aiwa, she would be good for Samir's first time."

Husam nodded with a grin.  "I thought so as well."

Ardeth sighed, reaching up to rub at the bridge of his nose.  "However, we must go, Husam-"

"Ardeth, you can't be serious?  Samir, he's-"

Ardeth cut Husam off with a hard look.  "Do not push me, Husam," he said, his voice deadly soft.  "I know you did this with the best of intensions, but the fact is, is that both you and Humam left the village without permission.  You have not only hung yourselves for desertion but you have involved Samir as well.  Think about that while we ride back to our tribe."

Humam appeared next to his brother, a frown settling on his young features.  "Samir will not be punished, will he, Ardeth?  Husam and I will take complete blame and responsibility for this.  Your abu has always been fair with regards to Samir."

"That is true," Ardeth answered looking directly at Humam.  "Because ya abu knows you both too well, but Samir could have said no.  He could have refused to go."

"So, what are you saying, Ardeth?" Husam asked, a worried frown on his face now matching his brother's.

Ardeth started to answer but was distracted when Adiva entered the room.  "There is Adiva," he told the twins unnecessarily.  "They must be finished." He watched as Adiva suddenly smiled at seeing Kedar.  He groaned, his hands coming up to rub at his face in frustration.  Kedar loved all women, but Adiva did happen to be his favorite.

"Adiva, ya hulu shoeya malak (my sweet little angel)," Kedar greeted her with a huge smile.  He stepped away from the women who had been surrounding him and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her off her feet.

Adiva laughed, swatting at his arms.  "Put me down, you massive beast!  Your weapons are poking me."

Kedar nuzzled her neck playfully, but eased her back down to her feet.  "That is not all that is poking you," he teased.  He breathed in deeply of her womanly scent and started to let her go, but then froze.  He pulled his head back slightly and gazed down at her.  "I thought you and Samir-"

Adiva cut him off by pressing her lips to his.  "Kedar Ishaq," Rana called out.  "You continue to kiss my ladies in this manner and I will start charging you for it."

Kedar jerked back, his dark eyes briefly glancing over at Rana, flashing her his most charming grin.  "SamaH ana, Rana.  I'll behave."

Rana snorted.  "That's what you always say."

"Where is Samir, Adiva?" Ardeth asked cutting in, wanting to get Samir and go as quickly as possible.

"He's coming.  He was just finishing up getting dressed when I left him."

Ardeth nodded then turned away, heading for the front entrance.  "Husam, Humam, come with me," he commanded.  "Kedar, wait for Samir and bring him out after he's finished dressing."

"Aiwa, ya sidi," Kedar answered, his eyes going curiously back to Adiva.  Ardeth and the twins left the house, going out to their horses to wait.

"How did you know?" Adiva asked quietly so that no one else could over hear.

"No scent," Kedar answered with a twinkle in his eyes.

Adiva frowned at first, then her eyes widened as she realized what he meant.  "You are crude, Kedar Ishaq," she laughed softly.  Kedar grinned, his eyes moving to the hallway, expecting Samir to appear any second now.

He looked back down at Adiva when he felt her hand on his arm.  His head cocked slightly to one side at the serious look on her face.  "He was not ready yet, Kedar.  Please do not embarrass him over this.  I swore to him that I would tell no one."

Kedar flashed her a teasing smile, but nodded.  "Samir's secret is safe with me, Adiva."  When she raised an eyebrow at him, he laughed.  "I swear it on my honor as a Medjai," he added.

Adiva finally nodded, believing he would indeed keep it to himself - he may be a rake - but he was loyal and honorable and Adiva trusted him.  Kedar once more looked towards the hallway.  "Where is he?  It shouldn't take him this long," Kedar murmured more to himself than to Adiva.

"You are right," she answered a worried tone coming into her voice.  "He shouldn't be taking this long, Kedar.  He didn't have that much to put back on."

"I had better check on him," he said and moved past her, a sudden sense of foreboding settling in the pit of his stomach.

Adiva followed him, pointing out which room they'd used.  Kedar rapped on the door with his knuckles.  "Samir," he called out.  No answer.  He reached down and grabbed the knob, turning it and pushing open the door.

The room was empty.  Kedar frowned as he looked around.  "Samir?" he called out as he stepped inside.  He noticed the open window and started towards it.  "For the love of Allah, Samir, it isn't that bad," he grumbled, but stopped suddenly when Adiva called to him.

"Kedar!"  He turned to glance back at her.  She was holding a scimitar… Samir's scimitar, he realized and his eyes widened as he suddenly spun back towards the window and hurried over to it, thrusting his head out to look around.  Even if Samir were too embarrassed to face them, he would not have left his scimitar behind.

At the back of the house, he just caught sight of two Tuaregs on horses.  One of them appeared to have a large black lump draped over the saddle in front of him.  "LA!" Kedar roared causing the two Tuaregs to jump and look his way.

Kedar started to go through the window after them, but then realized as they rode off at a hard gallop that he'd never reach them in time.  He pulled back, a string of harsh Arabic curses escaping his lips as he rushed past Adiva and down the hall.  He hit the front door at a dead run, nearly knocking it off it's hinges, the loud bang as it hit the wall reverberated throughout the house.

Ardeth, having heard Kedar's bellow moments before was already hurrying up the walkway, but stopped when Kedar suddenly crashed through the front door.  "Samir has been taken by a couple of Tuaregs," Kedar growled as he raced past Ardeth.

"Ir-raHman Allah," Ardeth whispered in disbelief as he raced after his friend.

Kedar swung up on his horse in one fluid motion, his dark eyes glaring harshly at the twins.  "If anything happens to Samir, I'll-"

"Kedar," Ardeth snapped angrily as he swung up on his own horse.  He would like to strangle the twins himself, but they didn't have the time.  "How many of them were there?"  Kedar's horse danced impatiently beneath him, his angry gaze locked on the twins.  "Kedar!" Ardeth raised his voice to get his angry friends attention.

Kedar whipped his head around, meeting Ardeth's eyes.  "I only saw two of them," he bit out, his voice low and hard.  "But who knows if there were more waiting elsewhere."

"We'll just have to take that chance, we have to get Samir back now," Ardeth told them.  "Which direction did they go?"

"They were at the back of the house, heading southeast."

"Ardeth, we wouldn't-"

"We don't have time for your excuses now, Husam," Ardeth barked, cutting him off.  "Yalla!" he kicked his horse forward and the four warriors rode hard in the direction their friend had been taken.

~*~*~*~*~

Qutaiba and Mus'ad raced through the crowded streets of Cairo.  They kept to the less populated alleys when they could, but it was inevitable that the mid-afternoon crowds would slow them down.

"Qutaiba," Mus'ad began as they stopped in a fairly deserted alley.  "Perhaps we should just dump him."

"Ralaq fauq (shut up)!" Qutaiba snapped.  "I am not giving up so easily."

"But they saw us before we could get away," Mus'ad complained.  "There are four of them, we will never make it out of Cairo."

Qutaiba whipped his sword out and pointed it at Mus'ad's throat, his dark gaze hard and filled with hate.  "You have two choices, Mus'ad," he growled menacingly.  "Either die now or help me."

Mus'ad swallowed hard and nodded his head.  "I will help you, Qutaiba," he answered, his eyes never leaving the sword at his throat.

"Wise decision," Qutaiba answered and put his sword away.  He looked around at where they were.  "Perhaps we can hide in one of these empty buildings.  Go check and see if any of the doors are unlocked."

~*~*~*~*~

Ardeth raised his hand, calling for them to halt.  He turned to look at his friends.  "We need to split up," he stated.  "You two," he pointed at Husam and Humam.  "Go east and cover as much ground as you can heading south.  If you separate, stay close enough to be able to assist the other if you find them," he ordered.  "Be sure and check empty buildings or alleyways where they could possibly duck into.  Kedar and I will head west."

The twins nodded and split off, disappearing down an alley.  Kedar turned to Ardeth.  "When I saw the two Tuaregs, one of them had Samir draped over the front of his horse.  I do not think he was conscious."

"We will find him, Kedar."

"I pray he is not already dead," Kedar answered, urging his horse forward.

"We will find him," Ardeth repeated and added softly, "and he will be fine."

~*~*~*~*~

"I do not understand it, Husam," Humam said as they rode down the alley, their eyes watchful, looking for anything that might seem out of place or disturbed.  "Why would Tuaregs kidnap Samir?  He's not even a part of the warrior sect yet."

"I do not know, ya ukh," Husam answered.  "But we must find him.  It is our fault that this has happened.  If we had not acted on impulse and just waited until it was our day for leave, then this would not have happened.  If Samir is killed because of this, his blood is on our hands."

Humam looked at his brother, the seriousness of their situation etched in the tenseness of his jaw, the set of his shoulders.  "We could not have predicted that this would happen, Husam.  I agree, it is our fault, but we couldn't have known.  We couldn't have known!"

Husam sighed, dragging a hand down his face.  "La, we couldn't have known this would happen.  But it has, ya ukh and now we must face the consequences."  He looked past Humam at the backs of some buildings that lined the alley.  "Go," he said, pointing his finger towards them.  "Go check those and I will check these over here.  Call me if you see or find anything."  Humam nodded and turned away, sending up a silent prayer to Allah that their friend was all right and that they would find him quickly.  Directing his horse in the direction his brother had pointed out, he dismounted and began checking for unlocked doors.

~*~*~*~

Mus'ad moved down the alley, checking doors.  Locked.  One after another, they were all locked.  Frustrated he kicked at one door.  Why would someone lock an empty building?  Moving down to the next door, he reached out, expecting the same, but was surprised when the knob turned.

He pushed open the door, peered in to see a large room, empty and covered in layers of sand and dust.  He turned his head, calling over his shoulder, "Qutaiba, I've found a place." Turning back, he walked inside to take a more thorough look around.

Qutaiba dragged Samir's unconscious body into the empty room and dumped him roughly on the dirty floor.  He glanced around the dim, dusty room and nodded.  "This will do," he announced to no one in particular.  The room was sparse with furnishings, three old chairs – one broken – and an old desk.  It was apparent that this particular room had not been used in quite a while.

Mus'ad disappeared through another door to check out the rest of the building, leaving Qutaiba to deal with hiding the horses.  Glancing down at the unconscious warrior, he used his booted foot to shove him over onto his back.  Giving him a good swift kick to the side to make certain that Samir was not faking, he was satisfied when the warrior did not utter a sound or flinch.  Turning, he exited the room back into the alley to quickly hide the horses and grab some supplies.

When he returned a short time later, Mus'ad had returned and was sitting in one of the chairs.  "The rest of the building is vacant as well and there is another way out of here, if we are discovered and forced to retreat within," he told Qutaiba as Qutaiba dumped several items onto the desk.

"Kowiees (Good)," Qutaiba responded then turned towards Samir who had started to stir, a moan escaping his lips.  He walked over to where Samir lay and bent over him.  "istayqaZa, intu Medjai kalb (Wake up, you Medjai dog)," he snarled with obvious hatred in his voice.

Samir groaned again, rolling to his side as he forced his eyes open.  His head hurt and it took a moment for his vision to clear and for the room to stop spinning.  He quickly recognized them as Tuareg, but he was clueless to who they were or why they would have kidnapped him.  "Who are you?" he rasped out weakly.  "What do you want with me?"

"Just a little payback, kalb," Qutaiba answered straightening up.  Without warning, he brought his foot back and kicked Samir in the gut.

Samir felt the pain explode in his stomach, the breath leaving his lungs in a whoosh.  For several long fearful moments, he couldn't draw in a breath.  Pain and nausea racked through his body and he fought to keep from vomiting even as he struggled to draw in a simple breath of air.

"You are no warrior," Qutaiba taunted in a hateful, cruel voice.  "You fight like a woman.  I took you down with such ease.  Perhaps it is because you like boys, eh?  Is that it, kalb?  I saw you with the whore, saw that you could not perform."  Qutaiba's lips curled up in a cruel sneer.  Samir did not answer, couldn't answer even if he wanted to.  He was struggling to breathe and fighting down the nausea that threatened to erupt.  "Perhaps I should give you to ya saHib here.  He likes boys, too."

Samir felt the adrenaline rush of fear coursing through his body at the Tuareg's words.  He sent up a quick silent prayer to Allah that the twins were looking for him already, pleading with Allah that they would find him quickly.  Up against two opponents and without his scimitar – the odds were certainly not in Samir's favor.

~*~*~*~*~

They'd been searching for well over an hour now, Ardeth began to fear that they would not find Samir at all.  So far there had been no sign of either the Tuaregs or Samir and it lead Ardeth to believe that they were hiding somewhere within Cairo, but they could be anywhere by now.

Having left their horses tied to a post not far away, he and Kedar searched on foot, checking buildings, his sharp gaze searched the ground for any evidence that they might have passed this way, then he looked up to see Kedar duck into an alleyway just up ahead.  He moved in that direction, checking doors of the empty buildings, his eyes watchful.  He was nearing the entrance to the alley, when he heard a familiar whistle – a birdcall.  His body tensed as he rushed the few remaining feet and turned into the alley.  Kedar was studying something in his hand and he held it out to Ardeth as he approached his friend.

"Samir's leather wristband," Ardeth recognized it immediately.  Kedar merely nodded and held his finger up to his mouth, indicating to Ardeth to remain quiet.  Kedar then made another motion, indicating that Samir was probably in one of these empty buildings and Ardeth nodded his understanding as they both spread out to search.

~*~*~*~*~

Mas'ud fidgeted barely controlled eagerness.  Ever since Qutaiba had mentioned his like of boys, he'd been watching Samir with new eyes, with new interest.  For at least the tenth time in the past hour, he licked his lips and asked, "Can I have him now, Qutaiba?"

Qutaiba groaned, dragging his hand down his face.  "Will you give it a rest?" Qutaiba barked angrily at him.  He glared over at Mas'ud, saw the eager yet glazed look in his friends' eyes and curled his lip up in disgust.  "Fine, go ahead, but take him into the other room.  I do not wish to be subjected to your sick lusts."

Mas'ud's head bobbed up and down, a big smile on his face.  "Aiwa, Qutaiba," he responded, moving towards Samir.  "Shukran."

Samir's eyes widened in horror as he shrank back from the advancing Tuareg.  "Stay away from me," he whispered, trying his best to scoot away.  Ir-raHman Allah, musa'adi ana (Merciful God, help me)!  His mind screamed as the Tuareg grabbed him by the front of his robes and hauled him up.  He desperately tried to think what Ardeth would do or Kedar in such a situation. 

The thought almost made him laugh despite the situation he found himself in.  The two friends were so different, that it amazed everyone that they were friends at all.  Ardeth would handle this strategic planning, his every move choreographed, while Kedar would use his anger to charge without thought at all, relying on his strength.  Unfortunately for Samir, he lacked the skills for strategic planning or brute strength; however, he could use anger to possibly surprise them long enough to escape.

Gathering his courage, he struck out as hard as he could, clipping Mas'ud across the cheek.  "LA!" he practically screamed, propelling his weight into the bigger man.

~*~*~*~*~

It was clear how well Kedar and Ardeth knew each other by the way they quickly searched the alley, neither one making a sound.  They moved quickly and quietly, using hand signals to communicate.

Ardeth was just approaching a door when he heard the loud cry of denial from a familiar voice, "LA!" then he heard a crashing noise.  He quickly closed the distance to the door to find it locked.  Next to it was a large window that was completely covered in layers of dirt and sand.  Ardeth started to turn around to get Kedar's attention only to find his friend, scimitar in hand, charging towards the window.

"La," he whispered frantically, trying to stop him.  "Kedar, wait!"  But his order fell on deaf ears as Kedar, with a loud battle cry, hurled himself through the large window, his left arm coming up to protect his face, while his right arm, which griped his scimitar, stayed out away from his body.

The shattering of glass reverberated through the alley along with Kedar's battle cry.  He tucked and rolled, coming up on balanced feet to take in the situation with dark eyes.  Ardeth was immediately behind him, scimitar drawn as they faced down the two Tuareg kidnappers.

Qutaiba was on his feet the moment he heard the battle cry.  He spun towards the window, his scimitar appearing in his hand as the window shattered and a figure in black came through it, hitting the ground and rolling to his feet.  Behind him, Mas'ud struggled with Samir, the two of them rolling on the floor, until Mas'ud's greater strength finally won out.

Climbing to his feet and dragging Samir up with him, he drew out his dagger and held it to the young Medjai's throat, holding him from behind, so that Samir was displayed in front of him, effectively protecting him from any attack by Samir's rescuers.  In wide-eyed fascination, Mas'ud watched as the two young Medjai warriors, who didn't even have their tattoos yet, converged on Qutaiba.

The clanging of steel was deafening in the large room.  At first, Qutaiba seemed to be keeping pace, holding his own against the two Medjai.  He defended their attack with swift, precise parries and even managed his own attack before he began to falter.  The big Medjai, the one who had crashed through the window, used his strength to push Qutaiba back until he was cornered.  The other warrior, the one who'd come in behind the big one, turned to face him, his dark eyes sizing up the situation in a heartbeat. 

"Ardeth," Samir whispered in relief at seeing his two friends.  Their timing couldn't have been better if he'd planned it.

"Intu kull Haqq (You all right)?" Ardeth asked, his eyes never wavering from the Tuareg.

"Aiwa, ana hal-waqt (I am now)," he answered softly, then winced as the blade of the dagger that was at his throat pressed in to bite at his flesh.

"Ralaq fauq (Shut up)!" Mas'ud spat out, tightening his hold on Samir.  He took a quick glance back behind him to see where the other door was and then began to drag Samir toward it, careful to keep Samir in front with the dagger to his throat.  A scream of rage caught his attention and he glanced past Ardeth in time to see the big Medjai impale Qutaiba on his scimitar.  Moments later, Qutaiba crumpled to the ground dead. 

"Release, Samir," Ardeth ordered, bringing Mas'ud's attention back to himself.

Mas'ud sneered realizing that he was facing the Medjai Chieftain's son.  "I will slit his throat first," he warned, as Kedar spun quickly and advanced forward.

Ardeth raised his hand up, stopping Kedar when he would have charged past him.  "Waqaf (Stop) Kedar," he ordered and had to hide his surprise when Kedar actually listened.

Mas'ud laughed as he reached behind him to grasp the doorknob.  Turning it, he pulled the door open.  Samir didn't say a word, but blue eyes pleaded with his friends to save him, to do something to keep the Tuareg from dragging him off.

"You cannot escape us, intu SarSur (you cockroach)," Kedar threatened, his voice a deep growl.  "We will hunt you down."

Mas'ud shook his head, his confidence making him bold.  "You do and your friend here will die."

"You first," came a gruff voice from behind him.  Mas'ud barely had time to register the voice when strong hands grasped his head and snapped his neck.

Samir stood there frozen as the Tuareg let him go and fell dead to the floor.  He slowly turned around to see Husam standing in the doorway staring at him, Humam directly behind him.  Without a word, Husam stepped forward and grabbed Samir up into a bear hug, nearly crushing the smaller man.  "Are you all right?" he asked.

"Aiwa," Samir grunted with a smile.

"Forgive us, Samir," he said as he released his young friend.  "For getting you into this."

"It is not your fault, Husam, nor Humam's.  I do not blame either of you, I'm just glad you all showed up when you did," Samir answered, glancing down at the dead Tuareg at his feet.  He felt hands on his shoulders and glanced back to find Kedar smiling down at him.

"It is good that you are safe," he told him, then glancing up to glare at the twins.  "Or I would have been forced to kill Husam and Humam."

The twins shuffled their feet and looked duly chastised.  Neither one wished to face an angry Kedar.  He was a formidable foe when he battled in a good mood, but to face off with him when he was angry, not even together would the twins take him on.

Kedar reached inside his robes and pulled out a leather wristband.  "I believe this is yours," he said as he handed it to Samir.

Samir nodded, a grateful smile on his face.  "Shukran, Kedar," he answered, tucking the wristband inside his robes.  The wristband had belonged to his great-grandfather, who'd been much like Samir, interested more in books and history than in fighting.

Ardeth stepped forward, clapping Kedar on the back.  "Where did you two come from?" he asked curiously.  "Your search should not have lead you over here."

Humam grinned.  "Even from where we were, we could hear Kedar bellowing."

Ardeth grinned as Kedar glared at Humam.  Husam added, "Truthfully, we had covered our side quickly.  Not many empty buildings on that side of town.  We decided to keep working our way towards you, thinking that eventually we would meet," he explained.  "We were just a block or so away when we heard Kedar's battle cry."

Ardeth nodded and slipped his scimitar back into its sheath.  "Let us go then," he told them.  "Samir may be safe now, but you two," he indicated towards the twins, "still have to face ya abu."

The two brothers nodded, looking glum.  What had started out as a trip of good intentions and harmless fun had once again nearly ended in disaster.  Together they left the building, leaving the two dead Tuareg behind, each thankful that this time no one had been seriously hurt.

The End… for now.