***
Amber arrived home from her teller job at the local credit union and greeted her grandfather, who was in the study going through the day's mail. After a brief hug, he handed her an envelope. She studied the return address for a moment before tearing into it.
Em watched her with curious eyes, awaiting her response.
Amber gasped excitedly. "Pap, what is this?"
"It's time you get away and enjoy yourself, darlin'," he insisted lovingly. "When you decide where you would like to go, we'll take a trip...anywhere you say."
Amber glanced back at the letter from the travel agency. It was a generalized letter, welcoming her account and whenever she needed to make any travel arrangements, they would handle the transaction.
Her grandfather had done this for her. She hugged him fiercely, thanking him for such a generous gift. "I know you'd like to return to Egypt, Pappy."
Em shook his head slowly. "No, that's not the way it works, Amber. This is your time to shine. It has to be somewhere that you want to go." He smiled and patted her cheek softly. "Don't decide now...take your time."
After thanking him again, she went to her room and changed into more comfortable clothing. Her eyes drifted to the carvings on the curved lid belonging to the magical chest. Curious, she wondered what they stood for and decided to take a snapshot of them. She would take that to the library and see what she could find out about them.
She set the camera aside when finished and opened the chest. She had been running late that morning and didn't have the time to spare to see if the journal and her note had disappeared as they had the previous day. To her astonishment, she found something there when there should have been nothing.
What she saw was a makeshift envelope, sealed by melted wax and stamped with an Egyptian symbol. It looked somewhat like an eye and she had seen it before, but what it stood for eluded her at the moment. "Miss Amber M. Davis" was written neatly on the outside of the envelope.
She nervously broke the seal and pulled out the sheet of paper contained in the envelope. Although the writing was in English this time, she could tell that the same hand that wrote the journal had written the letter she held.
Miss Davis,
To say that these events have astonished me is an understatement; however, please believe that I hold no blame for what happened with my journal. It has become clear to me that the gods wished for us to come in contact with each other. For what purpose, I cannot determine.
I feel strange and at a disadvantage, for you have read the happenings of my life, whereas, I have not had the same opportunity to learn about you. Perhaps in discovering more about each other, the reason we have been chosen to have this connection will reveal itself to us.
You asked about the origin of the chest that is now in your possession. No, it was not made by my hands, but those of my father's upon my birth. I have treasured it and it saddens me to know that it no longer belongs with my family. But, there may be a reason for that, as well. If we were meant to connect this way, then that is the explanation. I feel time will reveal its relevance, so I must be patient.
There is a misconception I must dispel. You think me courageous and I will tell you that I am not. I sit here, now, very much afraid of the choice I must make in my life. You have no doubt realized that I am Chief of my band of Medjai and as such, the tribal Elders demand that I take a wife and produce an heir. My predecessor was sent to the next life, leaving us without a leader, and my people feel that the same fate shall befall me.
I understand their fear. I would guess that my hesitation only comes from wanting to take a wife because I love her and not for the sake of producing a child to one day walk in my footsteps. It seems cold and unfair to the woman whom I will inevitably choose.
I have no earthly reason for sharing such an intimate detail of my life with you; however, you already know so much about me that it seems the sane thing to do. There is also the possibility that this will never find you; that I shall place this in our secret place only to find it again in the morning. If that is what does happen, I will know the gods are playing with me, toying with my sanity. Of course, I have no idea what they hope to achieve, unless they wish to drive me insane and force me to resign as Chief.
If you understand this concept of being alone when you are not, then I must assume that you are in a troubled place in your life as well. Your kind words and understanding hit me at a most trying time and they offered a comfort I was not expecting. In time, perhaps, you will allow me the opportunity to try to ease your burden? Again, that is, if you ever receive this message.
Until that time,
Ardeth
Amber read the letter several times, unable to believe Ardeth had actually received her notes, and that they had touched him in any way, as short and simple as they were.
She felt the ache deep within her over his personal anguish. Somehow, in just reading about him, he had found a place within her heart. And focusing on someone else's troubles made it much easier to let go of her heartache and emptiness.
***
Returning to camp after four days away patrolling the area with his men, Ardeth spent the better part of the morning briefing the Council to the current status of the landmarks closest to their camp. There had been no activity, thankfully, so there was very little to report. When the subject of his taking a wife was broached, he brushed it off, demanding more time to make his decision.
After that chore was complete, his mother had informed him that they had received word from the O'Connell's and that they would be arriving in two months for a visit. That bit of news lightened his heart. It would be good to see them. Rick's carefree attitude always left Ardeth feeling lighter in spirit.
Four days had passed since he had last opened the chest and he felt its pull from across the compound. He was dusty and tired; his only thoughts should be of bathing and resting, but they had slipped further down on his list of priorities.
He hurried to his tent and went directly to the box. Four days of absence produced three envelopes. His hand snatched them up greedily. He laughed at himself, realizing he was acting like a child who had gotten his first toy. He really needed to bathe and relax first and then he could savor each page Amber had sent.
He gathered his things and got a fresh horse from the corral. It would be unfair of him to take his horse out now after working it so hard. After mounting the steed, his hand fell to the pocket in his robe that he had placed the dusty pink envelopes. With a click of his tongue he rode toward the hidden Oasis.
Ardeth took his time, bathing in the natural spring that flowed through the lush area. He swam for a while, relaxing in the cool water, and then made his way back to the hard sand that surrounded the pool. He spread out his robes and stretched out on them, relishing the sun's warmth that dried the cool water from his skin and hair. Relaxed now, he reached for the first envelope.
Dear Ardeth,
Although my excitement cannot be more peaked by the knowledge that you have, indeed, received your journal back, as well as my notes, it saddens me to know you are in such distress.
Our cultures are so different that I cannot even begin to judge or presume to offer advice. Especially the latter because I have had very little experience in this area, however, it seems to me that if you are forced to marry, then you shall be miserable for the remainder of your life.
I have never been in love, so it is difficult to explain my thoughts. It seems so long ago that I even dated a man. My life has been so out of sorts these past couple of years. When I was dating, although there had been a couple of men I enjoyed spending time with, they held no spark for me.
I'm laughing now, because my thoughts have drifted and they sound cliché. I've begun to think like "The Shoop Shoop Song" -- "If you wanna know if he loves you so, it's in his kiss". Forgive me, because I know you do not know to what I refer, but I think it has some merit.
The men I mentioned...their kisses held nothing for me. No emotions stirred, I felt no excitement, no yearning to get closer to them, and definitely no desire to continue seeing them as more than anything but friends. So, you see, it was in their kiss.
You may think me too forward in discussing such things, but in my time this is not forbidden or frowned upon. If it offends you in any way, I hope you will forgive me and let me know so that I will not tread on this ground again.
So, I return to thoughts of arranged marriage. It's an old custom not practiced in the society that I live. I'm sure it is still done in cultures around the world, but I cannot say. There is always the possibility that if you decide to submit to the wishes of your people and take a wife of their choosing, you may eventually love her. There is no way to see that future.
My only wish is that you do what your heart tells you and not what others demand from you. This may be of great concern to them, but in the end, it is a decision only you can make.
I am of the opinion they have no right to command you give that part of you that you have held separate from your duties. Your heart should be given freely and to one who deserves a man such as you. I truly hope you find that woman, Ardeth, and that you do not settle for a vessel that will bear your children.
You deserve more than that. You deserve nothing less than a woman who sees what I see. A man so noble, so honorable, and so faithful that he can devote himself without fear. I see you with a woman who appreciates your strength as well as your weaknesses and embraces each with the same love and compassion. She will not only live for you but also with you. She'll share your victories and your losses. She'll support you when your spirit soars and she'll build you up when you've fallen.
I wish this for you, Ardeth, because it is no less than what you deserve.
The time is late and I must get some rest. I will end this now so that it might find its way to you. Tomorrow I will try to share with you the fears that have haunted me lately, as you had requested.
Yours,
Amber
With a tear in his eye and an ache in his heart, Ardeth rolled over onto his stomach and felt the sun's warmth caress his bare skin. He reached for another letter and opened it slowly.
He was completely awed by the feelings Amber stirred within him. She was reaching out to him, offering him support without strings attached. She wanted nothing more for him than to be happy. She saw in him these great things that he did not necessarily see in himself. He supposed it could just be a side effect of her own loneliness and she was possibly just building him up in her mind as someone she would want to be with. It made sense to him in that context; still, it did not stop his heart from swelling with pride at the thought of her admiration for him.
Distance and time made her opinions so different than those of his people. She did not live in his world nor was she bound by the rules of his society. He did agree with her. His heart should be given freely; not snatched from him and thrust upon the heart of another that may not truly want him. He knew his title held appeal for many maidens, but would they love him or his status?
He sighed and began reading the next letter. What he discovered was Amber's loneliness stemmed from her parent's death. She essentially closed herself down, shutting out everyone except her grandfather. She was afraid to let anyone close to her for fear she would lose them and suffer the pain of their loss as she had suffered with her parents.
Her fear of losing her grandfather was always in her thoughts. He was all she had left and when his time came she would be alone. She was less frightened by the thought of being alone than being without her grandfather. It wasn't that she couldn't accept that death was a part of life; it was the pain of the loss she didn't want to face. It had devastated her to lose her family and, therefore, she chose not to set herself up for more loss.
Ardeth set the second letter aside and began dressing now that his skin was completely dry. He shook his damp hair out and ran his fingers through it as his eyes fell on the last envelope. He reached for it, excitedly anticipating what secrets she would share with this letter.
His heart was filled with compassion for her; she had lost so much in her life. What wasn't taken from her was thrust away by her own hands. She had lost the ability to trust, to love, and to let anyone love her, with the exception of her grandfather. It seemed such a lonely existence. This was the common bond they shared.
Dear Ardeth,
Three days have passed since I last heard from you. Because I am aware of your mission in life, I have grown very worried. Are you ill, have you been injured, or were you just called away and are unable to contact me? I pray it is the latter and that I hear from you soon.
It is very odd that I feel as if I know you already. Of course, I have read about so much that you have experienced in your life. It was as though I was there with you when you had your first lesson handling your scimitar, when you learned to ride a horse, or went through your rite of passage into manhood. I felt great pride when you were appointed Chief and I celebrated each victory you and your men achieved.
What am I saying? I truly do not understand what I'm feeling. I only know I rise each day hoping that I will open our chest and find word from you. It doesn't make sense to me why; I only know that I do.
I am also very upset because Pappy took ill today and we spent the better part of the day in the emergency room at the hospital. His doctor wishes to run tests on him, so he remains there. I came home to try to get some sleep and will go back to be with him in the morning.
I am feeling very tired and drained, so I think I will say goodbye. I hope things have eased for you and that your thoughts are not as troubled as they have been. Please take care.
Yours,
Amber
Ardeth stood quickly as a wave of guilt swept over him. He hurriedly gathered his things, mounted the horse, and raced back to camp. He caught sight of his mother waving him down and called to her that he would come to her as soon as he could. There was something he had to take care of.
***
To be continued...