Lifetime of Celebration
By Jeannette Hetfield
Boy this is taking me a long time to finish, isn't it? Good news, though. I'm almost finished. Let's see, there's this chapter and maybe 2 more. It's been fun, but it's time to end this story and move on. I've been working on it for about a year and a half now. I think it's getting a little old myself. Anyway, onto the chapter.
Chapter 17
Jensa shivered, although it was far from cold at this time of day in the middle of the desert. Something was not quite right. She felt in her bones. At first, she dismissed it as concern for the baby, but nothing physically felt out of the ordinary. The feeling just wouldn't leave though, and nothing came to mind to make it go away.
She sat at the table with a bundle of sewing in her hands, but her concentration was shot. She stared at the microscopic eye of the needle, lost in thought while Basmah sat across from her. They were finishing up what was left of the clothes for the baby.
Her mother-in-law looked up just as Jensa shivered. "Are you cold, Jensa? Shall I fetch a blanket?" Basmah stopped sewing and started to rise from her pillow. Jensa placed a hand to stop her.
"No, I'm not cold. I don't know why I shivered."
"Do you feel all right? The baby—"
"It's not the baby," she reassured her, "Although I wish it was."
She smiled in understanding. "Yes, I remember well. I felt like screaming when I thought it was time and then nothing happened. You have not had any false labor pains so far?"
"No."
She patted Jensa's hand. "Do not worry, child. It is any day now." Jensa nodded absently and looked away. "But something still troubles you." Basmah's forehead creased in puzzlement.
"Something is wrong. I can feel it." Jensa tried standing, but her stomach had other ideas. "Basmah," she said with a chuckle. "Will you aid me to my feet?" Laughing, her mother-in-law did just that and then resumed her sewing.
Jensa had felt the need to stretch the familiar strain of her back muscles as she stared out of the window while rubbing the throbbing area. Ardeth was outside talking to Madir. Both wore grim expressions. She sighed heavily and thought it must be Hamunaptra again.
"Basmah," she said, pushing the goat skin door covering aside, "I'm going to step outside for some fresh air."
"All right, but do not overdo it," she warned.
"I promise I won't." Jensa stepped outside and took a deep breath as she approached her husband.
* * *
"Madir, you have news for me," Ardeth said, noting the frown on his commander's face.
"Yes, sir. Four riders on camels have been spotted. They are approaching the village."
"You know what to do."
"Of course." He nodded once and hurried away to get more information from the village watchers who were placed at strategic points throughout the area. Whatever these rider's business was, the Medjai would know soon enough.
Ardeth looked to his left and smiled. His petite wife was approaching. His heart lifted and for just a moment, the burdens of everyday life did not seem to matter.
"It is possible for you to grow more beautiful everyday because it happens right before my eyes," he said linking his arm through hers.
Jensa blushed beautifully. "You flatter me, Ardeth."
"I speak the truth."
She frowned suddenly. "From the looks you and Madir had on your faces before I walked over here, it must have been a serious conversation."
"I am afraid so, Jen," he said, expression darkening. He placed the palm of her hand against his chest and rubbed the soft skin gently. Her touch was a lifeline and gave him comfort every time she was near.
"It's Hamunaptra, isn't it?"
"Yes," said Ardeth quickly. He did not wish to worry her about the riders approaching. He would make sure she was in the safety of their home before then. "Lately, there has been much activity. Men and armies fight over it more than they used to. The armies especially."
"What do you do when the armies are there? Surely you don't…you don't attack them?" she asked worriedly, clutching his hand a little tighter. He gave her little one a reassuring squeeze.
"No, we watch from the cliffs and let them kill each other. It is all pointless fighting. The word spreads among them and more and more come. It is never ending." A sad look passed over his obsidian eyes. "Protecting Hamunaptra will never end."
In his darkest moments, Ardeth wished for the only thing that would free him of his duty. Death. But that had been before he married. He was tired of the fighting and the bloodshed everyday because of other people's stupidity. Though this was his duty, he prayed that one day, the fighting would stop…that one day, he would be able to come home to his wife and never be forced to leave her again.
The look on her face every time he left pushed the knife further into his heart. He knew she spent many sleepless nights worrying. She understood his duty came first above all, but whenever he looked into her eyes, everything but she, faded away. He was not so sure he could choose his duty over his wife anymore. She would insist, but would he listen? Soon Jensa would give birth. There was the life of a child to consider now.
"How are you feeling this evening?" he asked, letting go of her hands to rub her shoulders.
"The same."
"Your eyes suggest there is more than physical discomfort. Tell me."
She shrugged. "I don't really know. It's just a funny feeling I can't explain." She ran her fingers through her hair nervously. "Maybe my emotions are riding high today."
"I have had many funny feelings and I have learned to listen to them. You should too." He took her squarely by the shoulders and turned her around to face him. "What do you feel?"
"I feel…" She paused. "Ardeth, something's wrong."
* * *
The four riders stopped a short distance from the village. Lyle quickly went over the game plan with the others again.
"Jeremiah, you stay here in case we're followed once we've got Jensa. If we are, shoot them," he said, checking his gun one last time to make sure it was fully loaded. He walked over to Michael's camel, grabbed and pulled him down to the ground. "We'll use her loving brother, who gave away her hiding place might I add, as leverage."
"You really think you can accomplish anything by just the two of you going in there against thousands of Medjai warriors?" Michael asked, disbelief in his eyes.
Lyle shrugged. "I've got you."
"Jensa wouldn't give herself up for me."
"That certain, huh? No, Michael. She will do what I tell her because I know just how much she loves her good for nothing big brother. If by chance she doesn't, I'll kill as many of the villagers as I can until she comes." Lyle cocked his gun and shoved the barrel into Michael's back.
"After you."
Michael stumbled forward with Lyle and Jackson following close behind.
* * *
Ardeth pulled Jensa into his embrace. "We will figure out what is bothering you."
"I hope so. With every passing minute, I'm getting more worried." Jensa abruptly drew back from Ardeth. "Where's Nadi?" She peered all around them into every cluster of people available to her line of vision.
"I do not know. I have not seen her yet this day. She must be off playing somewhere," he said, looking around. She hoped that as he was so much taller, he would see what she could not, but he shook his head.
For some ominous reason she could not identify, Jensa was worried about Nadirah. She had not seen the girl in several hours and just as she was about to go look for her, something up ahead suddenly held all of her attention. Her fingers clamped down onto her husband's arms, needing to hold fast to something strong because of the sight before them.
"Jen, what is it? What puts such fear in your eyes?" Jensa backed away, pulling him with her. He caught her arm to stop her. "Tell me now!" he demanded in a harsh whisper, the shock evident in his voice.
"He found me," she said barely above a whisper.
Ardeth jerked around. "They have guns…and your brother."
Three men were descending over the dune entrance to the village. She recognized all three of them. Michael with a gun to his back, Jackson Cravin also armed and, as always, a bowler hat on his blond head, and…
"Who is that?" Ardeth said, cupping her face and forcing her to look up at him.
"He found me, Ardeth. I live in the middle of the desert and he still found me!"
Understanding finally dawned. "Lyle!" he hissed.
"No!" she cried. "He's got Michael!"
Ardeth grabbed Jensa's arm and dragged her inside of their home. "Stay in here. Do not come out until I tell you to." He shut the door, but she rushed to the window and pulled back the covering, fearing for her husband's safety as he approached the threatening duo with Michael.
Basmah appeared from the nursery. She smiled and said, "Did you get enough fresh air?" Jensa's back was to her and she didn't acknowledge the question. "Jensa, did you hear me?" She hurried over to Jensa's side and watched out the window. "Who are those men with your brother? My Allah! They have a gun to his back!"
"Do you remember the story I told you about the man that I almost married?" she asked, wringing her hands together nervously. Basmah nodded gravely. "That's Lyle holding Michael hostage."
She gasped in fear and also gazed out the window, gasping when she saw what was happening. "What could he possibly want?"
"Me." Her attention remained glued to the goings on outside.
She watched as her husband approached the men and planted an indifferent, but deadly look on his face. "Who are you and why have you disturbed our peaceful village?" she heard him say.
"Please, one question at a time." Lyle said formally, sounding as if he was at a political news conference. "My name is Lyle Boenker. You know Michael."
Ardeth shook his head. "I have never seen him before."
Lyle laughed. "Oh, please! I'm not stupid. I know she's here and from your greeting, I'd guess you to be the leader, Ardeth Bay, husband to my fiancée, Jensa James—oh, excuse my manners, Jensa Bay." He moved the gun to rest at Michael's temple. "Where is she?" he growled.
Ardeth glanced to the left and right. His warriors came forth and formed a tight circle around Lyle. His voice dropped in tone, sounding like the god Anubis himself was speaking. "There is no one here by that name."
Lyle rolled his eyes.
"You are looking in the wrong place. Leave now," Ardeth hissed.
Lyle laughed again. In less than a second, he aimed the gun at Ardeth's head.
"NO!!!" Jensa screamed as she threw open the door, running as fast as her pregnant body would allow. She pushed her way through the line of the warriors. "Lyle, stop!" She cried, throwing herself in front of her husband's tense body.
"Jensa, get out of the way!" Ardeth shouted, taking her arms and trying to push her behind his body.
"No!" she shouted back, struggling to stand her ground.
"Well, well, well, if isn't my long lost fiancée. Nice to see you again, sweetheart." His eyes dropped to her stomach and widened.
"I can't say the same for you, Lyle."
"Such a brave woman to throw herself in front of a gun aimed at her husband. I'm heartbroken, darling. You were promised to me yet you run off, get yourself married and pregnant. Looks like the little bundle of joy will be here soon. Tell me, when's the due date?"
"I've always hated chit chat, Lyle. What do you want?"
"I should think that was quite obvious, honey." She grimaced when he addressed her with the mocking endearment, earning a wicked smile from Lyle. "You should know I want you, or has the desert sun bleached your brain like it's bleached your hair?" Briefly, she glanced at the hair hanging over her shoulder. It had been dark brown and was now a mixture of that and some blonde.
"How did you find me?" she wanted to know.
"Your brother here was most helpful in telling us how to find you."
Jensa stared at her big brother in bewilderment. "Michael?" she whispered, feeling the tears of anger and hurt burning her eyes.
Michael grimaced, but shouted, "Jensa, they tricked me! I swear it!"
"She will not go anywhere with you," Ardeth said through gritted teeth.
"Wanna bet?" Lyle glanced back at Jackson. He darted through the line of warriors and grabbed the nearest hostage: a child.
"Nadirah!" screamed Jensa. She ran forward but stopped when Jackson put a knife to the little girl's throat.
"What are the odds that he'd grab someone you care about? It must be my lucky day."
"She's just a little girl. I beg you please, don't hurt her."
"Come with me and I promise not to kill her or your husband."
Jensa glanced over her shoulder at Ardeth with tears in her eyes and took a step closer to Lyle.
"Jensa, no!" Ardeth started forward, hands outstretched.
"Uh uh!" Lyle waggled the gun and Jackson pressed the knife harder against Nadirah's neck. She cried out in pain as the tip of the blade poked her tender skin.
"No! Ardeth stop! Lyle, I'll come with you, but please don't hurt anyone."
Lyle gave Ardeth a smug smile. "Let her go." Jackson dropped Nadirah and she crumpled to the ground. She sprang up and ran towards Ardeth, wrapping her arms around his leg. Lyle shoved Michael over to Jackson and held out his hand to Jensa. She calmly placed it into his. It was cold and callused. He brought the gun up to her head and backed away.
Ardeth waved his hand to the right. The line of his men split open, allowing them to pass. Each face of the men bore a hatred for the man who threatened their people and the woman they had all come to know and respect. Tears streamed down her face as Ardeth became smaller and smaller in her view.
I love you, she mouthed to him. Ardeth nodded slightly, mouthing the sacred words back. Jensa felt as if she could hear his deep resonant voice telling her this was not over and she knew it would not be long before she saw him again.
* * *
Lyle hustled Jensa onward, who obviously had a hard time keeping up, but every time she thought she was about to fall, he tightened his grip on her arm and kept her on her feet. He also kept a firm grip on the gun in his hand. His knobby knuckles were white as a sheet. Her feet were killing her; her back was straining so hard she wanted to cry and she feared what Lyle might do to her and the baby. The shock on his face has been real and angry. She was not strong enough to fight Lyle, but she wasn't about to give up, not when the life of her baby was at stake.
She could sense her brother's eyes on her as he walked behind with Jackson in tow, gun in hand. But she could not bring herself to look at her brother. For years, he had been lectured about his drinking habits and never once listened. Lots of people when drunk, had loose tongues. Michael was no different. Though she knew he had not meant to give away the location of the Medjai, the damage was done and her home betrayed. Of course, she loved Michael, but lately, he had not been the best of brothers. His opposition against Ardeth stood between them and now…so would his betrayal. There was no telling if Ardeth would kill Michael for this, but she had seen his brown eyes turn black with rage.
Michael's death was a possibility.
The sun was blistering hot. The top of Jensa's head was baking, with a little added help from her thick hair. In the haste Lyle had forced on them, there had not been time to get the proper head coverings. She closed her eyes to shut it all out, but it was inevitable. She was next to the man who had tried to kill her twice. Third time's the charm, she thought morbidly.
"Here we are!" he announced coming to a stop by three camels.
"Camels!" she shrieked. "You expect me to get up on a camel when I care barely walk?" She was not in the best of moods and despite the gun pointed at her, she was bound and determined to argue her point.
"Well, I guess you should have thought about that before you ran away and got knocked up!" he yelled, dragging her over to a camel that Jackson had pushed Michael onto. "You're going to ride with your brother."
"You idiot!" she cried, not backing down. "Even if the camel kneels down, I won't be able to get on it. What kind of escape plan is this? You're stupid in the first place for threatening the Medjai. Do you have any idea what they'll do to you?" she whispered menacingly.
"Jensa, maybe—" Michael began.
"Shut up, Michael. I wasn't talking to you."
"Get onto the camel," Lyle ordered.
"No," she said boldly, folding her arms.
Lyle placed the gun in the middle of her forehead. "I'm mad enough to put a hole in that pretty head of yours."
"Go ahead," she challenged.
"Jensa, stop!" Michael shouted, starting to get down.
Lyle's finger slowly pulled back on the trigger. Veins on either side of his forehead throbbed. Sweat poured down his red face. His gritted teeth were brown with sand. Just when she thought he would pull the trigger, he lowered the gun, his chest heaving. Her own breathing slowed, but her heart still pounded furiously against her rib cage. But that wasn't the end.
"You're too valuable to kill just yet, but you will be taught yet another lesson."
Before she could open her mouth, a fist came flying into her face. Her head whipped to the side as she staggered back, falling onto something. Through hazy vision, she recognized Michael's face as he fought to keep her from falling and injuring herself further.
"Now look what you've done," he whispered, finger trailing over cheek. She winced and tasted blood. She had bitten her tongue.
"Get onto the camel," Lyle repeated, "Or next time, eat a bullet. Jeremiah, help Michael get her up."
She felt herself being lifted up and two strong arms wrap securely around her. "I promise you won't fall," said her brother. "I've got you tight. Here, lean back and rest." He pushed her until she connected with his chest.
There was not much strength left in her body. Her face hurt along with everything else. Darkness slowly enveloped her and she welcomed it, letting her mind drift off into another world of dark olive skin and a deep voice that brought with it peace and love.
* * *
Ardeth handed Nadirah off to one of the women. As soon as Jensa disappeared from his sight, he strode forward, cutting a deep trench in the sand. Intent upon getting his wife back then and there, oblivious to anything else, he began to fight at the arms and hands of his men pulling him back. It took five to hold him and still they struggled to fiercely to keep his rage from causing more harm than good.
"My Lord," whispered Madir into his ear, "We will get her back, but first we must decide our course of action."
Ardeth knew in his mind that what his first commander said was true. It would do no good to go after Jensa recklessly, for Lyle would kill her. He had seen the insanity in the man's eyes. No, not a man. No real man would ever stoop to physically abusing the woman he supposedly loved because he lacked true courage to face his problems.
But in his heart, he cried out in anguish. He had sworn to protect her, but he failed. Yet it could not entirely be his fault. Michael was partly to blame. His idiocy and love of alcohol had gotten them into this mess. Ardeth was not sure if Michael's drinking habits were directly linked to Jensa's abduction, but there was no other answer. From their distance, he had seen her brother's blood shot eyes and his physical appearance left much to be desired for. He would see to it personally that Michael paid for his betrayal of Jensa and the people she now called her own.
* * *
The sun suggested it was about midafternoon when consciousness returned to Jensa. It was still blazing hot. The sand before them was distorted into a hazy image as the heat rose from the ground. Once or twice, she thought she saw a figure in black atop a large horse and her heart leapt, but when she blinked, it was gone. Probably just a mirage of the only person her being cried out for.
She tried swallowing, but her tongue was glued to the roof of her mouth. Her eyes drifted over to Jackson who was hungrily downing water out of a canteen. Droplets trailed down his scruffy chin. Her caught her eye, looked at the canteen and then back at her. Tilting the canteen over his mouth, he drank more until nothing came out except for three little drops. He licked his lips, smirked and wiped his mouth.
"Hey, you okay?" said a voice in her ear.
She nodded slowly, unable to do much more. The air was suddenly horribly smothering and it felt like her skin was boiling. A deep ache settled deep within her and she stiffened, fearing what she had just felt. To get her mind off the pain she hoped was just caused by the stress of the situation, she quietly asked, "What are you going to do?"
"Be quiet," Lyle commanded.
"You don't know," she realized.
Lyle brought the gun up level with her head. "I said shut up." He laughed suddenly. "Maybe I could kill your brother, lock you up in a room and watch you wither away and die just for my own personal amusement."
Jensa started to give him a smart remark, but was suddenly gripped with fear as she felt the pain again. It was unexpected, but not entirely. "Well, Lyle you'll have to lock me away and watch me die some other time."
"Really, Jensa dear, why's that?"
"Because I just had a contraction."
All three camels and their riders stopped short. Behind her, Michael muttered, "Oh my God."
"You're kidding right?" Lyle asked panicky.
"Do you think I would kid you about something like this?!" she screamed in his face.
Her eyes closed again. She broke into a sweat while her heart pounded faster and faster. Here in the middle of the desert, she was about to have her baby, a woman alone with three men who wanted to kill her. "You've got to take me back."
"You're not ever going back," he shouted.
"Lyle, you don't have a choice! This baby's coming now whether you like it or not." She let out a small yelp, startling all the men, who yelped too. The pain was increasing rapidly, beyond anything she had ever experienced. Jensa had never felt more frightened and more alone. Suddenly, she longed for her mother and tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.
Lyle jerked the reins on the camel, jumped down and paced nervously back and forth across the sand. He tapped the gun against his temple. "Think, Lyle! Think!" Jeremiah and Jackson jumped down too and walked up to him.
"What're we going to do?" demanded Jackson with frightened eyes.
"How should I know?" Lyle snapped back, shrugging his shoulders.
"You're the brains of this outfit!"
"Don't panic! I'll think of something."
"I think we're past the panicking stage."
Meanwhile, Michael had jumped down and made the camel get to his knees so he could easily lift her off and help sit her down. "Michael, what'll we do?" she whispered.
"Somehow, I've got to get you home."
"How? Please don't do anything else stupid. They're armed. Don't get yourself killed and leave me alone with them."
"I promise I won't leave you," he assured. "Hey, do you think you can untie me?" He shifted around until his hands were in her reach. Jensa took a small glance at her three kidnappers. They were absorbed in a heated argument and paid no attention to her or Michael.
She lifted shaky hands up to his. It was very difficult, seeing as her hands were tied as well. Several minutes passed before she was able to undo the knot. "There," she whispered triumphantly. "Now me." Michael deftly undid the knot and threw the ropes on the other side of the camel so that Lyle and the Cravins wouldn't see. Jensa grabbed his hands and bit down on her lip hard.
"Squeeze as hard as you need to. Yell if you like."
"No, I can't. I must be brave until Ardeth gets here. I have to be."
* * *
Plan in motion, he ran into their home and threw open the black trunk to grab an extra dagger and guns. He picked up the bandoleer and threw it over his head. The expression on his face was black as his robes. When he exited his home, he found his men already mounted and waiting just outside. Ardeth took the reins of Ahmar from Madir and swung effortlessly into the saddle.
"Ardeth!" He looked in the direction of the voice. He raised his eyebrows at seeing his mother and Kerri riding up to them. "We are coming with you," said Basmah.
"You are not," he said flatly.
"Do not argue with me. Jensa is pregnant and alone with those men. I am not saying anything will happen, but…" she left him to fill in the sentence.
"But she may need us," Kerri put in.
Ardeth nodded once. Were she to go into labor, he would need his mother's expertise in midwifery. He had delivered babies before, but never one of his own. "We ride hard. You must keep up."
"Do not worry about us. We will be fine."
"Yallah! Imshe!" he cried. Ardeth clicked his tongue and Ahmar galloped off. The men, Basmah and Kerri shot out behind to catch up with his thundering gallop.
Nearly an hour passed before they spotted the small caravan. It had stopped in the middle of the desert plains. The sun was close to setting, casting the riders in a warm golden glow. Ardeth could see Lyle and the Cravin brothers pacing about and fighting with each other. Everyone started as a scream silenced the fighting. Ardeth's stomach twisted in knots when he realized the scream came from Jensa.
"I am glad you forced yourself along, Mother," he said wearily.
"Yes, I was afraid this would happen. The stress of the situation may have induced delivery. Her time will be very near."
"We must get to her now, " said Kerri earnestly.
Ardeth was waiting to signal until he spotted Jensa. Finally, he could see the top of her brother's head and assumed she was lying down on the sand, hidden by the camel. Ardeth looked to his men and nodded.
* * *
It was obvious the three fighting men were too preoccupied with their panicky argument to notice the Medjai had surrounded them. From their horses, they cocked their rifles and aimed. Jensa's pained face flooded with relief when she saw Ardeth. She gave him a weak smile. Basmah and Kerri dismounted, heading for Jensa. In the blink of an eye, Lyle drew his gun and aimed at the pregnant woman's head.
"Stop right there or I'll blow her head off."
"Then you will die!" growled Ardeth. "Let her go now!"
"If I let her go, you'll kill me anyway."
"That is correct, so there is no point to all of this."
"No point!? She ruined my life and she will pay for it." Lyle glared down at the writhing figure of Jensa. "You ruined everything! I had it all so perfectly planned. All I did was smack you around a few times and you flip out! We could have been great together. Power and success were right in my grasp!"
"Oh, you're right, Lyle," Jensa managed to say with sarcasm. "I was such a fool. I can't believe I ever let a catch like you go." Her tone changed. "I also can't believe I didn't see sooner how pathetic you really are."
Lyle aimed the gun at the ground beside her head and fired. She closed her eyes, but didn't flinch. Ardeth jumped down from his horse and headed for Lyle. Jackson went for his gun and Ardeth drew both of his, aiming one at Jackson and one at Lyle. The Medjai edged closer. Their rifles never wavered.
Lyle glanced around him, first at Ardeth, then at the Medjai and lastly, Jensa. "I know I can't take out every one of you, but I will finish what I came to Egypt to do. If I'm going to die, I'm going to take you with me. Say good-bye, Jensa."
He squeezed the trigger and an exploding sound shattered the tense stillness around the group.
A/N: Well, Aulizia, prod, prod. I think you prodded enough cause I finished another chapter! Yay! Nah, I've been working on it for a while. I'm really sorry it's taking so long to finish. How many times have I said that over the last year? The next chapter is finished, but I've got to change something, which will change something else and then that will change something else, so there is a bit of a rewrite to do.
Oh, and I apologize for the grammatical errors I know are more than likely running rampant through this chapter. I think I said before that I no longer have a beta reader and I haven't bothered getting a new one because I'm almost done with the story. I know "LoC" needs revisions, but I won't be doing them anytime soon.