"What is going here? You should be dead! This can't be!" she cried, dropping the Spire to the sand.
She balled her fists in anger as she stared at Rick.
"What have you done with them?" she demanded.
Jonathan, Evie and Alex were watching from afar, who had not travelled too far away.
"Sure I'll tell you. If you tell me who you are," Rick replied with a smile.
Isis grabbed the woman by the arm with her teeth and dragged her to the sand. Catlanda held onto her other side. Ardeth stood over them, a sword in his hand.
"I demand to know why you attacked us because the Demon was once again free upon this world," he told her, trying to catch his breath.
She glared at him, but was always aware of the sword that lay inches from her neck. She gritted her teeth.
"I am Anwa," the woman said, breaking her stare.
Ardeth dropped the sword and started to back away.
"It can't be you. You're dead!" he cried.
Catlanda was breathing heavily as she dropped her arms; therefore dropping the woman's arm. The wide-eyed expression on her face said something.
"Who is she Ardeth?" asked Rick.
"She is legendary protector of the Spire and jewel. Story has it that when the last woman who is around the Spire dies, she becomes its protector in spirit. Catlanda's mother was that last woman," he sighed, dropping to his knees. "The woman becomes dedicated and doesn't care what happens, as long as the ones who she feels let the Demon free, have been dealt with."
"She can become physical form. But why attack us after you helped us?" wondered Evie as she walked up to the small crowd, Alex right behind her.
"So I could take care of these two myself," she replied, refering to Ardeth and Catlanda.
The three pieces of the jewel glowed brightly, the two smaller pieces were laying in in front of Ardeth, the other half slipping back into the snake's mouth.
"Anwa, let them be. They didn't cause the trouble with Ramses," the Spire suddenly said, its yellow eyes staring right through her.
"Fine. I will obey your orders," Anwa said, standing up as Isis let her go. "But be warned. Should Ramses become free while I am still the guardian, I won't be as lenient as I was today, despite the fact its guardian is my own daughter."
She turned and disappeared in thin air although she immediately came back. The group held their ground as she walked towards Ardeth, who was holding his shoulder.
"One more thing before I leave. Ardeth Bay, thank you for taking care of my child. I couldn't be more proud of her," she told him quietly before leaving again.
The six looked at the spot where she stood and sighed.
"She's gone for now. At least we don't have to worry about anyone dying today," Jonathan sighed.
Without warning, Ardeth began to sway a bit and fell to the hard sand. Catlanda ran up to him and placed a hand on his stomach and the hand by his shoulder. She remembered the pain he suffered.
"Someone help me get him onto his side so he doesn't choke if he should vomit again," Rick ordered.
Catlanda was quick to help him. No sooner had they done so, vomit started to trickle out of his mouth.
"We've got to get him to the nearest tribe immediately before he becomes worse," Catlanda told Rick.
"Gotcha. We'll get him on the horse and you can take him. Catty, you know this place well enough. How far is the nearest one?" Rick said.
"From here...let me see, we're just outside Luxor...less than a quarter day," she quickly replied.
"Well then, let's get him there," Rick told her.
Catlanda climbed onto her horse after they got Ardeth on. She was handed the Spire He was draped over her back as Geb started to gallop, Isis running along beside them. The O'Connells watched them leave. Evie turned towards her husband.
"Rick, what caused this sudden change in you? As far as I knew, you hated Catlanda after everything that has happened," Evie asked him.
"I'll explain later," he replied, heading for the camels
00000.
A few Medjai were out scouting when one saw a figure a top a horse. He spoke to the others, pointing the way and they looked as well. As the figure got closer, they recognized it to be Catlanda. Behind her, they recognized Ardeth, who was still unconscious. They ran out to start escorting her to the camp.
00000
A while later, Rick was leading the family across the desert. They soon came across other people on horses, who immediately ran up to them. They pointed guns at them. They dropped them once they saw who it was.
"Follow us," one said.
Rick started to follow them.
At the camp, they came across a familiar face. Evie ran up to Catlanda, who was heading for her.
"How is he?" she asked, noticing the bandages on the Medjai's arms.
"He's doing fine. They have the bleeding from his shoulder under control and he's taking something for the stomach pain. He should be fine in a few days," Catlanda replied, relief in her voice.
Rick started to walk into the camp.
"Where is he?" he demanded.
"He is not to be disturbed. He asked of it himself. I do not wish to disobey him," Catlanda told him.
Rick gave a deep sigh as he looked her without an expression on his face.
"What now?" Evie wondered, becoming worried.
"I overheard your conversation the other night. Is it because you consider him your father or the fact he still is your leader?" Rick replied.
Catlanda appeared a bit angry, arms by her side.
"The tribe realizes that Ardeth made a promise to my father. They treat me as though I were his own and vice versa. They do listen to me but they also know that he does not treat me any differently than them. He treats us all the same," Catlanda explained. "Though only in the presence of others unless my life is in danger. Then he'd do anything to protect me, whether it be life or death."
Tears were starting to form in her eyes as she walked away from them. Rick put out his arm to stop her but Evie held him back.
"Let her go Rick. She's been through enough on this trip and so has Ardeth. They don't need a lecture about anything anytime," she said.
They watched her run into a nearby tent. Evie came to the conclusion that it was Ardeth's when she didn't come out right away.
"I hope things become better for you," she whispered, tears starting to form in her eyes.
Her brother watched as one fell down her cheek.
TBC...