Catlanda became aware to familiar sounds and smells around her. She thought she was in the desert, Isis and Geb by her side in the temple. Ardeth was with the rest of the tribe, safe and well until she felt a familiar lick to her face. She quickly opened her eyes to see Isis sitting on top of her. She quickly sat up and Isis started to purr loudly as she rubbed her face against her master's.
"Isis, it's you," she said, finding herself in a bedroom.
"Good, you're awake," came Marok's voice. "I was worried."
She looked at him and gave a small smile for he said it in a sheepish manner.
"Marok, you're difficult to understand sometimes, you know that?" she told him. "No, wait. All the time."
Both of them started to laugh.
"Can we go see him now?" Evie asked impatiently.
"Of course you can. Though be warned. He's still unconscious and probably won't respond to anything you say or do," the doctor replied.
"Jonathan, stay out here with Alex," Rick told him as he and Evie followed the doctor.
"But Dad, why can't I go in?" whined Alex.
"Maybe another time sport, just not now," Rick replied.
Jonathan sighed as he bent down to face his nephew.
"Alex, they do know what's best for you. You'll have your chance to go see Ardeth. Your parents don't think that now is the best time," his uncle told him, ruffling his nephew's hair.
"Uncle John, quit it," laughed Alex as he moved his head away.
The two watched Rick and Evie walk inside. Evie and Rick walked into the room and saw Ardeth on one of the beds. His shoulder was rebandaged plus both legs were bandaged as well from the recent injuries. Both of the O'Connells sighed as they sat in chairs by their friend.
"He looks terrible," Evie gasped.
"Yeah, but he's going to live through it Evie. We have to believe in him. Let's just hope this doesn't cause permanant damage and that he can still lead his tribe," Rick said to her with a sigh.
"I suggest we come back tomorrow with Catlanda and Marok. I'm sure they would want to see him," Evie happened to say.
Rick nodded.
"Especially her. She's pretty upset by it," Rick agreed. "After all, she does think it's her fault that he's like this."
"Of course she would be upset! The man who took her in and raised her as his own daughter is lying in a hospital bed with serious injuries and unconscious. Rick, I know she knows deep in her heart that it's not her fault. It will never be her fault. It was Ardeth's choice to become involved with her and this is what happened," Evie told him as she got up out of the chair and walked out of the room.
Rick watched her leave, reaching out to her as she did so. His stare returned to his unconscious friend.
"Ardeth. Please live through this. If not for us, for Catty. I was wrong about her as Marok was wrong about both of you," Rick told him. "I think he understands you two better...as do I."
The man stood up and walked out of the room and to his family.
What he didn't see when he left was Ardeth squinting his closed eyes.
00000
The next day, Marok went to the local jail with Evie. There, he saw Pyram, who looked at him and growled.
"You dare show your face to me again Medjai?" he asked.
"Of course. It is my duty to see that those who are responsible for attacking my people are properly dealt with. It seems I don't have to worry. Evelyn here has reassured me that you and that woman will be properly dealt with under her law and I hope you get dealt with accordingly," he explained to him.
Pyram growled louder and angrily grabbed onto the bars.
"Know this. I wasn't the first after the Spire of Isis, nor will I be the last. There are more men out there like Laron and myself and we won't stop until we get it," Pyram warned him.
"And just like this time and the last two times, we will stop you," Marok replied.
"Also know this Medjai. If Laron had not attacked your people all those years ago, your precious leader might be dead right now," the man snickered.
Marok could not do anything except stand there with his mouth open. Marok growled and stormed out of the building. Evie followed him.
"Marok, stop! Listen to me!" she called to him.
"No, he's right. I finally realize the bond between Ardeth and Catlanda is special because he took her in. She might not have thought nearly as much of him if either of her parents had lived through that attack. Their relationship might not have as deep as it is now," Marok told her as he continued to walk.
Evie watched him walk down the street and sighed.
"Though you could only be right," she whispered.
Rick took the sad female Medjai to the hospital.
"Why are we here?" she asked.
"You'll see," replied Rick as they headed into a room.
She gasped at who was in the bed.
"Ardeth! He's alive!?" she cried as she hurried over to the bed and held his hand.
A doctor came hurrying in and saw them.
"Who is this?" he demanded.
"This is his daughter, don't worry," Rick told him.
"Of course," he said with a smile.
Rick quietly walked to the doorway as Catlanda stayed by Ardeth's bedside the tears in her eyes.
Evie and Marok walked up behind him. He looked at the two.
"She's happy," Evie said.
"Yeah, but I suggest we leave them alone for a bit," Rick told them, walking away from the door.
The two soon followed.
00000
Later, Catlanda had fallen asleep by the bed when she heard a groan coming from it. Her eyes opened and her head bolted upright to see movement coming from the bed.
"Father?" she asked with a smile.
"I'm here," came a quiet voice and a hand moved up to his good arm went up to her hand lying on the bed.
She gave him a hug as she cried on his uninjured shoulder.
"I'll be fine sweetheart," Ardeth told her as he put his good arm around her.
TBC...
Author's Note-How was the chapter? Was it bad? Good? What?
