Speak Softly
So High

1935: Ardeth Bay is resurrected from the dead. He awakens to a world vastly different, to familiar faces changing and to the knowledge that he is Egypt's final hope for freedom.

He also finds out just how far love and despair can take him.

~~~~~~~

Evy crossed her arms and followed her master from Ardeth's tent. Imhotep was silent and unassuming right now and for that she was thankful, though she hated being torn away from Ardeth. He seemed so vulnerable, so afraid and he had reason to be. She wanted nothing more than to be with him right now. Imhotep entered his tent and she obediently followed after, as any slave should when her king had something on his mind.

The priest turned around and looked her up and down with unreadable eyes, but if she didn't know any better she would think he seemed bothered. Yet what could trouble a heart such as his? He held all the keys. "I have made a decision," he told her simply. Evy took a breath, knowing the expression he wore. He was at odds with something, either the consequences of his desires or hers.

She turned away from him, uncertain as to whether or not she truly wanted to hear this. The torments he would likely tell her about had no place in her mind. "Tell me simply, are you going to kill him?" she asked and each second between the question and the answer seemed a lifetime.

"No," Imhotep replied and she clenched her fist. He wasn't going to kill Ardeth, which meant there would likely be some sort of suffering down the line for her friend. And why shouldn't Imhotep want to enjoy making his hated enemy suffer?

Evy looked down at the sand beneath her feet and closed her eyes, praying Ardeth could stand up to whatever would face him. What could she do to help him? Her mind searched through every possible way she could buy his peace, but one could never tell what would work with Imhotep. All she could bring herself to say was, "Please don't hurt him. I'll do anything that you ask."

The king stayed silent a moment, then said softly, "Anything, Nefertiri?" His hand brushed over her shoulder.

Of course he would want something. Now it came to it. Just how far would she go to keep Ardeth safe? Evy turned back around and glared at Imhotep. "You know I'll do anything for him. What is it that you want?"

Instead of growing angry at her tone Imhotep examined his fingers thoughtfully, then met her gaze. "I have already decided to free him, my princess. You need not worry over a price." He said nothing else, his eyes downcast and passive.

At first Evy questioned whether or not she had heard right, then she questioned his sanity. None of Imhotep's gifts came without a price. He had some ulterior motive behind this and the question on her mind was; was it worth it? Was that motive to hurt Ardeth or herself? "Why would you let him go? Do you want to die?" she asked him and he frowned.

"Of course I do not wish to die, Nefertiri! I am letting him go because you desire it. I will not be ruled by fear of this man." His eyes traveled her over before he turned away in frustration. "He will be allowed to leave tomorrow morning and I will make no attempts on his life. This mercy will come but once. If ever he crosses me again I will end his life."

Evy watched him stand there, wondering what she would see in his eyes if she were to look right now. She didn't believe him, but a part of her wanted to. If she told Ardeth to walk away, to never return and try to find a life somewhere—would Imhotep truly leave him be? "What do you get out of this?"

Imhotep whipped around, but made no move to punish her. "You would think that, wouldn't you?" he hissed, crossing his arms. "I was a good man once, Nefertiri, who did things for others because I had the means. You wish me to ask a price for this? If that is so, then all I ask is that you reconsider your opinion of me."

"And if I don't?" she replied coolly. So this was it. It was aimed at hurting her, getting her to marry him probably, his price for her crying out against him so long ago. She was playing dangerously, though. If Imhotep grew angry with her he could easily decide against his sudden generosity.

His eyes grew distant, that strange bothered look resurfacing. He played so many mind games how could he expect her to see what was true or false? Whatever his reasons, he did not allow himself to grow vengeful yet. Ardeth was safe for now. "Then things will continue as they are. Your lover will be set free and I will treat you no worse. You may believe that or not. The choice is yours. Perhaps you will never remember who I was to you, or perhaps today is simply not the day."

Today was definitely not the day. Evy wanted to yell at him, wanted to tell him exactly what she thought of him. He most certainly was not who he used to be, no matter what he was now. She wasn't who she was back then, or even two years ago. Still, if this small thing of marriage would help stay Imhotep's wrath she could give it. It was nothing. It meant nothing. "I'm sorry," she told him, not certain how to proceed without it sounding like she were buying Ardeth's freedom. But that's just what it was and he would know it. Evy sighed. "You want me to reconsider the marriage, Imhotep? Fine. I'll marry you. I'll do it if it will stop you from hurting my friends and hurting me. Ardeth's life means more to me than my freedom. You can't hide the fact that I'm a slave simply by offering me a title, but if it will change anything between us, then I'll do it." He didn't look happy with her words, but it was the best she could offer. Unlike him she wanted to be honest about her reasons.

"Then it is done," he said with a note of finality that made her shiver. He came forward and rested his hands on her shoulders, rubbing gently. She could feel the heat of his body, so near and warm as his eyes asked understanding. "Let this be a beginning of peace between us, Nefertiri. I meant it when I said you did not deserve to be a whore. I make this gift to you in great risk, but I do because I want peace." He pulled her closer and as his mouth pressed into hers she was tempted to move away from the blatant desire in such a kiss, but she couldn't. His eyes asked too much of her, asked her to believe him. When her lips were freed, she gasped for breath as seeking hands swept through her hair. He was going to keep her here, make her lay with him. Evy shivered in want of getting away.

She was wrong. Imhotep kept her close, but made no demands. "You may spend the night in the tent of your Med-Jai. Say goodbye and tell him the terms of his freedom. Encourage him to forget me and forget you, for if he returns to fight then I will be forced to retaliate. That is something you do not want and it is not my wish to put you through that. The same offer will be made to O'Connell if he returns, but I give your brother leave to stay once more in my home for as long as he pledges his life to my crown."

Evy widened her eyes a little and felt her pulse quicken. "O'Connell? He…I thought he was…dead." Rick was alive? She swallowed hard as her eyes moistened. A million questions rushed through her mind and chills spread through her. She hadn't known. Hadn't had the faintest clue. Had Jonathan known? What did this mean for her…for her and Ardeth?

Imhotep shook his head nonchalantly, going on as if her thoughts weren't a mess. "He lives, I am sure of it. He, your brother and your lover escaped the palace the other night. Neither of the other two were among the dead where we found Ardeth Bay. I can only assume they live." How could he have remained alive so long and her not know it? Why? She had been lead to believe he had been killed, though it hardly surprised her that it had been a lie. In her doubt of Ardeth's death it had totally escaped her to question Rick's own. Evy looked at the priest before her, who waved his hand to forestall any arguments. "The past is the past, Nefertiri. I lied and am sorry for hurting you. Go to your lover and be with him. Tell him he is free tomorrow."

Reeling from the shock of everything this man was revealing to her, Evy nodded without a fight. He watched her with gentle eyes, eyes that seemed almost honestly sorry and it made her ache inside. She was beginning to hate Nefertiri for knowing him differently. There were too many lies for her to believe this was out of some sense of concern for her, no matter how much that princess inside wanted to believe it. He looked down when she took a step towards the exit and she stopped. "I don't know why you're doing this, but I pray it's for a good reason, Imhotep." His eyes raced up to meet hers as if her words had been a curse.

Out of her weariness of fighting him she decided to do something in good faith, something to show him she could allow peace. Evy moved again to stand before her king and with trembling hands, she leaned against him, offering him a kiss and whispering, "Thank you." She prayed this would not encourage his lust into keeping her here tonight.

It didn't. Imhotep's eyes widened and for a moment he stilled, but her soft expression made his limbs find will to move. He took her hands from his shoulders and shoved her towards the exit, his tone growing cold again. "Leave," he told her and she obeyed.

The night outside was dark and oppressive, moonless and black—almost as lonely as she felt suddenly. Walking in the darkness towards the tent where Ardeth was being kept, Evy puzzled through the priest's actions. Another mind game? What on earth did he want of her? One moment he wanted her to willingly marry him and when she finally offered her own truce, he repaid it with anger. The shove hadn't been particularly threatening, certainly not as threatening as she had experienced from him before, but that didn't make her feel any more encouraged.

And Rick? The shock from that revelation still swept through her, shaking her to her core. The last good-bye had been a kiss, then the icy chill of knowing he was gone. Imhotep claimed to have bested him on the battlefield with the Med-Jai and while she hadn't seen his body among those strung up at the Field of the Med-Jai, she had assumed he was somewhere out there amongst those she couldn't see. For two years she had mourned this loss and accepted it. And now that too was a lie. What would he think if he knew what had happened? Would he expect to return to her open arms, only to find she had given Ardeth the promise she had made—that same promise Imhotep had stolen?

Her mind was transported back to a time when O'Connell had been the romance of her life and Ardeth was just Ardeth. She had always known their Med-Jai friend was very handsome and would make a woman very happy one day, but back then Evy had never imagined that woman would be her. She had thought Rick was her one and only. She had thought Rick would take her past those first steps of companionship and show her what more she could have with a man.

But Rick hadn't. Oddly enough he had wanted to do things the proper way, which had totally shocked her, seeing as how she had always assumed he was the type that generally experienced with his girlfriends those things proper ladies waited until marriage to give. But he had told her she was worth waiting for, that when he could get a proper job and raise the money, they would get married and then he would show her those soft, sweet things that gentlemen didn't talk about. So they waited. Then they broke up.

Neither married and she had never given her promise to another man, feeling that if Rick could bring himself to wait, so could the man she did finally settle down with. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. The man who did take it away from her had been ravaged by grief and forced into a state of despair over the death of his love. For months after her death Imhotep had turned his vengeance on Evy, hitting her at the drop of a hat and constantly watching her with resentful eyes. She had assumed he hated her for living on while Ancksunamun again had been stripped from this earth.

Her assumption had proven wrong. Very wrong.

She stopped outside the tent entrance, forcing herself to forget those days. They were gone and Imhotep rarely ever treated her so badly as he had the week before his resolve failed him. Ardeth could never know about that time in her life. It was too frightening and private. Forgiven and forgotten.

Evy wiped her wet cheeks and entered his tent to tell him the news, determined not to think on these things or Rick right now. Her heart was starting to belong to someone else, wasn't it? It struck her in the dimness just how sweet he could look when asleep and that drew her even further from the pain. Ardeth's dark eyelashes rested softly and his body was limp against one of the posts from which he hung. She padded to where he slept and dropped down to her knees before him. It wouldn't be every day she got the opportunity to watch him like this. It wouldn't be ever again if Imhotep had his way.

The thought made her ache, for this was a vision that met her eyes very warmly. Evy bit her bottom lip and regarded his tattered robe with regret. One of these days she was going to have to stop berating herself for raising him, but it wasn't today. His now healed skin peeked through dozens of rips in the fabric. He was going to need a fresh change of clothing, but she knew he would decline anything of Imhotep's based on the fact that it was Imhotep's.

She looked his muscular form over, wondering what this would look like against the dawn. Morning's light would creep over him gently, embracing him in hues of blue at first, then gold. She was teasing herself, she knew. Ardeth would be gone tomorrow and with him any chance of finding out what their future could have held.

The watched man made a soft sound in his sleep and Evy found strange little chills spreading through her chest. She rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around her knees, chiding herself. No, this would be never again. She owed him a chance of finding peace somewhere—with someone else. It wasn't as if they were actually lovers. Tomorrow she would tell Ardeth the truth. They weren't and would never be. It would be so hard, though. How could she look in him the face and lie about what she wanted?

He groaned again and she noticed that his expression was fitful. He was having another nightmare and why not? This was the land of nightmares. She glared at the ropes that bound his wrists. "Well, as long as he's being generous, anyway," she breathed, crawling to one of the posts.

The knot was tough, but she could handle that. It was one of the things Jonathan had gifted her with before all this had started. Evy rested her tongue between her lips and furrowed her brow in concentration, then two minutes later his left arm was free. It didn't occur to her just how heavy a warrior could be as she untied his right, not until he dropped to the sand with a thud. Evy battled the urge to giggle as he got up sleepily. Ardeth searched the room, then her and his eyes sobered. "Running would be hopeless, Evy," he told her softly as he moved closer.

"We're not going to run," Evy retorted as he flexed a sore arm. She grabbed it and started to rub with an unnoticed urge to comfort. It was on her lips to tell him he was free, but after that would follow what she didn't want to say to keep him away. She just didn't have it in her to say it now. "I knew you were uncomfortable like that and well, Imhotep can bloody well deal with it. You need to rest."

Ardeth inhaled deeply, stretching his other arm out and said, "Thank you. I am surprised he let you return. He did allow it, didn't he? I don't want you to place yourself in danger needlessly."

Evy rolled her eyes and shook her head, running her hand up his arm. She found him warm and comforting. "I'm not in any danger, Ardeth. Don't worry about me." He eyed her at that, but kept his thoughts to himself.

Instead his hand stilled hers and those haunting, dark eyes were so truthful, caring and demanding. She frowned at him and he shook his head. That hair was going to be a problem. She wanted to touch it again, but it just wasn't wise to give in to this foolishness. Why did he have to look at her the way he did? It was penetrating and unlike anything she had ever experienced. Evy looked away and tried to ignore the sounds of his breath, but to no avail. His fingers brushed her hand and wrist, then traveled on up her arm, causing her to tremble inside. How was she supposed to tell him never to return? How could she forbid his touch and turn away his seeking for Imhotep's? "Things will work out, Evelyn," he nearly whispered, drawing his hand to her cheek. "I came back for you."

She couldn't cry now. If she did he would never believe her tomorrow. Things would work out, all right. He would live and she would go on with Imhotep. He could see her struggling and she just couldn't help it. Ardeth pulled her into his strong arms and she melted into the comfort he offered, kissing his shoulder and holding him as he rubbed her back. She could feel him breathing and the sensation seared itself into her memory even though she fought it.

Evy closed her eyes tightly, feeling his mouth brush against her ear and hair. Oh, she wanted this. She wanted to take comfort in him again, but it couldn't be. Yet she couldn't stop it. Ardeth brushed his cheek against hers and caressed a hand up the back of her neck, then pulled back to look at her face. Evy lowered her head to hide from his gaze and she found his lips pressing into her temple, then on down her jaw. The moment was entirely too silent. "Ardeth, is this what you want?" she asked in lost, breathy tones.

His forehead pressed against hers as he rubbed her arms and whispered, "You have always held a place in my heart, Evy. Perhaps in resurrection I have learned how precious love is and how deeply it can run. Perhaps it is something else. The answers elude me, but I know since you have brought me back, your presence has lingered with me always. You are my hope."

That made her aching increase. Why was the world so unfair? Evy searched him for any reason this should not happen, anything to make her task easier. She wanted him to say their feelings were only bred of shared pain and suffering, but would it be a lie? Before 1929 they had been friends, but she had belonged to Rick. What did she know of his private musings back then? "If I had never been with Rick…?"

"Evelyn," Ardeth breathed gently, still holding her against him. He was so warm. His eyes were closed as he spoke his heart and even that endeared him to her. "I cannot tell you that I have always secretly desired you, if that assurance is what you seek. I would never allow myself to entertain thoughts of a woman who belonged to another man, especially if that man were a friend. Do you think I touch you because of fear? I have always loved you, Evelyn, in different ways. I make no secret that death changed me, but your life touches me. I see things differently now and I hold you because I want that life to fill me." He rubbed his hand down her shoulder blade and turned his intense, midnight gaze on her. "It's not simply the feeling of your body I look for, Evelyn. Just the nearness of you."

Her eyes were now quite moist and for that she cursed herself. Why did he have to say these things? And she would have to lie to him even still so his life would be spared. If he did not hate her now, he would tomorrow.

Her life filled him. It was such a strange concept. Of course she had no idea what he meant by that, but the thought made her smile amidst all her pain. He saw that and took hope from it. "So, you're telling me that when you paw at me like you are now, you're trying to steal my life from me to fill yourself?" Evy laughed lightly, desperate to lighten the mood and he rubbed his forehead against hers with smiling eyes.

"Something like that," he replied and she could hear the tiredness in his strong voice. Ardeth sighed and brushed her hair with his fingers. "We have so few hours before tomorrow."

She didn't need him to tell her of that fact. Evy could feel it coming, hear her hurtful words forming within even now. She had to keep reminding herself that the important thing was keeping him alive. She wanted his own life to fill her, even if she never knew where his path was leading him. "We should sleep," she suggested, wanting to leave these thoughts behind for even a few short hours.

Ardeth nodded and shifted himself to lay down right where he was, but she stopped him. She had never been exactly forward with her own desires and being Imhotep's slave had certainly stripped her of her long forgotten modesties, but right now being with Ardeth made her feel like that girl again. She nervously hesitated, wondering how he would react to her. This would be the first time she kissed him, not because the moment swept her into it, but because she cared for him. Kissing out of that emotion was different than desire—more vulnerable, and despite his soft words she nearly feared his rejection.

But he didn't push her away when she grabbed his shirt and pulled him forward. His mouth warmly met hers, and for all her fears it was welcoming and gentle. This was definitely different and Evy found butterflies swirling around in her stomach. The emotion frightened her so much so she pulled away. Feeling embarrassed, Evy lowered her head again to hide, but he did not say anything against her. Instead Ardeth laid back in the sand and held his hand up, inviting her to join him.

When she lowered to the sand beside him he enfolded her within his arms and rested his head against hers as they settled to sleep. It felt so secure, so safe and warm. It felt like a dream. Ardeth's hand found her bare stomach and rubbed gently as his breathing deepened and Evy knew it wouldn't be long before he was asleep once more. If it would bring him more peace than life she would pray his rest gave him beautiful dreams from which he would never awaken.

Evy prayed the same for herself, but she just couldn't fall asleep. Preoccupied with studying the tent walls, she nestled deeper into his hold and thought about her life and her friends. Ardeth, Rick and Jonathan lived when she had thought them all dead. It gave her comfort, but also gave her regret. Not that she would ever wish death upon them, but would it not be better than this? They were grown men, but she hated that they lived with such burdens. Her own she could and would handle until the end of time if that sacrifice would buy them a way out of this. Who was she now, that such a dark thought as killing Ardeth in his sleep would enter her mind? Yet it did all the same and it brought tears to her eyes. She shouldn't have to consider mercy killings or tell Ardeth he had no place in her life anymore.

She had stopped crying about Imhotep's abuse a month after the first slap, but watching her loved ones suffer now brought every tear back. It was pointless, she knew. The past was the past and the king had offered mercy. Yet she couldn't stop herself from crying again. Evy would miss him so much, but he had to forget her. It was the only way.

Ardeth's hold was limp, proclaiming that precious rest had found him and Evy took his hand. She closed her eyes, pretending for the moment that this was forever.

~~~~~~~

Disclaimer: No infringement intended. Ahamad, Nashean, Mayadeh, Sajul/Necromancer and Arya (and a few other insignificant originals) belong to me.

A/N: Hey, wanna check out the new look for my meager little fanfiction site? http://geocities.com/saturnfiction

To Reviewers:

Marcher – Aaaw. :-D If it comes to posting before you get "left behind" I'll just do for you what I said I'd do for Mommints. "Marcher – where the crap are you? ;-D" ;-) Hehe. Thanks for your compliments…I'm pleased everyone's taking so well to Necromancer. Does me right proud, it does. ;-) Immy in pain…yes, he does need that doesn't he? It looks like he's got the upper hand though. :-O Doh!

LadiSwan – I've never seen an anime style fall. ;-) Incidentally, if I remember right, you are LadiSwan, right? I could swear to it, but it says "Xing" so I can't be 100% sure. :-O Thanks for the kind words!

Marx – Thankie, my friend! :-) I enjoy writing Neccy…nice to step into the darkness with my own characterization, rather than what we conceive Immy to be. :-) Tis fun and I'm happy people like him. Thankya muchly!

Lula – Aaw, don't cry!! :-D Yeah, Immy's got some plans as far as heart-rippage. Muahaha. Thank you! Glad you're liking.

Mommints – Or "Xing #2" as I name you. ;-) Hate me? :-O ;-) Aaaw. Now how could anyone hate lil' old me? :-O Thanks for the compliments…if I'm able to make the readers do anything besides grunt in non-amusement, I'm a heppy person. ;-) Hope to see more from ya soon!

Serena – Thanks for your compliments on Neccy. ;-) If you're twisted for liking him, I must be for thinking like him enough to write him. Lol. ;-) Hope you continue to enjoy!! :-)

Deana – Aaaw, that's such a nice thing for you to say!!! :-O I can't even believe you said it. :-) You're too kind, my friend! You rock too! And so do your Mummy stories (all of them, really) which I'd like to see more of. *cough* I might have to continue with that fic where you forsook Ardeth for the sake of loftier company. ;-) Thanks!