Reflections of a Friendship
By Jedi Blu
(Formerly The Silver Songstress)
Disclaimer in 1st Chapter
NOTE: My delay this time was due to lack of interest in readers. Since then I've had a very kind review and been put on two people's 'favorites' lists. :-) I'm basically walking on air a bit. The story is perfectly complete on my computer; I just hate putting up chapters I'm sure no one will read. SO REVIEW!!!!!
Thank you, namarie2legolas, for reminding me I even had this story running. You're a sweetheart. :-) I wish you lots of sweet Anubis warrior puppies and a hug from Ardeth.
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CHAPTER SEVEN: A Promise
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PAST, 13 Years
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Adira blocked the harsh blows that Kaliq dealt her, but could not ward him off long enough to make an attack of her own. His rage against her, pent up for so long, was at last unleashed. Even Ardeth could not have beaten him now. It was a losing battle, and she knew it.
In her mind she prayed for strength, begging that they would be found, that the battle would be stopped. Kaliq was coming too close; his blade had now nicked her several times. She was bleeding.
"Not such an incredible little fox now, hm?" Kaliq asked voice like the hiss of a snake. "Amazing how one so...special should fail so completely against one who is possessed by a demon." He pushed his advantage still further, backing her into a corner of the room. Her eyes were wide with fear, like a cornered animal, and her will to survive surged stronger.
"Whether I win or lose," she whispered, blocking as best she could, "at least your true character has come to light." With the mightiest shove she could manage, she pushed him away from her and slipped along the wall out of the corner.
His anger was at an all time high, and his attack was astounding. Soon Adira found herself being pressed into another corner, and his constant blows were causing her to stoop low. He was much too strong for her, and she would not last much longer. Her strength was beginning to wan; she knew it was only a matter of moments before she lost her hold completely.
The blade of Kaliq's sword came down once more, her arms ached, and one more such blow would be the end of her battle. She blocked, moved away, and prepared for his final advance.
Kaliq's sword was in the air, his eyes were glowing with hatred, he sneered at her. Then it came down---
A shot rang out, knocking Kaliq's sword right out of his hands and sending it clattering to the floor. Standing in the doorway were three men, Hamdun Bay, Jaide's father, and Ardeth. How they had come upon her she did not know, but she thanked Allah they had stopped the fight. Her arms were weak; they trembled as she continued to hold her sword above her defensively. Ardeth came to her while Hamdun held his revolver on Kaliq. Jaide's father, Ballam, just stood and stared into the wild eyes of his future son-in-law.
Ardeth barely had to touch Adira's hand and the sword fell to the ground, he pulled her up to her feet and led her towards his father. Never once did he even acknowledge Kaliq until he had put Adira's hand in Ballam's. Ballam put his arm around her shoulders and supported her weight as she relaxed into his shoulder to draw several shuddering breaths. With his back still to Kaliq Loc-Nah, Ardeth drew his own sword and unfastened his cloak.
"The law," Hamdun murmured quietly, but loud enough for Kaliq to hear, "States that, should the protectorate of the Heir or Commander come under attack, the protector must come to their defense." He put his gun back into his belt, then crossed his arms and watched his son advance upon the traitor.
"You will no longer bear the title of my second in command," Ardeth growled as he came near. "And when we are finished here, if I am still standing, you will appear before the council on the charge of treason and betrayal to the Med-jai tribes."
The other young man retrieved his sword from the ground, his hatred evident, and he glared at his former friend. "So be it, Ardeth Bay."
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PRESENT
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Ardeth watched her as she slept, wishing he could do something to ease her pain. It was growing dark outside, and the first troop of fit warriors were preparing for their journey home. It would be easier for them to travel at night, without the harsh rays of the desert sun beating down upon them.
The Commander went outside to see them off, wishing them well on their journey. He looked up at the sky, streaked with purple lines and dotted with silver stars.
{"Look at the sky, Ardeth!" the voice of his mother coaxed the young child, who followed her eagerly out into the gardens. "Look at it! So bright, so peaceful. Not like here, Ardeth. And no matter how long we fight, we will never achieve the peace and beauty of the skies."
"I can, Mother! I can try, I promise!" a young Ardeth protested, looking into his mother's beautiful brown eyes, exactly like his own. He would do anything to please her, anything she asked or wished for.
Her gentle smile and warm hug made the boy feel sad and happy all at once, a feeling that only a mother could give. "As long as we have you to try, my son, we could have a better world. That is what being a leader is about. Not glory for yourself, but to make the world a better place for those in it. Try, Ardeth, and I will be proud of you." She kissed the top of his head, then fondled the dark curls that he had inherited from her. "Never has a mother had such a wonderful son as I do."}
It was not the first time Ardeth had remembered his promise, he thought of it every night, every time he rode into battle, and every time he looked in the mirror to see her eyes reflected in his. No one had been as devastated as Ardeth when Umayma Bay had died of a terrible fever. The boy had refused to eat and drink for days; he did not speak for weeks. He had only been eight years of age, and that experience had stolen a great deal of his childhood from him.
Ibrahim came to Ardeth, a weary smile on his lined face. "Ah, my lord, what a night. Victory, defeat, death, life.... All is present in this night. A battle like none other has taken place, and the world will never know what it has been saved from."
"It is better that way, for the world to stay innocent," Ardeth murmured, returning the smile. His eyes turned back towards his tent, it was dark inside, and he had turned out the lamp for Adira to better rest. "Innocence is a virtue that not many can afford; it is good for others to keep it as long as they might."
"You speak of more then the recent events," Ibrahim noted with a thoughtful look. "I have known you since you were born, Ardeth Bay, and sometimes I wonder how well I truly understand you."
The younger man chuckled, and then began to walk towards the still water, leaving the older man to stare after him in thought. Ardeth drank from the cooling water, and washed the sand from his face and arms. He stared at his reflection as the water stilled.
Bashshar came up behind Ardeth, kneeling beside him to drink as well. "We have yet a few men left with us. It will not be more then a few days before we can leave. Ibrahim says that he only worries for Adira's travel."
"Thank you, Bashshar. I will speak to Ibrahim about it later. You have done much to help me this day." Ardeth put a hand on the other man's shoulder, smiling thankfully at him. "And the day before, and many days before that. You are a good man, Bashshar, and a great warrior. Rest now, I do not think we need fear anything tonight."
To have such praise was rare, and Bashshar knew the words were not meant lightly. "What of you, my lord? Another occupies your tent, would you like to have mine?"
"No. I will not be sleeping this night. I will take watch duty alone; I have much to think upon." Ardeth stood and strode away, towards the edge of the camp. Bashshar watched him go, with much the same expression that Ibrahim had worn before.
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Adira lay awake, glad for the darkness around her. She was at peace in the dark, when nothing could be seen, and all was still. Ardeth had thought her asleep when he left, and that was what she wished him to think. Adira wanted to be alone; she needed to sort out her thoughts and feelings.
Her thoughts drifted to a time of less confusion, back to when she was sure of where she stood with Ardeth. Now she was unsure, she did not know how to deal with the new way he regarded her.
In her wildest dreams of youth, Adira had wondered what it would be like to marry, to have a family, to be loved by a man. She had considered these dreams foolish, out of place in her life, she was a warrior. As a warrior she had forfeited many of the rights of a woman. She only hoped that someday...someday she might regain that which she had lost. Ardeth had been in those daydreams, no matter how hard she had tried to push that silly thought from her mind.
What would it be like, she had thought, to have Ardeth look at her with tenderness and love? She had not been closer to anyone in her life than she was to the Med-jai commander. How many times had she wounded her own heart, by continually telling herself it was beyond all reason and hope that he could feel so for her?
That was why she had come, to protect him, because she cared for him. Cared for him so much more then a friend would. Adira did not like to admit it, but she knew she was in love with her commander. She had been for many years, always ready to follow him to hell and back again should he ask it of her. That was why she had disobeyed him, or sidestepped his command. She had to be sure he would come back to her alive, because if he had not.... She would not live long afterwards. Being in love with him...it was not easy.
And she had protected him, in a way that he would never know about. She had been there, by his side, in the heat of battle, keeping enemies from his back. He had never noticed. She had also protected him that night in Ahm Sher.... When the shot was fired that kept the warrior of Loc-Nah from striking him down...ah well. Let them continue to believe it was the Englishman. He had never had much glory in his life, from what she understood, but this would make him a better man.
Adira closed her eyes, wishing sleep would come and save her from the troubling thoughts she now had. But sleep would not come, not this night, like on many others when his eyes appeared before her and made her wish...foolish things.
{Shooting stars lit up the sky, and only two stood out on the cliffs above the City of the Dead, watching the wonder of nature. Ardeth and Adira were taking the night watch, keeping their eyes open for the travelers that were said to be coming to the City. Ardeth was a man, now twenty-one years of age. Adira, at nineteen, still held the appearance of a mere girl about her. They were all alone, silent, at peace with their thoughts. The night was quiet.
"It is at times like this," Ardeth said softly, "that make me grateful to be who I am. There are so many who will never take such a wonder as this and truly value it." His eyes turned from the sky down to her, his smile was warm and happy. It was rare that he let his shields down enough to let the real him come through.
Adira smiled back, calming the beating of her heart by reminding herself of how impossible it all was. "Men no longer value such beautiful things as this, but they look towards temporary pleasures as their hearts' desire. This," she waved her hand to indicate the entire landscape in front of them, "is true beauty."
He had looked at her then, with that smile in his eyes that told her how grateful he was for her presence, and that she understood. His deep brown eyes, so calm, so full of countless sunsets and starry-nights, made her breath catch in her throat. She had to look away, back up at the stars, and ignore how he continued to stare at her. She was never sure what he was thinking when he did so, but she liked to pretend...just every so often, that he almost...almost felt for her as she did for him. "Yes," he said at last, looking back up at the sky. "There is no truer beauty."}
Tears filled her gray eyes; she closed them, not allowing a single drop to leave her. She had not cried since that night so long ago, when Kaliq had been exiled from the Med-jai, and she would not repeat such an embarrassment again.
