Reflections of a Friendship
By Jedi Blu
(Formerly The Silver Songstress)
Disclaimer in 1st Chapter
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CHAPTER NINE: Death Was Only the Beginning
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PAST, 10 Years
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Adira was angry, and that was a rare thing indeed. She watched, from the shore with Ardeth, as the riverboat went up in flames. The cocky Americans, and their rodent-like guide, were at least on the wrong side of the river. That would give the Med-jai some time to devise another plan.
But that other man...with the two British...he was dangerous. She had been with Ardeth years before, on the cliff face, and had watched as the American made his way into the desert. He should have died then. No one should be so strong.
"We will meet them at Hamunaptra," Ardeth said softly, interrupting her thoughts. The other commanders nodded, then turned their horses and rode away to collect their men from further down the river. They had lost a few good men in the pointless attack, something that no Med-jai would forget as long as the Americans lived.
"Ardeth," Adira began quietly, pointing to those on the correct side of the river. "They have brought a woman with them. A British woman, in the desert? Is this not considered folly by such men?"
The commander had noted the strangeness of that as well, and shook his head. "The man at the museum," he said softly, "warned me about her. She is incredibly intelligent, and is expected to hold her own with these men. She is the archeologist among their group."
Although these people were, technically, their enemies, Adira could not help but admire the woman. "Another woman in a man's world; it is nice to know I'm not alone."
Ardeth shook his head and chuckled, then turned his horse to the side. "Come, we have work to do before they arrive at the City. If they even arrive." Ardeth winked at his friend, then put his horse into a silent gallop away from the place.
She cast one more glance back, at the woman, who now followed the men up the shore, and smiled. She hoped they would meet again, and on friendlier terms.
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PRESENT
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Ardeth awoke again, the sun was at its zenith, and all the men were under the shade of tents and tarps, sleeping. He sighed, stretched out his stiff muscles, and looked towards Adira. She was wide-awake, staring at nothing. How many times had Ardeth found her in such a manner?
"What are you staring at that's so interesting?" he asked, as he always did.
A smile played across her face, she sighed. "The inner thoughts of one confused," she murmured. Her answers always served to puzzle him, once she had muttered something about the mysteries of a woman's untouched heart.
"And why is this person confused?" Ardeth asked, moving so that he lay on his stomach next to her cushions, she laying north and south and he east and west.
The woman sighed, and shook her head. "I do not understand it myself. I am just a helpless observer." She turned her dark brown eyes to him. "Could you help me sit up? I am tired of lying flat on my back. It makes me feel...vulnerable."
"A good feeling for people to have once in a while," Ardeth commented as he moved behind her to lift her. She could not sit on her own, she was still regaining a great deal of strength, and so she had to lean against him. After they had sat in silence for a moment, Ardeth ventured, "Comfortable?"
"Yes, very, thank you." She stared out the open tent flap, trying to ignore the way she could feel his heart beating beneath her. Was it her imagination, or was it beating faster and faster as she continued to sit there?
The silence between them continued for many long minutes, one anxious to keep it, the other wishing to find a way to speak of his thoughts. "Adira," Ardeth said at last, and the tone he used sent a quiet little thrill up and down her body. He had never spoken her name in that way before, soft, gentle, soothing, and full of such concern and...and something more. "I am sorry I tried to make you stay behind in the City. Your place, as it has always been, is at my side in battle."
Relaxing, the woman was both relieved and hurt. She had been hoping for something more, a declaration or reproof but was grateful it did not have to come so soon. "I am sorry I had to sneak around your orders to come," she added, truly meaning it. "But I could not let you fight this battle without my protection."
"Had you been by my side," Ardeth admitted, "I would have felt a little easier on the battle field. I was foolish, Adira. I wanted your safety, and did not consider duty."
Her smile assured him that he had been forgiven, and he relaxed slightly. His heart slowed, Adira became more comfortable. She let herself use him as a cushion, her head resting beneath his chin. Eventually, as the now comfortable silence continued, Ardeth rested his chin in her hair. Without really realizing it, while he used one hand to prop them both up, his other arm had snaked around her and gently held her there. She sighed, closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling. Who knew how long it would last? When his tenderness would leave, and go back to the bantering relationship he was so accustomed to?
This could not go on much longer, of that Ardeth Bay was sure. With her resting in his arms like this, knowing that it could not last unless he spoke, the Med-jai commander became anxious.
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PAST, 10 Years
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The raid on the camp had not been completely successful; they had been bested by that American. Adira growled out a curse as they rode away, Ardeth shook his head in agreement. "If they are not gone soon, we will take more desperate measures."
They waited at their camp, some men even managed to sleep. Adira and Ardeth set up, staring into the darkness towards the city. Ardeth came up and sat on the ground beside her, waiting a few moments before asking, "What are you staring at that is so interesting?"
She smiled slightly, but her expression quickly turned serious once more as she answered, "A Dark City, and those who do not understand it. They endanger the world and do not even realize it."
"They will not be there for much longer, one way or another," Ardeth promised.
Only a few hours later, a horrible noise filled the air. An echoing, disembodied voice disguised as a gust of wind tore through the Med-jai camp. Quite suddenly, the night air was filled with the sound of shrieks and screams, coming from the City.
The Med-jai leapt to attention, Adira came to her feet perhaps the quickest, and they stood in stunned silence. Ardeth snapped back to reality first, his voice ringing with horror, "The Creature has been awoken!" The camp was alive at once, men mounted their horses, and the few who were wounded looked as if they may try to join the team as well.
"To the City!" Adira yelled as Ardeth and she mounted. They were off in a flash, racing to the horrible place that held the worst nightmare the earth had ever known.
They arrived to find the campground deserted, except for one of the Englishmen, standing and holding the Black Book. He did not say a word as they arrived, but the look in his eyes almost begged them to put him out of his misery. He was taken into their custody, nothing more.
Ardeth went right into the temple, Adira close behind him, and they began to search out the survivors and the Creature.
After several minutes of combing the place, hearing the Creature but never catching a glimpse of him, they finally found one more survivor. His eyes and tongue were gone; the Creature had begun his work.
"Take him out," Ardeth commanded, his eyes searching the dark corridors ahead of him. "Return to the outside, it will not be long until the others come." Adira put a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave a small squeeze, then she turned and followed the others.
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Especially big thanks to lamancha, who stopped lurking and voiced her opinion. :-) Thank you!
