Chapter 12
"Why should we help someone who only brings more trouble into the situation?" the commander asked.
" Listen, that may be true, but the whole world is at stake, not just us four. I don't think anyone else who doesn't have some kind of connection to the past, or previous lives, is going to step up and help, which means, us four and you commanders, are the only ones who know what we are doing and know what we are fighting for!" Rick said.
The commander looked at him.
" What my husband is trying to say sir, is that yes, we have been responsible, but we are the ones who finished it as well. All four of us…or at least my husband, Ardeth and I did at the time, Mariana wasn't around." Evy said.
" Then after the first time we took care of Imhotep, 10 years later, he's back. Oh, but no, we weren't the ones responsible for him…no, no, we didn't dig him up, AnuckSunamun did, and we just got stuck in all the mess, because I had found what they were looking for, so that wasn't our fault that he was back!" Evy said. " Then, last year, his brother shows up, and we took care of him again, this time with Mariana. Yet, here he is once more, back to destroy the world, somehow, it all manages to get us involved, but we take care of it! Believe me, we would go after him again, by ourselves, but we have a feeling he might be prepared for us, having battled him last time, he could use something against us!" Evy finished angrily.
The whole time she was talking, Ardeth, Mariana, and especially Rick, were very shocked. Rick had always been amazed by her intelligence, but he was really getting creeped out about the tone of voice she had…she had never in all the 10 years of their marriage, talked with that tone…except last year…when she had been possessed. Maybe that's why it was bothering him. He stopped his thoughts and interrupted.
" And, we need help. Were not asking you to help us fight him, heck, we don't want you too, we just need you all to help us get past all the stupid mortal, immortal servant creeps." Rick said.
The commanders stared. Ardeth and Mariana looked at each other.
* Could they be convinced?* Mariana thought.
* Possibly* Ardeth answered in his thoughts.
" You speak strongly and with no fear, Mr. O'Connell, but the fact is, you have a habit of bringing more trouble to the situation." the commander said.
" And I take care of my problems…and it's seems like the last few years…I've even been taking care of yours." Rick said sternly.
" Gentlemen, there is one thing that I have learned from Ardeth. I learned that the Medji, believe strongly in the fact that we all have destinies, we are born with a destiny, to live and fight for it. I recently learned that in my previous life, I was princess Nefertiri. I then learned my destiny. I had always believe I had one, but once I learned who it was, it became very clear to me. My destiny, is my family, to fight for them and protect them and die for them. But my destiny, my family's destiny also involves Imhotep and Kurai and our destiny is to fight against them, to fight for what we love, our life together, and to protect innocent people, who have no idea what's going on. But my destiny is my family, and I will never stop fighting for them, no matter what. Even if it means that we follow it by ourselves, then so be it. But I believe that all of this is my destiny, Imhotep, and Kurai. Everything that has happened these last 10 years is all part of my destiny, that was pre-ordained in my previous life as Nefertiri. I will not choose not to follow my destiny, just because someone will not help us through it, even when they themselves, are part of the same destiny." Evy finished with a look on her face that made Rick wonder.
* See that right there, is what I fight for every day of my life.* Rick thought looking at his wife.
The commanders stared at her in amazement. As did Ardeth and Mariana. Everyone stood quietly, but Evy never flinched.
" You speak with you're heart, Mrs. O'Connell." the head commander finally said.
" Ardeth has taught you well. He has taught you the most important thing." the commander said smiling to Ardeth.
" It is good, you understand it, and your destiny." he said. " We will help you fight." he finished.
Everyone looked shocked. But Evy was not affected.
" Thank you." she said and went out of the tent.
Rick watched her leave, puzzled.
Ardeth and Mariana chuckled as the puzzled Rick followed Evy out the door.
" Keep in mind, My Medji's, we are helping the O'Connell's, not you two." the commander said in their language… with almost an evil smile.
Mariana could hold back her anger no longer. She drew out her sword and put it to the commanders neck.
" Let it be known, here and now, that if you are what the Medji are becoming, the I will right here, right now, give up my position as a Medji." she cursed back.
The tall Medji commander walked over to her and held out his hand.
" Give us your sword then." he said.
Ardeth's eyes got wide as he realized what was happening.
" No! Mariana, don't…" he started but she glared at him and he stopped.
She un belted her swords and took off her black robes, which surprisingly had clothes underneath them, and handed them to the Medji and she stalked out.
Ardeth stared after his young lover. Then he too left.
Evy and Rick were surprised to see a robe and weaponless Mariana come out of the tent. She flung herself into Rick's arms and buried her face in his chest, where she silently cried. Ardeth stepped out of the tent.
" What happened?" Rick asked.
Ardeth looked away as he replied
" She gave up her robes, rather than serving under the commanders ring." he replied bitterly.
Rick looked at Evy and got the same shocked expression he was giving. Mariana went to her saddle bags and took out a black robe, unlike the Medji robes, these had a big hood that hid her face and long sleeves that did her hands. She looked like the grim reaper. Her hand shot out towards the tent, and in an instant, it was in flames. Ardeth walked over to her shook her.
" Put it out Mariana!" he commanded.
Her hand flicked and it went out. She climbed on her horse and didn't say another word.
Malik chattered relentlessly in her cage.
" Stupid idiots! Where are they?" she asked herself.
Why hadn't the saved her?
She barked orders to smaller animals that were around, to come and free her, and those that could, came to her cage. There was a lot of work to be done.
Evy, Rick and Izzy, who was now hiding behind a camel, stared in shock.
" Did you just see?" Rick asked.
" Yes." Evy answered.
" Did she just?"
" Yes."
" Is that normal?"
" No." Evy answered.
" Ardeth, uh, come here a sec will ya." Rick said moving his finger for Ardeth to come over.
Evy watched as the commanders came out of the tent looking around puzzled.
" What the hell was that?" Rick asked grabbing Ardeth.
" It was Mariana…" Ardeth answered
" I was referring to the ball of flames that shot out of her hand!" Rick said angrily.
Evy nudged him to be quiet as the commanders walked over.
Mariana glared at them from the horse.
" Did you all just see fire?" the head commander asked.
" Fire?" Evy asked innocently.
" Yes, we just thought the tent was on fire…" the commander replied
" Sir, with all dew respect, you are in a tent with a lot of people, out in the middle of the desert…things tend to get a bit hot." Evy replied again in her innocent voice.
" Perhaps. Well, if you would come back tomorrow, we will decide what the plan is." the commander said as he turned to walk back to the tend.
" The plan is…to kill Kurai!!" Mariana said angrily as the commander passed her.
He turned around to say something, but Rick interrupted.
" Tomorrow…gocha, we will discuss what the Medji's plan is to get rid of the guards." Rick said waving off at the commanders and turned away.
Evy watched Rick. She saw something in his eyes. Rick got on his horse and stared.
" Um, Ardeth, is it alright, if we meet you both back here tomorrow?" Evy asked.
" Yes, but why?" Ardeth asked.
" Oh, no reason…just that I'm a bit hungry and just need some time to rest." Evy said making it seem sincere.
" What does splitting up have to do with being tired?" Rick asked.
" Well, we uh…well, we have things…we have something we need to discuss about Jonathan as well, and there's no point in all of us going back." Evy said looking at Rick.
Rick quickly got the hint.
" Right." he answered.
" Well, it would be good to rest, and discuss the matters at hand." Ardeth said looking at Mariana.
" Good, then we'll see ya tomorrow then." Rick said as Evy got up on her horse.
" Be safe O'Connell." Ardeth said.
" You too." Rick answered turning his horse around and started to ride off.
" Hey, what about me?!" Izzy yelled coming out from behind his camel.
Rick and Evy stopped and looked at each other.
" Ardeth…" Rick started.
" Izzy, you will come with me." Ardeth replied
" Uhhh…" Izzy started, but looked back at Rick who gave him a look.
" Alright, its probably safer with you any way, since you don't have guns." Izzy said getting on his camel.
Ardeth, Mariana and Izzy rode off. Rick sat on his horse, watching them leave. Evy stared at her husband. She was getting worried.
* This is beginning to be too much for Rick.* Evy thought. * He doesn't need to worry about this…I mean, he does but, not with everything else as well.* she finished thinking.
Rick started riding off, and Evy followed. Not a word was spoken until they reached a small village.
" I'll see if we can stay here." Rick said getting off his horse.
" Alright." Evy said watching Rick, who started to walk off. Evy looked around. She spotted a group of kids playing.
" I hope Alex is alright." Evy said to herself.
" Evy." Rick hollered motioning for her.
" Come on, I found a place to stay." Rick said and Evy followed him to a small tent.
" Its not room, but." Rick said.
" Its fine." Evy said going in.
Rick followed.