CHAPTER FOUR

As he entered the tent, Ahmad shot him a questioning look. "I am just going to check on her," Ardeth said. 'Allah,' he thought, 'he guards her fiercely…even from me.' He found her awaken and going through her trunk, looking for some clothes, so pleased that it brought a smile to his lips.

"Did you sleep well?"

"God, Ardeth, you startled me!" Said Jean. "Yes, I did…but I have a problem…see, I love these clothes, but I don't know how am I supposed to wear some of them…"

"Let me show you…" Said Ardeth, amused, as he approached the trunk and begun taking out some clothes.

Time flew by, and they were both surprised to hear Ahmad calling them for dinner.

"I will wait outside while you change clothes."

When Jean left the tent, Ardeth held his breath, and so did Ahmad. They just stared at her. She was like a vision, entirely dressed in purple, wearing a long sleeved shirt made of some sheer fabric and a pair of loose babouches made of silk. She had put on some of the golden jewels and had discretely covered her hair with a veil.

"You look very… lovely tonight, Jean. You could pass for a real Egyptian."

"Thank you, Ardeth. Ahmad, are you alright?"

"Yes, yes, I will see you at dinner," said the young man and left, almost running.

"Forgive his rudeness, he was just stunned by you."

"Oh…"

"I don't remember teaching you how to wear a veil."

"You didn't, no one did. I just put it on like I saw in the movies…"

"You learn fast, then, for it is perfect."

"Thanks."

"Now you will meet my grandfather, my uncle and my brother."

"I'll be most happy to."

"But perhaps you'd like to have dinner by yourself… my men tend to turn into an unpleasant sight as they eat."

"Good Lord, Ardeth, I'm not Cleopatra or anything like that, so please don't treat me as if I was."

"I will keep it in mind." He offered her his arm, and she gracefully took it.

"You better…"

He laughed as they approached a middle-age man, who was staring at them. Jean sensed his reprobation.

"Uncle Kasim, this is Jean Marquet. Jean, this is my uncle Kasim."

She shook his hand, "Pleased to meet you, sir."

"It is my pleasure, Miss Marquet"

"Am I late for the introduction ceremony?" A voice from behind Jean asked. When she turned, she faced a man about her age that looked like a younger replica of Ardeth. He was smiling affably and took Jean's hand into his, "You must be Jean, I am Tarek Bay, Ardeth's younger brother and pain in the a…"

"Tarek!" Interrupted Ardeth.

"Nice to meet you, Tarek," said Jean, who had already started to like him.

"I am starving, let's go get something to eat. I'll escort you, Jean"

"I will escort her, Tarek."

"Sure, Ardeth, that's fine…"

He took Jean away from the two men and lead her where several long tables were set up in a square and the food was prepared and cooked on a large fire in the center. The Med-Jai ate together and the evening meal was an opportunity for them to talk over the day's events. There, an old man was sitting; she figured that had to be Ardeth's grandfather. Despite his age, he was surrounded by a dignifying halo, which made him look like the strongest warrior, and the wise look in his eyes was a proof of many years living and learning.

"Jean, this is my grandfather, Ahmed. Grandfather, she is Jean Marquet."

"It is an honor, sir," said Jean and bowed.

"You honor these tired eyes, my child. So, you are the one Allah sent us?"

"I have been told so."

"Then we must praise his infinite wisdom. Sit here, my child, you belong at Ardeth's right." He got up and left her his seat. "After all, future relies upon you."

"Thank you, sir."

All men took their seats, with Ardeth sitting at the head of the table. They proceeded to thank Allah for the food he had put at their table, and Jean respectfully bowed her head, even though he wasn't her God. Then they ate a simple meal: dried and salted meat with nuts and then some dried fruits. They only drank water, which had been brought from the Nile by the warriors and then boiled for a long time. Ardeth couldn't help notice that his men were behaving perfectly, as if they were at some ball at Cairo. Ardeth also realized that he was being was careful with everything from his manners to his speech. 'This woman has more magic than I could have ever imagined…' He thought.

Jean was following the conversation with interest, until Ardeth leaned to her and whispered, "They don't usually speak English, but I told them to, as a sign of respect for you." She smiled warmly at him.

Tarek asked, "So, Jean, where do you live?"

"I live in New York City."

"All by yourself?"

"No, yes. I mean Nicole, a friend of mine, lives next door."

"And what about your family?" Asked Kasim.

"They live in Washington DC and I miss them terribly. The only reason I'm living alone is because I attend to Columbia University."

"Really?" Tarek was stunned; she had to be extremely intelligent to have been admitted there.

"Yup. I'm majoring in Biology. I want to study viruses like the Ebola one and try to find a cure for them."

" Women should marry young and their only worry should be looking after their homes and children." Jean's eyes widened at Kasim's comment, as she tried to come up with a respectful answer, not exactly the one she had in mind. Fortunately, Ahmed made it unnecessary.

"I am pleased to know you devote your time to such a remarkable career, young woman."

"Thank you very much, sir."

"I take it you have no children, then." Kasim was definitely annoying her.

"No, I don't"

"You are in a very fertile time of your life and should take advantage of that." Tarek, who was about to burst into laughter at his uncle's idea of a conversation, softly kicked Jean's leg from underneath the table and winked at her.

"I'm sure she'll keep that in mind, uncle. Now tell me, Jean, are you happy in your country?"

"Yes. I love my life back in the States." Ardeth had been silent during the dialogue, as it gave him the opportunity to observe Jean more closely and see how she interrelated to his family. So far, she was doing wonderfully, even though his uncle was acting like a complete retrograde and made him feel like ordering him to shut his mouth before he did it for him.

"Well, my men," said Ardeth standing up and ending the interrogatory Jean had been through, "We have eaten well, now we must rest for tomorrow will be a long day. I wish you good night grandfather, uncle, Tarek. Jean, I will escort you to your tent."

"Good night," wished Jean.

She entered her tent, followed by Ardeth.

"You have eaten too little, Jean."

"I wasn't hungry… I guess the weather is affecting me."

"It surely is, as well as the fact that the interrogatory my family put you through didn't leave you enough time to eat. I hope they didn't bother you."

"Not at all."

"Are you sure? My uncle might have offended you… " Jean grinned.

"It was kinda weird hearing someone talk to me about my fertility, but I can deal with it."

"Good. Now, try to get some sleep. You seem tired."

"I am, good night, Ardeth."

"I will be outside for a while; call me if you need anything"

And with that, he was gone. Jean changed and fell asleep in the comfortable bed, but sometime later she became restless in her sleep and awakened with a scream. Ardeth ran to her tent and found her crying in the bed. Her arm was bleeding profusely. He sat next to her and placed her hand on her shoulders.

"You alright?"

"Yes… but the dream I just had... "

"It was just a nightmare. You are safe." He teared his tunic and wrapped Jean's arm.

"No, it wasn't just a nightmare it was more than that."

"Explain."

"I saw Imhotep. I mean, I don't know what he looks like, but I knew it was him. He was back and he wasn't very happy. Especially with you."

"That is to be expected. After all, my antecessors were the ones who mummified him alive."

"Holy… Anyway, I saw you and Imhotep fighting and you..." Jean looked away. "Perhaps I misunderstood. I must have."

He cupped her chin and turned her to face him.

"As you can see I am well and Imhotep is still buried at Hamunaptra."

"Yes, but it was so real. It means something, I can feel it."

"Perhaps. Go to sleep now, you need to rest."

His hand dropped from her face and he started rising from the bed. She reached for his hand and touched him.

"Stay with me."

"I do not think that would be wise..."

"Please..."

He knew it was hard for her to ask. She was proud. Yet she was shaken by her dream, even though she was trying to hide it.

"Alright."

"Thank you."

"You didn't have to say that." Ardeth sat in bed next to her.

She ignored him, "Won't you get cold?"

"I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to freeze, get under the covers. If you are afraid of me we can put a pillow between us." Her eyes danced with laughter.

Getting up and pulling the covers down he climbed into the bed, then turned on his side to face her with his head propped on his hand so he could look down on her.

"I believe you know better than that."

"Oh yes, you fear nothing but Allah."

"Not true," he said smiling. Then with seriousness, "I am Med-jai because we fear the curse of the Hom Dai also. I will explain what that is tomorrow. Quiet now. Go to sleep, I will be here."

"You must think I'm crazy."

"I have seen far stranger things, Jean. Believe me on that. Give me your hand, and go to sleep."

"Are you going to sleep?"

"Lightly, yes. Now close your eyes, and don't think, just sleep."

Ardeth took her hand in his, and turned the lamp off. He sat up against the back with a pillow behind his back and head. He sat watch until he saw that Jean was indeed asleep. He closed his eyes, but not his other senses, and drifted of into the land between conscious and unconscious. There he rested, ready to jump at any unfamiliar sound, movement, or even smell.

***

Well, hope you liked this chapter. I just want you to know that I won't be able to update for about 10 or 15 days 'cause I have to send my notebook to be repaired (oh, my poor baby!!). However, I will keep writing and, hopefully, it won't take longer than that, so I guess it'll be until then.

Kisses, Jeanne.