AN: Hey all! Thanx a lot for you lovely reviews. I'm happy to know that you're still there, following Ardeth and Jean's adventures.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
When Ardeth woke up the following morning, he has an unusual feeling of peace within himself. He smiled, knowing that the reason was between his strong arms.
'This is not appropriate,' he thought; but then he felt her warmth and listened to her, breathing softly against his chest and forgot about everything else. He just laid there, gently twisting strands of Jean's hair in his fingers as she slept, head pillowed on his chest, slumbering peacefully as the rising sun painted her in fire.
Jean's breathing was perfectly synchronized with is own, his chest rising and falling in time with her respiration. Truth be known, he admired her for her spirit, but Ardeth realized that a new feeling was being born inside his heart. It went beyond love and physical attraction. He couldn't name it, and didn't even try to; all he cared about what how wonderful it felt. Allah help them all if disaster were to strike right them, because Ardeth knew he would be useless.
Jean began to stir and opened her lovely green eyes. She faced Ardeth's, deep and intense, studying her and smiled.
"Ardeth…" she murmured contentedly.
"Good morning Jean."
"G-morning. How did you sleep?" Asked Jean.
"Very well, thank you."
"So, what duties does this day have in store for us?"
"We shall go exploring Hamunaptra's surroundings, for the ones who attacked you might still be around there somewhere… but first I have a story to tell you, remember?" He asked.
"Yes, and I'm looking forward to hearing it," was her soft reply as she studied his face.
"Then you should get dressed as I will take you to a place where you will understand the story better. I will wait for you outside, with Quicksand ready," said Ardeth as he got up from bed, put his robe back on and left the tent.
Jean got dressed in her black clothes, brushed her hair and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was tanned and she liked the way she looked. After applying some lipstick, she went outside and greeted Ahmad. She then headed to where Ardeth was waiting for her.
He leapt onto Quicksand. "Come. We must leave now." He held out a hand to help her up.
After about a half hour Jean asked, "Where are we going?"
"We are going to a place not even my warriors know exists," was his mysterious answer.
They came to find a rocky patch in the desert and they entered some sort of a canyon. About a hundred yards in, Ardeth Bay directed the horse to a group of dry, raquitical bushes. He stopped the horse and told her to stay on, then dismounted and moved the bush aside to expose a hidden opening. He led the horse through the opening and covered it behind them. Jean saw the sunlight shining at the end of the tunnel, which was about 30 feet long. She realized that there was an oasis there. And a tomb.
There was what appeared to be a hallway and on the walls were the most beautiful paintings and hieroglyphics she'd ever seen, and they were in almost perfect condition. He led her down the main hallway and at an intersection of three hallways turned right. Finally she walked into the burial chamber. All she could do was stare. The artwork was beautiful and very different there. Not in the style you would expect to see in what appeared to be an Egyptian tomb. Instead of the figures being one dimensional, these paintings were life like three-dimensional portraits.
"This place is…where are we?" She asked in awe.
"This is where Seti the First was buried after being killed by his first wife, Anck-su-namun. No one knows this, even the Med-jai think he is buried in Thebes. Only the Chieftains during history have known that his remains were brought here to be safe from any evil force."
"But you told me…and I am not a Chieftain…"
"No, you are not, but you are a key figure in this story, so you must know it completely. Sit," he said. When Jean sat, he did the same and begun talking. "I have brought you here to tell you the story of Imhotep, the un-dead. You will find it hard to believe, but you must do it, for he will be the one you will have to battle."
"After all I have been through, I will believe the story, trust me."
Ardeth smiled. "We are part of an ancient secret society. For three thousand years we have guarded the City of the Dead. We are sworn at manhood to do anything and everything in our power to stop the High Priest Imhotep from ever being reborn into this world.
This, which I am telling you, takes place in Thebes, city of the living about 3,000 years ago. Thebes was the crown Jewel of Pharaoh Seti the First, for it was the most developed and magnificent city of the Egyptian Empire. He lived there, with his first wife Anck-su-namun, his daughter Nefertiri and an army of soldiers, servants and the men who helped him rule Egypt. Imhotep was his High Priest, and keeper of the dead. The Pharaoh held him among his most trustworthy men.
No man, other than the pharaoh, was allowed to touch Anck-su-namun and for that purpose, her entire body was painted in intricate designs with special ink. Unfortunately, Imhotep and Anck-su-namun fell deeply in love. They both knew they would be killed if they were found together, but for their love they were willing to risk life itself. As you may imagine, Imhotep touched her, and his touch left a trail of faded ink on Anck-su-namun's skin. That trail was actually found by the Pharaoh himself and they both murdered him before he had a chance to say anything. Imhotep didn't want to escape and leave Anck-su-namun to face death all alone, but she and his priests persuaded him to do so, as he was the only one who could resurrect her. Somehow, the Medjai soldiers found out and entered the room to find the adulterous mistress staring at the Pharaoh's dead body. Anck-su-namun knew that one day, no matter what happened, she and Imhotep would be together again; so she simply committed suicide. Her last words were 'My body is no longer his sanctuary'."
Jean was impressed by the story and followed every word Ardeth was telling her with extreme attention. On the other side, he was pleased to find her so interested in the story in which all his tribe and work were based.
"Imhotep and his priests managed to steal her body and take it to Hamunaptra, City of the Dead. The Med-Jai arrived in time to halt the blasphemous ceremony before Imhotep could restore the concubine's soul to her mummified body. For this outrage Imhotep's priests were condemned to be mummified alive. As for Imhotep, he was condemned to endure the Hom-Dai, one of the worst ancient curses reserved only for the most evil of blasphemers; such a horrifying practice that had never before been bestowed: he would be locked alive inside a sarcophagus filled with carnivorous beetles, which don't kill, but eat the person bite by bite. His name was removed from the sarcophagus so he couldn't introduce himself to the gods. He could never enter the afterlife. He is to remain sealed inside his sarcophagus, the un-dead for all of eternity. We, the Med-jai, will never allow him to be released for he would arise a walking disease, a plague upon mankind, an unholy flesh-eater with the strength of ages, power over the sands and the glory of invincibility. It is written that if a victim of the Hom-Dai should ever arise he would bring with him the ten plagues of Egypt after a whole week of his new life goes by. So I guess you understand what my fears are."
Jean shivered as she made a mental account of the plagues and remembered the tenth plague: the death of the first-born. Ardeth was a first-born… He seemed oblivious and, as she didn't want to worry him, she focused on something else.
"I do, Ardeth. But how can he be reborn?"
"Buried at Hamunaptra, there is a book, the Black Book of the Dead, and it is believed that if it is red aloud, Imhotep will be awoken," he informed her, a bit of apprehension creeping into his voice.
"So you fear that someone may find the black book and use it to bring him back to life."
"That is correct."
"I understand," Jean said, standing up and walking around the place, "and how can he be killed?"
"No mortal weapon can kill the creature, he is not from this world. It is written that the Med-jai can only defeat Imhotep's army, but there is one person that carries the Med-jai symbol on her or his body, not because it was tattooed, but for it is inside the person and makes its way through the skin; and that person is the one who can kill Imhotep. How? That I do not know, but you are that person, Jean. And the fact that you are here tells us that someone will bring Imhotep back to our world."
"God…this is quite a story, Ardeth. And why have you brought me here instead of taking me inside Hamunaptra or to Thebes?"
"Because I saw what happened to you as you entered Hamunaptra for the first time and, as I have already told you, Pharaoh Seti is buried here," he stated.
Jean didn't understand. "So…?"
"I thought you could find strength here, Jean. Seti was one of the most fair and good-natured pharaohs throughout Egypt's history; he was a true role model and being inside his tomb may inspire you and help you find your courage to defeat Imhotep."
Jean smiled and headed towards a wall with paintings of a man sitting on a throne. Ardeth approached her from behind.
"That is Seti," he explained, "this represents the golden era of his reign."
Jean reached out a hand to touch the figure, but Ardeth stopped her.
"Are you sure about this?"
"No, but I need to find answers." She answered and touched the wall. As she did, her head jerked back, her face pale. She felt love, sadness, anger and disappointment all together in turmoil. But then, the emotions cleared and she found herself looking at Seti's face. He was talking to her, telling her something, but she couldn't even understand a word. And then, he was gone. Jean fell back into Ardeth's arms, shaking.
"Easy, Jean," he said, holding her tightly, "what happened?"
She began to calm down. "I felt his emotions…and then he spoke to me. He tried to tell me something, but I couldn't understand it…"
"You are too tired Jean, we must go back."
"No!" she yelled, with more strength than she had intended, "I'm sorry, but I need to try one more time. I need to know what is he telling me."
"I understand, but you must rest first. Come, let's go to the oasis."
They went back there, hand in hand, and sat by the pond after drinking some clear, fresh water. Jean took off her turban and let her hair fall down her shoulders.
"You know, you don't have to cover you hair every day. My men have already seen it," ha said, without tearing his eyes from the crimson cascade that covered her shoulders.
"Yup, but it's a sign of respect."
"It certainly is."
"Well, then I will cover it, period." She looked around and sighed. "I never imagined places like this existed. Nor I ever imagined that people lived the way your tribe does. It's fascinating," said Jean with reverence.
"Everything Allah has created is fascinating." Jean touched his cheek gently, following the tattoo's design with one of her long, delicate fingers.
"You have showed me so many marvelous things that I will treasure these moments for all my life."
"And I will never forget the moments we have spent together," Ardeth said, reaching to her to take her hand. As he did so, a look of pain crossed his face.
"What is it?"
He smiled and pulled out his scimitar. "It was in my waist and when I leaned…"
"Ouch…" Jean said. "Can I have a closer look at your sword?"
"Sure," he handed it to her, "and, by the way, it's called scimitar," he said, matter-of-factly.
Jean laughed and examined it in the sunlight. It was beautiful. There were several different precious stones in the hilt.
"Where did you get it?"
"It has belonged to my family for over five generations," he explained. "The precious stones signify the men in my family tree who have done great deeds with this 'sword'."
"And why is there one missing?"
"That would be where I will place my jewel one day."
"Awesome…How many times have you been here?"
"Many, since I was a boy. I find this place soothing. I come here sometimes to think or just to get away from the world. It's my secret place, but I don't mind sharing it with you."
Jean rose smiling. "When you go visit me to USA, I'll share with you my secret place and we'll be even, deal?"
"You've got yourself a deal, Miss Marquet."
"Now…we have to go back to that chamber," she said resolutely.
"Only if you want to."
"I do, let's go." Jean started walking. Ardeth rose and followed her, simply marveled by her determination and commitment. 'She is becoming one of us,' he thought.