CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The sun's first rays crept into the valley as the Medjai began rising from their beds. Small sounds came from the camp as breakfast preparations were made. Inside the tent, Ardeth awakened to the sounds of the camp beginning to stir. He opened his eyes and saw a mass of soft, red ringlets blocking his normal view of the tent walls. He realized that sometime while he slept, he had buried his face in Jean's hair, and now he inhaled deeply, letting her essence fill his nostrils. He exhaled slowly and in utter content, as he gently hugged her close to him. The small movement made her stir and she rolled on her back, stretching much to Ardeth's amusement.
Jean smiled as she felt Ardeth's warm body near her and she opened her eyes to find his head propped up on an elbow and looking down at her. She smiled.
"Good morning."
"Good morning to you, my beautiful, fiery sunrise." growled Ardeth. "It is time for me to get up, you can stay in bed for a while longer if you like."
Without waiting for answer, he started to dress, sitting in the bed for his boots and then he put his robe on and belted it. He finished his attire by hanging his scimitar from his belt. Noting that Jean was very quiet, he turned to find her staring at him.
"What is it, little one?" He asked, confused by the myriad of emotions shining in her eyes.
"No, nothing... the way in which you called me…" she trailed off and looked away.
Ardeth hurried to apologize. "I'm sorry, I know it was inappropriate, but it felt right."
Jean shook her head vigorously. "No, don't! I can't think of a sweeter way of being called. It just... shocked me," she explained.
Ardeth smiled and sat on the bed next to where she was lying. He took her hands, turned them palm up, and gently kissed them.
"Today is a great day for you Jean…and for me. Nothing can please me more than having you become a part of my world," he whispered.
She smiled at him, as her eyes stared deeply into his.
"This is like a dream come true for me, Ardeth. I want so bad to be a part of your world…and I feel like I am already a part of you. I know your soul and you know mine, and I have shared your pain just as you have shared mine. God, Ardeth, we've been through so much together," she said.
"I know, habibi, I know. For me, everything about you is special and I will never ever forget a single detail of these days we have spent together. I am sorry to leave now, but I must carry my duties," he said, getting up.
Jean smiled. "Don't' worry about me. I will be up in a few minutes."
Kissing her forehead, Ardeth left the tent. Jean waited a few minutes and then got dressed in a blue silk dress. She opened her tent flap and smiled at what a wonderful day it was. The morning sun shed a golden hue across the sand. The sky was a warm and clear blue and there was a slight breeze that the palms swayed along with. Jean walked outside into the sunshine, enjoying the feel of the sun on her skin.
She found the whole camp in silence and she realized she was witnessing the first salat, or prayer, for the day now having risen. All the warriors were kneeling towards the direction of Mecca. She heard their voices softly in prayer and stood there silently until they finished several minutes later.
Ardeth felt her presence and turned to her, to find the woman smiling at him.
"That was very touching," she said.
"It was the Salat, one of the five pillars of Islam," explained the man.
"I know. You have to do it five times a day, right?"
Ardeth could sense the interest in her inquiring mind and that pleased him. The Chieftain decided to explain her something more.
"Yes. The salat must be performed each day without question. There is no excuse to not do it; but the rest of the pillars, well, Mohammed gave his people exceptions and if one is sick or poor they may be excused. But Mohammed forbid any excuses for not doing the salat."
"Then not doing it must be like a deadly sin," she concluded.
"Yes, it's haram. He even made it less a burden by shortening the original amount of fifty to five a day."
Jean's brows arched. "Oh…"
Having heard the last sentence, Tarek intervened. "Yeah, we are infinitely thankful for that," he joked.
Jean laughed and the two brothers joined her, but their joy lasted little.
"You must be quiet after the salat!" Chastised a voice from behind them.
They turned to face Kasim; he was looking at them with a condemning look in his small black eyes. That didn't have any effect on Ardeth's good mood, though.
"I don't remember the prophet writing anything about that, uncle," stated the Chieftain.
Jean and Tarek coughed back a laugh.
Kasim look affronted. "Young people…" With that, the bitter man left them, obviously defeated.
"Good one, brother," said Tarek, patting Ardeth on the back.
"Thank you, Tarek. I am a bit fed up with his attitude, to tell you the truth."
"Well, it was about time someone put him back in his place."
"Oh, guys, cut him some slack!" Intervened Jean.
The two brothers looked at her, obviously surprised. Tarek was he first one to say something. "You are too forgiving, Jeannie."
"No, I'm not. Most of the time I feel like shooting your uncle, I don't understand why he is so… uptight, I mean, all of you aren't like that."
"He is indeed one of the most traditionalist men I've met. Over the years, the Medjai have evolved, but he and some others are against any change," explained Ardeth.
"Is any of those 'others' a member of the Counsel?" Asked Jean, looking slightly worried. "I just don't like the idea of facing more Kasims tonight…"
The two warriors smiled at her.
"Only one, and I believe you've already met him: Omid," replied Ardeth.
Jean rolled her eyes. "Oh, the joy…"
"You don't like him?" Was Tarek's question. Jean shook her head and the man laughed. "Good, neither do I."
Ahmad coughed softly and the three of them turned to him. The boy looked a bit uneasy. He didn't like the idea of interrupting them or taking Jean away from Ardeth, since he knew how possessive he was, but he knew he had a responsibility.
"Is something the matter, Ahmad?" Asked the Chieftain.
"No, Master, I just came to… I need to… to instruct Jean a little more. She still has to think about her oath and… well, I thought that this could be the right time to…" His voice trailed off and Jean smiled beneficently at him.
"I had totally forgotten about that, thanks for reminding me, Ahmad." She then turned to Ardeth and Tarek. "Sorry guys, gotta go… it's homework time!"
"Go ahead, Jean. We will be at the stables if you need us."
"OK, bye."
She went to her tent, with Ahmad following her and all morning they stayed there.
They had finished by lunchtime, Ardeth and Tarek joined them and they had a pretty good time, eating all together in her tent. Then they left her to rest before the arrival of the Counsel.
Jean got in her bed and smiled at her surroundings, letting her mind wander until she fell asleep.
***
Around four PM, Jean had got up and dressed. She was in her tent when she heard noises outside that indicated the Counsel had arrived. Ardeth had told her to wait for him to take her to be introduced, so she sat in front of the mirror to adjust her veil.
She noticed her nose was starting to peel off and, frowning, she grabbed her moisturizer. As she had just finished applying it, she heard Ardeth's voice from outside.
"Jean, are you ready?"
"Yes."
She left the tent wearing a dark blue abaya and soft black slippers. She had covered her hair with a gaza scarf the same color of her dress.
"Please, tell me… will this be appropriate? I didn't want to look too…"
"You look wonderful, kalila. Your attire could not be more appropriate; it is elegant, yet simple," he assured her.
"Thanks, I was so worried…"
Smiling, the Medjai Chieftain took Jean's hand and led her to where the Eleven Commanders had gathered. He made the ceremonial sign.
"Harum Bara shad!"
His Commanders gave him the same greeting and they formed a line, waiting for the woman to be introduced to them. All had a great respect for the young man even though some of them were well over fifty years. They had served his father and now the son. And they were infinitely thankful at the woman that had saved his life. Ardeth made Jean approach each man and introduced them to her.
"Hayid al Mazur, Black Tribe leader," he stated, nodding. "Yusuf Hawaas, Yellow Tribe leader; Massoud Bek, Blue Tribe leader; Emir Keppel, Tan Tribe leader; Khaled ben Nassouri, Orange Tribe leader; Aymar el Abidine, Green Tribe leader; Ahmed Galaal, Ivory Tribe leader; Osmar Ansari, Gray Tribe leader; Salwa Jamah, Brown Tribe leader; Omid Shukrun, White Tribe leader; Hakeem Telhami, Silver Tribe leader; This is Jean Marquet, the woman who destroyed Imhotep."
They shook her hand one by one and bowed. "Allah be with you," they said in unison.
Jean smiled and made a small curtsy. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sirs."
She didn't miss Omid's venomous look; but the other warriors were looking at her cordially and that stopped her from asking him what his problem was.
Ardeth then led her to where the five elders were. They were sitting together and she felt ten eyes studying her as she approached. It didn't make her uncomfortable, though, as she didn't sense anything else but curiosity. Smiling, she subtly did the same.
They were obviously judicious and experienced. The weathered lines in their faces told stories of age-old battles and long periods in the hot desert sun. Jean found herself liking them, even before they were introduced. Maybe it was because they seemed very alike to Ahmed, whose lack of preconceptions had made her feel welcome.
Ardeth introduced them to her one by one. "Jean, these are our Elders: Mohammed al Muhabi, Omar Keppel, Talaat Shariff, Saidt Seinh, Paiam Khadeel. Elders, this is Jean Marquet, the woman who will become our sister, if you approve."
She reverently bowed and the first one, Mohammed, held out his hand to her. "Come here child, tell me, are you ready for tonight's ceremony?" He asked kindly.
She took his hand and sat at his feet. "Yes, I believe I am," Jean replied with a smile.
"It is a wonder you speak our language," commented Paiam.
"I'm quite wondered by that as well."
It was Omar's turn to speak. "Ahmed Bay has praised you in a way we have never heard him praise a woman before and now we have taken some time to talk to the warriors and they all commend your bravery, your selfless deeds and your invaluable help."
Jean bowed. "You do me a great honor, sir. I just did what I had to do," she said humbly.
"With help from the Ancients, am I correct?" Asked Talaat.
"You are," was her soft reply.
"Then you have our full approval. Not just because Allah has worked through you, but also because you seem a good woman," finished Saidt.
Jean was touched by that and all she could do was smile brightly at them and put every ounce of gratitude in her words.
"Thank you."
The Elders smiled as well and Ardeth intervened. "Now, if you excuse us, I must take Jean to be prepared for the ceremony."
He took her to her tent, where Ahmad was waiting for them and they spent the following hours instructing her, as well as enjoying their time together.