I own and claim no rights to the motion picture, 'The Mummy,' or 'The Mummy
Returns.' Only characters not featured in either movie are created by me,
as well as the plot, and no similarities to any other fics are intended.
............................................................................ ........
Rivals
............................................................................ .........
A few days after Sithathor's little fainting spell on board the ship, she stood on deck watching as port slowly advanced on them. Her stomach was no longer nauseous, but she was fidgeting greatly in the dark blue skirt and blouse. Her shoes were high, and she preyed to God that she didn't fall flat on her ass walking down the ramp to shore. She blew at the feather on her hat as it once again fell across her cheek and eye. Her hair fell shamefully down her back in glossy waves, because her hair did not support the pins for very long. Sithathor felt like a fool standing beside her new mother and sister. Though they were both wearing the similar garments, (Evee's a peach; Cleo's a light pink) Sithathor felt totally out of shorts with this new apparel. She couldn't wait until she was at her new home and could put on a sheath or even warrior pants. As the ship was docking, her husband, Rick and Jonathan joined the women on deck. Alex wrapped his arms around Sithathor's middle from behind, much to Evee and Cleo's secret pleasure.
Evee had worried that her son and the wife that had been forced upon him would not get along, and from the way they fought on board the ship for the past few days she feared this was so. They fought about everything; from he shouldn't do, to what she should do. They even fought over a book for half a day. From what Alex had told his mother, Sithathor did not think it was appropriate for a wife to need to read. Alex told his mother that he had caught his wife staring at the pages wistfully, and insisted on teaching her how to read English. Sithathor had protested, to which Alex comments irritated her. Eventually she was THROWING the books at him. When it was all over, Alex won, and they laughed together. The tale ended there, as her son blushed fiercely. Evee knew when it was enough.
The ramp off the boat was positioned, and the group followed the other passengers and descended from the ship.
"Just wait until you see the house. It is only a few houses down from my parents and Cleo, so you can visit them anytime you want. If you don't like the inside, you can redecorate."
Sithathor smiled and continued down the ramp, her mind flying over the possibility. She was a desert child...what did she know of how an English home should look?
Alex continued, oblivious to his wife's fears. "I am working on an Egyptian library. Maybe you would like to read some--"
"Oh Alex!" A shrill feminine voice called from the crowd of welcomers below them. Alex stiffened and paled.
Sithathor looked over the crowd to a young woman, perhaps a couple of years old than herself, walking towards them dressed in white. Her walk was graceful and sure, while Sithathor had to concentrate hard in order to stay on her feet in the uncomfortable shoes she wore. Cleo pushed her head past Alex's shoulder and peered down at the woman. "Ugh! Ursula Follingsfield! What is that witch doing here?" Cleo demanded.
"Cleo!" Evee admonished, though the older woman's expression was as unwelcoming as her daughter's.
"Who is Ursula Follingsfield?" Sithathor asked, her slight accent rolling the name awkwardly over her tongue.
"She is the most annoying--" Cleo began.
"She is just the sister of a good friend of mine," Alex interrupted, glancing warningly at his little sister. Cleo's mouth closed with a snap.
Sithathor studied the woman as they slowly reached the bottom of the ramp. Without any warning, Sithathor was strongly pushed aside and let out a gasp of surprise, as Ursula reached for Alex's arm, pressing her slim body against him. A red mist entered Sithathor's vision, as the woman tried to press even closer to Alex, and the idiot only stood there with a hopeless look on his face.
"Oh Alex, I have so missed you! Each time you leave to go to that barbaric country I worry about your safety." For the first time Ursula noticed Evee and Cleo, who were watching nearby. "Oh," Ursula said dismissively, "hello Mrs. O'Connell. Cleo." Cleo's name was uttered with barely concealed animosity.
"Follingsfield," Cleo said, the animosity clear in her voice.
Ursula turned her attention back to Alex, a sugary smile on her face. "I am so looking forward to another dance. Maxwell Hughes is having a party this Friday. I wouldn't be disappointed if a certain gentleman happened to take me."
"How subtle," Cleo remarked sarcastically, walking past the couple.
Ursula looked over at the girl with a quick look of loathing that Cleo and Sithathor both caught, but was missed by the other three members of the group. Ursula turned to Alex, a sweet smile pasted back on her face.
"Um, Ursula," Alex told her, "We need to talk. Now."
Ursula smiled up at him and nodded.
"Ursula..." Alex swallowed. "Well, you see, the funny thing is..." Alex laughed nervously. Ursula licked her lips and focused on him, a wide smile on her face.
"Um. I got married."
Ursula blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I'm married," Alex repeated. He motioned to Sithathor to join his side. He placed a possessive arm around her shoulders, something that Ursula did not fail to miss. "Meet my wife, Sithathor Bay-O'Connell. She is the daughter of my family's good friend, Ardeth. I told you about him, didn't I?"
Ursula's eyes frosted over but her smile remained plastered on her face. "Yes, you told me about him. You failed to mention that he had a daughter."
"And four sons," Sithathor added.
Ursula's cold gaze looked Sithathor down and up. Her smile widened, though to Sithathor, it only made it seem more sinister. Ursula held out one gloved hand politely. "Quite a pleasure to meet another woman who has managed to tame an O'Connell."
Sithathor eyed the hand distrustingly for a moment, then reluctantly placed her hand in the woman's. She knew that it would be viewed as impolite not to do so. The older girl's hands closed around Sithathor's, and she felt her squeeze a bit more than was necessary. Sithathor responded in kind, but harder than the other girl expected. Ursula's eyes widened slightly, then she subtly removed her hand from Sithathor's, her smile wilting slightly. Ursula turned to Alex and gave him a pleasant smile. "If you and your wife would one evening like to join me and my family at our home for dinner, I am sure we would be delighted. Good afternoon Alex, Sit...ah. Yes, well, good bye Mr. O'Connell, Mrs. O'Connell," she said to Rick and Evee. She turned sharply on her heels and hurried away, the feather on her white hat fluttering furiously behind her. Alex sighed with relief.
"Thank goodness that is over!" he told Sithathor happily.
Sithathor moved away, and turned her back to him.
"What is the matter?" Alex asked confused.
"So," Sithathor asked him, her voice rising faintly, "Was that the woman you almost married? Why didn't you tell me about her?"
"I...I..." Alex's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
"So this is what you meant that day in the cabin. When we were arguing about you not wanting a docile and subservient wife. You were talking about her. You didn't tell me. How could you not tell me? I was just as surprised as she was, and I shouldn't have been." She walked away from him then, and toward the car that Jonathan was gathering from the boat.
Evee walked up to her son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "She is right. You should have told her." She leaned her head on her son's shoulder. "Now you have to find a way to get her to forgive you. You are your father's son. Use your charm." She kissed his shoulder and walked over to her husband who was loading the car with their luggage, while Jonathan watched. Rick was yelling at Jonathan to help, but the man was shaking his head and complaining of a sprained shoulder muscle. Alex sighed and walked over to the car, his wife already sitting inside.
............................................................................ ......
Ursula hurried away from the ship, her temper rising. "How DARE she," she cried.
From behind a wagon full of mismatched luggage Cleo appeared, a grin on her face. "Aw, poor little Ursula. Lost your little toy? How sad."
Ursula turned to the nine year old, pure fury on her face. Cleo wasn't intimidated.
"You stupid little girl. You think this is the end? I am only just starting. That disgusting little twit will not be able to keep him. He is English. Nothing else but the best will suffice for him."
Cleo leaned forward. "I guess that excludes you then, doesn't it?"
Ursula sniffed. "The first thing I do when I become Alex's new wife, is have him and your savage parents send you away to a boarding school. You are far to obstinate."
"Better than a simpering little witch who thinks that she is better than everyone. My brother is no longer your little toy to play with. He has Sithathor now. I like her. She has a heart, something you can not claim." Cleo moved away from the wagon. "Give it up Ursula. You were never going to be anything but the sister of his best friend to Alex. You may have wanted more, and he may have fancied himself infatuated with you, but now that Hathy is here, you will be forgotten. I promise you that."
Ursula glared at the girl for several seconds, her face red in anger. Then she turned and walked away. "This is not the end," Ursula told Cleo, as she moved away from the dock. "Not by a long shot."
Cleo watched the haughty woman hurry away. She turned to join her family and noticed two men in black robes staring directly at them. Her smile faded as they conversed with each other, their body language seeming very ominous.
"Cleo!"
The girl started as she heard her mother call to her. She looked away from the two men and looked to her mother. "Coming!"
She turned back but the men were gone. Craning her neck to see beyond the crowd, she saw nothing. They had disappeared.
"CLEO!"
"I'm coming!" she yelled, and ran over to her mother. Cleo knew to tell her father when something weird like those men happened, so she decided to wait until they were home to inform him of this little tidbit.
............................................................................ ..............................
Iset moved away from her tent and hurried over to her father-in-law's tent. Ardeth Bay had summoned her to his tent that morning just after Siamun left to join his brothers in the sand dunes. After several days of happy existence with her husband, Iset was surprised to hear from his father. For the most part, she expected to be ignored. She had placed her best robes on, and left directly from her tent. As she entered the tent, Mia was leaving it. The older woman smiled warmly at Iset, and Iset smiled politely back. From the way Mia had treated Sithathor all her life, Iset could feel nothing for that woman.
Iset entered the tent and stood back patiently, waiting for Ardeth to acknowledge her. This was not done for several minutes, as Ardeth sat reviewing several different parchments. Finally, he looked up. He gaped in surprise, then smiled. "Iset. Why didn't tell me you were here already! You must have been standing there for a while. Come here."
Iset did as she was told. Ardeth surveyed her for several moments, then grinned. "Sithathor was right, you will make a fine daughter."
Iset glowed with pride.
Ardeth reached over to a set of pillows. From beneath them he took out a long narrow bundle wrapped in sheets. He set on the floor beside Iset's feet. "This was left to you by Sithathor. She said you needed it now more than she did. It is her wedding present to you."
Iset eyed the bundle curiously, and looked at her new father for permission. He nodded reassuringly. Iset knelt beside the bundle and slowly opened the cloth flaps. Underneath the sheets were two long narrow swords, and two other bundles. Eyebrows raised, Iset took the other two bundles and opened them. One had a jewel encrusted dagger small enough to fit in the belt of her sheath and be hidden beneath the robes. The other had a warrior's shirt, pants and top robe, with the many belts. Iset looked up at Ardeth.
The Medjai leader had sat back in his seat, deep in thought.
"What did she mean by giving me these my father?"
Ardeth laughed softly. "She wishes you to learn the ways of the Medjai. Just as I taught the ways to her."
Iset's mouth opened in shock. "You taught her the ways of a warrior? But...I thought such a thing was not condoned among the Medjai."
"It isn't. But women are still trained. Not many, but some. My daughter has a talent for the art." He lifted one of the long narrow swords. It was fairly light, and he twirled it in his hand. "She was always better with the sword than she was with the fist. But I think it was because she found more control in the steel than she did in her flesh. So...she wishes for you to learn to defend yourself and your family? So be it. Tomorrow your training will begin."
Iset rose to her feet. "But, my father, I do not thing that Siamun will like that very much. And I am not sure I wish to do this. I am weak. I am not like your daughter. I do not think that I have the strength."
Ardeth took his son's wife's hand. "Sithathor would not have given you these gifts if she did not believe you to be ready and able. And I do not think Siamun will like it very much either."
Iset bowed her head.
"Which is why you will train with me, and your father. I taught my children what they know...I am sure I can teach you as well."
Iset looked up at him. A slow smile spread across her face. In a burst of confidence, she gave her father-in-law a hug. Much to her surprise, he hugged her back. Grinning, the girl grabbed her bundles, covering them back to hide the contents and raced back to her tent.
............................................................................ ..........
Several hours later Iset was returning from giving her husband and his brothers their lunch and began preparing their dinner. In her elation, she had invited her brothers and Ahmes to dinner. Mia ventured over to Iset's tent and watched Iset with approval. "Very good child. My son is lucky. Now," Mia began, her voice serious. "As the wife of the eldest son of a Medjai leader, you will one day have the same power and position that I hold. I can teach you the ways a loyal wife behaves, and the recipes of my family. Once you give my son a child, then I can help you raise the boy."
Iset winced into the boiling pots, then turned to Mia, a forced smile on her face. "Actually, I have already found a teacher, one appointed by Lord Bay himself."
Mia straightened. "Oh. Well, if you ever need anything my dear, I will be nearby."
Iset nodded.
Much later, Siamun returned to camp. He and his brothers were tired. Siamun lifted a small water bucket and spilled the liquid over his sweating body. Now cool, he and Ahmes headed toward Siamun's tent. Before they could take a few steps, Sheret, the daughter of one of Ardeth's guards sauntered over to the brothers, and took Siamun's arm. "Hello Siamun. It has been a while since you have visited my tent." Though only seventeen, she had already been married and widowed.
"Sheret," Siamun said sternly. "I am married. I told you there is nothing anymore."
Sheret pouted, but knew better than to make a scene in front of the tribe. She watched as he and Ahmes continued on to his tent. Iset came out and greeted them. After a small conversation, the two men walked inside. Iset looked over to Sheret. With a smug smile, Sheret waved to the girl, who only nodded in response. Then she turned and walked back to her home.
............................................................................ ......
Iset watched as Sheret walked toward the center of the many tents, and frowned. She remembered the conversation with the revolting soldier. 'He was seen with Sheret just yesterday.' She had to watch this woman. She felt a fear well up within her. Her husband was a good man. But he wasn't in love with her. Iset knew that in order to keep her husband, she had to make him love her. Marriage is far harder than her mother told her.
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A/N: Okay, next chapter here. Uh...okay...*grasshoppers chirping*. So! Ahem...tell me what you think! Okay? Okay! Yeah. Take care! Until next time! R/R.
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Rivals
............................................................................ .........
A few days after Sithathor's little fainting spell on board the ship, she stood on deck watching as port slowly advanced on them. Her stomach was no longer nauseous, but she was fidgeting greatly in the dark blue skirt and blouse. Her shoes were high, and she preyed to God that she didn't fall flat on her ass walking down the ramp to shore. She blew at the feather on her hat as it once again fell across her cheek and eye. Her hair fell shamefully down her back in glossy waves, because her hair did not support the pins for very long. Sithathor felt like a fool standing beside her new mother and sister. Though they were both wearing the similar garments, (Evee's a peach; Cleo's a light pink) Sithathor felt totally out of shorts with this new apparel. She couldn't wait until she was at her new home and could put on a sheath or even warrior pants. As the ship was docking, her husband, Rick and Jonathan joined the women on deck. Alex wrapped his arms around Sithathor's middle from behind, much to Evee and Cleo's secret pleasure.
Evee had worried that her son and the wife that had been forced upon him would not get along, and from the way they fought on board the ship for the past few days she feared this was so. They fought about everything; from he shouldn't do, to what she should do. They even fought over a book for half a day. From what Alex had told his mother, Sithathor did not think it was appropriate for a wife to need to read. Alex told his mother that he had caught his wife staring at the pages wistfully, and insisted on teaching her how to read English. Sithathor had protested, to which Alex comments irritated her. Eventually she was THROWING the books at him. When it was all over, Alex won, and they laughed together. The tale ended there, as her son blushed fiercely. Evee knew when it was enough.
The ramp off the boat was positioned, and the group followed the other passengers and descended from the ship.
"Just wait until you see the house. It is only a few houses down from my parents and Cleo, so you can visit them anytime you want. If you don't like the inside, you can redecorate."
Sithathor smiled and continued down the ramp, her mind flying over the possibility. She was a desert child...what did she know of how an English home should look?
Alex continued, oblivious to his wife's fears. "I am working on an Egyptian library. Maybe you would like to read some--"
"Oh Alex!" A shrill feminine voice called from the crowd of welcomers below them. Alex stiffened and paled.
Sithathor looked over the crowd to a young woman, perhaps a couple of years old than herself, walking towards them dressed in white. Her walk was graceful and sure, while Sithathor had to concentrate hard in order to stay on her feet in the uncomfortable shoes she wore. Cleo pushed her head past Alex's shoulder and peered down at the woman. "Ugh! Ursula Follingsfield! What is that witch doing here?" Cleo demanded.
"Cleo!" Evee admonished, though the older woman's expression was as unwelcoming as her daughter's.
"Who is Ursula Follingsfield?" Sithathor asked, her slight accent rolling the name awkwardly over her tongue.
"She is the most annoying--" Cleo began.
"She is just the sister of a good friend of mine," Alex interrupted, glancing warningly at his little sister. Cleo's mouth closed with a snap.
Sithathor studied the woman as they slowly reached the bottom of the ramp. Without any warning, Sithathor was strongly pushed aside and let out a gasp of surprise, as Ursula reached for Alex's arm, pressing her slim body against him. A red mist entered Sithathor's vision, as the woman tried to press even closer to Alex, and the idiot only stood there with a hopeless look on his face.
"Oh Alex, I have so missed you! Each time you leave to go to that barbaric country I worry about your safety." For the first time Ursula noticed Evee and Cleo, who were watching nearby. "Oh," Ursula said dismissively, "hello Mrs. O'Connell. Cleo." Cleo's name was uttered with barely concealed animosity.
"Follingsfield," Cleo said, the animosity clear in her voice.
Ursula turned her attention back to Alex, a sugary smile on her face. "I am so looking forward to another dance. Maxwell Hughes is having a party this Friday. I wouldn't be disappointed if a certain gentleman happened to take me."
"How subtle," Cleo remarked sarcastically, walking past the couple.
Ursula looked over at the girl with a quick look of loathing that Cleo and Sithathor both caught, but was missed by the other three members of the group. Ursula turned to Alex, a sweet smile pasted back on her face.
"Um, Ursula," Alex told her, "We need to talk. Now."
Ursula smiled up at him and nodded.
"Ursula..." Alex swallowed. "Well, you see, the funny thing is..." Alex laughed nervously. Ursula licked her lips and focused on him, a wide smile on her face.
"Um. I got married."
Ursula blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I'm married," Alex repeated. He motioned to Sithathor to join his side. He placed a possessive arm around her shoulders, something that Ursula did not fail to miss. "Meet my wife, Sithathor Bay-O'Connell. She is the daughter of my family's good friend, Ardeth. I told you about him, didn't I?"
Ursula's eyes frosted over but her smile remained plastered on her face. "Yes, you told me about him. You failed to mention that he had a daughter."
"And four sons," Sithathor added.
Ursula's cold gaze looked Sithathor down and up. Her smile widened, though to Sithathor, it only made it seem more sinister. Ursula held out one gloved hand politely. "Quite a pleasure to meet another woman who has managed to tame an O'Connell."
Sithathor eyed the hand distrustingly for a moment, then reluctantly placed her hand in the woman's. She knew that it would be viewed as impolite not to do so. The older girl's hands closed around Sithathor's, and she felt her squeeze a bit more than was necessary. Sithathor responded in kind, but harder than the other girl expected. Ursula's eyes widened slightly, then she subtly removed her hand from Sithathor's, her smile wilting slightly. Ursula turned to Alex and gave him a pleasant smile. "If you and your wife would one evening like to join me and my family at our home for dinner, I am sure we would be delighted. Good afternoon Alex, Sit...ah. Yes, well, good bye Mr. O'Connell, Mrs. O'Connell," she said to Rick and Evee. She turned sharply on her heels and hurried away, the feather on her white hat fluttering furiously behind her. Alex sighed with relief.
"Thank goodness that is over!" he told Sithathor happily.
Sithathor moved away, and turned her back to him.
"What is the matter?" Alex asked confused.
"So," Sithathor asked him, her voice rising faintly, "Was that the woman you almost married? Why didn't you tell me about her?"
"I...I..." Alex's mouth opened and closed like a fish.
"So this is what you meant that day in the cabin. When we were arguing about you not wanting a docile and subservient wife. You were talking about her. You didn't tell me. How could you not tell me? I was just as surprised as she was, and I shouldn't have been." She walked away from him then, and toward the car that Jonathan was gathering from the boat.
Evee walked up to her son and placed a hand on his shoulder. "She is right. You should have told her." She leaned her head on her son's shoulder. "Now you have to find a way to get her to forgive you. You are your father's son. Use your charm." She kissed his shoulder and walked over to her husband who was loading the car with their luggage, while Jonathan watched. Rick was yelling at Jonathan to help, but the man was shaking his head and complaining of a sprained shoulder muscle. Alex sighed and walked over to the car, his wife already sitting inside.
............................................................................ ......
Ursula hurried away from the ship, her temper rising. "How DARE she," she cried.
From behind a wagon full of mismatched luggage Cleo appeared, a grin on her face. "Aw, poor little Ursula. Lost your little toy? How sad."
Ursula turned to the nine year old, pure fury on her face. Cleo wasn't intimidated.
"You stupid little girl. You think this is the end? I am only just starting. That disgusting little twit will not be able to keep him. He is English. Nothing else but the best will suffice for him."
Cleo leaned forward. "I guess that excludes you then, doesn't it?"
Ursula sniffed. "The first thing I do when I become Alex's new wife, is have him and your savage parents send you away to a boarding school. You are far to obstinate."
"Better than a simpering little witch who thinks that she is better than everyone. My brother is no longer your little toy to play with. He has Sithathor now. I like her. She has a heart, something you can not claim." Cleo moved away from the wagon. "Give it up Ursula. You were never going to be anything but the sister of his best friend to Alex. You may have wanted more, and he may have fancied himself infatuated with you, but now that Hathy is here, you will be forgotten. I promise you that."
Ursula glared at the girl for several seconds, her face red in anger. Then she turned and walked away. "This is not the end," Ursula told Cleo, as she moved away from the dock. "Not by a long shot."
Cleo watched the haughty woman hurry away. She turned to join her family and noticed two men in black robes staring directly at them. Her smile faded as they conversed with each other, their body language seeming very ominous.
"Cleo!"
The girl started as she heard her mother call to her. She looked away from the two men and looked to her mother. "Coming!"
She turned back but the men were gone. Craning her neck to see beyond the crowd, she saw nothing. They had disappeared.
"CLEO!"
"I'm coming!" she yelled, and ran over to her mother. Cleo knew to tell her father when something weird like those men happened, so she decided to wait until they were home to inform him of this little tidbit.
............................................................................ ..............................
Iset moved away from her tent and hurried over to her father-in-law's tent. Ardeth Bay had summoned her to his tent that morning just after Siamun left to join his brothers in the sand dunes. After several days of happy existence with her husband, Iset was surprised to hear from his father. For the most part, she expected to be ignored. She had placed her best robes on, and left directly from her tent. As she entered the tent, Mia was leaving it. The older woman smiled warmly at Iset, and Iset smiled politely back. From the way Mia had treated Sithathor all her life, Iset could feel nothing for that woman.
Iset entered the tent and stood back patiently, waiting for Ardeth to acknowledge her. This was not done for several minutes, as Ardeth sat reviewing several different parchments. Finally, he looked up. He gaped in surprise, then smiled. "Iset. Why didn't tell me you were here already! You must have been standing there for a while. Come here."
Iset did as she was told. Ardeth surveyed her for several moments, then grinned. "Sithathor was right, you will make a fine daughter."
Iset glowed with pride.
Ardeth reached over to a set of pillows. From beneath them he took out a long narrow bundle wrapped in sheets. He set on the floor beside Iset's feet. "This was left to you by Sithathor. She said you needed it now more than she did. It is her wedding present to you."
Iset eyed the bundle curiously, and looked at her new father for permission. He nodded reassuringly. Iset knelt beside the bundle and slowly opened the cloth flaps. Underneath the sheets were two long narrow swords, and two other bundles. Eyebrows raised, Iset took the other two bundles and opened them. One had a jewel encrusted dagger small enough to fit in the belt of her sheath and be hidden beneath the robes. The other had a warrior's shirt, pants and top robe, with the many belts. Iset looked up at Ardeth.
The Medjai leader had sat back in his seat, deep in thought.
"What did she mean by giving me these my father?"
Ardeth laughed softly. "She wishes you to learn the ways of the Medjai. Just as I taught the ways to her."
Iset's mouth opened in shock. "You taught her the ways of a warrior? But...I thought such a thing was not condoned among the Medjai."
"It isn't. But women are still trained. Not many, but some. My daughter has a talent for the art." He lifted one of the long narrow swords. It was fairly light, and he twirled it in his hand. "She was always better with the sword than she was with the fist. But I think it was because she found more control in the steel than she did in her flesh. So...she wishes for you to learn to defend yourself and your family? So be it. Tomorrow your training will begin."
Iset rose to her feet. "But, my father, I do not thing that Siamun will like that very much. And I am not sure I wish to do this. I am weak. I am not like your daughter. I do not think that I have the strength."
Ardeth took his son's wife's hand. "Sithathor would not have given you these gifts if she did not believe you to be ready and able. And I do not think Siamun will like it very much either."
Iset bowed her head.
"Which is why you will train with me, and your father. I taught my children what they know...I am sure I can teach you as well."
Iset looked up at him. A slow smile spread across her face. In a burst of confidence, she gave her father-in-law a hug. Much to her surprise, he hugged her back. Grinning, the girl grabbed her bundles, covering them back to hide the contents and raced back to her tent.
............................................................................ ..........
Several hours later Iset was returning from giving her husband and his brothers their lunch and began preparing their dinner. In her elation, she had invited her brothers and Ahmes to dinner. Mia ventured over to Iset's tent and watched Iset with approval. "Very good child. My son is lucky. Now," Mia began, her voice serious. "As the wife of the eldest son of a Medjai leader, you will one day have the same power and position that I hold. I can teach you the ways a loyal wife behaves, and the recipes of my family. Once you give my son a child, then I can help you raise the boy."
Iset winced into the boiling pots, then turned to Mia, a forced smile on her face. "Actually, I have already found a teacher, one appointed by Lord Bay himself."
Mia straightened. "Oh. Well, if you ever need anything my dear, I will be nearby."
Iset nodded.
Much later, Siamun returned to camp. He and his brothers were tired. Siamun lifted a small water bucket and spilled the liquid over his sweating body. Now cool, he and Ahmes headed toward Siamun's tent. Before they could take a few steps, Sheret, the daughter of one of Ardeth's guards sauntered over to the brothers, and took Siamun's arm. "Hello Siamun. It has been a while since you have visited my tent." Though only seventeen, she had already been married and widowed.
"Sheret," Siamun said sternly. "I am married. I told you there is nothing anymore."
Sheret pouted, but knew better than to make a scene in front of the tribe. She watched as he and Ahmes continued on to his tent. Iset came out and greeted them. After a small conversation, the two men walked inside. Iset looked over to Sheret. With a smug smile, Sheret waved to the girl, who only nodded in response. Then she turned and walked back to her home.
............................................................................ ......
Iset watched as Sheret walked toward the center of the many tents, and frowned. She remembered the conversation with the revolting soldier. 'He was seen with Sheret just yesterday.' She had to watch this woman. She felt a fear well up within her. Her husband was a good man. But he wasn't in love with her. Iset knew that in order to keep her husband, she had to make him love her. Marriage is far harder than her mother told her.
*****************************************************
A/N: Okay, next chapter here. Uh...okay...*grasshoppers chirping*. So! Ahem...tell me what you think! Okay? Okay! Yeah. Take care! Until next time! R/R.