Chapter 17 conclusion

Rick turned around and found a warrior standing behind them in the doorway.  His dark eyes assessed the situation yet the boyish dimpled grin on his face proved quite disarming. 

Rahimah returned the greeting as a blush infused her face and quickly made the introductions. 

"Ana ismee Jameel ibn Hisein," the warrior extended one hand in the traditional Medjai handshake, flashing another smile.  He kept the other dangling loosely by his side. 

"Yeah what you said," Rick replied but couldn't help grinning as they shook hands.  The curly haired warrior reminded him of someone but he couldn't quite figure out who.  "Except maybe change the last part to O'Connell."

"It is an honor to finally meet you.  The legend of your friendship with ya ukh Ardeth Bay has been told around many a campfire and hearth," Jameel replied.  His dark gaze glanced at Rahimah then swung back to Rick.  "However I wish our meeting could have been under different circumstances."

"So do I," Rick said. 

A moment of silence hung heavily in the air between the trio and for some reason Rick started to feel bad for Rahimah.  He wasn't sure how much Jameel had heard but judging by the look of discomfort on her face, it may have been too much.  She refused to look at either man, keeping her gaze averted while Jameel simply stared at Rick, as if expecting him to do something.

"Hey listen, I gotta get back to Quadamah's for my holster and guns," Rick broke the silence. 

"Why are you here, warrior?" Rahimah asked at the same moment.  "Do you need a healer?"

"I do, for I am grievously wounded," Jameel replied.  The seriousness of his tone was belied by the twinkle in his eyes.  He held up his hand; the skin between the index finger and thumb had a small crescent shaped cut oozing a trickle of blood down his palm.

"I should really go now," Rick spoke up again and glanced towards the door with longing.

"This is but a paltry wound," Rahimah gently chided as she briefly examined it.  A slight smile danced around the corners of her mouth.  "Surely a warrior of your stature can easily withstand this minor discomfort."

Rick swallowed a snort of laughter but kept his composure, suddenly enjoying the role of the reluctant witness to the verbal sparring.  Thoughts of leaving temporarily forgotten, he looked at Jameel and waited for the next volley.  Was it his imagination, or did Jameel seem attracted to Rahimah? He glanced at the healer and mentally assessed her physical appearance: the long dark hair neatly braided and hanging like a silken rope down her back, the heart-shaped face illuminated by her expressive eyes, the heritage of the Medjai predominately proclaimed through her demeanor and attire.  She was tall and looked as supple and pliant as a reed, yet Rick could sense a certain amount of internal strength.  He could easily understand how a patient could be drawn in by her gentle concern. 

"True, this is a minor discomfort but it hampers my grip on my weapon," Jameel responded, still holding up his hand.  "I do not wish to ride into battle with a disadvantage, no matter how insignificant."

"Of course," Rahimah sighed.  With a slight bow to Rick, she walked back to the table but Rick saw the flash of sorrow in her eyes.  And somehow he knew the innocent reference to the pending war had successfully deflated the earlier brief light-hearted moments.

"Uh listen, I should be getting back to Quadamah," Rick broke the silence and walked towards the door, leaving the healer alone with the warrior.  "So if it's okay with Rahimah, I'll be on my merry way."

"Actually, Commander Quadamah sent me to retrieve you," Jameel stated, but his gaze watched Rahimah as she gathered her medical supplies.  "We are almost ready to depart."  He glanced at Rick then turned and stared back at the healer.  "May I have a moment of privacy, O'Connell?"

"No problem, I'll be waiting outside," Rick replied.  "Thanks for everything, Rahimah and as far as our earlier discussion, I'll do my best but I can't make any promises."

"Shukran," Rahimah murmured and turned around, nodding her head as the blush on her cheeks deepened.  "May Allah watch over you and keep you safe, O'Connell."

"I hope so," Rick replied with a slight smile then left the warrior and healer alone.  He stepped outside into the bright sunshine and stopped to reflect for a moment, the heat from the sun's rays warming his body.  He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, deciding that whatever course the events of next day or two would take, Rick felt more than ready to accept them and bend them to his favor.  Whether his actions were perceived as courageous or foolhardy, Rick didn't care; ultimately he was going to avenge the death of a man that he had not only considered a brother but also his only friend. 

"May God rest his soul," Rick murmured.  Suddenly the child that lurked inside Rick, raised in the Cairo orphanage, felt the unfamiliar pang of loneliness well up inside his heart.  For a moment he feverently wished that Ardeth was still alive.

~*~

"By day's end, you need to remove the bandage and wash the cut," Rahimah instructed.  "Once clean, wrap it again and by tomorrow, the skin should have sealed shut, allowing you to hold your weapon with little or no pain."  While her concentration was focused on the task at hand, she was still more than aware of Jameel's intense scrutiny but chose to ignore it.  Just as she had chosen to ignore his subtle and discreet inquiries about her since his arrival at the tribe of the Fourth a few days ago.  Her friends, however, held no such compunction and gleefully told her of his activities, most likely happy that a courtship would soon blossom between warrior and healer.  Rahimah didn't care to listen to the inane chattering from her friends; she kept the secrets of her life guarded quite well and had successfully avoided any meetings with the warrior until now.      

"If I am able, I shall do so," Jameel said.  "Will you worry about me if I cannot follow your directions?"

The bold question caught Rahimah by surprise and she glanced up at him, uncertain if he was teasing or serious.  The dimpled grin he flashed at her was quite endearing and it took a moment for her to regain her equilibrium. 

"I will worry about all the warriors that are riding into war," Rahimah stated softly.  Finished with her task, she placed her tin of salve and bandages on the table, her heart aching as thoughts of another warrior flooded her mind. 

"You think of Commander al Fa'ud."

Without thinking, Rahimah responded.  "Aiwa," she said softly, then realized her error too late.  Slowly she turned around and faced the warrior.  "How did you know…"

Jameel shoved one hand through his unruly hair, unable to meet Rahimah's unwavering gaze.  "'I have heard stories from a few people in this village," he began half-heartedly.  "They were eager to appease my curiosity about the beautiful healer that seemed indifferent to my charms."   

"What kind of stories?" Rahimah was almost afraid to ask.  Her mind barely registered the compliment the warrior had just given her; had he called her beautiful?

Jameel hesitated then sighed.  "It is not right for me to repeat such idle gossip."

"Yet you listened and now, you feel brave enough to question me.  So in turn, I ask you…what stories?"

"They talked about your love for Nabil, saying it is an unrequited one and it shall remain forever unfulfilled," Jameel replied.  "That you have rejected several respectable suitors in the hope that someday Nabil would ask for your father's permission…"

"Enough."

Jameel fell silent at the softly spoken command but only for a moment.  "SamaH ana, for I have unknowingly hurt you in my quest to understand why you rebuffed my interests," he said the last word with a sigh.  "Now I fear I have pushed you even further away from me rather than the opposite.  I truly meant no harm."

"It is too late to rescind your words warrior," Rahimah said sadly and wrapped her arms around her waist, fighting the overwhelming need to cry. 

"My timing is indeed poor and I have acted foolishly," Jameel said.  He fell silent, his face clearly showing his regret at the pain he had caused Rahimah, but she was unable to offer him any solace.  Not when her own heart had just shattered into a thousand pieces; the truth of her love for Nabil had been exposed, dissected and disregarded.   

"No more foolishly than I to believe I was safe from the gossipmongers of this tribe and the false pretense of friendship that they had offered," Rahimah said. 

"Then what they say is true?" Jameel asked.

Rahimah nodded.  "I have loved Nabil for as long as I can remember; I have watched him grow through the awkward stages of youth into the early years of manhood, witnessed his induction into the warrior sect and treated his newly acquired tattoos in the days that followed.  I have known him all my life and yet at this moment, these precious memories seem like more than a lifetime ago."

"You asked if O'Connell would look for Nabil, aiwa?" Jameel suddenly asked.

Rahimah nodded.  "And I assume you heard the entire conversation between O'Connell and myself?"

Jameel's slight blush confirmed her suspicion but he continued, "Commander Quadamah made an oversight and neglected to honor the blood oath between Commander al Fa'ud and Honored Second al Usama.  The entire Tribe of the Fifth was ignored and to correct this error, Quadamah sent for Berin and designated him to be the one in charge to search for Nabil in the enemy's camp."

"I have no patience for understanding a blood oath between warriors, so ajab," Rahimah asked.  "Just tell me what this means?"

With a soft smile, Jameel reached out and gently laid a hand on Rahimah's shoulder.  "What I am trying to tell you, ya sitti, is to have hope.  There is no greater force that I know of than that of Berin, searching for his blood brother.  They say his grief was insurmountable when Nabil was taken prisoner and the sub-commander demands revenge.  When he rides into the enemy's camp, I think it would be appropriate we say a prayer for them."

"Berin will search for Nabil?"

"Undoubtedly, and may Allah take pity on those foolish enough to stand in his way."

"Why do you tell me these things?" Rahimah asked.  

Jameel looked down at his bandaged hand, nodded with satisfaction and turned away without responding.  Rahimah ran after him and stopped him before he reached the doorway.

"You have not answered my question," she gently reminded him.

Jameel gazed outside, his eyes seemingly focused on a distant point outside somewhere but his voice was low and commanding.  "In my old village, I too heard the stories about myself.  It seemed I had the reputation for being a stargazer, of which I do not dispute, and of being quite the accomplished lover.  It was said my adage was to find the soft willing arms of a woman and show her the wonders of the night sky."

"Indeed," Rahimah raised one delicately arched eyebrow.  "Please continue."

Jameel shrugged.  "Just a few moments ago, I was struck by sudden inspiration and thought perhaps just once," he replied and looked down at Rahimah.  "With the help of Allah, perhaps I can make your story a reality instead of fodder for the gossips."

"Why would you do this for me?" Rahimah breathed her question, afraid to hope that the lonely future she had envisioned could change. 

"Call it a gift from an admirer who has now become a friend," Jameel smiled sadly.  

Tears gathered in Rahimah's eyes and she leaned forward, placing a light kiss on one tattooed cheek.  "I am most grateful, ya hulu sahib," she whispered in Jameel's ear.  "Go with Allah and may He watch over you and protect you."

Jameel surprised Rahimah with a tender caress to her cheek then abruptly he turned on his heel and with his robes briefly flaring out from the sides, he left.

~*~

"What did you just say?" Kasim asked.

"I said your little bird has flown," Loch-nah taunted Kasim with a sly smile.  "Like a dove freed from its gilded cage, she took flight with that crippled boy as her guide late last night.  Hand in hand, they continue to fly towards freedom and to what I believe to be the closest town, Sedment el-Gebel."

"This cannot be!" Kasim exclaimed and shoved a hand through his hair as he paced the interior of his tent.  "I had posted double the guards by her tent, made sure they changed every two hours…"

"Cease your whining and pathetic excuses," Loch-nah snapped.  He barely resisted the urge to slit the other man's throat and simply let the English woman's escape go unnoticed; her actions were of no consequence to his plans.  However he did intend to use Kasim's enthrallment with her, the key to bringing him one step closer to complete command of Jahm's army.  "Take a small group of men and go after her, unless of course you wish to inform Jahm of your mistake."

Kasim stopped moving as the color abruptly left his face.  "No..no," he stammered.  "I have no desire to bother Jahm with this insignificant matter that I can handle by myself."

"Indeed," Loch-nah purred, trying to control the malicious smile that danced around the corners of his mouth.  "Besides, how much distance can a mere woman and young boy cover while traveling in the hot desert?  If you leave now, I am most certain you will catch up to them in a few hours and be able to return to camp by nightfall.  Jahm will never know and I, being the good friend that I am, will not inform him but instead keep him distracted."

"You would do this for me?" Kasim asked suspiciously as he gathered his things. 

"Of course," Loch-nah replied with a sly grin.  "Are we not brothers in arms?  Loyal to each other until death?"

Kasim nodded his head.  "You are right, and I am most grateful for your help."

"Go now and capture your lady dove," Loch-nah urged as they left the tent and headed for the corral.  "I shall watch for your triumphant arrival later tonight, ensuring that Jahm is still blissfully unaware of what has transpired."

"And I shall enjoy teaching her an overdue lesson in obedience," Kasim declared menacingly as he signaled for five men to accompany him.  He mounted his horse and gave Loch-nah a nod of farewell then kicked the horse into a gallop.

"One last obstacle," Loch-nah murmured to himself as he watched the riders disappear over the horizon.  He turned back towards the tents, his dark and predatory gaze fixed on the largest tent of them all - Jahm's.

~*~

"Who the hell are those guys?" Rick grumbled to Jameel.  They were standing by their horses within the center of the village square, surrounded by a continually swelling sea of black as more warriors poured in.  Off to one side, he saw that several warriors surrounded Quadamah.  Judging by the repeated glances and gestures his way, he guessed he was the topic of conversation. 

"They are an escort," Jameel replied as he looked at Rick over the withers of his horse.  "Your escort."

Rick snorted with disbelief.  "You're kidding, right?  Look, I don't need any more nursemaids; what I need is to leave.  Just get the hell out of here.  And why the change in plans?  Quadamah told me Lu'ay and Tamim would help me get the chest."

Jameel slowly rubbed the velvety muzzle of his horse.  "I do not believe it is a matter of inadequate skills or lack of prowess in battle.  Rather, it is a blood oath that must be honored."

"Okay, what in God's name is a blood oath?" Rick muttered.  He felt like a caged animal, yearning for freedom.  His body was tense with the anticipation of the coming battle, and the lack of activity was starting to get to him.  He needed something to occupy his mind, so he started to systematically check the chambers of his revolvers for the one hundredth time.  

"It is a pact between two warriors who have grown closer than brothers and have formed a rare but unique bond.  No matter what trials they may endure, their allegiance and loyalty will never be questioned; their friendship will last until their deaths.  Ardeth was a childhood friend of a great warrior named Kedar Ishaq, currently the Sub-commander of the Tribe of the First.  Kedar and Ardeth made a blood oath when they were young and now, Kedar has petitioned the Elders for it to be honored.  The Elders responded by assigning him to protect you, just as Zaki Hasim has drawn this duty as well."  Jameel explained. 

"This just keeps getting better and better," Rick sighed.  "Who is this...Zaki Hasim?"

"Loyal friend to Kedar and also of the Tribe of the First," Jameel replied and pointed to the large impressive warrior standing next to the sub-commander.  Zaki stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, his face expressionless but his eyes intently watching as the conversation between Quadamah and Kedar escalated.

Rick's gaze slid to each man that surrounded Quadamah, assessing their appearance and body language; it was a habit he carried over from his somewhat tarnished past, a talent that had saved his life on more than one occasion.  He observed the stiff, almost defiant posture of Kedar as he animatedly argued with Quadamah then the warrior turned and stared at Rick; a silent unspoken challenge emanating from their dark depths. 

"What the hell?" Rick muttered, raising an eyebrow in shock.

"It would seem Kedar does not like you, O'Connell," Jameel speculated quietly.  "I would not be concerned…"

Rick shoved his guns into their holsters and glared at the warrior, mentally judging the physical aspects of the man:  tall, muscular, could have been considered handsome except the natural symmetry of his face was marred by a scar that slashed through his left eyebrow and down, ending just above a thick mustache.  "I'm not here to make new friends or win any popularity contests," Rick muttered.  "I'm here to finish what I started: getting the chest and taking it back to England.  I think it's time I remind Quadamah."

"Yaha," Jameel muttered but Rick didn't catch the rest of the warrior's exclamation; he was already approaching the group of warriors, his gaze centered on Kedar who now stood prepared to meet him.

"Are we ready yet?" Rick asked Quadamah, purposely ignoring the sub-commander.

"Inta iradi tawa ya amir, Kedar," Quadamah said.   

"SarSar," hissed Kedar as he stared angrily at Rick.

"Sahil, ya sahib," Zaki murmured and placed a hand on Kedar's shoulder.

"Excuse me? Uh, you guys want to talk in English here?" Rick asked. 

"Ana ismee Jericho ibn Sakhr," another warrior stepped forward and introduced himself to Rick. "I am from the Tribe of the Seventh, Honored Second to Commander Aliyy."

Another introduction was made for the sub-commander of the Tribe of the Second but Rick didn't quite catch the name since it was interrupted by Kedar.

"Khansir," he spat at Rick.

"Does someone want to tell me what his problem is?" Rick asked anyone listening.  "'Cause whatever it is, it's getting on my nerves."

"Waqaf la-that wa tawa," Quadamah snapped at Kedar.

Kedar ignored the commander, shrugged off Zaki's hand from his shoulder and boldly faced Rick so that they stood toe to toe.  Rick saw his eyes were as black as night, felt the anger emanating off his body in hot waves but still had no idea why the warrior would be acting like this towards him.

"Qatil." 

The single word slid past Kedar's clenched teeth and hung precariously in the air, shocking the group into silence. 

His patience for this sport at an end, Rick met Kedar's unflinching stare.  "Okay pal, you want to play games with me?  Let's play.  Now tell me what you said in English."

"He called you a murderer," Jameel spoke up from the outskirts of the group and for his efforts was quickly silenced by a reprimand from Quadamah.

"QaT'a min zibala!" Kedar bellowed and shoved Rick.  "Son of a whore, you are not worthy to ride with the Medjai.  It is because of you we have lost so much; it was your accursed friendship with Ardeth that killed him, not the enemy."

Rick shoved Kedar back.  "My friendship?!?  You have no idea what you're talking about; it's because of that friendship that I'm standing here right now taking this crap from you."

"You, who could not be satisfied with finding the City of the Dead once but twice, bringing back the English infidels who resurrected the priest.  We should have killed you that night when we attacked your camp but Ardeth's command was to deliver a warning.  Ardeth was inclined to show mercy, something of which you have yet to demonstrate to my people.  Mercy from you would have been to leave Ardeth and the Medjai alone but like all ignorant Westerners, you persisted."  Kedar lunged at Rick but Zaki effortlessly caught him. 

"Is that what you people call friendship?" Rick charged at Kedar but found himself suddenly restrained.  "You who boast about brotherhood, loyalty and allegiance?  Hey pal, where were you that day on the pier?  I don't recall seeing your ugly face anywhere…"

"Ana iradi qatal inta fa'inn in azzar!" Kedar bellowed again and struggled to push himself away from Zaki. 

"Do you know what it was like to see Ardeth die?" Rick's anguished question effectively stopped the verbal sparring and he jerked himself free from the mysterious restraints.  "You wanna know what it felt like to see him fall, to run towards him as fast as possible but deep down in your heart, you already knew it was too late?"

Rick looked around at each warrior, unable to stop the torrent of sorrow that spilled from his lips.  "Do you wanna know how it felt to be beaten like an animal, and tied up?  Made to watch your friend risk his life just to save your own worthless hide? When you want to know all the details, you let me know and we'll talk. Until then save your judgments and accusations for somebody else, I don't feel like listening to them."

"He was my blood brother," Kedar stated hoarsely and to Rick, he suddenly looked defeated.  He shrugged off Zaki's hands but made no further threatening advances towards Rick. 

"Yeah, well, like it or not he was my friend.  And all I want to do is get the damn chest like I was supposed to in the first place because I'm honoring Ardeth's request.  If that doesn't please you, well tough shit, because it certainly makes me happy."  Rick stated angrily then turned to Quadamah.  "I'll be waiting over there with my horse until you guys figure out what you want to do."

Rick had only taken a few steps when he was suddenly confronted with what may have been the force that held him back from attacking Kedar.  The warrior who stood in his path could only be described as impressive and forbidding, his face covering adding to his grim façade.  What startled Rick more than the warrior's obvious height advantage was the melancholy aura that radiated from his dark eyes and the two of them silently stared at one another, each measuring the other.  Rick felt like his previous actions were being evaluated and considered then slowly, the warrior must have reached his own silent conclusions and gave a barely perceptible nod of acknowledgement. 

Rick returned the gesture and walked back to Jameel, curious as to why he felt like he had just passed some sort of test.

"That was Honored Second al Usama," the curly haired warrior explained as they walked back to their horses.  "It would seem that not only does he honor the blood oath between himself and Nabil, but he has also paid homage to your declaration of friendship between you and Ardeth."

"Yeah, whatever," was all Rick could say as he started to check the straps on the horse's saddle.  The look of anguish on Kedar's face haunted him, making him realize the impact from Ardeth's death still continued to spread out in a rippling effect.  The dull throbbing ache in his shoulder was nothing compared to the pain from the wounds that were suddenly ripped open on his heart from the confrontation.  Ill prepared to handle the ferocity of them, Rick retreated into a stony silence and tried to preoccupy his mind with more ordinary tasks.  He pulled out his guns and opened the chambers, already knowing each one had a bullet but unable to stop from doing what was a repetitive but comforting habit.  With a heavy sigh, he realized he was also unable to stop his hands from shaking as he performed the task. 

"O'Connell?"

"Just leave it alone, Jameel," Rick replied.  He glanced over at the group of warriors around Quadamah and surmised they were still speaking about him; the occasional glance his way confirmed it.  "Just leave me alone," he murmured and stared defiantly back at the warriors. 

~*~

"Hey pal, where were you that day on the pier?"

The words echoed in Kedar's mind and heart, burning from the blaze of truth as he watched O'Connell walk away.  They were like a slap in the face; he should have been there.  He should have been taking care of Ardeth and honoring his oath but pressing duties at his tribe had dictated his course of actions.  Everything that was good and honorable in him wanted to scream out a denial and to blame O'Connell. It was much easier than to accept his own failing.
Guilt.  The weight of it bore heavily down around him until he felt sick inside.  A hand landed on his shoulder.

"What are you doing, Kedar?" asked a familiar voice.  "What is wrong with you?"
He turned dark eyes filled with sorrow and pain towards Zaki.  "O'Connell is right.  I should have been there.  I could have prevented…"
"Do not do this, ya saHib."  Zaki replied.  "Nobody can change the will of Allah.  You are not to blame any more than O'Connell."
"Zaki is right," Quadamah added quietly.  "Do not torment yourself, Kedar, over things that should have been.  All your brothers know of your oath and honor it as well as the memory of Ardeth.  May Allah grant us victory over those who have taken away a friend, a fellow warrior... a brother."
Kedar heard the wisdom of his friends but wanted to deny it; needing to blame someone... anyone!  His dark eyes flared with rage once more, his jaw tightened as his fists clenched, but suddenly it evaporated.  His shoulders slumped forward in defeat. 

"Do not lose the fire of your anger, Kedar.  Just redirect it towards those responsible." Zaki wisely advised and Kedar saw his golden eyes flash with his own fury.

Kedar nodded and glanced over at O'Connell.  Instead of seeing the infidel and enemy he once believed the American to be, now he saw the friend Ardeth had always spoken so highly of.  A quiet stillness settled within him.  His eyes narrowed, his face hardened into what Zaki commonly referred to as his 'death' mask.  "Qidir Allah warra raHmi fa'inn ana iradi ma mush."

A murmur of assent flowed around the group and Kedar saw Berin step forward, removing his face covering.  The two warriors exchanged greetings, silently acknowledging their combined loss of both a friend and commander.  Berin's face was impassive but his voice rumbled up from deep within his chest, sounding like the death toll of a bell, his eyes glittering with the promise of retribution.  "La raHmi."

The murmur grew louder as more warriors joined the small circle and Quadamah raised his hands up to Allah as if in supplication.  "The time has come for us to ride," he announced. 

The sound of thousands of scimitars being pulled free from their sheaths shattered the tranquility of the village; the hopeful innocence of morning was washed away as thousands of throats took up the same call. 

"La raHmi!"

"My heart is with me, and it shall never come to pass that it be carried away. I am the Lord of Hearts, the slayer of the heart-case. I live in truth, I have my being therein. I am Horus, the Dweller in Hearts, I am in the Dweller in the body. I have life by my word, I will be the bringer of death by my sword.  May Allah take pity on those who shall suffer from my wrath!" Quadamah shouted.

~*~

Rick watched in amazement as the square erupted into a melee of sight and sound.  Warriors wildly brandished their scimitars in the air, the refractions of sunlight glancing off bright metal almost blinding.  Somehow the men he had come to know over the past few days had swiftly morphed into alternate beings; the change was more than a little unsettling.  Their dark eyes gleamed with the fires of vengeance as they formed a circle around Quadamah, Kedar, Zaki and the others.  The common bond which they all shared as Medjai linked them together and its pull was irresistible to those around him. 

"Come O'Connell," Jameel called out over his shoulder as he drifted over and joined his brethren.

Yet Rick hesitated. 

Foreigner.

Infidel.

Ignorant Westerner.

A rare insecurity swept over Rick and he felt the familiar sensation of being the outsider now more than ever.  He couldn't understand what they were shouting in Arabic but he did know they were honoring each other and the risk they were undertaking by initiating war.  During his days in the Legion, he and the members of his squad used to do something similar, especially before the battle with the Tuareg at Hamunaptra.

Lost in the memories of the past, Rick speculatively scratched his horse's forehead and was quite surprised when he first heard the call. 

"Ija O'Connell."

Rick looked up and around, wondering if it was his imagination or did someone say his name?  The circle of warriors around Quadamah pulsed with a life of its own and slowly, it broke apart to reveal the commanders and their subordinates staring at him expectantly.

"Ija waSal il dayri."

"Excuse me?" Rick called out.  "I don't understand."

"Ija waSal intu ikhwi."

Quadamah gestured for Rick to come forward and he took a hesitant step, only to stop when he saw what he felt was a reproachful glare from Kedar. 

A tense silence suddenly hung in the air, thick and tangible and Rick felt it settle around his shoulders like a heavy cloak.  Feeling as if all eyes were upon him, the usual cocky American was at a loss on what to do and he shook his head at Quadamah, hoping the commander would understand.

Kedar broke away from the circle and slowly walked through the narrow path that magically appeared through the crowd of warriors, stopping until he was only a few feet away from Rick.  "Come join us in the circle," he clarified quietly, his face bearing no malice or anger.  "Come join your brothers."

A curt reply spilled from Rick's mouth before he could stop it.  "So I'm a brother now, instead of your enemy?"

"You are someone whom I have misjudged.  My grief temporarily blinded me from rational thinking." Kedar held out his hand to Rick.  "Please allow me the chance to rectify my mistake.  There is much you and I need to discuss."

Rick pursed his lips and stared at the warrior's hand, realizing that the sub-commander must have swallowed a large amount of pride to approach him and admit that he had been wrong.  Keenly aware that his actions were being evaluated and maybe even judged, Rick walked up to Kedar but paused for the briefest of moments. He wondered if Kedar was sincere with his intentions or merely putting on a show for the other warriors.  But Rick saw the sincerity in those dark eyes and finally extended his hand in return.

The crowd of warriors around them erupted into shouts and battle cries when the two men clasped hands.  Rick pulled Kedar forward so he could be heard over the noise.  "You're right, there is a lot we need to discuss.  But remember:  I'm doing this for Ardeth."

The two men pulled away from one another and Kedar gave him a brief nod of acceptance. 

"I would not have it any other way," he replied.

With Kedar's firm and insistent guidance, Rick was led back to Quadamah and absorbed into the circle of warriors without question or complaint.  Hands occasionally touched him on the back or shoulder, as if this alone formed a true and lasting bond.  Others chose to acknowledge his presence with a nod and a battle cry that set his ears ringing.  He was surrounded by men who were willing to sacrifice their lives not only to perform their eternal duty as protectors of man but to also avenge the loss of one of their own.  To be included in the circle of warriors was a humbling experience and Rick felt his chest tighten with the emotion from it. 

"La raHmi!"

The cry was taken up again as Quadamah rallied the warriors and Rick had to turn to Kedar and satisfy his curiosity.  "What does that mean?" he had to shout to be heard. 

"No mercy," Kedar replied. 

"Sounds good to me.  Let's do this thing," Rick growled.

~*~

Translations –

Ana ismee – my name is

Ajab - please

Ya sitti – my lady

Ya hulu sahib – my sweet friend

Yaha - shit

Inta iradi tawa ya amir, Kedar - You will obey my command, Kedar

SarSar - cockroach

Sahil, ya sahib - easy, my friend

Khansir - pig

Waqaf la-that wa tawa - Stand down and obey

Qatil - murderer

QaT'a min zibala - piece of garbage

Ana iradi qatal inta fa'inn in azzar - I will kill you for that insult

Qidir Allah warra raHmi fa'inn ana iradi ma mush - May Allah show them mercy
for I will not.

Ija waSal il dayri – come join the circle

Ija waSal into ikhwi – come join your brothers

A/N:  Quadamah's prayer/speech was actually taken from the Book of the Dead and no offense intended since I altered a few of the words to fit the scene. For those interested, here is the actual prayer:

 

[Nu, whose word is truth, saith]:- My heart is with me, and it shall never come to pass that it be carried away. I am the Lord of Hearts, the slayer of the heart-case. I live in truth, I have my being therein. I am Horus, the Dweller in Hearts, [I am] in the Dweller in the body. I have life by my word, my heart hath being. My heart-case shall not be snatched away from me, it shall not be wounded, it shall not be put in restraint if wounds are inflicted upon me. [If] one take possession of it I shall have my being in the body of my father Keb and in the body of my mother Nut. I have not done that which is held in abomination by the gods. I shall not suffer defeat [for] my word is truth.

Hopefully I got all the translations, if not let me know and I can always add another A/N to the next chapter explaining them.  And finally! New warriors introduced and special thanks goes out to Ladybug for allowing me to play with her boys, Kedar Ishaq and Zaki Hasim.  Btw, their nicknames are "hulu waHsh" for Kedar and "Teddy Bear" for Zaki. LOL I can imagine those two blushing right now since I indulged that piece of information.

Last but never the least, thanks to all of you who read and review.  I base what's going to happen in the forthcoming chapters by your reactions and comments.  Thank you so very much and next chapter, I promise to give a shout out to all who faithfully read this...shukran!  ;-)

Ps- I don't understand the spacing on FF once I convert this thing to an HTML document so please bear with me.