Chapter 23
"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." ~ William Shakespeare
~*~
Allan Merriweather did not appreciate change.
A creature of habit, he preferred his life to be fairly organized and precise, leaving no opportunities for unwanted surprises. His powers of observation were crucial and required tools when he was embroiled in a game of chance with his fellow gamblers. He had made it a point to study the habits of others and always watched for subtle shifts of the body or in a facial expression, thereby gleaning clues that could give him an indication as to whether Lady Luck would be smiling upon him that night.
Allan had expected his home life to be boring and mundane once he was married, having studied Olivia's habits during their engagement. He had no qualms about setting the precedent during the first month of their wedded bliss, and ignored the obvious disappointment in his new wife. Just as he believed with all the other aspects of his life, he felt certain that his seemingly docile and doting wife would soon fit into the mold he had predetermined for her and found most beneficial to him. And life would go on much better than it had been thanks to the small fortune that Olivia had inherited from her late father's estate.
How unfortunate that over the course of a few days on an ill-fated trip to a God-forsaken country, everything that Allan had so carefully planned… would change. All that he had hoped and dreamed for came crashing down around him, like the proverbial house of cards and he was powerless to stop it.
"Bloody hell," Allan muttered and shoved a hand through his usually perfectly coifed hair. He stared sullenly at the picture of cool composure that was seated across from him, his eyes raking over her lush womanly form. "I have given my pain a name and I shall call it… Olivia."
Olivia blinked in surprise at Allan's sour words, but made no overtures to rebuke his remarks. She seemed to accept it with the same aplomb that she had accepted everything else today. "Really Allan, can't we still be civilized about all of this?"
Allan snorted at her softly asked question, glaring at the enigma that was Olivia as he leaned forward. Resting his forearms on his legs, he shrewdly studied the woman he thought to be his wife.
He faulted her for her appearance, for the fact that although her skin had been subjected to the desert sun's harsh rays, the hue of it was gradually turning brown. It highlighted the blue of her eyes and much to his dismay, he found himself mesmerized by them. He hated how the original drab color of her hair had unexpectedly turned into shimmering silken gold that made him yearn to run his fingers reverently through its long satiny tresses.
A man who had always followed his more basic and selfish needs, Allan had caved into his lecherous desires and had tried to force a physical reconciliation with Olivia when she had first entered the bedroom. Only to himself would he admit that his advances had been soundly thwarted and along with his body, his ego had taken quite the punishment.
"I think I am most certainly being civilized, considering the fact that instead of being greeted with kisses and accolades for my daring rescue of you in the desert, you state that you want a divorce," Allan snapped.
Olivia stared down at her hands that were folded in her lap, avoiding eye contact with him. "I have already expressed my gratitude for the small part that you've played in my rescue. But quite frankly, I feel there's nothing more to say. You were present when I made my statement to Captain Mallory," she gently reminded him. "Apparently you're suffering from a temporary lapse in memory, conveniently forgetting everything that I've said, including my petition for an immediate separation."
"What in God's name has happened to you?" Allan heaved a dramatic sigh and stood up. He reached for the small decanter of water from the nearby stand, mentally cursing the lack of stronger spirits in the house. He poured a glass of water and raised it to his lips, then abruptly stopped as a sudden revelation caused him to stare at Olivia.
"It's what happened when we reached this dirty little town, isn't it?" Allan theorized and started pacing.
The ride to Sedment el-Gebel?
The rest of the journey had been forgettable; the town itself nothing more than a dirty hole, in his opinion. To his chagrin, Captain Mallory had not only deemed it passable, but safe. The Caption ordered most of the squad to return to the fort whilst he assured Allan, despite his venomous objections, that the five soldiers left behind were his most trusted and experienced men.
Allan thought he should have been more forceful, but his concern was always diverted to Olivia and her shameful behavior. She had embarrassed him in front of his countrymen having the audacity to refuse riding with him and had chosen to remain in the wagon, mooning like a lovesick schoolgirl over the wounded savage. Perhaps the catalyst for the change in her had been when Allen killed the filthy young boy who had touched and mauled what Allan had always considered his property, never his wife.
"Allan…" Olivia tried to interrupt him but he quickly silenced her with an arrogant wave of his hand.
Allan stopped pacing and turned around, staring at Olivia. "Are you actually mourning the death of that boy and blaming me for my rightful actions?"
"Your rightful actions have killed an innocent person and have led you to unjustly criticize the elderly man and woman who so graciously provided us with food and lodgings," Olivia stated. "You have been ordering Magdah and Irfann about like servants in their own home, for God's sake."
Allan bristled at the reminders of his inconsiderate behavior and he glared at Olivia. "Yet I see you were only too happy to let the old woman wait on you hand and foot for your precious bath."
"Magdah is a dear sweet woman who simply helped me…" Olivia tried to explain but Allan waved her off once again.
"It has to be," Allan mused and started pacing again. "It's that… warrior… as you call him, isn't it? Somehow he's turned you against me, and everything that I stand for, including our marriage." He knew he sounded like he was whining but was beyond caring at the moment. The harder he tried to hold on to what Olivia was in his mind, the faster she slipped through his fingers like the fine grains of sand.
Olivia rolled her eyes and slowly rubbed the bridge of her nose, slowly shaking her head. "No one has turned me against you… except you."
"I am supposed to believe that during this time spent with this heathen, that there have been no inappropriate advances? That he hasn't tried to seduce you and carry you off on horseback to his rat-infested village?"
Olivia tried to hide an infuriating little smile as she seemed to mull over Allan's wild accusations. "I could only wish," she finally said softly. "The only crime he could be accused of is saving my life."
"My God, you are mad," Allan breathed and flopped down into the chair with an exasperated sigh.
Olivia jumped up and tossed her head at Allan, glaring at him as her hands rested on her hips. "Ha! Mad, you say? My God, this is the first time in months that I've been able to act and think clearly. If this is madness, then I willingly and gladly succumb to it. I now know what I must do and I've contacted my family, instructing them to have our lawyers draw up the separation agreement as soon as possible. Ultimately, we will be divorced and I've instructed my cousin Christian to have your things moved into the London townhouse until all the documents are finalized. We should have never married and I realize that now."
Allan jumped up and stormed over to Olivia, grabbing her arms and jerking her to his chest. "What has happened to you? Where is my wife, the woman that I married who had agreed to love and cherish, honor and obey? You never used to speak so disrespectfully to me. And to think I gave you the privilege of sharing my bed, and not ordering you to sleep in a separate chamber like other husbands' wives."
Olivia snorted with laughter and pulled her arms free, her eyes flashing with fire. "Oh yes, let us fondly recollect the long and passionate nights we used to spend in each other's arms after making love. How can I forget the tenderness and consideration that you saw fit to show me on our wedding night when your idea of foreplay was to merely pull back the bedclothes? You arrogant, pompous, self-serving ass," she fumed as she spun away from Allan.
"That's it," Allan murmured incredulously and followed Olivia as she walked over to the bed. The horrible and inconceivable conclusion that was forming in his mind was too obscure to accept or believe. And yet…
"That warrior that you've been pining over, the one that Dr. Groves has been operating on for the past four hours… you have fallen in love with him. You would be willing to risk what good reputation my name has and soil it with the scandal of our divorce for this man."
Seemingly unable to meet his gaze, Allan watched as Olivia sorted through some of the clothing that her hostess had thoughtfully provided. He waited and a moment later, his assumption was confirmed by her faint reply.
"His name is Nabil and he is a good and honorable man."
"Oh, this is too much," Allan's snide laughter echoed throughout the room. He folded his arms across his chest and cocked his head to one side. "Then let me play psychic for you, my darling. Let me predict your future. I'll speak slowly so that all the sordid little details will sink in. Perhaps then the enormity of what you plan to do will infiltrate this impenetrable wall you've erected around yourself."
Olivia finally looked up at Allan, the steely and newfound determination in her gaze holding him against his will. "For once in my life, I know who I am, what I am and what I need to do," she said gently but firmly. "I have gone through a metamorphosis that I can't even begin to explain to myself, let alone to someone like you. You suffer from no emotional growth whatsoever. I have had to rely on my own strength and cunning, matching wits with a mad man and taking a chance on something that, in my opinion, is nothing short of a miracle. Strange that previously I had no idea why I became Nabil's protector until now."
"Please continue," Allan drawled out as he walked over to retrieve his glass of water. "I am so enthralled by this… do go on and enlighten me about your journey of self-discovery. Why do you see yourself as this man's protector?"
Olivia raised her chin and made her simple and yet life-changing declaration. "I have fallen in love with him, almost from the first moment we met. I never believed in love at first sight and I daresay my marriage to you had effectively smothered any romantic inclinations or desires I may have previously harbored. You ask how can I risk the reputation of your name and walk away from our marriage, but I don't believe you will understand or appreciate the answer."
"Try me," Allan quipped. "You owe me that much."
"Very well," Olivia sighed. "I believe that I've been given a gift from God, a chance to rectify what has become horribly wrong in my life over the past two years. I have met a man who has inspired me to break out of the complacent shell I've built around myself and has forced me to reevaluate the mistakes in my life. His presence alone is thrilling and breathtaking, reminding me of a being who is wild and free, unfettered by social restraints. There is a quiet honor and nobility about him and his appearance alone makes my heart beat faster, my mouth dry and my woman's soul wonder how it would feel to be held in his strong arms."
Allan put the glass down on the table and warily watched as Olivia walked closer.
"You call this a journey of self-discovery for me, my dear man and surprisingly enough, you are correct," Olivia continued. "I have discovered in three short days what you may never ascertain in a lifetime about yourself. I have come to the conclusion that compared to Nabil, you are a shallow, egotistical man who craves the false comfort that wealth brings and will continually seek unsavory methods to increase it. You pale in comparison to Nabil. I find it amazing that for someone like me, who is not a gambler by nature, that I will gladly take this one chance that I've been given. I want a life with that savage, as you call him, and pray to God that he will want me as much as I want to be with him."
Allan felt the color drain from his face and his stomach rolled with nausea; his dream had finally shattered before his very eyes. No longer could he hold onto his dream of remaining married to Olivia and controlling her fortune, it was gone.
"Well then," Allan said softly and walked away from Olivia, unable to bear seeing the absolution shining in her eyes and hearing the strength that underlined her words. He paused at the bedroom door, his gaze raking over her body. "Far be it for me to interfere with your plans for the future. But since we are examining my weaknesses as your husband, then allow me throw down another card on the table for your perusal. I don't like to lose – my skills of recovery are renowned at the gaming tables. Take your chance, have your dalliance, as it may be. But remember this, I will find a way to recoup my losses. And my methods aren't always so honorable."
"Get out and do take these distressing facts with you. Christian has already sent a telegram informing me that the lawyers will be contacting you shortly and oh, I did forget to mention something else," Olivia smiled sweetly at him, seemingly unfazed by his threats. "All the bank accounts are frozen, as well as any other asset you may try to liquidate. So much for recouping said losses and I look forward to the challenge you present. Try and recover what you've lost and I will be forced to seek retribution of my own. And I believe that my intentions will not remain so honorable either."
A sardonic smile slid over Allan's face and he gave a slight bow. "A challenge from the dormouse… you present such a puzzle to me."
Olivia lifted her chin. "Surely you realize that even mice have sharp teeth."
Allan snorted with skepticism and wrenched open the bedroom door, almost running into a red-faced solider that had been lingering out in the hallway. "What the hell do you want?" he snapped at the younger man. "Get a good earful, did you?"
"I was coming for Mrs. Merriweather," the young solider replied. He peeked around Allan and gave a slight bow to Olivia. "The Captain would like to see you in the main room, ma'am. He says it's important."
"Of course," Olivia replied and hurried out of the room, brushing past Allan without a second glance.
As his soon-to-be-ex-wife and the soldier walked down the hallway, Allan was tempted to storm out of the house. He needed to drown his mounting frustration in something stronger than goat's milk or tepid well-water. He needed a shot of whiskey and wanted one badly. Instead, his eyes narrowed with speculation and he decided to follow Olivia and eavesdrop on her talk with Captain Mallory.
As Allan slinked through the hallways of the home, careful to mask his presence, a thousand thoughts whirled through his mind. He didn't find it odd that none of them contained any remorse over the loss of Olivia. Instead, he was feverishly trying to figure out how to extract one last substantial amount of money from her before it was too late.
~*~
The ride to the healer's compound should have taken less time that it actually was and Kedar periodically glanced impatiently at the sky, estimating that the sun would set in a few hours. Disliking the sensation of being vulnerable and open to an attack, his concerns steadily increased along with Ardeth's growing listlessness. He was more than aware of the small but steady stream of blood that dripped from Ardeth's leg and down the side of the horse. He muttered a curse to himself and urged his horse into a trot, his actions earning a deep groan of agony from Ardeth.
"Lean back and rest," Kedar instructed softly. His arms tightened around Ardeth when he would have fallen and Kedar almost cursed again. "We still have several miles to cover before we reach the healer's compound, and you have yet to enlighten me as to why we need to go there."
Ardeth rested his head against Kedar's shoulder as one hand reflexively gripped and released the sleeve of his robe. "I must return to a …angel," he sighed and shifted again, as if trying to appease the gnawing ache in his leg. "I made a promise to her…"
"You will do her no good if you arrive dead on her doorstep," Kedar growled and glanced over at Zaki, who rode along side of him. They exchanged troubled glances and Kedar shook his head, declining Zaki's silent gesture to take Ardeth from him. Kedar would carry Ardeth in his arms if need be as long as they reached their destination, and he would ignore his own discomfort first and foremost. Ardeth was all that mattered, his presence among the warrior sect during the battle a confirmation what Kedar had always known about his friend.
One day soon, Ardeth would be the chieftain of the Medjai. And as his friend, Kedar intended to make sure Ardeth would live to see that day.
"At least tell me what she looks like," Kedar grumbled, finally caving into his curiosity. When Ardeth failed to immediately respond, Kedar felt the alien twinge of fear pierce his heart and he reached up with one hand, gently touching Ardeth's chest. "Stay with me, ya ukh. It is just a little farther…stay with me. Talk to me."
"S-she removed the arrowhead from…my leg," Ardeth gasped and rolled his head to one side, resting his cheek against the sun warmed fabric of Kedar's robe. "A-and the sorrow from my…heart."
"It would figure you talk about her skills as a healer rather than her appearance," Kedar snorted, trying to inject some light humor into a tense situation. Scouts had been sent ahead as a precaution and he glanced over at Zaki, silently mourning the loss of Aliyy and Wajeeh. The golden eyed warrior had brought several reports with him from the field when he had finally caught up with the party a few hours ago. Kedar was still uneasy about Berin's spontaneous ride to Sedment el-Gebel to look for Nabil but knew that the sub commander was honoring a blood brother oath, just as he was honoring his own to Ardeth.
"I am merely being…cautious. She will take one look at you…" Ardeth's voice was hoarse from most likely holding the pain at bay and his head sagged lower against Kedar's body.
"And think that I am more handsome than you," Kedar finished with a slight smile. He could feel the heat radiating from Ardeth's body and he tucked that new worry in the back of his mind, his sole focus now on covering as much ground as possible before darkness fell.
They lapsed into silence as the hours passed by at a grueling rate, and Kedar patiently or at times impatiently waited for the blessed moment when the scouts would alert them as they neared the compound. He heaved a deep sigh of relief when he finally heard the whistle and dropped his head down to Ardeth's, whispering words of calm reassurance and encouragement as they rode over the last few miles.
"Do not leave me, ya sahib," Kedar coaxed. His arm wrapped around Ardeth's waist tightened again when he felt Ardeth stir and regain consciousness with a moan. "We are almost there."
Ardeth rallied for the last few miles as the high walls of the compound came into view and quietly spoke to Kedar, most certainly surprising him with his unusual request. At first, Kedar refused to relent but in the end, he reluctantly agreed and shook his head in disbelief when they finally came to a rest outside the gates. With the help of Zaki and a few other warriors, they helped Ardeth dismount and walked him over to the horse Nijm Zarik. Zaki handed Ardeth the reins and left the warrior leaning against the horse's saddle for support, his golden eyes clouded with worry as he returned to his own mount.
"I am confused," Zaki murmured worriedly to Kedar. "Part of this promise to the healer was to bring back a horse?"
"The significance of this task is unclear to me and yet despite the seriousness of his injury, I find I am unable to deny him this," Kedar replied. He bellowed for permission to enter the compound and watched as one of the gates slowly opened to reveal a lone sentry standing watch. As the introductions were exchanged, the slim figure of a woman emerged from the compound and Kedar found his first smile of the day.
Ardeth's healer did indeed look like an angel.
~*~
Asiya's concern for Ardeth's return had been a source of subtle humor during the day as the healers went about doing their chores and lessons. However no amount of work or studying could deny Asiya's fear mingled with excitement over his return and the perpetual question popped up in conversation for most of the day.
"Has Ardeth returned yet?"
Asiya knew that she had been asking that for what may have been the hundredth time in the past several hours but she didn't care. Her fear for Ardeth's safety overrode any concern for Na'ima or Is'af's sanity. Her chores completed, she had been walking around the courtyard of the compound since late afternoon, glad that her sister healers had wisely left her alone for remainder of the day.
As the morning gave way to afternoon, and shifted towards dusk, Asiya felt her apprehension grow until her agitation was contagious and she eventually had company with her as she paced.
"Has anyone heard the signal that Ardeth has returned?"
"I believe that if you ask me that again, I am going to grab a bucket of water…" Na'ima threatened Asiya as the women passed by one another.
Asiya could tell that Na'ima was teasing and the two women exchanged faint smiles but it was Is'af who was gleefully interjecting possible scenarios as to what could have happened to Ardeth in battle.
"Perhaps the enemy attacked from behind or...or they were too great in number and Ardeth has been taken prisoner," Is'af offered. She was sitting near the well and when Na'ima suddenly advanced on her with a determined look in her eyes, Is'af jumped up and skirted away from the other healer.
"I was only offering some possibilities as to why Ardeth isn't here yet," Is'af tried to explain but Na'ima wasn't in the mood to listen.
"I would like to offer the possibility of you keeping quiet," Na'ima wagged a finger at Is'af.
As the two women bickered good naturedly with one another, Asiya watched the exchange with a small smile, glad for the diversion. It took her mind off the late hour of the day only for a moment and before she could help herself, she inadvertently added to the lunacy. "Does any one know why Ardeth has not returned as of yet?"
"Oh for the love of Allah…" Na'ima muttered.
Suddenly, they heard a warrior's bellow for permission to enter the compound and Asiya spun around and faced the gates. Her heart started to beat wildly in her chest and she clasped her hands in front of her to stop their shaking. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind, each at war with the other on the probability that Ardeth had been wounded again. She ignored her mind's frantic ramblings and listened to her heart, recognizing one thing - that Ardeth had kept his promise.
"You look pale," Na'ima whispered as she stood by Asiya's side. "Pinch your cheeks to give them some color. By the way, if this is what love does to a person, then I am not falling in love."
"I am not in love," Asiya whispered fiercely back to Na'ima and frowned at the unladylike snorts of disbelief from both women. "He is my patient, nothing more."
"You do love him," Is'af whispered loudly. "Even if he does not like to wear pants when…"
Na'ima hushed Is'af as the gate slowly swung open. Asiya rushed forward to greet Ardeth but her steps faltered and then came to an abrupt stop when she finally saw him. Her eyes widened with shock as her gaze raked over his dirty and bloody robes. His handsome face seemed pale and it appeared that he had re-injured his leg, shifting his weight off of it as much as possible. Tear gathered in Asiya's eyes as she walked forward to meet him halfway, her heart constricting with compassion at the flare-up of pain that danced across his face.
Ardeth continued to lean on Nijm Zarik, his hands firmly entangled in to the horse's mane for most likely balance and support. He stopped in front of Asiya and a tired smile teased up the corners of his mouth. "I have returned this horse that…belongs to a healer here," he said softly and held out the reins. "He has been a good mount…and I owe him my life."
Is'af stepped forward to take the reins but wavered when she must have realized she would be taking away what was supporting Ardeth. She glanced nervously at Asiya, chewing her lower lip.
"Shukran healer," Ardeth made the decision for Is'af and pushed himself away from the horse, the reins held in his outstretched hand.
Is'af took them and furiously blushed at the smile on Ardeth's face. She gave Ardeth a slight bow and Asiya watched as she quickly took her beloved pet to the stables where she knew Is'af would tend to its needs and pamper it. She turned back to Ardeth and softly gasped when she saw that Ardeth was starting to sway.
Ignoring those that were curiously watching their reunion, Asiya hurried forward and enveloped Ardeth into her embrace, her hands splayed across his broad back as she held him close. She sighed a moment later when she felt his arms circle around her and pull her close, his head resting on her shoulder. She felt him lean against her, and tighten his embrace; she tangled her fingers through his long hair, and whispered to him sweet words of love and encouragement.
"I…promised that I would return to you," Ardeth murmured and pulled back for a moment, his eyes dark with the promise of passion and desire. He reached up with a trembling hand and caressed Asiya's cheek.
"Warrior," Asiya confirmed in a gentle voice.
"Healer…I need you," Ardeth groaned and Asiya felt him lean against her even more.
Miraculously several warriors appeared around the couple and reached for Ardeth as he collapsed but Asiya refused to release her hold around him. She would have fallen but a strong pair of arms encircled her waist and she looked up in surprise into a pair of golden eyes.
"You will do Ardeth no good if you injure yourself, healer," the warrior murmured but didn't try and pry Asiya away from Ardeth. "It would appear that he needs you."
"Well said warrior," Na'ima appeared at Asiya's other side and with a quick nod to the warriors, she ordered them to carry Ardeth into a nearby building.
Asiya's hand held onto Ardeth's as they hurried across the compound and the driving need to take care of him prompted the confident healer in her to come forth. She took over from Na'ima and continued issuing commands, flustered only once when she realized that there were two warriors who would not leave the room. They remained impervious to Is'af's fussing, and the one with the scar slashing down his handsome face seemed amused by her antics.
Pushing aside all distractions, Asiya grimly set about sewing repairing the thigh injury to the best of her abilities. Help came in the various forms and skills of Na'ima and Is'af, and it came from the unlikely source of Kedar and Zaki. They stayed by their friend's side quietly watching the proceedings and offering what comfort they could with quiet whisperings of encouragement.
When the hours of late afternoon slipped into early evening, Asiya instructed for Ardeth to be moved back to the chamber that he had previously occupied. As the small party of warriors and women walked through the compound towards the main building, Asiya had no doubts that she would be alone in her vigilante care of Ardeth during the night.
~*~
Like a scarab settling deep into the flesh of a fresh corpse, Jahm had fled from the back of the entourage and unerringly sought the best place to hide. Nestled safely in the small unused section of the barn, he burrowed in to his chosen camouflage and patiently waited.
Time was a friend now, and the final culmination of his plans would be made that much sweeter. Jahm's cunning mind formulated his plans for revenge and he remembered the stories that Loch-nah had told him of Ardeth Bay. He mentally sorted through them, and eventually smiled when he found the weakness that would end the mighty warrior's life.
From what he had overheard, her name was Asiya.
~*~
A/N – For those of who you are still following this, you have my most profound and humble thanks. This is turning into a never-ending story it seems, and yet as the end draws near, I find myself reluctant to stop writing. There is so much more to tell…
As for the gap in my submissions, all I can say is that I suffered from an extreme case of writer's block. Nothing worked and a couple of months ago, I despaired that I would never finish writing this or a sequel.
Bear with my, kind readers, as I attempt to draw this story to close but do not fear - the adventures of my characters will continue in three stories to come. When my muse returns, it returns with a vengeance.
Shukran for reading…!