Of Arabians and Dancing Swords.
By LatanyaDisclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the Mummy (damn) or Ardeth Bey and the Medjai (double damn). (Elf Lover: Yes, I do use the penname Tally but I don't write for that site any more.)
Chapter three: Grandfather knows best.
Walking down the stairs, Tahirah reached the kitchen just at Ali went out the front door for a meeting with Mohammad. He had come up to tell her where he was going and she had promptly thrown items from around her room at him. She really didn't know what had come over her and she really didn't want to know.
The chef smiled at her and spoke softly in French, "What would Mademoiselle like to eat? I can make her anything she wishes for brunch."
"Pancakes?" Tahirah asked hopefully. She hadn't had pancakes for a long time and right at that moment she fancied something sweet to eat.
"With lemon and sugar like you normally have them?" The chef checked with her before hurrying about and getting the ingredients ready. "Would you like small pancakes or large ones?"
Sighing, Tahirah sat down at the table, "I will eat whatever you put down in front of me to eat Bella, and you know that. Truly, the only food I will not touch is seafood and red meat."
Bella shook her head, "I do not know why you will not eat those foods but it worries me not. You have always loved your salads and I am happy because you are eating. If you did not eat, I would be forced to make you eat."
"You watch me like a hawk now don't you Bella?" She murmured.
"I remember when you stopped eating when you were in your teens. Never shall that happen while I am here to care for you little Tahri. Now, what was it that you and that awful Ali were fighting about this morning? It is the talk of the household." The chef busied herself with cooking though she glanced over her shoulder constantly to look at Tahirah.
Tahirah sighed again, her eyes downcast; "I do not think I will be able to recover his friendship for a time. Methinks that he feels I betrayed him when I did not. He is not my husband nor is he my family to dictate what I can and cannot do. Ali over stepped his rank and actually scolded me for kissing someone farewell."
"So he was not happy about you kissing that handsome desert man? Why my little Tahri, you looked to be enjoying yourself and you are half Egyptian as it is. Perhaps you should go to your grandfather Kareem about this? He would know what to do about it and even I know that he doesn't trust Ali." Bella smiled sadly, flipping the pancakes over on the pan.
Standing, the young woman got sugar and lemon juice from a cupboard as well as a plate and knife and fork before sitting herself back down, "Grandfather would not understand my thoughts… I am to modernized and independent to ever agree with an Egyptian life. If only mama and papa were still alive, things would be different."
Putting the pancakes on Tahirah's plate, Bella shook her head at her charge, "Now Miss Jessica, you shouldn't get yourself so down. I have noticed that you haven't been very well lately and I think it's because your pushing yourself to hard to get what you want rather than letting things happen, as they will. Do not punish yourself for their loss because it is not your fault. Now, eat up and keep me happy."
Digging in, Tahirah had to admit that she loved Bella's pancakes more than any other kind of food. Falling silent, Bella watched the young Alexander woman eat hungrily and smiled happily. So long as she could keep an eye on her little Tahri, she knew that Tahirah would be healthy.
There was a knock on the kitchen door and Bella got up to open it. Michael came in and bowed his head respectfully to Tahirah before speaking.
"Your grandfather's men are here. He has sent for you to move to his villa where he can make sure you are cared for and safe. I don't think he's very happy that you arrived here and did not inform him of it."
Wolfing down the last of her brunch, Tahirah stood up and went to the sink, "What else has the old man have to say?"
Michael cringed, "Ali is to stay behind and you are to bring your horses with you because he knows that you will not be parted from them easily. Do you want Jack and I to come with you?"
"No but Bella will. Grandfather Kareem as more than enough guards to keep me protected. However, can you saddle up my new black out in the stable and make sure the other horses are ready to be moved again?" She smiled. "Come Bella, I need your kindly hands to help me dress appropriately and to pack some things to take with me."
The young woman and her chef/maid/friend disappeared upstairs to pack. Knowing what Tahirah wanted, Bella searched through her clothes until she found appropriate clothes for riding and gave them to her ward. While Tahirah dressed, Bella packed some clothes and other important things before making the younger woman sit down so that she could brush and braid her hair.
"And Bella, find me a veil to wear over my head. A simple headscarf shall do but so long as I can draw it over to cover my face, it will be fine." Tahirah whispered, consoling herself to act somewhat like a proper woman.
Nodding, Bella did as requested of her before rushing off to pack her own things - an easy job for they had only been there for a couple of days. When everything was ready, the two women went down to the courtyard and met up with Kareem's hand picked guards. The twelve men were all mounted and most of them held ropes attached to Tahirah's horses. Jack helped Bella into a carriage where all their cases were held. Walking over to Michael, Tahirah couldn't help but smile at the sight of the large man struggling to hold Falcon still. She held out her hand and stroked Falcon's mussel gently before nodding to Michael to give her the reins.
"Are you sure you want to ride this horse Tahirah? He's a strong horse and I'm not sure if you are safe riding him." Michael spoke quietly.
She calmed the stallion before leaping up into the saddle easily. Under her skilled hands, Falcon behaved himself like a gentleman. Nudging him gently, Tahirah managed to get him to walk quietly with his head tucked up neatly. "You were saying Michael? Really my dear friend, you have to learn to handle horses better."
Kareem's guards admired her skill at handling the magnificent stallion so well and one of them spoke loudly, telling Tahirah that they should leave soon before it got to late in the afternoon.
Tahirah smiled down at Michael and Jack, "Just make sure that Ali does not try to come to grandfather's villa. I have the feeling that grandfather will not welcome Ali with a smile but rather, with armed force. Tell Ali that I will be fine as he should well know and that he is charged with keeping this place ready and with arranging for a ship that will be able to take us and the horses back to Australia and then onto New Zealand."
Saluting her, Jack replied, "When Mademoiselle commands us do something, it is done. But you know that Ali will be furious."
"Ali will do as he is told Jack. When I say jump, it is his task to ask how high." She snapped, her blue eyes clouding grey with anger. "Fare you all well."
They rode out of the courtyard with the guards free of extra horses surrounding Tahirah while the rest rode behind the carriage. Holding her head high, Tahirah ignored the men around her and the stares of the locals as they rode past. Falcon behaved beautifully, doing all that she asked of him and Tahirah used every opportunity to familiarize herself with the feel of his gates.
She had to admit that he was a wonderful horse to ride. His walk was smooth and free, his trot was even and not at all bouncy while his canter was like being in a rocking chair – Tahirah felt that she could probably fall asleep while he was cantering. Because they were riding through the streets of Cairo, she could not try out his canter but as they were passing through a spacey area of the city, she swung Falcon around and kicked him into a gallop, racing away from the guards.
Bella stuck her head out when she heard the shouting of guards and the sound of racing horses. "What have you done this time Tahirah?" She moaned, shaking her head.
The guards who had been surrounding Tahirah before she raced off were quick to chase after her, shouting for her to stop. Turning her mount down a long, narrow alley, she cringed when she saw a cart blocking the other end. Cursing in French, German, Italian and Japanese, she readied herself for either a crash or a wild jump. Feeling his rider crouch forward, Falcon checked himself just as they reached the cart and propelled himself over the cart in a wild jump.
"Mon cheval galant, vous l'avez fait admirablement! (My gallant horse, you did it beautifully!)" Tahirah halted him for a moment to rub his neck.
"There she is! Quickly, Master Kareem will not be happy if we loose his granddaughter in the streets!" One of the guards spotted her and shouted to the others.
"Pas ces gardes encore! Je ne peux pas obtenir de paix pour prendre mon cheval pour une course? (Not these guards again! Can't I get any peace to take my horse for a run?) Wait, don't answer that Tahirah." She muttered to herself, nudging Falcon back into a gallop and racing towards the Giza plateau.
She was so involved with guiding her horse through the streets carefully, that Tahirah did not notice when several other riders came up beside her. When she glanced to the side and saw them, she cursed in French again; hoping that if she brought her horse to a stop and raced off in a different direction, the black robed riders would loose her.
Trying the trick, Tahirah came face to face with an amused Ardeth Bey. He raced side by side with her, waiting for the moment to lean forward and grab Tahirah's reins.
"What do you think you are doing Miss Alexander?" He asked, fighting with her for control of the reins.
Tahirah hissed, "Let go you impertinent man! How dare you stop me?"
"You wouldn't happen to be trying to escape your grandfather's guards who are riding this way would you?" Ardeth pointed towards the guards who were cantering towards them, expressions of fury on each of their faces. "Somehow, I don't think they are very happy."
She moaned softly, "Damn, damn, damn. Thank you Ardeth Bey, you just stopped my very enjoyable run. I was hoping to do something wild and crazy before my grandfather locked me away from the sight of all but you had to cut it short didn't you?"
Arching a brow, the Medjai laughed, "If you would like to, we can run off now and your grandfather would never see you again?"
"What and leave all my horses and friends behind?" She cried, "No thank you! I think I might just go meekly to my grandfather… probably with my hands tied behind my back mind you… and apologize for behaving in an unladylike manner. Perhaps then, he won't punish me to much for my run."
"You managed to get loose from my men as well and I congratulate you." He reached over and stroked Falcon's neck gently, "I think he enjoyed your run Miss Tahirah."
"You should have seen the jump he made over a cart! He is even more magnificent than I ever thought. How do you Medjai manage to breed such wonderful horses?"
The guards joined them, muttering angrily about foolish women. They took hold of the reins from Ardeth, bowing their heads respectfully to the Medjai chief. Each of them knew Ardeth Bey and three of them were Medjai warriors in the employ Kareem because of his great friendship with the Medjai tribes. Ardeth said something to them in Arabic, which brought about laughter in response.
"I don't think I want to know what you just said Mr Bey." Tahirah growled.
"You do not speak Arabic and yet, you are the only grandchild of Kareem Bahil? My friend has neglected in teaching his granddaughter about the culture she comes from." Ardeth smiled innocently for he knew that she was unaware of the alliance between the Medjai tribes and Kareem Bahil.
Tahirah frowned, "How do you know that my grandfather is Kareem Bahil? I don't think I told you who he was."
"No, I don't think you did; however, I know each of these men and your grandfather is a great friend of the tribes of the Medjai. He knew my father and I have often helped him by hunting down bandits who attack merchants and tourists." He replied.
"Come Lady Jessica-Tahirah, your grandfather will be much displeased to find out that you tried to run from us." Zahir scowled at her, nodding to Ardeth politely and speaking in Arabic, "Master Bahil is expecting you for dinner tonight he said to tell you if we crossed paths Ardeth Bey, chief of the Medjai. Now excuse us but we had better return this pretty mare to her grandfather. No doubt he will be thinking of marrying her off soon."
"Perhaps." Ardeth responded in the same language, "She would make a troublesome wife to some poor man."
The guards laughed and Tahirah glared at them darkly. As they rode off, Ardeth could hear her muttering something in a strange language and from the look on her face, he knew she was cursing them all to some generation.
"I did not plan to run away from you all… I only hoped to give my horse a gallop." She muttered when they rejoined the rest of the group.
Zahir shook his head at her, "If you had simply asked to go for a gallop, I would have gone with you but your grandfather requested that we not let you go off on your own. He is not very happy with you I should think."
Her blue eyes glittered sadly, "How did he find out that I was in Cairo?"
"One of his agents saw you yesterday going to the home of Mohammad Hamish. Come, it is not to much longer before we reach the villa and you will be expected to go straight to your grandfather." He rode with her reins still in his right hand.
When they reached Kareem's home, Zahir dismounted and helped Tahirah down from her horse. Giving orders for her horses to be stabled and for the uttermost care to be given to Falcon, Zahir escorted the young woman into the villa and up stairs to Kareem's study.
Kareem lifted his head from the document he was writing and scowled at his granddaughter, "Why did you not inform me of your arrival in Cairo Jessica-Tahirah Shari Alexander?"
She swallowed, her eyes downcast, "I am sorry grandfather but I did not think to because I am here on a business trip only."
"You can remove that veil from your face granddaughter," He snapped. "A business trip you say? Since when have Egyptian women gone on business trips?"
"Grandfather, you know that I claim no nationality and that I have exiled myself from the English nobility. I live in New Zealand now and run an Arabian Horse Stud. That is why I am here grandfather, I wanted to purchase several well breed horses to take back to New Zealand to breed with the horses I have." Tahirah spoke quickly in a calm voice.
He stood up and walked around to her, indicating to Zahir that he could go, "Tahri, I did not want my men to think I did not know how to control my grandchild. I pray to Allah that you will forgive me for being so harsh to you."
Hugging him, Tahirah smiled, "Grandfather, I knew what you were doing and so, I did not take it to heart. But I am sorry for not telling you that I was in Cairo. Perhaps it is because I feared you might try to marry me off to some man who you thought would make a good husband to me."
"Would I do that to my granddaughter when I did not even do that to my own child? Tahirah, you assume to much of me!" Kareem laughed, tugging her braid like he had always done when she was a child. "You have grown to be a beautiful woman Tahirah and yet, you are not married yet I am told."
"I will only marry for love like mama and papa did. There is no force on this earth that will make me marry for any other reason but love. Do you resent that grandfather?" She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I have missed you grandfather… and your wisdom about life."
Smiling, Kareem let her go and returned to his desk, "No child, I do not resent that. Love is a powerful thing and in this age, arranged marriages are out of date. Tell me Tahri, from whom did you buy your horses? Would I know him?"
"Indeed you would for he was the man who stopped me while I was leading your guards on a merry run around the streets of Cairo. All I wanted was to enjoy a good gallop on my new horse but your guards didn't like that idea." She smirked thoughtfully. "He told me not that long ago that he is a friend of yours and that you knew his father."
"And his name is Tahri?" The old man asked innocently.
"Ardeth Bey, chief of the Medjai." She spoke softly.
Laughing, Kareem clapped his hands, "Now that is a coincidence my child! Ardeth is a young man I have known since he was but a boy first learning how to use a scimitar. You will be interested to know that Ardeth Bey is joining us for dinner tonight?"
She gasped, "He is? Tell me grandfather, how exactly did you find out that I was in Cairo? Zahir didn't give me any specific details other than an agent of yours saw me."
"Indeed one did! He was in the bazaar when you passed through and upon recognizing you from pictures I have of you, he followed you to Mohammad Hamish's home." Kareem lied smoothly and his granddaughter nodded, accepting the story.
"I wondered if perhaps Ardeth Bey told you I was here. Well, I suppose you would like me to dress appropriately for dinner? Mohammad had me wear a dress and veil yesterday when we went to a meeting with the Medjai about the horses."
Summoning a servant, the Egyptian man gave her instructions concerning his granddaughter, "Indeed I would Tahri for the Medjai are still a very traditional tribe of people and their chief will not be impressed to see you unveiled." 'Though I know that he has already but you do not know that I know.' He thought after speaking.
Tahirah went quietly with the maid to her room and bathed herself while the maid set out suitable clothes. 'Wouldn't grandfather be horrified if he knew that I met Ardeth Bey in the streets yesterday morning and that I was unveiled and dressed as a westerner. I hope that that blasted Medjai chief does not tell grandfather about that else I shall be in trouble.'
The maid studied Tahirah thoughtfully, wondering what to do with her beautiful long hair. "Perhaps it would be best to leave it out but take the sides up into the veil?"
Drying herself off, the young heiress shrugged, "Whatever you think is best will be fine. Somehow I do not think grandfather wants me to look practically beautiful for this dinner."
"Actually Miss Jessica, he wants you to look absolutely perfect." The maid replied.
'Oh crap.' Tahirah sighed, 'That is just what I need. Ardeth is going to enjoy this night more than I will.'
"Will this dress be fine for you? I think the color will suit you wonderfully." The maid held up a dress made from layers of amber colored silk.
'Make that double crap. Ardeth will want to ravish me….' She sighed again. 'But grandfather knows best. He always knows best. Damn it! He's male, of course he thinks he knows best.'
