CHAPTER 1

A majestic rider set astride his black Arabian steed looking down onto the ancient ruins of Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead. That rider, Ardeth Bay, Chieftain of the Mad-Jai warriors set a top the sand dune surrounded by 20 other Med-Jai. The Med-Jai were warriors of ancient bloodline who watched over Hamunaptra. This was their obligation, their curse to forever guard against the disturbance of what slept beneath the shifting sands of the long dead city.

Ardeth and his men looked on as yet another party made its way to the City. As he watched the group reach the outer limits Ardeth pondered why people kept insisting on disturbing this place. This place of such great evil.

His second in command, Ahmen, speaking brought Ardeth back to reality. "My Lord, they have reached the city."

Focusing back on the ruins, Ardeth could see that the riders had indeed reached the city and had started to dismount. Just then something caught his eye. He watched as the man that had been riding in the lead, dismounted his horse and made his way to one of the other riders. When the man reached the other rider he roughly dragged the person from the saddle. The person's legs buckled as they tried to stand. As the man reached out to right the second rider he inadvertently knocked the person's hat from their head.

Ardeth felt himself gasp as the falling hat revealed not a man but a woman. He also realized that the woman's hands were tied. He watched as the man pushed the woman forward. She stumbled falling to her knees. The man grabbed her arm and jerked her back to her feet. He led her over to one of the overturned pillars. He then pushed her down to a sitting position, swiftly tying her ankles together and then tying her to the downed pillar.

Ardeth shook his head. This would make the attack more difficult, for he did not want to harm the woman; however the party had to be stopped. He turned to his men "We wait until they are busied with the task of setting up their camp, then we attack."

The Med-Jai nodded their heads in agreement and waited. Fifteen minutes later the fortune seekers completed the finalities of setting up. This is when Ardeth gave the command. With the single action of pulling his scimitar from its sheath he unleashed the Med-Jai's wrath on the unsuspecting party.

Within minutes the Med-Jai and their leader had rid the ancient ruins of the scavengers. The few that evaded the warrior's swords ran into the desert hoping to escape with their lives. However, Ardeth knew better. They would actually meet a much worse fate than their comrades. For instead of dying a quick death at the hands of the Med-Jai, they would meet a slow, agonizingly painful death at the 'hands' of the desert sun.

As his men started the grim task of disposing of the bodies, Ardeth made his way over to the woman. As Ardeth got closer she tried to get up but could not. He watched as she tried in vain to shrink away from him. He could see the fear in her eyes. Finally reaching her, he knelt down. In flawless yet heavily accented English he spoke "Please do not fear me. I am here to help you."

The woman just sat there staring at him. Ardeth gently set about the task of untying her from the pillar then unbinding her ankles and wrist. When all the constraints were removed Ardeth stood and stepped back.

For a moment she did not move. Finally she started to almost absent-mindedly rub at the rope burns on her wrist. Then she looked up at Ardeth. "Who are you?" she asked in a quite voice.

Kneeling back down in front of her Ardeth answered "My name is Ardeth Bay. And those men will never hurt you again." As he spoke he looked more closely at the woman. She had bruises on her right cheek as though someone had hit her. She also had bruises on her neck. He could tell that she had been abused and did not want to cause her any more anguish. Watching the woman nod in recognition that maybe she believed him he asked "What is your name?"

"My name is Alysha. Alysha Duncan." She would not look at him when she spoke.

After a few moments she tried to stand but too many hours of riding and being tied up had taken their toll. She stumbled forward. Instinctively Ardeth put his arms out to catch her. He tried to not hold her too tightly, but any contact was too much for Alysha. She started to fight him, throwing her fist wildly at his arms and chest. Ardeth put one hand behind her back to help steady her and captured both her hands with his free hand. "I will not harm you Alysha. Please believe that" He said trying to get her to look in his eyes. He let go of her hands and taking her chin raised her face so that her eyes met his "Those men were pigs. I will not, nor will any of my men treat you the way I suspect those vile creatures did."

Alysha again nodded and tentatively asked "What are you going to do with me?"

"First we need to get you out of this sun". Motioning with his head Ardeth directed Alysha to the shade of the ruins. "I will help you walk". Not waiting for her answer he took her under her arm and they slowly made their way to the shade. Ardeth spoke again "Tonight we will camp here. Tomorrow if you are able we will ride to our village. After you have rested I will help you get back home. You are American, yes?"

As Ardeth helped Alysha to the ground she answered "Yes. But......."

"But what?" Ardeth asked as he walked the short distance to his horse to retrieve a canteen and a small pouch of food.

"Well, there's no one in America now. I mean I no longer have family there." Alysha said as she readily took the canteen from Ardeth.

"Do not drink so fast, it will not settle on your stomach if you continue to gulp like that. I know you must be very thirsty, but drink slowly."

Alysha stopped drinking and slowly lowered the canteen. That's when she first noticed those eyes. They were like caramel orbs. They had so much emotion in them. Something about them even seemed to calm her frazzled nerves. "Ok". Was all she said as she handed the canteen back to Ardeth.

"Now we will work at setting up our camp. Do you need anything before I go?"

Alysha started to shake her head no then stopped "Well, could I possibly have something to eat?"

"Of course." Reaching down to the pouch, Ardeth handed her some dried fruit and a piece of crusty bread. "Will this hold you over until we are set up and are able to prepare the evening meal?" As he asked he smiled at Alysha.

Alysha actually found herself smiling a small smile "Yes, thank you."