CHAPTER 6
Ali was lost in her thoughts when the riders came upon the Med-Jai village. The sounds of a bustling bodies and talking brought her back to reality.
She was shocked to see the village. It was not at all like she had expected. For one it was very large. She could not see all the way down the main 'street'. There were many more houses than she thought there would be. And that was surprising to. That most of the people actually lived in houses. Not tents like she had expected. The houses seemed to be made of an adobe like material. They were all small, one story, square buildings that had been white washed with something.
And the people. There were so many. They all came out into the streets to greet the warriors and welcome them home.
Finally the party came to a halt. A small boy ran up and took the reins from Ardeth. Then he reached to Ali's. Ardeth nodded and she handed them over to the small child.
"We will dismount here. Semul will take the horses and feed and water them."
Ardeth came to Ali's side and helped her from her horse. Smiling down at her he asked "I would assume you would like a bath and possibly a change of clothes?"
"Oh yes, Ardeth that would be wonderful."
Ardeth searched the crowd. Ali watched as he smiled as an older woman made her way through the crowd.
"Basel" Ardeth said as he reached down and placed his hands on the older woman's shoulders, kissing her on both cheeks.
"Ardeth it is good to see you home. This is the young woman you sent word of?"
Ali looked at Ardeth. He grinned "When we stopped at the oasis I sent Allehd ahead to tell the village we would be home soon. And to have Basel have you some clothes and things ready."
"Thank you" was all Ali could say. Ardeth was such a fearless leader yet he was such a sweet and caring man.
Basel stood watching her leader with the American woman. She saw a softness in Ardeth she had never seen before. Yet she sensed something, something she could not quite figure out.
"Ali I will escort you and Basel to my home, then I will leave you two."
"Of course Ardeth" Basel said as she fell in behind Ardeth and Ali.
Ali was quite surprised when Ardeth pulled back the goat skin covering that was the door to his home. It was quite spacious. Ali walked in and started looking around the room. Ardeth caught Basel eye and motioned for her to step back outside.
As they stepped back into the street Basel looked up at Ardeth "Yes, Ardeth?"
Placing his hand on Basel's arm Ardeth spoke "Grandmother, Ali has been through quite a lot in the last few months." He went on to tell Basel what he knew about Ali's abuse. When he was finished he looked into Basel's eyes and saw unshed tears.
Basel's tears were for Ali and all that she had been through. But they were also tears of joy for in listening to Ardeth she realized by the passion in his words that this woman had taken his heart. She had long hoped that Ardeth would find someone. For he was her grandson, and she loved him very much.
"I understand, Ardeth. I will take extra care of her for you. I will heal her wounds and lessen her scars." She stopped for a moment then added "But I believe it will be you that heals her heart."
Ardeth looked at his grandmother and started to protest, but she stopped him "I saw the way you looked at her. I can feel the connection between you. I have lived many summers and know a strong bond when I see it."
Ardeth cleared his throat "Well please don't go planning any marriage ceremonies. Ali has not yet decided what she is going to do with her life. I just want to make her comfortable and safe until she has."
Basel nodded her head "Of course, Ardeth. I will help you all I can". With that she turned and made her way back into his home.
Ardeth walked toward the center of the village shaking his head. His grandmother had been right. He felt a very strong connection with Ali. A connection he could not explain. He had only known her a very short time. But, Allah she had found her way into his heart.
Ali stood admiring the intricate artwork on a throw pillow. She imagined that this area was what would be considered a sitting room. Basel speaking brought her from her thoughts.
"Ali my dear, if you will follow me I will help you with your bath."
Ali turned and smiled at the older woman "Thank you Basel. But I'm sure if you just show me where everything is, I can manage."
"I am sure you can. However, my grandson has asked me to help you with you bathing. Then to give you a message with special oils to.....help in your healing and to lesson your scars. Then I will help you dress. I believe Ardeth sent word that you want to dress in our traditional garb?"
"Yes, I do....wait did you just say Ardeth is your grandson?"
Basel chuckled as she poured steaming water into the large tin bath tub "Yes I did. He is my oldest son's only son"
"Oh. Wait then your son would have been the Chieftain of the Med-jai at one point, yes?"
"Yes, he was. He was killed in an attack when Ardeth was only 19. Ardeth has been Chieftain of our tribe and Lord of the 12 tribes since then."
"Ardeth is the leader of 11 more tribes?" Ali was astounded. "And has been since he was 19?"
"That is correct. He had to take on responsibility at quite a young age. My dear he probably wasn't much older than you are now. If it is not impolite of me to ask, how old are you, Ali?"
It took Ali a moment to answer. She was trying to take all the information on Ardeth in. "Oh I'll be 21 next month. Now it's my turn, how old is Ardeth?"
"He will be 30 soon. Now your bath is prepared. I will turn so that you can undress and get into the tub, then I will help you with your hair."
"Ok" was all Ali replied. She gratefully slipped out of the grimy clothes she had been wearing. She was aware of her scars and bruises as she climbed into the tub. "Basel, I'm ready."
The next half hour passed by quickly. After helping Ali wash her long auburn hair, Basel gave her some scented oils to rinse over her body. Next Ali climbed out of the tub and Basel escorted her to what appeared to be a bed. "Lay down my dear and I will massage you with scented oils."
"Alright, do I need to remove the wrap?"
"If it will not offend you, yes. I will work on your scars on your back if that is all right?" Apparently Ardeth had told Basel about what had happened to her.
"Yes it's fine." Ali let the wrap fall to the floor and laid on her stomach on the soft furs.
Basel worked the wonderful smelling oils into Ali's skin. She took great care around the scars on Ali's back and around the rope burns on her wrist and ankles.
One hour later Basel announced she was finished. "Oh, Basel thank you, that was wonderful. I've never felt anything like it" Ali said as Ardeth's grandmother helped her into her first covering.
"You are very welcome child. Now this goes on next" she said as she helped Ali slip the top sheath over her head.
"Now do you wish to wear a turban and veil also?"
"Yes, I think it would be best. Ardeth and your whole community has been wonderful to me and I want to show my respect to your customs."
Basel smiled. Fifteen minutes later Ali was dressed from head to toe in the traditional dress of a Med-Jai woman.
As Ardeth walked through the door of his home, Ali turned to him. Ardeth felt himself holding his breathe. She was beautiful. Her porcelain like skin, although tanned from too much exposure to the sun, still looked like alabaster. And then there were those eyes.
"Do I look alright, Ardeth?"
Ardeth walked up to her, to where there was only a few mere inches between them "Yes, kalila. You look wonderful."
Basel watched the exchange for a few seconds then slipped quietly out of her grandson's home.
Ardeth reached out and unhooked her veil. "Are you sure you are comfortable in this clothing?"
Ali smiled "Yes I'm fine, Ardeth. I'm quite comfortable."
"I am glad for you look lovely in them."
"Thank you" Ali breathlessly said. Being this close to Ardeth was taking its toll on her. However, this time it was only a wonderful sensation.
Ardeth took one step closer "You are very welcome". He wanted so badly to kiss Ali's wonderful, full lips. But should he?