CHAPTER 12
Basel stood for a moment trying to understand what had just happened. Then she remembered her conversation the night before with Ardeth.
She immediately left his house and went looking for him. She found him watching some young warriors practice their scimitar skills.
"Ardeth" she said walking up to him.
Ardeth could see by the look on Basel's face that she had seen Ali. "Yes Grandmother."
"What in world are you doing?"
"I am watching them practice"
"Look at me, grandson. You know that is not what I meant. Why are you sending her away?"
Ardeth turned to face his grandmother, but did not look at her. Looking off into the distance he sadly stated "I am doing what is best for her."
"Best for her? Then you did not see what I saw when I talked to her. She is heartbroken, Ardeth."
"This is what's best. Do not argue with me" Ardeth huffed.
"Ardeth Bay, do not speak to me in that tone. I know that I may have planted a seed in your head yesterday that Ali may have been unhappy. But I could have been wrong. Did you speak to her about it?"
"I did not. There was nothing to speak about. What you said made me realize that Ali could never be completely happy here."
"My dear Grandson, you may be wrong. She just told me that she was very happy here."
"For now maybe she is. But she will be better off with her kind."
"Even though you are in love with you and she is with you?"
"She could not love me." Ardeth stated although saying those words tore at his heart.
"Are you so sure grandson?"
"Yes, I am. Now she is leaving. Please just let it be" Ardeth gave his grandmother one glance then walked off.
Ali watched as Ahmen saddled his horse and then a horse for her. As they mounted the horses Ahmen gave Ali a small pouch.
"What is it?"
"It is from Ardeth"
"I do not want anything from him" She said ready to throw the pouch to the ground.
"Please take it Ali, it is gold pieces. You can use them until you get settled"
Ali felt herself tearing up again. 'Great, what is he paying me for my services?' she thought gloomily to herself. "Fine I'll take it" was all she said as they started through the village.
As they left through the gates Ali felt as though her world was falling apart. She knew that she loved Ardeth. Or at least the man she had thought he was. Why had he been so cruel? How could he treat her with kid gloves one minute only to break her heart the next?
After riding for several hours Ahmen said that they should rest the animals for a moment in the shade of a large rock formation. As they dismounted, Ahmen pulled out some papers and bundle from his saddle bags and handed them to Ali.
"What is this?"
"These too are from Ardeth. The papers are the names of several of our contacts in Cairo. He said you should look up the first one when we arrive. They will help you with room and board. The bundle is clothing. It's more westernized clothing. We keep some on hand in case we need to go into Cairo, unnoticed. Ardeth thought it would be best if you had it."
Ali just sat there. Why was Ardeth trying to help her? When all he wanted was her out of his life. She wanted to tell Ahmen to take the list, the money and the clothing back to Ardeth, but she knew that she would need them all, to start a new life. A new life without Ardeth.
"Thank you Ahmen. I'm going to step behind this rock and change"
As she slipped out of her coverings she could not help but remember just the night before as Ardeth undressed her. Tears once again sprang to her eyes as she thought about how tender he had been. 'That doesn't matter now. He made it very clear that he does not want me.'
Ali and Ahmen had been riding again for several hours when they saw a party of riders coming toward them.
"Ali, please fall in behind me"
"Ok. Why?"
"Because I do not know who these riders are. And until I do I want to make sure you are protected."
"Oh ok."
As the riders came within a quarter mile or so, Ali felt her breathe catch in her throat. No it couldn't be.
"Ahmen, we have to get away....Hudson." she stammered.
As Ahmen turned to ask her why, Ali heard a shot ring out. Ahmen face distorted in pain as he fell from his horse.
"Noooooo" Ali cried as she jumped from her horse and ran to Ahmen's side.
"Ali, run. Leave me. Get away" he mumbled.
Ali tried to obey him. She ran for her horse and got about three hundred feet away before Hudson caught up with her. He lunged from his horse, tackling her off hers. They fell to the ground in a thud.
"No please, Hudson no" Ali begged trying to get out from under him.
"Now that's no way to greet me my love" he said sarcastically as he ran his hand over her body. As he finished her grabbed her hair and pulled her into a bruising kiss. When he let her head fall again she spat at him. Hudson reared back and punched Ali square in the jaw knocking her unconscious. "Ungrateful Bitch" he said as he sat up. "I save her from that crazed desert tribe and that is how she thanks me".
Standing he turned toward his men. "Put her over the extra horse"
"Yes sir. What should we do with the Med-Jai?"
Hudson turned to where Ahmen had been laying, but he was gone. "Let him go. I'm sure the desert will get him."