CHAPTER 15

The Med-Jai were up before the sun. Setting on both sides, hidden in the shadows by the jetting rocks at the top of the formations, they waited.

They had been there several hours when something caught Ardeth's eye. He watched as a party of seven rode closer. Finally they were close enough for Ardeth to look for Ali.

His answer came on the first horse. For it carried two riders. A men and in front of him, a woman slumped down holding onto the horses neck.

"Ali" Ardeth whispered.

He sat and watched as the riders reached the edge of the formations. Silently he gave the command.

The Med-Jai charged down the sides like a great black wave.

Hudson immediately dove off his horse taking Ali with him. As they crashed into the rocks she screamed.

Although the battle was going on around them, Ardeth only saw one thing. That was Hudson with Ali. He raised his scimitar and careened toward Hudson like a crazed animal. When he was in just a few yards of him he came to a screeching halt.

Hudson was standing with Ali pushed up against the rocks and his pistol to her temple. "So you've come for her. Well you can't have her. She's mine you see. I own her. She was a gift from her old man" Hudson smiled a sickening smile and continued "Plus she is my ticket to all the treasures at Hamunaptra. And so......." But he never finished his sentence. Using what little energy she had Ali started jerking and pulling, trying to get away. Hudson inadvertently for just one second took his eyes off Ardeth to try to grab at Ali again.

That was all Ardeth needed. Grabbing his pistol from his belt he fired, hitting Hudson in the shoulder. Hudson stepped backward fighting to keep his balance. But as he did he fired a shot. Ardeth felt it tear through his chest causing him to stumble backward. He did not fall however, instead he fired two more shots. One hitting Hudson in the chest the other hitting him square in the head.

Ardeth watched as Hudson fell to the ground in a lump. Ardeth fought the effects of the gunshot and made his way to Hudson body. He had to make sure that the animal lying there in front of him could never hurt Ali again. Raising his scimitar he drove it deep into Hudson's gut. Ardeth felt a smile break across his face as he watched Hudson breathe his last breath.

Suddenly, though, the world started to spin. Ardeth felt himself losing his balance and he too slumped into the sand.

"NO!!!!!!!" Ali screamed as she ran to Ardeth. She had been standing there mesmerized by the battle between Ardeth and Hudson. At first she could not comprehend that Ardeth was really there. But he was and now he was lying there bleeding to death.

"NO!!!!!" she screamed again, ignoring her own pains, she fell to the ground and pulled Ardeth to her. "Ardeth, no....please no. You can't die. Please....oh God please......" she sobbed as she laid her head against his.

Ali head jerked up as she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Ahmen. "Ali...please let me see him. I need to see his wound."

Ali only nodded as she scooted out from under Ardeth and tried to stand. Only then did she realize how weak she was and immediately she sat down with a thud.

Ahmen looked up at her and saw how pale she was. Knowing of what they had found in Cairo and her outward appearance he feared for her life too. Looking at his men who were starting to dispose of the bodies of Hudson's men, he called to Mascal "Come, help her"

Immediately Mascal was at Ali's side. Ali looked up into Mascal's eyes and in a pleading voice whispered "Please save him, Mascal. Don't let him die". As she finished she grabbed Mascal's hand and squeezed it. He watched as her face became distorted with pain. Then suddenly it became calm again as the pain and her recent blood loss took its toll, causing her to pass out.

Ahmen worked feverously on Ardeth. The bullet was lodged deep in Ardeth's chest. They had to try to get it out now and get him back to the village as soon as possible.

As Ahmen dug to grasp the bullet Ardeth came to for a split second and grabbed at Ahmen's hand. Ahmen stopped and spoke softly to Ardeth "I am sorry, brother. I know I hurt you greatly but...."

Ardeth barely shook his head and whispered "That does not matter. Where is she?"

"Mascal is with her. He will do all he can for her"

Ahmen watched as a single tear ran down Ardeth face. As he drifted into unconsciousness he whispered "Forgive me Kalila. Please forgive me".