CHAPTER 19

Ali made her way to a small bench that sat behind Ardeth's house. As she sat there staring up at the star filled sky she had a millions emotions running through her. She was trying to sort them all out when someone spoke.

"Ali, you should not be out here. You should be in bed resting. You have been through a great ordeal."

"Oh Ahmen you startled me"

"I am sorry, that was not my intent."

"It's okay. Here sit down"

As Ahmen sat down Ali turned to him "You have heard that Ardeth has been awake?"

"Yes, and the whole village rejoiced. It is because of you he survived."

"Me?" Ali said astonished "You are the one that saved his life, if it had not been for you out there he would..."she stopped not being able to actually say the next words.

"I did find the bullet and worked on his wound but it is because of you that his will to live is strong. And that is what saved him."

Ali didn't know what to say to that so she spoke what was in her heart "Well, whichever way you want to think of it I want to thank you for saving him. You don't know what it means to me to know that he will survive." As Ali finished she reached out and laid her hand on Ahmen's hand on the bench.

"It is my village that should be thanking you Ali. If not......" Ahmen stopped not knowing exactly how to word what he was thinking "if not for his feelings for you and your strong connection I do not believe he would have survived." Ahmen looked up and saw the look of utter surprise on Ali's face "He does care for you Ali. Greatly. I know I should not be the one telling you this, but it is true."

Ali just sat there. Finally she found her voice "Ahmen you're wrong. Ardeth does not want me here. I am just in the way". She then looked out across the desert landscape.

"Why do you say that?"

Ali was becoming angry. She did not want to hash through this again. It hurt too much. "Why do I think that? Well because he sent me away. That might be a big indication he doesn't want me." Ali stood unsteadily and continued "Look Ahmen I know that Ardeth can have any woman he wants. I was just a diversion. Something different. He has to marry a Med-Jai and produce heirs. I was just him wanting to have something other than every other woman that throws themselves at him. That's all". As she finished Ali turned from Ahmen and softly began to cry.

Ahmen stood and placed his hand on Ali's arm but she did not turn to face him. "You are wrong Ali. That is not how he feels at all. He was crazy with worry when he found out Hudson had you again. I have never seen him like that. You are in his blood. You are apart of his soul"

Ali listened through her tears. She so wanted to believe what Ahmen was saying. But then another thought crept into her brain and she softly whispered "It doesn't matter how he feels about me though. Does it?" Looking at Ahmen she could see he did not understand so she spoke again "Even if, well even if he does, did have feelings for me it wouldn't matter. He has to marry Med-Jai."

Ahmen stood for a moment "Why do you say that Ali?"

"Say what?" she said as she turned to look at him again

"Say that he has to marry Med-Jai?"

She looked at Ahmen like he had lost his mind "Because when I first got here he told me that much to the council's dismay he have not wed nor had he produced an heir to take his place".

"But Ali, he did not say he had to marry a Med-Jai." Seeing that Ali still did not understand what he was trying to say Ahmen continued "In our culture, it is looked down upon to marry outside our people. However Ardeth is different. He is our chieftan and the Leader of the other 11 tribes. The rules for him are well .....different."

Ali just stood there staring at Ahmen. All she could say was "oh"

Finally Ahmen spoke again "Why don't you let me help you inside. Basel will be returning for the evening soon"

Ali just nodded and they made their way slowly back toward the front door of Ardeth's home. As they approached it Basel walked up to them. Ahmen immediately spoke "Ali I will take my leave now. Basel I bid you both a good night"

Basel took Ali's hand and led her back to her bed. "Child what in the world were you doing outside? You should be in bed resting."

"I just was trying to straighten out my thoughts Basel. But now I'm even more confused." Ali said as she sat down on the cot.

Sitting down beside her Basel took her hand "And why is that?"

"Because of what Ahmen told me."

"And just what did Ahmen tell you?"

Ali told Basel of her conversation with Ahmen. "Is that right Basel?"

"Yes it is Ali." As she finished she noticed that Ali had begun to cry.

"What are you crying about Child?"

"Because now I'm even more confused. This means that's not why he sent me away." As Ali started to cry harder she finished. "And if that's not the reason he sent me away well it means that he really just didn't, doesn't want me. He used me." As she finished Ali turned away from Basel.

But Basel gently turned her back toward her "That is not it at all"

"Then why, why did he send me away?"

Basel stopped for a moment knowing that Ardeth should be the one telling Ali this "he thought that you would not be happy here."

"Why?"

"Because this is very different from the life you're accustomed to, Ali."

"But I love it here. I want to be here...with him" she added in the last part in a whisper.

"Then tell him that. He was heartbroken after you left. He does love you, Ali. I know I should not be the one telling you this but he does".

Ali looked into Basel's dark eyes "Really?"

"Yes, really. Do you feel the same?"

A huge grin broke out across Ali's bruised face "Yes I do, Basel".

"Well then" Basel said as she stood up "I think you and my grandson have a lot to talk about over the next few days. But for now, you should rest."

Ali nodded and climbed under her covers "Thank you Basel. For everything."

As Basel leaned down to kiss Ali on the forehead she whispered "No Ali thank you. For it is because of you that my grandson lives."