Part VII
"Are you certain of this?" Jericho asked the messenger.
"Aiwa, ya sidi. The captain of the squad has been missing for the past two days and Commander ibn Yunis fears that the Hunud has captured him," the man replied.
"Commander ibn Yunis is responsible for maintaining the patrols around the City of the Dead, is he not?" Dharr asked.
Jericho thanked the messenger and motioned for Dharr to follow him as he walked towards the horses. "Aiwa and I while I can certainly understand his devotion to his men, I pray that his judgment is not hindered by this turn of events. We need the city protected, now more than ever."
~*~
"I am most pleased," the healer commented softly as he skimmed his hands over Reyhan's torso. He assessed the bruises that had begun to fade, and gently probed his ribs, happy that they seemed to be mending. Satisfaction about the progress of his patient dissipated moments later when he reached up and gingerly pulled back the shoulder bandages; the wound was slow in healing.
Reyhan turned his head to one side to allow the healer better access, but closed his eyes to hide his pain and exhaustion. He remained stoically silent, and grimaced slightly when the healer prodded the wound too deeply. Although the influx of special teas and herbal brews over the past few days had greatly helped promote a speedy physical healing, the emotional part of his recuperation had fallen far behind.
His dreams were filled with horrific images of his imprisonment by the Hunud and rest did not come easily for him at night.
"This troubles me," the healer murmured and started to reach for a long, pointed instrument that rested on the nearby table. "I need to examine this further."
"I could always come back if I am intruding," Muhjah-Aji spoke up as she stood at the foot of the pallet. She gripped the tray nervously, but the healer smiled warmly at her and stood up.
"A good meal often does wonders for the constitution." He gestured for her to set the tray down. "I shall return later to check the wound again, but for now I believe airing it out will do some good."
Muhjah-Aji nodded to the healer as he passed by and then turned back to Reyhan, her heartbeat fluttering when she saw the happiness in his eyes.
"You again." Reyhan shifted on the pallet and pushed against the pillows so he could sit up, despite the constant throbbing in his shoulder. Never had he imagined the movement would send arrows of pain racing down his arm and he couldn't hide his groan of agony.
"And again, I am here to help, stubborn warrior," she chided gently as she rushed to his side. "Must you always do everything that the healer does not wish? Surely moving around like that will only aggravate the wound, not help it."
"True and wise words coming from someone so young," a rich, deep masculine voice spoke up and Muhjah-Aji whirled around, coming face to face with the infamous chieftain. She blushed and lowered her eyes, giving him a deep bow of respect.
Ardeth returned the bow, and a silent command for privacy was understood between the warriors that flanked him on both sides. Haytham stepped forward to greet Muhjah-Aji with a charming smile and gallantly took her hand, leading her away from Reyhan. She smiled at the warrior but it quickly faded when Berin followed them, and she glanced back at Reyhan uncertainly.
"May I?" Ardeth asked and gestured to the chair at the side of the pallet. The indifferent expression on his face revealed nothing as he carefully studied the young man before him, and his conclusion wasn't a surprising one. Jericho had been right - the similarities between Nabil and Reyhan were amazing.
Ardeth thoughtfully rubbed his goatee, and waited as Nabil and Kedar positioned themselves at the foot of the pallet, thereby allowing Reyhan a moment to situate himself.
Reyhan's eyes lingered on Muhjah-Aji as she walked away with Berin and Haytham and he was surprised to feel a stab of jealousy in his heart when she laughed at one of the warrior's remarks. Disturbed by this emotion, he turned his attention to the imposing warrior who sat nonchalantly next to him. Dark and intense eyes most likely scrutinized his appearance and despite the discomfort from his shoulder, Reyhan felt a small tremor of excitement race through him. The legendary leader of the Twelve Tribes of the Medjai was by his side and he could barely form the proper greeting.
"Ya ra'is," he said and respectfully bowed his head.
Ardeth made the unnecessary introduction and then he rested a forearm on one leg, leaning forward. "I assume you have recovered sufficiently enough for my visit? I understand you were quite ill."
Without waiting for a reply, Ardeth brusquely continued. "I know of your identity, and of the claim that you are Nabil's half brother, a declaration which he has chosen to neither deny nor accept at the moment considering we are at war. What I need to know is how you were captured by the Hunud three months ago and why they released you. You arrived here under dire and mysterious circumstances several days ago."
Reyhan met Ardeth's intense gaze with his own. "My intentions were not to incite a war with the Hunud but to escape from their prison. Each time I tried to flee, they captured me and punished me for my disobedience. Why they released me dressed as an outlaw I cannot say but surely you know of the story regarding my friendships with a Tuareg and Hunud. Repeating it would do nothing except reiterate facts that are already well known."
"Mind your manners, bero," Kedar growled. He folded his arms across his broad chest and glared at the younger warrior. "And you would do well to remember to whom you are speaking."
Ardeth waved off Kedar's reprimand and turned back to Reyhan. "You have brought trouble to the citadel."
"I never meant for that to happen, and if given the chance, I will gladly leave."
"The choice for leaving has been revoked." Ardeth tilted his head and studied the warrior before him, weighing and evaluating his words and reactions. "The Rwalla-Hunud is camped outside the perimeters of the city even as we speak and have been there since you arrived. This morning they finally delivered a message and demanded that I release you into their custody to face murder charges."
Reyhan's gaze dropped for a moment and he grimaced at the jolt of pain that shot through his shoulder. "They accuse me of murdering my friend, Tabari-Yervant."
"Did you murder this man?" Ardeth tersely demanded.
"La," Reyhan replied earnestly and lifted his gaze to meet Ardeth's shrewd one. "I speak the truth when I say I did not kill Tabari but I realize that I have not given you any cause to trust me. It is my belief that because of our friendship, the Hunud has initiated a blood feud and will not release it until I am delivered into their hands."
"The Hunud have demonstrated their power by attacking and destroying several towns over the past few days, and are using you as the means for further bloodshed," Nabil stated quietly. His weary gaze softened for a moment at the look of remorse on Reyhan's face and he felt his heart stir with compassion for the younger warrior.
"If I do not deliver you in to their hands by sunset today, they will then attack the city," Ardeth said and carefully watched Reyhan's reaction.
"Then I must leave the city as soon as possible," Reyhan said softly and tried to climb off the pallet, despite the overwhelming weakness in his body. "There is a sanctuary that I can travel to outside Lower Nubia." He paused to regain the breath the pain in his ribs and shoulder had stolen. "… and when I am strong enough, I will clear my name." He glanced at Kedar and then Ardeth in a silent plea for understanding. "In the beginning I had hoped to find Nabil since he is all the family that I have left, but I never wanted to be the cause of a war."
Ardeth gave an uncharacteristic snort of skepticism and easily pushed Reyhan down. "Surely you realize that I cannot allow you to leave the citadel. You are under my protection here and my command. I will not allow you to be taken by the Hunud and killed for a crime you claim you did not commit."
Reyhan slumped against the pillows but punched the pallet in his frustration. "I cannot stay here and knowingly endanger the lives of the innocent people of the city," he said gravely. "You know as well as I that the Hunud will not be satisfied until I am dead. I cannot bear the thought of being responsible for so many deaths."
Ardeth stood up, a clear indication that the visit was over. "Any choice in the matter has been removed-I am sure the Hunud are now aware of our alliance with the Tuareg. Your friend Drevick was quite persistent and competent in pleading for our aid, his primary concern being your life. I command that you are to stay here until your wounds are healed and once we defeat the Hunud, we will then discuss your future. Do I make myself clear?"
Reyhan bowed his head, hiding the look of determination and objection in his eyes. "As you wish, ya ra'is," he murmured tiredly.
Ardeth shook his head and flashed a faint smile at Nabil. "He is truly of your blood, ya saHib since he appears to be as stubborn as you." He leaned down and placed a comforting hand on Reyhan's good shoulder. "Trust in Allah and in my judgment on this matter, ya Zrir bero. Allow your body to properly heal and in time, perhaps an unlikely solution to all of this will present itself. I pray that it will not be your death."
Signaling that the meeting with Reyhan was over, Ardeth motioned for the warriors to leave but glanced back at Nabil, not surprised to see him lingering by the pallet.
"He pushes himself to the point of exhaustion," Berin murmured as they walked towards the door, staring at his saHib over his shoulder.
"He cares for Reyhan but is reluctant to admit to anything," Ardeth commented softly as Berin passed by and then he looked looked at Kedar. "I fear that Nabil's caution will ultimately cost him more than he realizes."
Kedar stepped aside and allowed Ardeth to leave the building first, finally looking back at the warrior in question. Concern for the warrior overrode any misgivings about approaching the topic of Reyhan with him and Kedar decided he would have a talk with Nabil as soon as possible.
~*~
Dharr raced through the city streets with Jameel and Madjy, his heart pounding in fear even as he struggled with his disbelief. In his hands he clutched a message that had been delivered a few hours ago bearing the grim news that the bodies of some warriors had been found near a ravine a few miles north of the city.
Unrecognizable due to the heat and bloating, it was believed that the warriors were the missing Captain Emir Cohan and his patrol; Commander ibn Yunis was unable to retrieve them due to an untimely expedition that was traveling too close to Hamunaptra.
Jericho had personally trained the young warrior, taking great care to impart to him the honor, integrity, and code of conduct that had been ingrained in the Medjai for thousands of years. And when Emir had been inducted into the warrior sect, Jericho had served as the petitioner to the Elders, just as he had done with Dharr and countless other warriors. True to his reputation, Jericho had personally taken it upon himself to mold Emir and help him utilize his natural leadership skills, allowing him to ascend through the ranks with ease.
Emir's death was a cruel blow and Dharr feared that Jericho's rational behavior would be distorted with a need for revenge – a need that could end up getting the commander killed.
"He has to be with Bahir," Dharr called back to Jameel and Madjy. "The stables are just around the corner and it would make sense that he would seek comfort from his beloved mount."
"Jericho should have been a horse breeder," Jameel replied and shook his head. "While the warrior sect would suffer from the loss of him as a commander, Jericho would not be facing the dangers of his current position and his heart would not be as scarred."
Silently Dharr agreed as the warriors ran through the barn doors and searched down the aisle until they came to Bahir's stall. Just as he had feared, Jericho was saddling Bahir, his actions short and precise, and his body stiff with anger.
Dharr motioned for Jameel and Madjy to stand back and walked over to his friend, giving a faint cough in the form of announcing his presence.
"Ya ukh?" he softly called when Jericho failed to acknowledge him. "Talk to me, ajab. I need to know what you are thinking."
Jericho pulled the cinches tight and ignored Bahir's startled snort and sidestep; he loosened them moments later and apologetically patted the horse's neck. "You have known me long enough to recognize the patterns of my thoughts. Only you out of all the warriors that I have known would need not ask questions."
"Leaving will not take away the pain," Dharr stated firmly. He reached over and grabbed one of Jericho's hands, making the elder warrior finally turn around and face him. His heart ached, seeing the day old growth of whiskers on Jericho's lean face and the shadows that lurked in his sable colored eyes.
"I am leaving to go and search for Emir; my heart will not allow me to rest," Jericho explained softly. "You would deny me this chance to ease the pain that dwells within me?"
"I would deny you nothing and would move the heavens if asked but I must question this course of action, not as your subordinate, but as your friend – do you think it wise to leave the citadel at this time? The Hunud are lurking around the perimeters like vultures waiting for a chance to kill. Why are you risking your life?"
A wan smile danced across Jericho's face. "I am in need of a ride."
"You avoid the question."
Jericho finished adjusting the saddle and lovingly brushed Bahir's mane. "Ajab understand," he pleaded softly and looked at the young warrior who had become like a son to him. "I have never asked for anything for myself and have always honored my warrior oath. I have never allowed any distractions, and have served Ardeth long and well. The senseless death of Emir does not sit well with me and his soul cries out to me for help – I need closure as does he. I have to find his body and bring it home for the proper burial rites."
"Then I am going with you," Dharr stated emphatically.
"As will I," Jameel spoke up and walked over to the warriors.
Madjy followed moments later and gave them all a rakish grin. "I will follow all of you until the edge of night, and honor my oath with blade, blood and bone. I can do no less and besides, this sounds like an amazing adventure just waiting to unfold."
"You think this is a game?" Jericho growled at Madjy. His show of temper made Bahir uneasy and the stallion snorted, shifting in the stall. He glared at all three warriors. "I will risk only my life to find Emir…"
"A warrior does for one as he would have done for him," Dharr gently interrupted and held out his hand, palm down.
"I shall protect and cherish my warrior brothers," Jameel added on and placed his palm on the back of Dharr's hand.
"I see neither wealth nor glory for my actions, only to fulfill these sacred vows." Madjy placed his hand on top of Jameel's and nodded at Jericho.
"We are going with you, whether you like it or not," Dharr firmly stated.
Jericho felt his heart constrict with so many emotions and he swallowed against them lest they overwhelm him. With eyes suspiciously bright, he finally placed his hand over the others and cleared his throat.
"We must ride hard and fast, taking very little time for rest unless our mounts demand it. We must remove anything from our attire that would attract unwanted attention to our heritage. Above all, we must return from this…escapade alive and hopefully with Emir or the news that the bodies are not he and his men."
"We can return just in time for Ardeth to draw up the charges for insubordination," Dharr dryly remarked.
"Then we shall pray to Allah that our return is a triumphant one to offset those charges," Jericho countered.
~*~
Muhjah-Aji dropped the spoon into the half empty bowl of broth and tried not to frown as she battled her chaotic feelings. Reyhan's recovery seemed to have lost its momentum and she was concerned about his growing listlessness. She struggled to ignore the fragile buds of affection for the warrior that had blossomed in her heart, and when they flowered into feelings of love she reacted instinctively. She hid her heart behind a wall for protection but the hastily constructed foundation lacked the strength to resist the swirling emotions she saw in Reyhan's expressive eyes.
"The more you eat, the quicker you regain your strength and that would mean you would be able to leave here sooner, rather than spend a few more days on this pallet," she said.
Reyhan leaned his head back against the pillows and studied Muhjah-Aji with a direct and unwavering gaze. "Why do you care?" he asked bluntly.
Muhjah-Aji blinked at the question. "Because Jarille has placed me in charge of your recovery and I have no wish to disappoint him if you were to have a relapse."
She held up a cup of water to Reyhan's mouth and concentrated on coaxing him to drink some of the life giving liquid, her traitorous gaze lingering on his lips. It didn't help matters that her hand placed on the back of his neck could feel the silky softness of his hair or the enticing warmth of his skin. She failed miserably at trying not to notice how his lashes curled up as they rested against his cheeks or the intense emotions that often flared up in his eyes.
"Ya ume has passed, I do not need another," Reyhan snapped and abruptly pushed the cup away, too weary to care about the water that spilt on his chest. He yearned to cave in to the desire to close his eyes and rest. Sweet oblivion, how he longed to embrace it and willingly fall into the void that it offered.
"I have never professed to be your mother," Muhjah-Aji retorted and tossed the cup back on to the tray. "I did not volunteer to become a nurse to an injured warrior whose manners rival those of a camel and I am tempted to leave."
Suddenly Reyhan's hand shot out and grabbed Muhjah-Aji's wrist with startling speed. "Ajab, stay and forgive my rudeness," he pleaded softly. "I am thoughtless in my words and actions. Do not ever doubt my gratitude for your assistance in my recovery."
"Release me," Muhjah-Aji demanded, reluctant to admit that Reyhan's touch had sent a thrill racing down her spine. His hand was large and warm, and textured with small calluses that were most likely earned from the many hours of wielding a scimitar. It had felt oddly pleasurable on her skin.
Reyhan dismissed Muhjah-Aji's order and he knew he had surprised her when he turned her hand over, exposing the wrist so he could brush the pad of his thumb across it.
"Ya ume was Furat-Ghadir. Her name means sweet water stream," he offered quietly, and his melancholy gaze swept up to meet Muhjah-Aji's dark one. "She passed a few months ago and my heart still aches over the loss."
"What of your father?" Muhjah-Aji felt her anger dissipate upon hearing the sorrow in Reyhan's voice and against her better judgment, she was intrigued. When she saw the hurt in Reyhan's eyes, she immediately regretted her question and quickly sought to make amends. "Forgive me for asking such personal questions."
Reyhan acknowledged her apology with a faint smile. "My father was an Englishman who was killed in a raid when I was four summers old. He is but a memory and has never been a deciding factor in my life."
"Do you have any siblings?" Muhjah-Aji asked.
Reyhan immediately thought of Nabil as he replied and slowly, he began to share pieces of his life as Muhjah-Aji listened attentively. He never realized that he was binding them closer together in a union that would be sorely tested in the coming days.
~*~
A/N – thanks for reading, as always and special thanks to SerenaFehr for her help with this…it is greatly appreciated. And now for the shout-outs:
Karri – thanks for reading and the tension will continue to build, trust me on that my friend. Hope you like the ride so far. ;-)
Dawn – I'm glad Nabil's chaotic feelings came across so well. As the story progresses, he will ultimately have to reveal just how much he cares for Reyhan…or doesn't care.
Ladybug – again a thousand 'shukran's' for letting me play with your boys. Nothing like a sweet beast, a golden eyed warrior, an inquisitive blue eyed warrior and a dashing second in command to get the blood running and the ol heart beating. As for Reyhan and Muhjah, you've aptly described the "fiery trials" that are ahead of them quite well.
Nakhti – So you wanna see Ardeth angry again? Ardeth large and in charge? Well he was a tad that in this chapter, hope you liked it. I do loves me a forceful Ardeth. I'm glad you're bonding with Reyhan, he is a likeable fellow but if you need a refresher on the others, go to my website and check out the warrior pages. Bug and I go way back so the easy, camaraderie you may find in reading my stories is because Kedar et al and Nabil et al have known each other for a while. And Ardeth give up Reyhan…well now, [eg] why would you say that? Heh heh Thanks for reading and if anyone is interested, please go read her story, "Harem Nights." Tis truly a great story to read giving us a different Ardeth and lovely fluff. ;-)
TheDreamyOne – thanks so much for reading, and thanks for letting me know you found this little ol story on FF. ;-)
The kid mdd – A timeline? Uh oh…*scratches head* Well, let me do my best to answer that. Technically, this could take place prior to "Somewhere In Time." But, and not to confuse you, this has no relation to the Hero's storyline, this is just the beginning of the stories that my warriors have been asking me to tell. Don't worry about Heroes never being completed, I've written myself in to a whole and have asked my beta for some help. I need to wrap that puppy up so I can get on to the sequel "The Other Side." Hope that clarified and as always, I'm so glad you read and reviewed.
Desperate – please oh please don't hate me but trust me when I say I will give you "The Other Side." Scenes and idea's are coming to me and when I have the time, I'm jotting them down. But distractions are bad, aren't they? Heh heh Thanks for being so patient.
SerenaFehr – Without your help, those scenes with Ardeth and Nabil wouldn't have turned out the way they did and you have my complete gratitude for that…and if Berin is no longer chocolate covered, then why is he smiling? *blinks* Ohhhhhh…*blushes* Say no more. ;-)~