Part VIII
"Kedar, if you continue to question my actions regarding Abbasi and the Hunud, I swear by all that is holy I will throw you in to the Nile and let the poor crocodiles try and chew on your ornery hide."
Ardeth marched through the gleaming tiled halls of the citadel, and left a trail of clothes in his wake as he changed from his warrior robes into those more befitting a king. He was late for a meeting with the Elders and the commanders from the tribes of the Fifth, Seventh and Ninth. The Elders were going to propose a means to end the war and he was most anxious to hear it.
"I am not questioning." Kedar grinned despite Ardeth's threat. "I am merely wondering how you can trust the word of one warrior who claims he did not kill this friend who just happened to be a Hunud. We know little of Abbasi and precious little of his time in…"
"You think he inflicted those wounds upon himself?" Nabil had joined the group of warriors a few minutes ago and stopped Kedar by placing his arm across the other warrior's chest. "Do you think his story is fabricated and that he is in league with the enemy?"
Kedar shook his head at Nabil's soft question, hating the look of disbelief on his friend's face.
"All I ask is that we approach this matter and examine all the possibilities," he calmly stated to Nabil. "How well do we know Reyhan?"
"He is a warrior, bound by his oath and would never lie to fuel his own ambitions," Berin spoke up, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. When he saw that everyone was staring at him in surprise about his knowledge, he shrugged his broad shoulders.
"I have managed to talk with Reyhan briefly, as well as with some of the warriors from his tribe through messages sent by falcon. He was ignorant of his heritage and when his ume became sick, she told him the truth prior to her passing. He left his village shortly after her burial with the purpose that he spoke of when he first arrived – he wanted to be reunited with his half brother. I see nothing sinister in his actions although some may question his choice in friends."
Ardeth smiled faintly at Berin's reference to Drevick as his gaze passed from warrior to warrior. "If any of you were to ask if I believe Abbasi, then the answer would be aiwa, I do. I saw the light of truth in his eyes when he spoke and know that it dwells in his heart; this war was not caused by his actions."
"While my words seem harsh," Kedar said to Nabil and then turned to Ardeth, "as commander of the First and as Ardeth's saHib, I must question everything that concerns the Medjai and the battle we are currently embroiled in. The Elders must be seeking a speedy resolution to this…"
"Pardon the intrusion, ya ra'is, but this message just arrived for you." A warrior bowed and handed Ardeth a small parchment.
"Shukran," Ardeth absently replied as he unrolled the paper and read the message. Moments later his jaw clenched in anger and he shook his head in disbelief. Knowing that the others were patiently waiting for his explanation, Ardeth crumbled the paper with his fist as his turbulent gaze danced from one warrior to the next.
"While the threat of the Hunud hangs over us like the sword of Damocles, Jericho has decided to leave the sanctuary of the city and has taken a patrol out into the desert towards the north. He searches for his saHib, Captain Cohan's patrol, and apparently refuses to believe that the warrior has perished."
"Does he realize the danger he has placed himself in?" Kedar asked in amazement.
"Jericho has done what any of us would do – what you would do for Zaki or Haytham, and what Berin would do for me," Nabil stated. "The Hunud are a threat to all that we hold dear and he has reacted as well as can be expected."
"He will be extremely fortunate if a Hunud spear does not impale him to Bahir," Ardeth growled and resisted the urge to unleash his anger over the warrior's foolish and impetuous actions. "I am reluctant to think what the Hunud would do if a Medjai commander were to fall in to their hands."
~*~
To Jarille's obvious displeasure, Reyhan slowly pushed off the pallet and stood up, ignoring Muhjah-Aji's disapproval as well. He cradled his left arm close to his body and ignored the pain that raced like liquid fire down from his shoulder to his wrist. The entire appendage felt numb.
He gathered the blanket across his shoulders with his right hand and gazed ruefully down at the pants that were bunched around his lean waist. They were two sizes too big and threatening to slide down past his hips, despite the rope that Muhjah-Aji had improvised for a belt. It mattered not to Reyhan about his appearance, what mattered was how quickly he could regain his mobility.
Time was running out and if Reyhan knew the Hunud the way he believed he did, they would be coming for him soon. They held no reservations in attacking the city and meeting the infamous Medjai chieftain in battle – they looked forward to the confrontation and the prospect of more bloodshed.
"Are all warriors so stubborn?" Muhjah-Aji pondered as she hovered cautiously by Reyhan's side. More than once her gaze had wandered over his lean, graceful body and she would immediately lower her gaze, embarrassed by her wanton thoughts.
"Aiwa," Reyhan replied with boyish smile, however it quickly faded as the ramifications of his continued presence at the citadel plagued him and the possible penalty was almost too much to bear. He took a step, faltered and felt himself suddenly supported by Muhjah-Aji as she slid an arm around him to help bear his weight.
They gazed at one another for a long moment, ebony colored eyes gazing up into stormy gray ones and Muhjah-Aji felt a curious fluttering sensation in her heart. Blushing, she lowered her eyes and tried to divert the attention away from herself.
"Why do you do this?" she asked quietly.
Reyhan didn't answer but took another step, and leaned on Muhjah-Aji as much as he dared, determined to walk down the aisle and back. As they shuffled together past the other pallets, Reyhan was glad that she let the matter drop for the moment but he knew she would ask again. Her tenacious concern for him was heartwarming.
"We're at the end of the aisle," Muhjah-Aji observed as they continued walking.
"So we are," Reyhan replied, his eyes focused on a new goal. Some of the healers were sitting around a small table situated a few feet away and he was determined to reach them.
"You're being stubborn again," she observed.
"Aiwa, I am." Reyhan grinned and then chuckled when he heard her muttered expletive about the obstinacy of men.
Reyhan felt a surge of triumph when they arrived at the table and as polite greetings were exchanged, he almost laughed at the blush on a seemingly reluctant Muhjah-Aji's face after he innocently maneuvered her into the conversation.
They chatted for a few minutes and Reyhan enjoyed the camaraderie of simply being with others but as was his habit, he slowly withdrew. He was immensely pleased that Muhjah-Aji seemed to be able to carry the conversation quite well and he felt strangely proud when she easily answered a healer's question.
The feeling of pride was short lived, however when Reyhan suddenly flinched. The ever present throbbing in his shoulder flared up in an intense wave of agony that was too hard to ignore. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, stoically riding out the waves of pain until they slowly receded and he could think clearly once more. He opened his eyes moments later and found that he had become the subject of great concern.
"Are you all right, bero?" Jarille asked and stood up, gently touching Reyhan's forearm.
"Do you need another poultice for the wound?" another healer asked.
"I could brew more tea," a third healer suggested.
"Enough."
A startled silence fell over the group from Muhjah-Aji's quiet and imperious command and she lowered her eyes, realizing that she may have overstepped the boundaries as a care-giver.
"Forgive me," she said to the healers and accepted more of Reyhan's weight, pulling his good arm across her shoulders. "He tries to do too much too soon and his body is protesting. Will you please excuse us?"
Without waiting for any of the healers to reply, Muhjah-Aji carefully navigated Reyhan back towards the pallet, knowing that her actions were being curiously observed.
"You are quite…" Reyhan murmured tiredly but with a slight smile on his face as they approached the pallet, "…determined to make me rest, are you not?"
"Someone has to do it," Muhjah-Aji quipped.
~*~
Once that she was certain the healers were no longer watching them, she single-handedly helped Reyhan back onto the pallet. Her movements were stiff with anger, her manner clearly indicating that she was agitated and it lasted until she glanced up at Reyhan. His slow, charming smile was entirely too appealing and it was her undoing; she sighed and shook her head.
"You are concerned about me," Reyhan said.
"I am not," Muhjah-Aji snorted and adjusted the crisp linen sheet across Reyhan's waist. "You are stubborn, rude, and foolish and if you don't bathe soon, you're going to smell like a camel."
"You have an odd way of showing your lack of concern," Reyhan mused, leaning back against the pillows. His hand came up and slowly massaged his shoulder.
"You have pushed yourself too far," Muhjah-Aji admonished and the expression on her face dared Reyhan to argue. "I should have Jarille prepare another cup of tea for you."
Reyhan let out a long-suffering sigh as he shifted to find the comfort that stubbornly eluded him. His eyes were starting to close as his body's need for the healing power of sleep overcame him. "You care about me," he whispered.
Muhjah-Aji waited until Reyhan had drifted into the comforting realm of slumber, and sat down on the chair by the side of the pallet. She glanced around to make certain that no one would hear her remark and leaned forward, lovingly brushing a hand across Reyhan's forehead.
"I will do no such thing, warrior, for doing so would violate my oath and complicate matters even more than they are now."
~*~
"Will you discipline Jericho for leaving the citadel?"
The warriors had paused outside the great golden arched doors that led to the warrior's forum and the audience that Ardeth knew was impatiently waiting for his arrival. He stared at Berin for a moment, thoughtfully rubbing his goatee as he struggled to regard Jericho's actions as a friend, not as a warrior.
Tactically it had not been a wise decision on Jericho's part but had he not commented to Jameel and Madjy several days ago regarding the commander's deep commitment to those warriors under his command?
Each time there is the death of a warrior in his command, a piece of Jericho is lost…
Could he truly fault Jericho for his decision when, given the chance, he would do the same for Kedar, his childhood friend?
"There will be no need for discipline," Ardeth finally replied as a ghost of a smile danced across his face. "Although I will readily admit that I believe Jericho will turn my hair gray before I reach fifty summers. However, we need to focus on the issues at hand and contemplate our future actions. Berin, take your men, ride out to where the Tuareg are believed to be camped and contact Drevick. I am extremely curious as to why they have not engaged the enemy as of yet."
"It will be done," Berin replied and silently said farewell to Nabil, clasping the other warrior's forearm.
"What of Reyhan?" Zaki asked once the massive warrior had left the group. "From what you have indicated from your earlier talk with him, he may try and leave the citadel. He believes he has jeopardized the lives of our people."
"I will talk to him," Nabil said softly, glad for the chance to visit the younger warrior again. "But what to we know of this woman, Muhjah-Aji, who tends to him?"
"Her actions seem innocent enough; however, it would be prudent to observe her as well as Reyhan, aiwa?" Ardeth asked the gray eyed warrior.
"It will be done," Nabil replied, bowing, then, with a swirl of his robes left the group of warriors with the intention of visiting the healer's building.
~*~
A/N – On a personal note, life has thrown yet another curve in my life and while I'm not one to divulge too many personal details, let's just say I tried to start a family yet again…and it didn't work. So forgive me if the shout-out's are a bit brief. I'm doing all right and will battle this like everything else in my life – I will fight like a Medjai.
Dawn – as always thanks for reading and reviewing, they are always greatly appreciated. Reyhan do something rash? Why Dawn, whatever do you mean? Lol
Karri – thanks for reading and checking in. Reyhan hasn't had an easy time of it and life will get more complicated as the drama continues to unfold. Thanks for the review.
The kid mdd – If my updates make you happy, your reviews inspire me to get past the corner I've written myself into with Heroes. Thanks as always for reading, and if you have questions, ask them my friend. I'm glad you're getting to know everyone and my warriors couldn't be happier. I'm sending what I have to my beta for Heroes and hopefully that will be updated in a couple of weeks. Then it's on to "The Other Side." So much to write, so little time. ;-)
Il Baqq – You know between Madjy coming through and now Emir, I may have to open a hotel for Medjai warriors. Lol Emir is coming across very strong, and of course, very handsome. Madjy is intense, like Sharif but with Emir, I'm getting a few different things…*waggles eyebrows* Thanks for the review as always and I'm glad I did your beast proud in my writing.