Part VIIII
The Tuareg encampment outside Akhmim …
Drevick sat crossed-legged on the ground as he studied a map crudely drawn in the sand, and marked the last known location of the Rwalla-Hunud patrols. The information had been given to him from his scouts and he frowned in concern from the last report – a large body of the black riders had been last seen riding towards another section of the desert.
He was intrigued as to why they had suddenly moved from their normal position of surveillance and speculated that they had to be well aware of his recent and daring rescue of the Medjai patrol. He had no doubt that they would be planning their retribution for his interference and he needed to move soon if he and his men wished to live to see another sunrise.
"Playing nursemaid to a group of wounded Medjai wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I volunteered for this mission." Yousef remarked dryly and squatted down next to Drevick, handing him a water pouch.
"Have they stopped resisting our aid or are they merely conserving their strength for another round?" Drevick pondered, looking up at his friend, a wan smile on his face. He swallowed the water sparingly, conserving the precious liquid to be used in the hours to come.
"They have all lost consciousness except the captain and he is asking to see you," Yousef said. Grudgingly he had to admit to himself that he admired the Medjai's spirit and tenacity, remembering how valiantly they had fought as the Tuareg had converged upon them. Despite their wounds and obvious suffering, the Medjai tried to repel the attack but to no avail; their captain then had wisely ordered the surrender.
"Does this captain have a name?" Drevick asked as he stood up and dusted the sand from his pants.
"Emir Cohan I believe," Yousef replied.
~*~
"Faster my good friend!" Jericho urged Bahir.
The stallion responded to his master's command, lunging forward with a burst of speed. Great blasts of air were expelled from Bahir's lungs as his powerful legs churned up the dry earth, the sound oddly in sync with the pounding of his hooves and of Jericho's heart.
Jericho looked around at the warriors who had bravely chosen to accompany him goading their mounts to run impossibly faster; their horses stretching out their necks, straining to keep the pace that he set.
The warriors thundered across the large section of flat open desert; in close pursuit came the Rwalla-Hunud, the silent black riders. Jericho risked a backwards glance to see war spears leveled with the passing ground and arrows notched in powerful bows. He needed no further confirmation that the sights were aimed at the hearts of the retreating Medjai. He frenetically prayed to Allah that Dharr, Jameel, Madjy and the rest of his warriors would not fall to the cursed Hunud.
Bahir's strength was starting to wane and Jericho's gaze swept across the horizon, searching for a place to use as cover or even possibly hide until the danger had passed.
Suddenly a hail of arrows sliced through the air along with a few spears as the race wore on, and reluctantly Jericho had to admire the skill and precision of their wielders. An abrupt strangled cry announced that the Hunud had claimed one Medjai and Jericho gritted his teeth against his sorrow and anger over the loss of a warrior. He pulled on the reins, suddenly directing Bahir to the right. He glanced over one shoulder, pleased to see that the others were following, but his heart constricted with the alien feeling of fear. The black tide behind them undulated like a snake easily followed the same trail.
Pain unexpectedly blossomed in Jericho's right shoulder and he cried out, almost tumbling head first out of the saddle from the impact of an arrow. He clung to Bahir, tenaciously guiding the horse towards a small ridge of mountains that had miraculously appeared in the distance.
Dharr directed his horse to ride alongside Jericho's and reached over to help support him. Together the two warriors led their brothers in arms across the desert towards what they hoped would be sanctuary.
~*~
Kedar and Zaki had been patiently waiting outside of the warrior's forum for Ardeth's return when Talib and Solman joined them a few moments later, apparently recovered from their wounds.
While they waited for the meeting's conclusion, Kedar informed the two warriors about the events of the past few hours and was certainly surprised by Talib's reaction when he learned of Jericho and Berin's departures.
"Never before would I think to question Ardeth's decision but, considering how dangerous the Hunud have proven to be, do you think it wise to have let them go?" he asked. His eyes were colored like frost, an icy blue that surprised both Kedar and Zaki, the latter having never seen his blood brother so angry.
"The Rwalla will hound them across the desert," Solman stated, his dark brown eyes eloquently expressing his concerns. "They kept us alive for only one purpose – to deliver the message that they easily can control all of our actions."
Kedar raised an eyebrow in surprise at Solman's statement and he turned to address the large warrior. "And what makes you believe that, ya sahib?" he asked gently.
"They knew that we were riding out to seek information about Reyhan," Talib answered for Solman as his hand slipped down to rest on the hilt of his scimitar, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Kedar or Zaki. "They were waiting for us just outside the citadel and moved to strike when the timing was right."
Zaki thoughtfully rubbed the beard that graced his firm jaw line as he contemplated Talib's statement. "Reyhan is in more danger than we had initially realized but why would the Hunud sabotage Talib's mission? Unless they did not want certain facts to come to light."
"The Rwalla will not rest until they have him." Solman gestured to Talib's injury and then his own. "They gave us these to ensure that we would remember their warning and pass it along."
"I will always remember but it will not stop me from ferreting out the truth." Talib's sapphire colored eyes blazed with a fierce determination as he turned to Kedar for his petition.
"Let Solman and I ride out once more, but this time we will disguise ourselves. My intuition tells me there is more to the murder charge leveled at Reyhan and that the Rwalla are hiding something. Let me do what you know I do best – I am more than named a seeker of truth."
"It may save his life," Solman softly interjected as Kedar weighed Talib's request.
"It could end this war," Zaki added on.
Kedar's dark gaze danced from one warrior to the next until he finally came to his decision. He finally gave Talib and Solman permission to leave, but made them swear on their warrior vows that they would proceed with the utmost caution.
As the two warriors said their farewells and hurried down the hallway, Zaki turned to Kedar, his golden eyes clouded with concern as he placed a hand on Kedar's shoulder.
"Ya ukh…you are my best friend, so you will surely understand my request when I ask that I be allowed to accompany them on this journey," he stated earnestly. "Talib and I are…"
"Say no more, but once you return, you will have to explain to a less than pleased Ardeth about your impetuous decision, not me." Kedar smiled and clasped Zaki's forearm. "May Allah watch over all of you and keep you safe…return to us, ya sahib."
Zaki hurried after Talib and Solman, wondering if he was embarking on an adventure that would ultimately save a life…or take his own.
~*~
"Honored Second al Usama approaches and may the gods grant you the strength to survive this encounter," Yousef dryly remarked to Drevick as he watched the large warrior's progress through the encampment. He thought it ironic that none of his brave and well trained men dared to attack the imposing Medjai despite the animosity that emanated from both factions.
Apparently his talent at story telling was far better than he realized and with a rueful grin, he gingerly touched the back of his head. The injury had faded but for the rest of his days he would enjoy the memory of his brief encounter at crossing blades with Berin.
"Your warrior brothers have arrived," Drevick stated softly to Emir, placing a friendly hand on the captain's shoulder.
Emir's dark eyes widened in surprise and despite his wounds, he found his first tentative smile of the day. "The lion is here…" he whispered as he craned his neck, watching Berin's advance.
"Indeed and let us hope I can appease the lion before he bites my head off," Drevick muttered as he stood up to greet the warrior.
"Call off your warriors, Tuareg or I shall do it for you," Berin growled in lieu of a salutation. His dark eyes were blazing with anger that quickly changed to astonishment when he recognized Emir and his men.
"A pleasure to see you again, Honored Second," Drevick said and gestured for them to walk towards his tent, hoping that the warrior would understand his silent request for privacy. "There is much we need to discuss."
"What I have to say can be stated right here." Berin ignored the subtle appeal and knelt down next to Emir, his hand touching the man's shoulder in a gentle greeting.
"My eyes…see you with great joy, ya ukh…" Emir sighed weakly, reaching up to clasp Berin's hand.
"My heart rejoices to see you alive, ya ukh but I must ask - how in the name of Allah did you wind up in a Tuareg camp?" Berin murmured and glanced at Drevick, the customary scowl settling on his face.
"This is a strange time we live in…and who was once thought of…as an enemy has riddled my old beliefs…" a ghost of a smile flittered across Emir's handsome face, "and saved my life and the lives of my men."
"I am waiting for your explanation," Berin impatiently said to Drevick.
~*~
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one." ~ Spock, Star Trek, "Wrath of Khan."
~*~
"Ardeth?" Kedar called out as he entered the empty room. "What in the name of Allah is going on? I saw Abdul-Hafiz in the hallway moments ago and he looked more agitated than usual. His arms were moving so fast he almost looked like a deranged hummingbird."
Ardeth barely acknowledged Kedar's presence and continued staring through the floor to ceiling windows that overlooked the city and main square below. With a deep sigh, he leaned his forehead against the cool glass and placed a palm against it as he watched the citizens of his kingdom go about their business.
Kedar came over to Ardeth's side and silently battled the sense of foreboding that had invaded his being ever since the meeting had adjourned a short while ago. He had been waiting outside in the hallway when the Elders and commanders emerged and his suspicions were aroused when none seemed to be able to meet his inquiring gaze. Silent and grim, they moved like apparitions and disappeared moments later through another doorway, leaving a very perplexed Kedar staring after them.
Kedar studied Ardeth, and suddenly realized that never before had he seen his friend look so defeated. It was as if the weight of his sovereignty bowed his strong shoulders.
"Did Abdul-Hafiz say anything?" Ardeth's softly asked question broke the silence that had been lengthening between the two men.
"Nothing that made any sense."
"Do you know when it came time for the Elders and counselors to vote, his was the only opposing vote? A decision that had surprised me but should not have, considering he always liked and admired Nabil."
"Talk to me, ya sahib," Kedar gently coaxed. "What have the Elders done now?"
"Look at them." Ardeth swept his hand across the myriad of scenes below as life for the inhabitants of the citadel continued in its mundane routine. "I almost envy their ignorance and complete but blind trust in their king. Life for them is not choices…or politics…or treaties; it is simply to live each day.'
"Their king is a good man," Kedar said.
Ardeth shrugged but couldn't meet Kedar's intense and knowing gaze. He stared out across the horizon and clenched his jaw in anger when the ever persistent shadow of the Hunud marred the landscape.
"The Elders have decided to grant the Rwalla-Hunud's demand. I am to surrender Reyhan to them by nightfall…" Ardeth abruptly began without preamble.
Kedar's snort of disbelief stopped Ardeth's speech. "They wish to send Reyhan to his death?" he asked incredulously.
"They believe the Hunud will agree to negotiations and have sent a messenger to them this very hour with the stipulations. Reyhan is to be released with a squadron of warriors and an envoy of ambassadors, the latter believing they can talk the enemy in to accepting a temporary truce. Once it has been established, the Medjai would then be present during Reyhan's trial to maintain the terms of the treaty, thereby satisfying the blood feud and the demand for justice."
Ardeth looked over at Kedar, his eyes bright with too many suppressed emotions yet he remained silent while his friend absorbed the incredible news.
"Do you really believe that the Hunud will agree to a tentative truce?" Kedar finally asked.
Ardeth refused to answer and returned to the view below, placing one hand against the window pane in what could have been a mute gesture of farewell. "I fear I will lose more than Reyhan once Nabil learns of this new development," he whispered sadly.
~*~
A/N – Life goes on, it just depends on how you choose to live it. I'm getting better with each passing day and things aren't looking as bleak as they once did. I have my friends to thank for you that and you all know who you are…*smiles*
Thanks for the reviews on this story but puh-lease! SUMbody tell me that the chapters flow and make sense; I'm confused as to how the FF story is now caught up to my WOD story. I'm pretty sure I didn't forget a chapter between the two sites but hey, I'm an old lady and I tend to get forgetful now and then…*winks*
On to the shout-outs:
Nakhti – there you are, I was getting worried about you. And yes I'm going to ask here because I need a fluff-injection…are you going to update HN yet? I'll send you a nice giftie via FEDEX and his name begins with an "A". *wink wink* And laws yes…Ardeth…ardent…Ardeth…ardent. Mmmmmmm What? Sorry, I digress. Thanks for catching up and you've asked for more Ardeth large and in charge, well your going to get it. Thanks again for reviewing, I love reading your comments. *smiles*
Karri – I'm glad you like my OC's and I think it ironic that you mention how entertaining my healers are…the next story coming up will deal with a healer and his attempt to murder Ardeth. *waggles eyebrows* Thanks for reading and hope all is well in your world with a certain blonde elf.
Dawn – You should always follow your instincts when it comes to Muhjah-Aji – she is just plain bad news. Shhhhhh! and thanks for reading, it's greatly appreciated.
Ladybug – I have to say this here…Emir…Eomer…Emir…Eomer. Is this a sign? LOL I'm glad Kedar came across in a way you could picture, and writing about his friendship with Ardeth has been a delight. One of these days, missy, you are going to have to dive back into your Medjai Chronicles and give us more stories about these two when they were younger.
The kidd md – Thanks for the kind words, everyday gets a lot better. As for Berin, you surprise me by remembering what he said a few chapters ago but I like how you remember these things. Berin truly cares for Nabil and when the time comes he will have a tough time facing a problem that he can do nothing about. As for liking BIG warriors, girl, so do I. I call this the Big Boy Brigade: Berin, Zaki, Solman, and Makin. LOL Considering the trouble I get Ardeth into, I think it's a good idea to have some big warriors around to protect him, don't you agree? *winks*
SerenaFehr – thanks for the double shot and of course, all your help. *warm smile* Reyhan's shoulder wound not healing is indeed ominous but gangrene is the least of his problems. I almost feel sorry for Drevick but I daresay as time goes by, I think Berin will come to accept him…almost. Well, reluctantly…erm, kind of. LOL Thanks for the review!