Part XX

"Yalla! Nimshe! Go and I will follow...yalla!" Nabil shouted to Ardeth as he brought his mount under control. He kicked its sides and rode over to the cross, determined to free his brother. He almost recoiled in shock when he saw the treacherous assassin attempting to free Reyhan, and was having trouble cutting through the ropes that held him so cruelly to the cross. There was little time to question Muhjah-Aji's strange actions and Nabil felt the first icy fingers of fear grip his heart-had Reyhan passed?

Ardeth and Kedar lingered for a few precious moments, ensuring that Zaki, Haytham, Talib and Solman rode out first through the oncoming tidal wave of Hunud. They pulled out their scimitars and slashed at those who foolishly came too close, pushing back the black tide of evil that slowly reached for them with skeletal fingers.

"Nabil!" Ardeth shouted, stubbornly waiting a moment longer. That hesitancy, or loyalty to a friend, almost cost Ardeth his life and he narrowly missed being impaled by a well thrown spear.

"Ardeth, for the love of Allah...ride!" Kedar bellowed as he jabbed at an advancing Hunud. He glanced at Nabil, his worry evident in his gaze, and then uttered a curse since he had little choice; he kicked his horse into a gallop.

Nabil met Kedar's worried gaze and a silent understanding passed between them; Nabil would not leave without Reyhan, even if it meant forfeiting his life.

"Go!" Nabil ordered and pulled his weapon free. He jumped down from his horse and ran towards Reyhan just as Muhjah-Aji freed him from the ropes, his apparently lifeless body crumpling to the ground.

"Peace be upon you, ya ukh, and may we both live through this night," Ardeth muttered. His urged Sabeeh forward and plunged through the narrowing pass, his whirling scimitar singing its song of death.

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"Counselor Thias, this is highly unusual to demand an audience with our chieftain so late at night. I humbly request that you grant him the rest he needs, and come back in the morning, when all of us will see matters in a different light."

Abdul-Hafiz never considered himself to be a strong man, and had often lamented that his lack of height had targeted him for ridicule from his peers when he was younger. But what the older man lacked in strength, he made up for in tenacity and perseverance.

He hid his smile as Thias muttered and fumed, pacing in front of him as he expounded on what he felt was a lack of respect given to him by Ardeth as well as the entire warrior sect. He whined and complained, resorted to thinly veiled threats and finally surrendered when Abdul-Hafiz still refused to grant him admission to Ardeth's chambers.

"My sources tell me that Commander al Fa'ud has ridden out from the city with a small group of warriors," Thias purred, thinking to catch the other counselor in a lie. "We both know that the Elders had agreed to release Abbasi into the Rwalla-Hunud's custody and yet, that warrior has suddenly disappeared. I am merely acting on behalf of the Elders to advise our chieftain of these disturbing events; obviously the treaty is now void."

"Disturbing events indeed, Counselor, and news that I will gladly inform Ardeth of...in the morning," Abdul-Hafiz crossed his arms over his chest and continued barring the door. "Is there anything else you wish to pass along?"

Thias growled something unintelligible and motioned for his cohorts to follow him, storming down the hallway. Suddenly he stopped and pivoted around on his heel, glaring at Abdul-Hafiz. "I know what al Fa'ud is doing, and I shall make certain the Elders know of his traitorous acts in the morning. And we shall see matters in a most revealing light."

Abdul-Hafiz leaned against the door and expelled a shaky breath; that had been too close. Loyal to Ardeth and acting as more of a friend than advisor, he would do whatever was necessary to keep his king's covert actions private. And he would gladly risk his position as counselor to do so.

He glanced through the tall windows that dominated one side of the hallway and gazed at the full moon, praying that all of the missing warriors returned before sunrise.

Or else the light would be very revealing indeed.

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Zaki and Haytham raced out of the arena as the gap at the other end began filling up with Hunud; the chance for freedom was dwindling away and the warriors pushed their horses to run faster.

Solman and Talib had been following them but were several yards back. Zaki risked a glance over his shoulder and cursed a moment later when the two warriors were cut off by the rallying Hunud. He shouted at Haytham and pulled back on the reins, turning his horse around so he could charge into the battle.

Zaki bellowed his battle cry and rushed the nearest Hunud, the metal of his sword clanging against the tip of a spear as he deflected it. He guided his horse to ride through the enemy and scatter them, hoping it would help Solman and Talib.

He rode into the jaws of death and relished the encounter, believing that the Medjai would prevail. They were honoring their warrior oath and protecting one another with their lives. It made Zaki feel invincible and he swung his blade around him, spraying the enemy's warm blood into the air.

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Muhjah-Aji wrapped her arms around Reyhan's limp body, trying to stop his fall to the ground. She would have toppled over from his heavy weight but a strong arm snaked around her waist, supporting her. She looked up into the face of the commanding warrior whose stormy gray eyes reminded her of Reyhan, and blinked in surprise.

"Touch my brother again, hi iblis [she devil], and I will cut out your black heart," Nabil growled. He struck the side of Muhjah-Aji's face with the hilt of his weapon, and watched dispassionately as she lost her grip, reeling backwards.

"I can help you lift him onto your horse," Muhjah-Aji cried as she stumbled back from the blow. She regained her balance and lunged for Reyhan's legs, grabbing them around the ankles.

"Let go of him!" Nabil shouted and twisted his body, trying to free Reyhan from Muhjah-Aji's clutches; she stubbornly retained her balance. "I need no help from you."

"You have no choice, stubborn man! There isn't much time!" Muhjah-Aji ranted. "Accept my help or you both die."

They came to an abrupt stop by the animal's side, and Nabil struggled with Reyhan's body as he glared at the assassin; she ducked beneath the horse's neck and ran around the other side. She eagerly beckoned for him to lift his brother over the saddle. Suspicious from her actions, but realizing that the Hunud were coming, and getting dangerously closer, he had no choice but to accept her aid. Questioning it would come later.

Suddenly Nabil cried out and almost dropped Reyhan when a spear pierced his side; the tip of it protruded from the front of his robes. Agony raced through his body but he refused to relinquish his hold on Reyhan, even as the spear was jerked free. He awkwardly whirled around to face his death, and held Reyhan closer as the gloating Hunud prepared to drive her spear into his heart.

The death blow never came. The warrior's weapon tumbled from her hands and in the next moment, she sank to her knees revealing Uthmann-Dunoud standing behind her with a bloody sword.

Nabil shook his head to clear his muddled thoughts as he bravely fought off the pain and the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume him. His world had dwindled down to this moment in time, and Nabil would do anything to save his only brother. He clenched his jaw and focused on getting Reyhan to safety...all that mattered was Reyhan...all that mattered was getting him out alive.

"Together," Uthmann-Dunoud yelled as he rushed over to Nabil's side and helped him carry Reyhan to his horse.

Nabil stiffened when Muhjah-Aji joined them and he grudgingly accepted her help. Moments later he was mounted with Reyhan's body unceremoniously slung over the saddle; Uthmann-Dunoud steadied him as Muhjah-Aji kept most of the Hunud at bay.

"Go, ride!" Muhjah-Aji shouted as she parried the attack from one of her sister warriors. "There is no time... just go!"

Uthmann-Dunoud offered Nabil a faint smile and before the warrior could reply, slapped the horse's hindquarters and sent the animal running. Taking a deep breath for courage, he turned around and faced the oncoming hoard of Hunud, holding his arms out to the sides as if in surrender.

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Markunda-Tagwizult pulled free of her protectors and ran to the edge of the platform, a scream of rage erupting from her throat as she watched her prized warrior being spirited away. "No!" she shouted and spun around, the fires of hatred burning in her eyes. "Send your squads," she commanded her officers, pointing to where the Medjai had gone. "Ride my sisters, hunt them down and kill them but bring me Ardeth Bay. I want him alive so we can sacrifice him in place of his warrior and embellish our armor with his blood."

Damya-Ultafa bravely faced her queen and shook her head, Tizemet-Bahac's dagger still clutched in her hand. "When will this end?" she asked softly and then turned, gesturing to the crowd that swarmed over the arena below, flowing out like a black river to the other end. "The Medjai was right – have we become?"

"We are the Rwalla-Hunud," Markunda-Tagwizult said as she swept an arm across the encampment. "We are the bringers of chaos and death. And we will do what is needed; Tizemet-Bahac was partially right. We need to cleanse our race and we start with the traitors down there. Bring them to me or have you forgotten your oath?"

Damya-Ultafa shook her head and backed away from her queen, unaware that others were voicing the same question. She chose several warriors to accompany her and slowly made her way down to the arena, searching for Muhjah-Aji and Uthmann-Dunoud.

Oddly enough, they were nowhere to be found...

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Igmi stayed off to one side of the arena, and was quite glad that for once, his presence went undetected. Usually he was greeted with looks of disdain and wrinkled noses; it wasn't his fault that his clothes smelled like garbage.

He stayed in the shadows, and had followed his intuition that Muhjah-Aji would somehow need him tonight. And he had watched with wide, frightened eyes as the Rwalla-Hunud viciously attacked the intruders that had dared to disrupt their ceremony. He felt pity for the retreating Medjai but they weren't his concern at the moment – the young woman he had befriended was.

Through the chaos, he searched for Muhjah-Aji, and he offered several more prayers that she would somehow come out of the melee safe and unharmed. He cringed at the thought of her death and when it appeared that she might have perished, Igmi started to turn away with a heavy heart.

Suddenly two figures dressed in dirty brown robes staggered from crowd, supporting one another as they ran. One of them stumbled and fell, the hood of the robe slipping back to reveal the pale face of infamous assassin.

"Muhjah-Aji," Igmi breathed in horror. She was holding her stomach with one arm, and as he ran toward her, the blood from the wound trickled down one leg. "I am here, little one. I am here."

Uthmann-Dunoud pushed back his hood and gave the older man a tired but triumphant smile. "See Muhjah? Allah is most merciful; he has given us a way out of this purgatory."

Muhjah-Aji was beyond listening to Uthmann-Dunoud and she willingly caved into her heart's desire, reliving the precious memories of the time spent with Reyhan. Her legs gave out and she collapsed, never hearing Igmi's crooned words of comfort. Instead she heard another deep masculine voice that spoke in her heart and mind, and she almost smiled despite the pain. Reyhan...how his eyes would sparkle with happiness when they were together...

She never felt Igmi sweep her up into his arms; she felt again the sweet and all too brief kiss Reyhan had given her; tenderly invading her mouth, his fingers caressing her cheek...

"No, I don't...like you," she whispered to the ghost of Reyhan that lived in her heart.

"What is she saying?" a disembodied voice asked.

"I do not know," a second voice replied as the last word faded away.

"I...love you," Muhjah-Aji declared before she passed out.

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Nabil pressed his horse to run faster, and risked a glance over his shoulder; his greatest fear was instantly confirmed. The Hunud were pursuing him with a determined vengeance, the black tide of evil swarming behind him in wave after wave. He protectively bent over Reyhan's body as several spears arced through the air, thudding into the ground in front of him.

He jerked on the reins, pulling his horse to the right; another spear sailed past his shoulder, ripping a long jagged opening down the sleeve of his robe. He tugged on the reins again, and his horse dodged to the left. A Hunud appeared by his side, her eyes gleaming with the lust for battle from within the dark confines of her helmet. Nabil swore they were glowing red, and with a shout, swung his scimitar, knocking her out of the saddle.

Two more Hunud took her place as the horses raced along the sand, each awkwardly maneuvering their spears in such close space. Nabil jabbed his weapon again, but this time he missed; two Hunud appeared by his other side, the grace and agility in which they rode their animals almost enviable.

A spear slashed in front of his face and Nabil barely parried it; he pushed it back only to have another one run down the length of his arm. It ripped a deep furrow into his skin, and Nabil almost dropped his weapon from the numbing pain that raced up and down the appendage.

The Hunud closest to him started laughing manically and drew her arm back for the killing stroke...only it never came. A sleek shafted arrow embedded itself into her chest and she fell back a moment later.

Nabil shook his head in disbelief and looked up to the side of the hill; Medjai and Tuareg were swarming down the sides, effectively cutting off the wave of Hunud and engaging them.

His pursuers fell back and Nabil felt his horse respond with a burst of speed. He felt the smallest amount of hope blossom within his heart, and believed he was going to make it. Cruelly that hope shriveled up and died like a fragile flower exposed to the harsh desert sun; there was a battle being fought ahead of him.

Hoping to catch the enemy off guard, Nabil gave his battle cry as he plunged through the teaming mass of horses and warriors. Ardeth, Kedar, Zaki, Talib, Solman and Haytham had been fighting for their lives, since a small group of Hunud had caught them after they left the arena.

Nabil's unexpected appearance gave them the advantage that they had needed, and they rallied as the cry of the Medjai rang through the air. Behind Nabil came the reinforcements, a thousand angry warriors bearing down on the outnumbered Hunud; the time for reckoning was at hand.

Nabil's lathered horse thundered through the fight, and finally broke out into the open desert. Knowing the animal was near exhaustion, Nabil guided it towards the one place he knew of that could help Reyhan since his brother was now beyond the normal realm of healing.

He rode towards the temple of Ma'at, determined to beg, plead or threaten the goddess into saving Reyhan. She was the goddess of justice, and of right; surely she would listen to Nabil's heartfelt petition and aid him in bringing his brother back to the living.

Nabil's faith had been sorely tested over the years, and he secretly harbored the fear that the gods had forgotten him. For why else would he be given so many trials and tribulations?

He refused to listen to the small voice that whispered in his head that the gods wouldn't listen to him, and would ignore his prayer. He refused to think of any other scenarios except to visualize the future where Reyhan was alive and well...

...and they were finally a family.

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A/N – Normally I'd like to do a nice little paragraph here, and perhaps ramble on about the daily and mundane routine of my life. Instead, I'm going to take JeanB's review and answer some of her key questions. That way I can refresh all of the reader's minds and perhaps invoke further discussion, if not encourage further thought. ;)

JeanB – first and foremost, shukran for the review. Considering that you're a Harry Potter fan, I am most grateful that you slipped from your favorite genre and hopped over to the Mummy fandom to read.

Copying from your review, you wrote: "How did they come to know each other? I don't believe they just happened to stroll along one another one day because they lived in such close proximity... "

The idea of my story was to have three young boys meet one day, a Tuareg, a Medjai and a Rwalla-Hunud [fictional desert tribe]; I explained in the first few paragraphs how they met, and despite the animosity between their nations, became friends. The friendship blossomed despite prejudice and hatred, a concept I love exploring. Maybe I'm taking this comment too literally but I never implied in my story that they were strolling through the vast Sahara one day and just happened to bump into one another. ;-)

You wrote: "I wonder if the Rwalla-Hunud were able to live in peace withe the Tuareg and the Med-jai? They seem to have as many prejudices as the other way around and the fact that they are a matriarchaic sociaty only shrinks the possibilities of a truce. How you described them, they seem to be warmongering and powerhungry. Whether it is from a misguided sense of insecurity or from a addiction to power or something else entirely, I cannot tell. I also highly doubt that all of them think that way, it just doesn't sit well with my view of humankind. There are always some parcefists, in every society but what the society does with them and how they carry themselfs varies greatly. I hope you find a way to end your story with as little bloodshed as possible but I deem that near impossible... A pity."

The Rwalla-Hunud, a fictional matriarchate society, is basically Amazons having a really bad hair day, or terminal case of PMS. Yes, they are power hungry and warmongering, considering the previous chapters I've had them riding around the desert destroying towns. They follow a queen who is addicted to power, and determined to rule the Sahara at any cost - for doesn't absolute power corrupt absolutely? As for the pacifists, two characters were created to show that even in this war loving nation, there are those who do not believe in their queen's bloody vision [Uthmann-Dunoud] and have let one emotion change their life forever [Muhjah-Aji fell in love with Reyhan, a Medjai and enemy]. Murmurings of discontent from the queen's following in the past two chapters should have clearly amplified that this society does indeed have its pacifists.

As for the story ending with as little bloodshed as possible, sorry my friend, but I can't guarantee that. Bloodshed is part of my warrior's lives-they honor their oaths with blade, bone and blood. I counteract this bleak aspect of their lives by giving them adventures that explore the boundaries of brotherly love, friendship, and perhaps finding the love of their lives. While not realistic, I do believe in happy endings; sometimes the road to happiness is filled with bumps.

And finally, yes I do possess a rudimentary knowledge of Arabic and can speak it. I wish I had more time to perfect my technique, and would honestly love to let those R's rrrRRrrroll off my tongue like Ardeth does. ;-) LOL Again, you have my thanks for reading and more importantly leaving a review that sparked such a long response from me.

Karri – to make amends for the adrenaline rush prior to sleep, I threw in a longer chapter this time. Thanks for reading, and I'm making my rounds on FF – I need to see what's happening with your wonderful story, "The Bitterness of Mortality."

Nakhti – since you're so cute, here's more. LOL Sorry if there wasn't too much of Ardeth in this, but I promise in the scenes to come, you may just chew what's left of your fingernails down to the quick. As for the LOTR soundtrack, for some reason I skipped over buying the second one...I may just have to now. ;-)

Dawn369 – all hell has indeed broken loose and things won't settle down for some time to come. The Queen of the Hunud will not be the only thing the warriors have to fear...thanks for reading. ;-)

SerenaFehr – Muhjah-Aji's love for Reyhan is quite possibly the one thing that will keep her alive. And yes, after reading this, Muhjah-Aji did do the right thing. smiles Thanks for catching up with your reviews, btw.

The Kid Mdd – if I never mentioned it, I once again want to thank you for emailing me and asking about my fanfic. To reply to someone who reads my work is an honor, and a task that was delightful to perform. As for Berin, his actions will be something you'll have to read and form an opinion of your own. All I can say is his adventure continues in the next story, and it may not start out as a happy one...btw, do you want a new seatbelt? LOL