XXII
"Commander ibn Sakhr, you must allow the laudanum to work so I can stitch the wound on your shoulder closed," Jarille said and leaned down, staring into the dark sable colored eyes of the warrior, pleased to see he was fighting to remain conscious.
Jericho tried to roll over onto his back, anxious to see how his warriors were faring, afraid that Dharr and Emir had succumbed to their wounds. He tried to push up on his elbows but the pain in his shoulder was too much to bear, and he collapsed with a defeated groan moments later. "Tell me…" he rasped. "Ajab…I must know…"
Jarille smiled kindly at the commander, and pointed to a pallet a few feet away. "My helpers tell me that Emir is resting comfortably, despite a low grade fever, and we anticipate a complete recovery. Madjy's wound has been stitched and is being wrapped with a charcoal and linseed poultice while…"
"Dharr?" Jericho whispered fearfully as he laid his cheek against the sheet. "What of…Dharr?"
Jarille placed a comforting hand on Jericho's arm, and glanced at another pallet off to the side. "When he was first brought in we were obviously concerned by the amount of blood saturating his robes and the paleness of his skin. I personally conducted the examination and I am pleased, as well as puzzled, to announce that Dharr suffers from only a stomach wound and a slight concussion. His condition has stabilized and he briefly regained consciousness long enough to ask for you."
"Shakar Allah…shakar Allah…" Jericho murmured as he finally surrendered, and slipped into waiting and comfortable realm of slumber.
"Rest easy, ya raZir bero," Jarille crooned as he watched the warrior's eyes flutter shut. As he began to meticulously sew the arrow wound closed, he silently prayed that the rest of the missing warriors, along with the chieftain, would return to the citadel safe and unharmed.
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He never saw the ethereal beauty of the silvery pale moonlight that danced across the rolling dunes…
…he focused on the path ahead as one hand absently stroked Reyhan's back.
He failed to see the twinkling splendor of the night sky, a velvet canopy studded with a thousand tiny points of light…
…his mind struggled to expel the horrific images of seeing Reyhan cruelly tied to a wooden cross.
He withdrew both mentally and physically, struggling to escape the unending waves of pain from his injuries, the ache in his heart more prominent. Each shuddering breath he took reminded him of how precious life was, even as his own flowed from his body in several thin scarlet ribbons. Left in the horse's wake were hundreds of tiny ruby colored droplets scattered across the sand, leaving a sinister trail to follow.
The flames of humanity that burned in Nabil's silvery eyes were slowly fading, but he tenaciously clung to the saddle as the deserted temple of Ma'at finally came into view. He guided the horse towards the crumbling structure as his body began to sway, and managed to bring the exhausted animal to an awkward stop.
With a soft sigh, Nabil slumped over Reyhan and closed his eyes, needing to rest for a moment so he could regain his strength. The world tilted precariously and Nabil abruptly slid from the saddle, crumpling to the ground with a low moan. Consciousness ebbed and flowed, making him vaguely aware of the passing of time…time that Reyhan didn't have.
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"Haun, shirb." [Here, drink]
Ardeth pulled his attention away from the almost indiscernible maroon colored trail they had been following and blinked in surprise at the water pouch that suddenly appeared in front of him. "Shukran, ya sahib," he murmured absently as he took a swallow of water.
Kedar stared across the vast rolling landscape and sighed, shoving a hand through his wild mane of hair in frustration. "Nabil should have gone back to the city," he muttered. "I do not understand why he would take Reyhan to an abandoned temple, and deny his brother immediate medical treatment."
"Nabil's acts are born out of desperation and fear, hindering any good judgment. Perhaps he took Reyhan to the shrine because he believes in the power of ancient deities. It is written that Allah helps those who help themselves," Ardeth replied.
"Or perhaps he hopes that a benign power still resides at the temple," Kedar theorized as he gathered the reins in one hand.
"I find that I cannot fault Nabil for what he has done. If the roles were reversed, and I had to save your life, I would do whatever necessary to ensure that I do not lose my best friend," Ardeth stated quietly.
Kedar raised an eyebrow at Ardeth's words. "You are not getting sentimental now, are you?"
"We rode through the legions of Rwalla-Hunud and came out of the adventure almost unscathed," Ardeth said with a wan smile. "I suppose some of my emotions may lean towards sentimentality."
"As long as you keep them to yourself and do not try to hug me, I am happy," Kedar snorted, his dark eyes sparkling with mirth. Abruptly the humor faded as he voiced his greatest fear. "We will not reach them in time. You do realize that, aiwa?"
Ardeth nodded as he shifted in the saddle, securing the pouch over the saddle horn. "In the months to come Nabil will need the support of his warrior brothers as he struggles to cope with Reyhan's death. I will give what is essential to help him; I can do no less for a friend."
"And what of you, ya sahib," Kedar asked as he tilted his head to one side, studying his chieftain. "What will you need in the months to come to erase the images of this night?"
Ardeth remained strangely silent as he gave the signal to ride. He alone would bear that burden in the dark hours of the nights to come…
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Journal Entry date: 1895
The Season of the Floods
Midnight
"Weary that I am, I find that slumber eludes me this night, yet my exhausted body craves rest and with it the blessed release from this reality. I leave my pallet in an effort to dispel my sense of foreboding and seek solace within the comforting and familiar pages of my journal. I am compelled to record the events of this day and state for the generations to come – the Medjai have been both blessed and cursed.
Praise to Allah, most merciful, that I am able to record that my people are jubilantly celebrating the birth of the Chosen One. His entrance into this world came as the god Ra began his eternal ascent into the morning sky today, bathing our world with his warm and golden glow. Fitting that the heir to the Twelve Tribes of the Medjai, the chieftain of our people, should arrive in the moment when time stands on the precipice of a new day. May Allah bless and watch over the babe, named ArdethBay."
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Nabil cradled Reyhan's body in arms that were so weak that they trembled from the effort, and leaned back against the fluted column, resigning himself to his fate. His dull gaze darted around the empty and crumbling outer temple, vaguely acknowledging the still vibrant hues of the hieroglyphics that adorned each wall, paying homage to the goddess Ma'at. Lacking the strength to rise, he stared at the steps in front of him that led to the innermost chamber of the temple to a shrine built of wood, where the statue of the goddess was situated.
"Ajab Reyhan…do not leave me, ya ukh…" Nabil whispered as he leaned over to one side in an attempt to ease the pain radiating from his side. "You are my brother…blood of my blood…live for me…even as my own life…starts to fade."
Nabil fumbled through his robes and managed to pull out the specially designed dagger he had hoped to present to Reyhan as a gift. He shifted his brother's body so that it lay on the ground, and then struggled to hold the dagger aloft, fighting to remain conscious long enough to recite his prayer.
"H-hail to thee, goddess of justice…and goddess of right," he began. "Daughter of Ra, thinker of logic, with thee comes order to chaos, truth to falsehoods and the turning of wrong to right."
Suddenly the dagger slipped from Nabil's fingers and tumbled to the ground. He crumpled moments later, fighting to remain conscious as his body continued to weaken at an alarming rate. "Accept this token in supplication of the warrior before thee…" he gasped and then continued, "Weigh his life against the wrong done unto him…judge him…in the light of truth…t-take me in my brother's place."
A strange peace settled over Nabil as his breathing became shallow; he fought to keep his eyes open just as he repeated the prayer again, hoping that somehow the ancient deity would hear him. "…judge him…in the light of truth…t-take me in my brother's place. Take me…in…my brother's place."
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"The name Raphael in Hebrew means healer or doctor. Raphael is known as "the medicine of God" or "the shining one who heals." Raphael is associated with the symbol of healing, is entrusted with the physical well-being of earth and humans, and is said to be the friendliest of angels. Raphael is the angel of joy, light, peace, prayer, and love."
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Journal Entry date: 1895
Continued
"Let it be known that also on this day, in the hours of twilight, and before the world is enveloped in the dark cloak of night, Raphael Abu al Khayr is born. His tribe also celebrates his birth for he bears the sacred birthmark of his ancestors near the corner of his left eye.
His parents, Umran and 'Abal Juhor, rejoice in the birth of their son, deeming his name is befitting of one that comes from a long and prestigious line of healers. Umran confessed to me that he has great hopes that Raphael will one day be blessed with the 'dahab hass' or golden touch. The ability to heal with the laying of the hands over the wound is a skill that has been lost to the Medjai for thousands of years.
And yet on this night, I believe that with the birth of light, there must be the birth of darkness, perpetually balancing the scales. Dare I confess my fear to the tribal Elders that Raphael, a child destined to be one of light, could slip into eternal darkness if his powers ever manifest themselves? Surely, our enemies could seize the chance to strike a fatal blow to the Medjai by using a means that no one would ever consider…
May Allah watch over and protect both ArdethBay and Raphael Abu al Khayr as they grow from baby to toddler, from young boy to warrior and healer. And may my greatest fear never come true – that Raphael's powers for doing good will congeal into an instrument of evil.
And kill the Chosen One."
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He stood braced against the stone wall leading to temple courtyard and hid his face against his arm as he listened to the dying warrior's heartbreaking petition to Ma'at. Torn between his duty as a healer to help those in need, and the selfish desire to remain hidden from the cruelty of the world, he battled a war within himself. He had hoped that the temple would have provided a much-needed haven for him to recuperate from his captivity by the Syrians, expelling the demons they had unleashed with their torture. He needed to regain control and hide the deadly talent his captors had brought forth, a product of endless beatings.
They had gleefully called it the black send, he called it an abomination.
They had forced him to use it on the innocent and unsuspecting, honing his talents for the true kill. He would always remember the faces of those condemned to die a cruel death, their screams of agony echoing endlessly in his mind.
All that was good and right in him urged him to step forward and reveal himself, offering to heal them both by using his special ability. The darkness that continually battled for dominance in his soul surged upwards, and pushed away all good intentions, declaring that the warriors' fates were not his concern. Their lives meant nothing to him, nothing at all.
"Weigh his life… against the wrong done unto him…judge him…in the light of truth…t-take me in my brother's place."
His head snapped up when he realized how weak the warrior sounded; he was so close to death. He took a deep breath for courage and stepped away from the wall, cautiously approaching the injured men from the side, his hands held out as if in surrender. "Peace be upon you, warrior," he called out gently. "I mean you no harm."
Nabil grunted in surprise as the stranger slowly came closer, and he struggled to protect Reyhan, despite the man's placid greeting. Panting from his efforts, Nabil was horrified to discover all he had the strength to do was cover Reyhan's body with one hand. "Who…are you?" he rasped.
As if in response, the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon in the east, and bathed the other man in a warm golden glow. It highlighted the deep brown color of his eyes, and accentuated the wealth of curly hair that framed his masculine face, its length falling to his broad shoulders. His robes were dirty and torn, but there was no mistaking the crescent shaped birthmark near his left eye.
"Ana ismee Raphael," he said distractedly as he knelt down beside Reyhan's body. Sorrow flared up in his eyes as he skimmed one hand over the bruised and bleeding flesh of the young warrior, his heart aching over the obvious signs of torture.
"I can heal you both if you will let me."
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"Let it be known, children of Egypt, that in the hour of death, the god Thoth will weigh the heart of the deceased and hold him accountable for his actions during his life." Medjai Chronicles
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"You need to return to the city as I have instructed," Sharif stated evenly, acutely aware that his orders would most likely be ignored by the elder warriors. Haytham was watching Solman being placed on a carrier and Zaki was staring at him with a perplexed look on his face. "The Elders wish for all warriors to return as soon as possible; I am merely their messenger."
Haytham snorted. "You mean their lapdog?" he asked sardonically.
Sharif bristled, his amber colored eyes snapping with ire. "I am no one's lackey."
"The wiser choice would be to go after our chieftain," Zaki tactfully interjected and shot Haytham a meaningful glare. "Once he and Kedar find Nabil and Reyhan they will need our assistance. No one questions your sense of duty, ya sahib," he continued as he placed a hand on Sharif's shoulder, "but the Elders are only concerned with Ardeth's wellbeing."
"They are more concerned with who hold the reins of authority," Haytham snorted. He turned to Sharif and gave the younger warrior an apologetic smile. "The Elders are only to advise; we obey the dictate of our king. And we honor our vow – protecting our warrior brothers."
Sharif threaded his fingers through his thick, curly hair as his gaze darted between Haytham and Zaki. "I only wish to do what is right," he said softly.
Makin snorted and clapped Sharif on the back, nearly knocking his friend off his feet. "Then it is settled – we go after Ardeth and Kedar. I look forward to the ride; maybe we will come across a retreating Hunud and I can remind them just how skilled a Medjai is with his scimitar."
"Finding our missing brethren alive and well is all that matters to me," Jameel stated emphatically, and resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Makin's last comment.
"Considering the events I have participated and witnessed over the past several days, I am almost tempted to join you," Yousef said with a faint smile. "However I am certain that Drevick will need me in the days to come, and wish to return to my village as soon as possible."
"You are leaving, Tuareg?" Makin asked with feigned disappointment. "We have yet to schedule a sparring match."
Yousef gave Makin a droll stare as the other warrior's groaned in mock complaint. "Be careful of what you ask for, Medjai, for you may get it. I leave you in peace, protectors of man. You have done well this night."
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A/N – Never fear, my lapse in updating wasn't because of another scarab infecting my computer. Lol Web site server woes have knocked my friend's site off line and we're scrambling to come up with a solution. I'm filled with a sense of sadness that this story is drawing to a close, but I'm turning my evil eye towards Heroes and the sequel to "Somewhere In Time." So much to write, as always, so little time.
Special thanks to DreamShel for composing the prayer to Ma'at. Shukran! And to both Shel and Serena for listening to my idea's and answering my questions regarding the scene where Raphael is introduced.
This is an abbreviated shout-out to you all: Dawn, Serena, Karri, DreamShel, the Kidd Mdd [who was kind enough to email me to make certain everything is okay. smiles], LadyBug1, JeanB, and we can't forget Nakhti…thanks for always leaving some feedback, and letting me know that this story was worth reading.
There's more to come, but if you think things are starting to settle down now…heh heh. Peace and thanks again for reading! [waves]