XXIV
Six days later…in the Tuareg encampment
"I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away…
The worst is over now and we can breathe again…"
Broken" Seether/Amy Lee
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Tella leaned back in the chair and pressed a hand in the small of her back in an attempt to relieve the ache. She looked down at the pale face of her son, and sighed, believing he would never regain consciousness from the delirium that gripped him so tenaciously.
"Wake up, beloved," she whispered as she leaned over him, tenderly brushing the damp tendrils of hair from his face. "I miss you so very much. I want you to open your eyes, so I can see the light of your soul that burns within you. Your father misses you as well and fears that each breath you take will be your last."
Tella intently searched her son's face for any indication he had heard her and she bent lower so she could whisper in his ear. "Prove him wrong, my son, as you have always done in the past. He believes you will die…wake up, and show him. Show them all."
The minutes crept by as Tella waited for Drevick to respond. Disappointment clouded her eyes when he failed to do so and she sat up, determined to keep her vigil until she was no longer needed. She reached for the small basin of water and cloth she had been using to cool down Drevick's body but in her haste and exhaustion she knocked it off the stand. It fell to the carpeted floor with a crash and shattered, the water immediately absorbed by the thirsty material.
With a small cry of anguish, Tella sank to the floor as tears of frustration trickled down her face. A shadow suddenly appeared in the entrance, and just as she looked up to see who it was, she was enveloped in Lewnis' strong embrace.
"My love," he crooned as he picked her up, cradling her against him. "I heard you cry out and I thought…"
Tella started to weep even harder from the anguish she heard in Lewnis' voice. "You believed Drevick had passed," she softly sobbed.
Lewnis nodded his head, unable to speak past the sorrow that lodged in his throat. "What happened?" he asked several moments later after he managed to compose himself.
"I wanted to…the basin…Drevick's fever," Tella sniffled as she rubbed her nose against her husband's robes.
"If you two…are finished holding one…another," a young voice croaked. "I could use a…sip of water."
Tella gasped and slowly turned around, pulling free from Lewnis' arms. "Drevick?" she whispered in disbelief and sank down into the chair by the pallet.
"I heard you…calling to me," Drevick replied with a faint smile and reached for her with one hand.
Tella gave a small cry of happiness and gently embraced her son. Lewnis came up behind her and silently pulled them both into his arms as tears of joy welled up in his dark eyes. They stayed that way for several precious minutes, silently rejoicing that they were once again reunited as a family.
As Drevick nestled his head on his mother's shoulder, he felt his father's hand lovingly stroke the back of his head. He gave a ragged sigh of relief as he felt the need for sleep pull at him, but before he slipped away he had to ask the one question that continually plagued his heart.
"What of my…friend Reyhan?"
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…in the city of the Medjai…early morning.
"Well, that was not as bad as I had originally feared," Kedar said as he passed through the gilded doors that led to the counsel room. He held one open and stepped to the side as a grim faced Ardeth walked by.
"I thought the Elders were very generous and understanding," Haytham remarked as he walked behind Ardeth. "They appeared to be quite mollified by Ardeth's resolution, which came as quite as surprise in my opinion."
"They were subtly reminded about their place in the hierarchy," Zaki stated with an arched eyebrow as he followed Haytham, allowing the doors to swung shut behind him. "Despite Councilor Thias whining and complaining like an old woman," he added with a quick grin.
The three warriors stopped near the windows that overlooked the gardens, and continued to discuss the meeting that had just convened, forgetting Ardeth, who walked ahead. They never saw the large dark shadow that darted out from a nearby column to follow him, and were conveniently distracted when suddenly Itosh joined them.
"What do you want?" Kedar growled in lieu of a greeting at the gloating warrior.
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"Ajab, ya ra'is, I must know. How does it feel?"
Ardeth stopped walking and turned around, blinking in surprise when he saw Thias walked towards him. "Councilor, I do not understand your question," he replied with a slight frown.
Thias smiled slyly and folded his hands behind his back, slowly stalking the warrior in front of him. He hated the poise and demeanor that Ardeth possessed, the quiet dignity and nobility of his character. Most of all he hated that Ardeth wielded the power that he believed himself the better man to hold.
"All of your wayward warriors have triumphantly returned to the city, have been treated for their injuries, and are in recuperating in a private sector of the city. Such surprising and joyous news to learn while in counsel, and the Elders were so pleased that they forgave your lapse in communication with us all."
"An oversight, I can assure you," Ardeth replied smoothly.
Thias smirked. "You have received them back like a father welcoming his sons home, and have apparently forgiven them for their traitorous actions. Even Commander al Fa'ud, who stood accused of the reckless endangerment of his life and the lives of others, is given a light punishment: thirty day's suspension from active duty. How does it feel to have his blatant disregard for orders reduced to nothing more than a so-called brotherly act of love?"
"The Elders agreed with the verdict," Ardeth tersely stated.
"The Elders are blind to the truth, to the obvious favoritism that you bestow on a select group of warriors," Thias snapped. "What about the two men waiting for sentencing in the stockade? Are they not worthy of your 'special' attention, or since they do not meet your unwritten royal criteria will they suffer the same fate as a common criminal?"
Ardeth placed his hands on his hips as he stared at the agitated older man, his dark eyes snapping with fire. "Comparing Commander al Fa'ud to the two miscreants who disobeyed direct orders and shot Reyhan Abbasi for a false infraction is an insult. And one I will not forget. They were granted a tribunal, and were given several opportunities to defend their actions."
Thias snorted and waved one hand in the air. "Ah, aiwa. Let us remember that the mighty chieftain of the Medjai treats all of his warriors equally and without preferential treatment."
Ardeth tilted his head to one side, shrewdly assessing the other man. "Are you questioning my actions, Councilor?" he asked, the tone of his voice deceptively soft. "Or are you letting your hatred for ya sahib Nabil, and your own devious ambitions, rule your thoughts?"
Thias leaned over and whispered in Ardeth's ear. "There will come a time when your actions will be questioned, and discredited. A storm is brewing and dark clouds appear on the horizon. Choose your shelter and companions wisely, lest you are swept away and buried somewhere in the desert."
Ardeth flashed a cold and deadly smile. "I look forward to the challenge you present, Councilor." He turned and indicated an infuriated Kedar backing a stammering Itosh towards a column. "And I believe I have chosen my friends quite well."
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"…ever again, I will take great pleasure in gelding you like a stallion," Kedar growled at Itosh. He slammed his forearm under Itosh's chin and pressed, delighted at the mottled color that suddenly flashed across the other man's face.
"Itosh is not a stupid man, and would never dream of challenging you either in the council room or sparring match," Haytham interrupted and placed a gentle yet restraining hand on Kedar's shoulder.
"Threatening me changes nothing," Itosh gasped as he squirmed. "Commander al Fa'ud's day of reckoning is coming and I, for one, shall look forward to his ruin. His blood is not pure and he has no right holding a position of authority within the warrior sect."
"I am not of the blood," Zaki snarled as he crowded Itosh on one side, his golden eyes blazing with anger. "Are you looking forward to my demise as well?"
"At least I thought Itosh was not stupid," Haytham deliberated as he thoughtfully scratched his chin. He watched with a slightly amused expression as Itosh struggled under Kedar's arm like a scarab pinned by the sharp point of a dagger.
"Know this," Kedar hissed and applied more pressure to Itosh's neck. "If I ever learn that you have threatened Nabil, Reyhan, or any of my warrior brothers, I will come hunt you down." Every other word was accentuated with additional force until Itosh's face blazed bright red. "And when I am through with you, there will be nothing left to run through a sieve. Have I made myself clear?"
"Kedar, release him," Ardeth commanded. "Councilor Thias and Itosh were just leaving, and I have no wish to delay their departure any further."
Kedar hesitated and almost smiled at how much Itosh was squirming. "I am still waiting for an answer, dog," he said.
"A-aiwa…I understand," Itosh wheezed as he tried to pry Kedar's arm away from his throat.
Thias turned to Ardeth with a smirk on his face. "Oh indeed you have chosen well," he said and gestured to Kedar, Zaki and Haytham. "Their conduct so eloquently speaks for itself; I am impressed with your choices."
"You are dismissed, Councilor and if I have any further need of you, I will immediately send for you," Ardeth ordered and signaled for two guards to come forth.
Thias stiffened at the escort but wisely held his tongue. He walked over to the stammering and gasping Itosh, and with a meaningful glare at all of the warriors, finally walked away, sulking.
"Strange that once we thought the Tuareg were our enemies," Zaki stated quietly as he watched the men walk down the hallway. "We now know that somehow the enemy has breached the city and now resides within."
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He felt them burrowing under his flesh, skittering up his arms as they dug deeper in preparation for the feast. His hands clenched into fists as his body arched off the pallet, and his mouth opened in a silent scream of terror.
The scarab larvae began methodically digesting the muscle, sinew and tendon of his shoulder, the pain unbearable. He struggled to free himself but so many hands held him down, and the fear of dying in such a manner almost drove him insane. His rage was fueled by his helplessness and his eyes were wild with fright, darting among the leering faces, looking for someone…anyone to come to his aid.
"Reyhan, my stubborn camel." Muhjah-Aji suddenly appeared by his side, her eyes glowing with affection and happiness. "My love, I am here to help," she crooned as she raised her hand, the gleaming metal of the blade flashing eerily in the light.
Reyhan tensed in anticipation of the blow and he tried to avert his gaze, unwilling to witness the crude extraction of the insects that were eating him from the inside out…
He screamed moments later when Muhjah-Aji plunged the dagger deep into his chest, over and over again…
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A/n – metaphor borrowed from S Kenyon's "Night Embrace." Zarak is one bad, mad and immortal dude. I highly recommend reading her series; her male characters are to die for…wubba wubba. On to the shout-outs and many thanks to my wonderful beta, Serena, for her assistance. smiles
LadyBug1 – Thanks for taking the time to leave some feedback. You know I appreciate your trust in letting me play with your boys. There's more to come for Raphael, fear not…heh heh
Dawn369 – Your sense of trouble for Ardeth is more accurate than you think; trust them but don't hold your breath. The sequel to "Somewhere In Time" is coming next. Thanks for reading! waves
The Kid Mdd – ahhhh, my good and loyal reader. Sounds like to me you're in for all the rides, and my warriors and I appreciate that. Remind me to send you some hair color for the next set of stories, okay? This chapter was quite powerful, especially Nabil and Reyhan's reunion but you know me, it ain't over yet. Heh heh Stay with me…waves
Karri – Thanks for the review and I'm leaving a few for you today. It seems like forever since I've read your awesome story.
SerenaFehr – Raphael's power is something to be respected and feared but I didn't want it to come off as a simple light show. The Hunud will vanish for now but I see the queen's hatred for the Medjai eventually consuming her, and prompting her to do something rash. Thanks for reading!
Desperate and I have been corresponding about the twists and turns in the sequel to "Somewhere In Time." If not for her input, that story may have sat for a few more months. Sometimes a review not only inspires but leads to a much needed discussion to hash things out in my mind. Thanks very much, my friend!
Nakhti – Weee! Lookout, Nakhit can leave reviews again! Run for the hills. LOL! Update and conclusion, you ask? I can do the one, and the conclusion is coming. I'm kind of sad to see this story end but then again, when do my stories really end?
Peace y'all and thanks!