Part XXV

Reyhan bolted upright on the pallet with a hoarse cry, his eyes wide with fear from the horrific images from his nightmare. His heart hammered wildly in his chest and he fell to one side, his hands clutching at the bedcovers as he struggled to regain his composure.

"I am here," Nabil said gently as he suddenly appeared by Reyhan's side and reached for his brother. "Sahil…sahil."

Reyhan jerked away from Nabil's outstretched hand with a snarl and threw himself off the pallet, landing on the floor in a shaky fighting stance. "Stay away from me," he growled and blinked furiously to clear his vision.

"I am not the Hunud," Nabil calmly stated as he walked around the pallet, his hands held up in surrender. "Look with your heart, and then your eyes, ya ukh. See me for what I truly am."

Reyhan rubbed his eyes as their gazes met and held. As the fog from the dream lifted, he realized he was in Nabil's quarters within the citadel, safe from further harm. "I know you," he sighed and sat down on the edge of the pallet. "It is like looking into a mirror, and can be most unsettling."

Nabil smiled faintly as he sat down next to Reyhan. "SamaH ana for my disheveled appearance. I was napping when I heard a noise, and neglected to cover myself with a robe."

"At least you are wearing pants," Reyhan replied with an identical smile. "Not like the last time."

"I heard you cry out in your sleep, and came rushing in, without regard for my state of undress," Nabil explained and then paused for a moment. "Your rest has been sporadic since…"

"Why did you come for me?" Reyhan interrupted, reluctant to discuss his recurring nightmare. "Why did you risk your life to free me from the Hunud?"

"I had no choice. You were a brother warrior in danger," Nabil replied and instantly regretted the words once they left his mouth, fearing Reyhan would misunderstand.

"Our warrior oath prompted your actions?" Reyhan asked, his heart heavy with disappointment from Nabil's confession.

Nabil sighed and shook his head. "What I meant to say is that I came for you because you are of my blood. I could not let you die at the hands of the Rwalla-Hunud; my heart would not allow it. You are the response to a childhood wish; you are the brother I always wanted and I would do anything for you. If I were asked would I do it again, my answer would be aiwa."

Embarrassed but very pleased by Nabil's declaration, Reyhan's gaze darted from the floor to ceiling arched windows that gave his chambers a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape. The closeness that was developing between them was a cherished and much wanted gift. "Brothers should be with brothers," he stated softly.

Nabil smiled as he stood up and stretched, the overwhelming need for rest that had plagued him since returning to the citadel gradually dissipating. "You speak wisely for someone so young."

"I am only two summers younger than you," Reyhan chuckled as he watched Nabil walk over to the windows. He remained thoughtful for a moment, and then had to voice his primary concern. "I came here seeking a man I believed was my brother; I met a good and honorable warrior who saved my life. I wanted to be reunited with the last of my kin and have been. Now I must ask – will you accept or deny the blood claim?"

Nabil blinked in surprise from Reyhan's question and turned around to face his brother, placing his hands on his hips. "Why in the name of Allah would I want to accept your claim?" he asked mildly, as a humorous sparkle came into his eyes.

"I would have thought…I had hoped," Reyhan stammered and threaded his fingers through his hair in frustration. Immediately he felt foolish for believing that Nabil would welcome him as a brother and failed to see the faint smile dancing across the elder warrior's face.

Nabil walked back to Reyhan and stopped in front of him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I am only teasing," he said with a laugh, not wishing to see Reyhan so rattled. "I will summon a messenger and have the announcement posted by nightfall. Ardeth has already obtained the Elders approval and has given his blessing."

Reyhan was unable to stop the hopeful smile blossoming across his face, the first real joy he had felt since returning to the city. "I have a brother," he remarked softly.

"As do I," Nabil replied with a grin. "And best of all, I can finally issue orders to someone who has no choice but to obey them. After all, we are blood."

Reyhan blinked in surprise from Nabil's statement. "Well yaha. What in the name of Seti have I gotten myself into?"

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"There are times when I am concerned about you, ya saHib," Ardeth stated as he and Kedar continued down the hallway towards Nabil's quarters. "You cannot lie to me. You enjoyed torturing Itosh perhaps a little too much."

Kedar chuckled and shrugged his broad shoulders. "Itosh is a coward and caters to Thias' every whim like a lapdog. It does his ego good to have someone remind him once in a while exactly what his position is within the warrior sect."

"He was denied a promotion again?" Ardeth guessed as they approached the large double doors.

Kedar nodded his head. "Coincidently his prior commander was Yunis and both he and Captain Cohan gave less than commendable reports about Itosh's behavior on the battlefield and within the unit. The reason for the denial of his advancement was just."

"Agreed. However I cannot help but feel that he will blame his floundering career within the warrior sect on those he feels responsible," Ardeth stated as he knocked on one of the doors.

"So he and Thias will try to sabotage Nabil's place within the sect, so Itosh can be nominated as the replacement," Kedar guessed.

Ardeth flashed Kedar a grim smile. "Thias wants my position as chieftain," he clarified just as the door swung open.

"I would have wished you both a 'good morning', but considering the topic of conversation, I am uncertain as to whether it is still good or not," Nabil stated as he warily eyed the warriors in front of him.

Kedar raised an eyebrow. "At least you are wearing pants this time, ya ukh. Big improvement from the last time we came calling."

"There is that dormant warped sense of humor rearing its ugly head once again," Nabil quipped as he gestured for Ardeth and Kedar to come in.

"Must I keep informing you, Nabil?" Ardeth dramatically sighed as he passed by the gray eyed warrior. "Kedar has no sense of humor. None at all."

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"Shukran," Ardeth said graciously as he accepted the glass mug of mint tea from Reyhan. He leaned back and studied Reyhan with a critical eye as the young warrior served Kedar, looking for any lingering side effects from his ordeal. Appearance would have led him to believe that Reyhan was completely healed but the dark shadows that lingered beneath his eyes contradicted his conclusion.

Kedar gave a good natured groan of contentment as he shifted in his chair, and leaned his head back to enjoy the warmth of the morning sun. The warriors had gathered outside on Nabil's balcony to enjoy the cool morning hours before the heat became unbearable. "It is a beautiful day," he commented and looked up at Nabil, arching an eyebrow in question. "Have you eaten the morning meal yet?"

Nabil blinked in surprise from the question as he finishing tying the robe's sash around his waist. "I could send for a platter of fruits and cheeses, but Reyhan and I were going to visit Salma Aludra's prior to your arrival." He handed Reyhan his robe and motioned to the sash.

"Food is not the topic of conversation, Kedar," Ardeth stated. He smiled slightly as he watched the interaction between the brothers and heard their good natured bantering. He glanced over at Kedar, and knew that his friend was thinking the same thing: the ride into the Rwalla-Hunud encampment had been worth the risk, and the happiness shining in Nabil's eyes confirmed it.

"Ajab, samaH ana for the lack of preparation for your visit, ya ra'is," Nabil asked as he gestured for Reyhan to sit down.

"I am hungry," Kedar admitted as he sat up in his chair and looked at Reyhan. "Could you still have someone send over something that's a bit more substantial?"

"I do not know," Reyhan looked helplessly at Nabil.

"There is no need to address me so formally, ya ukh." Ardeth tried to ignore Kedar's question to Reyhan. "I come as your friend, although the news I bring may dampen your high spirits."

Nabil's eyes clouded with concern and he absently toyed with his mug, running his fingers around its rim. "You have news about Berin," he said quietly.

Ardeth nodded his head, noting that Reyhan leaned closer to Nabil in a silent act of support; the bond between them was growing stronger. "I received a message from one of the patrols; they have lost Berin's trail near Mallawi. Considering the ever changing desert environment, I was quite amazed they were able to track him and even more surprised that Berin had ridden that far despite his injuries."

"Berin is a capable, skilled warrior," Kedar tried to comfort Nabil as he thought about their blood brother oath. "He knows the climate well, and has most likely sought shelter in some small village we do not know of."

"It is possible," Reyhan said softly. "I do not know Berin as well as all of you, but I have learned much from the stories Nabil has told me over the past few days. The Honored Second is a strong and stubborn man; he is alive and is most likely recuperating from his wounds."

"Berin is alive," Nabil stated firmly. "He will return to the citadel, and if he does not, then I will go search for him. I will not rest until I know his fate."

"I am afraid that I am also the bearer of additional news," Ardeth announced and pulled a small parchment from his robe's pocket, handing it to Nabil. "The Elders have passed judgment regarding your actions, Commander, and as your chieftain I am to give this to you."

Nabil read the decree and silently passed it over to Reyhan with a deep sigh of frustration. "If I am relieved of active duty for thirty days and required to spend my time here in the citadel, who will conduct the search for Berin?"

"I will make sure we continue the hunt until we have exhausted all possibilities," Kedar said.

"As will I," Ardeth placed a hand on Nabil's shoulder. "There are times in which I must act as your king, and there are times in which I have to act as your saHib. Berin is also ya saHib, and the uncertainty of his fate does not sit well with me. On my oath as a warrior, I pledge to you that I will find him, and bring him home."

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A/N – to make up for the lapse in updating, I'm submitting this chapter tonight, and will update again on Friday. This one is a shorty but I strongly suggest that you don't unhook your seat belts just yet, there's more to come even as this story winds down. I also apologize for not reading/reviewing like I should, and I have to forgo the shout-out's on this submission for now…too long to explain but I gots to get to bed soon. Early morning hours and I do not get along. Anywho, I digress. Special thanks to those who faithfully read and review, you have my gratitude for not slipping away.

Remember, this will be added on to Friday! Insert dramatic music if you'd like…lol