THE OTHER SIDE

Happily, proudly, Erroll Auberjonus leaned back against his bulky knapsack. He had yet to take out his bed roll, but he was in no hurry. His right hand man, Bruce Stanley, had built a roaring fire about half an hour ago, and he was enjoying himself as he watched the flames dance. It was hypnotic, seemingly opening a window from which he could see his enriched future. Ah yes. He was destined to make a fortune. He knew this. He had known it since he was a small boy. It didn't matter that he had slaughtered many innocent people while achieving his greedy goal. Human life, outside his own, meant nothing to him. He did not value or cherish it. He never had. He never would, and he was an unshakable man.

As he became further seduced by the flames, his mind drifted to his latest venture at the Narrows. Not that he really cared, but he hadn't known who he was attacking in the traveling party until he set his eyes on Liliana Bay. It came to his men sooner. They had immediately seen the traditional marks on their faces and hands. It had come to Erroll only in that moment when his eyes met those of the wife of Ardeth Bay. It wasn't easy getting to the Medjai woman and her traveling companion. The warriors were brutal fighters, battling down to the last breath they took. They had managed to kill half of his gang. They were severely outnumbered, but had done more damage than Erroll's men could ever fathom. Erroll had allowed his cronies the honor of taking care of the warriors. He insisted on handling the two women. He thoroughly enjoyed terrorizing the fairer sex.

When he saw the women, it took only a few seconds to discern which was married to the Chieftain. She was strong. A fighter. It was very difficult subduing her. It was almost a shame when he ended her life. He should have kept her around just for his personal jollies. But he decided against that. If he hadn't followed his gut instinct, the Chieftain probably would have followed them to the end of the earth. It didn't dawn on him that the same thing would happen at her death. Apparently, he wasn't sensitive enough to understand or realize that. It didn't matter to him. It really didn't. Nothing did. All that mattered was his future and lust for money. If the Chieftain was worried about his dead wife, who would be watching the Lost City? His men could, but they would be busy 'dutifully' grieving for the man's wife. Glory would definitely be his. It certainly would.

"Erroll, are you restless?"

Erroll looked up at his woman, Eve Gehring. She had approached from the side and now stood looking down at him. He had taught her that no man guarding his interests wanted to be approached from behind. When he took her as his, she had made the mistake of coming up behind him to wrap her arms around his waist. He had turned on her suddenly, viciously, and knocked her down. She nearly lost an eye due to that little trick and still had to wear an eye patch on sunny days. She was young. He liked them young. She was also tall and had a thick cascade of black hair. Unfortunately, she usually wore it tied back in a ponytail. The only time she wore it down was when they were in bed. Perhaps if he demanded it of her, she would wear it down. It might be worth a try. Eve was quite stubborn at times. He liked a good fight…occasionally, but she knew when to give over. She had been his woman for five years, but he wasn't adverse to the idea of killing her if he had to do it. Actually, he probably wouldn't blink an eye or shed a tear.

"No, I'm not restless. I'm just sitting back, enjoying the flames. Sit."

He hadn't made an actual request of her. He had demanded that she sit. She usually didn't follow his 'commands,' but tonight, she wasn't feeling her normal, argumentative self. Not only that, but Erroll was in a mood. When he was like this, he could be mean. She didn't want to injure her good eye. Without a word, Eve joined him. And like Erroll, she became enchanted by the flames. It was odd how a fire could hypnotize the coldest of hearts. Eve's was cold, all right. She had known, and had been sleeping with, Erroll for half a decade. If Erroll wasn't such a beast, she would have been his right hand 'man.' But he wouldn't hear of it. I need a man to do a man's job, Erroll had said thousands of times. It didn't matter that she could shoot, fight, and talk dirty…just like aman. Eve had been on many raids and expeditions with Erroll. In fact, most of his fortune could be attributed to her efforts. She reminded him of that only when they argued. As a woman, she could access more places than he could. Erroll was a known marauder, but Eve wasn't. Hardly anyone in the country would assume that she had the blackest of hearts. She liked having that talent. She liked it when people gave over to her just because they thought she was fragile or innocent. It was a game she played well. When the game was finished, the real 'Eve' came into play.

Before she met Erroll, Eve was a spinster teacher, unworldly with the ways of men. However, she was bored with her teaching job, she hated children, and she wanted a different life. But no one would give her credit for having a brain due to her gender. The day she saw Erroll for the first time, she realized that he was her ticket out of this insane life that she led. Erroll and his men rode in during a horrendous sandstorm. Ruthlessly, they raided the village that Eve had called home since she came from America. She watched as Erroll basically destroyed her village, murdered the men, raped the women, and left children screaming for their parents. All around her, people were terrified, running for their lives. But not her. She wasn't horrified. She was fascinated. She stood in the doorway of her tiny schoolroom watching as her students fled, some of them victims of Erroll's wrath, and she actually remembered trembling. Not in fright. She was aroused. Greatly so. When Erroll saw her, she knew he saw an easy victim. She was dressed in her dull schoolmarm uniform and looked older than her years. She recalled taking a deep breath and holding it while the cold gray steel of Erroll's eyes roved her body. Right then, she wanted him. And she got exactly what she wanted. Off the horse he came, taking her roughly by the arm, and dragging her into the schoolroom. He took her right there, on one of the rough wooden benches, introducing her to the ways of sex, lust, and power. Erroll thought his victim was unwilling, but when she submitted, he took her again…then again…then again. After that day, she became his woman and had never looked back. She had found her 'Adam.'

She was with Erroll when they attacked the Medjai caravan escorting Ardeth Bay's wife back to their village. She had actually played a moderate role as she had been the one to originally garner their attention. Like she had done thousands of times before, she used her helpless veneer to seduce the group, making them feel sorry for her, and then she made way for Erroll to take control. She had never taken a human life, but she had watched many being taken. She always watched. Watching life ebb away was another bit that made her blood boil. Normally, she would get Erroll alone and literally ravage his body. After Erroll killed, it was the only time he would allow her to take control of their lovemaking. He had no choice. Eve was unstoppable and insatiable. It was as if she had become another woman. Erroll teased her about this, often calling her 'Devil Woman' or 'DW.' She loved it. She loved him. She loved the life.

Eve watched when Erroll killed Liliana Bay and her female traveling companion. She watched as Erroll had his way with the girl. It never made her jealous when Erroll chose to do this, but she always found herself watching in great fascination. It thrilled her when her lover took the girl. As valiantly as she fought, she felt some sympathy for her, but didn't offer to help or to dissuade Erroll from continuing. He left the girl for his men and they satisfied their lust and carved up her body. When Erroll turned his attention toward Liliana Bay, Eve could feel jealousy creeping in. Oddly, the Chieftain's wife was similar in coloring and had the dark hair that Eve possessed. What made it worse was that Erroll was looking at Liliana the way he had looked at her five years ago. It was the first time since she had become his woman that she wanted to take a life. She could easily see that Erroll was becoming aroused. Fearing her place in his life, she picked up a rock and hurled it at the woman, hitting her solidly on the side of her head. When she passed out, Erroll went to work subduing her. He had begun to undress her, to attempt to take her as he done the other, but somehow, the woman regained consciousness. She began to rattle deliriously, saying something about not harming her raDî. Eve didn't understand as much Arabic as Erroll, but she knew what the Bay woman was speaking about. She was with child. Erroll hated mucking about with women who were in a delicate condition. As soon as Liliana opened her eyes, Erroll withdrew his sword from its sheath and swiftly ended her life. Eve felt an intense rush of excitement after Erroll's deed. Within moments, she was before him on her knees, working frantically at his belt buckle.

It was this way since she had known him. It would be this way for as long as she stayed with him. She supposed she would be with him until she died or until he killed her. She honestly couldn't say which would come first. She never questioned Erroll, never tested his patience. She knew better. Eve was once asked why she stayed with Erroll, why she allowed him to have such control over her. For her, it was simple. She had never felt or been more alive until she met him. Until that changed, she would go nowhere else, be with no one else.

"What is next, yâ maHabbi," she asked as her eyes remained transfixed on the dancing flames.

In response, Erroll grunted. What was the plan after this? He had a few ideas. For a long moment, he didn't speak. He was not one to tell his woman everything in his mind. "I don't know," he finally said. "But I'm thinking that we should take advantage of the Chieftain's grief. Perhaps, we can plunder the Lost City now that his attention has shifted."

Eve sighed. "I agree," she said. Why wouldn't she? It didn't pay to disagree with Erroll. "Do you think it wise to try our luck? To stay here? Won't the Chieftain search relentlessly for us?"

For a moment, Erroll was annoyed. She dared to contradict him? He came close to backhanding her. Fighting the urge…he had had his fair share of violence for the time being…he glanced at her. "The Chieftain was pathetically in love with his wife. I think we're safe to scout about. Are you afraid, Eve?"

She didn't shrink away from his rather pointed question. "No, I am not afraid. I will go wherever you go. Do whatever you do."

He smiled before nodding his head. "Good girl."


Ash awoke in her gloomy room. She couldn't quite tell if it was morning or nighttime. She had fallen asleep after showing her ass in front of her parents. Upon waking, she realized how very selfish she was and how horrible her words were to her parents. Would they allow her to make amends? If they didn't, she wouldn't blame them. The news of Liliana's death had simply destroyed her. She wasn't aware of what she said until much, much later, after hearing the harrowing sobs issuing forth from her father. He was devastated. In deep pain. She had spat on her parents. It was as simple as that. Ash was old enough to realize that her grief was no excuse for her behavior, but she couldn't change what she said. It was too late for that.

Also weighing heavily on her mind was the upcoming trip to Egypt to face her brother in-law and to attend the funeral. She didn't want to do either of those things. Not in this lifetime. She didn't want to see her beloved sister interred for all eternity. She wanted to go back in time, to change fate, to save her sister's life. She was having great difficulty coming to terms with the fact that she would never see Liliana again. It was totally incomprehensible.

She rolled over in bed, burying her face in her pillow. She needed to get up and face her parents, but she didn't know if she could. She was so very ashamed of herself. Not wanting to confront her parents was purely childish on her part. She felt like an insolent two year old. However, she wasn't a child. She was an adult, and being an adult meant dealing with her parents differently. Her folks couldn't spank her as punishment now. It wasn't a few moments of pain before it was all over. Punishment as an adult child was months of grief and coldness. She had not traveled into adulthood gloriously. Every day had been a struggle. She hated it, but there wasn't much she could do about it now. Nothing much at all.

Slowly, Ash got out of bed. She snagged her robe from the foot of the bed and shrugged her way into it. There was no sense putting it off any longer. She had to face her parents. There was simply no getting around it, no matter how long she continued ruminating about it. Get moving, girl. Now!

After fighting with her inner demon for more than half an hour, Ash left her bedroom and wandered out into the hall. She could hear the faint strains of piano music coming from the front of the house. Her mother was playing. Millicent Harding often played the piano during times of extreme stress. To Ash, it seemed an odd way to cope, but everyone dealt with stress in his/her special way. Mother turned to Beethoven where others might turn to drink or excessive gambling.

As Ash drew nearer to the front of the house, the music grew louder. Mother could play well. Obviously today, she was banging her heart out. She stood a few feet behind her mother, simply watching at first. Father was nowhere in sight. Normally when she played, he was in close proximity. He enjoyed listening to his wife, often clapping loudly, even cheering, when she finished a particularly moving piece. After dramatically sweeping her hands across the keyboard, she stopped playing, possibly pausing only long enough to turn the page and begin another emotional tune.

"Mother," Ash called meekly.

Millicent came off the piano bench a good inch or two. She placed her hand over her heart as her chest heaved from the shock. A dramatic woman was Millicent Harding. "Good gracious," she sighed. "You scared the wits out of me."

"I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't mean to frighten you. Where's Father?"

"Out walking in the garden. We're leaving for Egypt this afternoon. I should hope you begin packing immediately."

Ash nodded. "Okay," she said. "I'll get to it in a bit." She was not looking forward to this trip. "I'll speak to Father in a few moments, but first, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was quite selfish of me."

"Yes," Millicent said, nodding. "It was. Your behavior hurt your father very much. Yet, I can understand your reaction. You and Liliana were closer than any sisters could be. Grief affects us all differently."

"It does." She took another tentative step forward. She wanted nothing more than to embrace her mother. Millicent wasn't affectionate. She took her hugs in spells, and this didn't seem the right time. "I simply wasn't thinking clearly. I'll find Father."

Millicent nodded firmly. "Yes, you do that. Don't be long. We have a lot of packing to do."

After a brief, dutiful nod, Ash left her mother behind at the piano, tightened her robe sash, and made her way outside. The Harding home was modest, two stories, and had plenty of floor space. The Hardings were known to entertain occasionally and they had a spacious room specially reserved for their get togethers. It was the same room where Millicent displayed her beloved piano. The Harding home was surrounded by rolling green hills and an expansive garden that was another of Millicent's pride and joys. She spent endless hours tending it. Ash pitched in once in a while. She had never taken to it like her mother had. Their garden boasted lovely marble benches that were covered with different types of ivy and morning glory vines. It truly was lovely here with all the plants, greenery, and trees. When they were children, she and Liliana often fantasized having their weddings here. They often played make believe, having their potential 'husbands' doing handstands off the benches to win their hands. Behind the opulent garden was a small equipment shed. She remembered that they had also set up an imaginary house inside. Once Liliana grew old enough to realize who her husband would be, her fantasy man was always 'Ardeth.' Ash wouldn't understand the significance of that until she was much older herself. Suddenly, she had to fight back the tears. What she wouldn't give to live those moments again.

She rubbed at her eyes harshly as she rounded a corner of the shed, nearly running into her father face first. "Father, I'm so sorry," Ash gasped.

He shook his head. "No need, my dear. You couldn't have known where I was." Without hesitation, he embraced his remaining daughter and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "What are you doing out here in your night garments?"

Danforth Harding. So selfless. Always thinking of others. "Looking for you. I've already spoken to Mother, so I thought it was time I sought you out before we leave for Egypt. I was very selfish last night, Father, and I'm very ashamed of that now."

He put his arm around her shoulders, turning her back toward the house. He walked with her slowly, giving and receiving comfort. "It's okay, Ashlyn. I know how close the two of you were. You've always been so headstrong and independent. You were never one to come to either I or your mother when you were hurt or upset. In fact, I think your first words were 'get out of the way.'" He chuckled at the memory. Ashlyn was like her mother in that regard. Liliana was gentler, soft spoken, on the ready for hugs or kisses, but still very fierce. She was like her mother. "I could never fault you for that."

At his gentle words, the tears came. Hastily, she wiped her eyes. "I was so upset, I didn't know what to do or say. It was terrible of me to forget that you loved her as much as I did. That you probably loved her more."

"Don't fret, Ashlyn. Stop this. Right now." As they drew nearer to the house, he stopped walking and turned her to face him. Sternly, he said, "You must exercise restraint. Be kind when we meet with Ardeth. I know you don't agree with the life Liliana led or the way she married, but you must remember he is a man who has lost his wife."

"And child," Ash added without thinking.

Frowning, Danforth glanced down at his daughter. "Child?"

Oh dear Lord. She hadn't meant to let it slip. She had broken her promise to Liliana. She would spend her eternity making it up to her sister. "Yes, Father. Child," she said sadly. "She didn't want to tell you and Mother right away, but she was going to have a baby before…before this happened."

"God be with them both," Danforth said, his own voice breaking with emotion. "And God be with the men who did this. My Egyptian son will hunt them until his death."


To be continued…

Translations:

RaDî—Baby

Yâ MaHabbi—My love