KASHFI NARROWS
The ride across the desert was long and tedious. The muscles of Ash's inner thighs were beginning to ache miserably. She wanted to ask how much further they had to ride, but she felt awkward, left out. Her parents and Ardeth rode ahead. Their voices droned on and on, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. It appeared as if they were intentionally keeping her out of everything. For Pete's sake, Liliana was her sister. They couldn't simply exclude her as if her opinion, wants, or feelings did not matter. Faras rode quietly alongside her. Ash knew she was young, but that didn't mean she was stupid. Her brother in-law had assigned the warrior to look after her, to keep her at bay so they could discuss grown-up matters. She had never felt so humiliated or so dismissed in her life. At a time such as this, no one should have been concerned over the possibility of a temper tantrum. Ash was young, she might have been spoiled rotten, she might have been the most childish adult ever created, but she wasn't an idiot. Did they think so little of her? What was worse and an even more pointed question, did she think so little of Ardeth Bay? Did she?
"My brother in-law asked you to baby-sit me, didn't he," Ash asked.
Faras focused his eyes on her face. He was no liar, but the truth would definitely hurt her. "He asked that I take you as my charge," he said.
She smiled sardonically. "In other words, yes," Ash sighed. "I don't hate Ardeth. I just don't agree with how my sister became his wife."
"He loved her very much, Miss Harding. She loved him just the same…if not more. There was never a question about that."
She nodded. "I've a lot to learn, I suppose. But I can't help but wonder if you're all destined to marry the same way. Is that true?"
Faras smiled widely at that question. Apparently, this was the part of Ashlyn Harding that Ardeth had been exposed to many times. However, it didn't seem as if she was necessarily trying to start a fight. "Arranged marriages are still an active part of our culture. Some warriors are contracted to marry the daughters of other great warriors in the fold. The elders attempt to match those they know will make a successful marriage. Chieftains tend to be matched with strong maidens. Your sister was the child of our healer. She was chosen at a young age to be married to Ardeth. But we don't look at women…at any woman…and proclaim 'you're mine' without giving them a voice, without giving them love and having it returned. It doesn't work that way, Miss Harding."
Ash allowed Faras' story to sink in one word at a time. Why hadn't her parents, or even Liliana, taken the time to explain it to her this way? "And if the couple isn't in love? What then?"
He chuckled and shook his head. "You think they are shackled to a man's pallet? If they are not in love, before the day they are unified for life, either the man or the woman can walk away. It doesn't happen often, our elders are wise, and they have a sixth sense of sorts telling them who will be happy together. It is a complicated process, but far from barbaric."
"I just don't understand it thoroughly, I suppose." She sighed. "I'm sorry you're stuck with me."
"I'm not," he said as gently as his gruff voice would allow.
Ash smiled, blushing all the way to her toes. For all her bravery, she could not find the words to respond to that particular comment. "Just so you know, I prefer to go by Ash. Miss Harding makes me sound like a debutante. I'm far from that."
He had nice eyes and a smile to match. He hadn't replaced the ghutrah once they began their journey. Ash assumed it wasn't practical for conversation. Although quite miffed with her brother in-law for giving her a guard dog, Ash found this young man intriguing. Of course, her intrigue was just as peaked by Ardeth, but she didn't dare approach him. They had to speak to each other, even if she wasn't in a big hurry to do so.
"If that is your wish," he said. "Ash it is."
Faras hadn't known her before, had only received information second hand. From what he observed thus far, she didn't appear to be any more of a hellion than any other woman he had known in their village. Perhaps Ardeth had misjudged her as an adult. She wasn't a child and had likely grown out of that thought pattern. Yet, Faras did not know her, only had developed an instant infatuation.
"What do you do back home," Faras asked.
To say she was shocked at his question would have been an understatement. Suddenly, she realized she did have a lot more to learn than she first thought. No one only interested in breeding would have asked such a question. "I'm a nurse."
"Ah, aiwa. The love of medicine must run in your veins just as your abu's," he said with a smile.
She nodded again, affording herself a sarcastic chuckle. "I was forced into it at a young age, but I grew to love it." As much as your sister grew to love Ardeth. Ash realized there were many more truths she would have to face. Even more lessons to learn. "Do you think my father and I can be of some assistance to your healer while we're here?"
"Our healer is always in need of extra hands," he admitted. "You might want to speak to yâ ra'îs once we arrive at the village."
Inwardly, Ash made a face. She was in no hurry to speak to Ardeth about anything as of yet, especially right now. Maybe her attitude would change in a couple of days. "Sure," she said with little enthusiasm. "I may do that." She gave Faras a long sideways glance. She stared as long as she dared before averting her gaze. She didn't want him to notice. "You're second in command," she asked. She already knew the answer to her question. Despite that, for no reason at all, she wanted to continue engaging him in conversation.
He glanced at her, immediately noticing that her cheeks had pinked. He wanted to tell her she didn't need to invent things to talk about. She had his full attention. He said nothing of the sort. Perhaps what he hoped was mutual infatuation was nothing more than curiosity. But her eyes told him something different. "Aiwa," he finally said. "I have served in this capacity for some time now. I have known yâ ra'îs many years."
"Any idea why he is so difficult," Ash asked out of the blue, startling herself as much as Faras.
He laughed softly. "He is not difficult, I do not think. He is stern, but quite big-hearted and fair minded."
Of course his Second would defend him. What was that my mother said? Men stick together? Well, my handsome guide, he is not your brother in-law. The words came easily to mind, but died on her tongue. She didn't want to spend the entire journey bad mouthing Ardeth. Now wasn't the time to voice her displeasure. Grow up, Ash. "Do you possess the same qualities, Second in Command?"
He afforded her another glance. Although she was smiling ever so slightly, her eyes were haunted and sad. He had a sudden urge to embrace her. If it weren't improper, he would have acted on his impulse in a heartbeat. However, her brother in-law would have his hide. "I hope so. I hope I can one day lead my home tribe as well as our Chieftain has led us all. I also hope that you do not feel as if I am pleading his cause for your benefit."
She shook her head. "No, I don't feel that way. I hope I can finally know my brother in-law and that I can learn enough so I can understand what drew Liliana to the life she led. I'm not a child any longer. I must act as such, especially now, while we're all eaten alive by this sudden loss. I don't want to be excluded."
Faras tore his eyes away from her for a moment to glance at the riders ahead. He felt badly for her. Although it was unintentional, they were excluding her. "Speak to your family," he said, clearly including Ardeth in that group. "Only you can stop the alienation. If you do not, it will continue mercilessly."
How could such a young man manage to be so wise? She wanted to speak, longed to thank him for his words, for trying to help her, but nothing came to the surface. Stupidly, she looked him in the eye and nodded her head yet again, giving him the only 'thank you' she could manage.
Ahead of them, Ardeth listened vaguely to the elder Hardings. He could not decipher one individual word they were speaking. Shamefacedly, he strained to hear Faras and Rimâd. They were not that far behind, just far enough for their words to run together in a jumbled type of nonsense. He wanted to hear what they were saying, but could not pinpoint a reason why he was so curious. He, himself, wanted to speak to Rimâd. Yet, it wasn't a good time for it. He wanted to include her in the rituals ahead. Still, she would not want her sister interred in the Medjai way. It was what Liliana wanted, what he wanted. Rimâd's input would serve to clash with tradition, with ritual. Ardeth wasn't a slave to it, but it existed for a reason. Liliana wished to follow it and he would honor her wishes regardless of what his stubborn silfa felt or wanted. If it was hard hearted, so be it. When it came to his Liliana, he was more than willing to be impractical. When Rimâd fell in love and married, she would understand. Until that day, she wouldn't. From what he knew and had been told, she wouldn't understand even then. She was not learned in the art of love or the tragedy of loss.
The Hardings' voices continued to mix and mingle during their conversation. They weren't speaking directly to him. For that, he was grateful. He surely wasn't listening. He was alert and distracted, cautious and off-guard. It was a deadly combination as the Narrows loomed ahead. Nothing seemed to be out of place, but they still had to err on the side of caution. They were prepared and ready for anything. His men might feel as if Auberjonus would back off, but Ardeth didn't trust him or any of the Narrows' gangs. Once they tasted blood, they craved more, as if they were crazed predators. Auberjonus had earned a brief reprieve. After Liliana was laid to rest, those who harmed her would see no peace.
He didn't want to let his guard down any further, but he allowed it to slip enough so he could glance back at Faras and Rimâd. They appeared to be very comfortable with each other. If they were lucky, they would both come out of this with a better knowledge regarding matters of the heart. It was what they needed. While watching them, Ardeth felt a lurch in his heart. It was something he didn't expect, but he thought he understood it. It was a nudge of protectiveness. As a young girl, Ardeth had been fond of her. She had become, in effect, another sister to him. Her time in Egypt would be brief. Faras would wind up breaking her heart. He didn't want his young silfa to experience such pain. An entanglement with Faras was definitely something she didn't need. Despite how she truly felt about him, Ardeth felt protective toward her. He always had. She is a grown woman. She does not need you dictating her life. It was true, but he couldn't stop.
Ash continued to speak and listen to Faras, but her attention was diverted momentarily. She felt eyes on her. Her brother in-law was looking at her. Part of her brain goaded her to confront him. Was she not riding fast enough to suit him? What more did he expect? She nearly opened her mouth to speak out against him again, but soon quashed the urge. She reminded herself of her promise not to fight with her brother in-law. It was more than tempting, though. Instead of voicing her displeasure, she simply averted her eyes. It was best not to say one word until she was ready, until she calmed down. She could not allow her grief to take hold of her senses. Ash suddenly felt ashamed of herself. Why couldn't she and her brother in-law comfort each other? Why couldn't they share their mutual grief? She wanted it more than anything. It wasn't easy. It was a goal far out of her reach. Both had a lot of fence mending to do before Ash could allow it. Once we arrive at the village, I will speak to him, she promised herself.
The small traveling party rode for some time before they approached what seemed to be a rundown, yet recently habituated, area. Ash's eyes identified a dilapidated and abused pyramid flanked on each side by massive sand dunes. From the look of the structure, someone had recently used it for target practice. Ash's father was an avid hunter, so she knew what bullet holes looked like. The entrance to the pyramid was blocked with sand. Atop it flew a flag with two Arabic characters emblazoned upon it. There were several campsites here and there, marked by extinguished camp fires that were further decorated with burned trash of all sorts. She saw scorched pots, pans, and other utensils. On one site, there were at least twenty aluminum cups scattered about that had been blackened by a long since dead flame. Bits of torn fabric ruffled in the breeze. It, like the cups, was burned and completely destroyed. Although she couldn't see it, there were many other objects buried under the sand. At this one site that had drawn Ash's attention, a group of men were playing cards, one player accused another of cheating, and a shooting match began. The innocent game had become a blood bath. There were only two survivors, mortally wounded, when Auberjonus and his men happened upon them. They spent a good part of the day robbing the dead men, murdering the survivors, before burying them in the sand. Ash knew nothing of this story, but she surmised that whoever had been here didn't want to leave any evidence behind. Suddenly, Ash understood. Her sister had died here. It was at her realization when she noticed how stiff both Ardeth and Faras had become.
"Kashfi," Faras mumbled. His voice was barely perceptible.
"Why is it called that," Ash asked, completely horrified.
He noticed that all had fallen silent, fixing their eyes on him. Only Ardeth continued to look out into the distance. They had purposely ridden far from the scene of Liliana's death. It didn't matter. This land was cursed. People had died here in vain, poisoning the sand with their lifeblood. Softly, he spoke, "Kashfi was an East Indian family who were slain here by marauders hundreds of years ago. Legend has it that only the head of the family survived the attack. When he recovered, he built the pyramid in the throes of deep grief only to die before it was finished."
Ash opened her mouth to respond to Faras, but Ardeth barked a harsh uskut in their direction before mimicking the sound of an animal. At first, she thought he had lost his mind, but regretted her assessment when she heard an answer to his call. He looked back at Faras, uttered a few Arabic words, and rode forward a few steps.
"Our other dulala," Faras explained to her.
Four robed figures appeared from the left side of the pyramid. Danger apparently lurked ahead. Ash's heart began to pound in her chest. She longed to be far, far away from this place. In her mind, she could almost see the carnage, the violence that had taken place here. She could picture her sweet sister begging for the life of her unborn baby. She could hear the screams; smell the blood as it wet the sand.
"Take me from this place," she whispered to no one in particular.
She made moves to do just that when a pair of hands took hold of the horse's reins. It was Ardeth. She was startled. She hadn't known he was anywhere near her.
"Lâ," he said sternly, but gently. His eyes gazed intensely into hers. "No hasty actions out here. No harm will come to you, but you must stay with Faras and me. If you refuse, fate will not be kind to you."
If misconstrued, his words would have been threatening. However, they weren't. He was stating the facts as he knew them. "I…I understand," she said meekly.
He nodded. "Good. You and your parents are very important to me. Do not think of the tragedy that occurred here. Being off guard even slightly could mean the difference between this life and that beyond. Can you stay with us?"
She took a moment to glance at Faras. He watched their exchange with as much intensity as Ardeth's gaze. She tore her eyes away from Faras before nodding her head complacently. "I can. I do not wish to stay here, but I won't take off on my own. I feel Liliana's last moments here. It's far too much."
"Aiwa. That it is," he said softly.
Ardeth, Faras, and Ash were the group in the rear, so they were last to exit the Kashfi Narrows. The trio didn't speak much to each other. They were all too riveted by the place, far too emotional. Ash held onto her sanity by a mere thread of consciousness. It wouldn't do to lose her composure now. They saw no one, encountered no one, but Liliana's tortured soul haunted her. She did not want to imagine what cruelties had visited her sister. She now had a taste for revenge herself. She wanted to be present to see the killers receive the justice they deserved for taking two innocent lives.
The village lay ahead of them, no more than a few miles. Ash was never so glad to see a place in her life. Grief would become her best friend in the days to come, but for now, she saw the place as a respite, a respite she and the family needed right now. She was tempted to break into a full gallop, but maintained a steady trot. Neither Ardeth nor Faras would allow her to break off on her own. It didn't matter that Kashfi was miles behind them now.
As they inched closer and closer, Ash saw a few scattered adobe structures, but the main part of the village was inhabited with hundreds of billowing tents. It reminded Ash of a fairy tale she had once been told as child, long before she ever set foot in a Medjai complex. Her view of what a 'tent' was then was forever slanted once the Harding family began their sojourns to this beautiful land. At eight, when Liliana said they would spend the night in a 'tent,' visions of sleeping on the ground under a burlap bag came to mind. Yet, she had learned these tents were very similar to housing…it was a different kind of housing, but she had to admit she loved it.
When Ash, Ardeth, and Faras entered the gates of the village, several warriors, their wives, and their children came out to greet them. Ash watched as Faras scooped up a boy of about six and plopped him unceremoniously on his shoulders so he could ride along with the best view in Egypt.
"This little scamp is my ibn il-ukht, Naiyir," Faras said. He looked up at the boy and said, "Qâl âlô li Mâdam Harding."
He peered down at Ash curiously before grinning. He looked like Faras a little, especially the expression on his face and his wide brown eyes. Instead of speaking, he waved at her nonchalantly. "Khâl, hîya inta bint?"
Faras tried, but couldn't stifle a laugh. "Lâ, ibn il-ukht, mâ mush kemân."
Ash watched the boy and Faras curiously. She couldn't pick up everything they said, but it must have been funny as the boy was giggling and Faras was smiling at her. "Are you two up to something," Ash asked.
Faras shook his head. "No, Ash. I'm simply expressing a desire."
Ardeth, on the other hand, had no trouble deciphering the Arabic. "Show the Hardings to their tents," he barked at Faras.
Faras gave Ardeth a respectful nod before helping his nephew down off his shoulders and onto the ground. He had begun to lead the way until Ash uttered one word that stopped the procession. "No." The elder Hardings, Ardeth, and Faras were focused on the younger woman. "Not yet. Not until I see my sister. I know the rituals, Ardeth, I have educated myself well. I know you have a ceremony before the burial where the dead is honored in state, almost like the royals honor their dead. I won't go to my tent until you take me to see my sister."
"Ash, perhaps we should freshen up and rest before we…"
"No," she said shortly, cutting her mother off before she finished her sentence. "I want to see her first. The rest of you can wait if you'd like, but I would like for Ardeth to honor this one request."
Ardeth gazed at his sister in-law blankly, showing absolutely no emotion. He knew this was going to be something Rimâd would request. He had been expecting it from the moment he first laid eyes on her earlier today. Without a word, he dismounted and handed his horse's reins to Faras. "Faras, please ensure the others are settled in." He presented his hand to Ash, who was still astride her horse. "Please."
Swallowing hard, Ash took hold of Ardeth's hand, allowing him to help her dismount. Once her feet hit the ground, her legs nearly buckled beneath her, but she found her footing fast enough. He kept hold of her hand, watching as Faras led the family to the guest tents specially set up for them.
"Come with me now," Ardeth said.
Ash didn't argue as Ardeth led her further into the village. Several members of the community were out and about. They nodded to their Chieftain and he acknowledged their presence. They kept a respectful distance, as all Medjai warriors were granted a certain amount of solitude in order to grieve for their loved ones. Ardeth was granted more than usual as it was his wife. There was no such thing as a royal family amongst the Medjai people, but the Chieftain and his wife were very close to that. They were loved and honored by their people. To Americans, it would seem that the First Lady had been assassinated. And in state was what the warrior community used to define a 'viewing.'
Once they were outside a smaller tent, one with tons of billowing material floating about in the afternoon breeze, Ardeth stopped long enough to remove the burnoose and his flowing robe. He was down to his tunic now. Ash watched as he whispered a silent Arabic prayer before kissing his finger and placing it gently against his forehead. He then reached out to reveal the opening to the tent, clearly indicating that Ash should go inside first. She did with little hesitation, noticing that Ardeth was behind her.
The inside of the tent was lit by hundreds of candles. The light was dim, but more than appropriate. Liliana was laid onto a long, flat ornamental table a golden color that gave her body hues of the living. Liliana had been dressed in a flowing caftan. It was the same one she had worn on her wedding day. Ash slowly approached the table where her sister had begun her eternal sleep. The closer she drew the more beautiful and peaceful her sister appeared. Liliana's arms were crossed over her chest. In each hand, she held scepters that represented the spirit totems that guided her through life. It almost struck her that this must have been how the Queen of the Nile was laid to rest. The ceremony wasn't so grand, her body in state wasn't so grand, but Liliana was given honor in death as she had been given in life. To her people, to her family, and to her husband, she was a queen, one struck down much too early. Tomorrow, they would lift her body high up onto a platform, asking the Gods to take her soul and lead her on to the afterlife. From there, she would be entombed in the Bay family crypt. After tomorrow, Ash would never see her sister again.
Carefully, Ash leaned over her sister's body and gently ran the back of her hand across her forehead. "Neither you nor your baby will be forgotten. You will rest, my sister, I will make that vow to you now. Your soul will not suffer the torture your body endured."
Ardeth stood back, giving Rimâd the time she needed to say goodbye to her sister. Her words haunted him. What she had vowed was almost exactly his vow to her. He stepped back another step when she turned around. She wasn't crying yet, but there were tears welled in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."
He slowly closed the distance between them and took her into his embrace. He couldn't avoid it any longer. Her body shook in his arms with the force of her tears. He closed his eyes tightly as he began to shed his own.
After a very long time, he slowly loosened his embrace to look down at her. "Come. You must be exhausted."
She saw that his tears had streamed out of his eyes, coming to rest on his cheek. Without thinking, she reached out and wiped them away. "Ardeth, I want to sit with her for a while. Just a little while."
He nodded. "Granted, but I'll be sending Faras along shortly to take you to your tent."
"Okay. Thank you, Ardeth."
Ardeth turned to leave the tent, but before he exited, he watched as Rimâd sat close to her sister's body, touching her hand, and singing softly to her. He could take it no longer. Blindly, he stumbled to his tent, collapsing face first onto his pallet. His bitter tears brought him to a fitful sleep.
To be continued…
Translations:
Aiwa—Yes
Abu—Father
Yâ ra'îs—My Chief(tain)
Rimâd—Ash
Silfa—Sister in-law
Uskut!—Be quiet
Dulala—Guides
Lâ—No
Ibn il-ukht—Nephew, son of sister
Qâl âlô li Mâdam Harding—Say hello to Madam Harding.
Khâl, hîya inta bint—Uncle, is she your girl?
Lâ, ibn il-ukht, mâ mush kemân—No, nephew, not yet.
