UNPLEASANT

Erroll Auberjonus was restless. He had freed himself of Eve's death grip on his body an hour ago so that he could perch himself upon a sand dune. The sun was about to rise. It was this time of day he loved most. Of course, his opinion changed from day to day depending on his mood. Still, morning was perfect for brooding. And today, he wanted to brood. He had known the Medjai Chieftain was within a breath of him a few days ago. He hadn't seen him, but one of the men mentioned that the Chieftain had taken a Tokan whore. If Kashfi was his favorite place, Tokan would have rated as his second. He didn't go there to sample the exotic whores. Instead, he often traded and plundered there. He had Eve. He didn't need another whore. He wanted innocent flesh, untouched flesh. Erroll wanted Rihana Bay. Up here, on his sand dune, he had devised a plan to capture her. Boldly, he would regroup, and set about his plan. He would have to rely on Eve for a part of this. She was too meek to question him, even if she knew he was going to take another woman.

He wondered how long it would take him to convince Rihana to do his bidding. With Eve, it hardly took any time. She was as cold hearted as he. Erroll Auberjonus saw himself as a great man, a great persuader. He pretty much believed he could manipulate the kindest, gentlest soul and turn her into a raving, blood thirsty killer. Rihana's brother might be a high ranking Medjai puppet, but even lilies could be gilded, couldn't they? It didn't dawn on him to realize that violent proclivities weren't necessarily learned. If he had known, he wouldn't have cared. A sensitive, caring individual he was not. He wasn't even close.


"," Ardeth barked gruffly. "I will hear no more."

Faras shook his head and sighed tiredly. For an hour or more, he had been trying to convince Ardeth not to punish Karram. Nothing he said worked or even marginally got through to him. "Karram was right, Ardeth. You know this. Pardon my assumption, but I believe you take warriors fresh out of training because they follow you unfailingly. Karram didn't. He did the right thing."

For the first time in several years, he actually considered turning on Faras and introducing him to his fist. "You do not understand," Ardeth insisted stubbornly.

"Don't I? You say your love for your wife drives you. How would she react to what you are today? How would she react if she knew about Tokan? What of Ash? How would she feel?"

Tokan. They were all obsessed with Tokan. Why did he have to suffer the wrath of every warrior and elder in the tribes? It wasn't as if he was the first man to visit a whore. True. They know it is out of character for you. Even you know this."My visits to Tokan do not concern you or Rimâd. How I choose to spend my time has little effect on anything. Tell me, Faras, how would you like to join Karram before the Council?"

Faras had known Ardeth for many years, but had never seen him act so unreasonably. It was apparent that he wasn't going to listen. Karram held promise and now an unbending Ardeth Bay was going to ruin the start of a brilliant tour of duty. He simply wouldn't stand for that. He wouldn't allow Ardeth to put down a promising warrior. He was not one to usurp authority, but the time called for it. There was another order of business before he exited.

"Ardeth, I have asked Ash to be my wife. I would hope we could have your blessing."

The words seemed to hit him like a thousand fists. "My opinion of your union has yet to sway your behavior. Why would it now?" He sighed wearily. Why did another man's happiness tax him? "I am sorry, Faras. My mind is not my own. Aiwa. You have my blessing. When do you plan to wed?"

Ardeth's biting sarcasm hurt. He stood watching one of his beloved brothers deteriorating before his very eyes. "As soon as you tell me when you plan to go on patrol again. I will ride with you from then onward."

Faras' words threw him again. "You must stay in charge here."

He shook his head. ". Shaji is quite capable of doing that. I will ride with you from now on," he repeated. "No arguments will be accepted."

Ardeth felt a bitter chuckle bubbling up from his chest, settling in his throat. "You feel you can keep me away from Tokan? You wish to be my guardian?"

"At any other time, my answer would be no. I cannot say the same today."

Ardeth nodded curtly. "Bring Karram before the Council in two hours. Until then, please leave."


When Ardeth entered the Council tent two hours later, he was met with quite a surprise. Karram was nowhere in sight. Faras and the elders sat together calmly, their eyes focused on him. For a moment, he was so angry that he thought his head would explode. Faras had clearly defied him, met with the elders, and made a decision without his presence. He felt betrayed, horridly so. He wanted to tell Faras that as Rimâd's guardian, he would never bless or allow their union. Yet, part of him was relieved. Part of him knew he had overstepped his bounds. Despite those thoughts, nothing could calm the hurt or feelings of mistrust.

"I suppose my being here is a complete waste of time," Ardeth began. "You have overruled me."

"No one overruled you," Faras said. "We simply do not believe Karram deserves to be punished."

"I agree that I may have overreacted," Ardeth said. "But I do not appreciate it when one of my men questions my judgment with regard to a matter such as this."

It was a foolish thing to say, but nothing else would suffice. The elders were silent, looking upon him with pity in their eyes. He had never liked being pitied. Then again, he had never experienced a loss so great. Many relatives of his died in his time, but none so brutally. Hundreds of warriors were slaughtered by enemy factions every year. Violence had not visited upon their wives or children. They were sheltered and protected, ensuring that nothing could ever harm them. When evil touched their families, it shook them to their core. Liliana was the first Medjai wife in years to die at the hands of marauders. How was he supposed to cope? How was he supposed to feel? If he couldn't protect his wife, how could he protect his people? How could he protect anything?

"Ra'îs," Faras said, nodding respectfully. "I will assist you in bringing your wife's murderers to justice. You cannot proceed alone or rely on under trained warriors. You are simply asking for trouble in doing so."

He batted Faras' comments aside. "Does Rimâd know of your plan?"

"Aiwa. She does. That is why we wish to wed very soon."


Ash made frequent visits to the Bay family crypt as it was where her sister was laid to rest. Before the many marked plaques of the dead were two sandstone benches, perfect for sitting so one could meditate or pray. Ash didn't immediately approach either bench. Instead, she stood before the plaques and read as many of the names as she could. Her sister's was located toward the top of a new row. Liliana Harding-Bay. She ran her fingers over the carved letters of her name. It was still incredibly hard to believe that she was gone.

Ash backed away and sat down on the bench nearest her sister. She had come today not only to visit, but to make amends. "Liliana, I'm sorry." Her voice echoed hollowly in the room, causing her to shiver. "When you married Ardeth, I gave you hell because I was selfish and didn't understand. Now I do."

She stood on shaky legs to approach Liliana's plaque once again. She kissed her fingers and pressed them against the carvings. How she wished she could say this face to face, not behind a cold metal name plate. It was what Liliana deserved.

"I have fallen in love, Liliana, with Faras. He and I plan to marry. My love for him has opened my eyes to your love for Ardeth, and his for you." Ash smiled sadly. Tears threatened to overtake her. "I wish you were here, my sister. There are so many questions I have only you can answer. Will I be a good wife? Will I be everything that Faras needs? How can I assure myself that I'm always doing the right thing? Whatever happens with Faras and I, I am so glad you loved me despite my behavior and attitude."


Back in his tent from a most humiliating confrontation, Ardeth allowed himself to sulk like a small boy denied his playtime. He had suspected Faras thought him unstable, but the Council apparently did as well. He wasn't. He absolutely wasn't. He was only acting as any grieving husband would. His vice was Tokan. It was the sole thing out of the ordinary. Whose business was it if he had decided to seek the services of a whore? Your wife would not approve. Rimâd would surely not. He was a widower, no longer married. Rimâd was not blood kin. She had no say in this. None at all. Does it matter? She is the sister of your wife. She is family. This you cannot deny. But he could. He could deny anything he wanted. To the devil with the lot of them.

"Ardeth?"

Rimâd. He had no patience to speak to another person today. He almost remained silent. She would go away in time. In the end, he couldn't do it. "Aiwa. You may enter."

He watched as she came inside, a young woman with light hair and eyes. Her time here had matured her, improved her attitude and outlook on life. Why did all this suddenly anger him? "What is it, Rimâd?"

Ash flinched at the nickname. He hadn't used it in her presence since she was a child. His appearance and stance disturbed her. He was out of sorts, almost uncomfortable in her presence. She had seen him annoyed by her, even outwardly irritated, but never like this. A flash of memory erupted in her head for no good reason. She saw him astride his horse, like the first day she met him. The force of the image nearly made her dizzy.

"Are you okay," she asked tentatively.

She was trembling. He had scared her? Tiredly, he plopped down on his pallet. He shook his head. ". I am not. But it will pass. What is it that you need, Ashlyn?"

Now I'm Ashlyn. "I would like to apologize for my behavior toward you and about your marriage to my sister. I understand now that you both loved each other very much."

Curiously, he peered up at her. Their relationship had improved. Actually, it had come to a standstill. The simple truth was that they completely avoided each other. Ash buried herself in work inside the healer's tent. He had his patrols…and Tokan visits. Aiwa. He loved his wife. He loved her so much he had taken a whore in her absence. Crazily, he almost told her this. If she knew, she would tear into him mercilessly. Cynically, he thought her newfound respect was due to Faras and Faras alone. If a Medjai husband wasn't in her future, he would still be Ardeth the Terrible. He almost said this as well, but he held back. Was she the true target of his ire? No. She was just a pale little thing, trembling as if chilled. She had certainly become a fetching young woman who would make Faras a wonderful wife. Jealously curled up like a ball of wire in the pit of his stomach. He tried to shake it, but it was no use.

"Your words are appreciated, but not necessary, Rimâd," he finally said.

Rimâd. How odd. He kept going back and forth from his childhood name for her to her given one. She would speak to Faras. "Okay, Ardeth. I'll leave you. I figure you have a lot occupying your mind."

"That I do," he said with a nod. "Shukran. Faras told me that you planned to marry. I am very happy for you."


As soon as Ash left Ardeth's tent in search of Faras, she saw the group of elders who made up the Council. They were speaking in low tones, using mostly Arabic. Much of it made little sense to her. She understood the name 'Ardeth,' and one other word: Tokan. When the elders noticed her, they smiled and waved politely, but stopped speaking about Ardeth and Tokan. How odd. What was Tokan? What did it have to do with Ardeth? It was another item to put on her list to mention to Faras whenever she found him.

It didn't take long. Faras was approaching her from the direction of her tent. "I was just looking for you," Faras said.

She smiled. "So was I." She took his hand and led him back toward her tent, but they didn't go inside. "I'm worried about Ardeth."

Faras nodded. "Aiwa. We all are."

"I heard the elders talking about him while I was looking for you. What is Tokan?"

Taken aback, Faras stopped walking and gulped audibly. "Where did you hear this?"

Patiently, Ash said, "The elders. What does this Tokan have to do with Ardeth? I know you know. It is written all over your face."

"Ash, I cannot…" His voice died out completely. He didn't want to lie to her, but if he told her, she would likely attack Ardeth. "This is one question you must ask directly of Ardeth."

"I'm asking you, Faras. Tell me. What is Tokan?"

"Why are the two of you talking about Tokan?"

They turned together and focused their eyes on Rihana. She was due here today, but they didn't think she would show up this soon.

"You know what Tokan is," Ash asked.

Rihana glanced at Faras. He seemed to be begging her with his eyes not to say anything. She didn't understand why. "Aiwa," Rihana said. "It is where men go to find a woman."

Although Ash couldn't hear, Faras groaned miserably. How Rihana had learned of Tokan was beyond him. Yet, she would be just the right type of Medjai maiden to basically tell it like it was, even if it meant her brother would suffer Ash's wrath. Rihana wouldn't like it, either, but Ardeth was more stubborn than she.

"A brothel," Ash stated in shock. "He has a whore?"

"What is this," Rihana asked at Ash's startled reaction.

"Something which should have never seen the light of day," Faras said unhappily.

"And you protect him," Ash asked Faras incredulously. "I need to see my brother in-law."

Faras tried to stop her, but Ash was too quick. He tried to go after her only to be stopped by Rihana's rapid fire questions. He had no time to speak to her. He wanted to squash the confrontation before it was too late. He thought it might be already.


Ardeth, naked from his waist up, had been on the verge of stripping for a quick washing when Ash burst through his tent, her face high in color, her nostrils flaring. "What are you doing," he demanded.

Without missing a beat, Ash stepped up to him and slapped him hard. "You bastard," she snarled.

She drew back to slap him again, but he took hold of her wrists. He was so shocked by her behavior that he hardly felt the stinging pain in his cheek. "What is the meaning of this?"

His eyes had gone from brown to black. He looked ready to kill her. "I thought you loved my sister, Ardeth," she cried. "You go to a whore? My sister loved you! She carried your child! She died for you!"

Ardeth released her and stepped back. "Your intended telling stories about my life? About information that does not concern you?"

She slapped his other cheek. "You bastard," she repeated. "Buying another wife is not good enough for you. So you use a whore and dishonor Liliana instead?"

"I did not buy Liliana," Ardeth snarled, mocking her. He advanced two steps toward her. She stood her ground. "What I choose to do, who I choose to lie with, does not concern you. I am not dishonoring Liliana. If anything, I am dishonoring myself."

The hurt, pettiness, and selfishness of late had returned within her full force. "She would still be alive if it wasn't for you, for your lifestyle. You killed her, Ardeth. And now, you're killing her again."

"Uskut," he roared, advancing on her again. He took hold of her upper arms and glowered down at her. "When you curse my marriage, my love for your sister, you curse yours. You will never come to me like this again. You will never show such disrespect in my tent. Do you understand?"

His dark eyes consumed her, making her heart pound heavily in her chest. She had never seen him so angry with her. She didn't understand what was happening to either of them. She felt the heated fan of his breath, could actually smell it. None of this was really unpleasant. Instead, it was darkly exciting, forbidden. Ash could almost anticipate his next action. It was obvious in his smoldering gaze. There was something, some force far away demanding that they stop, they think.

"Let her go."

The spell was shattered by Faras' voice. Horrified, he had been certain Ardeth was set to strike her. Whatever their differences, it didn't call for Ardeth to touch her like this. He watched as the Chieftain moved away from her before picking up his discarded tunic.

"I'm not hurt," Ash insisted as Faras approached. "We both spoke quite badly of each other. I will stay out of your life, Ardeth. Blaming you for Liliana's death was wrong. But the other…this Tokan…I reacted because I care about you. I'd rather see you with another wife…hundreds of other wives…before I'd see you with a whore. You deserve love and respect, Ardeth, a family. You do not deserve trickery or deceit. I can't say you're getting anything but that when you go to this place.You may not believe this, but I think of you as part of my family, as an…an older brother." Was this true? Was this really true?

Ardeth nodded absently. He couldn't believe what he had almost done. He couldn't believe it. "It is fine, Rimâd. No ground between us has been lost. The things we said had to be said. Will the two of you please leave me?"

"Of course," Ash said, taking Faras' hand to lead him as far away as possible.

"What happened in there," Faras asked.

What had happened? They were fighting like wildcats…then what? Something passed between them. Something almost happened that had been wanted, but severely unexpected. No. It wouldn't have happened. It wouldn't have. "Our tempers got the better of us."

He didn't believe her, not thoroughly. He was certain much more had happened than she let on. "This is all?"

She looked up at him, this man she loved so. Where was her head? "Yes, Faras. This was a long time in coming."

He stopped walking and took both her hands in his. He gazed down at her earnestly. "You are sure he did not hurt you?"

Ash shook her head and turned her arms inward so he could see them. "No, he didn't hurt me. See? I pushed him, Faras. I said some things I shouldn't have. Whatever part of his wrath I received, I earned."

And did you also earn…NO…stop.

Translations:

Lâ—No

Rimâd—Ash

Aiwa—Yes

Ra'îs—Chief(tain)

Shukran—Thank you

Uskut—Be quiet or shut up


To be continued…