Leila dozed off and on throughout the day. Ardeth made her drink water when she was awake and they talked quietly of inconsequential things. It was almost dark when they reached the oasis and Ardeth declared a halt for the day.

"Thank God," Leila muttered as Ardeth dismounted. Too tired to move she waited until Ardeth put his hands around her waist and helped her to the ground. Leila stretched carefully trying to loosen her muscles. The warriors around her began to set up the small tents they carried with them.

Ardeth led her to a nearby rock. "Sit here. I will return shortly."

"Gladly," Leila replied sitting down with a sigh, "I'll be right here."

Ardeth smiled before going to speak with his men.

Leila watched Ardeth as he conversed with the warriors. It was obvious that the men in Ardeth's command respected him greatly but did not fear him. They treated him with almost a sense of hero worship.

Still, an angry Ardeth was quite a sight. Her fear had eased after he had explained his actions and even now he spoke with the two boys he had rebuked in a friendly manner. "He was harsh because he had to be," she murmured to herself.

Leila sighed and realized she needed to find a place to relieve herself. She looked around and spotted a large rock that would easily keep her from the gazes of the men. Leila stood and limped over to the rock.

Ardeth turned to go back to Leila and was startled to find she was not where he had left her. He strode in that direction and was relieved to see her come out from behind a large boulder. His relief turned to annoyance. "I told you to stay where you were."

Leila raised both eyebrows. She was tired. She was sore. She was so not in the mood. "Well, I could have just pissed right where I stood in front of the men if that would have made you happier. Maybe next time I'll wait and piss in your tent."

Ardeth blinked in surprise at both her language and the quiet anger in her voice. "You should have said something."

Leila crossed her arms. "I wasn't aware that I needed to ask permission to go to the bathroom."

"You shouldn't go off on your own," Ardeth countered stubbornly.

Leila gestured wildly at the boulder. "It's ten damned feet away. It's not like I went for a stroll in the moonlight!" Ardeth opened his mouth but Leila held up a hand, "No. Not another word. I don't care if you are a king. You're over reacting and I'm not going to deal with it right now."

Leila turned and started towards where several warriors were just finishing erecting Ardeth's tent.

"You would dare to be so rude then seek shelter in my tent?" Ardeth called after her. Several of the men turned to watch them.

Leila turned back and gave Ardeth a falsely sweet smile. "Of course not, Your Highness. I'm sure one of your warriors would be kind enough to share his rations with this humble infidel." Leila bowed mockingly then began to walk to the men with a friendly smile.

Ardeth snarled something very naughty in Arabic then stomped after her. He grabbed her by the arm and began to drag her back towards his tent. Leila waved merrily to the rest of the men and caught sight of Altair off to the side trying very hard not to laugh.

Once inside the tent Ardeth glared down at Leila. "I should take you over my knee for such insolence."

Leila glared back and took her turban off tossing it to the side. She shook her hair. Ardeth became momentarily entranced by the silky sunset waves. Leila's next words drew him back to reality.

"Would it just kill you to admit that you over reacted. Is your poor male pride so fragile?" Leila asked sinking to the floor and pulling her boots off.

Ardeth bit by a reply and pinched the bridge of his nose. The damned woman was right. He had over reacted, but only because he had been worried for her. How had she gotten under his skin so quickly? Ardeth lowered his hand and allowed a sheepish smile. "You are right. I was simply concerned to turn around and see you gone."

Leila sighed and her expression softened. "Where did you think I was gonna go with all your men around? Just relax, okay?"

Ardeth smiled then nodded. "I will try."

"Thank God," Leila murmured running a hand through her hair.

Ardeth crouched down in front of her. He tugged on a lock of hair playfully. "You are not so innocent, little one. You have a very sharp tongue for one so small."

It was Leila's turn to look sheepish. "I was born with it. It does come in handy on occasion though."

"I'm certain it does," Ardeth replied with a chuckle. "Are you hungry?"

Leila nodded enthusiastically. "Starved."

"Sit. We will eat." Ardeth pointed to the mat.

Leila gingerly eased herself down conscious of her lingering aches.

They enjoyed the same repast of dried meats and fruits. Ardeth took a drink from his water skin then handed it to Leila. Leila sighed as it trickled down her throat.

"You said we'll reach your people tomorrow?" She handed the skin back to him.

"Aiwa."

Leila hesitated before deciding to use the direct approach. "Ardeth – you said your Elders needed to judge me. What's going to happen to me?"

Ardeth sighed. "You will speak to the Elders. I will be with you. I will tell them that you were there against your will. You will vow never to return to the city or to tell others of its location. If all goes well you will be sworn to secrecy and allowed to return to Cairo. The Elders may ask a small service of you."

"A service?" Leila tilted her head, "What kind of 'service'?"

Ardeth took her hand. "It is not as bad as that, Little one. The Elders wills simply ask that if you hear anyone speaking about Hamunaptra that you pass the information on to us."

"Oh." Leila smiled, "I could do that if they wish."

Ardeth smiled back glad to see her reassured. He hoped things would indeed be that simple. "Now we sleep. We will leave early so we can reach my home by mid-day."

Leila nodded and stretched on the mat. She felt Ardeth lay down behind her. "Good night, Ardeth."

"Good night, Little one."

Morning came all too soon. Ardeth nudged Leila awake. She ate more of the dried fruit before camp broke. She could sense the urgency of the men. They were eager to be home.

When they reached the village they found chaos. The village was under attack.

"Tuaregs!" Ardeth growled unsheathing is scimitar. "Hold on tightly," he ordered Leila who rode behind him this time.

"Got ya."

Leila tightened her grip as Ardeth ordered the charge and the men urged the horses frantically toward their village.

Ardeth felt her pull his knife from his belt and approved. He understood her need to not go into the coming battle unarmed. It was good that she had a fighting spirit.

Ardeth's mount thundered into the village and he swung his scimitar slicing deep into the chest of an enemy. Leila's heart pounded as they rode through the village. The Med-jai women and those warriors that had been left behind had been fighting back but were sadly outnumbered.

Leila screamed when a Tuareg warrior jumped from his horse onto Ardeth knocking all three of them to the sand. She scrambled to her feet glancing wildly about her. Ardeth was locked in battle and she had no idea where to go.

Icicles clogged her veins when she saw one of Tuareg raiders had several children cornered against a tent. Blindly, Leila sprinted in that direction grabbing the sword of a dead invader. The Tuareg blinked in surprise when she dashed between him and the children.

"You will not touch these children," she spat in Arabic.

The man laughed. "What do you know of weapons? You will die, whore."

Leila lashed out with her sword catching the man in the midsection. Her stomach lurched at the sensation of the blade tearing through human flesh like butter. Grasping his exposed innards he fell to the ground dead. "I used to fence with my brother," she whispered.

Leila turned shakily to the children. "Stay close to me."

Leila gathered as many children to her as she could and soon she stood guard over ten little Med-jai.

Another of the invaders attacked her. This time he struck her with his fist knocking her to the ground while she was distracted with the children. She cried out as she felt her ankle twist awkwardly under her. He lunged at her and as he did so Leila pulled Ardeth's knife from the waist of her skirt and plunged it into his chest. His own weight forced him down to the hilt. Leila whimpered as his blood spilled onto her. Desperately, Leila clawed her way out from under him, his blood staining her clothes and her hands. With trembling hands and fighting back bile she pulled the dagger from his chest. Panting she stood ready for another assault.

Soon things began to quiet as the returning Med-jai ousted the intruders. The Tuareg were either fleeing or bleeding into the sand.

Ardeth stood over the body of his final opponent and looked about his village. The village was littered with Tuareg bodies and the bodies of a few Med-jai.

"Leila!" Ardeth became very nervous when he did not see her.

"I'm here!"

Ardeth spun to see her limping out from the other side of a tent. She held a small girl in her arms and a boy of two years clung to her skirt. Behind her trailed eight more children. Leila held a bloody scimitar in her hand. His bloody dagger was tucked into the waist of the robe she wore. Her clothes were equally as bloody. Her cheek had a fresh bruise and her lip was split.

Ardeth ran to her, taking her by the arms. "Where are you hurt?"

Leila forced a smile. "Most of it's not mine." She could not hide the tremor that ran through her. She had killed two men.

The little boy who clung to her skirt beamed up at Ardeth. "She killed two Tuaregs to protect us, Chief!"

Leila paled at the thought. She had killed two men. The mother of the little girl she held came running up sobbing with relief.

"Shukran. Shukran," she repeated.

"You're welcome," Leila said blinking tears away as she handed the little girl over.

The women of the village began to gather around Leila grateful to the woman who had risked her life to save those of their children.

Leila's legs began to tremble and she started to sink to the sand. Ardeth caught her and lifted her into his arms. It was obvious that she was in shock. Ardeth wanted to hold her until she calmed but he had a duty to the village. He turned and found his mother approaching him.

"Will you care for this woman for me, Ume? I must see to the village."

"Of course, al ibney. Bring her to my tent."

Ardeth carried her inside the tent and laid her on his mother's bed. He took her hand. "Look at me, little one." He waited until she turned glassy eyes in his direction. "This is my mother, Aziza. She will care for you, Leila, while I see to the villagers."

Leila bit her lip and nodded. She wanted him to stay but knew that he needed to see to the injured and the dead.

"Go, Ardeth," Aziza said in English. "I will summon some of the women to help me. The woman who saved the lives of our children will be well cared for."

Aziza walked to the door of her tent and called out in Arabic. Three women came running. "You will help me care for this woman who saved our children."

The women bowed and before Leila quite knew what was happening she was undressed, bathed, and redressed in a pale blue skirt that reached the tent floor and a matching tunic.

Aziza guided her to a chair. "Sit, child," she urged gently.

Leila obeyed and one of the other women began to brush out her hair. Aziza knelt to examine Leila's turned ankle.

"It is only twisted. I will apply a poultice and wrap it. It will be fine in a few days."

The rhythmic motion of the brush through her hair began to relax Leila. Some of the shock began to fade and she looked down at Ardeth's mother. "Why did those men attack your village?"

Aziza responded without looking up. "The Med-jai and the Tuaregs have been enemies for centuries. Ardeth has tried to make peace but they continue to raid our village. They must have known that the majority of the men were away."

Her eyes fell upon the half-healed gashes on Leila's calves. She had seen them while Leila had been bathed but did not wish to upset the girl by asking. Aziza felt it was safe now to do so. "What happened to your legs? You have many bruises as well."

Leila sighed. "I'll let Ardeth tell you the whole story but lets just say he saved me from some very bad men who did some nasty things to me."

"I will clean them and bind them with clean bandages as they have bled a little," Aziza said, respectfully letting the subject drop. She could see how tired Leila was.

The older woman patted her ankle and stood. "There." She regarded Leila for a moment. "That was very brave of you to save those children."

Leila shook her head. "I couldn't let those men hurt them."

Aziza laid a hand on Leila's head. "You should rest, child."

"What will you do?"

Aziza gestured toward the village. "We must go see what we can do to help our people."

"I'll go with you," Leila said firmly, "I don't need to rest until everyone else is taken care of." Anything was better than sitting alone in a tent remembering the way a sword felt as it sliced through tender flesh.

Aziza smiled approvingly. "Allah bless you, child."

Leila threw herself into the treating of the wounded and the cleaning of the camp. She found the Med-jai healers were very patient in teaching her their art. It wasn't until early evening when there was time to rest.

Leila wiped a hand across her forehead to smooth back her hair. She looked around her. Little sign of the Tuareg's attack could be seen. Most of those injured would live and for that she was thankful.

"You should be resting."

Leila smiled recognizing the voice. She turned to face him. "How could I rest when there was so much work to be done?"

"The women speak highly of you and all that you have done this day," Ardeth bowed his head, "Shukran." Then he cocked an eyebrow. "Still, you cannot tell me that you are not tired."

Leila laughed. "I'm exhausted."

"Have you eaten?" Ardeth asked studying her pale cheeks.

"Not yet."

"Come. My mother is joining me in my tent to eat tonight. You are most welcome." Ardeth held out his hand to offer assistance.

"Thank you," Leila groaned with a chuckle, "My legs and my ankle are killing me."

Ardeth smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began to guide her to his tent. "My mother is already there laying out the food. After we eat you should retire. I am certain that the Elders will want to speak with you in the morning."

"Oh. Goody." Leila replied sarcastically.

Ardeth suppressed a chuckle and held the flap of his tent open for her. Aziza looked up and smiled. "Ah. There you are. You are two of the hardest people to keep track of I have ever known. Sit. Dinner is ready."

Leila let Ardeth help her to sit down on one of the cushions around the low table. Aziza served Ardeth first then Leila and then finally herself. "How does the village fair, al ibney?" Aziza asked nibbling on a piece of bread.

"Allah be praised, there was little damage. A few tents were burned but those we can replace easily enough." Ardeth replied taking a sip of water.

"How many died?" Leila asked quietly.

"We lost three warriors. None were married," Ardeth shook his head, "I am sorrowful at the loss of such brave men but I am grateful that there will be no widows this time."

Aziza glanced up at Leila. "Rashida tells me that you show potential as a healer. She has offered to teach you while you are here."

Leila smiled remembering the kind old woman she had worked next to. "I would be honored."

"Good. I have had an extra cot set up in my tent. I hope you will honor me by being my guest."

Leila smiled and bowed her head according to Arabic custom. "Shukran for your hospitality."

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Ardeth noticed Leila chewing on her lip.

"If you continue to do that, little one, you will cause your lip to bleed again," Ardeth said, "What troubles you?"

Leila sighed. "I'm just a little nervous about meeting with the Elders tomorrow."

"I will allow no harm to come to you," Ardeth promised solemnly.

Aziza leaned across the table and patted Leila's hand. "Fear not, child. Leave it to me. Everything will be fine."

When Ardeth was done eating he stood. "Thank you, Ume. I must attend the service for the fallen men."

"I will be there soon, Ardeth," Aziza replied. Once Ardeth was gone she hurriedly cleaned up their meal and packed away the leftovers. "Come with me, Leila."

Leila followed Aziza to her tent. Aziza pulled a pale blue veil from a chest along with a silver circlet. "Put these on. It is required for this solemn service."

Leila donned the veil and circlet with a little help from Aziza. "There. Now, come."

When the two women reach the area where the funeral pyre had been built most of the village had already assembled. Leila could see the families of the fallen warriors near the front. An old man came forward and read from the Koran. When he was finished Ardeth stepped forward and lit the pyre. Leila would never forget the stink of burning flesh.

When the fire began to die down Aziza took Leila's arm. "It is time you rested." Leila nodded and followed the woman back to her hut. Leila lay down on the cot provided for her and was asleep in seconds.

SKYE-07: Nice to hear from you again. Glad you still like the story. Thanks for taking the time to review.

Rachel Sparrow: I'm going to try to keep updates coming as regularly as possible. Sometimes RL gets in the way though but I'll do my best.

FantasyGirl2396: I'm glad you liked it. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Enjoy.

Fan of the Mummy: Hope you still find the story interesting. Let me know what you think. I live for reviews.