I am back my darlings! I hope you all enjoy the newest chapter! Onwards and forwards!
The Temple of Set loomed large and imposing above her head as Shadow felt her body walking towards it. She felt her hands raised to accept a heavy golden bowl laden with grain and dates, lapis jewelry hanging off the side to twinkle and glitter in a nonexistent sun. She walked beside other women, all dressed like priestess, all beautiful, but all had a look of fear haunting their eyes.
The Temples doors boomed open, Shadow flinching at the sight of the two-armed men garbed in familiar red robes glaring down at the women as they marched past them and into the interior of the Temple, its interior illuminated by flickering flames seated in rows of golden bowls hanging from the ceiling.
Shadow followed the parade of women, each barring their own bowls of offerings as they marched into the center of the Temple, the massive statue glaring down at them as each pair of women knelt at the base of a dais, the figure lounging sideways on the golden throne between the feet of the statue sent her heart into fits and fear to claw down her spine.
There, draped in golden robes and bedecked in jewelry with a circulate around his dyed red hair, was Ameer. The bastard looked smug, fingering the golden collar around his neck as he looked over the parade of women presenting hundreds of trays of offerings at his feet.
Horror filled her entire body as Ameer sneered down at the woman currently kneeling at his feet, presenting a golden tray of fruit.
"Making offerings to me and not my queen? Punish her."
Before Shadow could even muster her voice one of the guards had stepped forward and with one swing of his sword the poor woman's head left her shoulders. It bounced down the steps, eyes wide and mouth agape in a silent scream, blood decorating the black marble floor.
"Let this be a lesson to you all! Pay tribute to me, pay tribute to my queen. Shadow! Take your place beside me and we shall pull the world beneath our power. We will conquer nations! We will have the power of the gods!"
Shadow tried to back away, to run, but her body refused to listen, instead her feet moved forward. Struggling against her body Shadow tried to control her own movement but found herself placing her hand into Ameer's' stepping up onto the dais to stand beside him. Her heart broke as she gazed out upon the world at his side. So many people were in chains or dead, entire cities were burning, the world was in chaos.
"This will be our kingdom. This will be our future! We shall be gods!" Ameer cheered loudly, a maniacal grin on his face as he yanked her into his arms, leaning in to kiss her.
Before his lips could touch hers, he was jerked violently away as the horrific scene before her eyes melted away into a field of trees. The cold black stone walls of the temple crumbled into nothingness to allow shafts of sunlight breaking through the canopy to illuminate a lush and vibrant forest. Bird song cut through the silence while wind whistled through the trees around her, accenting this new dream with the scent of fresh grass and pine.
"Such a terrible dream young one."
Turning, Shadow gasped softly at the figure walking towards her. The head of a man stared at her with kind eyes; the body of a lion glowed with godly power as wings flapped and folded against its golden hide while a tail that was a cobra lashed behind it as it walked towards her.
"Fear me not young one I am Tutu, God of dreams. I guard those who dream of nightmares. This young man has used very dark magic to influence your dreams."
Shadow slowly sank to the forest floor, a blend of relief and adrenaline sweeping through her body as she all but collapsed in on herself on forest floor.
"Ameer. Foolish boy who thinks himself the son of Set. Playing with magic he doesn't know the consequences of. Thank you, Lord Tutu, for aiding me."
The lion man nodded, massive paws making no sound as he circled her crumpled form.
"Powerful you are little shadow. Most cannot fight such dream magic. How did you fight it?"
Opening her mouth, Shadow paused; how did she fight it? It was as if her body was a puppet being strung along by another's will but her mind had rebelled, all but screaming that this wasn't right.
"I honestly do not know Lord Tutu. My body moved without my power but my mind was clear and I knew something was wrong."
Tutu sat, his cobra tail curling around his paws as he stared down at her with glowing golden eyes and a frown on his dark lips.
"Strange indeed. Powerful will you possess, your mind, able to see what the eye betrays. Fear not little shadow, for you shall be immune to such magics with my blessing. Enjoy your dream, little shadow, and keep your eye on the horizon. Something is coming that even the gods can feel."
Without another word Tutu was gone, leaving her to wander the forest of her dream until a gentle hand pulled her into the waking world.
Ardeth was usure what was happening with Shadow but he feared the worst.
He had stepped into her tent before dawn, ready to go hunting with her. Instead of finding her awake and ready she was on her camp bed, pillows that had been piled there for her comfort scattered on the ground. Shadow was throwing her head from side to side, a pained scowl on her lips and brows furrowed clearly trapped in the clutches of a nightmare.
He had rushed to her side, hands fluttering over her thrashing form before she suddenly stilled, her face smoothing into a look of peace. Only then did he gently shake her shoulder, unwilling to jerk her from her rest.
He breathed easier as her beautiful purple eyes slowly opened, blinking slowly as she gazed up at him before a warm smile tugged at her lips sending his heart thudding dangerously in his chest. She looked so soft and sweet, sleep mussed and half-awake, but he knew beneath that softness a warrior watched, ever ready to raise her sword in defense of others. He gently cupped her face between his hands, bending to brush his lips over her own.
His heart threatened to beat through his chest as her tiny hand lifted to cup his cheek, holding him to her as she returned his kiss with a warm slow passion. Ardeth sighed softly into their kiss as his Queens soft lips molded with his, neither willing to push it further than what it was but taking pleasure in the soft slowness of their kisses.
Slowly pulling away from the woman, Ardeth stared down at her with dark eyes, wondering to himself how he had ever managed to earn such a woman.
"Not that I am complaining my King, but what was that kiss for?"
"I found you in the throws of a nightmare my Queen. I feared for you; my relief was immense when you awoke to smile at me as you did. I have no idea why I was blessed with your presence in my life my Queen, but I will be forever grateful."
A lovely flush dusted across the apples of her cheeks, her eyes shifting to the side as if to hide her reaction to his words, but her hands never left him. Ardeth couldn't help the besotted smile that tugged at his mouth at her reaction to his words.
Their relationship was still young, still in the courtship stage but his feelings ran so deeply and so strongly he felt his heart had always belonged to this woman and it was only now that he realized it.
Gently turning his Queens face back towards him he peppered her face with butterfly kisses, all over her blushing face until she giggled and met his eyes with her own glowing purple. Pressing his lips against her own once more, Ardeth groaned softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging herself upwards to press her chest against his own, soft breasts pressing into his chest in a tantalizing way that sent shivers of desire up and down his spine. As they parted, she rested her forehead against his own. The pair stared at the other with lidded eyes as they simple sat there, basking in the others presence.
Their peace lasted only a few heartbeats before Shadow unwound her arms from his neck, lowering herself back onto her cot, a look of worry overtaking her serenity making a frown tug at his own lips.
"I am fine Ardeth, however, we need to awaken Rick and Evelyn. I need to tell you something that will sound insane, but it is the truth and all I ask is that you trust me."
Ardeth stared down at the woman in his arms and nodded.
"Of course, my flower. I will awake them; nothing you could tell us would change the fact that we trust you. I shall return shortly my Queen."
With a parting kiss to her forehead Ardeth was gone leaving Shadow alone to her thoughts.
She knew after that dream attack, she needed to tell the trio just what she had been going through; talking to actual gods, and Ameer's willingness to use magic to attack her.
Standing slowly, Shadow moved about her tent, throwing on her lighter desert clothing and the silver ankh gifted to her by the gods as Ardeth returned with Evelyn and Rick.
All four sat, Shadow sharing everything that had happened over the last few days. Rick grumbled about more 'freaking magic' while Evelyn bombarded her with questions about her meeting with the gods. Ardeth had remained silent, his hand snatching up her own halfway through her tale. He interlaced his fingers with hers, never giving a hint as to what he was thinking.
"Don't worry Shadow, after bringing a mummy back to life and living through the Biblical plagues, we believe you. Who can we talk to about a way to protect ourselves from Ameers magic?" Evelyn, ever the cool head, questioned while Rick took several hearty gulps from a flask he kept in his pocket.
"I can call my grandmother. Grandmother Dancing Wolf is the medicine woman for my tribe, she would know how to counteract dark magic like this. I can make us dream catchers; they Protect the sleepers from bad dreams, nightmares and evil spirits." Shadow hummed softly, distracted by Ardeths thumb gently rubbing into the skin of her hand.
"I will have my warriors gather what you need for them. I suggest we keep camp with the other Medjai. I fear that our proximity to the Temple is aiding Ameer in his ability to get to Shadow." Ardeth added for the first time to the conversation, his dark eyes meeting hers. The fierce protectiveness Shadow saw in their depths took the breath from her lungs. It was in this moment Shadow saw Ardeth as the warrior leader of twelve tribes he truly was.
"Agreed. Saint will probably throw a fit about it, but that man needs to back off. Shadow, is there any reason aside from jealousy you can think of as to why he's so obsessed with you?" Rick questioned softly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder as she looked down, thinking hard.
Shadow racked her brain for any reason other than trying to get into her pants; Saint had always been a flirt but that didn't seem to be a good enough reason to welcome a mad man into one life willingly. There had to be something Ameer was holding over Saint or offering Saint to get the man to work with someone as clearly mental as Ameer.
It didn't matter to him if it was a student, parent, other teachers, or random women on the street. He was a horn dog for anything female that had a pulse. Shadow had pegged him from the first class and had made it a point to never be alone with him; always bringing a male student with her as added protection.
However, as far as Shadow could recall, he never had shown any loose screws in his head or under the belief that the son of an Egyptian God walked the Earth.
"Honestly, I can't think of anything. He seems to have a grudge against Ardeth, but other than that, I honestly can't say what his problem is."
Rick grumbled softly beneath his breath before slapping his thighs as he stood up.
"Welp! Let's get to the trucks! There's no cellphone reception out here and you can get everything you need for whatever we need for protection in Cairo. Ardeth, you coming or staying?"
"I will go with you. Ameer seems to have made Cairo his home. I have enough tribesmen stationed about the city to lend aid should we stumble upon trouble." Ardeth growled softly, keeping a firm grip on her hand with his thumb never stopping its attention against her skin.
While Rick and Evie talked, Shadow and Ardeth stepped away to inform the Tribesmen why they were returning to Cairo. Shadow had blushed softly beneath her veil at their surge of protective words, arguing that it would be safer if they rode with them.
Shadow gentled their worries with calm words, Ardeth standing tall and proud behind her as he watched her speak warmly with the warriors who spoke, assuaging their fears and agreeing easily to always keep her weapons upon her person while in the city.
The trip back into Cairo was in tense silence, Ardeth holding Shadow close in the backseat of the truck, unwilling or incapable of letting her go from his grip, not that she complained.
The fact that Ameer had the power to invade her mind from across a desert had set them all on edge. Hopefully Grandmother Dancing Wolf would tell her the best way to protect those around her.
The drive back to Cairo was done in silence, the trio tensing as the sprawling city teeming with life. Shadow only began to relax as the car was surrounded by riders garbed totally in black, familiar tattoos marking them as Medjai. Rick followed the group of riders into parking in an alley they proceeded to cover with a large old rug from the house's balcony over the alley entrance.
Before she could even attempt to open the car door, it was ripped open, and a head popped in. Bright grey eyes twinkled on a sun kissed face while wind swept dark brown hair fell in a curly mess about the smiling man's face as he thrust an open palm nearly into her chest. It took everything in Shadow not to plant her boot into his face as a reflex. What was with men and shoving their hands near her chest without invitation?
"Greetings to you Queen Shadow, I am Kaffu, son of the Third Tribes Chief. It is an honor to meet you." The Medjai smiled silkily as he entered far too close to her person for her comfort, and the gleam in his grey eyes sent chills down her spine.
"Greetings to you as well Kaffu, but please call me Lady Shadow. Excuse me."
It took the man far too many heartbeats and a legitimate pout on his lips before he pulled himself from the car and allowed her to scooch out. Ardeth had made no attempt to race around the car and offer a hand and she could kiss him for it. She enjoyed being spoilt in small ways but being treated like a delicate doll was the fastest way to piss her off.
Rick waved off Kaffu, a slight scowl on his face as the prince attempted to take his place at her side as they made their way into the bustling marketplace on the other side of the alley they had parked in.
Shadow wasted no time finding a phone and dialing her grandmother. During their conversation, Shadow noticed the new warriors watching her with awe in their eyes as she spoke in Hopi, Kaffu inching closer and closer throughout her conversation, only put off from standing against her side by a sharp glare from Ardeth and Rick.
"Your voice gives your troubles away little flower. What troubles you so?"
"I apologize Grandmother Dancing Wolf, a warrior has made his intentions clear, and I fear he will try to drive himself between myself and Ardeth."
The old woman hummed down the phone, Shadow could hear the smile in the older woman's voice as she spoke once more.
"A challenge this man may offer against your Chief. A man will always covet a woman he knows he cannot have, especially when he is jealous of the man who holds the heart of the woman he covets."
"I am yet again a prize to be fought over, am I? Ardeth has proven himself a thoughtful man who listens to my wishes. I will admit Grandmother Dancing Wolf that I find myself falling in love with Ardeth with every day. This young upstart prince shall find himself falling short with any attempt to court me."
The old woman chuckled softly down the line.
"Deep your feelings have grown my darling flower. Go, find what you seek and weave the protection you and your tribe need to fight off this man from invading your dreams. I have taught you how, your skills and your will shall make powerful protections."
"I shall, thank you Grandmother Dancing Wolf. Send my love to the tribe."
Hanging up, Shadow smiled warmly as Ardeth gently twined their fingers together, both ignoring the frown on Kaffu's face as she addressed the group.
"I will need large hoops, a few roughcut gems, leather string, feathers, and beads. They should be local to the area to imbue the dream catchers with more power. Shall we hit the market?"
The troupe made their way into the market, the desert men taking great care in picking the items needed, often pulling her over to ensure they were picking the correct items and asking questions about the purpose of the catchers.
Kaffu was kept at the edges, his scowl firmly on his face as one of the younger warriors watched her with awe as she ran her fingers over the rough cut local gems at a stall he had directed her too.
"These will help give the catcher power warrior. Since they are local to this land it will draw power from this land. It will aid in keeping any evil from our dreams and protect us when we are at our most vulnerable."
She ran her fingers gently over the feldspar, lapis, jasper and garnet, plucking a small tower of obsidian to inspect it closer. Noticing a crack in the tower, Shadow gently turned it to the warrior who leaned in closer, eager to listen to her words.
"You see this crack? It is not natural to the stone so it offers a weakness in the defenses. We cannot have something like this. If it were natural, it would add to the power of the gem, allowing more of the Earths power to funnel through. However, since it was damaged by human hands, it would prove a crack in the shield."
The warriors seemed to hang on every word she spoke, beaming when she praised them for picking the different items she required. Ardeth stood at her side throughout their outing, his smile never fading as he watched his Queen easily win over the members of the other tribes without even realizing it. Her goodness glowed on her skin and her words.
He truly had been blessed by the gods for this woman to have come to his land and accept him as hers.
The group traveled through the market, stall owners smiling warmly at the warriors and offering confused looks to the woman but that confusion quickly melted into respect and awe as the warriors treated her with the utmost respect, the youngest of the group offering Shadow sweetened dried dates and beaming as she thanked him for her favorite treat, both munching as they walked.
Shadow diverted the group to Abasi's shop, the old warrior welcoming Shadow warmly as he greeted her at his door.
"Lady Shadow, a pleasure to see you again. How may I be of service?"
"Greetings Elder Abasi, I wish to purchase knives from you. While I adore the sword and bow, I feel the need to have a weapon I can hide beneath my clothing."
Abasi hummed, waving the woman in and standing back as she walked slowly about his shop, just as she had the first time, allowing the weapons meant for her to call out to her. Abasi could not ignore the group of warriors hovering in his doorway, watching their future Queen run delicate fingers of a set of obsidian handled knives before moving on once more, deeper into the small shop, closer and closer to the only set of knives his father had crafted in his life.
They were beautiful things, crafted from bone and Damascus steel, the handles carved into the figures of Anubis, Isis, Ra, Bastet, and Horus. They gleamed pearly white, despite years of laying on the table, as if age and time could not touch them.
Abasi watched in awe as the woman gently handled the daggers, running reverent fingers over the bone handles. Gently picking up each in turn, turning them delicately and respectfully, using a warriors eye as she tested the balance on the tips of her fingers, each hand balancing a blade. She hummed softly as she flipped both daggers into the air, easily catching them and moving them with a swiftness and grace few had.
"These blades Elder Abasi, these blades sing to me."
There was an awed softness to her voice as she gazed down at the weapons in her hands, her eyes distant, as if listening to voices only she could hear.
"What do they sing to you, my Queen?" Abasi asked softly, holding up a hand to keep the warriors from stepping forward, recognizing the signs of the old gods speaking through the woman standing before them in a daze.
"They sing of time long past, wars having fought, the sun and the moon sharing the sky as lovers would, of shifting sands and golden hands. He who claims the throne will be overthrown; the old and ancient shall join as one, to claim and fight for the land as one. Honor and peace will drape the land, and many generations shall grace this land. Long past time the crown has passed, no longer shall if fall into the wrong hands."
The air had shifted filling with an ancient power, stealing the breath from all who listened to the woman as she spoke in such soft tones. Ardeth felt his knees weaken, wanting to fall to them as his Queen spoke with the voice of a profit.
He watched as his Queen shook herself, as if snapping out of a daze before those purple eyes turned to stare at him in surprise.
"Ardeth, did I just?"
He moved around Abasi to gather her into his arms, gently pressing her face into his chest as he pressed his cheek against the top of her head. He just held her, offering silent comfort. It was not something they were prepared for; Shadow had accepted ancient prophecies, megalomaniacs pretending to be a child of an old god, Gods and Goddesses coming to her in dreams and now this? There was only so much he could ask of her, and she had given and offered so much more than asked of her.
"Queen Shadow, why did you not tell us you were a prophetess?"
Ardeth and Shadow turned their heads to glare death at Kafuu, Shadow fingering the knives still in her hands a glitter of danger over taking her purple eyes.
"I am not, and even if I claimed to be one what makes you think you have the right to demand such information from me? You have made it a point in calling me Queen even though I hold no throne, wear no crown, lead no army. The title of Queen is not just handed to any pretty girl who strikes fancy! I have been kind, ignoring your transgressions but no more! Kafuu, I as the Queen you name me as demand you remove yourself back to the horses! Ensure they are fed, watered and rested! Be gone from my sight before I remove you permanently!"
Shadow ended her speech in a snarl, still in Ardeths arms, daggers in her hands pressed against Ardeths back with her purple eyes glowing cutting the image of a warrior queen undenounced to her. Ardeth could do nothing but stare down at the woman in his arms, awed that this warrior woman was his. Dipping his head Ardeth pressed kisses to her temple and hair, smiling softly as a giggle spilled from her lips, both ignoring the warriors as they dragged Kafuu away, ignoring his loud grumbling and protests.
Once more Abasi refused to take payment from Shadow, the woman huffing softly as she relented. She had learned long ago not to attempt to argue with an Elder, so instead hugged the man in thanks and allowed herself to be herded into a small café that catered to the desert warriors.
Ardeth and the warriors distracted her as best they could, several making a game of throwing olives into others mouths from across the table, many missing. Laughter and chatter filled the empty café, Shadow curling against Ardeths side as the warriors regaled her with stories, many obviously embellished but still fun to listen too.
The day passed, Rick grumbling that they would have to make the journey back in the early morning but settled easily as the warriors settled about the safe house with ease. The houses that created the alleyway where they had parked were owned by tribe and served as a safe place to rest for fellow tribe members. Ardeth and Shadow curled up together in another nest of pillows, Shadow almost purring as fellow tribes men curled up around them.
Ardeth chuckled softly as his queen curled herself deeper into his chest as Rick pressed his back against hers, the big man sprawling out while throwing a smirk over his shoulder at Ardeth as he pushed Shadow deeper into Ardeth who happily wrapped the woman in his arms smiling as she sighed deeply.
Ardeth pulled the woman deeper into his embrace, sighing happily as Shadow pressed her face into his throat, her soft breaths puffing against the sensitive flesh there, assuring him that she was deeply asleep.
"You good over there Ardeth?"
Glancing upwards, over his sleeping queens head into the blue eyes of his friend who met his gaze over his shoulder where is back was pressed against his woman's.
"I am wonderful my friend." Ardeth murmured softly, wary of waking the woman in his arms. She needed her rest; between the conversation that morning the trip to Cairo and allowing the voices of Gods speak through her, she needed to sleep uninterrupted.
"Good. She's good for you, buddy. You're good for her."
Ardeth felt warmth flood through his system at his warrior brothers words. Rick had fought along side Ardeth, shedding blood with him making them brothers. To hear his brother voice his approval of the budding relationship flooded him with pride.
"She is my sun and my moon my friend. I understand we have not spent much time together, however I feel as if I have known her my entire life and am just relearning everything about her."
Rick smirked, shifting slightly to push the woman between them further into Ardeths hold, rolling away slightly so the Arab could wrap his arms around her slight form.
"Just take it at her pace buddy. I felt the same way about Evie, after I got over the whole upstart British lady."
Ardeth chuckled softly, sinking deeper into rest never noticing the shifting of the curtains around a closed window near his and Shadows head, a swirl of ghostly gold dusted itself over their sleeping forms.
Ardeth blinked, slowly taking in the opulent room around him. Murals of the gods inlayed into the walls around him rich in color and lined in gold. Golden bowls hovered in the air, flames flickering and giving off light but no heat as gauzy white curtains billowed from between golden columns that held the ceiling of the throne room he found himself standing in. a breeze against the bare skin of his chest had him glancing down, a frown tugging at his lips.
He wore a linen kilt, his arms decorated with golden cuffs, a large golden and jeweled collar hanging about his neck and rested against his bare chest. A glint of gold at his side had his head turning and the sight beside him sent his heart beating quickly in his chest.
Beside him, dressed like a noble woman of ancient Egypt stood Shadow, her moon bright hair handing loose down her back. Beads of lapis and threads of gold decorated her locks while golden jewelry dripped from her arms, neck and ears. She looked like a goddess, glowing with ethereal beauty.
"Shadow?"
She blinked, starting slightly as she turned her head towards him, her luminous purple eyes widening as a pretty red flush spread across her cheeks as her eyes slowly racked down his form. His pride gave a little preen inside his mind, pleased that this goddess of a woman looked at him with such hunger in her eyes.
"I can feel the love you share for each other from across the palace. I see that our dear little Shadow allowed our warrior to court her. How wonderful!"
Ardeth immediately pushed Shadow behind him, using his own body to shield her from the owner of the voice, his eyes widening at the sight that met him.
Standing regally with a warm smile on her lips and rainbow feathered wings folding gently around her golden shoulders.
"Isis, Queen of the Godesses."
Ardeth blinked as Shadow gently shifted from behind him to stand at his side, her hand taking his and giving it a comforting squeeze.
"Yes, Queen Isis, I did give my warrior a chance and I am glad that I did. However, that is not why you drew us here, is it?"
Isis smiled sweetly as a green skinned man stepped through the curtains, a hook and flail crossed at his chest, glowing golden eyes narrowing as he stared them down from beneath the crown of upper and lower Egypt. Ardeth did not need introductions to recognize the King of the gods, bowing his head respectfully to the figure as Isis continued.
"Osiris and I called you here to help, and no allow your warrior to understand that your love has been written in the stars long before either of you were born. Your story is one Fate herself wove into the very cosmos, and the battle you are to face will not be in vein."
Another figure stepped through the flowing curtains, this one very different from the God and Goddess. Darkly sun kissed skin and flowing thick black hair decorated with beads, feathers and quills of some form stood a man of Native America. He wore only pants clearly handmade and decorated with bone beads, his face painted as dark eyes took in the world he now stood in.
"Greetings Great-Great-Great-Great Granddaughter. How the Great Mother sings your praises; I have watched you grow into a fine warrior. You have faced the greatest darkness and it let you live."
His voice was thick and rich, his words though in Arabic held the accent Ardeth knew was Hopi. It seemed even in the lands of the Gods all languages were understood.
Shadow blinked, eyes wide as she stared at the man who was her Great Grandfather.
"Elder Standing Bear, Grandmother Dancing Wolf told me about you. You stood with Sitting Bull against the invaders of our lands. You've watched me?"
The man nodded, his expression grim but Ardeth could see the glitter in his dark eyes, a glitter he recognized from his own father.
Pride.
Standing Bear was proud of his granddaughter.
"All your ancestors have little one, and we are proud. When the battle comes, call upon us, and we shall stand beside you and your Desert Warrior. Bring pride to our Nation little one, show this interloper why you should not cross the offspring of Standing Bear and the Hopi Nation."
Ardeth stood straighter as those dark eyes turned to him, subtly shifting himself to stand once more in front of Shadow. The warrior strode forward, looking him up and down before nodding. Ardeth watched in silence as the warrior lifted a leather and claw necklace from his own shoulders and draped it around Ardeths neck, Shadow squeezing his hand harder as she stood at his side and watched the action.
"Care for her, as the Great Mother cared for all our Nations. And know this Ardeth Bay, King of the Twelve Tribes, you bring any harm to her I will find you and there is nothing that can protect you from my wrath."
Ardeth shot to wakefulness, his heart trying to beat from his chest. A quick glance around found the warriors and Rick all asleep, early morning sunlight clawing through the room to wake the resting figures with gentle fingers of light.
"You okay?"
Looking down, Ardeth breathed easier seeing Shadow still safely wrapped in his arms. He squeezed her tighter to him, humming at her little huff.
"I am. Is that what you experienced?"
"Mostly, although Elder Standing Bear was a new addition. I knew he was a warrior from my Nation, just didn't realize he would be so intense."
Ardeth chuckled softly, a sudden shifting around his neck had him looking down once more. There, resting on his chest between him and Shadow was a leather cord holding three sun-bleached claws.
Shadow hummed softly, her gentle fingers lifting to toy with them.
"Bear claws. That's how he earned his name. Grandmother Dancing Wolf told me he fought and killed a Grizzly Bear when he was but thirteen, earning himself the name."
Ardeth huffed softly, raising a hand to toy with the white locks of hair that slipped from his Queens headscarf.
"I am happy your Elder is willing to fight along side us, however, intense is not the word I would use to describe him."
Shadow tilted her head back, a soft little "Oh?" slipping from her lips as they gazed at each other in the early morning light, purple eyes glowing with love as they stared up at him from a sleepy face.
"Terrifying would be the word to describe that man."
The room full of warriors and one battle brother awoke to the laughter of a white haired purple eyed woman, many sharing confused glances but also smiles at the light and happy sound.
So? Thoughts? Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of the story so far!