Hasnew and Ali helped Ardeth to one of the cots. He stopped, helped Hasnew remove what was left of his robe, then sat down on the edge, and then willingly lay back on the cot.
Ali instinctly reached over and poured water from a pitcher into the basin. Then dipping a cloth into it she wiped Ardeth's face and forehead as Hasnew inspected his wounds. As he looked at the bullet wound in Ardeth's upper chest Ardeth matter of factly said "the bullet is still there". Hasnew nodded and made his way to the gash on Ardeth's other side.
Ardeth drew a sharp breath, and clenched his jaw as Hasnew probed the wound to make sure no internal damage was done. Seeing this Ali reached out and took Ardeth's hand. He looked up at her as if to argue with her, to say he didn't want to hurt her. But the look in her eyes stopped him. He could see she would not let go and so he held onto her hand. He worked to even his breathing as Ali continued to wipe his face. Finally Hasnew spoke "I do not see any damage, therefore I will stitch you up."
Ardeth opened up his eyes and looked at Ali as Hasnew took a moment to get ready. "You are hurt?" he said letting go of Ali's hands and bringing his up to her check and the huge bruise and cut the Westerner had made. "I'm fine, Ardeth, just bumps and bruises, that's all" She tried to smile at him but it didn't reach her eyes. She wasn't quite telling him the truth, all the cuts and bruises and the force of falling from the horse was wearing on her. But she would not let him know that. Shaking his head he said "You are hurt I can see it in your eyes. What else did they do to you?" he said in a bit of a growl.
Hasnew stepping back to them stopped their conversation. Ali took Ardeth's hand and quietly said "we will talk later"
Over in the other part of the home, Basel was treating Jonathan's wound. Thankfully, the bullet had exited his body. Basel put an herbal poultice on the back of the wound then wrapping it in a gauzy like material she spoke to Jonathan "Son, you were very brave today". "Thank you Basel, but I don't know maybe I made it worse" She responded "nonsense, my child. You were trying to protect your Mother." Jonathan nodded and closed his eyes to let her finish.
Right beside them on another cot, Fatar finished working on Simar, the other warrior that had been shot. He too was lucky as the bullet had exited his arm. Once he was finished he moved and Fatar nodded for Jahar to lie down.
Jahar stopped and pulled his arm from his robes and then lay down on the cot. Elizabeth could not help but look at the tattoos on his bronze skin. Her mother had told her of Ardeth's tattoos. Jahar speaking brought her out of her thoughts "Fatar the bullet is still there" Elizabeth was astonished how calm Jahar sounded. Fatar nodded "Brace yourself son." Jahar closed his eyes and steeled his jaw. But as Fatar started to probe the wound for the bullet, Jahar drew a harsh breath. Noting that, Elizabeth picked his hand up in hers. He opened his eyes and turned toward her. She nodded and smiled a sad smile at him. He nodded and closed his eyes again. She was amazed as his breathing became more even as if he was working to calm himself. Fatar took note of that "That's right son ". Finally, Fatar pulled the bullet from Jahar's chest. "I have it, now I will get you sown up."
Jahar turned to look at Elizabeth. Even though he was in pain he smiled at the tenderness in her eyes. He was still holding her hand and he brought it to his lips and lightly kissed it. "Thank you, for being here with me". She blushed and said "You're very welcome". Then he added "You are a very brave woman, Lizzy. Just like they say your Mother is". She could only nod and smile. She knew if she tried to speak she would cry.
Fatar came back and started to stitch up the gap he caused as he probed for the bullet. And again Elizabeth held Jahar's hand.
As Hasnew finished sowing up Ardeth gash he looked at him said "I will work to get the bullet out now".
Ardeth nodded and braced himself. Ali took his hand and this time he didn't make a move to stop her.
It hurt her so much to watch him being in pain. She knew Hasnew couldn't help it but she knew Ardeth was in pain. Ardeth took at deep ragged breath then fought to even out his breathing. Finally, Hasnew announced he had the bullet and then quickly sewed up the wound.
Turning to Ali he said "Ali, let me check you out now." Ali nodded. Walking up to her he touched her cheek. Feeling it he said "It's not broken, although I'm sure it's very sore." He reached over and picked up a rag, wetted it and cleaned away the blood from the wound. He then took some salve and gingerly put it on the cut. "Let me see the cut below your ear" Ali complied pulling up her hair. She wrenched in pain as he touched it. Ardeth reached out and took her hand. "It does not need stitches." With that he added salve to it too and put a piece of gauze on it. He turned as if he was finished when Ali spoke "I think I have a gash on my shoulder too. He cut me as I was diving off the horse." As she finished Ardeth's grip became stronger. She looked at him and the look on his face was pure hatred. She knew he was mad over what they had done to her. Looking at her shoulder Hasnew said "You will need to bare your shoulder". She nodded and he looked at the wound. It had bled, but thankfully it wasn't deep. "You will not need stiches, just salve and a bandage". With that he finished up.
After they finished Hasnew looked at them both "I will check on the others, and leave you two alone for a bit. But do not leave please. I want to keep an eye on Ardeth for a while". Both nodded and he was gone.
Ardeth gingerly sat up and patted the cot beside him. Ali sat down and he took her hands in his. She turned a bit to face him. He could see the unshed tears in her eyes. He reached up with one hand, while still holding the other, touched her face. "You have been through so much, my love." She moved her face deeper into his touch "Oh Ardeth" was all she could say before her tears flowed.
He pulled her closer to him. She tried to pull back "I'll hurt you" but he didn't stop. He pulled her close and wrapped her safely in his arms. She couldn't help it but everything started spilling out "I was terrified that if they got out the gate with me, I'd never see you again. Then when you fell and I touched your robes and realized my hands were covered in your blood. I thought back to all those years ago. I was so scared I would lose you." She stopped no longer being able to speak through her tears.
As she sobbed, Ardeth kissed her forehead and her hair, whispering comforting words. "I'm here, Ali. I will not leave you."
She nodded then pulled back so she could look at him "Thank you for saving me yet again". He shook his head "I'm sorry that being with me endangered you again".
Both just sat there lost in their thoughts, just happy to be able to be with one another.
After several minutes of sitting there relishing being in Ardeth's arms again, Ali heard "Mother?"
She turned to see Elizabeth, Peter and Caroline, Jonathan, Jahar, Ahmen and Basel.
Quickly standing up, she went to Elizabeth and Jonathan and hugged them close. Pulling back she looked at Jonathan's arm.
"I'm fine Mother, Basel took good care of me".
Ali nodded and looked toward Basel "Thank you"
Basel answered. "You're very welcome. He is a very brave young man. But it runs in the family, my child. Elizabeth was outstanding today helping with Jahar" Basel finished causing Elizabeth to blush a bright red.
Ahmen spoke up "Yes, she was. Ali she has your strength."
Ali reached and touched Elizabeth face "I'm very proud of you" she turned and looked at Jonathan again "and you"
Elizabeth spoke "If we do have a strength, well after today I know where it came from. You were incredible Mother. I can't imagine staying as calm as you did."
Ali shook her head slightly "I really didn't have a choice my love. I had to try to protect my family and the village"
They talked for a few more minutes, and then Hasnew came back in looked at Ardeth's wounds one more time and then released him to go home.
Everyone slowly made their way thru the streets to Ardeth's home. Ali hugged both Elizabeth and Jonathan and then turned to Basel "Thank you for everything today".
Basel answered back "You're very welcome my child. Now take care of my Grandson tonight" With that she smiled and everyone headed toward her home.
"We will see you in the morning" Ali said as she closed the door to Ardeth's home.
Turning she saw Ardeth gingerly lower himself into a chair at the table. Walking over to him she stopped "Let me turn down the bed" She could see the day was finally catching up with him as he only nodded.
A moment later, after turning down the covers on the bed, she turned realizing Ardeth was standing behind her. She looked up at him and could see so many things in his eyes. He slowly reached out pulling her to him. He held her as tight as his and her injuries would let him. He spoke into her hair "I thought I was going to lose you today. I was terrified I wouldn't make it back in time. And then to have to watch them harm you…"he stopped not being able to continue.
Ali pulled back and looked into his eyes, seeing the unshed tears and the anger. "I was scared that if they got out of the gate with me, that I would never see you again"
Reaching up he touched her face "I would have given my life to make sure that never happened".
Shaking her head she quietly said "You almost did… again".