Ch. 13~ Camp

Jeweli ran through the thick vegetation for nearly two hours, and then finally broke through to the desert sand. From there, she followed the sun's long decent towards the horizon. It took hours of trudging through the hot sand, until, just as the last rays of light hit her, she crested a sand dune, laying eyes on the full Madji forces for the first time. She made it down the dunes, hollering as she went, trying to get their attention. Suddenly, she was surrounding by men on horseback, all of them pointing swords at her. One of them started yelling in Arabic.

"Please, I need to speak to Hessan. I have information for Ardeth…Ardeth Bay." They stopped moving around, muttering amongst themselves. Then they moved aside for an older man on a grey horse. He said something in Arabic. "I have to talk to Hessan, please, it's important. I have news from Ardeth Bay."

The man looked her over, and then held out an arm, which she took, and he hoisted her up behind him. Racing back to the camp, Jeweli saw that there were so many more men that Ardeth had even remotely let on. They stopped at a big tent. The man dismounted, and then helped her down. She followed him into the tent; he motioned for her to sit on a cushion.

"So, you are a friend of Ardeth?"

"Yes, sir."

"Hm. would you like some tea? You look thirsty."

"Oh, yes, please." He poured it and gave her the cup. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

"Forgive me. My name is Hessan. And you are?"

"I'm Jeweli…Jeweliandra O'Connell."

"O'Connell? Would you, by any chance, be kin to Richard O'Connell?"

"Yes, he's my cousin, that's why I'm here." She pulled the letter out. "Ardeth told me to find you; he said you'd take care of me."

Hessan took the message, unrolled, and read it. His dark eyes widened, and he looked at her in surprise, and then looked back down. "Interesting."

"What is?"

"My nephew writes that you will fill us in on the details of the enemy's advances, and that you will lead us until he is able to meet us on the field of battle."

"He does? Wait…your nephew?"

"Yes, my brother's child, Allah rest his soul. He also writes that you are the reincarnation of Tutkahafe. Do you know what that means?"

"Um…I was a Madji in my past life?"

"It does, but it also means that you are a sacred warrior, chosen by God to protect mankind. Usually, a warrior has some sort of mark, given to them before they realize the true significance of it." He raised an eyebrow.

Jeweli understood his unasked question, and undid her robes, revealing her tattoo. Hessan marveled at the ink adorning her side, and then smiled. "I know there aren't many women who would do something like this. I hope I'm not disrespecting your ways by showing you."

"There is no disrespect, child." Then he caught sight of Ardeth's amulet around her neck. "I would know that amulet anywhere. Did he give it to you?"

She touched it with a small smile, "He did. He said it would protect me on my way."

"If I may, why did you come? Could he not have sent Horus?"

Jeweli looked at her hands. "Horus was shot down. This was the only way we could get the information to you in time."

"I see. Come with me." He stood up and when to the entrance, and then stopped. "Close your robes. Not everyone is as understanding as I." She did as he said. "You know, I am glad it is you he has chosen."

She smiled, "Thank you." Jeweli didn't tell him she'd suckered Ardeth into it. "Hessan? Ardeth told me he had a brother, Basal."

"Indeed. That is where we are going now."

Basal's tent doubled as the planning area, since he was Ardeth's second. There was a group of commanders surrounding a large map. The man talking, she assumed, was Basal, since he and Ardeth looked very similar. He looked up from the map and saw them standing there. He straightened up, asking Hessan something in Arabic. Words were exchanged, amongst which she heard her, Ardeth, and Rick's name. Basal beckoned them over. The Commanders made room for them, all of them staring at her.

"Some of them do not speak English very well, so I will translate. They want to know our course of action, where the enemy is, and where the Army of Anubis will arise."

Jeweli studied the map for a moment, then picked up a red rock. "At the moment, the opposition will be about here, and they will continue until they reach Ahm Shere. They'll most likely get there by tomorrow morning. Ardeth and my family were here when I left, but…Rick will pick higher ground to shoot the enemy from, about here. They'll have someone shooting, and someone rescuing my nephew, Alex. Ardeth believes that the Army of Anubis will rise here, in the desert outside of Ahm Shere. That means that we'll need to stretch the men as far as possible, a few lines deep."

A man at the other side of the table asked (in Arabic) "And how are we to know you are not a double-crossing agent for the creature?"

"Excuse me?" She leaned on the table, giving him her best Evil Eye. "Are you deaf? They have my nephew, the son of my cousin, Rick O'Connell. What in God's name makes you think I'd help the very thing that is intent on killing my whole family, not to mention wiping out the people whose job it is to protect the human race, then enslave everyone. I am the Warrior of Sekmet, and you would do well not to piss me off. Now, if you'd like to have your dick ripped off and shoved down your throat, then by all means, question my loyalties again."

Hessan stumbled when he heard her words, but continued nonetheless. Every mouth in the room gaped at her, until Hessan put a hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps Ardeth was correct in urging me not to anger you, little one. You truly are a Warrior of Sekmet, docile in slumber, but devastating when crossed."

"Thank you. Now, listen to me. Ardeth sent me in confidence that you would heed my instructions. He sent me to lead you until he got here, and that's what I'll do."

Basal spoke. "I cannot allow a woman into battle, it is too dangerous. And something tells me that my brother would be very upset with me if anything happen to you."

"I don't give a flying rat's ass what's gonna upset him." Well, she did, but not right then about her fighting. "If you try to keep me out of it, I'll just find a way to get there anyway. There's no way in hell I'm gonna stay behind and twiddle my thumbs while everyone else is out there risking their lives. So, deal with it."

Ardeth's brother studied her for a moment, before turning to the other men and saying something. They all filed out, leaving the three of them. "I apologize for Ali, he has always been wary of outsiders. So, you are the fabled warrior?"

"Yup. And I meant what I said, I will fight, whether you let me or not."

"I understand. My brother must know you can handle yourself if he sent you alone."

"Actually, I kinda suckered him into it. He didn't want me to come."

"Ah, and how did you do that?"

Jeweli sheepishly studied her hands as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. "I…may have…forced him to see reason." Both men realized what she meant and laughed. "So, he told me you were betrothed."

"Yes. Analai, the most beautiful woman in the world. I am very lucky to finally have something waiting for me at home."

"I wish you both many happy years."

"Thank you. Now, since you are going to be joining us, why don't we get you set up?"

"Set up?" They nodded.

'Set up' ended up meaning taking her to the armory tent. Walking through the many weapons, she began to wonder how she was supposed to fight when she had no training. Knives, she was ok with, guns were great, but a sword? Then, a gleam in the corner caught her eye. It as a sword much like Ardeth's, but the hilt was a feline head at the pommel, and two claws as the guard.

"Fitting," Hessan said. "Now, since that is over with, we can find you a place to sleep."

One of the men was moved to a bigger tent to bunk so she could sleep alone. Hessan brought her something to eat, and promised to get her in the morning, then they would leave. She sat up late, thinking about Ardeth and her family, hoping they were alright. Finally, she drifted off.