A/N: Arabic in italic
Ancient Egyptian in bold

Her Desert Flower Ch. 9

Ardeth stood in the center of camp, his eyes sweeping the crowd, wanting to look into the eyes of man that was present for Mostafa's execution. As he slowly turned around, Ardeth could see the fear in their eyes, normally this wasn't what he wanted to achieve within the Twelve Tribes, but in this instance a little fear would go a long way. It would serve as a brutal reminder that Dalia was never to be touched and that the consequences of forcing yourself on a woman was punishable by death.

Locking eyes with Dalia, he could see nothing but admiration in her eyes, for it not only told him that she trusted him but also that she was supporting him as he fulfilled his duties as the Great Chief. Giving her a slight nod, Ardeth turned his attention to the man that was bound to the stake, his mouth gagged for no one wanted to hear the pleas of the disgraced Chief. Stepping towards him, Ardeth could see the fear rolling of his body, but it was the puddle underneath him that gave him the most satisfaction, he lived like a coward, and it seemed as though he would die as one.

"I Ardeth Bay, Great Chief of the Twelve Tribes, sentence you Mostafa Salim to death!" he yelled out, wanting to make sure all that were present could hear him.

"What was his crime?" a voice came from the crowd.

Without taking his eyes of the man in front of him, he could feel his jaw twitching as he watched the man cower, "He murdered Abasi Salim, his own brother to take control of his sect, and he attempted to rape my wife!"

Dalia held steady as she felt the eyes of Tribe looking over at her, keeping her eyes on the shoulders of her husband, she knew that they were looking at the bruises on her neck. Inhaling slowly, reaching for her mama's hand needing her to steady herself as a wave of anger washed over her. Blinking away the tears that were threatening to fall, Dalia refused to let anyone other than her husband see her so vulnerable, because it was her job as the Great Chief's wife to be a pillar of his strength.

Squeezing her daughter's hand, Zahra was never prouder of her the woman that she had become, and she was certain that her husband was smiling down on her. Glancing down at her, she could see her eyes were focused on Mostafa, not that she could blame her because if she wasn't holding her hand, she'd drive her husband's dagger right into his fucking eye. But as much as she wanted to avenger her husband's death, it was Ardeth's responsibility to bring not only justice for his wife but for the Medjai as a whole.

"Your husband is a good Chief to his people, my little Dali." Lifting her hand to her lips, Zahra kissed her knuckles and turned her attention towards Mostafa, smirking as he screamed around his gag. There was a small comfort in that, while it would never bring her husband or her father back to them but knowing that justice was about to be served was enough for her.

Without taking her eyes off her husband, "That he is." Exhaling slowly, Dalia couldn't help but feel proud of him, but there was a tinge of fear, for she did not know what the Ancient Rite punishment was. "Mama, what's about to happen?" she asked, keeping her voice low.

Blinking rapidly, Zahra knew that this was going to be brutal, "It means that Mostafa will have one of two choices, being ratted or being buried up neck and let the fire ants eat him alive." Shivering at the thought, but if anyone deserved such brutal death it would be her former brother-in-law.

Snapping her eyes to her mama, Dalia could see that she was being serious, blinking away a few tears she turned back towards her husband, worried how he was going to deal with such a punishment. For while he was dedicated to being a leader to his people, she knew that he wasn't someone that enjoyed inflicting brutal pain on someone. Letting out another shaky breath, doing what she could to prepare herself for what she was about witness, she could only pray to be able to keep herself from throwing up.

Mostafa watched in horror as Ardeth slowly walked towards him, cringing as he felt more piss running down his legs. Lifting his eyes as he got closer, all he wanted to do was plead for his life, but with the gag in his mouth, the only sound that he could make was a grunt. But the moment he was within a few feet, fear took over and Mostafa struggled against his restraints praying that they would loosen enough for him to attempt to escape. But the harder he pulled the tighter the rope pulled at his skin.

Ardeth watched as the man before him struggled to break free, shaking his head at the sight, neither option was pleasant, but he would have hoped that if he was facing such a sentence he would try to die with dignity. However, it was clear that a man that was willing to use poison to kill his adversary wasn't someone that would face you in battle.

Rolling his shoulders to attempt to relieve the tension that was building in his body, he hated the man before him, and it was justice for him to die for what he had done to his own brother and what he attempted to do to his flower. But the Ancient Rites of Death haven't been completed within the Tribes for over a century, and now it was to be performed in front of his wife.

That alone made the rage he was feeling burn hotter than before, for death wasn't something that was uncommon for the Medjai, but this was going to be painfully brutal death and he never wanted to subject Dalia to such things. Pulling out his sword, wishing that Menes would have kept his mouth shut, for beheading him quickly would have been his preferred method, but what's done is done.

"Mostafa Salim, you have been sentenced to die by the Ancient Rites of the Medjai." He said, hearing the gasps of the people. Using his sword, Ardeth lifted his head so that he could look into his eyes, "You have only two choices, Ratted or Fire Ants." Cutting the gag from his mouth, "Choose, or it will be chosen for you." He growled out.

Attempting to lick his dry lips, frowning when he had no saliva to do so. "Please, Great Chief, I beg of you, please use the sword!" he squealed out.

Pushing the tip of his sword against his face, Ardeth hissed, "You are not worthy of my sword, you are but a coward, you lived like one, and now you will die like one." Pushing deeper into his cheek, smiling when he watched a line of blood ooze down his face. "CHOOSE!" he barked.

Jerking his face away, Mostafa swore he could hear the blood rushing through his body and was sure that Ardeth could hear it as well. Realizing the only way to avoid such a painful death would be to provoke him, "My only regret, truly, was not fucking her, could you imagine it, her lying in the dirt, naked, and dead."

Clenching his teeth, Ardeth was so tempted to drive his sword into his face, but as he looked down at the man, that was what he wanted to die a quick death and that was something he was going to deny him. Taking a step back, Ardeth could see his frustrations, he couldn't help but smirk a bit.

Kneeling in front of him, Ardeth wrapped his hand around his throat, "But you failed, miserably. Your brother trained her far better than I could have asked for." Glaring down at him, smiling when he saw the fear in his eyes, "And you will forever be known in our community the fallen Chief, defeated by the rightful Chief's daughter."

Moving to stand, Ardeth kneed him in the face, his eyes looking towards the Elders, "Bring him to the hole, let the ants have him!" he yelled out. Seeing Omar make his way towards the fallen Chief, Ardeth quickly cut through the ropes that were holding him in place, but as soon as they started to drag him off, he followed closely behind.

Dalia watched in silent horror as Mostafa was shoved into a hole, the guards holding him in place as it was filled up to his neck, but it was when the two guards dropped burning rags into the ant hill that she realized how brutal it was going to be. Blinking rapidly, she could feel tears threatening to fall, not because she was particularly sad about what was happening, but because her papa was getting justice. Turning her eyes towards her husband, frowning when she saw his shoulders starting to slump and she was desperate to run to him but if she did it would imply that he was weak. So, instead she held her mama tightly, praying that when this was over, he knew that she still loved him.

Mostafa watched as thousands of ants scurried towards his face, screaming out for someone anyone to help him, but instead of his Tribe rushing to stop this he was met with silence. Panic filled him, for the stories that his father told him about this gave him nightmares as a child and now he was about to experience his worst fear. As he watched them get closer, Mostafa could feel the shit filling his pants, closing his eyes, knowing that it would only entice these demons more.

He didn't want to see them coming, so he tried to keep his eyes closed, but it was the sound of the sand moving in their wake that was driving him insane, and when they started to crawl over his face, he couldn't help but scream. Feeling them crawl up his nose, into his ears, and into his mouth, he tried like hell to close his mouth, but they were already making their way down his throat, biting him as they went. The pain was unbearable, with every bite against his flesh, he felt as though his skin was melting, but he couldn't even scream out for his mouth was filled with ants.

Ardeth watched as the ants' venom took effect, the pain of the bites putting him in a sleeplike trance, but alert enough to feel every bite. Closing his eyes, just for a moment, he prayed to Allah that at least in his life or his children's lives, that he would never have to perform such an execution again. Exhaling slowly, Ardeth looked towards the Elders, his warriors, his Tribe, finally his eyes found his wife watching him and instead of finding fear or disgust, all he could see was her love and understanding.

Nodding to Omar, he watched as the surrounding warriors used the fire to keep the ants from reaching the Tribe, and when he saw that they were under control he turned towards the crowd that was still standing, watching and waiting for him. Clearing his throat, Ardeth rolled his neck, grateful that this part was over, but he knew that it would take another day before Mostafa succumbed to the bites and until he was dead, he would not move his Tribe until he knew for sure.

"LET IT BE KNOWN THAT NO ONE, EVEN A CHIEF IS ACCOUTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND NO ONE IS ABOVE OUR LAWS!" Locking his eyes on the new Chief of Mostafa's Tribe, pleased to see the fear in them, stepping towards him, Ardeth could see his nerves. Placing his hands on his shoulder, his eyes taking in every inch of the man's face, "Karim, I pray to Allah that you do far better than the man before you."

Exhaling slowly, Karim bowed slightly towards the Great Chief, "I will do everything in my power to do so." Lettig his eyes find the widow of Abasi; he could see that she was pleased with the outcome of her husband's murderer. "I promise to watch over your family." Knowing that her sister and nephews would be staying within their Tribe.

Zahra gave him a small smile, "If you do not mind, I would like to spend time with them before you go." Her eyes turning towards her daughter, then her husband, thankful that neither of them seemed to have an issue with it. Placing a small kiss on her temple, she leaned close to her ear, "Your husband needs you." She said to her.

Dalia just nodded, she could see it all over his face, to anyone else he was a stoic Chief that handed out extreme justice, but to her, she could see that the method in which it was done was not how he would have preferred. Hugging her mama, she kissed her cheek, "I know, I will see Safina and the kids in the morning. Love you." she said, gently pushing her mama towards her sister. As she turned around, Dalia found her husband making his way towards her and it was the look on his face that had her uncertain.

Stepping back from Karim, Ardeth was satisfied with his answers, giving the man a curt nod Ardeth turned around his eyes looking for his wife, his body in desperate need of her. Finding her standing with her mother, Ardeth made his way over, desperate to touch her, even if all she allowed was him to hold her against his chest, but he needed her. It was when he was within a foot of her when they locked eyes that he knew that she understood what he was needing, pulling her into his arms Ardeth squeezed her tightly enjoying how the heat from her body seeped into his.

"My flower are you alright?" he asked, worried that the day's events were too much for her.

Gripping his waist tightly, Dalia could feel the tension in his muscles, "I am." She wanted to ask him how he was feeling, but there were too many people around and she did need or want anyone to assume that he was weak. Tilting her head back, Dalia found his deep brown eyes staring down at her, lifting her hand to his face using her thumb to rub the tattoo underneath his eye, "Is there anything else that you need to do?" Hoping that he would be able to come back to their tent.

Crouching down, Ardeth lifted her up into his arms, his mouth finding hers and the moment their lips touched he could feel his body starting to hum. Pulling back so that his head came to rest on hers, Ardeth could only breath her in, "Nothing that I can't do a little later, I need to be alone with you, please." He said, not caring that his voice sounded so desperate.

Dalia could only just nod, wrapping her arm around his neck to keep herself from falling as he moved through the camp, but it was the speed at which he was moving that was telling. He needed to feel a release, perhaps physical or perhaps an emotional one, but it was clear that he needed something, and she would give it to him.

Placing her gently on their blankets, Ardeth quickly removed his robe wanting nothing more than to feel her skin against his, taking ahold of the hem of her dress he locked eyes with her pale blue ones. "I need to feel you." His voice dropping lower. Smirking a bit as he watched her nod, sliding his hands up her legs as he felt the fabric bunching in his hands, "Dalia, I don't know if I can be gentle with you." As much as he wanted to drive himself into her body, he would never want to hurt her.

"I'm not asking for gentle." She breathed out. Sitting up against her elbows, Dalia let her fingers gently rub his goatee, "Tell me, what do you need?"

Biting her wrist, Ardeth could feel the blood pulsing in his body, groaning as he heard her hiss out, using his tongue, he soothed the red mark that was now adorning her skin. "I need you," he said as he ripped her dress up the middle, licking his lips as he gazed down at the perfect pale pink mounds that adorned her chest, "to get on your knees." He growled out. Taking ahold of her hips, Ardeth flipped her, his fingers squeezing the flesh of her ass, just the sight of her bent over for him was making his cock leak, "Breathe deeply, my flower."

Hearing her do as he asked, Ardeth leaned himself against her body, moaning as he felt the wetness leaking from her body, unable to stop himself, he thrusted forward almost crying out as he felt her pussy gripping his cock. But it was the sound of her screaming out his name that almost had him cumming well before his flower could even think of enjoying herself, falling forward, Ardeth had to take deep slow breaths to regain himself. "Have I hurt you?" he breathed out.

Dalia gripped the fabric underneath her fingers, her lower half burning from the how quickly he entered her body, screaming out, all she could do was breath. Tilting her head to the side, wanting to get as much air into her lungs as she could, thankful that he was allowing her body to adjust, but feeling him fold over her, asking if she was alright, just excited her more.

"No. Please, I need to feel you." She cried out. Not caring that anyone was able to hear her begging for her husband.

Turning her head, blushing when she found him staring into her eyes, "I can take it." She murmured out. Lowering her chest onto their bed, Dalia swore she could feel him slide a bit deeper into her, gasping at the sensation.

Sliding his hands up her spine until he took ahold of her hair, Ardeth gripped it tightly, groaning as he felt her walls starting to squeeze him. Tilting her head so that he could see into her eyes, smiling as he watched them darken, that was all he needed to know, she was excited. Keeping one hand in her hair, the other gripping her hips, Ardeth slowly withdrew his cock, hissing as he felt the velvety texture of her body, "Perfection." he growled.

With only an inch of himself was left inside of her body, Ardeth snapped his hips forward hissing her name as every inch of cock was massaged by her walls. Sparing a glance down as he withdrew again, the sight of his juice covered cock was what made him snap, setting a brutal pace, Ardeth wanted nothing more than to feel her come undone around him and for his release.

Screaming out, Dalia could only feel him as he drove himself harder into her body, it was the way he was stretching her, the sound of their skin slapping together, and how fast he was moving within her. It was almost too much for her, digging her fingers into the blanket Dalia could feel the tension rising in her body. Closing her eyes, Dalia could feel the wetness from her body sliding down her thighs, "Ardeth, please, I am so close." She cried out.

Pulling her hair, Ardeth used the other hand to squeeze her ass cheek, enjoying the softness under his fingertips, everything about her felt amazing, from the silkiness of her hair to the supple smoothness of her skin, but it was the inner muscles of her body that made him dizzy. "My flower, I need to feel you come undone around my cock." He said breathlessly. Doubling his efforts, desperate not only to feel her body squeezing him, but he wanted to hear her cry out his name as her body fell over the edge.

Sliding his hand up her body, Ardeth slid his hand to her chest, biting his lips as he felt her breast in his hand, squeezing her pale pink nipple, moaning as it caused her pussy to grip him a little tighter. Moving his hand, a little higher, Ardeth gently gripped her throat, and pulled her up until her back was flush against his chest. Licking the side of her neck, Ardeth could feel her body starting to shake, "Dalia, my love, let go."

Wrapping her arm around his neck, Dalia arched her body into his, the coiling in her lower belly was getting tighter, tilting her head as she felt his tongue sliding up her neck. Taking a hold of the hand that was gently gripping her neck, gasping as she felt the dam within her body burst. Digging her nails into his skin, Dalia couldn't help but scream out his name, lights started to dance behind her eyes and the feeling of being pulled under a wave rolled over her body.

"Ardeth!" she breathed out.

Biting down on her shoulder, Ardeth held her tighter against his chest, his body being pushed towards the edge and the moment he felt her pussy clamp around him he was lost but it was the sound of her crying out his name that had him joining her in bliss. Thrusting his cock into her body, he could feel the moment his body released into hers, it was almost too much to keep them upright. But as the sensation of his essence left his body, it was all he could do to keep from crushing her as they fell. Turning to the side, Ardeth held her tighter to his body as he felt his cock pulsing, with each pulse he could feel his cum pushing deeper into her body and it was the most spectacular feeling.

As the bright light behind his eyes started to fade, Ardeth had to take several deep breaths, and grip her hips to keep her from moving, everything was still too sensitive. Licking her shoulder, moaning as the flavor of her skin danced over his tongue, gently nipping at her neck, Ardeth could feel the stress from the day finally melting away. "With everything that happened today, do you feel like justice was served for your father?" he asked, hoping that he was able to give them peace.

Dalia could feel her heart starting to slow down to a normal level, grateful that she could finally breathe again but it was his question that made it sputter a bit. Turning her head so that she could see his face, Dalia found herself being pulled into them. Giving him a small smile, Dalia could feel a few tears starting to fill her eyes, "I do and that is something that I and my mama would be forever thankful for." Rolling over a bit more, her fingers running through his hair, "But how are you, I know that couldn't have been easy on you."

Ardeth found his nose in the crook of her neck, as always, her water lily scent instantly calming him, using his thumb to rub her bottom lip. "I am glad you have found a sort of peace." Seeing her eyes soften, put him at ease, but he knew that she was worried about him, "I will be alright, in time. It is my duty as Chief, but it wasn't something that I enjoyed and if I never have to do that again I would never complain." Placing a soft kiss on her lips, his forehead resting on hers, "But for you, my love, there isn't anything I wouldn't do or suffer if it meant I could protect you."

Keeping her head on his, Dalia felt a tear slide down her face, taking a hold of his face, Dalia kissed him deeply, moaning as she felt his tongue gently stroke hers. Pulling back just a bit, Dalia found his dark eyes watching her, "Ardeth, I love you, and I do not want to ever put you in a position that you have do that again." Yawning a bit, blushing when he chuckled at her. "I think you've worn me out."

Chuckling, Ardeth pulled her down onto his chest, enjoying how she wrapped her body against his. Using his fingers to move some of her hair off her face, "I would apologize, but I do not want to lie to you." Kissing her temple, Ardeth settled them into their bed, pulling a blanket over their bodies, "Rest well my beloved." Closing his eyes, Ardeth could feel all the tension on his body seeping out and he knew that it was because of his desert flower.

Settling over his heart, Dalia let the soothing rhythm of the beating lull her to sleep, turning her head slightly, she placed a small kiss over his heart. Closing her eyes, the last thing that she thought before she was pulled to sleep was that her papa would finally have peace and that Mostafa would never know such things.

Underworld- Anubis Palace

Glaring down in the pools of the mortal realm, Mathayus could feel his anger building within his body, watching the living mull around with their pitiful lives. Clenching his fist, he could feel the blood starting to ooze from where his nails were digging into his flesh, and if it wasn't for the sound of the blood dripping onto the marble to distract him, he would have drove his fist through a pillar.

Aken stared at the former Scorpion King, smirking at his obvious discomfort, "You should step away from the pool, Akkadian." Stepping off his ferryboat, Aken couldn't help but laugh as the man looked at him as though he was ready to kill him. "Stronger men have tried, you are but a human, not a God." he taunted.

Clenching his jaw, Mathayus took a step towards the ferryman, "I am more than just a human, I was a GOD!" Outside the golden mask of the Ram, Mathyus could only see his golden eyes.

Smirking at his anger Aken pushed against his shoulder, which sent him flying into the marble wall, "You were never a God, you were just a puppet for our master. And when you failed, Anubis brought you here to honor your deal. Your soul for the victory of Thebes."

Flipping himself back onto his feet, instinctively reaching for his sword, growling when he didn't feel it at his side. Rolling his neck, Mathyus found himself slowly moving towards the ferryman, all he wanted to do was wrap his hands around his neck just so that he could enjoy the sound of it breaking. Licking his lips, his eyes slowly taking him in, hoping to find anything that would be a weakness that he could exploit, but nothing stood out. "I am no one's puppet!" he growled out.

Aken couldn't help but tilt his head back and laugh. "Is that the lies you keep telling yourself?" Waving his hand, the images of his last battle before he was sent into the desert, but it was the image of him praying to Anubis to give him the army in exchange for his soul. "Like all the morals that died in the name of our King, you are not special." Smirking as he watched pain and rage dance across his face. Aken could see that he was having the desired effect, stepping an inch closer to the man hoping that he could break the man just a bit more.

"What changed you? You liberated the people from Memnon and yet you become him, but only worse." Tilting his head, smiling as he watched the veins in his forehead start to throb, "Was it the day your wife died? Was she the only thing that kept you from turning into a monster?"

Mathyus moved until he was nose to nose with the ferryman, "Speak of my dead wife again, I will rip your eyes out of your skull." His body vibrated with anger. However, the moment the ferryman mentioned Cassandra the only thing that could think of was her lying in their bed dying of an infection begging him to be the king she knew he could be. But instead of honoring her, he lost himself in his grief and became the monster that he rose up to defeat.

Waving his hand again, Aken watched the Akkadian's face as the image of his first conquest after her death, it was the first time he unleashed his armies and decimated the city. "She must be so proud of you." He said, smiling as he watched his words sink deep into his heart.

Dropping to his knees, "No more, please just stop." He begged. Screaming out at the image of his armies burning the city, not even the children were spared that day. He knew that was the beginning of the end for him and what kept him from joining his wife in the afterlife.

Kneeling in front of him, Aken wrapped his fingers around his throat, lifting him until he was dangling off the ground, enjoying the fight that the man still had inside of him. Even when he was completely outmatched, he still fought him, and that was something he could almost respect in a mortal. "What would you do for a second chance at a mortal life? What would you do with that second chance?" he asked him, never more curious about the man that was still trying to get free.

Mathayus clawed at his hand, but his skin was hard like stone, gasping for air he found the ferryman's golden eyes gleaming with joy. Trying to kick his face Mathayus refused to stop fighting for his life in this realm kept his soul from being destroyed. "I have nothing to offer, for my soul belongs to Anubis, but I would kill the Medjai that destroyed his army." He gasped out.

Tilting his head. Aken couldn't help but be a little intrigued, tossing him to the floor, "Revenge? Interesting." Lifting his golden mask, Aken stared down at the human, placing his foot on his chest, wanting to emphasis that he was nothing more than a mortal man. "And if you defeat this leader of the Medjai, what happens next?" Revenge he could understand, for even he as God he felt that emotion once or twice through the eons, but he always had a plan for after.

Stunned by his human face, if it wasn't for the golden goat eyes there would be no difference between them in appearance. Shaking his head clear, Mathayus hissed at him, "After I removed his head, I would take over his Tribe as mine and live my days in peace just so that I could have a chance in a peaceful afterlife with my Cassandra." As he said her name, the images of her flashed in his mind, his dark-haired beauty, with her soft brown eyes. Letting his mind enjoy the image of her for just a moment longer, Mathyus could feel his body yearning to touch her one last time.

Aken could barely hold his smirk, stupid mortal thinking that he would get a chance to join his wife, even if he was able to change who he was, his soul belonged to Anubis and his King would never release him. However, it had been eons since he had any fun and the Akkadian was promising. Sliding his golden mask back over his face, Aken looked into his eyes, "I will take you to the mortal realm," smiling as he watched his eyes fill with hope, "but if you harm or kill a human that is not the Chief of the Medjai, you will be sent back and I promise you this, it will be far more unpleasant then the first time."

For Aken knew that if he was sent back a second time, he would be nothing but bones, and his body would make a lovely figurehead for the front of his ferry. Extending his hand, "What do you say Akkadian, or would you rather take your chances with Anubis?" he asked him, hoping that he would take this offer.

Without even thinking about it, Mathayus took his hand, "Take me there, I am owed his blood." He growled out.

Smiling behind his mask, Aken pulled the mortal to his feet, and tossed him into the ferry, excitement filling his veins. For it did not matter if he was successful or failed immediately for his body would adorn his ferry soon enough and he had all the time in the world to wait.