Arimus watched Shani from the fireside. He had so many questions to ask her yet he knew if he bombarded her with them she would more than likely run like a scared kitten. It was best to wait for the right opportunity to find out the answers he wanted. He noticed the water boiling and called to her. “The water is hot now.”
Shani walked back to the fireside and grabbed a small bowl. Placing the leaf in the bowl she poured some water over it and let it steep. “Give it a few minutes and it will be ready.”
“Ready for what?” Arimus asked with one eyebrow raised.
Shani had a tiny cloth in her hand and was watching the bowl turn colors. “I’ll simply dip this,” she held up her hand and dangled the cloth from two fingers, “in the bowl and then let it lie on your face. It will make the bruise go away faster.”
Arimus thought she sounded sure enough about this new medicine and decided that it would be alright to simply let a cloth lie on his face. As long as I don’t have to drink it. He thought as he reached for a bag, stood, and then looked around.
Shani thought something was wrong. “Scared of a leaf?” she asked jokingly.
“No. I am simply trying to figure out how I am going to change clothes.”
Shani felt her cheeks turn red and quickly looked back to the bowl. “You could always go over by the horses and use them as a shield.” She suggested and then looked back at him when she heard him laughing. “What are you laughing at?” she demanded.
“You’re blushing because I mentioned changing clothes. I just didn’t think that would embarrass you.”
Shani’s eyes narrowed. Then she threatened, “Be quiet before I make you drink more of the green powder.”
Arimus held his hands up in mock defense, “Please, no more of the green powder. I could take not one more swallow of that rancid liquid.” Then he headed for the horses.
Shani watched as he walked away, noting how proud he seemed in his stride. He can’t be a vagrant. Perhaps he is nobility in this land. His robes were not like those of the other men she had seen in her travels. They did not have the fine detail as his, and most were white or black. His were tan in color. She found herself wondering how his arms would feel wrapped around when she heard the horses whinny. Realizing that he was probably on his way back she hurriedly busied herself with spreading her blankets out for her to sleep in. She started to chastise herself mentally. Just wonderful. I have no time to start daydreaming about some strange man.
“Is the new medicine ready yet?” he interrupted her thoughts and she nearly jumped not expecting him to be so close to her. Arimus had closed the distance between them and the steeds quickly. He went to stand by her assuming she had known he was right behind her with the way she placed the bowl on the sand next to the fireside. Realizing he had frightened her he apologized. “I am sorry. I thought you knew I was behind you.”
Shani turned around to face him, “Don’t worry about it.” Then reaching for the bowl she added, “You’re going to have to sit down for me to get this medicine on your bruise.” Her gaze finally landed on him and she took a double take at his new appearance. Gone were the robes and in place were loose fitting pants, just like the ones her father used to wear around the tribe. The kind Christina always liked to see him in, or so Jason had told her as she was growing up. The sleeveless shirt he wore revealed more of his muscular arms, which she realized he had crossed against his chest.
“Shani?” she heard him saying to get her attention.
“Hmm?” she replied not having meant to stare at him in such a way she was blushing again. Now she was trying to find a way to explain without having to admit her thoughts of him holding her she had just moments before.
“Are you feeling alright?” he asked wondering why she suddenly took to staring at him as if he was the first man she’d ever seen in her entire life. Noticing the slight red color rising in her cheeks he knew she was more than alright.
“I’m fine.” She stammered a bit, but added quickly, “It must have been the long day in the sun. Perhaps it just got to me.”
Arimus tilted his head to one side, his voice considerably lower than before. “Yes, the sun.” He winked at her, grabbed a blanket, and spread it out. He picked up his saddle, placed it on the blanket, and used it to lean against as he sat down.
Shani realized he knew it wasn’t the sun that had gotten to her and decided to just ignore it and he would let it drop. Placing the bowl of medicine on the ground first she knelt next to him. Shani dipped the cloth in the water and then gently held it on his cheek.
“Ouch,” Arimus protested as she dabbed the cloth on the cut just above his left eye.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Tilt your head this way,” she placed her finger tips under his chin and gently moved his head so as to see the cut better in the fading sunlight. “That is a nasty cut you have there.”
“I’ve had worse.” He winced as she continued to dab medicine on his bruise. He liked having her dote on him, and felt guilty about it. Gently he grabbed her wrist and looked at her. “I can do this myself.” His tone was soft.
“Don’t be silly,” she said smiling, “you can’t see where the bruise is exactly and I can. And this medicine has to be put on the entire bruise for it to work.” She was lying again. The offer to let him use the tiny mirror she had in her bags almost slipped out, but she wanted to help him. She liked him. He wasn’t like the other men who had tried to get on her good side in this land. Jason has taught his daughter long ago how to defend herself, and where he left off the men in her tribe picked up. Arimus had not made any moves to cause her to defend herself. If anything he seemed to be very cautious of her, which she liked.
Arimus still held onto her wrist and was aware of how close she was. The thought of drawing her closer and kissing her crossed his mind but something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. Before either of them knew Azizi leapt and landed facing Arimus. Azizi had knocked Shani backwards when he landed making her land with a thud. Azi lowered his head and leaned in close to Arimus, who had bolted into an upright sitting position and realized that if Azizi was going to attack he had no chance of getting away so he sat frozen where he sat.
“Azizi!” Shani yelled and then something Arimus didn’t understand. The big cat perked his ears up, stopped snarling, and promptly sat where he once stood. Arimus let out a huge sigh of relief. She knelt down next to Arimus again realizing Azizi must have scared him to death, for Azi surely had scared her. Placing a hand on his arm she apologized. “I’m sorry. Azizi must have thought you were trying to hurt me. He would not have done that for any other reason.”
Arimus’ heart was still pounding and had lurched into his throat. He swallowed hard and tried to speak but he just couldn’t. Shani looked at the cat and frowned; her tone was full of shame and anger. “Tell him you are sorry, Azizi.”
The big cat sat and purred loudly staring Arimus in the eye.
A weak ok was all Arimus could muster to say still trying to calm the beating of his heart. Shani felt horrible at what Azi had done. “At least let me finish cleaning that cut for you.” She offered.
Looking at her, Arimus slightly nodded his head in agreement and slowly leaned back against the saddle again. “He is very…” Arimus started to speak but his eyes went wide with caution when the big cat stood, then watched as Azi went over to the steeds and laid down. He then finished his sentence while looking at Shani. “…protective?”
Shani was thankful that the contents of the bowl hadn’t been knocked over in the commotion and picked up the cloth. “Wait a second. I need to rinse this out, it’s got sand all over it.” She stood and went to the canteen next to her blankets. Arimus watched her walk away and breathed a sigh of relief. Even though Azi had done a wonderful job of interrupting his thoughts Arimus found that he still wanted to kiss Shani. Wouldn’t my father just love to hear that? I’m sorry but I cannot marry Liana, I would much rather traipse around the desert with a jungle woman who seems to have piqued my interest. He laughed out loud at himself as he envisioned the expression that would cross Rasheem’s face if he heard such words coming from his son’s mouth. Then shook his head in an effort to clear his mind. His head was starting to throb a little at this point.
Shani saw his frown and knelt down beside him. “I really am sorry about what Azi did,” her voice was almost pleading.
“It is not that,” he answered rubbing his left temple lightly. “My head is starting to ache a bit.” He let out a heavy sigh he laid his head back on the saddle and tried to relax.
She smirked a little and then started dabbing at his face with the cloth again. “I told you that was going to happen. If it starts to hurt too much I can make you another drink.”
One corner of her mouth had curled up while she tried to hide her laughter. He opened his eyes and caught her.
“You will never get me to drink that again.” He declared avidly and pointed at her.
Remembering he had something in Arabic while drinking the medicine she asked what he had said.
“Never mind,” he answered, “It is not for a lady’s ears.”
“You already said it in front of me though.” She frowned; curiosity was getting to her now.
She had finished cleaning his cut and was now waiting for her answer with her hands on her hips. Arimus thought she looked sensual with the breeze gently blowing her hair across her face and just simply gazed upon her for a moment. He smiled impishly and replied, “Then I won’t say it again, not even in Arabic.”
Shani tossed the cloth in his face, stood, and went to her blankets. “You’re not going to tell me are you?”
“No.” Came the simple reply.
“So tell me, Shani, what brings you and Azizi to the desert?” he tried to sound an nonchalant as he could as he cleaned his plate.
“We are just traveling.” Azizi was finished eating and lying next to Shani. She was using a small brush to get sand out of his fur.
“I can see that. But why are you traveling?” Arimus asked as he sat down across from them.
Without moving her head she raised her eyes to look at him, not sure if she should trust a stranger. “What does it matter?”
“It doesn’t. I was just curious.” Arimus started to straighten out his blankets in an effort to make it seem like he was just making conversation, but he felt as if he were failing miserably.
“I just wanted to see different parts of the world.” She lied. “I thought it would be fun for Azi and I to see new lands, meet new people.” Azi rose his hind quarters and stretched, his claws dug into the sand. It was his way of letting her know he was done with the brushing. He walked over to Arimus, who was still cautious of the big cat and not sure what to do, and lay next to him instead of Shani. Then he put his head on Arimus’ leg and closed his eyes.
“What is he doing?” the look on Arimus’ face was of pure shock.
Shani let out a giggle and smiled. “He likes you. This is Azi’s way of letting you know that he trusts you.”
Arimus looked from her to Azi and back, “He had a funny way of showing it earlier.”
“He likes it when people rub behind his ears. If you do that, he’ll be your friend for life.” She smiled but was interrupted by a yawn. “It’s been a long day.”
“Then why don’t you go to sleep?” he suggested, “I’ll keep watch for a while to make sure no one surprises us.”
“I don’t think you understand, Arimus. Azizi might be sleeping, but one strange noise, one strange smell, and he wakes up. No one is going to surprise us with him here.” Shani was thinking that perhaps Arimus was right and she should go to sleep.
“You mean he has not lost his natural instincts?”
“Why would he?”
“If you raised him then how would he learn to be a panther, to hunt, kill, and all of the instincts he needed.”
“The tribe I live with is full of warriors. He went on hunts with them many times. In fact they made sure they taught him how to defend himself, and to fend for himself if ever he had to. Azizi is all panther,” she pointed to him then to the mask lying near her things, “and he is part Abebaian.”
“Your tribe is full of warriors?” Arimus found a way to get her to reveal more of herself without her knowing, or at least he thought.
“Yes.” Her face showing that she was remembering her life at home, a broad smile planted firmly on her lips.
“Do they fight many battles?” his curiosity was taking over now.
“We try not to.” She laughed heartedly and woke Azi who promptly removed his head from Arimus’ lap and went over by the horses for some quiet. Both watched Azizi walk away chuckling.
“Guess he does not like to be kept awake?” Arimus asked.
“He is part human, too, I suppose.” Shani sighed. “So tell me more about the warriors of your tribe.”
“There is nothing special to tell.” She shrugged. “They do the hunting, protecting, all of the normal warrior actions of any other tribe. Doesn’t your tribe have warriors?”
Nodding his head Arimus answered. “Yes, we do. Most of the men in my village are warriors, including me.”
“You?”
“Yes, me. Why?” His eyes narrowed as he realized she had a mischievous look on her face.
“I guess I just didn’t expect you to be a warrior. We did find you tied to a tree.” She smirked.
Arimus shook his head and laughed with her. “You will pay for that remark one day,” he threatened.
“I’m scared to death.” She flippantly replied.
“You should be.”
“Would you mind terribly if I was scared in the morning?” she batted her eyelashes at him, “I’m too tired to waste the energy tonight.”
The stern look he was trying to keep gave way to smiling. “No I would not mind.”
“Good. I would hate to fall asleep on you’re trying to extract revenge.” She laughed and then they said their goodnights. Shani made sure to lie on her side that would have her back facing Arimus. She was afraid that she would stare at him if she didn’t. She also got the feeling that he was staring at her. Either way tomorrow morning they would part ways, which oddly enough saddened her a bit. She liked having his company. Well of course you do, silly. You’ve been traveling with a cat for a month’s time. Anyone would be starved for human companionship after that. At least that is what she was trying to convince herself of.
Her feeling was right of course. Arimus had lay down and watched as she pulled the blankets all the way up to her ears, leaving just the top half of her head showing. The way the moonlight shone on her hair captured his eyes for a while. Her blankets showed her natural curves perfectly. All he could do was wonder about her. So far all he knew was that she came from a tribe in the jungle that was full of warriors. That could explain why she acted as she did. There was a definite chip on her shoulder and he was determined to find out what it was about. Arimus had only one thing to accomplish before that, and that was getting her to travel with him for another day.