Shani was quiet as the foursome rode through the desert. The men attributed it to her being angry with Arimus. She had forgotten her anger and was thinking of the dream she had. It was re-playing over and over in her mind. So many questions arose from it. Who was the man arguing with Christina? Was he an answer to her death? Is that who Jason sought out? Shani’s head was starting to hurt from so much thought. She would read her father’s journal later tonight, find time away from the group she now rode with to have privacy. Now her thoughts wandered to another matter. How to get away from the group without them knowing. If they knew she was determined to go to Covarte she feared they would most likely tie her to her mare and force her to go to the village with them.
“Shani, all is well?” Al’din broke into her thoughts.
She looked at him, blinking, “What?”
“You are so quiet. I am hoping nothing is wrong.”
Smiling she replied, “No, Al’din, I am fine. I was just thinking of a few things.” He started to ask her about Azizi and where she came from. Soon the pair was lost in conversation about the jungle and the desert, and all of the comparisons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arimus and Halim hung back from the chattering pair.
“You will bore a hole in her back.”
“What are you talking about?” Arimus asked.
“You have been staring at her since we started riding. You’re vexed.” Halim smirked.
“Is that what I am?” Arimus laughed.
Halim shrugged. “Why else would you have kissed her after she landed you on your back?” He loved to tease his old friend about everything, and this Shani gave him ample opportunity to do so. Arimus offered no answer, so he continued. “What will you do about Rasheem? He will not take to Shani bringing brought to the village and you’re staring at the woman when you are to be married next week.”
Arimus grimaced. “Do you have to remind me?”
“Well?”
“Liana will not be honest with her father. I have decided to speak with mine when I get back.” Arimus reached for his canteen. “I refuse to marry someone I do not love, especially when that woman is in love with another. She deserves to be happy as much as I do.”
Halim laughed. “Please do me one favor, old friend. Be sure I am miles away before that fight begins.” Both men laughed. “Tell me, what makes her so interesting to you.” Halim asked pointing at Shani.
Arimus could not help but smile. “You cannot tell? Shani is like no other woman I’ve met. Strong willed, determined. Proud of who she is.”
“I thought her lack of clothing would have had something to do with it.” Halim snickered. He knew his friend too well.
Arimus almost choked on the water he was sipping. “Honestly my friend, I did notice. That is not an issue. The women here shy away from me. They have heard the stories. Some are excited by them and cannot wait to get their hands on me. Those women I fear.” Arimus put his canteen away. “Shani is so different. She has a spirit like that of a warrior. She is bold. She would not be easy swayed by silly rumors.”
“But they are not rumors, Arimus.” His friend reminded him.
“I know. But if father ever found out what we did behind his back he would have all of our heads.”
Halim sighed. “So when those thieves attacked you they did not find out who you are?”
“I was not wearing the robes. They would not have known.” Arimus patted a bag on the backend of his saddle. “They almost found out. But that big white cat interrupted their search just in time.”
“Shani does not know either then?”
“She finds it funny that I might be considered a warrior when she and Azizi had to save me.” Arimus glared at his friend who found Shani’s thought amusing. “Enough has been heard from you.” He tried to sound angry, but ended up laughing with his friend.
Halim started to tease his friend more. “She landed you on the ground hard. She is strong for a woman.”
“Silence is golden. Have you not heard that one before?” Arimus was becoming irritated now.
“I think you are falling in love with her.”
Arimus’ neck snapped as he looked at his friend. “Are you insane?”
“Is it so hard to be possible?”
“I barely know the woman!”
Halim gathered his reins in his hands, looked over at Arimus, laughed, and with a swift kick to his mounts hindquarters was off and rejoining the other two. Arimus shook his head in disgust thinking his old friend was too much of a romantic. Nudging his stallion he soon caught up with the rest of them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Halim and Arimus were surprised to be catching the end of a tale Al’din was spinning for Shani.
“…black robes and veils to hide their true identities. They defend our homeland from anyone who would try to harm it, or claim the desert as theirs. It belongs to us.”
Shani was very interested. “They fight for the desert then?”
“Yes. Some believe the Goddess Ma’at has given them a third eye so they may see truth and justice over lies and deception. In turn they serve her for life. That is why they were given the name Abdel Ma’at – Servants of Truth and Justice.” Al’din was enjoying telling the tale. Shani was so engrossed that she hadn’t noticed Arimus pulling his stallion along side her mare.
This suited Arimus just fine as he started waving his hand in the air behind her back, trying in vain to get Al’din’s attention. Halim interrupted the tale, “Shani, tell me,” he asked as he pushed his steed in between Shani’s and Al’din’s, “do they have such tales of fantasy where you come from?”
Shani noted the rude action of Halim but did not comment. “Yes. We have many.” Pointing to Azizi she added, “He has been the cause of many.”
“What has Azizi done to cause rumors?” Arimus asked. Shani turned her head and realized that he was right beside her. She was literally stuck between him and Halim. “Well, Azizi only kills for defense. Or another animal for food. One time a hunter came looking for the huge white cat he had heard stories about. He was going to kill hit, make a rug out of his pelt, and hang the creature’s head above his fireplace. The hunter was with his group of men, who were Bushmen, and happened upon the white cat. He was not greeted warmly, for Azi knew to be weary of those who carried guns. The great hunter froze, just stared with his mouth hanging wide open. Azizi roared and snarled, the hunter dropped his gun and ran away screaming. He claimed the devil lived in the soul of the white cat, which could be the only reason for his red eyes. Ever since then many of the local people told stories, fabricated or not, to keep poachers and hunters away.”
“How many times has Azizi killed a man?” Arimus asked. He knew of two.
“Azi is not fond of attacking men. He only does so if someone attacks me or our home.”
“Just like at the oasis?”
“Yes.” She stated matter of factly.
“That doesn’t tell me how many men he has killed.”
“Before the oasis, he killed three men.” She then told them of the story of when he was younger, caught in the cage, Malik saved him. Azizi avenged his friend’s death. No one could have stopped the angry panther, no one even tried. She omitted the fact that Malik was her love, the one whom she would spend eternity with. That was not information they needed to know. “So to answer your question he has killed five men in all.”
Silence fell upon the group for a while. Shani was plotting her route of escape later that night. She would of course want privacy, away from the men, being a proper lady and all. Then when they were sound asleep she would scurry off. It worked before, at her village. It would most certainly work again. The only problem would be to convince Azizi that it was the best way. She needed to get back to her reason for even being here.
Arimus was trying to find the right words to apologize to Shani. He was not at all sorry for having kissed her, but being a gentlemen he would. Getting her to spend a moment alone for him to give such an apology would prove damn near impossible. She would not even let him ride beside her. Every time he got close she would move her mare in a different direction. She would speak to him, but only because he prompted her to. He soon started wondering about what Halim had said. Love. Infatuation perhaps, but love? There was no way he would be in love with Shani. She was most fascinating to him, and he did wish they were alone again. Shaking his head Arimus decided they should set up camp earlier than before. They would reach the village by early tomorrow afternoon. He would apologize tonight, even if she landed him on the ground again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shani faked the properness of a lady and was given the right to have her things apart from the men. She laid out her blankets and Azizi laid next to them. Needing to let Azizi know her plans without the men hearing she used her hand signals to tell the panther what she plotted for the night. Azizi was not happy. He growled at Shani and then stood, his tail swishing about. Shani knew he liked Arimus and trusted him, but there was nothing she could do. They had to move on and get to Covarte. The men would not let her. The spat they were having caught Arimus’ attention. He wondered what she would be saying with her hands, amazed that the cat could understand his mistress in such a way. Arimus busied himself with getting the camp together, starting a fire, and asked Halim to cook.
Halim saw the look in Arimus eyes. He had the same look when he met his own wife. Shani was just as stubborn as his wife, too. He got the cooking utensils together, asked Al’din to see if Shani would join them or not, then tried to decide on what Azizi would like to eat.
Arimus held up a hand. “Al’din, I’ll go ask her.” Before Al’din could protest Arimus started walking towards her. “Besides, I need to apologize to her.” Al’din looked at Halim, who in turn shrugged. When Arimus was out of ear shot Halim pointed in his direction, “If he wants to land on his back again then by all means let him. He needs to learn that women have a volatile temper.” Both men laughed and finished getting dinner prepared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shani had started to scan through her father’s journal after fighting with Azizi. There had to be something in there about the man in her dream.
October, 13th.
I swear I will find him. I know he is the one who had that spider, he is the only one who would dare handle such a vile creature. If what Benson says is true then HE is the murderer. My Christy is gone, only Shani keeps me sane.
I shall have to travel to find and confront him. I cannot take Shani with me. It is too dangerous. Benson will help me to get there, and the chief has promised to protect Shani as if she were one of his own. She will be angry, so angry with me.
The chief will give her this later, then she will know most of the truth. Hopefully I will return home with the whole truth. And I will have avenged Christy’s death.
October, 23rd.
I shall leave soon. Shani thinks I am going on an excavation with Benson. She does not remember having met him. That is best. I’ll leave it that way. She is so much like her mother these days. Stubborn, strong, opinionated. All that Christy was Shani is.
I will find him soon. Make him pay for taking Shani’s mother away from her. Taking my love away from me.
My anger fills me in such a way that I do not think clearly much anymore.
October, 30th.
Shani, when you read these entries, remember that I love you with all of my heart. I will write and let you know how things are going. If those letters stop this journal will be the only thing left of me. I hope it explains, enough. Please do not hate me for having deceived you. I am sure the chief has any other answers you need.
Shani’s eyes filled with tears. The chief had offered her nothing. She had found the journal quite by accident, and if she had not she would never have known her father thought Christine murdered. The murderer must be the man from her dreams. Why did father not write down his name? She was sure the answer was in the journal. It had to be. Fighting back the tears she rested her forehead in the palm of her hands, almost jumping out of her skin when Arimus touched her shoulder.
“What?” she snapped at him.
Arimus withdrew his hand as if he had just touched fire. “I only came to tell you that dinner will be ready soon.”
She let out a long heavy sigh. “Thank you.” Her tone softened. Holding a grudge would not help. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. You just surprised me is all.” Her body was aching from so many days in the saddle so she closed the journal and started rubbing the back of her neck.
“Shani, I…” Arimus started, “I am sorry for earlier. I have no….”
“Arimus, please. You don’t have to apologize. I’m too tired to fight about it anyway.” She didn’t even raise her head as she used both hands to rub her neck while she sat on the blanket, head hung low, knees drawn up.
Arimus was surprised. He expected her to rant and rave at him, not sit so calmly. At the very least a few retorts is what she should have given him. “Is your neck alright?”
“I guess so many days in a saddle takes a toll on one’s body.” Stretching her neck Shani tossed the journal onto her pillow. “Azizi.” She called to her friend pointing to her bags, wanting him to bring them over to her.
Arimus sat behind her. “Thinking of making that horrible drink?”
“It might be horrible, but it works. Even you have to admit that.”
“Instead of that let me try.” He raised his hands to message her neck.
Shani looked over her shoulder at him. “Try what?”
Gathering her hair and placing it over one shoulder he started rubbing the back of her neck. “I’m good at this. You’ll see.”
Shani was stiff at first. It felt good to relax her shoulders and let the ached be rubbed away. The more her muscles relaxed the more pressure Arimus applied. “Ouch.” She flinched slightly.
“Sorry.” He was miffed. She flipped onto his back earlier and now she was letting him message her neck. Her skin was soft, hair felt like silk. Arimus was glad that she could not see the grin he could not keep from spreading across his face.
“It’s ok. It feels good.” She kept her head forward and closed her eyes.
“I told you that I am good at this.” He said in a smug tone.
“Don’t gloat. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Mind if I ask you something?”
“Do you ever stop asking questions?” she made a face at him.
“I’m inquisitive. Especially when someone interests me.”
“Interests you?” Shani’s eyes shot wide open but curiosity got the best of her.
“I was wondering where a tiny little thing like you ever learned to land someone my size on their back like that.”
Shani almost smacked the back of her head into Arimus’ when she threw her head back in laughter. “Stop that!” Arimus growled in mock anger. Laughter finally did subside but was only replaced by chuckling.
“I learned that move from a man half your size. In fact, I learned quite a few moved from him as well as the other warriors of my tribe.”
“They taught a woman?”
“I keep forgetting how odd that is for you.” Shaking her head she continued. “Father thought it was best that I learned to defend myself.”
Arimus started to message her shoulders. “Tell me, have you flipped every man who has ever kissed you?”
She moved to turn around and look at him but he simply grabbed her shoulders and kept her still. “I am not finished and you haven’t answered my question.”
“I think my neck is just fine now. And it is none of your business.” She could tell by the tone in his voice that Arimus was teasing her. Perhaps even testing her to see she would let him kiss her again.
“I’ll just have to assume the answer is no.” He continued with the message.
“And why would you assume that?”
Arimus leaned in close to her ear whispering, “How else would you have learned to kiss so well?”
“Oh you!” Shani tried to move and turn around but Arimus was quicker. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “Let go!”
He laughed. “And let you show me more moves the little man taught you?”
“I swear…” She started but was interrupted.
“Ladies do not swear. But if you promise to be good I’ll let you go.” He relaxed his hold a little bit. Shani stopped squirming.
“Be good? I am not the one who started this.”
“Promise or not?” Shani finally promised to not pull anything and he finally let her go. Arimus shifted and sat next to her. “At least you are smiling.”
“Didn’t you say dinner was ready?” She tried to sound as if she was irritated with him but Arimus knew better. How he knew better he wasn’t sure, but at least she had not pulled one of her fighting moves.
“What were you reading?”
That cloud covered her face again. “It was just a silly book. Something to keep me occupied for a few minutes.” She picked up the journal and placed it in her bag.
Arimus’ eyes narrowed. “You’re hiding something from me. I can feel it.” His tone was not accusing.
“What would I be hiding?”
“I am not sure. Perhaps one day you will trust me enough to share that with me.” He took her hand in his. “I do, however, hope that you would call me a friend.”
Shani couldn’t help but smile with him, and feel like a heel. Arimus was being sweet, kind, and generous. He offered the hospitality of his village, his friends welcomed her graciously. And here she was planning on leaving in the dead of night. Deceit. Shani didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but it was the only way. She was tired of people telling her what she could and could not do. For once she was doing what she felt she needed to do. And finding her father was more important than making a friend in the middle of the desert. At least she tried to convince herself that.
Halim called to them, dinner was ready. Taking his hand and standing she teased him. “Well you are the nicest desert man I’ve met so far.”
“Desert man?” Arimus followed as she started walking towards the others.
“If I’m the jungle woman then you are the desert man.” She answered while looking to see where Azizi was, only to see that he had already joined the other two men and was waiting for them to catch up.
