Duhr
Chapter 2
Rick paced the small dell between the dunes. Two more hours until he could wake his friend. And that was about three hours too long. It had taken everything he’d had to go back to camp and find Evelyn and explain to her that Ardeth needed some time away from the tribe to try and comes to terms with having the gifts of one of the old gods while still being a good Muslim. It was just enough like his friend that it made a convincing lie. And he’d said he was going to stay with him, just in case he dozed off and wound back up in Thebes. Evie had only smiled sadly at that part and then leaned up and kissed him. “Take care of him then, and tell him to do the same for you.”
And that had hurt like she’d punched him in the stomach. But he’d managed it. It took a lot more doing to avoid Arebe and Selim but he did it and then took the blankets and waterskins and the flask of whiskey he’d acquired from Jonathan’s pocket for a change and went back to keep vigil. He doubted there was a chance in hell they were going to convince anyone in Ahm Shere that Ardeth was all right but it was worth trying to save him whatever shreds of pride and dignity he could salvage.
He sat down finally, not sure what else to do and then reached out and tucked the blanket back around his friend, brushing the long hair out of his face as if he was Alex. “Just come back, okay? I’ll try to keep the pieces together. I’ll try to be strong and help you do this. But you have to come back so I can. God, Allah, Ammun, anyone? Just let him survive this. And don’t let him do something stupid like killing himself to take them both to hell, okay? He doesn’t deserve that. He doesn’t deserve any of this damn you all. He’s a good man. The best friend I’ve ever had. I want him to be okay. Please?”
Ardeth sat up suddenly with a strangled sort of cry and just sat there gasping for breath for a long moment, arms wrapped around himself. Rick was too startled for a bit to think of what in the world to do. “Easy.” He whispered finally. “It’s okay now, Ardeth. You’re safe. You’re awake, okay? It’s just me. Easy...” He reached over as carefully as he could.
“No.” Ardeth pulled away from his hand.
“Okay...” He blinked back the sudden tears. “I won’t. It’s just Rick, Ardeth, just me buddy. It’s okay now.”
“I know. Allah, I-- hate this.” He started to get up and then just sat down again with a groan. “Bis’mil’Allah-- rakhman el rahim. I will be sick. I know I will.”
“Just stay still, huh? Um, how bad are you hurt?”
Silence and then a bitter sigh. “I-- can not tell you.”
He closed his eyes tight against that. “Damn it Ardeth, I’m your friend. I’m not going to hurt you, okay? I just need to know if you need a doctor.”
Ardeth didn’t answer for a long time. “Is it close to prayers?” He asked finally, which was no damned answer at all.
“No.” Rick shook his head. “You’ve got maybe two to three hours or so.”
“Good, I need time to...I-- think I will be sick. Perhaps if I am sick enough no one will question why I am not at prayers. That is good. Do you think you can find me coffee? I will go and find some water to soak in. Then perhaps I can face the others without embarrassing myself more.”
“You aren’t making sense, Ardeth.”
“No, I realize that. Did you stay here all night? I asked you not to.”
“I couldn’t go with you, damned if I was leaving you alone.” He ground the words out.
Ardeth sighed. “No, of course not. Coffee?”
“Right, okay. Can you stand now?” He started to reach over again and then caught himself as Ardeth flinched away again. “Sorry.”
“It is not you.” His friend shook his head. “I-- can stand I think.” And he got to his feet unsteadily. “Better than I thought I might be.”
Rick closed his eyes tightly at that and counted to ten slowly in Farsi. “Is there anything I can do, Ardeth?”
A sad smile. “I would tell you if I could, Rick. But I-- can not say.”
“Okay then. Coffee and a bath and I’ll get you some clean clothes, huh? Then we can figure out something to tell the tribes, well Selim and Arebe anyway. I told Evie you were out praying to Allah to forgive you for using the shield and scepter since it was kinda praying to Horus.”
“That was a– well conceived pretense, Rick. Thank you. Perhaps I will tell Selim and Arebe that I was praying for guidance and did not sleep much. No, perhaps not. I will, we will think of something. I need to drink something besides...” He stopped and it was all Rick could do not to just scream. “Coffee would be good. Water will do.”
“Here.” He offered him one of the waterskins.
“Thank you.” He took it carefully, Rick noticed, making sure there was no way they were touching. And that hurt like nothing had in a long time.
“Just...It’ll get better okay?”
“As you say.” And Ardeth sighed and then turned back to camp. “You could go find your own bed, my friend and sleep some. I am...I will...Allah, this is impossible to do.” He shook his head.
“Then don’t try. Let me help okay? Please?”
“I would be thankful for the company then.” Ardeth smiled a little and they walked back to camp in strained silence that was nothing at all like the companionable one’s they’d shared before. He let Ardeth bathe alone, torn between wanting to help incase his friend was hurt enough to need it and not wanting to make anything worse. It took a bit to find some coffee but he finally found where the guards were brewing some and got himself a pot full and two cups. Ardeth was dressed and waiting for him by the bathing tent when he got back. “Thank you.”
“Here.” Rick poured him a cup and held it out carefully, not making any sudden moves that could be misinterpreted. Ardeth smiled a little, and it was hard to see so much sadness in the expression. “It’s hot.”
“Good.” Ardeth took the cup as carefully as he had taken the waterskin and then drank the hot coffee slowly. “Nothing I can say is going to convince you to go to sleep for a few hours is it, my friend?”
“No.” Rick shook his head. “Do you think there’s a chance in hell I could sleep, Ardeth?”
“No.” It was a tired sigh “I suppose not.” He looked out toward the dunes. “I think, I will go and watch the sunrise then. I will be very glad when this night is past.”
“Yeah.” Rick swallowed hard and then reached into his vest and pulled out the copy of the Koran Ardeth had given him earlier. “Here, you don’t want to lose Selim’s gift, right?”
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed and then held out his hand to take the book. “Thank you for keeping it for me.”
Rick only nodded, because there was nothing he could say to that. No way he could even think of anything to say when Ardeth kept thanking him for things that didn’t mean a damned thing. He forced down a deep breath. It means something to him Rick. Let it be, okay? Just give him all the space and time he needs, until he can trust you enough to fall apart. He’s probably in shock on top of everything else. Just be there for him. You can do that. He poured himself some of the coffee. “Do you want me to bring this, or you want to just fill up the cup you’ve got?” There that sounded like a normal sort of question.
Ardeth looked at him in surprise and then smiled. “I could do better with the whole pot I think.”
“Then it’s a plan. So we’re going to watch the sunrise. Should we let everybody know where we’ve gone so they don’t panic when they wake up and you aren’t there for prayers?”
“For now, since no one will be awake to tell let us just go. Then later we can decide if we shall tell them or come back and explain.”
“Okay.” They walked back out of camp toward the Nile and then crested one dune and Ardeth sat down with a sigh.
“Far enough I think.” He looked up at the stars for a long while and Rick sat down just out of reach and kept quiet. “It is good of you to worry.” Ardeth said after a while.
“You’re my best friend, Ardeth, what did you think I was going to do?”
Another tired sigh. “I had, if you will recall, wanted to not have you know there was even a bargain to keep until this morning.”
“Right. So then you could’ve tried to deal with it all by yourself.”
Ardeth sighed again. “I did not want you to be angry at me, my friend.”
“Oh hell, Ardeth I’m not angry at you. Not now, not earlier none of it, okay? I’m angry as hell, yeah. Believe me. But I’m not angry at you. Okay?”
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed. Then he set the cup of coffee aside and leaned back to stare up at the stars again. Rick sipped his own and was as quiet as he could be. “I am hoping to think of something to tell Selim and Arebe and the others. I can hardly go through the whole day without seeing my tribe.”
“There is that.” Rick agreed. “Maybe-- we just say it wasn’t a good visit. And that you’re okay now just tired?”
Ardeth chuckled, but there was no more humor to the sound than there had been in Aswan last week. “If I thought they would not press me for more answers out of concern I would do so. But they will And I can not say.”
“Yeah.” He agreed. “So, we go to breakfast and then-- go scouting again? I thought maybe we could go look at the remains of those tanks. See what we can figure out from them. I’m not real familiar with tanks myself.”
“That has merit.” Ardeth agreed. “I think I will do better at this if I am not faced with all the tribes all day.” He looked back at the stars. “I am sorry this is causing you pain, my friend. I would-- spare you it if I could.”
“God damn it Ardeth don’t worry about me, okay? I’m fine. Yeah I’m pissed, yeah I’d like to rip the damned thing to pieces. And I hate it that I can’t do a damned thing to help. But for the love of God, I’m not the one who just spent a night in hell, okay?” He growled out the words, wanting to reach over and shake sense into his friend for a moment and then only wanting to just hold him close and comfort him like he had Alex after a nightmare when his son was small. “I...”
“I-- have nothing I can say, Rick. I am so sorry.”
“So am I.” He sighed. “So am I. I just wish... I’d give anything to just make it right you know?”
Ardeth smiled sadly. “You would, except for Evelyn and Alex. It is, I suppose, not so bad a price to pay after all to know that they are safe. That my people are well.”
“You did ask me to remind you...that you thought it was worth it. That they’re worth whatever it cost.”
Ardeth nodded a little. “I did, thank you. I meant it. And they are. No matter the price.”
Rick didn’t answer because he knew it was. He wouldn’t have traded Alex’s life for anything, but it ripped his guts out to think what Ardeth had endured for their lives. “You could-- tell me about it if it would help.” He offered finally.
Ardeth only shook his head. “No...”
“Okay. I just...”
“Please? Let us talk of something else. Tell me about raising your son. Is he always so much to keep track of?”
Rick blinked back his tears and refilled his cup of coffee and Ardeth’s. “Alex is-- unique. Which may be a good thing really considering how much trouble he gets into.”
“I am sorry you do not have a dozen.”
Rick managed a chuckle. “You wouldn’t say that if you’d had to deal with Evie while she was pregnant with Alex. God that was awful. She’s such a strong woman Ardeth.. And then when he was born...no...Once was enough. For her and for me. I nearly lost her. It was the worst day of my entire life. One of them anyway. But no, we’ve got Alex. That’s okay.”
“As you say. Then I will be thankful to Allah that it worked out well. And that there is yet some good in this world that has come from Hamanaptura.”
“Yeah, I guess there is at that.” Rick agreed. “But he really is a handful.”
“Many handfuls I think. You need most of the tribes to keep him out of trouble I fear.”
“That might just be enough.” Rick agreed. “If Allah was really, really kind.”
Ardeth laughed a bit, and it gave Rick the first flash of hope he’d had in hours. “Allah is always kind, Rick. It is only sometimes we do not understand his will.”
“I’ll leave the metaphysical faith stuff to you Ardeth. You’re better at it.”
“As you say.” Ardeth smiled just a bit and then watched the sky some more. “It will be dawn soon. If I promise not to do anything foolish--. such as jump off the roof perhaps, will you go tell the others I am well and will finish my prayers here and then come to breakfast?”
“You want me to go lie to your fellow Medjai, huh?”
“I-- have every intention of praying to Allah.” Ardeth replied after a long moment.
“Right. Okay, yeah, like I have any clue what to tell Selim when he asks me if you’re okay.”
“Tell him-- I did not say so you have no answer.”
“He isn’t going to buy that one.”
“He will once I come to breakfast. Please? I think I would do well to do this alone this morning.”
“Okay, I can do that then.” He got to his feet and didn’t even think about just reached over to squeeze Ardeth’s shoulder. Ardeth wasn’t paying attention either it seemed because he actually laid his hand on his friend before Ardeth flinched away with a jerk.
“No.”
He blinked back the tears all over again. “I-- I’m sorry, Ardeth. I...”
“You only wanted to offer me comfort. I know that, Rick. It is just-- I can not.”
“Okay, I’ll be more careful then, that’s all.” He found the strength to smile. “You pray. I’ll go think up a good story and get some more coffee.”
“I could use something to eat I think.” Ardeth agreed softly. “I-- would let you touch me if I could, Rick.”
“I know that, Ardeth.” Rick agreed quietly. “It’s okay, huh? My mistake.” And he kept himself calm as he walked back to camp. But he didn’t go to his own tent he went over to the far side of the camp and found a strong palm tree and just slammed his fist into it as hard as he could. It didn’t help much but it was something to get just enough of the anger out that maybe he could deal with for a while longer. Then he went back to camp and found Evie and Selim and Arebe at the fire already drinking tea and apparently waiting for him and Ardeth. He sat down and took the cup of coffee Selim handed him.
“Where is Ardeth then?” The older man asked him.
“He told me to tell you he wanted to finish his prayers where he was and then he’d join us for breakfast. Sometimes I think he takes this dedication to Allah thing a little to seriously even for you guys.”
Selim smiled a little. “As you say. That is good. And did he rest at all?”
“No.” Rick shook his head. “Not really. I think I dozed off a couple of times though.” He shrugged. “You think we’d be used to not sleeping by now, wouldn’t you?”
Evie just slipped under his arm and hugged him with one arm. “Just so long as you’re all right I can stop worrying now.”
“I’m fine. love. I’ll remind Ardeth that he needs to remember there are other people who worry and that spending the night out in the middle of the dunes when we aren’t sure of our safety is really kind of silly.”
“He usually has more sense than that.” Arebe agreed. “What has shaken him so, O’Connell?’
“I wouldn’t know where to start on that one, Arebe...and it isn’t really my place to talk.” He looked over at Selim. “He did tell you about Aswan and Ammun and all that right?”
“He did.” Selim sighed. “Do I reassure him of Allah’s understanding and mercy once more then?”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt.” He shrugged a bit.
“Then I will do so. We shall have to let Pasha argue with him when he arrives Arebe. Pasha is the one of us best versed in the Koran.”
“That is true. But you are his uncle. He listens to you-- most of the time.”
Selim didn’t look convinced but he nodded. “We will go to prayers and then I will speak with Ardeth.” He decided.
Rick didn’t argue just let them go to prayers. He finished his coffee with a yawn of exhaustion. “Did you rest at all, Rick?” Evie asked worriedly.
“I’ll catch a nap later today maybe.” He shrugged. If Ardeth’s sleeping I’m damn well going with him. And I’ll blow the thing back to hell if I have too. You aren’t so much as touching him again you son of a bitch.
“Men.” Evie sighed but she didn’t move from his side. Ardeth came to the fire just a minute or so before Arebe and Selim and had just sat down with a cup of coffee, his back to one of the palms Rick noticed. “Did Allah give you any insight into what to do, Ardeth?” Evie asked.
“No, not that I truly expected any. I suppose I am only going to have to be of good faith. I saved those of the tribe who remained and-- odd as it is-- we have the very creature we have sworn to defeat to-- credit with the destruction of those who killed our kindred. Who am I then– to question the will of Allah?”
“We are only men, Ardeth, there is not one of us who truly understands the will of Allah.” Selim agreed. “We trust you to lead us, Ardeth. Let our faith in you be enough for yourself.”
“I will try Selim. I will try.” He smiled a little and then took the plate Amal handed him. “Thank you.”
“So are we going to go take a look at the remains of those tanks today or not?” Rick asked, hoping the question sounded reasonably normal.
“I think it makes as much sense as anything. We will have to face them at some point and it would be good to know what these weapons we have been given are useful for.”
“No nearly killing yourself today all right?” Evie looked at him, her eyes firm. “Promise?”
“I will endeavor to keep myself well, Evelyn I promise.” He agreed with a small smile. “Would you have me spend all day in bed instead? My tribesmen will laugh at me.”
“We would be glad you were resting.” Arebe disagreed. “Could you not rest this morning and go to see the remains of these tanks after the noon meal?”
“It is better to journey before the heat of the day, Arebe. Then I can come back and rest all afternoon.”
“There is truth to that.” Arebe agreed and then wrapped up several slices of egg and some cheese in a large piece of flatbread and got to his feet. “Shall we go see you our friends?” He offered Ardeth his hand.
“Please, tell Horus I will come to see him in a bit. I will need at least one more cup of coffee I think before I can face the remains of whatever he will give me for breakfast and be able to say thank you.”
Arebe chuckled. “As you say.” He headed over to the falcons.
“Here.” Selim refilled the cup of coffee. “Eat.”
Ardeth gave his uncle an odd look and then smiled just a little. “Thank you Selim.” He drank some coffee and then picked up the roll and cheese that he had taken from the tray. “Will you send a rider for us Selim if Pasha and his tribe arrive before we come back?”
“Of course.”
“Salaam wa alakhum.” Sallah walked over and sat down between Ardeth and Selim. It was almost but not quite close enough for him to brush against Ardeth but it was more than enough apparently to startle Ardeth into moving away.
“You will sit on my coffee if you are not careful Sallah.” Ardeth said with what passed for a smile. “Perhaps you would do well to drink a cup of your own instead.”
“As you say.” Sallah smiled. “I was up much too late reading the papyruses and both books again and trying to discover anything we have missed. Now that the temple area is opened and we have the fires put out it might do good to investigate it further.”
“I would think that anything that we can find to help us in this battle with the Germans would be of use.” Selim sighed. “Although I can not reconcile owing any thanks to He who shall not be named with keeping my oath to Allah.”
Rick took a long swallow of way too hot coffee. “I wouldn’t worry about that Selim. We blow it to bits, put it back in its box and throw a party. That should cover it.”
“As you say.” Selim looked at him and then at Ardeth. “Do you think perhaps then it will no longer haunt your dreams?”
Ardeth sighed. “In’sh’allah, uncle. As it must be.”
“I do not envy you facing that creature every night my friend...not even for the wonder of walking Thebes.” Sallah shook his head and then reached over and squeezed Ardeth’s shoulder.
And Rick could just see him have to force himself still. But his hand shook just a bit as he set the coffee in his other hand down. “As you say, Sallah. I will go see to Horus now. And I will have us horses readied to go and see to these tanks.” He nodded to Rick and then got to his feet. “MaSallama, Sallah, Selim, Evelyn.”
“I think I will go and see if now that I have slept those papyruses make any more sense.” Sallah finished his coffee in a gulp and then grabbed up several rolls to take with him.
“I’ll join you in just a bit.” Evie smiled.
“I would be honored Sitt O’Connell.” Sallah smiled back and then went to work.
“I guess I’ll go see if Ardeth wants to go check on those tanks.”
“Let’s go get your extra guns and the scepter of Osiris and roust Alex out of bed for certain.” Evie stood up with him. “That will give Ardeth time to spend with Horus.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” He agreed. They headed back to their tent.
“Was-- it a very bad night in Thebes, Rick?” She asked softly as they walked.
“What makes you say that?”
“He looks so lost.”
“I told you, it’s really hard on him to reconcile the two faiths I think. Look at what just seeing Ammun the first time did to him in Aswan Evie.” Damn but he hated lying to his wife.
“There is that. You would tell me, if you weren’t all right, wouldn’t you Rick?”
“Of course I would. I’m fine, Evie. Angry as hell that the damned thing-- won’t let us rest. But-- it really hasn’t done anything to me but make threats .”
“All right then. And Ardeth’s all right too?”
“He hasn’t told me otherwise, and I’m sure he would. It’s just that sometimes I’m not there when he is. Then again I suppose sometimes he’s not there when I am. Did I tell you the damned thing offered to teach me Egyptian if I taught it English so we’d have something to do on boring hot afternoons?” And it still felt so much like a lie even if it wasn’t technically that he wanted to bite his tongue. He hated lying to Evie.
“It really is mad isn’t it?” Evie sighed.
“Yeah. It is.” He agreed. And cursed, and I’m going to rip its damned head off with my bear hands when I figure out how to do it.
“You’ll be careful today?”
“Cross my heart.” He smiled and went over to shake Alex a bit before she could look too closely at his eyes. “Wake up sport.”
“Hmm. Is it time for breakfast dad?”
“It is. You’d better hurry or you’ll miss it.” He smiled.
“Okay.”
“Then you can go riding and then you can bathe.” Evie said firmly. “You smell like a horse.”
“Mom.” Alex grumbled but he smiled at the prospect of riding again and went to get breakfast. Evie held out Rick’s double shoulder holster and shotgun to him. He smiled again, slipping them on and making sure the shotgun was in its place across his back.
“My hero.” She smiled and then leaned up to kiss him, fully. “I love you Rick O’Connell.”
“And I love you.” He pulled her tighter and then kissed her back, long and hard, because it was just enough of a joy that he could keep the sadness from overwhelming him.
“Well-- my goodness. Maybe I should tell Sallah I won’t be translating today.” She smiled.
“I wish like hell I could stay, Evie.” He meant it and at the same time he knew he couldn’t leave Ardeth alone right now. Not even for the woman he loved more than anything. Because Alex would be dead otherwise and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to pay that debt, even now.
She sighed and her eyes were sad with more than disappointment. “I do love you, Rick.”
“And I love you. I’ll see you this afternoon?”
She nodded. “Keep him-- from trying to do to much will you? He needs to rest.”
“I can try.” He nodded. If I had my way I’d put him to bed and let him sleep all day...just sleep...not even any normal dreams. God please, he doesn’t deserve this. He put the scepter of Osiris into his belt like a short sword and then went to find Ardeth. Selim joined him after a few steps.
“Do you think these weapons of the old gods will do us some good against the Germans, O’Connell?”
“I can’t see any other reason they keep giving them to us can you?”
“No.” Selim shook his head. “I am worried for Ardeth though.”
“He’s the bravest strongest man I know Selim. If anyone can pull himself and all of us through this whole damned mess it’s Ardeth.”
“As you say.” Selim agreed. “Were he my son I could not be prouder.”
“You might try telling him that sometime, Selim. He could use the added faith.”
“I will do so then.” Selim agreed. “I am glad that you are here to help him.”
“I don’t seem to be as good at is as I’d like, but I’ll keep trying.”
“Perhaps if he would stop trying to do the work of ten instead of one it would be easier.” Selim teased as they walked into earshot of Ardeth and Arebe and the falcons. “Though Allah knows he has always been one to think of others and not himself. My sister, peace be upon her, was a woman of much patience.”
Ardeth smiled. “Are you telling my brother tales of my adventures when I was a child, Selim?”
“Oh no, chieftain, I am warning him that you need far more than one man to keep you from doing brave and foolish things. It is of course no news to him.”
The smile faded just a bit and Ardeth set Horus back on his perch. “There is truth to that, Selim.”
“So are we ready to ride?” Rick asked.
“I will go and gather my shield and scepter, then you will have a place to sit my friend.” He stroked one finger down Horus’ feathers. “Will that make you happy?”
“Do not hurt yourself, Ardeth.” Selim cautioned and reached over before Rick could stop him to lay his hand on his nephew’s arm. Right like you can just say no don’t. Oh God...
Ardeth moved aside, and reached calmly for the falconry glove on the other perch. But it moved him out of Selim’s reach before the older man’s hand reached his arm. “I will be careful Selim. Rick will see that I do nothing too strenuous today-- of that I have no doubt.”
“That is good.” Selim agreed giving Rick a look he couldn’t begin to fathom. “I will send Kahid or one of the others if Pasha arrives before you return.”
“Thank you Selim.” Ardeth held up his arm so that Horus could sit on the glove and it gave him an excuse Rick noticed to keep his arm from Selim’s grip. “I do not know what else to do at this point but to try and see what use we can make of the gifts we have been given...perhaps Sallah and Evelyn can determine if indeed that spell to control the mummy guards is useable. It is, I think, so far the best one we have.”
“I think so too.” He agreed moving over to walk on Ardeth’s left side which kept Horus on one arm and him blocking the other. That might just keep most people from bothering Ardeth much. Selim moved to walk beside him as they went to get Ardeth his scepter and shield. Ardeth set Horus on the table as he slipped the shield straps over his shoulder and then put the scepter at his belt. “There now my friend, will that do?” He put out his arm again to let Hours walk up it to perch of the shield.
“You aren’t going to try and use that thing are you?”
“Today, no? Soon though I think I must try. If it is to be any use to us my friend I must know how to wield it well.”
“I can deal with not today.” Rick sighed.
“MaSallama, Ardeth, O’Connell.” Selim said as they went out to the horses. “I will see you before noon?”
“Certainly.” Ardeth replied. “MaSallama Selim.”
They rode toward the remains of the tanks in silence for a while. “You okay?” Rick asked finally.
Ardeth was quiet for a bit. “I am hoping I convinced Selim I am. But I do not think I succeeded.”
“He did look worried. We’re going to have to think up something to tell him Ardeth. Especially-- if you...”
“Can let no one touch me?” Ardeth offered with a surprising amount of calm. “Yes. I thought I was going to jump out of my skin when Sallah sat down so close. I will never make it through the day at this rate.”
“So we stay out here until closer to the mid day, and then you plead exhaustion or better yet I let Evie bully you into resting and we can go and rest. We don’t have to let anyone know we aren’t sleeping do we?”
“You are so much more than a good friend to have, Rick.” Ardeth smiled just a little. “When this is over, and the tribes are safe, and we have no enemies to battle. Do you think perhaps you and Evelyn and Alex could stay for just a while, and enjoy our hospitality in peace?”
He smiled a bit himself. Like hell I’m leaving you to deal with this alone if you won’t even tell anyone else it happened. Yeah Ardeth, I can stay for a while. “I’d like that.” He replied and he meant it.
“Good.” Ardeth nodded. They reached the remains of the German scout group in easily under an hour. Rick drew his scepter and the shotgun from across his back. Ardeth drew his and then his sword. “Scout ahead for us will you my friend...and make certain there are no Germans left for us to fight?”
Horus took off with a cry and circled over the remains.
“I doubt anything’s left-- considering.” He edged his horse toward one of the tanks which was mostly buried in the sand. “So, let’s see what we can do, huh?” And he holstered his shotgun and then took the spear in both hands and jammed it hard into the metal of the tank. It bounced off with apparently little damage to either. “Damn.”
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed. “Let me try.” He swung off his horse and walked over to set the spear point against the metal of the tank, but with no more result. “What is the point then?” He looked back at Rick. Horus spiraled down and came to rest unerringly on the shield rim. “How do I do this my friend? Will your namesake tell to you what he does not tell to me?”
Horus only tapped his beak along Ardeth’s jaw like he did frequently. “Is that a yes or a no?”
“That is something I have to figure out.” Ardeth replied. He set the spear into place again. “What now my friend?”
Horus taped him again and then gave a short cry and then launched himself back into the sky.
“Ah., of course. As you say.” Ardeth smiled and then looked up at the falcon and shrugged. “Little enough to lose I suppose. Ai-Hetem-heset-heru.”
“Dammit!” Rick reached for him in annoyance but his friend hadn’t moved any and the spear sank easily through the steel of the tank. Ardeth dropped it and pushed hard away from Rick’s grip.
“No.”
He swallowed hard torn between anger and despair. “Sorry. Shit. I-- was just worried. I...”
“I know.” Ardeth sighed, sounding nothing but exhausted. Then he closed his eyes and straightened. “You meant no harm. I know that. I was only-- surprised.”
“Okay.” Rick gave him that. Way to go O’Connell, bad enough that he can’t bear to be touched but then you go yelling and grabbing at him and you wonder why you scare him to death? Good one. “I’m really sorry.”
“As you say.” Ardeth sighed again in something closer to anger now. “Allah, I can not do this.” He pulled the spear free. “So it works at least. And I do not even feel lightheaded as I did after my first attempt with the traveling so quickly.
“You could have hurt yourself dammit, you aren’t any shape to be trying this today Ardeth.” Rick couldn’t keep the worry from his voice. “You shouldn’t even be up.”
“I...” Whatever he was going to say was choked off hard. “If I can walk I can ride.” He said finally. But he put the scepter away. Horus came circling back and landed on his shield rim again. “Thank you my friend.”
The falcon tapped his jaw again, and then to Rick’s astonishment butted its head under Ardeth’s jaw and just held the position for a long moment before straightening, pulling one piece of Ardeth’s hair into its mouth and combing it repeatedly in its beak.
“Ah my friend, you are good to worry. Shhh, what am I to do with such good friends, hmm?” Ardeth stroked the bird’s feathers a little.
Rick smiled just a bit. “Looks like I’m not alone in worrying about you after all.”
“No. It appears not.” Ardeth returned. “So at least we have one weapon that will work against these metal beasts we would face. Perhaps we need to set Evelyn and Sallah looking through those papyruses for a spell that will invoke the magic in yours.”
“Last time all I had to do was stab the damned thing with it.” Rick sighed. “I like killing monsters Ardeth. That I’ve gotten pretty good at.”
Ardeth smiled a bit. “That is unfortunately my friend a good talent to have in our case I think.”
“Yeah.” Rick agreed, and let himself picture for a moment that he could jam the spear in his hand straight through the damned thing’s chest, like he’d run him through in Hamanaptura so long ago now. He’d spit in his face when he did it to. Then again, maybe he should let Ardeth do it instead, because the gods knew his friend had the right to see the thing bound back in its coffin with all those damned beetles just waiting for dinner.
“Rick?” Ardeth’s voice was oddly gentle. “Are you-- all right?”
“Fine.” He found a smile. “So we have a weapon that can spear through these things. Let’s dig a bit and see if we can figure out what might be a good area to spear. Like the fuel tank maybe?”
“That may not be a bad idea.”
They spent a while uncovering the tank from the sand and stopping occasionally to drink. But they succeeded finally and then spent another while climbing around the wreck. “Okay, so the fuel tank is here, if you jam that spear into it. Then somebody rides by with a torch maybe. That just might do some serious damage.” Rick slapped his hand against the metal.
“It might at that. Finally, something that we have that can injure these things.” Ardeth walked back over to his horse. “Shall we brave Ahm Shere for lunch before Selim or Evelyn sends out a search party for us?”
“That’s probably smart. You up to this?”
“I can not avoid them all for the day. It will do more harm than good to try. I will only pray that Allah-- will see us through it all, no?”
“In’sh’allah.” He agreed. And they rode back to Ahm Shere.
They stopped by the tent where Evie and Sallah were going over the books and papyruses first. “So did you two have any luck?” Evie asked kissing him quickly and smiling at Ardeth.
“Some.” Ardeth replied. “It seems that the spear of Horus at least will go through the metal the tanks are made of. We need a prayer or a spell however for the scepter of Osiris.”
“Those inscriptions on the wall that you mentioned, O’Connell? Where in the lower temple area where they?” Sallah spread a map out on the table.
“This wall here.” Rick traced one line with his finger. “They were pretty easy to follow, which is good because I don’t read Egyptian well.”
“As you say. It would appear at least that at some time however, we were here as we still are at Hamanaptura would it not?” Sallah asked turning to Ardeth.
“It would.” His friend agreed.
“Your wife tells me we have a tattoo in common.” Sallah smiled.
“Yeah.” Rick rolled his eyes. “At least you know what yours meant.”
“It means you are Medjai.” Ardeth shrugged. “It is the first one we are given, and the one that is easy to conceal so that some of us at least may walk amongst the rest of Egypt and be unobserved.”
“I think you’d stand out in a crowd even with out the tattoos, Ardeth.” Evie smiled. “You are rather memorable.”
“Thank you.” He seemed a bit embarrassed by that but he smiled. “Perhaps we should check these walls then to see if an invocation can be found?”
“I will go see to it.” Sallah nodded, and picked up one notepad off the table. “You should rest, my friend, before Selim sulks more. It is unseemly for so esteemed a leader to be so glum.”
Ardeth smiled a bit more, the first real humor Rick had seen in his eyes. “As you say, Sallah, as you say.”
“MaSallama.” The large Medjai gripped Ardeth’s shoulder again as he walked by. Ardeth swallowed hard but didn’t actually flinch away.
“In’sh’allah, my friend, we can do no other.” Ardeth took Horus from the shield rim and then set him on the table before taking the shield and laying it on the table as well. “Could you perhaps read this for me in its entirety, Evelyn?”
Evie looked over the shield and then began tracing the hieroglyphics around the rim that outlined the carved image of the falcon god in the center. She mumbled to herself in Egyptian and then nodded and traced the first line again. “To the bearer of this shield, the blessing of the god of swift justice, Horus Hekhereta, son of Osiris, son of Isis, defeater of Set. Grant then your-- es-kara-he-- champion., champion yes, your great gifts oh God of Avengers, that he may...partake? Take part of? Your power and the speed of your wings, swift Avenger of thy father the great Osiris, Grant oh great Horus the bearer of this shield your grace. And the grace of Horus shall be given to the bearer.”
She finished. “Hetem-heset-heru.”
“That it seems is all I need to invoke the scepter, although I used that other prayer you said before, may Horus travel with me through all the dark places I must journey, and that I think is what got me to Ahmer’s tribe and back to Ahm Shere. So perhaps it is just a prayer in general that is needed and not a specific incantation.” Ardeth traced the last few hieroglyphics on the shield. “Towards the end I am not even certain I was speaking anything but Arabic, so it may be that the prayer does not even need to be in Egyptian at all. So what then do we ask of Osiris for you my friend?”
“You’re asking me? Like I said all I did was spear the damn thing with it. And I think I told him to go to hell and take his friends with him. But that’s an order not a prayer.”
“I would suppose Osiris could have taken it as a request for what you wanted him to do to the Scorpion King.” Evie sighed. “So, maybe just a general prayer to Osiris for his blessing and to borrow some of his strength? It seems odd to be invoking Osiris for that though. He is the god of the underworld. So, I suppose it makes sense that his was his scepter that could kill the Scorpion King, but unless you’re actually stabbing someone with it I don’t see that Osiris is really a war like god. Horus I can see. Sekhmet of course. Kefren’s a storm god. Even Anubis maybe, not that I’d suggest that one, except as a last resort.”
“So I just ask for Osiris’ blessing and spear something I want to kill? I can do that.” Rick smiled a little bit more. Maybe a god of the dead wasn’t a bad one to invoke considering the thing he really wanted to kill was already dead anyway.
“It is good you are back.” Selim’s voice came from the tent flap as he walked in. “We can eat. Then you should rest, Ardeth. Pasha will arrive late this afternoon so there will be little sleep this night what with settling his tribe and going over that news which we all should share. Did you find any answers in the remains of the Germans?”
“We have a bit of hope, my friend.” Ardeth agreed. “The scepter of Horus can indeed spear through the armor of these tanks, and if we could then catch the fuel on fire they will explode we think.”
“That is good.” Selim agreed.
“I’ll go find Alex and join you for lunch. Then maybe you two can sleep.” Evie leaned up and kissed him quickly again. “You look exhausted love.”
“I’m a bit wore out, yeah.” He agreed with a smile.
“And you.” She laid her hand gently on Ardeth’s arm. “I’m surprised you’re even standing here. Go and rest Ardeth.” She smiled again and then said something else in Egyptian.
Ardeth closed his eyes for a moment but then smiled and laid his hand over hers on his arm. “As you say, Princess.” A slightly larger smile. “As you will it, so of course it shall be done.”
She laughed and then walked past Selim on her way out. “If it were that easy I’d do it more often.”
“See you in a bit.” Rick smiled a little. It was good to see that Evie’s touch at least hadn’t seemed to bother Ardeth any. Which made sense really.
“So we have something that will injure these tanks the Germans would send against us. That is good. But you two will need to be able to stay awake to wield them and that I think is not likely. Come, eat something then rest. Your wife has the right of it my friend.” Selim clasped Rick’s shoulder.
“As you say, Selim. Far be it from me to argue with Evelyn.” Ardeth nodded. “Come Horus, you may join your friends in the sky and catch your own lunch I think.” He held out his arm so that the falcon could find a perch.
“It will do you good to eat. You need a wife, Ardeth, to keep feeding you. How will you live to be my age if you do not eat well?” Selim shook his head.
Ardeth sighed. “There may be truth to that, Selim. Right now I am to tired to argue. It has been.-- a long night, and I will no doubt benefit from the sleep. In’sh’allah.”
God, I’d keep you awake for days if I could, Ardeth. But there’s got to be some way to make sure I go with you. There’s got to be. “Lunch?” He asked.
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed. “I will go see Horus settled and join you.” He walked out into the sun.
“Stay a moment.” Selim’s voice was firm.
Rick looked over at the older man in surprise. “What?”
“How badly is he hurt?” Selim’s voice was gentle but there was real anger in the man’s eyes.
“What-- makes you think...”
“Rick.” The older man’s voice was a soft sigh. “How badly is he injured?”
“He hasn’t said, Selim. He hasn’t said a word. And I wasn’t at Thebes last night. So, I really can’t say.”
A tired sigh and the Medjai suddenly looked older than he had even earlier that day. “He does not say. No of course he does not. And he will do as he has done and keep us all from thinking anything is not as it should be. And if he will not turn to you in this now. I can not think of what to do. Allah’s mercy, I will spit on the thing’s grave.”
“You and me both Selim.” He said quietly. “You and me both.”
“If he has not said, and you do not know. Will you tell me why suddenly it is that you keep your distance from him?”
He sighed. “No Selim. I won’t.”
“No.” And the Medjai closed his eyes and probably said a prayer to Allah. “That is as it should be. I do not need to ask. I could wish I did not know. It is best I think if you keep as close as you can. My people are very-- easy in our affection for each other, and it is best if we keep him apart from that right now. If Allah has any mercy he will let us keep him some dignity at least.”
Rick just blinked back the stinging in his eyes. “He’s going to know you know.”
“I am-- easily persuaded otherwise. So, what causes my nephew, your brother, to flinch when Sallah or I or Arebe or any of the others reach for him, hmm? I suppose if he had-- somehow been injured in Thebes, even lashed perhaps, that even though the wounds are not present here he would want to protect them without thinking about it. Would that not seem wise?”
Rick smiled just a little. “That’s good. I wish I’d thought of that.”
“I am old, with two wives, many children, and many battles behind me. Pretense and I are well acquainted all in all. Sometimes, it is better for them to worry less.”
“Yeah. Yeah it is.” He thought of Evie and Alex. “Let’s go get lunch, huh?”
“As you say.” Selim agreed.
Lunch was a bit strained but Alex, bless him insisted on sharing all of his learning to ride horses exploits and for once Rick couldn’t even object to some of his son’s more amazing attempts at adventure because it kept Evie’s mind off of everything else. Selim did a wonderful job of keeping between Ardeth and almost everyone without really seeming like he was doing anything more than driving Ardeth nuts by making sure he ate and drank extra water and such.
“Selim,” Arebe said finally. “He is a grown man. Stop treating him like a child. If you would raise more than the six you have go see Amal and father another. Or find him a wife so he may Allah willing give you more grandchildren to spoil.”
Selim grumbled but sat down. “I at least have six. You should not talk. Go see Ainya yourself.” He sipped his tea with a frown.
Evie chuckled and then leaned over put her head on his shoulder. “I think I’d go mad with more than him.” She whispered looking over at Alex.
“You and me both.” He agreed.
“So mum, dad, can I go back to riding now? I promise I’ll bathe before dinner. But Mohamed was teaching us how to jump small walls.”
“Like I said.” He smiled a little. “Sure, tiger. Just be careful.”
“Right.” Alex grinned. “Thank you again for the horse uncle Ardeth.”
“You are most welcome.” Ardeth smiled. “Be sure to take care of her in this heat though.”
“Okay.” Alex ran off to join his friends.
“Allah was I ever so full of energy?” Ardeth sighed. But Rick noticed that Ardeth had relaxed some finally.
“So which of your sons is it that Ardeth says I should avoid finding me a second wife?” He asked.
‘What?” Evie slapped his arm as she sat up. “In your dreams.”
That got general laughter all around. “I didn’t say I was serious did I? Sheesh.” He grinned at her. And she smiled back.
“That’s good. I’d hate to have to kill some poor innocent Medjai just because my husband was an idiot.” But she winked when she said it.
“My son, praise be to Allah, has stopped trying to set up every unmarried man in the tribes with one of his many sister-in-law. They are pretty enough, and will do fine in finding husbands without his help. He is only too greedy and does not want to have to provide for them all.”
“Ah.” Rick nodded.
“I am glad to hear you say that, Selim. It was embarrassing.” Ardeth smiled a bit himself. “Fatima is pretty though.”
“She is.” Selim agreed. “And a good wife to Mohamed. You look like you will fall asleep where you sit, Ardeth. Do not even speak Arebe. Go rest Ardeth. We will wake you when Pasha arrives.”
“There is some truth to what you say, Selim. I will do so then. Let me check on Horus once more and then I will rest.”
“You could use a nap too.” Evie poked him. “And you might as well go play Hounds and Jackals or some such with Ardeth in Thebes. Because I have work to do. And you are sleeping alone. Second wife indeed....” She got up and then walked back toward the tent where the papyruses were.
Rick just rolled his eyes and sighed. It was pretty obvious that Arebe and Sallah were trying really hard not to laugh. Selim was smiling and even Ardeth smiled at him for a moment. “I guess I’m napping. Let me go try to apologize and I’ll see you in a bit okay?”
“I will go see to Horus before I try to rest.” Ardeth answered. And it was close enough of a promise that he wasn’t even thinking about going to Thebes alone for Rick to understand it.
Evie was sitting in the tent and writing out something on a piece of paper when he got there.
“You aren’t really mad at me are you sweetheart?” He asked uncertainly.
“No.” She smiled and then kissed him. “Actually, I wanted to finish this.” She went back to writing. “There...it’s two prayers. One to invoke the power of Osiris, or any other god I suppose if you change the name. You and Ardeth should see if you can trade scepters just in case. And this is a prayer to Mut and Ammun. I can’t be certain it will get you out of Thebes...but it might and I’m almost positive the first part of it will get you there.” She handed him the paper. “I wrote it out phonetically for you and in English. This part here gets you to Thebes. This part here might get you home. And this one here is your invocation. If you take that scepter with you when you go to Thebes it might do some good after all.”
He took the paper and then just hugged her tightly. “You’re the most wonderful woman in the whole world, Evie. How the hell did get lucky enough to marry you?”
“I’d say the luck was mutual.” She kissed him firmly. “Now go rest. Take that with you. Do you want me to come wake you two in an hour or so?”
“Yeah, I think I do.” He agreed.
“I thought you might.” She sighed. “Is he all right Rick?”
“No.” He answered honestly. “Have you ever seen anyone get-- a few dozen lashes, Evie?”
“God no.” She stared up at him in horror. “Ardeth?”
“He hasn’t said what happened. It’s just what Selim and I figured out since he won’t let anyone touch him, especially his shoulders and it’s not like anyone’s seen him without his robes on so we can’t know for sure.” He shrugged. “But...” He hated trying to come up with something that wasn’t an outright lie but was so close that it made him want to bite his tongue. He really hated lying to Evie even like this.
“Go.” She said firmly. “But promise me, Rick, you’ll tell me if it hurts you.”
“I promise, love.” He squeezed her tight.
“Okay, and take Ardeth his shield and scepter too. If he has them with him in Thebes it certainly won’t hurt.”
Rick smiled sadly and took both scepters and the shield and then went to see to Ardeth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imhotep bowed once more to Ammun and then rose to his feet, and somehow went from standing in Thebes to standing in the bright sun of the great desert on the dunes outside of the Medjai camp at AhmShere. It took very little to slip unnoticed amongst the outer tents and pick up bits of conversation that led him to the one he wanted. As Ammun had said he would be, Ardeth had just walked in as he arrived and there was no one waiting inside for him. So he slipped in as well not even stirring the tent flap as he went. “Hello Ardeth.” The young Medjai whirled hand going to his sword and Imhotep only smiled and kept him still with a thought. “Do not be foolish. I told you I would see to the geas Anubis, he who is god of the dead, has given me before the end of the day did I not?”
“Yes.” The word was cold. “I have done as you made me promise. And I have no doubt that Rick is angry enough to rip you to pieces if he had the ability to do so. Why do this now? He took the scepter of Osiris with him as I took that of Horus. What more do the gods wish of us?”
“It is not the scepter of Osiris you brother is to wield Medjai. That is far too simple a thing.” He took a step closer and then chuckled. “For someone with no skill at pretense you have done well in convincing your brother-- that I was far from kind.”
“As you say. The bargain was kept and it is well into morning. Why do you come here now?”
“Many reasons. As if seeing you were not reason enough.” He smiled. “I came to collect a kiss of course.”
Ardeth stared at him for a long moment and then finally nodded. “You are mad.”
“Yes. So you say.” He walked another step and then reached out and traced his hand lightly across the young man’s jaw as he had last night. “Gods but you are pleasing Medjai. Even like this, angry and afraid and uncertain all. I am going to enjoy this I think.” He chuckled, knowing as Ardeth did not that his brother had just reached the tent. He switched languages for O’Connell’s benefit. “I enjoyed having you so-- submissive last night, Ardeth. What shall I have to do to enjoy that again hmm?”
“Go to hell.” Ardeth growled.
“No. You may struggle if you like, Medjai, it will avail you none. I will have what I want when I want it. You can not stop me. Your brother can not stop me. All your tribes together can not stop me. Only the gods and their glory can do so. And the only god of Ahm Shere is Anubis. Pity is it not that you can not use the armor you found here? Then I could not harm you. Salvation and it is untouchable. That is a cruel jest is it not, Medjai?” He gripped the young man’s hair with a harshness he had no real desire for and then pulled him close and kissed him, hard, with none of the care of gentleness he had used the night before. O’Connell, thanks be to Ammun was not a stupid man and did as he had been directed and went to get the armor he would need. Imhotep released Ardeth with a sigh. “I am sorry, Ardeth. That was cruel and I have no desire to cause you harm.” He stepped back a pace. “Breathe, Medjai before you pass out. I will not harm you, you have my word to AmmunRa. I only wanted to anger your brother enough. Come, we will do this away from your tribes. That kind I can be. It will save you some honor at least if they do not all think you are in my bed most nights.” He drew his powers about him. “There is a pleasant bend in the Blue Nile only a ways away. We will go there.” And he let the wind swirl around him and then out the back side of the tent and up into the sky before any of the Medjai at Ahm Shere where the wiser.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rick made it to the storage tent where they’d put the armor of the Scorpion King and thanking any God that cared to listen found nobody else there. He tossed the paper, shield and scepter Evie had given him onto a crate and then opened the one with the armor. He took one deep breath and then using the scepter of Osiris picked up the breastplate and then took hold of it. A few seconds of just knowing he was going to die and then he let the breath out in a growl and pulled the stuff on. Finally, he picked up the shield with another shuddered deep breath and waited out a few more seconds. Then he smiled. “I am going to rip you to pieces you son of a bitch. Okay.” The scepter of Osiris went at his belt and he grabbed up the spells Evie had given him. “Okay then, I guess since you were Anubis’ thug I should ask him for help right?” He muttered, addressing the half-monster he’d killed in Ahm Shere the first time they’d come here. “Grant me, Anubis, the power I need to wield the weapons, and armor you have given me. Ai-Hetrem-aka-anbu.” Nothing. “Dammit. I don’t want him to be hurt any more you son of a bitch, give me some way to help him.” He slammed the shield down on top of the one Ardeth had carried earlier. “Take me to him damn you...”
Horus screamed from outside and then he wasn’t standing in the supply tent he was out on a dune looking down at the Nile and the swirling sandstorm that resolved itself into the creature he’d come to kill and his best friend. The two shields and the scepter of Hours fell to the ground at his feet. Below him Ardeth stumbled away a few feet as the wind stopped, sword in hand and held out in front of him, watching the damned thing as it looked around the small oasis. Then the scorpion on the gold shield at his feet hissed and Rick picked it up with a snarl. It should have weighted a ton but it felt like nothing on his arm. And he was down the dune in four good steps, which was just not possible and he slammed the shield into the damned thing’s face and sent him flying across the sandy bank. “Surprise.”
“Rick!” Ardeth was staring at him in disbelief and then smiled.
“Left yours up there. Sorry.” He indicated the dune.
Ardeth didn’t say anything he only ran for his own weapons. But there was a roar and a very familiar wall of sand, much smaller than the one that had brought down Winston’s plane in Hamanaptura came tearing toward Rick. He raised the shield in front of him to take some of the force and the sand just parted harmlessly around him.
Rick grinned and then pulled the scepter from his belt and twisted it back into a spear. “You are going back to hell where you belong!”
“No, I do not think so. I can not harm you O’Connell and you can not harm me.” The thing smiled. “But throw that and I will see if your brother has yet learned to swim.” And he gestured with one arm and Ardeth was very suddenly above the river. “Stalemate?”
Rick growled, and then looked once at his best friend. “If it means I kill you, he’ll die and count it worth it...and if it keeps your damned hands off of him I’ll even bet he’d prefer it.” And I know exactly where the Book of the Dead is and I know someone who’ll read it. No problem.
The creature laughed. “As you say. It may well be true. But my geas to the god of the dead did not include any deaths at all, only what I have done. So I will give you a last bit of knowledge O’Connell. The armor is yours and yours alone. The poison it caries will kill anyone who touches it besides you. So be careful with your wife and your brother, no?” It laughed again. “I swear it to AmmunRa, O’Connell so you may know it is true. The geas is done, Medjai I release you from your promises. Tell your brother the truth, I will I do not doubt see you both again soon. I will leave you for the day, my word to Ammun.” And with that Ardeth was up at top of the dune where he’d been running too and the thing was gone in another gust of wind. Rick threw the spear in his hand hard, but it only passed through the center of the storm and landed point down in the sand.
“Next time.” He growled. But he took the damned armor off as quickly as he could. The gold shimmered in the sunlight like a beacon.
“Are you...all right?” Ardeth came to a stop beside him, shield on one arm and spear in the other hand.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Shit. It works at least. God, are you okay?” He turned to his friend, not sure how to ask it. What happened while I was getting this...what now...
Ardeth laughed and then to Rick’s complete bewilderment only dropped the weapons to the sand and hugged him hard. “I am fine.”
“Good...” He put one hand hesitantly on Ardeth’s shoulder. Easy now Rick, gentle now. He’s in shock.
“Allah, I have wanted to do that since this morning.”
“What? This?” He smiled a little sadly. “It’s okay now. I’ve got you.”
“He did not hurt me, Rick.” Ardeth pulled away just enough to really look at him.
“Good.” So this time at least he’d been in time. It was something. “I thought-- maybe it’d taken too long to get here.” Now that the thing was gone and he’d taken the armor off he felt exhausted. Ardeth looked about the same.
His friend only sighed and then hugged him again, tightly. “I am well, whole. Allah, you will never believe it if I do not swear it. So I do. I swear it to Allah my friend, he did me no harm, not now, not last night in Thebes, none. He did not force me to his bed, or take me at all. I swear it.”
Rick wasn’t sure how long he stood there only that he had both arms around Ardeth now and was holding him tightly. “I don’t understand?”
“No. Allah have mercy. Can we sit? I am-- very tired, I think.”
“Me too.” Rick agreed and they did so, moving away from the armor and shields and scepters. “You really mean it? You’re okay?”
“I am.” Ardeth nodded. “I-- had to swear not to tell you that I was. And to not let you touch me, or the others either. It wanted you to think it had harmed me so that you would be angry enough to take up the weapons Anubis wanted you to. And I did not know what they were or how to tell you what to do without saying what happened in Thebes and I was forbidden to do so.”
“He didn’t-- hurt you?”
Ardeth shook his head a little. “Only frightened me close to death. But no harm done. Shall I swear it to Allah again? He did not harm me.”
“I thought-- when you went I mean...that you said...”
“Sometimes there is no need for politeness between brothers. This may be that sort of time, no? I went expecting to be raped and tortured and possibly killed. You spent all morning thinking I had been. But it did not happen. He did me no harm.”
“He wouldn’t have had to hurt you to make it rape.” Rick couldn’t think of any nice way to say it. “So if you’re just being...”
“Allah have mercy. No. He did not rape me. He did not take me at all by force or because I would have submitted if he had ordered me to. Nothing. I swear it to Allah.”
“So tell me he didn’t touch you.”
“That I can not do. He did. But it was not that much more than he has done before. He ran his fingers through my hair, and down my back, no further thanks be to Allah. And he kissed me...” Ardeth shuddered at that. And Rick didn’t even think only pulled him close. “I have never been so frightened, Rick. I wanted to tell you when I woke. But-- it made me swear to Allah that I would not. And I could see how much it hurt you, that I could not let you touch me.”
“I wanted to help.” Rick sighed. “And I couldn’t.”
“Yes. That was almost as cruel as its kisses, I think.”
“Kisses? Plural?”
A weary sigh. “Three. And then the one today. Four then.”
“Damn it.” Rick wasn’t sure why that made him so angry when just a few minutes before he’d thought it was so much worse than that but it did. “But you’re okay?”
“I am, praise be to Allah. And you? No harm from the armor or the sand?”
“Feels like I ran all the way here or something. Kinda shaky and a little dizzy but no not bad.” He smiled. “I could use that nap we weren’t going to take.”
“And I.” Ardeth agreed. “Though Allah knows I am in no hurry to return to Thebes.”
Rick just sighed and then pulled his friend’s head to his shoulder. “I’m here.”
Ardeth nodded. “It is foolish is it not-- to be so frightened still? It did me no harm when it could have done. It has never harmed me. When we all know it could take me anytime without my consent at all. Thanks be to Allah that it will not. But I do not feel at all like dealing with the way it torments and humiliates me.”
“Can you tell me for real now, how bad it got last night?” Rick asked as gently as he could. Ardeth shivered a little. “It’s okay, Ardeth, just because it didn’t-- force you doesn’t mean what it did was anything you wanted.”
“It was not so much what it did. Although I would be forever grateful to Allah if the damned thing would keep its hands off me. But that I was so very frightened of what it might do next. It said it would not harm me. It said it would not force me to its bed. And it kept its word. But, I am never certain how far it will press me.” He shuddered again. “I would rather face an army of those creatures we fought on the bus in London than another night when I must sit there and be-- complacent as it touches me. The teasing I endure is bad enough, without it adding to it with kisses and caresses. Though thanks be to Allah it at least left me my clothes.”
“Damned bastard.” Rick couldn’t help but curse, and damn but he wanted to just punch something. “Sounds to me like it didn’t help a whole lot.” He could just see Ardeth being the sort of guy to tell himself that since it wasn’t really sex it didn’t count. Like getting groped through clothes was somehow less demeaning than getting groped with them off. The Medjai like most arabs didn’t have any qualms about touching or hugging or showing affection. And now Ardeth was suddenly dealing with that level of familiarity and more being something he didn’t want. You son of a bitch I’m still going to spit in your face when I run you through. He brought one hand up to tentatively stroke through his friend’s hair like he would of done for Alex when his son was smaller. Because Ardeth had mentioned a couple of times that the damned thing had touched his hair so maybe it would be good to offset that with some comfort instead. “And I bet it didn’t let you think you were going to get to keep your clothes did it?”
A tired sigh, but Ardeth didn’t seem to object to the embrace any which was good. “No, until the very end. When it told me I could sleep. I had to take off my boots...and my weapons but it left me the rest thanks be to God. It even let me sleep alone. That was much more than I expected. In its bed no less, to torment me with worrying he would ask for more compliance no doubt.”
“Bastard.” he sat there for a long while. “You’re still shaking.” He realized finally.
“I am.” Ardeth agreed. “Exhaustion? Fear? I do not know how many times I can go back and forth between trying to find the courage to face things worse than death and then be told I will not be harmed again only to face something else again later. I truly hate this you know.”
“I know.” He hugged him tighter for a long moment. “Think you feel up to trying to get back to Ahm Shere before we have all ten tribes come looking for us? Otherwise I’m likely to fall asleep sitting here and I’ll get sunburned.”
“As you say. How are you going to carry all that armor though?”
“Put it back on I guess. It doesn’t seem to weigh anything when I’m wearing it. Just don’t get to close to me , huh?”
“As you say.” Ardeth agreed. Rick hugged him tighter for another second and then let go. “Allah, I am so tired it hurts to think.”
“You and me both.” Rick agreed with a yawn. “Okay.” He put the armor back on, really glad that it didn’t weigh nearly as much on as it did to pick up. “Which way is camp?”
“I am not certain.” Ardeth looked around and then as if in answer Horus came flying out of the sun and landed on the shield Ardeth had just picked up. “Hello, my friend. Did you come to lead us home then?”
Horus tapped his beak against the shield and then hopped up to Ardeth’s shoulder and taped his jaw.
“Ah, That far is it? Very well, but we shall need a bit more mercy from your namesake for this.” Then he looked up at the sky and said something in Egyptian. “Hold onto this hmm?” He held the shield out so that Rick could take hold of the rim with the hand that wasn’t holding his own shield. “Grant us oh swift god of Vengeance a safe trip back to our tribe so that me may serve all the gods of Egypt in protecting her from her enemies. Ai-Hetem-heset-heru.”
And they were back where Rick had started from in the storage tent beside the crates. “Damn, you okay?”
Ardeth nodded. “I will keep my feet anyway. Let us put that away and go to rest though.”
“Yeah.” Rick got out of the armor and put it back in its box and then he and Ardeth headed outside. Horus took off and circled back toward the other falcons. “I’m going to fall flat on my face.”
“And I.” Ardeth agreed. “And I. Do I remember correctly in that it did say it would leave us alone the rest of the day?”
“Yeah.” Rick nodded. “Something about leaving us for the day.”
“AlhamdilAllah, I would just sleep.”
“Thanks be to God is right. So, you want to risk not getting woke up in an hour just to make sure its keeping its word?”
Ardeth sighed but then shivered again. “I would rather be certain. Exhaustion I have learned to survive.”
“You and me both.” Rick agreed. “Let me go tell Evie we got distracted and we’re just going to sleep now.” He ducked into the tent not surprised to find Evie and Sallah working on translating something else. “Sorry love. Ardeth and I were-- um-- talking and we’re just going to try and sleep now.”
She bit her lip and then found a smile and came over to hug him. “Did he tell you if he’s all right?” She whispered in his ear.
“Yeah. And it’s not nearly as bad Selim and I thought. Nothing that broke the skin anyway. But he really does need to sleep and I’m about to fall over.” He whispered back.
“Thank God and the old gods too. I’ll come wake you in an hour from now then.”
“I love you, Evelyn O’Connell you know that?” He kissed her firmly.
“I love you too. Now go.” She shooed him out of the tent. He chuckled and then walked with Ardeth back to their tent. Somehow they made it all the way there and Ardeth laid his sword and knives down beside him before lying down as well. Rick smiled a bit and then did the same but he laid on his back and gripped Ardeth’s shoulder. “I don’t have the way with words you guys do when you’re praying, but Allah has to know how grateful I am that you’re okay, right?”
Ardeth chuckled and then laid his hand over Rick’s. “I am certain he does, my friend. I am so much more than grateful myself.”
Rick started to pull his hand away and then just left it because he could and Ardeth didn’t mind and that was such a relief he could have cried if he’d had the energy. “MaSallama, Ardeth.”
“MaSallama, akee.”
He smiled a bit more. “You too brother. You too.”
And it was enough to just slide into sleep.
“Wake up O’Connell. I would speak with you.” The damned thing’s voice came after what seemed like moments.
“Go to hell.” He didn’t even think just reached blindly for a weapon and Ardeth both. And came up empty handed all around.
“I left him sleeping.” The thing said quietly. “He needs the rest I do not doubt.”
“And when did you start giving a damn about what Ardeth needs?” He sat up, to glare at the thing sitting calmly at the table.
The creature smiled. “Does that surprise you then? Of course it does. Ask your brother then O’Connell if he does not think I am concerned for his health.” The thing shrugged. “Be civil for a moment. I bear news from the gods and I would, for reasons far beyond you I’m certain, not call Ardeth here to hear it. Let him rest, O’Connell he needs it. Seeing gods is unnerving if you are not used to it.”
“So’s getting pawed by bastards like you.”
“As you say. Now be civil or we can see if you prefer it any more than he did.” The thing looked at him for a long moment. And it was surprisingly easy to be dead calm and so pissed he was surprised it wasn’t visible all at once. “Good.” The creature nodded. “Anubis says that he is pleased you have taken up your place as his champion, and that your courage and anger do you credit. No doubt he is right on all counts. Walk carefully with your god O’Connell, he thinks less of life than even I and that should tell you something. And while I certainly would not mourn your loss, Egypt has need of you and your brother in one piece.”
“So now you expect me to believe you give a damn about both our healths? Yeah right.”
The thing chuckled again. “Your health no? Ardeth’s certainly. We are, you and I O’Connell, men of the shadowed worlds your brother does not walk often. You know as well as I what I could have done to him had I desired to do so. You know I could have done so a hundred different times before last night. So be thankful indeed that I do not care for so easy a conquest. Now, I give you my word to AmmunRa, He who is lord of all Egypt, to Horus, bright god of justice, and to Anubis, dread god of those who’s hearts have stilled that I shall leave you and your brother in peace from now until AmmunRa rises again in your walking world. If I simply hound him onto exhaustion that is no kinder than holding him still with a thought and taking him while you watch is it?”
Rick gritted his teeth and then smiled. “You hurt him you son of a bitch and I’ll bring that armor with me next time, and we’ll see who’s left standing at the end.”
The thing nodded. “As you say. For now, you are both safe enough, and you are not welcome in Thebes this day or night to come of sleep in your world. Nor is Ardeth. But take to him the blessing of Bright Horus at Edfu. The god is pleased with his champion and the skills which he would learn but he must gather his strength for when he will need it most and you should think more of your shield mate. Travel in smaller bursts of speed and save the might for the final strike says the god of Vengeance. Will you tell your brother this?”
“If Horus asks me too.” He replied with all the coldness he could force into his voice.
“Good.” The thing smiled again. “You have three days left O’Connell to find those last objects the gods would will you. One says Ammun Ra comes from far down the Nile and journeys toward you on wings of steel. One remains at Ahm Shere. And one comes with no warning at all. So be ready for it.”
“Like that helps.” He grumbled.
The thing smiled. “Ammun is only direct when he gives orders.” It shrugged. “AmmunRa, he who is lord of all Egypt also says to give your wife a message to the daughter of Pharaoh from the gods of her father’s kingdom that was.”
“And just what does Ammun want me to tell Nefertiri?”
“Fear not, for she walks well between darkness and light and all wives and mothers are warriors of spirit.”
“Could be worse. Is that it? I’d like to get some sleep for a change.”
The thing chuckled, with real humor this time. “You are certainly the rudest guest I have ever had, O’Connell. And while I enjoy teasing your brother you are almost as fun to torment. Take care of him, warrior...for if you do not, I will relish the opportunity to tend his wounds myself...and make you watch that as well. Understand?”
“Over my dead body...and you can’t kill me because Anubis will drag you back into hell where you belong.”
“Only if Ammun wishes it. Stalemate again I think O’Connell. We shall see how the game progresses shall we not?. Now go back to the waking world and tell your wife to let you and Ardeth sleep. Once more I give you my word to AmmunRa, you are both allowed this day and the night that follows. You are not welcome in Thebes. Go.”
And he sat up with a gasp grabbing once more for weapons and his brother. Ardeth sat up as well and then just pulled him close. “Easy, you are safe now. Are you hurt?”
“No.” He chuckled. “Turn around’s fair and all that, huh?” He caught his breath. “One minute I was just sitting there talking to it and then wham here I was. That’s...”
“Disconcerting yes.” Ardeth agreed but he hugged Rick tighter for a moment. “You were in Thebes then? I was not.”
“Noticed that.” he agreed.
“And is the great temple still standing?” Ardeth released him after a moment longer.
“Yeah.” He chuckled again. “It gave me lots of messages from lots of gods, and told me we’re safe from waking up in Thebes for today and tonight.”
“Thanks be to Allah.” Ardeth sighed in relief. “But tell me what it said.”
“Okay, we kinda threatened each other a bit cause I was pissed.”
“That is no surprise. Thank you for the concern, my friend. Then what?”
He closed his eyes. “We argued about you. It seems to think it gives a damn if your well. I didn’t agree.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. “In its own madness, my friend, it probably thinks it does. It said something to that effect to me last night. Then what?”
“It told me that Anubis was glad I’d decided to be his champion. Guess I kinda inherited that from the dead guy , huh? And it told me to tell you, that Horus is pleased too. But that you’re supposed to save your strength for when you’ll need it. Something about not flying so far so fast but saving the real speed for the final strike. Does that make sense?”
“From a falcon’s point of view, certainly. Now how do I travel with the speed of Horus but only for that last bit and what good does it do me if I do?” He shook his head. “I will think on that. Then what?”
“Ammun seems to think we’ve got three more days to find the three more things he wants us to. One here, one’s coming with Jonathan and Izzy since they’re the ones with metal wings that I can think of, and one’s just going to appear when we least expect it.”
“That is decidedly unhelpful. Then what?”
“Um, it gave me a message for Evie. Then we argued some more then I woke up.”
“You are-- unbelievable sometimes my friend. So do we find Evelyn and give her your message?”
“She’ll be here any minute I think.” He shrugged. “She said she’d come wake us in an hour or so. How long did we sleep?”
“I am not certain. It will be good to tell her we can just rest.”
“Yeah.” Rick laid back down with a yawn. “I am so damned tired.”
“And I.” Ardeth agreed.
He’d just managed to doze off when Evie came in. “Rick love, wake up, hmm?” She shook him a bit. “Ardeth? Wake up now, please?” Rick was just awake enough to realize that she didn’t shake his friend at all and was very careful when she touched his arm. He smiled up at her.
“I’m awake kinda. And we seem to be banned from Thebes today and tonight. Which is fine with me. We even have a pledge to Ammun to make sure of it.”
“Really?” She looked as surprised as he felt. “I was worried it wouldn’t-- be so...”
“Me too.” He interrupted her. “But it really is nuts. So we’re going to sleep. Want to wake us when the others get here.”
“Of course. I’ll let Selim know you’re resting. Get some sleep. You oh great Medjai, rest. Get well. Rick and Alex are enough to keep track of without worrying about extra big brothers all right?”
Ardeth chuckled sleepily. “As you say, Evelyn. Oh Rick has a message for you.”
“Right I forgot already. Ammun gave the creature a message for me to give to Nefertiri.”
“Really?” She blinked in surprise. “I bet that irked him to no end. Playing messenger between the gods and me.” She smiled. “So what was the message?”
He tried really hard to think of the exact words. “Do not fear, for you walk well between darkness and light and all wives and mothers are warriors of spirit” He shrugged.
“It’s not very helpful is it?”
“We’ve given up on helpful much. Oh and we’ve got one more treasure to find here one’s coming with Jonathan and Izzy and one’s a surprise.” He yawned.
“Wonderful. Go to sleep boys. Do try to rest for a change, hmm?” She kissed him and then moved over and kissed Ardeth’s cheek.
“Evelyn.” He muttered. “That is not proper.”
“Rick’s right there to chaperone silly.” She smiled. “Sleep well, brother of ours.”
“As you say.” Rick could hear the smile. Evie winked at him over Ardeth’s shoulder and then left. “Your wife is an amazing woman, my friend.”
“Yeah. She is.” He smiled. “Best thing that ever happened in my life you know.”
“I believe you.” He yawned. “Allah, I am so tired I ache.”
“Yeah, it’ll be nice to sleep for real for a change. Sleep well, Ardeth.”
“And you.” Ardeth returned. Rick debated with himself for all of a moment and then put his hand back on Ardeth’s shoulder. His friend chuckled. “We have a parole, no need to claim territory hmm?”
“Wasn’t trying to claim territory.” He argued. “I was reminding myself that you’re okay.”
“Ah., you are so much more than a good friend to have, Rick.”
“You too Ardeth. Good night, brother.”
“Good night to you.” Ardeth put his hand over Rick’s. “Thanks be to Allah.”
“Definitely.” And Rick closed his eyes and was asleep in seconds.
Duhr:ToC