Chapter Text
Ardeth walked back toward the room he had come to think of as his, trying to make sense of his already very odd evening. First Evelyn’s arrival which had been embarrassing certainly, although somewhat comforting since it was undeniable proof that she was indeed all right with the love he and Rick had found here. Still, it was disconcerting at best to wake in Rick’s arms and find Evelyn beside the bed. And the arrival of Ammun’s champion had not given him any time at all to gain his bearings as to how the three of them were going to manage this. Although Evelyn’s concern for Imhotep’s obvious interest in him had been both touching and amusing despite the embarrassment. The priest’s comment to Evelyn however about any of Seti’s children being willing to share a lover with anyone had surprised him, and apparently the emotions behind it had been enough so that the man had not even spoken to him until the reached the courtyard. And then only in passing to remind him to leave his boots. He had done so, and taken advantage of the water the lesser priests had brought and washed his hands and face as well as his feet before following Imhotep into the shrine. AmmunRa had spoken to him certainly and it was good to know that the battle would not come today. However, there was more yet that the most amazing voice that was not a voice had not said. And Ardeth was distinctly aware that Imhotep knew something of what that secret was and was not saying. Ammun had given him his blessing and the warm sunlight still whispered through him when he thought of it, making him smile. But there also the god had been subdued in some undefinable way. Ardeth shook his head again and tried once more to make sense of the words. Perhaps Evelyn would explain them to him.
“Your brother and the Princess are in her room, Medjai, having dinner.” Imhotep pointed out as they reached the doorway in question. It was the first the man had spoken since they had left the temple below. “So I shall not expect the three of you to dine with me tonight.”
“Thank you.” He looked at Ammun’s High Priest who was still dressed in the headdress and jeweled collar of his office. “Is all well within the land of the faithful of old Egypt?” He asked uncertain yet of what was wrong but knowing it was there. And so he offered the only bit of courtesy he knew might help. “Imhotep?”
Ammun’s priest sighed and then smiled a little, but it was an odd sort of smile that Ardeth was rather certain he had not seen before. “All is always well here in the Duat, Medjai.”
He nodded a bit. “AmmunRa, He who is lord of all Egypt, seemed– concerned.”
“He is as we all are I suppose concerned with the battle to come, Ardeth. There are duties I must attend to, warrior. Will you extend Ammun’s hospitality to the Princess for as long as she wished to stay amongst us?”
“Certainly. I owe you my thanks, for you hospitality both of her and of my tribesmates when they came, I know you were not expecting the burden.”
Another slight smile. “You always thank me for those things not worth mentioning, Ardeth and never for those things that are.”
He shook his head. “Are we yet again not going to agree on that, priest of AmmunRa?”
“Thanks be to Ammun that some things indeed do not change.” Another smile and then the dark eyes changed again to something that Ardeth was hesitant to call sadness. “You should go and see your brother and the Princess now, Ardeth, otherwise you shall tempt me to claim the kiss you expect me too. And I would be hard pressed to keep my patience with it at this moment I think.”
“I owe you two more, you may, Allah grant me strength, claim any of them at any time you wish. That was the bargain was it not?”
“It was.” One strong hand traced his jaw. “It may yet be that you do not have to keep your bargain, Medjai. It may indeed. But you are– pardoned from it for now. Do not press me when I am trying to be a good host for once, Ahba. It is not good to test the patience of a man so, when you are very certain you do not want to know how much my patience holds me in check.” Another odd look to the dark eyes and the hand only brushed his jaw again. “Doubtful I will see you before you return to Ahm Shere, Medjai. Enjoy this night and the day to come, Ardeth. Ammun’s blessings and Bastet’s joy to you and your brother, Ardeth.” And with that the man turned away and left him standing in the hall even more at a loss than before.
“Bis’mil’Allah I will never understand you.” He knocked once on the door and cracked it open. “Rick, Evelyn, may I come in?”
“Sure Ardeth.” Rick’s voice came back and he opened the door completely and walked in. Rick was dressed once more in his normal clothing and he and Evelyn were sitting at the table, drinking coffee and tea no doubt. “Tahiri brought dinner, which is a nice switch from having to deal with a banquet.”
“I notice.” It smelled good.
“And clothes.” Evelyn smiled.
“Yeah, oh I left your robe there, thanks.” Rick indicated the chest by the wall where his robe was lying. He nodded and picked it up and slipped it on, retying his sash but leaving his weapons on the chest for now. “So everything okay with AmmunRa?”
Ardeth poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down. “I am told that the battle will not come today. I am also told that in some cases cutting off a beast’s head does not kill it but only makes it sprout another which is more deadly.”
“That sounds unpleasant.” Evelyn sighed. “Like the hydra. You cut off one head and it sprouts two to try and bite you with.”
“Unpleasant indeed.” He shook his head. “I understood very little of what the god said to me, which I have the distinct impression was his intent. There is something that he knows, I am certain, that he will not tell to me. I think tomorrow I will speak with Horus. It may not get me answers but it is worth trying.” He sighed. “So I have learned nothing useful, except that we and you Evelyn have Ammun’s hospitality for as long as we are here.”
“Well that’s something I suppose.” Evelyn sighed. “Why don’t you tell me what AmmunRa said Ardeth and when I wake up I’ll add it to our list of things.”
He closed his eyes. “I bring you greetings this day from your God above all, Medjai. Know you then that the battle with the enemies of Egypt will not come this next day in the Egypt that is. You have slain the man who led the Germans in their press towards Ahm Shere, Ardeth Bay, and while defeating an enemy is always commendable, it is not always in the best interests of those who would stop his army. You have cut off the beast’s head, warrior, and learned his intent within the upper kingdom, but what of the head that comes from the wound? You would do well indeed to beware that bite.” He opened his eyes. “That is what AmmunRa said to me.”
“Hmm.” Evelyn seemed to mull that over.
"Want to translate it into Arabic or English for me, Ardeth, Sweetheart? My Egyptian isn’t that good yet.”
He smiled a little and Rick’s resignation. “Certainly.” It did not take long at all to repeat it in English.
"Now that’s interesting, I wouldn’t have translated it quite that way.” Evelyn shook her head.
"No?” He turned to look at her because in a very odd way Egyptian and English were both her first languages and neither of them his. “What would you have done differently?”
"Ma-netch-Kemt-reqi.” She repeated part of what AmmunRa had said. “Now I see where you get, to our advantage from that but it’s more than ours, specifically it’s the defenders of Egypt. Now that’s the Medjai certainly but I think it would also include, Rick and I, even Imhotep I assume and the gods as well. And that’s much more than just one group.”
"Hmm.” He nodded. “In the best interests of those who defend Egypt then?”
"Is that important?” Rick asked.
"I don’t know. None of this makes sense to me quite often.” Evelyn sighed. “But I think if it’s something that is not to the advantage of all of us who defend Egypt it’s even more than if it’s only not to the advantage of the Medjai, or just the four of us who are championing gods, or whoever the one group might be.”
"You are right it is. We will need to go over all the things the gods have said to us again, sister mine.”
"Well then, if that’s the case. I need some sleep. The spells I’ve used to get me here work well enough, however, I don’t think I sleep while I’m doing them. Unlike whatever it is that summons you two here.” She smiled and then walked over to kiss his cheek. “Do try to keep him and yourself out of trouble will you, Ardeth?”
"I can assure you I will try.” He agreed.
"Well good.” Then she went over to Rick and kissed him fully. And that was still disconcerting now that he knew very well what it was like to kiss Rick so, but the obvious love between them made him smile a bit. He thanked Allah once more for the miracle of the fact that it did indeed seem that they could balance this. “I’ll see you both in the morning then. And you try to keep him out of trouble too, will you, Rick?”
"I can try.” Rick smiled. “See you in the morning, sweetheart.”
"Good night.” She kissed him again quickly and then without a sound or a sign she was simply gone.
Ardeth only stared at the spot she had been standing in and then shook his head noticing Rick’s almost bemused look. “If I should not ask simply tell me so, my friend, but is she always so– determined?”
"Stubborn?” Rick supplied with a smile. “Yeah, she is.” The blue eyes lightened a bit more with amusement. “I’m just generally attracted to stubborn I guess.”
Ardeth rolled his eyes. “I would say that Evelyn and I have that in common as well then.” He returned.
"Pot and kettle, Ardeth.” Rick reached over and gently traced his fingers along Ardeth’s jaw. “You really okay and not just being stoic in front of Evie?”
"I am.” He smiled a little and then turned his head a bit to place a kiss on Rick’s fingers. He shrugged not certain yet he knew what to make of the exchange in the hall. “He did not even ask me for a kiss. Probably because I expected him to. Truly, he seems to delight in doing only whatever I am not expecting. And he is as concerned for this battle to come as we are I think. No doubt he does not wish to disappoint AmmunRa. He even told me we would have the day to ourselves as he has duties to attend to. I am at a loss of what to do when he is so courteous but I shall be thankful for it, certainly.”
"Great.” Rick sighed. “I don’t like thinking about things that could worry Ammun, Ardeth, but I’m glad the damned thing didn’t kiss you, anyway.”
"As am I. Although you could have then kissed me yourself and I would have not cared for long that he had.”
"Really?” Rick smiled a bit and then the fingers still against Ardeth’s jaw moved back into his hair and Rick pulled him into a very long deep kiss, that was somehow both gentle and full of passion both. “Like that?” Rick asked softly as they finally broke apart.
"Allah have mercy. Yes, that would have done.”
"Even better to kiss you just because it’s fun and not because he did. I know I promised you I’d kiss you any time he did, Ardeth. But I’m glad I get to do it just because too.”
"As am I, Rick as am I.” He stood up and then pulled Rick into his arms and kissed him fully, losing himself in the long hot duel of tongues that resulted until he could not breathe. “Allah but that is Paradise.” He was a bit surprised the words came out that coherently.
Rick chuckled. “Close, yeah. But not as close as loving you.
"Yes.” He agreed and then pulled Rick into another kiss.
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"Are you more at peace now, Ardeth than you were yesterday?” Selim asked him as he walked outside, handing him a cup of coffee.
"I think so, uncle, yes.” He nodded. “I can not say I am completely– certain that I have not risked my soul these last few days, but I think I have come to believe that I am not yet damned, and certain that I have not lead you all into damnation with me.”
"That is something I suppose.” Selim sighed.
Ardeth smiled a little and clasped his uncle’s shoulder. “In’sh’Allah, uncle as all things must be. Let us go to prayers and I will see if that settles the last of my concerns.”
"I will pray to Allah that it is so.” Selim agreed. And the familiar ritual of morning prayers did indeed seem to help. The sun was just up as they walked back to the main hearthfire. “Did the Priest of AmmunRa or any of the old gods give you any indication if we go to war today or not, nephew?”
"The battle I am told does not come until tomorrow as the Germans are now deciding how to proceed without their Captain.” Ardeth shook his head a bit. “Forgive me uncle I should have thought to say so earlier.”
"If the battle had come today no doubt you would have.” Selim chuckled. “I am glad to know that we have this day to prepare though.”
"As am I. I am hopeful that Hashim will arrive today with the rest of our warriors, and Izzy will return from Cairo with the extra ammunition. Other than those two things, I am uncertain what if anything we can do to prepare more than we have.”
"Very likely there is little to be done at all.” Selim agreed. “I am thankful for the warnings we have been given from the old gods, Ardeth. But I can not help but wish they told us more of what was to come.”
"As do I, Selim. As do I.” He remembered suddenly, Evelyn’s appearance in Thebes. “Remind me uncle, to go over with Evelyn and Sallah the new riddles the gods have given us and see if any of it helps us understand more of what we have already been told.”
"Certainly.” His uncle nodded.
"I think I will ride with the patrols this morning. And see if I can think of anything else that will aid us in the battle to come.”
"I doubt there is anything we have not thought of already, Ardeth. But it may be that you can indeed come up with something.” Selim paused and then looked over at him, and Ardeth was not certain what to make of his expression. “Is everything well, Ardeth?” Selim asked after a moment.
"As it can be.” He replied.
"Good.” Then much to his surprise and embarrassment Selim reached over and straightened the collar on his galabeyah as if he were a child. “Perhaps you would do well to find your riding veils now then, nephew, so you will be ready when you go and join the patrols.”
And Allah help him but he could only flush. “I...am sorry, uncle.”
"If you feel the need to apologize nephew you should not be doing so in the first place.” Selim returned.
He sighed and then switched to Egyptian. “I am not sorry that I have done so, I am only sorry if I have caused you embarrassment or shame where none was intended.”
"Ah.” Selim seemed to consider that for a moment. “I am neither. Surprised, certainly, but I know you Ardeth and likely there is no reason for me to be concerned. It is good to see a light in your eyes instead of ghosts.”
He nodded. “It is good to feel less weighted.” He admitted. “I will do my best certainly to be circumspect, uncle. But I will not be ashamed.”
"Good.” Selim smiled a bit. “Let us join our family for breakfast them, hmm? Then we can see to the rest of the day Allah grants us.”
Ardeth nodded but he cast a very heartfelt prayer of thanks to Allah for allowing him the joy of his family’s acceptance and even happiness at the wonder he had been granted to have Rick as a lover as well as a brother.
"I need to see to the settling of those who remain of Ahmer’s tribe as well since I have been given the time to do so. Would you see if Amal or Azza can find them for me? I shall ask of Leila the same thing.”
"Certainly, Ardeth. No doubt they can do that as they all compare lists of who they are going to suggest you might court after the battle is over. Just because I am relived to see light in your eyes instead of ghosts does not mean that I am willing to let you forget that you told me they might yet find you a wife.” Selim smiled.
"Bis’mil’Allah. Let us see to defeating the Germans uncle, then we can worry about the rest.” He shook his head. But oddly enough it did not seem so bad a prospect really to perhaps if he was truly fortunate find a woman he might love as Rick loved Evelyn, and Adham Leila, and his uncle Azza and Amal.
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"They are.” Ardeth agreed with a sigh. “Soon they will be wanting to learn to wield scimitars and shoot riffles and the rest. Why is it we are always in such great haste to grow up, Rick? When once we do we realize we wish just as much that we had not left childhood behind?”
Rick shook his head. “I don’t know, Ardeth. Guess it’s like most things, you always think the other side is better than yours.”
"I suppose.” Ardeth nodded, watching the boys for a bit longer.
"Something wrong?” Rick asked after a while.
"No. I am only– a bit concerned for the battle to come, I think. And– as always I worry for my people. They are brave boys, Rick. Likely they will grow into brave warriors. And then they will look to me to lead them to war. And how many of them will I bury then? It is a familiar burden but it never grows easier.”
Rick sighed himself at that. “No, it doesn’t does it? I worry about Alex a lot too. But that’s not the same as you worrying about your people or your warriors because I’ve got a chance of keeping him safe and you can’t very well tell them to just stay home can you?”
"No.” Ardeth shook his head. “May I tell you a truth, brother mine?”
"Sure you can.” He smiled a bit. “Anytime.”
"This is one of the reasons I have put off marrying for so long.” He gestured at the boys and horses. “Because I will have a son if Allah is kind. And then I must teach him to ride, and fight, and kill, and someday lead all his friends and family to war with him. And I do not know that I will ever find the courage to do so. It is hard enough to consider letting the son’s of my cousins go to war with me Rick. What do I do when my son grows old enough to fight with me?”
Rick looked to where Alex was and shook his head. “I don’t know, Ardeth. I’m trying to figure that out myself you know. Because chances are there’s always going to be another war. I mean I really kind of thought maybe the Great War was going to be it you know? But it wasn’t. So, chances are my son is going to be fighting someday even after we beat the Germans here.”
"He is your and Evelyn’s son, that is true.” Ardeth gave him a sad smile. “He will likely do you both proud, you know.”
"Yeah, but that doesn’t keep me from worrying about him. Or hating the thought of him fighting, or killing or any of it.”
"Yes.” Ardeth sighed and was quiet for a while longer. “I– always wished I had asked my father how he dealt with me fighting beside him. Or how he dealt with it when I was captured that once. He must have thought me dead until the bodies were all counted, and then– I doubt he ever expected to see me again.”
Rick thought about that for a while. “Didn’t you say Adham went after you against your father’s orders? What did that mean?”
"Apparently some of the other men I had been fighting with had seen me fall and be taken prisoner. But at that point there was no way of knowing whether I was a prisoner of only a small group of Tuareg or had been taken to their main camp. Father had barely enough warriors with him at that point to protect the women and children if they chose to attack again. He could not spare Adham and our friends to try and rescue us, even if he had thought there was a chance.” Ardeth shrugged. “But Adham did not listen. For which I am still forever thankful.” A small smile eased some of the sadness. “Father told me the reasoning when Adham brought me back to camp. I do not think anyone expected me to live at that point and he did not want me to go to Paradise with Allah thinking that he had simply deserted me. I had not seen him cry since my mother died but he held me as if I were a child and cried while he tried to explain to me what had happened and how much he loved me.” Ardeth’s smile was gentler now. “I never doubted his love, Rick. It is only that I still do not know how I would deal with the same situation. Father was fortunate the Tuareg did not attack while I was gone. But– if it were me and they had captured my son? I– do not think I could live with that, akee. I would go after him. And then where would the Medjai be?”
"You’ll do the best you can, Ardeth. It’s never easy to choose which duty or obligation to follow you know. All you can do is do the best you can at any time.” Rick looked back over at Alex thinking about how he’d left his son in Jonathan’s care in the middle of the Oasis so he could go avenge Evie, and maybe stop Imhotep from taking over the world. It had hurt a lot to do, especially when Evie had told him to take care of Alex. But in the end he’d decided that he couldn’t take care of Alex if Imhotep got command of the Army of Anubis after all so he’d gone to find the damned thing. He looked back over at Ardeth. “I guess the best you can do is make sure you have a really good second in command, Ardeth. Which I figure Adham and Selim are, right? And that way you know you’re leaving the Medjai in good hands if you do have to go and rescue your son. And you can always ask me to help you know? Fair is fair after all.” He clasped Ardeth’s shoulder. “You’ll be a really great dad you know.”
"Do you truly think so?” Ardeth gripped his wrist. “I will try to be, certainly. God willing, Rick, you will never have to help me rescue any child of mine as we did yours, but I do not doubt for a moment that you would so. Come, we shall remind Asyd that it is time for lunch and spend the afternoon with our families. I think that will give me some fortification for facing the Germans in battle tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” Rick squeezed his shoulder tighter and then glanced around to make sure no one was really close enough to hear. “Anything I can do to help, habib, you know that right?”
Ardeth flushed just a bit, but nodded. “So I do.” And Ardeth gripped his wrist tighter as well. “You are so much more than a good friend to me, Rick O’Connell.”
“Yeah, well that works both ways.” He smiled and then let go of Ardeth’s shoulder. “Still a damned unmanageable elephant this side of being asleep you know, Ardeth.”
That got a chuckle from his friend. “So it is.”
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“No, neither can I.” Evelyn agreed, taking off her glasses. “Let’s take a break shall we? I could use a cup of tea and no doubt both of you could use some coffee?” She looked from him to Sallah. “I get the feeling we’re missing something very basic but I’ve no idea what it is.”
“I could use some coffee, certainly. I shall bring you some tea as well, Sitt O’Connell. Is there anything else I should get, Chieftain?” Sallah rose to his feet.
“No, my friend, thank you.” Ardeth set the notebook aside. “I take it writing the riddles out in hieroglyphics does not make a difference?” He indicated the papers Evelyn was looking at.
“Egyptian, Arabic, English, hiratic, I even tried Greek.” She shook her head. “Nothing. Maybe you and Sallah should translate them into Medja?”
“It will not hurt to try I suppose.” He looked back over the papers.
“Chieftain?” He was not expecting the soft voice that came from the tent flap.
“Shadiya.” He rose as she walked in. “What is wrong?”
“I– did not wish to disturb you, chieftain. But...”
“Haltu. You must come. Sana is sick.” Numa ducked around the woman in the door. “I told Shadiya you would not mind.”
Ardeth smiled just a bit. “Did you now. No, daughter of my cousin, I do not mind. Evelyn, I must see to Sana for just a bit. Will you have Sallah see to that translation?”
“Of course Ardeth.” She smiled at him. “If it’s serious let me know and I’ll bring the amulet and see what I can do.”
Ardeth smiled back and then took her hand in his and squeezed it. “Thank you sister mine.” He swung Numa up onto his hip and walked with her and Shadiya toward where they had left Sana no doubt.
“I like Evelyn, haltu.” Numa told him as they walked.
“As do I, Numa. My brother is a fortunate man to have such a wife.” He agreed. “Thank you for coming to get me, Shadiya. How sick is the little one?”
“Fever, and she can not seem to keep down food.” The woman beside him shook her head. “She is very small, chieftain, I worry that the shock of– losing all our tribe was too much for her. She only asked to see you.”
“Then of course I will go. Perhaps there is something yet that can be done to make her well.”
“Papa says you always give the warriors strength in battle, haltu. Can you not give Sana strength when we are not fighting?” Numa asked, so obviously serious. Ardeth sighed and Shadiya looked at the young girl in his arms with a sightly sad smile.
“Would that I could, Numa. I am honored your father thinks I am such an inspiration to our warriors but it is not a physical sort of strength that he speaks of.”
“Then you must inspire Sana to get well, haltu. I like her.”
“I shall do what I can, daughter of my cousin, I shall do what I can.” He promised, but he gave a heartfelt prayer to Allah that there was indeed something to be done. Sana was lying on a pallet of blankets, with a young woman he vaguely recognized as one of Leila’s cousins tending her. “Salaam wa alakuhm.” He gave her a slight nod as he knelt down beside the child, setting Numa down on her feet as he did so.
“I told you I will get him for you, Sana.” Numa gave the smaller girl a smile.
"Hello, Sana.” Ardeth took the child’s hand in his, trying not to think of how very small it was. Too small to have borne so much already.
Almost dazed brown eyes met his as she looked up at him. “Sorry.”
"Hush, you do not need to be sorry, Sana. You only need to rest now so that you can get well.”
"I promised– I would be strong, chieftain.”
He found a smile. “It is not breaking a promise to get sick, Sana. We will get you well and then we can work on being strong so that you can grow and stay well, hmm?” He took the wet cloth Leila’s cousin handed him and laid it over the child’s forehead. “Will you eat something for me, little one?”
Sana shook her head. “Hurts. Makes me sick.”
"Then you must drink, hmm? So that you will not get even more sick?” He poured her some water and raised her head. “Drink.”
She swallowed the water slowly but she did drink it. “I– am sorry.”
"Shhh.” He smoothed the dark hair. “What are you sorry for, Sana?”
"I...” She bit her lip and then shook her head and only closed her eyes, curling onto her side.
"Sana has a secret, but she is afraid you will be angry at her if she tells you, haltu. I told her you would not be but she is afraid.” Numa said quietly.
"I see.” He was not at all certain he did really, but it was something. “Sana, what is this secret that you should be telling to me, hmm? You are safe here, little one. I will not be angry at all if you tell me.”
"Promise?”
"My word to Allah.” He swore it with as much conviction as he could.
Sana rolled back over and much to his surprise reached out and gripped his hand. “Sick.”
"I know you are.” He smoothed her hair again. “That is no secret little one.”
"All my fault. I– did not mean to be bad.”
"Oh, Sana, you are not sick because you did something you should not have.” He wet the cool cloth again since it had fallen to the blankets and laid it back on her forehead.
"I– try to eat. And I try to sleep– but– I can not.”
Ardeth thought about that for a moment and then simply drew her up into his lap as he sat down. “Why can you not sleep, Sana?”
"Scared.”
"Of what little one?” He stroked her hair again.
"Bad dreams. When I sleep...there are Germans...and...everyone dies...and....”
"Shhh. You do not have the strength now to cry, Sana.” He smoothed his hand down her back. “It is all right to have nightmares little one. We all do.”
She shook her head desperately. “Wake up screaming.”
"We will understand if you do.” He promised, wishing he knew who had told her to keep quiet so he could chastise them.
"The Germans will hear.” There was such terror in her voice. “Shadiya said we had to be quiet.”
He looked over at the young woman who came to kneel on the girl’s other side. “That was after the battle, Sana. When I was afraid the Germans would come back and find us. Now we are here in the middle of the tribes. It is all right if you scream when you wake up.”
"Scared.”
Ardeth sighed. “Here then, the Germans can not harm you if I am here to protect you can they?”
"No.”
He was not about to correct her on that. The battle would not come today and today was all he could worry about. He simply gathered the small girl into his lap. “Then you may sleep right here, hmm? Yesterday you fell asleep after breakfast remember? Did the Germans come then?”
"No.” She seemed to relax a little.
"You must rest so you can get well little one. If it helps to have me here I can spare you my afternoon, hmm?” He stroked her hair and then smiled a bit as he found the chain that held the feather of Horus. “And this is a very good amulet for keeping bad dreams away.” He recalled the very similar feather that he had gotten from the Bright god of Vengeance for Rick when Anubis had been haunting his brothers dreams and recited the prayer. “May Horus walk between you and all the dark places you must travel. Bright son of Osiris and most revered Isis, please, I beseech you, grant her safe passage through the realm of dreams.”
Sana snuggled closer. “You will not let them get me?”
"I am right here. And if you need me to pull you from your nightmare, little one I will be there to do so.”
"Promise?”
"I swear it.” He shifted his arm around her to settle her more in his lap. “Sleep now, Sana.”
It did not seem to take much time at all for her to fall into sleep.
"I can sit with her, chieftain.” Leila’s cousin spoke softly.
"No, I will stay. There is little else that can be done this afternoon. Will you take Numa back to Leila and find Adham for me as well and tell him where I am? He can tell Selim. They will come to get me if I am needed.”
"Of course, chieftain.” She bowered her head a bit.
"Must I go, haltu?” Numa sighed.
"For now, you can help your mother make diner, hmm? Then when it is done you can come and get Sana and I so that we can all eat together.”
"All right, haltu.” She kissed his cheek. “Can Evelyn, and Alex and Rick come to dinner too, haltu?”
"Ask your mother that, Numa.” He smiled.
"Yes haltu.” She walked with her mother’s cousin out of the tent.
"It seems a great imposition for you to take your afternoon to see to one child.” One of the other women said quietly. “Truly, chieftain we can sit with her.”
"It is no imposition.” He shook his head. “Guarding one child’s dreams is not so very different from guarding all the tribes from horseback. And at the moment I have many warriors to do the later and I seem to be better suited for the first. But a chest or some pillows to lean against would be helpful and I would appreciate a cup of coffee as well.”
Shadiya got to her feet. “We are foolish, chieftain.” She flushed as she spoke and Ardeth managed not to sigh, at the way he always made his tribesmates uncomfortable.
"You are concerned for your tribesmate.” He corrected.
She ducked her head a bit, but the blush eased some and she gave him a small nod, but she went to see that what he had asked for was done none the less.
Horus cried out sharply from outside and he was just about to give Sana to one of the women when just as suddenly he was not sitting in a tent in Ahm Shere at all.
It was surprisingly easy to tell the difference between being awake in Ahm Shere and being suddenly in the horrible dream that Sana was obviously having of the battle that had killed her tribe. He did not stop to think only reached for the tiny girl, gathering her into his arms where she was curled on the ground and gave the well familiar prayer to Horus. “Ai, hetrem heset Heru.” And it seemed the bright god of Vengeance heard him even in the realm of Mut because he was no longer on that horrible plain of Sana’s nightmare but in the shadowed nighttime halls of Thebes. “There now, Sana are you all right?”
She clung to him but the trembling eased and she nodded a little. “Gone.” She blinked. “The ‘booms’.” She made an attempt at the sound of an explosion.
"Yes, they are gone. You were having a nightmare, Sana. It is safe now the Germans are gone.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around him, much as Khalifa often did. “You came.”
"Did I not promise I would?” He looked around. “It is better though I think if we find our way back to Ahm Shere, hmm?”
"Where?” She yawned in the middle of the word.
"Thebes.” He offered and started to walk toward the main courtyard.
"Ardeth...” His name came from somewhere to his left, a soft whisper but there was nothing there when he turned and he could not place the voice.
"Who is here, chieftain?” Sana asked, holding tighter.
"I am not certain, little one. But I doubt it is a threat.”
There were other echoes now, all in Egyptian, names, words, nothing that he could really grasp and he recalled Imhotep’s early warning about how the halls of Karnak filled with the dreams of the faithful.
"Ardeth...” His name came again.
"Someone is calling you, chieftain.”
He hugged her tighter. “It is not important.” He smiled a bit ruefully to himself. “Likely if someone here in Thebes is dreaming of me, I am better off not following the call.” He muttered to himself and walked forwards again. Although he supposed if it were Nefshen who was calling his name in her sleep he would not be too disappointed. But that was likely not the sort of dream that Sana needed to see. Much less if it was not Nefshen who was dreaming of him.
"No- Evie stay back!” That caught his attention. “Evie!”
"Rick?” He had no idea what Rick was doing here, if it was truly Rick at all, but he could not ignore the horror and pain in his voice. Perhaps Rick was not as immune to Anubis’ nightmares as he had thought. Giving a brief prayer to Allah to keep both Rick and Evelyn safe, he took another step forwards and then suddenly he was not in Thebes at all. It took him a long moment to place where they were. He only pressed his back to the wall, shielding Sana some as the ceiling began to collapse sending huge stalactites falling to the floor. Ahm Shere yes, but not what he expected to see. The interior chamber of Anubis’ pyramid lit by flames. Evelyn had thrown herself across the floor and was leaning into the great crevice. Ardeth shook his head and then spotting Jonathan and Alex moved that way and handed Sana to his startled friend. “Stay with Jonathan and Alex, Sana I must help my brother. Hold her for me Jonathan?”
"Ardeth?” Jonathan or this dream of Jonathan stared at him in utter confusion but did indeed take hold of Sana.
Ardeth glanced up at the ceiling of the great cavern and then took the safer route to the chasm’s edge and simply asked Horus for his grace.
Evelyn had managed to get Rick up out of the crevice when he appeared beside them. “Are you– ?” He started to ask.
"Ardeth? What are you doing here?” Evelyn asked, although why she was speaking Egyptian was a bit beyond him. Then again this was not his dream at all so perhaps it made perfect sense for her to speak Egyptian..
"Helping, I think.”
"Anck-su-naumun!” He had never heard that much loss in Imhotep’s voice, not in all the different inflections both real and dreamed that he had heard the man use. Ardeth turned to look behind him just in time to see the woman disappear down the passageway. “Anck-su-namun...” Something more like despair now and Ardeth did not let himself think only crouched beside the crevice and offered his arm.
"Give me a hand, Rick.” He half shouted, relieved when Ammun’s high priest gripped his arm in obvious shock.
"Ardeth? What in the name of Ammun...Ah, I am dreaming, am I not?” The man looked more surprised than either upset or concerned though.
"I suppose you are. Come now, priest of AmmunRa, we have to battle the forces of Germany tomorrow, hmm?” He leaned his own weight back. It was hard work to pull against the horrible mostly human figures that tugged Ammun’s priest in the other direction. “Rick.” He called half over his shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing?” Rick asked in Arabic now.
"Saving our ally in a war we can not loose. It is only fair is it not considering that he has saved us from hell twice now?”
"Right.”
Ardeth chuckled but it was a relief that Rick helped him get Imhotep to his feet. The tremors had stopped and they all stood there uncertainly as Jonathan brought Alex and Sana over. He took the very confused little girl from his friend. “Thank you, Jonathan.”
"Not a problem. She’s very scared though.”
"There is nothing to fear now, Sana. We are all safe, hmm?” He stroked her hair. “I am sorry little one that you got caught in another nightmare.”
"Is she well, Ardeth?” Ammun’s high priest asked, shaking his head a bit. “And why in the name of Mut are you here in my dream? It seems only a dream to me and not something like walking through Anubis’ realm in search of you or your brother?”
"I was searching for Sana and instead of waking in Ahm Shere we came to the great Temple at night and I heard Rick telling Evelyn to stay back and so I had to come and see what was happening.” He glanced around. “Best I think if we leave here though.”
"I suppose so. Not that I minded you rescuing me for a change, Medjai. But I can not say it was an expected rescue.” The man smiled a little although it seemed a very sad sort of smile and then clasped his shoulder.
"No, it was not. But it seems only fair after all.” He shrugged a bit, settling Sana closer. The little girl shuddered, clinging to him tightly. “It is safe now, little one.”
The fingers tightened on his shoulder and he started to ask how they were to leave this place when he noticed that Rick, Evelyn, Jonathan and Alex had all simply vanished. Then Imhotep was gone as well.
"Chieftain?” Sana asked in a tiny sort of whisper.
"We shall be safe now Sana.” And he voiced the prayer to Horus once more and they were gone from this odd dream and back in Thebes. “There now.” This time they found the courtyard without mishap and he headed up the stairs that led to the room that Evelyn had used while she was here. It was empty but the door was unlocked so he simply headed over to the room he had come to think of as his. “There see? This is where I stay sometimes. It seems that we are both going to stay here right now while you sleep, hmm?”
Sana only clung tighter to him. “Do not go?”
"No, little one, I will not go. Here, let me set my weapons to the side so that I will have them should I need to protect you.” He sat her down on the bed and put his weapons in easy reach about it then he sat down as well, leaning back against the wall at the head of the bed and pulling her back into his lap. “There is that comfortable for you, Sana?”
After a moment she nodded a little and snuggled closer. He pulled one of the sheets up around her against the chill of the night air. “Where are we Chieftain?”
"Thebes. I will explain it all in the morning, little one. Sleep now, hmm? You need to rest.”
She nodded a bit and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I feel sick.”
"That is because you are sick.” He smoothed her hair, laying his hand against her forehead. “You have a fever.”
"Hmm.” She gave a small sort of sound that might have been meant as a yes but it was obvious when she fell to sleep. Ardeth only sat there holding her close and tried to think of what to do to make her well. The curtains off the balcony stirred finally without a breeze and he looked over as Ammun’s high priest walked in.
"Good evening, priest of AmmunRa.”
"Medjai.” The tone was not one he recognized, something like annoyance but not. “What in the name of Ammun brings you to the Tuat in the middle of the day, Medjai? Much less to walk the halls of Thebes while they are filled with the dreams of the faithful?”
"I was seeing to Sana. She has not slept because of nightmares and now she is ill. There was little to do in Ahm Shere to ready us more to face the Germans at the time so I thought to see if I could help her. Hashim sent word by falcon he will arrive near sundown today so that gives me all the men I can summon. I am hopeful that Izzy will arrive with more ammunition before the attack, but that will have to be seen. So, now it seems I am napping so that Sana may sleep without nightmares.”
"That does not explain why you were in my dream.”
He shrugged a little. “I heard Rick’s voice calling to Evelyn to stay safe and so I had to go and see what it was they were facing.”
Ammun’s High priest was quiet for a long moment. “Is that what he said? I have never known, as it was in the damnable English.” He sighed, but some of the annoyance seemed to leave him. “Your brother is a very fortunate man, Medjai. Best he realize that. Thank you, Ardeth, for not allowing me to fall back into hell.”
He shrugged. “It seemed the thing to do.”
The look that got him was almost one of disbelief. “Medjai, Medjai, you think too little of your own safety still to rush so quickly into hell and all for the sake of the very man you are sworn to keep damned. You should take better care of yourself, and your tribesmates, hmm?” He looked at Sana.
"If I allow you to die, priest of AmmunRa, I will not have your aid in defeating Germans and defending my tribes.” He pointed out, not understanding the underlying hostility to the man’s words. “I would have thought it might not be too much to expect you to appreciate the rescue.”
His host sighed. “It is not an unreasonable expectation, no. Perhaps I have had you for a guest too long, Medjai. I am starting to emulate your manners.” A bitter sort of smile. “But that is no excuse. Thank you for the rescue, Medjai. It was– most unexpected. How is the little one?”
Ardeth sighed himself and asked Allah once more for the patience to deal with his most unexpected ally. “She is not well.”
His host gave him another oddly sad smile and then came over to lay his hand on Sana’s head. “She is fevered. I will have Metheret mix up a fever potion for her and send Tahiri with some cool water and cloths. We have had ever so much practice at healing those who are not well since you have begun these visits, Ardeth, when we have never had need of such in the Tuat before.” The tone of voice was back to something more recognizable now. Almost teasing and still a bit annoyed.
He shrugged. “I shall be thankful that you and the people of Thebes recall how to treat such injuries and illnesses from the waking world then.”
"No doubt.” The man sighed and Ardeth was once more uncertain of what to make of the odd expression. “Why is it that you are caring for the child, Medjai? She is not yours after all.”
He glanced down at the sleeping girl in his arms. “Is she not? I suppose all the children of the Medjai are mine after a fashion, especially those who have no parents of their own. She is one of the survivors of the tribe that I lost.”
"Ah.” Something that Ardeth was hesitant to call gentleness filled the dark eyes. “We will see her well then. I would be ill remiss in my duties as Ammun’s High Priest if I allowed someone to remain ill here in the land of the faithful, much less so brave a child.” The smile was still sad. “You lead a brave people, Ardeth Bay.”
"I do.” He agreed, and then decided that he would not be outdone in this odd exchange of uncertain thanks. “Thank you once more for extending your hospitality to cover those of my tribe who seem to join me on these visits.”
The smile turned teasing. “Now you are thankful for my hospitality, Medjai? Whatever shall we do?” That was a reply he had expected.
Ardeth rolled his eyes, and then thought of something else. “Since it seems that this once you owe me a favor for seeing you safe from hell and not the other way around I would ask that you please refrain from teasing me so while the little one is here? I will be hard pressed enough to explain the wonder that is Thebes to her when she wakes. I do not think I could begin to think of how to explain the rest.”
Ammun’s high priest nodded just a bit. “That is a fine bargain, Ardeth. You have my word to AmmunRa then that the game is postponed while your most unusual guest is with you. Truly, you have my thanks, if that is worth anything at all to you, for the aid in my nightmare however unexpected it was.”
Ardeth nodded a bit. “It seemed only fair, but you are welcome certainly.” He smiled a bit ruefully. “Should I ask then that we take one kiss away from the count since you always manage to add them back?”
Ammun’s priest chuckled. “We can argue the fact later, Medjai. I will go and see to the treatment for the little one and then we can debate the worth of the aid. I rather enjoyed that the other day.”
Despite himself Ardeth had to admit that he had as well, not the payment of the kiss although surprising Ammun’s high priest as he had was almost worth it, but the maneuvering and bartering had been enjoyable. Like a well played game of backgammon. “I would be thankful if you do indeed have something here that will make her well.”
"Then I shall find something.” Ammun’s Priest rose to his feet. “I will see you for breakfast, Ardeth after I see Ammun to the sky.”
"In’sh’Allah.” He gave a small nod.
The man chuckled. “As if it could be otherwise?” The door closed behind him.