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Second Chances

A sequel to Hope For The Future
By Ladybug


Chapter 17

Ardeth and Abdul sat on their horses on a ridge that overlooked the place where the hidden caves were. They sat and studied what was going on as they awaited the arrival of the Med-jai warriors. Ardeth guessed that there were at least a hundred men down there. It wouldn’t be a problem, for the warriors that were coming where that many and more.

Ardeth tried hard to keep his thoughts focused on the battle ahead, but glimpses of Emma continued to haunt his mind. He felt numb and could care less if he survived the battle ahead as long as he destroyed Geoffrey Tate first. He didn’t want to exist without Emma. Determinedly he blinked back the tears that stung the back of his eyes.

Abdul eyed his leader carefully. He saw that look in the Med-jai Chieftain’s eyes; it was the look of death. And what Abdul feared the most was that that look was not directed at the enemy below, but at Ardeth himself. He knew that despite the problems that Ardeth and Emma had suffered through the last few years that Ardeth had adored her and had nearly broken every rule that the Med-jai had lived by for thousands of years in order to make her happy. Ardeth did things for Emma that no warrior or any Chieftain for that matter would ever do for their wives. But the biggest tradition that Ardeth had broken for Emma was the taking of only one wife. It had become a tradition for the Med-jai Chieftain to take more than one wife to ensure an heir. Even Ardeth’s own father had had three wives, each giving him several children. As it turned out, the very reason why they married more than one wife was proven when Ardeth and his younger sister, Amina were the only surviving children of Zakat Bay.

So far Ardeth’s break in tradition had given him one child and a miscarriage in seven years of marriage. The tribe worried, but they also respected their leader’s decision. As far as Abdul and the others were concerned, Ardeth Bay was the best leader the Med-jai had had in several hundred years, and if he wanted only one wife, then so be it.

And now they risked losing that leader. Emma was Ardeth’s life. She was the one that put the light in his eyes, the smile on his face and the understanding in his heart. Abdul sent up a silent prayer to Allah that Ardeth would find a reason to live. That he would remember that his son needed him just as he needed his son and that he would allow the tribe to comfort him and lift him up.

Approaching horses behind them drew their attention, and Ardeth and Abdul turned to see Karif leading at least 150 Med-jai warriors. Ardeth rode forward to address his men before they went into battle.

“Emma is dead,” he said tonelessly, without expression. “The man responsible is down below searching for half of an amulet that could very likely bring Imhotep’s return. He must not be allowed to get a hold of this. There are at least a hundred armed men below. As it is our duty to prevent any return of Imhotep, we must attack and stop them.”

There was soft murmuring amongst the men as Ardeth turned and rode away to be alone for a few moments. They all had liked Emma, and hearing of her death shocked them all. But being warriors, they also understood that life here in the dessert was short. As he passed Abdul their eyes met and Ardeth said, “Tate will pay with his life for taking Emma from me. Make sure the men know that Geoffrey Tate is mine.”

Abdul nodded. “Aiwa Sayadi.” Abdul moved on to give the men more specific instructions and to make sure that each one understood that Geoffrey Tate’s life belonged to their leader.

Abdul and the others mustered behind Ardeth as they made their way down to the desert floor. Ardeth drew out his scimitar, thrust it up into the air and let out a bloodcurdling battle cry, then yelled, “Yahajim (attack)!” As one, the Med-jai charged forward, each crying out a battle cry that sent chills down the spines of the men who stood guard.

And as Ardeth Bay charged head on into battle, flickering glimpses of his son flashed in his mind. He tried to force the thoughts away, not wanting to deal with the realities of his life, but love for his son beat strong within him and in the deepest recesses of his mind the seed was planted. The seed that would give Ardeth his reason to live.


“Well obviously the dunes were a ploy, Rick,” Evelyn stated as they backtracked over the direction they had come.

“Yeah, it would seem so, hon,” Rick answered as he kept his eyes open to their surroundings. Coman and Amin also kept watch for any thing suspicious. They had already passed the point where they had split with Ardeth and were now approaching the trail that led up to the top of the cliffs.

Once they reached the top and found it empty, they dismounted and looked around. It was obvious to all of them that something had happened here. Just what, they did not know. Rick stood near the cliff’s ledge and took a peek below. He shook his head at the dizzying height and started to step back when he thought he heard something. Dropping down to his stomach, he once again looked over the cliff’s ledge. What he saw nearly scared the bejeebers out of him. Emma sat on a small ledge looking up at him.

“Rick,” she cried out softly.

“Christ, Emma, what the hell are you doing down there?”

“It’s good to see you too, brother! You think I could explain all of that after you get me off here?”

“Alright sis, I’ll be right back,” he said as he started to get up, then added, “Don’t go anywhere.”

Emma rolled her eyes and smiled at Rick’s ability to always make a joke no matter what the situation, then winced at the pain from the cut in her cheek.

Rick hurried back to the others. “We need rope,” he said as he approached Coman and Amin. “Evelyn, honey? I found Emma.”

Evelyn turned from where she was and looked around. “Where?”

“She’s over the side of the cliff,” Rick announced as if he were informing her of what he had just had for dinner.

“Dear Lord!” Evelyn exclaimed.

The four of them hurried back to where Rick had located Emma, and half an hour later, Emma was safely raised up. Emma hugged Evelyn and then Rick, nearly breaking into tears again.

“Emma, we need to clean that cut on your cheek.” Evelyn took her hand to lead her to a place to sit.

“Em, do you know where Ardeth is?”

Emma looked back at Rick. “I’m sure he has gone after Tate,” she answered with a pained expression. “We must go help him, Rick. Tate has a lot of men, Ardeth could not take them alone, not even with Abdul and Karif helping.”

“He would have sent for the men, Sayada,” Coman answered. “They were ready and waiting for word from him.”

“I hope you’re right, Coman,” Emma answered. “I’m afraid that Tate used me to get to Ardeth.” She pointed to the cut on her cheek. “That is how I got this. Tate cut me to get Ardeth to tell him where he hid the amulet half.”

Rick nodded his understanding. It didn’t surprise him that Ardeth had cracked and revealed the hiding place. The guilt that Ardeth was carrying alone would have been enough to send the guy over the edge. “So how did you end up down there and why didn’t Ardeth get you out?”

“I ended up down there when Tate threw me off his horse,” Emma explained. “When he spun around, his horse bumped me and knocked me off the edge. I remember Ardeth frantically trying to reach me and I was falling, then nothing. When I woke up a while later, I found myself on that ledge. I’m afraid Ardeth may think I’m dead.”

“I saw you easily enough, it surprises me that Ardeth wouldn’t have looked harder,” Rick said with a frown.

“No, he probably wouldn’t have, Rick. There is a hollow in the side of the cliff where the ledge is. When I woke up, I was in that hollow. Ardeth would not have been able to see me from up here.”

Emma winced as Evelyn quickly cleaned the cut on her cheek. “This isn’t too deep, Emma. You won’t need stitches, but you’ll probably have a thin scar.”

“Can you tell me where they went, Sayada?” Coman asked.

Emma nodded as Evelyn finished up and put the first aid supplies back in the saddlebags. “Ardeth said it was about seven miles north of here. A group of hidden caves?”

Coman nodded. “I know the place. Come, we must go!”

Emma rode with Evelyn on her horse as they hurried to reach the caves. Emma prayed that they would arrive in time. She hoped that Ardeth wouldn’t do something foolish, thinking that she was dead.

“He loves you, you know,” Evelyn turned her head to speak to her sister-in-law. “He told Rick and I that he regretted treating you the way he did, and he hopes that you will forgive him.”

“We have a lot to work through, Evy, but its good to know that. It’s a beginning.”

They were silent the rest of the way, Emma deep in thought about Evelyn’s words. So Ardeth had regretted his actions. She had suspected as much with his reaction to Tate hurting her. Not that she didn’t expect Ardeth to not be upset, but the look in his eyes when their eyes met spoke volumes to her. Emma hoped that she would find him in time to tell him that she was alive and that she still loved him.

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Chapter 18

The Med-jai bore down on the startled men on the desert floor. They had been told to expect retaliation, but not so soon. Men ran for cover, then opened fire on the Med-jai warriors as they passed by. The warriors that had rifles returned fire, the others with their scimitars drawn swung them expertly as the retreating men ran for their lives.

Ardeth charged through the sea of men like one possessed. His long dark hair streamed behind him, his black robes swirled around his legs as he leapt off his horse with scimitar raised and began mindlessly cutting down men. Nothing seemed to lighten the pain that wretched his heart as he killed one man after another. He didn’t care anymore and he fought like he had a death wish, challenging anyone to take him on. He never knew that Abdul watched his back, fighting off sneak attacks as they came, taking on challenges of his own as the battle wore on. As Ardeth fought on, taking risks he knew he shouldn’t, his thoughts once again drifted to his son. Yusuf! Ardeth nearly groaned out loud as he thought about his little boy who had blue eyes and dimples just like his mother. He blocked an attempted of someone swinging at his head and came back with his own attack as he knew that he could never desert his son. Emma would not have wanted him to give up. She would have wanted him to take care of their son, to move on with his life. And though Ardeth knew that there would never be another woman for him, he knew that he could not give up on life as he had wanted to. His son depended on him and to tell the truth, Ardeth needed and depended on his son just as heavily. Suddenly feeling as if new life bloomed within him, Ardeth changed tactics. His fighting became more precise rather than just chopping through carelessly. He fought with a purpose, and though his heart was still breaking over the loss of Emma, equal thoughts of Yusuf kept him going.

Time seemed to go on forever, when in reality it had only been a few short minutes before Ardeth caught a glimpse of Geoffrey Tate sneaking into one of the caves. Leaving the battle to his men, Ardeth charged through the clutter of dead men and warriors, leaping over them as he ran towards the caves.

“TATE!” Ardeth bellowed as he approached the cave entrance where Tate had disappeared.

Cautiously he entered the cave, his eyes searching every dark corner, braced for any sudden attacks. He held his scimitar raised before him, ready to fight at a moment’s notice. He entered into the main chamber and saw Tate bent over the large rock that Ardeth had described. He was trying to push it away from the wall.

Tate stiffened when he heard a noise behind him. He straightened up and spun around, grabbing at the scimitar he had propped against the stone wall. He smiled evilly as he recognized Ardeth Bay. “Aaahhh, the mighty warrior has returned,” he taunted. “Tell me, Mr. Bay, what was it like to watch your wife go over the side of that cliff?”

Rage nearly consumed Ardeth. Only his iron willed control kept him from charging Tate right then and there. Ardeth knew better than to fight in anger. He would be out of control and not using his head, giving Tate the advantage. Whatever he did, whatever the costs, he must keep his cool. Ardeth moved around the chamber, his scimitar at the ready. He refused to take the bait that Tate had thrown out to him and remained quiet.

Tate was annoyed. The look on the Med-jai Chieftain’s face was hard as stone. He wanted Ardeth Bay angry and out of control, not this cool headed, stoned faced warrior. Bay was too dangerous when he was in control. Tate had done his homework on the proud Med-jai warrior. He knew that Ardeth Bay was good with the scimitar, but Tate was good too. He had prepared, practicing with the best over the last seven years. He was ready to face off with Bay as he had always wanted to.

They circled each other, carefully eyeing the competition. They both moved forward until their scimitars clashed together in an almost respectful manner. Ardeth leaned forward slightly, finally breaking his silence. “Do you know what it is like to die?” he sneered.

Tate frowned. “I don’t plan to die, Mr. Bay. I am a winner, I have always been a winner, and I will continue to be a winner long after you are gone.”

Ardeth smiled. “Well then, let the games begin!”

Scimitars clashed loudly as the two men swung the mighty swords with all their strength and cunning. Neither man took their eyes off the other as each expertly blocked and parried each thrust and swing of the great swords. Finally after several minutes of neither one getting anywhere, they both stepped back.

“You are better than I gave you credit for, Tate.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bay. Coming from you, whom I understand is one of the best, I consider that the highest of compliments.”

“I’m still going to kill you,” Ardeth smirked.

“We shall see about that, Mr. Bay,” Tate answered as he leapt forward, swinging his scimitar.

Ardeth leapt to the challenge and once again the ring of clashing scimitars echoed throughout the chamber.


Rick, Evelyn, Emma and the two Med-jai warriors reached the ridge that overlooked the massacre below. The battle was still going, but it was clear that the Med-jai were winning.

“We must go,” Coman informed them as he and Armin headed for the trail that would lead them to the battle below.

“I’m coming with you,” Rick called out. He immediately turned to Evelyn and Emma. “You two, stay here!” he commanded and went after the two Med-jai warriors.

Emma slid off the back of the horse she shared with Evelyn. She watched the fight below, looking for any sign of Ardeth. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m sure he is down there, Emma.”

“I need to see him, Evy,” Emma breathed as she continued to search through the men below. Then she spotted him. She gasped sharply. “There he is!” Emma exclaimed, pointing out the dark-headed warrior running across the sand towards a group of caves.

Emma followed him with her eyes until he disappeared into one of the caves, then she spun around and headed for the trail that led below on foot.

“Emma, where are you going?” Evelyn asked as she followed her sister-in-law.

“After Ardeth.”

“I don’t think that is such a good idea, Em.” Evelyn continued to follow her down the trail.

“Then stay here.”

“No way!” Evelyn answered sharply as they neared the battlegrounds.

Emma looked around, searching for the best way to get around to the caves without being seen. She followed a small trail that led around some stone walls and opened up into the large arena-type area in front of the cave openings. Locating the cave she had seen Ardeth enter, she cautiously went inside.

Ardeth was flabbergasted that Tate was still blocking his blows with ease. They had been going nonstop for the last few minutes, and even he had to admit that he was getting tired. But he would not give up. Not until Tate was dead.

“You see, Mr. Bay?” Tate taunted. “I told you I am a winner. I will win this battle and I will have the power I seek!”

Ardeth heard a gasp to his right. He knew better than to look, but there was something so familiar about the sound of that gasp, he had to turn his head and see. In the moment that his eyes met Emma’s, he froze, giving Tate his opening. In the blink of an eye, Tate swung his scimitar up, catching Ardeth’s scimitar near the handle, sending it flying across the chamber. Ardeth tore his disbelieving gaze away from his very much alive wife and looked at Tate.

“No!” Emma cried out softly as she took a step further inside the chamber.

Tate turned towards the voice and his eyes widened in shock as he recognized Emma Bay. “No!” he screamed in anger. “You are supposed to be dead!” Tate raised his scimitar and took a step towards Emma.

Seeing his opportunity, Ardeth dove forward towards Tate. He somersaulted, coming up in a semi-squatting position. With a flash of steel, his right arm thrust out, his hand punching into Tate’s stomach. Tate grunted as he stared in wide-eyed surprise at Ardeth Bay.

“Guess what, Tate?” Ardeth growled.

“What?” Tate gasped, still unsure of what had just happened.

“You lose!” Ardeth sneered, and he twisted the dagger he had plunged into Tate’s stomach, ripping it open. Tate fell to the stone floor dead.

Ardeth rose to his feet and turned to look at Emma. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and his knees nearly gave out as he stumbled forward. Emma too moved, closing the distance between them until finally she was in his arms, his mouth on hers, their hands in each other’s hair, on their backs, holding on as if each was the other’s anchor.

“Emma,” Ardeth breathed against her lips. “MashaAllah (by the grace of God), you are alive!”

He nearly took her breath away with the ferocity of his kiss. Then his body shuttered in her arms as sobs nearly overtook him. Ardeth fell to his knees before her, burying his face into her stomach, his arms wrapped tight around her waist.

“I thought I had lost you!”

Emma buried her fingers into his hair, bending over him, cradling his head to her. “Ardeth,” she whispered on a soft sob.

Ardeth looked up at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I wanted to join you, al ahibuk.” His voice hitched in his throat. “I followed you over the edge, but it was not Allah’s will for me to die with you.”

Emma was speechless. Tears blinded her as she stared down at the man she loved beyond reason. He had been willing to follow after her, even into death. Tenderly, Emma brushed the tears from his tattooed cheeks. “It’s alright, habibi.”

“Forgive me, kalila,” he whispered hoarsely, savoring her touch. “Forgive me for being a fool.”

The tears flowed freely down Emma’s face as she went down to her knees before him. Her hands framed his handsome face as she drew him close. “I love you, Ardeth!” she claimed fiercely, her lips placing little kisses all over his face.

“How?” he finally asked as his own hands came up to touch her face. His fingers gently drifted over the cleaned cut across her cheek, a spark lighting his dark eyes as the memory of that cut flashed in his mind. “You went over the side, how did you survive?”

Emma explained to him about the ledge and how Rick and Evy had found her a short time ago, rescuing her. Ardeth pulled her close and offered up prayers of thanks. They were both being given a second chance, and he would not blow it this time.

Standing up, Ardeth pulled Emma up with him and once again crushed her against the length of his body, needing to feel every inch of her. “We will go away, just the two of us,” Ardeth began as his lips breezed across her throat up to her ear. “Wherever you want to go.” His teeth grazed along her jaw.

“What about Joseph?”

Ardeth pulled his head back and looked down into Emma’s blue eyes. “If he wishes to return to London with Rick and Evy, he may do so.”

Emma smiled, revealing her dimples. Ardeth groaned, those dimples being his weakness, and his mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss.

“Ana ahibuk ya hayati (I love you my life),” he whispered gruffly.

“Ana ahibuk ya habibi.”

A short time later, Ardeth and Emma emerged from the cave, hand in hand, to find Evelyn and Rick standing just outside, waiting. The battle was over and Tate and his men were dead. Before leaving the chamber, Ardeth had located the other half of the amulet on Tate and had removed it. It was presently tucked in his robes for safekeeping. He would not let the two halves be kept in the same place.

When Abdul and the rest of the Med-jai warriors saw that Emma was alive, a loud cheer went up. Emma blushed and finally felt like she was a true member of the Med-jai tribe. Needing to brief his men and give some instructions, Ardeth reluctantly left Emma in the care of Rick and Evelyn. He came back often just to touch her or to kiss her. His open affection towards her was another break in tradition, but no one seemed to mind, least of all his men.

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Second Chances - Chapter 19