The Other Side – Part 12

Later that morning

The Guardians Citadel “Il Wasi Qal’a”

Lady Dareejah’s private solarium

Amidst the ruins of her room, she sat in the darkest corner, shunning the bright ribbons of sunlight that streamed through the fragmented glass windows.  Uncontrollable sobs racked her thin body as she rocked back and forth, her clothing dirty and disheveled as if she had lost complete interest in presenting herself at the queen she imagined herself to be.  At her feet lay the wrinkled parchment announcing the Elder’s decree, and alongside of it the impersonal note from Thias inscribed with one word that had earlier sent Dareejah into a fit of rage.

“Checkmate.”

Furiously she scrubbed away the tears from her face, only to have them fall anew as she digested the bitter taste of Thias’ betrayal.  The first paragraph explaining in great detail of her departure from the kingdom had wounded her far better than any thrust from a blade, and knowing her old lover was responsible for this unforeseen maneuver by the Elder’s wrought forth a scream of sorrow mingled with rage.

Through her various spies throughout the court, Dareejah had recently learned that Thias had done what Dareejah believed he would have never done – he had somehow managed to convince the Elders that he was innocent of any crimes, and had boldly proclaimed himself as the victim, claiming Dareejah had cleverly manipulated him, as well as the Elders, into doing her bidding.

He had touted himself as the savior, the willing sacrificial lamb, in an attempt to control Dareejah, and to stop the rebellion she was planning against the Elders and the remaining loyalists to the deceased king.  Thias had even managed to gain sympathy from a bruise he sported on his forearm, claiming that Dareejah had attacked him in a fit of rage when he attempted to retrieve the mask shards. 

Thias had played his part well, and whereas Dareejah had hoped he would act as a barrier between her and the Elders, now he was an encumbrance …and one that needed to be permanently removed.

“Lies…all lies,” she hiccupped as her tears subsided.  She rubbed her nose with the back of her hand, and squared her shoulders as her mind whirled with devilish plans and ways to outmaneuver all of those she considered her enemies now.  The main citadel would become a battleground, and Dareejah was more than willing to destroy it in order to gain control of the city, and ultimately of the kingdom.

She slowly pushed up to her feet, her long, filthy dressing gown hanging in tatters that swept across the dirty floor as she walked over to the table.  She brushed the surface clean and then whirled around, sinking to the ground and feverishly sifted through the debris until she found the manuscript.  With a childish crow of delight, she jumped up and lovingly placed it on the table, opening it and skimming page after page for the precise paragraph that she needed.

Dareejah bent over the page since the words were hard to read in this dimly lit section of the room, and a few strands of long, stringy hair tumbled forward like a shredded veil over her thin shoulder.  Her lips moved silently as she read the passage, her dark eyes frantically searching for the one incantation she needed as she trailed one ragged nail down the length of the page until…

“Ahhh,” she breathed in wicked delight.  She marked the section with a smudge of dirt, and then reverently reached for the bag of shards, taking great care not to lose the place in the book.  “Thias will not outwit me,” she muttered as she spilled forth the shards, her eyes now hard, cold and void of any emotion.  “Thias will not win…he will not win.”  She spread them across the table’s surface and gasped when the sharp edge of one nicked her fingertip.  She wiped the blood off on her gown, and resumed reading the passage, too preoccupied to notice how quickly the blood had been absorbed into the stone. 

Her former lover’s treachery had thoroughly surprised Dareejah, and she had arrogantly believed that Thias’ love for her would bind them in an unholy union – she would command, he would blindly obey.  But as she danced along the edge between sanity and madness, Thias’ actions fueled her anger at being denied what she thought was rightfully hers – the power to rule a kingdom.  And as she planned her revenge, the hate in her slowly dying heart lessened as she prepared for another spell, occasionally muttering in anger as she recalled fragments from the Elder’s message.

“Sanity is questionable...ability to rationalize impaired…events brought to our attention by Counselor Thias have made us quite concerned…loyalty doubtful…further deliberation required…all present requests and petitions denied until a tribunal can be scheduled…cease and desist all actions regarding the improper use of the mask shards of Iret-iruw at once or risk being detained…are accused of being a traitor to the king and to the kingdom…will wait until sunset for your response…”

Like a petulant child that had been reprimanded by its parents, Dareejah now planned the last stages of her rebellion against the Elders in her quest for power, and to be named queen of the Medjai. She preferred death as an option rather than vacate her sumptuous quarters that were befitting for someone of her rank and social standing.  And with the Soulless Ones at her disposal, anything could be achieved.

Satisfied that she had made her plans well, Dareejah summoned the ghosts who were eternally compelled to do her bidding, and as she felt the surge of power flow through her body, her black hair slowly turned white as the warmth left in her body was depleted.

~*~

Morning of the same day

Ruins of Foreign Legion Fort Reliance

near the deserted town of Balad min Amal [Town of Hope]

The warriors came for Cecelia and Jamie before they had a chance to finish their meager breakfast. 

Suddenly the door to their cell flew open with such force that it crashed against the opposite wall with a resounding thud, and a few pieces of mortar crumbled to the ground. 

Cecelia scrambled to her feet first, sputtering in surprise, and then demanded to know what was going on even as two veiled warriors grabbed her gently but firmly by the arms. Like black robed wraiths, they ignored her chattering and escorted her from the cell, practically propelling her down the dusty hallway that led towards an open courtyard.

“Wait…wait! Where are you taking us?” Cecelia twisted around and managed to glance over her shoulder to check on her friend, and saw that Jamie’s feet were barely touching the dirt; her warrior escort was almost lifting her off the ground.  And Cecelia found her first tentative smile of the day as she heard Jamie verbally blistering both warriors for their carelessness in handling her, even going so far as to predict the size and color of the bruises that would appear on her arms.

The only emotion the disguised warriors displayed was caught by the women once they reached the doorway and had stopped for a moment. 

“Intu itmatta fataH il bab ktir qasi, aiwa?  [You enjoyed opening the door very hard, yes?]” one of the warriors muttered to another standing behind him.

“Aiwa,” came the simple reply and when Cecelia looked back at him, she saw above his face covering that his dark eyes were twinkling with mirth.

The first warrior shook his head and gave a signal.  The women were abruptly released and again, gently pushed out into the courtyard and into the blinding morning sun. Before either Cecelia or Jamie could react, the way back was barred by an old wooden door that was forcefully shut with another resounding thud.

“Well, it looks like this is our new morning exercise,” Jamie muttered as she held up a hand to shade her eyes.  She looked around the yard and spotted a small grouping of trees situated off to one side, nestled in a sparse patch of grass, offering a small spot of shade.  “C’mon, let’s get out of the sun before my nose turns red.”

“This place is like a ghost town,” Cecelia commented as they started walking.  She glanced up at the top of the walls and almost stumbled when she saw dozens of warriors lined up, watching their progress.  She pulled on Jamie’s sleeve to get her attention.  “Hey, forget I said that, and just casually look up at the walls.”

“Why?”

“Because I want you to see something.”

“Is it Sharif bringing me a glass of iced tea?”

Cecelia inwardly groaned from Jamie’s pitiful lapse of awareness.  “Will you please look to your right?”

“Casually, right? Okay, I’ll play…let me look, but if it’s not a mirage of Sharif with that iced tea, I’m gonna be pissed.” Jamie quipped.  She raised her eyes and then stumbled, saved from falling flat on her face by Cecelia’s quick reflexes.  “Oh my God,” she gasped. 

“Somehow I don’t think they’re a mirage,” Cecelia murmured as they neared the grouping of trees.

“This is too spooky,” Jamie whispered as she reached down and clung to Cecelia’s hand.

“You’re telling me,” Cecelia whispered back.

When Cecelia and Jamie finally reached the trees, they were astonished to see an enormous warrior emerge from hiding and boldly walk out to meet them, his identity hidden by his face covering.  The only feature visible was his golden eyes, and they narrowed slightly as his gaze swept over their disheveled appearances; he folded his arms across his broad chest and waited until the wary looking women had stopped in front of him before addressing them.

“Sallim ‘ala wa Taiyib SubH,” he said in a deep, raspy voice and gave a slight bow.  When he straightened, his gaze softened slightly when he saw their confusion and he hastily added on the translation.  “Greetings and good morning.”

“Same to you,” Cecelia replied and suddenly felt small and inadequate as she tilted her head back to stare at the warrior.  Nervous butterflies erupted in her stomach, and as they flittered around, she clasped her hands to stop their trembling as the realization came to her:  he was here to tell them something important. And perhaps he was going to finally end their exile, and take them back to Eric and Zayn, or better yet – Ardeth and Sharif.

“Who are you and why are you here?” Jamie blurted out and instantly she regretted her impulsive words when the warrior’s eyes widened a little in surprise.

Zaki Hisham coughed to hide his chuckle of amusement as he recalled his saHib Sharif’s warning that Jamie was a beautiful but very outspoken young woman.  He quickly composed himself, and reached into a deep pocket in his robe, pulling out a rolled piece of parchment, aware that his actions were being keenly observed by his audience.  “I am here to teach you,” he explained.     

~*~

He moved slowly down the hallway, using the wall as a support and half listened to the warrior behind him scolding him for his premature escape from his pallet.  He kept his dark eyes focused on the path ahead, very aware that his body was shaking so much that his teeth were chattering; it mattered not.  Any discomfort he currently felt would be gone by nightfall, thanks to the healer, and now all that concerned him was finding the woman…he knew she was here…and her heart had been calling to him…always calling for him.

“You are more stubborn than a camel.”

He grunted and continued shuffling, his concentration centered on keeping his legs moving.

“How about as obstinate as an ox or a mule?  I am uncertain as to what amazes me more – your inability to obey Raphael’s strict orders to rest, or the fact that you have managed to put your robe on inside out.”

Ardeth smiled at that and then glanced down, grimacing when he realized his childhood friend was right.  But it didn’t matter either-he could be wearing rags or a robe made of the finest silk; clothes were not a primary concern and he continued walking, feeling his strength return with each step.  “I am doing…what I need to do the most, Kedar. I can no longer lie in my bed, and helplessly hear about my warriors being killed and watch my kingdom slowly being destroyed by a sheTan mara [devil woman].  It is time I act.”

“Act more like a besotted fool if you ask me,” Kedar sighed and reached out, gently gripping Ardeth’s upper arm when the warrior suddenly faltered.  “Sahil, sahil,” he whispered as he let Ardeth lean into him.  “You are doing too much too soon.  Surely this woman can wait until you are stronger and after you have attended to the business regarding the kingd …”

Ardeth shook his head and pushed away from Kedar, clenching his jaw as he continued walking.  “She has waited long enough, and so have I,” he stated quietly. 

Kedar shook his head, and followed after Ardeth, once again offering his aid so that his chieftain could make it to his destination.  “I do not suppose getting Berin to sit on you would make any difference?” he asked hopefully.

Ardeth shook his head, unable to spare the words as the door loomed near.  His heartbeat sped up in anticipation - she was just across the courtyard with her friend Jamie and Zaki.  And suddenly he had to resist the urge to smooth down his unruly hair and ask Kedar if his appearance was suitable. 

“I thought not,” Kedar snorted.  He released Ardeth’s arm, and rushed forward to open the door as shafts of bright sunlight spilled into the cool dark hallway.  “Never let it be said that I stood in the way of you meeting your destiny.”

As Ardeth murmured his thanks and tried to pass by Kedar, the commander reached out and gently snagged his arm, his dark eyes intently searching Ardeth’s face.  “Are you certain about this?” he asked softly.  “In all of the time we have known one another, I have never seen you this…”

“Say it, ya ukh.  I do not mind hearing it.”

“Obsessed.”  The word came out in a low growl and Kedar actually cringed when his voice echoed down the long empty corridor. 

Ardeth stood in the doorway, his gaze skimming over the grounds until he finally saw her…Cecelia stood with Jamie and appeared to be captivated by what Zaki was saying, but her actions were a contradiction.  She was playfully swatting Jamie’s backside, making her friend jump and giggle, much to Zaki’s frustration Ardeth was sure.

Aware that Kedar was now standing by his side, still lending his strength and support, Ardeth suddenly felt the need to ask, “Have you advised Jericho to release Sharif?”

“Aiwa, and Jericho said that Sharif almost ran Makin over in his eagerness to see Jamie,” Kedar replied with a slight smile, knowing that it was nearly impossible to knock the massive young warrior off his feet.  “Even as we speak, he should be…”

~*~

“You will become part of the Medjai, and in doing so, you will forsake all comforts and conveniences from your world.” Zaki read from the parchment, and struggled to keep from laughing. The women were hardly paying any attention to the somewhat dull set of laws he had been advised to read to them, and he could hardly blame them.  He could only surmise how their temporary imprisonment may have affected them, and believed they were merely happy to be out of their cell, and in the fresh air.

He smiled again when he heard their slightly nervous laughter.  Zaki shook the parchment as he exaggerated clearing his throat, his gaze skipping back and forth between the fidgeting women.  He started reading again knowing that he held their attention for another few blessed moments.  “You will not divulge any financial or military knowledge from your world.  You will not reveal any medical knowledge or alter the methods that the healers of the Medjai have employed for thousands of years.  You will obey the elders of your village and respect all Medjai, just as the same courtesy will be extended to you.  You will be expected to maintain a home for your warrior, or if you are living with a host family, you will participate in completing the household chores. You will…”

“Um, excuse me Mr. Warrior, sir?”

Zaki stopped reading and blinked at being addressed so oddly. He looked down at Cecelia, and wasn’t surprised that she had finally found the courage to interrupt.  “Aiwa? What is it?” he patiently asked.

Cecelia jumped when Jamie’s hand swatted her backside but she somehow managed to maintain a serene expression on her face, despite the giggles that were erupting from behind Jamie’s hand.  “You said host family; who’s getting that?”

Zaki’s gaze dropped down to the parchment as he hesitated in answering the question, uncertain on how much to disclose. He was about to reply when a shout came from behind the women.

“Jamie!”

“Sharif?” Jamie gasped and spun around as her hand immediately reached for Cecelia’s, needing the support from her best friend.  Her gaze greedily drank in Sharif’s appearance as he slowly walked towards them and she almost started crying from happiness. He looked well rested, strong, and incredibly handsome.  He was wearing his robes and weapons, dressed as if he were prepared for battle and Jamie felt a shiver of delight race down her spine.  “Oh…oh…Cece,” she whispered as Sharif came closer.

“Wow,” Cecelia whispered back, so very glad for her friend.  “He looks…great.”

“Oh….oh…” was all Jamie could say, over and over as she fought not to cry. 

“Go to him,” a hoarse voice gently instructed in Jamie’s ear.  “He has been waiting for this day since his return, and has gone through much to be reunited with you.”

Jamie glanced up at Zaki bent over her shoulder and then looked back at Sharif.  “What do you mean about him going through much?” she asked.

Zaki smiled when Sharif stopped walking several yards away, the look of uncertainty on his face most unusual.  “He appealed to our chieftain for a pardon for your friend Eric, and commended Traveler Zayn on a successful mission in returning him home.  And prior to our hasty departure from the city, he badgered the elders to amend the regulations in allowing you to stay – Sharif wishes for you to remain and has much to tell you. I was only appointed to read the rules.”

Jamie’s eyes rounded with surprise.  “He wants me to stay?” she squeaked.

“Well duh,” Cecelia answered for Zaki and released Jamie’s hand. “So what are you waiting for, you idiot?  Go to him…now! Run!!!”

~*~

a/n – coming up…fluff, warm hugs and kisses abound…enjoy it while it lasts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Other Side – Part 13 (coming soon)