The Other Side – Part 7
Later that day
Cairo
El Saiyida Zeinab District
1999
Sharif reached up and gently touched the delicate jasmine blooms, amazed that the tiny white flowers were able to produce such a wonderful fragrance; they reminded him of Jamie.
Small yet strong…they seemed a hardy plant and yet needed as much water and nourishment as the other plants blooming in Bijan’s garden. Sharif inhaled deeply, absorbing their scent and tucked it away in the far recesses of his heart so he would always remember.
Whether it was intuition or the nameless fear that had kept him awake at night, Sharif couldn’t say, but he somehow knew that his time in this realm was rapidly coming to an end. He had wanted to make amends so that he could leave this life without any regrets and thank his friends for all of their help and hospitality. He had wanted to do it this night, but Jamie and Cecelia leaving the house had unexpectedly changed his plans.
Unsure on how to proceed, Sharif retreated to the one haven the house had offered him, needing the comforting solitude of the garden to gather his thoughts. But even as he walked among the lush foliage, he was restless and unable to think beyond the moment – unable to think beyond the here and now.
He stopped in front of the bench that would always remind him of the talks he had with Jamie over the past few days, and a slight smile graced his lips. She was invigorating and stubborn, generous and imperious…she was continually amazing him and amusing him, and never had Sharif smiled or laughed as so much as when he was in her presence. Although he would tell Eric that he would miss his poorly constructed attempts at humor, it was Jamie that he would truly miss.
Thoughtfully, he rubbed his fingertips along the top of the bench railing, his thoughts meandering through the memories he had saved that would last him a lifetime, when he suddenly noticed his hand was shaking.
The tremors were small and erratic but continued gaining strength until the tell-tale warning sign flared up within Sharif’s body. The pain radiated up from his midsection and Sharif groaned, bending over as he felt the sickening sensation of another attack encroaching. “La…not yet…I still…have…so much…to do,” he groaned as he staggered away from the jasmine bushes and towards one of the stone paths.Sheer will and determination pushed Sharif to keep walking, and he wrapped his arms around his stomach as he stumbled towards the sliding glass doors. He had to tell Jamie…had to tell her what was in his heart and that lent him only enough strength to reach a small grouping of fruit trees. His body could stand no more and he sank to the ground in defeat as chills raced up and down his spine. He curled into a fetal position, sucking in large gulps of air as he concentrated on remaining in this realm, even as his form shimmered and faded. Wave after wave of pain crested and washed over him until he could stand no more and when the attack neared its terrifying crescendo, he was unable to hold back his scream of agony.
~*~
The Guardians Citadel “Il Wasi Qal’a”
West Wing Dining Room
Near midnight…
Dareejah carefully folded her linen napkin and coyly glanced at the two warriors sitting in front of her, feeling somewhat agitated that she had been casually ignored for most of the meal. Despite her intentions of maintaining control over the evening, Ardeth had artfully if not courteously reduced her to the role in which she thought was most demeaning – the woman. And it had been her duty as the woman to serve the men, seeing to their every need and ensuring that their dining experience had been a most pleasant one.
Piteously, she sulked and glanced around the room, her gaze noting the rich tapestries that adorned the walls, the blazing scones that had been polished to a golden sheen and the burning candles that gave the room a rich, warm glow. Urns and various pots had been placed in precise spots around the room, the aromatic incense hanging heavy in the air, while hundreds of smaller tapers placed in various holders adorned the walls and small tables stationed nearby. The room had been decorated in the deep, rich colors of maroon, gold, green, and brown – all of it combining to promote a sense of well being and security.
All to lull the senses of her prey…
Dareejah’s eyes narrowed as the obvious newfound closeness of the cousins began grating on her nerves; what she couldn’t decipher was if it was an excellent piece of acting or had the two men had a reconciliation that she had not foreseen in her planning? When the story that Ardeth had been telling Ralon grew livelier and the two men were sharing a laugh, Dareejah decided to strike. And like the snake that she was, she moved her pieces into the final play of the game.
She signaled her personal guards and within moments the attendants appeared and cleared away the remaining dinner dishes. Surely this would gain their attention or so she had thought; Ralon graciously thanked his attendant, subtly ignoring his stepmother, and Dareejah’s temper flared.
She stood up, almost turning over her chair, and pasted a cheery smile on her face as she clapped her hands for attention. When the two warriors looked at her, the similarities between them truly took Dareejah’s breath away and for a moment, her vision faded and she saw the face of her murdered husband accusing her of her crimes.
That face had not haunted her dreams for so many months – why now?
“…not well, step mother?” Ralon asked. He stood up as if he wanted to come over but Dareejah’s mind jumped back to the present and she held him off with a wave of her hand.
“I would love for us to adjourn to the sitting room for some refreshments; I ordered the cooks to prepare your favorite desserts and I hope they will be the perfect ending to a perfect meal,” Dareejah said as she stood up and waited for one of the men to act as an escort.
“An excellent idea,” Ardeth smiled and tugged on Ralon’s arm in a bid to get his attention. “Did I ever tell you what happened to that woman whose daughter was infatuated with you when we were training in the warrior sect?”
Ralon’s eyes widened in remembrance as both warriors walked past a fuming Dareejah without a second glance. “Oh for the love of…what was her name? And she was not smitten with me; it was you, my most noble cousin.”
“La, it was you and I believe she named her horse after you,” Ardeth chuckled.
Ralon groaned as they left the room, leaving a seething Dareejah in their wake. “You had to bring up that memory, did you not?” he laughed.
Dareejah needed time to gain her composure but the temptation to scream was almost overwhelming. She opted for another release and snatched a remaining plate from the table, smashing it on the floor. As the attendants rushed in to investigate, she coolly walked from the table, motioning for one of her guards to walk next to her.
“Is all in readiness?” she whispered to the loyal guard.
“Aiwa, my queen,” the man murmured, his dark gaze adoringly searching her face. “All will go as planned and I have made certain there will be no deviations.”
Dareejah blessed him with a dazzling smile and before she entered the other room, she suggestively rubbed her hands over his broad chest, remembering how fine of a lover he had been just a few hours ago. “You will be most handsomely rewarded, my future captain of the palace guards,” she purred and then artfully dodged his hands before he could capture a sweet kiss.
The guard gave a low sweeping bow and then hurried off to do his mistress’ bidding; the timing of this was crucial and he would not fail his Lady Dareejah now, not when she needed him the most.
~*~
“…prepared for this?” Ardeth murmured as he stood with Ralon near the serving tray. Absently, he poured a cup of tea for them both, and flavored it heavily with honey. Both of them had been discussing the next course of action for the evening, and Ardeth had expressed his concern that they had unwisely provoked Dareejah too much tonight.
“I am prepared for the truth,” Ralon said as he accepted the cup. “I want my family back, and that does not include that lying she…”
“I have sent a small patrol of warriors to bring Tina here to the citadel,” Ardeth continued in a lower tone of voice. “I do not trust Dareejah and would feel much happier once your wife is safe within these walls. I am also most anxious to meet this young woman who has so easily ensnared my cousin.”
Ralon smiled slightly as he thought about his lovely and vibrant wife and the pending birth of their first child. “Agreed, my cousin,” he murmured but the smile on his face disappeared moments later. “I am…I am quite happy that we have…I am…”
Ardeth raised an eyebrow over Ralon’s uncharacteristic stammering. “That we have…?” he prompted with a twinkle in his eye.
“I am glad I stopped being foolish. I have missed you, Ardeth. I have blamed you for so much, and perhaps what I really needed was that beating from Kedar to open my eyes.” Ralon blinked in surprise from the rush of his words and a slight blush crept onto his face.
Ardeth laughed and touched Ralon’s forearm in a silent warning that Dareejah was coming. “Kedar would only be too happy to provide another one if the need arises,” he said as Dareejah appeared in the doorway.
“How delightfully wonderful,” Dareejah cooed as she sailed into the room. “It would seem that my little dinner party has been a success judging by how close the both of you are now. Why it felt as if I was not even in the same room with you both earlier; so much reminiscing and laughter. It was truly delightful.”
“I enjoyed discussing our childhood memories; it has been far too long since these halls have echoed with the sound of laughter,” Ardeth said as he poured a cup of tea for Dareejah. He thought nothing of it when she took the cup but never sipped the steaming brew.
“There is another matter that I wish to discuss,” Ralon said as he walked over to a chair. “And I fear that this new topic will certainly dampen if not subdue the prevailing joviality.”
“What in the name of Allah could this topic be for you to feel that you must give us both such a dire warning, Ralon?” Dareejah asked as she settled onto a divan near Ardeth, taking great care in rearranging her many flowing skirts.
Ralon glanced over at Ardeth and after seeing the slight nod of approval, he turned back to Dareejah. “I wish for the investigation of my father’s murder to be reopened,” he firmly stated.
Dareejah blinked in surprised and her gaze darted from Ardeth back to Ralon, the teacup poised in midair. “You wish for it to be reopened?” she asked incredulously. “Why would you wish to do this? This subject has caused enough tension and strife among…”
“I have agreed to this as well,” Ardeth calmly interjected as he walked over to Ralon’s chair. He placed a brotherly hand on Ralon’s shoulder as a show of support while his dark gaze carefully observed Dareejah’s reaction. “We, as a family, need this closure and after speaking at great length with Ralon, we believe there are too many inconsistencies, and far too many vague facts.”
“Ardeth’s signature was forged on official documents,” Ralon added. “A crime has been committed and for the past year or so, the culprit has remained free of any charges while I wrongfully accused Ardeth for his lack of compassion and inadequacy in this matter. His voice has called out from his tomb for justice, and it is time to grant my father’s soul the peace it deserves.”
“Oh my,” Dareejah murmured as she watched both men continue drinking the tea; mentally she kept track of the time and prayed that it would happen sooner than later. Emotionally she was reeling from this unexpected news but already her devious mind was formulating alternate plans to ensure the future she had envisioned for so long. It was almost within her grasp and she would allow nothing to take it away.
“So little response to Ralon’s declaration, Dareejah,” Ardeth said as he started walking around the divan, thoughtfully rubbing his chin. “Has this topic distressed you? I know you loved my uncle very deeply and still mourn his passing like the good and loving wife that you are.”
“I was a very good wife and aiwa, it is distressing. I had loved Alhasan very much, but you must understand that my hesitancy in accepting Ralon’s statement is based on the possible effects of a new investigation. I am only thinking of Ralon and you, Ardeth, and this fledgling reconciliation. How horrible would it be if it were to shatter from unfounded accusations and half truths.” Dareejah bestowed upon Ardeth a tremulous smile as she climbed off the divan, standing up. She walked over to the tea service and grabbed the ceramic pot, acting as the gracious hostess that had been her role for the evening as she refilled the men’s cups.
“Your concern is most touching, but I must state that in the honor of your love, as well as honoring the memory of my father, we should all agree,” Ralon said as he took another sip of the brew. He frowned for a moment, trying to concentrate on why the lingering aftertaste seemed somehow…disturbing. “The investigation will be reopened; Ardeth and I will petition the Elders first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Then you must forgive me for what may appear to be a lack of enthusiasm for this…this petition,” Dareejah dramatically sighed as she returned to the divan with a satisfied look on her face. “For you see, I will be questioned extensively by the Elders yet again regarding the events of that horrible night and…and I fear that I do not have the courage or the strength to relate this terrifying tale again.”
“But you will persevere,” Ralon firmly stated as he placed the teacup down on a small stand, and frowned when he saw his hand shaking. “You will do…whatever is necessary for this will also clear your name of any guilt.”
“Of course, although it was already decided by a tribunal that I was not to blame for Alhasan’s death,” Dareejah murmured and appeared to acquiesce to Ralon’s decision. “However I will do whatever you think is best…ya ibn.” [my son]
Ardeth had remained silent during most of the exchange, his concentration focused on what his warrior instincts were warning him about in the room. The conversation had flowed around him and he had lost track of what had been said as he stared at the dark liquid in his cup in odd fascination.
The term of endearment from Dareejah had sounded sarcastic and Ralon had almost rashly responded when the cup slipped from his fingers. He felt the color drain from his face and his mouth was strangely dry; horrific comprehension dawned on him but it was too late. “Ardeth…?” he rasped when he saw how pale his cousin’s complexion had grown.
Ardeth uttered a strangled sound as he collapsed to his knees; the teacup fell out of his hand and rolled out onto the carpeted floor. He toppled over moments later and landed heavily on his side, groaning from the burning pain in his churning stomach.
“What…did you do?” Ralon croaked at Dareejah as he felt his body slip out of the chair. He landed on his hands and knees and started crawling towards Ardeth’s deathly still body. “What…did you do?!”
Dareejah smiled as she stood up, and calmly brushed any wrinkles from her skirts as the drama unfolded before her – all was going according to her plan. “I have no idea what you mean,” she laughed as she stepped over Ralon’s struggling body. “I must go and get help. That would be the wise thing to do, aiwa? Now do not go away, the best part of the evening has yet to come and I would be so disappointed if you were to miss my little surprise.”
“Ardeth…” Ralon whispered as he crawled closer to his cousin, his heart racing with fear as his body was wracked with pain. “Ardeth…please be alive…please…”
Ardeth coughed and rolled over as a small trickle of blood seeped down from the corner of his mouth. Mutely he reached out for Ralon, and their hands almost touched – only a few more inches.
“SamaH ana…s-s-samaH ana…” Ralon whispered over and over again until their hands were finally joined. “…s-should have known…she…she would do….this…”
“Please…believe…me,” Ardeth gasped as he fought the urge to succumb to the poison’s effects. “I…did…everything…in my power…t-t-to bring…murderer…to justice…you must…believe me…”
“Ardeth…” Ralon replied but stopped when Dareejah came back into the room accompanied by several of her personal guards.
“How touching – the cousins reunited even in death,” Dareejah commented as she took a small dagger from her lover’s hand. “I am quite certain this will go into the chronicles of our people as a very tragic tale of two men who could not find peace with the past and in the end, killed one another, much to the horrified dismay of the Lady.”
“Do not…touch him…do not…” Ralon hissed and tried to protect Ardeth, believing Dareejah’s intentions were to slice his throat but he stopped moving when she knelt down by his side.
“You should have believed your cousin, oh foolish boy,” Dareejah sang softly into his ear, her breath warm and sweet. “You were so gullible, so easily blinded by a few tears and heartfelt pleas for understanding. You are pathetic. I killed your dear father – I killed Alhasan with my own hands and I did it because he was not fit to rule the Medjai. He was weak and narrow minded, lacking the vision needed to become a great leader, vision that I possess! So as you sink into the bittersweet embrace of the oblivion you so deserve, my dear stepson, take this comforting thought as my gift to you – there is nothing that can be done to save your precious Ardeth. Nothing.”
As the darkness engulfed Ralon, tears of anguish welled up in his eyes and he felt his body being moved. It took him a moment to realize that he was being cradled in Dareejah’s arms. Boldly her hands moved up and down his torso, lewdly touching his private parts in a repulsive manner as Dareejah continued whispering her vile lies. He tried to wriggle free but this last effort cost him dearly and he temporarily blacked out. When he came to moments later, he saw, with his fading vision, Dareejah approach Ardeth’s body with the dagger poised in the air…
~*~
Dareejah stood up and pushed a few strands of hair away from her face with the back of one hand, having no desire to smear any of the blood on her skin as she surveyed her handiwork. She handed the pot of pig’s blood to a nearby guard as a smile of malevolent delight appeared on her face, and she stepped forward for a closer look around the room.
It was all for appearances.
It appeared that a quarrel had led to this tragic end, that’s what Dareejah would woefully tell the Elders during the inquisition. A quarrel that she had desperately tried to avert but the two stubborn men would not heed her wisdom or abide by her appeals for peace.
It would appear that old bitterness, mistrust and misunderstanding were the catalysts that provoked the cousins beyond the edge of reason; Dareejah was only a mere woman. Her words had meant nothing to them, but still she valiantly tried to stop the quarrel from escalating. After all this was…or had been her family and now it would appear that despite her best intentions for Ardeth and Ralon to reconcile, that was not meant to be.
Surely, the Elders would recall the times they had witnessed the cousins arguing? Ralon’s deplorable behavior alone once he had returned to the citadel was incomprehensible and Ardeth seemed impervious to Dareejah’s efforts to reunite the two men.
It would appear that they quarreled over the death of Ralon’s father yet again, a subject ripe with anger and frustration…
…it would appear that the only means to end the dispute had been to duel with their daggers…
…that Ardeth inflicted most of the wounds on Ralon but in the end…
…it would appear that both men died from their injuries.
All for appearances.
All for a greater purpose.
With Ardeth and Ralon now incapable of questioning her ascension, Dareejah would petition the Elders to initiate a new ruler of the Medjai…and what better candidate for them to consider than the grieving but loyal Lady, who has so admirably served the court so well over the past several weeks. Of course she would demand that her position as leader of her people be a temporary one until a suitable male candidate could be found, but Dareejah had no intentions of abdicating the throne once she was in power.
No one would take that away from her…not her lovers, not that bumbling idiot Itosh, and certainly not Thias.
“My lady, we must leave,” a guard stated. “And you must call for assistance, as was agreed upon in previous discussions.”
“Of course,” Dareejah absently replied as she knelt down next to Ralon. With a motherly gesture alien to her nature, she brushed back the dark hair from his pale face, truly regretting that his life had to be sacrificed. She had harbored a faint hope that she could have convinced him to turn against Ardeth but he had been just as predictable as his father. Too honorable…too loyal…and unable to act without guidance from others.
“For the new kingdom,” another guard said and he saluted Dareejah; the others quickly followed suit. As one, they bowed to the woman they believed to be the new ruler of the Medjai and then quickly fled from the room using a hidden passageway.
“For the new world,” Dareejah murmured as she mussed her artfully coiffed hair and tore a small part of one sleeve on her dress. “And of course, for me…” she added on in a whisper as she tore the hem of one skirt and smeared blood on the tatters of it. Insane laughter suddenly bubbled up and spilled from her lips when she realized how close she was to claiming her goal. She basked in this blissful realization for a few valuable minutes and then composed herself so she could call for the royal guards.
Calling upon her considerable acting skills, Dareejah screamed and overturned a small table, shattering small dishes and cups. She cried out, pleading for the fighting to stop and smashed another piece of furniture as she worked her way towards the door. She pulled down a wall hanging and pulled up a small carpet near the bodies…it was all for appearances.
And when the door flew open, she spun around ready to embrace her would be rescuers as the required tears streamed down her face…
…but it was the bellow of rage that heralded the arrival of her unwanted guest that would haunt Dareejah for many nights to come.
She came to a trembling halt when she realized she had made a crucial error with the timing. It wasn’t a loyal ally standing in the doorway, ready to draw her out of the room and comfort her. No, it wasn’t Thias, whose honeyed words had always soothed in her the past, or Itosh and his blundering attempts to pacify her…oh no, it was someone far worse…someone whose dark eyes burned with a savage rage…someone who appeared ready to kill her for her transgressions.
It was Kedar Ishaq.
~*~
A/N – I thought to share this…when writing this last scene I was listening to “Vicarious” by Tool, and this excerpt from the song seems to fit Dareejah quite well:
“I need to watch things die
From a good safe distance
Vicariously I,
live while the whole world dies
Much better you than I”
~ Tool “Vicarious”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Other Side – Part 8