“THE PRICE”
sequel to: “Ray of Light”
by: ssdangel
Disclaimer: I do not own Ardeth Bay, Rick, Evy or Alex O’Connell, Jonathan Carnahan, Imhotep, Anck-su-namun, Lock-nah, or any event relating to The Mummy or The Mummy Returns, Stephen Sommers does. The other characters are mine.
Rated: F18
Chapter One
As he finished dressing, he watched her folding and packing their things. He loved how she moved, the gentle sway of her hips, every movement fluid and exact, no action wasted. He knew she was anxious to get home, but he’d watched her and Evy the previous evening and also knew that she would miss Evy. She often said she wished the O’Connells would move to the village. Rick had decided to go with them, telling him that he had an eerie feeling about this trip to
“It will take a couple weeks, maybe, to get the Maasai’s supplies through
“NO!” she said, looking over at him quickly, and knew she’d spoken too quickly; he would hear it in her voice. She turned back to what she was doing, hoping that maybe he hadn’t.
Ardeth moved up behind her, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him. As he’d suspected, she was ill at ease here, though he thought she had bravely hidden it from him as best she could. He held her for a moment and then turned her to face him. When she didn’t look up at him, he caressed her face gently, and then lifted her face to look at him. He kissed her lips softly and then again caressed her cheek. She always found it amazing that his big rough callused hands could be so soft and gentle. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her to him tightly, sighing when she wrapped her arms around him, relaxing against him.
“I just don’t want to stay here without you” she muttered against him, her arms tightening around him just a little.
“Then I will take you home on our way, Little One.”
“It will be out of your way…”
“Only a little…but it does not matter” he cut her off, and then hoping to soothe her at least a little, he said “I, too, will feel better if you are safe at home.”
“You truly are the dearest man.”
“Only the man who loves you…more than life” he said at the same time she whispered ‘more than life.’
“Two weeks, huh?”
“Maybe. I have spoken to Dothan in
“Are you sure he won’t just take the supplies?”
“No…he might want to. But I am hoping he still does not want to make an enemy of the Medjai. He will probably expect us to pay him a visit on our way back through
“But it will be worth it to get the supplies to Umbatu’s people.”
“Yes…it will” he said, and then looked down at her, “What else is bothering you, Little One?”
“She looked up at him and said, “I don’t think my dream was about the Maasai.”
He knew what she was thinking. He’d thought of it himself when he was talking to Dothan on the radio. Nubian’s also wore red clothing. “I’ve thought about that, too, Little One, but everything will be ok.”
She knew he would try to make everything ok, so she tried to push her fears away, and stretched up to kiss him, wiggling a little when she felt his hands moving down her back and grasping her bottom.
“You know, it’s going to be a long ride home” she cooed softly, knowing what he wanted even though they’d made love just a while before. She could still feel his lips and his tongue and his fingers on her. She’d started their morning fun, but he’d definitely finished it, bringing them both to such explosive releases. Now, as he held her, his hands kneading her bottom, she worked her hand through his robes and shirt and then slid it into his pants, feeling his stomach muscles suck in. As she gently caressed him, his moans growing louder, she felt him growing hard, pressing her hand against the fabric of his pants.
“Little One…” he growled as he pulled her hand from him. He picked her up and moved her onto the bed. She pushed the clothes aside and pulled him down on her, kissing him passionately as his hand found its way up under her tunic. He caressed her breasts as they kissed, and then pushed up, kneeling over her, quickly unfastening his pants as she pulled off her pants and began unbuttoning her tunic. Quickly, he slipped inside her and took her, both groaning loudly, knowing that Rick would be somewhere in the house, also groaning his impatience as he could surely hear them.
She groaned “Ar…deth”, her muscles grasping him tightly and he knew he’d found the right spot, the right pace, and then feeling her orgasm shudder through her, he thrust fast and hard until his body exploded hard with his own climax. He laid on her for just a minute and then pushed up off her enough to look down at her peaceful loving face.
“You, Little One, are insatiable. You know Rick will have something to say about this…he is not a patient man. And I will be forced to tell him it is your fault.”
“I know” she said, smiling up at him, and then pulled him down to kiss him again.
“Insatiable…” he muttered, and then looking down at himself, sighed “it’s going to fall off, Little One…if your body does not yank off.”
“How is it that you’re still fully dressed…” she said, and then giggled, “well, almost…” as she saw his pants were still undone, “…and I’m practically naked.”
“Because you are a heathen woman, my love…you are naked at just the hope of me making love to you…” he chuckled as he pushed up, kneeling on the bed next to her, and pulled her to a sitting position.
“It’s not going to fall off, sweetie…it feels just fine to me” she said with a smile as she gently eased him back into his pants and fastened them for him, “…and it’s true, I do love what you do to me.” As she grabbed her pants and looked at the mess they’d made of the clothing she’d been packing, she quipped “And you’re the one who grabbed my butt in the first place, so it’s actually all your fault we’re keeping Rick waiting.”
“I like your bottom…fits my hands perfectly” he said with a smile, ignoring her accusation that this was all his fault.
~~~<><><>~~~
“Then why aren’t you taking more men?” Becca asked as she laid Nabil in his bed. He’d finally gone to sleep. He seemed to sense his father’s tension and cooed and smiled until he could not longer keep his little eyes open, his father sure he was trying to ease his worries. Kalil wondered if all he felt about his son was how his father had felt about him when he was a baby, if he looked at him the same way, with the same love in his heart; and he was sure he had. Kalil had always felt great love from his father.
Kalil flopped back on the bed, clasping his hands behind his head and watched as Becca tidied their bedchamber. “We could take more, but storming through
“Which means he’s worse than any of the others you might have to deal with.”
“Yes…others could be a problem, but they fear the Nubians. Other than a few rogue bands of raiders, most will leave us alone because Dothan says to.”
Becca laid next to him on the bed and sighed. “But you worry about Dothan, don’t you.”
“Yes…he does nothing out of the goodness of his heart. He pretends to be father’s friend, and they have fought together on occasion, come to each other’s aid, like at Ahm Shere. They have a pact of sorts. But father knows that if it suited him, Dothan would turn on him.”
“And that’s what worries you, that he could be lying to your father, making him think he’ll allow you passage through Sudan, but that he’ll take the supplies” she said, and then became agitated, “You have to take more men, Kalil…what if he does more…attacks you…”
“We will deal with that if it happens. Harak will follow us into
Becca leaned over him and whispered “You need to sleep, my love…you will have a long day tomorrow” but she could tell he was too tense to sleep. She kissed him softly as she unbuttoned his shirt, spreading it open, her hand caressing his chest and stomach. He moaned as her hand slid down his stomach and she deepened the kiss, her tongue coaxing his into a slow sensual dance, as her fingers unfastened his pants and then slowly slipped in, his moans growing deeper, louder. As she took him in her hand and caressed him, stroked him, he grew hard, his hips moving with her attentions.
“Close your eyes, my love” she whispered as she kissed and nibbled her way down his chin and neck. And he did, trying to concentrate on her every move, every lick of her tongue, every nibble of her lips, every gentle touch of her soft warm hands.
As she moved down to him, cradling his rock hard shaft in her hand, she slowly swirled her tongue around his tip, hearing a deep growl rumbling through him, and he groaned as she moved from him and removed his boots and his pants. She quickly removed her own clothing and crawled back onto the bed with him, letting him feel her naked body. He groaned again and whispered her name.
She straddled him and leaned down on him, kissing him passionately. She guided him to her and sank down on him, feeling his hips thrust up, trying to sink deeply into her. “Patience, my love” she whispered as she kissed him again, her hands pulling his out from under his head, her fingers lacing in his, grasping his hands and holding them alongside his head as she began moving on him, her tight body grasping him, stroking him. She moved faster on him and he felt her body tensing as her orgasm grew in her, her whimpering constant and loud as she brought him close. He thrust up, matching her movements on him, their bodies working together to bring them both to climax, their bodies shuddering together as their groans of pleasure burst from them. Her body still quivering around him, she moved on him a few more times, finishing him, neither wanting the sensation to end.
Finally, he slipped his hands from hers and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down on him and hugging her to him tightly. He groped around for the blanket and covered them, sighing when she nuzzled his neck and pushed her arms under him. He knew she’d intended for him to sleep well, as he normally did after they made love, but he was grateful that it was she who fell asleep so quickly, as asleep she would not worry so about him.
He thought about the long ride through
He’d already told Becca that they would be leaving before dawn in order to get as far through
~~~<><><>~~~
Za’id woke feeling Daya moving slightly. She had gotten up a couple hours earlier to feed Inara and he sat on the pillows, holding her on his lap as Inara fed eagerly, her little moaning noises as she suckled bringing a smile to his face. After she’d had her fill, Daya bundled her up and held her, humming to her until she fell back to sleep, and he held Daya until she, too, fell asleep there in his arms.
“You have to go soon” she whispered as she slowly woke, nuzzling his neck as she rested against him.
“Yes…and we will be gone for at least a week, maybe longer, depending on how long Dothan expects us to stay at his village. Father says he will expect us to visit on our way through
“Father said there would be a price to pay for Dothan’s cooperation. There always is. I know he’s worried about that. I could feel it when he came by earlier.”
“Yes, he said that it’s customary to give the Chieftain’s daughter as appeasement in such matter…” Za’id said, trying not to laugh, and then jerking when she jabbed him in the ribs with her free hand. “But do not worry, my angel…I would never let Dothan have you. Who would cook my meals and wash my clothes…” he chuckled, groaning again when she jabbed him again.
“I love you…and I will miss you while you’re gone” she said softly, trying not to cry. She did want to cry. She’d found she was more emotional since Inara’s birth and she was well aware of how dangerous this trip could be. She didn’t want him to go, but she knew he had to. He would not ignore his duties and his responsibilities to Kalil, not even for her.
“I love you also, my angel. I cannot tell you how much…I don’t have the words” he said as he hugged her tighter. “And my little one” he cooed as he looked down at his sleeping little girl. “I will miss you both terribly.”
~~~<><><>~~~
Kalil and Za’id walked the perimeter of the camp. It had been a long day in the hot trucks. They’d stopped at a small oasis during the hottest part of the day, resting for a few hours. But, then, they’d driven again until dark. No cool oasis now, just the cold night air breezing through the camp. As they made their way around the trucks, all seemed quiet and secure, as it had their last two trips around the area. But then they heard it, the faintest of sounds, but a sound nonetheless. Kalil looked at Za’id, and then without a word, they split up and moved around to the back end of the truck.
They each heard the sound again. Kalil made a noise, as if he were going to open the canvas flap at the tail of the truck, and heard a shuffling sound near the end of the truck bed. He looked at Za’id at the other side of the tailgate, and knew he was ready for what he’d do. Kalil then pulled the knot from the rope tying the canvas closed and started to open it, knowing that whoever was hiding in the bed of the truck would again move, backing himself towards Za’id’s side of the truck, away from the sound. He also knew the truck was so full of supplies that there was very little maneuvering room. Whoever was there was trapped. As he slowly opened the corner of the flap, Za’id quickly hopped up on the bumper, reached in over the tailgate and grabbed onto whoever was there, yanking him out and dropping him onto the ground. He was surprised that the intruder was so small and light; it was just a boy.
They stood over the boy, both recognizing him as Yahr, one of the young novices in the group they had been training.
“What are you doing here” Kalil demanded.
“I came to help…”
“Help with what, Yahr? You are…”
“I’m as good a warrior as anyone” the boy boldly interrupted. “I can fight…”
“YOU…are a novice, Yahr. You have years of training yet before you can even hope to become a warrior” Kalil said, trying to be patient with the boy.
“I just wanted to show you…”
“Show me what?” Kalil demanded, “What had you hoped to show me from the back of that truck?”
“That I am a warrior. I am the best in my detail…my father says…” he started and then stopped when Kalil wheeled around on him, the look on Kalil’s face scaring him.
“Your mother and father don’t know you’re here” he said, not asking, but just realizing that of course they wouldn’t and that they must be out of their minds with worry. “Did you even think about what this would do to them? That they must be frantic with worry?”
Yahr stared down at his feet, pausing too long before answering. “Of course not!” Kalil yelled at him. And then calming himself, said “A good warrior, an honorable warrior, would never do such a thing to his mother. A warrior worthy of being call such would have come to me and asked for the assignment, not sneak away from home.”
Kalil’s raised voice drew the attention of the warriors nearby and then his father.
Za’id listened as Ardeth told the boy the same thing Kalil had just told him, almost word for word. They were so much alike at times that it was almost scary.
And then Ardeth said, “Za’id…please radio Rashid and have him inform Yahr’s parents where he is. By now they must indeed be frantic.”
As they’d guessed, when the boy’s mother realized that he was nowhere to be found, she’d found his father and together they’d searched for him before going to Rashid in a panic. They still had warriors out searching for the boy when Za’id radioed.
~~~<><><>~~~
Kalil and Za’id each took a jeep with several warriors, and more warriors in two other jeeps. They split up to scout ahead of the caravan of supply trucks, Za’id and one of the other jeeps full of warriors heading slightly southwest and Kalil and the fourth jeep heading southeast. They would be fools to think that they could make it through the country without incident. Though Dothan had given Ardeth his word that they would have safe passage through his lands, he was not the only one they had to worry about. There were as many nomadic peoples throughout Sudan as there were in Egypt, all surviving by stealing from those happening into their paths; stealing, killing, raping, and often taking women and children as slaves, for themselves or to be sold to others either in Africa or in the Middle East. Most of them, however, feared the Nubians and would not cross Dothan. Halfway through
Ardeth knew that Dothan’s village was far east of this road, one of only two roads that traversed the entire country, and there were only a few women, probably only enough to cook for them, and no children, so he knew Dothan had made this special trip for them. He would not wait for them to visit him on their way back through
“We have no choice” Ardeth said as he looked at Rick and Jeffrey, and then at the warriors circling around them. They certainly couldn’t go around them. “Dothan has already agreed to let us pass with the cargo; his promise not to steal the supplies. But…”
“But…what?” Jeffrey asked, a bit of uneasiness in his voice.
“But…he will surely exact a price for allowing safe passage through his lands. The Sudanese are not any better off than any of the peoples of
“So what do you think he will want?” Rick asked.
“I do not know. Money, maybe. My grandfather once told me of having to give the Nubians half a dozen women to quell their anger over a trivial matter. There is no way of knowing what will appease him. He must, in a sense, save face with his people. They have to see that he’s not just letting all these supplies slip by them without something in return.”
“So what’s to keep him from just killing us all and taking the stuff?” Jeffrey asked, now wishing he’d stayed at the village.
“His word” Ardeth said surely. “He gave me his word we could take the supplies through, but he didn’t promise to make it easy. Like I said, he may…will…exact a price” he said with a sigh. “We will camp west of their camp” he said, bringing their little worry session to an end. He knew they could fret and discuss the situation to death but it would not change what laid ahead for them.
~~~<><><>~~~
“My wife is offended that you would not eat with us this night” Dothan said with a smile, the glow of the campfire flickering in his eyes.
“Please tell her that I am sorry…I am just not very hungry. I did not mean to offend her” Ardeth said, trying to sound sincere, but remembered the last time he’d eaten her cooking. It made his stomach churn the entire night and left him with a pounding headache the next morning.
“I will tell her…” he said, now staring intently at Ardeth.
As Dothan and Ardeth talked, all others around the campfire quiet and listening, Rick watched the big man, seeing not friendship in his eyes, not the anger and hatred of an enemy either, but calculating rivalry. Dothan was sizing Ardeth up, watching every move of his body, listening to the tone of his voice, trying to sense any weakness he could exploit. And somehow, Rick knew that the price would not be money. It would not be women, which he knew Ardeth would never give anyway. It would not be a trade for goods, which Rick thought would be his best option if he gave it any thought as the Medjai could trade for much needed food and supplies if a proper bargain could be agreed upon. The price would be physical, possibly deadly. And he could see that Dothan was playing a game, talking of other things, hoping that the waiting would increase Ardeth’s stress. He had to know that this trip was stressful, if for no other reason than not knowing what dangers and obstacles they would meet along the way.
Then jerking his attention back to the conversation, he heard Dothan say “Onaas…my new young second…believes the men need to relieve some stress. Life is quite hard, as you know, and they have not had a good fight in a long time. Onaas fears they will rebel if they …um…ignore their nature for too much longer.”
“So, what are you suggesting, my old friend” Ardeth said pointedly, emphasizing the words ‘my old friend’ and carefully avoiding reminding Dothan that he’d already given his word they would have safe passage, as it would only anger him to think that Ardeth thought he was so feeble that he’d forget such a thing or worse yet, renege on his word.
“You, my old friend” also emphasizing the reference.
“Me” Ardeth said flatly, showing no emotion.
“Yes” Dothan said, and then smiled broadly “You thought I would suggest that we battle for the supplies? No…no…my friend. Onaas, as you can see, is a big young man. He’s the best I have. He’s also heard much about you…most, I’m afraid to say, from me. He doesn’t think you are as good as he’s heard. But your head would be quite a trophy” he laughed nervously.
“So, I fight Onaas and then we can go.” Onaas was big and mean looking, and had obviously found his place as Dothan’s second since they’d last met at Ahm Shere, Ardeth just now realizing that he hadn’t seen Hagar since they’d arrived.
“No…not quite. Onaas suggests a game, something to appease the men, entertain them while your trucks slip from their grasp. They are warriors, hungry warriors, and cannot see why I would let you take so much from them. They are used to taking what they need and want. They expect something from this.”
“You” Onaas said as he came close, no longer content to listen from a distance, and Rick could see an enemy in his eyes. He was truly big and exceedingly muscled, half Ardeth’s age, and at least fifty pounds heavier than Ardeth. He’d obviously fought his way to Dothan’s side, no small feat to be sure, and he wasn’t finished proving himself.
“Not quite” Ardeth said nodding his head, knowing there was more to it.
“Yes, not quite. From here, I’m guessing it will take your men twelve hours to reach
“And Onaas is the last” Ardeth said. Of course, he would be. For all his fierceness, Onaas would use the others to tire him out, hoping some of his men would injure him, thinking to make it an easy win for himself. He would make his name by beating the Medjai Chieftain, even if it was an unfair battle, a rigged battle. Ardeth looked up at the big man, his eyes telling him that he knew his game. He would, by necessity, play the game, but he wanted Onaas to know that he knew he was a cheap imitation of a true honorable warrior. And he saw in Onaas’ eyes that he knew. Bullies were the same in every land, in every tribe of people. They were big and mean and got what they wanted by force…until someone stood up to them and taught them a lesson. Unfortunately, for Ardeth to teach this one the lesson, he would have to go through at least five other men, probably the five next best warriors Dothan had.
“Scared?” Dothan asked, the smile still on his face. Ardeth thought that maybe it hid his fear, fear that he might have to fight Ardeth, and quite possibly fear of Onaas. If Onaas beat Ardeth, he just might believe he could beat Dothan and take the tribe. Ardeth knew just how good Dothan was, he’d fought him in the past, but it could be that he was not so good anymore, not as good as Onaas.
“Only that this pathetic excuse for a warrior is your second” Ardeth said, finally a smile crossing his face when Onaas grunted and stormed off.
“You should not anger him, my friend. I have seen what he can do to a man” Dothan said, and immediately regretted having said. Ardeth could see that part of Dothan wanted Ardeth to win and to beat Onaas. Dothan stood and said “You will stay alone…my friend” and then turned and walked away without so much as a glance at any of the others.
“This is stupid, Ardeth, you know it is” Rick objected when Dothan was far enough away that he couldn’t hear them.
“Yes…giving his men this entertainment is only his way of ridding himself of Onaas, I know.”
“Let me stay…let me fight them” Kalil said anxiously. He, too, had watched Onaas and feared what the big man could do to his father after the others wore him out.
“No, son…I will not let you do this…and I do not believe that Dothan would agree to it either. I would rather not do it either…”
“So why do it?” Jeffrey asked. He couldn’t believe how wrong this had all gone. No matter what his reasons, Dothan had broken his word.
“We’ll find another way…” Rick practically yelled.
“What choice do I have, my brother? He picked this spot because it put us too far into Sudan to retreat back to the border, far enough in that we have no choice but to keep going at whatever cost or give him the supplies. A battle would be insane. We might win, but at what cost? The four of you will take the men and the supplies and get to the border as fast as you can. He is bound to send men to trail you and he’ll keep in contact with them by radio. You all must protect the Maasai…and the boy.”
“This is just stupid, Ardeth…” Rick growled as he now paced around the fire; “stupid…”
“Father, the supplies are not worth you getting killed” Kalil said seriously, his worry evident on the look on his face.
“Killed!” Jeffrey practically screeched. “I thought we were talking fighting here…beat each one to a pulp, avoid being beaten to a pulp by them…fighting…”
Kalil looked at their friend and knew he didn’t understand the way things were with the Nubians. He simply had not grasped their fear, the true meaning of what Dothan and Onaas had said. One was not the victor unless his opponent was dead. That was how Onaas had moved up to his current rank. “No, my friend. Nubians do not consider it a win unless their opponent is dead. Dead men cannot come back to fight you again.”
“But this isn’t a battle…it’s a…he called it entertainment for his men. This is so stupid” he said, now also pacing.
“Stupid or not…it is what must be.”
“No…we could just let them have the supplies, send the Maasai home and go back to
“I can, my brother” Ardeth said, now moving in front of him, blocking his pacing. Ardeth grasped his shoulder and looked at him intensely. He knew he couldn’t make his friend understand their ways, but he had to at least make him see that there was no way out of this now.
Jeffrey stared back at him and then taking a deep breath said “You saw how big that kid was? It would take a cannon to stop him…” and then taking another deep breath, whispered “…and you’re not a cannon, Ardeth.”
“I know, my friend, I know. But even if we gave them the supplies, they may feel that I have disrespected them by not fighting, and they would surely feel we are all cowards…and they would kill us all for the insult. Even if I did not care that I died here, I will not risk the lives of my sons, or the boy, or you and Rick.”
Ardeth then turned to the rest of them, looking at Kalil and then Za’id for a few moments, and then with no room for argument in his voice, said “Za’id…assign the sentries. Kalil…make sure the Maasai are settled and the trucks are fueled and ready. I want you all ready to leave at dawn. The men can eat on the road. I want you all moving and as far away from here as possible as early as possible. Rick…you and Jeffrey will stay with the trucks. Kalil and Za’id will flank you with their details. If I lose at any point, they’ll come after you.”
Then he turned to the Maasai who’d been sitting nearby, watching. He could see they were scared and uncertain of exactly what was happening, but knew it wasn’t good. He knelt down with them and explained what Dothan required to allow their supplies through, hoping to make them understand that he would try to keep the oath his grandfather had made. He knew that, above all else, was important to them. After some discussion, they settled for the night.
Later, as they all slept around the campfire, Kalil noticed his father was still awake.
“Father, you need to sleep. You will need every bit of strength you have tomorrow.”
“I know. I was just thinking about your mother.”
“Mother would want you to be well rested. She would not want you to do this tomorrow. I don’t want you to do this.”
“I know…but I must.”
“I’ll talk to Dothan in the morning…see if I can stay with you…”
“No, son. I want you to go. They will not let you help me, and if I lose…”
“You won’t…”
“I hope not, but if I do, and if you make it to
“Maybe I could suggest that he let his wife cook for Onaas…” Kalil said. It wasn’t a time for jokes, he knew, but he couldn’t help himself. And he knew if his father had thought of it first, he’d have said the same thing. They were quiet for a few minutes, and then Kalil said “Sleep, father…for me. I do not want to leave you here tomorrow…but I will be back for you. I am not ready to be Chieftain yet.”
“You are more than ready, son” Ardeth said without looking up at him. “But I will be here waiting for you.” Ardeth looked at Za’id where he lay nearby and said “Za’id has said nothing. He is angry with me?”
“Yes, he is angry…but not with you, father. He does not want to lose his father…again. And I believe he fears if he speaks this night, he will explode and make matters worse for you. He would stay with you…as would I.”
“I know…but I want both my sons to return home to their children.” Then he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
~~~<><><>~~~
For some reason, Nafad felt he had to see Ani before going home to Alana. When he thought about his wife, his whole body came alive and for a moment, he thought about ignoring the nagging in his brain. He’d felt it for about an hour, something in the back of his mind telling him that he had to talk to her, that she needed to talk to him. And for another moment, his mind argued with itself, half telling him to go see Ani, half telling him to go home and lose himself in his wife, in her touch and her soothing words, and in her body. He always scoffed at Ardeth when he’d say how Ani could soothe the beast in him and calm his nerves, and simply make him forget his day, his duties, his worries. And today, he had worried about Ardeth and those with him. And he knew that that was what was pulling him to Ani this evening. She, too, would be worried about them.
“Nafad…I was just thinking about you.”
“You were?” he asked, feigning innocence. He knew she was sure to know he would be worried about them.
“Yes…” she said knowingly. “I’ve been so worried.”
“As have I.”
She gestured to him to sit in Ardeth’s big chair, and he did, as she sat in one of the chairs at the table. “Ardeth said something that I can’t seem to get out of my head. I didn’t think so much about it until after he left. He said Dothan would expect something for letting them cross
Nafad could see from the look on her face that there was nothing he could say that would give her peace in this. And he’d never lied to her, not once since the first day they met and he was given the responsibility of protecting her. He remembered that day so clearly, and momentarily a little smile crossed his face.
“What?” she asked, not understanding how he could smile at a time like this. Maybe there really wasn’t anything to be worried about.
“I just suddenly remembered the first day we met…when Ardeth told me I was to be your protector…that I was responsible for you. I thought he was insane. How could I possibly be responsible for you? I remembered you from the years before when you lived here with your father and you followed him around all the time. You really were a pain back then, and then he gave me the monumental task of watching over you.”
“But I kind of grew on you, didn’t I?” she said with a smile, almost forgetting what he was there for.
“Yes…that very first day” he said thoughtfully, again remembering that day.
“And we’ve been such good friends ever since” she said, and then quickly “…but that isn’t…” she paused. “What will the price be?” she asked softly.
Nafad looked at her for a moment, “I truly do not know. Dothan will expect something, likely not money. He may take some of the supplies.”
“But he gave Ardeth his word.”
“Yes…but Dothan’s word is only as good, or bad, as his moods most days. As you know, he came to our aid at Ahm Shere…but even that was as much for his sake as ours. If Rac-nor had killed Ardeth and if the English had loosed the evil that is within Ahm Shere, Dothan could have lost his people, his life, everything. He’s our friend when it suits him and our enemy when it suits him.”
Ani stared at him for a minute, now sure her fears were founded. She knew Nafad would tell her more if he knew more. “Thank you, Nafad” she said, almost afraid to look at him, afraid she’d start crying.
“I will check on you in the morning” he said as he rose to leave.
“You’ve sent more warriors?” she asked, knowing him well enough to know he had.
“Yes…Ardeth said they’d be fine. But I was thinking that he just didn’t want to risk anyone else. I believe he was hoping Dothan would keep his word. Harak will have a detail follow them into
“Thank you” she said, hoping Ardeth was right, hoping that Dothan price would not be too high. She remembered him telling Kalil he wanted him and Za’id to stay home, and Jeffrey, too. He would know that Rick would not even consider it, so it would be futile to suggest it. But Kalil and Za’id and Jeffrey had all insisted that they would go. No matter what the trip brought them, they would go. She was sure none of them thought the price would be too high. And Ardeth knew he could not force Kalil to stay home. He was to be Chieftain and had to face the evils of the world. She also knew that Kalil would believe in his nightmares enough to believe that his father would not die from an evil such as Dothan, as his nightmare had incessantly told him that his parents would die together.
She looked up and saw that Nafad still stood at the door, watching her, worry still on his face. “You will be ok tonight, Ani?”
“No…” she said sadly, and then “…yes…but I’ll be better when they’re all home.”
“As will I” he said and then left.
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The Price – Chapter 2