| The Sisterhood Of One By V.N. Levitsky |
| Chapter Six Some forty minutes later, after meeting with some of his lieutenants, Ardeth was walking toward his tent and stopped short. Ardeth saw a large pale triangle emerging from between his tent and Fahd’s. It was already fully set-up. The four wooden poles Joshua had gotten Bethany had been driven into the sand at angles towards one another at the top, creating a pyramid skeleton and a large stitched-together animal hide was draped all about it. He found it odd that the top of the enclosure was open and the tips of the staffs protruded up and outward a bit and were tied together with a narrow strip of rawhide. Bethany was returning from the stable with the rest of her gear and saw Ardeth looking at the top opening of the teepee. She guessed he was trying to figure out why the teepee was designed that way. She dropped her bedroll, saddlebags and assorted items to the side of the flap entrance and picked up her cup of wine again. “It’s open on top so you can build a fire inside to cook and keep warm.” Ardeth asked, “But what of bad weather?” As she explained, she deftly collected her long braided hair and pinned it up with one hairpin. “There’s an additional flap of buckskin to pull over the opening when it rains or snows. During bad weather, you’d have to use an oil or kerosene lamp to see and eat your meals cold though. You could keep the door flap open, but that doesn’t always help.” Joshua walked past the teepee as he headed towards the medical tent, carrying fresh sprigs of herbs. He stopped for a moment to admire the teepee’s construction and gave a small nod to Ardeth and Bethany. “Good night Ardeth. Sleep well, Bethany.” Bethany smiled and raised her cup to Joshua. “Insha Allah, Joshua… and pleasant dreams to you as well.” As Joshua wandered off to see to his other duties, Ardeth watched Bethany swirl the wine in her cup. He sipped some of his own before he spoke. “What do you think of our wine?” Bethany drew a small mouthful of the potent liquid past her lips. “It’s very tasty and quite strong. I like it better than the wine I’ve tried in Italy and France, but then I’ve always been a bit more partial to things like whiskey or brandy.” She chuckled softly. “What is it?” She shook her head. “I’m just glad I had a full meal otherwise this wine would make me weak in the knees.” “Aiwa. Some would say a strong drink for strong men. Though you are not like other women I’ve met. Somehow I think even on an empty stomach, you would do quite well.” While Bethany could sense that Ardeth was saying this as a sort of grudging compliment, she knew with great certainty that beneath the comment was confusion and concern about her presence in the camp and what brought her to the Medjai. Ardeth decided that he needed to start understanding this strange woman and her customs. “Speaking of meals… I noticed that you did not partake of any flesh during supper. Is this part of your faith? Bethany looked into her cup, as though the answer she sought would be found there. “You could say that.” He couldn’t decide if he was annoyed or enchanted by her style of talking. She wasn’t completely evasive, but he sensed that in some way she was accustomed to being economical in her speech. Ardeth sensed it was probably from being exposed to so many different cultures. One who traveled much had to learn to keep it simple when it came to talking. Ardeth tried to hide his slight annoyance. “ I could say that… but would I be correct?” Bethany sighed and took another sip from the potent potion before speaking. “Let’s just say I made a decision long ago that I would not kill something else just so that I might eat.” Ardeth sensed that he had upset or even offended her, but couldn’t understand why. “I’m getting the feeling that you are insulted by my inquiring into your beliefs. If it bothers you, I shall ask no more.” Bethany gazed at him and shook her head at him. “No… it’s not that at all. You would just have to understand that I grew up on a farm with cows, chickens, sheep, dogs, and cats. I could never comprehend why the dogs and cats were considered pets and never eaten, but the other animals always ended up being slaughtered to feed us. I couldn’t balance it out, so I decided not to eat any flesh of any kind. The term for it is vegetarianism.” Ardeth nodded. “Yes, I am familiar with the concept. It’s not our custom but we know of it and of other cultures that restrict their diets the way Muslims do not eat pork. We have heard of many customs, stories and legends of other lands. I know of stories of man-eating tribes in the jungles of South America. Stories of a giant sea snake in the Scottish lands. Just as we know of many things that happen beyond our borders. But our customs keep us here… our purpose lies here.” Bethany smiled nostalgically as she remembered her childhood. “My poor father. How he tried to get me to eat meat. He’s of German stock and very traditional in his views about nutrition. He thinks everyone, especially young children, need meat to grow strong.” Ardeth responded, “I imagine most people feel this way.” Bethany nodded. “True. It’s definitely considered the norm in most countries I’ve visited to eat meat. But I recall my mother was more understanding. She is half American Indian and most Indian tribes are known for not wasting anything. If they killed a bison, they used its skin, its meat, even its bones. And the warriors always gave thanks to their brother bison for sacrificing its life to feed them. She seemed to realize that while her people lived in harmony with animals and nature and made great efforts not to poison the land or water… that there were additional ways to be in close harmony with nature and that if you felt life was sacred, you should be allowed to display that affinity any way you wished. She respected my choice.” Ardeth thought of a choice made some time ago. It was made for him, by someone else – and he had had great trouble accepting it – but slowly came to understand the heart of the person and eventually the decision sat well with him. “It is always comforting to have someone who can understand your heart.” “Exactly, but then my mother was special that way… she even sent me on a vision quest… which normally is forbidden for girls…and…” Bethany’s voice trailed off. Ardeth prompted her. “And what?” Bethany stayed silent for a long moment. “And for a half-breed girl, it’s unheard of.” “Half-breed?” “Yes… many cultures don’t approve of people who are only half or part of that particular race or culture. My mother’s tribe was more tolerant than others… but it was still an obstacle to overcome… for her to convince them that I should go on a vision quest.” “I understand about half-breeds. There are those among the Medjai who are not full-blooded and are often called nuss dam and there are some who would prefer that the nuss dam did not mix with the Medjai – supposedly diluting the bloodlines further. But what is this vision quest?” “It’s a ceremony that has been used by many cultures to bring individuals into their place in their tribe, in the world, to empower them in their roles, and to clarify their purpose. My mother had dreamt of me traveling the oceans and crossing strange lands. She saw me fighting a great evil. She felt a vision quest would give me more answers. Sometimes I fear all it did was give me more questions.” Ardeth nodded as he raised a hand to caress a tattooed cheek. “The Medjai have customs and traditions that are somewhat similar, in regards to our calling. But I too fear that the more time I spend with you, I too feel as though I have more questions than answers.” Bethany smirked. “You wouldn’t be the first person to say something like that to me.” She sighed heavily, realizing just how exhausted she truly was – having kept her fatigue and attitude in check as best she could for several hours now. “Well, I guess I’ve sufficiently overwhelmed you in the few hours since we met. I’ll say good night and hope that we can get a fresh start on more questions and answers in the morning.” Ardeth bowed slightly as he spoke, “Then if you don’t require any assistance in settling in…. until the morning, good night.” “Uhm, just one thing, before you leave. Is there a designated place to bathe and clean up here?” “Yes, there’s an oasis very close by. I can show you the way, if you like. But we also keep a storage of water within the camp if you wish to quickly freshen up. There are water basins and pitchers near the water barrels outside the kitchen tent.” “I think I’m too tired to bathe in the oasis tonight. I’ll just head to the kitchen tent then. Thank you. Good night.” ~ ~ ~ Bethany organized the interior of her teepee. Hanging an oil lamp from the crossed beams, she headed out to retrieve her gear and began to move her things around as she unpacked. Mentally, she went over what she’d discussed with Ardeth and Fahd and tried to think of anything she should bring up the next day. From behind, a noise interrupted her thoughts. Quickly, she looked about for her shotgun, but it was already inside the teepee, way out of reach. Instinctively, she brought her hand to her head and removed the hairpin that kept her long braid tightly bound to the back of her head. Unfurling the nearly six-foot length of hair, she wielded it like a whip and lashed it out behind her. “Oomph!” was the grunt that escaped her surprised attacker. She ducked down quickly as her attacker pitched towards her in surprise as she effectively flipped him onto his back. Jumping to her feet, Bethany cautiously circled the veiled man as he lay on the ground. He raised his hand. *WHAP!!* She whipped at his hand and he quickly reeled in his hand, muttering “Yaha!” under his breath. Rapidly spinning her braid as a warning that should he decide to move again - she had plenty more where that came from. “Confound it all, woman! Must you be so alarmed for your safety when you are among the Medjai?!” Recognizing the voice that had been so mocking and harsh since virtually the first moment she heard it a few hours ago, Bethany gasped, “Fahd?!” Yanking his face covering down, he muttered, “The one and the same. Now then, might I stand? Or will you clap your hands to land me on top of the Great Sphinx for having apparently set your temper off… again?!” Bethany held out her hand out to the Medjai. He hesitated at first, his exotic blue and hazel eyes showing the internal debate within him. Finally, he took the offered hand and launched himself up into a standing position. Releasing his hand and thrusting both hands onto her hips, she sputtered. “Fahd, you scared me near to death! It was instinct to protect myself! What the hell are you doing sneaking around my teepee?” Fahd glared at her as he brushed himself off. “It so happens your teepee is set up next to my tent. I need to pass your place of rest to reach my own. I was merely walking around it to observe its composition because Ardeth had tried explaining its design before I actually saw it.” Sheepishly, Bethany kicked at a piece of old burnt wood that had gone astray from a campfire. “I apologize for over-reacting. And not just now either. I’m sorry about pushing you before.” Fahd crossed his massive arms across his barrel chest. “I’m glad you mentioned that.” “That I’m sorry?” “No. That you pushed me. Granted, without touching me. Though, if the truth be told,” he sighed deeply, “I have been doing the same to you.” Confusion perched itself on her face. “I don’t think I follow.” “Your very presence here disturbs me, not only the disturbing news you bring us… I must be honest. But after hearing more of what you’ve said, I realize I have been pushing you… without resorting to the physical, of course, but taunting you nonetheless.” Bethany raised her eyebrows. “Well, I appreciate your candor.” “Would you be willing to return the favor of candidness?” “How so?” “By answering a few questions.” “Such as?” “How exactly did you manage to push me? And for that matter, how did you disarm Ali?” “Well… a lot of it has to do with the study of using energy, your own, your potential enemy’s and even the energy around us all.” Fahd raised a tattooed hand to his salt and pepper beard, thinking long and hard before speaking again. “Could you teach me?” “I could teach you some of it the simpler things like what I just did. But only a master can truly teach you how I pushed you or how I disarmed Ali.” “A master?” “Yes. My masters in these arts are Lai-Hung Chan and her brother. They reside in China.” “I see.” “Fahd… could I ask you something now?” He eyed her steadily. “I imagine so.” “Why did you ask me about my name?” He continued to gaze at her, but she saw him shutter his eyes. “What do you mean?” “You know what I mean. At the camp gates, you asked if my name was a modified version of Bethania.” Fahd spoke noncommittally, “Did I now?” Bethany chuckled. “Fahd, please don’t be coy. It doesn’t suit a man of your size or stature. Numerous looks passed between you and Ardeth and you whispered something to him. You seemed very disturbed by my name and I’d like to know why.” Fahd removed his turban, brushing at it and playing with the brim. “I propose an arrangement then.” “What kind of an arrangement?” “You teach me what you can and I shall explain my questioning your name.” “Hmmm. I don’t know about this.” ~~~ As they grappled about in the clearing between the teepee and the tent, Fahd soon learned that size is not an issue if you knew how to use leverage. They tumbled about, numerous times, Bethany showing Fahd various moves over and over. There was an instant where Fahd landed on his shoulders, hitting his head. He cursed loudly and then began to laugh, a deep resonant laugh. The laughter brought Ardeth out of his own near-by tent and he was presented with quite a sight. “What in the name of Seti’s tomb is going on?!” There lay Fahd, covered in ash and sand with Bethany nearby, a smirk on her face. He stared at each of them. “Someone tell me what is going on here!” Fahd kept laughing as Bethany came over to help him up. “I was just showing Fahd some defensive moves.” Ardeth looked incredulously at her, pointing at the winded warrior. “Looks more like you have bedeviled the man. He is hysterical!” Fahd waved his hands at Ardeth, trying to get his attention as he caught his breath. “No, Ardeth. It’s… it’s… true,” he panted, “Bethany was displaying the use of leverage to me.” “Enough. Both of you… to bed… now!” He watched as they both shrugged their shoulders at one another and headed to their respective places of rest, like children sent to bed for staying up past their bedtime. The Chieftain shook his head, making his black curtain of locks sway as he headed back into his tent to try get some sleep. The morning was quickly approaching. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The Sisterhood Of One - Chapter 7 |