Title: Desert Mystery Man
Author: KelticDream
Fandom: This is a Mummy fanfic.
Disclaimer: The characters of Ardeth Bay, Rick
O'Connell and Evelyn O'Connell are the property of Stephen Sommers and
Universal Studio's. No infridgement intended!All other characters at the
property of the author.
Rating: This story is rated NC-17 for sexual content
and violence.
DESERT
MYSTERY MAN
By Keltic Dream
The night held an aura of excitement that came on the
desert wind. A slight shiver went over her flesh, as she closed her eyes and
breathed in the slightly scented air, and could almost hear a voice speak to
her on the air. A hand touching her shoulder jerked her from her reveries, and
startled, she turned and jerked away, spinning. She did a roundhouse kick that
should have taken the man behind her down. But he stood there, smiling at her,
having moved but a hairs breadth and avoided the well-aimed kick.
"What do you want?" Her voice was a little
breathless and nervous. He had scared her. He bowed to her in a courtly
fashion, and his right hand swept the ground at his feet. Coming up, his eyes
met hers. A shock went through her.
"I am Ardeth Bay. I will not harm you. You should
not be out like this without an escort. This is not America, where women can do
and go where they will."
"I know that, but I can take care of
myself." Her voice, now soft and unknown to her, was full of breathless
desire. Ardeth heard it and smiled to himself. He was finding himself becoming
aroused by this woman in front of him.
He had seen her inside the restaurant and had followed
her. Not many like her in the country of dark men and women. Her fiery
coloring, and eyes the color of the green dress she wore. Her skin, pale in the
moonlight, the harsh sunlight had not kissed her flesh with its burning kiss.
He longed to touch her; he had to still his hand before it reached up to follow
his heart.
"Perhaps, but I am still standing. If I were a
bad man, you would be in trouble right now. You need a protector in this
land."
"I suppose you are that man?"
"Perhaps." One simple word but so much
meaning. She glanced behind him, to the light of the restaurant.
"Excuse me, I think I will go in now, enough
night air for me." She went past him into the lit room, and he turned and
watched her go. He would keep an eye on the lady, for her own good, maybe not
for his own, however.
Inside Valena moved to her table and sat down. The
others at her table looked up, and an English couple and a fellow American
looked up at her. Seeing her flushed cheeks, the English woman smiled,
"Did you enjoy the night air, dear?" Valena just nodded. Her breath
caught as she saw him across the room. He stood talking to another man. He was
all dressed in black robes of some kind. His dark expressive eyes met her
across the room. The soft curls, shoulder length, the color of a raven's wing,
surrounded a face that was the handsomest she had ever seen. The moustache and
goatee was closely cut, accenting his jaw line. Perfect white teeth flashed in
his smile. Full lips, the lower one beckoning to her to lightly bite it. This
man was erotic and exotic at the same time. He exuded sex appeal like a heady
perfume, and there was danger as well. He was tall, over six feet, and well
built. She bit her lower lip as she gazed at him, her cheeks beginning to color
crimson. The older lady watched her, knowing that look. She looked to the man
in question. Yes... she thought, he is indeed someone to desire.
Ardeth in his own way was also in a state. He could
not forget those hypnotic eyes that looked into his. That or the scent of her
perfume that had wafted to him as she had passed outside. She was petite, and
beautiful. Not skinny, but well made in the right areas. The kind a man could
enjoy exploring, and sharing the hot nights of the deserts with. The kind a man
could easily lose his heart to. He watched her leave with her friends, with a
backward glance his way. He bowed slightly to her and touched his lips with his
fingers to her.
That night as she lay in bed, her dreams were troubled
by a tall dark and handsome man, who swept her off her feet and carried her off
to the desert to ravish her. She grew hot, and moaned in her sleep, twisting in
her bed. She could almost feel his hands on her, his mouth.
"Ardeth..." Her voice low and filled with passion.
*****
Valena turned and tossed in her bed, calling with such
longing to the man in her dreams. As a body bent over hers, and cold hands
touched her fevered skin. A hand turned her head to the side, as the body came
down onthe bed, and leaned further over her prone body. She felt lips on hers,
as they tasted hers, and then they moved across her cheek and down to her neck.
One hand came up and burrowed into the hair above her. A soft chuckle was
heard, soft as a breeze. Soft lips touched her neck, and she felt a slight nip
of teeth, and then a sharp bite, and she moaned and tried to twist away. A
voice spoke in her mind. "Be still my love, sleep and dream, soon we will
be together forever..." Her movements stilled as she lay there.
In the very same hotel, a man set up in his bed with a
start, his body glistened with sweat. Bits of his vision still clung to him. He
jumped from the bed and dressed swiftly. He knew he had to hurry. With the
stealth and speed of a panther, Ardeth moved like a shadow down the hall and
down the stairs. He turned the corner and moved unerringly to her door. He drew
his scimitar and opened the door and rushed at the shadow by the bed. Red eyes
looked over at him and moved away. Blood dribbled down his chin. Ardeth moved
against him as the thing vanished in a puff of smoke.
Ardeth turned and looked down at the woman who lay on
the bed. He saw even in the darkness the dark bloodstain upon her nightdress.
He moved over to the bed and reached out a hand and touched her cheek and felt
its velvet softness. "Ardeth..." He heard her whisper, and felt his
heart skip a beat. Her dreams were of him.
He watched her for a moment, and then turned and
seated himself in the chair near her bed, and began his vigil in the early
hours of the night. He watched until just as the sun began its journey into the
sky, turning the sky beautiful with the bright colors. Ardeth stood and moved
to the door and out. Softly shutting the door, moving down the hall.
Valena woke and found herself a little weak as she got
out of her bed. She moved over to the sink, and turning on the cold water, she
splashed her face with it. Looking into the mirror she gasped as she spotted
the place on her neck. She saw two round bloody holes, and her neck streaked
with blood. She put her fingers on the wounds and flinched at the pain. A
shiver ran down her spine. What was going on?
That morning as Valena went down to the dining room,
she found all the tables full. She was wondering where she could sit, when she
caught sight of a hand waving at her. A young woman, sitting with a tall
fair-haired man, was waving her over. She smiled and walked over to the table. "Good
morning, would you mind sharing our table?" Valena smiled.
"Thank you." She sat down across from them.
"I am Valena Crosby." The man looked up and smiled at her.
"A fellow American?"
"Yes, this place sure isn't like home."
"No it isn't. I am Evie and this is my husband
Rick O'Connell."
"A pleasure to meet you." Valena wanted to
talk, but figured she would let them let her know if they wanted to talk more.
She was curious about them and why they seemed so at ease here.
"So are you here on a vacation?"
"Yes, I wanted to visit the Valley of the Kings,
and see the sphinx. My brother did not like the idea of me traveling alone. He
stopped over in Morocco. He is a ... he has an interest in the occult.
Specializes in it."
Evie smiled and her eyes lit up, and Rick knew the
look. "Is he into mummies, and things like that?"
"Oh yes, he is. He stopped because he heard that
there was something in Morocco that needed his attention." She was
surprised they didn't think she had a nut for a brother. Sometimes she thought
she had.
"I am a archeologist. I have run into a few
things here in Egypt."
"Have you ever Evie. She is the kind that draws
that kind of thing. It's hard to keep her out of trouble." Evie lightly
smacked him on the arm.
"He just doesn't understand. I am going on a dig
tomorrow. He just worries," her husband grunted.
"I think I have reason, don't you?" The
waiter came and took their orders. After he left the young couple spent the
time talking to their new friend.
Valena felt eyes on her, and turned and her heart
stopped. There he was, Ardeth. His eyes so deep and warm were on her face. His
white smile flashed at her. He nodded his head at her. He looked over her head,
and moved towards their table. Rick came to his feet, and put his hand out, and
shook with Ardeth.
"Well old friend, where have you been hiding?
Didn't think we would see you this trip." Ardeth smiled at Rick, and then
turned to Evie, he took her hand and put it to his lips and kissed it.
"Evie. I had to come to Cairo; something is up,
that I have to take care of. What about you?"
"Well Evie has another dig."
"Not....?"
"No, we wouldn't do that to you, would we old
friend?"
"Ardeth, Rick has no manners at all. Ardeth this
is a new friend of ours, Valena Crosby. Valena an old and dear friend, Ardeth
Bay." Ardeth took her hand in his. Bowed over her fingers. His lips kissed
her skin. His eyes looked into hers.
"We have met already." His voice was deep
and warm, and it sent shivers down her spine. She could listen to that voice
forever. She looked at the tattoos on his face, and found she liked them.
"Ardeth, join us for breakfast." He sat down
next to Valena, his knee touching hers under the table. She briefly pressed her
knee against his. Rick smiled knowingly at his old friend. Then exchanged looks
with Evie.The four ate their meal in peace, and good conversation. After
breakfast, Evie invited Valena to join them on a trip around town. She had some
shopping in mind. Rick rolled his eyes. Ardeth kept his eyes on the girl beside
him, as he spoke.
"I am sorry Evie, but Valena is doing me the
honor of letting me show her around." He stood and held out his hand to
her. Taking it, he turned and led her out the door.
"I hope you will let me show you my country."
She turned and looked up at him, and smiled.
"I would like that very much." He put his
arm around her shoulders and led her through the early morning crowd.
****
Ardeth walked, matching his stride to her shorter one.
He held her small hand in his larger one. He took her towards the
Khan-el-Khalili, the bazaar. The bazaar was crowded with the early morning
crowds of shoppers and tourist. The canvas-covered streets, kept the stalls in
shade, and men and women merchants in various colored robes, some with turbans
and some with veils, sat on stools outside, and hawked their wares. From robes
of every color and fabric to handmade jewelry. Rugs and vases too. Shops held
gold and silver, and fine jewelry for the right price. Valena looked on with
awe, as she walked.
Her companion smiled down at her, seeing the look on
her face, the childlike look as she tried to take everything in. She looked up
at him, and smiled at him, and stumbled as she looked into and became lost in
his eyes. He reached out and kept her from falling.
People who saw Ardeth coming got out of his way, for
the imposing figure with his weapons and commanding presence and dangerous
aura, made him feared. For they knew what he was. Valena felt safe in his
presence, also felt the envy of many women, both native and tourist who stared
at the handsome man. Unaware of the looks from the male population sent her
way.
She stopped to look at something and her companion
stopped and waited. There were beautiful robes, of silk. One was the color of
the sunrises in the desert. She reached out a hand and touched it. Ardeth spoke
rapidly to the merchant, and listened to the answer. Looking at the face of the
beaming merchant as he took out a bag and began to take down the robe and place
it in the bag. With a bow he handed it to her. She smiled at him. Ardeth handed
him some money, and the man as he took it said something and motioned to her.
"Thank you Ardeth, but you didn't have to. What
did he say?" She asked as they moved on. He looked down at her, and
touched her cheek.
"You are welcome, it will look stunning on you.
You will think of me when you wear it, huh?"
"Yes I will. But what did he say?"
"Curious little thing aren't you? Maybe I should
teach you the language. I would like to be your teacher. I could teach you many
things." She smiled and blushed.
"Ardeth!"
"Okay, he said you were as beautiful as a desert
flower, after a rain." He took her hand, and gently tugged. "Come
along, I have much to show you."
Later that evening Valena found herself sitting in a
felucca traveling slowly down the Nile. A robed man was in the front of the
small boat and kept to himself. Ardeth had shared the beauty of the sunset with
her. He had sat with her on the seat, his arm around her, her head on his
shoulder. He had told her a story. Now she still sat with him, seeing the
lights off in the distance, and the pyramids on the other side. She felt so contented
where she sat. She wondered about reincarnation, and about soul mates. She felt
as though she had known this man forever. Could it be possible? She turned her
head and saw him watching her.
He reached out his hand, and touched her shoulder, and
turned her to face him. Her heart began its race, as he moved slightly, his
head coming down to hers. His lips lightly brushed hers, and then he moved back
and looked into her eyes. Her lips parted and his head moved again. His lips
like a hawk swooped down on hers, and devoured hers. His lips were warm and
heavenly, as they moved on hers. She put her hand up and into his hair, pulling
his head closer. His tongue darted inside her warm mouth, and challenged her
tongue to a duel. Lights flashed, and music played in her mind. She was unaware
of anything but him, and this kiss. He pulled her closer to his body, wrapping
his arms around her, and was sure he felt an earthquake, as he kissed her.
He pulled back, and looked at her with his dark eyes
filled with desire for this woman. He saw the same in hers, and wanted nothing
more than to possess her, then and there. But knew custom would not allow that.
Not in public. He saw her take a shaky breath, and smiled at her.
"Your kiss is like a heady wine, it intoxicates
me. I am in danger of over embibing."
"Ardeth, you have no idea what your touch does to
me. I feel the heat of the sun, when it is cold; I see bright light when it is
dark. I feel lightning and thunder strike me."Valena reached out and
caressed his cheek with one hand, and the other moved to his chest and over his
heart. "Allah is good, he has brought you across the sea, to my land. But
you could not last in this harsh land."
"In my country women have followed their men, to
deserts, and swamps, and to sea, through all hardships. Side by side, the land
was built by these people in that way.'
"You should think about it. You would live in a
tent, and no fancy things, like you are used to. We have no winter, only heat.
I am not a Christian, and will not change that, even for you."
"I do not ask it of you. Tell me Ardeth what do
you want?" He took his warm hand and put it to her cheek. The other over
her heart.
"I want your heart, and I want you by my side
forever. To have my children. To grow old together." He kissed her on the
lips. "You have my heart, forever it is yours. I would give you anything
in my power to give you."
"You have given me the greatest gift, Ardeth,
your heart. I love you. I believe we were destined for each other. I would do
anything for you."
"Then my love, will you return with me to my camp
and be my wife?" Her eyes filled, as she looked up at him, and her voice
was filled with emotion.
"Forever, till my last breath and beyond."
"Through this life and all time." He wiped
her tears away, with gentle fingers. He pulled her close and kissed her, with
all the love he felt inside. She returned that love and they sealed that
special love with a kiss that rivaled all kisses since time began.
On the bank in the darkness, a tall pale man watched
the boat as it lazily traveled down the Nile. His blood red eyes, watched with
hatred as the tall Med-Jai leader dared to touch what was his. He spoke words
of ancient Egypt to the god Set, the god of evil. Asking for help in destroying
the enemy.
The large moon was shining down on the couple in the
horse drawn carriage. The man in black held his lady close and looked up at the
stars, seeing one of them shooting across the sky. He made a wish upon it.
Valena snuggled up to his side, and her arms encircled him. Her head on his
shoulder, feeling the warmth on her cheek.
Ardeth felt something on the wind, and his eyes darted
around the darkness seeking what he senses felt. He sat up and felt Valena sit
up, half asleep and looking at him.
"What is it Ardeth?"
"Don't know yet, just felt something wrong."
He nodded out in the darkness. "Out there somewhere." She was
instantly alert, and searching as well.
The driver suddenly collapsed in his seat and the
horse bolted and the carriage turned at an angle, tipping it over. Throwing
both passengers out. Ardeth grabbed her, and held her close to his body, and as
he hit the ground with her on top, he rolled, and released her.
He came quickly to his feet, one of his scimitars in
his hand. As Valena came to her feet, he pulled her behind him. "Stay near
me, my love." She nodded though she knew he couldn't see it. She felt the
evil as it rode the night breeze like a glider, towards them.
They did not have long to wait, as four men came out
of the pitch-blackness of the side of the old abandoned building. They were all
armed and also wore black. They moved towards them, as Ardeth let go of
Valena's hand. He moved to meet them, with a battle cry of his people.
Blades flashed in the moonlight, as the sound of cold steel
rang on the night. Ardeth pulled his second scimitar and struck out with both
hands. He fought like a man possessed. He struck at the nearest man with one
weapon, and as the man tried to block him, Ardeth's other blade slipped under
and cut the man across the stomach disemboweling him. He fell to the sands his
life's blood staining the sands. He turned and struck out at the man to his
left, and the man blocked his strike with his own blade. He struck out and felt
the strength in the sword arm of Ardeth. At the same time Ardeth brought one
blade up and blocked a blade coming down at his head. He turned the blade and
as the other one turned he disarmed the other man. Turning to the other man,
who struck at that moment and cut Ardeth across the ribs, but the mad-jai
leader never slowed as he fought.
Valena watched the battle; inside she was afraid for
Ardeth. "Valena." the voice she had heard before somewhere. It sent
chills down her spine. She turned and there her eyes widened and she thought
for sure she would faint. She opened her mouth but couldn't scream. "Come
to me." She shook her head no, and backed up. He, whatever he was came
towards her. Suddenly he was right in front of her, with his hand on her
shoulder. "You are mine, not his. I brought you here to Egypt. He shall
not stop us this time." His hand came up and took her chin in his cold
hand. He leaned down and she could not move at all. His lips came down on hers,
and he kissed her. She felt such revulsion at the touch. She wanted to be sick,
and on him as a matter of fact. He moved his head back.
"You will forget him.ö She stood there thinking
it was a nightmare, come to life. What can I do, she thought. I will die, I
know it, this evil thing will kill me. He bent his head again, and she saw to
her horror, the fangs as he opened his mouth. No, no! She thought. It can't be,
her blood rushing as his lips touched her neck, and she felt the bite. The
suction on her neck, and the blood being drawn from her body.
Ardeth stuck again and cut into the neck of the man,
who came from the right, feeling a spray of blood as it spewed from the wound.
He turned to face the other man, the last standing, and the man ran. Ardeth
turned around seeking Valena. He saw her held in the arms of the monster
Merenptah. Servant of the God Set. A blood drinker. He drew and threw his
dagger and watched it impale into the back of the monster. Who reared his head
and looked at him. He spoke to Valena, and she answered him in ancient
Egyptian. He vanished into nothing, as he did she collapsed to the ground.
Ardeth rushed to her side, and came down on his knees,
and lifted her into his arms. Even in the moonlight he could see she was sheet
white. He took a shaky breath and spoke, with dread. ôValena?ö He put one hand
up and with two fingers he touched her neck, and felt the faint pulse that beat
there. His fingers came away sticky with blood. He lifted her up into his arms
and began the long walk back to town, and help. She lay limp and unresponsive
in his arms, and he prayed that Allah would be merciful to them.
He stopped in front of an old house, and he called
out, and the door opened and a man came out, and seeing Ardeth, rushed over to
him, motioning him to come inside. They spoke as the man lead him inside, and
to a room in back.
****
She lay on the narrow bed, in the dimly let room. Her
breath coming in shallow gasp as she fought for each breath. Unaware of the
worried man at her side. The man in black sat beside the bed, holding her hand,
feeling the coldness that had a grip on her flesh. He spoke to her and got no response.
"Valena, I promise you I will destroy Merenptah.
As I told you, no one touches you but me. You are mine, and I won't let anyone
hurt you. Come back to me." He leaned and kissed her fingers and offered
up more prayers to Allah, and wished he knew how to offer up prayers to hers,
if it would help her.
The door opened and a doctor came in, and walked over
to the bed, he checked her eyes, and her pulse, and then her heart. Finally her
neck, and Ardeth heard his hiss of breath as he saw the marks. He turned to the
man at her side.
"She is very ill. She is close to death this
night. She needs to replace the blood that was taken from her. We need a
donor."
"You can have mine, anything I have is
hers." The doctor looked into the eyes of pain and nodded. He had not seen
any of the Med-Jai before, only heard of them. Formidable, if he was an example
of the famous guards. He opened his bag and took out a plastic bag, with tubing
and needles. He motioned to Ardeth who undid his shirt at the wrist and rolled it
up. He watched as the doctor took the needle and inserted it into his vein.
Then watched him do the same to Valena.
"It will take about 20 minutes. Just sit quietly,
till then."The doctor then moved to the other side of the bed, and taking
out more stuff, he began to clean the bite marks. "I will take care of
your wounds in a minute, they need to be cleaned and bandaged." Ardeth
turned to his cousin standing in the door, and gave him a stern look.
As the sun came bursting into the window in all its
glorious color, Ardeth looked up and stood, stretching his tall frame. He could
rest now. But he wouldn't, he had things to do. A knock came at the door and he
went to answer it himself. There stood Evie and Rick.
After he explained his plan, and what was happening,
he and Rick left and Evie stayed with Valena, as there were no women in the
household of his cousin. He wanted to know she was taken care of, and he
trusted Evie.
As Rick and Ardeth rode out into the desert, on
several of Ardeth's horses. Rick wondered why he let himself get involved when
there were evil- mummies, curses, and now vampires. What next? "Hey old
buddy, are you sure about this, that we can destroy him?"
"Yes, if we can find him." He nodded towards
the large group of Warriors headed their way. He had sent for them last night.
"We must hurry, before it is too late, to save her."
"What is the story of this Merenptah?"
"This Merenptah was a great warrior, and he was
chosen to marry an Egyptian princess, he refused her, because he was in love
with another. But she was in love with another warrior Amenmesse. So Merenptah
and the other warrior fought. Merenptah lost, and he called on Set to help him,
offered his services in payment. Set gave him revenge. He let Merenptah kill
his rival, and in doing so lost the woman he loved, for she killed herself to
be with her love. Set turned him into a blood sucker, to sleep until the day
she was reborn again."
"You are that other warrior arenÆt you?"
"Yes. We have been lovers through out time. No others
have come between us. It won't now either."
"Evie will love this story."
"Yes, I am sure she will. We must be back by
dark." They rode up to the warriors and Rick listened to his friend talk
to his men, and then they rode on. As much as Rick hated getting near the
monsters, evil spirits and such, he would not abandon his friend.
Evie sat by the bed, sipping a cup of sweet tea, and
watched the girl in the bed, who had begun to toss in her sleep.
"Valena?"
"Evie?" Her voice was light as a feather, and
her eyes drifted open as she looked towards Evie. Evie smiled at her, and moved
closer.
"How do you feel?"
"Tired, and strange. I donÆt feel like Valena,
and yet I am."
"I understand, Ardeth told me what happened. That
monster caused this doesn't know who he is dealing with." Valena looked
around the room, searching.
"Where is he?"
"He is out searching for Merenptah, he and Rick,
and the Med-Jai are out there. They will be back soon."
"He will kill Ardeth, and I don't want to be a
vampire. If he gets near again, destroy me completely, please..." Evie sat
on the bed and patted the girl's hand.
"Don't give up, you have a man who is unlike any
other. He fights for you, and you will win." She smiled. "Well
Valena, are you staying here in Egypt?" she asked changing the subject.
"Yes, I am staying with Ardeth. I cannot live
without him. He is so handsome, and sexy, and wonderful and he ..."
"I know, I am married but I know how utterly
gorgeous he is, and special. Don't tell Rick, okay?" Valena nodded.
"What did you do last night?"
"We went on a ride down the Nile, it was
wonderful, I have never felt like that about anyone before."
"Sounds familiar to me. I am glad you are
staying, we can visit and all. That man of yours needs a wife and family. Rick
says I can't stop matchmaking."
Just as the began to fall into the Nile, Valena looked
out the window worriedly, and shuttered with the fear deep inside. She could
feel the call deep inside her, the pull. If he drank again, it would be too
late for her. Where was Ardeth? Ardeth, my love, where are you? I am afraid
without you. She called silently to him.
Ardeth looked at the sky, seeing the sun extinguish
itself in the Nile. He let out a curse in his language, and urged his horse to
an all out gallop. Rick pushed his own horse to catch up to his friend, for he
felt the release of the evil that had waited for the night. They had to hurry.
Half the warriors traveled with their leader, and the others kept their search.
Time slipped away as Ardeth found memories become real
as the scene before him slid away, replaced with the past. He slipped from his
horse, and fell to the sands, and was lost in the past. Rick pulled up, and
dismounted and went over to his friend's side. He touched his friend's
shoulder, and got no response he lay as though dead.
The Nile was flowing by, the trees offered shade to
the young woman who sat beneath. The heat was intense, and the water in her cup
warm. She watched the water flow past. She was startled by a rich warm voice
speaking to her from behind. She turned her head and smiled at the tall
handsome man who came towards her. His robes pale, his dark curly hair on his
shoulders, he moved with such animal grace. He returned her smile, as he came
down at her side. One hand reached up and touched her damp cheek, and his lips
claimed hers and drank of their sweetness.
She put up her hand and touched his neck, and pulled
him closer, as they collapsed onto the mat that lay upon the sand. She felt his
hands as they moved down to her neck and shoulders. Traveling down to her
breast, and one hand caressed her through her robe, and the other, grabbed the
end of her robe and inched it up her thighs. Her fingers splayed onto his chest,
and rubbed the firm flesh, feeling his heart beating against them. He lifted up
briefly and pulled his own robe off in one fluid motion, and moved to do the
same with hers.
She gazed at him, and no matter how many times she
looked upon her love; it was like the first time all over again. The flesh the
color of honey, and firm over the muscles and bone. He was well made; Allah had
blessed her with such a lover. Her hands came up and again pulled his head to
hers. She caught his lower lip and pulled it into her mouth as she gently
sucked on it. Feeling his hands taking possession of her body. She welcomed the
hands and the body, to join hers. Such magic in his hands, and body. She could
in his arms fly higher than the highest-flying bird.
He touched her body that he knew so well, and the
softness that rivaled the finest silk. He loved her with all his soul, and the
moments away from her were agony. He pulled away slightly and gazed into her
passion filled eyes, and saw the green blaze with love for him. He was the
bravest warrior known, yet the only thing he feared was to lose her, and she
the only thing that could defeat him. He pulled her into his embrace and took
her down onto the mat, their passion hotter than the sun that burned the sands.
Merenptah watched from a distance, and his face
hardened with hate, as he watched. He would kill Amenmesse, and then he would
have Meryet for his own. She would see that he was the man she belonged to. He
was the greatest warrior, no matter what others thought.
After, the two lovers lay on the mat, and held each
other. The sky seemed bluer, and the grass and tree seemed greener, and the
Nile noisier as it moved. All senses were heightened, and they felt content,
and sated for the moment. Amenmesse on his elbow, looked down at Meryet. He
traced her face with a fingertip. When he came to her lips, she bit him.
"Meryet, I love you. My love is more than the
sands of the deserts. It is stronger than the winds. It will outlast the
pyramids." She smiled up at him, and looked into those eyes, and felt a
sudden shadow cross her vision. She felt a change, an ending, and didn't want
to accept what she had suddenly known without a doubt. "What is it my
love?"
"It is nothing my love, soon you will have to
leave, and I will be without you. I have a surprise for you, my handsome
warrior."
"Yes, what could it be? A new robe? A horse? A
sweet?"
"I carry your child." He sat up and stared
at her, his mouth open. He felt the joy well up into his heart, and overflow.
The pride in his child, he had just learned of. He would share a child with his
love.
"Meryet, you are wonderful, such a gift, it
rivals the stars in the night sky. Thank you." He leaned and kissed her
gently on the lips. "I will hire someone to look out for you, while I am
away, in battle. We will marry."
Ardeth's eyes snapped open, and looked into the
concerned eyes of Rick. He came off the sand swiftly, and moved to his horse,
and mounted with fluid ease. Rick hurrying to catch up.
They rode like the wind, the sound of the horses
racing across the land, in a fight for time. Ardeth understand his visions, and
that Merenptah had used it to slow him down.
The house was quiet as they rode up in a cloud of
reddish dust. Ardeth and Rick jumped off and ran inside. Stopping just within.
Evie stood there, and ran into Rick's arms. He held her close, as she closed
her eyes and clung to him. Ardeth looked around the room and he knew.
"He was here, he took her, a cross would not stop
him." Ardeth looked at her and Rick."He is not Christian, so it
wouldn't. We must find her."
"But where?"
"I know where Rick, we are off to the pyramid of
Khatre."
"At the foot of the Sphinx?" Ardeth nodded
and raced outside. Speaking rapidly to his warriors, and mounting in a leap.
They rode off, into the desert.
Valena stood facing Merenptah in a secret room in the
pyramid. He looked at her and smiled. His eyes reminded her of a ferret. She
felt the evil in him, and knew the battle had begun. He motioned around the
room at the riches there.
"All this and more, my love. Finally we are
together."
"We are not together, now or ever." She
motioned to the statue of the god he served. "Even he didn't stop us from
finding our way back together again, even after so much time. You are not
Amenmesse." He screamed and threw a dagger towards her; it came close to
her head, and bounced off the wall.
"I am better than him, he is nothing. He has no
power, he doesn't have you either."
"He does have me, in all that ways that matter.
You know nothing of what a real man is." She looked with contempt at him,
and motioned to his body as it stood before her in a loin cloth of red.
"What could you offer any woman, that she would want?"
He lunged for her, in his great anger, and grabbed
her. She fought back and tried to move them nearer to the dagger she had seen
on the table to her right.
She lay on the cool floor, her body screaming in pain.
She had lost the battle, and now the victor stood over her, and smiled. He held
a goblet to his lips, and drank from it the blood of her veins. Oh Ardeth, my
love he has won, and soon I will seek you out to drink of your precious blood.
He will soon bite me for the final time, and then I will be no more yours. But
belong to the night, and this thing. She lay and drifted into a light sleep.
She had no fight left in her body, just a prayer that she would find a way to
destroy herself, and not harm Ardeth.
That night at the palace, the tables were laden with
food, and wine. Thick and soft cushions littered the floors. Incense gave off a
meryl fragrance. Slaves around the room moved quietly among the guest and
served them. The Pharaoh was leaning on his couch and a young woman sat with
him, he was smiling as he watched his guest. His daughter was to be wed to
Merenptah tomorrow, and he was glad. Tonight they celebrated. That and the
battle that his warriors had won several days before. There were a hundred
warriors present this night. They laughed and drank, and ate of the rich foods,
and busied themselves with the young girls available for them.
Anskhiti sat gazing at the man she was to marry, and
saw that he ignored her, and seemed interested in someone at the table across
the room. Meryet rose from her seat and smiled at the man beside her. She moved
to the center of the room, as the music played. She began to move to the
sounds. She thought only to heat the blood of her beloved, with her dance of
the veils. But she caught not only that which she sought, but another, in the
form of Merenptah. His gaze was hot, and he began to sweat as he watched. He
felt his body answer his eyes and thoughts. He knew he would go mad if he
didn't have her soon. He grabbed his goblet and drained it.
Amenmesse watched her with a fever; he knew she danced
for him. He had not known she could do this dance. He watched her body sway and
move with such grace. He looked at her, and as her eyes met his, he let them
speak for him.
Later as Meryet went for some privacy after dinner,
she was confronted by the bridegroom. He blocked her way. "I have been
wanting to talk to you Meryet."
"You should speak with your woman. I belong to
another." He touched a lock of her hair, and bent down and took a deep
breath of skin he liked the flowery scent.
"You belong to me. I am the one meant for you. I
offer you riches, and children who will one day be great warriors. I offer you
my heart."
"Do not do this, do not hurt Anskhiti, she cares
for you. I don't," she spoke softly and tried to go around. He grabbed her
by the arm. Another hand, a strong masculine hand came down on his. The strong
grip tightened until he released her.
"You dishonor me, Merenptah, she is my woman. You
will not touch her." Amenmesse stood tall, his eyes cold and hard, and
burning into the other mans. His hand on his blade.
"Then you shall die!" He rushed the younger
man, his blade drawn and began to slash at him. Amenmesse faced him. They
circled each other. Blades clashed, and the sound brought a coldness to
Meryet's heart. She watched as they swung the heavy blades at each other.
In only a few minutes Amenmesse had drawn blood, and
had Merenptah on the floor, with blood draining from his body. He looked up and
spoke in the ancient tongue to Set. Suddenly the room was filled with scorpions
and they moved swiftly to Amenmesse and swarmed him. He was silent as he stood
there, as Meryet screamed. His eyes met hers just before he was totally covered
by the evil things.
"I will join you my love, wait for me." She
picked up a dagger that he had dropped, and she brought the knife in and up
under her ribcage, and twisted. She was dead before she hit the ground. Her
hand reaching for her lover who lay just out of reach of her. Merenptah
screamed as he watched her die. Then he smiled, he knew their time would come,
he could wait.
The twenty men rode up to the Sphinx and dismounted
and started into the Pyramid. The passages were lit by torches and Ardeth lead
them into it. He knew where to go, and he turned and traveled down the
passages. Until he came to an apparently solid wall. He touched certain symbols
and the wall slowly and silently slid open.
Inside stood his old nemeses Merenptah, and there at
his feet lay Valena. Merenptah smiled his bloody smile and motioned to the
walls, and dark recesses of it. Out of it came mummies and they headed towards
the Med-Jai warriors. Ardeth moved towards his enemy. He drew his blade and
moved on catlike feet.
"This time, you shall be the one who leaves this
earth."
"Think so do you? I had hoped to save you, for
now. Until Meryet changes and then see the horror in your eyes when she takes
your blood."
"I would gladly give it to her, she will never be
a monster in my eyes, no matter what you do to her."
"You are a fool! She does not know of the other
women in the villages as we traveled. You like all women." Valenas' head
came up slightly from the floor. Her eyes found Ardeth's.
"I know he would never do that to me."
Ardeth smiled at her, his eyes speaking of what he would not say now. She saw
and understood the unspoken words clearly.
The sound of a battle surrounded them, as the warriors
fought the mummies. Ardeth half heard the sounds of battle, as he watched his
enemy.
"I will kill you myself this time, I can do it
without Set." He picked up his weapon from the table and faced the younger
man. Ardeth had already drawn his, the air crackled with energy that surrounded
him. He felt the power inside him, he would not, could not lose this battle.
Their blades met in-between them, and their battle
began. Merenptah struck out fast and hard; he struck Ardeth across the upper
thigh. A line of blood colored his black pants. Ardeth struck out, and swiped
his blade down and struck Merenptah across the shoulder, and watched as the
evil mans' arm fell from his body. No blood came from the wound. Ardeth struck
again and struck the man and cut his right ear off. He saw it sitting on the
mans shoulder. Merenptah lunged at his enemy, rage engulfing him. He struck
back and cut Ardeth across the chest. He reached out a hand and touched the
blood swiftly and raised it to his lips. Touched it with his tongue.
"Umm good. Didn't think you would be so
sweet." Ardeth at that moment, in total calm, struck and cut Merenptah in
two. The body fell separately.Ardeth took a look at the body and watched it
turn to dust. He moved over to Valena and gently lifted her up and held her
close to his body. She opened her eyes.
"He is no more, my love. You are safe." She
tried to smile and it turned into a grimace. She reached out a hand and touched
his chest where his tunic was torn and blood seeped out of his wound.
"You are hurt."
"I will be fine, you I am worried about. I want
you well, for I plan to take you to my tent and make up for thousands of years
of love and passion long denied."
"Oh Ardeth. I love you so much." He leaned
and gently kissed her lips. Then picking her up, he stood and faced his men,
who stood waiting for him. He turned and led them the way they had come. He
held the woman he loved close, and knew it was for all eternity. She lay her
head on his shoulder, and let herself think of what was to come. Their future,
no matter what, as long as they were together, she would face anything. He
glanced down at her. He would take care of her now and always. He loved her. As
the sun began it's rise into the morning sky. The Mad-Jai rode into the desert,
following their leader to their home.
THE END