Chapter 10
Miss Evans ran agilely through the marketplace and would often segway into alleyways. It was difficult to dart out of sight when she would suddenly turn around to observe the rooftops to catch him running after her. It was far more difficult than Ardeth had considered. He had known it would be near impossible. The other Medjai had been chasing after Miss Evans for years. Ardeth had heard that she would try different methods of losing the other men, but it was really nothing compared to experiencing it for himself. Ardeth could understand the cockiness from the other soldiers completely crashing into dust the minute that they actually were required to keep track of her. But, he also couldn’t deny how exhilarating it was. Ardeth finally made a mistake after a few minutes of this game.
Ardeth had been jumping between buildings when Hermione suddenly turned and spotted him mid jump. She immediately grinned and darted into a dark alleyway just out of sight. Ardeth frantically searched for now missing Miss Evans. He continued in the direction he had been going until he could see the entirety of the path he had last seen her. There was no sight of her. It was far too late to save himself when Ardeth finally caught the tell tale whiff of honey. There was no way to shield himself from the wave of red paint that coated his face and the front of his robes. Ardeth cupped his fingers and scooped the paint off his eyelids.
“You know, it doesn’t have quite the look I was going for,” Hermione said with clear amusement. Ardeth located a dry section of robe and wiped enough excess paint off his face to finally open his eyes. He had to wonder where Miss Evans had been hiding the paint. It was not a small container. Ardeth supposed it was possible for her to have come up behind him to climb the building he was currently on while he had been looking for her.
“And what look were you going for, Miss Evans?” Hermione smiled widely at the question.
“You know, just trying to make you not immediately identifiable from your cohorts.” Ardeth stared at her blankly before it finally hit him.
“Our robes,” Ardeth groaned. “Our BLACK robes have been how you’ve been recognizing us?”
“Well,” Hermione grinned. “... it is why we have dubbed you ‘the men in black.’ And I deeply thank you.”
“For the day Laknah tried to kill you?” Ardeth asked with confusion.
“No, but you WERE very nice to sleep on,” Hermione only blushed slightly. Thankfully, she had had an entire week to get over the embarrassment of what had happened. “No. Thank you for realizing the mistake you all have been making. Now, I win the bet with Jonathon.”
“Did you really?” Ardeth said critically. “You had to throw red paint on me so I’d realize. That is a pretty big hint. And incredibly… humiliating from the standpoint of my tribe who has had countless men following you for the last two years and not one of us has realized it in all that time.”
“I already GAVE you a subtle hint!” Hermione exclaimed in frustration. “And you STILL showed up in black! I said ‘change out of your mistake.’ It was almost too blatant.” Hermione thrust the empty can in his hands. She immediately started to walk away, but Ardeth followed right behind her. “WHAT are you doing?”
“Following you,” Ardeth said simply.
“You LOSE,” Hermione insisted.
“I lose when I can’t find you,” Ardeth grinned before throwing off the top layers of his robes leaving him in a shirt, pants, and weapons belt. Hermione’s brain stopped walking for a second when she realized just how attractive he was under all the layers of fabric. Dr. Bay’s nephew was clearly younge. He had a beard that was only barely growing in, and the lean physique of a man not quite grown into his own body…. but, it was clear that he was going to be dangerously attractive the older he got. Ardeth grew more puzzled the more quiet she was. “Are you alright Miss Evans?” Hermione shook her head violently.
“Fine. I need more coffee,” Hermione grumbled. Ardeth followed as she easily climbed down the side of the building and walked back to the cafe she had just been at with Miss Carnahan. The owner of the cafe looked at her and Ardeth askance.
“Hal satarmi almashrubati?” (Are you going to be throwing drinks?) Hermione laughed.
“La!” (No) Hermione had a good relationship with the man that owned her favorite cafe. Mostly, because she always paid him generously for tolerating her crazy behavior. And, Hermione showered him with praise in his native tongue for the amazing coffee that he made.
“Jyid,” (Good) he nodded with relief. Ardeth was also feeling relief. Paint and hot coffee all over him on the same day sounded a bit much. Miss Evans didn’t complain when he sat at the same table as her. Ardeth accepted the cup of coffee offered to him and listened to Miss Evans banter with the man who served their coffee. It was unusual for locals to be so naturally friendly with a foreigner. However, Ardeth supposed it was equally as unusual for a foreigner to go to the trouble of learning to speak Arabic and speaking it almost fluently after only two years. When the owner finally went off to serve another customer, Hermione turned to see Dr. Bay’s nephew watching her intensely. She cleared her throat.
“What is your name?” Ardeth’s eyebrows with confusion.
“Ardeth Bay,” he responded with uncertainty. “Why do you want to know, Miss Evans?” Hermione grinned. He still had red paint embedded in his eyebrows.
“I keep calling you Dr. Bay’s nephew in my head,” Hermione shrugged. “It becomes long winded, even in my mind. And for the record, you can call me Hermione. Your uncle always calls me Miss Evans, and it’s annoying. It-’s the reason why I call him Mister Bay instead of Doctor.” Ardeth smirked.
“It is more proper to refer to a woman who is not family as Miss.”
“It is also more proper to not follow women in general around and sneak into their friend’s houses to spy on them.”
“Only one of our men tried that,” Ardeth argued.
“Only because my cat scratched the shit out of him for it AND we continue to put oil on the window seals.” Ardeth blushed at her language.
“I thought women were supposed to be refined,” he critiqued. Hermione raised an eyebrow haughtily. “Doesn’t your fiance object?” Ardeth startled back at her abrupt and hysterical laughter.
“My…” Hermione’s hysterical giggling continued. “... my fiance?!” She was finally able to force out.
“My apologies,” Ardeth said with concern. “Did you break it off with Jonathon Carnahan after all?” Hermione grinned even wider.
“Oh, I assure you. I am as engaged now as I’ve ever been.” Hermione patted his shoulder. “Don’t you worry.” Ardeth felt his heart sink a little.
“Then what was so funny?” Ardeth tried to control the dark feeling growing in his chest. Hermione didn’t notice the downturn in his mood. Afterall, Ardeth HAD worked very hard to not convey the majority of his emotions since their first encounter.
“Oh, I was just surprised that your window seal soldier heard so much with my cat to contend with,” Hermione’s eyes twinkled. “Especially after falling flat on his back… Twice.” Jonathon was going to think this was hilarious. Maybe, they could extend the “misunderstanding” to have some fun. Ardeth didn’t know what to do with his feelings. There should be no reason why he should be upset that Miss Evans was to be married. The only thing he could think of was that he LIKED her as a man like a woman… and that was, after all, ridiculous. Miss Evans was much older than him and foreigners rarely mixed with his people… if ever. It would be absolutely ridiculous. Maybe, it was simply that Miss Evans was the first attractive woman he had ever really conversed with… or seen. The women in his village tended to shroud their faces, and it would be absolutely shallow of him if that was the only reason. Ardeth would let it go. He had to. Hermione noticed her companion’s distraction. She subtly paid the bill and snuck off. She was halfway down the road before Ardeth noticed. He cursed his idiocy and immediately started running after her. It was no use though. Miss Evans turned a corner, and was gone… like a puff of smoke.
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“I suppose that’s something,” Uncle Terrance sighed. “You actually did quite well.” Ardeth could see that his Uncle was begrudgingly impressed. Sure, Ardeth had been tricked in the end, but he HAD figured out how Miss Evans was spotting them so easily; and that was good information. “I’d best take you back to the Medjai Village so that your Father can make the verdict of whether you are ready to join the guard.” Ardeth smiled sadly. Without Laknah, it wasn’t quite so exciting anymore; but he was still proud that he would be able to fulfill his calling. The road back was familiar and took at least a day. Ardeth was anxious to be going back. But, when they got there…. there was nothing. All of the tents were gone. There was not a single trace of anyone. Ardeth looked around in confusion and alarm and Terrance was equally concerned.
“What is going on Uncle?” Ardeth’s voice came out small… frightened.
“Something must have happened. Let’s go,” Terrence finally said confidently. Ardeth followed without complaint. It was lucky for Terrence that there was a plan already set in place should anything go wrong. Only fully fledged Medjai were aware of the location they would relocate to in the case that enemies found their camp and attacked… which is clearly what must have happened. There was no other reason why they would leave immediately without bothering to send word to Cairo.
Ardeth was on edge for the rest of the trip. This had never happened before in his lifetime. They had always been camped here as long as he could remember. It had been nearly thirty years since enemies had found their camp. Warring tribes was not uncommon, but the Medjai had a fierce reputation which was respected. When they finally reached the new campsite, they were held at gunpoint.
“You’re safe!” Hazeeb walked forward and clapped them each on the backs with relief.
“What is going on?” Terrence said with worry.
“An extreme group of fanatics attacked our camp two nights after the chief returned,” Hazeeb said gravely.
“Where is Adham?” Terrence knew that Adham would not allow anyone to lead the guard for at least a month after an attack of this magnitude.
“He was injured,” Hazeeb said carefully.
“Is he alright?” Ardeth rushed forward in a panic.
“He is alive,” Hazeeb assured him. “But he almost didn’t make it. He had a salve on him that saved his life. He was bleeding out and told us to use it before he passed out. I don’t know where he got it, but it is the only reason he is alive right now. He has extensive injuries. Adham may not be able to fight the way he used to…. but he is alive and will continue to live. Why don’t you go see him, Ardeth, while I talk to Terrence?” Ardeth hesitated, but followed a member of the guard to his family tent anyhow.
“How did they know the location of our camp?” Terrence whispered harshly.
“Laknah,” Hazeeb said darkly.
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Ardeth was on the verge of tears. His Father looked unbearably small. Adham Bay should be towering formidably, not laying under a blanket and injured. His mother had clearly been crying and rushed forward the minute he entered to hug him desperately.
“Thank Allah you are alright!” Ardeth was tall enough now to envelope her shorter form. He hugged her tightly, but his eyes were fixed on his Father. Bandages enveloped his neck and chest. His chest rose and fell shakily. “He almost didn’t make it,” Basma said shakily. “The medicine he received from Miss Evans saved his life.”
“What happened, Al’umu?”
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The audacity of those morons banishing HIM. Laknah had switched allegiances long ago. But… he had held out. To know where Hamunaptra was. And, if he could get Ardeth Bay to switch allegiances also… all the better. But, Ardeth was a good little soldier. It became very clear to Laknah that he was not going to seduce the next generation to his cause. So, he would need to take over the Medjai by force.
Laknah had joined the ‘fanatics’ the Medjai hated so much. They had vision. They didn’t want the British in Egypt and more importantly… they were willing to do something about it. He would drive them out, and kill them if necessary. And the creature… the creature could take back Egypt for them. Laknah HAD to know where he was buried. It was unfortunate that their precious chieftain would put a British bitch before him… he would be the first to go. They raided their camp. There was screaming and glorious fighting. Laknah felt a jolt of pleasure with every kill, but nothing compared to when he stabbed their precious chieftain and slit his throat. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, their own soldiers were not as high caliber as the Medjai soldiers… but at least Laknah was able to destroy that high and mighty bastard. They would destroy the Medjai. Today or tomorrow… it did not matter when. It was simply a pity that Ardeth wasn’t there to see his Father cut down like the scum he was.
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“You saved my brother.” It was Hermione’s turn to be surprised by Dr. Terrance Bay. He was sitting on a bench near the entrance and she hadn’t even seen him. Hermione stopped to stare at him.
“How so?” Hermione was confused.
“That salve you gave him… it saved his life. Laknah tried to kill him.” Dr. Bay looked tired.
“Is he doing okay?”
“He is okay.” Hermione let out the breath she was holding. “He won’t be… as he was before, but he’s alive.” Hermione digested the information before immediately digging around in her purse again. She pulled out the same bottle she had drunk from only two weeks ago and held it out to him. Terrance didn’t move.
“Take it. Obviously, he shouldn’t drink it,” Hermione gave him a wry smile. “Pour it over his wounds. It will help his healing. Maybe more so than the salve. The salve is mainly to stop bleeding.” Dr. Bay hesitated, but took it.
“His throat was cut. Stopping his bleeding WAS the main concern.” Hermione gulped and nodded.
“I hope he gets better. Mister Bay.” Terrence smiled to himself.
“I hope so too… MISS Evans.” Hermione narrowed her eyes at him.
“Ardeth Bay has a big mouth,” Hermione muttered.
“That WAS the point of him following you,” Terrance laughed. Hermione rolled her eyes and began making her way to the library.
“Remember! Pour it over the wounds. Try to not use the whole bottle at once. A little goes a long way,” She called behind her. Terrence looked down at it. It was greenish. Clearly an herb of some kind. “Oh…” Terrance looked up. “And if there’s a puff of green smoke… It's normal.” Terrance opened his mouth to respond… but she was already gone. He held it up to the light again.
“A puff of green smoke?!” Terrance said in disbelief.
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“You’re quiet, Hermione.” Evelyn was trying to teach Hermione ancient Egyptian, but she was unusually distracted. And yet again, Hermione was immediately brightening in that infuriating way.
“It’s nothing.”
“Of course it’s nothing,” Evelyn sighed. Hermione was so much like Jonathon. More responsible, but exactly like him in every other way. They both simply wouldn’t talk about their real problems. They were a book shelf with only a few books available to be read… and the rest of the books were off limits. You FELT like you were being let in because they would hand you a book off the shelf, but as time passed; you realized that there was a high shelf that you weren’t allowed to touch. And boy, did you want to read the books on the top shelf. But… they would never be available. Evelyn was startled out of her rumination by an unexpected flick to the forehead. Hermione was grinning at her mischievously.
“So, I won that bet with Jonathon.”
“You gave them another hint didn’t you?” Evelyn chuckled.
“A bucket of red paint,” Hermione grinned. “And a ‘now I can tell you apart from the others.’”
“That’s cheating,” Evelyn said with a blank expression.
“But,” Hermione interjected. “...were any actual rules set in place? It’s really Jonathon’s fault if he loses at a game where no rules existed to begin with.” Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“Fine. I won’t tell Jonothan. He has been selling you those ridiculous pieces of art. It’s about time he paid you back for the exorbitant prices he’s been charging you.”
“You realize,” Hermione argued. “I don’t care about the money. I just like winning.”
“Still… He’s taking advantage of you.” And, it did not make Evelyn pleased with Jonothan in the least. If alcohol was Jonathon’s only way of coping, he needed to fund it himself. But, Hermione just shrugged.
“Most people will take advantage of you. The sooner you accept it, the less your heart will be broken in the end.” Hermione’s eyes… They were so sad. “Trust me.” Evelyn stopped breathing.
“Hermione….” Evelyn took Hermione’s hand. “I can’t imagine what happened. But… I will NEVER take advantage of you.” Hermione looked at her before squeezing her hand.
“Never say never, Evelyn; but I hope so.” Hermione let out a gusty breath. “I’m tired. I should go home. Try to sleep for once.” Today was a dreamless sleep potion day, that was for sure. Evelyn looked hurt. Hermione gave her a hug. “We all do things we regret when bad things happen. Just take it as me saying, no matter what you do at your lowest moment; I won’t abandon you, no matter what horrible things you may someday do.” Evelyn chewed her lip.
“That is… a really sad way of thinking about life.”
“Whatever gets us through.”