Chapter 23
Ardeth hiked grimly through the jungle. He looked on the grotesque structures of human bodies with indifference. There was a reason that no one had made it to Ahm Shere successfully. There had to be some sort of guardian. Ardeth gulped back the emotions for his lost friend. He loved Horus. It was like a part of his soul was gone.
“I say, I wonder how they do that?” Ardeth raised a brow as Jonathon pointed at the shrunken heads grotesquely adorning the trees. Jonathon smiled apologetically as the lot of him looked at him like he was crazy. “I was just curious.”
“They make an incision in the back of the head.” Jonathon shrieked in a girly fashion as Hermione appeared from behind a nearby tree. “And then they peel it off the skull and discard the cartilage, fat and bones; then sew it back together and let it mummify.” Jonathon looked like he wanted to hurl.
“Add being turned to a shrunken head to the list of undesirable burial arrangements,” Jonathon said a bit queasy.
“I don’t know what is more alarming,” Rick said with amusement. “The fact that you appeared out of nowhere or the fact that you know that.”
“I’m a witch that reads. Sue me,” Hermione snorted before giving Ardeth a side hug. “As soon as they get Alex, we will need to make our escape to get you to the Medjai army.” Ardeth only nodded as they continued to make their way to a good vantage point for Evelyn and Jonathon to pick off the men in red from a distance. “You know, there is something important we need to talk about,” Hermione said conversationally when they finally began to get set up.
“And what would that be?” Ardeth said with a concerned smile.
“Which one of us gets to kick Laknah’s ass,” Hermione said with a savage smile.
“That would be me,” Ardeth said with a short laugh. “Laknah tried to kill my father.”
“Laknah tried to kill me,” Hermione argued playfully.
“Yes, but you are my beloved. That means Laknah tried to kill two people I care about and that means the pleasure shall be mine,” Ardeth grinned in triumph and Hermione held her hands up in defeat.
“Alright, but if you can’t handle it… I WILL be hexing his genitals off: penis and all.” Jonathon winced while shielding his package at the thought.
“You are the perfect woman,” Ardeth gave her a kiss and smiled.
“Are you two going to keep up with the questionable flirting…or are we going to get down there and get to business?” Rick asked gravely. Ardeth nodded and secured the last of his supplies to his back.
“Do you know how to use that?” Ardeth pointed to Jonathon’s gun as he secured his saber to his waist.
“Fox Trot Champion three years running,” Jonathon said proudly. “Do you know how to use that?”
“We shall see,” Jonathon nearly jumped out of his skin as the saber stopped just short of his neck. “They say the only way to kill a soldier of Anubis is to cut off his head.”
“Ahh… yes,” Jonathon said nervously after inching away from the sharp blade.
“Men and their swords,” Hermione snorted. “Pun intended.” Evelyn let out a short laugh. Ardeth gave a quizzical look at Jonathon and Jonathon merely pointed at their prospective genitals which caused Ardeth to shake his head with a roll of his eyes before sheathing his sword. “See you on the other side,” Hermione smiled encouragingly to Evelyn.
“See you,” Evelyn smiled tightly, and they were off. The eerie calm enveloped them with the tension of anticipation. They walked carefully and quietly and made minimal progress before they heard screaming in the distance. Rick took off with the two of them following close behind. Hermione sent a stunning spell at a flying object coming right for her. Ardeth startled at the sudden red light, but ran with Hermione as she kept on going with whatever had attacked immobilized behind her. They entered the group of red cloaked men amidst chaos and screaming. The men were being yanked under the long grass by an unseen enemy. Rick and Ardeth shot manically at the men while Hermione continued to focus on shielding them from tiny darts and shots flying all around them. Thankfully, the men that she missed fell to Evy and Jonathon’s own shots.
They quickly changed their strategy as Rick began to follow yelling that was clearly coming from Alex. There wasn’t time to worry about the unseen creatures as Rick ran straight for a panicked Alex being advanced on by the murderous Laknah. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as Rick snatched him up just in time and focused on shooting at anyone who approached Ardeth and staying clear of the grass so she could see what approached her feet. It was tough going to keep up with them as Ardeth and Laknah went further and further into the jungle. Hermione screamed in alarm as the ugliest most horrific demon, mummy monkey screeched in her face while perched in a nearby tree. Hermione sent a bombarda in its direction and stumbled back as it was blown to smithereens. Hermion struggled to her feet, but stopped in her tracks as Ardeth killed Laknah only to have a gun to the back of his head. Hermione nearly cried in relief when the red robed bastard fell dead due to a gunshot to the head. Seeing Rick and Alex nowhere in sight Hermione pulled her broom from her purse and ran to Ardeth. Ardeth ran to her also, but stopped short at seeing the broom in her hand.
“What is that for?” Ardeth said with bewildered amusement.
“Just get on,” Hermione said with a tired roll of her eyes as she straddled the handle.
“You are joking?!” Ardeth said with disbelief. Hermione blasted a demon monkey as it started swinging towards her, and immediately lost all her patience.
“Just get on the bloody broom, Ardeth! Do I look like I have time for jokes?!” Ardeth unsurly got on the back of the broom and hurriedly grabbed Hermione’s waist as she surged into the air blasting mummy monkeys left and right. Hermione struggled to gain altitude, but pressed higher and higher while Ardeth punched the occasional monkey that swung too close for comfort. When they finally flew clear of the treeline Hermione began to fly in the direction that Horus had originally gone. “Where are we going?” Hermione yelled over the wind.
“Keep going this way,” Ardeth yelled back. Hermione nodded back, and they continued on.
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The twelve chieftains were growing nervous. Horus should be here by now, hours ago in fact; but the sun was rising and there was no sign of him.
“What is that?” One of the younger men was pointing to a rapidly growing black dot directly below the sun.
“Mi-Miss Evans!?” Ali yelled in shock as the dot became a person crouched over a stick on the horizon.
“And Chieftain Bay!” The younger man yelled as Ardeth’s head also became clear over Hermione’s shoulder. They all watched in shock as the couple was all too soon upon them and crashing into a heap as they made an abrupt stop. Hazeeb rushed forward and sighed in relief as they were clearly fine enough to immediately start bickering.
“If this is a regular mode of transport for your people, why aren’t you better at it?” Ardeth rubbed his bruised elbow as he disentangled himself from her.
“Excuse me, Mr. Medjai! It is ONE mode of transportation that has never been my favorite. And consider that your offer to take all the others and you can see that riding a broomstick is mediocre and thoroughly overrated,” Hermione huffed angrily. “Though don’t be surprised if I specifically do it badly so you can suffer that little comment.”
“Chieftain Bay,” Ardeth immediately struggled to his feet and bowed respectfully to the elder chieftain that addressed him.
“Chieftain, we have the location of Ahm Shere.” Ardeth was brought a horse and several eyebrows rose and Ardeth immediately pulled Hermione on the back of it. Hazeeb immediately brought his horse to ride alongside Ardeth’s horse as he led the way to where the army was most likely to appear.
“You seem awfully close to Miss Evans, CHIEF,” Hazeeb said with a smirk.
“Granger,” Hermione corrected.
“Really? My apologies. So, Miss Granger, is there a reason you are no longer actively avoiding Ardeth as we all suspected?” Hazeeb grinned as Hermione blushed brightly.
“We have come to an understanding,” Ardeth interrupted with a big grin, and Hermione blushed an even brighter shade of red.
“I’ll do my best to keep it quiet until you have a chance to talk to your Father,” Hazeeb said with a smirk. “But sharing a horse is a bit of a tell.” Ardeth grinned even bigger and Hermione rolled her eyes with a smile. The merriment quickly died as they reached their destination. The air felt thick with promise. Hermione jumped off as Ardeth headed the army and pulled out a broom yet again.
“I thought you hated that mode of transport?” Ardeth snarked.
“As much as I LOVE it,” Hermione said sarcastically. “...It also happens to be the best for combat.”
“You… are fighting with us?” Ardeth said in alarm.
“We,” Hermione pointed at Ardeth and herself meaningfully. “...Are going to pretend you didn’t say that for the time being.”
“Hermione!” Ardeth continued undelayed. “The warriors of Anubis are six feet tall and of another world! It is too dangerous.”
“Oh, darling,” Hermione snorted indelicately. “As am I. And six feet? What does it matter after facing 12 foot tall trolls? Or a three headed dog the size of a house?” Hermione left Ardeth gaping in shock as she didn’t wait for his response as she kicked off into the air. Ardeth was supremely lucky that he had brought this up on the eve of battle… But Hermione was not going to let it slide the minute they were safe and sound. Ardeth WAS going to have an unimaginably uncomfortable conversation very soon.
“I think,” Hazeeb said dryly. “...That you are going to drink terrible coffee for a month if your intended has anything in common with your mother.” Ardeth watched Hermione stop in midair above them to await their enemies, and shivered. Maybe voicing his thoughts in that moment was NOT the wisest thing he had ever done, but there was little time to consider his blunder as the army materialized on the horizon. Hermione watched as the truly bone chilling Anubis warriors formed out of the sand. Hermione waited until they were close enough, but not so close that her spells would harm the Medjai. Ardeth blinked in surprise as the Anubis warriors yelled in anger as the blasted time and time again by spells that caused them to explode where they stood. He saw them begin to throw their weapons up at Hermione only for her to fly higher and hit them more quickly. Unfortunately the warriors still managed to make their way to the Medjai and they were soon mixed in and Hermione was forced to take on a less straightforward approach.
Ardeth was knocked off his horse far too soon and just barely managed to keep his feet as the snarling dog man slammed its spear down on his sword. His arm shook with the effort to keep his weapon aloft, but the pressure suddenly eased as the Anubis warrior turned to sand as a bright spell slashed through his body. Hermione leveled to stand back to back with Ardeth. He watched with admiration as Hermione took down soldier after soldier with relative ease. For every soldier Ardeth killed, Hermione had taken down four more.
“You are falling behind Ardeth, old boy!” Hermione yelled breathlessly. Ardeth laughed breathlessly as they finally felled the last soldier. His men cheered, but Ardeth stilled with terror at the sound of distant rumbling. Hermione ran behind him as he sprinted to the next dune over. She lost her breath as Hermione saw an even bigger army than before. “Ardeth…” Hermione steeled herself. “I’m going to do something that is probably stupid. I need you all to step back.” Ardeth knew better than to argue after his initial blunder.
“Get back!” The Medjai stood back and Hermione waited patiently for the army of Anubis to come close enough for her to inflict maximum damage.
“FIENDFYRE!” Ardeth watched in awe and terror as a fiery giant lion followed by a fire hawk burst from Hermione’s wand. The Medjai watched in awe and terror as the Army of Anubis was swallowed with dying screams by the heat. Hermione could hardly see past the unbearable heat. She didn’t bother to check if the army was defeated, and immediately focused on reigning her magic in. When Hermione finally had pulled all the fire back into her wand, she was left drained and relieved that there was no army and that she hadn’t been swallowed by her own cursed fire. Ardeth ran forward as Hermione fell to her knees. Her magical core was drained. She prayed that what she had done would be enough, but… The Medjai watched with hopeless sadness as yet another army appeared on the horizon. They stepped forward to surround Ardeth and the fallen Hermione and yelled bracingly with swords held high. Ardeth stood over Hermione as the demon dogs were nearly upon them… and they were covered in a fine layer of black dust. Ardeth looked around in disbelief and wariness until they were certain. The Medjai laughed with relief and hugged each other.
“The O’Connells did it!” Ardeth yelled with relief before dropping onto the ground to pull Hermione close to him. She wasn’t bleeding mortally. Ardeth could see the occasional nasty cut left from the swipe of a blade, but she seemed mostly unharmed. “Hermione?” Ardeth’s head snapped up as a deafening roar sounded from Ahm Shere and they watched in awe as the jungle was steadily swallowed. His focus snapped back to Hermione as she groaned.
“I don’t…. think I shall be doing that again,” Hermione placed her wand in her pocket clumsily and Ardeth pulled her closer to him.
“Are you alright?” Ardeth said with concern.
“Of course,” Hermione waved her hand in a flopping motion. “That was just an incredibly draining spell to contain. The last time I saw it performed, the fire swallowed the stupid boy who started it.”
“I’m glad it did not,” Ardeth stroked her face in concern. “If it had, how would you make me regret doubting your effectiveness in battle?”
“Thank you for reminding me of that,” Hermione grinned tiredly. “But, you will understand if I get some sleep before I make you suffer.”
“Of course, habibi.”
“Chieftain,” Ardeth looked up at Hazeeb. “We are going to go track down the horses.” Ardeth merely nodded his approval and watched as the last of the jungle was swallowed… and a dirigible flew out of the last of it. Ardeth laughed in relief, and Hermione grinned sleepily as she followed his gaze. Ardeth waved his arm widely and picked up Hermione carefully to her grumbling.
“I am fully capable of walking,” Hermione grumbled.
“Really?” Ardeth said skeptically. “You took care of an entire wave of the army all by yourself. Let me carry you, habibi.” Ardeth gave no mind to Hermione’s grumbling as the dirigible landed down near them. Ardeth handed Hermione up to a concerned Rick.
“What’s wrong, Hermione?!” Evelyn began with concern.
“Just magical fatigue,” Hermione said with great irritation. “Don’t get yourself in a tizzy.”
“You shall hear the valiant tale of Hermione’s magical prowess over the fires of our village if you will follow me and my men,” Ardeth offered with a grin.
“Of course!” Evelyn smiled tiredly.
“Take your blasted, flesh tearing bird before you go!” Izzy yelled. Ardeth looked at him with puzzlement before climbing aboard the blimp and following him to the cupboard. Ardeth could have cried when Horus gave a happy screech. Ardeth cradled the injured bird in his arms.
“How?” Ardeth said with wonder.
“Your witch saved him,” Izzy said with disgruntlement. “Also threatened to turn me into a ferret and FEED ME to a hawk if I didn’t care of it. Terrifying woman you got yourself there.” Ardeth turned to Hermione to give her his thanks, but found her passed out on the floor of the dirigible with her head in Evy’s lap. Alex was laid down beside her with his head in Evy’s lap also.
“I think she is magnificent,” Ardeth grinned before jumping down from the dirigible to claim his horse from Hazeeb. Horus gripped Ardeth’s shoulder as they rode to their camp.
“You are going to be lucky if Ali doesn’t tell everyone before we get back,” Hazeeb grinned. “He rode ahead of us in quite a hurry.” Ardeth chuckled tiredly. He couldn’t even be mad. He was just too damn happy.