Title:      "The Medjai Chief" (c) January 20, 2000

Author:       Shelayne

Rating:       PG-13

Copyright:       All characters are copyright and belong to the author except for Ardeth Bay, owned by Steven Sommers/Universal Studios. No infringement intended. Just having fun with the character.

Comments:       The author is open to comments. Please send your comments to tikibear@aol.com.

CHAPTER 1

He sat on his horse on top of the sandy dune, a solitary figure, the wind playing with his black robes and hair as he contemplated the vastness that surrounded him. The Sahara stretched out before him in endless miles of dunes and valleys, shaped over time by the mighty winds that blew across the desert. The heat rose up to meet the pale blue sky in the quiet afternoon as his warriors waited patiently for their leader, some distance behind him.

Ardeth Bay gazed upon the stretch of desert as he thought about the future. His people's future. The city of Hamunaptra was buried beneath the sand along with their ancient foe that the Medjai had so valiantly maintained guard against over the centuries. The foreigners that had awakened the creature and helped to destroy again, had gone home to their country, leaving behind a strong friendship with the Medjai leader. He frowned as he thought about the future of his people. They had guarded against the evil for so many centuries that they had had little else to think about. Now they could concentrate on living, but what would they do? They looked to him for leadership, young as he was, for he had taken over when his father had died in an attack. His thick, black locks circled a strongly chiseled face; a high forehead with black eyebrows that set off his dark eyes, shining with intellect and cunning. A long, straight nose ended in full lips, framed by a neatly trimmed beard. High cheekbones and a square jawline intensified the masculinity of his looks. He had broad shoulders and long muscular arms ending with strong hands and long fingers. He was one of the taller men in his tribe, and he cut quite a swath among his people, especially with the women. He had realized at a young age that he was handsome but his father had warned him about using his looks to his own advantage. So he had buried his pride about his looks long ago, and had become the warrior he was today, leaning more on his fighting skills and leadership capabilities. But now their oath had been terminated by the destruction of Imhotep and it was time to rebuild their tribe.

The counsel had been talking about increasing the population of their tribe, now that the ancient curse was finished, and many looked to him to start it. Many women, he corrected himself. He snorted in disgust, startling his horse, as he thought about it. The women of his village, both married and single, had harassed him non-stop to take a wife. While it was true there were some very eligible and lovely women he could take, he wasn't ready to settle down. He knew and loved them all, having grown up with them, but he had yet to find one to challenge him. They were all too willing to be his mate.

He thought about that aspect for a moment. Why did he want a challenge? Did he feel useless now that Hamunaptra had fallen? There was still a use for the warriors, to guard against the constant thieving and pillaging from neighboring tribes. But tribal wars had been going on longer than the curse of the Hom-dai, and would continue long after his body had turned to dust. His mind wandered as he envisioned himself in the future: repelling attacks from the feudal tribes, married to one of the women of the village, having children, , watching them grow-up, watching himself become old, dying. He growled in frustration at the images. It wasn't enough. He wanted something more, he needed something more.

He found no answers as he looked out over the desert and in frustration, he wheeled his horse around and rode towards his men, signaling for them to follow.

The warriors needed no landmarks to guide them back to their village, for they knew the desert well. A half an hour later found them riding into a small valley, lined with numerous tents and filled with people. They were greeted with a cheer, as always, when the men came riding home, whether from fighting the enemy or re-supplying their stocks. It was a ritual that seemed out of place for Ardeth, as he brought his stallion to a thundering halt beside his tent. He swung his long leg over the back of the horse and climbed down, handing the reins to a wrangler. "Give him a good rub down, I rode him hard today." The youth bowed and walked into the corral with the horse. Ardeth surveyed the village, noting everyone at their tasks and then entered his tent. He had only taken a few steps inside, when he heard a familiar voice come from the corner.

"Every day you go out takes you longer to come back to us."

Ardeth whipped around and saw the old warrior sitting calmly in a corner. He had grey hair and was wrinkled with age and sun, but the sparkle in his eyes could be seen in the darkened tent.

"You delight in my torment, old one, for if I die at a young age, it will be from you giving me heart failure", said Ardeth as her removed his scimitars.

The old warrior chuckled at his grandson in amusement. "Is that any way to greet your family?" he asked with a smile.

Ardeth sighed as he removed his turban from his head. "Good afternoon, grandfather."

"Such a heavy sigh from one so young. Are the responsibilities of our people too much for you?"

Ardeth ran a hand through his unruly hair as he sat down on a carpet, and proceeded to lean back against a large pillow. He couldn't disguise the frustration in his voice as he answered. "No grandfather."

"Then what?"

Ardeth put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, trying to put his feelings into words that his grandfather could understand. "I feel an emptiness inside me, a lack of direction, a loss....." he frowned, unable to continue, for he wasn't sure himself what was wrong.

"Ardeth, the oath of the Medjai was an ancient responsibility for our people that weighed our tribe down. But you, as their leader, vanquished it, and the heavy burden has been lifted. You are bound to feel a sense of loss at this victory. But you do not lack for direction. The people, our people, look to you to help rebuild our nation..."

Ardeth put up his hand to halt his grandfather. "I am not ready to take a wife!" he exclaimed vehemently.

"If not now, then when?" replied the old man calmly.

Ardeth pointedly ignored him as he gazed out the door flap. The old warrior looked at his flesh and blood with pride and affection, noting the stubborn tilt of the chin and the sparkle of defiance from his eyes. He was so much like his father, he mused. And like his father, it was not good to push him where he didn't want to go. He tried another tactic. "Have you spoken with Hamid yet today?"

"No", replied Ardeth bluntly.

"There was another attack."

Ardeth sat up quickly in alarm. "What? Why did you not tell me when I first came in?"

"It is over, there is nothing you can do about it now."

Ardeth stood up and buckled on his sword belt. "What did they take this time?"

"Did you not notice the corral? Half of our herd is gone."

Ardeth grimaced as he realized he had been thinking of his own problems and had not noticed the depleted herd. Horses were hard to come by in the desert, not to mention the fact it reduced their guarding capabilities. He slammed his scimitars into place as he called out for his assistant chieftain.

His grandfather stared at him. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I am going to see to our defenses and then ride into Cairo to replace what was stolen from us." Ardeth wound his turban around his head as his second in command came in. Hamid, second in command to the young chief, bowed low to Ardeth.

"What happened while I was gone?" commanded Ardeth.

Hamid described the events of the night before, leaving out nothing. "Forgive me for not turning back the assault" he said humbly.

Ardeth put his hand on the older man's shoulder. "It is not your fault, Hamid. I should have been here, not searching the desert."

Hamid's eyebrows drew together. "What were you searching for?"

"It is of no consequence." The look on Ardeth's face told Hamid the subject was closed. "Set up all warriors without horses on guard schedules for day and night at full battle ready around the perimeter of the village. I do not want any more attacks while I am gone."

"Where are you going, my Lord?" asked Hamid.

"To Cairo, to secure more horses. I count on you to take care of the people while I am gone."

"It shall be done," replied Hamid and he left to carry out his orders.

Grandfather rose from his corner and crossed to the strong young chief, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Ardeth, you just returned from a frustrating day, you should not think of taking this trip until tomorrow."

"I leave now grandfather. Maybe this is the challenge I need...to free our people from this constant thieving. But I can not do it without horses." Ardeth and his grandfather stepped outside the tent and saw a young woman heading towards them.

Grandfather chuckled. "If it is a challenge you seek, here comes one now."

Ardeth groaned as he saw Anara walking towards him. She had been one of the more persistent girls vying for his affections, and she had the counsel of women on her side. They constantly made Anara serve him food, clean and mend his clothes, all in the hopes that he would eventually turn to her.

"She is not the challenge I want" whispered Ardeth.

"If nothing else, she would keep you warm at nights." The old man's eyes twinkled mischievously.

"The night she stayed in my tent would be the night I would have to marry her. You know the laws, old man", said Ardeth coldly.

The old warrior sighed. "So you seek out a warrior's comforts in Cairo. I know the ways", he waved off Ardeth's protest. "I was once a young warrior too." He gave Ardeth an understanding look and walked off. Ardeth was left alone to face Anara and she walked up to him, holding a large basket in her arms.

Ardeth frowned at the basket, for he had a good idea of what was coming. "What is that?" he asked as innocently as possible.

"Food to give a warrior his strength. You do not eat enough, Ardeth." She frowned delicately, "The women of the village will think I am mistreating you. Come, we will sit in your tent and I shall feed you." Her seductive voice betrayed the confidence she felt that Ardeth would soon be hers.

He looked at the dark-haired beauty, her dark eyes beguiling in her charm. "I have no time, Anara. We ride for Cairo within the hour."

She pouted. "How long will you be gone this time?"

"For as long as it takes" he replied curtly. He didn't mean to be short with her, but he was tired of the village women meddling in his life.

Anara resigned herself, willing herself to be patient with the handsome warrior. "Then I shall pack this for you to take along." She smiled brightly and turned away, walking quickly towards the common area.

Ardeth dismissed her from his thoughts and turned his attention to his select band of warriors. He gave them instructions, and they hastily carried out his orders, preparing for the long journey ahead of them.



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