Ardeth and Dorey rode on the Medjai's majestic stallion in silence.  They spent the time enjoying the feel of closeness they shared on the horse.  Dorey's back rested against Ardeth's chest, his left arm holding her steady while he held the reins with his right hand, guiding the stallion across the sands. 

Ardeth was exhausted.  The day had been long, and his strength spent during the battle with the Anubis Warriors.  He didn't know how much longer he could hold up.  He and Dorey had been traveling on his Arabian for what seemed like hours and the sun was soon to set. 

He could tell by Dorey's heavy breathing, she had been asleep for some time.  He needed to find a place to rest for the night.  It was if the gods had been listening to his thoughts, when in the distance he heard the sounds of animals, goats to be exact.  There had to be a caravan near.

It wasn't long before two riders approached him.  Ardeth greeted the two men, "Marhaba, hello."  After introductions were made, the Medjai warrior inquired if he and his companion could spend the evening in their protection. 

The two men, Bin and Ahk-lah viewed Dorey with indecision. They were normally very hospitable to strangers, and the man was a Medjai...trustworthy.  His companion however, was not only female, but also a foreigner.  Reluctantly they nodded their agreement and lead the strangers to their encampment.

A semi-awake Dorey asked, turning her stiff body towards Ardeth, "Where are we?"

"I have requested permission to spend the night within this caravan's protection.  They are taking us to the leader of their tribe."  He spoke to her in a husky whisper; giving Dorey the impression she should not speak in the presence of these strangers in fear that she may offend their customs.  Out of respect for the man sitting behind her, she would do her best to keep quiet.

Ardeth had swung down off the horse and was holding his arms outstretched to help her down.  She slid into his arms without hesitation.  He held her briefly, then ushered Dorey towards the tent flaps where Bin and Ahk-lah were waiting.

Entering the tent they found an older man seated on a bed of cushions along with many other men seated around the inside of the tent.  Bin approached the leader while Ahk-lah stayed with their guests at the tent entrance.  Bin was reverently explaining the request of the Medjai; the leader listened intently.

Moments later, Bin approached the Medjai, speaking in Arabic, "Our leader, Abdullah Khamik, grants you safe haven.  We are to show you to guest quarters.  Follow me."

"Shukran!"  Ardeth bowed and thanked them in their language.   He took Dorey by the elbow ushering her out of the tent. They followed their guides to a smaller tent where they motioned to Dorey to enter, lifting the tent flap for her.  Once she was inside they immediately closed the flap.

Dorey was a little unsettled, being separated from Ardeth in such unfamiliar surroundings.  She saw four beautiful, young women approach her.  They guided her to the far end of the tent, where there was another flap. 

Upon seeing what was inside the adjoining tent, she understood what was required of her.  In the middle of the small room was a shallow pool.  The water looked cool and refreshing, and after the day she had, it was a welcoming sight to Dorey.  Although she was a bit unnerved with the thought of bathing in front of these four strangers, Dorey didn't fight them when they started to undress her.

Ardeth found himself in a similar tent with an adjoining washroom.  He assumed that Dorey was also bathing, and this thought started his blood to boil.  Her milky, white skin flashed in his mind.  He imagined her soaking in the bath, her hands gliding over her silky, wet skin.  He felt his desire rising and turned his thoughts from her to gain his composure. 

Dorey was bathing at the moment that Ardeth had been thinking about her, but not as he imagined.  It was not her hands gliding over her skin, but those hands of four others.  She was extremely embarrassed, but did not want to offend anyone.  Dorey found herself relaxing in the lilac perfumed water.  She tried to talk to the women, but they did not understand English.

After the women thought Dorey was sufficiently clean, they helped her out of the pool.  They had been exchanging looks and whispers, pointing to something on the small of her back.  She had forgotten about the mark.  Just as Rick has been branded while he was in the orphanage in Cairo, Dorey had also been.  Her tattoo was in the shape of an Ankh.  It was two inches in height, white, outlined in silver.  She wondered why these women were so interested in it.

They dressed her in a beautiful Egyptian dress, white in color with a thin, matching veil.  The women wrapped gold and silver bands on her left upper arm and both wrists.  She protested, but they ignored her.  When they were finished dressing their guest, they left her to herself.

She paced the tent, wondering what she should do.  She was exhausted, and perhaps she should sleep, but she knew she could not, without knowing where Ardeth was.  She walked to the tent entrance and reached out to open the flap, however, it had already begun to open.

"Ardeth."  His name was barely a whisper on her lips.  She scrutinized him openly and noticed the handsome Medjai was dressed in robes of midnight blue with silver trim and embroidered symbols.  His hair was smoothed back from his forehead, still damp from his bath.  She wanted to run her fingers through his silky hair, but she didn't, she just stood there watching him watch her.

He was stunned to see how beautiful she looked.  Although he always thought her beautiful, he had never seen her dressed in Egyptian attire.  It made her look exotic, and even more desirable than he could imagine.  "Allah, give me strength," he thought, "or I may betray my friend O'Connell's trust."

Dorey was uncomfortable with the silence, and laughed nervously, "I know, I look ridiculous."

"On the contrary, you look charming," Ardeth assured her.  "Did you enjoy the bath?"

"Uh....to be honest, I'm not really thrilled by being bathed by other people."  She admitted, blushing from head to toe.

"What?!"  Ardeth was outraged.  "Did they hurt you?"  He asked with obvious concern as he went to her, holding her by the shoulders. 

She gazed at him with comprehension, realizing he thought that a man had bathed her.  "Oh, really, Ardeth.  You have quite the imagination.  They were women, not men, and they did not hurt me."  She could see the relief on his face and almost laughed.  Instead, she unhooked the veil, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him briefly.

His resolve broke, pulling her towards him, crushing her breasts against him.  He moaned deeply as his lips captured hers in an all-consuming kiss.  He felt her hands as they trailed up his arms, over his shoulders and entwine her fingers in his long black tresses.  He explored her mouth hungrily, his hands traveling down her back, bringing her closer to him.

She could feel her breasts harden against his chest, her blood was on fire for him, and an ache was forming deep within her core as she felt his manhood harden against her belly.  Her mind was racing, she should stop this, but her body betrayed her.  Her hands had begun to explore the slightly exposed chest that the Medjai robes revealed.  His skin was smooth, and she longed to taste it.  She pulled away from him, placing her mouth on the exposed skin, trailing kisses as she pulled the robe open further exposing his small nipples, which she eagerly began to suckle, each one in turn.

Ardeth was out of his mind with want and desire.  Huskily, he whispered, "If you keep that up, Little One, I can not be responsible for my actions." 

She lifted her head to look at him.  His eyes blazed with both desire and apprehension.  Suddenly, she felt guilty knowing he was struggling with his need and his duty to protect her.  She released her hold on him, "I'm so sorry, I ..." she trailed off as he turned away from her. 

He shook his head, his back still towards her, "I am the one who should be sorry, you are in my charge, and this is how I respect my friend?  By molesting his sister?"

She touched his shoulder, "Ardeth, please don't say things like that.  You make it sound dirty and unnatural.  I may not know much about these things, but I do know you are the most noble, loyal man I have ever met." 

He turned slowly to face her, "You are most kind, Little One.  You have more faith in me than I do, at the moment.  What is between us...it is strong.  I have felt it from the moment we met."  

She nodded, but could say nothing.  His eyes were telling her that it could never be, this feeling that was between them.  She struggled for words, but could only manage, "I am tired and wish to sleep."

His answer was to sweep her up into his arms and gently lay her on the soft cushions at the far side of the tent.  He gently covered her, and then settled himself beside her, careful not to touch her.  He was weary and also required rest.  He barely noticed Dorey turn and snuggle against him as he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

"What is the meaning of this?"  Ardeth demanded, awakened by the feel of Dorey being wrenched from his embrace.  He watched as several men surrounded the interior of the tent.

"Regrettably, we must take the woman.  Please do not interfere."  Bin stated flatly, as he held Dorey by her upper arm.

"Why?  What have I done?"  Dorey questioned, frightened by the look on their faces.

"You have done nothing, it is what you are."  Abdullah answered as he entered the tent.  "Do not fight us on this, Medjai.  She is the chosen one, she bears the mark."

"Mark?"  Ardeth questioned.

"Our women saw it," Abdullah moved quickly to Dorey's side, and lifted the thin cloth that covered her back, showing the Ankh tattoo.  "It has been foretold that a distant traveler would arrive, bearing the symbol of eternal life.  She is the promised one of Min, god of the sky, chief of heaven.  He holds the promise of life."  He pulled Dorey toward the tent opening, and when he saw Ardeth move toward them, said  "She must be pure, Medjai.  We see how you look at her; you must go.  Go now, or die."  

Ardeth watched Dorey twist away from Bin's grasp and take up a fighting stance.  Never had he seen a stance quite like it, her right leg slightly bent, fists up.    Ardeth was on his feet now, sword in hand. 

Bin moved to Dorey to grab her again.  She leaped in the air, the same time, kicked out with her left foot, connecting with Bin's jaw.  "Kee-yah!"  She yelled as Bin flew backwards, through the tent opening and landed with a thud.

Ardeth was momentarily stunned.  He was amazed at how brave Dorey was.  He moved then, sword at the ready, meeting Ahk-lah's with a clash.  Three other men joined in the sword fight, barely giving him a chance to notice that Dorey continued to punch and kick fluently, almost as if it were a dance. 

Bin re-entered the tent, with more reinforcements.  He caught Dorey from behind and put her in a chokehold and withdrew from the tent.

"Ardeth!"  Dorey screamed as she was pulled from the tent and away from the man she loved.

Ardeth started toward the exit, but stopped as he heard the sound of a rifle being cocked.  He realized now, these were no mere Bedouin.  They were worshippers of Min, and these men were highly trained warriors.  He wondered how he was going to get them out of this.  The Min disciples raised their swords, making sure Ardeth knew they would not hesitate to kill him if he went after Dorey.  He made his way cautiously from the tent and onto his Arabian that was waiting just outside.

"Go, Medjai, and do not come back."  Bin warned.

Ardeth tugged at the reins of his horse and rode off quickly, disappearing into the night.

He heard Dorey cry out as she watched him go, hoping she would know he would not abandon her.

Dorey finally managed to break free from Bin's grasp.  "Why are you doing this?  I have done nothing to you."  She pleaded.

"You should feel honored, my child.  You shall be the wife of Min.  No greater honor could bestow a woman."  Abudllah explained as he led her to her tent.  "You rest now, the ceremony will take place in two days."

Dorey entered the tent and threw herself on the bed made of large pillows covered in satin.  She stared at the ceiling of the tent for what seemed hours, wondering if Ardeth would come back for her.  She tried to sneak out of the tent, but found she was being guarded.  Even if she did escape, she could never make her way through the desert alone.  She would surely die.  Finally falling asleep, she dreamed of the dark Medjai warrior.