She Devil

Rick watched Ardeth pace backwards and forwards.
“Hey calm down buddy you’ll run yourself into the ground”
“I am in no mood for your humour O Connell” Ardeth barked.
Rick just sighed, he had hoped that once they had got into Egypt Ardeth would relax but he had done nothing but pace the train compartment all day.
As soon as the train pulled into the station Ardeth practically flew off the train leaving Rick and Evie with the bags.
It took almost an hour to convince Ardeth that they should stay in the city over night and go to Almara’s village the next day.
Evie went straight to bed but both Ardeth and Rick went to the bar. Things seemed to be going well until an unfortunate man happened to bump into Ardeth. Before the man could apologise Ardeth began punching him, it took all the strength Rick had to pull the Med-jai away. They tried to make a quick escape, but inevitably they ended up in the local jail, they were however lucky enough to be shoved in the same cell.
“Well thanks very much Ardeth, I’ve been here before” Rick growled running his hand through his hair and shuddering at the memories.
“I am sorry my friend, I don’t know what came over me”
“Yeah well, Evie will kill me and then you” Rick sighed “That is if we aren’t hung first” He had been scared by the warrior’s actions. He had never seen anyone lose control like that before, and he was extremely happy they were on the same side.
They had been sitting in the stinking cell for a couple of hours, when they heard a commotion coming from the ‘interrogation’ room. They watched from the shadows as someone was pulled and shoved roughly into the cell next to theirs. They noticed the warden was clutching a deep cut on his head.
“You’ll pay for that bitch”
Both Rick and Ardeth spun round, a woman in a cell. There was something you didn’t hear of every day, they were usually punished in less savoury ways”
Ardeth swore when he saw that the woman was indeed Almara, he went to step forward, but Rick pulled him back whispering a warning.
“Oh yeah” Almara laughed
“Yeah, meet you’re cell mate. Master rapist and murderer”
All three turned as a huge man stepped out of the shadows of Almara’s cell. The warden laughed as he walked away. Ardeth and Rick just stared in horror as the dirty man reached out for Almara.
“I’d love to but I don’t have the time right now” Almara snapped. She punched the mountain of the man in the stomach causing him to sink to his knees quick as a flash Almara snapped his neck. She then stepped over his body and looked through the bars. She whistled. She waited for a reply.
“Almara” Ardeth yelled unable to contain himself any longer
“Ardeth” she gasped
“What the hell are you doing here”
“I could ask the same question” she snapped giving Rick a filthy look
“I came to find you”
“Jesus Ardeth, did you not think that I may have left for a very good reason and I didn’t want you to follow me?” Almara cried out. She was going to leave it at that but the pain in his eyes caused her to change her mind. “Look” she sighed as she gripped his hand “We will talk later, but I have something very important to do”
Rick snorted “We ain’t going anywhere”
“Want to bet” Almara smiled. The men watched as she walked to the door of the cell and began too call out in Arabic. Ardeth called for her to shut up.
“What is she saying?” Rick asked
“She is insulting the wardens manhood, if he hears her, he will attempt to prove her wrong”
Sure enough the abuse reached the wardens ears he stormed into the prison.
“You doubt my performance whore” he spat opening the cell door.
“Yes, you are also a complete idiot” she laughed
“I’ll teach you a lesson you will never forget” he yelled in anger
“I think not” Almara smiled pointing at something over his shoulder
The warden turned in alarm and was knocked to the floor by Mett his cries however were cut short as the lion ripped his throat out.
“Wow” Rick yelled backing away from the bars, staring at the magnificent white lioness she was wearing a black leather collar, with a deep red stone set in the middle. The leather had something in Arabic written on it in silver Rick guessed it was the creatures name.
“It is alright she will not harm you” Almara said opening the door to their cell.
Rick edged past the lion. Ardeth however walked straight past it and pulled Almara into his arms and kissed her roughly
“Do not leave me again” he growled
Rick was still watching the lion and almost jumped out of his skin when it spoke
“You love her, and she loves you, but right now there is something more important to be done”
Ardeth turned and bowed to the lion, more out of shock than anything else.
“I am Ardeth Bay”
“I know who you are, I am Mett this I presume to be Rick O Connell. And the woman that is at the hotel I guess would be Almara’s cousin. Am I right?”
“Yes”
“Good, Now if you excuse us we have business to attend to”
“With all due respect Mett, I do not want Almara out of my sight” Ardeth replied
Mett smiled “Alright you can come, I suggest we pick up Evie along the way, otherwise the next time we meet will be Rick’s funeral”
“Have you met my wife” Rick laughed


When they got to the hotel Almara was forced to tell everyone what was going on, Rick didn’t look surprised, Ardeth however looked as if he was having a hard time digesting the information
“I don’t believe it. Almara I love you, but I can’t marry you, I cannot take you away from the guardians” Ardeth sighed tears pouring down his face
Almara walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
“It is alright my dark warrior, the council have told me I am free to marry you after this is all over” Almara soothed, holding the weeping Med-jai in her arms. “But we must find the book, before any harm is done”
Ardeth straightened himself up smiling as Almara kissed his tears away.
“Let us go then” Mett purred.
“Yeah lets save the world again,” Rick laughed sarcastically