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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 21, 2009 12:31:22 GMT -6
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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 21, 2009 12:34:23 GMT -6
Cast of Characters Sultan Al-Kamil Abubakar, Father. First Born and Beloved Son of Abubakar Khalfani Okpara Manu "Maahes" Asad-Aziem Second Son, and Now General of Skye, once great warrior in the streets of Egypt. Husani Mensah Jibade Aziem Third Born Son Jahi Heru Aziem Fourth Born Son Sakhmet Annippe Asad Beloved Mother.
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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 21, 2009 12:35:00 GMT -6
Part 1 ~A Visit From the Past (So Far Everything that has Happened)
Part 2 ~"Nothing is As It Is" A Sister's Cry
Part 3 ~Taking Back Egypt
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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 21, 2009 12:52:16 GMT -6
“They cannot scare me with their empty spaces between stars -- On stars where no human race is. I have it in me so much nearer home to scare myself with my own desert places.” ~Robert Frost
Page: The day had been like any other, the sun rolling high in the Spring sky, and the fields a fire with new life--the breath of change. It had been two weeks since her letter to Maahes, and the guard she sent had yet to return. Was their such a battle he could not be found? Deavon knew it would not be hard to find Maahes the moment he stepped foot upon the Isle, he asked for the General of Gaelic Nation and was met with wide eyes. Maahes had new armor made with a face mask the shape of the open mouth of a beast, and metal plates that went down his scull much like a Samurai, but it had been the only helmet that could cover his hair: it kept him safe. Imagine such a man riding in upon horse looking like the devil himself, or one of his many beasts that was born from the fires. As the days turned into weeks, and the week passed another month, not a word was heard--nothing. Yet, on the horizon the sun rose for the night was over, and with it came a rider. The dirt of the horse was kicked up swiftly, "M'lady! M'lady!!" The voice carried into the valley with pure and unwanted panic. "Ealora!!" The horse came to a halt, but the page was clearly already dismounted and running for the door of the temple. (d Ealora: She had known it would take a while for her letter to reach her husband. England was moderately far away and besides, it would take Devan time to find her husband. A campaign that lasted two months to begin with meant that it had taken him across the land. She was no fool although information on the raid itself was scarce. She was not sure she even wanted to know the news. She hadn't agreed with the campaign to begin with. Her only prayers were for a safe return of her husband, as guilty as that should of made her, Ealora was a selfish woman. She wanted him HERE, NOW. Days turned sourly into weeks, weeks all ready sour rottened into months and with it, Ealora's mood. She kept a brave fast, she smiled, laughed and played with the children as usual but in silence, in lonely hours, she shut herself away. With hours of work still left in the fields, she pushed herself hard to pull through the hours, one day in the fields, the next with the kids. It continued for the whole of the new month until not even her father could pull a smile from her that was not saved bravely for the kids. As the sun rose within the sky, she was all ready out back with some of the women from the village, hair pulled tight into a ponytail as she washed and hung clothes. Bending as she sat upon a stool, she stroked a shirt over a grate within the soapy water before lifting up to ring out the shirt, throw it into a bucket of clean water to rinse and move on. The women were a well oiled machine, each had their task and did it without fail, without missing a step. Maahes would be proud. As the hooves of the horse approached, the article of clothing was dropped into the soapy water. All eyes turned to Ealora as the call went out for her. Wiping her hands upon her breeches, she lifted from the stool and raced through the back of the temple to the front, the easiest route besides trying to round the corner and miss the messenger. "What? What is it?" She tried to even her breathing as she yanked the door open to admit the page before he slammed into the door.* Page: From running his breath came in a rush, it heaved and pressed from his chest in a heavy pant, "A man...men..dangerous..come....." He tried to catch his breath, bending to heave in gulps of air. "They are coming here..Now. The Marshals could not stop them. They come for him, demand to see him." It was very clear the boy was about to pass out, as he took his seat. "I could not find any men in the arena, they are all in England, but..but I will stay and help you." (d Ealora: "Breath easy lad, do not draw deep breaths or you'll make yourself pass out.."She soothed despite the information he rasped out. "Nora, water!" She called into the house before turning to look back at the boy. "Who is this...dangerous man? Do you have a name? They?" She wanted answers but suddenly her feet were moving without her knowledge. She moved swiftly into their bedroom, her belt with her Sai's had been tucked away in the dresser, away from the children, nimble fingers moved to attach it, resting the weapons at her back. Swiveling on her feet, she moved back out the room, pausing as Nora was bringing the glass of water she ordered with a puzzled look. "Nora, I sent the guards to the fields....please, go fetch them...take the children with you, stay in the fields until I send the guards for you.." "My Lady..what.." Nora began but stopped as Ealora's hand came to her arm. "There isn't time to explain, protect the children..do not frown or show worry, they will see it. Act as if this is a game..hide and seek, go now.." She took the water from the woman and moved to join the page on the porch, pressing her free hand to his shoulder, she offered the cup to him.* Page: "They did not have names, M'lady but looked like savages. The man who leads them has skin as dark as night, and a great big man. Bigger then the Lord General." He took the water, the gangly little arms of the man were a tangled mess of skinny limbs--what good could this man do? "There they are.." He pointed upon the horizon the mighty horses of same shape as the mare Maahes had given her. Long necks and skinny legs, these horses seemed too delicate to hold the great men upon their back. Jahi and Men:There was only 15 or so that followed in behind the largest. A man easily 7 feet with hair shaved back save for a small amount upon the crown of his head held back, and dreaded just like Maahes's. His arms were as big as tree trunks, and legs to go along with them. He carried little decoration save for armor that was much like the one hanging upon the wall of Maahes's weapon room. It was old, from the arena one of the few pieces he had left and was still stained by the dessert sands. Armed to the teeth each one looked like common warriors, of times long forgotten--of Egypt, and they carried the sun upon their backs. The marvel on many of their eyes grew with sight of the temple, but the man in the front carried with him the same dead stare their Beast had as well. He was a pure and simple killer, and that was clearly written across his face. As the mouth of Red Wall was assaulted by the hooves of their horses, their eyes fell upon the woman there who now had small meek guards coming to stand behind her. "I come looking for a man." His voice boomed from his chest like deeper thunder that had ever been heard, "Tell me..does a man who goes by the name Maahes live here?" (d Ealora: "Looks can be deceiving or well deserved depending on the situation. You wouldn't call the General a savage would you?" A pointed chin turned a look down to him. Gods, him protect her? Who the hell was the city kidding?! Her hand came to capture the boys as he pointed. "Don't point..."She seemed to speak without moving her lips. "Stay beside me, but do not address me as my lady or Ealora..do not speak unless I address you and do not stare.." She released his arm to take a step towards the edge of the porch. Impression was everything and it seemed these men were intent on making it. Authority. Despite that they were on foreign soil, they detainment meant one thing, they would not be denied. Ealora could show her own impression. As far as they were concerned, she was just a worker of these lands or perhaps some feminine guard, not worth taking into battle. Oh the games people played. Her face remained stockly void of emotion, void of anything that would belittle her thoughts to them. The truth was she was taking everything in, from horse to weapon to men. Egypt. Her heart sang it without revealing it on her face before it squeezed tightly at childhood memories, of the man who held every part of her, who always seemed to have the desert lands cling to him. "You travel a long way to find a man stranger, there are male courtesans in town." She teased and yet did not smile. Was it really a joke? This was a glimpse of the woman behind mother and wife, the woman she once was and would always in some way be. The Pirate Queen. Her head gave the barest of jerks, celadon eyes caught the dead stare of the booming voiced male. "I am hardly one to give information to one not known in these lands, Sir. What do you want of the Lord General?" That's right Ealora, throw out the title, he had earned it with every drop of sweat and every enemies blood he spilled within the dirt.* Jahi: "I seek then the man of this estate, is there not.." Turning deep rich chocolate eyes to the page at Ealora's side he narrowed his eyes, "Where is the man of this land, I do not speak to women." He pressed his horse forward to the pair, and this would be what Ealora had missed in her husband. By the time he had reached her his place had been put, and this barbaric man had been beat out of him. "Lord General?" A smirk crossed the man's face, and he was certain he had heard her wrong, but was that pride their in his eyes. Over his shoulders he gave a look to one of the only clean cut paler skinned man and the man gave a nod dismounting. Husani: He wasn't very tall at all, at least not compared to Maahes, and almost looked as if he belonged in Italy somewhere, not upon the back of this horse. However his attire was much of the same, well worn leather. He had curls of dark brown that fell around his chin, and well trimmed facial hair. "Forgive him, M'lady we are in a rush. We look for the Lord of this land so he may help us find a long lost brother. Time is an issue, and it is our father who dies even now who has sent is. It is the same father of your Lord General, and I would hate to deny him the news." (d Ealora: Her hands behind her back moved to clasp each sai within the palms of her hand, fingers closed over the familiar hardness. Her foot slid back as he reigned the horse in closer to her. Her jaw flickered but it was the only emotion to cross her face. A slender brow arched upward at the smile that slid over his face. Was that pride? What the hell was going on here?! She forced herself not to jerk, not to pull the weapons just yet as the other dismounted. Shorter compared to Maahes and these other men. Celadon eyes squared hard on the man,. Apology not taken, not yet anyway's. "A long lost brother? Father?" Her head jerked ever so slightly to an angle. "Are you kin to the Lord General then?" Uncertainty still gripped at her, enough that she was completely convinced by them, not convinced to reveal who she was. "The Lord General does reside here, but he has been gone on Campaign for the Duke.."She couldn't grip the new title either, like husband, like wife. "His father is sending for him? Give me the message, I will be sure to get it to the Lord General, and instructions of where he is being summoned too."* Husani: There was a kindness in the smaller man's face, a genuine old fashioned kindness there within the heart of sly fox. "Perhaps we got off upon the wrong foot." The men behind him shifted, "My name is Husani Jibade, son of the Sultan Abubakar Aziem, A prince in my country..and third born son. Your Lord General is second, he will have rights to the heritage our father will leave behind, Maahes is the second born son, Manu is his birth name. There will be a war, if he does not refuse the right. Our brother, first born will be over turn, he is a wicked wicked man, kills and rapes many. Manu needs to refuse the right now, so when our brother is killed, we can take our claim...a well deserved claim, if you know anything of your General you know of the life he suffered..we have all suffered." He begged with his eyes, a kind and gentle longing there for her to help in anyway. "If there is a way to contact him, we will go anywhere he is, but we have traveled now to three different nations, and just in this day alone suffered greatly. Please..send word for his return." (d Ealora: A fox...yes the man did look it. Through the kindness, her instinct bore a distrust, she had never been a good judge of character and that was privy to her trust once in Atlas. Time would tell if her instinct was right this time, or if she were wrong again. A slender brow rose in an arch again. Wrong foot, no chyt! "Yes, trampling through the land, demanding right to the General's lands, I will say you got off on a wrong foot indeed." Manu. The name sounded so odd, not at all befitting her husband. Maahes was better, no question. What was in a name anyway? A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet right? Maahes would still be who he was by any name, no matter the name, she loved him, body, heart and soul. "I know a great deal of the General, your highness, but it sounds to me as if he will suffer more in refusing. It is not my decision to make, it is his and he will do so on his own conscious and in what he feels is best, right and proper to do. Sounds to me as if you have your own dark ambitions, wanting your own brother to refuse heritage and what is right of birth, so that you may claim what he denies? I can promise you, your highness, you have not suffered as much as the Lord General, of that I can promise with every certainty." Where was his family while he was being bred for the arena? Pushed like an animal, fighting for survival, a prisoner, a slave. No she held no respect for his family. "I have heard no word from the General in over a months time and he has been gone three. Understand this, Prince Aziem, I will send word for him, but not because of your plight, but because the Lord General has earned the right to confront his so called family, he has the right to make assumptions of his own in your ordeal with your father and a right to accept or refuse that which is his by birth." Her hands loosened and released the Sai's at her back all together. No doubt the look of her gave off that she was perhaps Captain of the guard, or perhaps some Egyptian Slave who had earned a place on the lands, or at least a place to die for it. Only her slight turn, keeping Husani in sight by the corner of her eye did it prove she was important here. "Usi..."A tan skinned male from the back of the line of men drew forward. How long had an Egyptian like man been within the ranks? Since atlas untimely death and the slaves release. Maahes had claimed to kill all but the man and two others had fled rather then bare the wrath of their torturer Atlas, the same ones who had given her look of death. Go write an urgent note to the Lord General, in Arabic for him to understand, tell him his presence is required immediately and concerns family. The ancient tongue of her family flew from her lips like a melody. How long it had been since she used it, but it was like learning to ride a horse, you never forgot. The man looked blankly at her for a minute, his body jerked, as if he were about to bow then caught himself before he moved swiftly inside. Ealora's attention returned to Husani and his men. "I presume you would like to stay here until his arrival?"* Husani: The entire time she moved, and the entire time she spoke this man looked upon her face like looking upon a beloved pictures. She was perfect, everything about her was just as he had imagined upon hearing of the wife this man held. Her eyes were of the sea, but not of any English sea, but the exotic white sands of the Arabian Isle. "Manu will not want of those lands, for everything he has here." Eyes then drifted from Ealora to temple a secret longing there crept inside his eyes. It was beautiful here, there was rich thick grass not hot sands, and the air was cool--crisp. "We would only ask what you would give the family of your husband, M'lady. We have traveled very far, and barely survived Avaria leaving three of our brothers dead there. It is a savage land, and we were thankful our brother no longer resides there. "OF what is to be done, Husani?" The large black male boomed, and Husani would be quick to wave him off. "Perhaps a barn you can spare? We have no shame and can sleep with our horses." (d Ealora: Her jaw flinched at the name. Any name and he was still be him and yet she felt the urge to shock the man in his face and correct him. The urge was quieted only in the flinch of her jaw. " Any who has survived as the General has will know, no matter the placement of the land, any land gained by position, or by hardship and trial, is better then none. But I will not speak for the General..You do not give me all the facts Prince Aziem, and from them I can make no judgement, besides, it is not my place, as I said." Her head jerked, ever so slightly again. "I never said I was the General's wife..your highness.." Her attention turned from his, perhaps as if she were ignoring him but her attention turned to the three guards who had come from around the side of the house to join her, hands upon their weapons. She had trained them in situations unknown not to use her title, should it be persons wishing the General's family harm. In situations like these she was simple, Captain, of the guard...of a ship, who knew but them. "Ivan, Shamish, Killian, go to the fields and fetch the General's family, I believe they were playing hide and seek there. Please tell the Lady Nora, that Red Wall has guests." The three men took a step back and in unison replied. "Yes Captain." Before turning all in one fluid motion and moving back they way they came. Ealora's attention returned to Husani and his men. "Savy, and his men will stable your horses and I will see to it, the Lady of the house prepares rooms for you all."* Husani: "Thank you, your kindness will not go unrewarded." Turning to signal to the men they would all follow upon the steps of the guards as it seemed all were very worn. "Forgive me..I have heard of the beauty of my brother's wife, and I thought in certain you..for your beauty is worth it's weight in any rich man's gold..are you told that much?" A coy smile, knowing this woman no doubt had been told many many times. "Perhaps, when I am cleaned and changed perhaps you will show me these lands?" It was then when he smiled the small similarities he shared with Maahes could be seen. There was a hint of rarity to the smile, but lines that proved otherwise. It was in his eyes he carried the same kindness that came with such a rare heart trapped inside the belly of a beast. They even had the same hair, save this man was not locked together and brushed over his face in the wind. "Unless you are his mistress, then I will have nothing spread about you, until he has given me permission" (d Ealora: "Oh I am sure I will be rewarded by the pearly gates of heaven." Dry humor passed her lips before she had a chance to catch it. Months without her husband had hardened her, no doubt in his return she would soften, or would she? She was still sour on being left behind, asked in Maahes was in demand, that she stay with the children rather then protect his backside. Celadon's heaved in a roll towards Husani, she had heard it to many times and it was getting annoying. Honestly she didn't think herself THAT beautiful. "Were I to have a gold coin for every time pretty words like that flowed from flattering seeking lips, I would be a rich woman indeed Prince Aziem." A breath sucked in deep through her nose. How much he resembled his brother besides brute muscle and her heart squeezed painfully. Looking at his brother made her miss him so much more. "I did not say you were wrong.." She retorted on her title of who she was as her head jerked away from him to hide the emotional longing she had for her husband and only when she felt her face relax did her attention return to him again"but I didn't say you were right either." A slender brow arched, mistress? He really didn't know his brother then. "The Lord General, does not keep a mistress.."She stated coldly, dryly. "I will show you the lands of your brother, provided you do not mind the guards accompanying us, and my...weapons." A smile itched at the corner of her lips. Yes she was begging for a fight but not really from him, frustration and tension would be drawn out later in a duel within the courtyard with the men later. * Husani: "Then if you are not a mistress, who are you? A guard?" His words were to the point, "Weapons..You will not need them, for I am not the brother you should fear." He spoke kindly, and the leather upon his back suddenly became very heavy as well his eyes. After a moment of silence he would square away his feet, the thin lines of his face very clear. "Our quest has been for our family, our father is dying, and this is the chance for us to leave the Arena as now we are outlaws and will never see the families we left behind if something does not change. Please..drop this fight, the only fear you have is that he would wish to take the lands and he will leave you behind." There wasn't a fool standing there before her, that longing was not missed. How long had it been? She said months, but in her eyes he saw more. However, when Nora came up her clothes simple, and her face old Husani would eye Ealora, "Is this the Lady of Manu's heart? Tell me then, Mistress..Where is the Lord's birthmark?" He asked with brows rose in question, and Nora quickly scanned Ealora for the answer. (d Ealora: "I am one who loves the land here as much as the Lord General." She responded, sneaky little bytch. Her boots shifted in the dirt to face him completely. She had faults, she was human after all, damn her inability to tell good from bad. For a long moment she was silent, studying his face, trying hard to read her instincts, read into him. Yet there was kindness in his eyes, no threat despite barging in on the lands and what she saw of it was good reason. He was one brother seeking another, because of a dying father, the threat of another war. "You misunderstand me, Prince Aziem. My weapons are never far, you may never know when a threat will come." Again there was that itch to punch his face in. MAAHES! she wanted to scream. Celadon eyes rose to meet Nora's confused expression. Shoulders rolled back to square her shoulders, perfect posture, straight back. "Maahes...does not have a birthmark"She responded and for a moment she might of given him the answer he needed, that she was of no consequence to these lands beside a hired hand or slave but then she continued. "He has a tattoo upon his neck, an R.." Lids closed over Celadon eyes, how it pained her to say such words but only because she could see the tattoo clearly in her mind when she wanted to see it clearly before her eyes. "This is my lady housekeeper, Nora; Nora, this is the Lords brother, the Prince Husani Jibade Aziem and I, Prince Aziem, am the lady of Maahes heart, Ealora." Lids had slid open again take him in. He couldn't fault her deception in protection of the land, its people but most of all her family, their children.* Husani: He shook his head crossing his arm's lazily over his chest, "It is not an R, but his rank and name. We are all given them when we come of age in the arenas. It is how they knew who was killed. Our number, for our name. Your, Maahes was lucky to get out when he did, and I look forward to what happened to the man who purchased him. Does the woman still exist? She was very brave..thought for sure they would marry." He looked eager to follow her where she wished, as he was longing to be free of the heavy armor and to be sitting upon something that did not move. "Lady Nora, thank you. Let me go see that my men get settled and then we will walk you and I over these beautiful lands?" (d Ealora: "Still an R, I know my husband, its importance does not matter to me. Simply because it does not make him who he is. He is who he is, because he has worked hard for it. No R put on his neck would make the man, your highness." He hand wove as she felt his antsy manner behind stiffness, no doubt his armor pained him, stiffened him, she knew the feeling as she lead the way to the temple. "Maahes has always been a survive, I knew that the first time I laid eyes on him within the arena. My soul knew then what took my heart years to understand." Her jaw twitched, the arena was part of her husband but the slavery of it still pulled a rage inside of her, one she was sure she would never be free of. Was he talking of Tommy or Anulia. She figured Tommy as Anulia did not seem the fighting type. Besides, Perry words from what seemed like eons ago still echoed in her head, Maahes would run if Tommy called for him. "I do not know.."She answered in truth, she had met Tommy only very briefly when she first arrived in Skye, where she hated the woman because she held Maahes in a way Ealora had wanted and had constantly denied and lied to herself about. "Maahes, would never marry just for heirs, Prince Aziem, you have much to learn of your brother and that his heart and soul rest in me, as much as my heart and soul rest within him. I can not say words enough to make you, nor anyone understand the bonds of my husband and I, to say we are fated seems so silly to others, to us, it seems well placed and right. It is something we hold very dear and remind each other at every occasion. It is not enough to simply pair yourself with another for want of heirs or for some fleeting feeling that might pass in a few years. What Maahes and I have, has crossed ages, our souls have always destined to be together, in every life we will. As we are now, we shall always be and neither of us, will be completely without the other." She stopped at the porch as Eppie and Issa ran from the doorway, attaching themselves to her legs. She couldn't be angry at them for not staying inside. Her arms wrapped about her children. "Nora, please see my brother in law settled with his men." She dipped to press a kiss against each head. "Mmm and it is nap time for the both of you. How about a story?" Issa's celadon eyes found hers. "About Daddy?" He asked but clearly the same question was written on Eppie face. "As you wish.."She responded to the two little ones with a grin.* Husani: A hand fell upon his heart as he listened to her words, but it would be the children then eased his soul. Maahes had a good life here, all fears of him taking his place ran out with the wind. Why would he want to leave such a kingdom..however..a plan sparked inside his mind as he thought about their father and how pleased he would be to hear of his son a nobleman in an English speaking land. After the crusades the Middle East were in turmoil, and the arena Ealora would know was much different. "You were there?" It dawned upon him, the eyes he had seen for he was certain. "I did not fight in the arena, but I worked the crowd. Perhaps we have passed. I look forward to hearing your stories..and forgive me, but I must ask..Are all three of these his?" He looked bewildered at the blonde child who was clearly unlike any of the other. (d Ealora: Her hands wove through the golden curls of Eppie hair as she looked past her thigh to the man then past him to the horizon, clearly looking for her Daddy, not seeing him, a frown marred the little girls lips. Ealora's heart broke as much as her daughters and she bent again to kiss her forehead. Issa put his arm protectively around his sisters shoulders but glared up the new male with a hardness not fitting a four year old little boy. "oh now that is a story I have not told you two.."She seemed to ignore her brother in law, but her children came first. "Go inside and put on your jammies, Issa, I want you to sleep with Eppie this afternoon and tonight. I will met you both in her room." Her hand to their backs eased them inside and with the promise of a story, they ran and Ealora called out at their retreating backs. "No running!" Before she let out a laugh. Straightening, her hands smoothed down her pants as again her attention turned to her brother in law. "Once, yes, I was not supposed to but a rebellious teenager does many forbidden things, even dancing at banquets. "She hummed in a laugh at the memory, which had in essence been painted and hung in the sitting room across from Maahes chair. "By blood, no, Eppie we rescued from a terrible tragedy, and the little boy is my son from before I met Maahes. "Her eyes moved to Nora, silently asking where their blood child was. Nora made a sign behind the mans back and Ealora continued without missing a beat. "Our son, Maahes and mine is inside with my brother. But we do not stand on what is blood and not blood here, we are all family, despite blood, these children are ours and we will fight to the death to defend any challenge otherwise." Arms crossed over her chest. She had been praying Eppie had sensed something, had prayed he would come through the gates but he did not. He would one day, of that she had absolutely no doubts, but she was selfish, she wanted him here, to touch him, to smell the ever clinging desert scent on his skin. To feel his arms, to love him and be loved by him, as she had a never ending desire for her husband, one that would never be quenched.* Husani: "A son!?" He grinned, then calling out the large black male, "Jahi! Manu has a son!" He beamed then reaching out to touch Ealora's shoulder. "What a great surprise, a son. We will give him the birth ceremony of our father when our brother arrives. "It is a great honor for the first born." He smiled, then looking over the face of his brother's wife. It was not a secret she kept well, that told the stories of how she missed him and his voice calmed to a small whisper as he leaned in closer, "He has been gone for so long..I can feel the ache in your heart. You long for him.." An open palm raised then warm and inviting, "Let us walk, show me your land and tell me more of this love you share, is it as deep as this Valley? Perhaps you will show me where I can be cleaned? Is there a river?" (d Ealora: "Yes, two months old last week." She sighed, Gods had it really been that long since she had Ra? She barely remembered what it was like to be pregnant and being drugged during labor had probably been a blessing or she would not of agreed to more children. "He has a long name, we call him Ra for short. He is our sun God." She spoke with a height of motherly pride. She loved their son dearly, she loved all their children very much. What once she had denied herself and never thought to gain was now her greatest treasure. She jerked under his touch, though she had 'opened' up more to her brother in law, she didn't completely trust him still. "You must understand, this is the first time he has gone and I have stayed."She left out that before, she was the one to leave, both times unwillingly. Stepping off the porch, she led the way down towards the path that would take them through the woods to the river. She kept her pace calm, cool, slow. How to explain her love for Maahes? She sighed and grinned if only a little. "How do you explain love like ours? To say it is as wide as the sea, is not enough, to say we shame the stars that take the night sky, would not do it justice.." She licked at her lips, arms crossed over her chest as boots kicked pebbles along the path, the babble of the river was not far, the sound louder as they approached. "They say dark people can never be sated blood, but truly dark people, could never love, not as we do. If either of us, were dark, love would never of been within the fates for us. I am not sure what you heard of me Husani, but I was not a good woman, not before your brother. He took a chance, he changed the heart of a dark woman. He brought me to life, in his sacrifice of his heart and soul, he brought out a woman in me, I never thought possible, a woman, I never thought I could be, gave me things I had forever denied myself." She quieted as she pointed to the river as it came into sight. "First time I saw Maahes was when he was in the arena and I in the stands, I was to far up to really see him and there was this pull, this fire. I talked my friends into crashing the banquet of the winner, Maahes, we disguised ourselves as dancers, oh how I danced for him..my eyes were only for him, the desert beast. It wasn't until I met him here in Skye that I understood, my dance was not just a movement of body, but a release of my soul, like the ancient ritual of my people, I gave my soul to him that night, never really knowing I would connect with it again when I met him here. It will never be mine again. It will forever be with him, as his is with me now. We are complete together, half of ourselves apart. That, my brother, is true and fated love."* Husani: He listened as she spoke letting her say as she wished, and taking in all that she said just as he had over the past year upon their search. "I have not seen him since he was 16, but I hear he has grown into a great man." Ahead of them the sounds of the men jumping into the river could be heard, and this caused him only to press on. "Has he changed much in appearance? Is he still as tall as I can remember? Did he finally grow hair upon his face?" He chuckled as he started to undo the armor just as Maahes did, but in place of his brother he could shed it free with ease; clearly a much smaller man. "The only thing I have heard about you came, from the shores of Avaria a man there who spoke of your beauty, and how you kept him here. They seem to think you have bewitched him from the battle there. He spoke ill of you, and I think they felt you a witch...but any who could see your eyes would know you simply have true power within the pure exotic beauty you hold. Forgive me for being so forward, but I am not a fool. I have no doubt you were the one to settle him, and knew it. He had women throwing themselves at him, had a mate who was put in bed with him every night, but never did he touch her. He held her, he loved her dearly, but never did he take her. Never did he put his seed inside her. His reason..love. He did not love her, but from your three children I can see he loves you. His mother would be proud, perhaps we will find her and tell her of her son. She will be pleased to know of his great fortune. If she is even still alive, I have not gone through the records of my father's whores in years." (d Ealora: "You can see beauty even in an evil being. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is our wits, that make us truly spectacular."She answered this first for it was something she held greatly to. Her husband was the most handsome man she had ever known. Physical features were such a small portion to his soul which made him the only man she ever saw, ever wanted with every fiber of her being. A grin pulled at her lips as she hummed in a laugh again. "He is very tall, and has grown hair, both on his head and his face. I would kill the person who ever tried to take it off." She was only half joking. She turned slightly averting her eyes as he pulled off his armor. Though she had to let out a snort to being called a witch. "They are not the only ones. In Aberdeen I am known as the Shadow Witch. Superstitions, but I am glad you see past them." Her foot kicked at the dirt as he spoke of a mate. "Anulia, yes I know her, she is a beloved sister of us both, still pure, still sweet and greatly loved in a different way then a mate." She shuddered at the word whore. "Do not use that word in my presence again Husani."She did not say please, she didn't have to. She didn't like that word. "I would be happy to find her..if she is still alive, I would like to see a reconciliation between them. Maahes does not speak of her, I suspect he feels she had an indifference to him. I would like to see some kind of respect between them, if not love. I had a wonderful mother, whom I loved and miss dearly, I would see that for them, but if it is not to be so, then perhaps some respect." She kept her eyes still averted from him. "Shall I leave you to join your men in the river?"* Husani: "Manu would not have known his mother, perhaps that is why he does not speak of her. When he was a child she was forced to give him up. He was the second born, and would only have earned right if the first was killed, but even now it is not a task any would wish other then for the money. Our father is an oil merchant, and with it comes his wives. If Maahes wishes he will be given the...women, and their children. The arena is no longer, the fights are no longer for show, but how arguments are settled." He was completely naked now, having no shame just as Maahes had, and it was clearly written across his back that this man did not have the win inside him like Maahes. He had been beaten with the edges of a whip just as any other, and that told the stories of his scars. "No, you should join us. How long has it been since you let go?" He passed a coy grin over his shoulder the water rushed up around him. "You will learn our culture is very different, we can not touch you without his permission." (d Ealora: Oh is Husani only knew Ealora had no shame in nakedness either but her husband's honor was in her not looking on without shame. Husani probably did not know he was giving more information then Maahes had ever had. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the scars, whip scars, she knew them all to well, beneath her clothing, she had her own, from disobedience to Brad and enslavement by him to that of a mutinies crew who had sought to humiliate her and turn her in for a bounty. Oh how scars could tell their own story, never would she be free of it. "Maahes would never take on more wives. He still holds many customs that you do, but that is not one of them." She responded, turning only when she heard him trudging into the water. A grin slid over her lips as she let out a laugh. "Not a chance. Maahes for one, would never give his permission of that and two, customs here dictate I would dishonor my husband in joining his brother and men naked in a river..I will never do that to him, I love him to much. It has been a very long time since I was so free but marriage, happily, binds me and I do not mind the bindings. We are not in Egypt Husani, the culture here is much different. But I will stay on shore.." And with that, she slid to her bottom upon the shore by the waters edge, settling for removing her boots and dipping her feet in. "So tell me Husani, why this will for Maahes to give up what is his by right of birth? I am not a fool, I know there is more then your telling me."* Husani: "Because our lands are in war, and the last thing we need is our brother to take the lead." The voice of the Nubian boomed, "What he means is the man to take our father's place. He is a sick and twisted man. Power hungry and prays each day our father will die before we can. We will take him out, it will go to Manu, Manu will refuse and it will go to us. We will bring victory back to our tribe and from there help change the city as it falls apart. Women are beat and raped not only by their husbands, but by the men her husbands work with. We have started to kill off our daughters only because we know of what is to come. Our brother beats his wife, and has three others what would he do he was given a chance? We have even thought of training one of our daughters to seduce him to kill him, but even then he learns. He is weak, compared to us, but his strength behind the people is truly unable to be beat. He has a power there. It is simply amazing, and we fear it is spells. If Manu is not there to refuse his rights then it will be a battle, and we will be forced to fight one another..does this make sense?" (d Ealora: Celadon eyes rose to the darker skinned man who had refused to talk to a woman. Seemed he was talking to her now. Brute. He was another brother? He truly didn't look it. Gods how many brothers in law did she have now? Her head dipped as she listened, a usual trait for her, one they would learn, given the time. She was silent for a long while. How Maahes would know his wife's mind was soaking in the information, digesting it and forming opinions for herself as well as advice that was never asked for. "What if Maahes does not refuse? Do you not see your brother setting the land to rights as he has done here?" Her head lifted as she spoke. "Hasuni, I know my advice is not well thought of in your culture, and very well unthinkable were we in Egypt but we are not in Egypt and I have never not offered my advice, asked for or not. Are you, and his other brothers, willing to sacrifice what needs to be given up in order to save the land and its people? Do you truly understand what must be given up in order to achieve what your ultimately reaching for. Do not set your goals so high so soon. You rush a plan and you ruin it in haste. Every detail, and I do mean every detail must be laid out, even back ups should the inevitable or unthinkable happen. When to much blood is spilt, the land will not heal, the land will not yield. Keep this in consideration as you go forward. But most importantly, keep in mind that while you are princes, you are not above being human. Thrones come and go, loyalty, can be broken, you must be willing to fight, constantly, to keep loyalty and manage out deceit, in your lives and the lives of your people. You all have fought in the Arena before, you know what it is to fight for survival but to fight for your people is much different. You give up yourself in doing so. Maahes and I sacrificed much for the people here to have a life. Fate twisted and turned but we only remained strong because of our love but most importantly the love of our people and their loyalty and it is a never ending battle, a never ending task to keep their hearts safe and whole. You must be willing to sacrifice what could be your future happiness for what you seek. In the end you may not have to give up that happiness, but you must be prepared for it nonetheless. You have many hard days ahead of you, not as princes but people, the head of your clan, you must be willing to shed your sweat, blood and tears to rebuild them first before you rebuild what is yours and make it a whole and be the royalty your people will eventually need. It is not enough simply to care about the people. Others say it will be impossible to love them all and treat them, as if family, for that is what they will be and your heart will not burst in loving them and giving them everything you would tinder for yourself, in it, you achieve a far greater goal then anyone could hope for. A united kingdom, love and loyalty, one with as little bloodshed as possible." What a diplomat she would of made for any kingdom! What she spoke of was from experience. She had given up bloody ties for love, she had given up a beloved sea and ship for family and land. She had sacrificed everything she had ever known and been to become something more- THE Lady of Red Wall to its people, mother and most dear to her heart, wife.* Husani: "It is different here..your people are not being killed for looking different. Your women are not made slaves, and your life is not in danger. Our brother would protect you til his last breath, but when it came down to it he is too savage to understand that life is more then a battle. He fights well, no one has his record in the arena, but he is only that--a killer. He would not do well as a Sultan, he would not do well as that for if he loves you as you say..it would take his enemies one session with you and he would be crazy with rage. I am a much better leader, and level headed." The men around him gave a nod as they watched the woman on the banks. "If we do not kill our brother, then he will come looking for you..and you will not survive. He would have his men hold you down, and your screams would only excite him. So save your speech for nations unlike ours. Much has changed...the other tribes know this. They work with us, but all we need is his refusal. If he does not answer in a week then we will go find him, and we will take him from these lands, and you may never see him again. For the savage world we left behind would have him robbed and killed before he came home. It is important he is found.." (d Ealora: "Is it really? Have you learned the lives of our people here? I do not think you have, else you would not say so." Her feet shifted in the water as she leaned back to listen to her new brother in law speak, watching as his men nodded in agreement. "I do not doubt Maahes ability to kill, nor claims he is a beast. I am..as much a beast as him, a panther and still there is a hunger for the blood of wrong doers and slavers, as much as his body calls for the blood of his enemies, whether attackers of mine or not. You know your brother so little. He is not so simple minded as you take him. Do you think I am so easily taken down? I am beginning to see, you think your brother married me for my beauty and in it he found love. Which also leads me to believe you have not heard a word I've said about what our love is. For in it lies the secret of all the trials we have been through." She wiggled on the shore. "Maahes has been through more then you have ever realized, he has strength and power in him, you have not even yet begun to glimpse. He has wisdom and courage that are boundless and a loyalty to people that most, only dream of." She stood and began to remove her clothing. "You think me so prettily to look at? Do you think I have been through nothing and simply fell into your brothers arms naive and simply?" Her tunic top was tossed aside over her boots and her pants wiggled off. "You think this brother of yours would render my screams that have not all ready been tried by others..?" She turned so the roadmap of whip lashes across her body were displayed, over her legs, her stomach and around as she circled to her back which hardly had a smooth spot upon it for the whiplashes there. "What has not killed me, Husani, makes me stronger." She turned again full circle and reached for her clothing to put it back on. "I do not doubt your claims of a dark brother, I had one myself..ones with dark ambitions are never persuaded differently, in the end, their death is needed for the safety of others. I am not trying to convince you that Maahes would make a better ruler then you Husani, merely saying do not underestimate the intelligence of your brother simply because he wields a sword better then his words. I am also simply giving my advice, that my wish is to see you prepared for what is to come, that you understand the sacrifices you must make for a better tribe. Do not threaten me with taking him. Do you think I will not follow? I was a pirate Husani and none can match me upon the seas. I would be on your tail quicker then you could blink, and I would be there to see my husbands safety, of that you can have my undying promise. I will always come for him." Her pants yanked on, her shirt came next, left messy and undone.* Jahi: The men exchanged glances as she spoke of following, ideas running wild upon their minds, but there was also no doubt their dreams would be filled of her body--scared or not! The large dark skinned man of ebony color rose from the water then, and it seemed the water longed to be free from his body as it ran down. "Let us see this strength. Fight me." He boomed the sound a deep deep deep rumble under his voice. "You will not win, woman. You will die under my hands if you make another threat. No matter how tough you are, you will not move me. We have worked too hard for this to be against our plan. If we must go through you we will, but he WILL refuse those rights." His eyes narrowed upon her and Husani:t he smaller man was quick to rush from the water, "Back back..do not speak to her like that!" (d Ealora: Celadon eyes rose as the hulking brute lugged from the water. Although he looked nothing like Husani or Maahes in looks beyond having the same brute strength of her husband, she could see that much in him. The will of fight, the desire of it, the muscle, matched. A smile itched at the corner of her lips at the challenge but her attention was drawn to Husani as he ran from the water. Had she won some type of respect from him? She wasn't sure but the smile still clung for a second more at the thought she might have. "No Husani, it is all right..some, fight with intelligence, others with a sword or fist and some few, with both.." Her eyes moved to..Jahi was it? She honestly couldn't remember. "You challenge me to a fight, I accept. You think so little of women? You think so little of me and you think my size means that you will beat me. Let us put it to the test then. You mistake my promise for a threat...but I would happily prove myself in a duel, if you so wish it."* Jahi: The man's fist rose with the speed and strength of any snake's strike and would come crashing down upon her mouth in knuckles large and hard. There was no doubt if it hit it would break her lip, perhaps even a few of her teeth, but it would be a lesson learned--to keep her mouth closed. If she moved back a massive hand would come to catch the back of her hair and bend her neck back to continue his strike. This man was not one to be tested and unlike Maahes he cared very little for her, and would have her dead within moments.. Boy what a surprise the General will have when he gets home. The men around them would start to laugh, watching as the fight unfolded. "Take her shirt off! Let's see her fight naked." Husani: "ENOUGH!!!!" A sword was drawn from the smaller of the men, and he held it out. "STOP IT! YOU ARE NO DIFFERENT THEN THOSE BARBARIANS AT HOME!" (d Ealora: She danced within the soft sand of the river bank as his fist came her way but his hand shot out to capture her hair and bend her backward. Not the hair! Why did they always go for the hair! Her back bent back nearly to the breaking point, one hand went back to capture his hand in her hair to lessen the sting of him pulling it as the other came to his fist coming at her face. Fingers wrapped around a thick wrist and pulling, as if pulling it near his face, her lower body heaved upward, her foot upward at his head. His fist struck the side of her face, she felt her lip split, the pain intense, dizzying, had her foot hit the mark of his head? She really didn't know as she tumbled to the ground upon her knees. His hand still knotted in her hair yanked harshly making Ealora hiss with the further sting. Spying her belt on the ground, her eyes stinging with tears from the pain of the fist to her face. She shove between his legs, despite the hold he had on her hair. If he didn't want to be doubled over with butt in the air he would let go of her hair, if not, oh well, a Sai was dragged from its sheath before she twirled on her knees to press the sharpened end of the sai against his groin just as Husani words boomed through the air. "Tell him to let go of my hair.."She growled, Sai still poised to give her other new brother-in-law a circumcision.* Husani: He would release her hair and signal the men to follow him, and all would be gone from the banks of the river, but without a second thought. It would be her tears that had Husani quickly rushing to her side and folding his arms over her, "Oh Lord..please forgive me..we'll leave right away. Please come, let me take you to your keeper..your lip." He reached for his tunic and quickly balled it up to dab at her lip. "I am so sorry..he will be punished deeply, and we will leave this very moment.." Lord, what was Maahes going to say? (d Ealora: She scrambled back to her bottom, jerking the sai away from jahi groin without doing any harm to it. Dropping the weapon, her eyes found Husani at her side. Lord how fragile did he think she was? Even she did not realize for a moment she was crying, but damn that had hurt! She jerked back as the tunic touched at her all ready throbbing and swelling lip. "chyt!" She hissed and let out a groaning laugh as she held up a hand. "Husani, stop, It's all right." She spoke before opening her mouth wider and feeling in the back of her mouth, damn, loose tooth. if she didn't mess with it, it would reconnect with the gum in a few weeks. "He has a hard hit..No no, you and your men are not going anywhere and do not punish him, he challenged and I accepted. Your brother, thinks with his fits, with his rage..as you think with your head and heart. It is part of who he is and I will not see him punished for being who he is." Maahes was going to be mad, of that she had no doubt, but she would remind him of his words, that he saw she was strong even when he tried to box her in that she was not always safe. Turning her head, she spit a mixture of blood and spit against the ground before moving to wipe blood from her chin. "There is nothing to forgive Husani, I have had to prove myself in wit and in arms many times, this is nothing new and not the first wound I have received. Stay, be here when your brother returns. If you wish to repay me for this, then do this, at my request, as my wish."* [/font]
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Post by Chief Baliff Ealora on Apr 21, 2009 23:36:29 GMT -6
Husani:It had been two weeks since the men arrived upon the lands of Bant Chan Ser, and found their refuge in the home of the General. Akaneiro Kabe had been the very spitting image of it's survival, as the storms raged on. Spring came in like a lion, but always left like a lamb--however this land missed their lion. Eppie had been helping those in the downs with Nora as they shed away the fleece from the sheep. While Nora stood over the newly shed yews, Eppie was lost in the tall grass resting with a new lamb, and giggled as it cried out. She felt it sounded like Ra, or at least when he was first born. Nora had put the men to work, as she felt they needed to earn their stay here. So often in the day the Arabic Barbarians worked the land, and often the children watched. They had shy'd away from Jahi, the large onyx skinned man, but found themselves watching Husani who looked so much like their father. Still without word of their father, the cries of the little lamb were soon swallowed by the sobs of the little girl who clung to the neck of the sherling and sobbed. The small cries of the little child found the ear of the third born son, and soon he bent to take her into his arms, "Hush now, my baby.." He started to whisper in song as the little girl clung to his neck bawling for a father at whom she could never forget. This was Eppie's breaking point, a 4 year old now in shame of being left behind.
Ealora: Two more weeks and no word, not from her letter, not from the urgent letter she had sent him saying his family needed him. Fear gripped at her heart, not that he was dead, no she would never believe him dead, he was to strong to die now, but what if the campaign had gone bad? What if he was a prisoner of the English? Maahes had once said his wife feared nothing, how wrong he was. She feared everything. She feared losing one of her children, she feared losing him. Yet she was brave enough not to show it in front of the children. Nora knew to well what Ealora was feeling even in the Egyptian woman's stock and blank face and Husani was quickly learning the changes in her face that others did not understand. Her lip was healing, slowly, it was still a deep split within her lip accompanied by dark patches of black and blue, some darker then others where Jahi knuckled had dug into skin. At least her tooth was settling back in nicely. Yet two weeks seemed to pass quickly with the needs around Red Wall. Sheering lambs, tending the fields and yet as days slipped by like a gentle breeze, sleeping from sunlight to dusk, to darkness for the span of 14 days still seemed a torture. Ealora was never so thankful for the old woman, her housekeeper and companion, Nora, then she was having the woman here now taking control, having no fear in demanding the men of their homeland, kin to Maahes, put to work. She had taken to helping Nora in the kitchens, cutting vegetables, turning meat on a spit if needed rather then prepping it herself. Daily tables were set up within the yard, blanketed with cloth and laid out for a massive family to partake in an afternoon meal. A bowl of corn was set on the table as Nora was moving to ring a bell calling the men in to eat.
Issa:Issa wadded through the tall grass in search of his sister, finding her, sobbing the arms of Husani, his little face twisted. "Let go of my sister!" Issa growled, tough little man but as Husani began to sing the song to his sister, one his mommy sang to them his anger boiled over and fist and struck the man against the back, he called for the one constant strength in his young life. "Mommy! Mommy!".
Ealora:Ealora's head lifted as Issa voice floated over the wind. Ra who had been slumbering in a sling against her chest was shifted, Nora had all ready come to her side. The baby handed off, she took off into the grass. "Eppie?! Issa?! What's wrong?"
Husani: "Forgive me, M'lady but it appears your children are taking this much harder then we all realize." His words were gentle and warm as Eppie's little hand brushed the nape of his neck where Maahes had curls that fell free from his dreads, just as Husani had. Turning to face Issa he smiled to the boy, "Such courage! I have no doubt you will be great General someday. To an army like this one?" He motioned over his shoulder to the men watching, all of them great glorious brute's just as their father. Perhaps it would be hard to pick Maahes out of them if none knew his name. Turning his eyes to Ealora then he gave her a bow, "She was crying with the lambs, and I could not help it. It is hard to see such a child cry, but I have prayed to Allah today we find word. I bet very soon we will hear from your papa."
Devan: In that very moment a horseman came flying down the road, as it was the same page her letter had been given, the one in response to his own. He was battle worn and weary, barely able to stay atop the horse, but he came. "I have news! I have news!" He shouted proudly begging to be let in the gate.
Ealora:Kneeling down, she took Issa into her arms, brushing her nose against his cheek. "Issa.."she breathed in a release of relief. "You scared Mommy to death, we do not hit my son, violence is a last resort, he is not hurting her, see.." She soothed to the little boys ear as he sat on her propped up knee. His face soured at being scolded even in the gentle voice of his mother but though Issa was not of Maahes blood, he seemed to have the same sense of protection and rage of the man he silently thought of as father. "Thank you, I am glad someone was here.." She reached for Eppie as Issa climbed off her lap, puffing up his chest at the compliment. Drawing their silent muse into her lap, she slowly rocked back and forth. "Eppie, my sweetheart, I know you miss Daddy..but he will be home soon. Here, let me show you something..."Wrapping the little girl in her arms she rose and turned them both to the warmth of the sun."See here, close your eyes, feel the warmth of the sun...that is your Daddy...he is saying he loves you and giving you a big hug.."Gentle words were purred to their daughter as she wiped the tears from the little girls face. "He hears your thoughts my baby girl, when you close your eyes and turn to the sun, he is there with you, he hears you...send him your love hmm." She nuzzled her face against the little girls cheek before turning to the sound of the horse. Shifting, she leaned to set Eppie down by Issa. "It's lunchtime you two, go to Nora.." She paused to turn a look at Husani before her steps quickened towards the gate. "Open the gate!" He called to the guards as she moved to stand within the courtyard. "What is the news?" She didn't wait for the horse to slow, the man had barely made it into the courtyard before she was beside him.
Eppie: Eppie missed Maahes perhaps the most, as even his bond with Ra was not as strong as it was with this child. The sword was about to be dropped upon her head as both parents fell at their protection, and though he couldn't save them all Eppie would live.
Jahi: "No no, real sons of Egypt are big and strong." Jahi started flexing his arm at Issa, "You did right, you fight for those who you love. Great warrior indeed." He gave a nod at the boy, and Issa's eyes grew wide.
Aziem Men:"He is right little Issa, at your age Manu broke all our teeth in because we call him skinny. He was all legs." The men mused between themselves before eyes fell upon the gates.
Devan: The page gave Ealora a big smile and held out a large tunic of earth tones, that came from the back of the Beast, "They march upon London, the capital, it was a bloody battle of York, but they were victorious. He rides now at the gates of the King, and gave me this off his back . He will ride into the town bare chest, but he wished it for you not to miss him too, and for his son. I read him the letter while he swung his sword in our enemy!! It was amazing! All of those streets were taken. You should be very proud, at this rate they will be home in time for fall!"
Ealora: Jahi was lucky that Ealora had not heard his words to her son else the man probably would of gotten a fist to the face. As it was Issa was drinking in the words of the large man and the men. For a little boy who wanted very much to be accepted, protected, love; he took to the ideals he saw of his father, that Daddy was a warrior, so he would be too. Ealora's hand came up to grip the reigns of the horse to still its movements as she took the shirt with the other. She didn't seem to understand what he was saying, the blank stare on her face seemed to say she had forgotten how to understand English. Suddenly she let out a huff of a laugh as she shook her head. Her hand left the reigns of the horse to sweep back the russet locks of her hair. "Fall? No....no...I sent another message, an urgent one, that he must come home. Did he not get that?" Her mind was still trying to wrap around him coming home in Fall. It was still spring! The shirt was gripped hard within her hand. She just couldn't get her brain to work right.
Devan:"No..M'lady,....you sent me with..your letter. I..I..did not know of another!" His face fell, fear gripping his heart, had he sent the wrong ones, "M'lady, he is in the heart of battle if he left the nation would fail..he can not leave..I am sorry..had I known..Please forgive me." The page was as white as a ghost and Eppie started sobbing all over again. Her body shook she cried so hard. "Oh lord..I'm sorry! He sent his shirt! He sent his shirt!!" Falling from the horse he turned for the little girl not sure what to do. "If you'd like I can take you to him..we can go right now, but M'lady there are dead in the streets, you would not want your child..and the plague is not far from the boarder, they already start to burn the dead." Too much information for little ears, and his eyes rose to the men now standing around watching him.
Husani:"Is he in trouble?" The page started to answer, was this man kidding?? "If he is in trouble Ealora let us go.."
Ealora: "Devan, I sent another, another guard after you...his family has arrived, his father...is sending for him. You didn't know. I...I..." She had been prepared for news that he was on his way home. Not this. He kept talking and Ealora was still trying to wrap her mind around the first. Her free hand lifted to massage at the bridge of her nose, this second piece of information was harder then the first and then Eppie started crying. Eppie was swept into her arms, little cherub cheeks soaked with tears kissed repeatedly. "Devan stop apologizing..Husani, shut up...just give me a minute..just give me a second.." She continued to rock the sobbing little girl within her arms until Nora appeared take the little one from her. Again, she thanked the Gods for the woman. She wanted to comfort her daughter but she also needed to think. The two men seemed to be staring at her, waiting for action and it only made it all the more hard to think. Not home until fall, if he left it would mean the campaign would suffer, possible fall. The plague was on their heels. She paced within the dirt, her hair pulled back hard away from her face as she paced a few feet, turned and paced the other way, again and again. She had hated this campaign to begin with. It took him away from his family, they had just survived a war, now they were poking the lion so to speak to start another one and both of them had been sick of wars. Her teeth ground together as her anger rose by the second. Anger at the Duke and Duchess for this decision, in her mind they had become power hungry and it was costing her the family. That he had been gone nearly three months nor, or was it four only heightened her distress. "Nora take the children inside.."She managed to rasp out of her anger. The woman looked at her blankly. "Now! Please.."The first barked, the second a begging. It was the beg that had the woman sweeping inside with Eppie and calling Issa as she went. Ra was all ready inside again with Uncle Eli. That was another thing, one thing after another took her away from her children when all she wanted to do was love and play with them. The damn broke just as Nora and the kids disappeared inside. "That's it! That's it! I'm done! I'm sick of this place, I'm sick of its power hungry people and war, and blood!!! I want my husband, NOW! NOW do you hear me?!" She wasn't screaming at the men, she hardly even noticed them there, she was screaming at the sky as she flung rocks from the dirt into the woods. It had seemed Ealora had finally gone insane but she was angry, very angry. Maahes had once said he was going to break if they did not get away, go at least visit Egypt but it seemed Ealora was now doing that for him.
Husani: Husani, the great powerful mind behind the blank ideas of fools, touched her shoulder. He had not married, nor did he have any in who he could love, but it was not a mystery why their brother loved this woman. Just as he did Eppie he pulled her into a hug, the warm embrace the very scent of the desert. The hot sands of time had washed over his attire too much, and even in the heavily potent spring still it could be. "Anti Habibi.." He soothed motioning the other men on, and they would be quick to go taking their seats to eat. "Please let not the anger take you..it is not very becoming. We will go out to him..or wait for as long as we need." He rubbed her back gently dipping low at the small of her back, "If you are sick of this place, then you will come with us. We will leave word for him to come, and you will be set at my side as Queen until he returns. Your children will want of nothing, and have only fine riches. Let me take you away.."
Ealora: She was puffing as if she had run a mile as he swept her up into his arms. Hers were pressed against his chest, now sandwiched between his chest and hers as he soothed her back with his palms. For a moment she allowed her head to dip to his shoulder, unable to keep it up, unable to keep the scent from reminding her of Maahes. For a moment she allowed lids to slid closed to take in the scent. She could never imagine Husani as Maahes, he was to small. He was not the hulking mass of her husband and despite that he smelled like him, the thought wouldn't even entertain her mind for even one second. She let out a huff of a laugh at his words, not that he was trying to be funny but it brought her back into a state of mind where information wasn't swimming in her head, unreachable. She was finally able to pull herself around. "I'm fine now, thank you.."she murmured as she broke away from his grasp to take a step back and rack a hand through russet curls. "Two weeks doesn't give you enough insight, I have plenty of rage, just well kept in check. Your brother has that effect, to keep it stilled but enrage it at the same time.." Celadon's slid to Devan, looking at his mistress as if she truly did loose her mind. "Devan, go rest, get some lunch..I am fine, really.." The man gave a singular nod before he swept towards the table along with Husani men. "I can't leave my children here to go after him, I promised to stay with them..and they can not go for fear of the plague.." She sighed as her hand ruffled her hair before falling to her waist. "He can not leave or the campaign might fail.." She turned, moving towards the same path that lead down to the river. When her anger had risen a lot lately, she walked to the river. It had been the river that she set her hopes in, where her prayers had once been answered, she routinely went now in the hopes her new prayers would be washed to God as they once had with Ra before. She continued to talk, whether Husani followed her or not, she was still speaking out loud to get it all out, to find some medium in which to be happy, the right decision. "I never agreed with this campaign. We just got out of war. Maahes and I are so sick of battles, wounds, bruises, I still do not agree with this campaign, day by day I begin to hate Skye more for it. I can not leave...without him...what if he doesn't get word that I've left with you? What if he doesn't believe the letter you send? What if he thinks I have left him and taken the kids with me..if he comes home an I am not here as I promised. I do not break promises Husani. Besides, I am married to your brother, I can not sit beside you on any throne as a Queen, I would love for my children to want for nothing, as they do now besides missing their father. I don't care for the riches Husani..though I might once of.."She smiled, lazily, sadly, not really meaning it. "I miss the desert sands as much as Maahes does, I was never unhappy in Egypt, just restless..Your offer, is very becoming, I can not deny my wish to accept it, but I can not..I can not leave when I promised to be here with the children when he got home. It is the sacrifice, the one I talk about..the one you've yet to understand hmm."A half tease as her lips curled into a grin then fell as her hands came behind her back as she walked.
Husani: The man that walked beside her was a very different man, his name meaning handsome and the name fit well. Husani was everything Maahes could never be. He could pass easily as a Nobleman, his frame smaller yet still strong. His hair fell in dark rings that always looked well kept even though the rest did not. Once he was able to shed away his armor, and place himself in presentable clothes the attire was very fitting. No harsh leather or hide, but soft airy fabrics that went well with his personality. He seemed a mere common peddler, but everything about him in the way he walked screamed of nobility. Even his sandaled feet were well kept and clean, "But is this the life you really want? Dirt under your nails? Endless nights worrying. I stood outside your bedroom and heard you cry..It is hard to stand by as a man and hear a great woman sob into her pillows. This is not over, and it never will be. Men are power hungry, and they will stop at nothing. Manu is a tool to them, just as he was in the Arena, but here he is given glory and freedom. However would you have such a life if he did not go? When I take the throne I will be a great Sultan and free the slaves. I will see peace come to the lands, and live each day to the fullest. The palace is beautiful, Ealora marble floors and gold ceiling..I could decorate every bit of your body in jewels, even as you slept you would shine. No more days working a field, no more nights crying of where your husband is." The river was beautiful as the sun hit the backs of the water, causing the light to reflect off their skin, and it seemed to set the mood as he reached out to still her steps softly, "I have sat at your table, I have tended your fields, and have listened to your worries. Let me take you from here..only for a short time. We will return, but let's take those children to see our Egypt. She is still beautiful, and though the ancient structures still exist in their shadows of greatness..they are still there. You are too fine a jewel to be here among peasants. A rare exotic rose in a bed of thorns..come with me.." He pleaded, a genuine concern crossed across his brow, and he would even take to a knee as he curled his fingers around her hand. "You deserve better."
Ealora: The man walking beside her was very different then her husband and despite her earlier claims of not completely trusting him, she was coming to. Even though he did not resemble Maahes in many ways, she found similarities that had her opening up to him as she did with Maahes and yet it was still a painful reminder of how her and Maahes seemed to talk of everything, even when they were silent and just, caressing each other, unspoken words seemed to pass through them. Funny the things you missed when the one you loved was gone. She missed him pissing her off the most. Yet it was the one thing that kept their marriage so strong besides loving one another, communication, raging mad, they still communicated. Two months and one letter with only a few words, then hers only to receive a shirt in return. True with Maahes, many words didn't always need to be needed but she missed it. The purr of his voice. Maahes was not a man of many words of love and devotion but what little he did say, always was from the heart. She reflected on this even as Husani was speaking beside her. She let out a laugh as a shoulder rolled in a shrug. "My family was...is...middle class in Egypt, we always had to work hard, every day, to put food on the table and so my father and mother could buy moderately good clothing and jewelry for their children, so they looked more then they were. I fought many years, when I became a pirate, to prove myself, to gain wealth for my family so I could do for them what they did for me. Till times changed and my fight turned to one of vengeance for myself and my men. Here, it is still a constant struggle, to live, to be happy..The truth is, riches really never intrigued me, because I didn't have them growing up. Not every woman dreams of being a Queen. I wouldn't make a good one Husani.."She smiled briefly till he mentioned being at her bedroom door and hearing her cry. Her chin jerked her face away from his. She pulled in a breath and let out a deep sigh. "I know that, but I can dream..." as he caught her elbow and stopped her, she turned to face him. Her head tilted somewhat, what a fine catch he would make to a woman who desired such things. They would fall into his lap and fawn over him every second of the day but Ealora had never been a woman to prize jewels over family. Her favorite piece of jewelry was a piece of cut glass, not a jewel. "You have the chance to be great Husani, every man has that chance, most don't see it, never take it, may never even notice it. You have the chance laid at your feet by the cries of your people. I do pray, you will not take such a chance for granted, Husani do not reach so high..."She sighed and shook her head, with every passing day she wanted to leave more and more and now as he spoke of Egypt, she wished very much to go but in the lands of Red Wall where every wind, every rustling leaf reminded her of her husband, she couldn't do it. She had promised. He took to a knee, her hand in his. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, this wasn't funny but she found humor in it. She was a battle hardened woman who broke over the heart of her husband and here his brother was trying to flatter her with pretty words. She found humor in that but the sharp sting of biting her cheek kept her from laughing. "Husani, I have done many dark...and some evil things. How would you know I deserve better from what I have done in my past? You reap what you sow...I wish very much to say yes, just so I can see Egypt again, so our kids, Maahes and mine, get to see the land of their parents births but I made a promise, the only way I would break it, is if Maahes were dead....I'm sorry.."She broke her hand from his, fingertips touched his cheek briefly before pulling away.
Husani:His eyes closed at her touch, as if he had never been touched like that before..would she believe if he told her he had not? Ealora had not known that about Maahes, she had not known how badly he had never been properly touched. She had not known because when she touched him he never wanted her to stop. he wanted her to keep going, and even on the first night they spent together asleep on the beach--he wanted of her, wanted her to keep going but never knew how to ask. "It would not be forever. Only long enough for him to be finished here. He will know to come, he knows of the man we all share as a father..he will come. If he loves you as much as you him..he will come." She should be very careful about speaking of how she would leave if Maahes were dead. An Arabian Prince he may be, but he was as well not far from being a barbarian. "I bet Issa would be thrilled to see the white sands and clear water, and Eppie she would be very happy to be in the land of her father." He mused rising, "I bet it would quench her sobs..and think of this!" He widened his eyes with a smile, "Amen Ra could take his first steps upon the land! Just as he should."
Ealora: It was not only her moderately nonexistence of fear of being naked that she had gone swimming and then lay beside him on the sand that night, it was an undying need to pull him to her, to capture every part of him. To own him, in a way as her own. Gods how much they had hated each other and all for the wrong reasons. How far that time seemed from now. She let out a laugh as Husani continued his plea, there was another similarity to add to the list. When Maahes wanted something, he stopped at nothing to make it so. Husani perhaps did not know this trait ran as deeply as his brothers. For a moment she was silent, thinking it over in her head. She could write Maahes again, send Devan back out seeing as the man now knew where Maahes was and deliver it, and if something happened to Devan or the letter, she could leave another copy here at Red Wall for him to find when he came home. It would be a good reprieve for the family, would give her time to settle, and see home again as well as show it to the kids. "All right.."She finally spoke then laughed again. "You don't take no for an answer do you?" She grinned down at her brother and law. "Get off the dirt, your going to ruin your clothing and track mud all through my house as it is...I'll write Maahes two copies of a letter, send one out to him, explaining the situation, of you and his father and where we're going and to meet us there. The other can stay here, in case he does not get the first..Just..."She sighed and shook her head, she couldn't believe she was doing this. "Give me a day to get my ship ready for departure and get the land settled for our absence."
Husani:The man was very pleased and it was written very clearly across his face, "We will leave upon the full moon..a great sign of luck! I will go ready my men, have them work double to finish their task so I can not leave it on your people. You will not be let down." He would offer her his arm and escort her back.
Nora: Where Nora was waiting with her hands upon her hips watching. No she couldn't hear anything, but she was watching. o.o She'd come off that porch and kill that man if he tried anything on her. She didn't trust ANY of them. "Your children are asleep, M'lady. Ra is wrapped in his father's shirt. Would there be anything else before I head home for my own nap?\" She asked eyeing the man again..Lord couldn't say he wasn't cute.
Ealora: He hadn't answered her question but his persistence answered it for her. He was not a man who would take no for an answer. "The full moon it is.."Lord her heart pulled in the full moon meant something to that family, at least to her because it reminded her of Maahes. Her smile wavered then pulled again. "I have very much appreciated the help of you and your men with the people." She wasn't one to take arms but considering this was her brother in law, she took it anyway and let him lead her back to the temple. Nora with her hawk eyes was waiting and Ealora grinned as the scowl on the woman's face. She adored Maahes, was very loyal to him, Ealora could not fault the woman for that. Hell, Agatha had been loyal to Maahes to and though she had never gotten along with the woman, she had respected her. Nora was just as loyal to Ealora so in the smile she gave the woman, she spoke without moving her mouth that everything was all right. "Thank you Nora, I think I will go nap with them actually, I am very tired all of a sudden..." She heaved a sigh and realized that what she spoke was the truth, she was exhausted. Her arm slipped from Husani as she moved to her housekeeper and companion to kiss her cheek. "No, please, go nap, everything that needs to be done can wait till later...We...the family are going to Egypt, I will tell you more of it later, but for now, go rest...oh, shoot I need to write Maahes, oh well, no nap, I'll sleep like a log tonight then." she was speaking more to herself then Nora or Husani at this point.
Nora: "To..To Egypt? M'lady? You..You plan to leave the lands?" Nora stood in shock, dumbfounded for the lady at the moment, and her eyes burned into Husani's. "You plan to leave these lands during the build of the new homes? During the Spring time, and while the Lord is gone?" Her eyes then narrowed at Ealora as her old worn hands fell over her heart to still the break inside, "Maahes is fighting for his life, and ours..and when that battle is over and our General comes home, he will find you gone? Leaving with a man who claims to be his brother..but you have no proof!" Yes her time she was hopping mad, and for the first time she doubted Ealora. "Think of how his heart will break! You know how sick he gets on the ships! I know you must go at sometime, but I'll be damned if you take these children on a ship with those..those..Barbarians!!" She stamped her foot in that mother is gonna get you way, and planted her hands upon her hips. "You remember your place as his wife, Ealora. A General's wife, and you think of what he would wish of you??" Her wrinkled face twisted with her anger, and Husani could only smile.
Husani:"Lady Nora, you have made very valid points, but look at our lady. She is falling apart at the seems, would it not be nice of her to get away for a while? Let her mind be clear? If that battle runs until the fall, then we will have her back in no time. Please..do not make her anymore stressed then what she is. She is very close to breaking."
Nora:Nora turned to face the man, and the spitfire came out in the old hag. "Don't you tell me how close she is to breaking!! I've seen the marks he's put on her, the fights they fight, but it is her duty as a wife to stick by him! Maahes is a good man! He is a good man, Ealora and you'll break him."
Ealora: "For a short time yes..."She answered calmly despite the dumfounded look her housekeeper was giving her. Hands settled upon her hips as she pulled in a deep breath and let out a long sigh, allowing Nora the time to rant and rave and question her but at the stamp of her foot over the kids, Ealora face hardened. "You do NOT tell me what to do and not do with my kids Nora and don't you forget who is head of this household!" Arms upon her hips moved to cross over her chest as she squared away with the housekeeper despite Husani gentleness to calm the situation even if it was at the expense of talking of her sanity. Gods nightgown but it was her fault for making a scene in the yard. "Enough!"She barked as Nora went off sprouting that Maahes beat her! That was not the case at all and though the woman had keener eyes then Ealora realized, she couldn't go explaining the situation either, then the woman would really think Ealora had lost her mind. "Husani and his men will help build the homes, we aren't leaving till the full moon but we and I do mean we are leaving, kids included and if you ever try to take my rights as a mother away from me again Nora, so help me God...I am writing Maahes to tell him what is going on, between Husani arrival and the news of his father, of everything and telling him to join us should this campaign not last until fall, if it does, then I'll write to him when I get home and let him know we are home. There is no harm in it what-so-ever. An when he gets home, we can take another trip there so he may attend to his father and family business, if it comes to that. Do not dare call them Barbarians in my presence again, they are Maahes kin and their ways are different then ours, could they not say the same of us in return? If Maahes father should pass while we're there then it will be my duty as his wife to make a decision for him regarding his inheritance, THAT is also a duty as his wife and I'll not abandoning my husband nor my duties to him..If you feel it as such, then you may stay here.." She turned slightly to regard Husani. "However Husani, Nora does make a valid point and I have been remiss to admit it nor see it till now. Could you give her...us...some proof that you are in fact blood of my husband?"
Nora:"You will what Ealora? Fire me? Release me?" Her eyes teared up then, the wrinkles around them only deepening, "I'll be damned before I stand by and watch you make a fool of this family." As if on que Ra would start his daily cries, his little voice begging to be picked up as he was very spoiled. "Your son is calling for you, and you can tell him it will be the last time I put him down. I need no proof, I need to leave." And with that Nora turned on her heels to walk away, starting for her little home and would begin to pack away.
Husani:Husani stood there in shock hearing the cries of the child, and then met the eyes of Ealora. "Do you need help? I am a natural with children."
Jahi:From the dark of the now falling night, the large Nubian warrior watched with his scowl and whispered to the men surrounding him, that something no longer felt right. Something in their leader had changed, and he did not like the way he quickly became so close to the Mrs. She would come back with them? How? Their ship was only a merchant ship, how would that hold anymore? What was Husani thinking??
Ealora: "Those would be nicer things to do were I any other person...do not try me Nora.."Yes it made the guilt well up within her to see tears of hurt in the old woman's eyes but to have someone question her as a mother, or try to take over it had the rage built up in Ealora all over again. She turned slightly as Ra's cried filtered through the house. He was his fathers child indeed, spoiled to the core. Ealora' jaw flecked at Nora's words before her attention went to Husani with a small laugh. "You've proven that much to be true, but he probably just needs to be held, very spoiled, like his father.." Ra's cries only continued and seemed to climb in level, swiveling on her feet, she swept inside and to the nursery, the little boy's face was red with his shrill cries and she cooed as she reached into the crib to collect him. "What's this...what is this..ohhh my sweet little sun god...what is troubling you?" A spittle cloth was taken from the side of the crib to wipe his face as she moved to the rocker within the room. She had fed him before lunch for the rest of the family so she knew he was not hungry? Perhaps just lonely. Sliding into the chair, she shifted him to lay against her chest. "Hush now, my baby...be still love, don't cry...sleep like you're rocked by the stream...sleep and remember, my lullaby, so I'll be with you when you dream." She sang softly as she brushed her cheek against his mop of hair. Like his father all over. "Drift on a river, that flows through my arms, drift as I'm singing to you..I see you smiling so peaceful and calm, and holding you I'm smiling too.." Though she sang the song, to familiar was it to forget the words, Nora's still rang her head and stung at her heart, was she wrong for saying she would go to Egypt? Had she made the wrong decision? She could still change her mind. It had been a long time since she had made decisions that hadn't mattered, because they had only effected her, now it effected all of them. A single fat tear dropped from the corner of her eye onto the babies head. Damn her inability to do things right without that stubborn bull here!
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Post by Chief Baliff Ealora on Apr 24, 2009 15:44:38 GMT -6
Ealora: Another week had slipped by like a whirlwind of a summer storm. Days melded so quickly into night and the nights seems to be the longest in Red Wall. Everyone had heard, knew the Lady had cracked to know the Lord of the lands would not be home until Fall, rumors continued to filter through that week, of how the Lady was leaving with the children with the men of the desert, of how Nora had screamed at the head of that house of the marks on the Ladies body. It had been a long standing rumor for weeks as nights seemed to ring with violence from the home, and yet there was never any proof when sounds of breaking came from the home, those who ventured in to see what had been broken, if the their worst suspicions had come true, nothing seemed to be the matter. In fact, the Lord and Lady looked more in love then ever if that was possible. Yet Nora was at the home constantly and her voice rose in anger belaying information that she herself was not completely positive of had confirmed their suspicions in their mind. The Lord beat the Lady. While it was not uncommonly frowned upon the lands, it had been quite a shock. Coupled with Ealora's all ready fragile soul, even her doubts of her decision seemed to ebb away with each passing day. She found comfort, strength in the sun, as she had told Eppie it was Maahes, she had also convinced herself it was him as well. The sun had long settled down past the hills, night crept across the land, bringing with its shadows and mild chill. The children were put to bed, the soft song of the river to ease them off to sleep for she was to weary of stories of Daddy to do it anymore. The nights, were the longest...the worst torture. In the darkened hours, she couldn't stand the temple despite its paper thin walls and often moved out onto the porch for fresh air. Husani promise seemed unbroken, he had his men had been working hard, homes were sprouting up as if sprung from the ground and yet she still hadn't wrote the letters. Somehow even in weakness, she couldn't bring herself to do it, still balancing on the right or the wrong of it. I'm going to Egypt, I can't stand it here anymore...her mind always floated back to the only thing that made sense and yet she couldn't put to paper to her husband, it felt like a betrayal, Nora's words had such a strong hold on her. Shifting, she leaned against the pillar of the porch and reached up to stroke the red glass piece of her jewelry. Maahes, I am so lost..you are my strength and it is waning...please..she begged silently without the moving of her lips. Lids slid closed against the sting of tears. This was the sacrifice was it not? To be a General's wife.
Maahes: The night would forever be the hardest, for when he found himself in his bed he missed her most. Who was there to put their cold feet on him? Where was her cold nose up against his neck? Or her hands teasing him until he snapped? Many nights he lay upon his back, a hand folded behind his neck and laughed to himself thinking of what his family would be doing. Ealora would be doing her duties as Queen, bossing every man, woman, and child--Eppie would not be far behind, her little finger just a going! Never would she know how much it pleased him to hear his son only slept with the scent of his father. It warmed his heart like never before and somewhere along the lines he held that close to his soul. My boy..A father's dream. It had been that very same night that her letter found him, the second in line, and his heart leapt from his chest. What family? His family? How could that be? They could not have found him?? Dark skin faded pale, void of any color as he pressed back the tents. "I've got to go home, I will not be gone long.." "But Sir." "My family needs me!" He barked and the man gave his nod, "Send word to Adam, tell Danae she is in charge." The man gave a nod, as the General packed his horse, and took off into the night.
Husani:In the distant field men sat around a fire speaking in a language that none could understand, their Arabic flawless and sounding like a prayer. Each word flowed so naturally, rolling from their lips and sliding down rich tones. However, it would be the sound that came behind her that seemed surreal, "You have such a long face, Lady Aziem..Such a shame, for it is too beautiful to shed such tears." Husani's kind eyes, warm and inviting were a deep rich brown darker then Maahes's. "Do not tell me you cry for your husband. Of all people it is known he will survive anything..a strong man, always has been." His hand came to touch her shoulder lightly, his thumb brushing her skin.
Ealora:What would it do to Ealora's soul to know her husband was on his way home? Their bond was strong enough that if she focused, she would of known though no news came that he was indeed on his way home but a soul in complete without him near couldn't find the strength to do so. Her head turned against the pole, pulling the foreign language in by the breath of the wind. It was a familiarity of her husband she clung to. She had learned to write the language, but hearing it was much different, some words she could distinguish but most were as foreign as their sounds that rolled like resounding drums against the still night. Her head lifted from the pole at the sound of Husani voice, lids opened, having done their job to quill any tears that threatened to fall. She hated crying in front of others, it was a weakness she bared for no one except her husband. Arms folded against her chest as her body rolled against the sturdy wood of the pole to see him. A lazy grin pulled the side of her lips. "Do you not tire of finding words to flatter me Husani?" Her chin dipped as he touched her shoulder before raising again. "I know he will..its not that...and I wasn't crying.." Not yet anyway's. "You've become my constant shadow Husani, are you not afraid of talk? A married woman with an unmarried one, her brother in law in fact. Why do you seem to watch me so closely?"
Husani:Lazily he came to rest against the rail of the porch, letting himself sit upon the wood. "Perhaps you have been blinded then..to not see the reason. Ealora, I cannot explain it so perhaps we can find the answers ourselves. I..I have this desire of you, to be close to you..to protect you. Perhaps it is because I know my brother is gone, and in my country women are not left without men. Who is here to protect you?" He spoke softly, his eyes coming to meet her own. "And I care very little of who talks about me, I am a Prince in my homelands, and one to have much power. Why would I care." He straightened his back to overlook the rest of the settlement, "Let them talk, I kill each one." His smile only grew when he returned his eyes to Ealora, "It is in the family..as you can tell. How are you getting along without your keeper? I saw you have been very busy these last few days. Do they drive you crazy?"
Ealora:Her foot crossed over the other, balancing easily against the circular structure that held the roof of the porch upward. The dark night sky seemed to rumble in displeasure. Another spring rain. She never minded the rain nor the storms, another type of good weather. Besides, the storms reminded her of what she and Maahes were to each other. Everything was a reminder. Her chin tilted, her head dipped right. Blind not to see...? Ohhhh. If she suddenly assumed right, they had a problem. It seemed she didn't have to ask as he explained. She hummed in a laugh as her head rolled lazily from one side to another. "Husani, women in our country, they do not..they are in a way weak, forced to be only one thing, unable to defend themselves, in need of men's protection. I am not like them, I don't need protection, but I do thank you for your concern..but this desire you have for me.."She had to fight to keep from laughing, men never fell in love with her, it had been a wonder no matter how much Maahes and her were fated to be, that the man fell in love with her to begin with. "It'll pass..." She offered finally after a moment of silence. "You don't have a lot of experience with women, even of my own kind, trust me, I will cease to amaze you eventually.." Her arms rubbed against each other to warm her from the chill of the night and the threat of the storm that made it cold. "Your more like your brother then you know, he threatens men daily who even blink in my direction....Your a prince on your land but your in the land of your brother, no killing."Her nose wrinkled some as she made a face as she shook her head then let out a laugh. "Least not unless its truly deserved and even then you need my permission." She teased. "Nora you mean? She is not my keeper...but we have spoken only as much as needed. I know Nora cares, it is the reason she protests so strongly but she still needs to learn that while I know she cares, I am still head of this household and my children..." Shoulders lazily rolled as she let out a sigh. "I like to keep busy, I have never liked being still...except...well...nevermind."She had been about to say after making love cause she was to tired to move but thought better of it in the end.
Husani:Lightning lit up the sky tearing away through the darkness until the clouds could only bow at it's mercy. "You have a beautiful family, but you know this, you love them dearly. My brother is a lucky man." He smiled evenly letting his eyes drift upon the yard as he thought he heard the faint sound of feet falling against the dirt path. "Are you expecting a visitor?" He stood quickly, panicked as the large massive frame of something moved closer up the road, and he held not his sword. "Do you have weapons??" His eyes were wide, and he quickly moved to take her hand.
Maahes: It would not be hard to make him out, the massive hulking frame known well, but why he was on foot would be the greater mystery. For three days he road that horse until he could push it no longer, letting it die upon the street he continued on. Maahes stopped for nothing, for no one or even to eat as he only wanted to get home to his wife. What had her so upset? The letters upon the page were not of her own, but he could hear her voice breaking with the words. His clothes were in tatters, stained from the mixture of blood and mud. He looked the part of an Orc in one of Peregrine's wild stories he told around the Avarian campfires. At first it could be questioned at who walked through the gate, but when the lightning lit the back of his body, the question would be answered. Who else had a mane of hair atop their head, having fallen free from the bind? Or walked as if they carried the weight of the world upon their shoulders?
Husani:"Stay where you are! Do not come any further!" Husani was quick to bark out, his words sounding shaken from his lips, and just as he was about to continue the voice broke the darkness.
Maahes: "A'eesho fel welayat,huna...Yabn El Zaynya!"( I live here, you illegitimate son) The growl was unmistakable, rising from his chest like thunder as it rolled down the valley.
Ealora:"I do indeed."She let out a laugh as she spoke with the nod of her head, a grin of pride spreading across her lips. "I am the lucky one, Husani.." She winked before her attention caught his drifint to the yard. Rolling against the pillar, she followed his gaze to the path and the figure clearly coming through the darkness. Her head shook from to side as she spoke. "No.." She wasn't expecting a vistor, who was coming this late at night? She hardly felt his hand hers as celadon drifted to the open door then back. "They are inside..wait.."She hissed low. Ealora never did anything without calculating and something was telling her weapons were needed. As the lightening split the sky, she felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest, her breath sucked in raggid and low and stuck against her throat. Was it...could it..Her hand moved from Husani to his shoulder, fingers tightened and shook. The voice that boomed against the night over Husani only confirmed it more, had her feet moving as her hand left Husani shoulder. The rain had started to fall, light and cleansing but all ready the dirt of the yard was becoming mud as her bare feet sank into the mess but it did not stop her run to get to him. Maahes! She wanted to scream it but the breath still seemed stuck within her throat as she launched her body to his. Arms wrapped about his shoulders as her feet left the mud to wrap around his own legs with a strangled cry leaving her lips. Her lips met his before she had the chance to say his name, before he had the chance to say anything and she kissed hi, breathlessly before her head sank against the dip in his neck. "Maahes!" She did not seem to care about the mud and blood caked on his tattered clothing. A first.
Maahes: Dark eyes burned into the man's, even when his wife wrapped herself about him he could not tear his eyes from the face of a man he had never known. However, her kiss as always brought him to the world, and he would laugh as he held her tightly. The threat was clear he planned upon never letting her go, and of course her feet would not touch this muddy ground, "Oh, Anta Habibi I have missed you so." He whispered against her ear pressing his cheek against her own before he swung her just as he would their daughter. However, just as always their moments were too short, and though his arms would remain around her he would still his motions to whisper, "What is going on? Why did you call me home?" Eyes then parted again to the man upon the porch and his jaw set harshly, "This is my family?" He hissed in that rich deep growl of his and released her so she could gain her footing.
Ealora: For a moment all the world melted away and there was only him. The feel of his lips, the ring in his laugh. Her heart sang and soared in the same instant. Her lips curled into a wider grin then it had ever in months. Her hands locked behind his neck as he swung her and she let out a laugh before her lips found his again. "Gods.." kiss "I've" kiss "Missed" kiss "You!"kiss. As he stopped their turn to whisper in her ear, it was then she remembered the man on the porch, remembered why it was he would be home. Her head dipped, her forehead pressed against his shoulder. She felt guilty then for calling him away from England, despite her disapproval of it. Her head lifted after a moment to follow his gaze to the porch. Slowly she lowered to the ground, bare feet sank against the mud. "Yes..this is one of your brothers.." She whispered as she pressed her body to his. "He says your father is dying and calling for you...but I can not explain it all right now.." She turned, taking his hand in her own as she lead him towards the porch. "Come...out of this rain, come see him..." She tugged him towards the porch.
Maahes: Eyes narrowed upon the man who seemed to give the same look in return. A harsh silence fell over them as he curled his fingers around Ealora's, "He is not my brother." The words were a grumble under his breath meant only for his wife, but from behind them another voice chimed in.
Jahi:"No, but I am."
Maahes: Maahes turned to see the overbearing brute and a feeling rushed that he never thought he'd feel again--relief. His eyes grew along with his lips, into a thankful grin, and the fingers of his wife were lost as the two men closed the distance. Much laughter rose from their voices, as the words lost to the English started. Their conversation however could easily be guessed, of victories and travel, many roads that were passed, and the disbelief this day would ever come. "You are so far from home." Maahes with tears in his eyes finally spoke in English, and the other man clasped the Beast's arm.
Jahi:"But a great home, you have built here, brother." Motioning over his shoulder he would nod his head to Ealora, "She is a good wife." Though this pair looked nothing alike they did share the same blood, if any were to ask. "But go rest, Manu, see your children, we will talk in the morning. You look like you have been drug behind camel." The big burly ebony skinned male boomed giving his brother one last hug before turning to Ealora and letting all emotion fall from his face. Hell he would even narrow his eyes at her. Just because she was a good wife, didn't mean he had to like her.
Ealora: Slender brows narrowed as he spoke of Husani not being his brother. "Not your..."She stopped as Jahi boomed in behind them and she turned as Maahes released her to embrace his brother. At least that awarded some kind of smile. Their words rang together and even though they were not English, even if it had been, she was sure no one would be able to distinguish between the two as it was. Arms crossed over her chest but her eyes continued to stray to Husani, not a brother? He had lied to her? Her jaw locked a bit in anger before her gaze swept back to the men at hearing she was a good wife. She had to snort in a laugh, not that she was disagreeing but she had been a horrible mess with him gone. A wink was sent Jahi way with a kiss. "Oh come on now, can't give me a compliment then look like you hate me...that's not fair.."she purred in a tease, her mood improving by the second with Maahes there. She moved to curl her arms around Maahes massive arm. "He is right, come rest...you need a bath before you see the kids, they will loose if it they see you all tattered with blood and mud all over you.." She purred against his ear, if to deaden any anger he would have about being to trusting over the wrong people. She knew one of her worst faults was her bad judgement of character, not much she could do about it.
Husani:As they moved up the steps Maahes would still at the very presence of the man before him, who did not stand as high as his own head, but came close. "Welcome Home, Lord General. I have much news to give." His eyes swayed between Ealora and the Beast. The tension between them was high, as if lightning would crack between the pair at any moment, the force of fire amazing.
Maahes:Maahes's face snarled, his eyes burning with rage and the words that followed were clear as he broke away from his wife to stand just an inch from the man's face. "Said bousak, Ana akhannethak!"(Oh Shut up, f**k you) Maahes seethed and the man back away, "And get the hell off my porch." In English, this time for Ealora.
Husani: It was then a dark hadow fell over the man, like a mask pulled form his face, "You.." He started raising his hand, but let it fall back as he would then simply turn to walk towards the other men.
Maahes:This night had been far too long already, and he did desire his bed.
Ealora:Her arm tightened on Maahes arm. She was afraid, afraid Maahes would strike him, kill him and though she was angry enough to perhaps allow it, the blood would be a mess, and what if the kids woke up and came out? She didn't want them to see that. They had suffered enough, missed him enough to have more hardship. She could not tell what he was saying in Arabic, but the English of his words made it clear enough to what he had said. She released him to face Husani down but her hand at his shoulder silently asked for no fight, not tonight. Celadon swept from her husband to Husani as his hand rose. Her body jerked, her face pulled, a dark warning that he better second guess that thought. It did not seem needed as his hand lowered and he moved off to join the men. Her fingers slid against her husbands arm again. "Come, you need a hot bath.."She whispered before pulling him into the house. "Maahes, I'm sorry.."She spoke as she lead him towards the wash room. "I blindly believed he was your brother, I...he...knew so much about you.."
Maahes:"No what I need is a wife with some common sense!" He roared as the door closed, and it was clear this fight was just starting. "He is my brother. He is my blood brother, but that does not make him my family. I..I..I can't do this right now." Turning he made his way down the hall removing his clothes as he went, but half way down he turned calling back, "Go wake Nora tell her I'm home and need an early breakfast. Tell her I want her eggs the way she fix them with the sunshine." What was he talking about? "And then I want you to send out for a horse. I have to leave by sundown tomorrow. I killed the last one getting here..." He let his voice quiet a little, "thankful I did now."
Ealora: Her face jerked as his voice boomed down at her. "Maahes you'll wake the kids!" She hissed. Confusion washed over her face at his words. Despite him telling her to wake Nora, she followed after him. She could understand his anger had that not been his brother but now he was saying this was his brother! "A wife with common sense? Maahes your telling me he is your brother, if he had not, I'd be inclined to agree! You've got to tell me what is going on! I would understand your anger if he wasn't your brother but how the hell was I to know you didn't like him? How the hell am I to magically know you would have a problem with him being here!" So much for telling him to be quiet and not wake the kids as her voice rose in anger. "You're leaving again? After just saying your thankful you killed the last horse in getting here? What is that supposed to mean?!" Her hand raked through her hair as she let out a groan. Gods she had missed him, had missed how he pissed her off but lord how she hated how he was pissing her off now!
Maahes:"Yes, if I would not have gotten here you would be on some ship sailing to Egypt. He would make you his whore. You would be tied up and forced to be in bed with him every night. He is my blood, Ealora, but he is not my family. You, My Children, and This Nation is my family. My father he dies, and you know why they are here? Because I am rightful son. My father did not know about me, my mother hid me, she put me in the Arena to be free from him. She put me in that hell to protect me from being like that man! One hell for another. I am rightful heir, but they cannot say this because it would mean that Sultan had a child with a slave. Only they want princes from princesses. Do you get it now? They came to kill me, but it is not so easy when I am General in this army. I am a good man now, and have a good life. Why would I go back there?" Maahes had met his breaking point, as the salty warm water threatened his eyes, and his entire face distorted in the agony going on inside him. "I want nothing of theirs, and they have until noon to leave my lands or I will kill each one." He took a deep breath then fighting back the tears clearly not willing to cry, nor let her see him like this, but at her words he hung his head in shame. "Yes..I have to leave. You know this..I have a duty to this land, it has been kind to me." He stood in the doorway then his heart in his hand unable to judge how far the lines were drawn between right and wrong, but when his voice broke once more it was clear he felt so wrong, "Please..go wake Nora." His hands shook from the rush of emotion..hunger..fatigue. Hell he road without sleep, and it was clearly written across his face.
Ealora: Her face betrayed her inside feeling. How had he known she would of gone had he not arrived? It shouldn't really of surprised her so much, he knew her so well, the surprise on her face was what he spoke of Husani. It made her stomach curl and her face twitched with the sudden urge to be sick. She didn't want to really hear anymore but he went on. Her hand curled around her stomach to still the roll, the waves of the sour feeling that grew. Her tongue snacked out to wet her lips as the rolling slowly died away. Celadon eyes lifted to meet the breaking face of her husband. "Maahes, your mother did what she thought was right. It put you in one hell, free of another. With what you know of your brother and his ways, I never thought I would say this, but be thankful for that hell rather then being what he is. Regardless of if your father had a child with a slave or not, he may very well be dying, and he may well be asking for you, he is asking for the child he had with a slave above the others he had royally, does that not say something? If you refuse this..if you refuse your birthright, it goes to the very man you hate. What do you think he will do to that land and its people when you refuse? You are happy here, you have a good life here but you were born of those lands, those are your people by right of birth, could you really put them through that hell?" Her jaw flexed in both anger and upset, she knew very well he had to go but she still didn't agree with it. "Yes, you have a duty to power hungry men, who are using you like an animal to gain another nation, to start another war. I told you once I don't agree with this campaign of the Duke's and I still don't, I see it as a bid to start another war, I see it as a bid for more power, English soldiers may of attacked us but they were ordered to, as you are ordered now to attack them. Tell me something Maahes...what now makes us different from them? A tyrant King sought to put this nation under his thumb. Adam has become him..you are ordered to attack villages and if people don't surrender to Adam's will, you have to kill them. So tell me...where is the difference now? So you gain more lands for the Duke and Duchess while you deny your people, the people of your forefathers protection and you deny them the chance at happiness as you have. Their land...our land, may not be Skye, but they deserve that right too.."She honestly didn't know when she had started crying but she hiccupped with her sobs. "As you say, you are a good man Maahes and I will never deny that, I will never question your honor or your duties, but you ask me why you would go back there? Because you are a good man, because they suffer and they will suffer worse under your brothers hand..." Her hand rose to wipe at her cheeks, she didn't want Nora to see her crying and think one Maahes or died, or two, something was wrong even though there clearly was. "I have..missed you so, I want you here, I am not whole without you here and it breaks me, but I would never ask you to be anything less then who you are. You are Lord General of Skye and your men depend on you, just as the Duke and Duchess do. This is the sacrifice I make as your wife..and I accept it, willingly if not painfully, because I love you.." With one last hiccup, she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Get a bath Maahes..I will go wake Nora.." She turned from the wash room and disappeared down the hall.
Maahes:Throughout the entire length of her speech he spoke nothing, as her words ran deep. He had felt he had been doing so good, he had made her proud, but in turn only made her suffer. The English rose against Skye, they needed to be shown it would not happen again. He was not killing any who denied him, because very few did. England had been in poverty for so long, sick with the plague and the poor had no where to run--the taxes were unbearable. His body pressed up against the door his chest falling against the frame, and his temple came to rest against the cool wood as he spoke quietly, "I am not a son of Egypt anymore..I am a son of Scotland. My heart and my family is here..they have always been good to me. No one think of me as a savage anymore, or call me Moor. I'm Maahes protector of this land. Father to Eppie, Issa, and Ra..is that not enough?" When his eyes rose to watch her walk away he pressed from the door and shifted upon his feet a moment. "I learned a long time ago that you cannot love two nations and hold their fate. So I pick the one, and I am a loyal man. Be it Avaria or Egypt, they are not my home."
Ealora: How very wrong he was, She was very proud of him. No matter if she agreed with this or not, she was proud of him. Proud he still wanted to and did defend the people of Skye. Suffering, could not be helped, any time he was taken away from her, she would suffer, it would never be any different. She paused in the hall to turn and watch him as he spoke. "You will always be a son of Egypt Maahes, as I will always be a daughter of Egypt, your bloodline started there..There is no changing that. You call Scotland home, you may call yourself a son of Scotland and protect its people but our blood Maahes, can not be changed and it was Egypt who sheltered you, who first shaped you. It is more then enough Maahes, to be protector of these lands, and father to our children, husband to me. I love you for who you are, for the man you are..No you can not try to be protector of two nations. It asks a lot and you sacrifice much, but you can love your homeland, I do still. Egypt was good to me Maahes and if you saw your life the way I do now, it was good to you too. You would not be alive today had it not shaped you into the warrior you are. You have made your decision, this is your home. I will respect that. At least you have heard me out. That is all I could ask of you. I may not agree with the causes you choose to fight in, I may be making an opinion not based on all the facts, I know this...but regardless of what cause or fight it is, I am proud of you..proud of your loyalty for your nation, for your strength and for your honor, but most importantly, I am proud of the man you are, the father you are to our children and proud above all others, to call you my husband, to love you with everything within me. That is one certainty you can be assured of will never change." Her chin dipped downward as she sighed. "Now please, get into the bath so that I may go wake Nora and have her make you something to eat.." She wanted to go and kiss him, but if she did, she would not be waking Nora and he needed a bath and something to eat, and rest..Turning again, she tiptoed down the hall and into Nora bedroom. "Nora.."She whispered softly, leaning over the woman as her hand touched at her shoulder. "Nora...please...wake up.." She stopped a moment to see if the woman woke. A groan accompanied her and Ealora gently shook the old woman. "Nora..please, you must wake, Maahes is home...he needs something to eat and I can not do it. Please.."
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Post by Chief Baliff Ealora on Apr 26, 2009 23:20:29 GMT -6
Maahes: The day had come and gone quickly, and Maahes avoided the new faces in Red Wall like they were the plague. Nothing could bring him to their shelter, not even the sounds of Issa's laughter. He found little words for them, Maahes felt if he ignored them, they would go away. The General knew very little of the tasks at hand, what they wanted, only that he would never take it. Yes he was the rightful heir to their fortune, but along with those duties came leaving here. The sun was high in the sky as he walked with his infant son through the fields that were being planted. Both of them soaked up the sun in vibrant rich fabrics that draped over their body (or more so his father's) like days in hot desert lands. This was Maahes's favorite, he felt free, the hem of the wrap coming midway from his knees, and sitting low upon his hips. His chest was exposed save for the drape in which he protected a new child's skin from too much exposure. Ra was positioned well against his father's chest sleeping soundly curled against his shoulder his face almost seemed lost in the bend of his neck. "Your mother tells me you do not sleep, son..only if my scent is close, but I have been home now..you have only slept." He soothed against the baby's cheek, talking as he did to any grown adult yet with such care and affection hugging to the rich tones of his voice. "You will not wake? Hmm?" He smiled then as he shifted the son to cradle in his arm, and adjusted the wrap to cover him again.
Ealora: Yet another swift moving day, taking with it the spring winds that would soon lead to summer. Nora seemed in better spirits with Maahes home but even Ealora knew that was probably just a front as to not create more waves that were consuming the family. Another day of work, it was never ending. More homes were going up but they were no where near complete. With the fields plowed for planting, the men were working on the homes, the women planting within the tilled soil. Even her father, who had hardly any strength in arriving in Skye, had found the will with his grandchildren to go on. He was helping Eppie plant the seeds that would yield a harvest of food for the families, and a source of income. Ealora could see them from her viewpoint on a roof being thatched. She could even see Maahes head in the fields. Her head dipped, the end of her ponytail falling over her shoulder as she hammered a nail into a piece of thatch before handing her hammer off to one of the men and crawling to the ladder. Issa laughter peeled from the distance and she turned her head to find him with the desert men. Though she would deny her son no happiness, with what Maahes told her. She didn't want her children anywhere where Husani would be. Clutching the ladder, her feet held to the side and with a release, she slid down in one fluid motion. "Issa!" She called as she dusted her hands off on her pants. "Come over here baby.."she called. As the little boy ran to meet her, she dipped to lift him up into her arms, settling him on her hip to nuzzle and kiss his cheek. "Eppie and Grandpa are planting in the fields all by themselves, you should go help them."She leaned to set the little boy down again.
Issa: His nose wrinkled at the affections of his mother out in the open. "Ok Mommy" He sighed and ran towards Eppie and his grandfather.
Ealora: Turning, she made sure he was headed that way before she moved through the fields towards her husband and their son. Catching the last question, she grinned, arms hooked behind her back. "Seeing as he didn't sleep that much when you weren't home, can you blame him for wanting to sleep now he does have you near?"
Maahes: Looking as something drug behind the horse in place of being upon it's back, well worn tired eyes turned towards his wife, "I would give him a thousand of mine, to see his eyes." Maahes gave her a very dry almost disappointed look, as it was he was clearly still very upset. Hell he had been put through the ringer in four days, hasn't stopped in clearly almost a year. However, this moment was saved for his son, and the clearing of his thoughts. A gentle smile pulled his lips as he came to meet her eyes, and all the anger fell away at just the sight. "You and he sleep the same, always when I am near..." What had she been doing? He had been looking! "What have you been up to now? You are dirty, and dressed like a man. I have been looking for you." Yes in the fields with their son? Would they be anywhere else?
Ealora: Her hand came to his backside, pulling away the wrap from their sons face to kiss the mop of dark curls atop his head. "Your Daddy wants to see you little one, won't you wake up for him." The Egyptian flowed from her lips like a soft melody to their sons ear before her head lifted to meet her husbands gaze. He was still angry, of that much she could still see but she was determined that if he really was going to leave again, she wasn't going to let their little fight get in the way of spending time with him, of looking upon him, of loving him every second to last her till he came home again. As he smiled, she did in return, her hand caressing at his backside. "Well your such a big teddy bear, how can we resist?"She teased with a hum of a laugh as her head came to lay against the muscle of his arm for a second before lifting again. She didn't want him to go, it took every fiber of her strength not to tie him down to the bed so he could not. "I am one of very few in the village not afraid of heights, I was helping to latch the roofs of the new houses...and why were you looking for me?" In the fields no less with their son, oh she was curious now.
Maahes: Ra gave a heavy yawn stretching his little limbs but would only turn into the arm of his father to sleep even more. "They grow when they sleep..Tommy told me." A pain felt his body over at the mention of her name, and there would be the first sign he missed her. "I look for you because you are my wife, and I do not like waking without you." His voice whispered and he bent in to kiss her forehead gently. "Do not be so hard, I will be home soon. I will have these lands over soon, and you will grow tired of me. Make me fat if you wish. As fat as this.." He chuckled rolling the fabric back to reveal their son's round belly. "Nora give him her eggs?" Maahes was convinced she had started this as his armor was fitting rather tight around his hip. However, every day in England the pounds shed away as there was no more home cooked breakfast, but....whatever that was. Hell half of the time he didn't eat at all, for England lived around pork. It sank in suddenly what she spoke, of her fixing the roof..and he chuckled then with a shake of his head, "They will go back to Cairo bragging of how my wife fixes roofs and all wives will be.." His eyes darted to where the men worked, and a chill chased his spine. Couldn't they just vanish? Turning his back upon them he started down the path once again, "You should be careful how you act around them, they will expect it of the women."
Ealora: Her free hand moved, capturing their sons hand, his finger fingers curled around a single digit of her own as her head lay against her husbands arm again. A hum of a moan left her lips as he kissed her forehead. See, these were the moments she lived for, that got her through the tough times. A laugh left her lips as their sons big belly was revealed. "He isn't yet eating solid food, he'll turn cookies to mush but hasn't really eaten them yet, its more of mommy's breast milk and him eating all day long.."She wiggled her finger from Ra's to stroke down his nose. "He has your nose you know..your hair..your color.." Her arm curled from his back around his arm as she grinned. "Brag nothing, their women are obedient and proper, I am a heathen compared to their women..expect what?" Her head turned to follow his gaze before moving back as her steps matched foot for foot down the path, her head lulled to his arm as they moved. "Maahes, they will be gone by morning, you told them they had one day, this is that day...then they will be gone.." She soothed up to his ear, at least in this she was not going to fight, if Husani was as bad as Maahes said he was...well she trusted only one soul amongst all of them and that was her husband. "You should talk to Jahi though, before he leaves, he seems to be the only one you have affection for."
Maahes: She was right, but when? When would he have time? In this moment he wanted only to be here within her sight for years. England couldn't wait, but could he ask her? No..He felt weak upon his feet swaying just a bit as the days ride had been long, and he grew sick upon thinking of it. "You..stay away from them. I will see to them in the morning..today, is for you."
Ealora:Night was descending on Red Wall and the family of three returned to the temple as Nora rang the dinner bell. Light was failing across the land, colors that were once vibrant against the sun of dark were darkening against the coming night. She had enough time to set Eppie and Issa plates out, their food cut up to bit sized portions and take a few bites of her own before Ra was awake and crying for dinner himself. She had no shame in feeding him in front of any as much as she had no regard over being naked. With him fed and burped, she left to lay him down and returned to collect Eppie for her bath as she was nodding off at the table and Issa, ever wanting to grow up big and strong was still eating. By the time Eppie was bathed and sleeping, Issa was finished eating but with the ever bounding energy of a growing boy, he complained when he was collected for his bath. The white Egyptian gown she normally worn had been destroyed, though it had hardly been noticed as Eli produced another. Her brother as well was a god send. It was not a secret that she couldn't sew anything and Sam, well she still tried not to think about her lost friend but Eli had taken up things she couldn't do, sometimes even helping Nora to cook to give Ealora a break and more time with the kids. Out of her clothing, she bathed with her son, having no fear of questions, not yet, about why mommy was different then him. "Come here, stop splashing..let me wash your back then your going to bed.." Issa groaned but 'swam' to his mother as she scrubbed at his neck and back.
Issa: He cupped water and let it dribble between his hands. "Mommy..Jahi says a man should protect the women...why are you so different?"
Ealora: Ealora's eyes lifted momentarily before she sighed and cupped water to wash off his back. Issa often saw her sparring with the guards of Red Wall to keep her skills honed. "Many people have different views my son, in his, women are to be protected, restricted in many ways. Mommy once came from that very same land with no outlook on how to protect herself, that changed when she left, and here...she is free to be who she is.." She threw the rag aside and shifted back to sit on the tub to open a towel. "It is a great man, my son, that accepts a woman for who she is, who loves her for being her, flaws and all. You remember this. Your Daddy is such a great man..Bed time.." She wrapped herself up then unwound another to wrap him up with a kiss to his cheek. She dressed in her own dressing gown before dressing Issa and putting him to bed before the last task of the night would be completed, a trip out to the barn to see the horses fed. With the days that had passed she hadn't gotten much chance to rid Egypt, so the Arabian mare was left food, a few sugar cubes and finally brushed down as a sorry. Ever moving, she couldn't sit still, not now, not knowing Maahes would leave soon. With brush cupped in her hand, she smoothed it down the snow white coat of the horse, cooing as she went. Nora knew where she was, she did this nightly. It also brought back memories, fond ones, of spending time in the barn because they could find no peace anywhere else. A constant joke that their son was conceived in the hay, but really, he had been. This was still a constant place of peace, for her, to regard memories when they were happy, it gave her strength to endure, to go on.
Maahes: The entire evening he spent within the company of family who felt as close to him as a stranger upon the streets. Maahes felt his heart in parts falling away with every word they spoke. They were so sure upon their father's death, that it didn't sit right. Deep down inside his heart he felt they could plot the death of any, and it was the dark black coal eyes of Jahi that gave their story truth. From across the fire he watched his ebony skinned brother eye him with the truth, where Husani spoke only lies.
Husani:"Maahes..It is our destiny, I am to be Prince. It has been placed in my genes, all you have to do is refuse."
Maahes: "I refuse." He spoke quickly turned burning embers of amber upon the smaller man.
Husani: "So easy?" Husani was quick to ask, his eyes wide with surprise.
Maahes: and Maahes only sat back further in his seat. "I have a life here. I have a family that needs peace. I am needed here."
Husani: "You will not rise to fight us?" Husani asked, and the rest all turned fearful eyes to Maahes.
Maahes: "No, you take those lands do with as you wish, my home is here."
Jahi: Jahi would be the first to smirk knowing full well that if Maahes did in fact cross the sea their lives would be rattled, but he knew is brother spoke well in his honor. Yet, the pain filter into the ebony eyes of the Nubian warlord, and though he understood it still made his heart sigh to know he would go through it alone.
Husani: "Then it is settled," Husani said with a nod, "We leave upon the full moon."
Maahes: One week from tonight, Maahes thought to himself. "The full moon pulled upon his heart, he felt it rattle his soul his wife would be here alone for a whole week with them? He felt the heart of his true brother beat faster every time she came into the room, or he looked upon her--he could almost smell his desire. This would not stand with him, and Maahes rose to find that part of his soul. The General needed to return to his men, he needed to be back in England, but right now he needed his wife more. It was not a surprise to find her in the stables, he knew her love of horses. Perhaps she would take his place in the Joust as he frankly wasn't very good, but it brought him great pleasure to know she loved her gift. Coming up behind her the horse gave a snort of surprise, but he only grinned.."We make another baby in this barn?" His voice purred as his hands captured her hips and pressed her back against him. "Or tonight we just sleep here?" She was tired, he could tell but as his arms wrapped around her arms to capture her he would hope to let that fall away.
Ealora: "Soon we will ride, long and hard into the spring wind...you will snort and sigh for a long time for how far we will ride. You can see and smell the land..Soon.."She purred to the horse as she caressed the horse's flank with the brush. As the horse snorted she went to turn only to be captured from behind. A grin fell over her lips as she hummed in a soft moan and laugh, pressing back against him as he captured her arms and stilled her movements. "We make another baby in this barn and everyone in skye who are trying to get pregnant will soon flood our lands to use our barn in the hopes it will work for them!" She teased as she pressed back against him. She was very tired, ready to fall over until his arms moved about her and she allowed herself to press back against him. If she could capture him and keep him, even for only tonight, she was willing to do it. Knowing well he had to get back to his men, knowing well he would probably be gone by morning. "Mmm sleep here, have our peace if only for tonight. I think perhaps that is the best idea you've ever had. " She wiggled in his arms, turning around till arms captured his neck and she pressed upward on her toes to reach his mouth, capturing it with her own.
Maahes: With the tightening in his arms he deepened the kiss that was returned with the tug of her lips against his own, and let a soft moan sigh in his chest at the very act. He loved her, loved her with all his heart and soul. "It.." He spoke letting her lips part, but not allowing himself to pull away, "Is so hard to leave you." His massive hands came to lift upon her hips pulling her to wrap her legs around him as he held her, and he smiled then. "Are our children asleep? I did not get to say good bye." Shifting her again he let his arm wrap under her rear to support her, while the other came up to brush her hair back away from her shoulder so he could place a kiss to her neck. However, the beast would start to walk with her then, swaying back and forth as he always had--as if she were a child. Yet it was only because he loved her, and loved everything about her. This way he held her, carried her though this tough time, and loved upon her as he should. He was her husband, at this time she needed this to know she was not in this alone, and that he would always return to her.
Ealora: Her fingers wiggled to drop the brush, it landed with a dull thud against the hay within the horse's stall. Egypt gave a snort behind them, swinging her head to bump Ealora against the back. Ealora let out a laugh against his lips but even she was unwilling to pull her lips from his own. She wanted to tell him don't leave then but she couldn't do it. This was who he was, this is what he did. It was hard being a General's wife but she really, would not have it any other way. Her legs twined around his waist as he held her bottom. "Then let me give you something to remind you to come home?"She purred against his lips as hips rolled press against him. A grin curled her lips, if they weren't careful then they were going to conceive their next child in the barn as they had Ra. She let out a small hum of a moan as he kissed her neck. "Yes, they sleep, but you can wake them to say goodbye..they would be upset if you did not say goodbye." Her arms clung tighter to him in saying those words, even with her being unwilling to say goodbye. His hold on her gave her strength, showered in her love that she soaked up to endure the time of his departure till he was home again.
Maahes: "Mmm, don't tease." He grinned, pressing her back against the barn door as they passed to kiss her once again. "You tease me all the time.." He chuckled as they moved out into the night where the wide dark eyes of their son watched from his perch upon Nora's arm. "Someone has been waiting," Nora smiled to the couple as it was clear their infant had newly shed tears upon his plump cheeks. Maahes sat Ealora down, and moved to take his baby within his arms, "I will be back, My Prince." Though it was clear Ra couldn't understand what had come of their conversation he was clearly happy to still be awake. "Sleep all day, you be awake at night." Maahes entered their own little private world where the child could understand him, and when the infant babbled back he spoke words. Nora stood with her heart held seeing the General's horse ready in the distance, "So soon.." Tears sprang to the old woman's eyes, as she tried to hide her quivering lip. The Beast's heart broke and he pulled her into his free arm, "It will not be long, and in this time you will be in charge. Keep her in line." He motioned to the woman of his heart and Nora shook her head knowing very well she had little power over the strong willed Pirate.
Ealora: "Oh now if I stopped...mpffmm"She was stilled with his kiss, cupping his face between her hands as he kissed her. There was never a time where she did not give her all when kissing him, now though she poured everything, as if her kiss would bring him new life, as if he were sleeping beauty of the fairytale and she the prince, bringing her love back to life in one kiss. She sucked in a breath as his lips left her own and grinned. "Now who is teasing.."She purred before turning a look to Nora with Ra on the porch. "An if I stopped teasin, you would complain or go all depressed on me.."She slapped at his bottom as he released her and went for the baby. Arms crossed over her chest, head tilted as she watched father and son together. The only thing the baby had of her was her eyes, for this she was truly thankful. She loved that their son was every bit of his father. Shifting in the dirt, her eyes moved away are Nora teared up, she hated seeing the woman upset, even when she caused it though her head jerked back as Maahes told the woman to keep her in line. A slender brow rose as a grin curled the side of her mouth. A wink was sent Nora's way. There was nothing the old woman needed to worry about now, not with what she knew of Husani. Moving forward, she wiggled the baby from his arms and kissed the tiny forehead. "Go wake your other children and say goodbye.."
Maahes: Ra was pissed to be taken away, kicking his feet and crying out until he settled against his mother and little hands went to tug upon her tunic. "Eppie will not be please, perhaps I should let them sleep, you tell them I.." He stilled himself knowing full well how hurt his children would be, and that brought him to where they both slept soundly. Eppie was not asleep, she knew, deep down she knew and he came to sit upon her side of the bed while Issa slept. Her arms came to wrap around his neck and his palm that almost covered her back ran down her spine. "When I return we will see your zoyah's see that they grow?" She sniffled back her cries and gave a nod nuzzling well into his chest. "Go kiss your mother good night," He ordered and she was quick to reply as now Issa's eyes met his. For a good moment they were silent, just staring at each other and for the first time it would be the Beast to break the silence. "You know that when I am gone, you are man of this house." His voice boomed from his chest, but in a hushed tone. Issa sat up in the bed still so shy with him. "You take my place when I am away, and I depend on you to take care of your mother, Eppie, and the baby." Issa gave a nod, knowing well he would do just that, and Maahes would remove a covered dagger from the small of his own back. The hilt was small, and the blade was covered in a the etched body of a lion. The long lean form curled around the handle, and though it was not sharp with enough force Issa could do a little damage. "This is for you, you take care of it and keep far away from sight, and I will teach you when I return." Issa's eyes grew wide and he grinned feeling trusted and wanted. Throwing himself into the arms of the Beast he held tightly the covered blade. "I will, Sir." The boy bent his face to look over the blade, but Maahes lifted his chin so he could kiss the boy's temple. "Make me proud."
Ealora: "oh oh oh....enough of that now, shouldn't be completely like your father.."She cooed at the baby, bouncing him within her arms until he settled. Her gaze lifted to Maahes, head tilted slightly, posed, ready to tell him again in a firmer manner to tell his children goodbye but the look that crossed his face told her he got the message as he started for the house. Nora, Ealora and the baby were not far behind, she crossed doorway of Eppie and Issa room to get to the babies room and lid into the rocking chair. She could hear him talking to Eppie and then Issa as Eppie came to join her. Leaning in, she kissed the little girls cheek before pulling her up as she held Ra to her with the other. Eppie lay her head against shoulder while Ra rested on the other. Slowly she rocked the pair of them with a mild continuous kick of her foot. Issa was the last to arrive, the blade Maahes had given him hidden under a stuffed animal, a lion. He took to leaning against the doorway to watch but when Ealora caught his gaze, she smiled and whispered softly"Bed time again, come on.." Eppie climbed down and she walked the pair of them back to their room. With Ra still clutched in one arm, she tucked the kids in before moving into their bedroom to lay Ra down in the middle of the wide bed before journeying out to the porch, would her husband be waiting to give her a final farewell?
Maahes: Maahes stood waiting his arms crossed as he watched the small camp where the desert men rest, and it unsettled him beyond belief. He did not wish to leave her, not with these men. With her steps drawing closer, he turned then to catch her in both body and mind. His arms opened for her, longed for her, and now he would have to leave her once again. "I will be home when Adam returns. It is not far.." Though he could not tell her the date, he knew it not to be too long, "And by then these men will be gone, and we will have our valley back. All our days will be spent here, I'll never leave again. No..more..wars." He whispered as he pressed his forehead against her own. "And you will never be without me."
Ealora:Her arms moved about him as he drew her in, clutching at his waist like steel and iron as her head pressed against his chest and her eyes squeezed tightly closed. It was as hard today as it was the first day he had left. It hurt her the most to stay behind, to not be able to go with him. He was fearful of leaving her with those men? Did he truly think she could not hold her own, that the guards he left with her were not well trained by her hand? They had been well trained, long before the desert men had arrived, she had hiding places beneath the temple for the children and nora should the need arise and the men all had their own duties. A well oiled machine in the event they were attacked. She could not say it out loud though, not for the wrong ears to be listening. "Any second without you is to long...but you need to do this...for you..for the Duke and Duchess..for the people. This is who you are Maahes, and I love you, I accept it, because this is who you are.."Her head lifted, lids sliding open to take him in. "We are well protected here, we will be here when you return. No more wars...our land, our valley, our people, we will be waiting for you, keep that with you as you fight.." Her head turned this way and that, running her forehead against his own as she let out a sigh. "For now, I part with you, but in the knowledge, I will not have to do so again. I love you Maahes...with everything I am, with my whole heart, with all of my soul.."
Maahes: "Write to me..tell me when they are gone." He spoke from behind closed eyes as he nuzzled her back. "You do not let them in, they will leave in one week, and I will station more men to return here. I will rest better." His face against the crown of her head inhaling deeply the scent of his love's hair, the very thing that enchanted him to no avail. His horse was drawn and ready as it was time. He knew they were waiting, but still kissed his wife. Bending to take her lips into his own he gave her the part of his soul she kept. He shared with her his good-bye in way of it only being until then..he loved her dearly. He would have no clue what he was leaving behind, the hardship coming, but as he mounted his horse the night called--duty called. It would be up to Allah to protect his wife now, but even God could not always defend against demons.
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Post by Chief Baliff Ealora on Apr 29, 2009 0:02:16 GMT -6
Women of Red Wall: The next day had come early, upon the lands of the General's home, and with the rise of the sun so too did the morning prayers. Every home was in dire need of life, and with the structures nearly complete a life they were to be given. The desert born men had become fast friends of the valley, their lives stories captivating the entire settlement, and with it the tale of the Beast's past. So with every day that passed the men and women came to enjoy their company and many would mourn they day they left. However, it was Husani the brother who most favored their Lord they grew to admire greatly. They looked upon him with kind eyes, and he returned their favor. The ladies of the land fell for his dark eyes and wavy curls. They even wondered if perhaps they removed the locks of the Maahes if he too would have such fine hair--Ra did. "He's so handsome!" They all whispered back and forth, and many of them would find his bed enchanting. Yet, he only wanted one...
Ealora:The day had come early and with the rising of the sun she was up and in the kitchens helping Nora prepare breakfast with Eli, it became a fast tradition to have breakfast with the family. Eppie and Issa were awoken when breakfast was ready, fed then bathed and dressed for the day. Eppie and Issa left with her father to do more planting in the fields while Ra was awoken last and fed before spending part of the morning with his Mommy. When it came time for him to nap, as he was inclined to do in the afternoon's, she moved outside to once again help with laundry. It was there the women talked of the men of the desert, more inarticulately, Husani. Celadon eyes rolled but she pressed her mouth closed against commenting against him should ears be listening. With the wide girth of Red Wall, it was possible for unwanted ears to be hiding in unlikely places. "Handsome does not always mean safe.."Was the only thing she cautioned the women helping her with the laundry.
Natasha: "Elly...(her nickname from childhood had rebirthed itself among the women) honestly, are you going to trust no one other then your brother, your husband or that red haired sister of yours?" One of the women asked as they took the rung out but still wet laundry to hang on the line while Ealora's hands dunked into the soapy water to scrub another article of clothing.
Ealora:"You want the truth Natasha?" Ealora grinned as she eyed the woman between working. "No..and Shaden has been very good to these lands, or have you forgotten what she did before I got my bearings?"
Natasha: Natasha, a pretty young thing with shining blonde hair, ducked her head with the comment as she pinned a shirt against the line. "I didn't say she wasn't good to us here...I just meant you trust so few, you got along with him, then your husband comes home and you ignore him. I'd gladly take up the slack if your not interested anymore."
Ealora:Ealora's eyes rolled again as she heaved a sigh, to be that young again! "I am married, and my husband does not lie to me. What he has told me, I believe, in faith and in love, because I have no reason not to trust what he tells me.." She responded truthfully as she ever was. Ringing out a new piece of clothing, she tossed it Natasha way before wiping her hands upon her pants. "You can finish on your own, I'm going to tell Nora I am going riding then head out, I promised Egypt.." She swung away from the woman before heading inside to tell Nora then head towards the barn.
Husani:"I bet it brings Manu great pleasure to watch you clean his clothes, do you cook for him as well?" Spoke a voice from the door of the barn, his shadow falling upon the the floor creating the outline of Maahes if one did not look twice. Though..the voice could not be mistaken. Maahes almost doubled everything about this man, his entire frame couldn't even make up one of Maahes' arms for the all the muscle the Beast had. Even in height they shared very little, but Husani was still a good sized man. "Is this your escape? From the life you live here?" He walked upon the otherside of Egypt moving his hand over fine pale coat. "She is a fine fine horse, must have cost him a fortune to have her shipped here, she is Arabian." As if she didn't know already, for women were stupid his eyes.
Ealora: "Actually he quite protests to my doing laundry, though it does him no good in the end and I don't cook, I don't know how.." She replied curtly, coldly as her eyes barely found him before turning back to latching the saddle upon the horse. "It is not an escape..I am happy here.." Egypt gave a snort as Ealora pulled hard on the latch, a hand moved to sooth the horse's side as a sorry as she readjusted the straps. "I ride to feel the wind in my face, as I once did on the seas, but it is not an escape from life..I do many others things as well." Shifting the reigns over the horse's head, she slid the stall door open and lead the horse out into the open hall. "I know she is Arabian, she was a gift from him and the kids..an early mothers day present." Ealora cursed silently, shut up! She was going to ask what he was doing here, but that would continue the conversation and she didn't want that.
Husani:"So cold you have become, only adds proof to the fire that you are in fact chained to that man. You were once your own free person, but now I fear you are a wife; and nothing more. I would bet he has ordered you to stay here when he knows deep down your heart longs for the freedom, and the feel of the ocean winds. You wanted to see Egypt as badly as you wanted to breathe, I could feel it upon you. These lands are your tomb, a small dismal place with nothing to give you but a steady life. Of what life is that? Will you grow old here? Cleaning his clothes and giving him children?" He snorted just along with the horse, "You are no different then the women in my country. You are the very same, even if you do not see it."
Ealora:As she lead Egypt into the open hall of the barn, she shifted to adjust the reigns again over the horse's head, coming to stand on his side, she turned a cold stare in his direction, it was said those kinds of stares could kill just by the look of them. "If I am cold it is because I now know the truth of you and I take no kindness to men like you. I used to kill men like you...and trust me its take every ounce of strength I have not to kill you now where you stand.."At his snort and comment, she could take it no more, she saw red, hot flaming red. She turned to face him without being able to stop herself and her fist flew, straight for his face. "Trust me, I am still my own person and don't think for one minute I resemble the women of your country that you rape and murder! I am very well able to protect myself, don't you EVER speak to me like that again! Maahes gave you a week to get off these lands, I'll shorten it and kick your ass out into the wild for all I care if you ever speak to me like that again!"
Husani: "He filled your head with lies! He tells you these things, because he knows you want to go. He knows this! How can a man keep you anywhere?!" He dodged her hit, and captured her wrist pulling it back, "Think about it. He sees you grow close to me, and he is afraid. He knows when I can offer you riches beyond your dreams, that the pirate in you will grow hungry. Tell me..do you see yourself here forever?! Alone for months, to have him return bed you then leave again? You are nothing but a whore to him!!" The horse grew wild and pranced in the open hall making an awful bit of sounds. Was this her alarm? Yes. For all creatures knew the darker side of a man.
Ealora:"Maahes has never lied to me!" She hissed as he captured her wrist and wouldn't let go even as she jerked it within his grasp. "Maahes doesn't keep me here like a prison, it is that he doesn't ASK me to stay, he doesn't ask anything of me that makes me stay!" Her teeth gritted as her wrist rolled within his grasp again. "Let.Go.Of.Me." Celadon eyes burned a hole into him, or would if looks could do so. How funny that he should ask her this question, nearly a year ago she would of laughed and said not a chance would she ever be a wife and mother. Now look at her..she was a wife...she was a mother and she was tied to the lands by marriage but also by love, for him and for the people here. The people they rescued. Maahes had refused his birthright, but would he have done so seeing those people suffer by this mans hands? People who cried out for a hero, not a tyrant. "Maahes never treats a woman as a whore, he hates the word, hates the profession, shows how much you know..more lies...more manipulations? Is it because you want something you can not have? That you can never have? Because I promise you..you never will..not by me.."Egypt danced, pranced and cried out. Ealora's attention flew to the horse, with her love of horse's also came a knowledge in their behavior, this was a sign, she was sure of it. Her elbow was sent into his ribs, in release, she spun for the horse and the saddle, grabbing the horn as she gave a cry to the horse in Egyptian to go even with her foot barely in the stirrup.
Husani:Watching her dance away he could only hold his heart in his hands. When had it happened? When did he fall so deeply in love with her? Somewhere upon their first meeting he was sure of it. They had come to kill Maahes, and his family--anything that would tie his rights to the city, but it had been her eyes that prevented it. Did she know? The longing started shortly after, but it grew to an ache. He would plant his seed inside her, and she would give him a child for this was his promise to God then and there. It would only be the matter of time.
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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 30, 2009 8:12:01 GMT -6
Perry: The ride out to Red Wall was short especially since he was staying in the town closest to the estate, but it was a disappointment to be so close as the ride was breath taking. The pirate had fallen in love with these lands, they reminded him of lands lost and forgotten. It was no wonder the General loved the lands, they were like Avaira in every way. It had been too long since he last saw Ealora, but he felt her very close. Her heart had broke, and it had been so happy all in one week. As the horse came to a standstill outside the Gate's the keeper called out to announce him, and every eye upon the land turned. Much had changed in the past few days..that was very clear. (d Ealora: She had ridden late into the night, she knew well Nora would take care of the kids but it still pulled at her guilty heart when she tiptoed into the house well past midnight but honestly she couldn't of fathomed coming back a raging ball of emotion. Even her rage she could not hide, not from the kids, she had never mastered that and though guilt pulled at her not to be the one to settle them down for the night, the fact that they slept peacefully helped her to catch an hour or two of sleep before she was back up again, never able to sleep long without the big brute that was her husband next to her, lazily holding onto her with one arm. Even in sleep they had to touch, funny for a man who once had such a sickness against touch and a pirate disgusted with displays of emotion. Morning began a whirlwind of breakfast, readying kids and chores that made the hours seem like seconds gone by to quickly. Eppie and Issa ever the busy helpers were sent off to the fields with grandpa and uncle Eli while Ealora took to the house, picking up toys, making beds, sweeping the hall. Good little wife right? It kept her body busy but most importantly, it kept her mind busy. It seemed in no time the house was clean and she had nothing to do. She could help in the fields or with the houses, but her heart, was just not into it today. Instead a fresh canvas had been set up along with new paints and her stool but even then she couldn't find what she wanted to put on the canvas and stared at it blankly as the door opened. Devan: Devan bowed slightly and grinned. "Its that Pirate my lady, Pete? Peppi? Peron?" Devan memory worse then her own Ealora: but Ealora grinned as she set the charcoal aside and rubbed what had stained her fingers upon the faded egyptian cut white dressing gown she allowed to dirty with her passtime. "Perry, Devan..no no don't show him in.." She spoke as she followed him. "I'll greet him myself.." She swept passed the guard onto the porch, bare feet hugging against the wood, itching to step off into the dirt and yet unwilling to mess up the house with dirty feet. "An what brings you out here Perry? Maahes is not at home for you to annoy."She teased with a grin.* Perry: "Mmm, funny you are quick to assume I'm here to annoy him?" His grin teased as feet came to the ground, and he closed the distance between them. "Though..I do have great news..would you hear it here, or somewhere a little more private?" He purred as hands came to capture her hips and a gentle kiss was placed against her forehead already starting talk within the few who watched. Letting her go, ocean hues passed over the land stilling upon the camps where the desert men slept. "Your husband was victorious in England, London fell easily." He knew she would want the important stuff first, but as his back turned upon the rest his eyes narrowed upon her. Hands fell into his pockets and he pressed himself against the railing, "Jean-Claude is very ill, Ealora I need you to see reason in him. He's lost, Shaden is still very sick, but his mind is gone. Can you do me a favor and see to this? Or are you too busy here?" Of course he meant the men, but meant nothing improper (for once) from it. (d Ealora: "Oh I don't assume anything but somehow he always ends up punching you anytime he see's you..and thank you, I found it rather funny myself.." The grin pulled further on her lips as she captured his arms as he captured her hips and leaned against him with the affection. What an up and down relationship these two had, one that rightly couldn't be defined. He annoyed the tar out of her at times, to points where she would not talk to him but always they made it back to an affection of no name. It was not love, at least not that type of love. "Great news?"She questioned with a single brow rising as her gaze followed his to the camp, with a sigh, she waved her hand. No she didn't want to talk about them. The grin once again itched on her lips. "I never had a doubt. Can I assume then he will be coming home soon or am I assuming to much to quickly?" she sighed and again waved a hand, waving off the question, she didn't want to talk about that either as arms crossed over one another. "Jean Claude...and Shaden...sick?" Her head tilted ever so slightly and it was written across her face, confusion, upset, she had no idea Shaden or JC were sick. She truly was sheltered here, it made her shudder before shoving the thought away. "I am never to busy for Shaden and Jean Claude, nor this particular favor, whatever my circumstances.."Celadon eyes pressed towards the camp then back at him. "Let me change and inform Nora I am to ride out with you, I'll leave the guards here to see to my family..come inside, tell me what is going on while I change.." She ushered him towards the door, she would change then tell Nora she was going off for a little while, she wanted to hear what was going on. She lead the way into the bedroom, sliding the door closed behind him. Never once did she second guess changing in front of Perry, he didn't desire her that way and she would never allow that to happen anyway's. It also never occurred to her what talk would be whispered on the winds later that night for it either. "Now tell me what's going on Perry.." She spoke as she moved about the room, boots gathered to be put at the edge of the bed while she went to collect a pair of slacks and a top.* Perry: He kicked his shoes back upon the bed, stretching out in the massive down filled surface. Lord..did they really need all of this space? "I am not sure for myself, but all I have been able to get out of Jean is that she's sick and I need to leave. He is afraid of what I will do I can smell it on him, his eyes were blood shot and...he hasn't been to the surface in days. I'm about to launch...I'm about to get really busy, and in England of all places, I need him there. So in turn I need you to get your sister from him." Lazily looking about the room he would notice all the decor..the weapons..the masks..the colors--everything is exotic. "Ealora..you guys make babies in here or kill them?" He could only smile wondering what Rosalind would do in such a place, the little quiet shy lamb would scurry away long before that lion could bed her. "I would leave your children here, she has the plague." Spoken with such a careless manner, he could have been talking of her hair with just the same feeling. Sitting up he brushed a hand through his curls rubbing at his eyes realizing how tired he truly was. (d Ealora: "Oh yes, how could I forget, that your own ambitions are always weaved into your good will towards others.."She spoke as eyes rolled. The dressing gown was pulled up and thrown over a chair, completely naked beneath, she reached for her pants to wiggle them on. Yes sans any undergarments. She simply was not a woman to be hindered by a lot of clothing. Yes they needed the big bed or had he forgotten the size of Maahes or how big she had gotten when she was pregnant with Ra? Latching the pants closed, she wiggled the shirt over her head and pulled it downward. She scuffed as she moved to the bed, shoving him to move over so she could sit down to put her boots on. "Actually Ra was conceived in the barn, not that its any of your business." She leaned downward, russet curls hiding her face as her foot was shoved into one boot and slowly she laced them upward, pausing as he said Shaden had the plague, lips curled into a frown as fingers which had seemed frozen in time for a second worked the rest of the laces up. "I'll make you a promise Perry, I will talk to him...that is all I promise. He may be your...man servant in some way but even you can not stand in the way of what fate decides...nor can I.." She spoke as if she knew something. Ealora never claimed to be a profit or have visions, but the way she spoke now made it seem as if she were. Shoving her other foot into its boot, she lifted up, to whap him, if lightly in the face. "Stop talking like that, I can remember once upon a time you desired her...but like all women it faded, that doesn't mean you need to act so inhuman Perry.." Wiggling on the bed, her foot was brought up and laces quickly done up. "Do me a favor, go see Egypt brought out of the stalls, I'll meet you out there, let me go talk to Nora.." She spoke again as she lifted off the bed, fingers weave into her hair that had grown and had not been cut, it nearly reached her bottom at this point. A leather binding was wrapped to bind her hair into a ponytail as she moved towards the door and slid it open, not looking back to see her favor completed. He wanted her help, he could do her this small favor.* Perry: "In the barn!?!" He acted sick, raising from the bed. "You had sex in that barn, and you want me to go in there and fetch your horse? Ha!" He snorted curling into the covers and closing his eyes. "You can go get your own horse woman." He spoke in the best accent mimicking Maahes's he could, and waited for the hit. "I never desired Shaden, but I care deeply for her..I just care very little about her illness because I'll never get it. I care, this is why I want you to get my man servant better so he can get her better, and I can get paid..is that so much to ask?" He rose from the bed with a grin, hearing the sounds of the Arabic lift from the wind. "How is it you of all people seem land the only foreigners of Skye? Who are these creeps?"He asked looking out the window, and quickly a set of gaggling girls went running. "Yeah, she's that good in bed! Woo!" He called out after them, "Lord my reputation is going to be ruined after this. (d Ealora: "Its that, or me removing your reason for bedding women Perry..."She paused in the open door to turn a smirk at him, lifted brow and all, challenging him to challenge her. "I haven't had sex in three months, since the night before Maahes left, so don't push me..hmm." Celadon eyes rolled as she scuffed. "You know, you can show you care a little better by not having a deeper ambition behind it. To care about others without ambition is what most people do in life, why do you have to be so different." Damn it where was Nora, she didn't hear the woman in the kitchens. Eyes widened as he called out the window and she crossed the room in two strides to smack him, hard, in the back of the head. "Perry! It's not only your reputation but mine! Those men are from Maahes home land, some of them his brothers and one of them not a very good man. What if he heard you, you f**king ass!" She shoved him hard, out of the way an closed the window. Lord above but this was going to cause problems, she didn't need to be a psychic to see that. "Just go get my damn horse!" She growled as she swept from the room, really and truly this time to go find Nora.* Perry: "Three months!?" Lord he'd die. Being tossed around like a rag doll was nothing new to him, but he could only laugh as she did just that. "I don't believe you..I can smell the hormones on you." A deep inhale with a grin, he saw the little eyes of Eppie hiding under the bed..had she been there the whole time? A grin would cross his lips to the little girl, "Are you playing hide and seek?" Eppie shook her head, and instantly started to cry. It was clear she wanted to say something, but the words would never find her. "Ealora..I found you child." Eppie scrambled back under the bed, but he left her there to go fetch her horse. Outside the sky grew dark, from threat of the rain and he would move quick. However, as soon as he opened the door to the barn the horse was wild her eyes red, "Shhhh..shhh." What had her so spooked? (d Ealora: "Your sick..."She tossed over her shoulder as she left. Wherever Nora had gone, she was back in the kitchens when Ealora went looking for her again. "Nora, I need to...ride out for a little while, will you see to the kids again?" Nora: Nora gave her a hard stare as she took her hands out of a bowl of meat she had been mixing together for a meatloaf. "An' where is it you were plannin to go?" Ealora: Ealora sighed and reached up to rub the bridge of her nose. "Nora, it's Shaden, please.." Nora: Nora face twisted. "Shaden? What's wrong? I'll come with you.." Ealora: Ealora's hand lifted, holding out. "No...I know you love her but please, protect my family, my children please, she is sick, I don't want you getting it. Please.." Perry voice called and she turned. Nora: "Go child go..." Nora urged. Ealora: Ealora turned on her feet to move back to the bedroom. Perry could wait another minute. She caught Eppie as she wiggled from beneath the bed, her face twisted in the need to say something and ever unable. "Baby what is it?" Ealora cooed as she lifted the little girl into her arms and smoothed the golden curls away from her face. "Remember how Mommy showed you how to express with your hands, could you do that for mommy? Tell me what is wrong?"* Eppie: Her little hands came to clutch her neck, thick arms wrapped around her neck and she sobbed. Open heavy tears poured down Ealora's neck, and it was very clear she was shook up about something. Under one arm she had her comfort object, and in the other her father's shirt. Poor Maahes won't have anything left to wear with them all using it to get through the day. She tried to think of how to say how to express it, but as her deep blue eyes found her mother's her lip quivered until the little sound of the sweetest little voice carried from behind them, "Don't weave too." She buried her face again into Ealora's neck clinging to her. (d Ealora: Long slender arms wrapped around her daughter, rocking her from side to side as she moved around the room. "Oh Baby what is wrong.."She cooed as the little girls sobs pulled at her heart. How it pulled at her heart to see Maahes shirt in a death grip within the little girls hands. "Are you scared Daddy is not coming home? Oh baby he is, he will be home very..."She stopped as Eppie tear stained face met her own and her heart leapt as the soft angelic little voice flowed from the little girls lips. Tears began to stream down Ealora's cheeks as she held Eppie tightly against her. "Oh baby, oh my little Eppie.."She kissed at the tear soaked cheek. "Mommy isn't going anywhere...I would and will never leave you, I am just going out for a little while, Aunt Shaden is sick and Mommy needs to go see her and make sure she is ok. The best medicine is family when your sick.." She moved to sit upon the bed, shifting Eppie against her lap and rocking still. "Do you believe Mommy when she promises never to leave you? hmm?"She kissed at the little girls forehead as she soothed the tears away with her thumbs. "What made you think Mommy would leave you?"* Eppie: "You..go..wif..bad man." She pointed down the hall where Peregrine had been. The lingering smell of the sea remained, salt water, sea sprays, and the scent of everlasting freedom. Eppie held tightly to her mother's neck, but released it when Nora came into the room. Nora: "M'lady..there is a commotion. It seems your horse is not happy with Master Peregrine." Reaching down for the child Eppie eyed her mother then Nora, unsure if she was ready to be left, but hesitantly went to Nora. Perry: Outside the men at Red Wall scurried, but Peregrine kept them all back. Egypt was soaked in oil, lantern oil and the scent could be carried well into the barn. "Move! Get out!" In the camps the men from Egypt were gone, all of them. When had they left? "Ealora!" Peregrine called out leading the horse out of the barn coughing as he went. (d Ealora: "Oh honey, he is not bad, not all bad, just misguided..I promise you, I will come back.."She kissed at the little girls cheek before moving her gaze to Nora, frowning she rubbed at Eppie back. "Hey, come now, smile for me...go with Grammy Nora now and tonight when I get home, I will wake you up and you can come into bed with mommy.." Slowly she handed the little girl over to Nora and whispered low. "Stay here, if I whistle, hide in the hidden room below the floorboards.." Turning, she rushed outside to find the men moving towards the barn, to Egypt only to be called back. "What is it? What's wrong?" As she neared him and the horse, a hand flew to her mouth. Lantern oil. "Get water, rag and soap! Go!" She called the men still prancing around. "Who...wha..."She shook her head at Perry, unable to form a complete sentence or why someone would do this? "soaked...she...the barn...who..I..." As the men ran back with buckets sloshing water, she grabbed the nearest one and poured it over the horse. "Soap now, hurry before it eats at her coat.." At least here she could form words. "rub her down good.." Celadon eyes found perry then moved towards the barn. "The other horses?" She shifted her soapy rag to another and swiveled on her feet to make for the barn. Egypt may of been a gift for her pastime but the other horses were important too, and not only just as work horses.* Perry: "No..none, only her. Someone tried to kill her...I'm worried about the house. I thought I could smell it on my way in, Ealora get your.." Nora: "EALORA!!!!!!!!!" Nora came flying out of the house, her eyes wide and tears streaming down her cheeks, "He's gone! My Lord in heaven they've taken him!!" She fell to her knees sobbing, Eppie crying upon the porch comforted only by Issa. Perry: Upon the hill the first sign of the men in arms emerged, their armor of pure gold flashing in the sun. Swords were mounted with arrows of fire waiting for their rain to fall upon the lands, and the faint sound of a baby's cry could be heard. "The ground is covered in it," Peregrine gasped coming from beside the temple, "It will burn in seconds..Ealora.." His voice stilled at the sound of the boom of another. Husani: A familiar voice who sat high upon his horse, "In Seven Days your God made these lands..But it only took mine one." Holding up little Ra, the baby screamed kicking his feet and waving his hands. "The God of the sun, helpless without his mother..What a shame." A wicked wicked man, fell before them. "I gave you the chance to have everything, Ealora..What will you do now?" (d Ealora: She heaved a sigh and turned for Perry again as her name was shrilled called. Nora appeared and for a moment Ealora herself seemed frozen in time. The woman was a perfect oilive color until this moment, she was as white as if she were dead. "My son?" She moved to catch the old woman as she fell to her knees sobbing. "Where is my son?!" She screamed into the woman's face, clearly not helping as she released her to rush inside. The crib was torn apart but clearly he was not there. Rushing back outside. Her hand moved to Nora who clutched at the children"You were supposed to be watching him!" Her voice strained with its tightness as rage and panic filled her face. She nearly had a hold of the woman when Ra's cry was carried against the wind, she barely heard Perry as her head turned to find the men upon the hill, flaming arrows at the ready and her face only continued to pale. Her hand was posed, still reaching out to Nora, it slowly retracted though shifted in a silent command for Nora and the kids to stay there. "Perry..."She murmured under her breath. "If this goes badly...get them out of here? Please.."She begged low motioning just so with her fingers to Nora, Eppie and Issa. "Keep them safe.."She whispered low as her body turned to face Husani as he held her screaming son up. "Husani, he is an innocent child, he has done nothing to you....do not hurt him. You would do this to a woman you claim to care about? Who you want as a Queen at your side? You would hurt my family to get your way? How could I trust you then to keep your word even if I agree to whatever you want?"* Husani: "So you refuse?" Motioning to a man at his side, they brought the edge of the burning arrowhead closer to Ra's skin, and the baby let out a scream. It burned, but did not touch his skin. The infant was a trembling mess now enough that his sobs sounded more like gasps, and his little fists were white from clenching so hard. "I do not want you as my Queen. No..you lost that right long ago, and I have heard of the strength my brother has here. He will send for you, an army bigger then all of Africa. I want you to clear this land of your people, and leave. I am going to burn it down. Your husband gave his rights to rule, and they cannot be taken back. So let it be known all of this hardship to come from these lands, was from a woman who did not know her place." The people of the valley all ran, fleeing for the village, Guards: but all the men stationed here soon came to Ealora's side, "M'lady we will fight til our death. We will get to the Prince..just give the word." One whispered, standing just off her shoulder. 6 men against them? Had their number's doubled? It sure seemed like it. Perry: Peregrine had circled the house now quietly with the other children and Nora, whispering to them that this was all a game grown ups play, and spoke of a fairy ring he had seen just in the wooded area. Nora couldn't help but sob, watching in horror but trying to still her cries. That sweet little baby...She would never forgive herself for this--ever. (d Ealora: "No stop stop! I didn't say that! PLEASE don't hurt him!" She screamed as the flames were brought closer to her sons skin and he screamed all the harder, her hands were trembling as she brought them up, as if that would stop them. This was a weakness she had always feared. Loving so greatly that she was at a loss to do anything but surrender. "So that when my husband returns his son is not only dead but his people and the men assigned to watch over them? No..stand down..just get back.."She hissed low to the men who had joined her, waving a hand at them to get back. "Husani, please, I beg of you..."Celadon eyes rose to meet his, her hands moved again, wide, stretched out in a show of no weapons as she stepped closer and closer, turning so that she showed she had no weapons on her, not even her sai's, until she turned to face him again. "My family did nothing to you...these people...did nothing to you...if I have wronged you so, take it out on me...not them...Me. Tell me what you want, ask anything and it will be yours, just please, do not harm these people. They have been through enough.."* Husani: Passing the General's son to the man at his side, he held out his hand. "Come with me. Let us go for a ride together." The men all snickered knowing full well what was to come of this, but this was what happened to a woman who wore men's attire, and ran around ordering as if she held any control. Ra's large eyes swallowed in the sight of his mother and he quieted knowing all would be better soon. He'd have her, she'd hold him! All it took was the sight of mother and all would be fare and just in the world. Guard: One of the men charged after her, "No! You will not take her anywhere. This is the orders of the Lord Asad! She is his wife, and we are to keep her sacred!" He shouted out, but soon an arrow was pointed to him. Husani: "Be quiet fool, or I will kill you all!" (D Ealora: Celadon eyes slid from Husani's to her sons. He had quieted and was staring at her, she itched, shook to take him into her arms and sooth away his tears, to bring him peace but one reach for him and it would be all over...for him an she would never forgive herself, Maahes would never forgive her. Though her whole body was trembling, her heart hammering in her chest, she managed a smile. "It's ok baby, mommy is here, everything will be fine, I promise.." The Egyptian flew from her lips as melody like as ever if not shaky. As the guard ran forward, she reached for his arm and jerked him back even as the arrow was pointed at him. "Stop it! You risk my families life for mine? NO! Get back..back to the other men..and none of you move...that is an order."Her voice had steadied with the command but she was still shaking inside. As she released the guard, she turned and reached to take Husani offered hand but she wasn't speaking to him as her voice called out. "Remember what I live by, sacrifice, we sacrifice our happiness, and everything within us, for those we love.."It extended into a purpose greater then ourselves but well, she couldn't say that now. She was giving up everything to protect her family and her people, to take the hand of the devil.* Husani: He pulled her upon the horse adjusting her against his front. "If I do not return from the woods, kill the boy, and burn this entire land to the ground. Let none of them out of your sight." The men sneered, and snickered watching as he turned the horse to head back for the forest. "You have such power here..Such admiration, perhaps you will learn now to keep your mouth closed." His fingers rose to pull back a strand of her hair, "You have such lovely hair..fine and like silk. I'll have to take some with me when I return. Though..perhaps I'll change my mind about you. Would you still refuse me after today? Do you not see my power? Your husband gave it up so easy, and look how those men follow me. They all wish to be me right now, to be with you, but they dare not take what I want. Are you afraid?" (d Ealora: Her hand found the horn of the saddle as he pulled her up and she adjusted even as he moved her around him. Celadon eyes fell to Maahes...her men before lifting to her son before the horse was turned around and pushed towards the forest. Her jaw locked, determined not to give him satisfaction in making her lower then she all ready felt. She felt low because she was powerless, what else could she have done when they had her son? Maahes true son. "I earned both by hard work, not brute strength, threats and murder.."She snapped back, lids closed as his hands fingering her hair made her skin pucker with goose bumps. "If I refused, it would be the death of an innocent, and as you well now know, I wouldn't have that, but power won through tyranny can be easily lost Husani.." She wiggled within the saddle, it was not comfortable in the saddle with this man. "I am not afraid.."* Husani: "You would learn to love me. You know that in our lands, if a woman is raped she is to be tossed out with the garbage. Do you think Manu will do so?" His hand slid down her side holding her hip as she gave that little wiggle and he let out a small sound of pleasure. "Though, you go willingly so perhaps he will not consider it this, but..what is the word? Adultery?" Already his body longed for her just as it had the first time they ever met. "We came to kill you know." Stopping in the midst of a clearing the trees heavy with buds of leaves swayed, as it would have been a very romantic spot had it been her husband. Easing from the horse he held out her hand, "They will kill your son if you fight me, so do us both a favor and be still. I only do this because I want you to have my child. I want a heir as strong as that son. He will be my Prince, without the dirty blood of a slave. "Do you still dance Ealora? Like you did in the palace?" (d Ealora: "Learn to love you...with what you have threatened to do?" Her teeth grit together and she fought the urge to sink her elbow into his ribs again especially when he gripped at her hip. "I have done what I felt is right to protect our people and our family, Maahes will do what he see's is right in return." It was the honest and true answer. She couldn't imagine though that he would not hate her. Lips pressed tightly together, yes now she knew that they had indeed come to kill them...and him. Her worst fault was now one of her worst downfalls, ever. She held tight to the horn of the saddle as he got off before shifting, taking his hand to get down. She wasn't going to fight him but his words had sparked a realization with her face, or was it a plan? He didn't know her well enough to know what the look on her face meant. "Not the blood of a slave no, but still a bastard. Do you think your people would honestly accept a bastard as their heir? Seems a very foolish idea for a man who will be sultan in less then a months time. .."Her shoulders rolled in a lazy shrug. Her jaw visibly flexed at the question. "Yes" She seemed to hiss in a low growl.* Husani: With her words the back of his hand came to crash against her face, "Do NOT call me that." A dagger was pulled from it's mark, and held to her neck. "All of our country is built on Bastards! We all share the same father, but have different mothers. Mine was just like you. She was defiant til the end, even in her death." The blade fell down the front of her tunic dipping in and cutting as it went. "He won't want you. He won't want anything to do with you. Another man has touched his wife. She will please another, like the low life scum she is." What a fit Maahes would be throwing, and even miles away his heart stopped. Maahes: Upon the battleground the Beast stilled his steps feeling his heart stand still. "Send word for my wife. Tell them to come visit me here." He barked at a man, who gave a nod and would find his way back to Skye. Husani: "Now let's get this over with." He motioned for her to finish the task he had started. (d Ealora: Husani was not as big as Jahi or Maahes, in fact he barely made up half of either man but the hit still had her seeing stars, stumbling back to land upon her knees on the ground, a hand rose to hold at her cheek as it instantly throbbed. Her eyes stung with tears she fought to keep unshed. "I didn't mean it like that!" She hissed despite the situation with a dagger pressed against her neck. Lids closed, her stomach turned as the cold steel pressed against her skin beneath as it cut downwards. "I meant, that because your country is founded on bastards, you could be even more respected, gain more loyalty with a legitimate son.." Her hands moved to wiggle the ruined shirt from her shoulders. "But who am I to tell a man not to have unwavering loyalty.." Gods her heart was still hammering in her chest, stilling momentarily knowing the road she was taking. "You know, my marriage to your brother happened in private, only two witnesses...one well..he could very well be dead and the other, well she could well be headed to death. There really isn't anyone to validate it.." Celadon eyes rose through dark lashes, oh what a sensational look that was, giving her the allure of an Egyptian Goddess captured by man. "You've made it very clear you want me Husani, that your willing to murder to have me..I'll make you a deal..or rather give you an idea, you can call it your own if you like..I won't ever protest it. In exchange, I wish only one thing, that you will not to harm anyone upon these lands. You want to be a great man Husani, a man of unimaginable power, the most revered and inspiring sultan in the history of Egypt? I can help you do that, without spilling blood.." God above but she felt sick to her stomach with each word she spoke but it would buy her time.* Husani: "And how..would you do this?" He asked from behind her now as he moved, taking hold of her hips. "So you were never married to God? Just upon an Island? "I do want you..I want you, and have wanted you from the first day. I will do anything to have you.." He wrapped his arms around her hips pulling her back against him. "Make me believe you, for I know this is out of fear..you are afraid of me. You buy yourself time..but if it means you as my wife I will take it. Your ring.." He kissed her neck, "Prove it..take it off. We'll send it back to him. Make him think you left with me. He will not follow, he'll be killed upon the field. His heart will break. I saw it in his eyes, the love he has for you. Are you so willing to give that to me? Run back to your home, I will have you there as a wife..or here..with what you decide". He pressed his hardened body against her, and gasped. "Make it quick.." (d Ealora: A slender brow arched upward as he moved in behind her. Was she not convincing enough? She caught her breath in her throat, willing her heart to still its heavy beating. She had once been a master at this, deceiving and betraying others. Did Husani know this? Of course not, he desired beauty, he loved beauty, not her. A slow grin slid over her lips as he continued to speak. Seems he had picked up on the general idea she was hinting at. "Well, the man who married us said he was a priest, but of course, he ran the second we gave him the money, so really...that can't be proven either and yes, just on an island." It was not so difficult now to keep herself from shuddering in his arms, she had stilled herself to play the part and no shudder came. "I do not fear you Husani...I just finally see what you have been telling me, that he does keep me locked up and nothing as a whore to bear his bastards...You've made me realize who I truly am, and I do desire power...and the man who holds it.." It felt like a knife was ripping her heart open, no matter how much she had steeled herself to this. Her hand rose without hesitation to remove the engagement ring he had given her for michaelmas and the wedding ring of their union from her hand, offering it back to Husani without any pause. Poor fool, he didn't know Maahes knew it was not her most prized possession, that the necklace of Red Glass meant more then the rings themselves and that Maahes knew while the rings were a symbol of her vow upon her finger, that her vows to God the night in the abandoned church were her true vows that could never be broken. "I will be your wife...but not here..it must be in front of your people, so that there is no question of our marriage or the conception of our children..this will break his heart indeed, so we have no fear of him following.."she only prayed Maahes would see the message that would be written in giving her rings over. She felt her stomach tighten and lurch as he pressed his hardness against her. This bought her more time indeed but she had to think quick to keep from his bed in the future.* Husani: "Then kiss me..Prove to me your love." He swayed gently with her, holding her tightly and as passionately as Maahes would. Somewhere along the lines he had fallen in love with her. "Throw those rings to never be found..turn around and prove to me you love me." He begged, "Then we will return to your Red Wall and be married. I'll make love to you in his bed, take you home to Egypt and love you there." He whispered against her neck, moving her hair back, "Will you live without your children?" He cupped her chin lifting her face to meet him, "Anything you wish will be yours, we will ride to England this moment. My men will go, so we can stay." He smiled then, waiting for his kiss. (d Ealora: He held her tightly, passionately but he would never be Maahes. She knew in the way he held her that he was in love with her, it was like Maahes, pouring love and passion into the hold but again, he was not Maahes. Her fingers tightened on the rings, she couldn't throw them, she wouldn't, no matter the game or not. Wiggling, she turned within his arms. "No, to throw them will prove nothing..and your men going there without them will not make Maahes believe I would ever leave him. No, send your men there, but with the rings..that will be the proof.." As he gripped her chin, her eyes rose to meet his. "Husani, please, I cannot bare more rumors of an illegitimate marriage, let us be married in Egypt..and no, I do not think I can be without them. Ra is still breastfeeding as it is..these two things are my wishes, please.." Cupping his face into her hands, she bent, her lips brushed against his own before pressing more firmly, with lids closed, she pretended, she thought hard of Maahes, in this moment, it was not Husani she kissed, it was Maahes whom she repeated in each giving and pulling gesture of her lips that she loved him.* Husani: He felt it her love, the passion and returned it slipping his tongue into her mouth to taste of the pleasure. "I will wait as long as it takes..I will love you, those children. I will love you all. Come, let us tell the world of our love." He scooped her up and mounted the horse. By the time they came to Red Wall all was as left, but Peregrine was gone. However, he had not been far behind through the entire night. The men all gave strange looks to their leader, as it seemed he had gone nuts. Though the red mark across her face, "We are to be wed! In Egypt! She loves me!" He called out to the men, and all the guards looked upon her with betrayed faces. "All of this has been a lie, she has loved me from the moment we met! Look out upon your people, Ealora and tell them the truth, show them your hand." All of Red Wall had gathered in the valley of the hill ready to fight what was at hand, but now waited to hear from their lady. "It is not true, she would not. You have tricked her. She would never do that to our Lord." "She's always been a whore." "I'll marry the General." "Take her away." "She wouldn't! How dare you speak about her like this." Rain started to fall then little by little, and a messenger came with a rush. "Milady the General wishes you and the children to join him, I have his seal..of what should I return?" (d Ealora: She gave out a moan into the kiss, lucky the surprise she had in opening her eyes to see Husani instead of Maahes was rather well masked. She had nearly fooled herself. "I know you will my love.."She purred softly as he was scooping her up and back onto the horse they went. She couldn't feel triumph in this, it was the only thing she had been able to think of and she felt a failure for it. Her arms wrapped about his waist as they rode back into the fields of Red Wall were people had begun to gather, to fight, to wait? She wasn't sure but the shock on their faces at her holding onto him said it all. They had been prepared to fight, not for this. She adored them all the more for it. She would make it up to him, she swore it, one day, she would make this up to them. Some who spoke made her pride swell, the others, it stung. Her head turned to look out over them before moving to Husani at his request and then back. "It is true....we are to be wed.."As she spoke, her hand rose, blank, devoid of the rings that were pressed hard against her palm in the other hand. Her head turned to the messenger. What did he say? It took her a minute to process the information. "You may return these.." She wiggled in the saddle, when Husani arm tightened, she turned her sweetest smile to him before sliding from the horse and pressing the two rings into the messengers hand. "and that is all you will return with.."*
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Post by Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem on Apr 30, 2009 8:14:49 GMT -6
Husani: The smell of the sea rushed through the city as the horse drawn caravan came to the city. The house had been packed up, their belongings all packed for them, and the children did not understand. Nora however did. She knew very well what Ealora was doing, and as she held baby who now had a bandaged arm she eyed the man with worn eyes. She hated this man now, as he held upon Ealora's arm like she were a trophy. "She is beautiful is she not?" Nora didn't speak as watched him stroke her hair, but she felt herself sick. "You will love it in Egypt, Lady Caregiver, it is a far more civilized place then this." Eppie and Issa clung to Nora's side as Ra seemed to struggle with his breaths, but it was a baby's way of calming. He had been so upset that his little chest heaved with shudders every other breath. His little fists, were still white from being clutched upon the fabric of his wrap, and his eyes were wide watching them all. "You will live a happy life there, in riches Ealora. Try to tell your family this." Upon the streets they were watched with wide eyes..where was the Lady going? The Lord General was one of the most feared men in all of Skye, and here was the woman who loved him most. She was the strongest they felt for being able to keep him. Many women tried, but not one got close enough to every tame him. Was she leaving? (d Ealora: She had barely had to lift a finger to pack their belongs, in truth Husani hadn't left her sight for more then a mere second since their return from the woods. The temple looked so bare, it looked so wrong. He had insisted she wear the gowns of her home, no more pants, each one pair tossed into the flames and what a sight it had been, to see Ealora standing there, un arguing. She pressed on her best smile but she could not meet Nora's gaze. Did the woman truly know what Ealora was doing? Or did she think as some of those of Red Wall had as they left, whore..unloyal...unclean..and yet she had kept her head high as if she were doing nothing wrong. She wasn't doing anything wrong, she was doing what she needed to, to keep her family safe, the only thing she could think of to do to keep them safe. She offered them her best smile at the question, longing to reach for her children who would go nowhere near her while Husani was beside her. Even the baby, her little Ra who usually quieted with her touch, screamed to be near the man. "Egypt is beautiful beyond your wildest dreams.."She cooed. Issa face peeked from Nora side to look at his mother as she spoke. "The air is scented with spices to stir the imagination and the desert sun warms the skin like a gentle hug.." Her voice cracked and eyes slid closed and she let out a hum of a sigh. "We will be very happy...very soon.." She was counting on Maahes being the most feared man of Skye, the most jealous and less likely to ever give up. Where was he? Her heart was hammering for him, did he feel it? Leagues away where her rings were being delivered did he know his wife loved him with everything within her. That there would never be another despite the rouse she had to play. With another sigh, her eyes opened, Nora was staring hard at her, Eppie peeking, Issa daring a look every few seconds and she gave them a smile, her best one, her brave face while in the clutches of the devil.* Husani: A hundred people gathered near the docks gathering news of the departure. They wanted to watch as the magnificent sights of the foreigners left. They wanted to watch the ships of Egypt leave Skye for many slept very little with the thought of the powerful nation leaving with their war. Rumors had come and gone like birds flying for their freedom, but at the mouth of the docks they watched with wide eyes. "So many of them..do they always come to watch ships leave?" He had left all of his weapons, dressed to match her and even crowned himself with a Ghutra to match. His hand rose to wave them off tightening his arm around Ealora, "Kiss me." He whispered to her pulling her close as they stood. "They are confused..kiss me and let them know." Peregrine had been gone? What had happened to him? Nora had said he had ran off into the woods, but out upon the crowd his blonde mop of curls could not be mistaken though his face could not be seen. "Tell them you love me. Let it be known!" He called out over the people, "I came here to gain power, and I gained a new wife! We will be married!" Issa clung to Eppie, but it was Nora who saw him first. The Beast from the desert who had been so savage..They had always thought him to be such an animal, until they knew his brother. Their keeper had always been so afraid, living in fear of him until she found the man deep down and loved him. Maahes looked like a mess, his cheeks puffy and red from things he did not understand. However he clutched the letter she had sent her rings home in. He had found the crowd the same time the carriage had. "She did not love him She was unhappy with him, he beat her. He kept her like a prisoner doing his laundry, raising his children. She will be a Queen!" He called out to the crowd who still held their hearts behind their hands. (d Ealora: "It is not often the greatness of Egypt graces them and then suddenly leaves them too.."She had been playing this game for how long now? It had become easier to play it, but no less painful, not to her heart. Shaden and Maahes were the only ones to ever know the change of looks upon her face, the words she left unspoken so it was easy for her to hide the hurt behind a face that looked as if deep in thought. Her hand found Nora's briefly as Husani attention turned to the crowd as he stepped down from the caravan, her hand shook briefly in the old worn and wrinkled hand, a moments touch before it was gone, taking Husani arm as she followed after him. God give her strength, she didn't want to do this, to deceive her people of Red Wall to keep them safe was one thing, to lie to the people of Skye and be seen as a whore was another. Celadon eyes rose to the crowd but with so many staring at her with wide confused eyes made her chin drop along with her eyes. Husani hand at her chin had her head raising once again. Kiss me, the command came and her throat stuck hard, her mouth dry but her head moved of its own accord, she had kissed him how many times now? Always it was not Husani she kissed, it was Maahes, it had become easier now, she didn't have to close her eyes to see him. He was in every face that watched her, he took over Husani face each and every time, except in Husani rage, Maahes...had rage but not like that..never like that. The kiss was not as long as some of the others as she pulled away but pressed a smile onto her lips. "It is true..." Her voice rose, if shaking just a smidge before strengthening. "I was captured...and held..and I do know proclaim, I love he who holds the desert sun within his very soul, his skin never touched by the coldness, always warm and radiating the sun of which he was born.."Was she talking about Husani, the people in the crowd had all ready begun to whisper as Ealora's hand stroked Husani arm but her gaze was not to him, it was above the crowd, looking out into an oblivion that did not exist. "I confess I have loved him all along, to him my whole and true heart belongs. My very soul, in his possession..."Her throat had begun to dry again but not for empty and untrue words. No they were true but they were not of Husani and only less then a handful of people could grasp the true meaning of her words.* Maahes: The crowd that gathered was in shock, but grew quiet watching now as a Pirate snuck into the back of the Caravan only to return children in tow. Not a soul would say anything, save for one voice that sounded as if his very soul was pulled free from his body, "Then why did you take off your rings?" A gasp from the crowd would part to reveal him, standing and looking as death himself--having ridden faster then ever before. Three horses he had changed, 150 miles in one night, and one day. It would be the new record if time were able to keep. Husani: Husani grinned seeing the Beast so vulnerable, and only pulled Ealora tighter but behind him motioning for them to start loading the ship. "Manu, is it such a surprise? You kept her like a pet while you feasted in England. You live your life with war upon your back, and expect her to just sit and watch? No..she wants to be Queen. She wants to be rich and spoiled..fat and happy. look how skinny.." He touched her stomach letting his hand raise under her breast before it fell to his side, Maahes: and Maahes held his heart. It was in a thousand pieces in his chest and hurt. "Let her tell me..Keep your mouth closed, and let her tell me.." Husani: Husani did as he saw Nora rise behind them holding their little bundle of joy, perhaps to tell Maahes the baby was ok. Husani would release Ealora and aid her down from the cart as he took a step back to allow her room. However, he would not let Nora down keeping them safe upon the cart. Maahes: Maahes would meet Ealora half way his breath a forced press from his chest as his heart beat wildly--fluttering with the break. He stood inches from her, towering over her, but never once let his eyes move from her own. Maahes's hand came to capture hers pressing it against his chest so she could feel the vessel below, and how she had so much control. "Did you forget it?" He whispered in the raspy hoarse voice that was his own. (d Ealora: The gasp of the crowd as the voice rang out was hardly heard, only his voice as slowly his face was revealed and for once the tan woman that was his wife was pale as a ghost, pale as the day Husani had clutched her son and threatened death. Her mouth parted even as Husani spoke for her. Ha! delusional man. Celadon eyes spoke what she could not. He had come and she was elated! Slowly her eyes slid to Husani even as Maahes boomed to allow her to talk. She accepted the assistance down but only because her knees were knocking beneath the red and gold gown she wore. He stopped halfway but she moved the rest to meet him and did not flinch as he took her hand to press it against his chest. "I could never forget this..it beats the same rhythm as my own.."She whispered as her fingers moved against his chest, feeling the drum of his heart beneath her fingertips for only a moment before jerking her hand away as if burned. Husani still had Nora and their son upon the cart, all was not safe yet. Slowly her head tipped up, her chin proudly set as even the crowd around them did not dare breath to listen to what would transpire. "You want me to tell you why I sent my rings to you? I would think it was obvious.."Her voice rang out in a still crowd. "Give them to me, bull..." Her hand extended for her rings, she knew he had them. For once her eyes looked cold, dark, aloft from him. His hand extended inside his leathers to clutch the two rings and for a moment, his hand was posed to pass them over but even the beast jaw tightened. Ealora hand moved to capture his wrist, never as strong as he was but always as fierce. "Give them to me Bull...if my meaning was not clear the first time, I will show you now what it means.." she spoke as she pried the rings from his hand with her free hand. The rings were pressed together, joined as they should of been upon her finger. It seemed she was holding them up to show the crowd but her eyes remained on the beast, her husband. "This is what it means..this.." Her hand lifted and the rings were drawn back onto her finger which had seemed empty and bare without them there the last couple of days. "What God has seen join, let NO man or...tyrant put asunder!" Celadon eyes slid to Husani as she spoke tyrant before moving back to Maahes. I love you. I will explain later, I swear it. Sea glass eyes spoke what lips could not.* Husani: "You tricked me!" He called out his back to the sea, with Nora under his arm. The men from the desert surrounded him, and it would be the first time Maahes would notice their numbers. Ra was pried from Nora's hands, and she would be tossed from the cart as he as well made his own way down. As the men in arms rose their swords so too would the guards from Skye. They were trapped and they knew, but as Husani made his way upon the ship the sails would be set. The ship was ready to sail, within a moments notice, "Do you take me as a fool Ealora? I knew all along this was a trick, it was a ploy to stay alive. I got what I wanted. I got this son, who will be Prince. This was what we were after this entire time. He will be Sultan! He will be raised under my arm and rule nations! We will take the world! I will come back here with your son and kill you all, but how do you ask?" A dagger was pulled from his belt and held to the baby who did not make a sound. "He will be king if his father is dead." The guards were too afraid to move upon the men with Ra's life being in danger. Yet the archers were poised and waiting. Always had Egypt held the firepower of nations. Their arrowheads legendary and made of iron. The long bow could reach through dunes killing men from hundreds of feet. The release was quick the arrow that fired was true but it would never reach the Beast. It would be the long white pale hand of the Frenchmen to practically capture the arrow. His eyes were wild blood red and dry. This was not a man before them, but a heartfelt warrior who had seen enough. Maahes broke from the crowd tearing down the ramp like the bull he was known for and Husani's eyes were widened with each moment that passed, the air was captured from his lungs and held within the hands of the Beast. "Give..me..my..son." Husani would let the dagger fall and just as he started to hand the Prince over his eyes would twist as the snake inside him came alive. Ra would find himself airborne little hands shaking as the ocean would capture him quickly. Maahes could not move as thick ropes came around his neck and pulled to keep him back. "Then we will take you. Put you back in the arena like the animal you are!" (d Ealora: Fingers curled into the leathers of her husband as Husani voice rang out in rage, her head jerked to the cart, expecting him there, no empty...no Husani, no Nora and the baby and her head swung around again to find Husani heading with Nora and the baby towards the ship. "Maahes...Ra.."She hissed low releasing him to shove against a body who would not move, shocked into place. She shoved but the body would not move and it was then the arrow sang past her ear making her gasp, turning, thinking it was to late only to see the hand of Jean Claude stopping the arrow in flight. To have blinked, she would of missed it. "Thank you.."She breathed before she was heaving through the hole in the crowd that Maahes made as he tore threw them and down the docks. "Noooo"the scream tore from her throat like a thousand daggers piercing the heart as Ra sailed through the air for only a split second before the waves seemed to swallow him whole as Maahes was captured by the ropes. There was no time to think, the sea had swallowed Ra whole only a second before Ealora flung herself from the docks, head first into the rolling waves. She loved her husband, but faced with the same choice, would he not do the same as her? She had faith in her husband, Husani thought he anticipated Maahes strength but he knew nothing, of this Ealora was sure as a deep breath was pulled before the sea seemed to swallow her whole as well.* Maahes: The ropes went around his arms were snapped with a flex of his arm, and the voice that left was not of his own. It was a hiss, a growl, the rumble of thunder as fire lit the back of ambers. "You'll not see Egypt." Would be the last words that the desert born son would ever hear, and the wrath of Skye's finest would break remove the head of his enemy by his bare hands alone. The snap was so clear, so fine that the bones separated to slice the skin, blood showered like rain upon the rest and they all stood in still silence. The head rolled with eyes still open from the Beast's hands. Maahes's breath was rushing from him, and he turned upon the rest with each backing up. "Would anyone else wish to challenge me?" It would be the onyx skinned Nubian to step forward, but his hand came to rest upon the shoulder of the Sultan's son. "Let us go in Peace, the twisted man was not of our own, my brother. None will ever come to your lands again." Maahes stood straight then meeting the man's eyes. " Then let it be known I will NEVER step foot upon the sand again." He hissed, with his back turned now as he moved from the ship. The horizon would come quickly as the ship sail, and the Egyptian men would burn their hearts for the lives lost. However the body of their third born brother would fall from the ship, and his eyes would remain open. (d Ealorat: The salt in the sea stung at her eyes as hands searched for where her son would fall. Ra had always looked to her for comfort, little arms stretched out to find her when he cried. There was a connection between mother and son that could never be broken nor ever understood. Feet kicked to push her against the surrounding water and somewhere in the blue green darkness, she found her son, his arms outstretched, One arm curled him to her chest as she kicked, rolled within the waters and kicked for the surface. Blood would rain upon the crowd, her tormentor, the tyrant defeated and she would not see it, yet in the end there would be no less satisfaction of it. Her head broke the surface, Ra lifted so he did not suck in any more of the water, but he had not, the baby screamed as he broke the surface, his eyes stung as hard as his mothers no doubt for the water within them but he had not tried to breath within the water, he had not sucked it in. Feet kicked against the waves that made them seem as if they were dancing. The powder used to conceal her face slipped away, washed, cleansed by the sea to reveal several blue and black marks upon her face. She had let Husani hit her? Ealora? She had endured with the lives of her family and people in danger, also the threat of their lives. She had waited patiently for Maahes to come till she could not hold off the 'departure' any longer, but he had come. She never had a doubt, but from here? She was not a profit or seer, she could not say where this would go now. "Here...here" A salt crusted voice rasped as the baby was held up to be taken. The baby was lifted, still screaming before arms found hers and pulled her from the water like some sea drowned rat to lay against the docks. She heaved, coughed against the boards, each cough burned as much as the salt of the water. "My son....my son..."She whispered to any who would answer the question. "Here my lady...here.." Devan whispered, crotched next to her, he tried to bounce the baby from his cries as Ealora sat up to take him into her arms. Her lips pressed against the wet head of her son. "Maahes..my husband..Maahes.." Devan rose from his crotch, turning to find the place of the beast.* Maahes: The crowd had parted once again to see the defeated General victorious. They no longer watched with shock, but of admiration. They cheered for their victory, and thought well the adventure was over. That his tragedy would see them through, and their heartfelt cheers carried through the streets. He found himself unable to resist, falling to one knee as massive heavy arms came around them both. She was soaked, the water was frozen but with the sun and the warmth of his arms they would survive. However, Nora rushed with warm blankets from the cart, quickly wrapping them over the entire family. The heavy fabrics were welcome, but his lips against the apple of her cheek found little words, but tears. "I knew it couldn't be true.." He whispered closing his eyes holding them both tighter. "You wouldn't leave me." It marveled him how much his wife was a master at her craft. She was perfectly defined, and knew well how to make him understand without saying a word. She had called him here by heartache. (d Ealora: The cheers of the crowd for their General were like a dull bell against her ear as she shuddered from the cold of the water. It had been so long since she had felt it and though it had always been like a blanket of which none could fathom, it had very nearly been the blanket of doom for their son. While it was not the sea's fault, she perhaps, never would of gone near it again had Ra not survived. She shuddered still as he held her, as the blankets from the cart covered them. Somewhere in the back of her mind she made a promise to thank Nora for everything she had done in the last couple of days and beg forgiveness for her harsh words, especially about Ra. Lids slid closed as she continued to pant, her cheek pressed against his own. Her heart lurched with the pain she had caused him, but that he was not throwing her away from him, he was holding her. "I'm sorry..I'm sorry...I'm sorry..I couldn't think..of something better.." She breathed against his ear. Ra was crying, shuddering with her, sandwiched between his parents, it was not the pressure, for after a few moments, despite her cold, his mother and fathers body heat was warming him. His fathers desert touched skin quieted the baby to dull whimpers. "I'll always be with you..I would never leave you..I'll always come for you Maahes.."* Maahes: Both of them would be lifted in his arms, like dolls he held them against his chest, and eyes rose to find their other children. Nora had them all, and he would make his way with his family through the crowd. Their townhouse was still there stocked and ready for anytime they were needed in town. Nothing would be said as the door was opened for them, and the world was left behind. The children would sit before the fire started now to warm away the chill, and Nora would take her seat to order dinner. They would have something brought to them..Maahes would carry his wife to their room, to change her, to talk..but in most to simply learn what was due. It would take Ra very little time after he was changed and placed within his father's arms to fall asleep. He had been so strong for so long, that now he crashed, but upon the edge of the bed Maahes would take his seat staring now at his wife who stood in the middle of the small room. Her winter robe was there, from when the wolves forced them from their home and Maahes waited..He wanted to see her body, for proof of a suspension he had assumed..Husani would have had great pleasure in her body, but he would never ask of it. No, Maahes drew conclusions himself, no matter how blind they were. (d Ealora: She was honestly in no shape to walk herself, so she did not complain as he lifted her and Ra into his arms, cradling them both like babies. She had not slept in days, at least not more then a few minutes at a time, worried Husani would take advantage of the situation. Her adrenaline had kicked in when Husani took Ra but now, it had dwindled and she was ready to fall over. She was glad for the sight of the townhouse, glad for the silence and small peace for the family as the door was shut behind them. How silent their children were, sitting before the fire...she felt her heart ache in what they had been through. Could she ever explain why she had done what she did? That it was to protect them? Would they understand? Perhaps this would be another memory lost in childhood, something that would fade in time, back to happy smiles and laughter, she could only pray that would be so as Maahes carried her and Ra upstairs. Out of her wet clothing, those were tossed into the fire burning brightly within the fireplace now as Maahes coddled Ra into a slumber. Their brave son. How so like his father he was. Wrapped into her winter robe, its girth rather large as it had been made when she was pregnant with Ra, she still snuggled into the deep folds, glad of the warmth soaking into chilled bones. Her finger absently twirled the two rings upon her finger as she watched Ra nearly disappear into the hulking mass of her husbands arms as he rocked the baby into a slumber. Slowly she took a step back and another, finding the large chair within the room and gliding down into it, unable to hold herself up any longer. Long slender legs peeked from the folds of the robe as she curled into the chair, heels pressed to the edge of the overstuffed chair. "He never touched me...not like that.." Her voice was a hoarse whisper, a combination of the salt water and also of being unable to speak louder, afraid Ra even as a child would remember his mother talking about a man who had wanted to rape her, conceive a child within her. "He wanted to...he was going to...rape me..and I..."she swallowed, her hand moved to the necklace around her neck. His necklace, fingers found the red stained glass piece and began to roll it within fingertips. "Talking about conceiving a child within me, a strong male heir and it...was the only thing I could think of....to stop him..to make him think...I would leave you and marry him for a legitimate heir...for power and money...he wanted me to throw my rings away but I knew...hurting you...would bring you back..I knew I couldn't risk a letter to explain, I hoped my rings would say it all." Fingers released the necklace to press against her lips.* Maahes: Their son was given all the comfort he could be given, and his heart swelled watching his strong wife tear herself apart. Rising from the bed he placed their baby in the middle between the pillows he mad him a bed, and turned to find her. "He would have not stopped." He whispered as he came to her side kneeling beside the chair he touched her leg gently. "Your rings said everything. They told me to come fight for you. I know there will be a day you will not want to be my wife. That when I leave it will be the last." His accent was always so thick when he spoke with such raw emotion, and the English could almost be missed. "But it was too soon. Your letter did not talk of you leaving, it spoke of me coming to you." His hand rubbed against the flesh there to soothe her. "I'll not leave you again. I should never have left." His fingers came to close against her knee and upon his own he bent to kiss her there. "You were strong, my wife. You were not afraid, I could see that. You did what was right." He tried to soothe over with her knowing how badly she hurt. He felt it in his own chest, but he would kiss every tear away. (d Ealora: Her hand covered his upon her leg. A small smile touched at her lips. He had gotten the message without them being written word. She created a weave with their fingers, lacing them so it was hard to tell which were hers and which were his. Slowly her eyes rose to his face. Her hand unlocked from his to touch at his cheek even as his head bent and he kissed at the exposed flesh of her knee. "Oh Maahes.."She sighed. Slowly she wiggled from the chair, pushing him down as she climbed onto his lap and arms wove about his neck. "Neither of us could of known what would happen, we could of guessed....we did...I...tried everything to protect our family and our people, the land from him but in the end, he did what I did not expect..I honestly did not think him foolish enough to do something like that. I did the only thing I could think of and the single regret I will carry the rest of my life is that I hurt you in doing so and I promised to never intentionally hurt you. "Her thumbs brushed against the scruff covering his face. He needed to shave, it made her hum in a small laugh at the thought, at a time like this? Her mind echoed which made her grin all the more. The grin slowly slid from her lips as she captured his face between her hands, raising it with the small gesture of her thumbs against his chin. "Maahes listen to me, whatever happens in this life, whatever is thrown our way, the things we can fathom and the ones we can't, always count on my love for you..it will never change except to grow. Trust in this promise, if there is no other that I could ever keep it is this one, I promise you I will always want to be your wife, to always be near you, to love you as much as I did the first time I saw you. Your my soul Maahes, to be without it..would be my death. I promise you, my husband, my heart, my soul, I love you..only ever you."* Maahes: He was so tired, having felt himself run through but as she lifted his face he felt the passion between them rise all over again. "Habibi..I need little words on how much you mean. I can not pretend I was hurt. I can not pretend I did not cry, but it was not of fear you did not love me." He wrapped his arms around her hips letting his head fall into her lap. "I know you love me. I was worried he had hurt you." Coming to stand then he picked her up wrapping her tightly up in his arms and let her back down upon the bed. Removing his shoes he stole the space between the sheets and the bed to be with her. "My family is everything. I had never known I could love as much as I do you. I had no fear of dying until you..I am afraid to leave you here." Kissing her neck he pressed her back against him and let his hand fall upon the sleeping body of their son. "I will marry you again, I will never let you be alone again to face that..He is dead, you are safe..and loved. Rest.." He ordered in a quiet hush nuzzling deep into her. (d
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Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Apr 30, 2009 14:40:10 GMT -6
He hated this cold, wet, miserable country. He had been far too long in England. But much had occurred in the span of two years. And even more now in the past several months. But in private thoughts, he desired the warm sun of Egypt.
Kamenwati wore the clothes of the English, his skin much paler than that of his ancestors; but the Egyptian name he was born into meant "dark rebel..." Was it what Allah meant for him to be what he was?
Weeks ago, he had witnessed the dark-skinned General riding shirtless into the city… a conqueror of the great English... riding under a black and gold banner. He had seen the very bodies of the Gryphon, alive, intertwined… The Eagle and the Lion… both shaking hands in front of the English King’s palace. He had witnessed the burning of an ancient throne. All this had come to pass… and oh so familiar was the General… oh so familiar. Now who was this famous General Maahes?
In Egypt, for the last twenty-five years, unrest had been the norm… Now, terror was the by-word. The Sultan’s first born, Khalfani Okpara was a wicked, wicked man, killing and raping many… England had been pursuing trade with Egypt, right alongside with Venice. Unbeknownst to many, were the enslavement of Islamic people, mostly Egyptian, by the English in retaliation for the losses suffered under the Crusades. It was the Sultan Al-Kamil Abubakar Aziem, who captured the Christian port of Acre, razed the Crusaders' castles, and drove them to Cyprus. Now it was the subversive English who enacted retribution in silence. Even though the Sultan, and the Egyptian people knew openly of this travesty, it was not brought to the forefront because of the international implications. No one wanted a second Crusades. Even some rumored that the Sultan’s own first born was deeply involved in the travesties.
Kam wanted to sail back to Egypt and inform the Sultan of what he had witnessed. The Great Oppressor of Egyptians and the Known World, King Edward, and his kindred were dead or imprisoned. Such news to Egypt this would be!! His excitement was kept inside, for if he celebrated, he might as well tell everyone he was a spy. Little did he know that the Sultan was gravely ill. Matter-of-factly, he knew more about England than the current situation in his own lands.
Now, by the hospitably of Allah, the opportunity was afforded him, for a ship, under the same black and gold banner was sailing from London via Portsmouth, to Alexandria. There he would travel overland to the great city of Cairo and give report of what he saw in England. The young English lad stood next to Kam and pointed to the ship. “That be the one milord… and here is yer ticket…” the lad said quietly and handed the slip of paper to Kam.
Kamenwati looked down at the lad and handed him three gold pieces. “Allah be praised. You have served me well, Spark. I shall never forget you. Now that I sail back to my homeland, I pray you seek out that man they call the Mo’r Triath and bid him grand service as well. I think he shall treat you well too.” Kam smiled, his pearly white teeth showing thru tanned lips.
The lad, nicknamed Spark, knew no other name, for he was one of the poor, cast out by the English King. Kamenwati had found him hurt, near death, in an ally. The boy had been run over by soldiers’ horses and left aside to die almost two years ago. Now he would send the lad out to seek new adventures as he would return home to fill the ears of those who would listen.
Kam walked onto the gangplank and handed the ticket to the seaman. The seaman looked hard at the ticket, then even harder at the dark-skinned man, then nodded for him to board the ship. Kamenwati was on his way home !!! With joyous news.
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