There's No Time Like the Present

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

It all had started before she had begun to feel poorly, or at least tired all the time. In reality, it was an idea that had struck her before the war, the idea had come from none other then her husband but she had always failed to act on the idea. Why? Because she had been kidnapped, brought back from a sentence of death, finding out she was pregnant, her sister kidnapped while pregnant....the list went on and on but as the war ended and peace began to settle across Skye with the coming of spring and summer. The idea struck her again after being buried for such a long time. So why not now when everything was at its best? The answer was simple, there was no time like the present.

Of course keeping it a secret from Maahes was no simple trick! But...she was a pirate damn it! Or had been. Old ways died hard and it seemed Ealora had yet to let any of them die. A few slides of the hand, some extra coin and even those who loved to see the rage of the beast, kept their mouth closed. As the work progressed, so did Ealora's condition, or at least her fatigue, tired when she had hardly done anything but be with the kids all day. Summer seemed to pass slowly as this began. She lost energy only for it to be soaked up and gained by her husband and kids.

The truth was, she didn't have the energy to play with them, she didn't have the energy to join her husbands in the fields and it made her feel sick, visibly sick. When she didn't think about it, she was fine, hungry even, wolfing food down but when her kids slept and she sat to think about how little she had been with them that day, she felt ill. In no way did Ealora think of herself as a bad mother, it was just the changing weather. Autumn was coming and even though she slept with the kids in the afternoon, mornings were a torrent of activity. Kids to dress and feed, sending Maahes off to the fields, sneaking off for an hour or so to tend to business and back by lunch only to be off again after lunch and arriving home just before dinner.

This continued for the rest of the summer into the early days of autumn, the leaves upon the trees swayed and crackled upon its branches, seeming to whistle a tune that soon they would be falling when Taylor was announced at the gate. Morning was still on the breeze and being song by the birds still not ready to fly south yet. With a smile, she kissed Ra's head as she lifted him up into her arms.

"Come on guys, Mommy has a surprise for you.."

Issa and Eppie both exchanged confused looks before their faces lit up at the word surprised and that they got to leave the breakfast table without finishing ALL the food on their plate. Nora cast Ealora's back a disapproving look but she had long ago learned not to try to overrule Ealora on her kids. That was one step she would not tolerate. Bouncing Ra against her hip as the baby babbled and cooed along with his excited sibling (Eppie still silent as ever, only beamed in anticipation) Issa bounced in front of his mother, holding onto Eppie hand.

"Now close your eyes...both of you..come on..."

Nora heard Ealora excited chatter and a curious expression crossed her face as she moved down the hall to join the trio, followed shortly by the newest 'nanny' Vivi (Vivian). With silent grins, both children obeyed rather then miss NOT getting their surprise. The door opened and Ealora grinned silently at Taylor as he lead the surprise up the path. A small snort filled the air and Ealora sighed, well that was ruined. Twin gasps left the mouths of the little ones as eyes flew open to behold one carmel colored and one patchy brown and white horses. Both were still youngin's, their mothers being lead to the barn in the background were missed by the kids as they danced down the porch steps to meet Taylor.

"Mommy, Mommy I want this one!" Issa chimed as he pointed to the patched pony as Eppie silently pointed to the caramel colored one and then herself.

"Yes baby, that one is yours, and yes Issa, I figured you would like that one." Ealora answered her daughter and then son, beaming at Nora even as the old woman shook her salt and pepper head and silently grinned back at Ealora. You spoil them to much...It was written on the old woman's face but even if ever questioned, she could not deny to spoiling them herself.

"Three surprises in one day Ealora...I think you're spending to much of my money.." Taylor teased as he lifted Issa up into a big bear hug before setting him on the back of his horse as Vivian moved to help Eppie onto hers.

"Careful now.." Ealora called to both adults. She wanted to teach the kids about them before they set off to riding them. Finally a glare was settled on Taylor.

"I think you mean MY money, and I'll do with it what I want, long as I pay you on time, shouldn't complain." She retorted but grinned, finally getting the latter part. "It's ready?!" This last one seemed to please her more then surprising the kids.

Taylor let out a feline hiss and then laughed. "It is...and I suspect you're right.."

"Uncle Taylor, mine's called mudpie" Issa chimed as he tugged on Taylor's tunic to get his attention. Taylor turned a grin down to his 'nephew; and ruffled his hair. "Good name kiddo"

Still bouncing Ra against her hip, she moved to join her first mate and children. "An what about you Eppie, what would you like to name yours?"

The little girl seemed to look downward, shy but Ealora knew the look and waited patiently while the little girl thought and then gave her a few hand signals to show what she meant.

"Goldie..very beautiful.." Ealora agreed and leaned down to kiss the little girls own golden head.

"All right you two, say goodbye to mudpie and goldie, I promise, if your good, we'll spend more time with them."

"Awww mommy" Issa began to protest and stopped, protesting meant a scolding and he was going to be a good boy.

Issa and Eppie were helped down as Vivian lead them both back into the house, Eppie's hands flying in words and Issa's own big mouth flooding the poor woman's ear.

"You know, Maahes is going to kill you.." Taylor chimed in her ear.

Ealora waited till the kids, at least the two of them were inside to turn to her First Mate.

"I certainly hope not consider his own surprise is done and if I have any say and any help..."She paused to bat her eyelashes at him. His own laugh gave her the answer she wanted as she continued "Then I can reveal it to him tonight.."

"Why tonight? Why not right now?" Taylor only curiosity got the better of him, Ealora was horrible at secrets, at least her own surprise giving ones. He was surprised she held out this long!

"Because a good surprise is not just thrust in a person's face. Maahes has given me so much, this is the least I can do, besides loving him the way I do.." Ealora was so serious as she answered, her face turning up to Taylor's with a grin.

The man could only return it in a slow kindness. She had so changed, this was who she was meant to be, before the whole pirate life had taken its hold and toll on her, he had to like Maahes if only because of that. THIS particular pirate and the General still did not get along well.

"All right...what do you want me to do this time?" He spoke inhaling and letting it out in a deep sigh.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

The day was for the kids. For their children were their light. As testament to their son Ra's name. Their son god. But their own son was not the only light of their life, Eppie was their silent princess and Issa their Prince of the seas. There was no doubt in anyone's minds that the children of the Asad Aziem family were well loved and well spoiled. Ealora had unleashed the first of two surprised. The first in the morning for the kids while Maahes was off in the fields, she'd tell him later about the horse's for the kids but the truth was, she did not want him angry for his own surprise from her. Besides, it took the whole day to prepare for his, though the initial work was completed in only a few short months. It really was amazing what money would buy, and when you treated it as if money were no object to display in small measure the depths of your love, well things seemed to run much more smoothly and fastest then expected. As dusk settled and Ealora knew Maahes would be home from the fields as the refugees now members of Red Wall land, went off to their own dinner, he would come home to find his own.

Only to find his wife not there and Nora's only explanation...

"Follow the path out of Red Wall to the dancing lights.."

Such a strange explanations but the old woman just smiled, even if a confused one. Not one to be in on the whole of the surprise but to see those two happy, she would do as asked without knowing the whole truth.


The path out of Red Wall at dusk, by cover of tress, was rather dark so it was not hard to find the 'dancing lights' Lanterns which swung beneath a stone archway, built into the opening of trees and a path which had not been there months before, still freshly paved through the foliage only to be guided by the thousands of candles which lit the winding path.

It seemed the candle lit path as it twisted and turned through the forest, would never end. Until the river's low whistle, babbling even in the darkness met the ear and the path turned east back towards Red Wall once more did the path open up to a set of stairs which carved the way up the small ridge and finally broke open to the wooded area which had been gutted, stripped of trees making way for the large temple which sat in the middle of what had been just forest months before. The whole of the garden and the 'temple' itself was designed around the river which ran around the place, twisting and curving as if the building had always been there and the river had spring up around it.

The front beckoning on as much as the music which flowed from inside. Even the candles continued their path up the stairs into the interior of the building. The interior room in front was rather simple, a small wooden opening leading to a path of sliding rice paper doors, decorated by tiny squares and twin potted plants on either side. Down the left hall was another set of doors and again to the right. These were to be ignored as...

The twin doors were closed thus far but at Maahes approach, they seemed to slid open of their own will, revealing the interior room, the center a small pool surrounded by dark granite stone and a skylight that would in daytime cast light down upon the small square pool as if being touched by the hand of God. The room was long but short from the front wall to the back wall, pillows decorated the floor and the walls, white rice, lay bear.

The only sparkling thing about the room was the lanterns reflecting off the golden jewelry upon Ealora's head, a small tribute to their old ways, the rest of her body covered in black, as if wearing a sari for morning someone's death. Russet curls were left unbound, swaying this way and that as they fell down over her shoulders and back. Slowly she grinned at her husband as the music continued to play in some other part of the building, reaching her hand out to him, she beckoned him forward as her attention turned to her right, his left. There in the open room was an opening, a new set of doors that lead out into darkness, by morning it lead into the Japanese style garden Ealora had specially built within another small cleared section of the forest.

Curling her hand around her husband's hand, her free hand lifted to press against his lips, to still any argument or questions. As she turned, weaving between the poles around the small square pool to another set of doors, within the back of the room, here the music was it's loudest. This room, while quite bigger then the entrance and the front pillowy room was again, bare except for a wooden floor and white rice walls.

The only difference tonight were some of Ealora's crew and some of their own villages playing the very instruments that perfumed the air. Curling her body into her husbands, she lifted onto her toes to reach his lips, pressing her lips against his for a bear second if only to slip the end of the black slip covering her body. As the music changed, the tune would seem familiar now to only the two of them. The same beat she had once danced to, for him, when he had been a gladiator, when he had first stolen her heart. Slowly she began to dance away from him, him holding the end, unraveled her black cover till she was left bear in the same two piece she had once danced for him in. It had been changed only slightly, fabric added to aid her grown form and added glitter of gold chains and discs. The two piece hardly covered anything but her breasts and torso, even if Ealora had no shame, surely there were other men, even playing intently, blushing by the bareness of her body. Bear feet padded the floor as she unraveled before him, stopping finally in the center of the room with the long ravel between them two. She gripped her own end as her hips swayed left to right, rolling forward only to recede backward as they other came forward as her hands tugged the end of the fabric, pulling him closer and closer to her until he was at her. Grinning, she rolled around him, bare feet circling the newly laid floor as she laid her hands upon his shoulders and slowly pushed him down to sit on a set of pillows set within the middle of the room.

Dancing around him again, she moved a few paces back and began to move her body in time with the beat of the music, her hips playing against the drumming notes of the song as the rest of her body seemed to make small notes as if the wind were tickling at her skin, slender and nimble fingers worked up her body to the bodice of her outfit and slowly began to pull a new set of fabric from it, without revealing more. This sheer piece of material was held up against her face, barely concealing the sly grin against her lips as it slid down, accenting the workings of her swaying body to meet her hips which had begun to move in a wider circle by the time the fabric slid down to that region of her body. As the beat accented, her body moved, twisting and turning, dancing in small patterns upon the floor until finally her hands jerked upward over her head, the fabric floating against the still air as she released it and let it fall to the ground alone as her hands reached to the sky and her body bent all most completely backward, her toes pointed against the ground for balance as her head tipped back along with her body, russet curls seeming to do its own dance against the still air now.

Her head jerked up as her body slowly began to return to normal while her hands moved downward, over the curve's of her breast to a pouting stomach that could not, perhaps with the light, seem flat. Indeed Ealora looked as if she were putting on weight! Slowly she sank until she was upon her knees, her hips swaying in tight figure eights as her arms moved in ribbon like movements out from her side in the air and slowly again, she began to dip backward until her head nearly touched the floor as her arms circled in front of her body to keep her balance in check again. Her hips stilled their sway as she reached her bend, the only sway coming in the sway of her arms which seemed to vibrate down into her arms into an accented chest swaying as well in time to the beat.

Again her body began to rise, her hips joining into the beat again as she sat once more upon her knees as her hands moved to the inside of her thighs, nearly touching the heated center of her body before moving upward, gripping the end of the long black fabric line(the other end, still no doubt in his hand) as she slowly danced her way back to her feet. The song was floating to a close as she continued to sway and turned, wrapping the fabric around her hips until she meet him sitting there on the floor. Her hands moved behind her head as she swayed her hips within the line of his sight, grinning down at him as her right foot slid forward and she sank slowly up until the last beat of the song and ended up curled against him lap, her right leg bent to the knee, her toes pressed into the floor at his butt as the other leg stayed curled around her own behind with one hand pressed against his shoulder and the other arm curled about his neck.

"Welcome to your Training School, my husband" She purred sweetly as she grinned down at him.

[Men of Skye]

Once Again In Turas Lan

From the uniform of the Amir’s Army upon a swift steed in the sands of the desert, to the robes of a noble in the Amir’s palace, to the ordinary shirt and trousers of any member of Skye… Kamenwati had secured a room near the Pubs at Dockside… in a lifestyle he was so unfamiliar with, yet where no one would dare speak of his presence.

“I require the swiftest steed you have sir…” he said in English but with a heavy Berber accent… And after several minutes of negotiation, Kam had a fine steed… one from Eohmark… and the liveryman had solid gold in the palm of his hand. Once the steed was saddled, Kam swung upon the saddle.

Holding another gold piece in his finger tips… “Which way is the Palace of the Mo’r Triath?” to which he got the most accurate directions… “Speak of this or me to no one… and when I return, there are more where this comes from…” and then he flipped the coin down to the liveryman.

That was a month ago…

Now, from afar, he has watched the Castle atop the hill for the man he seeks. Thru the tube of leather and lenses, he watches…

Silent… ever watchful… always evading those that might discover him… at least before he desired discovery !!

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

A days work spent in the fields felt rewarding, and more so lifting. There was a certain peace that carried on the backs of the wind that pushed the grain to touch the tops of his feet. The valley was wide and the river that ran through it giving. Sands of the desert burned, but here in the lush lands of Skye he could feel lost while feeling at home.

Ealora had wanted very badly to return to Egypt, to show their children the lands that had fathered their papa and put the sea glass green in their mothers eyes. However, those days were gone, but the sickening feeling of regret washed over him when he thought of his brothers. Their lives were their own, but how could he not worry. They were royalty, and he born from a slave. They shared the same father, but Maahes refused to accept a man who cared so little for a son to watch him compete for his own survival. That man still lived, but his days now spent upon his bed awaiting death, and Maahes cared very little.

In his days of solitude, a month without war, he found idle hands in the works of the field with flesh darkening with everyday passing, in shades those native to the isle could never compare. He was not born of these lands, and the bronze onyx undertone across broad shoulders it was easy to see--why.

"Your wife has been very busy, M'lord," Vivian would comment as she wrapped the towel around his shoulders when he rose from the pool. It was routine, to clean after the day, and Ealora had always been there waiting. However, the keep were happy to help--espcially Vivian, when she could.

Vivian, had been their hired help while Nora was tending to the house in England, and her youth was refreshing to the household. She added an extra smile, and eager hands when needed. Maahes was very thankful. However, none could replace Nora and her king aged face. She did well in her older years thrilled for the time, and happy to have the home. After the war so few had homes to tend, and work was hard to come by. Yet, slowly the economy returned as it once was.

"She works too hard." Maahes made comment to Nora who stood in the doorway while she watched the younger woman work; making sure hands did not wonder, and eyes did not linger--for Vivian's sake, Ealora was very possessive. The youth would fall away leaving the pair in solace. Nora would relay his wife's message, and have him bend to her level for a gentle kiss to the warm skin of his forehead.


This was family.
He would fight a war for her.
He would fight for family.


The path was much cooler, almost haunting in its path. The long branches of the old trees cast shadows in lines blocking away the sun. He loved the walk, the eerie sound of silence even with the wind rushed him with a thrill. Through the thick of brush he felt the eyes of the wild pulling away at the fabric wanting as nature intended. This was the animal in him that refused to release the man beneath.

Music and candles were never needed, when Ealora was concerned he could find her with his eyes closed, the very scent of her intoxicating. It was the scent of the sea, the oils of roses splashed over bronze skin with the hint of honey. He loved her. He would give everything for her, and give up everything for her. She was his weakness, and his greatest strength.

Ealora had danced this dance many times for him, and never did he tire of it. Yet...her crew watching...he was uncertain he could make it through without bouncing faces off their drums. This was while his smile was forced--fake, until she was finished. Her kiss then moved his smile to his eyes. It was there amber orbs burned with pride to look over the school house that Ealora built, would jack not be proud!

"You did this?" He aksed them all while wrapping his arm around the exposed skin of her stomach, pulling her against him to kiss her temple and whisper in her ear.

"It is won-der-ful..." The word sounded out in broken English and he smiled, "Now go get dressed." Another forced smile as he returned his attention to the crowd of eager hopefuls their General would be pleased.

"Good job by all! Next we find those worthy of teaching out youth, and those worthy of the lessons, yes?" Smiles and chatter all around. He was pleased, and very proud.