Endless Reverie

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Waiting for the rain
For the skies lamenting
All around silence
Has its roots sunk deep

My longing lingers
My tresses twist
But in my isolation
All truth is empty

Waiting by the wayside
Of an endless reverie
Where all the things I run from
Are sure enough to find me

Would that love were something
Than a false slavery
To a god I don't know
And to all the things that tempt me

Then in the light of reason
Where truth is empty
The alchemy of sin
Would be revealed

Waiting by the wayside
Of an endless reverie
Where all the things I run from
Are sure enough to find me
~Ali Azam

Maahes:
For years it had been empty, resting in the valley floor like a sleeping giant, but for the past five years she had life again. Red Wall was a series of oriental structured homes surrounded and protected by a stone wall that had been washed with legend--blood of the enemy. However, every year at dawn of the new season her gates were painted a deep crimson. The paint would last only of the following year, and quickly start to age. She looked natural setting in the valley, and for this season the deep crimson paint remained. The gates only opened a few times a year to the public, but with the festivities at hand there would be access to the Lord General's home. Carts of all sizes moved in and out as the paper lanterns were hung from the arms of the great trees that spiraled like stairs towards the heavens. The stone walk way was scattered with gold leaves that started one by one to fall, only by the way they dried. It was not autumn yet, but she was close..the harvest even closer. Within the settlement small homes were upon rows surrounding the river for those who lost all on distant lands, Akanaero Kabe became a new start. However, within it all was the great temple with pointed roof made from clay she stood like a beacon in the distant light, the sun shinning across the sand that was within the clay. Galen had been prepared a room, and for the first time in over a year there had not been a broken wall..or broken window..or broken chairs..or broken tables..and more importantly broken hearts. Maahes had cried, but he would never admit it, but those tears were over. They were shed away with his dreads, and now he settled into his new life a new man. Nora had hired new maids, a nanny for the smallest, and a keep for Maahes. He was treated like a king, with his harem, and more importantly he smiled.
The following day after Galen's return, he had sent for the tailor, the butcher, and the baker(the candlestick maker?) in celebration of Ramadan, and the return of a beloved son. "If he is tired..he should rest, but you tell that Boy he miss breakfast? Get him up." (d

Galen::
The beauty that was Red Wall was something to marvel at. Galen had sailed the seas and had come across many things in the orient. And no matter how far he went east or south upon the rocky waves, the building structures of each Eastern country seemed to awe him. Maahes' home and place of dwelling  was no different. The Youth was exhausted beyond comprehension, not even the sleepless nights upon the ocean could compare. There was so much information to digest and faces new and old to recall, but in time everything would become like second nature again. Calling Maahes Father was still as easy as breathing, despite his onslaught of anxiety when he first arrived. Bess' words, love him still rang clear in his mind and he had no doubt that Maahes needed such support. Galen had been sleeping in the room that was made up for him and it would be a lie to say that he didn't enjoy being treated like a king. A bunk upon a ship was not exactly the most comfortable place to sleep in the world. He reveled in the softness of the mattress and was barely awake when the footsteps of Nora as she crept into his room. She had been given the orders by his Father to more or less wake his behind up. A low groan escaped his lips as her raspy voice hit his ears. His first intinct was to drag the covers back up and over his head, but being shooed out of bed by an elderly woman had just as much consequences as defying the great war General. And so with a grunt and a swing of his legs the Youth was up. He stretched his arms then clambered to find a tunic with sleep ridden hues. Calloused digits wrapped around a soft tunic of gold and swiftly he plucked it from the table. Seems, someone had been tailoring during the eve and had sent clothes his way. He shook his head and chuckled softly. Black breeches were quickly hopped into but he delayed himself the privilege of putting on that shirt, he wanted to feel the air upon his skin. The air around skye was much gentler than the sea's harsh touch. Galen followed Nora down the steps, fingers running through those unsightly locks. All of those old scars remained upon his back but he was no longer ashamed of them as he once was as a child.: " Morning, Father.." :He half mumbled.:

Maahes:
He had smiled once, this day could it have been enough? Galen was too thin. Far too thin. Yet solid.."You come eat." There was a breakfast like none other out, where the children all sat around the large table laughing and playing, happy to be awake before their dressing. On Ramadan children, and the elder were not expected to fast. However Nora did to please her Lord, and even Eppie who was now 8 started to try her hardest to go the length of the day without food. The triplets were 2 and a half now, with hair that curled like fine fleece, and as gentle as feathers. Isis had hair that was straight, and the eyes of her father, while Bess (Bast) had her mother's eyes. Anu, the only boy besides Rah in the blood line was a skinny weak thing, and would never live up to the image of the oldest no matter what he did. With pray and hope he would be educated, for he as in fact the smallest. When Galen came to seat himself at the table they all turned to look at him, with their nursemaids seated behind. It was the picture of a typical Arabic home, and for Nora she was thankful. Maahes, had been faithful to his wife, but she was dead now. Wasn't it time he moved on? Seated at the head of the table, Maahes would turn to his Boy. "You eat." With that being said Isis narrowed her eyes on the new blonde and chucked breakfast at him. (d

Galen::
All of the children held strong characteristics of both of their parents. Galen was a bit envious of them all. Oh, how badly did he wish to look like Maahes. Galen had always dreaded looking in the mirror for everyday he saw more of Peregrine in himself. But, time heals all wounds be it physical or mental. The Youth sat himself down and pulled the chair upwards, eyes flitting between each of the siblings, no not just any siblings, his siblings. Galen had always quickly taken to be people and he had more family than he could ever count. A smile fell upon his lips, a wide grin offsetting those cold hues. Galen had grown into his bones, he was of average build but muscle mass was held in his arms and legs. Heavy lifting played a part in that development, his stomach and chest were well defined, skin as gold and burnt as the sands of Egypt. It was the only homage he could pay to his Father in looks and even so that was artificial. The smallest of the children was the one Galen favored most with his attention, he too was once scrawny and without much hope of survival. But with the right tutelage, the mind can outweigh the body. As for the little girl who chucked the food at him, he couldn't help but chuckle.: " I will do just that..." : He wiped a few flecks of fruit from his arm as he grabbed hold of a plate and began to pile it high with meats and breads.: "  Who is this little one..." : He pointed to Anu, while taking a bite of a pastry. Galen had already taken a liking to him, not that he didn't already love the rest of the kids. Isis certainly looked like her mother, they all did.: " I have so many siblings, tis a blessing. I never imagined myself with kin. Let alone a Father..." : He said softly.:

Maahes::
Maahes laughed, and the very act brought almost all to look upon him. It was such a rare sound, but hearts melted with the delight in the Father's eyes. In spirited Gaelic the refuges wives spoke to each other of perhaps the golden haired son having cast some sort of spell. He was a beautiful boy they could not deny, and Maahes did not keep ugly people around. He had been faithful, but it was not until the last month had he finally removed the ring from his finger. The indention was still there of his hand, but the weight lifted as he let the river take it. "This is, Anubis. Anu. We call him this, because his mother wished to name him after Gods of history. Anubis, he was last born, but he has his Mother's spirit." Maahes did not love the son any less, but with tradition the first were the closest to God. Maahes himself was second born, and though his brother wasn't hardly his size he was indeed considered the weaker of the two. "She will bite you, watch out." He pointed to Bast who was already reaching for Galen's arm, they were a bit wild were they not? He could not risk sending them to the school so close to the big city, for any country upon the wrong side of Skye there was in fact reason to kill such blessings. He also could not send them to Eirian's this young for schooling, they would break everything. Eppie whose hair was the color of Galen's, fell in long ringlets around her back started to clear the table, "She reminds me of you." He admitted freely, as his handmaid came to escort him from the table. "Come Boy," The woman was beautiful, with eyes the color of amber like her Lord's and hair pinned back behind a silk scarf. She would lead the Beast from the table to the room where he would be dressed for the Arena. Scars old and new were still present on skin as dark as the dessert sands, bronze in color like the clay of the Sahara. However, in the years that had passed his back was well worn, and no matter how much he seemed breakable. Five wars on any General would be his death. Proof was there when he was restricted to the reach of his back from nerve damage, and how he could hardly grip. Is this why Bess told him to love his father? For there would not be much of him left for too long. (d

Galen::
Bright eyes lingered on the youngest, Anu. He saw so much of himself in this little one. He had every intention of making him strong after all that was the wish of every big brother. Galen was nearing 22 now and his features had long since caught up with his body. Galen from a young age looked older than he should have but always smiled like a free spirit.: " The Gods of History will be proud of this one, I can tell." : He said with his mouthful. A hard swallow was given when the distinct sounds of women chatting fell hotly into his ears. He knew they were talking about him, why else would they subtly be looking in his general direction? Galen suddenly had the urge to wipe his mouth and straighten up in his seat. Thin brows rose into an arch as a warning came his way though not far behind was  a set of teeth. A quick retraction of his arm was given as he lowered his head to better look at Bess at eye evel.: " Quick thing you are. But I think your breaskfast would taste much better then me. I taste of salt...." : He mused, lightly patting her on the head as he stretched across the table. Maahes then spoke up and Galen had already cleared most of his plate. It had been mere minutes since the food was placed there. God that Boy was a bottomless pit.: " Alright.." : He set the cloth from his lap onto the table and rose to his full height. Not nearly as tall as Maahes but he was just about there. Galen watched as His Father move, wars and age were playing a part in his getstures and mannerisms. The lack os strength in his fingers and the loss of  mobility made his heartache. The death of his lover....the wounds from battle. It was all starting to reak havoc upon him: " You grow weary....Father..." : He said without much thought, but in the privacy of the other room he felt he could speak freely.: " Such heartache you bear. I refuse to let you carry this weight any longer. Let me help you with the children Father. I'll teach them and if you permit me to, allow me to peronally work with Anu. I was a child of weakness once, I know how it feels. He will be strong. You showed me such things were possible..." : Galen was letting all of it pour out as he watched his Father. How much was going to be left of the Mountain of a man in a few years?":

Maahes::
The woman who dressed Maahes gasped at the words that came from the youth, for any who had questioned Maahes before were killed on spot with proof of how much strength remained. Yet, Galen did speak the truth. What good would he be if he could not grip his sword, or hold up a shield in protection. Instead when the shirt was pulled over his broad back, he excused the women who gave a small bow as she left. He would seat himself in the great chair, that had been his chair..his beloved chair. It was big enough for the whole family, and Maahes would dream of the days he could return home to sit by the fire in his chair. "Galen. You are not one of weakness. You have always been healthy. Anubis, he is a sickling. Every winter he has lived I am surprised. Every year I live, I am surprised. Men like me do not live long. It is with pride I wear these scars, and these broken bones built this life for you to come and go as you please. They will want of nothing, and not be forced into war like I. It would please me more if you would give them education. Teach them to smile like you do, and give them chance to make their own path. Mine was decided for me. This is all that I know." He smiled at Galen, who looked so much like the damn pirate it made him sick. "Their mother left us long before she died. I have heard it was me who drove her away, but being at home with these children alone.." He leaned forward and let his brows arch shaking his head, "I would sometimes rather be in war." He chuckled lightly brushing the cold chills up his arms as he sat forward to lean against his knees, "You do not know what you are getting into, but it would please me if you." He looked to Galen then with a serious look that turned into a soft smile. (d

Galen::
Galen's idea of privacy needed to be reinvented. All these women and hand maids about made him forget his place. You didn't talk shop in the presence of a lady but they were everywhere! When Maahes took his seat Galen did not. He remained standing, not to show dominance over his Father but to keep himself from growing weak in the knees.: " You are right, Father. I was never weak in the sense of strength but I was fragile of the mind. 'Tis almost worst than being sickly in flesh. But when you found me I was both, nothing more than a theif. Your pride gave me strength and it will in turn harbor the same affects on Anu." : He rolled his shoulders for a second, loosening up the knots which had formed.: " Men like you don't live long. I won't deny that." : He said quickly.: " Except you are not like other men, you are a Father. Warriors who bleed for country usually have no family, you were lucky to know love other than the sword." : Cold eyes offset his kind features. All of his Father's compliments were making his chest swell, so much so that he might topple over at any moment.: " Then I will educate them, teach them to read and how to count the stars." : Fingers stretched over his foreams as he locked his arms over his breast. It saddened him to hear how Maahes wife had left him, he was not the easiest to get along with that was for sure.: " I cannot tell you what drove her away, be it you, the children or some ungodly force from up above. but I have no doubt in my mind that she did love all of you..." : Galen rounded the corner of the chair to set his hand on his Father's Shoulder.: " Rather be at War? It may be easier but it's less rewarding. And Father, I take the challenge with pride. I learned well from you in the ways of the sword for that I am grateful. I am grateful for you..." : He smiled as well. Father and Son.: " You will always be my Father. No matter what cursed blood runs through my veins. And your children are my siblings no matter the color of their skin."