A hundred And One Nights (Closed)

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The sun began its journey down casting the desert and the sultan’s palace in shadows. The grand palace of the Sultan stood proud and tall jutting out amongst the sand dunes. The palace itself was situated on the edge of an oasis and its walkways and spires twisted and wrapped around the palm trees and water. The torches of the guards could be seen moving around the walkways chatting amongst themselves and loosely cradling their guns.

The sultan was a kind man in a harsh environment. He treated his people fairly and worked with them to strike a life in the unforgiving desert. Life was hard but ultimately rewarding and the Sultan made sure everyone was taken care of. He was beloved and because of that the guards were lax in their mandate to protect the grounds. Who would dare attack their beloved Sultan?

Arbaaz Mir rose from his perch in the grass. He was close to the edge of the lack so close he could hear the insects buzzing and drinking from the life sustaining water. The slight man waited a few seconds longer before he began to run pumping his arms as he attempted to beat the clock. He reached one of the walkways in seconds and faulted over it grabbing one of the lush palm trees that dotted the sultans grounds.

His long nimble hands hooked into the tree. With a grunt he began to scamper up the trunk pulling his weight easily. His white hood shifted as he climbed revealing the shadow of a handsome dark-skinned face and a pointed chin. His white and gold trimmed robes swayed against his body lightly hitting his brown slacks.
He reached the top of the palm tree and pressed himself against the bark. He waited his entire body going still. Mere seconds later the sound of conversation and footsteps reached the man. A group of guards passed by down below him chatting amongst themselves as he hid in the shadows of the palm tree.

“Have you gotten a look at it yet?”

“What? The necklace or the princess?”

The guards laughed their movement carrying them father and father from Arbaaz. He waited a few minutes longer and then carefully dropped down from the top of the tree. He hung in the air for a second his momentum carrying him down and onto the stone steps below. He waited until the last second to roll saving himself from any fall damage.

He didn’t waste a second. He kept running moving over the stone steps and to the side of the palace. He reached the clay stone walls and without a moment’s hesitation began to dig his hands into small cracks that dotted the wall. He began to climb sticking to the shadows as much as he can. Eventually he pulled a small pike out of his belt digging it in and carefully testing every foothold he found.
His progress was slow, by the time he reached the top of the wall the sun had finished its dip to the earth. He pulled himself up taking in the beautiful starry night sky. He reached up pulling down his beaked hood revealing his face and bright jade green eyes. He starred at the starry night sky so lost in the breath-taking splendor of the night that he almost missed the guards.

“What day is he arriving?”

Arbaaz moved pumping his legs and vaulting back over the wall. He turned twisting his body in midair and catching the ledge at the last seconds. His body slammed against the wall his arms tightening as he tightened his body and planted his feet firmly on the wall.

“Commander Brandt said next week” One of the guards said a mere inch from Arbaaz.

“rajul mahzuz” The other guard said snorting “I can’t believe the princess has to marry that westerner”

“It’s for the good of the land” The first guard said reminding the man “the protection will be enough to keep the Khal of the desert away”

“The Khal doesn’t scare me” The second guard murmured his voice not convincing.

“Sure he doesn’t” The first guard laughed “Come on I hid some wine yesterday”

Arbaaz breathed out a sigh of relief. His arms were burning from the effort of keeping his body suspended in the air. Even so he waited, waited until their voices disappeared and he counted to ten. He pulled himself halfway up scanning the walkways for any signs of guards. Once he was sure he was safe he fully pulled himself up. He shook his arms out curling and uncurling them as he rushed to the wooden door. He reached the entranceway and paused once more pressing his ear against the door and listening intently.

Once he was sure he was safe he carefully opened the door. He opened it halfway sliding through and closing it behind him. He reached out and locked it turning the heavy brass key and then pulling it out. He tucked it into his pouch and moved keeping his body low to the ground as he entered the palace. He stuck to the shadows using the vaulted entranceways and pillars to hide himself from any passing guard or servant. Luckily the palace was empty this late and the royal family asleep.

He kept picking his way through the palace making his way to the tower that the princess herself lived in. His target was her bedroom and the necklace that resided within.

The heavy door that led to the staircases were blocked forcing Arbaaz to leave the inner rooms of the palace. He took to the walls of the palace once more scaling it easily. There was a balcony on the very top of the tower one he had no doubt led to the princess’s chambers. Instead of using the balcony he ducked into the first window he saw.

He found himself in an expansive closet. A variety of expensive and opulent gowns hung from wooden hangers. There were several shelves and cabinets littered the large space showcasing a variety of different jewels and high-priced objects.

“There you are” Arbaaz said smiling in pleasure as his eyes landed on the center podium. The jewels sat on the alter glittering in the light of the fireplace. His eyes widened as he took the jewels and gold in. piles of rubes began to appear in his head stacking up around him as he walked over and stroked the jewels. There was enough hear to set his family for life, enough to pay off the debts his father had left them, and enough to keep his family safe.

He reached for the jewels collecting them in his hand and hurriedly stuffing them into his belt.

“Got you” He whispered his entire focus on the jewels.
 
Princess Isabella had learned she was to be wed to the westerner Rajul Mahzuz her father had chosen for her.

She had only met him once, and she was appalled at the way he looked at her. As if she was a meal he was going to devour. But it was her duty to marry whom her father wished for the protection of his kingdom and people.

She had hoped that she would have found something in common with any of the princes that had called upon her. But they had been either too stupid, or egotistical She wanted passion, love, and adventure. But now it was to late. Her life was as good as over.

"You cannot continue this behavior" Her father scolded looking down and becoming lost in her emerald eyes. "sneaking out of the castle and riding out into the desert is just not something that a princess can do. You are to be married in a few weeks time. What would your Mahzuz think of such behavior"

"I care not" she said rather defiantly "I am as safe on a horse as any of of your guard father"

"That is not the point. Your wedding holds a great deal at stake for the kingdom, if anything happens to you.."

She sighed. "That's right father, i am merely a pawn in a greater deal that my little feminine mind could possibly understand."

"That's not what i meant Isabella" he said exhaustively.

"Isn't it? You promised my mother I could choose my own husband. Yet called upon my duty as a daughter to be the solution. I will do as you ask. But I shan't forgive you for it."

With that she turned and headed to her room. She was so angry that tears stained her face. She shouldn't have taken it out on her father. She knew he didn't have a choice. But he did after all break the promise he had made to her late mother.

Wiping her face she changed out of her commoners boy riding clothes back into her dress. Sitting in a corner her deep brown curly hair framed her oval tan skin. She tried to loose herself in a book of adventure until she heard 'There you are' come from her closet. It was soft, deep, and almost inaudible. Slowly putting her book down she tip toed with her bare feet to the door to look in. There she saw a handsome figure of a man bend over her jewels.

She watched as he had scooped up the necklace that her betrothed had given her, and whispered 'Got you'.

"Or have I got you?" she questioned now moving into sight of the door. "Pray sir, do you often make it a habit to steal from princess, or am I just the lucky one of the day? Don't try to run or I'll yell for the guards, I will let you go, and you can keep that necklace if you answer my question honestly. .. What is it like to live your own life?"
 
The minute she spoke he turned his hands flying up and over his head. He quickly turned one smooth motion on his heel that brought him face to face with the young princess. His hood was down his bright intense eyes scanning her over as he contemplated her words. After a while he smiled his hands moving down and dropping to his side as he spoke.

“I suppose I should have kept my voice down” He said regarding her with a teasing smirk “My eagerness of the treasure in my hand it seems has been my undoing”

“Of course according to you I can take the trinket” He mused his eyes assessing her as he walked forward “All for answering a silly question? Is anyone of us living our own life?”

He moved over to the window he had entered through. He leaned against it making no move to jump out of it. Instead he starred at her for several minutes as if judging his answer before he finally spoke.

“I admit I try to live my life the way I wish to, however I am a slave to destiny as well. Perhaps not as much as you princess but as you have your duties I have my own. My family is poor my father having racked up quite a debt before leaving my mother. Because of that debt I work stealing and thieving to keep the debt collectors at bay. I admit I do love the rush but I do not steal for myself. Of course I do not have to marry someone I do not want to…..”

He laughed noting her surprise.

“Its obvious princess” He told her his tone soft “You have no qualms about me stealing your engagement gift and I can see evidence of the tears your shed. If it makes you feel any better your subjects remain loyal to you and your father even though we do not like the idea of a westerner”

“My condolences” He said to her his tone genuine and sincere “I’m afraid I have disappointed you. You ask me about freedom and instead I tell you there is none. I hope whatever little there is to be found in the world makes it way to you princess”
 
"I was always a believer that with a little freedom and money we could make our own destinies." she replied softly.

Pondering for a moment she continued. "I am sorry to hear of what your father did, that put you in the situation you are in. Though in my eyes it is quite noble that you have taken it upon yourself to keep your mother from the debt collectors. It is a shame that you have to steal to do so."

She shook her head. "I suppose it is quite obvious that i am not happy about this union. He was not my choice, and although I have no way out of this situation I still have a week before my life is condemned."

She smiled as she formulated a plan in her mind, then continued.

"What if I struck a bargain with you, for a week of adventure I will pay off your fathers debt and supply you with an apprenticeship or commission in whatever career you like? Perhaps that way i may get to enjoy at least a bit of freedom, and your future destiny would be your own?"
 
He shook his head at her words dismissive of the sympathy she gave him.

“I love being a thief” He told her “I do it to pay my father’s debt but it does not mean I don’t enjoy it at the very least I am lucky like that I get to do what I love”
He laughed at her proposition and how absurd it sounded. A week of adventure? What sort of adventure could kidnapping the princess be? The entire kingdom would be searching for them?!

“You do know what you ask princess?” He finally said choosing his words carefully “You understand that even if I was able to get you out of the palace that they would be looking for us. We would spend the week hiding out and running there would be no adventures except for the threat against my motal life”

He shook his head his mind made up.

“If you wish for an adventure princess I can’t promise you one” He told her jumping on to the front of the window “However I can show you the wonders of the village if you wish sneak out of the palace and meet me at the market place tomorrow and I’ll show you my world”
 
"It would simply be day or night adventures. I would slip in and out and no one would be the wiser. I wouldn't put you at risk like that. But the deal stands."

"I suppose there could be some adventure in being a thief" she said thoughtfully. "Though I would much rather take from the haves and give to the have nots."

Turning her head slightly she waved her hand to the window. "I will meet you tomorrow" she whispered exiting her closet and closing the door as her bedroom door was knocked upon.

"Princess someone thought they heard a noise, just checking on your welfare" the guard said through the door. "All is well I was just going through my shoes" she replied.

"May I enter to say I saw you were well" the guard asked. She moved silently to place some shoes in a pile. Then took a seat on her vanity stool. "If you must." she replied.
With that the guard entered looking around and seeing the shoes nodded and left.

The next day she made her presence known and said she had a headache and wished to be left alone for the rest of the day. Making a body in her bed with clothes she dressed in her commoners clothes putting up her hair under a hat and sneaked out to meet the thief in the marketplace.
 
THE NEXT DAY

He couldn’t believe he was doing this.

He sat in the market his hood up and his eyes scanning the crowds for the princess. The idea of her actually taking him up on his offer and coming down to the market place was ridiculous….

Wasn’t it?

Here he was sitting waiting and watching for her even though his mind doubted she would truly come. What was it that was drawing him in? What about her beside her beauty seemed to call to him? She was set to be married any day now! There was danger in what he was doing and how he was putting himself out there.

Yet still he waited…..
 
Carefully timing her escape from her prison of a home she made her way into the square. She kept her head low and walked with purpose toward the center where she had spotted her thief waiting. She had to refrain herself from running toward him in excitement for their adventure.

There was a lot of guards around for some reason. Probably to ensure the safety and route the path the procession was to take when she got married. Her eyes scanned around the crowd taking in how everyone went about their daily lives. "I don't see why she has to marry that westerner" a girl said to another "oh i think he's handsome" her friend responded. The first girl gave her a contorted expression of disgust. She covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

The path was now clear as she took a path and sat down beside the thief. "Apple?" she offered.
 
He took the apple from her outstretched hand palming it and tossing it up and down in his hands. He brought it to his mouth and took a bunch moaning in pleasure at the satisfying crunch. Juices ran down his handsome chin and he hurriedly wiped the liquid away with the back of his sleeve.

“So what did you have in mind today?” Arbaaz asked taking another crunch and moving from his seat. He stretched shaking his sore legs and popping his back before turning to her.

“I can take you through the market or we can go to the oasis” Arbaaz said pushing his hood down giving her a good look at him and his handsome face.

“What would you like to do with your temporary freedom?” He asked her polishing off the rest of the apple and throwing the husk towards some of the chickens grazing in the pen.
 
She smiled watching him rush to catch the apples juices from his chin. Quickly looking in another direction as he spoke she looked back to him.

She thought about the words he spoke and the ones that followed as her eyes landed on his face after he removed his hood and polished off the apple.

"I want you to teach me how to be.. like you" she said not wanting to say the word thief out loud in case someone heard them.
"I also want to learn all you can teach me about eluding capture. So perhaps the oasis is the best place to start?" she questioned a little nervous about being discovered by the guards.

"Ultimately i would like to make a positive impact before i'm forced to leave. I'm sure there are quite a few privileged that need to be taken down a notch or two and be lightened of their heavy purses. I'm sure there are quite a few people that could use what they contain."

He was quite handsome in a rough-ish rogue type of way. She had rarely found herself in such a position where she couldn't take her eyes off someone before. Regardless, soon she was going to be married, and this would all be a fond memory.

"I know that it's not your typical type of thing, but i beg of you to indulge me. Soon enough you'll be rid of me."
 
Arbaaz couldn’t help but look surprised when she spoke of her desires. His eyes continued to widen in surprise when she began to beg, begging him to teach her the tools and tricks of the thief trade. He stopped in his tracks eyeing her as she finished.

“You can’t be serious!” He said laughing and shaking his head “You’re a princess! You’ve no need to be a common thief.”

Yet…. Her face didn’t change. There wasn’t a hint of humor on her face nor did she take back her words. Arbaaz’s smile began to die from his face as he realized she was indeed being serious.

“I don’t know what to say” Arbaaz said gently taking her by her arm and pulling her into the shadows of the grand bazaar. He looked around to make sure no one was around them and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“You don’t know what you’re asking” He told her eyes taking her in “It took me years of practice to become the thief I am now. I could teach you a few tricks in our time together but not enough for what you’re asking.”
 
"I know I won't be able to learn everything that you know. But with your help i could be a worthy apprentice. I can listen, and follow directions. I'm a quick learner, I've been sneaking in and out of the palace and haven't gotten caught yet. That must mean I have some promise at it." she said giving him a hopeful smile.

Her face sobered as she lowered her eyes to the ground and looked up to him through her lids as the corners of her eyes became wet, as if she were on the brink of tears. "I realize to you I'm just a silly spoiled princess, that has everything she could ever want for. It is true that i don't have to worry about a roof, or food. But as you can sit on any roof in the city and look at the stars, I am not permitted. Yes in a way it is a fancy cage. But I am a slave to my title, as I am to my gender." she let out a sigh.

"In a week i am being forced to wed a cruel man, that has no interest in me other then my dowry. He will breed me like a camel, and i have no choice but to obey. Please allow me this one thing to escape back to in my mind. The opportunity to do something good for the people i'm going to have to leave."
 
Arbaaz swore as the tears came to her eyes. His speaking out of turn had upset her and his brusque remark of her being a princess clearly bothered her more than he thought it would. When she explained he sighed and nodded listening to her words and running a hand through his hair. He looked around after she finished his eyes searching for… something before finally turning back to her.

“Come with me” He said taking her hand and bringing her through the crowds. He walked with her a short distance moving through a throng of people before they reached the busiest area of the market place. He stopped her right there pointing to a larger business man who was currently restocking his fruit stand.

“There are some coins in the back of his pockets” Arbaaz said drawing her eye to it.

“Watch me” He told her before slipping away. He moved easily through the crowd sliding through the people as if he was nothing more than air. He reached the man and stood there for a second pretending to admire his fruit before turning and coming back to her. When he did he opened his palm revealing one short fat coin.

“Go get the other one” He said pointing “The trick is to move with him, follow him as he shifts and reaches out. Let your hand act on its own accords and trust your instincts. If you do get caught run to the edge of the market place and I will join you”
 
When he said to watch him, she did with an intense concentration. He moved through the crowd like a knife through butter. So smooth and seamless, simply blending in to his surroundings. He was so smooth at swiping the coin she hadn't even realized he was successful until he came back and opened his palm.

As he told her the tricks of the trade, how to move with ease and to trust her instincts. "alright i will try she said taking a deep breath. She had never been so excited and nervous at the same time before. Slipping into the crowd, she slid through it mimicking the way he did.

She moved along the edge of his fruit stand looking at what vendor had to offer. As he was engaged with another patron she began to mimic his movements as subtly as she could. She leaned over to one side as her hand slid into his pocket withdrawing the coin and palming it.

Making a sideways frustrated dissatisfied expression with her mouth. As if she wasn't able to find what she was looking for. She turned and walked away slipping back into the crowd. Her heart was racing a mile a minute as she casually made her way back to him. Hearing a bit of a commotion behind her she slowly edged her way to the side to disappear and take a look to see if it was the fruit stand guy coming after her.
 
“come on….”

He appeared next to her grabbing her arm softly and giving it a tug. He pulled her into a side alley and then stepped forward embracing her. He angled his head his lips inches from hers as seconds later a group of guards rushed forward along with the merchant. Arbaaz didn’t move for several seconds waiting before finally moving away.

“Not a bad first try princess” He told her moving over to the wall “Now let’s see how you do with climbing”

He ran up and jumped pulling himself up and clambering up the side of the wall. He reached the top in a matter of seconds and paused getting on his belly and holding out his hand for her.

“Try and reach my hand” He told her nodding at her.
 
Before she knew it he had her arm and was pulling her into an ally. He stood pressed against her with his lips so very close to hers. Her heart was racing, and then she saw the reason as the guards passed by with the merchant she had stole from. As he moved away and gave her a compliment she found her breath she replied "not good enough"

She watched as he scurried up the wall effortlessly. "okay" she said taking a few steps back and giving the wall a running start. She lost her footing and fell on her butt. Instead of whining about it. She stood up and brushed off her bottom and took another try. This wasn't as easy as he made it look. After 4 tries she managed to grasp his hand and gripped the edge with her other.

One thing was certain, she didn't have his upper body strength. "Oh and if you don't mind, i'm just Isabelle, or Izzy. I'm not a princess when i'm with you.
 
He let her try watching her but making no moves to help her. His own teacher would never help him only guide him and offer praise when he completed a task. Some might say that wasn’t anyway to teach but Arbaaz disagreed. It was only his thought that a teacher should let his or her student crash through the forest. The path was never laid out and being a teacher meant intervening only when was necessary.

She got it on the fourth try and he helped her up and onto the tight packed clay street.

“Good job” He said tipping his head at her as she spoke about her name. He hesitated unsure of what calling her by her own name would mean. Calling her princess kept things in check reminded him that this stunning creature was off limits.

“Okay Isabelle” He said finally “Lets continue the lesson”

For the next hour he showed her how to move across the roof tops. He taught her how to use her own forward moment and nimble body to her advantage. The art of leaping and jumping and where to find handholds in the cracked clay. He finally helped her climb the spiral at the center of the town and perched himself on one of the ledges as he looked over the village.
 
"shall i just call you boy?" she questioned hoping he would offer his name. She was glad that he accepted not calling her princess anymore. Though he did elect to call her by her full name rather then her preferred choice. But she would take it.

"Thank you" she replied to his praise of her finally making her jump. He was a good teacher, and seemed to actually have a bit of a knack for it. She had always been good at learning, and his visual examples and practicing the movements he taught her seemed to be working out well for her.

She couldn't help but laugh at herself when she made silly errors. But she also did her best to follow instructions and appear serious about learning. Though to be honest with herself, she has having the most fun she could remember. She didn't however want him to think she was non nonchalant or thinking this as some sort of game. If she screwed up when they had finally set a target, it could cost him everything. She wasn't going to risk his freedom for her desire for adventure.

She sat next to him looking out over the village. "It's beautiful up here" she said almost breathlessly taking in the view. "From my room you get to see a small glimpse, but most is blocked by walls or towers."
 
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