Desert Fire {Closed}

[Asa]

*Safiya slipped from the chambers of the beast of a man she was given to as a bride. Her father and his father sealed an alliance with their daughters offered has wifes for their first born Heirs of the kingdoms. Her frail form graced well by the gods with beauty beyond most and eyes that could bring even the strongest rage to peace... except the temper of her soon to be husband. She slowly tried to make her way down the hall to the room that had been prepared for her in this far away land. Knowing the life she was condemned to she would survive as long as she could. She knew the ole Sultan did not approve of his sons ways of treating her but dared not do anything it seemed many were too afraid of him to aid her or anyone that found his favor. She knew that before she was brought here he had brought the same pains and horrors to other women of the kingdom servants and daughters of wealth as well but now he had a target all his own and all she could do was survive for her peoples sake*

 

[Remec]

Jamahl woke to the sound of more than merely the usual cock's crowing and hints of dawn making its way over the mountains along the horizon across the vast desert surrounding the city. Crawling from his bed, he rubbed at his face while wondering what was going on.

A new arrival he told himself as he watched from a window. The procession of porters and other servants made their way into the courtyard of the Sultan's estate. Jamahl could see several men wearing emblems of one of a house he did not recognize, and he nodded. It is probably another merchant seeking to secure a better place for himself and his profits. I hope this one has no wife, sister, or daughter. Unlike the last.

He left the window to wash and dress. He was accustomed to rising early, as his master liked to have his men ready even before the first call to prayer; but Jamahl knew that the guards would be on alert with so many strangers within the city. Not to mention the palace and its grounds. And an alert meant all guards would be needed.

Even him.

 

[Asa]

*She got to the room created for her and tried to get cleaned up and hide the abuses of the SUltans son... knowing her fate was sealed she had resigned herself to it long ago. SHe had heard whispers though amongst the guards and some others of their disapproval of how the heir to the throne treated not only any woman he wanted but even a cruel hand at commanding the guards and others about the palace. She heard the caravan arrive and wondered what all would be availabe to buy*

 

[Remec]

Jamahl

Jamahl left the eating chamber, and began to head towards the main guardpost. He was pretty sure he remembered what today's duty was; but when the palace was on alert, it sometimes changed.

He approached a meeting of another back corridor, and turned the corner without looking first. Immediately, Jamahl impacted with another person, almost knocking them down. The curse upon his tongue died upon seeing whom he'd bumped into.

"Safiya," he said as he stepped back and dropped his eyes to the floor. "Forgive my clumsiness, I was not paying attention." He lifted his gaze just enough to look over the woman's legs and torso. Her form was lean and agile, but she stood as if much older than Jamahl knew her to be. One hand had reached for her knee, but then she withdrew it and appeared to shift her position as if to keep her weight off that leg.

Jamahl's head snapped up in alarm.

"Are you injured?" he asked quickly. "Did I hurt your leg when we collided? Oh, I am the very son of a jackal the Swordmaster tells me I am." He stepped closer to her and offered an arm. "Come. We will find someone to look you over."

 

[Asa]

It was not you that caused this Jamahl

*Her eyes dared not look to him she did not know if Jamahl as against the young heirs ways of dealing with people or agreed with him*


I just need to get to my chambers I will be fine. *She tried to back up wne he stepped closer not wanting him to see what his Lord had done to her*

 

[Remec]

Jamahl gave Safiya another, longer, look as she tried to reassure him he was not to blame for her injured leg. "It was not me? Then someone else has hurt you," he said. "Who was this dog? Come, we will go to Hashid directly and have him arrange an audience with the Sultan's son, Feyd. The vizier will not let us down, you will see."

He closed again as she had retreated from him, but she went to move once more. Safiya found she had backed herself up against the wall of the corridor, and that Jamahl was directly before her. The guard held out an arm to help her walk more easily and awaited her reaction.

I cannot believe some fool has injured one of the Master's women. And Safiya only just arrived, too. I must be sure to report this to the Swordmaster as well as to the vizier. Jamahl's thoughts rambled on about what he would tell his superiors and what he was going to do to the man responsible for harming this woman.

While he thought and waited on Safiya, Jamahl let his eyes meet hers. He knew he should not be so familiar with someone else's woman, but there was something about her that made him uncaring about such things.

 

[Asa]

*SHe looked to him when he mentioned Feyd she whimpered fearfully but feeling she could trust theis man she whispered* He did it

 

[Remec]

The pained, choked off sound that slipped from Safiya's throat gave Jamahl a pause. Even as he was offering her an arm to more easily walk to visit the vizier, Hashid, he was thinking he'd missed something.

Then came the barest of spoken accusations.

He did it? What is she...did she mean... Jamahl's eyes widened as he caught what the woman meant, or thought he did. But he could not act without knowing for certain. If he could act at all, that is.

"Who do you mean?" he asked. "Do you claim injury from Feyd?"

 

[Asa]

Yes the one who will be sultan did this and much more *Biting her lip she looked to him*

 

[Remec]

Jamahl's eyes buried themselves in Safiya's. He sought the truth behind what she had just told him. She seems sincere. Her accusation is what she believes happened. The guardsman stopped offering the woman his arm, and stepped behind her.

He bodily scooped her up into his arms, and proceeded down the corridor to the healer's quarters. "What else has Feyd done to you?" Jamahl asked in a soft, but steely voice. "You must tell me all so that we know what to have the healer examine."

And what Feyd must answer for.

 

[Asa]

No less then he thinks he holds right to *Curling up she was like a scared child so tiny in his arms*

 

[Remec]

The walk down the corridor to the healer's quarters was usually a short one, but that morning it seemed to Jamahl to be one of the longest treks he'd made in quite some time. Safiya clung to him, and the young guardsman was more aware of just how fragile a beauty she was.

She seemed to barely weigh anything as he carried her along the hall. But being so close to her, or any of the women in Feyd's harem, was most unusual for someone of his station, and it was the feeling of her hands clenched around his neck as much as the softness of her body lying against his arms and chest that truly weighed upon Jamahl.

The mingled scents of perfume, spices, and rich silk also made the trip to the healer's seem longer than usual. Jamahl tried his best to let his outrage and anger over Feyd's actions to remain foremost in his mind, but holding Safiya so close to him as they traveled kindled other thoughts.

And more than thoughts.

 

[Asa]

*She had no idea why she felt so comfortable in his embrace nor why she felt she could trust him but here she was being carried by a guard to the healers quarters and her telling him that it was his soon to be ruler that had done this to her. Her mind tried to sort out how she could feel safe and comfortable with this guard and his loyalty or not to Feyd*

*Feelings tried to grow in her mind and soul for the kindness of this guard and how she felt sure he would protect her*

 

[Remec]

The pair burst through the open doorway of the healer's room and Jamahl made straight for one of the tables to set Safiya down. "You, there," he barked at an attendant, "have someone sent to the vizier, Hashid. Tell him one of the favored women claims injury and wishes to speak to him."

The healer came over and looked at them both then raised an eyebrow. "And what do we have here. Jamahl? It is Jamahl, isn't it?"

The guard nodded. "It is, your memory is the same steel trap it has always been. I bumped into her hard in the hall, but she says she has injuries from other sources. More pressing, and...delicate injuries."

"Indeed." The healer motioned Jamahl to a seat as he and his assistants began sliding screens about the table. He turned to Safiya and smiled in the calming way he had. "So, my dear, tell us what is wrong."

 

[Asa]

She bites her lip unsure of what she should tell him but trusting Jamahl she told the healer about what all that Feyd had done to her recoiling from both as she did fearful of what might be said or done*

 

[Remec]

The Healer

"I see."

The healer nodded to himself and immediately began preparations to check Safiya out thouroughly. Some of the things Feyd had done might have longterm repercussions on the girl's health.

Not to mention her use in producing heirs. If she has been made barren, we will have to send her away. He gave a glance at her body now that she had been undressed for his examinations. Perhaps one of the courtesan houses would take her in.

"Come, girl, sit up her on this table and lie back. Put your legs in the stirrups, yes, just so."

 

[Asa]

*SHe looked to Jamahl and blinked biting her lip but did as the Healer asked. Trying to relax a little to be examined till she heard Feyds voice coming down the hall in a rage and whimpered and struggled to leave the table and hide if she could. Her eyes looked to Jamahl flooded with terror*

 

[Remec]

Jamahl

The guardsman knew he should have turned away earlier, but there was such a look in Safiya's eyes that he couldn't let himself move out of her vision. It was a strange thing for him to be so moved by the desires of someone he barely knew, but there was just something about this woman.

He watched the Healer's assistants helping Safiya into position on the table, and moved to look at her face when he saw her exposed thigh as her shift was drawn back to put her ankles in the stirrups.

It may not have been that much better a place to look.

She was obviously in pain, and the tears that welled in her eyes--waiting to join the dried tracks of the ones already having run down her cheeks--made Jamahl bite his lip and wish it was his place to be at her side offering her a hand or shoulder.

"WHERE IS SHE?"

Jamahl spun about and looked to the doorway. Feyd! Jackal! He would dare?

 

[Asa]

SHe backed to the far side of the room trying to find a way to hide or escape as the shadow cast by Feyd grew as he neared the door. Eyes flooded with terror dart to Jamahl as she bit her lip shaking looking so frail and helpless*

 

[Remec]

The Healer motioned to Jamahl. "He will not be appeased. We will be lucky if he does not fault everyone here for not having brought her directly to him."

Jamahl nodded. "What would have me do? I cannot fight him without the law's prior backing."

"There is a special exit through the other room in the back. It is for use by those who cannot be taken through the living quarters." The Healer stepped over and threw a long cloak about Safiya's shoulders. "Go out that way and flee into the desert. Look for a band of nomads led by a man named Zorach. He will see you to the Sultan and shield you from Feyd and those in his employ."

Jamahl looked at Safiya and the Healer. An old woman who was one of the nurses stepped up and kissed Jamahl's cheek. "If you care as much as the look in your eye says, then go."

He turned back to the young woman. "They are probably right, Safiya. Shall we run?"

 

[Asa]

*Nodding quickly she pulled the blanket tight around her and was ready to go... barely able to believe that she could be free of Feyd. Dark eyes look to Jamahl strangely trusting him she tried to smile slightly and ignore her fear but then turned quickly in the way the healer directed*