Post by Head Moderator on Aug 8, 2013 6:15:15 GMT -5
From Sand to City
Adal Ag Hamid (adalaghamid)
Zakiya Noor (eagleofthanes)
So! Templewatch, as ...everyone who didn't live there, but knew about it, had taken to calling it...was growing! They actually had some more permanent buildings set up in the desert..nothing that would be heavy enough to sink into the sand, but a definite improvement over the collection of tents that it started out as. They had a magical well put in so there'd always be water to drink, and even had a little restaurant, or what passed for one when it only had to feed twenty or so people. More like a dining hall really, but not even that big! Adal was proud of this, of course! He hadn't thought so many would show up, but it seemed that there were plenty of desert dwellers who didn't want some jackass going in and releasing Sulaman into their homeland, and even the non-combatants had started to train under Adal to learn how to defend themselves better! They hadn't yet constructed their own temple over the ruins of the old one, but that would come with time. As for where they got the food, well...that's what trade was for! They didn't exactly have grazing land. Perhaps sooner or later they'd get a proper oasis going, but that'd require more elementalism than anyone here was capable of, so far.
Zakiya had heard of the growing little town, but more than that, she'd been told that there was a portal or at least someone who could form portals at the area that people were calling Templewatch. She had heard some tales of the great Sulaman who was captured below, but most of what she'd heard were pretty much tall tales that had been twisted and embellished so much that Zaki really didn't believe a word of it! She approached the area on her Firemane, the beautiful horse was a very light brown color but it's tail and mane were a nice fiery red. She was riding quickly, but not because she was being chased, she just enjoyed the feel of the wind through her long, dark hair. When she got closer though, she tugged the reins and slowed down to a trot so they'd not think she was coming ready to attack or anything. She looked fit for travel, with a cloak to protect her from the sun covering a few packs on the back of her saddle as well as packed saddlebags. A cutlass was sheathed at her side. She definitely looked like a desert dweller, and from the design upon her armor anyone with knowledge of the tribes would put her as a member of House Jasham due to the eagle, it was their symbol after all. Traders mostly, quite famous for their trade of spice among other things. She trotted into the village and began to look around for someone important to speak to, even calling out in Thanic to those she spotted. "Where is the leader of this camp?"
She would notice that the dominant clothing color in Templewatch was blue, as most of the people had taken after their fearless leader! Not all the men were veiled and turbaned, as that was not their particular custom, but they had adopted Adal's preferred color! As she didn't appear to be a threat, given her slowing down, the two guards in charge of watching the direction she came from greeted her in a friendly fashion, and when she asked, well..they pointed her to the opposite side of the camp, to a figure perched atop a sand dune that overlooked the area where the temple was buried. There Adal sat, legs folded underneath him, watching the desert, as he usually did when he didn't have any other duties at the moment. One of them even agreed to go with her as an interpreter, just in case she didn't know any signing! Well, and also because they didn't tend to let strangers march right up to Adal.
She noted the predominant blue color as she glanced around, and when she was pointed towards the leader she nodded to the guards and began to head in that direction. She said nothing about whether she needed an interpreter or not, nor did she resist being accompanied as she'd have done the same had a stranger come upon her camp and wanted to speak to one of her leaders. Once she was fairly close, she dismounted and untied her cloak, tucking it under the saddle, then began to head towards the figure of Adal upon the dune. She tugged a bit of red ribbon from her cleavage and tied it around her sword's sheath peacebinding it, to further show she meant no harm, and then walked closer to him, calling out in Thanic as she went to one knee, "Peace be to you."
Mmm, cleavage ribbon was the best kind of ribbon. Adal heard their approach before they arrived, but didn't look away from the patch of desert he was staring at just yet. In fact, he didn't really move at all until she'd spoken, at which point he rose rather smoothly considering he'd been sitting there long enough for the wind to have constructed a mini-dune against one side. He turned and offered a low bow to the stranger, signing, which the guard interpreted by habit whether she understood or not. "And peace to you, also. Welcome to my home, friend."
She rose and bowed to him in return, and when she rose upwards she responded to him ..in sign. She didn't need no damn guards interpreting! "May the gods return your favor. I am Zakiya Noor of House Jasham. I have come to seek a favor, and have payment for such a favor if you would bless me in such a way as to grant it. May I approach?" She glanced side to side at the guards, then over towards Adal and gave him a smile as she waited for permission to come closer.
He smiled behind that veil when she signed in return, and shifted his eyes briefly to the guard, giving him a nod and dismissing him to return to his watch. He looked back to Zakiya and signed once more as the guard went back to where she'd found him. "My apologies for the armed escort. We have had an issue or two with local raiders, I hope you can forgive a bit of extra caution. I am Adal Ag Hamid, originally of Asad's Rest, though now...I suppose if the rumors I have heard are true, I should introduce myself as being of Templewatch." Eyes crinkled a bit at the edges with amusement at that silly name for his little settlement. "You may approach, yes." Even if she was a threat that had been well disguised, Adal wasn't exactly helpless!
"I understand, there is no need for apology nor need for forgiveness. It is a pleasure to meet you, Adal Ag Hamid." So formal, but it was just how she was raised. She'd call him that until he told her otherwise, in fact. She glanced around once she reached him, and then smiled back to him. "I see no temple, though if rumors are true, there is a temple beneath our feet and a great and powerful evil seeks to rise from the sands and obliterate us all." She grinned and then sat down cross legged upon the sand so he could return to that position as well.
"Adal will suffice. May I call you Zakiya?" He glanced over his shoulder towards where he knew the temple to be, then sat down when she did and smiled again, though it was a sad smile. With that veil, he probably just looked sad. And well, since they were now alone, and most people were more comfortable with it, he switched to speaking Thanic instead of signing. "Unfortunately, both points are true. I have vowed to not let that happen as long as I still draw breath. As it turns out, there are others who feel the way I do."
"Yes of course you may, Adal." Aww, her smile faded when he looked sad and she even bit her lip for a second before looking towards where he'd looked. When he started speaking aloud, she too began it as well though she was quite comfortable either way. "I see. I had heard so many tall tales that I thought it was all just a tale so that people come to the settlement, something salacious to spread. But now it seems there was truth amidst the bard's tales." She tugged her sword belt off, and lay the weapon beside her since it was more comfortable that way then folded her hands in her lap as she stared across at him with a slight cant of her head, studying him for
a moment or two before she spoke again, "It is a shame I am spoken for, or I would be obliged to take up residence here as well to guard against such an evil."
"I only spoke the truth to convince people to join me, and more come in every week. Soon we might even need more permanent dwellings, and in greater quantity. There are more rumors about this place, of course, but I see no need to hide the truth of the matter from any who take the step to stop here and speak." He watched her for a moment, staring right back, and he bowed his head. "Well, I thank you for the thought, even if prior obligations prevent you from staying. It is appreciated." He got that smile that reached his eyes once again. "So, you seek a favor?"
"May the gods bless your endeavor, Adal." She sat up a little straighter, glad to see the smile in his eyes again. "Yes. I come on behalf of House Jasham. We are told you have access to a portal, and a portal is what I seek. I wish to get to the city of Navahla, in Sarkotos. I do not seek to misuse your portal but if possible it would be a source of payment to you every time it is used. I would offer my Firemane, as well as payment in spices." Spices were in many ways even more precious than gold to many people, the spices of Thanes sold for immense amounts outside of the desert. "If the payment is not of interest, then I am obliged to ask what would be payment for use of your portal."
"Thank you, Zakiya, and may the gods bless yours as well." And then she got to the favor she sought! He listened until she was finished, then nodded once and stayed silent for a bit longer, thinking on that. "Interesting. I would think that House Jasham would have much easier access to a portal than coming out here, as it is a bit remote." He chuckled a little. "You are certainly welcome to use it at any time that our resident portal keeper is up to the task. As for payment, I would not ask as much as your Firemane, or even spices." Really the latter, with as much money as they could bring in, would likely only draw more ravager attention! "In fact, payment will not be necessary, however we will be happy to accept anything that will be of use to make our settlement either safer, or easier to live in. Food is our primary concern, though it is difficult for those of us already here to spread the word further than we already have."
"I am from only one tribe of House Jasham, and we move in the deep desert. We are mere spice traders, we live in far more remote places than this." She listened again, thinking through her words. "I cannot take my Firemane with me, if you do not take him for payment, perhaps you may keep him and use him, and when I return back and forth I will have him here for me." She was a bit shocked to hear he did not want spices, and furrowed her brow. "I will use the spices to buy food and other things you need then, and bring them back to you from Sarkotos. There is one more thing, of far greater concern than the use of a portal...." She entwined her fingers on her lap and furrowed her brow again, looking oh so serious.
"Precisely what I was about to suggest for him. We shall take care of him while you are away, perhaps put him to a bit of work. When you return, he will be well taken-care of. As a friend of our settlement, you will also be welcome to a share of our supplies, as much water as you would like, as well as shelter or rest, though you may have to squeeze in with someone else until we get more tents, or something more permanent." Most of the semi-permanent buildings they did have were not for sleeping, but other various tasks around the camp! "Anything you can bring to help will be greatly appreciated, though. What is the greater concern?"
"That sounds wonderful. I know that my people will be overjoyed. They are building a spice shop in Navahla and I am to be their... guard I suppose. I have never been away from the desert. Oh yes, the greater concern. My tribe believes I will die a lonely old woman and wishes me to find a husband, so that I may have many babies to carry on my family's business and name. It is a desperate situation, I assume, and I was told to seek your hand in marriage since I will be using your portal over and over." She looked so serious, and so concerned, though her eyes danced with something
along the lines of merriment. Was she serious? Oh he would not know, cause she sure sounded serious.
(Ha! Using Celestial Heritage to see if she's lying or telling the truth)
"Ahh. If I may offer some advice, as one who lived just outside of Navahla for a short period of time...it is very cold. Now that it is the summer, it may perhaps be tolerable, but I advise getting a charm that will keep you warm, or simply warmer clothing than you may think you need. Colder even than nights here, or at least it felt that way since it never got warm. I'm also willing to accompany you when you go, at least the first time, as it can help to have someone along that is more familiar with their customs, and the city's layout in general." And then she got to her greater concern! He stared at her for a moment, and if she looked in his eyes enough she might detect that they shifted just a wee bit away from that brown and into gold territory, though it only lasted for a very brief moment. He then got a bit
of an amused look in those eyes, and he nodded. "Very well. I accept your proposal." Well if she was going to lie to him, he may as well have fun with it, right? "I've started to have concerns of getting old and lonely, myself."
"I... I had not thought of that." She frowned, reaching fingers up to tap upon her lips. She didn't like being cold, at all. She was so deeply ingrained in being raised in the heat that it would not be good for her well being to be too cold. Her eyes lit up when he said he'd accompany her and show her around, and she clapped her hands together, though her hands dropped to her lap when he continued, and her eyes grew a little wider. She'd been quite ready for him to be shocked at her suggestion and to have a good laugh, but now he'd turned the tables on her. She wasn't sure if she should let him know she was just a big jokester, or follow through and see what happened. She did notice the shift in color, but his words shocked her enough that she said nothing and forgot about it pretty quickly. "Well, well I, in the name of the gods, I... I didn't expect you to be so congenial with their request." She bowed her head to him, she'd dug a hole for herself there it seemed. It would be rude now to claim she was just lying! She was still a prankster though at heart, so she looked up at him and grinned, "If we both don't wish to get old and lonely, then I say why waste time! We should be married before the end of this week, my family will be so pleased. And as my work takes me to Navahla, you will be free to find bed warmers when I am not there to warm your bed ... and other things."
Well now! He'd been just about to let her know he had been as serious as she was when she was in the midst of what appeared to be panic mode, but then she recovered and went right back to being a prankster. He chuckled and nodded, looking up with his eyes as if thinking about something. "Hm, indeed. The Church of Silence in Navahla, with the aid of our portal, we be closest. We can go, I'll show you around town, and then get married just before we return." He winked to her, then. "And likewise, there are certainly plenty of strapping young men who can see to your needs while you are in Navahla. Or we could simply both let the longing consume us, to erupt with a fiery passion each time we are reunited."
Oh my, she was fine until his last sentence, and her hand lifted to press against her lips as a flush erupted across her tanned skin. "By the gods, you do have a way with words." She squeezed her hands together and lowered them to her lap, and gave a little laugh though his words had sparked something in her mind, perhaps a memory or merely longing and she wasn't quite as attuned to the conversation or to him as she had been before, at least for a few moments while her cheeks stayed rose hued. She cleared her throat and gave a firm nod. "Then tomorrow, we will start early, and stay up very late." She grinned, and then looked back over towards the little town,
then back to him. "I will make camp nearby. I would not wish to crowd anyone, I have camped my way to you so it is not an issue."
"I find that speaking to an excessively beautiful woman helps them come naturally." He grinned once more, then nodded in return when she did. "Very well, that sounds a delightful plan." And then she said she'd be camping nearby! He shook his head at that. "Nonsense, there's no need for you to go to the trouble of making camp. You may have my tent, as you will not be crowding anyone. I may pop in for a brief nap at some point, but it's plenty large for two, or even more."
Blush! "What?" Excessively beautiful woman? That was something that her family failed to tell her, in fact they'd made sure to tell her she'd be different than everyone else when she went to Navahla. "Tukra, may the gods return your favor." That was the only thing that snapped to her mind, but she was smiling quite beautifully to him. "Very well then. You are my host, and my future husband, it is my duty to abide by your wishes."
Well he sure thought she was! She was almost as good looking as he was, and he had divine genetics cheating on his behalf, ha! He smiled,still quite amused by this whole marriage proposal! He was a bit of a jokester as well, which did make him wonder if they were going to keep that up right into an actual marriage. Wouldn't that just be amusing! "My only wish is that you be comfortable and happy." He stood then, and offered his hand to help her up. "Allow me to show you to the tent?"
She clasped her hand into his and grabbed her sword with her free hand, and rose, then released him and dusted the sand off her trousers. "Of course." She too wondered if she'd managed to find another prankster, or if she was getting married tomorrow. It would be far too rude of her to suddenly say she was just joking, so it was left on him to say so! Of course, one never knew what would happen if she was faced with a priest, she might just have to embarass her family.... maybe! "You are very kind, and you have beautiful eyes, they express emotions as well as if I could see your lips."
He started to talk with her back to the camp, smiling once again at her words. "Thank you, you are very kind as well. Although I believe that, were I to look into a mirror after having looked into your eyes, I would find that mine pale in comparison. They are such an unusual, lovely color for those of us in the desert." He winked to her again. "Plus, I can see your lips, which certainly helps, as they are also very pleasing to the eye." As they drew closer he'd switch back to signing, of course!
"Ahh... my mother says that there was an air elemental far back in my ancestry and that my eyes show my ancestor is watching over me." It was odd, she was about the only one in her tribe that had blue eyes and not brown or some other dark color. "....goodness..." She stared down at the ground as they walked, she couldn't remember getting so many compliments at one time in her life - ever! She absently licked her lips when he spoke of them, and whenever he switched to sign language, she'd be sure to watch instead of staring away from him. She whispered back to him though, stepping almost close enough to brush her arm against his, "Perhaps I was born for you. You seem to like the color blue, perhaps the gods have made me for this day to come before you, giving me blue so you know that I am your soul mate."
"Interesting, I also have something a bit special in my ancestry, though my mother always told me it was an angel." And not that far back, either! And really..after the life he'd led so far, he tended to believe it. A lot of people felt the touch of the divine watching over them, sure, but he actually felt it..in himself. It just wasn't that easy to explain to people, so he generally kept quiet about it. He smiled at that. For a prankster, she certainly was good at laying on the charm! "Perhaps you have a point. I do enjoy the color blue, although the clothing is more bound to tradition than preference. In eyes, however, it is very...entrancing. I may have to avoid gazing into yours for too long, lest I lose an entire day." He could lay it on pretty thick too! Which wasn't to say that he didn't think her eyes were lovely, of course. Exaggerating their effect on him could be fun though!
"An angel. That is very special." Hers was so far back that she was just considered a human, nothing more special than that! "I did see your eyes turn golden a little earlier, I thought perhaps the sun hit it just right." She nodded a little, watching his hands but also taking time to glance to his eyes as well. She laughed aloud at that that, entranced by her eyes such as that? He was surely jesting now. "While a beautiful sentiment, I very much doubt you will suffer in any way by looking into my eyes, so fear not, my friend, dear Adal." She paused when they reached her horse, and reached out for the reins. "If blue is not your favorite color, what is?" She began to unload her horse, and remove the saddle in hopes she could find water and food for him and a place to rest. She had to take care of him, before she could
find rest herself.
"I did not say it would be suffering that would cause me to lose the day, or that losing the day would be a form of suffering in itself." He smiled. He liked talking to this new person! It was an interesting turn his day had taken. When they reached the horse he gave it a pat on the neck if it allowed him to, then led the both of them over towards where the horse could get some water and some oats! Maybe even an apple. They didn't really have a stable, as such, but they did have a little corral, as they did tend to get visitors on horseback, so they stayed ready for them. And of course, once the horse was seen to and put in the care of the lady who volunteered to care for the horses, it'd be off to his tent! "Oh I would probably say that blue is my favorite color, I did not mean to imply that it was not, merely that preference is not the reason I am always wearing it." Signed as they walked. His tent was the largest in the settlement, though not by any decision he'd made. The others just insisted he have it! It was almost big enough to not be a tent any longer, and even had room for all of his belongings, few though they were, and a small bookshelf where he kept his hand-written volumes of the Lay of Day and Night. And a very comfy-looking bed, as well as a small table and one chair. Was almost as big as the cottage he had outside of Navahla!
The horse snorted a bit, but allowed the pat as he turned his head and tried to nibble at his clothing. But, when water and oats were presented, it gave it's full attention to that. She stacked her saddlebags and packs off to the side, feeling for some reason they'd be safe. It was all her belongings, plus gold and spice she'd been given to offer to him. She patted the horse again, then grabbed one bag over her shoulder and headed for the tent with Adal. "Oh I see then. For some reason I am pleased blue is your favorite color. Mine is red, but it is not something that I wear a lot, at least not on the outside. It does not blend in well." She snickered at that, and then inside the tent she went. She paused as she spied the bookshelf. "By all the Six, you are a scholar!?" She dropped her bag to the ground and moved
along the books, trailing her fingers along the edge. "It is rare to find so many books in one place." While her tribe as a whole was extremely wealthy as far as desert tribes go.... they just didn't haul books around with them as they were bedouins after all. She stared at the bed as well, and then around the tent. "You are a very important man."
Her belongings would certainly be safe! So far the people that were living here had proven to be very trustworthy, honest people, with good hearts! He blinked when she asked about the books, and shook his head with a little chuckle, moving to have a seat on the edge of the bed. "I do have scholarly interests, but I would not call myself a scholar. I just happened to find a complete set of the Lay of Day and Night, but it was in an enchanted library where no more than one book could be removed at a time, so I copied them down to have my own set, which I keep with me. As for me being important, I am only as important as fate has demanded I be. I certainly don't believe I warrant such a lavish tent, but the others insisted I take it."
"That must have taken you... forever." She traced her fingertips along each one again, and then moved to sit beside him on the bed, then she leaned back and fell upon the bed. She'd slept on the ground her whole life, this was very lavish to her! "Those that are most important are those that others insist, those that attempt to become important, usually end up in failure in some way, or do not have the support and faith and loyalty like a leader who is lifted up by his peers. So, consider this a show of their love for you, yes?" She paused, stretching out a little. "It is magnificent. I have never been upon such a lovely bed." She rose and smiled at him, "But, I would think that no mere pallet upon the sand would do for such a fine body as yours."
"It did take quite a while, but not as long as it would have most people, I think. I did not have to take very many breaks." He watched her fall down on the bed and smiled. He knew well how comfy it was, even if he only actually slept in it for a couple hours a day. He tilted his head and watched her for a moment after he spoke. "You speak with much wisdom, I had not thought of it like that. And I'm glad you like the bed, I hope you will be well-rested after sleeping on it." He smiled once again, then got that amused look in his eyes again. "And what makes you think I do not have some horrid deformity under all this clothing?"
"Perhaps you will be so kind as to let me read through them. Perhaps when I am fat with your child inside me and can do nothing but lay upon your soft and sumptious bed all day and night." She grinned with a sparkle in her eyes, and then reached down to unlace her thin boots and pull them off, but her attention went straight back to him when he suggested he might be deformed. "Hmm. If you are deformed, you hide it well. If it is scars, I do not think of such as deformities, I have them myself. Anyway, there is much more to love than having a perfect body. I will still marry you."
"Certainly, I do not only keep them with me to hoard them for myself. I also have another master copy, so if anything were to happen to this set, I can simply make another." Ooo, taking off her boots! He couldn't help but eye more of her once it was visible, even if it was just what her boots were hiding! He looked back to her then and chuckled. "And what if I prove to have the sort of libido generally reserved for bawdy legends? I'd feel horrible if I were to keep you constantly worn out."
"I certainly cannot imagine any other way to become constantly worn out that would please a woman more." She wiggled her toes, and then relaxed a bit more on his bed by tugging a pillow closer and laying down on the bed, her legs sliding behind him, but her body turned so she could still see his face. "It will take me some time to read them, but I will read every last page. I was lucky that my mother could read, she taught me, but I am nowhere near a scholar as I was chosen to be a guardian."
"Well, perhaps we will get along famously, then." He winked to her once more, then shifted on the bed some so he was sitting at the foot of it, and unless she tugged 'em away from him, he'd just put her feet in his lap and start massaging them! Surely they weren't as bad off as if she'd walked, but riding could take a lot out of a person. "It would be delightful to have someone else read them. Most of the people I have been around can not read Thanic, since I copied them. Except for those here, but nobody has asked to read them." Speaking of Thanic, since his hands were busy he went back to speaking quietly! "And a guardian can be every bit as important as a scholar. I was a guide, myself, until I gained a more spiritual calling."
"Perhaps...." She grinned, though when he put her feet into his lap and started massaging them, she furrowed her brow and was about to tug her feet away, but she didn't. It felt nice, she had never imagined that someone touching her feet would feel nice, but she did say quickly, "You .. you don't have to touch my feet, Adal! I have not even washed them." She propped herself up on her elbows, biting her lip as she watched him, though she could not help the soft pleased sigh before she dropped her head onto the pillow again and rested an arm across her tummy, and one hand beneath her head. "You can guide me anywhere," she said all dreamily.
"Washed or not, I do not mind. I can simply wash my hands when I am done, no?" He chuckled at that. No need to be all worried about it! She already had them on his bed after all. "And anyway, if we are to be married, I'm certain there will be much more of you that I will be touching, whether such parts have been recently washed or not." He didn't linger on her feet too long, though, since he was gonna massage up her calves as well!
"...True." That was logical, and she did have them on his bed. She grinned even if her cheeks were blazing hot at his last words, goodness he could make her blush! "By all the sand in the Thanes, I do believe the sun is shining right through your tent, I feel flushed and heated!" She pressed both hands on her cheeks, then slid onto her elbows again to watch as he moved further up from her feet to her legs. She was wearing tight riding trousers, thin material.
"Perhaps you are just not giving your sweat any room to evaporate and cool you off, with these tight trousers on." Not that he was suggesting she take them off! He was just not used to seeing tight clothing around here, ha! "It does make me think that you will want something of a thicker material when you go to Navahla, though. Tight and thick is probably best, as it will trap your body heat against you a bit better. Or you could simply add more layers, that is what I did to make it tolerable." He nodded a little, massaging up her calves to just under the knee, but he didn't go any higher!
"It is mostly my face and.... well my face." She blushed more and laughed softly. "I will purchase clothing in Navahla then. Nothing I own is much thicker than what I have on now, except for my armor I have packed. But, that is chain." It sounded like it was going to be a very different world, which she assumed it would be, but the more she heard the more she felt a little trepidation building up inside. Her tummy felt a little sick and she reached down to give it a gentle rub. "Your hands feel wonderful against me. You will think me odd, no doubt, but I have never had a man's hands on my legs or feet, unless that man is attempting to harm me."
"Ah, then I think it might have little to do with the heat." He chuckled again and nodded. Purchasing clothing there was exactly what he'd done! "It may not be necessary, though, as I said. It is summer and, while not as hot as it is here, it is still warm there. It never hurts to be prepared, though." He nodded, then tilted his head when she talked about his hands! "Truly? I feel that I have taken too much of a liberty with you, then. Please forgive me for not asking permission first. I am glad that it feels good, though." Oh and of course his hands slid off of her legs as he said that last bit!
"No, no!" She rose upwards quickly and crawled towards him, until she was on her knees before him. She reached out and took his hands in her own, clasping them, and smiled. "There is no need for forgiveness. I enjoyed it. I don't really meet many men that get opportunity to touch me...oh dear." She blushed and chuckled. "I have found my words in a jumble." She paused a moment, letting her mind settle. For a moment she considered telling him of her big joke, and that he need not worry of marrying her, but something kept her tongue stilled. Instead, she let go of one of his hands and reached up to brush along his cheek through the cloth of his veil and then brushed through his hair. "I would not consider it too much of a liberty, when you will soon have all of me that you wish, as often as you wish it."
He blinked when she got all on her knees before him. It was good he was sitting down or that'd start making him feel all sorts of inappropriate. He gave her hands a squeeze and let her get all those words out. If she managed to coax any of his hair out from under that turban he had on she'd of course see that it was all silvery! He leaned into her touch as well, because he very much liked being touched, taking in a breath and letting it out in a pleased little sigh. "Mm. I suppose you do make a convincing point." His eyes had closed briefly, but then they opened and he looked into hers, that amusement obvious in them again. "That is, of course, if I hadn't figured out your offer was an attempt to play a trick on me."
She saw that amusement in his eyes and she couldn't help but smirk, but when he said he knew it was a trick....her expression fell at first, and she dropped his hands and her hands dropped to her knees. Her shoulders sunk a bit, and this time her blushing was not from anything but embarassment. "I'm so... so ...." She couldn't get the word 'sorry' out because she really wasn't. She was just sorry she'd gotten caught. Her gaze left his eyes to stare down at the bed between them for quite a long time as she attempted to think of something coy or witty to say.
He frowned when she seemed so very...defeated when he told her he knew about it! He hadn't meant to do that! He reached out and gave one of her shoulders a little rub and a squeeze. "There's no need to be upset about it. It was a very good trick. I'm sure, that as one person with a keen sense of humor to another, you can understand why I had to trick you right back. It was too much to pass up. I certainly don't hold it against you, you've made my day much more interesting than they tend to be lately. That alone would almost be worth going along with the marriage, if I thought it was what you really wanted." He just thought it was best to reveal that before they actually did jokingly go through with it! She may have been too stubborn to back
out, haha!
"To be honest, I've been given this assignment because I've pushed my luck too many times with my family and they think this will teach me the respect I lack, and I will be a good girl when I finally return." She said softly, still looking down to the bed. Finally her eyes moved upwards to his again and she smiled. "It was a very good trick back. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to really marry you. It would not be a terrible thing I imagine, at all, but I do harbor hope that one day I will find love, silly as that sounds." She paused, and then reached out to twirl her finger in the little bit of silvery hair that had been pulled from his turban. "I would like very much to be your friend though, if you will still have me."
"It is quite nice, I suppose, to have a good girl in the family, for reputation purposes." He got a wicked little grin, which of course went sadly unseen! "I think the naughty girls tend to be much more interesting, however." He smiled when she looked back up to him, then shook his head. "I may have kept it up longer, but I don't think I would've actually made you marry me. Although if I had, yes, I would do my best to take good care of you. And there's nothing at all silly about wanting to find love." Eyes slid shut when she played with that bit of hair that she'd managed to get out, then opened and he nodded. "Of course, we'll still be friends. Quite good ones, I think."
She laughed, that did make her feel better! The light in her eyes, and really in her face altogether came back. "I would have done my very best to take care of you and make you happy as well. And, it is not uncommon for love to bloom in arranged marriages - at least that is what my mother tells me." She snickered, and finally released his hair from her fingers, letting them drift down along the edge of his jaw and briefly press to his chest. "Yes, I think we will be very good friends too. And, you may touch my feet and legs... and anywhere else you happen to wish...anytime you like." She paused. "So, are you.....?"
Oh good, it delighted him to see her cheered up. He nodded at that. "I suppose if you play the odds, it has to happen in some of them. I think it can bloom between any two people who spend enough time with each other." He closed his eyes again when her fingers started to roam again, shifting perhaps a little closer to her! He chuckled when she said where he could touch her, and let his hand slide down her shoulder, along her arm, and came to rest eventually on her knee. "That is a dangerous offer to make, Zakiya. Sometimes I think I really do have the sort of libido one usually finds in stories. I am not promised to anyone, however, if that is how you intended to finish that question."
"Maybe. But I think more than just time together is needed. There needs to be something else, a connection of the heart, maybe the soul. Something that feels... just right, if that makes sense. Something that transcends the love of dear friends, like a budding flower that finally blossoms when it receives the light and attention it truly needed. I don't believe there is only one person for someone in all their life in the world, but I believe there is one person for someone during that time, that only one such connection can be made at a time. You can love others, be affectionate with others, but one connection and until that is broken you cannot make another of that sort. But, I have quite the imagination and do not speak from
experience." She closed her eyes at those final words, because he was touching her and she liked it. She even shivered a little when his hand rested on her knee. Her eyes opened after that and she smiled. "That is not how I intended to finish it, but I do find myself happy to hear that. No, I was wondering... are you really deformed under there?" She grinned.
"Well, I did not mean to say that only time is required for the sort of love you're speaking of." He nodded. She did speak with great wisdom, even if it was, as she said, imagination. He gave her knee a little squeeze, then chuckled when she did finish her question. "From experience or not, what you say does sound very reasonable. And to answer your question, no, I am not. Unless you count my odd hair color, as I'm fairly certain you've seen by now." He winked to her. "You're always welcome to find out for yourself, however, if you'd rather not simply take my word for it."
She wasn't sure she'd ever slept so well, being in that soft and lovely bed. She'd stripped off everything except her thin white tunic, which was long enough to keep her modest as it came to mid-thigh. She was curled up for the most part on just one little section of the bed, since she was so used to sleeping on the ground or on a small blanket. She normally woke right up when the light of dawn appeared, but alas the poor girl was probably exhausted after her recent journies, and instead slept hours after the sun came up. When she finally began to stir, her eyes fluttered open and she rolled to her back and glanced around, unsure for a few moments of where she was or if she were still within her dreams. Then recollection flooded her and she breathed out softly and closed her eyes again, listening to see what was going on outside. Today she was going to the big city on the mainland, that was enough to bring fear - as well as excitement to the young Jasham warrior.
It was a comfy bed! He made sure she was all taken care of and asleep, and he even slept with her for a couple hours, but only a couple hours. He got his required sleep for the day, then slipped out quietly and moved about the camp, seeing what needed to be done and doing what he could, and then watching. He did that a lot, just watching the temple. He probably knew that patch of sand like the back of his hand, really! He'd certainly notice if there were any disturbances, either from people above, or even from below if the disturbance reached the surface. He'd probably still be watching when she woke up, right where she first found him.
She dressed and repacked her belongings after brushing her hair out and braiding it and getting all ready for the day, then headed out of his tent with her pack across her shoulder. Glancing around, she spotted Adal where she'd seen him yesterday, but for the moment she headed to where her horse was being kept along with her other packs. The saddlebags were heavy, she'd have to haul those herself since she wasn't bringing the horse with her. "I'll be back, and we'll run across the sands like you love," she whispered in tribal thanic to her horse, then dropped everything there in a pile and made her way towards Adal. If she happened to get his attention upon her approach, she'd sign, "Good morning" to him.
There was a new horse there too, that hadn't been there yesterday. Apparently someone came in while she was asleep. Adal was sitting like a statue once again, only the occasional gust of wind fluttering his clothing letting anyone know he wasn't actually made of stone. He stretched a bit, then turned to look at her when he heard her approach, smiling. As usual she'd see that in his eyes! He signed back, of course. "I really don't mind if you'd prefer speaking to me, as long as you don't mind if I prefer signing. You have a pleasant voice."
"Aww, may the gods return your favor, Adal." She didn't mind signing at all, she was proficient with it, but if he liked her voice she'd talk to him with it. Now close enough, he'd see she didn't quite leave everything with her belongings. She had a waterskin at her hip, and a wrapped little package in her hands. She sat down near him and opened up the cloth onto the sand before them. It had some traditional Thanic breakfast foods in it. A couple slices of that yummy flat pita-like bread they were known for, some chunks of cheese, and some dried figs and raisins. "Have you eaten?"
He tilted his head, then looked down to see what she'd brought. He hadn't expected any food! He eyed it briefly, then looked back to her and thought for a moment before answering that question. "I have, I can not remember how long ago, though. A few days, perhaps. I suppose that means I ought to eat, no?" It did look good, after all, and...while he wasn't hungry, eating was an enjoyable thing! Particularly with company. He just tended not to eat when he didn't have company!
"Does no one see to your well being, Adal?" She tilted her head, and then slid the cloth closer to him with a smile. She reached down for a fig and took a bite, then pulled her waterskin from her side and took a drink. Capped, she sat that on the cloth as well. "Thank you again for letting me sleep on your bed, I do not think I have ever slept so well since I was a babe sleeping in my mother's arms." She grinned, and finished her fig. She divided the bread, so he had one and she had another. "I am sorry I have no jam, it is packed away. When I am able to unpack, I will be able to feed us much better than this traveler's fare."
"Of course. Blessed Ruth sees to my well being. Or, if you prefer, the gods. I am taken care of, either way, and it helps the settlement's supplies last longer." He smiled once more, then nodded. "And you are welcome, I'm glad you slept so well." He picked up the bread she'd given him and tore off a small piece, chewing on it, then getting a bit of cheese as well. Perhaps a raisin or two. Everything he ate was in small bites, as he slipped them right under his veil so he wouldn't have to reveal his face to be eatin. And he signed once he had a free hand to do so! "And thank you for the food. There is nothing to apologize for, this is very tasty."
"Blessed Ruth, I should have guessed that. How long have you followed that path?" She ate a little bit as well, tearing off some bread and chewing it and swallowing it down with another drink of water. She grinned and leaned over a little to whisper, "I may sneak through the portal just to sleep in your bed." She leaned back and kept smiling, then looked over towards the area he was keeping watch over, then back to him. "We are still going to Navahla today, my friend?"
"Quite a while now, perhaps ten years? As you've seen, I don't follow it very strictly." He paused and ate a bit more, and had a small drink of the water as well. He ate those small portions slowly, mostly so she could eat her fill! She actually needed food to survive, after all. He'd feel bad if he accidentally ate too much! He grinned behind his veil at that whisper, the sent her a wink when she looked back to him. "I planned on it, and made arrangements for things to run smoothly in my absence."
"I am sure the Blessed Ruth is happy enough no matter how strictly you follow it." She really didn't know all that much about it, but she had heard of her and her religion. She didn't really eat all that much, at least not for breakfast. The usual big meal of the day was a late lunch. She finished half her bread, some cheese, and some of the fruit. She bit her bottom lip when he winked at her, and busied herself folding up the food again when it seemed they both had their fill. "Wonderful. I cannot tell you how joyful I am that you will come with me and show me around."