"Arabian Nights"
Part 5
by Beryll
The afternoon filled the grand audience hall of Caliph Hugo's
palace with stifling heat. The high walls were decorated with the weapons
and banners of fallen enemies. Most defeated by Hugo's forefathers, some by
himself. The high windows on one side looked out over the city, allowing the
sunheated air unhindered access. The white floor reflected the sunlight almost
painfully.
Hugo knew, that the hall had been constructed like this on purpose to make
those, who came to see their Caliph so uncomfortable, they would not be able
to keep there mind on the matters at hand. That had been a cunning idea but
it proofed rather useless, when the Caliph himself couldn't concentrate as
well. Even the large nubian slave, standing by his throne, fanning him constantly,
did little to relief him.
He very much preferred to meet his guests in one of the smaller audience chamber,
but as this was sort of a "visit of state" he had decided to await
his guest here. But already he was beginning to doubt his own judgment.
Caliph Hugo rubbed his brow thoughtfully. He had send out some discreet inquiries
to find out, who his guest was, but so far none of his messengers had returned.
So he would have to move carefully. It would not do, to antagonize an unknown
possible opponent. He was sure however, that the seal on the ring of the man,
was of the king of Denmark.
A slave girl handed him a goblet with cool drink and he smiled at her in gratitude.
He always made it a point, to treat those servants, who performed well, with
courtesy. She bowed deeply and disappeared out of the hall again. Hugo's eyes
followed her with a bit of envy and a lot of appreciation. That was a cute
one. He had to remember to ask Liv about her.
His musings were cut short, when the doors to the hall finally opened, admitting
a gush of cooler air, from the hallway outside and his visitor, accompanied
by Karl. Caliph Hugo watched, as the man approached. He still looked tired
and sunburned, but he was definitely regenerating well. Awake he did not look
as young anymore, as tension made lines appear on his face, that had been
absent in sleep. He was an experienced man, the Caliph realized, not an inexperienced
Princeling.
The more he wondered, what this man had been doing all alone in the middle
of Au Nafud. The desert swallowed whole caravans. How could one man on his
own risk her wrath?
Said man stopped some paced from the throne and hesitated for a moment, before
he bowed deeply. Caliph Hugo inclined his head lightly to return the greeting.
For a while they were both silently studying each other. Although his guest
was still weakened by his encounter with Au Nafud, the Caliph could see, that
he was a strong man. A seasoned warrior probably, who had seen his share of
fights. His stormy eyes were sharp and curious, taking in his surroundings
as well as his host.
"I welcome you to my house, prince." Hugo said at last. "I
trust you are feeling better?" The man nodded, a bit of surprise showing
on his face. "How do you know who I am?" he asked. Hugo smiled.
"I have drawn my conclusions from the ring you are wearing. Either you
are a very brave thief or it belongs to you by birthright." The man looked
down at his hand in surprise, as if seeing the ring on his finger for the
first time, but then he slowly nodded. "I completely forgot it was there."
he said, more to himself then to Hugo.
Then he bowed again, this time not as stiffly and said. "Forgive my lack
of manners. I am Viggo, fourth son of the king of Denmark. And that is all
title I can still claim. I fear, my father has stripped me of all others by
now..." He smiled ruefully. "So I am no prince at all but still
wear that ring by right. I must thank you for saving my life and granting
my hospitality, but I fear I have nothing to repay your generosity."
The Caliph could not help smiling back at Viggo. He liked the courage, with
which the prince accepted his lot in life and still stayed true to his upbringing
in not forgetting how to treat another Lord. "It was freely given and
does not expect payment." he answered.
"But I would know, how you came to be in my domain and what ill fate
has befallen you, that a father would strip such a promising young man of
his titles and expel him from his presence." Caliph Hugo let his gaze
sweep the hall and then return to Viggo's face, noticing the sweat gathering
on his brow. "But let us retire to cooler quarters. This is no place
for pleasant chatting."
The relief was obvious in Viggo's eyes. He bowed yet again. "At your
pleasure, my Lord." he said. Hugo rose from his throne and together they
made their way from the hot hall, trailed by Karl.
*****
Some minutes later they had settled down in one of the gardens
of the palace under the shading leaves of a tall palm tree. Slaves brought
refreshments and only when the Caliph was sure, that his guest was comfortable,
did he start the conversation again.
He listened with interest, as Viggo told him how he had resisted his fathers
wish to marry him off to some minor noble woman for political reasons, listened
to Viggo describing his long journey through Europe, how he had come to Africa,
visiting Kairo and Tunis and how he had finally almost lost his fight against
Au Nafud. It was an adventurous story and Hugo was rather sure, that Viggo
unconsciously added details and exaggerated parts. His way of story-telling
was that of an artist, his hands constantly moving to explain, his eyes sparkling,
after he had lost his initial shyness. It was a joy to listen to him.
When he finally concluded his story by describing how he had awoken in the
palace, Hugo smiled at him. "My prince – and I would still call
you this, as you do not know, what your father has done – I am sure
you have repaid any debt, you may have had to me, by this wonderful tale.
In fact I am rather sure, I owe you now. Would you accept my hospitality for
a while longer? To fully recover and maybe tell me some more about your homeland?"
Viggo did not need time, to consider the offer. He nodded immediately. "Thank
you, my Lord." he said. "Your offer is most welcome." Again
that rueful smile showed on his face. "I fear, I have nowhere to go anyway,
so if you are in need of a soldier...?" Hugo raised his hands against
such an improper suggestion. "Ah, never, dear prince, expect such a lowly
treatment from me. You are my honored guest and may stay as long as you wish.
And that is the end of this matter."
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Beryll
go to PART 6