"Arabian Nights"
Part 6
by Mel
As Viggo left, he found Karl awaiting him outside the archway that led into the lush gardens. The warrior had his back turned towards Viggo, his arms crossed over his chest. He had been ensuring that he and the Caliph had not been disturbed whilst they had been speaking, something that Viggo found quite endearing. He had been here such a sparse amount of time and yet he already found himself hoping to find Karl every way he turned. He was so like Sean in that respect, and he would be glad to be devoted to the two of them.
Sean. Now there was the one man he wished he had thought to include in this adventure. They had known each other since they were children and though there was a few years difference between the two of them, they had been completely inseparable since they could walk. Viggo had given him his first broad sword, Sean’s weapon of choice, and Sean had been with him when they entered into their first battle. Sean would enjoy it here, Viggo thought. And he would like the Caliph very much. He wasn’t too sure about Karl, the thought of the two of them meeting each other actually brought a smile to his tired face.
"You have the mind of a dreamer. What thought makes you smile so, Princeling?" Viggo had not even realized Karl had moved and now the dark haired Warrior stood right before him.
"Just thinking of an old friend, Captain Karl, I do not think I will ever see him again," Viggo sighed, the very thought making him sad. He should have brought Sean with him, at least then he would not feel quite as lost as he did now.
"He must have been a great man to be held so high in your regard," Karl said softly, "but it will not do to have your thoughts lingering on things that make you sad. You are not made for tears. Come, if the Caliph has not tired you out with all his talking, I will show you around his home, and to your new rooms."
Viggo was about to ask what Karl meant when the rest of his words registered. "New rooms?"
********
Karl led Viggo through the palace at a slow pace, his eyes continued too look around him. The walls were sandstone and made what should have been an incredibly heated area rather cool. There were woven tapestries hanging from the walls depicting either the great rulers of Aqaba or battle scenes of amazing numbers that it made his father’s battles seem so insignificant.
He tried to take it all in at once whilst mindful of his exhausted state. He was still trying to overcome his brush with the great desert beyond the dunes, and as such he wanted nothing more then to curl up and fall asleep. The talk with the Caliph had really taken it out of him and only now did the strain begin to show.
It was almost the most natural thing in the world for Karl to reach out and take his elbow to guide him the remainder of the way, so natural that it took a few moments for Viggo to even register the light touch. As they walked, he took his time to explain each and every one of the tapestries. Some were relatively easy to understand. Others had stories that spanned the ages. Karl’s soft voice had him so caught up in the tales of this magnificent land that he did not even realize that they had arrived at their destination until the hand on his elbow squeezed lightly, bringing him to a stop.
And he gasped in surprise at the place he had been brought to.
The simple courtyard that the archway opened out to was simply breathtaking. It was paved in terracotta stones, the same color as the sands of the Au Nafud, with vines hanging from the walls, standing metal candelabras lines the walls. A small fountain trickled water on one side where native birds twittered and bathed. The center of the of the area was sunken slightly, a great round area for a large bonfire at night and the ceiling opened in a great circle to show the sun during the day and the stars at night. There was an area in the corner strewn with comfortable pillows and two low tables for entertaining. Three archways led off on each of the other walls, the one to his left draped in silken curtains.
"This is your entertaining area, Princeling. This is where you would meet your guests," Karl gestured to the archway on the right, "that archway leads too your bathing area, simply pull the golden cord hanging inside and hot water will be brought to you." Next the center archway, which seemed to be brighter. "Your practice arena, where you and your guests, if you wish, can train in different fighting techniques." And the last archway, the one that first caught his attention. "And this leads to your inner sanctum, where you and those whom you are close to shall be in private. No one may enter in here with out your expressed permission."
Viggo did not know what to say. "I thought the room I awoke in-?" he trailed off, blue eyes falling on the man beside him.
Karl’s smile rose like the sun. "That, my dear Princeling, was my room. I wished to keep a close eye on you while you recovered."
"Your room?" the word rolled off his tongue as the visions assaulted his mind. He had been sleeping in this man’s bed. The thought of those silken sheets twisted around his copper limbs made the blood rush to his cheeks in a slight blush.
"You have had a long day," Karl said softly, the hand still on his elbow moved him into the room. "Come, it is time for you to rest, Princeling."
********
When Karl parted the silken curtains to leave, Liv was waiting for him, fluffing pillows in the corner. She looked up at the rustle of the silk, her dark eyes smiling at the sight of Karl.
"Does he sleep?"
"At last," Karl sighed, "he had many questions. I believe he is recovering well, but I will need to rub in some more cream soon, his skin dries quickly." His burrow drew together in a slight scow, "what has happened?"
Liv usually smiling face sobered, her head bowing. "They tried again, Karl." She had to pause as his light curses filled the air. "Neither of them were hurt, but we have lost another two of your guards."
"Who?"
"Halbear and Alin." There was a pause as silent prayers were said for the two departed warriors. "If Ian had not been there, we may have lost them both this time."
Karl spared a small smile for the retired warrior, now slave trainer, who could still hold out against an army. "How is the Caliph?"
"With them," Liv sighed, "his worries grow daily, Karl, I fear for his health. He is not as young as he once was and he has a kingdom to care for. This can not go on."
Karl nodded, he knew just as well as Liv if anything happened to them, their master would go mad with grief. "Come Liv, I believe our Caliph had an idea, we must help him make steps to bring it about. They will surely be dead with in the week if we do not."
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go to PART 7