"Arabian Nights"
Part 9
by Mel
"What do you think of them, Princeling?"
Viggo looked up at Karl. He had been sitting in the corner, watching the children play. They had moved during the course of the day, so that the two of them were seated next to each other. They were both taking turns to place the colored stones atop of each other in a pyramid shape. The girl, Kalila, let her brother place his stone next. Numair’s laughter echoed through the room as they set easily together.
"They are beautiful, Karl." As Viggo’s blue eyes again fell on the children, they softened in their affection and Karl could almost see the years fade away as he watched the Caliph’s children play. It amazed him that a man, who had lived as a warrior, could find such wonder in one small interaction, not that he was one to speak of such things. The children were Hugo’s, after all, and seemed to have inherited his grace and charm. They had the household wrapped around their small fingers, including Karl himself.
"They are," Karl agreed, a hand reaching out, touching his shoulder lightly, "and they will adore you."
"Am I making the right decision, Karl?"
The question was so soft that Karl would have missed it had
he not been listening so carefully. The voice was full of uncertainty. Some
where along the way Karl had managed to forget that this was a man who had
given up his whole life for his ideals, and almost lost it to the desert.
A man who now had a new title and responsibility
thrown upon him in a place where he knew no one, and he was still recovering
from his ordeal. They had lost that thought somewhere whilst their own problems
over run them.
"I believe you have, Princeling," Karl whispered, his body automatically bending so his lips were by his ear. His arms wrapped gently around the Prince’s neck, a gesture meant for comfort. "But what ever happens, I will be by your side in what ever decision you make, in where ever this path shall take you."
There was silence, and for a moment Karl feared he had stepped outside his boundaries. And then a tentative hand reached out, clinging to his forearm. Viggo’s body seemed to heave a sigh in his relief.
"Thank you, Karl," blue eyes stared, wide and thankful, "I do not know where I would be without you."
"Excuse me?" Both men looked up and across the room, Liv stood at the door, soft smile beneath the veil as the two moved to stand. "The Caliph has almost finished his address. It is time for you to come out and meet your new people my lord."
Viggo felt a tugging at his trousers and he looked down into the big, dark eyes of Kailia. "Can I come too?"
"Me too! Me too!" Numair hurried to stand, not wanting to be left out.
Liv was about to scold the children for their behavior when Viggo and Karl scooped them both up, Viggo’s hands full of the snuggling girl, and Karl’s with the bouncing boy and both breezed passed Liv, identical smiles on their faces. She shook her head, smiling after them before following.
Viggo found himself pausing at the beaded curtain, he could hear the shouts of the people beyond. It was Karl’s gentle hand that rested at the small of his back that made the Danish man take the final steps forward, lifting the beads out of the way so they didn’t hurt Kalila.
"My people, I give you your Prince, the Prince Viggo."
When the roar of the crowd below him rose to meet them and Viggo knew he had made the right decision.
* * * * *
Viggo had yet to see Aqaba in all its finery. Karl had wanted to show Viggo the grandness of it all at dusk, just before the sun set down and their city became alive. With the smells of spices, glowing candlelights and open flames as the sun went down for the day and the air around them cooled quickly. Their city was so much more magical then and he wanted nothing more then to introduce Viggo to it. But he was also mindful of the new Prince’s state and decided that a quick circle around the market place now would have to suffice until he was well again.
With Viggo clothed in soft white silk, he looked like a spirit sent to them, one there to help them in this time of need. He carried only one knife on him whilst Karl held a spear in one hand, the other pointing out different things as they moved. A small group of guards stood a little away from them, far enough to not intrude, but close enough to give assistance if needed. Viggo seemed comfortable, his body moving easily, gracefully through the sandy streets and bustle of people. He nodded to people, greeting them in their own language. They seemed a little in awe of their new Prince and stared openly at him.
"I feel like an interesting looking bug," Viggo confessed to his companion.
Karl chuckled. "Trust me, Princeling, you are so much more interesting then some multi-legged creature." He enjoyed finding new ways to make Viggo flush, which he did now. "Many of our people already adore you, the Noble Prince from far away who fought and won against the Au Nafud."
Viggo snorted. "Stupid you mean. There is nothing wonderful about getting lost and almost dying."
"It brought you to us, did it not?" Karl’s smile was tender. "I think that is the most magical thing to ever grace my life."
Viggo was about to open his mouth to comment when someone
jostled him. Whomever he was, he was good, warm slim hands moved quickly into
his pockets almost without him noticing. It took years to get that sort of
skill, Viggo could appreciate that, he even wished there had been something
in his pockets for the skilled pickpocket. Karl
’s spear came down quickly, resting against the boy’s, and he
was a boy, bared neck. The child drew sharply to a stop, the bronze spear
an obvious surprise.
Viggo noticed the quick flash of fear in the youth’s chocolate eyes before they fell on Karl. And then it was gone and his lips blossomed into a bright smile.
"Captain Karl," his eyes danced, "I didn’t even notice you there."
"So I see, Kitten," Karl drawled. "You did not just try to lift any of my charge’s belongings did you?"
The grin was cheeky. "Me?" Thick eyelashes battered, "would I do that?"
"It’s alright, Karl, I had nothing in my pockets
anyway," Viggo’s smile now matched the young man before him. "He
however did." Viggo held up a small tan bag, making the dark haired boy’s
eyes widen and Karl laugh. He snatched the bag quickly out of his hand, staring
at the Danish man before him with a lot more respect. Unsure
what to do, the boy chose the easiest option, he stuck his tongue out at Karl
and danced back into the crowd.
"My, who was that?"
"Orlando," Karl answered with a smile, "I’ve watched that boy grow up. A street Kitten with claws. You made quite an impression on him."
"I hope so, I don’t want him lifting my pockets when I do have something in them." But he was smiling as he said it, he had a feeling he would meet up with the young Orlando again. His eyes watched the young man’s retreating back until he couldn’t see it anymore. And then his eyes fell on something before him that he hadn’t taken much notice of before. The Slave Auctions.
He had not paid them any notice before, but now, as drew closer, his eyes roamed the stage. They fell on the current slave being sold. The woman was having a hard time passing him off for just his hard body. Her fingers gripped the silky blonde hair on his head, lifting it, trying to sell his exotic pale looks to these people.
Viggo’s heart stopped and shattered at the sight of the broken man. Of his best friend. Of dusty and dirty Sean.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 10