Darkness rapidly engulfed the city streets as the sun set behind the its walls. The bustling activity of the day receded, and the nearly empty streets were scarcely illuminated, except by the torch of the occasional guard that passed by. The stillness of the street was tranquil, yet tense. Laylaa kept looking over one shoulder, then the other. There was truly nothing to fear, but Yasir’s loosening of moral standards made the safety of the streets at night unpredictable. A guard passing by might only watch a crime unfold, perhaps having taken a bribe already, and thus wouldn’t dare to interfere. Only the water flowing out from the fountain, mixed with the occasional sound of a guard’s boots hitting the ground as he walked by, broke the absolute silence of the night, and was the only way of Laylaa knowing she wasn’t just deaf.

Her face would never show it, but her constant backward glances round her gave away all that she was thinking. She employed the breathing technique she always used for meditations to steady her nerves. A slow breath in, and an even slower breath out.

“It has been a long time, Laylaa,” a familiar voice called out from the darkness.

“And so it has,” Laylaa replied.

Adhara emerged from the darkness, her face illuminated by the light Laylaa held in her hand. “I can see you still use that to light the way.”

“I only cast fire when I want to burn something. It is foolish to walk around fire in my hand if I can use something else. But I did not request your presence to give a lecture on Mystiko.”

Adhara nodded. “I saw what happened at the celebration earlier. My husband acts more foolish with wine in him. I hate to see him disrespect you like that.”

“I know. But my feelings are irrelevant in this matter. I’ve come to ask a favor.”

She bowed her head. “I know you want me to help reconcile him, but what can I do? If he won’t listen to you, then he certainly won’t hear my words either. He listens more to those harlots of his than he does to me.” She rubbed her belly. “Even if I am carrying his child, it’s as if such things don’t matter at all to him.”

“Are the other two pregnancies from his harlots?”

She nodded, wiping a tear. “He knows that any formal attempt at divorce would ruin his reputation, but it seems a scandal or two with some maidservants doesn’t bother him. Emani is one of the two harlots he’s extending his bloodline with.” Shaking her head, she continued to wipe tears as they came. “I never liked her. I know she’s a poor lost soul like the rest of them, but I just don’t like her.”

“What makes her different from the rest?”

“She’s one of those scaly people from Bol,” she scoffed, “I hardly see her around much these days. She’s always going north. I don’t know what trouble she’s caused during her visits to Bol, but I think Yasir’s feelings for her are diplomatic.”

“I didn’t realize that Dalkavuk woman had that sort of relationship with the Vizier. I guess he seeks pleasure wherever he can find it.” Laylaa shuddered. “Do you think she could be making some powerful allies for him in Bol?”

“It’s possible. I can’t think of any reason why he would bother with Emani. I know he’s hosted feasts with some of Bol’s houses before.”

“Is there anyone else in Yasir’s court who could help our cause?”

“I’ll talk to the steward. He has always remained loyal to the ways of Hikma. I know he hates our present situation as much as I do.”

“Good. We shall be staying here until the trouble is resolved, so come by the Desert Wind Inn if you have anything else to discuss. If am not there, leave a note, or come back at a later time.”

“Before you go,” Adhara added, grabbing Laylaa’s arm, “I noticed someone with you in the court. He looked obviously foreign. Who was he?”

“He’s from Lucium. Lucullus is his name.”

“I didn’t know anyone from Lucium knew our language,” she remarked, releasing Laylaa’s arm.

“Before his visit to temple, he didn’t.” Laylaa waved, and continued walking off.

Adhara opened her mouth as if to speak, but simply stood there in silent contemplation.

The wind beat against the walls of the inn like an impatient visitor looking to be let in. Thunder rumbled and caused the whole building to tremble; lightning streaks from a great distance flashed through the inn’s windows. The door rattled on its hinges with each rumble of thunder.

A particularly bold streak of lightning, followed by another round of thunder, awoke Olivia from her rather restless slumber. She sat up in her bed, propped up with one arm, and turned to gaze out the window. Another blinding flash of lightning illuminated through the glass. She jolted at the next sudden rumble of thunder. Taking a slow breath, she tried to calm herself.

Lucullus stirred awake at the sudden downpour of rain that splattered against the window. He looked over as another streak of lightning flashed in the window, then over to Olivia in her bed across from him. “Is something wrong, Olivia?”

She gasped a little, “Oh… nothing. It’s just hard to sleep with all the noise from the storm.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“I’m sure the inn will hold. At least our refuge isn’t being thrashed around at sea this time.”

She sighed, “I suppose you’re right. But Laylaa is still out there. She should have returned by now.”

“Perhaps she stopped for a refreshment from that old innkeeper.”

“It’s late, and I don’t think it would take her that long to drink something.”

“It could be that she had a talk with him, too. Aurelian is probably still down there, so I’m sure they’re discussing things.”

Throwing back the blanket, she got up from her bed, and sauntered over to Lucullus. “Surely you must also be worried about her. You were with her in the Vizier’s court.”

“I don’t know what Aurelian told you about that man, but I don’t fear him. The Vizier is nothing but a rambling drunk. He probably won’t remember the conversation we had once the sun rises.”

“She seems vulnerable in enemy territory like this.”

“No official war has been declared,” he assured her, grabbing her shoulders. “If she hasn’t returned, I fear more what the storm can do than what that drunken buffoon could muster.”

She looked down.

“I’ll go down to the innkeeper, and ask if she’s come back, yet. I’ll also see if Aurelian knows anything, but you need to just take your rest.”

She nodded, and shuffled back to her bed. “I hope we haven’t led ourselves into captivity in this desert.”

“The Vizier wouldn’t dare to harm Saladin’s sister. If he wanted war, we wouldn’t have been able to leave his court.” Grabbing his sword in its sheathe, he fastened it round his waist and quietly moved down the steps.

In the main room of the inn, the innkeeper was laying down on a bench near the fireplace, obviously fast asleep. Lucullus sighed and meandered over to the man. He nudged him on the shoulder, but to no avail. Looking around, he found the inn surprisingly empty. His patrons must not keep him too busy.

“Innkeeper,” Lucullus called out in loud tone.

A few grumbles, though obviously not conscious, were all the man could muster in his slumber.

I’ve never seen a man so deaf. He cleared his throat as loudly as he could. “Innkeeper!” he shouted.

In an instant, the portly fellow stirred from his hibernation. “Yes, what is it?” he answered, darting his gaze round the room until finally settling on Lucullus. “Do you need a drink, sir? Perhaps you wish to rent a room?”

“I don’t need a drink, and I’m already renting a room.”

“Then, what might a man like yourself need at such an hour?”

“Have you seen Laylaa come in?”

“Laylaa?”

“Yes,” he grumbled. “The woman wearing purple.”

“Ah, the sister of Saladin,” the man recalled, rubbing his eyes. “You’ll have to excuse my foggy mind. Sometimes my body wakes up faster than it.”

“Has she come back from her errand?”

“Can’t say I’ve seen her. If she has come back, then she must have done so while I was resting on this bench.”

“I know the inn is a good walk from the palace, but she should have returned by now,” Lucullus mumbled to himself. “Where is Aurelian?”

“He finished talking with me about an hour after dusk. Said he was taking a retreat to the stables. He told me he’d return once the boisterous bunch shuffled off for the night. I guess I must’ve let a slumber come over me once the rabble died down.”

“Is he still out at the stables?”

The man shrugged. “How should I know? Though I don’t suspect he would care to stay out there, at least not now that a storm has come through,” he remarked as the pouring rain pounded against the windows.

“I think I’ll have a look outside.”

“Try not to get washed away,” the man laughed, “You might need a boat if you wish to search out there.”

Lucullus hastened to the door. As he grabbed the handle it flung open. He stumbled backwards into a table, and barely managed to land in one of the chairs instead of the floor.

“Sorry about that, Lucullus. I didn’t think anyone would dare go near the door with the rain like this,” Aurelian remarked as he guided a woman in, protecting her as best he could from the rain.

Lucullus jumped up from his chair. “Laylaa! Where have you been?”

“She’s been a little busy with the weather, I think,” he replied as he shut the door.

“He happened to spot me coming toward the inn. I didn’t expect him to be out at the stables, but I’m glad he was. And it’s nice to be out of that storm.”

“You were gone for some time. Olivia was worried something terrible happened.”

“The only terrible thing that happened was the storm. I didn’t want to get in too much of a hurry with the wind blowing like it was, and the rain pouring down, so I took a route that gave me more shelter from the rain, less open streets.”

“It’s good to see you safe.” Lucullus strolled over to a chair and sat down. “I was going to ask you about that conversation you had with Yasir’s wife, but it’s getting late.”

“It would seem so,” Aurelian agreed. “I think we all could use some sleep.”

“All of us except the innkeeper.”

“What do you mean by that, Lucullus?” Laylaa asked.

“He seems to have taken his sleep already. I had to wake him rather rudely earlier.”

“He’s a good man, but I could never trust him for a night watch,” she admitted. “He’s one of the few who still hold to the true faith in these rebellious territories. That’s why we’re staying here instead of some other inn.”

Lucullus stood up, and started for the stairs. “I suppose we should return to the others. If we talk for too long, Olivia might think something happened to me, too.”

“I agree,” Aurelian yawned. “A dry bed sounds most excellent after being out in the pouring rain.”

As the three quietly ascended the stairs, they were greeted by an anxious Olivia, who was sitting up in her bed. Lucullus shuffled off to his bed, took off his boots, and made himself comfortable under the blanket.

“Laylaa returned safely?” Olivia whispered to Lucullus.

“Indeed she did. Aurelian, too. She was just being cautious because of the storm,” he whispered back.

“I see. Good night, then,” she replied, pulling the blanket up, and rolling over to one side.