Thread: Love of the Desert [[ShadyxHoudini]]

The prince was startled from his sleep by the voice of one of the palace guards. Sir, your new slave is here with your breakfast. He rubbed his red eyes, weary from only having slept for a couple of hours. He usually rose before his breakfast arrived, but he had been up, deep in thought for the entire night. Fine, tell her to wait for a couple of minutes. He picked up a neatly folded, white linen tunic, which reached to the knee, and stepped into it, adding a pair of sandals and a headdress. Send her in , he announced. Akila walked in the door a moment later, a pleasant smile on her face, eyes politely diverted from any direct eye contact. Her tray carried the usual breakfast fare. As she offered it to him, she said Your breakfast, my Lord. It is truly an inestimable privilege to serve you. He looked her over, her mere presence a reminder of Tahirah's absence. He wondered if she really was happy about her new duty, or afraid. She must have heard of what happened to the last girl who occupied her position. She was certainly a nice enough girl, with dark hair in bangs, like all of the slaves wore. She had skin a bit lighter than Tahirah, and a bit of a rounder face and fuller figure. But he certainly wanted nothing to do with her. T his will do , he told her, looking in her direction until she took the hint and left. She could come back to attend to his room later, he thought. He nibbled at an egg and a piece of bread, before having a bit of sahlab. He really didn't have much of an appetite. He was in a hurry to get out and seek to clear his conscience, as he had resolved to do. He put on some modest jewelry, but didn't change his outfit before leaving the room in his white tunic. He could be mistaken for a mere noble today, without some of the more precious accessories he usually sported. He first went to the captain of the army who was scheduled to conduct his weapons training today, telling him he would have to skip today's lesson on account of his illness. His lack of sleep, he thought to himself, would probably make this excuse believable. He set out immediately after for any place he thought Tahirah might be. He didn't know where she had been assigned, but he was determined to find out. He wasn't sure what he would say once he found her, but it would be heartfelt. That he promised to himself. He casually strolled through the palace kitchen, observing the many slaves buzzing about, preparing the delicacies he took for granted daily. He passed the area where the clean linens were kept and folded. Again, nothing. Next came the route by the river that he had checked the previous day. Noon was quickly approaching as he got more anxious about his lack of success. He headed back to his palace, through his bedroom, observing Akila changing his linens. He thought that he would check the courtyards, and headed that direction, but before he could descend the steps, thought he heard something coming from the dining hall. He opened the door to find none other than Tahirah, working alone on the linens. It was a familiar scene, but the events that had transpired made it a complete different situation from when he had encountered her there yesterday. Tahirah... he called out softly, walking slowly into the room.