Hello, this is a short one, but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless. Thank you very much to all the reviewers, those who follow and favorite, you're a great support in this desert...
Alamut, somewhere in the palace,
The stables! It was a part of the palace she didn't visit very often. It wasn't that she didn't like its inhabitants. In fact they'd always been a source of comfort when the burden of her duty grew too heavy crushing her beneath it. Nowadays she needed to look pristine under every circumstance being the liaison to the gods. She couldn't well appear in front of foreign dignitaries smelling like a stable-lad either. That was something that would fit perfectly for a Persian. After all didn't they pride themselves to be the finest horse breeders in this part of the world?
The shortest way to get down there was using one of the hidden passages. It would at the same time provide her cover. No need to explain her sudden disappearance from the Council. A sigh escaped her as she hurried down the narrow staircase. Why did this Persian have such power over her? Worse, get her into trouble with her own people? Her life had been quite simple before … before she'd crossed that clear gaze. Now closing her eyes she still could see those eyes in her mind.
A sudden anger sparked inside of her. How dare he? Her feet accelerated with the raising emotions, making her stumble more than once on her way down. She didn't stop until she stood in front of the hidden door offering passage toward the back of the building that housed the stables. Standing at the edge of the stairwell she needed a moment to compose herself. Placing a steadying hand on the wall of stone she let the cold permeate her palm.
Carefully she opened the door slightly. She didn't want to be seen sneaking out of a hidden passage. All seemed to be quiet so she slipped into the hallway just as laughter could be heard nearby. Two male voices teasing each other were approaching. Quickly Tamina stumbled backwards, leaving the door slightly ajar to hear who was coming.
"Ah my brother, you should have seen your face!"
Tus couldn't keep himself from laughing again upon seeing his brother's sour expression.
"I turned to talk to you and suddenly there wasn't anybody in the saddle any more."
Garsiv clearly didn't like to be reminded of the day he had emptied his saddle, because of his little brothers' antics.
Flashback
It had been a very warm day; all three of them had spent the largest part of it hunting a lion. Now Tus and Garsiv were comfortably riding side-by-side discussing their failed attempts to capture it. Somehow during one of their attacks they'd become separated from Dastan. Having repeatedly proven his capacity to fend for himself neither one was worried about him, he'd probably join them just in time to elude another dressing down by their father for unbecoming conduct for a prince. Dastan had been adopted by the royal family, had accepted them as family, but he never truly submitted to the royal etiquette. The fact that he had no eye on the throne, made him interpret quite freely the rules imposed upon his rather indomitable character.
Tus and Garsiv were just rounding a group of bushes when a loud roar spooked their horses as a lion-shaped silhouette leapt at them. Tus' horse being more worn out; didn't react as violently as Garsiv's whose hand was quite hard on the reins. As a consequence, the animal reared and fell, throwing him off. As the dust settled a very displeased middle prince could be seen sitting on the ground. A loud laughter erupted from the silhouette as it changed form to reveal their little brother.
Tus was speechless and could only stare mouth agape at his two siblings…
Somehow Dastan had managed to kill the lion all by himself, as the bloody scratches on his body proved. He had taken the fur as a trophy and having lost his horse during the fight, he had to carry the pelt by himself. Hearing his approaching brethren, he couldn't help but play a trick upon them and how it had worked! Garsiv hadn't spoken to him for days…
End flashback
Alamut, Stables
"I still remember you sitting in the dust glaring at Dastan as he dropped the pelt… You didn't speak to him for like… a week?"
Tus shook his head in merriment his gaze following Garsiv stomping past him without a word. Tamina had heard everything and she had to stifle a laugh at the image her mind created of Garsiv.
"Wait… Where's Aksh?" Garsiv had arrived next to the box where the black stallion had been standing the day before only to discover it empty.
"What do you mean? He should be where you left him yesterday." Tus rapidly joined his brother's side.
"Dastan!" Garsiv ground out. His irritation was clearly visible on his face. "Again!"
"Where's prince Dastan?" came a voice from behind them. Both turned in unison Garsiv's hand immediately flying to the hilt of his sword.
"Are you afraid of a defenceless woman, prince Garsiv?" Tamina looked him over while turning around him to stand in front of the vacated box. Tus raised an eyebrow at the guts the petite woman showed. She more and more impressed him every day.
"No, princess, but a warrior always has to be prepared for the worst…" was the terse reply.
"Princess, if I may ask… What are you doing down here? Seeing you're not dressed to ride…"
With an annoyed huff Tamina turned toward Tus. "What do you know about Alamutian traditions? I could ask you the same question."
"We, he designed Garsiva and himself with a gesture of the hand. "We intended to go hunting for the day, but seeing as my brother's horse has disappeared … again…"
"As has your brother…"
The worried look exchanged by the brethren didn't escape Tamina.
"He could be resting in his chambers…"
"He isn't…"
Tamina didn't see the smirk on Garsiv's face as he shook his head in disbelief, but she noted the raised eyebrows on Tus' face. The look he gave her made her rethink her words and suddenly she felt very flustered. Stomping her foot, she lied, "I sent for him, but he wasn't there…" After all they wouldn't find out would they?
"Well for all we know he could be roaming the encampment with his footman…" Tus tried to deflect the tension. "Let us verify… Princess, please, lead the way…" he gestured toward the large wooden door. With a condescending nod Tamina agreed and walked to the door followed by the two princes.
