"There, that's better," said Osman, taking in a deep breath of fresh air after pulling open the shutters that closed off the window. "I can actually breathe over here. I find the incense gets up my nose. Among other things…" He gave a sly look to the Menaphite ambassador.

The old ambassador only offered a glare back to the spymaster. "Osman, you're stalling .This situation is untenable and you know it. The peace between our kingdoms is shaky at best. Between the emir's illness and the prince going missing, you need to establish some stability here."

But Osman shook his head. "Not missing, Jabari, kidnapped!" he said, raising his voice some. "This was a deliberate act. I wouldn't be surprised to find that Menaphos was behind this. Employing 'politics' where war has failed you. Rest assured, my people are looking into this."

"Be careful with your accusations, spymaster," hissed Jabari. "The pharaoh sent me here as an envoy of peace. Menaphos is not in the business of kidnapping."

"Oh?" said Osman, raising an eyebrow. "Then it's just warmongering and slavery these days, isn't it?"

"And your 'people' had best steer clear of Menaphos, if they value their lives," said Jabari fiercely, seemingly forgetting those who were present.

"Enough!" said Hassan, the Emir's Grand Vizier, drawing both men's attention to himself. "Gentlemen, please; keep your tongues civil in the Emir's presence."

Everyone turned their attention to the grand bed that was sets against the wall opposite the windows. There laid the Emir. Months of illness had taken its toll on the Al Khardian leader. He was once a very strong man, but now he was left bedridden.

"It is alright, Hassan," said the Emir, "I would hear this plainly. The peace must be maintained." He paused as he fell into a fit of hacking coughs. It took him a few moments to recover, before he continued, breathing heavily. "But my answer is no, ambassador. No Menaphite will ever sit on Al Kharid's throne, even if only as custodian."

Jabari looked less than pleased with the Emir's answer. "So, you would leave your city leaderless?"

"I am not dead yet, Jabari! And even if I were, leaders would rise, be they of royal blood or not."

Osman nodded at the Emir's words. "Indeed. Menaphoas's 'pharaoh' is proof of such…"

"How DARE you!" hissed Jabari, not taking the insult to his leader lightly at all.

"Osman!" said Hassan. Even he was surprised with just how far his companion had gone with his comments. "You shall not insult our guest like this!"

"Oh?" said Osman, turning his attention to the Grand Vizier, eyebrow raised. "How should I insult him?" He smirked.

"Osman…" said the Emir sternly.

Osman quickly lost his smirk, and gave his attention back to the Emir. He bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Emir," he said, then turned to Jabari. He bowed, but just barely, to him. "And Ambassador, my most sincere apologies." But his eyes glinted otherwise.

"Hmph," said Jabari, crossing his arms.

The Emir gave a wheezing sigh, but let his spymaster's words pass. "Even without myself or my son, Al Kharid is strong," he said to Jabari with some difficulties. "You have my answer."

The Ambassador bowed to the Emir. "Very well, wise one. I shall take it back to my Pharaoh."

The Emir nodded and waved a hand towards his Grand Vizier. "Hassan, please see you guest out."

Hassan bowed to his leader and looked to Jabari, gesturing to towards the door of the Emir's bedroom. "After you, ambassador."

Jabari gave a deep bow to the Emir before leaving the Emir's chambers without another word.

Once the door clicked closed, the Emir looked to his long time spymaster and friend. "You shouldn't have riled up Jabari so much."

"But Emir," said Osman, "it's so much fun."

This finally brought a smile to the Emir's face. "Ha! Indeed it is," he said, and laughed, though the laughter quickly brought back the hacking coughs, reminding the Emir of his dire situation. "Now, forget what I told Jabari. The truth is I have little time left- I am dying, old friend."

"I feared as much," Osman said with a small nod. He had watched as the past months had taken it's told on his friend, and with the disappearance of the prince, it didn't help the Emir's state either.

"If my son is not safely returned to succeed me, Menaphos WILL declare war again," said the Emir, wheezing. Coughs threatened to begin again, but the Emir managed to pull through and continue. "Find my son and bring him home…at ANY cost."

"At any cost, Emir?" asked the spymaster, "Even if the ransom is to be the Kharid-ib?"

"No," said the Emir sternly, "never. The Kharid-ib is Al Kharid, and here it must stay. If that is the ransom, you much find another way."

"It's just a diamond, Emir."

"I have my reasons..." said the Emir dismissively.

"But it's your son!" said Osman, trying to grasp at the Emir's harsh decision. As the spymaster, he was tasked at keeping the Emir and his family safe. He felt personally responsible for Prince Ali's kidnapping. He had his agents all through Misthalin looking for the prince. Even with all the wealth of Al Kharid, Osman knew that a ransom would very likely be the Kharid-ib.

"And you have your orders!" said the leader in such a tone that Osman knew that it was a topic they were no longer going to discuss.

"... Yes, emir. I will not fail you," said the spymaster with a deep bow to the Emir. He turned and took his leave from the room.

So, wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to do this chapter, but in the end, I'm quite happy with the way it turned out. And since this isn't a chapter with our Arianna and Ozan, be on the lookout for something else, possibly as early as this evening.

Cheers for the moment.