A short time later Despina came back with a handmaiden caring a large tray filled with fruits and cold meats. "This will have to due till a proper meal can be made unless Brat Calipha prefers to make it herself."

"I doubt my skills with food would service what is already on the tray." Shahrzad took a seat at the low table then carefully lifted the silver lid to the tray. Several different fruits including fresh sugared dates. Some pulled meat probably from what had been left from the night before. It didn't matter. It looked wonderful… or… she was just hungry. After all, she hadn't eaten anything worthwhile since she had left Rey. And what she had ate while in camp last night was hardly enough to fill her. Not when her nerves had been dancing anticipating what would happen once the letter had been sent. Choosing a date she savored the taste. Just as she reached for a second her stomach leaped into her throat, she had just enough time to move from the table before becoming sick.

Shouts around her as guards filled the room a moment more and Artan was beside her worry on his face than just the barest of smiles. Carefully he spoke his voice barely above a whisper, "I doubt the Caliph will remain in bed with all this commotion outside his room."

Jalal sputtered unable to find the words he needed. Unable to condemn Despina nor ask why Artan was now smiling.

Shahrzad pushed herself up and tried to look calm despite the smell of the tray making her sick. "The guards may leave. I am not poisoned. And take the tray with you." Locking eyes with Despina she smiled, "This is your fault."

"I doubt if my assumptions are correct I had anything to do with you being sick."

"Enough. One of you tell me what is wrong before I wake the Caliph." Jalal growled.

Shazi crossed her arms, "No I will not tell you. However, there is something you need to do before Khalid is told about this."

"You are infuriating, but what do I need to do before I find out why you are currently sick."

"Jalal!"

He turned his head trying not to yell at her since he was sure she did have something to do with the Calipha being sick… even if she was sick from tramping through the sewer.

Ignoring Both Shahrzad closed her eyes knowing she was dooming men to death… still, it was better than what Khalid would do once he found out the whole of what had happened while she was a prisoner here. "The guards that keep the prisoners need to be housed properly until the Caliph has a chance to calm down enough that he won't see them killed by his own hands."

That made him think. True Khalid was an unforgiving man… And true he already wanted the men punished for what they had done to his queen. Still, he hadn't wanted them dead. Punished yes… but not dead. And the only way he would kill them now… "Holy Hera, Are you…" His eyes danced to Artan who nodded. "… I know nothing but I agree this is Despina's fault."

"How is this my fault? I hardly think I am capable of what you speak."

Biting back a laugh Jalal smiled, "I've heard once that your condition can spread quickly through an entire village."


Coughing Khalid woke a hand pressing on his shoulder and his sobs trying to escape through his throat. He felt horrible. Alive? Undeniably … but still horrible. A cup was pressed to his lips.

Shazi was telling him something. Her voice calm yet he couldn't understand. A few swallows of what he assumed was a tonic and his chest felt warm and his heart slowly stopped racing. With it, the pain residing … least for the moment.

Slowly his let his eyes focus. Let his ear hear his beloved voice. Her calming words. Felt the hand on his shoulder pressing him down very gently into the bed. Jalal. His eyes skimmed over his cousin's face. Worry was held in his eyes.

Licking his dry lips Khalid whispered, "I'm fine." Fine meaning alive. He would not dilute himself into thinking he was at all well.

"Khalid Ibn al-Rashid you will not lie to me."

At that, he flinched. Seldom had Shazi spoken his full name. A shallow breath then he turned his head to her. She was sitting near him her face mixed between relief and fury. "I am alive, therefore…"

"If you dare say fine you will be eating nothing but figs until I agree you are truly fine."

He bit back the rest of his words to save himself from the one food he could live without.

"Are you not going to argue with the Calipha?"

Khalid didn't need to look at his cousin's face to know he was biting back a smile. "It would prove of little use when she is right."

He felt her hand touch his face as she whispered, "Rest now."

For a moment, he almost gave into the sleep that he needed. Before he did he needed to know, "Where are we?"

A long moment of silence before Shazi spoke, "In the Palace of Amardha."

For a brief moment, Khalid struggled to sit up. His pulse racing. The pain in his chest too soon became unbearable.

Shazi exchanged a look with Jalal before he spoke, "The palace is secure. Those here would rather live then carry out an act of war. There is something else you should know."

That did not sound good. "What?"

Shazi took his hand before speaking, "Sometime between you being stabbed and the dawn Salim Ali el- Sharif is no more."

"I don't recall ordering his death."

Jalal gave a small smile, "It appears that he took his own life. A broken piece of porcelain was found next to his body."

Closing his eyes content to rest for a short time Khalid spoke once more, "Is there anything else I need to be made aware of before I rest?"

He heard the suppressed sigh before Shazi kissed his lips, "There is but I'm not sure you are well enough to hear it."

That made him open his eyes once more, "I trust you can take care it."

"Khalid?" It was a warning tone from his cousin.

"She is my queen. She can take care of whatever she wishes while I recover. Providing she does not change any laws." Closing his eyes once more he let his hand carefully probe where the dagger had pierced his heart. "I would also like to return home. It is much more plausible for me to disappear while there rather than here."

"Disappear?" Shahrzad Glanced over to Jalal.

"Oh yes. Didn't he tell you? Since you were away he took up disappearing everyday sometimes for several hours. Several times I found him in the most strangest of places outside of the palace."

Khalid didn't need to open his eyes to know the look he was receiving from his wife. Yet he didn't hear her response.


Shahrzad took a seat at the low table in the antechamber and closed her eyes. She could either take Khalid at his word that he wanted her to rule in his stead or choose to mostly ignore the request since not only was he in pain but also drinking a tonic that numbs the mind. On the other hand, this would not be the first time he had left her for such a task.

Despina Took a seat next to her, "How is the sayyidi?"

"In pain. His breathing is… it sounds liquid. Which makes no sense since the blade didn't touch his lungs. Or at least I don't think it did."

"I have spoken to… the healer… Artan…" With Shahzad's nod, she continued, "He says there is swelling and bruising. Neither he can help with but neither is doing more than causing discomfort. Although he also thinks there is a chance he was sick before he was stabbed or at least not his best since he was not sleeping as he should. It is possible that the shock of being gravely injured my cause sickness. More so since he has been using mystic powers to stay awake for most of the months since his first wife… " She let the rest trail off no longer wishing to speak of all that she knew. Nor cause further worry.

"That settles it. I am disregarding what he just said until I think he well enough to tell me again."

"And what did he just say that brat Calipha is now disregarding?"

"That I should rule in his place until he is well."

"Oh, then I completely agree with you. You should disregard that."

Rolling her eyes Shahrzad shook her head, "I am going to start calling you Brat Despina."

Ignoring her Despina asked, "What else did he say? Something about his child I hope."

"We did not get to speak of that. He is much too weak to discuss such a life changing event. However, he does wish to return to Rey."

"If the Caliph is too weak to discuss his family then he is much too weak to travel such a long distance."

"There may be a way to make the distance not so far. Least for him. But Artan would have to agree."

"You are not seriously thinking of putting him on that beast that is now roosting in a tower."

"Of course not. I was going to have Jalal ride with Artan. You too of course."

"Me! You… you…" Despina took a deep breath. "Is this what I have sunk to… riding on the back of a beast?"

"I need you in Rey. You know the staff better than anyone else. With Khalid unwell, I need only those that don't ask questions near his rooms."

"Fine. I'll ride the beast. He just better not try to eat me."


Khalid woke just enough to sit behind Shahzad on her carpet. Woke just enough to know he had a thick cloak wrapped around him as well as a heavy blanket. "It is not that cold that I need a blanket."

"True it's not but you will keep it around you never the less. I do not wish you sick on top of being hurt."

Wrapping his arms around her he rested his head on her shoulder, "I won't deny I am uncomfortable but I am fine Shazi."

She turned just enough to look into his eyes, "Being in pain is more than being uncomfortable. And do not pretend to tell me you feel better then you look."

He took a small breath then slowly let it out choosing not to say anything further until they were in the air somewhere over the desert. Pulling the cover tight around him, he forced himself to keep his face covered between the nape of Shazi's neck and the cover. "I think this was not such a good idea."

"Khalid?"

He didn't answer instead took a shallow breath and tried not to let the cold night air into his lungs more than he needed.

Shahrzad turned just enough to see over her shoulder then pulled the cover over his head and tighter around her shoulder. "Better."

His response was simply to nuzzle her shoulder. Since being stabbed this was the longest he had been awake and was now seeing the wisdom in sleeping as well as not moving more than he needed. He hadn't asked what had become of Jahandar, nor did it matter right now. For surely if the man wasn't already dead he would take great joy in dismantling him himself. Then again would Shazi forgive him if he did?

They would discuss it once he was well. And what Shazi thought about the matter would have more weight than what he wanted. Even if she wished for the man to live.


It was late in the night when they arrived at the palace of Rey. The city slept while the Caliph returned. Slept while Shesha glided over their heads.

Helping Khalid into bed, Shahrzad tried not to wince when he started coughing then gasping for the barest of breaths. Tears of pain glazing his eyes. Carefully she held the water skin to his lips hoping it would be enough of the tonic until her sister could arrive. Within moments he settled into his bed content not to move until he no longer needed the tonic. Content to sleep. Content to allow his beloved to handle whatever she thought needed handled until he could take care of all that he already had planned.


Slipping out into the other room Shahrzad saw only Jalal waiting for her. "Where is…"

"Despina has decided to resume her responsibilities as your handmaiden until things settle down enough for those who live here are able to know the truth."

"The truth?"

"For her sake, we will come up with something believable."

Shazi smiled, "You fell in love with her what is more believable than that?"

"Very true." Jalal turned away, "Is my cousin finally resting?"

"He is. Artan is with him now. He is seeing if there is anything else that can be done to make him comfortable. In the meantime, Is the palace safe?"

"Shesha is roosting overlooking these rooms. I've been told she can see even the faintest of movements even in the darkest of nights. Nothing will enter these rooms from the balcony, nor windows. Least not without her knowing first."

"Good. I do not think Khalid is well enough to handle a fight right now."

"In truth none of us are. Lest not yet. But the men outside this room will guard it with their lives."

It was then the door opened just enough for Despina to slip in. She ignored Jalal instead spoke to Shazi directly, "Those here are rejoicing in the great victory and assume the Caliph is either resting from the battle or from the strong drink that came after."

"And why would they assume he had been drinking?"

"Brat Calipha, really? I told them of course. Those who move around the place would need a story to why the Caliph is not seen. This way they think he is enjoying the company of his wife and relishing in victory. It is believable and none would question it." Then she turned to Jalal. "You I am not speaking to."

Jalal rolled his eyes. "I take it there is a parade of women outside my door?"

"If that is what you wish to call it."

He slid up to her and kissed her cheek, "They will be gone as soon as I speak to my cousin. You have my word."

Shazi shuffled over the pillows that laid on the floor. Pillows that Despina must have had brought in, "Brat Despina, come sit with me while Jalal goes and removes his harem from his door."

"I do not have a harem but I will go remove the women for you Calipha."