Irsa Glanced back over her shoulder the city was nearly out of site yet she still didn't see the silver serpent not her sister on her carpet flying over head. Then again they could have been too far up to see. "Does anyone know that we left the city?" She yelled into Tariq's ear. Just ahead was General Aref al-Khoury with The charger that belonged to Khalid.

For a moment Tariq did not answer to occupied with keeping pace with the general. Finally he answered, "It is important to get you to Rey. If for no other reason than to be with your sister."

"That is not what I asked."

"The general's son knows that he is bringing you to Rey. Other than that?" He surged his horse faster already trailing behind. "I have not decided if the general wishes to kill the horses or if he's hoping to reach the city before the others."

"I sent enough of the tonic that Khalid should be comfortable until we arrive." Or at least she hoped that she had sent enough.


It was nearly mid day when the general stopped the horses to rest. Not that he seemed at all pleased with stopping at all. Carefully Irsa approached him, "How long until we reach the city?"

"If we keep pace we should be there by nightfall. If the whole army had came with us we wouldn't have until late tomorrow."

She nodded once then turned away not wishing to intrude on him. That and Tariq was clearly watching something beyond the horizon.

"General, sir? You may want to look at this."

A few steps and he was at Tariq's side. Not a breath later he cursed before barking, "Mount up. We must arrive before they do."

"What's wrong?"

"One of the emir of Khorasan. I cannot tell from here which one. But I can tell those with him are not his usual entourage."

Irsa came up to his side, "How can you tell?"

"That way they ride. I'd wager those are mercenaries with him." The general turned fast on his heels, "Mount up. Or stay behind."


Throughout the day Khalid slept as Shahrzad kept watched. So not to hover she sat at his desk just in the other room and fumbled with the work that he had left untouched. Plans for what appeared to be a system for aqueducts going from the nearby lake and into Rey. Careful notes about what still needed repaired from the fire. And list upon list that Shahrzad could not understand unless someone explained them to her.

Then again there was no one that could explain half of this to her without first getting permission from Khalid to do so.

A rough liquid cough coming from the bed made her push away her thoughts and return to Khalid's side. His eyes were just barely open as he coughed once more. Taking the cap off the water skin she let him drink the last of what Irsa had sent. "Easy Khalid."

He coughed once more. "I have never felt like this before."

"Then you will promise me you will never get hurt like this again."

"I will try."

She leaned over and kissed his head. "Would you like to try to eat?"

"No. I doubt I would stay awake long enough to try."

Her fingers combed through his hair soothingly, "Would you like a story?"

His eyes were barely open but he nodded anyways. It didn't matter if he would be awake long or not. If she was telling a story he knew he would wake with her by his side.

"Shazi?"

Khalid forced his eyes open to see what his cousin wanted. Or at the very least so that Jalal could see that he was still alive.

Sliding into the room Jalal let smile twitch his lips as he addressed his cousin, "You should be sleeping or I will be hearing the sharp side of your wife's tongue for keeping you awake."

Letting his eyes close Khalid whispered as much as he dared, "It wouldn't be the first time." Another fluid cough then he asked before Shazi could hush him to be quiet, "Why are you here?"

Worried eyes met with Shazi before Jalal spoke, "Scouts reported seeing my father nearing the city."

There was more Shahrzad could almost bet but without causing Khalid to worry she couldn't ask. Lest not yet. "When my sister arrives I need her to help Artan with the tonic he is making."

"Artan lacks the skill to make tonics."

Glaring down at Khalid who fighting every ounce of sleep that he needed she let out a sigh, "Which is why Irsa is going to help him. Unless you prefer testing the ones that he makes alone. Which if you dare say one more word I will insist on."

In order to help his cousin answer without saying anything, Jalal said, "I will have someone greet them at the palace gates." Then he gestured for Shazi to join him in the other room.

Waiting until she was once again sure Khalid was resting she slipped out into the adjoining room. "What's wrong?"

Jalal ignored her question for the moment, "He sounds worse."

"Which is why Artan is trying to come up with a solution. Now, what is wrong?"

"The scouts saw a large party also heading this way. They thought they saw a flag. It is too dark to really see if they had or not. So it could be nothing."

Pulling teeth would be easier than getting information from Jalal. "But… you think with your father's haste that it could be trouble."

"With the way my father was riding, I know it's trouble. I have yet to decide how much trouble."

Shazi turned from him and back to where Khalid lay sleeping. "Shesha is watching this side of the place. And the guards outside are trusted so for the moment I will assume this part of the palace is safe."

"What are you thinking?"

"Khalid is in no condition to fight. I know he would disagree but if trouble starts I will have him out of the palace. Even if it means taking him to the Fire Temple until he is well."

Jalal softly swore. "We should have thought of that before."

"He didn't sound this bad before."

"True." Placing his hands on her shoulders he carefully turned her to him. "I will meet my father. Between us, we should be able to find out everything that we need to know. In the mean time please do what you can for Khalid. If you think he would be better going to the Fire Temple don't hesitate. He trusts you to rule all of his kingdom. So I trust you to do what he needs."

"I will see what Irsa and Artan come up with. If by morning he does not show signs of improving I will take him. Jalal, if I do…"

"No one will know. Not even my father. It is good Khalid became good at disappearing or this would have my father having a fit."

"One day I would like to hear all about him disappearing. Right now you have somewhere to be."

He kissed her cheek. "See you sound more like a queen now."


Jalal was at the main gate when his father arrived. Khalid's charger tethered to his own. "General?"

His eyes never left Jalal's face "The Caliph?"

"Resting. The Calipha is requesting her sister to see Artan at once. One of the guards can take her to him now."

At that, Irsa climbed down from behind Tariq and followed the guard not bothering to worry about the late hour or anything else for the moment.

"One of the emir of Khorasan. Couldn't see which one but I doubt it is a coincidence that he is heading here and not to where the "battle" had been."

"There were more than a few that could not reach in time to head to Amardha. He could have heard something. It's unlikely but possible."

"We should be ready for either case."