Chapter 5

Khan was escorted to the ballroom within the palace. Susan was the one that lead him and Orlando. They arrived at the room, the clicking of his shoes echoed within the spacious area.

The Sheikh was awaiting their arrival under the largest chandelier in the entire household. The room was Doric in decoration, furnished with alabaster walls with more accents of gold in their cornices. The ceiling was lower than the other rooms. Several French windows that were situated on the left side of the wall, filtered in the setting sun light. But the chandelier and other light fixtures carried most of the task in illuminating the wide space. It was empty of furniture for it wasn't planning on entertaining any guests any time soon.

Khan deduced the room could host up to 400 hundred people from its size alone.

The Sheikh's back was turned to them. He was dressed in his bleached white Gandurah paired with his Keffiyeh. He wore a thin black robe over his Gandurah. The material was lined with a strip of golden pattern that ran down along the hems. On the crown of his head he balanced a heavy duty hosepipe, it was called an Agal.

He wasn't alone. His cousins Mohammed and Ahmed were with him. They looked casual in comparison wearing just the white Gandurah and Keffiyeh. They both resembled Zayed in both broad structures and dark features.

They were taking in harsh, rapid whispers. Making threatening gestures of their hands. Khan observed quietly. His space to reach them slowed to a lazy stride. But as if sensing his arrival, their hawk like gazes fell on him and his comrades.

The Sheikh's slouched brooding form immediately straightened. A large welcoming grin stretched across his face. The visage that was moments ago, heavy with a murky shadow.

"Ah my friend." He waited for Khan to reach him. The moment he did, Zayed planted a calloused hand on the curve of the Augument's shoulder, then using his free hand to shake Khan's open palm.

"As-Sa'lam alaikum" He greeted warmly, his voice thick with the heavy consonants in his language.

"Wa-alaikum-salaam, your Highness." Khan responded in deep baritone. The Sheikh grinned and released his hold on Khan to gesture to his cousins. Their acknowledgements were frigid in comparison, but that could be excused for the lack of English in their vocabulary. Khan didn't want to hold it against them, until he felt compelled to otherwise.

"How are you accommodations? Comfortable I hope." Zayed inquired in the most gracious manner, though his tone was coarse with his accent. Khan smiled broadly.

"More than comfortable. Thank you for making this transition painless."

"But of course." Zayed voiced, weaving his fingers together in front of his in a kingly manner. "If there is anything more you will need, please do not hesitate to ask. My servants are yours to utilize as you please."

"Thank you." Khan replied with a slow recline of his head. "You are most kind."

Khan glanced back at the slender blonde female that stood just an arm length behind him.

"Susan has informed me that you have something for me, your Highness." He reminded, gesturing his head in her direction.

Zayed gave a brief glance at her before nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes a gift!"

As if rehearsed, two tall porcelain doors from the far left, swept open. Khan raised his head in wonder, staring expectantly.

Three figures emerged. Two males and one female, they were impeccably well dressed in tailored uniforms. Long sleeved coats fitted to their lithe forms, held together tightly by gibbous brass buttons.

They marched towards them. A tall ebony haired male led the movement. He had the skin and body of a man whose daily habits involved working under a hot sun. The palm leaf green colour of his suit stood out against his flesh.

He was followed by another male, equally dark but slimmer in frame. The black colour of his uniform was only a shade lighter to his skin tone.

Preceded by him was a woman. Khan noticed her first from the striking crimson of her suit. Her skin was a gleaming bronze shade, but what caught his attention the most was her face.

Khan never denied being a man who wouldn't notice a beautiful woman. But there was something hauntingly captivating in the creature before him. She stood out, with her auburn hair that was thick, with short tight curls over an oval shaped face. The luxuriant spiraling tresses reached her shoulders in a frizzy mass. The two male's head of hair was primed and slick back, nothing like the wildness she portrayed.

Her gaze was lowered as if counting each step she took. He saw long sandy lashes, fanned over plump cheeks.

They were lined up by an unknown man dressed in a coffee coloured Gandurah and Keffiyeh. His clothes seemed shabby in contrast to the royals. Khan's keen gaze honed in on the strange man's face. His hatched face seemed only more sinister with his beak like nose.

Khan's gaze drifted back to the female, he continued to eye her. His interest was momentary and he was about to avert his stare when she suddenly looked up.

Her eyes were like lustrous gold rotund stones in a milky white canvas. They were intense behind spiral curls the colour of sunset. She watched him boldly, defiantly. He could feel her reading him, taking in his appearance the same way he did hers. Then suddenly the gleam in her eyes had vanished. The contemptuous shine dulled to an ordinary shade of brass.

Khan was highly intrigued by what he had witnessed.

"My contribution to your cause." Zayed boomed majestically. Khan reluctantly looked to the Emirati leader. His thin dusky brows raised in inquiry.

"Contribution?" He echoed.

"Soldiers for your army." He introduced, gesturing an open had at the stiff individuals.

Susan's lips parted in a prepared rebuttal, but Zayed raised a hand up in a swift and arbitrary manner. This forced the Augument to surrender to silence.

"I know the idea is absurd, considering your conquests. But these creatures are made to be the best at what they do."

"And what is that?" Khan asked curtly, his colourless eyes fixated on the woman.

"Killing." A new voice answered, the Augument realized the stranger had spoken a wicked grin stretched across his craggy face.

*As-Sa'lam alaikum, Wa-alaikum-salaam = Peace be unto you, And unto you peace