Summary of Safiya so far:
Safiya Pendraeg – (Pendragon).
Current age - 22 (4 years younger than Ja'far)
Appearance - Long silver hair, green eyes (greener than Ja'far's), pale skin. Height - 5ft5" (165cm). Slim build, but strong.
Djinn:
10th Dungeon – Buer. Female Djinn. Life magic – healing etc. Extreme magic Yoah reg – rest aroma. Djinn Equip – like a flower fairy, white/pale pink and shimmery, flowers entwined in hair.
58th Dungeon – Amy. Female Djinn Lightning magic
Sinbad had spent quite a lot of time tied to chairs due to various reasons, the most common being his inability to sit still for more than a couple of hours at a time without wanting to escape from the mountain of paperwork that came with being King. In all but one case it came down to a slightly flustered silver haired somebody with a knack for tying knots that no one but himself could untie, a skill needed with the likes of Sinbad and his annoyingly good luck that could seemingly get him out of most other attempts to keep him secured. The one (and only) time Masrur had taken it upon himself to 'help' in the same way it had resulted in some of Ja'far's 'rope' (honestly, even Sinbad didn't know exactly what that stuff was made of) being snapped, along with two of the chairs legs and one of the Kings. Yamuraiha had fixed everything within a matter of hours, but it had taken weeks of coaxing to get Masrur to even come back into the Palace, let alone look in Sinbad's direction, an event everyone had agreed did not need repeating.
However, Sinbad had made the mistake of thinking that this was only likely to happen in his own Kingdom, knowing Ja'far would never embarrass him like that in front others. Oh how wrong he had been, he realised upon incurring the not-so-wrongly placed wrath of Princess Safiya of Mercia, as he currently found himself tied to yet another chair. Unlike with Ja'far, whom at least attempted to give him some comfort when tied up, Safiya had made absolutely no endeavour to do so, in fact, she may have put some effort into not doing so. He would be more annoyed at his current treatment, but it wasn't as if this was the first time he'd done something without thinking it completely through whilst visiting a new country, recalling his first visit to Artemyra with a shudder. He had also been assured by Safiya's oldest adoptive brother, a Prince Arthur Pendraeg, first Prince of Mercia, (whose personal tent this also turned out to be), that she would, most likely, release him relatively quickly once she had had time to fully come to terms with the recent influx on information about her brother.
So in the meantime he was currently in the same tent he had been taken to the previous day, with only Spartos for company, who, unlike Sinbad, had been left to freely walk around the Mercian army's camp site. Indeed, it appeared that Princess Safiya had taken quite well to Spartos and had been treating him kindly, even offering him comfortable sleeping accommodation, which, to his credit, he had declined in favour of staying with his King. Sinbad would be lying if he denied that he missed the nagging he received from his Vizier, but he also found Spartos' quiet presence comforting in its own way, even if he couldn't help but be reminded of his older brother, why did they have to look so much alike he thought to himself.
He released a deep sigh as he let that day's happenings wash over him. Despite all that needed to be done it would do him no good to dwell on what had already passed, deciding he might as well try and get some sleep, figuring that getting Ja'far back would be easier if he was rested. Thankfully, Safiya had left plenty of cushions around him (as she had thrown them at him), she had clearly been angry but he didn't think she wasn't heartless; Sinbad had got the impression she aimed them quite well. They really are quite similar, he thought with a smile as he sunk into a nicely squishy one perched on his shoulder.
Safiya had been pacing round the main camp for the last hour, a combination of anger, worry and embarrassment fuelling her need to be away from both her brother and Sinbad. However, for better or worse, she hadn't decided yet, she couldn't seem to shake her handmaids. Whilst they may have become friends, best friends, if she was truly honest with herself, what she really wanted at the moment was to find a quiet place to vent and think, or at least try to. As a result, in her endeavour to find a quiet spot, she had somehow gone round in a big circle and found herself at the very place she had started at and wanted to be furthest from. Was this fate telling her to get the embarrassing apology out of the way? Safiya hated to admit that she had probably reacted a bit too extremely, tying a King to a chair and throwing things at him wasn't the best way to nurture their country's relations after all. I should apologise to Anuie later too, she thought with a sigh, not that Arthur seemed to mind having to sleep with the main army.
Walking forward slowly, she pried the tent's opening apart and entered.
"..."
He's asleep! How is he asleep!? Why isn't he at least trying to escape or racked with guilt over Ja'far-nii? I'm gonna kill him! She thought as a pair of hands dragged her back outside.
"Safy-chan, if you go in looking so scary you'll just make things worse", whispered Guinevere not unkindly.
"She's right, Safiya, deep breaths" whispered Elaine to her left, a bright smile on her face to mimic the action she wanted from her princess.
"...Fine"
Walking forward a second time, Safiya realised she'd completely overlooked the Sasan Knight in the corner, he's very quiet, she thought. Uh, and he was there earlier when I lost it at King Sinbad, Safiya realised, now starting to wish a pit would just open up in the floor and swallow her whole. Standing up straight and gathering her composure, she prepared to wake them. Earlier was a blip, she'd represent Mercia better this time; after all, she owed her current life to the kindness of King Uthyr and Queen Eigyr.
"Ahem"
"..."
"Ahem!" she coughed louder, Sinbad still didn't stir, I'm gonna bash him over the head at this rate! No, breathe in and relax.
"That's right my Queen, nice and calm"
"Like hell she should be, let me zap him"
"Oh shut up Amy, you're not helping"
*Sigh* and so it begins, I wish they wouldn't argue in my head.
As she was thinking this she noticed the Knight, Spartos, had moved from the corner. He was quiet; in fact that was one of the first things she'd really noticed about him, that and he was quite cute, a thought she quickly pushed aside as he was now standing, and bowing, in front of her.
"Princess Safiya" he said in a barely audible whisper.
"Ah, Spartos-san, I was hoping to speak to King Sinbad and...and apologise" why am I whispering, I want to wake him.
"Oh, I see, you may need to be a little louder then, Princess. He, err, is quite the heavy sleeper. I've seen Ja'far-dono drag him out of bed only for him to still be sleeping whilst being dragged down the hallway".
"Let me zap him my Queen"
"I'm not sure that will help Amy", then seeing the confused look on Spartos' face added, "Ah, one of my Djinn, Amy, wants to electrocute him awake".
"Only gently"
"Only gently, she adds", though there was definitely a hint of something more mischievous there.
"Ah...I believe I've seen Ja'far-dono do that too"
Oh, so Onii-san is as scary as ever, she thought with a smile, though '-dono', he must be respected too.
"Let's leave that as plan B for now, maybe he'll wake up when I untie him"
A minute later he was released from his bindings, and still asleep. Thinking that letting Amy have her way was likely not going to help, Safiya decided to try prodding him awake, and he unquestionably stirred, though, whether through habit of being the notorious 'Lady Killer of the Seven Seas', or actually being semi-awake, Safiya found herself pulled onto his lap in a tight embrace and her breasts unceremoniously used as a pillow. Spartos, Guinevere and Elaine could only look on in horror as the shocked look on Safiya's face became replaced by a murderous one, backing away as her killing intent filled the small area.
"Amy, zap him. Not gently", was Safiya's only scarily calm verbal response before a crackle and a flash of light signalled the appearance of quite a lot electricity.
A short time later in another tent, Safiya having completely destroyed the previous one, Sinbad found himself finally being able to have a real conversation with Prince Arthur, who was at least, in a pretty good mood, living quarters aside. He struck Sinbad as the 'always look on the bright side' sort of guy, living with Safiya he probably had no choice, he reasoned to himself. He had to admit, though, he didn't mind her feistier side, however, he hoped the presence of her adoptive brother would calm her down slightly, and result in less pain on his end.
It had been decided that Ja'far was most certainly with the Kou Empire; all that was left was how to retrieve him.
"I'll get him myself"
"Safiya-hime, I know that you're strong, but I can't allow you to go alone to an enemy camp. Allow me to-"
"I'm sorry, King Sinbad, but I don't feel you have the skills that will be needed for infiltration", she also wanted to add that his build wouldn't help either, but didn't want to admit she'd paid that much attention to his appearance.
"If I may, King Sinbad, but Safiya is most likely right that she can handle this herself", interjected Arthur. Apparently he'd taken it upon himself to be the middle man in their conversation.
"As Arthur-Aniue says, so it is settled", and turning to Arthur added "Aniue, I can meet you back home, I don't plan to take long".
"But-"
Safiya had already gone from his sight before he could even offer a counter-argument.
"She's stubborn so any argument would be futile" Arthur pointed out, "However, as you are acquainted with her real brother, I would think you would know her particular set of skills well. I presume they undertook similar... training. It's getting late" he suddenly interjected, "you must be tired, please allow Elaine to lead you to a suitable sleeping spot, we will be leaving for Camaerleot in the morning. I wouldn't worry too much, I image we'll find both of them waiting for us upon arrival" he added with a reassuring smile.
I hope he's right
The sound of keys clinking together and heavy boots hitting the floor with a rhythmic precision could be heard making its way down the long corridor, a faint dragging sound just audible over the top. All of a sudden it stopped, and a loud crashing echoed around as a door was thrown open to an empty room.
"Just throw 'im in, he won't be goin' anywhere"
A heavy thud could be heard reverberating around the small room as another long bang signalled the closure of the door. The room's now sole occupant lying barely conscious on the floor, blood dripping down from slightly parted lips. Torn clothes barely covering the innumerable wounds covering a pale body, the purple and yellowish hues of bruises beginning to make themselves visible on any remaining white. The floor slowly beginning to be dyed a red as all light swam before hazy eyes until darkness engulfed him.
So I know this chapter was shorter than the previous ones. I've tried writing an Omake to make up for it XD
Omake 1 – Arthur's day at the camp
"HURRAH! HURRAH! HURRAH FOR THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA!"
Ahhh, I'm glad that's over, now I can finally sleep. (Been awake for two days, and then had to lead an army against Kou).
Oh, who's that Safiya is walking towards? Ah, no matter, I'm sure she can deal with it.
"Arthur-sama, come and have a drink to celebrate"
"Of course", grin plastered to his face, well, one can't hurt. Don't want to seem distant from my men.
40 Minutes Later
Huh...why is this man in my tent?
"Umm, you are?..."
"Oh, hello. I'm Sinbad, the King of Sindria"
"...Huh? May I ask why you're tied to a chair, King Sinbad?... And why here". Wasn't he the guy I saw earlier? Tied to a chair?... Ohhh...
"Ah, I see. I'm sorry for my sister's actions" apologised Arthur, bowing deeply, "I would help you, but I've never been able to undo her knots. I'm terribly sorry, I'm sure she'll return soon, probably. She's usually very kind".
"Oh, don't worry about it, this was partially my fault too", replied Sinbad, he doesn't seem too bothered. Weird guy.
"Well, then...I'll see if I can find Safiya for you. Sorry for the intrusion?"
10 Minutes Later
She's not in her tent. Ohh but that bed looks so soft. I'm sure she won't mind. Whilst walking over to the bed Arthur notices something out of the corner of his eye, ...UNDERWEAR!? Why doesn't she clean up? Wait, what if this is Guin's? Remembering that his sister and her handmaids share the tent together, a bright red hue starts to creep up Arthur's face.
Ahhh! I can't sleep here either! He reluctantly thinks whilst hastily leaving.
30 Minutes Later (having walked round and found nowhere else)
I wonder if my tent is free yet?
"Amy, zap him. Not gently"
Huh?
*BANG* *CRASH*
Now standing in front of a smouldering mess of tent remains, Arthur gives up, I just want to sleep!
"Ah, Aniue!...Why are you crying?"
So I hope you enjoyed :) I can't believe this story has more followers :D Thanks and a belated Happy New Year! :D
Few things to add about the Chapter:
Camaerleot - A combination of 'Camelot' and the Welsh name 'Caerleon' (believed to be the actual site of Camelot).