"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean that!" Safiya called out in horror as Sinbad's clothes began to go up in flames, shortly followed by his long hair.

He didn't reply; too busily occupied with trying to bat out the fire that was attempting to engulf him; the thin Sindrian fabric turning out to be quite flammable as it spread quickly up from the bottom, catching more of his hair in the act. Time seemed to slow as thoughts rushed through her head. The clothes couldn't be saved but what had suddenly hit her was just how much metal he was wearing; the necklaces, the rings, all things that would soon warm up and leave horrific burns, if he didn't get incinerated first. Without Buer she would be no use, she couldn't heal. Acting swiftly, Safiya spun round and grabbed the nearest source of water she could find; a vase from the dressing table. Hurriedly pulling the flowers out, she threw the murky water over the King which, thankfully, put out the flames before he became badly injured, although, it left him smelling of a mix of burning and stale water.

His clothes were destroyed, leaving most of his legs and some of his chest bare; a sight most women would have swooned at but Safiya was just relieved to see that he had, somehow (hair not included), remained unscathed. The wave of relief washed over her, but left almost as quickly as it had come, guilt, regret and a sense of helplessness replacing it. She couldn't move, just stand and stare at what she had done; both voice and thoughts seemingly leaving her.

Had the overall situation not been so serious already; Ja'far being critically hurt; why Ja'far was critically hurt, and the fact that Sinbad was a King etc., Safiya may have found this situation at least somewhat humorous because he really did look a state now. Unfortunately, this was not the time and the stress, both emotional and physical, had finally reached its peak.

Maybe it was just her, but time seemed to be moving slowly again; seconds ticked by, perhaps even minutes, she didn't know, as she took in the scene before her, trying to form some coherent thoughts or just do something. As their eyes met Sinbad was on the verge of speaking when her voice finally decided to return.

"...I...I-I'm" the Princess stuttered out as tears began to well up around her horror-struck eyes, her head drooping forward to try and hide them; seemingly rooted to the spot with the vase still clutched in her hands.

"Safiya-hime it's-"

"I'm so sorry", she just about managed to get out quickly before a stray tear finally rolled down her cheek; setting the vase carefully on the table. "I'm so sorry", she repeated; hand going up to her mouth to stifle a sob that simply couldn't be held in any longer. She ran out of the room, dodging his hand as he tried to pull her back and tell her it was alright; that he didn't blame her. Before he could call out to her again, the door had already been pulled shut; her hurried footsteps diminishing into the distance.

I guess she's not going back to her room, he thought with a sigh, knowing that it was only the next one along; she'd wanted Ja'far as close to her as possible. I'm such an idiot; I wouldn't startle Ja'far like that so why did I think she'd be different.

"I saw all of that, Sin", someone weakly croaked out behind him.

"GAH!" he let out a startled cry as he spun round to find Ja'far, somewhat unimpressed, staring at him from the bed. He'd been so lost in thought, simultaneously thinking about going after Safiya and doing something about his clothes, that he hadn't registered the stirring behind him.

"If I didn't feel so weak I'd make you pay for that".

"Ah, I think you've got the wrong idea Ja'far; it was just an accident".

"Not the fire" he let out with a sigh as he tried to rearrange himself on the pillows into a sitting position, "the kiss on the hand. Don't think I'll let you get away with treating her like you do other women". With this he shot Sinbad a fierce glance, or, at least it would have been fierce had he not looked so pathetic and weak, feebly wriggling around to get comfortable in the fashion of an upturned beetle.

Oh, that.

"What do you take me for Ja'far", he whined childishly as he made to help his friend move into a comfortable position, "I wouldn't try something with my friend's sister", at least not in the way you're thinking. Although, what am I thinking of doing? I should ask her about that metal vessel soon.

...Hang on, "The kiss on the hand? How did you...You were still unconscious, weren't you?"

"No, I was coming round as she came over to the bed; and I didn't know for certain. You dropped yourself in there; I simply guessed based on what I heard you say", he got out as he sunk into the newly arranged pillows with a contented sigh.

Ah. I guess he knows me too well.

"I opened my eyes just in time to see you catch fire. By the way, your hair's going to need cutting, half of it has been burnt off".

Ahh, so it is, he thought with a sigh as he reached up to feel his singed hair, some of it crumbling away in his fingers and becoming nothing more than a smear of ash.

"But... It's like she said", Ja'far continued as if his King almost being incinerated was a minor, everyday occurrence. "I'm beyond happy to have found her; to know that she's alive, and a Princess of all things. However, losing her, it was so painful when they told me she'd died; she was the one thing that kept me sane all those years", then seeing the look on Sinbad's face and remembering how he was as a child added, "saner than I could have been. We were really close as children; I'm afraid we will have lost that connection so I pretended to still be unconscious whilst I got the courage to say something to her". He added the last part whilst turning away to look out of the window; attempting to hide a faint blush of embarrassment.

"Is that...why you never mentioned her to me? To any of us?"

"Partially, however Sin, remember when we first met? You basically invaded my memories. I thought you knew enough, and she was the most important part of that life; I didn't want you to know because I didn't want you to pity me any more than you already seemed to; it would have been so annoying, and you can be annoying enough without adding anything extra". Ignoring the slight look of hurt on his friends' face he added with a feeble chuckle, "I think I threatened Vittel and Mahad with death if they ever told you".

"Yeah, I can imagine child you doing that" I can see it now he thought with a shiver. "Still, what about later on?"

"Then...Then, when I was happy to share with you, it seemed like I had left it too long and I didn't want you sulking and feigning hurt at being left out, which you definitely would have; in private if not in front the company's employees", he added looking at the mock outrage that was showing on his Kings face.

"However….I did tell someone else", Ja'far said as he turned round to see the mock outrage begin to shift to slight disappointment.

"When Rurumu told me that she was pregnant and that I was going to become a 'big brother' I couldn't keep it from her. Here was a woman who was not only willing to take me in as her own despite where I had come from, but she was going to let me be a part of her child's life. At the time I felt like if she knew I'd already failed as a brother once she'd start to keep me at a distance from her and her family".

He let out a somewhat defeated sigh as he recalled his child self, "I think I was still certain that everyone would just leave me, even you, I was convinced you'd regret taking me along. Rurumu was so patient and kind and said it was never my fault. In the end she promised she wouldn't mention anything until I was ready to, but I imagine Hinahoho knows, and maybe Pipirika, although neither of them have ever asked me".

At this Sinbad had to smile. To get Ja'far to open up like this usually involved a large amount of wine, and that always came with possible side effects of death threats and stabbings.

"I have never once regretted bringing you along, and I doubt I ever will. Neither I nor Sindria would be what they are today without you"

"Thank you, Sin. That means a lot, even if you are exaggerating"

Sinbad was about to reply that it was by no means an exaggeration, and that Ja'far had been what had got him through many a situation when a palace maid chose that very second to walk through the door. Presumably there to stoke the fire, she took one step in and froze at the sight before her eyes.

"Oh, hello", Sinbad spoke kindly as he rose from the chair, having forgotten that it was not only his hair that had burned off not minutes prior, "I'm afraid I had a small misunderstanding with Princess Safiya and she left quite suddenly. Is it possible to send someone to find her? I'm certain she'd like to know her brother is awake", he finished in his suave tone that turned many women to goo in his hands; charming smile as always lighting up his face.

Said brother was left to watch the usual scene unravel before him, though he perhaps had expected the women of Mercia to be somewhat more reserved. This maid, however, was taking in the full picture of Sinbad's well-chiselled chest that was uncovered due to much of Sinbad's clothes no longer existing. The action was not so subtle either, Ja'far thought from where he lay half sitting against his mound of pillows. Coughing slightly to gain their attention and end this ordeal, he added:

"And if you could be so kind as to find my King a bath and some befitting clothes, we would be most grateful", whilst mimicking his King's pleasant smile. Honestly, he hoped this could all be dealt with quickly as he could already feel the exhaustion trying to pull him back into sleep.

"Ah, Yes of course my Lord. Your Majesty", she added whilst bowing and hurrying back the way she'd come. Not, however, before giving Sinbad one last run over with eyes, Ja'far noticed, inwardly sighing and rolling his eyes before said man turned round. Really, he couldn't take this guy anywhere!

"Incidentally, Sin. Whilst we're waiting for the maid" and my sister who you made cry went left unsaid, "What happened to me? Why do I feel so weak?"

"You don't remember?"

"Not much after seeing the battle with Kou. It's a blur from there".

Oh. Well at least he's too weak to attack me.

Safiya continued to run out of the palace and into the gardens, not stopping at the concerned calls of 'Safiya-sama' or 'hime' from the various workers at the palace. She was tired, both physically and emotionally, and setting a visiting Royal on fire had been the final straw; she just needed to be away from everyone.

The place she wanted to be was far away from prying eyes; far away from the pristine floral displays and perfectly pruned hedges, in a place no one had ever found her in, although, she could never understand why as it didn't appear to be difficult to find.

Towards the back of the palace's grounds was a small wooded area that reminded her of the mountainous Parthevian border. Old oaks grew here alongside a few horse chestnuts, yet whilst these provided decent cover for her to be seated on, what truly drew Safiya to this spot was the tiny purplish flowers that grew in between, and wild climbing roses that were making their homes upon the trunks. It was a place she had escaped to ever since she was a child as it reminded her of her brother; a place where the pleasant rose filled air helped to calm her emotions. It wasn't quite time for the flowers to be in bloom, and the trees were only just starting to bud, however, the clearing still helped to calm her emotions, if only slightly.

When she had first come to live in the palace it was a place she frequented often for a plethora of reasons; fear, that they might be like everyone else and use her; anxiety, that they might change their minds and reject her, and depression, that she just wasn't good enough; that she would always be a disappointment; the mistake the Mercian Royal family had let in.

However, they had been kind and patient with her; allowing her freedom and comforting her when she allowed; the trust that these actions didn't contain an ulterior motive slowly creeping in. The time she had spent in this place had dwindled, especially after conquering Buer. She had finally felt like she had a purpose. Not just a purpose, but a way of repaying their kindness, and another chance to protect what was important.

Who was I kidding, 'Princess'? I'm just one big royal fuck-up! Her tears had dried whilst she had been running; the anguish and regret she had felt at first, replaced with numbness centred mainly on self-loathing; those feelings she had managed to squash down into the recesses of her mind, beginning to resurface, draining her energy. Would Onii-san even want me back in his life? After all, he finally found freedom after I left; what if I was just holding him back.

"Ugghh!" Safiya let out a frustrated sigh as everything bad that had happened since that man had arrived replayed before her closed eyelids. As she sunk forward, head resting on her knees, she ran her hands through her hair and felt the lavender from earlier; pulling it out to twiddle it between her fingers. I can't believe the maids were actually thinking of setting us up. I wish they'd understand, no one wants an assassin as a wife, let alone a Queen, and that was without taking into account the numerous times she had now hurt or threatened him. Not that she thought he didn't deserve it; Safiya still couldn't forgive the idiot for putting Ja'far in such danger. His Knight, Spartos, too; how can he can he put his men into danger like that?

Still... He was at least willing to put himself in danger to try and rescue him, so maybe he isn't all bad...And he maybe didn't deserve being set on fire... maybe she thought to herself in an attempt to try and consider something positive about King Sinbad. After all, he would still be there when she returned and had been, sleepy hugs aside, nothing but nice to her.

Nice. She sat up slightly in surprise at her own thoughts. Whilst she had been dwelling on her own actions and the start of all of this, she couldn't honestly say she'd given his much thought. That's right, she concluded, going back to twiddling the lavender, other than a few stupid decisions, he really has only been nice to me, and I've done nothing but hurt him. I should probably apologise, but how? Will he even want to be in the same room as me now?

The pleasant afternoon sun shone down upon Mercia, little glints of silver shining out as the Kingdom's elite protectors practiced, each honing their skills and trying to be the best. Amongst them, a bluer streak stood out from the rest; fast and accurate his skill attracted many to watch, with more asking to spar hoping to improve their own spearmanship.

Spartos had been happy to comply with the Mercian Knights' request to observe and learn from his abilities with a lance; Ja'far was going to be okay and whilst he would have been content to remain, his King had assured him there was little reason to wait around for him to regain consciousness. Although considered a secondary weapon in Mercia, with the Knights primarily using a Longsword, Lances were still widely practiced with, the country even having a sport centred on the skill known as Jousting. The men here were almost as good as his fellow countrymen; he enjoyed the nostalgia this brought and he couldn't deny that it was pleasant to be around other Knights once again.

Mercia also had another trait in common with Sasan, its religion; knowing this had given Spartos extra ease of mind during his interactions. Whilst the Mercians were a more easygoing people and could not be considered as devout as himself and his fellow Sasanians, many were vegetarians and the Knight system was similar, with them not only upholding the peace but also the faith. Instead of the strongest Knight becoming King of the country, he was instead given a high position on the King's council as an advisor. The army and Knights were still lead by the royal family, but it wasn't seen as necessary for them to be the strongest. These similarities were long believed to be because the two countries shared a common ancestry from hundreds of years ago, though the founding stories were from long in the past; facts were most likely obscured or forgotten so no one could be truly certain.

Spartos' latest bout had just come to an end when out of the corner of his eye a silvery white streak caught his attention. It was just for the briefest of moments, but the colour of the silky material felt familiar to him, if not simply longer, Safiya-hime? Somehow, none of the other Knights around him seemed to have noticed this; perhaps it had just been a trick of the light, however, he was pretty certain of what he had seen which begged the question, was there something wrong? She had been moving fast and if Spartos could be certain of anything, it was that Princess Safiya would not be away from Ja'far unnecessarily. He had seen it in her eyes the first time it had been revealed who she was, who she really was, that no matter how much time may have passed since she had last been with Ja'far, she adored her older brother and her actions since had done nothing to dissuade him from that assumption.

Thinking about her strong familial bond with Ja'far only served to stir up his own emotions, however now, on a diplomatic visit to a possible new ally, was neither the time nor the place to let such emotions get the better of him. Spartos had already been finding it hard not to think about his brother too much; the Knights here were always smiling, outgoing and eager to learn, just as Mystras had been. Despite Mercia being a relatively closed off country, the people here were, as a whole, open and friendly regardless of whether you were from Mercia or not; believed in their religion or followed a different one. The country's seclusion came mainly from their ability to self sustain not their dislike of the outside world, a stark contrast to how Sasan had been before Sinbad had come along.

Putting these thoughts aside for now, Spartos made his excuses to those he was sparring against, with the reason being he felt it was time to find out how Ja'far was doing and whether his King needed anything. This was not a lie, those he hated; he would be finding out these facts in due course, just not from the source the Knights thought he meant, and luckily, the direction in which he needed to leave the training grounds also lead, partially, towards the palace. Hopefully he wouldn't come across as suspicious.

Making his way over to where he recalled seeing the brief flash of white, he noted a small, well hidden path leading away from the palace. The trees and bushes here had been allowed to grow naturally, which had left the passageway almost completely blocked but for a small patch to one side that allowed access to the area beyond.

Pressing through the narrow gap, he came upon a small meadow like area which offered a pleasant contrast to pruned Royal Gardens he had, but moments earlier, been in. The little meadow was hemmed in by large trees and, barely visible through the gaps, the outer wall of the palace could be seen. The area may not have had the grandeur of the main gardens, however, just being there seemed to have a calming effect, and Spartos contemplated that it was nice to see nature being allowed to grow unadulterated.

The atmosphere was peaceful and quiet except for a few twittering birds, too quiet in fact, considering there was meant to be another person around. Perhaps I really was just seeing things he mused as he began to turn and leave. Spartos would have liked to explore the area, however, the fact remained that this was part of the Palace and, either way, it felt rude to investigate parts of another person's home without their permission. This thought had barely crossed his mind when something once again caught his attention.

Through the bare branches of the numerous trees another quick flash of the same silvery colour had briefly caught his peripheral, and now, though high up, he could clearly pick out the cream and purple of a dress. Should the leaves have not been in bud Spartos knew he would never have noticed her presence, and considering the style of the Mercian dresses, he would never have considered that she could climb a tree; assassin training included. As it was, she was on one of the highest branches of the tallest oak in the area and at present appeared to be concentrating on something on her knee? In her hands? It was hard to tell from the angle and distance.

The question remained of how to gain her attention. Spartos was unwilling to stand too close as; after all, she was sat on a branch, in a dress, with her knees up… Should he stand too near, her modesty may be compromised. There was also the undeniably scary part of her personality that he witnessed before, though he was unsure if it was just his King who brought that part of her out, much like it was with Ja'far. He also knew he had to act soon otherwise it would appear that he had just been staring at her.

Gaining his composure he walked up as close as he dared; thoughts still on what exactly to say to begin conversation when he suddenly became aware that she looking down at him.

I'm so this has taken over a year to be updated. I couldn't get this chapter the way I wanted it (and yes, I have been constantly rewriting this all that time XD). Turns out I have my own form of writers block - having to think like Spartos XD.

Still not happy with this, but here you go and hope you at least slightly enjoyed it. Next chapter shouldn't take so long (exams finish next week, yay!)