It was near twilight two evenings after they'd landed at Souira Qedish and loaded the wagons. There was only one incident with potential bandits, but Altayr and Tariq rode after them on a pair of fast Arab stallions that had also been brought along. Tariq was seldom remiss in his attentions to details. Whooping like crazy men and branishing their swords, the bandits fled at the sight of them, thinking better of the deal. Once they reached Marrakesh, Altayr's crates and his servants and companions were installed in what had been Ali's old quarters. They were the most spacious and accomodating, save Tariq's quarters. It seemed Altayr was to inherit everything of Ali's - but there was only one thing he'd ever coveted that belonged to Ali...Lila, Tariq's sister and formerly Ali's number one wife. Ali was never particularly good to her, except when it suited him - mostly because she'd never born him a son...not even a daughter. It seemed she was barren. Altayr didn't care about such things, although he probably should have seeing as how he was the last of his direct line. After cleaning up and putting on some local garb, he went looking for her. He found her in the interior garden of Tariq's complex - 'his little palace' as he called it. She was sitting alone on a bench by the well and from her body language obviously not happy with what had befallen. The evening breezes were redolent with the smell of the fruit trees, honeysuckle and the roses. It was like a little paradise there and Tariq had gone to great expense to build it as such. Lila seemed oblivious to his approach, lost in thought, mourning her fate and her late but not adored husband. It was expected of her. He'd often wondered if he simply wanted her because she belonged to someone else and he couldn't have her. Looking at her now though, all his feelings for her came back. "There is only one rose in this garden I see," he said to her. Lila turned, at first startled and surprised to see him there behind her. Her eyes lit up and she smiled, rose and came to greet him with an sisterly embrace. "Peace of the evening to you, brother. I am so sorry for what has happened to you, dear Altayr. You know you are always welcome in this house." "And I for your losses, Lila. May I sit with you?" She inhaled and rolled her eyes, smiling again. "Of course you may. Please do!" He wasn't going to rush this if he could help it. He'd let her decide the course of things. There was a hard, cold side to him, but there was also a side like a poet and Lila had always made that side of him feel 'at home' in his skin. He needed her - now more than ever, or he would become a complete demon of a man who cared about nothing but revenge, not even his own life. ***** Background is BRC Cloisters, with some of Lisa's Botanicals strewn around (DAZ). I changed the color on the Cloisters texture, since Marrakesh is 'the Ochre City'. Thank you for looking and your comments and favs on "So What...?" and "In the Eyes" dear friends. I'm happy you enjoyed them! Have a beautiful week and be well! Cheers, Rayvn