Heirs to the Burning Thrones

[Brother Shatterstone]

Samira: Flamekissed Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt: Unfettered/Rogue/Seductress)

* Samira smiled, which she always did when men talked of there true love as it always put them at ease, as she listened to Marid’s tale of Malika. *

“Wow, that’s quite a wonderful bond you have with her… Is that all you two have done? Just simple talking?” She looks curious but apologetic as she continued, “I know its known of my business most gracious Marid but the answer could help me understand my own past.”

* Samira heard the request from Shalah but chose to ignore it in an effort to remind her that this radiant jewel was not to be ignored. *

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Shalah also does not like to be ignored, especially when she is in the midst of negotiations. Fortunately, she is within 1 mile of Jamilah, who she has left in the tent, so she has no need for Samira if the half-nymph is going to be childish. She simply wished to honour Samira by asking for the flamekissed's help first.*

--Jamilah, dear, Samira is being difficult, so could you carry a message to Marid for me?--

--Maybe you should be nicer to her if you want her to listen to you-- the psicrystal replies --Aren't you supposed to love her? But you ignored her because it was expedient.--

--Jamilah, remember, we didn't have the time to argue and this is the quickest way to bring everyone what they want, even Samira. My love for her is such that I have infinite faith that she will see the care for her in my actions. It does not mean we always have to agree.--

--I suppose-- the psicrystal conceded. --I just never like to see anyone unhappy, especially my beloved Samira.--

--Aha! But you were born from a fragment of my psyche, so you must admit that your love for Samira is also my own.--

--Fine, use your logic on me. You meanie! You know I can't keep up with you when it comes to that--

--Most honoured Marid-- Jamilah begins in her quick gabby telepathic voice that seemed somewhat similar to Shalah's --Hi! My name is Jamilah! I'm Shalah's trusted partner, and I want to be your friend! I feel so sorry for the troubles that your love has met, and I truly hope that you and Malika will live happily ever after! Will you be my friend? Please? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?--

--Oh, wait...Also Shalah wanted to say that your father accepts and approves your love with Malika now. Isn't that great? I want to throw you a party! Who do you think I should invite? Do you have any other friends? It must be lonely here with only your father, the guards, and the slaves.--

--It must be great for you to have Malika to talk to. I bet she's an amazing woman. I'd really like to meet her. I want to be her friend too! Oh, Shalah asks if you would be willing to wife both Malika and Kasir's daughter.--

--I think you should! Then you'll have more friends! And if Kasir's daughter isn't a good friend like Malika, you can just ignore her and only stay with Malika. Am I annoying you? Shalah says that I shouldn't start talking to people because I never stop. She thinks I'm too chatty.--

--You don't think I'm too chatty do you? I hope not because I'm just happy to be able to talk to someone, and you looked like such a nice person. I think everyone in Keldev should just all learn to be friends! Then nobody would have to fight anymore, and--

--Jamilah, you don't have an answer yet? Are you bothering poor Marid? Hush! Let him think about what I told you, little jewel.--

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Shalah hopes that Marid is able to determine her message in between Jamilah's good-natured chatter*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Marid looks utterly astonished and tries to interject once or twice to the voice in his head. He finally looks to Samira.*

"There's a voice in my head. It says it's a friend of Shalah...?" he asks in despiration. Assuming Samira will assure him he's not going mad, Marid will tentatively respond. I... I would take them both to wife. I would wish to speak with Malika though before saying for certain.

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Irrespective of Samira's answer, when Jamilah sees that Marid is talking to Samira instead of she, she flies up into the air and perches on Marid's shoulder.*

--Here, silly! Its me. I'm a psicrystal! Pretty cool, huh? I can even get spider-legs too and walk around! Don't you want to be my friend?--

*Jamilah feels self-satisfaction at keeping herself to a relatively low amount of chatter, as Shalah had asked, and if Marid gives his answer, she knows that Shalah will be pleased.*

--Hey, Shalah! You'll never guess what Marid told me. I know the answer. Isn't that great? Want me to tell you? Huh, huh, want me to tell you?--

--Yes, please, little beauty. I would be honoured if you would tell me this--

--OK! But fiiiiiiiiiirst, you have to guess which colour I'm thinking of. Which colour is it? Do you know? I bet you don't know.--

--Let me guess: Is it the vibrant blazing red of Samira's hair......again?--

--Wow? How did you know? You must be psychic!--

--Well I am a telepath, dear.--

--Okiday! Marid said that he's OK with marrying both of them, but he wants to ask Malika first.--

*Shalah's mental voice laughs.*

--A wise man. He knows that now that he is engaged to Malika, he will not be the one to make the decisions. He should do well.--

"Honoured Kadar," Shalah says, "Marid agrees with the sagacity of your decision, although he wisely wishes to ask Malika, the fire nymph's opinion on the matter before committing. Indeed, it is possible that she will be averse to this arrangement, so it would behoove us to speak with her as soon as possible, while she is still relatively nearby. With your permission, my companions and I will take our leave for now and return when negotiations with Malika are fully resolved. Of course, Marid, as the nymph's beloved, should accompany us, with your permission, and he will find the journey in our company much safer than his solitary trysts to visit Malika in the past."

*Asking the fire nymph's opinion...the thought couldn't help but make Shalah think that Jamilah might be right. Perhaps she should ask Samira for her opinion more often, even when Samira has already given it and Shalah does not need to ask, simply to show her care for the half-nymph's opinions.*

*Meanwhile, feeling liberated by her success with Marid, Jamilah has decided to talk to Samira.*

--O great and peerlessly Radiant Jewel, it is I, your humble servant Jamilah. I know you're mad at Shalah, and I think she was being a bit of a meanie when she didn't listen to you very well, but she's talking to me and I can tell that she's really sad now because it hurts her inside when you act aloof to her. She can't let it show in front of the Guardians and the other Heirs, but inside...she's crying.--

*Oooo, look at that,* thought the psicrystal, *I talked to Samira! I did it! And she didn't snap at me to quiet down, at least not yet! I think I said something helpful. And I didn't talk for too long. I did it! Hurray for me! I am the crystalline Queen of the Hidden Oasis!*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Kadar ponders this for a moment, and then nods.*

"This is understandable, and one cannot simply assume a fire nymph would simply agree. Yes, Marid may go and inquire of his future bride. Your willingness to accompany him is very generous. You say she is near? Very well, if she is in agreement, then I shall wish to meet her as well. I will send a pair of my own guards with you, so that one may return after he has spoken to her. If she agrees, I shall meet with her. If she does not, then we best be away quickly to avoid a scorned woman's wrath!" Kadar says with a bit of a laugh. "If she agrees we will have to discuss a dowery too..."

*Back in the heirs' tent, Marid was looking at the psicrystal with utter astonishment. He had seen them once or twice before, but they were always in the possesion of one of the Priests of the Five Pillars. In his mind, Shalah took on the aspect of a priestess, but he wondered at the psicrystal. It sounded more like a silly girl than a representative of the gods...*

 

[Rystil Arden]

--Jibril, what do you think about Kadar's guards? I suspect that their lack of skills compared to our mighty Guardians shall make them nothing more than a token gesture. And if need be, it shouldn't be difficult to slip ahead of them...I think what we can do is have a few of us slip out ahead of the main group while Kadar's guards are preparing for the journey. That way, Samira can reach Malika and we can chat before the rest of the group catches up.--

*There,* Shalah thought to herself, not sending a telepathic message to anyone in particular, *See, my love? We shall implement your plan even still!*

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Samira: Flamekissed Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt: Unfettered/Rogue/Seductress)

* Samira’s eyes went wide in shock as Marid answer her inquisitive questions with an answer she didn’t even expect but her eyes quickly narrowed as they flared in annoyance. She said nothing and only watched as her anger grew, and grew, till Jamilah presented it/herself as a target for her wrath. *

--To Bad! She’ll have a long time to get use to it at this rate! Inform her that she can sleep in the cold of the desert, that myself, nor my love, is not meant for someone who has no issues going behind my back or flat-out ignores me…--

 

[Rystil Arden]

*Jamilah, who doesn't know when to stay quiet, but at least doesn't want to be thought to be ignoring Samira, responds to the half-nymph's fiery anger.*

--Why are you being so mean? I was here too you know. Shalah asked your advice before anyone else, and then asked you if you desired to go with her to Malika alone instead of remaining, and you said that you'd prefer to stay and work things out with Jibril. Then she did as you said, conferring with you and Jibril, and the Guardian came to a plan that was a compromise for all of the Heirs' wishes, not just yours. Then Shalah felt your anger, which made her feel upset, so she tried not to bother you to let you cool down. And then when she tried to talk to you again, you were the one who ignored her. What else did you want her to do? Why can't you just be friends? Can't you see that she makes every decision thinking of you?--

--I'm sorry. That was uncalled for, and I was out of line.-- the psicrystal apologised, --Its just...it is my nature that I cannot help but be heartbroken whenever love and friendship are held hostage by the dark flame of anger. Even so, I...I cannot...I have committed a great offense. --

*Jamilah flies over next to Samira and quits flying, falling to the ground motionless*

--Feel free to shatter me into pieces if that is your desire.-- she says sadly

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Samira: Flamekissed Half-Nymph/Female (Gestalt: Unfettered/Rogue/Seductress)

* Though she was still angry Samira signed as she bent down and picked up the psicrystal tenderly. *

-- We will be fine. We just need to one again find our comfort zone with each other… I fear that it will take some work… I’m too use to being pampered and Shalah seems to have grown quite independent during her freedom… Yet she seems so willing to send Malika to a fate she once despised. Samira signed not so sure what to make of things, I don’t know… We seem far too different anymore and I’m use to having a sultan’s ear, yet I can’t even convince my true love that my ideas are worth defending in front of the others... It leaves me rather frustrated.--