The little prince gave a weary cough and kicked at the sand beneath his hooves. Wide brown eyes glanced back the way he had come, assuring him that no one had chased him out or seen him make his escape. Good. They all worried too much about him. So what that his legs were wobbly? So what that he was always coughing and tired? He was a prince of the great King of Kings. His blood. His flesh. He was just as strong as the rest of them. He was born of greatness.
Screwing up his face in irritation, the little prince stomped his hoof into the ground in indignation and bucked a little bit. It was all too much! Here he was, almost a grown stallion and they were afraid to let him go on a walk by himself. What was the worst that could happen? It wasn't like the sand would swallow him up whole. Perhaps a bird would defecate in his general direction. That might set off some sort of episode. He might faint.
It wasn't fair!
Anger reaching its boiling point, the little prince kicked off from the ground and bolted even farther from the safety of his home, wanting nothing more than to be away from it all if only for a little while. Eventually he would go home to the nuzzling of his caretaker and the close inspections and the "you have sand in your mane, young prince" but not yet. Not now.
It wasn't long before the little prince no longer recognized where he was. He tried to slow down but lost his knees buckled from the effort and stumbled face first into the sand, letting out a cry of outrage as he came to a skidding halt, a mess of legs and hair. He forced himself to his feet and coughed out the sand that had lodged itself in his throat.
That was...embarrassing. But no one had seen it. No one would know he had stumbled like that, right?
Right.
...Except that blue shawl just ahead of him looked incredibly familiar.
"...Sooraya?" he called out, shaking sand from his mane as he trotted forward curiously, his anger temporarily forgotten. What was she doing here?
Ice_Dragon_Demon
...Sorry for the wonky first post. Adjusting to this new muse. I also couldn't think of a set up better than this. /cough
Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 3:57 pm
Coughing... and then her name...
Sooraya froze instantly froze mid set. Who? her mind raced the fact there wasn't 'princess' in front of it meant it was one of her family, she was finished she'd be watched like a hawk never aloud out again at least not without an escort. Good bye training, why hadn't she noticed, some warrior she was. Her ears flattened, she was doomed.
Adel hadn't been the only one to sneak out that night, it had since been easier with everyone fussing over the new princes, and her aunt, Sooraya had found it easier to avoid detection the moon lit her way to her private little place the place she trained in secret, she was a warrior she just hadn't found a chance to prove it, that cast it in a proper light... not one that was shameful to her family. She'd found herself intent to impress that wandering warrior if he ever was to return, though she wasn't sure why. He wouldn't likely come back, but he was so strong looking, and had been in many battles. If he did come back maybe he would teach her, he didn't looks down on her the same most of the males did.
But... That was all over now with a single word and a sword in her mouth.
Quickly, she thought as quickly as she could slipping the sword back into it's sheath hopefully, please say he didn't see it. Maybe maybe the darkness would hide the blade.
"Uncle A.. Adel'Faris, what are you doing out here?" was all she managed "it's not good for your health." maybe, maybe she could re direct his attention, oh she was in such trouble.
Adel took a step closer, eyes going wide at the familiar shape that vanished into the darkness. Swords always managed to slip away from him every time they were in his presence. It's not safe for you to learn, Adel, your health is too poor. Sparring would certainly set off a coughing fit. Maybe when you're older.
Maybe.
Maybe meant...Wait, what had she said?
His health.
The sickly prince's eyes narrowed at the mention of his health and he scoffed, forcing back another cough of sand that burned in his throat, threatening to prove the mare's point. Despite the pain, he held it back, showing no signs of his discomfort. He stood a little taller on his awkward teenage legs and cleared his throat all in an attempt to seem more...like his father. No one would ever dare tell the king what to do.
"My health is my own concern," he started sternly but obviously flustered. He took a more comfortable stance in the sand before continuing in an attempt to regain his dignity, "But,"
Wait, wait. Sword. She had a sword. Sooraya had a sword. He would recognize one anywhere. Adel spent long hours watching fighters at their tasks, memorizing the curve of the blade, sounds it made as it cut through the air or slid back into its home. It was as unmistakable as his hoof in the sand. She had had a weapon.
That had to be forbidden. Women were just as limited as he himself was. That had always been an insult to his growing pride. Prince of the king of kings and barely treated as anything above a young mare. She would be in so much trouble when they found out.
...Sooraya must have known how dangerous this was. That was why she was alone tonight with the cool desert air her only companion just as Adel had been. But what to make of all of this?
"But...what are you doing out here? What if the wrong company had found you before I did?"
No doubt about it, the mare was up to something...But for now, Adel decided to take a leaf from his mother's book and play this one close to his chest to see what information he could glean out of the situation. She always seemed to be so well informed.
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 10:25 pm
Right, Adel was always prickly about his health, at least she'd managed to get him unstable for a moment. Now like her grandmother she just had to keep it going, she'd taken enough lessons, as much as she hated most of them they were useful and the had always thanked grandmother for that.
But the way he responded was like a typical stallion of the family, like her grandfather that tone, even uneasy was a prickle in Sooraya's side, she'd dealt with it all her life, now she had to deal with it from four new uncles.
"I am still older than you uncle Adel, I just found myself stifled so." Sooraya couldn't help but point out the great age gap between them with a masculine edge of authority she'd been hiding, she'd been born far before her uncle, but that didn't account for much she being a mare, she didn't really have any right to speak like that, it was just so frustrating. She had spoken truth, though perhaps not the whole truth. Now if she was to say what she felt inside, any wrong company would be headed for the hills, this was her private place... she should have taken a better are to watch her back.
Though she realized he'd seen the sword he hadn't realized what she'd been doing with it quite yet. This was hopeful, maybe she could still turn things in her favor.
Time to go back to acting like her grandmother, instead of the stallion she'd rather be. Why were there so few mares in this family? How could she not be jealous surrounded by testosterone filled males. Her grandfather was so happy about it, she just felt out of place, but in the meantime she had to deal with her uncle.
"What of you Uncle? Why are you out here, you would be as easy a target as myself, for the wrong company." she said with a slight mysterious air, she was quicker than most of the stallions in her family, smaller, lighter, it gave her an advantage when someone underestimated her.
Sharp words from a mare he had always assumed to be dull. This served two purposes. First, it enraged him that she dare speak to him this way simply because she was safe from the reprimanding tones that his father had no problem using. Yes, she was older than he and that had always been a point of interest...yet..He had always been groomed to assume he was the superior. This conundrum was almost enough to throw him off of her scent if not for what came next.
Intrigue.
It was brave of her to speak this way even away from home. A simple word from Adel could easily bring down wrath upon her head. She had to be aware of this fact. She had to know. So why was she so confident now when she never acted this way before...Or at least that he had seen.
He had heard it said that a mare too full of herself would often act as a man. He laughed to himself, allowing it to have a condescending edge in hopes she would think him laughing at her.
Adel's mind began to piece things together. He too had learned much from watching the quiet ways of his mother. Keep a calm mind even in the face of bad manners. Always think. Always question. Even if one is pushing your buttons or speaking out of turn. He never saw his mother snap. He would not allow this mare to shake him.
She spoke with confidence. The same confidence a man of the family would speak with. She was alone at night with sword at the ready. She viewed herself to be able to take care of herself as a man might.
...Perhaps...
"Perhaps you could protect your poor, sick Uncle with that sword of yours," he stated with a sly grin.
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 11:39 pm
She had been told to hide her very nature, by everyone, even if Adel spoke to his father, her grandfather nothing would change, she would be reprimanded punished and then followed around by guards constantly, and she'd loose the prized sword she traded for with the jewels she'd been given as a present from some suitor from a far away land. She had no need for pretty jewels as much as she did her own weapon. She was not afraid of another reprimand far from it...
She had seen little of Adel other than when she was tending to him, as mares were supposed to, though she had hardly said anything then, she just did as she was supposed to, as 'any' mare was supposed to. She had seen him sitting, on the edge of the training grounds as her other three uncles were taught by her father and grandfather the art of the sword, had she seen herself there? As she passed from time to time, forbidden from even touching that which she'd chosen as her most prized possession.
And she could use it too, it had taken her quite some time to become fluid, but she had, and was very proud of it she'd be as good as her father soon she was certain, though she had no one to practice against. As luck would have it she'd snuck another sword with her that was hidden in the sand by her hooves.
She's certainly been caught, yet the comment amused her still she couldn't help but laugh, this was going to be interesting. She calmed herself quickly before offering both smirking and wide grin back at her young uncle.
"Perhaps you could learn uncle." she smoothly slipped the other sword up from the sands skillfully and tossed it in front her uncle landing a few feet away "If you permit such a mare to teach you."
Adel had been certain he had her. Whatever it was she was up to, he had busted her and was certain that her rude behavior towards him would not go unpunished. Especially not with the evidence he had.
But what came next proved to be more than the young stallion had expected. As the sword hit the sand at his feet he could no longer contain the cough that had been building in his throat the entire time. He let loose a furious whoop of a cough and finally the sand dislodged itself from his throat in a wet cloud of tiny crystals and saliva.
Once he had it under control, the young prince looked up, embarrassed at his reaction but he did not flinch. This night was proving to be stranger and stranger by the moment.
All of his short life, Adel'Faris had longed for his father or brother to approach him, sword at the ready, offering him the chance to learn what a male should learn. To be able to protect his loved ones. To be able to defend his family name. To be a warrior. To be more than the coddled, sickly prince kept in the corner and with the mares. His life had been a portrait of unfulfilled dreams and now of all people to offer him a sword, it proved to be his niece.
How long had she been doing this? Surely no one knew it was happening or she would no longer be a part of their family.
But did that matter when she was here and now offering him something he had only dared to dream of? To learn to fight...The thought filled him with joy and anger.
How was it that mare saw his ability to learn before his own father had?
If that was what it was...For all he knew, she was simply trying to save her forbidden hobby.
As much as he wanted to rush into this, Adel felt he should be a little more...cautious first.
"You would teach me? In exchange for what? We both know that this is forbidden so why would you risk it by involving me?"
In truth, Adel would have been thrilled with her teaching him in exchange for his silence and he had a feeling that was what this was...But this mare had already proven tricky tonight. It was best to know what she was up to for certain and not act based on guesses when it put him at risk.
Ice_Dragon_Demon
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 9:03 am
Sooraya looked over at her uncle for a moment with some concern, that cough was the reason no one let him touch a sword, he would undoubtedly find her concern annoying and coddling but she still didn't want to be responsible for her uncles decline in his health however perhaps if little by little he could increase his physical strength maybe it would do just the opposite she kept silent until the fit had stopped.
The twist was rather ironic,none of the other stallions would help Adel learn but Sooraya a mare would teach him what she knew, so long as he kept her little secret, maybe it would be nice to have her uncle with her, might make things easier too getting out and around specifically, they wouldn't question it as much. Sooraya waited patiently for her uncle to respond dark eyes sparkled intelligently as she saw him thinking. She had an idea where this was going.
Forbidden to do the same as her brother and uncles, to protect her family name only because she was a mare, it was just as frustrating as Adel's sickness to him. "I would teach you," she smiled before chuckling a bit "you are clever my uncle I expect you already know the only thing I ask." Sooraya, offered only a slight smile as she glanced back in the direction of the herd, she'd never be accepted as a warrior, not truly ever, but Adel, they would welcome, grandfather would be thrilled.
That wasn't true there had been one, but he was long gone.
All she wanted was Adel's silence, no more, so she could keep training, well maybe a friend, it would have gotten harder to continue with more of the sons around protecting her mother, aunt and grandmother. But he had asked why she suspected for the same reason he had ventured out same as her.
"Why would you risk coming here on your own same as your Niece?" she shot back with a sly smile in the moonlight.
For the first time that night a genuine smile crept onto the young prince's lips and his expression brightened to nothing short of pure joy. Sure, he was going to be taught by a mare...But that mare was willing to give him the chance no stallion ever would. This was his chance and he would not let it pass him by. He would finally be considered something other than the fragile son of the King of Kings. Unfit for battle. Unfit for power. Good only to be cared for, a burden upon the family to be passed from care taker to care taker his whole life.
His pride could silence itself. This was the night his life began to change. His mother would not allow her pride to get in the way of her truly changing her life. Why should he?
"Then you have my silence, Sooraya, in exchange for your knowledge," he replied with quiet confidence.
Adel stepped forward and bent his mouth to collect the sword, pausing on for one moment.
"But I have to wonder...How did you learn to use a sword? Who would dare teach you? Not to shun your offer, of course, but...you must understand my curiosity," he inquired, a sincere tone to his voice.
Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:12 pm
"Then you have my knowledge, Thank you Unlce." Sooraya gave a nod to her uncle Breathing a light sigh of relief, things may certainly turn out for the better. She'd Never been a teacher before either, mare's weren't allowed to do that unless they had children even then stallions still had to teach the sons everything a male should know.
She smiled and gave a nod, she did understand how dare a stallion teach a mare about the sword that was almost capital offence. "Once, Father took myself and my brother out for a sword lesson, My brother only of course I was only to watch as my father taught my Brother." Unfortunately, as soon as she picked up a sword and started whipping it around with some form, already better than her brother. Her father had been genuinely impressed and allowed her to continue the rest of the lesson that day however upon return Kamal had to take the weapon away and explain to his daughter why mares were not allowed swords. Her father also mentioned how no one must know of it. at least all of it. As his daughter it was her duty to uphold her father's Honor as heir despite the great pains it caused her.
"The rest I learn myself... By watching grandfather Spar with father and uncle Saafir," She smiled before adding " and father teaching my brother." though she was shooed away every time, The art of the sword was not for mares. Despite that she always made sure to pass by the training grounds, always for as long as she could.
She was no longer alone though, and being with Adel a male, would make moving around so much easier for the both of them. Especially once her uncle good into stallion hood and had all the rights of a prince, save this one.
"Shall we begin Uncle?" the mare grinned swiftly pulling the sword at her side from it's sheath.
