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Waited on the richly colored and intricately decorated blankets, surrounded by pillows, it was time again for him to instruct them in the way of the sword, Kamal had done a good job in his stead teaching his brothers when Ryar himself was dealing with herd business, or business of the common folk who had come to him to complain of this and that, such a tiring process. it was his job to listen to their complaints, and petty and simple as they were. So he always looked forward to training his sons when he was able, he had much to teach them as he had taught Kamal and Saafir.

Latif, Adel'Farsi, Shahzad, and Haidar, three of them were strong able bodied sons, despite where some of their interests seemed to lie. He'd been watching them grow trying to find a place for them all, Latif, he'd decided once an adult would be his Queen's Personal guard, he could finally do away with Quyen as her royal escort, that mare was too strong willed for her own good, and her mate too shy he'd become a priest a healer, admittedly they needed healers so it worked out in the end.

But what do do with the other three... Shahzad was a strong able boy with both his mother's brain and his strength, the boy could be very versatile in many areas, while Haidar seemed to only have an interest in books, not much else interested him though he had some skill with a sword.. and Adel, his poor son the boy was weak with sickness all the time, surrounded by sand so fine it could cause the boy a coughing fit, he was still a young colt, but Ryar was starting to have doubts the boy would ever truly recover and become as strong as the rest of them. Adel wouldn't be strong enough to hold a sword for a long time yet.

The King of Kings continued to ponder leisurely as he waited for the arrival of his sons sword by his side.


Kamal on the other had was off doing his fathers bidding gathering his brothers, Shahzad would be easy enough to find as the boy should have been practicing already after completing his studies, however Haidar hadn't left the books Kamal suspected, Haidar always had his nose in the books. Kamal couldn't help but sigh, he had an interesting set of brothers now, just as his father had always wanted many sons.

The Heir worried for Adel as did they all he was not as strong bodied as the rest, though Kamal saw his strength of will hidden behind his sickly body. But that was not enough, Kamal expected to help him along, but father had asked for him as well despite his current health, and so Kamal would call for him.

ah there was Shahzad, a little ahead, not training though what was the colt doing? "Shahzad where are your brothers Haidar, Latif and Adel?" Kamal called to the colt as he approached "Father has called for you all."



Shahzad had in fact been brooding pacing back and forth. He didn't understand why a half wit like Kamal got to be the Heir because he was born first. Saafir seemed to make up for all his faults in intelligence but a good king shouldn't require his brother to help him hold the throne. Maybe because Kamal was the very image of Shahryar's own likeness? Regardless he felt it wrong.

"Why can't I rule?" he whispered under his breath, but shut his mouth suddenly as Kamal called to him

"Brother Kamal," he gave the eldest a bow "Father has called?" he always loved it when father called them, it usually meant something important or training and they'd even be getting that sick brother of his out of bed, he felt sorry his boor brother, his body was weak, but as he was realizing it was better for him.

"I suspect they are were they usually are, Latif is with Mother, Adel being tended to by the mares, and Haidar with his books, but I could be wrong." he said before heading off to the training grounds, "Brother I will go ahead." slightly disrespectful but satisfying none the less as he brushed off his brother, Kamal shouldn't have to ask to know where the four of them were.

As expected, Adel had been surrounded by mares who were there to watch over him. They had him in the shade on a pile of soft leaves. He had just gotten over a particularly bad coughing fit and as such, they had not permitted him to move until they were sure it had run its course.

The colt grumbled and rested his head on a rolled up leaf, watching as a fly haphazardly buzzed around it and in fact into it. The fly would probably die soon. Adel almost envied its short life span. Though it was short, at least it got to live every day to its fullest. No told it not to pick up a little fly sword because it would hurt itself. No one told it not to buzz around excitedly because it might pass out. No one kept it from being a fly.

Hearing his name called, the colt looked up slowly. Was he being summoned? This was...rare. Often times his brothers would be summoned and Adel would be left to the mares. This could prove to be interesting.

Jumping to his hooves with no heed for the concerned mares around him, the colt proudly trotted forward towards his older brother Kamal and gave a respectful tilt of his head. Adel stood tall and strong despite his weakness. He had to show his family he was worthy of their lineage.

"I was summoned, brother?" he asked in a strong but friendly tone.

Abd-al-Latif stood on the edge of the forest, looking out over the wide expanse of desert that enclosed the oasis in a prison. A beautiful prison with plenty of food and water, but a prison nonetheless. At least for members of it like him, forced to stay here by his family. "A Prince was not supposed to wander the world unless on business of their herd." Not something anyone had told him directly, but it didn't take a grown equine to learn the ways of royalty. A Prince is tied to their family. Now and forever in duty. He supposed he could get himself kicked out, but the thought of lowering himself to that of a common criminal was even worse than being trapped.

He wasn't even sure if he liked his family all that much. If he was to be perfectly honest. His father was too obsessed with getting sons and keeping the mares in their place to be anything but a predictable bore. His mother, she was too cold-heated to be of much interest to anyone. She had her own agendas. Secret agendas she kept to herself. Who knew what she was really thinking behind that mask she held on her face. Not just the silken one, but the neutral touch to her lips that made it difficult to figure out her emotion. That made her seem so cold and full of secrets.

Latif wouldn't be surprised if she could see right through him. There were days he swore her eyes twinkled at him with the extreme wisdom she hid from most of the herd. Why she did that he couldn't seem to understand. She couldn't be fooling everyone with the dumb blonde act. Not with her history.

Oh, how many scholars must have studied her actions in becoming the last bride. The colt wondered what conclusions they could have come up with. What did a scholar know? Nothing but numbers and theories.

Head held high, the bay colt walked back further into the depths of the jungle only to be stopped by a couple of familiar guards. When they told him he was needed, he almost grimaced, but caught himself in time to give a little wave of his hoof to dismiss them. If being a Prince had one advantage, it was that.

Without a word, Latif crossed the distance to the meeting place and got into position as the elder son of the second batch of kids.

Kamal Gave Adel a nod "You were, The King of Kings has called all his sons." Adel was quite spry today, Father must have known. How eager he was to be with the rest, Kamal watched in hidden amusement of the surprised mares around Adel as he got up. "You seem well Brother Adel'Faris." He was glad adel felt better. "Now both of you this way." he said leading his two brothers to the meeting place.

Kamal could not help but smile at his youngest brother. "Father will understand one day." giving Haidar a gentle brotherly nudge as they walked. Father had understood for Saafir, Haidar's day would come and he would be left with his books and there was no shame in that. Wisdom too was needed, that's why his brother Saafir was the Vizier, and too Saafir would be his adviser when Kamal inherited the herd.

All of Father's dreams rested on Kamal the eldest, the heaviest burden was his to bare though not alone. All the expectations were placed upon him to be exactly like father, and Kamal took them all. It would allow his brothers to more freely choose their own paths. Smaller burdens were placed upon the rest of his siblings to always be close as a family. Father sometimes didn't understand the personalities of his sons because he had such high hopes for them all. But that was just one form of the love he gave. Mother helped him understand always, Father needed mother because of this.

When they arrived Kamal made a quick count they were all here, Kamal taking his place beside father as the heir. Bowing of course before doing so, His father was the King of Kings of course, but so too were his brothers. But he sensed this meeting was more for the placement of the sons within the herds.

"Father," he spoke in a formal respected tone before facing his siblings.

Each son was announced as they arrived, And Shahryar smiled proudly as he saw all of hie youngest sons stand before him in order. Latif Adel, Shahzad and haidar. The stallion sheathed his sword and let it hang from his robes. He examined each of his sons one at a time confirming his suspicions before taking a step back. Yes this is where they should all go, Latif the eldest of the four should be His mate's protector he spent the most time with his mate after all, Adel a Vizier like his brother Saafir, his sickly demeanor was hardly suited for anything else, Shahzad and Haidar would be both Spahbod, leaders of the army. Shahzad was indeed clever and loyal haidar had surely studied all the strategies.

"My sons, before we begin training now that you have all grown I have now decided after watching you during training," the great stallion paused and looked to Latif. "Latif, You are to be a royal guard and protect the Queen." then to Adel "A Vizier, you shall learn from Saafir." turning to Shahzad, "You are to be the Spahbod loyal and strong you will lead the army, when you are yet older."

Finally reaching Haidar Shah Ryar paused, Kamal had gone to fetch his son who stayed with the dusty old scrolls and books. Rethinking his decision Ryar made another one. He knew of Haidar's love for books he had hoped the colt would grow out of it, but alas, to no avail. A Spahbod would not fit his youngest son who chose books over the sword even tactical scrolls. It almost broke the stallion's heart, but never the less. "Haidar, you are to be a royal guard with Latif." He had spoken with his queen some time before, as usual she always knew what to say.

The Stallion walked behind his sons "Kamal," he ordered "Take Adel to Saafir." his gaze fell onto the rest of his sons "The rest of you claim a sword and we will begin training."

Aah there was Latif a little late as usual Followed by both Kamal, Adel and Haidar. Kamal had gathered them but they were still slow, Shahzad couldn't help but be curious about what his father had in mind having them all there even weak Adel.

Shazad knew it, he was placing them in the her. The young colt had to withhold his excitement being stoic and calm. It was not heir but it was good enough for now, he'd get lessons with father about tactics. He'd use this opportunity to impress father even more. The cold held in his excitement, shame he would not inherit the army right away... his other siblings would be groomed for their positions right away yet.

All he wanted was for father to see his worth, mother already did why couldn't he? but for now he was contented and training was to begin. Though he would never be allowed first to gab a sword that was Latif after all. He hated the hierarchy of this place. Though he agreed the mares had their place. No one should interfere with the kings rule.

So the cold waited.

As Kamal addressed him, the prince could not help but smile. He was, after all the son of the king of kings.

"Very well, brother!" he responded, a little spring in his step which elicited an annoyed hiss from his main nanny. Adel brushed it off and trotted to keep up with his brother's longer legs.

"And you as well, Kamal".

He nodded to his other brother, trying to contain his excitement as they all gathered in a row to await their destiny. He was so anxious!

Until he heard his name...

Vizier.

Adel'Faris held back his guttural reaction and tried not to wince. Perhaps it was a job his brothers wanted. Perhaps it was a job of status and power. Perhaps it was one of the most important jobs. After all, the advice of a vizier could make or break a king's decisions and actions. A vizier wielded not only power, but the most dangerous weapon of all...Trust.

Or so his mother would have told him, he was sure.

"Thank you, king of kings," he responded, forcing his tone to be strong and assertive. He only got this position at all because he was viewed as weak and broken. Too ill for the edge of manual labor. Too weak for the way of the sword. Too pathetic for the life he truly desired.

Still, Adel tried very hard to keep the disappointment off of his face and to fight down the jealousy with stoicism. No emotions could show. No soldier was ruled by his feelings...nor was a vizier, he supposed.

Adel wanted nothing more than to run. To prove he could do something, anything at all. Instead, he hung back, quietly, avoiding eye contact with his brothers.