Sandstorm (28 page)

"We…both knew what it was like to be harassed for not fitting in as we should. In school, and traveling, we looked out for each other." Shihab smiled faintly. "It was easier for me after I had a savage for a friend. By myself, I'm not very intimidating."

"But skilled enough to map the Desert, and much more, shadowfire," Sahayl replied. "You need more rest…but if you feel up to it, later, I would like to have you in attendance when I sentence the men who harmed you."

Shihab shivered. He'd never seen such an expression on Sahayl's face before. "What are you going to do?" Every law in Desert and Tavamara said the men would be executed, but he knew Sahayl would avoid that at all costs.

"That depends on the behavior of those who dared to touch you, my shadowfire," Sahayl replied. "If they behave poorly, only the lady will spare them. Bahadur, see he's attended. I have orders to pass. If he is feeling strong enough, then I want to meet with the relevant Sheiks this evening." He returned his attention to Shihab. "I would not ask you to move so soon, but I want them to see what was done."

"I'll be fine," Shihab replied. "Whatever you ask, Sahayl, I'll gladly do."

"Rest, shadowfire," Sahayl said, stroking his hair one last time. "For now, only rest." Turning away, boots clicking sharply on the floor, Sahayl seemed to stalk from the room, and Shihab distantly heard him calling orders to men beyond his sight.

Bahadur laughed softly and moved to sit on the bed, gently tugging Shihab close to rest against him. "Troublemaker."

"This isn't the kind of trouble I prefer," Shihab said, managing a smile that quickly turned into a yawn. "I prefer the kind that ends with everyone naked and happy." The arm around his shoulders tightened in surprise, then Bahadur laughed hard enough to shake them both.

Bahadur kissed him softly. "Incorrigible, shadowfire."

"Warhorse. Better go save everyone from Isra. He'll only behave for so long."

"I'll have you know I only punched three men, and they deserved it. Wafai punched two himself so I don't want to hear it." Isra stomped across the room and deposited himself on the bed, immediately touching, examining, reassuring himself that Shihab really was all right.

"Brat. I can't leave you alone for ten minutes."

Shihab smiled and leaned forward to steal a kiss. "Hmm…if I could just get our Prince to do that, I'd heal just fine."

Isra rolled his eyes. "Incorrigible," he said. "The warhorse has the right of it there. Stop using your injuries to get what you want. Rest. Also, you're a brat. Now I have to go with Noor while you get to rest and relax and do nothing but plot new ways to cheat at Taaki."

"Wait…" Shihab frowned suddenly. "How long have I been asleep? Shouldn't everyone be gone? Why has Sahayl delayed everything?"

"Because you were nearly killed, shadowfire. Sahayl was ready to tear apart the palace to learn who had done it." Isra's eyes glittered with anger. "Just wait until we find them. But, assuming all goes well tonight - now that we at least know which Tribes are responsible - we will leave in another day or so."

Bahadur kissed him one last time, then forced him down onto the bed, tugging the light blankets up. "Sleep."

"Why am I not in my own room?"

Isra smirked. "Sahayl is making it clear how very stupid it was to harm you."

Shihab smiled and closed his eyes. "Then all we need is for Bahadur to make his move, and everything will be as it should."

"Scheming little shadowfire," Bahadur muttered, and Shihab chuckled at the embarrassment he could hear in Bahadur's voice. Desert men were slow about everything but fighting, truly.

"Are you certain you'll be all right, shadowfire?" Sahayl asked as Bahadur carefully led Shihab to a large cushion beside Sahayl's seat.

Shihab looked around the room. Not the usual meeting hall Sahayl preferred, but the largest of the courtrooms - the main throne room. It was one of the least repaired rooms, but beyond a few holes in the roof it and the general lack of anything but the chair, rugs and cushions recently added, it was not as bad as the smaller court rooms. He wondered how long it would be before this palace finally matched its sister. Sahayl deserved the grandeur, eve if he would be the first to disagree.

He sat on a large cushion near the throne, with Isra beside him and Bahadur standing on the opposite side, doing a splendid job of looking menacing as Wafai entered, escorting three Sheiks - Zulfiqar and the Fox and Scorpion Sheiks.

"My Prince," Wafai said, bowing his head, and swept his arm out to indicate the gathered Sheiks. "As you requested."

"Thank you, Wafai," Sahayl said, and motioned for him to stand with Bahadur. "Honored Sheiks," he said, "I would like for you to take a look at what men from your Tribes have done."

The three men looked at Shihab, who kept his head bowed, a polite gesture and one he didn't really feel like giving - but there was a time to ignore etiquette, and a time to follow it. A moment later, however, gentle fingers tilted his head up, brushed the hair from his face, displaying the bruises marring one cheek, his badly split lips and the thin cut across his forehead. Sahayl let him go a moment later, and when he spoke again his voice had a cold edge that made Shihab glad he wasn't the Sheiks.

It was interesting that Sahayl had chosen here to confront them. He was inarguably putting himself in a position above them; a position of power. Nothing could say more clearly that he was Prince and they were merely Sheiks. He could tell from the expressions on their faces that the Sheiks were well aware of what wasn't being said, and were not pleased.

But there was nothing they could do. Sahayl had offered them a place to stay, they all had agreed to help drive out the heathens…and men of their Tribes had wrongfully harmed a man under Sahayl's protection.

"You say the attackers are from our Tribes," the Fox Sheik said. "Prove it."

"Shihab recognized the markings of those who attacked him. I trust his word and memory."

He paused. "Far more than I trust any of you." Sahayl's gaze lingered on Zulfiqar.

Zulfiqar stared back. "It was not under my orders. I will not tolerate such behavior. If your man can tell me who of my men were present, I will deal with them."

"No," Sahayl said. "They acted against me, harmed what belongs to me, and are attempting to undermine my authority."

"You have no authority over us."

Sahayl looked at the Scorpion Sheik, unfazed by dark eyes that had intimidated more than one man - but given what Sahayl must have grown up with, all he'd learned about what Sheik Hashim had done, Scorpion had a long way to go before a mere look unbalanced the Sandstorm Prince. "I do have authority over you. I have told you before, Scorpion, that if you have a problem with it then you are free to leave. Two of your men hurt what belongs to me, and if you do not bring the culprits to me I will see your entire Tribe punished for it."

Fox hissed, outraged, and Shihab wondered if his fur would be standing up were he a real fox. The thought almost made him laugh, but this was definitely the wrong time to laugh.

Perhaps his beating was a good thing, after all, for it was giving Sahayl a chance to truly assert his authority. If he won this battle, it would end several more before they began. To have these three Tribes, along with Falcon, Horse and Owl?

Would go very far indeed.

"You would not dare," Scorpion said. "How could you punish an entire Tribe?"

"Bring me the men who hurt Shihab, or you will find out," Sahayl said. His hand curled around the edge of his low seat, then slowly relaxed. "Tribes have always fought, I don't expect that to stop for a long time. But while gathered here we should be temporary allies, we should be able to hold together against the heathens that threaten. For no reason your men attacked a man who is here solely to help us with that threat. I will not tolerate such uncalled for violence. I won't. Bring me the men responsible, Sheiks, or I will punish your Tribes for acting against the throne of Tavamara."

Fox and Scorpion started to protest, but Zulfiqar's voice cut through the room, stopping them both short. "Yes, Highness. Do you have any idea who from my Tribe was responsible?"

"Shihab?" Sahayl asked.

Nodding, Shihab began slowly, carefully, to describe each of the men he'd seen, recounting features and Tribal markings.

"Your memory is remarkable for a man who was being beaten," Scorpion said, distrust thick in his tone.

"My honored father says the Lady gifted me with a remarkable memory," Shihab said quietly.

"He realized it when I was very young, and trained me to make the most of it. I need only see or read something once and I will always recall it."

"Your father?" Zulfiqar asked, frowning. "Who is your father, to say the Lady gifted you so?"

Sahayl quirked a brow. "Have you not heard, Cobra Sheik? Perhaps you have been too busy. He is the son of Ikram, former son of Cobra, son of Tavamara, son of the Lady of the Sands."

Zulfiqar's brows went up. "Ikram?" he asked. "He has not spoken to us since he left…but he did not leave on positive terms, though he did try."

"Few sons of the Lady forgive their brothers for leaving the Desert," Sahayl said peaceably.

It was obvious Zulfiqar wanted to ask more questions, but he merely nodded. "I will locate the man in my Tribe who committed this crime, your Highness. If you are still willing to accept Cobra's aid, we will also add our forces to yours when you leave tomorrow."

"I will accept it. Kahlil is handling the arrangements, speak with him. Thank you, Cobra Sheik, for cooperating."

Zulfiqar bowed his head.

"Scorpion? Fox?"

Shihab almost winced. To leave off the 'Sheik' was insulting. Very.

"Fox will bring you the offenders…Highness."

"Thank you, Fox Sheik. Scorpion?"

"It would seem I have little choice. Sheik or Prince, you are still a Ghost."

Sahayl merely looked at him. "You would risk your entire Tribe for the sake of pride, Scorpion?"

"I will bring you the men…after I am convinced they were truly in the wrong."

Sahayl nodded. "Then you are all free to go."

Fox and Scorpion turned sharply on their heels and stalked from the room.

Zulfiqar lingered, hesitating. Finally he gave a soft sigh, as if reaching some decision. "I apologize, Highness, for my earlier behavior. A father is protective of his children, especially his daughters."

"Of course," Sahayl said, gold eyes lightening, something in them easing, taking him by surprise. "There is nothing to forgive."

"There is," Zulfiqar said, his gaze flicking for a moment to Isra. "I appreciate your grace." He smiled briefly. "I never thought to see you in such a position, Sahayl - if you will forgive the informality."

Sahayl waved the words away. "I regretted losing your comradeship, Cobra Sheik."

"Zulfiqar works well enough. I think your father would be envious of the power you've gained…but he would also be proud."

"Thank you," Sahayl said quietly.

Zulfiqar shifted his attention to Shihab, hesitating again. "How is your father?"

"My honored father does well," Shihab says. "He is advisor to the King and happily married to my mother."

"I sense an intriguing story there," Zulfiqar said dryly. "Certainly it explains why you are clearly not the heathen you appear to be. Perhaps someday you will be kind enough to tell me the story."

Shihab blinked, surprised. His father rarely mentioned Cobra, usually only to say he was no longer welcome, and never would be. He'd always had the impression that Cobra would cheerfully kill his father, or come close, should they ever see Ikram again. Yet…Zulfiqar acted as though violence was the last thing on his mind. That fierce face, covered in the full body tattoo of scales, usually so menacing, looked almost sad. "Gladly. My father rarely speaks of his years in the Desert, and declares his heart to be with Tavamara, but I know he misses it."

Zulfiqar gave a faint smile. "We were friends, once. I am glad he is well. If you will excuse me, Highness, it seems I have a man to hunt out."

"Of course," Sahayl said. "Thank you, Zulfiqar."

"Good night." Bowing his head, Zulfiqar turned and left, steps soundless on the floor, head and shoulders held high, though it seemed to Shihab he still seemed somewhat downcast.

Isra grunted when they were finally alone. "That went surprisingly well."

"You sound disappointed," Bahadur said. "Were you hoping to shed blood?"

"Weren't you?" Isra countered.

"Perhaps."

Wafai rolled his eyes at both of them.

"You were thinking the same thing," Isra accused, catching him.

"How are you planning to punish them, my Sandstorm Prince?" he asked, ignoring Isra.

Sahayl sighed. "Saa, that depends on how things progress. I guess we will see when the prisoners are brought to me."

"He's acting more and more like a Prince," Shihab said with a grin.

"I certainly do not feel like one," Sahayl said. "If I were them, I would not be pleased with me.

But the decision was made. Wafai, would you please go find Kahlil and inform him of Cobra's altered decision? Pass the change along to the allied Tribes?" He smiled faintly. "Inform your wife she can stop torturing her poor father."

Wafai laughed, and bowed his head. "Of course, my Sandstorm Prince. I will see you in the morning, then?"

"Yes. Good night and Lady bless your dreams with peace. Give my love to Rafiqa."

"Good night, my Sandstorm Prince. Brothers." Bowing, Wafai strode from the room.

Shihab grinned. "Wait until I write my father about this…though perhaps I'll try to leave out the part where I was neatly trounced." He winced as he stood, and ignored Bahadur's attempts to make him sit back down. He leaned over Sahayl, grin turned playful. "So am I really yours?"

He laughed softly at the sudden flush that overtook Sahayl's cheeks. "I only said that to make clear how badly they had trespassed."

"The same reason I was in your bed?" He should stop teasing, but he couldn't help it.

"I would never presume to-"