Brother of the Desert Rats

Children of War

Whether Emir's embrace had reminded Ara of her childhood self before her parents' deaths, or the princess had finally been pushed to the brink of insanity, Zaelan and Emir were not sure. But whatever the reason, Ara had transformed into an entirely different person. Every day she would come up with a new and completely bizarre idea on how to entertain themselves. And with each idea, came consequences.

The first incident involved starting a brawl during Captain Lev's training session, and ended with Emir getting a firm backhanded slap by the annoyed captain.

The second incident was letting all the horses out of the stable for a stampede about the courtyard, and this ended with Zaelan taking the blame and receiving a hard kick to the shins from the horse master.

The third incident was who could climb the highest tower from the outside of the palace, and this lead them all to getting caned across the back for immature and dangerous behaviour.

But none of the punishments deterred the three miscreants. In fact, it rather thrilled them instead and caused them to seek out more challenges. Having lived harsh lives and missing out on what should have been happy childhoods, the three young people felt their inner children thriving and healing with the mischievous acts.

As it were, the three were currently outside the city walls and up in the rocky cliffs behind Brunhelm.

"We'll probably get flogged again," Emir was muttering beneath his breath, as he straightened his back and stretched his arms out.

Ara just smirked at him. But Zaelan playfully poked the younger man in the back, causing him to gasp and spin around to glare at him. In the last several days as they spent the majority of their time together, Zaelan had reluctantly felt himself beginning to like the younger man. Perhaps he missed the times he had spent playing with Zarek. Or perhaps it was the older brother coming out in him.

"You're turning into a worrywart," Zaelan playfully scolded the younger man. 

Emir sighed. "I just don't think we should push the chief too far. I wouldn't doubt that his patience is running out, and we don't know how he might react."

Ara rose to her feet, pausing to dust her hands off against her pants. "Neither of you are wrong. But while the three of us stay together, I don't Grandfather will punish us no matter what we do." She hesitated as both men turned to stared questioningly at her. Her gaze drifted from one to the other, before she turned away and walked over to Vadd. "My grandfather wants me to marry Emir, but he fears that my feelings will grow for Zaelan if we spend time alone together. If he allows the three of us to play about, he hopes I will eventually come to love my future spouse or at least accept the marriage. But if he takes away Zaelan, he knows I will rebel more than ever. So, he allows it, although his patience thins."

Zaelan flushed at her words, and he glanced at Emir. The younger man was fidgeting uncomfortably with his tunic hem. As he watched, Emir sucked in a deep breath and glanced back at Ara.

"Let's not speak of marriage or of the future while we are together."

A small smile played across Ara's lips but it did not reach her eyes. "Then let us not speak of the past either. Let's just live in the present and speak of the day."

Emir said nothing at that retort. Instead he turned to Zaelan. 

"Twas Ara that began the brawl and drove the horses about the courtyard. And it was I who wanted to climb the tower peak. So, what is it that you desire we do?"

Zaelan turned his eyes to the view before him and looked out to the horizon. The one thing that had been on his mind lately. The thing that tormented him most. But he did not dare speak it out loud.