Collaterals

Where to?

Leila took the hand Khaled offered, straightening up off the ground as she brought the flower to her nose. She made a face.

Khaled laughed, "It is certainly not known for its fragrance. More so for some medicinal properties. Though, some do enjoy it."

"I dare say its aesthetic alone is enough," Leila eyed the flower.

"If it is aesthetic you seek..." Khaled looked up to the sun, now at its highest. Then, he looked to Leila, as though figuring something out. "Perhaps you'd follow me?"

Leila raised a brow, "Where to?"

"I'll take that as a yes," Khaled smiled. He glanced to where Ali was, "A moment, please. I should ask if your brothers would like to join."

Leila watched as he made his way to Ali before she turned to where Captain stood, hands rested on the hilt of his sword, ever ready to strike. She brought the flower forward, "Have you ever seen anything like this?"

Captain Gawain frowned before he leaned forward, looking at the flower with ever the sour disposition.

"Once, long ago," he straightened, eyes moving across the field as though in suspicion. "But never had I thought to see it in a desert."

Leila glanced back at Khaled, speaking to her brother, who looked to her now. Boody grabbed Ali's hand, pulling at it so the Prince laughed, waving his hand at Khaled. Khaled only gave his own laugh before turning. Leila watched him return as she spoke to the Captain, "It would seam this desert has a great many of its own mysteries."

The Captain only grunted in response as Khaled smiled, putting a hand out as he began to walk, "After you."

Perhaps thirty minutes of walking had them moving past the flowers and onto a soft green grass that patted onto the ground, yellowing where feet had stepped atop it time and time again. Leila looked up at the rocky cliff as Khaled leaned onto it's mossy surface

"What's this?"

Khaled smirked as he turned, pushing his fingers onto the rock, "I do hope you like to climb."

Leila cocked her head, "Climb?"

He pulled himself up, feet  finding their hold. "I promise you, the view's worth it."

Leila could not help the smile creeping through the corner of her mouth. She brought her hands to the belt of her sword, but the Captain grabbed hod of her arm. Leila frowned, looking out him.

"You are to be ready,' his voice was low as he glanced behind her to Khaled, "at any time."

Leila held his gaze, for a moment, wanting desperately to turn her nose up at his distrust. Instead, she sighed, stepping back as she let go of the belt, "Very well. But you're to stand guard here."

"Here?" He sneered.

Leila nodded as she set the belt over a shoulder, her sheathed sword slung across her back. "Can't have you slowing us down."

Captain Gawain looked away in irritation, "If he pushes you off the cliff, I'll tell the Empress you were eaten by a bear."

Leila smirked as she turned, "Do that, then."

Leila did not look up as she grabbed onto the rock, grateful she'd not changed out her pants. And as she pushed off the ground and pulled herself up, she could not help but wonder, once more, what Zarqa would say about this.