Collaterals

Stand and Wait

"She must present an agreed-upon sign."

Khaled looked to the hand now grasping his arm before looking to Advisor Hafiz. The other two appointed Advisors—Advisors Nabil and Adel—stood where they had just congregated this morning. There were two hourglasses by Advisor Adel, whose hand was on the smaller one as he looked between Khaled and the Advisor to Defense. Tameem looked just about ready to strangle the Advisor, only Khaled pulled his arm out of the iron grasp, "'I'm sure an exception can be made."

And with that he turned, crossing the courtyard to where Leila stood, unstirred by the motion. It was only when she heard his footsteps that she pushed onto the sword, her grip tightening over its hilt as she turned, ready to lift the weapon. Only she stilled, eyes wide as Khaled closed the distance between them.

"There is no time to explain," he began speaking as soon as he'd been within a step from her, kneeling by her feet and setting down the salves before standing and unfurling the yellow scarf. She watched with calculating eyes, glancing to where the three Advisors remained to ensure the laws were unbroken. Leila did nothing as Khaled held her arm, glancing to the metal cuffs on either forearm before he wrapped the scarf across her left arm, "I have been appointed to stand in your stead. You will be allowed four reprieves through the day, each a quarter of an hour long. They announced it upstairs, in the banquet, but they should have done it here."

Khaled kneeled down, looking to her thigh properly, now, as he tore just enough fabric to expose the wound. In truth, she needed a physician. Khaled frowned as he looked it over: an ugly thing, yes— with blood still seeping through cracks of dried red crusts— but not too deep. What had her plan been, Khaled wondered: to just let it bleed out? Soak through her pants, onto the ground until she could barely stand? He glanced up at her, letting go of the bubbling anger. Not her, he was not mad at her. He was mad at this situation, this God-awful situation she'd put herself in and—

Leila took a sharp breath against the sting of the slaves he applied. Her knees buckled, and Khaled's hand pushed at the small of her back, helping her stay upright, "You must stand with sword in hand." He worked through the wound, "Those are the rules. Only I am allowed to aide you, for five minutes before your reprieve, after which I will have your weapon and you will be free. My brother waits for you. See him, there, by your Captain? He has secured an area for you, where your ladies will be waiting so you may relieve yourself. They shan't touch you, nor speak to you, nor hand you anything. Only I may. But Tammy has placed food and water for you. Be sure to take them."

Khaled stood as he gave a final tie of the bandage he secured around her thigh. He looked to her wide eyes, speaking rapidly, "The yellow scarf is how I will know you need a reprieve. Remove it when you wish for one. Use it wisely, and—."

"Time!"

"Hand it to me, now. The scarf, yes. Now the sword. Go."

And so Khaled held the yellow scarf. He did not bother secure it to his arm, even as he scanned the area ahead. At best, this was a formality. Dueling anyone but the appointed Champion was seen as cowardly, a horrible way to begin a Kingship. And so Khaled was not too worried as he looked away, eyes moving instead to where Leila was. She'd already reached for the water, leaving the food alone as she trudged to where Tammy led her, the Captain following just behind her, her Ladies rushing ahead.

Khaled watched as one of her maids stayed behind, grabbing the food before following the Princess. Good. Perhaps she'd place it conveniently close to Leila should she chose to eat while she walked, which was likely all her time allowed. 

All Khaled had to do now was stand. 

Stand and wait.