My gaze traveled upwards as my uncles gathered themselves, waking Ripken from his sleep.
Several women and men stood upon the balcony, looking down. I growled softly. "That you would dare look down upon me begs question of your place." I snapped.
One of them stood firm, while the rest knelt quickly. He smiled, instead. "I am Sonja. I would break bread over business, Prince Maximus."
I hummed. "A merchant, then?"
"You mistake me. Business is a loose term. I'm aware you've brokered treaties with Rome, recently. I am impressed." He shook his head.
I smiled. "Is it rude of me, to say that I am also impressed?"
He raised a delicate eyebrow. "Oh?"
"You continue to stand above me, speaking of things as if we are equals. This takes many times the bravery of swinging a sword. I am, therefore, impressed, but growing impatient." I said, attempting civility.
He smiled again. "Ahhh... I've neglected a full introduction. My father is Sultan of the Abbasid Khalifat. You are but 2 miles from my lands, Prince."
I blinked slowly. "I was not aware he had such a handsome child, please forgive me. I have done business with your father before. He is the one-"
"Who granted you these lands. Yes. And so that no mistake is made, I will assume that you cannot discern my gender due to distance, sand, and my lack of gender-identifying clothing or veil. I am Princess Sonja." She said harshly, clearly divining that I viewed her as male.
I bowed my head. "Please forgive me my slights, milady. You are correct, the sun and dust mask my eyes. Welcome to my home, Lady Sonja."
She hummed softly. "I sense no sarcasm. You are truly apologetic. Rare, and impressive. Thank you."
I nodded. "I am aware that you must be very angry, at this constant misgiving. I apologized for the assumption I made, and because I would not offer you insult. I only offer insult to those who have angered me or my kin, and you have not. This is the thought behind my apology. I hope you accept it." I explained, and leapt, gripping the lowest piece of the balcony's supports.
I climbed the supports quickly, nimbly leaping onto the balcony, making several of the people squeak, and retreat. My uncles joined me in much the same way, dusting themselves off.
She chuckled softly. "You... are of a rare kind of man."
"I choose to be so, yes. These are my uncles, the triplet brothers of Empress Bryn, Roark, Damon, and Sky, and Ripken, my mother's brother." I grinned.
She gazed at us, and smiled slowly. "By the gods... I thought the reports exaggerated..." she spoke obviously without thought.
Ripken smirked. "And what reports are those, princess?" He teased gently.
"That you are as Gods, carved from marble and gold, standing as tall and wide as two lesser men, and that you fight as if Hel herself were moving your limbs towards deadly purpose." She raised an eyebrow, clearly unshackled by the embarrassment most would feel.
I laughed loudly. "I find myself flattered and happy with these reports, should they be true, but I would not claim Lady Hel in my actions, for fear of angering her, nor the visage of a god, for similar reasons."
She chuckled. "I suppose you would be correct in your denial. Now, let us away from this... what is the purpose of this place? Is it a training arena?"
"It is. For gladiators." I nodded.
