Snippet #2474507

Sevilla
Caliphate of Andalusia

General Sayid Jarrah arrived only a day after the Caliph, riding in from the East with a small escort of swift desert horsemen. He was younger than the Caliph by several years but the two of them had shared many battlefields together. Of late he had been tasked with marshalling the Armies of Andalusia in the East and preparing them for War, should the negotiations with Rhun turn sour.

His horse clattered through the Shadow Gate and turned to make the long climb up into the main fortress. He passed through the outer gates, nodding recognition to the soldiers who stood guard. He had many skills but one of the greatest he possessed was a flawless memory everything he saw, read, or heard was with him forever. It was a double edged sword for he could fondly remember all of the women he had been with, but his battles would never truly leave him either. A mixed blessing from the Goddess.

"The Caliph waits you in the Caliphs Towers, he says there is no need for haste." This came from a young stableboy who took the Generals horse and led it towards the stable where it would be watered, rubbed down and fed.

He stretched, glad to be out of the saddle and once again mentally blessing the Caliph who never rushed anything. He allowed himself to be led to a guest suite that had been set aside for him. Like most of the fortresses in the Caliphs domain the interior of the Sevilla Fortress was simple, practical, and inviting.

A small bathhouse was available on this floor, the water being pumped from below by great wheels that turned ever so slowly but managed to draw the water upwards. The hot bath had been stoked the minute he came into view and so now, as he lowered himself into the water, it was almost unbearable.

He relaxed, allowing the hot water to soak away the tension in his muscles and ease the pain in his lower back, riding a horse for hours on end tended to make one uncomfortable. Then he dunked his head, scrubbing at his beard and body, washing away the grim of his journey and the sand from places he did not wish to think of. Then he called for a servant and allowed himself to be properly washed, shampooed and scrubbed down before climbing from the water.

He chose a simple white robe trimmed with green. He did not bother to tie up his long hair but rather let it hang lose. A pair of sandals and his sword were the only other items he allowed himself before making his way through the fortress and into the lower portion of the Caliphs Tower. The lower floors of the tower were taken up by the Caliphs bodyguard, big men who watched him silently, returning his nod. None moved to stop him, they all knew who he was.

As he climbed the tower he passed through a suite of rooms on one floor that had been closed off and he could hear sweet singing coming from within. The Caliph must have brought one of his daughters along. Two guards stood outside this door and like the others they returned his nod but he knew they would not let him pass. No one saw the Caliphs daughters without his express permission.

He passed the Caliphs bedroom, then the upper library and at last he stepped through a final door and out onto the very top of the Caliphs Tower. The view, as it had always been, was awe inspiring. One one side he could easily see into the City of Sevilla, on the other three the endless Ocean of Fire stretched to the horizon.

A large awning had been stretched across the entirety of the towers summit and two cushion had been set out. The Caliph was alone, sitting cross legged and reading a series of manuscripts. A pile was on either side of him, one held down with his sword, the other with his helmet. He turned as the General appeared and offered him a smile.

"Welcome General Sayid Jarrah. How was your journey?"

"My Caliph." He responded, bowing low. "It was as I expected, long, hot, and full of sand. It is always a welcome thing to enjoy a bath after such a trip."

"Isn't it though." Said the Caliph as he gestured to the cushion across from him. "Please, sit."

The General did as he was bidden. The Caliph continued to read for a moment and the General recognized his own report in the Caliphs hand.

"So it is war?" Asked the Caliph as last as he put the manuscript down under his sword.

"I am afraid so sire. The King of Rhun seems quite determined to press his claims to Harad." Said the General. The King of Rhun, a fat toad like man, was a cousin to the former King of Harad, removed by a couple of generations but a blood claim none the less.

"I suppose if we must, we must." Said the Caliph in reply as he let out a heavy sigh. "So much for peace."