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“The honor is all mine, Sheikh Rahim,” Kadar said, unable to prevent himself from checking over the man’s shoulder. Was Sarah there, listening somewhere? If she was, she was out of sight. “I trust your father is well?”
The man bowed. “Indeed. Never better. He will be eager to meet you.” He stepped aside and indicated the marble interior of the building. It was no palace, but it was a beautiful mansion with many other buildings around it to house family and officials. Again, the leader was at the center of the family, atthe center of the large town and the community. There was no isolation here, as there was at the palace.
“And I am eager to meet him, too.”
More eager to meet Sarah, but protocol had to be followed, and he walked alongside the man through the entry hall, followed by curious faces and hushed comments. He’d never felt more conspicuous, even when he’d been king. Then he’d had a role. Now, no one, not even himself, knew what that was.
He was pleased to see Sarah seated with another woman to the right of the sheikh, with men seated on the other side. His instinctive smile faded when met with Sarah’s serious expression. Her eyes were fixed on him, but they were guarded, confused. He could hardly blame her. If anyone had told him a few months ago that he’d have taken such actions, be doing such a thing, he wouldn’t have believed them. He’d have thought they’d been smoking drugs.
“Inshallah,” greeted the sheikh. “As I say, we are honored by your visit, Your Highness.”
Again, the slight hesitation showed that they knew something had happened.
“And ask if you will partake of some refreshment after your long journey,” the sheikh continued.
Although Kadar wanted to get down to business straightaway, he couldn’t ignore the customs of the land. That would be worse than anything he had to say or not say. So, he waited, as food and drink were brought in, and taken out again, hardly consumed, and polite conversation was made until that, too, had run out.
At last, Kadar knew it was time. He cleared his throat.
“Thank you for your kind welcome. But I am here for a purpose. I am here to inform you all that I am no longer king of Sirun.”
There was a sharp intake of breath, although the sheikh’s inscrutable face didn’t change.
“I am sad to hear that, Your Highness.”
Kadar lowered his head. “Thank you. But my brother will be crowned king in due course and I am sure will make a better king than I.”
There were polite murmurings against his assertion. But Kadar was only interested in the reaction of one person.
“Well,” said Sarah’s uncle, “it is gracious of you to come and inform us yourself. I know the relationship between our two families has a history of conflict and so I appreciate this mark of respect.”
Kadar nodded. “It is indeed a mark of respect, but it is also something else.”
The old man’s eyes narrowed and there was a light in them, as if to acknowledge that he knew there was another reason for Kadar’s visit. “And what is that?”
Kadar looked around. Sarah and the others were seated away from them. No one would overhear. He’d practiced the words, but they still felt strange on his tongue.
“I am here to ask for Sarah’s hand in marriage.”
Sheikh Rahim raised his eyebrows. “But I believe Sarah has stated a barrier to marriage. A caveat you have placed on the proposal.”
“I believe that circumstances are different now, and I can prove to her that any barriers to our marriage are no longer relevant.”
The old man sat back. “I believe it’s time for you to take your conversation to Sarah.”
“Thank you, Rahim.”
They both rose, and from across the other side of the large room Sarah turned to look and then turned away again quickly.
“And good luck,” the old man said wryly, allowing himself a twinkle in his eye now. “Although you are no longer king, I fully approve of her marrying you. It will strengthen our relationship and hopefully be a bridge to further constructive talks.”
“I hope so, too.”
The old man put his hand on Kadar’s arm. “But before you talk to her. Tell me, if she agrees, where do you intend to live? We have waited many years to see my brother’s family again. We feared them both dead. Now she has arrived, we wouldn’t want to see her leave.”
“And I wouldn’t wish to take her away from you. That is not my intention at all. If you’d have me, I’d wish to live here also. Because she’d wish it and because I would also prefer it.”
The old man looked surprised for the first time. “Thingshaveindeed changed. I can see that now.” He glanced at Sarah, who was studiously listening to her great aunt talk. “You may yet be in with a chance with her. But, from the little I know of her, she is a woman of principle.”
