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“Coming!” I shouted back as I scurried after the men.
My curiosity was piqued by the strange sight, but that would have to wait as we hurried through the rambling streets of the capital city.
“My sincerest apologies for not coming to the palace sooner,” Sharif spoke up as he guided us into a busy street of vendors and shoppers. “I was away from home at the time and did not receive the message until my return.”
Ben smiled and shook his head. “It was hardly your fault that King Ramaal decided to make us his guests.”
Sharif pursed his lips and that dark cloud on his brow worsened. “Again, I feel I must apologize. The king is most worried about the Thaqiba, as we all are.”
“When did the problem arise?” Ben asked him.
“Three months ago, though the king has not been ‘inviting’ strangers into the land for more than a month,” Sharif informed him.
I skirted a gaggle of women as I tried to keep up with our quick guide. “Why doesn’t he get volunteers from his own people?”
Sharif turned sharply into a narrow, empty alley where he turned to us with his worried expression. “He has done so already, but we cannot give any more without risking our lives, so he searches abroad for others. But come. We are almost home.”
He continued along and I cast my own worried look at Ben. He, too, had concern written across his face, but he merely took my hand and shook his head. We followed our guide onto a less busy side street and soon found ourselves in a more residential-like district. He led us to a high wall with a wrought-iron gate. A heavy chain and lock guarded the entrance, but he was able to unlock it with a key.
Sharif swung open the gate and we entered a small but comfortable courtyard. A stone path crisscrossed through the middle of four flower beds, or one could walk along a covered porch along the outer area. The home consisted of three floors that looked out over the courtyard through wide, airy windows. White curtains fluttered in a slight breeze and flower boxes clung to the bottoms of the windows and filled the area with their sweet perfume.
The scene would have been perfectly picturesque were it not for the unusual silence that hung over the area. It was so oppressive that I almost missed the tussle and bustle of the street.
“Your house appears lonelier than last time I visited,” Ben commented.
Sharif secured the gate behind us before he turned and nodded. “I am sorry to say that I have had to release many of my servants. They were. . .uneasy about certain recent arrangements.”
Before we had time to make inquiries, a woman stepped out from one of the corridors off the courtyard. She wore a silken white dress and a bright red shawl hung about her small shoulders. Her beautiful face was marred by concern, but she forced a smile onto her lips at the sight of us.
“Dearest cousin!” she greeted us as she moved in our direction and opened her arms.
Ben embraced her in a tight hug before he drew her away. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Fadila.”
“And you, Ben,” she returned before she looked past him and at me. “But you bring with you a lovely guest.”
Ben half-turned to me and grinned. “Indeed, I do. Princess Fadila, this is my fiance, Millie Lucas.”
I cocked my head and cast a side look at him. “We’re going with that?”
His eyes twinkled with mischief. “Does it displease you?”
“It surprised me,” I quipped.
Fadila clasped her hands in front of her and looked between us with that strained smile. “You must be tired. Allow me to serve you some refreshments in the sitting room.” I could have said the same thing about her, what with the shadows under her eyes. She stepped aside and gestured to the doorway through which she’d entered. “Please follow me.”
CHAPTERFIVE
Fadila and Sharifled us into their abode, and I was struck by the contrast between one palace and another. Ramaal’s ostentatious wealth was less elegant than the unadorned stone walls through which we now traveled. A few tapestries hung on the walls, but they were small and showed simple scenes of forest groves and oases. There were no busts or portraits, and no carpeted floors save when we entered the rooms.
The sitting room turned out to be a square space just off the courtyard and granted a good view of the green garden. Cushioned mats and pillows were placed in a circle around a low table. A long table was set against a far wall and a few platters of snacks and a serving tray of drink were placed there. I couldn’t help but notice that there was a hint of dust on the corners of the table, and the snacks were not perfectly cut, as though someone had alone tried to make the room presentable and the food prepared.
Fadila took up the tray and moved over to the low table as we took our seats. Ben accepted the position on the right of Sharif while he indicated the left for me. His wife set the tray on the table and caught our eye. “Please feel free to eat however much you desire.”
Ben offered her a smile. “Your hospitality gives us great comfort, Fadila, but where are your servants to perform this task for you?”
What little happiness lay in her face faltered and her hands shook so much that she clasped them in front of her. A heavy sigh came from Sharif as he held out his hand to his wife. She hurried over and accepted his small comfort as he managed a bittersweet smile at her. “You come during a dark time not only for our nation but for our family. You see, there is a curse upon this house.”
My heart skipped a beat and Ben frowned. “What sort of curse?” he asked them.
