Backstory : Walid's Obedience - 5th trial

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“Not as of yet,” I replied. “Too old, too young, unavailable… un presentable,” I added with a little chuckle. “I will make my way on to Nineveh, soon. I hope the Akkadians will bail me out, though it is only a small hope, really.”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I had not really been looking, at least not for someone with which to have a long distance relationship. I simply wanted a pretty lady with a useful mind and good company. Usually I kept her around for a night and didn't persue her unless she asked for further company.

"If you do not find that lady then perhaps you will in Terre d'Ange. Our women do move with a grace you won't find anywhere else and beauty is also everywhere. Though if your journey does end in Ninevah than perhaps you could come simply for a visit."

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“It is rumored that there are D’Angeline in Nineveh, wed to the Khalif,” I said. “Mayhap our encounter is foreboding, really. But the Khalif has turned to a tyrant, and is claimed to be rather heavy on the women of his Khalifate. I do not know what I will find there.”

I looked at him with curiosity, and asked, “Will you travel more, or is Ephesus your last stop?”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I nodded at Walid though I had to work out some of his words in my mind. I was able to place them in the context of the rest of his statement. However it was one bit of gossip I knew nothing off.

"This is, sadly, my last stop. I would like to see more but I have been gone for quite some time and it would be best for me to make sure things haven't gone crazy while I have been gone. What about you," I asked, "do you have more travels ahead of you?"

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“It all depends on my interview here, then on the further ones. I will have to see what the ports are offering. I have been to Menekhet, Jebe-Barkal, Tyre without success. Likely, I will find my way to Illyria, or to Kriti – though I will be open to other offers.”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I nodded. "Love is an interesting thing in Terre d'Ange. Though I am not sure if you simply want adequate women in your harem or ones who are in love with you." I finished the tea that he had given me and then looked at him in curiosity. I knew the basics of what a harem was, but I didn't know traditions or anything like that behind them. Hoping I didn't sound to silly, having already made a fool of myself, "are there a certian number of ladies you are suppose to bring back with you?"

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“The problem is the first wife, really,” I replied evenly. “My father has commissioned me to wed one of royal blood. The remainder of my spouses may be of any birth I choose.” Answering at last his question, I said, “We are expected to have as many as we are powerful… and I am to be a ruler…”

I paused, contemplating the bustling market place. “I should hope to find love, somewhere…”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I looked out as Walid did, the throngs of people milling about, the native people to the land not seeming to mind the heat as much. "I believe you can. I don't know if you would be able to find comfort in a god other than your own. But, Eula offer's love espcially through his servant Naamah." I gave Walid a rueful smile and said, "though their love might not be exactly that which you seek. If anything not everyone loyal too only one."

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

I looked at Rannan, a little wide-eyed. “Are you talking of love, or of coupling? Coupling is easy to find… love, on the other hand…” I waved it away, nonplussed. I was starting to be rather cynical, it seemed. I’d hoped for it, before, found it, lost it, found it again, lost it again…

Sohnnaly had been close, so close… I’d taken her with me, for the cold desert nights, and she treated me like her husband at times, but I knew, it was not love. Gratitude, friendship, likely, and desire. But not love.

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I smiled at Walid's expression and raised a brow. "Well, in Terre d'Ange the lines between them are not always drawn so strongly. Many d'Angelines pray for love of the kind you are looking for. There is even a special House in our capital city where young people provide pleasure in the hopes of finding their love."

Heliotrope may have frowned on my description of their house, but it was the best I could give for someone who had not visited yet. I felt almost like someone trying to sale a rare item on the market, but in truth I loved my adopted culture and would happily share it with anyone willing.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“Ah, so you have brothels,” I replied in understanding. “We have them too, in Ry’ad, and all the beautiful girls – and those less beautiful – wish to be loved,” I replied knowingly. I’d never bedded any but the pearls of the brothels, all of those I’d met – and I’d even taken So in my wake – but I’d also had to fight off the clinging prostitutes of Ry’ad. I sighed – it wasn’t easy, being the most desirable party of Ummaiyyatt.

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I nodded, I had seen a few foreign Brothels, most of them were a little less formal than the 13 Houses but there were a few minor similarities.

"You could call them brothels, though the d'Angelines would frown upon it. We have similar such places in the city, but the 13 Houses place themselves above them in caliber. They train from a young age specifically for their talents. Each of the houses provides a specialty. The house I was referring too earlier is called Heliotrope and they are soft hearted people who look to find their one special patron or love. The other houses provide something different. There is one for exotic beauty, one for talent in the arts, and even one for those who have a love of money and gambling."

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“That sounds fascinating,” I replied, noting that such a place did require my attention, should I ever visit his country. “And much better than ours. Our brothels do not have any specialties, though spending some time there will allow one to know the inclinations of the girls, if you know know what I mean,” I added with an accomplice wink. “We also have the Hammam, and it is something you will find here in Ephesus. Have you tried it?”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

"aaah, yes," I said at Walid's wink. "Spending time with the girls does help in understanding them. But, I fear that no matter how much time I spend in the company of women I will never truly know what they want."

"I do know know of the Hammam," I told Walid, "I am curious to know what it is though."

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“Neither do I,” I replied. “Otherwise, I would have a sultana to take home, in the seraglio, would I not?” I replied humorously. “As for the Hammam, it is a place of baths, where one gets many services for personnal care. Massages for men, mostly, and skin care – but there are those for the women, and they leave the Hammam without their hair,” I gestured to my legs, “and smelling of a thousand roses.”

[Rannan de Fournier (D)]

I had not seen a woman without her hair in the place that he gestured. My curiosity took me, though I was sure that men did not visit the baths for that reason. "Sounds very appealing. A bath is always a wounderous thing," I and then looking at my dust driven arms I added, "and I could use some skin care as well."

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“Very well,” I replied with a pleasant smile.

I gestured to the men, and an order was given swiftly, to locate the closest Hammam, and to make sure arrangements were made for Ayd and myself to have the best room, the most skilled masseurs, and the most sophisticated products.

“Arrangements will be made promptly,” I added with a satisfied grin. “I appreciate your curiosity,” I said warmly.