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Post by Nasir bin Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 10:31:06 GMT -5
Watching the sunset over the ocean wasn't a sight a man is used to seeing where I come from. It is truly a beautiful thing to encounter, as fruit is after hard work. But as fruit makes the stomach sick when overeaten, so to does the sea begin to sicken me. The captain said, or at least it is what my ears believe they had heard, tomorrow we would be arriving in this land of angels. It warms my heart like fire the wards away the desert chill.
The sun sank, fire hitting water and I breathed a sigh and released my breath and walked down into the belly of the ship where I and my sister were placed. "Our last night upon the sea," I said to her, smiling with an expression of vivid eagerness.
Despite the circumstances which forced us to leave, I was happy beyond all joys for this. It was as though I were a man who had, since born from his mother's womb, searched for something and was at last closing in upon it.
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Post by Nawar bint Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 10:52:46 GMT -5
I smiled at Nasir as he came into our shared quarters on the ship. He loved watching the sunset, and so I knew the darkness must be upon our part of the world once more. He was excited as he spoke of our last night at sea. Myself, I was simply elated to be gone from the horrible circumstances that awaited me back home, and so contented to spend my time below the main deck. I went up with Nasir for a few hours of each day, but he said the way the sailors looked at me, he did not like and so I kept him placated by staying in our quarters.
"It is good to see you so happy, dear heart," I said in answer to his words. "I too am looking forward to seeing this land of beauty that you have described to me for so long. Do you think they will like us there? Will we be pretty enough for the inhabitants of the land of angels?" I asked him, a bit of girlish worry in my voice. I only ever wanted to make those around me happy, and I was a bit scared to offend someone with my actions or words. This place was going to be very different from our home land.
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Post by Nasir bin Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 12:24:53 GMT -5
I shrugged my shoulders and found my seat across from Nawar. "I cannot say, my sister. If they are angels then they must be kind, think you not? And true they must be beautiful, for the one I saw was resplendent beyond compare, but if we are thought such things to be admired at home, will we not be thought of as at least average here? It will be different, and we will as careful as the mountain goat and as friendly as the summer rain." My face was alight with a smile and I leaned back with a level of comfort only found when near my darling sister.
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Post by Nawar bint Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 12:50:37 GMT -5
"I do not think they are really angels," I said as I watched him, and then I moved across to where he was sitting to nestle against his side. Our moments of affection were sweet, when we could get them. I knew that, once we landed in the land of angels, Nasir would be immersed in fun and business alike, and we likely would not have much time together. I must take it where I could, and so I did, resting my head in his lap and looking up at him.
"You will not forget about me while you are exploring this new land, will you?" I asked him. I may have come of age, but I was still a young girl in many aspects. My maidenhead had yet to be broken, and although I stayed in the harem, I had not grown close to anyone. Nasir was all I had, really.
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Post by Nasir bin Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 14:28:16 GMT -5
If the trip in itself had accomplished anything it made the bond between Nawar and I stronger. It brought a pleasure to have her near in a way we hadn't known since she was a babe. My fingers stroked her hair, dark and curly and softer than silk and I opened my mouth and spoke, gentle like a summer brook. "Of course not, dear sister. I want this to be something we share together. I will be just as curious to see what you discover as I am sure you will be of me."
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Post by Nawar bint Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 14:46:26 GMT -5
I smiled happily up at my honored brother, my eyes sparkling with happiness at his words. "Ah, dear heart, you are so good to me," I murmured quietly, my voice taking on a purr. His fingers were soothing in my hair, and I felt as a cat who had found a comfortable perch in a warm patch of sunlight. I knew that, as long as I had Nasir, I would be fine. He would keep me safe.
"I am going to fall asleep right here and not wake up until we reach the land of angels," I murmured drowsily, my eyelids fluttering shut. "If you move, my dearest brother, I will be very... put out... with you..."
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Post by Nasir bin Kaseem on Mar 23, 2011 15:52:18 GMT -5
I laughed softly and bent down to kiss her forehead, skin smoother than honey. She would be a wonderful wife someday ... but not too soon. "I shall not stir an inch, Nawar, nor shall I allow anything to wake you till the sun rises and we land safely. Then, we must see if these sailors can take us to the capital."
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