Dawn of a Dream (OPEN thread)

[Nasir bin Kaseem]

The arrival at port had been an experience to stretch the senses. Men of all types were there in a crowd as a swarm of bees. The sound of their voices was like the ocean's roar as they clamored amongst themselves in a language we did not understand. It was a blessing indeed that one of the sailors who spoke our tongue looked on us with favor and offered to be a guide for us into the capital of this land of angels.

The journey had been equally stunning as hills, greener than emeralds passed before my eyes. There were woodlands with trees such as I had never seen before in my life. It was all wonderfully exotic. It was indeed a place of beauty as I had been told.

The city itself was a wonder, though the part we had been dropped off in reminded me of the slums of our own city, with less dogs and more whores, though the ones here were far prettier than many of our fairest maidens.

I was a little worried for Nawar and I took her hand to comfort her. The sailor slipped into what looked like a place for drinking and we found ourselves alone.

[Nawar bint Kaseem]

I was utterly overwhelmed at the amount of people, the sheer volume of bodies amassing at one point. It reminded me of a beehive or an anthill, and I was utterly fascinated at the sheer beauty of every single individual I saw. Never before had I seen so many people and it made me very nervous, and I stayed very close to Nasir as he led me from the ship.

I began to feel less nervous and more terrified as we were in a strange place where we knew no customs or language, had no family or friends save each other, and was very glad for Nasir's hand grasping mine. He was my beacon, and I followed him as the moon follows the sun in the forever-moving celestial dance in the sky.

So beautiful... They were all so beautiful! I had been revered as a great beauty at home, but I felt very plain next to all of these angels. "Nasir...." I whispered worriedly, not really needing to say anything but needing to hear his name to remember he was not going to leave me along in this terrifyingly perfect city.

What were we going to do? How would we communicate? Where would we find food, shelter, clothing? I breathed deeply, in through my nose and out between my lips as I worked to stay calm.

[Nasir bin Kaseem]

I gave her hand a squeeze, finding words hard as though the fact that those around us spoke another tongue made it impossible for me to speak my own. Part of me wanted to follow the guide into the building, perhaps it was what we were ment to do all along. The weight of what we had done suddenly sunk in, like a mountain dropped from the heavens. I glanced back to the wagon which was filled with all the comfort and riches of home that I thought we might need, gold, clothing, some furniture, but mainly gold, and some of Nawar's pets which all survived the voyage. "Nawar, it will all come together. There must be one man alive in this city that speaks out tongue."

[Nawar bint Kaseem]

I nodded at his rich, soothing voice in my ear, wafting through my conscious like steam over the surface of a pool, curling around my heart and calming it. I inhaled once more and exhaled again, the air blowing through my slightly parted lips.

"I trust you, dear heart," I said sincerely as I gazed up at him, my fingers lacing through his to squeeze his strong, sure hand. "You have taken care of me thus far, and I do not doubt that you will not lead us astray."

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I won't go into the delicious details of all that had been going on in the inn before I left. But let's just say a certain barmaid and myself shared more than a few drinks together. In fact I had drank nothing myself. But like I said, that's not important to this story.

I was walking out, a spring in my step when my ears picked up on something, words which were certainly NOT D'Angeline. If anything they reminded me of something I'd heard in my travels, very much like Akkadian, but not quite. It was Umaiyyati. I turned my head to notice a pair, no doubt two lovers, dark in complexion and looking lost, confused and alone. I'm not a person known for his tender heart, except when it suits me. Yet, I couldn't let them stand there. I did know what it was like being a stranger in a strange land, and it would be a wonderful way to apply my knowledge.

I walked over to the pair and offered them a kind smile and bowed, as was respectful. "Peace be with you both," I said in their tongue. "I am called Laurent."

[Nasir bin Kaseem]

Her confidence in me brought a smile as fleeting as a gazelle. I appreciated her trust but for now I knew not what would happen. But then, as though the god of this land had heard our cry, he sent one of his angels toward us, and he spoke our tongue! I smiled and bowed as well. "And also with you. I am Prince Nasir of Umaiyyt. This is my sister Nawar. A thousand blessings on your for speaking with us!"

[Nawar bint Kaseem]

My eyes widened as what could possibly have been the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on, with skin pale as cream and hair dark as obsidian with honey-colored streaks in it, spoke in our tongue. As my brother spoke my name, I let go his hand and gave the angel a dazzling smile and moved gracefully to give a light curtsy, the gaze into his eyes deeply grateful that he had decided to grace us with his presence.

I said nothing for the time being, content to keep my voice silent until later. Gods, were they truly all this beautiful?

[Laurent de Rocaille]

The word I focused most on in that introduction was sister, no, not prince, sister. It made me have a second look at the girl, and I was very pleased with what I saw. Her dark complexion, large almond eyes and a brilliant smile. "It is an honor to have you here with us, your highness. Do you have a place to stay, or a ..." I struggled to think of the word, "interpreter?"

[Nawar bint Kaseem]

I glanced at Nasir and he smiled down at me, which told me he would not find it remiss in me if I answered the angel's question. How to adress him? "Honored friend, we have just arrived here in your land," I said softly, my voice quiet and smooth as fresh honey. "We had no translator before you approached, and therefore had no way of procuring any of the thing we are so desperately needing." My eyes met his as I spoke instead of looking down as I would have back at the palace. I simply couldn't look away from the angel's deep, dark eyes.

[Laurent de Rocaille]

I didn't make out everything that she said, loved the way she said it though, but I got enough to know that they needed a translator and a place to stay and I could offer them both, and would gladly do it. "I can help you then. My house is not far away. You can stay there as long as you need. I can try to teach you my tongue too," I said to both of them.

[Nasir bin Kaseem]

The man's words brought a smile as bright as a million suns to my face and I looked on him with happiness. "Thank you! Thank you so very much! You are truly a blessing, sir. The wagon over there is ours. I can drive it to your home." It was a miracle that this angel had appeared.

[Nawar bint Kaseem]

My eyes widened at the angel's gesture of kindness, to let us into his home without knowing us was to be commended and I resolved to talk to Nasir about compensation. I smiled at the angel Laurent's sweet offer and moved to follow him. My legs were restless from the long weeks aboard the ship, and it would feel so very good to stretch them and walk.