The Game Begins
Sultan was savouring his first free time that day. To rule the kingdom, is not easy. They are always enemies outside the borders of his modest kingdom, but he was not afraid of them. In fact, he defeated most of them on the battlefield in the days gone by. Instead, the real enemies are within the borders. The shady, cowardly plotters, the small souls hoping for small gains, no matter the damage they do to the others and to their homeland.
He sighed. Time to relax. He will worry about them tomorrow. He opened a bottle of wine, and savoured the whiff of it. Sultan knew that his religion doesn't approve of consuming alcohol, but he considered it more as a guideline than a rule. After all, he was the Sultan - the chosen one and he was convincing himself that Allah would look at his life in entirety and, in sight of all good deeds that he did, forgive him occasional indulgence.
Talking about indulgence, and now his energy perked, he had a special treat tonight. That defiant slave girl, who call herself Desert Fox. "Tahelab Alsahar" he murmured to himself, savouring the sound of it. It sounded as erotic and exotic as she was.
She accepted the game to endure and try to earn her freedom. Sultan could always cheat or even renegade on his word, but that was not who he was. He was the man of honour. However, he would not want to lose her. She was very special. He will be fair, but by Allah, he will not make it easy for her.
Sultan heard multiple footsteps coming closer to his chamber. The heavy fall of guards' boots and soft patter of bare feet. Good, his prey (and adversary in his wicked game) is being brought in.
Guards knocked at heavy wooden door of his chamber. "Enter!" he shouted.
Two guards were holding Desert Fox by her biceps. Her hands were tied behind her back. She seems to be struggling. That was strange, unlike how she was behaving last time and he didn't remember telling them to tie her down. Then he noticed a nasty scratch at guard's face. He knew that man, he was a trouble and Sultan was not really taken to liking him. In fact, there was something sleazy about him, but as a ruler - he had to be just and not act on his feelings. Well, not always, anyhow...
He looked the salve girl in her eyes. In her eyes was rage, pure white rage, but as she looked at Sultan, it started softening. Sultan didn't even need to ask what happened, he knew. But he had to do the game.
"Ibrahim, how did you get that nasty scratch and why is the slave girl tied?" he asked innocently
"My Lord, she tried to escape, we entered the chamber and she jumped at us and then..." Ibrahim started.
"You lying filthy pig!" Desert Fox lounged at him, trying to bite him or hurt him in any possible manner considering that she was held with the hands behind her back "You tried to touch me and you should be lucky that I missed your eye - you swine" and she spat at him.
What a fire - Sultan thought. She is truly special. Ibrahim raised his hand to strike her across the face, but Sultan was faster "ENOUGH" he boomed.
That quietened them all down. Now, the fear started to seep into Ibrahim. "But My Lord, she is a slave girl and she didn't want to listen..."
"Is she yours or my property, you worm!" Sultan was getting angry. His kingdom is patriarchal, but even slaves deserves some respect, specially if they are his.
"Yours Sultan" Ibrahim was crushed.