The General stood impassively watching the sun go down as dusk began to envelop the camp. To his right the majority of his men were sat around a campfire, drinking, laughing, taking the rest they deserved.
As the sky turned orange the General thought about his options. On the one hand he had captured two towns and five villages. This would please the Sultan and would mean more power for the General, anything to take staff away from the Vizier. The General adjusted the cloak he wore, hiding his tunic and trousers, glad to be out of his uniform. Yes, towns and villages were one thing, but there was another problem...
He had a hunger, a yearning ever since they'd razed Halbib. He had not taken a woman in a long time, too many campaigns, preperations for war to attend to. In Halbib he'd broken up his men attacking a teenage girl. Normally he would let them continue, best that then have them desert or mutinous, but this one had been different, there had been an intensity in her eyes that the General had not seen in many seasons. He'd had her tethered up, intending to speak to her later, or worse, so strong was his desire now. However, she escaped, leaving the General with no other course open to him. One that was going to put him out of favour at court. Way out of favour.
Last night, a group of his men, on his instructions, broke in to the Imperial Harem in Jalbad and took what was rumoured to be the Sultan's most treasured possession. The Chal-ki or favoured Courtesan, Malin. Malin, was a name spoken in whisper in the Sultan's court. She had dedicated herself to his service, even the Vizier did not touch the Chal-ki. The Sultan could be a bloody and vengeful man.
Enough till sunrise, thought the General.
Turning on his heel he walked over to his tent. Telling the armed guard to stand down, he momentarily closed his eyes hoping that they had done everything that he had requested. He pulled back the tent opening and walked in.
Being the Genreal meant you had the largest quarters. To his left the Hookah he'd ordered had been fired. The coals were burning on top black and orange. Slight smoke drifted across the tent. A pleathora of cushions and coverings were arranged on the floor to his right, red, golds, deep blues. They all served to frame Malin. She was tied up to the post at the centre of the tent. Her arms were raised above her head, fastened by ropes behind her. Her head was left free, pale and beautiful skin adorned by red hair that fell straight past her shoulders, blue eyes that had an ethereal quality. Malin's body was exquisite, her breasts accentuated by her bindings were firm and pert, tightly wrapped in black silk. The silks exposed her flat belly, but left enclosed her lower body. Beneath that her long legs were also exposed, thighs snaking our provactively from the black, made taught by the heeled gold sandals she wore.
