The Sultan Part 2 (standard:fairy tales, 1910 words) [2/3] show all parts
Author: Imaginator	Added: Dec 30 2005	Views/Reads: 2468/1820	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Amr deals with his father's death and finds a new point of view in his arms

The dank walls of the empty rarely used lower dungeon echoed with soft
sobs as Amr finally let out his grief and fear as he could not when 
anyone knew, even Boyo. It had only been three days since his father's 
sudden death and Amr felt the weight of the entire kingdom on his 
shoulders.  That and he knew his secret could not be hidden forever.  
The people would eventually find out he really didn't even like looking 
at naked women, rather the other way around.  This, he feared, could 
cause a divide among the people, those that could accept it, and those 
who would call for Amr to leave the throne if, no when it came out. 

Amr splashed is face in the inner palace court fountain before returning
to the hustle and bustle of ruling his kingdom.  His eyes were still 
slightly red rimmed, but he had needed to cry.  The ice cold water of 
the fountain splashed and glittered in the pre-dawn light as the sound 
of the early morning bustle reached him from the Palace kitchens where 
servants and cooks were warning up the stoves for breakfast.  In the 
last few days hundreds had arrived to show their respects to the dead 
Sultan and offer gifts and vows of loyalty to the new one, as well as 
thousands more into the city as word spread. 

Stepping out from the kitchen door the red haired youth spotted Amr by
the fountain and called out to him.  “Great Sultan, if I may?” 

Amr looked up and hoped the red had disappeared from his eyes.  Wiping
the remaining water from his face he stood up. 

“Yes.” 

“If it's not too personal, I wanted to ask; why were you crying?” The
tousled hair shone red-gold in the shaft of sunlight, the youth himself 
looking ready to run at the slightest displeasure from Amr. 

Amr felt a shock of apprehension wondering who else knew.  He wanted to
run himself but also could not show weakness in front of this peasant, 
not here in the courtyard. 

“How do you know?” 

“You forget I was being held in that dungeon until a few minutes ago. 
You weren't in your rooms so I came to find you.  They told me I was to 
see you.” 

Amr's eyebrow raised, the boy talked like he was educated, but peasant
children usually worked too much to have time for school.  His courage 
could be useful.  If Captain Odji had let the boy find Amr on his own 
there was nothing to fear from this boy.  The magic tools of the 
Captains would have verified that. 

“Come with me.” Amr beckoned to the boy to follow and led the way to his
apartments.  The youth glanced around as if hoping to make sure someone 
saw him following Amr up to the Royal rooms.  Amr stopped in shock as 
he crossed the threshold to his rooms, for it was completely bare, not 
a single item remained on the cold masonry floor.  He spun around and 
collided with the gangly red haired boy, having forgotten in that 
moment the boy was there. 

The boy stammered apologies but Amr shushed him and reassured the boy he
was not at fault.  The boy with an awed expression accepted the hand 
Amr stretched toward him to help him off the floor.  As their hands 
touched they both felt a strong tingle very unlike static electricity.  
Amr's eyes widened and then narrowed, he knew this tingle, this boy had 
the Magic.  The boy, not having felt this sensation before, shrugged it 
off with a half grin and pulled himself to his feet. 

Amr again beckoned for the boy to follow and sped off toward his
fathers' rooms at a trot, as they approached they could hear the bustle 
of several people rushing to complete something.  The boy emitted a 
squeak and threw himself to the side to avoid yet another collision as 
Amr suddenly stopped in his tracks.  A crowd of servants was hustling 
objects in and out of the other room entrances.  Removing his Fathers 
couches and furnishings and moving in those of a style Amr was known to 
prefer.. 

Boyo spotted Amr and the youth at the front Entrance to the rooms and
rushed over 


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