NationStates Jolt Archive

Kyzl' Palace Gardens
Suudom, the Sultanate of Kyzl-Arabia

"So you want to Marry my Daughter," chuckled Al'Kyzlton. He stood up, and began to pace the garden path -- back and forth.

The Prince nodded, "I find her most attractive Sultan. And she would make a good wife. I only ask for her hand in marriage." He paused, "Do not forget the promises of my father."

Al'Kyzlton nodded, understanding, "I have been looking for a suitor for some time now. But your father's offer is most interesting." Stopping to look at the Prince, he searched him for truth. "And he truly wants to join the Sultanate?"

"As do I, Your Humble Servant, promise actual allegience to your kingdom," bowed the Prince. "You have my word of honor."

The Sultan gestured for the Prince to stand, and took him by the shoulders.

"You have promise boy," he said, gazing deep into the young man's eyes. "Tell your Father this; if he can promise his complete allegience to my rule, then I will grant you this wedding." He let his voice trail off, "But if he cannot..."

The Prince stood at attention right away, "I will leave for the province tonight. I will gain my Father's promise, and I will marry your daughter."

"You are keen," chuckled Al'Kyzlton. "But you make for haste. Regardless, you will make a fine suitor for my daughter. I will tell her as soon as you bring the scrolls."

Bowing again, the Prince gestured to one of the servants for his horse, "If I am not back by nightfall tommorow, then you may name me in shame. That is my promise."

Kyzl' Palace -- Royal Quarters
Suudom, the Sultanate of Kyzl-Arabia

Sultan Al-Kyzlton wandered briskly through the halls to his own bedroom. Having bid the Prince goodbye and good luck, he knew it was late and hence had prepared himself for bed. Through the marble halls he shuffled, until he came across a room, the light still on, and the door slightly ajar -- his daughter's room. Inside, there were some soft singing, and the sound of water splashing. Smiling, he pondered at how fast she had grown. Certainly, for a man such as Prince Fienen Hussan, she would make a glorious wife -- and she was beautiful. Fortunately, her virginity had been saved, and it would make for a perfect gift for the man to call himself husband. Naturally, the rewards would be staggering -- the entire south-western province would be his. Some things that men gave up for love, were staggering.

Turning away, he decided it was time for bed -- when he heard his call.

"Father?" called a voice from within the room. "Is that you?"

He turned back once again, "Yes is it, Marian. I was just heading for bed."

The door opened, with his daughter wearing a bath-robe, "Who was that man?" She questioned. "He looked foriegn."

"It was a friend," replied the Sultan, her father. "It's late, you should be sleeping."

She shook her head, "I cannot sleep."

He frowned, "Poor dear. I warned you not to read such rubbish." Taking her in her arms, he held her tight. "Silly girl. These are the concequences."

"I know," she nodded, accepting her own. "Is there anything I can do?"

Al'Kyzlton thought for a moment, and chuckled, "Your mother had the same problem. I found that burning a pot of lavenda did the trick."

"Mother is dead," she lowered her eyes. "Killed by the bandits, remember?"

The Sultan frowned again, "I know." He had been avoiding thinking of the topic for a while. "But she watches from the Heavens, through the glory of Allah -- Remember?"

She tried to smile, but failed, "I know Father..."

There was some degree of silence between them before he spoke up.

"As you know, its late," he offered. "So, why dont we turn off the lights, and try to sleep, shall we?"

Marian nodded grudgingly, "Alright Father. I'll try -- if I cant, I'll burn some oil or something."

"I'm proud of you," Al'Kyzlton hugged her tight again. "And your mother would be too. Praise the glory of Allah, he too is proud -- I can feel it in the wind."

She shook her head, "Oh Father."

He chuckled and winked, "Goodnight Princess. May gods bless your sweet dreams."

Like claps of thunder, Prince Hussan rode his horse through the streets of common-folk, and then into and through the Palace entrance. Immediatly word spread through-out the Palace that the Prince had arrived, as he had promised. And as if priorities meant anything, Sultan Al'Kyzlton was the last to learn -- thus, he recieved his due shock when the Prince approached him.

"Sultan," he called as he crossed the enormous floor. "I have brought with me, my father's promise."

The Sultan was surprised, yet not. "Your word is your honor." He chuckled, and opened the scrolls, reading them over. "And your father's promise, is a promise it seems."

He grinned, and gestured before him, "Well done Prince. Take a seat would you."

Hassan nodded in respect, and sat on the cushions before him. Clapping twice for attention, the Sultan called over one of the servants standing guard. He came, eventually, and in Arabic recieved his orders. Of course, the Prince hardly understood -- but understood enough when the servant returned with a large bowl of grapes.

Taking one, the Sultan started to chew, "I guess some things will never change."

Hussan chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Some things should never change."

The Sultan grinned. "Which brings me to my point, before I give my daughter's hand in marriage ." Taking another grape, he gestured for the Prince to take one -- which he did. "When you do, I dont want much to change, in the Palace I mean."

"What do you mean?" questioned Hussan, swollowing and reaching for another.

Al'Kyzlton snorted and finished the pulp he was eating, "The people of this nation rely on the Unity of my family. What I mean, is that upon Marrying her, you will respect the formalities of this household, and undertake all the rituals I expect."

"And my father?" The Prince pursed his lips, "What will he do? Am I not allowed to live with him, and take Marian with me?"

"-- On rare occasions," he snickered. "Remember, the Capital of this nation is in Suudom. Not Microdoma, where you come from."

Hussan nodded grudgingly. He knew his game up, and that his powers of negotiation were limited. The Sultan was only right afterall -- and it had been such the tradition for their centuries of existance. Ultimately, it would be his final say -- regardless of normal cultural beliefs. And although much would say that it was the Princess whom ought to live with the Prince -- the man was but the one and only Al'Kzyton.

"Alright," he conceeded. "You have my word, again."

Sultan Al'Kyzlton grinned and stood to his feet, "Good then. Let the marriage be official, and let Marian come to hear of such good news."

Kyzl' Palace
Suudom, the Sultanate of Kyzl-Arabia

Crossing the floor, his feet pitter patter on its marble surface. And once he had arrived to the Sultan, he bowed in respectful tradition.

"Sultan, I have a report for you," he announced, bowing again.

Standing to his feet, Al'Kyzlton offered his Advisor some seating -- of which he respectfully took.

The Sultan sat again, "What is it? Have you any knews on my daughter?"

He nodded, "Well, yes." Frowning, he continued. "And no. It wasnt exactly my intentions to focus this report on her and the wedding,"

"Well then," grunted Al'Kyzlton. "Out with it..."

"I have an unexpected revelation, Sultan, about the world around us," he grinned and paused for a moment. "As you know, ever since the great Desert Wars the Sultanate has remained fairly quiet -- at least internationally."

Sultan Al'Kyzlton nodded, "But of course. We have had to do so ever since I took reign. Our enemies are many, and our friends are few. It was only by pure luck that Prince Hussan had convinced his father to... join the Sultanate."

"Agreed," replied the Advisor. "In the meantime, what would you do, if I said that an opportunity has presented itself -- to expand our horizons?"

"I would call you a bloody fool for not sharing with me earlier," he chuckled softly. "No really, what is it?"

Offering a written report, the Sultan took it. "The Federated Segments of Scolopendra, Sultan." announced the man. "We never would have realised it, however they appear to be Arabic, or of Arabic origin."

"Excellent," exclaimed Al'Kyzlton, reading over the reports. "Then would you say that they would be more willing to lend us a hand... in perhaps breaking into the Frontiers of space?"

The Advisor shrugged. "That I cannot say," he replied honestly. "But for what it's worth, you might want to consider sending them to an invitation to Princess Marian's wedding. Talk some business, and the like..."

Sultan Al'Kyzlton chuckled, "Good good. Find me as much information as you can, and then have it to me by this time tommorow. We still have time to prepare, but if this opportunity is as good as you might claim -- then I have little choice but to."

Grinning, the Advisor shrugged, "I'll have the report earlier than that. May gods bless you, Sultan."