"There is artistry and poetry in the movements of the queen -- even when she's deadly."

The old soothsayer mused aloud.

“If I didn’t know better, I would have been jealous at your observation of my wife.” The king drawled in amusement.

“Ha!”, The soothsayer muttered as he and the king continued to observe the queen, who was practising sword fighting, vigorously but gracefully.

“What lays on your mind about the queen?” The king asked, knowing the old soothsayer never says anything or observes anyone for naught.

“You sire.”

“I?” The king turned and looked at the other man in astonishment.

“Aye”

“Do explain.”

“My king, you are the reason the Queen is restless, for she feels the need to protect you. If you will work with her more and listen to her more often, she will be more at peace.”

“I see.” The king narrowed his eyes slightly, “Has she told you anything?”

“My Queen, needs not to. Tis plain to see, for one such as I.”

“I see” The king repeated with a renewed understanding of his wife’s anxiety — the enemies within his kingdom.

“See that you do, sire” He scolded the king with fatherly concern.

“When you two have finished muttering about me, do join me for a picnic at the pavilion gardens.” Queen Indira said as she walked past them without looking at either of them.

“Aye, my Queen” the old man bowed slightly.

“She sounds…miffed,” the king said as he watched the queen walk towards her quarters.

The other man straightened, “That she is. And I believe we are about to hear how much, before the picnic is over.”

The King groaned.

“Do not despair.” He said a bit merrily and the king gave him a side eye at his choice of words. “The queen won’t eat you.”

He smiled at that. “I wish she would. In a romantic way.”

The old man refused to mention that the queen was feeling anything but romance. For anxiety over her husband.

“Well, shall we? We can’t keep the Queen waiting.”

“My king is wise.” The old man nodded as they began walking.

“Do not flatter me, old friend.”

“I do not, sire. You do know what to do. But your kind nature makes you hesitate, hoping your leniency will make the traitors repentant. But think of your Queen, sire. Your hesitation may put her in harm’s way.”

“I love her.”

“That you do sire — as a man and a king. But as a husband, you need to love her the way she needs to be loved, starting by putting out her fears, as far as her husband’s life is concerned.”

The King pondered on that.

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Mesmerising Vista

The King watched with unveiled passion, the enchanting vista of his queen Indira, belly dancing for him to the music she made from shaking her bangles, anklets, hip belt…

Weekend Writing Prompt #200 – Vista

Chronicles of the Crown: Indira to Sapphire

He battles

To possess

He believes

Another possesses

…his wife’s…

heart…

Weekend Writing Prompt #196 – Possess

Chronicles of the Crown: Preparing for Romance.

“Seduce him”, Empress Indira told a wife, as she looked through clothes needed to seduce her own husband.

“What, my Queen?” The woman gasped in disbelief, as she blushed. “I cannot do that!” She exclaimed.

“And why not? Is he not your husband?”, Indira queried.

“Well yes, but…that is not proper!”

Indira arched her brow, “Not proper? Says who?”

When the woman kept stammering, trying to find a proper answer — Indira presumed, as she set aside a set tinkling breast net made of jewels. Finding it hard ignoring the ignorance of the young wife, she faced her.

“Look. If you don’t move fast someone who has no problem seducing your husband will get him. And not because he’s willing, but because his own wife is unwilling to love him, as he needs to be loved.”

She raised her freshly painted hand to silence the blustering wife.

“You came here seeking for the counsel of your queen, did you not?”

“Aye, your highness.” She replied a bit timidly.

“Now go to the market. Purchase the most scandalous dancer’s attire you can find in your husband’s favourite colours.”

Indira turned back to her chest of treasures and pulled out a glass-like anklet, “Prepare and serve him his favourite meals in the attires.”

Indira glanced up from admiring the anklet that had been part of her wedding gift from her husband, the king. “Surely, you can afford such luxury considering all you say your husband has provided?

“Yes, my lady”

“Ah. Before all that, have your maids prepare you as a girl about to wed.”

“If you really appreciate the love you say your husband has shown you, this should not be a problem. Can you dance?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Then do just that. Serve him yourself and dance for your husband in those attires for one week — starting today.”

She looked at the anxious looking wife and smiled in understanding empathy. “Just put your soul, spirit and body into it. Now off with you. Your assignment begins now.”

“Long live the Queen, beloved of the King.” She said in obeisance and Indira smiled fondly when she said “beloved of the King“.

She was indeed loved.

And she intended to reciprocate not just with words but with her actions.

“Greetings Indira”

Indira looked up and saw her lovely sister in law with some maids carrying covered trays behind.

“Well Tickles.” Indira smiled in warm welcome.

“Tickles” was the nickname she gave her sister in law. Because her laughter always sounded like someone was tickling her.

“What brings you to this side of town?” Indira teased referring to the sprawling palace as a “town”

Tickles giggled. “An errand of love and the palace is not that big.”

“My brother, the king has put together a celebration in your honour tomorrow evening.” Tickles gushed.

Indira was touched. “He need not do that. I am humbled by the honour he bestows me.” She whispered.

“He also sends you these”, she signalled to maids.

They came forward, bent before Indira and uncovered the trays at once with fanfare.

Indira gasped. And so did her people that came to her new home with her.

It’s because the trays contained the clothes, jewels and sandals made in colours and designs of a female monarch from her father’s empire.

He must have picked up the idea from how her mother dressed.

But, it was unique in how Indira liked to dress herself. It was like he composed a description of her in the details.

“Indira? Why are you crying? Don’t you like them? My brother says it can be re-designed as you wish—-“

“Nay Tickles. I love everything here. Tell your brother I thank him. From the depth of my heart” Indira sniffled and smiled.

“A warrior queen crying.” Tickles shook her head in mock disbelief, “Never thought I will see that day.” She teased.

Indira gave a watery laugh, “Blame it on your brother.”

“As for thanking my brother. You will have to do that yourself. I’m done running errands between you two.” Princess Tickles said cheerily on her way out, as the maids bowed again to Indira before hurrying after the Emperor’s sister.

Indira touched the attire reverently. So beautiful… She thought as her cousin said the same out loud.

All Indira could do was nod in agreement. Her eyes fell on a dazzling brown gem pendant.

She squeezed and it clicked open. What she saw in it brought a huge smile to her face.

In her mother tongue etched in platinum:

…to many sentimental celebrations in the flying future, my Indira. Yours alone, •Sergei•

https://puttingmyfeetinthedirt.com/2021/01/01/january-2021-writing-prompts/ 11. Sentimental celebrations, 7. Ignoring the ignorance, 10. The flying future.

A Delicate Decree

Major Sujamal saluted his new boss in her office.

General Emira was aware of his presence as she kept on writing.

Her waist-length wavy hair was loose around her shoulders. She was wearing army camouflage T shirt dress and black boots.

She looked too beautiful to be a soldier, but she was tough with deadly calm, and had cracked many difficult military missions on land, air and sea with the ease of a hot knife through butter.

“You know, Major. I’m tempted to let you remain at attention, but someone must have spiked my Ro-something —-

“—Roti” the Major put in.

“—Right. Roti, this morning which is why I’m feeling maternal”, She said all this while still writing and without looking at the Major in question.

“At ease, Major”

Emira got up from behind her desk, and leaned on it as she crossed her legs at the ankle.

“Have a sit, Major” She gestured to one of the chairs as she crossed her arms.

“I will rather stand”

“Consider it an order”, Emira responded in a low steely voice.

Sujamal sat reluctantly and gazed at the wall behind her back.

Emira signed inwardly as she studied him. The man was running and aching from a past. Hence, his wild and unwilling ways of handling official orders. And that, threatens to upset the operation should it stay unresolved.

“I need you to discretely find your mother…” he snapped his head to face her, as his eyes flashed at her, but she ignored him as she calmly continued, “And personally investigate her — in disguise of course”

He shot to his feet,

“No”

He said in a slightly shaky voice, that she nearly felt sorry for him.

Emira leaned back more with a smile,

“Rejecting orders, Major?” She wasn’t surprised. She knew he was diligent and debatable.

“It’s too…personal for me to get involved”

“I think I already established how personal. All I can say is she may not have any idea how involved she is or even what she’s involved in. You’re to find out everything about her and report to me daily.”

Sujamal was now pacing, “I–I can’t do…” He began as he shook his head.

“You seem not to realise you don’t have a choice in the matter. If I didn’t know better I would have said you were doing your very best to sabotage this operation…. Let me finish, please” She raised a palm as he tried to speak in his defense.

“I said report to me and bring the suspects in talking condition. I even showed you how to subdue them enough to bring them here — should you have missed that class in military training. Yet you kept doing as you darned well please.”

Emira placed her palms beside her on the desk, as she prayed for calm.

“Your past is clouding your better judgement, Major. And I refuse to watch you unwittingly end your career thereby loosing one of my best men, one way or the other.”

She picked a folder from the desk, looked at it solemnly, then stretched it towards a fuming Sujamal, who had lost the battle of trying not to glower at her. She smiled inwardly as he looked kinda cute.

“Consider this your suspension assignment. Otherwise, feel free to appear before a panel of Top Brass Military Generals to explain why you should not be dismissed.”

He hesitated then slowly and reluctantly collected the file from her.

“Follow instructions to the letter and proof to me that you’re in this job for noble reasons” Emira said as she sat behind her desk.

Oh hahn. Tu-tri-bat. Tell your….girlfriend, that should she try following you again, I shall put her under arrest for trying to disrupt a military mission.” Emira warned in a casual voice. “You may leave now.”

“Yes, Boss” Sujamal saluted her and walked out.

Emira sighed as watched him leave. She swivelled in her chair as she prayed for healing of the Major who was wounded in his soul.

She sensed troubling tensions at the military base and she didn’t like it. She began to pray for peace, protection for her soldiers and the strategy for a successful mission.

15 minutes later, her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and picked the call with girlish excitement.

“Hello Mama”, she gave a tired smile.

https://puttingmyfeetinthedirt.com/2020/11/01/november-writing-prompts-2/

Emira’s Parents

“Habibi?” Iré called as she peered into her husband’s study.

The Emir raised his head upon hearing his queen’s soothing voice. And his breath caught. He sighed. After thirty years of marriage, she still stimulated his senses. 

He smiled in delight, “Hey Baby”. 

Iré inclined her head in response with an answering smile of her own, as she walked into the study.

He watched her walk towards him. She was wearing an Indian inspired silver pantsuit, beaded flat shoes and her upswept 4C hair was caught in a single pearl string. 

As she leaned in to kiss him, her cinnamon and beige skin made her minimal jewellery look dim.

He pulled her into his lap. 

” Hmm. That was delicious, my Delight.”

Iré giggled, “That’s a new one. Delights and Deliciousness.”

“That’s what I feel every time I see you. Sounds harmless but a more potent combination I can’t fathom.” Salim linked his fingers with hers.

She smiled with delight.

“Have you heard from Emira?”

“No. But Tailap has called me, telling me she’s just had dinner with his family and at the time we were speaking she was chatting with his wife.” The Emir reported.

Iré pursed her lips and sighed. “I suppose if I want to know more I will have to call my daughter. How’s General Tailap?” She quickly added as her husband opened his mouth to defend himself.

Salim sighed and shook his head, “You aren’t implying that I am keeping vital information from you, are you?”

“Are you not?” She retorted playfully.

“Busted” Salim smiled.

“Not quite”

His smile dimmed slightly, “Emira is fine, darling.” He said with a serious tone.

“I believe you.” She said with conviction as she kissed her husband.

August Writing Prompts – Delights and deliciousness 

The Meeting

Emira observed her deputy with her side-eye. 

Though she didn’t want to admit it even to herself, He was a whistling wonder.

From his well-defined facial structure to his slim build that she didn’t need anyone to tell her was a well-muscled build. 

However, it was his eyes that were most compelling. Dark with a hint of gold, when it caught the light at a certain angle.

 Like now.

His eyes were saying nothing but everything.

Emira sighed inside. She supposes she was her mother’s daughter. She has a thing for eyes and she learnt from her mama how to read them.

“Or what do you think?” General Tailap asked her.

Oh. My. God. 

Did she just blank out on the conversation?! Wonderful.

She shook her head ruefully, “I am sorry, Uncle. But I was lost in thought. Could you repeat what you said?”

“Or what do you think?” General Tailap looked serious even as his eyes danced in merriment. Suggesting he knew why she was distracted.

Emira nearly rolled her eyes at him, “No Uncle. The statement that led to that!” 

“If you can recall how the bandit that got away looks, we could send some soldiers after him.” A soothing but intense male voice drawled beside her.

There ought to be a law against that kind of voice. O God help me. Emira prayed.

She took a deep breath to clear her head. “Thank you, Colonel. We would send soldiers after him alright. But it will be to lead us to the bandits’ associates in town. The soldiers have to be plainly clothed, of course. Dressed like peasants and probably even pretending to hawk some wares.”

The General looked excited. “Excellent idea, Emira. Though you have yet to describe him.”

“He wore a yellow bandana. Bald, slightly reddish skin. Tall, slim and pretty, you know a bit more feminine facial features.”

“Interesting,” The Colonel said.

“You can describe that to our military artist, to draw. That way our men’s search will be easier.” General Tailap suggested.

“Great. So when do I get to meet this artist?” Emira asked.

“You are sitting next to him.” Uncle Tailap said.

What! This is dangerous. I need to complain to my mama ASAP. 

August Writing Prompt #15 He wore a yellow bandana #20 He was a whistling wonder #29 Saying nothing but everything 

Chronicles of the Crown: Misunderstanding

Indira!!!

Birds merrily chirping at the palace grounds took off in fright.

Indira and her cousin jumped, as the Emperor thundered.

“What on earth did you do, I’ra?” Her cousin looked at her in wonder.

Before Indira could respond — so perplexed she was — her husband stormed into her rooms.

“Privacy!” He ordered in an angry voice. All the servants scurried out of the Queen’s Quarters.

Indira and her cousin stood, both in anxious wonder.

“I’m sorry Princess MayRose, but I need to speak to my Empress alone.” 

“I understand that, your Highness, but I don’t feel at ease leaving my sister, while you are in this…..mood.”

“I would not assault my own wife, if that is what gives you concern, Princess.”

When MayRose didn’t look convinced, Indira gave her a reassuring smile, and she reluctantly left.

As she was wondering were to stay to be close enough should the Emperor turn violent, she saw the Emperor’s brother coming warily towards the Queen’s Quarters.

“Greetings Princess”

“Greetings your Highness”

“What brings you here? ”

“My brother is quite vexed, though he’s not violent outside the battle field and he honours women, I just want to make sure…..” He shrugged helplessly.

Obviously he’s not used to seeing his brother this angry. A realisation MayRose found the least reassuring.

“Very well. We might as well stay here just in case. Hopefully we worry in vain.”

“Hopefully”, He said.

In the inner room, Queen Indira stood calmly as her husband paced infront of her.

Finally he spoke in a strained voice, “Where were you the night before, my Lady?”

“Right here, my lord”

“All night?”

Oh dear.

” Nay, my lord”

“Nay? Very well then. Let me rephrase. Who were you with, Indira?” He asked in a dangerously quite voice.

Indira looked into his eyes, now fiery gold and asked, “Am I being accused of something, my lord?”

“Indira.” He looked like he was ready to explode. “Just answer the question.”

“Very well. I went out to see my brother, your highness”

“Your….what?”

“Your brother in-law, your Highness, or is that no longer permitted?”

Her husband looked shocked and confused.

“But Aunt Omra said….” He whispered

Oh the snake!

“Said what? Your majesty?” Indira was beginning to get angry herself.

“Never mind. Why did you have to sneak out to see him?”

Never m____! 

“Because that’s what he requested!” 

“And you couldn’t tell me where you were going?”

“I did not see the necessity. He said to tell no one.”

“I see”

“I realize how this looks to you. But I hope you can trust my sincerity.”

Her husband looked perplexed. Indira knew he trusted her. But the situation looked suspicion especially with his aunt stirring the brew. 

She really understood her husband’s dilemma. 

To believe her means his “aunt” was wrong. 

To completely believe his aunt, means to belief his queen was an adulteress.

I’m going to “properly” introduce myself to Omra.

Her husband was about walking out, but she blocked his path. He looked at her with a startled frown. 

Well my lord. No one may never have dared to block your part, but no one has dared accuse me of such a vile thing even if it was implied.

“We are not finished, my lord.”

“What am I being accused of? And who is my accuser?”

“No one has accused you____”

“No one, my Lord?”

“I am Indira, princess of Amfyre Empire, queen of Xenia and Empress of your empire, your Majesty. I will not tolerate any falsehood implied against my person.”

“Indira calm yourself. I did not think you capable of falsehood.”

Indira smiled in grim amusement.

“You did not? Then why did you come in this room in such a fashion, my lord? Did you know what my cousin asked me, What did you do?. Now if my cousin could ask me that, by now news has spread that I have committed such an offence that made you loose your temper. Rumours would be rife by now.”

Indira continued in a much solemn voice, “If  we do not discuss and resolve this openly, you will not like how my family will take it. And by then I will not interfere.”

The Emperor looked at her in calm understanding and took a deep breathe while running a hand through his midnight dark hair.

“What do you want from me, Indira?”

Indira walked up to her husband,  held his strong hands and looked in his eyes, “Be sincere and open with me, my lord, as I will you. Otherwise, we will have a divided kingdom on our hands and that is dangerous for all concerned”

The Emperor slowly nodded and squeezed her hands in agreement.

via Your Daily Word Prompt – Sincere -September 3, 2019