Chapter Text
Within the grand palace of the high Azwar, Jihwah ja-Awhal, morning light shined through every window and bathed the inside of the palace in an almost ethereal glow.
Servants were bustling about, getting things ready for the day; greeting each other warmly as they passed one another or talked quietly amongst themselves as they worked.
One servant made his way through the halls with tray in hand, his footsteps echoing as he moved toward the special wing of the palace. Walking past its courtyard and lush gardens and through its large open sitting area, he moved to the bed chambers of the Azwar’s bazah.
Reaching his destination, the servant pushed opened the tall, wooden doors and stepped inside.
The room was dark, the curtains drawn keeping out the sunlight. He set the tray that he was holding down upon a table in the center of the room. Walking over to the windows, he drew them open and a flood of light entered the space.
Upon the round canopy bed, a dark-haired figure stirred somewhat but did not awaken.
“Nasir-ama.”
The young man on the bed stirred again and began to blink open his eyes.
“Apologies, Nasir-ama…but the Azwar requests your presence in his study.”
Nasir nodded his head and began to sit up.
“Gratitude for the message.” Nasir replied. “Can you bring me a robe?”
“Of course, Nasir-ama.” The servant answered. “ I have also brought you something to eat before you go,” he said gesturing to the tray on the table.
“My thanks.”
The servant bowed and walked over to the wardrobe to fetch a suitable robe.
Looking through it, the servant found a short-sleeved emerald green lounging robe with red trim and took it out.
“Would this suffice, Nasir-ama?” he asked, holding up the robe.
“That will do, thank you.” Nasir replied as he exited the bed.
“I shall prepare a bath for you while you eat.” The servant said.
Nasir nodded at him and the servant left.
Slipping on the robe, he tied the sash loosely around him and sat down at the table to eat his meal.
While he ate, Nasir read the letter he received from his former teacher and friend Talisa. It talked about her current stay in the city of Abdas and the work that she was doing there.
At the end of the letter, she wrote of visiting as soon as she returned to Ajwa-Il. Nasir smiled at that. It had been a while since he had last seen her so he looked forward to it.
As he finished eating, the servant returned.
“The bath is ready for you.” He said and gathered up the tray.
“Thank you. That will be all for now.” Nasir replied.
The servant bowed and left the room.
Nasir got up and walked towards his private bath chamber.
As he entered the bath chamber, he began to remove his robe. He then stepped into the bath and picking up a cloth and his favorite jasmine-scented soap, starting washing himself thoroughly.
After he was done, he grabbed a drying towel and dried himself off. Then he returned to his bed chambers.
Going to his wardrobe, Nasir searched for his new aqua colored robes gifted to him by the Azwar and the matching breeches that went along with them.
Gathering the clothes together, he moved to the golden vanity on the left side of the room to fix his hair.
Picking up a vial of scented hair oil, he poured a good amount of it into his hands and massaged it into his hair. Then using both his polished ivory bone comb and fine bristled brush, combed through his hair and brushed it back into a ponytail, securing it with a black silk ribbon.
Pleased with his work, he got up and began putting on his breeches and his robes, tying the robes together with its sash, as well as slipping on a pair of black slippers.
Finished, Nasir left his room and began towards the Azwar’s study.
As he passed by, people bowed to him respectfully and he nodded politely back.
Ascending the grand staircase of the main hall, he walked down the hallway that led to the private study.
When he got there, he opened the door and went inside.
The study was large; dark oak bookshelves flanked the room on all sides, scrolls piled high on top of them. In the center of the room, the floor was sunken in and a table, strewn with maps and reports, sat in the middle.
Sitting upon a cushy pillow, incense burning beside him, sat the Azwar Jihwah ja-Ahwal, a stocky, average looking man with closely cropped hair and a long dark beard, dressed in fine crimson and gold colored robes, looking intently at a piece of paper in his many ringed hand.
“Jihwah-Azwar.” Nasir called out to him to get his attention.
Looking up, the Azwar noticed Nasir standing near the door and with a slight grin on his face rose from his seat to greet him.
“There is my lovely boy.” The Azwar said, approaching Nasir with purposeful steps.
“Good morning to you, Jihwah-Azwar.” Nasir greeted him, moving closer.
“A good morning it is indeed.” The Azwar replied, placing a firm kiss upon Nasir’s lips and took in his appearance with a heated gaze. “I see you wear the robe I had made for you.”
“Yes of course, Azwar.” Nasir replied. “I trust it is to your liking?”
“That it is.” The Azwar said, trailing his hands down Nasir’s chest and settling them on his waist pulling him closer. “Then again you look a vision in all that you wear.”
“Your words are too kind, Azwar.” Nasir replied, turning his head to the side almost bashfully.
The Azwar brought one of his hands up to grasp Nasir’s chin, bringing his gaze back onto him.
“I speak only the truth.” The Azwar whispered huskily before he kissed Nasir again, this time slipping his tongue into Nasir’s mouth.
Nasir let out a small noise and placed his hands upon the Azwar’s chest, pushing him lightly. “Such passion that begins to arise within you.” Nasir said softly. “However I am sure that you did not call upon me just to sate desires for flesh.”
Chuckling, The Azwar loosened his hold on Nasir and let him go. “True enough…though later this evening, I would have you in my bed for such.”
“As you so desire, Azwar.” Nasir replied.
“Very good…now for other matters.” The Azwar began. “As you know, General Riz ali-Zaras and his men will be returning to our city within 5 days and shall be staying with us as honored guests.”
“Of course.” Nasir replied.
“I would have you make sure that the guest rooms are being prepared by the servants. Oh, and that proper clothes and such are available to them should they need them.”
“It shall be done.” Nasir said.
“Also, the royal gathering is soon approaching. We must begin preparing for that as well.”
“Yes.”
“Contract the decorator, Mimas for her services in the preparation of the grand hall. Also get Babas for the food and Fariah for the wine.”
“Fariah, Azwar?” Nasir asked. “Qun is not available?”
“Alas no.” The Azwar replied, shaking his head. “It would seem as though he has landed into a bit of trouble recently and has had to sell his entire stock of wines.”
“How unfortunate.” Nasir replied, even though he did not care for the man, especially after he tried to grope him the last time that he saw him.
“Also, Lord and Lady bas-Alisah request our presence at their home two nights from now for a party that they are throwing. You remember them don’t you?”
Nasir stifled the urge to roll his eyes. That he did. He remembered the shouting match that they had gotten into during their youngest son’s age day and the awkwardness that followed.
“I do.”
The Azwar nodded his head. “They request that their guests wear purple for the party.”
“I shall make sure that my robes are ready by then.” Nasir replied.
“Good.”
“Is there anything else, Azwar?” Nasir asked.
“Oh yes I almost forgot,” the Azwar said and moved over to the table a picked up an ornate red box.
“A gift for you…from Lord Tawar.” The Azwar said, holding out the box for Nasir to take.
Nasir took the box from his hands and opened it.
Inside was a finely made golden necklace with an onyx pendant attached to it.
“It seems that Lord Tawar was quite taken by you at the last party we attended.” The Azwar laughed.
“It is a beautiful gift.” Nasir said, even though he was not much of a jewelry wearer. “I shall have to write him a letter thanking him for such.”
The Azwar nodded in agreement. “That is all for now but I will see you again at dinner. Then…in bed.”
“Until tonight.” Nasir said as a goodbye and then made his way out of the room.