Post by Kamenwati on Nov 11, 2011 15:07:21 GMT -6
Discussions of a Husband and Wife, and Slaves
All most as if she were waking to a dawn, her eyes opened slowly, blinking as if blinking away sleep into a new morning light. Something was amiss. Briseis was no fool though her sweetness was sometimes regarded as stupidity, not that Kam ever thought her to be stupid, in fact she knew he thought highly of her, more highly then she had credit to accept.
The first warning sign was that the physician had left the room with the remaining slaves and Niemah had not been among them, the companion she had come to adore was absent. The second and most alarming warning sign was the look on Kamenwati face. He could smile all he wished, his eyes spoke of a truth he didn't want to say out loud.
In retrospect, Briseis figured that part of the look on his face was her fault for speaking not too long ago of settling her affairs and the fact that her bearing a child seemed very dangerous or even fatal to her health. As he took her hand, she squeezed it and brought his hand up to her lips again gently caressing his knuckles with her petal soft lips. "You're upset" It was as much statement as it was question. Again she drew his hand to her chest, close to her heart.
"Do you still fear the loss of me?" She questioned as she brought her other hand up to cup his one hand between the two. "I wish you would not. I have no fear of death, though it would pain me to leave you but that does not mean I would not fight to my last breath to stay with you. We must accept our fate when it begins, no matter how unpleasant the experience and we must accept when our fate comes to a close. These are the way of things, they can be changed, sure, in enough time, our destinies are always changing with our actions but fate cannot be escaped, especially when it is time for it all to end. An I also pray, my love, that when my time comes, you will not feel pain of it and cause harm to yourself or anyone around you. We each owe a life end, there are no exceptions and I wish with all my heart, that when my time comes, I can meet the end of my fate knowing I lived a life well that those I leave behind will remember it fondly. The only immortality in life my love, is in the memories of those left behind when others pass on, that their memories remain with us, that their story is retold through generations that pass. This is why I look to our child with such hope, to bring someone made of both of us into this world. " She fell silent then. Speaking of memories keeping someone who passed on alive, brought about memories of her mother and what she had learned.
Kamenwati listened to her, about her dream, and he smiled… then he listened to her about fate and destiny… and she made much sense… He smiled once more, his voice soft, reflecting on his teachings in his faith… “Who knows time like a single moment and who prevails over the whole time and space? Everything is determined and finished in a destiny.” His hand caressed hers.
“Destiny is Allah’s perfect knowledge of all events past or future… One may say, How can Allah already know events that have not yet been experienced? It is the very essence of the concept of destiny, that in understanding the authenticity of destiny, one must understand that events not yet experienced, belongs to the person… for the past, the future, and the present are all the same to Allah; for Him, everything has already taken place and finished.” His mind reflected upon what the physician had told him.
Her mother had been written out of the histories of Carnia for her deeds against slavery. It was unfair and it was cruel and she wondered vaguely what she could do to bring the glory that was her mother’s courage to light without bringing danger to her or Kamenwati. What had Octavius meant in bringing this news to light? There had to be some motive but Briseis could not fathom what that was, or rather, she did not WANT to fathom what he was implying.
Her attention went to Kam again and she offered him a comforting smile as she brought his knuckles to her lips again. The gesture was as comforting as she could be without words to go with them and what could she say to ease the distress that shown from his eyes? The truth was, there were none, and she knew it.
Releasing his hand, she pulled herself up, cupping his cheek in her hand, her head tilting ever so slightly and those sapphire eyes shown in a way that some said she was then peering into your soul, leaning forward, she brushed her lips tenderly against his own then pulled back using her thumb to caress his cheek "I will rest, I promise you this, when you tell me what ails you. I cannot rest comfortably knowing something weighs upon you. There is much we most sort through, but for now, tell me why your eyes look so sorrowful that they nearly shed tears and bring upon my own."
Kam’s hand left hers and caressed her face, his palm resting against her cheek… “My beloved Briseis… Surely Allah’s plans will come to fruition… that he be praised for his plans with you and I… both humble servants… one unto the other, both unto those less fortunate… Octavius brought me word of your past… for what means I know not… but yer health… and being with child are my concerns…” he paused, his thumb caressing the pale skin of her cheekbone. “Many fear that childbirth shall put you, and the babe in grave danger… they say that you are not healthy enough to carry it full term, and such a delivery…” then he looked down, his hand falling to his lap, fingers intertwining together.
The smile on her face was radiant when he touched her cheek and she leaned into the loving touch with a feathery soft touch for there was not much she could do when he touched her like this but to go with it and feel the love simply glowing from the tips of his fingertips to her skin as he caressed her cheekbone.
When he spoke of Octavius and what he had revealed, Briseis hand came up to cup his own against her cheek and she kissed his palm before pulling her cheek away, her lips pulling into a deep frown. She did not want to say aloud what first came to mind of why Octavius would give them this information, it just...wasn't possible, it was....cruel, even to think it felt evil. She couldn't deny what he was saying about what the others had said of her health and carrying a child.
At one time she thought never to be able to carry a child again, now she was pregnant for a third time, the first two, so hazardous to her health. She couldn't deny them, and so she would not even try to.
His dark eyes looked to her… “The physician waits for my word… to give you medicine to rid the child from you…” he took her hand. “If it was my decision… I would trust in Allah… and allow you to carry the child to full term… in the care of MY physician…” he paused to let her absorb his words. “But your body is yours… to decide… Be known, that Allah be praised, by what you have endured in life, and yet you are still here… I believe Allah has plans for you…” he canted his head, the long hair falling to the side. “Tell me what your desires are… and I shall either send the physician away… or call him in…”
Brushing the hair aside, eyes roll to the side of his sockets as he looks at an angle from her. “Know this as well, two days ago, I sent word by the swiftest messenger for my physician… if you decide to keep the child, then his journey shall nay be for naught… and he shall reside with us until the child enters this world…” he smiled, the sun-darkened skin revealing near-perfectly formed white teeth.
“I shed tears, because my faith in Allah waned… and I failed to reflect over what I have learned… and what we have been through… But as you woke, I Had spoken with God… and faith was regained… Now my faith in Allah and you are resilient… All I knew is your word of affirmation in the love we have…”
Her strength seemed to fade, that burst of energy now fizzled out and she sank against the pillows listening to what the physician had told him and that he would trust in Allah. Was it that simple? Briseis wondered. Her desires? He wanted to know her desires. Truly for several minutes she marveled at the man that was her husband. He never ceased to amaze her. Men of their era would never ask what a woman thought and here he was asking her what her desire was and that he would abide by it and trust in Allah....and her with it. This was her decision....no this was their decision, and his decision, was to trust in Allah and allow her to try and carry the child to term. Could her heart bear another miscarriage if that were Allah plans? They had been through so much all ready, they had come so far. Little by little, she was beginning to believe she was stronger than she thought she was. Little by little she was trusting in his opinions of her. He never had seen her as just some slave, only her mannerism, in his eyes, she had always seen herself, as how she was supposed to be.
Truly they were fated... for here she was, the woman she was supposed to be, or growing to be her, with the man she was meant to be with. No person on this land or any other, was as lucky as her in this moment despite her past.
"Come.." she beckoned him, too weak to pull him down she only gave a tug of his hand till he was laying down beside her and she rolled her body against his own, her arm curling around his stomach as she lay her head against his shoulder and let out a heavy sigh. "No wife in this land, or any other, is as lucky as I. To have a husband who would ask and abide by what his wife decided. If it were any other man, you would have made the decision for me and yet now, you ask my own, after telling me of what it would be in your decision. I put my faith and trust in Allah when you came for me in Tamazgha and I put my faith in Allah again. I will not rid my body of this child, our child. Allah will show us what he wills, in time. Your love alone gives me strength to agree with your decision for it is mine as well. If there is anything we need never doubt, is our love, Kam. The world could crumble down around us now, and I'll love you, just as I do now..."
She let out a hum of a sigh, his heart beating against her ear. "You should write to your new Amir of the developments here. Get his opinion, you obviously think very highly of him else you would not have put him in a position you were in a right to take for yourself. Get his opinion on the news Octavius has shared with us. I would suggest a visit to Tamazgha to hear it personally, but for fear of a journey and the baby. I wish you had more companions here besides myself, it would comfort me to know you had your own allies here." Lids fluttered for they were heavy with the want of sleep, again and his heart beat did not help to keep her awake for much longer. "I would do anything to please you, my husband, my love. I would do anything to see you at your happiest."
She would get her wish, for upon the seas now sailed one of the Amir’s newest ships… a battlewagon, brand new out of Lewis-Harris docks, not long after Kam left. James du’Chere had authorized three war ships to be built for the Amir of the Tamazgha, at a profit well worth the expenditure that they would be used for.
Upon that ship were Kamenwati’s physician, four personal bodyguards, and twenty riders from the desert. Men Kam trusted with his… and his wife’s life.
No longer would he sit idly by and let Secundus drive his people under thumb… No longer would the Carnian Emperor be a threat… Was this all in Kam’s master plan, devised before he arrived? Did he truly make plans against Carnia, or was the communication he had set up that efficient? Either way, Briseis was in danger, not only for her health, but as the true heir to the Carnian throne.
The only thing that Kam was unsure of was Octavius… what was his plans?
Kam laid down next to Bri… and cradled her in his strong arms… He was honored by her conversion to Islam… and now placed her trust in Allah as well.
He chuckled at her words of the world crumbling down around them. His voice was smooth, soft, charming, alluring… “The walls may crumble my dear Briseis… but you shall be protected… Allah has plans for us, I know this.” he was referring to his entourage soon to arrive under Ambassadorial prerogative…
Of course, when the ship docked, the men who disembarked would carry no weapons… Kam’s plan was to give a show of strength, not start a war… that was up to Secundus.
Again he chuckled, “My dear, are yu trying to rid me of yer presence…?” he chuckled. “When I return to the Tamazgha, I shall take my wife and child with me…”
It was then that Niemah returned to change Briseis’ water dish for new cooler water… “Mistress, how do you feel…” as she knelt supplicated before Kam and Bri. Kam motioned to Niemah… “lay next to yer Mistress girl… and rub her back…” Kam kissed Bri’s cheek and rose from lying next to her. “I shall return…”
His manhood was hard as a rock, and luckily his loose fitting robes hid what was most evident. Laying next to Bri had excited him and he scooted himself away from her ever so nonchalantly. But when the beautiful Niemah appeared in the skimpy slave attire, it was almost all he could handle. It was time to relocate, to subdue his wanton desires. Besides, he had to check on a few things…
Briseis hid her face against Kam chest as Niemah came fluttering into the room. She was embarrassed to be caught trying to seduce her willing husband. When he shifted, her face rose and she smiled as he kissed her cheek and left the bed. Curling herself against the pillows, she lay on what was still a flat body that hid the secret of their child within its confides.
"Hello Niemah" She murmured, still shamed by being caught even if it was naturally. "I feel ....tired" She hummed and rolled to her side sliding her arm underneath the pillow as Niemah did as she was told and began to run her hands up and down her mistress back. "Niemah..." She hummed as she closed her eyes.
Niemah eyes followed Kam and then back to her mistress they went as her nimble little fingers worked up and down Briseis spine. "Yes my mistress?" she returned in a hum.
.....
"I fear my weakness will not allow me to do as my body wishes to do. You would please me greatly, to not allow my husband....to be without" Briseis cheeks flushed anew but whether it was because of her body weakened with child or from embarrassment of admitted such, who knew.
Niemah was silent but her eyes went to the door Kam had left through and then back to Briseis. "Anything for you, my lady" She hummed with the greatest respect for her lady and mistress but Briseis was fast asleep. Niemah leaned down to kiss her ladies cheek and then continue to rub her back to help soothe her into a deeper sleep that Niemah was sure she needed.
Mathayus was just outside the door, as well as Viddius… Kam smiled at them. “Matheyus, come with me…” In a side room, Kam did what no master would normally do. “I know you are loyal to the Lady Briseis… take this dagger, hide it upon yer person… and stay close to her when I am nay around… You are my last line of defense for her… trust no one. In the next few days, I shall have some of my people arrive… they are my closest allies… you are allowed to trust them, for they will trust you at my word… Do you understand?”
Mathayus slid a gaze to Viddius and then bowed his head as he followed after Kam. As they entered the hall, Mathayus knelt to one knee as he easily dwarfed even the tall Kamenwati and he wished not to be higher than his Lord and Master. His head lifted when Kam gave him the dagger and for one minute he looked at the weapon as if it would bite him, before sliding it into the large belt around his waist. "Yes, my Lord, I understand" His deep voice rumbled. He seemed to hesitate in saying something else and then continued. "My Lord, I fear you have a spy in your household. Viddius, went to fetch the physician from the village and just now returned. I do not think...his loyalty is with the house of Lycia, I felt I should warn you of this..." He bowed his head and rose to his feet though he kept his shoulders hunched to appear somewhat in height with Kamenwati.
Kamenwati listened… and soon his fears, and thoughts were confirmed. He had, suspected, someone was a spy, yet he knew not who… Nodding, Kam made note… “Be wary of him, Mathayus… let him work in the outer gardens… not near the lady’s quarters… Now return…” And Kam walked back to the Lady’s quarters, Mathayus following… soon taking his own station, and Kam entering the lady’s room…
Meanwhile, Niemah was waiting for when Kamenwati returned. Briseis was still fast asleep and Niemah had left her only when her lady was deep in sleep. Her hands were folded before her, her head bowed. "My Lord, may I speak?"
Kam looked at the sleeping Bri, then to the girl… “Good job, the lady sleeps… You may speak…”
She waited for the go ahead and continued. "In my short time here, I have come to love the Lady Briseis very much. There is nothing I would deny her, nor you my Lord." Her eyes stayed on the floor though her face showed clearly that she was not lying. "I...heard the physician, I wish not to lose her my lord nor see you despaired over it. Please, I beg you to take the physician up on his offer, she need never know and I could...I could help the two of you.."
Kam displayed no emotions, no expressions… he just listened… Words were words, and actions were actions… often neither matched, especially when one was lying… How could Octavius, Viddius, and now the beautiful Niemah, have the same theme in common… and all against his own judgment? In his heart, he felt Bri could carry the child, but all them, reassured him it would be best she would abort. Odd coincidence? Or a master plan?
It seemed to pain Niemah to ask such a thing but what she offered, was sincere and it was not out of disrespect for either of them, it was with the greatest love she offered her body to house a child for them. "I will abide by your wishes and command, I needed only to say it. Please believe, I mean no disrespect"
Finally Niemah eyes rose, daringly to meet Kamenwati's "She loves you greatly and does not want to see you suffer, nor would I, my Lord" With this said, her hands unclasped and reached up to push the folds of her toga off her shoulders. without the embrace of her shoulders, the garment crumbled to the floor baring her naked flesh to him.
He could restraint his expressions no longer, for as the girl’s clothes pooled at the floor, he himself became rock hard again… Had he been of him former self, he would have ravaged the girl until she could no longer walk, then return his passion late that day… but he was in love with his wife, a woman, not of his culture… and he remained faithful, even until now… but his body betrayed him beneath his robes… Kam said nothing, he just turned and walked out of the room.
Standing over his wife, he smiled, knelt and kissed her forehead. Then he adjusted some pillows near her to sleep. But deep sleep would fail him, as he dreamt of Briseis, and him, making love. The sex of his dream was fulfilling, and as he lay recuperating next to Bri, he leaned to kiss her… and from behind Niemah, who also was naked, rose, her hand upon his arm. “Do not forget me Master, I too, would like a kiss good night…” then she whispered, to Bri… “You were right M’Lady, he was very good…” It was then that he woke suddenly… and looked at the ceiling until sleep took him again.
As Briseis curled into Kam once more and Niemah had left the room. She curled into her husband, spooning the backside of him. He was deep in sleep, not only his breathing told her but the rapid movement of his eyes beneath his lids. Slowly her fingers traced circles against his bare arm as she leaned her chin against his shoulder. "Dream sweetly, my love..." She whispered against his ear knowing he probably would not hear this as she fell asleep once more curled tightly against him.
