Date: December 17, 1998 (Back-scene)
Place: Throne Room - Atesh-Gah - Haven
Cast: Allegra, Khalid (I/III), Zuhayr
Scene: Khalid has summoned Zuhayr and Allegra, so that he might see who this Empyrean child is that has taken shelter in Atesh-Gah.

The doors that lead to the embassy foyer are opened and a man dressed in blue and gold enters, kneels and presses his forehead to the back of his hands before rising again, keeping his eyes downcast. "Most High, Kaimakam Zuhayr bin Adri Hakan al-Jehan and his charge, as you have requested."

Zuhayr steps inside the doors on the heels of this announcement and mirrors the smaller man's actions, kneeling and pressing his forehead to the back of his hands, those hands palm down on the floor before him. The Empyrean girl with him, clad as is appropriate for a child despite her wings, follows the Agni-Haidar.

Seated upon his throne of marble and satin, Khalid's eyes are all but closed as the pair of you enter. His expression is one of contemplation, or perhaps concern, for his brows are furrowed and his lips are curved into the smallest of frowns. Black wings are settled close against his powerful form, while slender hands rest in his lap. However, his attention is immediately gained as the herald announces the presence of both of you and ebony wings spread wide in an impressive display, shrouding the dais in shadow. Fiery blue eyes flicker first to Zuhayr, then onwards to Allegra.

Allegra watches Zuhayr's movements closely, which is very difficult considering how much she wants to look around the room. She mimics his actions, kneeling and pressing her forehead to the back of her hands, though a bit awkwardly as she is attempting to keep her eyes on Zuhayr at the same time.

"Of my Lions of Fire, you are he who is named Zuhayr, is that not so?" The question is spoken in rich, firm tones that echo throughout the mostly empty hall. The courtiers have been cleared, leaving only the Agni-Haidar who are on duty to observe the ongoing scene. Khalid Atar regards Zuhayr once more, as he shifts slightly within his throne. His wings have not receded as of yet and so still cast their shadow upon his form.

Zuhayr lifts his head only enough that his voice might not be muffled by his hands. "It is most assuredly so, Amir-al."

Allegra just itches to look up and around. She tries hard to remember Imphadi Zuhayr's instructions however. She would do anything for Imphadi Zuhayr. But oooooh, how difficult this is!

Watching for a few moments in silence, Khalid absorbs what Zuhayr has said so far. Yet, no immediate response is forthcoming from the God-King. After Allegra proves herself by not breaking her position, he calls out, "Both of you may rise." One hand idly moves to the rest of the throne and long, beautiful fingers idly tap on the stone. "Tell me the tale, Zuhayr, he who stands as a shield to my heart, of this Empyrean girl and how she came to be with us."

Zuhayr climbs to his feet with the faint creak and clink of the armor worn beneath the midnight haik. When he stands, one hand strays briefly to the pommel of the falcare to be certain it has not strayed from place, and he steals one brief glance toward Allegra before his attention returns to the foot of the throne. "It is a simple tale, Amir-al, though the end may seem more complicated than the beginning. This girl, who calls herself Allegra, walked alone past the Atesh-Gah. She was careless in her steps, and met with my leg. It is for this reason that we chanced to speak, Amir-al, and upon this chance that she told her story to me and those who listened. How she had lost her mother of late, and her father as a babe. How she had no place in which she might find food and shelter."

Giving no indication as to whether he has heard Zuhayr or not, Khalid simply studies the pair of you, set before him as you are, with fiery cold blue eyes. With a final flap, the black wings draw back against his body and those in the room are allowed a better view of the dais and he who sits atop it. His right hand settles against the armrest, while his left toys with the handle of his whip as he awaits the ending of the tale.

Allegra stands as Zuhayr does, one hand straying to her hip though nothing is there. But of course, Zuhayr did tell her to do exactly as he did. Her eyes, too, move to the throne, and her mouth drops open (luckily hidden by the veil). Wings! He has wings! Beautiful black wings, the like of which she's never seen before. Her eyes shine.

Zuhayr takes a breath, and says, "I have heard the lies the canda... the Empyreans speak about us, Amir-al, saying that we kill their women and children. It seemed to me as though the girl was brought to us to prove the Empyreans wrong. In taking her in, we could prove that their words are full of lies and little truth. The responsibility is mine," he concludes, sketching a bow from the waist that leaves him tilted forward.

Allegra quickly mimics the bow, tearing her gaze disappointedly away from those wings!

"I see, my faithful lion." Khalid's lips curve into the briefest of smiles, before his attention reverts to Allegra. "Come forward, girl. To the dais. Climb it and stand before me, so that I may consider your countenance and decide whether I find you pleasing or not." Never raising his voice, never needing to, the God-King's every word can be heard within the hall of the throne room.

Allegra looks toward Zuhayr briefly for guidance, then approaches slowly, understanding only the part where she's told to come forward and climb. She keeps her eyes on Khalid as she does, happy to follow the direction and get to see those wings up close. Finally she stands before him, her bright eyes shining as she looks up at Khalid.

While his left hand toys with the handle to the whip, Khalid's right hand snakes forward to capture Allegra's chin in his powerful grasp. Blue eyes peer out from behind a curtain of silky, black lashes as he studies the young, blonde Empyrean girl's demeanor and form. And indeed, she does get a glimpse of those wings -- ebony and majestic, there is not another pair in all the world quite like it. "You are called Allegra, yes? Do you have a last name? What were the names of your parents and what did they do?"

Zuhayr says nothing, only giving the girl a single nod of encouragement. He straightens as she steps closer to the dais, eyes intent on her every move.

Allegra flinches a bit as her chin is taken hold of, but she trusts Zuhayr... he wouldn't bring her to someone who would hurt her. "Allegra Dionysia. Mama made music and singed. Mama named Mama." Of course Mama's name was just that. She was just Mama, that's all.

"Ah," mouths Khalid. He acknowledges this statement with the slightest of nods, before twisting Allegra's chin within his grasp, so that he may examine her profile. Still not relinquishing his hold on the girl, he asks quietly, "Tell me Allegra Dionysia, do you wish to reside among my people? Among the people of the Neverending Fire? The Varati?" His grasp is firm on the young Empyrean child, yet not unkind.

Allegra nods. "Live with Imphadi Zuhayr. He feeded me and gived me a place to sleep and letted me take a bath and gived me new clothes when I getted lost. I like it here." She smiles beneath the veil, and since Khalid has hold of her chin he can probably feel the muscles of said smile. The child's eyes continue to shine brightly.

The left hand rises, finally, so as to remove the veil. Letting it drop to the side of the throne, Khalid inspects Allegra for many moments. "Very well." Turning his attention to Zuhayr, he calls out, "Zuhayr of the Agni-Haidar, do you take it upon yourself to teach this one in our ways? To educate her, to train her, to give her a place within your household?"

Zuhayr's answer is instant. "If that is your will, it will be my duty and honor to do so, in your name, Amir-al."

Allegra looks up with a hopeful smile.

Once again, there is no immediate answer. Instead, Khalid refocuses on Allegra as he questions, "Child, though you are still young, a decision comes before you. Will you become Varati? Will you be one of the people of the Neverending Fire? Will you accept my embrace, painful as it may be?" There is a seriousness to this question that makes it obvious that much depends on Allegra's answer. Blue eyes are ablaze as the God-King awaits the girl's response.

Allegra nods solemnly. "Do whatever Imphadi Zuhayr wants. Want him be my daddy." She sighs. "Him says he's nobody's daddy."

"Then do as I say, child. Draw back your sari, so that your right shoulder is bared to me." Khalid's instructions are firm as he continues, "And swear this oath: To the end of my days, forever Varati, I shall be." He lowers his hand from Allegra's chin, so as to allow her to comply with his demands.

Unbidden, the slightest of smiles curls one side of Zuhayr's mouth upward. The slip in mask-like visage is repaired in an instant.

Allegra furrows her brow in confusion. This guy is talking way above her level. She looks backward to Zuhayr, a questioning gaze.

Erk. Zuhayr straightens up. "If I may approach, Amir-al?"

Sparing the briefest of glances at Zuhayr, himself, Khalid awaits Allegra's compliance with his demands. "Very well, Zuhayr," agrees the God-King. His wings spread open again, masking the pair in shadow.

Allegra watches Zuhayr approach. Good, maybe he won't talk so strange as the one with wings. She can understand Zuhayr. Well, most of the time, anyway.

Zuhayr does approach, but he doesn't speak immediately. Instead, he stands behind Allegra and reaches around her to fold back the silk that covers her right shoulder. For a much larger man, his hands are oddly gentle. Quietly, as he does this, he rumbles, "You will speak the words that Amir-al tells you to speak, little one."

Allegra nods and turns her face back to look at Khalid, waiting to hear what she's supposed to say.

Apparently satisfied by Zuhayr's actions, Khalid turns back towards Allegra and repeats, "To the end of my days, forever Varati, I shall be." He inclines his chin slightly towards Zuhayr, indicating the Agni-Haidar officer may step down from the dais.

Allegra says solemnly, "To the end of my days...." Uh oh...that was such a long sentence. "To the end of my days..." She blinks nervously. "Forgotted the rest."

Zuhayr steps down backward, not daring to turn his back on Khalid.

More patient than some would say him to be, Khalid speaks slowly, "To the end of my days, forever Varati, I shall be." He clears his throat and repeats the sentence, once more, then falls silent, awaiting the child's response.

Allegra nods. "To the end of my days, forever Varati, I shall..." Her brow furrows for a moment. "I shall be." She smiles, triumphant.

"Very good, child." Khalid graces Allegra with the briefest of smiles, before he leans forward in his seat. Imposing, almost frighteningly so, the God-King looms over the Empyrean girl despite the fact that he has not risen from his perch on the throne. "I shall grace you with an honor many would die for -- an honor to mark you as one of my people." And then, without warning, black-winged God presses his lips to Allegra's bared shoulder. The briefest of flames springs forth when immortal lips touch mortal flesh, sending a jolt of pain through the child's body.

Allegra jumps and whimpers at the pain. She turns to look at Zuhayr, tears in her eyes, but not falling.

Where some men might look sympathetically on a child in pain, Zuhayr looks painfully proud. Allegra earns a very wide smile from the Agni-Haidar.

And when Khalid Atar draws his mouth away from Allegra's shoulder, a brand has been marked on her pale flesh. It is that of the sun surrounded by a ring of flames. "With this mark," intones the God-King, "You are one of the people of the Neverending Fire. Of the Varati. Do not dishonor us."

Allegra watches Zuhayr's smile in bewilderment. She could tell he was proud of her, but wasn't sure why. She turns back to Khalid, still bewildered.

"Never shall you know the hardships of slavery. Never shall you be discriminated among my people for your Empyreal heritage. Never shall you be considered of a lower caste. As long as Zuhayr wishes, and you wish, you are of his household. If ever he falls or you leave his household, you may come before me and I shall find a Clan for you, child of gold." Khalid's tone is still so very formal, yet kindly nonetheless. Gently, he pushes the sari back over the shoulder, then strokes Allegra's cheek with a fond caress. "And I shall teach you how to fly, myself, if you have not yet learned, child. Myself or Kiera."

Casting his fiery gaze back towards Zuhayr, Khalid speaks in firm tones, "Teach her of our ways, he who is the sword of my wrath. Teach her of honor. Of pride. Of duty. Teach her our history, our beliefs, our religion." His lips twist into a thoughtful repose for a moment, then adds, "Teach her of the histories of the other races, as well. Even that of the Empyre. Do not discriminate. Do not vilify the others as they may do us, for our honor would be put to shame if lies be told of others in such a way. We shall not use her, Zuhayr. She is one of us now, and treat her well, we shall."

Zuhayr bows again, smoothly. "As you will, in your name, Amir-al."

Allegra blinks back the tears that never quite managed to fall. "Know how to fly already," she states proudly.

"And make sure she is not discriminated against," states Khalid, forcefully. "Not among my people, not among others. She is one of mine now and I will not tolerate her to be disgraced, lest she disgrace herself by her own actions. If any question your word in this, Zuhayr, you shall send them to me." Flicking a sidelong glance at Allegra, he simply nods and states, "As you say, child. Then, sometime, we shall fly together."

Allegra nods, in awe over those beautiful ebony wings.

"As it has been said, so shall it be, Most High." Zuhayr pauses a moment, then adds, "You honor us both, Amir-al."

"This is all. You may take your veil, Allegra and leave with Zuhayr. I have many things to attend to." And with those last words, the session of court has ended. Khalid drops a curt nod to the Empyrean child, then one to Zuhayr, dismissing both from his presence. His parting words are, "Teach her well, Zuhayr, and honor your own household. And the name of the Agni-Haidar."

"As I serve, so shall I obey," Zuhayr says, then straightens and extends a hand toward Allegra. With luck, she will back away rather than turning her back.

Allegra quickly picks up the veil and runs to Zuhayr, hugging his leg.

Khalid quirks a slender black eyebrow at Allegra's rather inelegant departure, but a mirthful chuckle does escape his full, red lips. Dangerous, always, sometimes amusement overrides his rage.

Nevermind. Zuhayr pries the girl from his leg, and leads her backward through the doors that open at just the right time behind the pair.

FIN  

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