Fascicle the First

We rode into the citadel early in the evening, just at the hour of sunset. So it was not until the following day that I first beheld the Desert Prince, my doom, my destiny.

I was on my mule, and next to me rode my beloved companion, my Sean ben Bean. We rode through the gates of the citadel, with our bundles of cloth piled high on our mules and our merchants' cloaks stiff with dust. As we passed under the lofty gate and obtained passes from the guards, I glanced over at my friend and was filled with love for him. There had not been a moment of my life in which I had not known him. For I am an orphan and Sean ben Bean brought me up as his brother.

But we were more than brothers. So much more.

The last rays of sun were painting the towers of the fortress gold as we rode through the gate and the lanes of the citadel. All behind us was the empty blue expanse of the dusky desert, and before us the unknown splendour of the Prince's castle. I did not know what would await within. I was young, my heart was quick in my throat, and I gazed around me in wonder.

We dismounted. We gave up our mules to stable boys to water and unburden. We were shown to our lodgings, and they were more magnificent than any rooms I had ever stayed in. Kelims adorned the smooth clay walls, soft rugs lay scattered about the floor, and where there weren't rugs, there were cool azure-patterned tiles.

I looked at my beloved friend, my Sean ben Bean, and smiled. And he looked at me and clasped my hand to his bosom. But his brow was clouded and there was a darkness in his clear green eyes.

"What troubles you, my beloved friend?" I asked him.

"It is this castle, Orlando," he answered. "We shall sell many boles of cloth here. The Master of this place is rich beyond imagining, and he loves pomp and finery. But he is also cruel beyond imagining, and I am afraid for you, my dearest heart."

"Do not be afraid. I have you to look out for me, and no one will take much note of a lowly apprentice like myself."

"You speak sense. Still, I am afraid. There is some evil afoot in this place. I do not care for myself; you know I do not and that I care only for you. But I am afraid that my protection may not be enough here."

I smiled at that because my beloved friend was too modest. For had I not seen him slay a lion with one blow of his dagger and drive away a whole band of brigands with nothing but a whip and a club?

Sean leaned towards me and said in a low voice, looking about him although the chambers were quite empty, "I must warn you about something. Tomorrow we must pay our respects to the Desert Duke who rules this castle and all the lands round about. We must pay obeisance to the lord of this realm, and we must pay obeisance to his son, the Desert Prince. But listen, Orlando my heart, and listen carefully. Whatever you do tomorrow, you must not look into the Master's eyes. Do not meet his eyes! Will you promise me this?"

Because Sean was my guardian and friend and more-than-brother whom I trusted with my life and my love, I smiled at him and squeezed his arm.

But I did not say 'yes'. Note well that I did not say 'yes'. Note well and tremble but also remember that I was young and innocent. I did not know the perils that lurked within this fortress. I did not suspect that I would meet my doom and my destiny within these walls.

But know also this: I had a reason for not saying 'yes'. Because, much as I trusted and revered my beloved friend and guardian, there was one thing that I had never revealed to him.

It was my deepest secret and I kept it locked within my heart. And soon it was to save my life and slay my love.

~~~~~

Next chapter.  //    Contents.    //    Cast.