The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 3

Kai was awakened by the noise in the palace. From the window listening to the screams he saw that everyone was fussing, walking, running. From separate phrases, it became clear that this chaos in their calm, measured life was caused by the arrival of Sheikh Arshad. He stood at the window and thought that, probably, in vain he had not tried to escape from here, knowing that this meeting would be followed by uncertainty.

Although, all this time he thought about escape and even planned it. But everything was not easy here. In his room, there were forged twisted lattices everywhere on the windows; it was clearly pointless to saw them with a nail file. Guards were always guarding his chambers. Everywhere he was accompanied by guards and servants. Even walking accompanied by Maksud, Kai remained under guard. He saw helicopters on the roof of the building, but Maksud never took him in that direction, although he conducted a tour of part of the palace, showing its luxury and splendor.

When Kai tried to force Maksud to lead him in the direction of the building with helicopters, Maksud, being quite intelligent, understood everything at once and also tacitly rejected his request.

During this time, of course, Kai studied the part of the palace where he was allowed to be, he even knew where the so-called "night half" is located, where the concubines lived. Access to them was strictly prohibited. They also had their own garden for walking, completely isolated from prying eyes.

All in all, Kai's escape plan was dim. He knew approximately the location of garages and stables. After getting in there, taking a horse or a car, to try to break through the locked gate was very foolish.

He would not get there unnoticed. Even if he got there, even if he miraculously broke through the gate - where would he go? In an open area from a helicopter, he would be instantly found and returned.

So he needed to capture the helicopter. But this was real either in complete chaos, as it was during the palace coup, or with a detailed escape plan. And this turned out to be unreal, he could not even come close to them to find out where the keys were from them, where the fuel was, and how they were guarded. But most importantly, Kai was not ready to kill the people around him, and he could only try to escape. These people, they did nothing wrong to him, they served the Sheikh, so why would he then unleash a massacre with them? Kai knew he was trapped in his conscience.

Now, listening to the noise and screams, he may have regretted that after all, at least he had not just climbed over the wall and walked from here, and now what awaited him? What verdict would the Sheikh give him?

Excited Maksud rushed into his room. He informed about the arrival of Sheikh Arshad and entrusted him to the care of his servants, very much asking Kai not to show off on this day and take everything for granted, since he personally did not have time to be with him now, he should be near Arshad.

Kai did not "show off", realizing that for all his disobedience, Maksud would be punished. During this time, he became very friendly with Maksud, who turned out to be an educated and interesting person, albeit a cunning one. But Kai liked him.

Therefore, he stoically endured all beauty procedures, ate everything that was brought. He allowed to dress him up. He endured the coloring and decoration. All this dressing took quite a long time.

***

Arshad was not in his palace for a long time and therefore spent the first half of the day in common affairs, listening to reports from Gifar and Maksud, who, in addition to Kai, still had the whole harem on his shoulders and many problems associated with this. At the end of all the reports, Arshad remembered the prisoner.

"Well, what about the prisoner? Let them lead him. We need to decide something with him. However, for his audacity, he should rot in prison, but he fought gloriously and saved my life," Arshad fell silent, seeing the mysterious smiles on the faces of Maksud and Gifar. "So ... I don't know something? Why are you smiling like March male cats? Does this concern the prisoner?"

"Yes, Great Arshad," Maksud purred.

"Well, that's enough! We're not at an official reception right now, let's go without the Great Ones and everything else. So what don't I  know about the prisoner? And stop smiling like that!"

"You don’t know much about him, but you’d better see everything yourself," Maksud purred again. "I’ll just tell you the main thing that you should know. This is a very educated young man with excellent manners of behavior, with knowledge of etiquette and everything that an intelligent person should know."

Seeing the surprise on Arshad's face, Maksud continued.

"He knows many languages, spends most of his time in your library, reads a lot in different languages. Do you remember that there, on the upper shelf, on the right, there is such an old book? He is already finishing it. During this time, he has read a couple of German classics in the original, French literature of the seventeenth century and regularly reads in Latin - medical volumes, which are at the bottom on the left, well, and other things, you can ask him yourself," Maksud was pleased with the effect of his speech. Arshad sat and, not breathing, looked at him. "Well, there is another thing. You remember - he perfectly wields a sword. Gifar now takes the Art of Combat Mastery from him every day. But the bruises on him make me very sad."

"I'm not interested in this, it's about bruises," seeing the strange smiles on their faces, Arshad flared up. "What is it! I do not mind, or rather, it’s even very good that this prisoner is at least somewhat useful."

"By the way, do you remember what he looks like?" Maksud radiated an enigmatic smile.

Arshad breathed in, drank the water carefully placed in front of him by Gifar, who also enjoyed this scene.

"I remember - a thin ragged arrogant draggle-tail who dared to look into my eyes," then he added thoughtfully, "he has emerald eyes ..."

"Well, then, well, you'll recognize him," Maksud finished his speech. "Maybe we will invite him to our dinner?"

At first, Arshad had no idea of ​​admitting some prisoner from the desert to his table, but all this strange behavior of his friends and what he had heard about this prisoner intrigued him, and he nodded in agreement. Maksud did not give him time to recover, immediately called the servants and ordered to set dinner on an open veranda under the shade of vines for four people and bring the prisoner to the table.

When Arshad, accompanied by Maksud and Gifar, entered the veranda, Kai was already waiting for them there. The servants had brought him, and now he thoughtfully considered the view from the balcony to the exotic garden. At the sound of footsteps, he turned around.

Arshad took several steps in his direction and froze.

"Who is he?…"

In a strange voice, Arshad either asked or said.

"Our prisoner," Maksud replied calmly, enjoying the unfolding action.

Gifar also watched this with interest, realizing that quite recently he also looked exactly like Arshad.

"How do you do, Sheikh Arshad," Kai slightly bowed his head in greeting. He did not become silent and pretend to be an evil beech. Such roles are suitable for girls, not for him.

"How do you do," Arshad fell silent, then said again, more confidently. "Hello. What's your name?"

"Is it important?"

"Well, now I know for sure that it is you, only that impudent ragamuffin at the plane could answer that way."

Arshad approached Kai, now he was not angry, he examined him - or rather, devoured him with his eyes.

Kai did not quite understand this look on himself, no one had ever looked at him like that. Men usually look at girls with such looks when they want ... Kai shrank, drove this thought out of his head, forbade himself to finish mentally this sentence.

Arshad by that time was going the third circle around him.

Maksud saw that it was necessary to save the situation. He knew how hot-tempered his captive was, and he did not like such attention to himself, there could be a conflict. Maksud quickly approached them.

"Great Sheikh Arshad, do honor to your savior, invite him to the table."

Arshad shuddered at the voice of Maksud, came to his senses, and remembered that no one had canceled the role of the owner of the palace. He quickly grabbed Kai around the waist and led him to the table.

Everyone was confused here.

Gifar's jaw dropped. Maksud froze in place, and Kai was thinking whether to hit the Sheikh in the face for the position of his hand on his hips or not ...

In such thoughts, Arshad brought him to his chair and carefully sat him down, then sat down in his rightful place opposite Kai. Maksud sat next to Kai, and Gifar - next to Maksud. The dishes were brought with food.

Only Gifar and Maksud were eating at the table. Arshad was absorbing Kai with his eyes, occasionally bringing pieces of food to his mouth, and Kai was moving the food in the plate with a fork, constantly bumping into Arshad's gaze.

Maksud again saw that it was necessary to save the situation at lunch.

"O Great Arshad, forgive your guest for eating so little," Maksud began theatrically.

"Maksud, that's enough," Arshad grunted angrily at another word about his greatness, then the meaning of the words reached Arshad, "and why does our guest eat so little?" he turned to those present.

"Our guest does not perceive the flavor of the food. Your doctors examined him. It is, indeed, a nervous illness, a consequence of a hard life," Maksud again theatrically recited, "therefore I have to carefully monitor his diet, otherwise he forgets to eat altogether," he said in his usual tone.

Arshad came to his senses. He hadn't expected to hear that.

"Eat," he said, looking at Kai, "please don’t offend me."

Kai smiled and began to eat. Arshad was also distracted by his plate, forcing himself not to take his eyes off the food, although more than anything in the world now he wanted to look at him ...

The wine was poured into goblets. Arshad watched through half-closed eyelids as his guest with thin fingers touched the silver goblet, slid along its surface, touching it slightly, then squeezed and smoothly, in elusive grace, brought it to his lips, taking a sip, put it back on the table, and lips retained their gloss moisture of red wine ...

Arshad felt that everything swam before his eyes, a wave of excitement went through his body and began to concentrate on his awakening dick. He quickly drank the water and forced himself to calm down. He had never felt this way. Never, even being a green teenager, he did not get turned on like that, sitting at a table and dripping saliva and desire. This began to anger him, but when faced with the green lights in the eyes of this young man, he realized that he could not be angry with him.

Lunch passed in a daze. Maksud constantly created the background of a lively conversation, Gifar helped him in this. Kai answered in a very cultured and restrained manner, while Arshad was silent. The shock was too strong, he was overwhelmed too hard, he fought too hard with himself to regain his calmness and suppress the wave of animal desire that covered him. It was all too strong. He was not ready for this.

When Maksud said that their guest was being escorted to his chambers, Arshad did not object. He watched him go, remaining seated at the table.

"You're not happy, are you? Have I deserved your anger?" Maksud was already worried, looking at the strange state of Arshad.

"Well, what have you to do with it!" Arshad blurted out irritably. "I can't understand myself ..." already softening, he answered, "once again repeat what you've said about him."

Maksud patiently repeated everything that he had said earlier about Kai, only he began to enumerate the books that he read in even more detail.

"You said about training. Are you training tomorrow?" Arshad turned to Gifar.

"Yes - at ten."

"Very good, train as usual, I'll come to see."

Arshad's face changed again, he pondered and, not looking at Maksud, asked:

"Did the doctors examine him?"

"Yes, he is completely healthy."

"You know, I’m not asking about that."

"He has never slept with men. He's a virgin."

Arshad's fingers drummed on the table. Then he got up and silently retired to his chambers. Gifar and Maksud followed him, meaningfully exchanging glances behind him.

Already in the evening Maksud, as usual, went to Arshad to clarify whom he would like to see in the chambers of love today.

"A fragile short boy, let him be curly."

For some reason, Maksud was not even surprised, he bowed with an imperturbable face and left.

When Arshad entered the chambers for love, there was a young man of twenty or twenty-two years old, thin, short. Arshad quickly approached him, then stopped, realizing that it was not him...

This guy was not so graceful, the face was different, although handsome; he had curly hair, though it was a perm, and dyed black; the eyes were green, but he saw that they were just lenses.

"Fake," Arshad breathed in disappointment.

The young man was not taken aback, caught the moment of his confusion, and knelt in front of him.

Arshad ran his hand through his hair, felt curly locks, closed his eyes, and saw his eyes, shining like emeralds.

"Yes, you can… touch me," Arshad said with a hesitant breath, felt his fingers on his aroused flesh, remembered his thin fingers hugging a goblet of wine, and sweet pain passed through his body.

All night, he caressed his hair, hugged and pressed him to himself. Deceiving himself that this was the one he wanted so badly.

Why did Arshad not demand him that night? This prisoner touched something in him that now stopped him from wanting to possess him. He decided to wait. For his sake, he agreed to a fake. Arshad was angry with himself, with his actions, until he understood why he behaved this way. After all, he always took what he wanted, and now he deviated from his rule.

***

Kai felt strange that day. This look of Arshad pursued him everywhere, not allowing him to focus on books, then haunted and resurfaced in memory while he was kept in baths and smeared with oils. Even playing the console, he saw in front of him those burning eyes piercing right through him.

Before going to bed, Maksud came in, they chatted as usual, although Maksud noticed that Kai was sad and thoughtful.

"Maksud, please bring me something to sleep from your magical tinctures."

Kai understood that now it would be difficult for him to fall asleep, but he so wanted to fall asleep and forget everything.

"Of course, I'll bring it now, your dream will be beautiful, no sorrows will touch you."

Maksud smiled as usual and left his chambers.

***

In the morning training with Gifar, Kai forgot about everything, as soon as he had felt the sword in his hand although with a blunt blade. All problems receded for a while.

Now they were practicing another combat technique with a lunge, sweep and roll over the back. Then he repeated the same technique with five of Gifar's warriors.

Then they began to repeat the previous combat techniques. Kai fought them one on one, then all together. He corrected them, explained, then they attacked him again or he attacked himself. At one of these moments, he felt someone's eyes on him and saw Arshad. Kai guessed that Arshad had been watching him for a long time, and before that he had felt his gaze on him, he was simply too carried away by the battle.

He continued training, but the joy of the lesson had already passed. Fortunately, their time came to an end. He was taken by Maksud to make beauty. Kai felt Arshad's gaze until he disappeared behind the doors of the palace.

At lunchtime, Arshad sat at the table with Gifar and Maksud. He ordered Maksud not to bring the prisoner, realizing that he did not yet know how to behave. He was completely confused. What he saw today on the parade ground for fights impressed him. Yes, this prisoner was excellent with a sword and fighting technique. He was flexible, plastic, and it took the breath away. Arshad was watching and could not take his eyes off. He caught every movement of the guy, how he fell and stood up at the same second, how he moved softly like a cat and how sharp his lunges were when he struck. Arshad was not ready for such a contrast in one person. He was at a loss.

"Maksud, after dinner in the garden, when I will smoke a hookah, invite our guest, I want to talk to him."

Maksud bowed his head respectfully.

After dinner, Arshad usually went into the garden to a huge bower covered with carpets, on which there were low sofas with numerous pillows. Here he reclined with a hookah. There were always vases with fruits, oriental sweets, and drinks on the table in front of him. Although according to his faith it was impossible to drink wine, he sometimes allowed himself to sip a glass of the red one.

The bower was winded with vines, flowers were fragrant around, light curtains of transparent chiffon descended on the sides of the columns.

Arshad in thought was inhaling the sweet smoke from the hookah, through half-closed eyelids he saw him.

When Kai climbed the steps and froze, Arshad gestured to a low sofa with pillows opposite. Kai sat down on the sofa and leaned against the pillows.

Arshad offered his guest wines and sweets. Kai thanked him, took a sip of wine, did not touch sweets and fruits.

Then Arshad continued the conversation on general topics: nature, weather, palace life, politics, war, art, and others. His mysterious guest, as Maksud had warned, was well educated in all spheres, answered everything within the framework of small talk - nothing superfluous, and, at the same time, he could not be reproached for lack of communication.

Arshad saw that the young man was ideal in behavior and education. He never once admitted disrespect in answers, showing natural tact and subtle knowledge of etiquette. All this infuriated Arshad! He needed something else, but he understood that during the conversation he had not been able to break through the framework of the diplomatic dialogue. Arshad went over all the topics, but he could not destroy this invisible wall between them. And then he realized that he had underestimated his captive. Despite his age, his education, and his experience, he lost to him.

Arshad took a drag on his hookah again and, listening to another diplomatic answer from his guest, watched as he ran his beautiful thin fingers over the cold steel of the goblet, squeezed them slightly, and brought this goblet to his lips incredibly gracefully. A small sip of wine and the goblet was placed on the table, and the lips shine a little with moisture.

Arshad lowered his eyes, again feeling that a warm wave, running through his body, was concentrated in the lower abdomen.

As though through the fog he heard a voice, shuddered, looked up, and saw that a servant was standing beside him and, probably, had already been trying to draw his attention to himself for several minutes.

He waved his hand.

The servant, as always, began with a lengthy listing of Arshad's merits. He was not ready to listen to all this now.

"What do you want to say?" he interrupted the servant.

"Great Arshad, you've asked to report to you about the arrival of the stallion you have acquired, named North Star. We have big problems with it. The horse is very aggressive. Our best riders can't handle it! Give us more time, perhaps in two weeks, we will be able to pacify his character. I hope this news did not darken your day, and your anger will not overtake us ..."

Then the servant again began to enumerate all the merits of the great Sheikh.

Arshad listened deeply to all this and accidentally glanced at the face of his guest. And here he was pierced like lightning. He saw a completely different face of his guest. Instead of the indifferently calm, now the face of the young man sitting opposite him shone, green eyes sparkled and burned, listening to every word from the servant's lips. And Arshad understood - was it really something that could destroy this wall?! Did he find the key to him?

Arshad chuckled, then said indifferently.

"I want to go and look at this stallion," he looked at the guest. "Will you keep me company?"

"Yes!" Kai exclaimed too emotionally and stood up, then, recollecting himself, sat back down. But Arshad already understood everything - he won!

He stood up with a sly smile and showed with his hand that he was inviting his guest to join him.

Walking along the paths of the garden to the stable building, they talked to each other like two people who had found each other with a common passion - it was horses. Arshad was a fan of horses, he could talk about them for hours, and now he saw that this young man was just like him. They talked excitedly, interrupting each other, arguing, discussing ...

Horses are a boundless, immense world. And, starting to talk about the complexity of the character of one horse, they gradually moved on to general issues of riding horses with specific examples from the personal experience of one and the other then talked about horse breeds, feeding, and grooming. They mentioned forging, horseshoes. Men discussed the issue of saddles and who preferred which ones, moved on to the issue of accustoming the horse to the saddle, and so, in a heated discussion, they reached the parade ground, where this rebellious stallion was fetched.

The horse was gorgeous, black, thin-legged, with the eyes of a wild beast and flaring nostrils. It was held on both sides by grooms on long ropes. The horse kicked its legs, snorted, and clattering its teeth tried to bite the people who were holding it back. The man who worked with it tried for a very long time to approach the horse. The horse did not admit anyone, it turned around to the approaching one with its backside and waved his hind legs away. All this was dangerous, the animal was aggressive and posed a threat to people.

"Arshad, let me sit on it!" Kai barely restrained himself not to cling to Arshad's hand when he saw such a beautiful horse.

"Well ... if you want ..." Arshad did not expect such a request and answered, not fully thinking about its meaning.

This permission was enough for Kai, he quickly threw off a robe, remaining in wide trousers and a shirt tied with a wide silk belt, quickly crawled under the fences of the parade ground, and ran to the grooms holding the horse. He said something to them, and then, after waiting for a second, while the horse, having beaten off with its hind legs, had not yet grouped itself, jumped into the saddle. The grooms let go of the ropes, which were threaded into the snaffle rings and have now slipped out of them.

The stallion felt freedom and immediately reared up.

Arshad regretted his rash decision, seeing that it was very dangerous, and he needed this young man alive and well. But it was too late!

Then he just stood and watched everything that was happening.

The horse, dropping to four legs, tried to grab its rider by the leg, but Kai foresaw this, did not give it a reason to turn its head and bite his leg. The stallion began to rage, also realizing that it could not reach the rider's leg. It galloped along the parade ground, raising clouds of sand, bucked, braked sharply, spun, but the rider sat on it like a "glove". The stallion reared up again and, not calculating its strength, began to fall on its back. Everything turned into ice inside Arshad.

Feeling that the horse under him lost its balance and was falling on its back, Kai pushed off from him and, without releasing the reins, jumped to the ground. The horse fell, quickly turned on its side, and began to get up, and at that moment Kai again jumped into the saddle.

Getting up from the ground and feeling that the rider was on it again, the stallion continued its attempts to throw him off itself. For another twenty minutes, it rode, bucked, kicked up, tried to reach the rider's leg, twirled, wheezed, and snorted with anger. Two more times it rolled over onto its back, but the rider returned to the saddle, and everything was repeated again. Finally, the horse ran out of steam. And then Kai began to urge him on. He did not give the stallion a chance to rest. He made him gallop around the parade ground circle after circle, and gradually the horse resigned itself and already began to listen to its rider, obeying him, fulfilling his wishes to turn in one direction or the other, stop and gallop again, go to step or again to gallop. For such obedience, Kai let the lathering and sweaty animal change its gallop to a step, patted it on the neck, and let go of the reins. The stallion exhaled and, with the air of a submissive lamb, walked towards Arshad and the waiting grooms.

Kai calmly jumped off it, patted it on the neck again, stroked its face, and gave the occasion to the grooms, who took it to have a clean up after such a jump.

Arshad exhaled when he finally saw that Kai got off this crazy horse.

"Tomorrow it's necessary to ride it, but I think it won't behave like that," Kai said quite calmly, going up to Arshad.

"You are very good in the saddle."

"I have been riding horses since childhood. I had to tame more violent ones," Kai laughed.

Arshad smiled too. Here it was - his victory! He even laughed, but how sincere! How handsome he was when this smile was on his face!

"Let's go - I'll show you my stable!"

Arshad made a gesture towards the stable.

"Great! Let's go to!"

Almost jumping, overtaking Arshad, Kai went with him.

Once inside the stable, they forgot about time and reality. Arshad with delight and pride showed Kai his horses, and Kai competently discussed each with Arshad. Then they reviewed the horse equipment, fodder, utility rooms, and everything related to the life of the stable. Arshad was delighted. He had no one to talk about this with, or rather, formally everyone was ready to listen to him, but he understood that this topic was of no interest to anyone. Another thing was his mysterious prisoner, who listened with delight to everything, climbed all the nooks, discussed all the topics, and was ready to listen and talk about it endlessly, just like himself.

During this occupation, Maksud found them, who had already been told about the heroic ride of a wild stallion by a handsome young man, now the whole palace was talking about this, naturally embellishing this story with more and more terrible and incredible details.

Maksud was already preparing for the most terrible, therefore, seeing Kai, he rushed to him, grabbed him by the shoulders, set him in front of him, and, walking around him four times, exclaimed:

"Glory to the Almighty - you are safe and sound!"

Kai had already forgotten what he was talking about.

"What has happened?"

"Well, the whole palace talks only about how you tamed this crazy stallion ... Oh, forgive me, Great Arshad, I was very worried about the health of our guest!"

"You know, Maksud, I was also very worried about his health when I saw him on this horse," Arshad laughed.

"So, was it really so serious?"

Kai smiled at the frightened face of Maksud.

"Yes, very seriously," he became sad, "I even have lost an earring and erased lipstick."

Arshad burst out laughing, and Maksud blossomed, finally seeing that everything was going as well as possible!

With tremendous efforts, Maksud finally managed to take Kai out of the stable, and then only because Arshad remembered that they had been waiting for him for a long time on business in the meeting room.

"I'm waiting for you for dinner!" leaving, threw Arshad to Kai.

Maksud nodded understandingly and, taking Kai by the shoulders, with an effort led him out of the stable to make beauty. Kai was indignant all the way, telling Maksud how he made him tired with his bathrooms, massages, rubbing with oils, and all this bullshit. That he could clean the horse instead and do more interesting things in the stable. Maksud listened to everything, smiled, and dragged Kai with him towards the bathhouse.

***

This dinner was strikingly different from their first meeting at the table. Kai and Arshad talked incessantly like old friends. Naturally, their topics of conversation were about horses. Maksud and Gifar ate in silence and were sincerely happy that the two had found each other.

By the end of dinner, Arshad remembered what he wanted to tell Kai:

"We’ll go falconry early tomorrow."

"Will you take me with you?" Kai did not believe what he had heard.

"Of course! Who else will I go with then?"

"Will you give me the North Star?"

"It's still unreliable ..."

"Well, please," by the way with which eyes Kai looked at Arshad, the Sheikh realized that he was ready to give him everything that he didn’t ask.

"Okay," Arshad smiled, "maybe you will tell me what your name is?"

Kai averted his eyes in embarrassment.

"Call me as you want."

Arshad saw, he would not tell him his name. His gaze fell on a fruit bowl containing sand roses for aesthetics. This amazing miracle of nature, which is created by winds, sun, and sand - a desert rose.

"The rose of a desert," said Arshad. "I will call you the rose of a desert," he picked up a rose made of sand from a bowl of fruit.

Kai flushed, wanted to argue, then restrained himself, realizing that it could be worse. And, in general, it was his own fault that he did not say his name.

"Are you offended?"

"No, but I hoped the name would be different."

"Tell me your name ... are you silent? Then I will call you the rose of a desert. Maksud, Gifar, have you heard the name of our handsome guest?"

They nodded in agreement. Kai did not take offense at this, Arshad's tone was too friendly, he did not want to offend him with this name. Kai saw it.

The conversation at the table again returned to the topic of horses. They began to discuss the upcoming horse hunt with a falcon of the next day.

Kai did not like hunting, or rather, did not understand why it was necessary to kill animals when there was so much food? But hunting with a falcon was different. It was a duel between a raptorial bird and its prey. Here the person did not interfere but only waited and watched. Therefore, Kai considered that such a hunt did not contradict his principles and views on the humane treatment of animals. He had never been on such a hunt, but he had read a lot about it from old books and now he was glad to be there himself.

Returning after dinner to his chambers, accompanied by Maksud, the guy simply blew Maksud's mind out brain with these horses and everything connected with them.

Maksud had angelic patience, he listened, agreed with everything and after all the beauty procedures he happily gave Kai an evening herbal tincture for sleep. After that, seeing that Kai was falling asleep, he left the guy's chambers contentedly.

Despite all this, Maksud simply glowed from within with the understanding of what he saw. And he saw love ...

The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 2

 

In the morning a servant with a security guard came for Kai. He was politely invited to come with them. While they were leading him through the corridors and halls, he examined the furnishings of the palace in the daylight. Well, it was a fairy tale. It was a real oriental tale with an overabundance of luxury, wealth, and splendor in everything.

They came to a room like a bathhouse. There were several baths, plunge pools, jacuzzis, and steam rooms. This was the fiefdom of Maksud - just here they preened feathers to those who got in his way.

Maksud bowed to Kai, he had not seen him for a day and was already bored. Maksud was once again convinced that he was not mistaken and was right that his prisoner was unique.

He started small talk about nature-weather, leading Kai to one of the baths.

"This bath is for you; you will like it."

Kai understood that it was stupid to resist taking a bath, if it was necessary, he would be killed in any case, whether he wanted it or not. So what for to put on an act? He looked at Maksud.

"I will turn away," Maksud caught the embarrassment in his eyes.

Kai undressed and got into the bath. All this Maksud observed in the mirror opposite him. He did not discover anything new for himself, he just made sure once again that this young man was beautiful without clothes.

The bathroom was filled with a mixture of different tinctures and even oils. Kai got the pleasure of lying in it.

Maksud sat next to him and continued to entertain him with conversations about everything. Then Kai was brought a glass, he drank without hesitation and felt that it was a soft drug. The body became weightless, the world bloomed with rainbow colors. Lightness and emptiness formed in consciousness. He no longer resisted, and, most importantly, did not ask questions anymore, when he was moved from one bath to another, then wrapped in a robe, put in an armchair, where his arms and legs were tidied up, then put again in the bathroom, then there was a massage after which he fell asleep.

He woke up in a large bower in a fairy garden. All around he saw rose bushes that exuded a delicate scent, birds chirped in the tree branches. "This is probably what heaven looks like," Kai thought, recovering from the drug. He was lying in wide trousers, covered with a light blanket, on a soft mattress, surrounded by numerous pillows.

The servant and the guard came for him again. The servant helped to put on the robe and tie it with a belt, Kai was taken along the beautiful paths of the garden to another bower, a table was laid there, Maksud had already been sitting at it and offered to dine together.

Maksud again conducted a small talk about everything. Kai, as a scout, guessed the essence of everything that was happening. By the different dishes served at the table, Maksud tried to understand whether he knew etiquette and rules of conduct in society. For casually thrown phrases and questions - his level of education. Since Kai had no plan to make himself a redneck, he passed the Maksud exam with dignity. He saw it in his admiring eyes.

"Why are you eating so little?" Maksud was worried about this problem. Compared to the concubines, for whom Maksud was responsible, Kai ate just a little, and those beauties simply fressed and it was necessary to limit their food to keep their figures.

"I have problems with food, I do not feel its taste, it is nervous," Kai decided to warn about this right away. He was already tired of tables full of food

"Allow the doctor to examine you."

Kai nodded, again realizing that in his position it was better to agree.

"Maybe, after all, there is something from the food that you like?"

"Fish and vegetables."

"Ascetic food of a true warrior," Maksud smiled again, "among drinks, I understand, you like wine?"

"Yes, the red one."

Maksud smiled again, remembering the completely drunk jugs of wine. Then he waved his hand. A glass of wine was poured out to Kai. He drank. He looked at Maksud and named the brand of wine.

"Have I passed your exam?"

"Yes, you have. I can see that you are not stupid. Forgive me, but I must know how wide your knowledge is."

"In etiquette, education ..."

"Yes. You got me."

"You could just ask."

"If you don’t even say your name, how could I expect you to admit it?"

Kai knew that Maksud was right - he did not take offense at him for such testing.

"Will they always get me drunk before baths?"

"Wasn't that pleasant for you? Well, if you are calm about everything, they will not get you drunk. Do you agree?"

Kai smiled and nodded his head.

"Maybe you have some requests, wishes for me?"

Kai thought, looked at Maksud.

"Is there anything to read?"

Maksud raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"What do you want to read?" then he took thought. "Let's do this, let's go now to the library, and you will choose whatever you like."

Kai nodded.

After passing fabulous halls, stairs and corridors, they found themselves in a huge room filled to the ceiling with books. There were thousands of books in this library, and walking quickly past them and looking through the spines of titles, Kai saw that these were unique books. He forgot about everything, read aloud the names in Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese ... Climbing the stairs, he chose three books and, going up to Maksud, saw that he was "frozen".

"Maksud, I've chosen, but I read quickly, and there is still so much more! Can I come here again tomorrow?"

Maksud was silent, took the books from Kai, looked at them completely distantly. One was in Japanese, there were some hieroglyphs, but, apparently, it was old, historical. The second one was in German, the third was in Latin.

Maqsud froze again, then inhaled air.

"Let's do this. You may settle down here," he pointed to a table with an armchair in the center of the library. "Read, security is at the exit, if you need them, call. In the evening they will take you for supper. And tomorrow... " Maksud had already come to his senses and smiled slyly, " first all the procedures for beauty, and then read as much as you want. Okay?"

"Agree. Thanks."

Kai went to the table and after a second went deep into the reading of the book.

Maksud forced himself to leave the library, realizing that he did not expect this at all. Well, he saw that a prisoner was with good manners, held himself well at the table, talked on any topic - that is, he was educated and brought up, but with all these advantages there was also knowledge of so many languages, and, most importantly, such a passion for books.

He would drive Arshad crazy, Maksud understood this already now. Arshad would not resist, and was it possible, and why?

Maksud knew that tomorrow he would have to drink Kai again so that the doctor examined him and took all the tests. He needed to know everything about him.

Everything!

***

The next day, after all the already planned procedures, Kai mentally called for himself soaking in the bathroom, since he was moved from one bath to another with different fillers, including oils and other odorous liquids. After all this, he trustingly drank the brought wine, remembering the words of Maksud that there would be no more drugs, and felt that he was sinking into sleep.

He woke up again in the bower in the garden. The sensations were strange, the whole body slightly tingled and itched. He checked himself with his hand and immediately jumped up, threw off the veil, and looked at himself, lying naked, covered only with a veil. Kai saw with horror that his already rare vegetation on his body was completely removed, and everywhere, even there, in the most intimate places. He passed his hand there and felt that he was not mistaken, everything was smooth and soft there. Then he touched his face. He hadn't grown anything on his face anyway, but now he realized that he wouldn't grow up anymore. And this was hardly a temporary hair removal. This was a laser or something more modern, he had heard about this, after which the hair does not grow at all, he accidentally learned about this from another girlfriend of Prokhor, who loudly shared these wonders of progress on the phone with her chatty friend.

Kai sat wrapped in a blanket and did not know whether to be upset about it. When your life is generally in an uncertain state and it is not clear whether you will remain alive or not, is it worth worrying about the absence of body hair? He did not idealize Arshad, even though he saved his life, Arshad was not obliged to save his life. This was not a movie about noble princes - this was life, politics, war. And Arshad would treat him exactly as it would be beneficial for him. Moreover, he still did not know who he was, and when he found out that he was a Russian, he could give Kai to Mahmud's gang in exchange for a profitable deal. Therefore, the sadness about the lost vegetation turned into general thoughts about the complete uncertainty in his life.

In such a sad state Maksud found Kai. Unlike him, Maksud was in a great mood, the doctors confirmed that Kai had never slept with men, that he was untouched, and the tests showed that he was completely healthy.

Looking at the sad Kai, Maksud guessed the reason for his sadness.

"Will you forgive me for this?" Maksud sat down next to him on the mattress.

"For what?" Kai looked at him. "For the hair?" he smiled, realizing that it sounded stupid.

"They are superfluous on such a beautiful body, a few more procedures - and they will never bother you. Would you mind doing this?"

"Have I got a choice? You’ll put me to sleep again."

"I'll give you a drink for sweet dreams," corrected Maksud. "Is that the only reason for your sadness?"

"Are you making a concubine out of me for Arshad?"

Maksud burst out laughing, through the tears that came out he sentenced:

"You are a boy; how can I make a concubine out of you? Then a boy-concubine."

"And what? Are there such boys?

Maksud stopped laughing, seeing that his mysterious prisoner was really genuinely surprised to hear about it.

"You did not know? Tell me, were you brought up in a monastery?"

Kai remained silent, feeling his lack of enlightenment in these matters.

Maksud took his hand in his.

"You have nothing to worry about. I'm just following Arshad's orders to take care of you in his absence. You see, Arshad appreciates beauty, he does not allow anyone around him to cast a pall over his eyes. He can afford such a whim. If he is not happy with your appearance, I will suffer."

"I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. Tell me, how can the hair on my legs cast a pall over his eyes?"

Maksud smiled. He missed this question and turn to another:

"If you don't want me to get hurt, can I ask you for one more little thing?"

"What else?" Kai was already lost in conjecture, what could cast a pall over Arshad's eyes.

"May I touch up your eyes?"

"Are you making a transvestite out of me?"

"Well, after all, you are not completely unenlightened in this matter," Maksud began to laugh again. "No, what are you talking about! Wait, listen, you've seen - here everyone's eyes are rimmed  with black eyeliner, this is the tradition of the East."

Yes, Maksud was right. Here even the guards had black eyeliner. Kai read about it in books, in the east, men always rimmed their eyes with soot.

"Okay," he grunted, realizing that they would still put him to sleep and make up his eyes anyway, so why resist? So far, this was not the worst suspicion that began to arise in his head.

Servants brought his clothes. Kai was no longer ashamed of Maksud, although he lowered his eyes, dressing, feeling that he was examining him. But Kai was unconscious so many times that he understood - probably, Maksud had examined him all long ago.

Kai also noticed that the clothes he put on became more luxurious and richer each time. And now they were harem pants embroidered with gold, a silk shirt also embroidered with gold, several thin robes on top, everything was tied around the waist with embroidered belts with hanging golden laces, low boots made of the softest leather were put on his feet.

They did not cut his hair, only tidied it up and constantly took care of it, applying all sorts of masks and oils, combing and rubbing with odorous liquids, so now it lay on his head in large curls of the color of a black wing, shimmering in the sun.

Then two servants came with boxes and a thin young man who took out all kinds of tubes of makeup from the boxes.

Kai stared in horror at the amount of makeup on the table.

"Maksud, you've only said to rim my eyes - and why is this all?"

"Sit down and trust. If something goes wrong, you simply will wash your face. Okay?"

Kai flopped into the armchair. The young man bent over him, lifted his chin, and, brushing the hair from his face, began his work. In the behavior, in the look and appearance of the young man, Kai felt a strangeness, and then the thought flashed through him that, probably, this young man was also a eunuch.

"He’s a eunuch, you don’t have to worry," Maksud saw that Kai was nervous about touching his face.

Kai felt sorry for this young man, although that one did not look unhappy, on the contrary - he did his job with enthusiasm, and it was clear that he liked it. Then he pulled away from Kai, managing to put something soft and smelling of strawberries on his lips.

Maksud let out a vague sigh and fell silent, looking at Kai. Then he came to his senses, went up to him, and brought a mirror to his face.

At first, Kai did not recognize the one who was looking at him from the gilded frame of glass and then realized that it was himself. His already huge eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, were now properly underlined and darkened with eyeliner and shadows, a tone darker than his skin. This created the effect of depth in the gaze and made the color of his eyes stand out. The light mascara lengthened the lashes even further, casting shadows over the shimmery sheen of the emeralds that now represented his eyes. The light tone evened out the skin, removing abrasions and bruises that had not yet been smoothed out. The eyebrows were perfectly lined, emphasizing their beautiful curve, the thin line of the lips gleamed in the transparent gel, the cheekbones stood out due to the transition of tones. All in all, the makeup was applied so skillfully that it seemed to lack. But it was, and it emphasized and strengthened Kai's natural beauty a hundredfold, allowing it to sparkle.

"Now you will always look like this," said Maksud in a strange voice, looking at him.

Kai understood that he needed to come to terms: while he did not know about his future fate, it was stupid to think about such trifles.

Then the week passed in the standard schedule: a huge number of beauty procedures, regular meals, and walking with Maksud in the garden with peacocks. Then there was lunch in his company, then sleep, and finally, as a bonus to everything, the opportunity to visit the library. Then again soaking in baths, massages, rubbing.

At his request, Maksud installed a game console in his room, first surprised by this, and then happily watching Kai play it before going to bed. His sleep was also monitored, not allowed to sit up for a game, first fed, then given medicinal drinks with the smell of herbs to drink, and he fell asleep like a baby, suspecting that these drinks clearly contain medicinal herbs for such a deep sleep.

There were two joys in his life now - reading in the library and playing the console. He decided to ask Maksud for it, realizing that such a life schedule was simply killing him. He was tired of these baths, massages, and everything that was done to him but did not resent it. He waited for Arshad to finally arrive and pronounce his verdict.

***

Gifar was the first to return, informed Maksud that Sheikh Arshad had sent him here to settle all matters here in connection with the past events, once again double-check all the people in the palace, and prepare for his return, being firmly convinced that a traitor had not lurked in the palace.

Gifar told all this to Maksud, then at the end of the conversation, he casually asked about the prisoner. Maksud smiled enigmatically. Gifar tensed. He knew Maksud too well, they were friends with him, under Arshad's rein they had nothing to share with each other. Gifar was engaged in all the security, Maksud did not pretend to this, and Maksud did all the leisure of Arshad, Gifar did not pretend to this, so they became friends and for many years remained in excellent relations, enjoying each other's company and understanding that there was one who would not betray.

"Maksud, what a smile? Is there anything I don't know? Has he run away?"

"No," Maksud purred. "He is here and ready to appear before the eyes of Arshad."

"Yes, Arshad wants to thank him and send him home, he does not need him here, he does not want to waste time on him, remembering his impudence and insolence."

"Okay," Maksud purred again, "he will thank him, but whether he sends him home - this is unlikely."

"What's wrong with him? " Gifar looked blankly at Maksud.

"With him everything is alright."

"Enough! Let him be brought here. Immediately!"

Gifar shouted angrily and gave the order to bring the prisoner to them on the terrace, where they were sitting on low sofas, waiting while the servants set the table for dinner.

Maksud did not oppose Gifar's wishes. He waited and looked at him, he now needed to see how Gifar would behave when he saw the captive.

Kai was brought in. He saw Maksud and immediately recognized Gifar sitting next to him, went up to them, and froze, seeing that Gifar's eyes would now crawl out of their sockets.

Gifar saw the approach of a short youth who stepped softly on the carpet. He was slender, wearing expensive clothes that emphasized his elegance, resin curls, and a face, looking at which Gifar was speechless.

"Who is it?" he said not in his own voice, getting up from the sofa. "Do we know each other?"

Kai amused it all. He laughed loudly and held out his hand to Gifar.

"We fought shoulder to shoulder, by the way, I did not thank you, you then closed me with a sword a couple of times. Thanks."

Gifar realized who was in front of him - it was that boy, a brazen, dirty, filthy ragamuffin at the plane, who then with sabers, beat off enemies from Arshad. And now he ...

Gifar stretched out his hand, as in a dream he felt a confident handshake, thin fingers, and a small hand.

Maksud saw that Gifar needed to be saved, otherwise, he would not come out of his stupor.

"My friends, the table is set, let's go and have lunch. Our prisoner still does not want to tell us his name, can you imagine, Gifar?" pushing Kai to the table, said Maksud to Gifar standing in a stupor. He finally woke up, went to the table, and drank a glass of wine in one gulp. Apparently, this returned him to his previous state.

A relaxed atmosphere reigned at dinner. Kai had already accustomed to the company of Maksud, and he generally considered Gifar a comrade-in-arms, a fellow soldier, so he chatted freely, answered questions, and told. Their conversations were neutral. Kai clearly followed the thread of the conversation and always, feeling leading questions, deftly walked away from them. Gifar understood this as well, although he began to talk throughout the dinner, continued to freeze regularly, looking at Kai. He saw his manners, his knowledge of etiquette, aristocratic movements, and the way he, despite his playful tone, avoided questions.

At the end of lunch, Maksud said that the prisoner would be taken to the library, where he regularly spent time reading. Kai got up, said goodbye, and went after the servants, in his heart grateful to Maksud that he did not send him to a child's sleep, but made changes to his life schedule.

Maksud again looked at the petrified Gifar and decided to deepen an impression by listing the books that the prisoner had read, and in what languages.

Gifar silently poured another glass of wine and drank it just as silently. Then he turned to Maksud.

"He will never let him go."

Maksud understood what Gifar was talking about.

"It's unknown. You see, this is not the version of a boy who will be seduced by the wealth of the palace and the values of luxury in life for the opportunity to be with Arshad. It's different here. I do not know how Arshad will be able to subdue him so that he will stay with him or at least stay for a while."

"He can get everything all by force."

"It will be stupid. I don't think Arshad will go for it. Then he will lose him forever."

"I also do not like such a plot, but at the sight of him, will Arshad resist? And how much will he cope with his desires?"

"Arshad is hot, but not stupid, and he is already over thirty, I think he will act wisely."

"I do not doubt the wisdom of our master."

Having exchanged such phrases, they no longer touched upon the slippery topic of the Sheikh's wisdom. Maksud turned the conversation in another direction.

"Are you satisfied with my work?"

"How did you descry him?"

"I saw him right away. Still there, by the plane. However, I did not expect that he is so handsome. And you, stupid, almost hit him with a whip."

"He was insolent and did not kneel before the Sheikh."

"Yes, he has a strong character."

"Maksud, I saw him fighting with swords. Let me take a couple of tricks from him, let me practice."

"Not! But not that! I know your training, then he will be covered with bruises and abrasions."

"Maksud, you've said yourself, this is not a boy, he is a warrior! It is interesting for me to talk to him, he has so many fighting techniques!"

"To chat? Well, you've swallowed your tongue at the sight of him today!"

"Well, I was not ready for that. Maksud, let me. Everything is in your presence. No injury. He will show a couple of lunges with swords and that's it. Maksud, please, my friend!"

Maksud was prim for a long time but realized that Gifar would not lag behind him with this fighting technique. And, taking from him a promise that he would take good care of the prisoner, and he would be present during their training, he agreed.

***

The next day Gifar went to the prisoner's chambers, knowing that he would find Maksud there too. He didn't want to postpone the possibility of a practice fight. Entering the chambers, he saw a wonderful picture - an angry prisoner threw scattered clothes at Maksud and everything that fell into his hand. Maksud laughed and caught these objects.

"Are you having fun?"

Kai froze, bowed to Gifar.

"Hello."

"Hello, by what did my friend make you so angry?"

Kai could not stand it and told everything as his heart had swelled with hurt and anger.

"Here, look!" he pointed to his hands, decorated with rings, then to the ears with clips with emeralds, then to the neck with threads of pearls.

"So what? It suits you very well."

"Are you turning me into a f*g? Kai blurted out and froze.

Gifar and Maksud laughed.

"Not. Why do you say that?" Gifar asked seriously.

"These outfits, constant baths, painted eyes, nails, and now jewelry! I'm already afraid to look at myself in the mirror!"

"You are a European, you have different traditions, I understand that, but here, in the Sheikh's palace, everything has been unchanged for centuries. Here men always rim their eyes, wear expensive beautiful outfits and jewelry. Am I f*g if I wear rings?"

Gifar raised his ringed hand.

"Sorry, I didn't want to offend anyone," Kai sat down helplessly on the bed. "I just don't know ... I don't understand what for all this is."

Gifar felt sorry for him, for the first time now he saw his real one. Not that impudent ragamuffin, not a brave warrior and not a beautiful young man, but a frightened boy who did not know his fate. Gifar caught himself thinking that he was not indifferent to the fate of this man and that he really wanted everything to come to his senses in his life. He had to endure a lot. It's good that at least he hadn't hit him with a whip then.

"You fought like that there then! Can you give me some lessons?" Kai uncomprehendingly raised his sad eyes to Gifar. "Maksud has now allowed to regularly conduct training swordsmanship, of course, if you do not mind."

Kai's eyes sparkled, he came to life, jumped up.

"Is it true?" he ran up to Maksud, hugged him. "Can I train with swords?" Then he rushed to Gifar, "Let's go quickly!"

Maqsud and Gifar saw that it was so important for this mysterious young man in this life. It was not beauty, luxury, or pampered conditions, but the opportunity to feel who he was, to become himself with a sword in hand. He was a warrior - that says it all.

***

Now hell came for Maksud, he watched with horror how Kai fought with swords every day, fell, got up, flew off, then rose again. Maksud had already stopped counting how many bruises he would find on his body. The main thing was that nothing would be chopped off. But when Kai cut himself several times, Maksud threw such a tantrum that the sharp swords were replaced with blunt ones.

Gifar was delighted, and so were his warriors. This prisoner really knew a lot and was capable. They understood each other perfectly. They listened to him, repeated the movements, showed their techniques. Their training took place in the morning, then Kai humbly followed Maksud and fell into his power - beauty, then lunch, then sleep, then the library - Kai won this right. Then there was an evening walk in a conversation with Maksud along the avenues of the garden. They were now regularly joined by Gifar, then - dinner. The three of them also began to have dinner, they were comfortable in each other's company. Then Kai was sent to his chambers, where he was allowed to play console a little, and then sleep. During this time, Maksud moved him to more luxurious apartments. In Kai's opinion, it was just a mini-palace: several rooms, a huge bed, a rich interior in the style of fabulous orient and modern technology: a plasma on the wall and computer game consoles. Everywhere there were carpets, cushions, sofas, silk, gold, and vases of fragrant flowers. It was just the dwelling of a princess. Kai was calm about such a situation, as he understood that there was no need to be indignant. It was necessary to understand at first what Arshad would decide. And then could understand what him to do.

And finally, Sheikh Arshad returned to the palace.

The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 1

 

From behind the dune appeared the skeleton of the plane, already half-buried with sand, a man was standing near it.

Arshad and Gifar exchanged glances. They were sure that during this time the desert had killed all the survivors in it.

"Don't kill this," Arshad ordered, then turned to Gifar, "I’m even interested to look at the one who could survive here."

Gifar and his men galloped forward. Arshad and Maksud restrained their horses, waiting for Gifar to check if everything was safe for their approach and to give a signal.

The man standing by the plane offered no resistance. They surrounded him, placing two guards next to him, the rest of Gifar's men quickly surveyed the plane, then reported that there was no one else there.

Arshad saw the signal and touched the horse. The Sheikh and his retinue galloped towards the plane.

***

When Kai realized that the approaching horsemen were not a mirage, not a figment of his inflamed consciousness, he got up, walked away from the plane, and waited for their approach. Although he had a weapon on the plane, Kai decided it was completely stupid and pointless to use it. In general, it was not clear why he should shoot these people at all. These would be useless sacrifices and nothing more. He would not be able to shoot everyone - there were about thirty of them. He would always have time to die from a bullet. From this, Kai decided to just stand and wait for the people on horseback to approach him.

The chief of them was named Gifar, Kai heard this from the people, who constantly turned to him. They spoke, of course, in Arabic, and, naturally, they were sure that he did not understand them since they saw a European in front of them.

Kai was searched, then two soldiers again stood next to him. Everyone was waiting for the approach of another group of horsemen. When the riders arrived, two rode out of the common row. They drove closer to Kai. Then one of the guards pushed Kai under a knee. Kai fell but immediately got up.

"On your knees, infidel," came the voice of Gifar, who said it in English.

After another kick, Kai got up again and boldly looked into the eyes of the rider in the most luxurious clothes standing in front of him.

Gifar's voice sounded again:

"On knees! Before you, there is Sheikh Arshad himself!"

Now Kai realized who was in front of him. He never saw Sheikh Arshad, but since he was a fairly well-known and influential person, he heard a lot about him.

Kai was pushed again, he got up again and looked into Arshad's eyes again.

The Sheikh silently watched this scene. Seeing that this strange, thin, short youth was rising to his feet with such persistence, he raised his hand. Everyone froze.

Arshad approached him a little. Yes, he was clearly young, although, under a layer of dirt on his face, shriveled lips, dull tow hair on his head and burnt-out clothes, it was difficult to understand his exact age and, in general, how he looked.

"Thin and filthy," thought Arshad and was about to turn the horse around, but, colliding with the eyes of this impudent ragamuffin, froze.

Again he approached and looked again into those eyes.

"Shine of emeralds ..." flashed through his mind.

"Did you land the plane here?" Arshad asked Kai in English.

"Do you see anyone else here?" answered Kai in Arabic.

Everyone froze as they looked at him.

Arshad spoke first but in Arabic.

"You have a European appearance; how do you know our language?"

"What's so strange about it? I've learnt it."

"Who are you?"

Kai knew that his uniform had no army marks on it. There was also nothing on the plane that could give them a clue about his identity. Was there any point in saying that he was Russian? Definitely not. Although Arshad did not take part in this war, he was not on the side of the Russians. Based on this, Kai made the decision not to reveal who he was.

"It did not matter."

Gifar snatched out the whip and already brought it in with the words:

"Impudent infidel, now I will teach you to respond respectfully to the great Arshad!"

Arshad raised his hand again. Gifar dropped the whip.

"And you are really cocky. Are you not afraid of me?"

"You don't seem to be frightful."

By the time of this conversation, Arshad lowered the kerchief covering part of his face, and now he smiled when he heard the answer.

Looking again into Kai's eyes, he turned to Gifar.

"Take him with us. We'll figure out who he is at home. Well, since our "guest" is too arrogant, let him go on foot."

Arshad kicked the sides of the horse and galloped towards the plane.

Gifar gave the order, and immediately two guards began to tie Kaya's hands in front with a rope. At that moment, the second companion, all this time silently standing next to Arshad, approached Kai. Everyone froze at his approach. Kai looked up at him. The rider also dropped his kerchief from the face. He looked closely at Kai, bending down slightly from the horse.

"My name is Maksud, and what is yours?"

"Is it important?"

"You are daring and brave. But this is stupid, you could have gone on horseback to the palace, but now for your insolence, you will go on foot."

Kai listened silently to Maksud. Maksud saw that this guy with emerald-colored eyes would not answer anymore. He straightened up in the saddle and, finding Arshad with his eyes, went to him, thinking that they had found an emerald of extraordinary beauty in this desert. Under a layer of dirt, Maksud could see the features of their captive. He felt sorry for Kai, but now Arshad could not be persuaded.

When they set off on their way back, Maksud constantly looked at the prisoner, following the horse, to the saddle of which a rope stretched, binding his hands. After a while, the prisoner began to fall more and more often, and then Maksud saw that he was no longer getting up, but dragging along the sand.

Maksud drove up to Arshad.

"Our mysterious prisoner, I think, is already repenting of his impudent words. Maybe you should spare him?"

"I don’t think such a person will repent of anything."

"Arshad, we don't know anything about him yet, but if he drags behind the horse, I'm afraid we won't even know," Maksud decided to speak bluntly.

Arshad turned around, saw how the body of the prisoner, who was clearly unconscious, stretched behind the horse across the sand.

"Do what you want," Arshad threw, turning again and looking ahead.

Maksud spurred his horse, waved to his servants, rode up with them to Kai. The servants unhooked the rope from the horse, turned Kai over, poured water into his half-open lips. Kai came to life; he was given another drink. Then they pointed to the horse, helped to sit on it. The servant took the horse's reins and rode a little ahead, leading Kai's horse, tied to his. Kai's hands were also tied, only a large kerchief was put on his head, which, like everyone else, covered part of his face.

Kai understood that a miracle had happened, that he was spared and given a horse. Although the sun was shaking from weakness and heat, and everything was floating in front of his eyes, he tried not to fall out of the saddle. So he rode, now falling into strange oblivion, then coming to his senses he straightened out in the saddle and tried to endure it all.

By evening, their small caravan stopped. They quickly began to set up small camp tents, make fires, and cook food.

Kai was roughly dragged from his horse and seated to one of the fires so that he was constantly under the close supervision of everyone. Kai saw that they kept their eyes on him.

He just sat, eyes half-closed, watching the picture of the life of the camp, and enjoyed the coming coolness after the incredible heat. His hands were not untied, they were numb and very painful, especially since the skin on his wrists was also ripped off with a rope while he dragged behind the horse.

The food was prepared, hungry warriors ate it with appetite, sitting by the fires, and chatted animatedly with each other.

Sensing someone's presence, Kai looked up and saw Maksud with two servants. The servants put a jug of water near Kai and put a bowl of food and a piece of bread.

"Eat - you need it," Kai caught notes of sympathy in Maksud's voice.

He raised the eyes to him, Maksud smiled, then silently went to his tent.

Kai did not show off and pretend to be a proud idiot who disdained food from the hands of the enemy. Moreover, they were not particularly enemies, and he, it seemed, was not a particularly moron. So he drank water, ate, and drank the rest of the water. Starving himself was stupid and unjustified. What to do next, until he decided, which meant that he needed strength to fight.

Gradually night descended on the desert. Instead of pleasant coolness, the cold began to chill. Kai started to shake. He clenched, huddled, pulling his knees up to his chin and wrapping his bound arms around them. But he was still shaking.

At some point, he again felt that someone was next to him. He raised his eyes - it was Maksud, who was looking at him very attentively, and then, unfolding a huge woolen piece of fabric, wrapped Kai with it and silently left.

Kai was confused, then felt the wool was warming him, he wrapped himself in it more tightly, lay down on his side, and fell asleep.

He woke up from the noise. It was still very early, but everyone was getting ready to hit the road before the main heat. The tents were quickly folded up; the camping belongings were loaded onto the horses. They put Kai on the same horse, and everyone started. After yesterday's meal and sleep, Kai felt practically well. Now he rode and looked at the riders. Arshad, Gifar, and Maksud were regularly in his field of vision. By the fact that Arshad never looked at him, Kai realized that he had already forgotten about his existence. Gifar occasionally cast glances at him, Kai knew that he was responsible for everything, and Kai was also his responsibility. But he constantly felt Maksud's gaze on himself, but it did not bother him, Maksud did not radiate threats, on the contrary, it seemed to Kai that he felt care and anxiety. Or did it just seem to him?..

The whole day they moved almost without stopping, only a couple of times there were small halts. Throughout the day, a servant of Maksud regularly drove up to Kai and handed him an animal skin bag with water. Kai was very grateful for this. Riding all day under the scorching sun without a sip of water would be very cruel, and the trip was even very comfortable.

Towards evening, Kai saw lights from afar - it meant that they were approaching the same mysterious palace in the desert, about which they talked. These were the possessions of Sheikh Arshad.

It was already dark, and Kai could not see all the splendor that was the Sheikh's palace. But from the lights spread over a vast territory, Kai saw that the Sheikh's possessions were huge, and from the outlines of domes, walls, roofs, and buildings it was clear that this was an incredible miracle from the fairy tale "A Thousand and One Nights."

A large gate opened and the riders were allowed in. They drove along a wide road lined with low palms, fragrant bushes of exotic flowers, and illuminated by multi-colored lanterns. It was incredibly beautiful and unrealistic to see all this in the middle of the desert. Then their caravan split into parts.

The main group, led by Arshad and Maksud, drove on, and he was taken to the side under the protection and gaze of Gifar. Having driven into the courtyard, he was pulled off his horse and taken inside. From what Kai saw, it was one of the additional buildings to the palace. Inside there were corridors that diverged in different directions, he was led down the stairs, Kai guessed that this was a prison. Through several open and closed iron doors, he was led into another corridor, in which there were small iron doors with windows in the center to the right and left. Having brought him to one of these doors, he was pushed inside. The guard cut the ropes on his arms and closed the door.

The small room was dimly lit by a very faint light bulb. Looking around, Kai saw a wooden decking and a hole in the floor, from the smell it was clear that it was a toilet. That's all, there was nothing else in this room, not even a window. Although Kai assumed they were underground, then it was understandable why the window wasn't here. Wearily he made his way to the wooden decking and lay down on it. Taking a horizontal position, he quickly fell asleep. Now he didn't care that it was hard to sleep on the boards, that there was no pillow, and that he hadn't washed all this time, although he didn't stink in the dry and hot climate - that much made him happy. But none of this mattered. After everything that had happened to him, a dream came to him in this cool room.

He woke up from the clatter of locks on the door. A guard came in and brought in a tray of food and water. A second guard stood prudently at the door. Without saying anything, they closed the door and left.

The meal procedure was now taking place regularly. The food was good for a prison. At least not the slops. The food was freshly prepared, no-frills, everything you needed: some porridge and even meat, bean stews, always a small piece of flatbread, even stewed vegetables were on the food menu and invariably a jug of water. Kai even tried to wash his face a little, saving on drinking. But that only smeared the dirt all over his face. Therefore, he left this occupation and tried not to think about how much he had not washed. Of course, it was stupid to think about this when his life was in question, but the desire to find himself under the streams of water did not leave him.

He ate whatever was brought because he should recuperate to get out of here. Besides he could refuse food any time.

During all this time, no one came to him. Sometimes it seemed to Kai that they had completely forgotten about him, then panic came over him. To spend years of his life here and to die like that without seeing God's light! But he held on, whispered prayers - it gave strength.

He forced himself to be patient. The hardest thing was not to see the sun. Only a light bulb with its dim light and the arrival of a security guard with food gave at least some idea of ​​the time.

By his calculations, a week had passed, maybe more. During this time, he recovered his strength and, in order not to go crazy, began to constantly engage in training, those that were available in a small room. He needed to put his muscles in order, restore flexibility and plasticity to the body, and calmness to his mind. Therefore, in addition to strength exercises, he meditated a lot, this returned the strength of the spirit and stabilized his inner peace.

***

One of the nights he woke up from the noise in the corridor, listened: first there was a stomp, then the roar of opening doors, he clearly discerned voices and, from separate thrown phrases of people running past his door, he realized that there was a coup in the palace, it was a conspiracy against Sheikh Arshad.

Then the doors in the corridor began to open, his door was also unlocked. Several people looked inside, they simultaneously shouted that he was free, that they would kill Arshad, and the great Ali would become their ruler.

Kai deliberately went deep into his dungeon so that he was hard to see. He changed his voice and answered with a hoarse voice in Arabic that he was glad of such an event - the coming to power of the great Ali.

The crowd moved on, revealing all the cameras. Kai guessed that there were political prisoners on this floor. It was good that in a panic no one began to figure out who he was.

He ran into the corridor, followed the sound of receding steps, realizing that there was a way out. On the way, he took the sword from the dead guard, then from another - a couple of daggers.

Soon he saw from a group of fighting people in one of the corridors that the rioters were dressed in black robes and trousers, in contrast to the Sheikh's guards, who were dressed in multi-colored, expensively embroidered robes and the same trousers tucked into low boots.

Kai safely skirted the group of fighting people, then slipped past some more, then more. This was not his war, he had a goal to escape from here. So, using the dark niches in the corridor passages at night, he went to the main palace.

A wounded man was lying in the corner - it was a man from the Sheikh's guard, Kai saw it by his clothes. He ran to the guard, shook it slightly, and asked where the helicopter pad was. The guard at first was silent, but after another kick, he decided not to play a hero out of himself. He showed the right direction. Kai understood that the platform was on one of the roofs of these buildings, but how to get there and not get lost in these corridors was much more difficult. Having found out the approximate landmarks in the course of his movement, he quickly went in the indicated direction. As he traveled, he saw, even at night, in the dim lighting of lamps and the moon penetrating the open roads, that the palace was huge and luxurious. Kai constantly forced himself to walk, and not freeze in front of the next, opening to his gaze, a luxurious room.

From the corpses lying on the floor, Kai saw that the rebels had already been here - they were probably looking for the Sheikh himself.

Then he heard the noise of a struggle, the clink of metal, screams and, running past the next hall, he saw that about twenty people had surrounded Arshad and were attacking him from all sides. That this was Arshad, Kai recognized him at once, as he got a good look at him then when the Sheikh had been on a horse - tall, his face framed by a thin line of beard and mustache, the glowing gaze of almond-shaped eyes. Now, Kai did not see the fear in them, only anger and determination, although his strength was leaving him - there were too many opponents.

Kai stopped, and then, grabbing the second sword from the dead warrior lying around at his feet, rushed into the midst of the fighting. The thought that he would regret his deed flashed and disappeared, now there was no time to think, it was necessary to save his life and the life of Arshad if he decided to stand up for him.

The attackers, out of surprise, missed several of his punches, thanks to which he was able to penetrate the thick of the battle. He slashed the belly of the rebel, who had raised the sword at him and unleashed a hail of blows to three more, pushing them away from Arshad, thereby giving him a moment of respite.

Arshad's eyes widened, at first, he did not recognize him. It was evident that the Sheikh had long forgotten about the guy's existence, then their gazes met, and Arshad remembered a scallywag near the plane by the glint of the green emeralds of the eyes.

When Kai once again threw two attackers away from Arshad, the Sheikh saw his intentions, and now they fought together, shoulder to shoulder, covering each other and deflecting blows. In terms of combat technique, and terms of freshness of strength, Kai prevailed. Arshad was already tired, although he held on without showing it. But Kai saw this and was constantly near at the right moment, repulsing blows aimed at the Sheikh.

Then help came to them, it was clear from the expensive clothes of the soldiers who ran in and from Gifar, who was running ahead of them.

Gifar instantly appreciated what was happening here, seeing Kai and Arshad fighting in the center, and around them - the attacking rebels.

Gifar began to fight his way towards them. During the battle, Kai saw that the rebels kept coming and coming, and instead of one killed or wounded by them two or three new ones were coming. With this arrangement, they would not last long. Therefore, the arrival of Gifar, who made his way to Arshad and Kai and stood next to them, was very useful. Now there were three of them, and they held the defense in a circle. Gifar, like Kai, constantly covered Arshad from blows. Gifar saw how Kai was fighting and saw his constant attempts to remove opponents from Arshad. Gifar and Kai's eyes met, Kai read the surprise in them, but then the men switched to the attackers.

Kai, seeing that Arshad was already barely holding on, began to press on several opponents, displacing them further and further. Guifar understood his plan. Then more Gifar's warriors came running, and after a short battle and a clear superiority in strength on the side of Arshad, the enemy surrendered. Those who were still alive dropped their swords.

Kai, chopping at the next attacker, saw that there was no one else, and turned around. Behind him stood Arshad, surrounded by his guards, next to him there was Maksud - when he arrived, Kai did not see. To the right, Gifar stood. Kai had two bloody swords in his hands. Everyone froze. Kai unclenched his fingers, swords slipping from his hands to the floor. He had no more weapons with him; he had used daggers long ago.

Arshad said something to Maksud, who, waving his hand to his servants, approached Kai.

"Come with me," he said in a friendly tone.

Kai followed, and now what could he do? Instead of his escape, he began to rescue, and here is the result - time was lost, he no longer could escape. After such an active fight and adrenaline rush, he felt that he was tired, he was shaken and he just wanted to lie down. Now it was no longer important for him what his future fate was. One thing pleased him that he was not being led back to the cell, judging by the other direction of their movement. After passing several corridors and stairs, they entered a room quite spacious, with carpets and interior of the modest luxury of the Orient.

"Rest, our mysterious friend, tomorrow I will come for you," Maksud bowed politely and left. The door closed behind him and the bolt clicked. Kai glanced at the windows, which had a beautiful wrought-iron grill. He walked around his new quarters, saw that another door led to a bath with clean towels hung on hooks. But now there was no strength to wash. He went to the bed and lay down on the bedspread. After all this time, it was a real bed, not a folded parachute on the floor of the plain or wooden planks in the form of decking in his cell - it was exactly a bed: soft, clean and fragrant. Feeling it with his whole body, he instantly fell asleep.

He woke up late, judging by the rays of the sun and the clock on the wall showing one o'clock, looked around. Yes, these were clearly not the chambers of Arshad, which he had seen yesterday, passing through the palace, where luxury and abundance amazed the eye, but, on the whole, it was a richly furnished room in oriental style. On the armchair, he saw clothes: light-colored wide trousers and the same light-colored robe made of expensive fabric. Kai remembered the soul he had seen yesterday. Now he could not think of anything else. He did not care about his unclear fate and, in general, everything that happened. He had one desire - to stand under a stream of warm water and wash everything off himself. He grabbed his clothes, realizing that afterward, he would not be able to put on his own, soaked in sweat, dirt, and blood of yesterday's enemies. Kai went into the bath. Feeling the water on his body, he realized what happiness was.

He must have been taking the shower for an hour. There were plenty of jars of gels and shampoos, which he poured over himself and then rubbed himself with a washcloth. It seemed that such a layer of dirt was impossible to wash off. Finally, with an effort of will, he closed the water and wrapped himself in a huge soft towel.

***

When Maksud went to his mysterious prisoner, as he began to call him for himself, he froze in the doorway. A slim and slender young man plastically and softly turned to him, he was already dressed in wide trousers and a robe and was now standing in the middle of the room. If not for the sparkle of his eyes, Maksud would not have believed that it was he - that ragamuffin by the plane! Although no, even then, under a layer of dirt and fatigue, he made out it, but now ...

While still wet, the hair on his head that had grown during this time curled into large curls and glistened with moisture on them. Kai made an involuntary movement, brushing the fallen curls from his eyes, and looked at Maksud who entered.

Maksud approached.

"Hello. Did you sleep well? Food will be brought to you now. What's your name?"

"It doesn't matter what my name is," Kai now wanted to hear what would happen to him now. After all, in general, he had escaped from the cell of his confinement and it was not a fact that now they would remember his military achievements.

Maksud missed the unfriendly tone of the prisoner. And it's understandable: when your fate is not known to you, you will not be particularly friendly.

"Great Sheikh Arshad conveys through me gratitude for his salvation and asks to be his guest. He's gone now. Unfortunately, yesterday's event made adjustments to his plans, and he had to hastily leave the palace. He really wants to personally express his gratitude to you for his salvation and for how bravely you fought. Therefore, he asked to wait for him and entrusted all the worries about you to me."

"To wait, as if I have other options" Kai looked at Maksud, realizing that he was not afraid of this person, there was something in him.

Meanwhile, Maksud began to go around Kai in a circle, examining him.

Then Maksud clapped his hands, and several servants entered the room. He gave the name of the one he asked to come. A minute later, a breathless man ran into their room.

"This is a tailor," Maksud pointed to a short, plump man who was trying to catch his breath. "You need clothes," Maksud smiled mysteriously, "let him take your measurements."

Kai shrugged vaguely.

"Can I take off your robe?"

Maksud approached him, Kai looked warily into his eyes. Maksud smiled again.

"You don't know yet - I'm a eunuch. Nothing threatens you from my side."

Kai's eyes widened, he, of course, understood who the eunuch was, but to see it live ...

This tall, broad-shouldered man with bright oriental features, wearing eyeliner and a complete lack of facial hair did not look like eunuchs in Kai's point of view. He was not feminine, on the contrary, although, knowing now about Maksud, perhaps a little softer movements, a slightly more gentle voice were present. He was about thirty-five, maybe a little over.

While Kai was at a loss to comprehend all this, Maksud gently removed hands from the robe and, having untied the guy's belt, took it off.

Only thin trousers remained on Kai, which were obviously too big for him and, despite the ties at the belt, slipped and hung on his narrow hips.

Maksud again stepped back from him and slowly walked around in a circle. Then he smiled, looking into his eyes.

"Mysterious prisoner, will you trust me? You need to recover from your time in the desert. The desert takes the beauty away, but not from everyone ..."

Kai didn't quite understand the meaning of his speech. Maksud continued:

"I understand your distrust, but it was your own fault, there, in the desert, you shouldn't have behaved so impudently with Arshad. He is quick-tempered but quickly moves away. If you remember, I tried to do everything to facilitate your fate there as a prisoner."

Yes, Kai remembered his concern in the form of water, food, and warm clothes at night.

"When we arrived here, I also wanted to help you, but, unfortunately, the threat of a coup, a conspiracy against Arshad - all this did not give the opportunity and time to switch his attention to you. The only thing I could do was send you good food and wait for the threat of a conspiracy to pass. Unfortunately, their plan succeeded. But Allah sent you to us - you've saved the life of the great Sheikh. Arshad will never forget this and will thank you. Now, while he is gone, trust me. Okay?"

Kai again did not quite understand what Maqsood was talking about but did not resist when the tailor took measurements from him.

Maksud gave him a robe and helped him put it on.

Servants brought in food on several trays and set the table. After looking at the abundance and variety of food, Kai decided it was for ten people.

"Now you need to eat and sleep. I think we'll postpone everything until tomorrow. Just rest."

Maksud once again looked at him and, having politely bowed, left. All his entourage came out.

Kai thought that it was not entirely clear to him what status he was arriving here now. His door was bolted and, judging by the voices behind it, he guessed that there was a guard there.

But, in general, life was getting better, at least, he was not in the cell, and the sun was peeping through the window. Going to the window, he saw a wonderful garden, as in a fairy tale: beautiful paths, small fountains, rose bushes, and peacocks on the green grass. After admiring this living zoo, he went to eat and then to sleep. The most valuable food brought was wine. He did not drink it for a long time, and his nerves were not iron, and now, having drunk amazingly tasting red wine, he fell asleep.

In the evening they woke him up, again set the table in the same insane abundance. He ate a little and drank the whole decanter of wine again, and then a healthy child's sleep came.

In the morning, the picture repeated itself, only one glass of wine was brought. Kai decided that Maksud wanted to see him not only asleep.

***

Coming out of Kai, Maksud took a deep breath. He hadn't expected this. It was incredible. How many boys he had found for Arshad's harem, but this - he was well versed in beauty and was a connoisseur of it, but here it was just a gift from heaven. It's amazing what can fall into the desert!

But this was no ordinary boy. Maksud saw how he fought, saw his willpower as he dragged behind the horse. Yes, this guy wasn't like these young men he had found for the harem, this was a warrior. He fought best of all, it was then Gifar said in front of everyone, admiring him. And Arshad also admired how he fought, but Arshad had not yet seen him ...

Maksud laughed. Here he would surprise the Sheikh! And what a surprise! Nobody expected this. Even now he was still under the impression of the prisoner he had seen: he was fragile, graceful with a thin waist, narrow hips, feline grace in every gesture, and the face, cheekbones, lips - everything was perfect, and no femininity - the ideal beauty of a young man. And the eyes were emeralds.

Yes, of course, the desert made itself felt, but it did not take away his beauty. Maksud built the whole scheme of his restoration, and then, by the arrival of the Sheikh, this emerald would sparkle in all its natural beauty. And only then Arshad himself would decide what he would do with him.

Maksud treated this young man very well from the very moment they met, probably for his audacity, for the fact that he, sitting in the desert for a month, did not break down. Then, seeing him fighting, he realized that he was not mistaken in him, in his spiritual qualities - such a person would always come to the rescue, never leave anybody in trouble. Unfortunately, in the modern world, these qualities cannot be found in people. This hooked Maksud. And when he finally saw what their prisoner looked like, he decided that he would do everything for him. He would show Arshad him in a way that Arshad did not expect to see him.

Arshad would not harm him, Maksud was sure of that. Despite the permissiveness, the Sheikh, although he was formidable, quick-tempered, and cruel, but he was fair. Therefore, it was better to let Arshad see what his prisoner really was, and only then make a decision about his fate.

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The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Prologue

 The annotation: The splendor of the east, the luxurious Sheikh's palace in the heart of the desert. A tale of a thousand and one nights, a tale of love ... Will Arshad be able to conquer Kai and achieve reciprocity from him ...

Continuation of the story of Kai's life and love.

It will be of interest to those who love the long development of love relationships.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO READ AS A SEPARATE WORK!

Prologue

In the cloudless, bright blue sky above the desert, a dark dot appeared, which was rapidly approaching. Within a few minutes, one could see a plume of thick smoke, which left a trail in the blue sky. The group of riders stopped and stared in fascination at how beautifully against the background of the sky white-black streaks of smoke and burning, left by the falling plane, were drawn.

It was now clear that it was a plane. It was possible to distinguish the fuselage of the falling aircraft, and the noise from the engines was heard. Flares and pops accompanied his flight.

The plane drew a trail in the sky and went beyond the edge of the dunes.

"Honorable Sheikh, are we going to look at the crashed plane? It is an hour's drive away from us and, judging by the absence of an explosion, there is something to see there," one of the riders said to a tall man in oriental clothes, whose face was covered by a shemagh, and only his eyes were visible.

"No, Gifar, I'm not interested in this, and business awaits! It's time for us to go back."

The young man moved the horse, turning in the opposite direction from the point of the plane's fall. The rest of the horsemen followed his example.

After a while, the Sheikh turned to Gifar galloping just behind him:

"Next month we wanted to hunt here, remind me of this plane, we’ll stop by and look at it."

Gifar nodded, holding his horse so as not to overtake Sheikh Arshad, and once again turned to the dune behind which the plane had fallen. The column of black smoke that always accompanies explosions was not visible, which meant that the plane was able to land. But, in a month, there would be no one of those who managed to do it.

The desert is merciless to those who invade its domain.