Post by Sabriyah bint Qasim al-Khalid on May 3, 2016 22:09:39 GMT -5
Sabriyah did not flinch when Qasim took firm hold of the reins, aware that he was not going to order them off the horses until or unless he was forced to. He had not yet realized that such an order was the only way she would descend from the saddle, but it was a matter of time. The Caliph was not unintelligent, however obstinate he might prove in believing that enough gentle words would evoke her forgiveness.
There was no softness in her posture or her eyes as she stared down at him. Did he truly know her so little, understand her even less that he thought to sway her after the damage was done through a mere confession of folly? Before Sabriyah could reply, she heard Leilah speak, a faint smile of pride threatening to spread across her features in response. Her sister was so very strong, a true woman of the Sands. Their mother would be proud beyond words of her second-born daughter and the words spoken in scathing dismissal of the Caliph's ill-considered course of action.
When Leilah finished, she smiled and bowed her head in respect to her sister, a tacit expression of gratitude for the support given. Her own support was about to come in turn, bringing that icy gaze back to the self-proclaimed 'hoary old camel' who sired them. When she spoke, her words were scarcely above a whisper, yet reached both his ears and Leilah's.
"Our kin, you say? The kin we still have, our brothers, support our choices to leave. Amirah sees only what webs you weave and thinks you beyond reproach. And you will have only the peace found in our departure." She shrugged elegantly, moving to Qasim's commentary on his intended's lack of experience in handling their household and holdings next. "Perhaps you should have considered that before you eschewed courtship, Caliph, or have you forgotten the ways of your own people so much that you do not recall that period is to provide such training? Had you kept your oath to your daughters, granted Inayla the honor due her as a Rohari woman, then she would have had those months to learn at my side, to grow accustomed to the tasks and skills she will require."
Sabriyah's expression went stony again with his declared need of her counsel. "You made it abundantly clear you had no further need of me, whether to run your household and estates, or to provide counsel. We," she gestured then to Leilah, "do not care to remain and see the burdens we present as unwed daughters."
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@qasim, Leilah bint Qasim al-Khalid