Fantasy Escape from Caraban - [Closed]

The going was slow. Nasima needed to stop and rest a few times as they made their way through the east flowing duct works. Ali waited for her patiently, listening to the flurry of footsteps above their heads as the palace guards and staff scrambled about seeking the escaped prisoners. Mahir was surely in a flaming rage by this time. "Can you continue?" Ali asked, concerned that Nasima's strength would give out. He wrapped a gentle arm around her to help her long the rest of the way until the aquaduct reached a t-bone intersection. In the darkness, Ali could not see where each path ended, they merely faded into shadow.

"Which way do you think we should go?" He asked uncertainly, looking and listening for some sign of their preferable path.

Using Ali's arm for support, the princess continues to struggle through the tunnels. They were so close to freedom - the pair could not stop now. The consequences would be impossible to identify. "Yes, the fresh air is within our grasp," Nasima says sweetly, one of her hands balancing upon her growing bump whilst the other bared the dagger, ready if required to attack.

She pauses as the pair meet the intersection. Two routes, one to freedom and one to return to the grasps of Mahir. One leading to the certain execution of Ali whilst the other provided a safe-space to raise their unborn child. It was a spontaneous decision. They had to make it now and fast. Looking from left to right, the princess could see no difference. Both led to complete darkness.

Encouraged by the footstep and voices above, the princess finally comes to a conclusion. "The right. Lets follow the right," she decides, not having any logical reason why but needed to make a fast and certain decision. She was willing to face whatever the pathway led to, positive or not. Taking the lead, Nasima begins to follow her chosen route.

Ali followed, trusting Nasima's instinct. He certainly didn't have a better alternative to offer. Although the tunnel felt interminably long, by the time they had followed the right tunnel for a hundred yards they could hear the sound of a fresh breeze and the sputter of falling water.

As they rounded a corner, they came to an open exhaust in the outer palace wall where the refuse water collected by the aqueduct was jettisoned into the outer gardens about twelve feet below. The opening was barred, but there was just enough space between the bars for single person to slip through. Below them were the small outer gardens which ran along the eastern wall of the palace. From the garden it would be an easy matter for the to scale a second retaining wall and find themselves in the streets of the city. Unfortunately, the twelve foot drop was far too long for either of them to make. Ali eyed the drop, watching as the water flowed down the palace wall below them.

Ali uncurled the leather whip he had taken from the armory. He hated to part with such a valuable tool so quickly, but they had little other choice. He quickly tied the end of the whip to one of the iron bards, giving it a tug to check his knot and the strength of the leather. It seemed strong enough to support at last one of them and, as he let it hang down from the opening, he noted that it's six feet of length would leave them with a much more manageable drop.

"I'll go first," he said, beginning to move through the bars. "Once I get to the bottom, follow me down and I will catch you." He planted a firm kiss on Nasima's lips. "We are almost out." He smiled and began to scale down the wall.

It took him a second to find his footing in the worn stones, but before long he was easily managing the descent. The twelve foot drop felt far longer on this side of the wall and he clenched his jaw as he made his way to the end of the makeshift rope. With a prayer on his lips he dropped to the ground. It was a long drop and jarring, he felt the jolt rock up through his knees, but he was unharmed.

"Nasima, I'll catch you, climb down," he called up as loudly as he dared.

Nasima was relieved at the sound of birds chirping in the distance, followed by the sunlight reflecting upon the water. It was the correct choice - wherever they found themselves, it was outside the palace building. The princess just hoped that they would soon reach safe ground. She was not sure how long her body could continue.

Reaching the drop, the princess watches Ali take control. She knew falling from such height would cause damage. There was a risk of landing on her stomach, destroying their unborn child inside. Nasi uses the opportunity to gather her breath and rest for a few seconds. The ache in her lower back was beginning to get unbearable, alongside the constant nausea. She witnesses Ali use the whip, tying it onto one of the bars. Her gut twists as she watches him carefully climb out of the bars and using the ties of the whip, lowers himself onto the ground below.

Smiling as he lands, the princess listens to his next command. It was her opportunity to climb through and leap into her waiting lover's arms. Slowly and steadily, Nasima sits on the tunnel floor and places her legs through the gap. Sitting on the edge, the brunette was ready to leap when she head splashing echoing behind her. Turning her neck, she could not see through the darkness but realised it was the guards, having figured out the pair's escape route. By the sound of the footsteps, it would not be long till the enemy caught up. "They are here," she warns Ali, her face falling into a petrified frown. They were so close to freedom but yet still so far.

Taking a deep breath, Nasi knew she had no choice but to jump. Throwing the dagger into the nearby flowerbeds, the young woman makes sure Ali was prepared before leaping.

Nasima dropped from the rope as Ali spread his arms to catch her. The girl landed easily, supported by the stable hand's strong back as he caught her. Above them, a pair of soldiers poked their heads through the bars shouting after the lovers as they hurried towards the lower retaining wall that ran around the outer garden.

Ali scaled the wall easily, and turned to offer Nasima a hand up. Behind them, the guards had begun to clamber clumsily down the whip which still hung from the opening. "Take my hand!" Ali urged as Nasima approached the wall.

Nasima could sense the guards only metres behind her. Their footsteps were desperate, knowing they would receive their own consequences if they allowed the lovers to slip through their fingers. Mahir's recruits were not going to give up without a fight. The princess was finding inner strength from the risk following. Freedom was now in sight, just over the wall that bared the palace. Of course the pair was still easy to follow but through the large quantity of properties, the couple were able to hide. Hope remained that one resident would find the kindness in their heart to accept the forbidden couple into their home.

Approaching the wall, the princess witnesses Ali leap with ease onto the stone. Nasi takes his hand, using his support and strength to pull herself up. Pausing at the top, the princess takes one final look behind her, taking in the sight of her beloved palace. She made a mental promise, determined to come back and inherit her destined crown, even if she had to destroy Mahir in the process.

Ali lifted Nasima up onto the wall and, hand in hand, they bounded down the other side into the narrow street which ran along the eastern border of the palace grounds. Behind them they could still hear the scrambling of the guards as they attempted to mount the wall in pursuit of the fugitive princess and her lover. The narrow side street fed into alleys between a pair of sandstone buildings, leading to the high street of the eastern river district. Ali could hear the sounds of gathering crowds as the streets burst to life with the wealthy inhabitants of the street. It was unlikely that they would be able to find any shelter in the river district. The wealthiest class of Caraban were either fiercely loyal to whoever sat on the gilded throne or were plotting how to take advantage of the royals for their own gain. Neither solution would work for the fugitives.

Ali took Nasima's hand tightly and they ran down one of the alleys as the guards reached the top of the wall. They burst out onto the main street, a bustling thoroughfare of richly clad Carabanians moving to and fro in preparation for the grand execution that had been heralded at dawn. Little did these people know, but that execution had been indefinitely cancelled. Ali and nasima pushed into the crowd weaving around noblemen and merchant traders, their haste drawing the disdainful eye of many.

The heard a commotion behind them as they moved through a sea of bodies, as the palace guards who pursued them burst from the alley, their short blades drawn. Ali kept a hand on the hilt of the naked sword which was thrust through the sash at his waist, praying to whatever god would listen that he wouldn't need to draw it in this crowd.

People had begun to take notice of the pursuit and a few enterprising individuals crowded towards the fleeing couple, Ali found himself jostled and elbowed by a collection of pedestrians who gathered to hamper their escape. Although his grip on Nasima's hand had been firm, he felt her fingers slip from his grip as the crowd continued to press in against them.

Once fleeing over the palace's wall, Nasima was positive she escaped the grasps of Mahir, but was oblivious to the ranks of the city. Whenever on public duties which were accompanied by her father, the pair were strictly guarded with no presence of rebellions or vile behaviour thrown. The princess the citizens they would notice her familiar face and welcome to next in line to the throne openly into their housing., or maybe that was just hopeful thinking.

Nasima could not be further from the truth. The grin began to fade from her face as she witnesses the gathering of citizens grouping in attempt to stop their pursuit. It seemed that the forbidden relationship and illegitimate pregnancy had become common knowledge. Although the sight of an execution was gruesome, people came in there thousands to witness a soul leaving a criminals' body. It was a psychopath's ideal entertainment. Clinging desperately to her lover's hand, she finds herself dropping the dagger. The pull and tear was causing friction between the grip with Nasi struggling to maintain her strength. With the growing soul inside her stomach, the young girl's body failed to keep fighting. Whilst her mind was desperately trying to keep her feet moving, her physical form was shutting down.

With the guards approaching quickly behind, the couple continue to push their way through the growing crowd. The princess was now weak without a weapon and quickly realised she was holding Ali back. She could now allow her exhaustion to slow the male down, knowing as soon as he was returned to the dungeons, his execution would be called once again. Nasima would be responsible for his death and that was the last thing she needed on her conscience.

The young woman's gut twisted as the guard's voices became audible. They were yards away at the most and it would not be long till they caught the forbidden lovers. Taking a deep breath and feeling the continue to loosen, Nasima lets go of Ali's hand. "Go, Ali, and do not look back," she yells to her partner, watching the sudden flood of people separate them once again. It was only time till a guard placed his hand among her shoulder and pulled her hastily back to the dangers of the palace.

Ali turned and saw Nasima vanishing into the crowd. The people who swarmed around her could not know who she was, they only saw a fugitive on the run from the palace guard, no doubt a thief, who they could apprehend. Fools,. Shortsighted fools.

Ali drew the blade from his sash, the keen edge fraying the material as it swung free.

"Back!" he shouted, brandishing the blade high above his head as those nearby tumbled out of his way. A soldier was dragging Nasima back towards the palace and, though the girl fought bravely she could not match the brute's strength.

Ali wrestled his way towards the pair and brought the blade down on the soldier's exposed arm. The blow was unskilled and clumsy, but it cut a deep gash in the soldier's arm all the same, biting down to bone in a spray of hot blood.

The soldier screamed and recoiled, clutching at his wounded arm as Ali pulled Nasima back in the direction they had been fleeing. Her veil, gown and face were splashed with the soldier's blood.

Ali held the sword out before him, daring any to block their path as they fled up the highstreet.

Nasima was willing to hand herself in to protect her lover and allow him to fulfil his destiny. Without her power, the relationship would never have to be forced nor given large consequences. She hoped her attempt at distracting the guards would allow Ali enough time to flee. Regardless, the princess continued to struggle against the grip of the large male, eager to pull her back to the palace to be greeted by Mahir. It was the last thing she needed, nor wanted, knowing the punishment would grow by her attempt to escape.

Widening her eyes, Nasi witnessed Ali removing the large sword from his sash before slashing the guard's arm. His grip immediately loosened, using his uninjured hand to cover the wound. The blood immediately squirted, splashing upon the princess' clothing and veil, through to her face. It was deep with even the pressure applied not allowing the wound to clot.

Feeling her partner pull her back, the princess allows him to lead through the crowd baring the knife. With the blood-covered fabric difficult to see through, Nasima grabs onto the veil and pulls it from her face - allowing her dark locks to fall down her back. It seemed that the public immediately noticed the royal, especially from her speech only the previous day. Her title was either going to give the couple the final chance they required to escape or stop them on the spot.

As they rushed through the crowd, Ali could gasps and whispers from the onlookers, mingled with the agonized screams of the guard he had maimed.
"The princess!", "Is that her?", "The princess!", "Whore!", "Traitor!" The vitriol of the crowd mounted, but the sight of the dagger and the blade kept them at bay as the fugitive lovers reached the south bridge leading away from the river districts and leading through a series of smaller neighborhoods heading towards the streets of pleasure. Already, Mahir's messengers had been spreading word of Nasima's dalliance with a commoner and her child, conceived in fornication. Outrage and lies were a potent elixir. A few of their pursuers threw stray stones after the retreating pair to join the insults and invectives. They managed to duck the stones, but the words cut deep. Nasima loved the city with all of her heart and Ali knew the scorn of the people would wound her.

As they reached the bridge, pursued by soldier and onlooker alike, Ali saw with terror that the commotion had also drawn the attention of five members of the city guard, their halberds at the ready. Ali and Nasima were cornered. The palace guard approached them from behind, the city guard from ahead and they were trapped on the bridge overlooking the swiftly moving waters of the great river, it's banks engorged with the fresh waters of the northern monsoon season. Back to back, the lovers held their meagre weapons as the ready as the guards made a slow, steady approach, ready to lunge and strike. Ali's heart raced, even if he were able to make a lucky strike against one of the highly trained guards, he would not be able to avoid the assaults of the others.

The guards backed the lovers up against the stone railing of the bridge. Behind them the water rippled and rushed as the city's complex system of dams and floodgates funneled it through the brick lined banks of the river district channel. The water was thick, brown with sand from the deposits to the north and swift moving enough than anything caught in its current would be drawn away at a quick pace.

Ali took everything in and saw the one opportunity at their disposal. Grabbing Nasima around the waist, he pulled her quickly up into the railing. The guards paused, uncertain how they should react.

"Hold your breath," he whispered in her ear. The guards took a step towards them and Ali stepped back, over the edge of the bridge, pulling Nasima with him into the waters rushing below.

The instant realisation of her identity to the public became clear. At the removal of her veil, Nasima large brown eyes and darken locks were shown to the gathering. They were immediately recognisable. The curses and slurs were horrific - realising her citizens had bought into Mahir's progress to power, turning against the next-in-line to the throne. Without their support, there was not a chance that the princess would gain the title whilst the public were against her.

Knowing the gathering was growing from both sides of the bridge with only hatred being thrown towards the pair, the princess was unsure on a escape. They were lucky enough to have got to this point, at least they gave the escape the best shot the couple could. The princess saw her partner thinking - he knew the terrain of Caraban better than she did. If they were going to flee, it was going to be down to Ali.

Feeling her lover's arm tighten around her waist, the male pulls her onto the railing of the bridge. Nasi's eyes widen at the sight of the filthy, sand-ridden water below. The pace was fast, taking and abducting anything in its path. She knew what Ali was gesturing to. The forbidden lovers were going to jump. This was their final chance of escaping the guards, the richest of Caraban and the threat of Mahir. If they survived, the pair would be free, if not, they would meet their maker - together.

Nasima listens to her partner's voice. It was tender, soft even. She was glad if these were the final words she was going to hear, they were from Ali. Placing one hand on her stomach for a final time, she rubs it carefully for comfort. They would be together, regardless. Taking a deep breath, the young royal places her hand over her mouth and nose before allowing her partner to pull her into the awaiting water below. The fall seemed to last centuries, watching as guards rushed to the railing to witness the pair falling to what they predicted were their deaths. It was not exactly what Mahir had demanded but at least the royal and her forbidden lover would not be a threat.

Landing with a splash, the princess feels herself pulled from Ali's arms by the current. Her heavy clothing lowered her down into the water and had no choice but to pull the gown from her body, leaving Nasima in her undergarments. With her remaining strength, the brunette swims up desperately to the surface. Once managing to get her head above the water, the princess was relieved that they had long since travelled down the route, out of sight from enemy.

The fall was longer than Ali had realized. As he struck the water and felt it close over his head the water closed over his head he felt as though ever ounce of air had been thrust from his lungs. He felt the shock and the tumbling current rip Nasima from his arms as the murky waters of the river pull them through the brick lined channel which ran south through the city and towards the narrow banks of the streets of pleasure.

His shoulder struck against one of the brick lined walls as he was thrown head over heels by the current. Quickly kicking off his boots and unraveling the sash at his waist he let the scimitar and dagger drop as he kicked towards the surface. They had left the bridge far behind. No man would be fast enough to follow the path of the river and keep speed with the current.

"Nasima!" He called, gazing around in the water. As Nasima surfaced, Ali swam towards her, reaching out for her hands.

"Hang on!" He cried over the rush of the water as he grabbed for her hand. "Swim towards the side."

Ali kicked towards the lined wall of the river, fighting the flow of the current. It was slow going and the tumbling waters were exhausting to fight against. Ali cursed his bad fortune as he tried to find a handhold in the wall.

"Up here!" A voice called from the top of the river wall. Ali looked up and saw a man waving frantically and tossing something over the side. It was a rope with a loop tied in the end wide enough to fit over a body. "Grab the rope!" The man called out. "We'll pull you up!" Ali couldn't afford to say no.

Grabbing Nasima tight, he looped the rope around himself and, holding his lover with one arm and the rope with the other he felt strong hands drawing them out of the rushing water.

As the men above them hauled the two sodden lovers over the edge of the wall, Ali found himself staring at four tough looking young men, their belts adorned with long daggers. The one who had thrown the rope over the side approached the pair and handed them each long cloaks to throw over their wet bodies.

"That was a daring move, my friends," The young man smiled, revealing a gold capped incisor tooth beneath his waxed mustache. "The river is not a gentle lover," he turned to his men with a roguish grin and they laughed. He offered Ali a hand up as one of his men helped Nasima to her feet. "My name is Kasim," he smiled. "And today is your most lucky day."

He pointed at a covered wagon, parked some yards away. "My employer sent me to recover you." He said, urging the pair towards the wagon. "Get in quick, before the city guard finds their way to this bank of the river."

Ali was taken off guard. He had no idea who this man was, but he seemed to now something of their plight. He turned to Nasima, his eyes full of questions.

Nasima's saviours were the type of people she was encouraged to stay clear of. The men were sarcastic, finding humour within the lovers' frantic escape. They were neither the most dashing of fellows and their large appearance suggested they were not to be messed with. The princess had to shake off the ignorant views, they had saved the pair from the dangers of the river. She owned her life to the four gentlemen.

Once assisted over the wall, the young woman let out a deep sigh of relief. She was soaking and the stench of the river was sinking into the rich fabrics of the undergarments. Although hesitant, Nasi allows the men to help her stand before placing the cloak over her fragile body. The princess was beginning to shiver, her timid frame struggling to cope with the stresses of the escape. She clung desperately to the clothing, hoping it would somewhat raise her temperature. Nasima just hoped the worries had not affected their unborn child.

Allowing her lover to converse with the gentleman, the royal listened carefully. It seemed that they knew exactly who they were and what they were running from. Ali and Nasima's betrayal of the monarchy was common knowledge across the entirety of Caraban but if trusted, it seemed that not all the public were desperate to see her punished. Raising an eyebrow, the princess quickly realised there was a motive behind their assistance. Their employer. An unknown individual wanted to meet the estranged princess carrying an illegitimate child and her forbidden lover. The men were persuasive. The group knew the threat of the city's guards, who would not stop till the pair of criminals were within their grasps and yet still willing to help. With Nasima's body beginning to shut down, they had no choice but to follow.

Gazing up at Ali as he asks for her opinion with his eyes, the princess nods simply. "What other choice do we have, dear?" she advises her partner carefully, moving her hands to her growing stomach. The wagon seemed the best opportunity. Now they had manage to flee from the guards, the couple had no further plan to their escape. She held hope that there was a possibility that the men held positive intentions.

Kasim directed Ali and Nasima into the back of the wagon and pulled the canvas curtains over the windows. He called out some muffled orders to his men and before long the wagon had lurched into motion even as the sound of shouting voiced approached the place where they had escaped the river. Daring to peek out of the curtains Ali could see a collection of city guards gathered around the spot, arguing and pointing in various directions as they tried in vain to determine how the fugitives had escaped. With any luck, they would be assumed drowned.

As the cart rattled through the backstreets, Ali breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time since he and Nasima had been found in the gardens he wondered if there might be a chance for them to escape from the situation which culture and circumstance had thrust upon them. He wrapped Nasima in his arms as they huddled in the back of the wagon, wrapped in cloaks.

"These men seem to know something of our situation," he remarked. "Do you now who they work for?"

Allowing the men to assist her into the wagon, Nasima settles down beside her lover. The escape had caused her physical form to begin shutting down. She needed to rest and something to fill her stomach. The last thing the pair needed was to cause any excessive stresses towards their unborn child. Hoping the saviours were to be trusted, the brunette keeps the hood over her skull before resting her head upon Ali's shoulder. As the transport beginnings to move and the patter of horses' movements soothing the princess body, Nasi places her hands upon her growing stomach. She knew now that their unborn child would have a chance of a future.

Nasima listens carefully to Ali. He was mutually as oblivious to the identity of the group of men. It would be a waiting game to discover just who they were and most importantly, the identity of their employer. The princess just hoped she was not being returned to the palace. "I do not know. We will see," Nasi informs her partner carefully, her voice no louder than a whisper. Feeling herself drifting off to sleep, the young woman rested into her partner, knowing her having a brief nap was inevitable.

The princess did not wake till the wagon came to a stop. With the paused motion and noise, Nasi quickly rubbed her eyes and sat up straight for her rested position. Gazing over to Ali for a second, she takes his hand and squeezes it for comfort. Just before the curtain would display the superior who called for his submissives to fetch the escaping pair. Although she was nervous, Nasima knew they could not remain in the wagon for the rest of their lives.

Standing up, Nasima allows the men to assist her from the back of the wagon. She was immediately surrounded by a gathering of people - mostly wearing rags. Standing in the centre stood a large gentleman, middle-aged with a large beard. He wore a gold chain around his neck with a cloak covering his tall frame. The princess guessed he was the employer and the group were his employees. Whatever organisation she had found herself in, he was the superior. "Your Royal Highness," he addresses the woman directly, "and the stable-boy," the gentleman adds, gesturing towards the partner. "We have heard of your actions and the punishments that were due to follow. We are the Rebellion and we hope, with your illegitimate child with a commoner, that you will join our side," he finishes, a smirk growing across his face.

Ali marveled at the sight. He had heard whispers of a growing rebellion in the city, a growing dissatisfaction with the royal household's seeming indifference to the plight of the lower classes and the corruption of the other nobles and princes who built their empires on the backs of the workers, servants, and slaves. But such talk was forbidden in the palace. No one wanted to draw the eye of the royalty on the matter of such a rebellion. Even Ali and Nasima had never breathed word of such a possibility during their late night rendezvous. He could feel the priness growing tense beside him. She was in the presence of a small but growing element which could represent the end of the Caraban royalty as anyone knew it.

He stepped forward, extending a protective hand in front of Nasima.

"What do you want with us?" He asked, hoping his voice carried the stern authority he imagined it likely did not. The man who stood before them smirked, his eye twinkling under his bushy black eyebrows.

"Forgive me," he laughed. "This is all quite cloak and dagger. I am Rasmusen Al Abas. It has fallen to me to lead this little band of rebels. Word came to us in the early morning from sources close to the throne of the mounting scandal in the royal household, followed quickly by news of your impending escape. I only regret that we were unable to move quickly enough to facilitate your escape ourselves." He glanced around the alley as if the walls might have ears. "It is unsafe to talk here. The great households have spies within all ranks of society. We must make our way to my establishment where we may speak in safety. Come."

Rasmussen and his motley band of brigands and beggars hurried the young couple along the alley until they came to a small wooden door set in an alcove along the eastern wall of a tall building. One of Rasmussen's men produced a large iron key from within the folds of his tunic and unlocked the door. As it opened, Ali could make out the sound of lilting music and the rich aroma of incense.

"This way," Rasmussen directed. He nodded his head towards the gathered throng of rebels. "Set up a watch around the building. No guards come within a breath of this place without my knowledge." Kasim barked orders at his men as the gathered forces vanished quickly from the alley. Kasim smiled. "Beggars, vagabonds, the diseased," he chuckled. "We have eyes everywhere," his eyes fell meaningfully on Nasima. "The royals are not so safe as they might think." Rasmussen gave Kasim a reproving look. "Kasim, mind your tongue or I will mind it for you," he said sternly. Kasim lowered his eyes, accepting the rebuke.

Rasmussen and Kasim led Ali and Nasima through the door. They found themselves in a small rear anteroom. Kasim locked the door securely behind them as Rasmussen led them through into the main chamber. The smell of the incense grew stronger as they entered a wide room, dimly lit by a score of lanterns cast of brass and set with panels of colored glass. The ceiling was supported by intricately carved pillars, between which hung rich drapes of embroidered silk. Although they were far inferior to the fabrics used in the palace, they still lent the room a sense of comfort and elegance. As they moved into the room, Ali could make out the shapes of young women, lounging upon couches and leaning against the pillars and walls. Some toyed with baubles of silver and bronze, others strummed stringed instruments, creating the luxuriant music which filled the room. All wore sheer garments of gauze and silk which left precious little to the imagination. They eyed Ali with gazes that bespoke desire and allure from beneath eyelids dark with paint.

One of them approached Ali, her dark lips parted in a smile both winning and impenetrable, her hips swaying gracefully as she crossed the room. "You're brought us something fresh, Ras," she remarked as she let a finger trace the line of Ali's shoulder. Her voice was dusky and musical, a practiced tone. Rasmussen laughed and shook his head.

"This one is not for you, Asha," he replied. "Unless," he turned to face Ali, "you take a liking?" Ali blushed fiercely and shook his head, gripping Nasima's hand tighter. Ras laughed heartily. "I thought not," he replied. "This one is spoken for." Asha eyed Ali up and down as she turned and sauntered away, giving her skirted backside an extra sway as she departed. Ali swallowed hard.

"This is a pleasure house!" He exclaimed, finding it difficult to keep the effrontery out of his voice. Rasmussen nodded as he led they along a hallway leading out of the main hall.

"The Jade Tiger," he replied. "Only the finest house of recreation in the district."

"Those girls, they sell their bodies!" Ali pressed. He held Nasima close, wondering what designs this man might have with her. Rasmussen frowned somewhat sadly and nodded.

"Indeed they do," he assented. "Many do not have the privilege to sleep in a palace. At least here their skills can serve a greater purpose."

"What purpose!?" Ali scoffed.

"Ladies of pleasure are privy to secrets" Kasim interrupted. "Noblemen reveal what they should not to the women who share their perversions. The girls here have given themselves to the cause and they will be greatly rewarded for their sacrifice in the new republic."

Ali frowned as they entered Rasmussen's private office. The world was truly a dark and ugly place.

Nasima swallowed hard as the superior revealed his identity. He was leading an organisation attempting to overthrow the monarchy. The princess was shielded from these threats, even when getting taught by her father regarding her future duties as Sultana. Nasi understood their were individuals against being reigned by royalty but not entire gatherings, willing to do anything and everything to follow their manifesto and remove the palace's occupants. Even from the pair's escape, the brunette had realised she was widely shielded from the reality of Caraban. She was protected from negativity, believing that her homeland was sufficiently positive. She had no reason but to debate her beliefs. It was now clear, with everyone turning against her, that life was not as friendly as once believed.

At the mention of the unborn child, the princess quickly figured Rasmusen and the Rebellion were aiming to use it as a tool. The conception was between a royal and a commoner, forbidden entirely and seen as destroying the strong Valentina blood. To see a common citizen inherit such a title, even if it was only half, would provide the organisation with a sickening sense of fulfilment. Nasima was not entirely sure what their plan was, after-all, the news between the couple was still raw. She just hoped herself and her lover would be safer here rather than the unknown roaming openly across Caraban.

Remaining silent, she allowed Ali to take her hand before following the leader and Kassim into the building. The princess was unsure what she was going to met with. Was there others? Was there a danger that the pair and their unborn child's lives were at risk? Perhaps this was a huge trick to trap the escapees. The lack of respect towards the monarchy was large. Although they had welcomed to the princess, it seemed it was rather for the child than Nasi. Reaching the room suiting the most beautiful of young women, suiting the tiniest of clothing, Nasima was not sure what she was witnessing. She had not seen a sight similar throughout her short life.

Always encouraged to cover her body, including her face, Nasima was surprised. It was against her nature and teachings to suit such limited fabrics. The princess watches a girl approach her partner, feeling her gut twist and face frown as she touched Ali's shoulder. It was jealously and a sense of anger. She did not want anyone other than herself embracing the male in such a manner. Although their relationship was not legalised or confirmed with marriage, Nasima hoped their unborn child decided the fate of the lover's future. She was not willing to give up Ali and had even set her life on line to free him from the dungeons and away from a definite execution. Leaving her destined future, family and her home behind, the brunette was willing to do anything for her partner.

Nasima decides to ignore the encounter. Maybe it was her hormones talking but the mother-to-be could not help but feel submissive to the girl. With her damp undergarments, stretch from the tunnels along with twigs and leaves in her hair, she knew her appearance was a state. She was not looking like the glamorous royal she was bracing only hours before. In a matter of a day, the princess' life has been turned upside down. From losing her father to the discovery of the pregnancy to Mahir's discovery and demanded execution of Ali, Nasima had encountered hell. She just hoped that some point soon, she would be able to cleanse, eat and even sleep without worry.

Widening her eyes, the brunette gazed up at her partner who declared the building's purpose. In the most simplest of terms - it was a brothel. The girls were hear to satisfy men's needs for returns of money, gold or even the essentials to live. It was disappointing that these young woman had to find themselves submitting themselves to male dominance just to keep themselves alive. The princess was definitely a long way from her life back at the palace. She was not going to be sheltered away from the negatives of her homeland.

Biting her lip, Nasima places her hand upon her growing stomach whilst the other grasped her partner's hand desperately. Taking once last look at the girls sprawled across the room, she follows Rasmusen into his private office alongside Ali. As Kassim closes the door behind her, the princess walks over towards the desk. Taking a seat on a rouge cushioned seat, Nasima looked ahead at the stranger. She was unsure what their future would consist of but knew it would soon be discovered. She just hoped it would look brighter here than back at the palace. At least within the new surroundings, Nasima still had Ali and their unborn child. Whatever the outcome, the trio had one another.

"Now, please," she begins, her voice tired, showing the exhaustion from her body, "please inform me why you require my presence?"