Arabian Knights

*close enough*

Nina ducked inside an alley, hoping whoever was following her would give up.

She was wrong.

"Go away!" she said when they entered the alley.

"Oh why would we do that?" the taller of the men said.

"Because," Richard's voice said from atop his horse, "if you hurt the lady, you lose your head." Richard drew his sword to make a point.

Immideatly both men backed off, Richard extended his arm which Nina took as he pulled her onto the horse. She kissed his cheek as he turned and continued off.

He stopped a ways from in front of her house and dismounted, she followed easily. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she said, her voice starting to shake as she went into shock, "if you hadn't been there I wouldn't be."

He wrapped an armor clad arm around her and pulled her close, "I would never let anything hurt you."

Richard held Nina for a moment longer before drawing apart and glancing around nervously. She chuckled.

"Scared?" she asked.

"No, you?"

"Not really."

"Oh, ok. Good." Richard said, chuckling too. He led her to the front of her house, kissed her quickly on the cheek, and knocked on the door. It swung open almost immediately.

"Nina!" her mother exclaimed, rushing out and enveloping her daughter in a hug. Richard stood by, looking a bit uncomfortable.


*sorry alzz. thats all i can do...*curses writers block**

Nina's father came out and hugged her as well, noticing how she was shaking. "Are you cold?" he asked.

Nina shook her head, "no."

"She was being followed," Richard said and was about to continue when Nina cut in.

"He arrived just in time, nearly scared me out of my skull but he said my father sent him and got me out. If he hadn't been there," her shaking became more violent.

"She's going into shock," Richard said.

"Come inside," her father said to Richard, "and I shall pay you for your assistance."

Richard stepped inside, "that won't be necessary sir, I cannot bear to think of a lady in danger."

Nina's father took his hand, "thank you for helpping my daughter."

"It wasn't a problem at all," Richard said and went back outside, "I must be on my way now." He mounted his horse and left.

"No!" Nina's mother said to Nina and her father as soon as the door shut.

"No what mama?"

"There is no way you're marrying him."

"Mama, I just met the man," Nina lied. "You're too apt to make assumptions."

**My guy is up for romance, but i dont know where to slip myself in, a little help, please?**

**Just slip him in anywhere, I kinda want my character to fall for Richard a little bit and then realize she loves another one...you could do that if you're willing to be patient. That will be after/during the part where the pirates (I've got a couple people saying they'll be pirates, or we'll just not control them like our own characters) kidnapp the Arab ladies to sell as slaves. Did I help?**

**yep, that will work. Just pm me when the 'pirates' come into play**

**they're going to come in as soon as the story gets passed the intro I guess. Have your knight do something mundane in the market or something, just so he's introed.**

**dang girl, tryin to take all the guys are ya **

Lol. Well we have five guys (Though one's a kid) and three girls so I'm sure there are plenty to go around.

Sasquash - If you want to include your knight, he could be my knight's partner in which case they're about to enter some wealthy Arab family's house.

Kalilah

"Yes mother," Kalilah rolled her eyes as she continued to brush her hair and all but ignore the woman hovering beside her.

"Yes, I thought you'd agree," Her mother gushed. "I mean it's such a lovely colour and you'll look beautiful in it." With a small shake of her head so that the jewels and chains brushed against her skin, Kalilah glanced across at the silk dress her mother had picked out.

"I'm only going to the market mother," Kalilah said with a light, soft laugh as she stood and kissed the woman on her right cheek. "But I don't mind wearing it I suppose."

"Okay. Come show me when you have it on. I'll be downstairs with your father."

Kalila waited until her mother had left the room before exchanging her current dress for the other. It was a pale, sky blue and fitted perfectly so that it carressed her hips and brushed against her skin, much softer than cotton.

Alla was helping Serra make food when the storm started.

"Girls," Serra's mother called they both scurried to the leaving room. "I'm afraid our company wont be coming."

"Oh, ok," Both smiled and started back towards the kitchen, just then someone knocked on the door.

"I'll get it," Alla said, she opened the door half expecting to see one of her reletives or Exal. But instead in front of her stood a young boy. "Can I help you?"

"I..we..we were wondering if...well if we could possible stay here." The young boy asked, Serra's mother walked up behind Alla.

"Who is we?" She asked,

"Sir Nicholas, me and one other boy." He said,

"Of course, where are they now?"

"Waiting for me to return."

"Well, bring them back, we'll have food by the time you get here." Serra's mother smiled, the boy's eyes lit up by the mention of food. He quickly took off and Alla went back to the kitchen.

Nicholas

My partner's squire soon returned and told us that the inhabitants of the house were willing to accomodate us.

"Good. Lead the way then boy," My partner instructed and we followed the squire to the door and then inside, out of the dust storm.

"My apologies for imposing on you like this, ladies," I bowed smoothly to the woman and what I presumed to be her two daughters.

"Not at all," The woman replied, showing us towards a table that was laden with food. "The boy said there were just three of you but not to worry. The company we were expecting wont be coming now so we have plenty of room."

"Thanks," My partner mumbled grudgingly as he sat down and removed his helmet.

"Don't mind him. He's just in a bad mood today," I patted the other Knight on the back in a friendly manner and then removed my own helmet and eased my aching body into a seat. "This food looks splendid Madam and I do hope you and your beautiful daughters will be joining us?"

"Naturally and just the one is my daughter. Alla here is a friedn of the family," The woman explained, indicating the prettier of the two girls.

"Would sir not like to change into his other clothes first and give me his armour for polishing?" My squire asked, pointedly polite now that we were amongst company.

"After dinner," I replied. "That is, if you ladies don't mind me sitting at the table in my armour?"

__________________

I've left out the other knight's name so feel free to add in your character Sasquash.

"Not at all," Serra smiled, "The dust storms have a way of draining energy from people." The knight that hadn't said anything grunted at that. Alla couldn't help but think about all the bad that was said about english knights. SHe wasn't one to draw esumptions about someone before she knew them though. THey seemed polite enough. "Alla, help me get more food, I don't think this will be enough." Serra laughed skipping towards the kitchen, Alla followed.

"I wonder how long they have been riding?" Alla said helping gather some more food that they had left in the back.

"Who knows, but they are hungry." Serra laughed happily, she was always like this when someone seemed to like her food.

"Don't stuff them until they burst." Alla laughed, "There is still dessert in the oven." Serra blushed,

"I know, I know."

Warren was suprised at how much food this little house seemed to have! It just seemed to keep coming and coming. As they finished there meal, a dessert followed.

"Wow." i mumbled. This was probly the biggest meal i had ever had. I looked down at the plate, and realized i could eat no more, so i set the plate aside.

**sorry, cant think much lately, but thats all i got **

Nicholas

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, I couldn't eat another bite," I smiled warmly and then climbed gracefully to my feet. Or at least as gracefully as a full suit of armour allows.

"Brilliant food," Warren agreed, much happier now that he was warm and full. "My apologies for my previous behaviour. It has been a long journey."

"Not at all, not at all. Could you show the men to their rooms, girls?" The woman asked and we were led upstairs by the two younger ladies.

"We only have three guest rooms so two of you will have to share," The girl who had, over dinner, introduced herself as Serra indicated three doors at the top of the stairs.

"That's quite all right," I assured her. "Our squires will gladly share a room. Is there somewhere we can wash? And of course, there's the matter of the bill...."

"You can settle that with mother in the morning," Serra replied, waving away my money with a graceful, delicate hand.

"There's a bathroom down the hall where you can wash. Second door on the right," Alla added.