Markus had always done his best to remain stoic for appearances sake in front of the men. But seeing the indescribably lavish palace, still riding atop these strange creatures from distant lands, his eyes widened and he looked around in awe. The inside was far more beautiful than even he had anticipated. Birds of every color flocked in the tamaron tree, from parrots to eagles, to what looked like birds with beaks larger than their multicolored bodies. 

In the distance, a large spotted hunting cat lounged, its fangs easily four inches long and razor sharp to pierce the skull of its prey. Markus wondered why it did not eye them hungrily, but he supposed they fed it often. They had to. No doubt the fountains were where it loved to keep cool in the intense heat. 

As they halted, Calliope would take Achmed's hand. Markus dismounted from his camel somewhat awkwardly, the beast stepping uneasily once he got his feet on the ground. He patted its neck and shushed it, soothing the foreign animal how he would a horse. He reached into his pack and pulled out a dried berry, offering it to the Camel. If any of the nobility saw him calming the camel, they would have likely gasped at him doing servant's work. But as it were, they were focused upon the returned prince and the darkly beautiful Calliope. 

The Elephant had bent down, and Achmed had led Calliope down (as she pretended that she needed his help to descend) and a great cry of "By Hayashim and the Blessed Moon!" was heard from atop the large staircase. All eyes turned to see a man in robes of silk, with a plumed hat that burgeoned into what looked to be a bloated beehive. Markus would have thought him a crazy man if not for the bejeweled pendants and rings upon his person, and a large diamond the size of Markus' fist at the base of his hat. 

"Father! I have returned!" Achmed cried, and he embraced the Sultan after the elderly man descended to see him. He had a grey goatee, well groomed to seamlessly integrate into his somewhat light skin (for a Rasheeki). They smiled and hugged, though there was a tenseness there Calliope would be able to detect. 

"Come come, let us go and clean you up my son." 

"Father, I have guests." he said, and indicated Calliope, and Markus who strode up. Immediately the Sultan's eyes narrowed, and he muttered something in his native tongue, before saying. "No one is to be armed in my presence, save my guards." 

It was an order, one to be followed or you would lose your head. Markus hesitated, glancing at Achmed and Calliope, before unbuckling his sword belt to comply. "Nonesense, nonsense!" Achmed exclaimed, gesturing with his hands. "Father, this man is my ally, having helped me escape the vile corsairs! And this woman directly saved me from certain doom! They are my guests, father." he explained, placing a hand on the sweeping shoulderline of the Sultan. 

For many moments, he was quiet. Until he gave an inclination of his head. "Very well. Now come! We must get you clean, all of you. There will be a feast tonight to celebrate the return of my son, and may Hayashim bless the night on this hallowed day. Come come, we have much to prepare for..." 

Servants immediately approached as they made it to the top of the stairs. Somehow, it was far cooler even at the opening of the Palace, refreshing and lightly smelling of lavender. As the nearly naked men approached, Achmed grinned and patted Markus' shoulder as if they had known one another for decades. "Smile, my friend! Tonight, we shall feast. And I will allow you the pick of my harem as much as you wish. We have many things to discuss." 

"Uhm..." the Captain began, not unhappy at the mention of the harem. It had been a particularly long time before he had enjoyed the company of a woman. Perhaps a month before he and Calliope had fled Calaverde. He had mostly focused on survival and captaining a ship since, but he felt his arousal at the mere thought. No, this was all a bit too good to be true. Yes, they had survived odds none of them had thought possible, and they had rescured a Prince. But he has always preferred to earn his woman rather than have one given to him. And even if he let himself go at this one time, there was always a catch... 

Calliope was whisked away into a hall that loomed above her like a horizon line, with potted plants of unknown nature leaning lazily fifty feet above her and the servants that led her through a door of satin drapes, into a connected room that was the size of a yeoman's plot of land. It took her a moment to realize they stood within a closet. Rows upon rows of cleaned, comfortable, gorgeous outfits; most revealing at least some skin were arrayed before them. Within, a bald eunuch stood, eyebrow raised. The part of his face between his nose and upper lip was a seamed slope. 

"Ah, as beautiful as I had heard, and as gaudy as I had feared." He quipped, clapping twice as more eunuchs appeared, stripping Calliope down to nothing. She kept her necklace on her, guarding it like a hyena at bay. The master eunuch examined her studiously. "Black is her color" he said in northern, and then began to call out in Rasheeki, causing the eunuchs to move mechanically, grabbing an odd mixture of black and dark red garments that they began to slip upon her, caring not whether they touched her inappropriately or uncomfortably, though it was obvious they did not do it with lecherous intent. 

By the time they were done, two small slave boys with lashes upon their backs were ushered in holding a mirror of golden filigree. Calliope would see herself presented in a courtly yet appealing garb. Black silk was expertly wrapped around her waist and legs to hug her curves but give freedom of movement to walk, tied together at the base of a shining agate stone that swirled with an unknown substance within. Her midriff was expodes, though sliding up it to fall over her dress was a crimson sarong. Her croptop was black like her dress, sleeveless and strapless, her shoulders covered by a dark veil. Her hair had been reformed into bun, with a diamond circlet resting above her brow. 

"Now, Prince Achmed has informed me to bring you to the courtyard. If you would follow me..." 
[@Penny]