And now back to Marrakesh.... It was early the next morning when Kalia received a visitor from her friend Lila, inviting her to Lila's marriage feast with Altayr. Lila and Kalia had been friends since they were small girls, for Kalia's father had been a partner to Lila's father. It had often been assumed by everyone that Tariq would make Kalia his first wife, but for reasons known only to a few, Tariq refused to have a first wife and preferred his harem. The servant had also known Kalia for many years and was more than talkative. She told Kalia that Altayr had refused Ali's other wives and given them to Tariq. She also volunteered that Tariq would not be there. He was out on a run. Kalia had been married when it became clear that Tariq did not want her, but she too was now a widow of the sea. Her father was also gone now - died of old age. While she was very happy for Lila knowing how she loved Altayr, the news that he had given Ali's lesser wives to Tariq and he'd accepted them did not set well. This meant he was even less likely to take her as his first wife now. Why did she care? She had many who would have her, but she'd always had 'a thing' about Tariq. She also knew that Atayr had no real desire to be a full-blown pirate. He was too smart for such things and not greedy enough. Lila knew why Tariq would not take Kalia. Simply put, he was afraid of her. Not only was she beautiful, very educated and intelligent, she was very independent...and she was a witch of the sort that came from the old country, Persia - like her mother. "If your brother will not have me without a spell, then I do not want him," Kalia had once told Lila. All the parameters of the situation now turned in her head as she stood there in the shaded alcove of her rooms, enjoying the cool morning airs. Sooo, Tariq was out to sea, eh? Her eyes narrowed and her finger tapped at her lip as she contemplated what exactly she would do now. There was the matter of the gift, but that was another thing entirely. Her maid-servant Alana would see to that. ****** 'Kalia' is Gypsy Angel's new girl "Kalypso". I've been patiently waiting for her to come out. She's very pretty and has lots of cool makeups and eyes. This is her SSS MAT and altho I'm using 2010 and do not have the SSS option, there is a marked difference between the NS MATs and the SSS MATs in the render. Her hair is 'Rosydy' from SWAM (RMP). It's on sale and on close-out if memory serves. Her outfit is 'Spellbinder' by Nikisatez with Nirvy's (as always) beautiful MATs. I'm a sucker for purple stuff ;) Background set is 'Jannah' from DAZ. ***** Thanks for looking, for leaving your comments and your favorites. I do appreciate them dear friends! How's you week going? I hope it's all good! Cheers, Ray