"What's going on? I come home to find all these people having a party!" Tariq exclaimed to Kalia upon entering the courtyard and seeing her just coming in. He seemed in a good mood. "It's your sister's marriage feast Tariq." Kalia answered. She was as surprised to see him as he was her. "My little sister decides to be wed when I am gone? Why didn't they tell me?" "They'd been planning it. They were going to tell you. The way I hear it, you didn't even tell them you were leaving until you were leaving. It's your own fault. You're the one who decided to leave all of a sudden. You can't expect them to wait forever...like some people." Tariq rolled his eyes, then looked her up and down. "Ahhh, there you go. You are always so good to point out what a dog I am," he laughed. "You may be a dog, but you are a charming dog." "I should have known she would invite you. May I say, you look divine Kalia - beautiful!" "Of course you may," she laughed. "Why are you back?" "Word in Souira Qedesh is that the sea is crawling with Portugese. I may be greedy but I am not stupid. I've already lost too much this year. I won't risk it. We all decided to lay low for a moon or so. When no one goes out, they will become tired of looking for us and cut back - at least for a time. That is what we hope for." He smiled at her - that smile that was what always killed any anger she harbored toward him. "Come then lovely Kalia and let us go and see this thing! My sister deserves to be happy - finally." Kalia bit her tongue and smiled back. "Na'am, let us go then." To her surprise, he offered her his hand to take. "You're in an awfully jolly mood! Are you drunk Tariq?" He laughed, shaking his head. "La. La...I did a lot of thinking on the way back here. I've been letting stupid things get in the way of other things. That is no good. My sister is right, I have been very cruel to you. So...can we try to...start over...you and I?" Kalia wasn't certain he wasn't joking with her. "Really? You mean that?" "If I didn't I wouldn't have said it!" One dark brow rose in amusement. She'd been thinking about giving in to casting a spell on him, but she hadn't. He'd come around all by himself! Would wonders never cease? Perhaps there was hope for him yet. ***** Thanks for coming by my dear friends! Your comments and favs are very much appreciated, as is your own wonderful art! This week seems to have gone by so fast!! Hope you are all fine :) Ray