The desert sun burned hot and an equally arid wind blew through the luxurious tent making the flaps move and rustle. Emarah arose from her silken bed, beads of sweat dampen her forehead and she felt lathargic and her head pounded. Ammon had been gone again for a long time on business and the caravan of camels had long ago, disappeared over the horizon. She had become used to lonliness and even tho the servants of the prince were still here to attend to the camp and to her needs, she had no real friend or companion to talk with during the long absence of the Prince.

Through the intervening years since their marriage things had changed considerably. The Prince, once so devoted and loving to her had become a different person. He was subject to wild moods and temperments. When angry with her he would lash out with vicious, cruel words and treat her like she meant nothing to him. Later, he would hang his head and beg her forgiveness and she held him close and kissed him and told him she would always love him. But underneath it all, she preceived him as a little spoiled, indulged child, who always wanted his own way and used fits of temper to hurt her.

Life in this desert land was harsh and unforgiving and she felt a great sense of loss since she had been carried off from the excitement of the city where he had discovered her dancing amidst a throng of admiring onlookers. Since she was a slave he had paid a great deal of gold to purchase her from her owner. His promise to marry her and set her free, he had done, but not soon after he acted as tho she didn't matter to him anymore. His moods were strange and she discovered he was extremely secretive in most things. She had tried to be a lover, wife, companion and friend to him. She tried in all ways to please him and her every thought, always was of him.

As the years passed, he grew more distant and many times she would gaze off to the horizon, looking for the returning caravan but each night found her, alone in her bed and feeling lost, sad and more and more empty. The intervals between his trips lengthened and soon he was gone for months at a time, which seemed like years to Emarah.

Then one day on the far horizon, she saw the caravan returning and her heart pounded inside of her from joy and excitement. She quickly straightened her beautiful garments and gazed at herself in a polished piece of metal. She smiled at her reflection for the years had not changed her beauty. Finally she rushed outside again, and awaited his return. Suddenly she saw him but he was not alone. Riding with him was a girl with streaming black hair blowing wildly in the wind. She was smiling at the Prince and he gazed at her, as he had once gazed at Emarah. Her heart sank as she felt like she was seeing the past come alive in front of her eyes. Her mind raced back to her first time when Ammon had brought her here to this vast encampment by a beautiful oasis. He had looked at her in the same loving way. She had long suspected his unfaithfulness to her, now the proof was staring straight at her!

Ammon dismounted and reaching up he lifted this "foreign" woman, into his arms, then placed her feet gently on the ground. Emarah rushed forward to embrace and kiss the Prince but he pushed her away and said, "This is Amira, bring her water to bathe with and some fresh clothes." Emarah could not believe her ears for he spoke to her as if she was a slave or a servant. He brushed past her motioning the girl to follow him inside the huge tent. Emarah followed them and then she froze in her tracks for now she heard him say to Amira, "This will now be your home and all within this tent, is yours!" Emarah could stay silent no longer and cried out, "But this is our tent, this is where I live with you when you are here! What is the meaning of this insult to me?"

With that, the Prince turned toward her giving her a venemous look and grabbed her arm and dragged her outside the tent. Emarah burst into tears but the Prince seemed to care not for her pain or sorrow and pulled her into a smaller tent close by. "I am still the Prince here, you will show me proper respect and do not question what I do. Amira shall remain with me and you can live in another tent. You will be provided for as always." Emarah was now racked with sobs and her heart felt like it was smashed in pieces. She cried out to him, "I thought our Love was forever, you told me you would always love me, so why this treatment, when I have done all to please you and make you happy? I have made you the center of my world! What has changed inside of you?"

Ammon starred at her and coldly replied, "Is it not possible for a man to love more than one woman at a time? Besides, I am not a man to love unconditionally. I need more than one woman at a time to make me happy! So do not question me further and remember, I am the Prince so show me respect!" 

With that he strode out of the tent, leaving Emarah sobbing and alone. She collasped onto a bed of pillows her heart broken by his cruel words and cold indifference. As she regained her composure, her mind replayed the events of the years with him. She saw how he really was a creature of whim and of the moment. She saw finally how totally selfish and careless he was of the feelings of others. What should she do? The thought of killing this new "foreign" woman entered her mind. She played with this idea and soon other thoughts entered her mind. Maybe she could leave this desert and seek a new life elsewhere. Maybe there was happiness for her in another place. Maybe the Prince would tire of this new woman and Emarah could return to his favor. Maybe, maybe.....her mind was awhirl with dark and troubled thoughts. What should she do?  Night decended over the desert, the stars twinkled and the crescent moon glided slowly through the sky. "I gave him all I had and this is my reward." Her eyes blazed in the darkness of the tent but her heart and head were weary. Her eyelashes fluttered, then closed.

Finally, from total exhaustion she drifted off, but her sleep was restless and many dark dreams raced through her mind. The morning found her cold and hungry but now......she had a PLAN and today, she would put it into action. Yes today, for time was now important to her as never before. She arose and as the sun was casting long streams of color out across the desert sky, Emarah walked out of the small tent with her head held high and aloof. Her eyes glittered with purpose and intent.
Yes....today her PLAN.........would begin!!!

SkyAngel  ©