[WitchQueen]

King Ahmed says to Ishtar we will talk as we ride. Is that alright? Ishtar says to the King that will be good. So they depart from the Palace and go down the stone steps to where the horses are waitin. King Ahmed tells Cassem they are going out for a ride alone. Ishtar can see the lights of the fireflies all around the Palace. They especially seem to be aroung where there are trees and plants.

King Ahmed helps Ishtar mount her horse and then he mounts Arabia. (I decided that Ishtar's saddle is not ornate after all. The saddle is just a really nice leather saddle for a woman.) King Ahmed and Ishtar ride slowly down the road to the base of the Fortress. The King tells Ishtar they will travel along the edge of the Rain Forest so that they can see the fireflies flying about. Morocco is a gentle horse and the King tells Ishtar she is doing very well. After awhile they come to the outer perimeter of the Rain Forest and they can see many of the fireflies traveling about. King Ahmed says to Ishtar that it was really spectacular to see them the other night we he and Pharess were leaving the camp of Chief Maboto. Aroung this time of year the male fireflies are looking for the female fireflies. The display is spectacular to see.

King Ahmed travel along to the river that leads to the Port where the sailing ships are anchored. There is a path that runs along the river and the King tells Ishtar let us walk for awhile so that we can talk. With that they dismount and walk along leading the horses. King Ahmed explains to Ishtar that he will have to make a trip to the far off continent of Kurata so that he can speak to the ruler there so Ishtar I will be gone for while. Before I go I will make the arrangements for our wedding. I expect you to go to Kimbala to choose your wedding clothing. They must be traditional Arabic wedding clothes. Choose what you like. I will pick out a ring for you. I'll try to pick out something you will like. I want you to go with Neeta and Moara. Travel at night, it will be cooler. Cassem will drive you and some of my men will travel with you. Ishtar tells the King I will do as you ask.

At this time Ishtar asks King Ahmed about the orphanages and she wants to know if the children have been awkened from the sleep of death. King Ahmed tells Ishtar that sad as it is this is true. He goes onto explain that some of the older boys will go to work on a farm if the man is willing to take any of them in. And sometimes a family will feel bad about the lost children and they will take one or two of them. But even here the orphanages exist and the children arrived throught the porthole alone. Ishtar tells the King she will visit them to check out the conditiond and the routine of the orphanages. King Ahmed agrees this will be a good thing for Ishtar to do. He then tells Ishtar that he has people montitor these places. He tells her she will have to meet with Croissa as she is the one in charge of what goes on with the children who stay there. Croissa lives in the city of Kimbala you can meet with her when you travel there for the clothes for the wedding. Just go to the orphanage and introduce yourself. Tomorro I think we should go to the bank so that you can have an account of your own and be able to write checks. As long as you have Neeta and Moara with you, you may stay overnight in Kimbala.
Personally visit with the children and explain who you are.

Furthermore I want you to continue to study the books in the attic. They have ancient information in them. Now we shall mount back on our horses and ride back to the Palace through Najat.

WitchQueen