Somethin Fun

Liang Jian Amal looked up at the glowing figure before him, the red looked exquisite against her fair skin and made the faint blush in her cheeks stand out. Securing her small hand in his, Liang Jian Amal pulled her closer with a slight tug. Chuckling he took in her attire, his gaze lingering at her waist.

"You are not supposed to wrap that around your waist like that, though it does look good on you." While speaking, he untied the simple knot she had made in the front, and removed the sash. Setting on the bed, beside him the man patted on the other side of him, inviting her to sit there. To his surprise she did so immediately, surprising him slightly as she looked at him with an expectant face.

"First we should do something about your hair, if it gets any more tangled you may never be able to get it undone, especially with what I have planned for today." Motioning for her to turn with a finger, the man grabbed the wooden comb that he had retrieved from his mother's chambers with the clothes. Patiently, he began to detangle her long curly hair before separating it. Gathering the parts he dexterously braided it, before tying it off with a leather thong.

'How is he so good at that?' Feeling the long smooth plait with her hand, Chang could not help but to wonder.

After her hair was fixed Liang Jian Amal took the gold hijab1 and placed it on her head tucking one of the ends over the opposite shoulder.

"This is how you wear this. We only really need this when traveling through the city. One of the common customs of the area, it will help to keep unwanted eyes off of you. It is not mandatory but I would still recommend wearing it." The man before her explained as he adjusted it on her head. "There, did you get enough to eat earlier?"

Chang nodded her head eagerly ready, to explore, her curiosity firing her up.

"Then let us go."

----

Looking up at the massive animal in front of her, Chang could not help but to feel terrified and uncertain.

"Hey JIan...I don't know if I can do this.."

"You can, do not be afraid, you will love it."

Liang JianAmal took her hand and and made her stroke the side of the neck of the cream cream colored Paso Fino1 mare in front of her. The mare nickered lightly and bobbed her head agreeably. He had chosen the most docile and even tempered amongst the horses that would be easier for a first time rider. The saddle too was designed for the comfort of an inexperienced rider.

"Now put your left foot in the stirrup", coming from behind he pointed as he coached her. "Now swing your right leg up and over to the other side of the horse." As she did as he instructed, he kept his hands on her waist, helping to stabilize her. Chang instantly gripped the pommel of the saddle in front of her, with hands of iron, her posture as stiff as a board. "Relax, just let your hips roll with the movement, and keep your head straight."

"I feel like I'm going to fall, this doesn't feel right, I want down."

Liang Jian Amal could not help but laugh hearing her tone. "Why are you giving up so soon, we have not even done anything yet. You will not fall, just do as I said, we will get you used to the feeling first before we do anything." Slowly he released her waist and almost immediately she leaned forward gripping the side of the animals neck.

"Sit up straighter, you are more likely to fall sitting like that." He waited until she slowly straightened up before he started to walk the animal around the paddock, holding onto the bridle. He kept going around until he saw Chang had started to relax more, and the panic-stricken look on her face gave way to a small smile. Once he saw that, he lightly wrapped the bridle around the pommel of her horse before mounting his bay Arabian stallion.

The stallion stood tall and proud his black tail held high showing off his spirited demeanor. He was familiar with the sire of the stallion he now rode, who had been wild and reckless horse, it seemed the two year-old colt may be even more high-spirited. He had even been named 'Zawbiae' the whirlwind or tornado.

Once mounted on the prancing animal, he took hold of the bridle to Chang's horse. After ensuring that she was ready, he led them out of the paddock and to their destination. Moving slow for her comfort, he directed them down off the plateau the palace sat on and into Muzdahir, the Capitol city and where the majority of the populace lived.

The smells of cooking, food, fish, animals and spices, as well as the sound of it all reached them long before they completed the twenty minute ride down.

---

As soon as Liang Jian Amal and Chang Dumont had shrunk in distance down the long cobbled road headed to the jungle of brightly colored red clay buildings, the people watching began to move. For secrecy purposes they had waited until the two were at least a fair distance from the palace.