The heavy oak doors of the council chamber had finally groaned shut, leaving the room in a ringing, expectant silence.
Shahab, the patriarch of the House of Filastin, took his seat as he adjusted his silk robest. "I suppose this is the first time you have called for me privately , isn't it?Ten years together and this is a first....it must be something important it seems..."
Alpheo racked his mind. To his surprise, he found the old lord was correct. "There is always a time for a first, then," the Prince replied. He finally reached for the decanter, the silver cool against his palm. He poured a stream of dark, garnet wine into his cup.
Shahab remained silent and patient throughout it all.
