The Estate of Oramaj

Abdul sat in front of his desk in a quiet, dignified manner. He was dressed in a simple robe of no disguisable recognition, style or fashion-trend. Everything in his office was neat, organized and clean. In front of his was a trade agreement between two merchant families who had sought his assistance in settling a sales dispute of some minor goods of imported wood. One claimed that he had a higher right to buy the goods from the merchant captain, while the other arrived to the port first. A really insignificant dispute that would not affect the city as a whole in any meaningful way… The fall of Oramaj has hit hard, it would seem.



“Give the rights to whomever wins in a duel of wits. Whoever is quicker with the tongue is better suited to gain better wages from the wood sales…” Yisrel quipped. The ethereal Djinn was always present. A terrible price for a Djinn to pay, as he had fallen even further in the scales of power from the centuries of constant advisory role he imposed upon the Heads of Oramaj.



“I was thinking about giving it to the Merchant who got there first. He seemed to have the wisdom to be there on time.” Abdul replied, moving his left hand to pick up the letter in front of him, raising it up and holding it higher for him to see. Not that it helped him solve the problem any quicker, but the motion made him feel like he was making progress in the matter.



“Hmmm.. But his family is of a lower standing. Giving it to him would signal other Merchants to delegate their… ‘Issues’ to you in attempt to gain favour in the Court.” The Djinn answered.



“That has crossed my mind, yes. But it would serve Sakand better in the long term if the better suited family raises to power. And gaining popular support within the rising stars of the Merchants caste will contribute to us raising in favor as well.” Abdul replied, his right hand moving towards his chin and taking on a more thoughtful pose. Hm, the stubbles have appeared again. How long has it been since I shaved?”


“Speaking of the rising stars…” Yisrel said before disappearing. Not that he was physically manifested next to Abdul, Yisrel’s presence was only felt within Abdul’s mind. A constant companion within his mind, whether he enjoyed the fact, or didn’t. Abdul had already raised his gaze from the paper up to the single-door frame when it was opened.



A singular, petite frame entered the room. Dark skin, black hair with observant, ‘powerful’ eyes. Mute instinctively scanned the room in a mere second, the motion only visible to Abdul’s similarly powerful gaze. I choose well, it would seem Abdul thought.



Following Mute into the room was, of course, the ‘Rising Star’ herself. Miroell’s unique frame was in many ways an immense disappointment. While early in her Courtly career, her appearance had attracted many suitors to her, despite the hints of mingled bloodline. However, the fumbling mind, and near comical displays of immature behavior Miroell constantly displayed was an immense… Difficulty. He would never state so out loud, but he was at first quite pleased with the challenge it gave him. But now, as with everything else, the repetitiveness was simply that. Repetitive.



Mute opened the door wide for Miroell, the door frame had long since been widened to allow Miroell to enter unopposed, has had many other doors that were in her general pathway. A subtle sign of where she was allowed. As had happened many times before, and as he calculated, will happen many times again, Miroell positioned herself at the center of the room-wide carpet, took in a deep breath, and prepared herself.



“Congratulation, Miroell.” Abdul started. “You have, once again, brought disfavor upon her house. I would say that you’ve once again topped your previous display, given that you managed to chase away the Emira’s niece, but I would be lying to both of us.”



There was no anger. No signs of disappointment. No sadness, no frustration. No curious tone, no… Nothing. There were no emotions in his voice. None to be found. After years of this, they had simply… Left him. It was always the same tone. -That- tone. The tone that was ever only used on Miroell. And it was -That- tone that hurt Miroell the most. Abdul didn’t care. Miroell thought he never noticed, and Mute shuffled uncomfortably next to the door as she closed it.



“I-I’m sorry…” Miroell said, her uncontrollable emotions appearing once again in her eyes, her shattered voice and submissive behavior. “Don’t bother. You know as well as I do, that you will repeat this scandal once more at the earliest opportunity you are given. It is what you do, and what I must do in return in to scold you.” Abdul said, his gaze looking away from the rather boring subject at this point and back to the disagreement still held up with his right hand.



Miroell’s eyes swelled up into tears as she stared at her father, taking a step out of the circle in the carpet as she sought to display her will and release the powerful feeling in her heart. “N-no I won’t! I promise I won’t do it again! P-please, believe me…”



The only reply Miroell got was a cold stare.



Unable to feel herself as she thought she lost even more of her father’s love to her, she silenced her cry for forgiveness, closed her eyes, and moved back into her circle. That cold gaze was the only thing required to break Miroell once again, has it had done so in the past, and Abdul calculated it would do so again.



During an extended period of overwhelming silence, Abdul spoke up again. “Once again, you have shown yourself unable to handle the realities of this world. You are, and continue to be, a disappointment. A failure. A disgrace to this family… And me.” Abdul said towards Miroell, his voice still refraining from showing any emotional attachments. It was still the same, repeating course. Remember the Contract Abdul heard within his mind. A trick that Yisrel had displayed quite early in their union. It always sounded and felt as if he were speaking to himself, yet there was always that presence that he felt disappearing after such communion. One of the rare games he had still left to play.



“But, you continue to retain my blood within you. I have, as always, managed to bail you out of punishment of public indecencies, display of sexual affection to the Emira’s family, vandalism of trade goods, and more minor crimes listed against you. You will be put under house arrest until this has blown over. A Sabeena Taliph is waiting inside your room, and will listen to yourself cry your heart out. You’re dismissed.” Abdul said, the first sign of emotion manifesting in him as he let out a soft sigh, his gaze once again going back to the dispute paper.



Mute proceeded to take the hint, and quickly moved to open the door for Miroell. As usual, Miroell stood before him, frozen with her emotions, unable to move and looking destroyed by the uninterest of her father’s voice…



Something changed.



Abdul’s eyes were near-instantly attracted away from the paper, purposefully seeking out the subject of change, his instincts never betrayed him before, and for once, it felt like they did as his gaze fell on… Miroell?



This is new.



Miroell looked up from her submissive stance, and looked Abdul straight into the eyes. Of course, Abdul challenged the stare with his own, but Miroell did not back down. This -is- new.



“I want to change.” Miroell said. A fire. A miniscule, metaphorical fire was in her voice as she uttered those four words. “You do…?” Abdul answered, his voice was cold now. The razor sharp edges of his reply could be felt with every vowel he uttered. “And how do you propose you… Change?”



Miroell flinched. Not unexpected, has Miroell was not famed for her forward planning. She seemed lost, confused. Caught off-guard. The tiger cub was standing before the aged Tiger of Oramaj, its interested.. Pitiqued. Miroell never lost the fire, however.



“I-... I don’t know. I really don’t. But I want to changed. I want to help, father. I don’t want to lose you like I lost mom… Please, help me change.” There was pleading in Miroell’s voice. A deal? Abdul thought.

“What do I get in exchange?”


After a moment of silence. A long moment of silence, Miroell replied.





“... A daughter you’re proud of.”