Page 18 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Eva shrugged. "Just a suggestion."

He gave her look which made her think that he'd considered it as more than just a simple suggestion. Had she caused unintentional offence? Before she had a chance to say anything else, she heard a voice from behind her.

"Sheikh Riaz," the voice called out.

Eva saw Riaz turn and she followed his gaze. A man was approaching them. He looked in his late forties, and he was dressed elegantly in formal, white desert garb. He was a heavyset man with deeply ridged brows. The hood of his robe hung loosely on his shoulders, revealing his greying hair. His eyes had a fierce glow and his gaze was fixed firmly upon Eva. Immediately, she felt uncomfortable.

"Sheikh Ahmed," Riaz replied.

Both men bowed ceremoniously to one another. Sheikh Ahmed glanced at Eva. "And a good morning to you," he said.

Eva nodded courteously but said nothing.

Ahmed's glance went to Riaz. "Are you ready for the meeting?" Ahmed asked.

Eva noticed that Ahmed had deliberately chosen to speak English. His accent was thick and unrefined and she wondered where he had learned it.

"We'll be ready in a few moments," Riaz replied.

Ahmed looked surprised and glanced at Eva. "From that I take it that the esteemed lady will be observing the proceedings," he wrote.

Eva saw Riaz's body stiffen slightly at that comment. Had he taken offence at Ahmed's description of Eva? She'd never been called "esteemed" before.

"Eva will be a guest of mine," Riaz stated firmly to Ahmed. "You know as well as I do that each tribal leader has the discretion to have whomever he wishes by his side, even during meetings like this," Riaz declared.

Ahmed's eyes narrowed slightly and Eva was sure that she had seen a hint of irritation on his face. Was it simply that these two men were already enemies of some kind? Was there a story here that she should know about?

Ahmed peered at Eva and once again she felt as if she was been scrutinized, examined somehow.

"Did you pass a pleasant night?" he asked. "I could not help but notice that you were sleeping over there by your horse in the corner of the fort." Ahmed said pointing in the direction to where she had began her night. "But I did not see you there this morning."

Eva felt Riaz's hand reach up behind her back and touch her gently, as if indicating to Ahmed that the conversation had strayed into unwanted territory. She saw Ahmed's glance take notes of Riaz's gesture.

"I slept well enough," Eva replied sharply.

Before Ahmed could say anything more, there was a bustle of activity, and Riaz eased Eva toward the circle of makeshift seats arranged in a circle.

Ahmed made his way to his own place and the other tribal leaders also took the seats. Riaz squatted down onto the seat and indicated the Eva should take a place behind him. Some of the other tribal leaders looked with curiosity towards Eva. One or two of them spoke to each other and she knew they must be talking about her.

Riaz turned and smiled at her. "Okay?" he asked.

Eva pursed her lips. She nodded, without saying anything and tried to take in as much of what she saw as possible.

Over the next hour or so she witnessed something unique. A tribal meeting like something out of antiquity.

The conversation between the men was animated and sometimes even aggressive. More than once Eva was sure that the men would come to blows. At times, men stood and gestured, sometime facing off. But every time, the situation calmed as quickly as it had flared, and dignity was restored.

Most of what was said she could not fully understand. Even with her smattering of Qazhar language, she could hear dialects that were thick and impossible to figure out.

She could sense the importance of what was being discussed even if she couldn't understand the words.

All through this, Riaz kept his composure. He remained even-tempered and watchful. On occasions he contributed to conversations and she could not help but notice that on every single one of those occasions, the effect of Riaz's intervention was always calming. Every time he spoke, exchanges became more civilized.

She knew she couldn't take any notes or photos. That would have been completely unacceptable. A violation of an unspoken protocol.

So, she remained behind Riaz, watching and observing, taking in as much as she possibly could. She knew that later she would have to write her impressions down as well as she could.

Eventually the meeting was over, and the men stood shaking hands, exchanging words. She got the distinct impression that business had been done between the tribal leaders.

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