The entire pool was framed in marble block that served as a continuous bench for weary pedestrians to halt and rest. Lovers could sit and pass the time in private conversation while watching giant, multicolored carp gather in their shadow in hopes of being fed. These the Sultan had had imported from the Nile Delta.

The great, domed edifice of the palace hall was reflected in the pool from the grand gateway. The cast iron mullions of the palace hall’s dome, which supported its huge, curving, stained-glass panels, were gilded in gold leaf as was the twelve-foot-high, cast iron, acorn finial capping its apex.

From the reflection pool, the water flowed hither and yon through the park coming back together near the faux entry-gate where it went down an iron culvert. The water then passed underground in a terracotta pipe beneath the track and back into the forest, where it eventually joined back up with the main stream that followed along the Roman road.

Sewage was in a separate terracotta plumbing system that was directed away from the palace. It ended in a sophisticated septic system that the sultan used for scientific experimentation. He fancied the mysteries of alchemy and had already discovered at least one useful application—the ability to rapidly grow oversized exotic flora not normally seen in Europe. The whole panacea was beautiful to behold and in perfect balance with nature.

Halfway down the approach road and set fifty yards off to either side were long sets of white, limestone-block stables with paddocks. They were large enough to house fifty horses in each of the two expansive structures. Grooms and stable hands were constantly in view. They were mucking stalls, unloading wagons with feed brought in from outlying villages, mending tack, performing building maintenance, currying coats, trimming manes, tails and feet, ministering to equine maladies and, most importantly, training and exercising horses.

One could sit on the marble bench of the reflecting pool and watch as trainers worked with horses on long leads with training whips or ran them on the track for exercise; sometimes racing with one another. The elegant, Arabian horses were beautiful to behold with their large, bright eyes, delicately tapering noses and long, flowing manes and tales.

The horses not in the stables or paddocks were turned out to fenced sections of pasture bordering the equestrian quadrant to graze. Newborn colts and fillies ran and kicked to try their new legs or nursed hungrily. Their mothers ignored them and continued grazing to keep up with their rambunctious newborn’s voracious, little appetites. Occasionally, an observer could witness a grazing mother’s whole side quake and shiver or a tail quickly switch spasmodically; both were only semi aware actions on the mare’s part to dislodge annoying fly’s without having to turn away from yanking at the tender grasses. Their nursing newborns seemed never to notice.

At last, the visitor came to the end of the approach road. Here was located the main gate through the palisade that surrounded the inner complex of buildings housing the little community of Christian converts. Here also, the visitor was challenged, not by St. Peter, (as mildly anticipated) but instead by two, uniformed guards housed in little, boxed cubicles situated on either side of the gate.

Upon passing through, the visitor was greeted by an entire town sheathed in marble and alabaster. The wall surrounding the palace’s inner grounds was of limestone block washed with white slurry to blend with the white marble fascias and alabaster veneers that seemed to encase every structure. The road was all white granite and white granite cobbles comprised the ground cover everywhere, extending unbroken to the edges of the buildings. The buildings away from the main hall were all two stories with shopkeepers living over their various stores and boutiques.

Attached to, and built out and away from the palace to its left, right and rear were two-story apartments laid out in squares. In the center of each squared complex was a beautiful palazzo with manicured gardens, palm trees, fountains and exotic birds in enclosed aviaries. One could enter them and stroll about or simply sit among the colorful birds and exotic flora to observe and reflect.

There were Pea Fowl seemingly everywhere. The males would fly onto the roofs of the buildings and cry out their unique call to attract the hens or issue challenges to other males within ear shot. They would then return to the ground, strut slowly, freeze and spread their tails revealing their huge, feather-fan of shiny, fluorescent, blue-green circles that appeared to be secondary sets of penetrating eyes meant either to intimidate a challenger or hypnotize and seduce an interested member of the opposite sex.

Minarets dominated the palace’s profile. Their bulbous, turban-topped towers were fifteen feet in diameter and ninety feet in height. There was one at each corner of the wall surrounding the town and four others at each corner of the square upon which the palace hall rested. They were no longer used for calls to prayer. Instead, the sultan had converted them to bell towers. He had them all ring simultaneously on Sunday, before and after mass. He liked the sound of his bells far better than having to listen to the Imam’s incessant wailings five times a day.

All along the rear wall was a continuous barracks in which were housed the sultan’s troops. Those with families lived in separate quarters within various sections of the apartments. Gates at either back corner led to a huge, multi-terraced, fountain pool for swimming. On past it were rose gardens and a large system of carefully groomed, hedge mazes with areas in which to picnic or pass the time in quiet solitude.

Six weeks had passed since Mitaine had left to find Ferractus and bring him back home to his father. In that time, the captives had grown accustomed to and, (as one might suppose) worrisomely fond of their accommodations. They were sequestered in a block of apartments all to themselves except for a lone guard who no longer paid them much attention.

Their block of apartments had a large, open space; paved of course with granite in its center and surrounded by a delightful fern and palm tree garden. There were white, wicker chairs and a matching table for taking meals out of doors if they wished. The little group often did so, as was the case on this particular morning.

The men had requested blunted, practice swords and had been furnished blunt-tipped wooden ones instead. The girls were dressed in tight pants and were facing one another with their wooden swords at garde. The men-folk were seated on either side of the table sipping their morning tea and giving direction to their students.

As the two girls engaged and commenced with their practice, Roland was first to offer up a suggestion. “Keep your elbow closer when you’re in Quarte Alda!” She reacted immediately. “That’s much better!” he exclaimed with enthusiastic approval.

Guyferros watched Melesinda react and frowned. “Retreat only half a step at a time, Melesinda!”

Melesinda was having a difficult time negotiating a defense against Alda’s more sophisticated attack and at times dropped her defensive integrity and flailed wildly. “But I’ll be hurt!” she complained, in answer to her husband’s criticism.

Guyferros was compelled to argue the point even though the distraction further exacerbated the situation and compromised her ability to mount an effective defense. “You have to anticipate the riposte automatically and parry as you take the half-step back; not parry and then step back. It’s both moves in unison.”

Roland could see someone was about to sustain injury and stepped between the two. “Stop, before one of you gets hurt!” he ordered.

The women had no animosity towards one another. They’d just become so completely immersed in the exercise, that they’d forgotten about safety. Roland’s sudden appearance in between them broke their concentration causing them to halt the proceeding at once and lower their swords. Both were huffing and puffing and frustration was evident on both their faces.

Roland took their weapons. He handed one to Guyferros who was still seated and declared, “Here; let us show you both once more.” He motioned Guy to his feet. “Guy, come on.”

As the two faced off and came to garde, Guyferros directed his comments to Melesinda. “Now, little wife, pay close attention this time and only watch my feet while we change back and forth from offense to defense.” He looked back to Roland. “Roland, are you ready?”

“Ready!”

“Begin!”

And, with that, the two began to fight furiously, but with careful, studied movements that were over-exaggerated and given separate emphasis.