The carpet drew closer to their destination. A grand place of white marble and golden spires, it gleamed in the desert sun like a welcoming beacon. As they came in for a landing, the reaction was near-immediate, as a literal red carpet was kicked out to unfurl before them and fanfare began to play.
A regal stallion of a horse emerged, flanked by a dozen slender mares in delicate Saddle Arabian bits and bridles and saddles that somehow made them look more provocative. Were they his concubines? Silver wondered as he stood tall and straight beside Celestia. The ride had done well for letting him catch his breath, and he was feeling sure he wouldn't collapse.
Celestia whispered while keeping her eyes straight. "That is the sultan, and his wives. You two could compare notes. He may be the only stallion to have a herd that could match yours."
Silver wasn't sure if he should take that in good light or not, and set it aside, instead looking over the sultan. He had a bright smile, and he looked healthy, as should a royal personage. He appeared to be middle-aged, just old enough for some signs of aging to appear, but far from old.
"Celestia! You're looking as radiant as ever. I remember when I was a little foal, looking up at you from my father's hooves, and the same divine creature stands before me today, stealing my breath." He put a hoof over his chest and bowed to her in a display of balance.
Celestia dipped her own head. "Wajdi, it is a pleasure to see you again. What a handsome stallion you have become, and so prosperous is your kingdom. Your father was wise to select you for this position."
Wajdi gave a hearty laugh. "I do my best to honor his memory, and his people. Come now! Introduce me your retinue. I have heard so much about some of them." His eyes locked on Silver. "It is hard not to hear of 'The Terror of the Night', to say nothing of other, even more interesting, titles that have been bestowed."
Silver nodded at Wajdi. "Silver Stars, Prince Silver Stars. Nice to meet you."
Wajdi slapped Silver with a hoof on the shoulder. "Don't speak so formally. We are big ponies, taking care of big things. Together, we are equals. Come, let's get some wine and share some stories. I'll have your servants shown to your room."
Celestia and Silver were led by Wajdi as the rest were escorted away. "Is it true?" Wajdi swiveled an ear to point back at them. "Did you really stir up the hornet's nest that is Anugypt? A dangerous game on the best of days, and today is not the best of days."
Celestia deflected gently. "A troubling situation that we're both glad to put behind us. Your country has been a soothing balm for tired souls."
Wajdi looked over his shoulders. "Oh? This is good to hear. There was some rumor that the prince was seen enjoying the local offerings. I can't say I blame him, there's something exotic and attractive about the bat ponies, yes?" His concubines tittered as Silver swallowed the urge to correct him. Bat ponies indeed...
Silver glanced over the concubines that followed along. "You don't have one, I notice?"
"Oh, no," said Wajdi with a wave of a hoof. "Fine mares, but too small to serve full time. You understand, do you not? You look big enough to know what I'm referring to."
Silver peeked at Celestia, who nodded. "Of course, I understand... but I wasn't always so large. My wife remains a lunar pony, and I love her dearly."
A concubine hurried forward and opened a door they had arrived at, allowing them into a room that smelled of light incense and was decorated with racks of wine. "Love, a fine thing. It is good that you hold loyal ponies close to your heart. I wasn't aware there were any royals of that breed outside of yourself, new prince?"
Silver stepped into the room and looked around with undisguised curiosity. "I met her long before, and she was a true friend then, and remains so now."
Wajdi gestured at a rack, and a bottle was secured and poured out into glasses. "Now look at me, ignoring the finest mare in the room. Celestia! Tell us how you've been enjoying your stay, and regale me with a story. I have always loved to hear your tales, and this has not changed."
Celestia floated one of the glasses over with her golden magic and took a light sip. "Saddle Arabia is, as always, a welcoming place. I took in a theatre play while Silver was exploring, and found it quite charming. It is a subtle pleasure to visit a nation where one's size is considered closer to the norm, rather than a mark of greatness."
Wajdi raised a brow. "But you are great! Still, I understand. Not having to duck through doors is not something one forgets." He balanced a cup easily on his hoof, sipping some of the fine drink. "Which play? Was it 'Once More to Dance?' A fine tale, taking the people by storm."
Celestia nodded in agreement. "That's the one. It was touching, but always kept such a light mood. I couldn't help myself but to smile through the production."
Wajdi raised his glass. "I sponsored that play. A young composer came to me, begging for bits to see his dream come to reality. He so impressed me with his passion that I could not say no. He has paid back what I gave him, and secured himself enough bits to keep doing what he loves. Truly I could not think of a happier ending."
Silver perked an ear at the exchange. "That worked out well for everyone involved. Always nice when it shakes out that way." No wine was brought to him, but he feared using magic to grab a glass with his recent incident. He walked over to the glasses and realized he had no chance of picking up the glass with a hoof without making an embarrassing mess, so he made a show of looking at the racks instead. "Do you often patronize the arts?"
Wajdi made a dismissive gesture. "When the need arises, or the plea passionate enough. Are you not thirsty?"
Silver shook his head. "I appreciate it, but I don't usually drink wine." Not a lie, but not the entire truth.
Wajdi raised a brow. "Go on, try some. It is from a truly splendid year. The sun kissed the grapes just right, and blessed us with a bounty not yet repeated."
Celestia's golden glow surrounded one of the cups and lifted to Silver. He shot her a brief look of thanks before sipping from it lightly. It was wine. His unrefined palate could determine little more than that. Etiquette demanded more than 'just wine' from Wajdi's description. "Hmm, very nice. I suppose I can make an exception for this." And he drank a little more to show he meant it, even if he still didn't favor the taste of alcohol.
Wajdi approached Silver and clapped him on the withers. "I would speak to you, stallion to stallion. It's been so long since I had an Equestrian male to discuss things with." He waggled his bushy brows. "I would also hear of your conquests, if you know what I am saying." He laughed deeply even as Silver grew more nervous, but there was no polite way to say no, and soon Celestia was gone with nothing but a supportive look. "Tell me, how has she been treating you?"
Silver perked an ear. "Who?"
Wajdi snorted softly. "Who? Princess Celestia, of course. Her land is a marvelous place, but it is also a mare's kingdom. You are clearly not a mare. Does she treat you well?"
Silver relaxed a little, was that all Wajdi wanted to know? "We started out a little rough, but we've grown closer over time. I trust her now, and she's shown trust in me. I don't think she'll ever entirely stop seeing me as 'a stallion', but she likes me, for me, and I'm respected."
Wajdi nodded as he refilled his glass. With Celestia no longer in the room, Silver had stopped drinking. "Why don't you use your magic?"
Silver went stiff. "What do you mean?"
Wajdi tilted his head. "I saw Celestia's magic on your cup. Can you not use the horn on your brow? I was told it was a basic thing for Equestrians who have one."
Silver was surprised, and Wajdi laughed at his expression. "Don't look that way. I have been trained, as a monarch must, to at least recognize when magic is being used around me. I would be prey to many things if I was ignorant, and I will not stand for that. Now tell me, why do you not use your magic?"
Silver wasn't sure what a good answer would be. "Using my magic... distracts me."
Wajdi lifted an ear. "Distracts?"
Silver stepped from hoof to hoof with increasing nervousness.
Wajdi smiled. "If it is that delicate, we will put it aside. We are friends here. Just two stallions, sharing drinks and tales. Is it true? Have you made a herd of all the princesses of Equestria?"
Silver gave a nervous smile. "It was actually their idea."
Wajdi burst into fresh laughter. "So modest. I envy you a little, perhaps. I would gladly take Celestia for a ride, if I could convince her to stand still for me. Of course, there are complications... You are young, perhaps, but you are aware you cannot spread your seed to any willing female, yes? It can make a real mess when they are royalty." He shook his head. "Really, the pharaoh of Anugypt?"
Silver burned brightly. "What? I didn't do anything with her!"
Wajdi raised a brow. "As you say... The rumors speak otherwise. Terrorizing her people, wooing their pharaoh, and sailing away. They don't know whether to fear you or just be amazed, while many of them think the tales are just too grandiose to even be true, and perhaps they are not." He lifted his glass towards Silver. "Rumors are an amazing thing, used for you, or against you, but never to be ignored."
Silver nodded a little and tried to marshall himself. "So, Wajdi?" He nodded. "You're sultan. You inherited the position?"
Wajdi shook his head. "Not precisely. While being son of the last sultan gave me an excellent place to demonstrate my abilities, my father ultimately could have chosen anyone, and would have chosen another, if I failed to stand out as superior. Many sultans are not inherited, and it is considered a mark of final wisdom for a sultan to cede to one not related by blood if that is best for the people." He set the glass down on the table. "Did anyone ever tell you, young prince, that your energy is a bit peculiar?"
Silver felt his wings lift on their own a little. "You would be the second, actually. The first is waiting on our ship."
Wajdi smiled. "I thought that might be the case. Come, let me show you the palace fully. You strike me as someone who can appreciate it, once I convince you we are friends and peers. Relax, I won't attack you."
He led Silver out of the room.