There was no need for a high wall, for that end of the sultan's palace sat upon a steep cliff. The sun now set to the west in a magnificent display of color. Zuleika liked to watch the sunset every day, for no two were alike. Tonight the sky above was a rich blue, streaked with glorious pink and peach clouds edged with gold. The sun itself blazed scarlet as it sank into its bed of orange and gold with just the thinnest line of pale green. As the colors muted in crimson and tangerine, she noted a bright diamond star directly above her. Rafa's voice broke into her thoughts and Zuleika turned with a smile.

"Your meal awaits, my princess," Rafa said, and she smiled too, knowing her mistress's love of the sunset. "It is especially beautiful this evening, isn't it?" she noted.

Zuleika nodded, and then rising, followed the older woman back through the colorless gossamer draperies that separated her quarters from the gardens. "What have you brought me? I find I am ravenous tonight."

Rafa chuckled. "You cannot tell me that you do not plan some mischief, my princess. You are always extra hungry when you do." She seated the girl at her table. "See for yourself."

Zuleika's violet eyes swept over the table, and then with a grin she began to eat. There were chunks of lamb upon a skewer with tiny whole onions, and bits of melon that had been brushed with olive oil and roasted over a slow fire. There was a plate of warm flat breads, and a dish of yogurt that had been strained through a piece of silk, and then mixed with an apricot puree.

"Will you drink wine tonight, my princess?" Rafa asked.

"Nay. I will have pomegranate juice," came the reply.

Rafa's eyebrow raised itself just slightly as she poured the required beverage from the silver pitcher. Something was indeed afoot, that Zuleika would not have her usual cup of wine with her evening meal. She placed the pomegranate juice by her mistress's right hand. If Zuleika did not wish to tell her what she was up to, there was nothing she could do, but she still worried. She had raised this maiden from her birth when the poor sultana had died.