Hashemia wrote:Al-Noor Specialized Hospital As the black Mercedes-Benz rolled up under the covered awning of the main enterance to Al-Noor, the rear passenger door swung open before the car even came to a complete stop, and Zeid nonchalantly stepped from the still moving vehicle, quickly walking away as the car finally came to a stop a few feet away. At the door was a lone soldier in full dress uniform, and he respectfully nodded—though the look on his face was one of slight suspicion—as he quickly said, ”Prince Zeid, please, follow me.” and he spun around on a heel before proceeding stiffly into the hospital, Zeid hurrying along behind him. As he walked through the automatic doors, Zeid was hit by a blast of chilly air—a sharp change from the triple-digit dry heat outside—and almost shivered for a moment as he followed the soldier through the lobby, taking note of raised eyebrows from a couple of the civilians and employees that populated the large area, but the soldier escorting Zeid pressed on, marching to the elevator and pushing the button, opening the doors indicating the elevator was conveniently ready for them. Only as the doors closed did the soldier’s demeanor lighten, and a casual tone he asked, ”How has Amman been?” Zeid was taken off guard by the small talk, and he quickly answered, ”Amman has been good.” he smirked slightly as he added, ”You appreciate the temperature all the more there when you come down to Hejaz, I forgot how hot it could get here.” The soldier nodded idly, glancing away seeming to reminisce for a second before he responded, ”I know…I’m from As-Salt…I’ve never gotten used to this heat; it’s like nature’s furnace.” Zeid chuckled and was about to continue when with a light ding the elevator’s doors opened, and in an instant the soldier escorting him stiffened up again, quickly proceeding out of the elevator with a nod to beckon Zeid along.
As he exited the elevator Zeid was surprised by just how quiet this floor of the hospital was, and aside for a couple nurses and a few more soldiers it was all but abandoned. A harsh, sterile smell permeated the air, which was downright cold to contrast the stifling heat held back only by banks of windows, giving an impressive view of downtown Mecca and the Great Mosque—though the Ajyad Palace was hidden behind the old fortress that was its namesake. Finally after walking along a wall of windows on the building’s exterior the soldier made a sharp turn down a random hall, and as Zeid pivoted to follow he noticed a few other individuals huddled around a closed door. One of them took note immediately—Zeid’s 15 year old brother Faisal, who smiled slightly as he noticed Zeid and he quickly stepped away from the others to approach, stopping Zeid as they finally met with a friendly but still formal as opposed to familial, ”Morning, brother. How have you been?” Zeid smiled, suppressing a chuckle as he responded, ”Well, and you? We haven’t spoken for some time.” Faisal idly nodded as he conspicuously glanced back before answering, ”Fair enough, given the circumstances. But…Father is not; you’d better see him. We can talk more later—I was hoping to learn more about the Jordanian Governorate before you return.” Zeid was impressed with how professionally his younger brother was carrying himself for a teenager, and he nodded as he responded, ”Of course, Faisal. I’d be happy to.” and with that the young Crown Prince stepped aside, clearing the hallway for Zeid to continue the last handful of meters to the closed wooden door, which another soldier quickly swung open for Zeid to enter.
Despite has casual conversation with his younger brother just moments before, as Zeid crossed the threshold into the hospital room he found himself hesitant, almost having to force himself through the door which the soldier quickly closed behind him. King Ali’s eyes were closed, and he almost seemed to be sleeping but he broke the silence—eyes still closed—inquiring, ”Zeid?” but before he could answer Ali opened his eyes to answer his own question, and a faint, pained smile broke over his face as he feebly raised his left hand and beckoned his son to approach with just a couple fingers. Zeid hurried to his father’s side and knelt down at the side of the bed, taking Ali’s hand in lieu of an awkward attempt at an embrace as Ali faintly muttered, ”I was…afraid you would not make it in time.” Zeid opened his mouth to respond but Ali cut him off to continue, ”Do you know, son, why I sent you to Transjordan?” Zeid smirked, caught off guard but not fully surprised by Ali’s cutting to the chase. He had a few ideas as to the answer to his father’s question, but none of them were more than theories, and so he shook his head slightly in response. Taking note, Ali quickly answered his own question ”Transjordan…easily has the most Christians in the Arab Kingdom. This births its own unique set of difficulties…difficulties you are the best suited to handle, given…you know.” As Ali’s voice petered off Zeid nodded; he had always hoped this was his Father’s thought process though it was nice to finally get validation of it, and in response he asked, ”So…was that your thought when you found it?” Zeid was worried that Ali wouldn’t recall what ‘it’ was, but the reference wasn’t missed, and Ali just short of scoffed before he retorted with an almost amused smirk, ”My son, I know you aren’t stupid. Do you think I would have came with a saber if that was my plan?” he paused, and Zeid swallowed back a bit of nervousness at his candor before Ali continued, his demeanor growing serious in a moment, ”I took that saber from the wall because I fully intended to use it. I was going to give you one chance to renounce it…but I did not intend to let you survive that night. Your bravery saved you; your willingness to stand by your belief and accept your death with dignity and conviction. I…couldn’t help but respect that. Only when my rage cooled did I think of sending you to Transjordan, and the benefit you could have there.”
Zeid smiled and nodded, his gaze beginning to wander for a second before Ali seized his attention again with his hold on his son’s hand becoming a death grip, and in a serious, demanding tone he ordered, ”Help Faisal. You may be an apostate but you’ve proven your intellect, and your loyalty to the family and the Caliphate. Faisal may be mature for his age but he doesn’t yet realize just how much he needs the wisdom of his elders; both Abdullah as Regent and yourself. Promise me you will guide him, and help him do what is right…even if he’s resistant.” Zeid locked eyes with Ali, and nodded as he responded, ”I swear it, Father. It’s the least I can do to repay your mercy” Ali simply smiled, and in just short of a wheeze he concluded, ”Thank…you. I grow weak, Zeid…I need rest. Tell Faisal…I open the palace back up to you. And…come again tomorrow.” Zeid still squeezed his father’s hand as he stood up, and he nodded as he responded, ”Of course, father. I will see you soon.”
I'm going to bump the last post in my RP prior to switching to UAR.
