When Osman left the tent, Samir also went after some clothes for Arta. When he came back Arta was still in the same situation.

He walked closer to Arta, she was shaking and sobbing. He stretched out his hand and offered Arta the clothes. He was keeping his distance with her in order not to scare her more.

Looking at the clothes in front of her and then at Samir she hesitantly took the clothes. Samir left the tent without any word and she was all alone again.

She changed her clothes. Her face was painful from the slap. She remembered the crazy eyes of the man who attacked her. She shivered and shook her head.

She pitied herself. She was a princess two days ago but now she was just a ... she couldn't find a word to describe herself, but she sadly remembered that general's voice in her head. "I'm just a slave now." She murmured to herself. Her world had fallen apart and she didn't have any power to change it.

There were several questions occupying her mind. "Who was that general? Why did he save her? what are they going to do with her? why did they keep her alive?"

She still didn't know what had happened to her father and brother. She was deep in her thoughts when Samir entered the tent with a tray of food and water.

"You must eat" he placed the food in front of her gently and sat at the other corner of the tent. Arta looked at the food and her stomach made noises. She was hungry but she didn't want to eat. She pushed the tray away from her and crawled back to her corner spot hugging her knees and wrapping the general's robe around herself for more protection.

Samir was watching her every move. "What is your name?" Samir asked softly in broken Persian.

Arta shot a fierce glare at her with eyes full of hatred. She couldn't see him properly in the dim light of the tent. She kept silent and was still looking at the bulky guy when he moved a bit closer to her. Anger and hatred replaced with fear again. She hugged her knees harder.

"I'm Samir." When she finally saw his eyes, she could see concern and kindness in them. She averted her gaze. He was looking at her the way Kian looked at her when he was worried about her safety.

Thinking of her brother brought more tears into her eyes.

"Don't be scared I never hurt you." He said softly.

After a few silent minutes, Samir sighed and turned to retreat to his place.

"Arta," she said with a sad shaky voice.

Samir turned back and sat in front of Arta but keeping a safe distance not to scare her. She was crying silently.

Samir took a slice of bread and placed a piece of meat on it and started eating. Arta was looking at him with teary eyes. Seeing him eating the food, she felt even more hungry.

The second mouthful Samir offered it to Arta, but she turned her head and refused to eat again. Samir shrugged and shoveled down the food as though he was the one who had not eaten for two days.

Slowly turning her head toward Samir who was eating the food greedily she regretted her decision and continue watching Samir.

Although Samir had just eaten a whole chicken in the feast, he put on this act in order to encourage Arta to eat. He had heard from the soldiers that she had refused to eat or drink anything.

When Samir was making the third mouthful, he saw a delicate hand slowly grabbed a piece of bread. Without paying any attention to her he continued eating his food slowly.

Arta was finally eating after 2 whole days. Her throat was dry, and eating was difficult. Samir poured her a full glass of water and he drank the rest of the water from the jar.

Quenching her thirst, swallowing the food became easier. Although the food was a bit spicy for her taste she finished the whole food in the tray in no time.

Looking up at Samir who was watching her with satisfaction written all over his face she felt embarrassed. "I must have looked like a hungry animal." she thought to herself.

Feeling much better after eating the food she decided to ask Samir about her father and brother.

Clearing her throat, she looked at Samir "Do you know what has happened to my father and brother?"

Samir's eyes widened in surprise "you can speak Arabic?"

She nodded and stared at him waiting for his answer.

When Samir got over the fact that she could speak Arabic flawlessly he replied "King Darian fled the battel field with few knights, but..." he averted his gaze to the tray in front of them.

Arta's heart sank in her stomach. She was happy that her father was alive but the 'but' at the end of his sentence was like a dagger in her heart.

She looked him in the eye as her body began to shake"But?"

"But I'm not sure about your brother's situation."

"What do you mean?" She stopped breathing.

"He was seriously injured when he was following the king and the rest of the soldiers who were alive." He said quickly.

She let out the breath that she was holding. She was happy that they both were alive. Tears dropped from her eyes silently. Although she was concerned for Kian, she was reassuring herself that at least he had left the battlefield alive.

She looked Samir in the eyes and murmured a thank you. She didn't know why he was kind to her. but her heart was telling her that Samir was a sincere person, unlike his general.

She still didn't know why they have kept her alive. And she knew that was not a question to ask. She had to find out the answer herself.

***

IT was already late at night and Osman did not want to ruin his father's night with the events that had happened a few minutes ago. He entered his tent, still shaking out of anger.

He lied on the quilt at the corner of the tent. Thinking about today's incidents he closed his eyes and tried to sleep but Arta's innocent eyes and teary eyes were hunting him. She was the most beautiful and arrogant creature that he had seen in his life.

Thinking about Azim forcing himself on her made his blood boil in his veins. He wasn't sure why he was so angry. She was their hostage after all, a slave to be precise. She should be treated like other slaves. Osman was trying to convince himself that she means nothing to him. Of course, he doesn't care for her but no one has the right to touch her. "I captured her, so it's only natural that I'm his owner. I'll cut Azim's throat if he goes beyond his limits." He thought to himself pressing his teeth together.

He shut his eyes and forced himself to sleep while convincing himself that Arta means nothing to him, she is just another slave.

***

The next morning, sultan Faisal and the rest of his army left for the capital. Osman was riding beside his father silently; his face was expressionless. Glancing at Osman, Sultan said, "I heard about the little incident that you had with Azim."

Sultan shook his head slowly and let out a sigh. Osman was still silent.

"You should be careful with him. He is like your uncle, full of hatred and jealousy. Waiting for an opportunity to strike."

Osman didn't have anything to say. He just nodded and kept his silence. After a few minutes, he decided to check on the troops and see if everything is alright. Dismissing himself from his father's company he turned back and rode in the opposite direction.

Although he said that he wanted to check on their troops but there was only one thing in his mind. He wanted to know how Arta was doing. He hadn't had the chance to meet her or Samir after last night.

Riding back, he was searching for Arta and Samir. He saw Samir on his horse leading a camel behind him with Arta riding on it. She looked pale and emotionless. Her left cheek was bruised. Her eyes were red and puffy from all the cry and lack of sleep. She had changed her clothes to a simple long sleeve grey cotton dress and Osman's black robe was over her dress.

Samir bobbed his head in respect when he saw Osman. Arta also noticed Osman was approaching them. Looking away she tried to ignore him.

A few meters behind Arta, Azim was glaring Osman with a smirk on his face. Osman's knuckles become white as his hand gripped the horse's bridle and his expression become darker. He was trying his best not to lose control of his anger. He turned back and ride by his father again.

"Was she alright?" Sultan asked.

Osman's eyes widened in surprise and looked at his father who was smiling.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Yes everything is under control."

********