Promise

A young man of about fifteen or sixteen stepped forward. He was tall, sunburnt, his hair bleached pale gold by the sun.

As he stood at the foot of her throne Rania could see that his hands, holding a small box, trembled slightly.

Here..." His voice was rough, just breaking. "here, Highness, this is for you."

In this sequel to Sandwriter, Atbin's birthday present to Princess Rania is a reminder to her parents of a promise they made long ago, a promise they must now fulfil.