Madari showered and shaved, then went back into his bedroom to find his uniform laid out on the bed. Taking his time, he dressed, careful to keep the uniform neat and unwrinkled. He hadn't performed this ritual for two years now, since the day of his arrest.

He completed the ritual by fastening the wide black belt over the jacket. Only then did he look at himself in the full length mirror on the back of the wardrobe door.

This is who I am.

He had to believe that. This is who I am. Not a wild-eyed guerrilla warlord and certainly not a lovesick fool mooning over a handsome young subaltern. This. A soldier. An officer. A commander.

He had to go on believing in his own self-control. The way he'd acted the last few days he had to put down to his reaction to change, to the upheaval of the coming of peace. He'd been disturbed, trying to come to terms with a return to normality. Ahmed would have called him a fool and told him to take cold showers and long runs.

He strode out of his room. The uniform made you stride. Jahni, eating breakfast and reading the paper looked up and stared as Madari came into the room. Then he smiled.

"You look good, Faris."

"Thank you, Kahil. It feels good to put it on again." He sat down, Jahni still watching him. "Pass the coffee, please." The tone of voice was carefully chosen. Formal. Controlled. Enough to make certain things clear to anyone hearing it. Jahni passed him the coffee pot and as he did, Madari noticed the dark blue shirt he wore strained tight across his shoulders.

"We need to buy you some new clothes. Mine don't fit you. We'll do that this morning, then go to the barracks. I must report for duty and we can start the paperwork for your transfer." Despite his tiredness, he felt rejuvenated. The uniform did that. He should have put it on sooner.

~~~~

After a morning's shopping, Madari at last drove up to the gates of the Royal Guard barracks. The man on the gate grinned when he saw Madari. He raised the barrier and saluted.

"Welcome back, Major."

Madari took Jahni to Colonel Rahama's office. The place was in something of an uproar, a team of men trying to manoeuvre a large mahogany desk through the door into the private office and having some trouble fitting it through. Faraj stood beside Rahama, watching the show. He was a spectacular sight in his uniform, Madari had always thought. The stare Jahni gave him looked almost awestruck.

Faraj's haughtiness increased by a factor of at least ten when he wore his uniform. But he managed to greet them with some appearance of pleasure. Rahama was more enthusiastic, welcoming Jahni to the barracks. But then he winced as his desk bumped against the door frame and they all heard a splintering sound.

"I can't watch this any longer. Did any of you ever watch those American Laurel and Hardy films? No? Never mind. Come along, let us have some lunch."

~~~~

"The first thing I am going to do," Rahama said, as they walked back to his office after lunch, "the first order I am going to issue is to have those cooks retrained. Or possibly shot." Jahni laughed, then shut up, but Rahama smiled at him, an approving look on his face.

"The food wasn't too bad," Madari said.

"It wasn't too bad... if you've spent the last year eating rice and stewed goat." Rahama said. Faraj and Madari both grimaced. "Don't worry, I will soon have the palettes of you bandits retrained too." He looked at Jahni. "Do you like French food, Lieutenant?"

"Jahni likes any kind of food as long as it is served in large portions," Madari said, making Jahni grin.

When they reached the office Rahama's desk now stood inside his private office and a man was sanding down and repainting the door frame. Rahama spoke to his Adjutant who handed him a folder.

"This is the paperwork for Lieutenant Jahni's transfer." Rahama handed the folder to Jahni. "I spoke to your Colonel this morning, Lieutenant. He is sorry to lose you, but has agreed to the transfer and his signature is required on these documents. I could post them, but the way things are at the moment, there are still delays everywhere. Perhaps it would be best to carry them personally."

"Yes, sir," Jahni said. Madari agreed, not wanting to think of the orders going astray in the post and the delay that would cause. Best to get it done fast.

"He also says they have some of your personal possessions in storage that you may want back."

Jahni looked up at Rahama, stared for a moment. "Oh, yes. Yes, I forgot about those. Thank you, sir."

"Major, you will accompany him," Rahama ordered. "Perhaps you will find it useful to talk to his former commanders."

Madari nodded, though unsure that was really the case. He'd been Jahni's C.O. for some time now, what could anyone else tell him about Jahni?

"Yes, sir. We will leave in the morning. Permission to give the Lieutenant a tour of the barracks?"

"Granted." He turned to Faraj, taking Faraj's attention away from looking at Jahni. "Captain, please remain here, I want your assistance with some paperwork." Faraj followed Rahama into the private office.

As Madari turned to go, Rahama's Adjutant called out to him. "Oh, Major, I have a message here for you." He passed over a small square of paper. "It seems your car is in the police impound lot."

"My car?" Of course it had been left here at the barracks when he had been arrested. The security police must have taken it away to search. He glanced down at the message, which invited him to come and collect it whenever he could. As the two of them left the room Jahni glanced at Madari, at his wide smile.

"You're obviously pleased to be getting that back," Jahni said, smiling too.

"Very. That car is like an old friend."

~~~~

The tour took much longer than Madari anticipated, because other officers stopped him frequently, eager to welcome him back and invite him to dinner. He promised them he would be very pleased to dine with them, but not tonight. By the time the afternoon ended his head had started to throb and he felt more tired than he had after a day's forced march in the sun. Being the centre of so much attention disconcerted him.

So it was a relief to get out of there as the sun began to set and head over to the main police station, with Jahni. A police constable took them down to the underground parking lot and walked with them, frowning at a clipboard.

"This one's been here nearly two years." He took a plastic evidence bag from his pocket and handed it to Madari. "The keys."

Madari slid them out of the bag into his hand, and smiled at the familiar weight and feel of them. He almost caressed the carved wooden key ring. Smooth, round, with a geometric design carved into it. A holiday souvenir, the wood darkened from handling, scratched from sharing pockets with the keys.

"Here it is."

They stopped in a dank corner of the parking lot, and Madari and Jahni stared at the car standing there, a large Volvo estate car, sitting on blocks, its wheels gone. Where the indicator and headlamps had been, wires trailed. No part of the bodywork remained shiny, all of it pitted and dull. A side window was broken.

"Yes," Jahni said slowly, after a moment. "I can see why you'd be so keen to get it back."

"The wheels and things are inside," the police officer said. "I, um, I expect you'll be wanting some tools." He hurried off before they could answer.

"He actually thinks we can get this going and drive it out of here tonight?" Jahni sounded so incredulous that Madari smiled.

"Oh, it's nothing, Kahil, we'll soon fix it up. He said everything is inside."

They went up to the car and Madari opened the driver's side door, climbed in. The car didn't look much better inside. Various fascias had been pulled off, to expose hiding places behind them. The car had been hot wired, presumably when they brought it from the barracks, whoever collected it mustn't have had the keys. He tried the ignition, but when he turned the key got no response from the battery.

"We'll need some jump leads. We can bring the Mercedes down here and see if we can recharge the battery enough to start the engine."

"What did they do to the bodywork?" Jahni, still standing outside the car, ran his hands across a panel.

"Oh, it was already like that before they took it," Madari admitted. "It's been through a few sandstorms on the road." He smiled, and patted the steering wheel. "I think it might be time to treat it to a re-spray."

"Or have it crushed into a cube?" Jahni suggested. "That would work too."

Madari chuckled. "You're too concerned with appearance." He stepped back out and went to the back, opened the estate door, to find the wheels and various other parts that had been stripped. "This is a fine car, very reliable."

"If you say so." Jahni sounded dubious. He reached in and took out a wheel. "Well, here's one reason we're not driving this out of here tonight." The tyre had been slashed open. "Looks like they made a very thorough search."

"Yes, and you know what the best part is?" Madari turned to Jahni, grinning, using a door panel fascia as a tray to collect up the light bulbs and covers for the indicators and headlamps. "I didn't have anything hidden in here anyway!" And he laughed to think of them wasting their time searching the car. "Come on," he said, seeing the policeman heading over with a tool box. "We may not get it all done tonight, and I know, I'll have to get my mechanic to come and tow it to his garage, but I don't want him finding it in this state. He'd never forgive me! So let's do what we can and then get something to eat."

~~~~

Elahi's Mercedes stood in front of the Volvo. Both cars had their hoods propped open and leads stretched between their engines, to try to put some juice back into the Volvo's battery. Inside the car all the interior fascias were back into place. The headlights and indicators had been replaced. The Volvo looked better than before.

It still sat on blocks though. Since all the tyres were slashed there seemed little point in putting the wheels back on. Just a week ago they'd have simply gone and stolen the wheels from one of the other cars sitting around the lot. Or in fact stolen the entire car. But they weren't bandits any more.

Madari and Jahni sat at opposite ends of the rear bumper, fixing the indicator lights back into their housings.

"So, what did you think of the barracks?" Madari asked as they worked.

"Very impressive," Jahni said. "All the latest equipment."

"And the officers you met?"

"Oh, they all seem very good. Though rather," he hesitated for a second. "Well rather like Idris some of them, though I'll bet none of them are as good a fighter as him."

"I doubt that," Madari said, trying to work a plastic cover back on and having little luck. "Yes, we are a somewhat snooty crowd, I will admit."

"I wasn't including you," Jahni protested. Madari smiled at that. He suddenly realised the cover he had wouldn't fit, because it was the wrong one. Stretching across he picked up the one that sat beside Jahni, and tried that. It fitted.

"You haven't seen me in the company of my fellow Royal Guard officers much, apart from Idris of course. You'll soon observe that I am as haughty as the rest of them."

"I'm not sure I will really fit in with the other officers." Jahni shook his head as he screwed in a light bulb. "I'm not from the sort of family the rest of them are."

"You will be fine. And you will certainly fit in with Idris and with me. I don't know yet what Rahama has planned for us all, but I hope the three of us will work closely together." He laughed. "And anything you need to know about being the right sort for the Guard, you know that Idris can teach you."

"Will Idris want to?" Jahni stood up, after securing the final plastic cover over the lights. He sat on the open tailgate, looking down at Madari who still sat on the ground working. "He didn't seem very keen on the idea of my transfer, last night. He said it's a mistake."

Madari raised his eyebrows at this. "Well he is old fashioned. But he knows you are a good officer and of course he is your friend. Once he gets used to the idea he will welcome you."

Finished too after a moment, Madari stood up and looked over the car. It still needed a lot of work.

"I think we've done all we can here. I'll call my mechanic in the morning." Glancing at his watch he found it later than expected and realised how hungry he felt. He also noticed the amount of grease and oil on his hands. Youssef would be scandalised. "It's rather late. Why don't we go back to barracks, have some supper and spend the night there? Then we can make an early start in the morning."

~~~~

They slept at the barracks and in the morning set out in the Mercedes for the Southern Ranger's barracks. Madari felt good. He had slept well, with untroubled dreams. Once again in the morning putting on his uniform had helped to set him into the right frame of mind. Jahni drove for most of the morning, reminding Madari why he generally preferred to be asleep in the back when Jahni was driving a vehicle. Battle could be a picnic compared to the terrors of Jahni's driving. But it meant they made good time and arrived at the barracks in the afternoon.

Colonel Mohd greeted them in his office and shook Madari's hand for a long time, looking at him with a kind of awe.

"Major Madari, an honour, sir, an honour."

Madari wasn't used to men who outranked him calling his 'sir'. That and the awestruck stare made him uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Colonel."

Mohd turned to Jahni and greeted him warmly too, leaving Jahni looking disconcerted, Madari thought. Waving Madari and Jahni to chairs, Mohd spoke to the soldier who had brought them in.

"Bring us some tea, please. And find out if stores located Lieutenant Jahni's personal effects yet." He smiled at his guests. "I'm afraid once something is put in storage it seems to take them a week to find it again."

While they had tea, Colonel Mohd examined the paperwork for the transfer. After reading it over, he signed it and handed the folder to Madari.

"The lieutenant is your man now, Major. I am sorry to lose him of course, he is an excellent officer, with much potential."

Madari glanced at Jahni to see him looking pleased at the praise of his old commanding officer.

"I apologise for depriving the Rangers of him, Colonel. It's not my habit to poach officers, but I have to make an exception in this case."

"I know he will take full advantage of this opportunity." 

A knock at the door sounded and a sergeant came in with a large plastic crate. At the colonel's order he put it down on the desk. Jahni jumped to his feet and stared at the crate, Madari and Mohd stood too.

"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Mohd said.

Jahni pulled the lid off quickly. A dress uniform jacket lay on top of the crate's contents. Jahni took that out carefully and put it down on the chair. More items of clothing followed, then Madari saw Jahni's eyes widen and he reached in and carefully lifted out a shoebox. He set it on the desk and opened it. There were various small items inside, but Jahni went straight for a brown leather-bound book, a photograph album. As he opened it a small bundle of letters that had been in there slid out onto the desk. Jahni retrieved them without looking, his eyes riveted on the photographs in the book.

Colonel Mohd caught Madari's eye and nodded towards the door. Madari understood. The two men went out into the corridor, leaving Jahni alone.

"Cigarette?" Mohd offered Madari.

"Thank you." Madari didn't often smoke cigarettes, preferring cigars, but Mohd smoked Madari's preferred brand so he decided to indulge. Mohd's eyes widened at the scars on Madari's hands as Madari took the cigarette and Madari winced inwardly. He wanted to shout, 'yes, my hands, they are horribly scarred, please take a good look everyone, I do so enjoy being reminded of how they got that way.' Then Mohd looked away hastily, embarrassed.

They stood in silence for a moment. Madari watched the door of the office.

"He is different," Mohd said, also watching the door. "Jahni. He is harder."

"He has seen combat now," Madari said and Mohd nodded, a bleak look in his eyes. Then he pulled himself together and turned to Madari again.

"We've heard reports of your activities of course and the part Jahni played. We are very proud of him. He was always a very promising officer, I knew he would distinguish himself."

"He had excellent training here with the Rangers," Madari said and Mohd bowed his head in acknowledgement.

Jahni emerged from the colonel's office a few moments later, still holding the photograph album. His eyes looked red, his face pale. Mohd offered them the base's guest house for the night and took them there himself, a soldier following with the crate of Jahni's belongings. After they agreed to meet the senior officers for dinner that evening, Mohd left Madari and Jahni alone.

"Shall we have some tea?" Madari asked, taking off his jacket.

"I think I just want to rest for a while," Jahni said, quietly.

"All right. I'll call you when it's time to dress for dinner."

~~~~

At seven o'clock Madari knocked on the door of the bedroom. Jahni's voice came from inside a moment later, inviting him to come in. Madari went only as far as opening the door and standing in the doorway. Jahni still lay on the bed, clearly just waking up, rubbing his eyes. The photograph album lay beside him on the bed.

"Time to get ready, Lieutenant. Your uniform." Madari indicated the sandy-brown coloured dress uniform hanging on the door. A soldier had taken it away earlier and brought it back, now pressed and fresh. Jahni looked at it in surprise as he got up. Then he smiled. Perhaps, Madari thought, he would enjoy wearing it one last time, before he got his new one. A touch of nostalgia.

"The bathroom is there." Madari pointed at a door and left Jahni to bathe and change, while he went back into the living room and picked up his book again. In a while Jahni emerged from the sleeping quarters, dressed in his Ranger's uniform, but having some trouble buttoning the jacket.

"It is too tight across the chest," Jahni complained.

"It looks fine," Madari assured him, standing up. "Very smart." The colour looked well on him. Madari hoped the blue-green of the Royal Guard would suit him as much. Jahni's hands brushed his waist as he smoothed down the jacket and he smiled.

"I miss my sash." He'd still worn it every day since the fighting had ended.

"You can't wear that all of the time," Madari said, amused, and a little touched.

"You mean I won't be able to wear it with my Royal Guard uniform?" Jahni gave him a teasing smile and Madari rolled his eyes.

"Perhaps when I take command of the regiment one day."

Jahni laughed and then brushed his uniform down with a clothes brush he found on a cabinet. Madari took it from him and brushed the back of the jacket. When he put on his own jacket, Jahni brushed the back of that in return. New old habits, Madari thought. Not done for two years, but how quickly we return to ingrained routines.

A soldier knocked at the door then and led them to the officers mess, where the regiment's senior officers waited.

After an excellent dinner, cigars were handed around and of course the officers wanted to hear tales of the campaign of 'The Knight of the North'. Sometimes Madari cursed Halais for giving him that name. He encouraged Jahni to tell the tales as well; knowing the lieutenant usually enjoyed relating and inflating the stories. But Jahni was quiet, perhaps shy of the throng of senior officers. As they moved through to a lounge Jahni took Madari's arm and spoke to him quietly.

"Sir, may I leave the party? There's some people I want to see." Madari understood. When Jahni had served here he wouldn't have socialised like this with the senior officers. He wanted to see his friends.

"Go, Kahil. I'll see you later in our quarters." Jahni slipped away. Madari explained his absence to the Colonel, who smiled his understanding. It seemed that the senior officers were keener to talk to Madari anyway.

~~~~

As midnight approached, Madari still up, still in his uniform, sat reading in the guest house living room, when he heard noise outside. He went to the door and found Jahni at the centre of a group of young lieutenants and captains, all professing undying friendship for him, some embracing him. When Jahni saw Madari, he grinned.

"Faris!"

The junior officers all turned to stare at Madari, who scowled at them and spoke in his command voice.

"It is late, gentlemen. I suggest you all go to bed now." They all tried to stand to attention. Madari could tell from the smell of alcohol wafting from many of them that they'd had a well-lubricated evening.

"Dismiss!"

The young officers straggled off. Jahni came inside and flopped onto the sofa, undoing his jacket.

"They were pleased to see you then?" Madari asked.

"We had a party! Had some wine. Shh." He put a finger to his lips. "The colonel doesn't approve."

"Neither does the major." Madari folded his arms, frowning.

"I'm not drunk! See, I can lie on the floor without holding on." He laughed.

"You aren't on the floor, Lieutenant. Now go to bed. Wait. Drink some water first." He went to fetch a glass, watched Jahni sip it.

"I liked it here," Jahni said, then sighed. "I was happy here."

Madari sat down beside him. "It seems like a good regiment. Good officers."

"I'll miss them. I have missed them, but I'll miss them again."

Madari decided not to try to figure out exactly what that meant, just listened while Jahni went on, gazing off across the room.

"I never thought I would. My father wanted me to join the Army to get some discipline. Said I was spoiled."

Madari had heard this before, but still stayed quiet, let him go on. Jahni ran a hand through his already rumpled hair. He needed a haircut.

"I was spoiled. I should have got a better degree at university. I was lazy." He took some more sips of his water. "And I didn't want to join any stupid army and get up at dawn every morning. But I loved it. I loved it."

"You found where you belonged."

"No." Jahni shook his head. "Not quite. Nearly." He turned to look at Madari, into his eyes. "That was when I met you. Then I knew where I belonged." He took Madari's hand, palm-to-palm, fingers interlaced. "Where I belong forever."

Madari gasped at the touch and at the look Jahni had on his face. A clear invitation there, in the half closed eyes and slightly parted lips. It could happen. Right now. Jahni seemed - no, he was - willing, responsive. It would be so easy, to pull him close. So easy to give in to the temptation.

Desire surged in Madari and he prayed for strength and control over his physical urges. That self control he believed he had, that he'd wagered his whole future on, became the only thing holding him back now. He tried to think about the horror of the scandal that would ensue, if he gave in to his desire and they were found out.

If they were. What if they weren't?

No, he told himself. Never mind the scandal, never mind the taboo, the fact is, Kahil's drunk, he's vulnerable. Madari fixed his mind on the guilt and regret he'd feel for taking advantage of Jahni in this state. He pictured the look of shame and betrayal he would see in Jahni's eyes in the morning.

Jahni's eyes had no shame or betrayal in them now. They still held Madari's gaze, until Jahni raised his other hand, reaching towards Madari's face.

"Faris, I want --"

"No!"

Madari pulled away and stood up. Don't look back, he ordered himself as he turned away and walked to his bedroom. He slammed the door and slid the small bolt across, then leaned back against the door. His legs were shaking, he let them give out and slid down to sit against the door. His hands shook too. He held them up, staring, willing the tremors to stop. But there were limits to his self control.

After a few minutes he heard movement in the hallway outside, then another door closing. Jahni must have gone to bed. Madari felt his hammering heartbeat slow down. He listened for a few more minutes. Silence.

Though his legs still shook when he stood, he took his prayer mat from his bag. Now more than ever, he needed to pray. He needed to pray for strength. He needed to pray he had not made a terrible mistake.

~~~~

The nightmare didn't make Madari scream out, but he woke sweating and gasping, just as dawn started lightening the sky. Putting on a robe, he went out into the living room, the small bedroom feeling too claustrophobic. His hands shook again as he lit a cigar and stood by the window watching the sun rise.

The dawn, the new day, made him feel calmer, made him less afraid than he had been last night. That had been a test, he decided. A trial of the self control he had so much pride it. But justifiable pride. The temptation had been strong, the demons of desire had tried hard to push him into sin, to push him into Jahni's arms. But he had resisted.

And he would go on resisting. His mind had more strength than his body, he believed that. No man could call himself civilised if he could not control his actions.

He needed the uniform. The armour. When he put it on he could be strong. He went back to the sleeping quarters. Through the door to Jahni's room he could hear the lieutenant snoring. Not something he'd heard often, he guessed it must be because of the wine. He went past that door and on into the bathroom. Cold showers, Old Ahmed would surely advise.

~~~~

When he put on his uniform he felt like himself again. He felt strong. He quickly packed his things and left his bag on the bed. Then he left the guest house. It was light outside now, but still very few people were moving about. Some glanced at him curiously as he walked around, hands behind his back, cap pulled quite low, shading his eyes. The morning air helped, cooled his mind.

Eventually he went to the officer's mess and drank coffee and ate breakfast with some of the senior officers. The junior officers came in looking subdued and in some cases pasty and sick. When Jahni appeared he also looked pale. He searched the room for Madari and looked relieved when he saw him, gave him a small smile. Madari nodded a greeting to him and Jahni went to sit with some of the junior officers.

Madari sipped coffee and tried not to look at Jahni. Something did still worry him. He believed strongly in his own self control now. But what of Jahni's? How long would Madari's control last if Jahni kept putting temptation his path in the way he had last night. Not simply by his presence, but by the kind of clear invitation he had offered last night? But would such a thing happen again? Jahni had been drunk, not a situation like to occur often, surely? Still, he worried.

After breakfast they walked back to the guest house together, quiet until they almost reached the accommodation. Then Jahni spoke.

"I'm sorry about last night, sir."

Madari's stomach flipped, wondering exactly what Jahni was apologising for. Had he been drunk enough not to remember what had happened? He hadn't seemed that drunk. But a man could forget things deliberately, selectively.

"I shouldn't have got drunk. I didn't even have very much. I suppose I'm not used to it."

"I'd prefer that you didn't get used to it."

What "I" did that mean, Madari wondered. I, your C.O.? I, your friend? I... something else?

"I won't." Jahni sounded sincere. A hangover could make a man very sincere about never drinking again, Madari knew. "I'm sorry, sir."

Madari made a dismissive gesture, waving his hand.

"Forget about it."

Please, really, forget about it.

~~~~

They got away on their return journey soon after breakfast. As they said goodbye to the Colonel, Mohd had mentioned something Jahni had never even thought about.

"Back pay?"

"It will probably take months to sort out. I'll try to make it happen as fast as possible, but you know how these things are. Red tape."

Now Jahni sat in the passenger seat of the car, wearing his Rangers field uniform and still nursing a headache. He looked deep in thought, Madari thought. The idea of eighteen month's salary heading his way in a lump seemed to have concentrated his mind somewhat.

As noon approached Madari broke the long silence that had stretched between them.

"You know we're only a few miles from Javid's home here. Would you like to visit him?"

Jahni perked up at once. "Of course!"

In a half hour they parked outside a handsome town house, pulled a bell rope at the door and waited. After a few moments Jahni said "Perhaps he is not…" when the door opened and Noor stood there. He was dressed casually in a thoub and still in the process of putting on a taquiya cap. He looked flustered, but then delighted when he saw his visitors.

"By the Prophet! Where did you two spring from? Come in, come in!"

"It isn't inconvenient is it?" Madari asked, thinking about the fact that Noor had been apart from wife for over two years now and was no doubt still becoming reacquainted.

"No, no!" He embraced them both, and led them through to his diwaniya. "Are you already back on duty?" He laughed. "You work too hard."

"You haven't reported back to your regiment yet?" Madari asked.

"What's the hurry? Can't a man remember where his house is before he starts trying to remember where his barracks are?" He slapped Jahni on the back. "Kahil, you look like something that crawled out from under a stone."

"The lieutenant had a small celebration with some old friends last night," Madari said, with mock severity. Jahni gave a weak, remorseful smile, making Noor laugh.

"Well, sit, sit, both of you, be comfortable. Kahil, let me get you something to open your eyes a little."

He hurried out and they sat down on low, deeply padded sofas. The house was cool and comfortable, with a lot of richly coloured and embroidered rugs and throws. Noor soon returned with coffee and a few moments later his wife came into the room with a tray of food.

"My wife, Kiana," Noor said, as his guests stood up. Madari and Jahni bowed a greeting to her and she surprised Madari by offering her hand to him.

"Major Madari," she said, in a soft, but not timid voice, as she shook his hand. "My husband has told me he owes his life to you."

"I owe mine to him, many times over."

"Thank you for sending him home to me safely."

"He honoured me with his service and loyalty." Madari bowed to her again.

She turned to shake Jahni's hand too.

"Lieutenant, I have to say I am almost disappointed." She glanced at Noor and smiled as she turned back to Jahni. "After my husband's stories about you I think I expected you to be ten feet tall and carrying a knife in your teeth."

Jahni laughed. "Oh, I don't bring my knife on social calls."

"And he's taller than he looks," Noor said. "Bring us more food, my dear. Kahil is always hungry."

She left the room and Noor gazed after her until Madari spoke, making him turn back.

"You must be happy to return home, my friend."

"I never want to leave again," Noor said. "Now, eat, eat. Tell me everything that you have been up to since we left that damned airport."

~~~~

It was dark when Madari and Jahni arrived back at Madari's house. They had spent a long time at Noor's home, laughing and relaxing, enjoying each other's company. Noor had offered his warm congratulations to Jahni on hearing about his transfer and as they left, Madari had told Noor that when he eventually went back to his regiment he should have his C.O. call Madari. He planned to recommend Noor be given his own command as soon as possible.

"I'd planned to go back to barracks this afternoon," Madari said, as they went inside. "Oh well. Tomorrow you will report for duty. We'll get your uniform fitted." He smiled at Jahni. "I am looking forward to seeing you in it."

Youssef came in with tea and pointed out a large pile of messages for Madari, who groaned at the sight of them.

"The telephone has been ringing all day, sir." He said 'telephone' in his usual tone of disgust for all modern technology.

"Well take it off the hook. I'm tired, I just want to relax tonight."

After dinner Madari sat at his desk in the study and went through the messages, dividing them into calls to return tomorrow and those that could wait. Preferably forever.

When he was done he returned to the living room to find Jahni lounging on a sofa, reading. Jahni looked very comfortable, very much at home and Madari sighed. As much as he liked that, it couldn't be allowed to continue.

"Kahil, there's something we need to discuss."

Jahni sat up straight and put down his book, looked up at Madari curiously.

"We need to sort out somewhere for you to live."

"I can't live on base? I did with the Rangers."

"Unfortunately not," Madari said. "That's not really 'done'. Officers live off base, most live either in, or like myself, near the city."

"I see." Jahni shrugged. "So I will rent a flat in the city."

Madari shook his head. "I will buy you a flat."

Jahni protested at once, standing up. "I can't let you do that!"

"It would be very expensive to rent a flat in the kind of fashionable districts you would be expected to live in as a Royal Guard officer."

"Then I don't have to live in a fashionable district."

Madari wouldn't allow that. He wouldn't allow Jahni to be sneered at for his address, he'd have enough snobbery to deal with. He wondered if Jahni had even thought about the whole financial aspect of his transfer. Probably not.

He came around and sat on the other sofa.

"Sit down, Kahil."

Jahni hesitated a moment, then he sat down again on the sofa he'd risen from, opposite Madari. Madari leaned forward and spoke in a serious tone.

"Kahil, being a Royal Guard officer is a prestigious position. But not because of the salary. The pay is no higher than the rest of the Army. Most of the officers are rich anyway. Some don't even draw any pay. You are likely to find that your income is lower than it was and your expenses considerably higher. Mess fees alone are a substantial drain."

"I see." Jahni looked glum, as if reality had just taken a large bite out of his dreams. Madari smiled at him, trying to cheer him up.

"Don't worry, though. Since I am bringing you into the regiment I feel I have an obligation to help you. Let me propose this. I have plenty of capital in the bank. I will buy you a flat to live in. Not a very large one, I promise," he added, raising a hand to still Jahni's renewed protest. "That way after you pay your outgoings and your bills you will still have enough money left out of your salary to buy food and clothes and soap." He smiled again. "Though not perhaps very expensive soap."

Jahni smiled too now, some relief in his face.

"If your back pay comes through you can if you wish pay me back for the flat, or a percentage of it. Kahil, I'm not going to be out of pocket over this. Technically you'll be my tenant. A tenant I already know and trust. I'm not making any sacrifice. If you insist, then you can pay me rent for the flat. We'll work out something affordable."

"I do insist," Jahni said at once.

Which was probably a good thing, Madari thought. If rumours started circulating that he was "keeping" Jahni... well things could get difficult.