"Indeed," Al-Adil replied, not unkindly but not warmly either. This was the man who was called Djinn, a name which he had wondered at many times. It was not a flattering appelation. He did know this man and, moreover, knew him to be Valerian's childe. Al-Adil could not quite forgive him that. His pride was still too sore over the prince's cruel and humiliating deception. He had heard it said that 'the apple does not fall far from the tree', and he had yet to determine how true it was in this man's case.
"You have skill," he said to ease the abruptness of his reply, and it was a true praise. To grow roses in the desert was no small feat. His children were beaming at the blossoms they'd been given. He did not need to prompt them to thank the man. At the moment, they loved him completely. Wise as they were, wary as they could be, they were only little girls, after all, and all little girls loved flowers.