He had never truly felt that Sayyida had wanted the marriage that was now not only consummated but indeed desired. He may have been a highly-intelligent stallion, full of truth and knowledge, but he was not so socially inept as many of his level of accomplishment in that sphere of influence. Her demeanor had been a bit aloof, moving through the motions as if a foal being taught the names of their herd-family.

Lessons had not been entirely dry - her interest now and then piqued by suggestions of controlling her own chosen movements and the welcoming of Ladies In Waiting that were for her own use - and not for the bedroom of her Husband. Antares had done well to have him teach her of such things then, though there was apparently some fading in her remembrance by Antares’ limited recent peek into her mind about expectations.

This meeting was also, in no small way, to do with the integration of her own faith into what they now would discuss. Antares was too much of the Old Gods to forebear too much change - but Rigel was also talented in persuading his eldest brother of things he might otherwise turn down outright. He knows of some things that would not be given up - others that would most certainly need amending - but all of it was to be done so that the respective faiths held a place in their new home.

First, though, Antares had bid him speak of the ways of Rank and Society, the expectations of their counterposed sexes, the Rites that were hers and the tribulations she might endure when encountering those beliefs that made her most uncomfortable. He was to reaffirm and instruct - not only for her knowledge but for her pride and comfort. It was a big deal, it seemed, to Antares - and he had a mind full of a certain Flaxen Chestnut and her guardian these days -- certainly it might garner pleasure from his brother if his teaching took root this time around. Enough, perhaps, to have Antares’ approval of his First Wife and his aid in acquiring her, should that time come.

When she spots him, Rigel’s smile is withheld for the sake of propriety and feeling out her own expression - wondering what she thought of him in this new respect of teacher and student when she did not have the power of Foreign Dignitary to bar his more honest explanations and propositions. She, for her part, is elated and as baldfaced in that emotion as he had ever seen her other than in her disdain for certain lessons she believed to be simple folly and ignorance.

In her movements, he already can see reason for Antares’ concern and discomfort. There was truly reason in that alone to teach her the value of others in her Husbands embrace - not only ills and jealousies. It was to be a balancing act for him, for he knew all too well that Antares had found special fondness for the tinge of green she turned, the nip she had given, the heat that she possessed for him over even the mere suggestion that others might be put beneath him for any reason. Rigel’s face, finally it’s natural state of blatancy, brightens to her as she at last finds a place standing before him.

She is so informal, that he takes her name only for his particular use, “Sayyida, it has been - though the absence has apparently made the heart grow fonder, as in all our fair stories.” He chuckles, laughter turning the impression of his color more blue than black in the smattering of sabino and sunlight. She arches her neck, bowing in her custom. As her brother-in-law and teacher, he no longer is required to bow in the custom of his People - the way his brother had said he had done - and so he lowers his head as it inclines to her but a few inches.

“For once, my dear sister, your face is as bare to me as mine to you. You should not be ashamed, however. Not for your past studies, nor for Antares’ desire for you to finish what lessons we have never accomplished. His interest is a direct deference to your place beside him and his hope to fashion this new world into a sword in your hand against anyone who might make you doubt the awesome breadth of influence he’s given you to control freely.” He always had been a little verbose, speaking his mind so plainly as to filter very little. What little filtering there was was spent on creating more diplomatic means of expressing it - and not normally to forego sentiments entirely. "I must beg of your forgiveness and patience, brother. I fear my memories of our conversations grow dim so far from home… What is it that I may learn today?"

He smiles, glad for her new eagerness. “First, I must say this. I am Gifted with an honest nature, a blessing to be so free of my mind but a curse to be so longwinded as to irritate those who have no patience. To that end, you have become most beautiful in your state of Marriage, Sayyida. You fit your own flesh - now allowed your wildness and yet somehow also more receptive to your duty - for all that you have wasted much of yourself in trying to withstand my brothers endurance the past few eves. He told me that you might not be in your best comfort and I would be glad to lie in the shade with you or come with you to soak in the oasis if it better suits you.”

He allows her to choose their transition, if any, keeping a comfortable horse-breadth between them as is proper for a brother-in-law to maintain. Until Antares had been established with a son, such a distance would be best - her claim on her Husband’s body then accomplished and his ire less likely to be fanned in his properly jealous nature. If in the pool, he would wade in beside her; If laying in place, he would lower himself near to her; If moving to the copse of palms and pillowing grass, he would lip at the blades as he lay and she oriented herself there.

Then, he would begin. “The Oath you have spoken was only spoken to it’s barest sense - but I will tell you now, you are Soul Sewn. He spoke to you your own words and that has taken place of all other vows. In this way, you have both broken with your singular faith and chosen - at least in the eyes of our gods - to merge your beliefs as one. I am to teach you your Husband’s faith so that you will understand it, as your faith bids you obey and follow and cleave to your Husband only and not to your own desires.” He had always felt it stifling - but this method of combining faith had always been Antares’ and Rigel’s intention from the start. If her faith so studiously repeated over and over her need to be utterly subservient to his life - then so be it, and she would be the freer for it, to boot!

“What, pray, would your faith dictate you do as Wife to your Husband? What would your life be as head of your Husband’s harem? Was any favor paid to the First Wife at all? I wish to understand your view of your own upbringing to glean your perspective of what I know from the letter-of-the-law in your faith.”