Extracted from The Chronicles of Al Shir-Ma, written approximately 8 years before today:

You could be mistaken for thinking that slaves in our enlightened Caliphate are little more than property; deprived of their liberty for crimes or wrongdoing, but in Al Shir-Ma it is said that a slave can hold tremendous power and esteem. In my observation, the slaves of the Sultan are essential to the smooth functioning of the court, and often enjoy prestige and authority that defies their humble status.

The Slaves

Underlying the grandeur and power of the court of Al Shir-Ma are the tireless efforts of those who serve the Sultan with the utmost devotion. Among their number are the fierce and highly trained Mamluks an elite warrior caste whose authority and influence are rumoured to anchor the Sultan’s rule. I also would be remiss if I failed to mention the dazzlingly beautiful members of the Harem of the Sultan, rarely beheld by those outside the court. The eldest, and most powerful of the Harem is the shrewd and elusive Rashida Ud Din who, many say, knows all the secrets of the court. In any visit to the court of the Sultan you might witness a multitude of other menial workers who serve at the Sultan’s pleasure, and think little of it - but a shrewd traveller knows that such people can make or destroy a reputation in Al Shir-Ma.