A/N: Magi and other discernible characters/quotes/citations belong to their respective authors. I do not own original content Magi. No profits were made.
Cited: magi. fandom wiki
A/N: I haven't read/seen the entire Magi series. So, I understand that there might be some loopholes or some OOC, but I tried my best to fill them in with hours of research! Don't hate if you don't appreciate, just leave my page. *Constructive criticism only, please!
A/N: Shout out to December Silentvale for the awesome feedback that helped with edits!
A/N: This is my 3rd edit/publish for the first 2 chapters. So please be sure to re-read from the beginning before starting CH 3 because it might not make a lot of sense since I added/changed some things around. Thank you for your patience!
Magi
Chapter I: The Ascension of the New High Priestess of Samaria
Ja'Far entered His Majesty's cabinet in the White Capricorn Tower. "King Sinbad, news arrived from the Kingdom of Samaria." He approached the High King of the Seven Seas who was leaned over his desk, studying maps of Sindria. "A new High Priestess has ascended."
The King stood upright, crossing his arms, "Samaria? Isn't that the small country that lies to the north of the Dark Continent?"
"That is correct," Ja'Far responded.
"Then, we ought to pay our respects." The King smiled.
Ja'Far leered to his side, disappointedly muttering to himself, "…I'll pay more than respects to finally find you a wife…"
The King acknowledged his adviser's sly remarks with a condescending sneer. "When do we leave?"
"The ship is ready when you are, Sin."
They sailed for four days before arriving at the port of the Holy Kingdom of Samaria. The spring breeze was a bit chilly. The country did not have much to offer architecturally, but they appreciated what nature had to offer. The country had rich greenery and the animals were free to roam about the city which was surprising considering the Dark Continent to the south is a barren wasteland.
Samarian men and women on horses greeted them as they came offboard their ship. Some of them were armored guards wearing helmets and holding spears, a couple of them wore facial veils and long robes.
"Welcome to the Holy Kingdom of Samaria, King Sinbad, Lady Killer of the Seven Seas," a page announced with ill-disguised contempt.
The King smiled politely and simply whispered to Ja'Far, "I get the feeling they don't like me very much here."
Ja'Far groaned in disappointment at his King, "It is the Holy Kingdom of Samaria… your lecherous depravity you call your 'charm' is understandably unwelcomed here."
"Word really does travel far. We'll have to work on our image while we are here." The King explained.
"Says you. Just don't make it any worse for us, please." Masrur exclaimed.
"Your carriage awaits, King Sinbad," the page encouraged their departure.
As they rode through the town, the King looked out the window and noticed that the citizens were extremely chipper, even though just south of them was the Dark Continent; He noticed the rickety houses but he also noticed the well-maintained gardens that made up for the aesthetic of the homes; He noticed the happy children playing on the streets; He noticed the modest fashion – everyone was wearing a white facial veil that covers from the nose down with a band of gems running across their forehead and simple robes with ropes at the waist; He noticed an old woman receiving help from a young couple in harvesting her crops on a small piece of land and in turn giving the young couple a portion of those crops, which meant they traded without using currency; He noticed people genuinely helping each other out; He thought, how bizarre.
The carriage stopped and they all stepped out, climbing the front steps of the aged castle that wasn't any less dilapidated than the town's architecture. Eight armored guards holding spears led them into the throne room. The guards stomped their boots as they turned to face each other, dividing evenly at the bottom of the steps of the dais, where the Sindrians kneeled before the new High Priestess.
Ja'Far stood up and announced, "High Priestess Samara, I present to you the High King of the Seven Seas, Sinbad."
"We welcome you, High King," the High Priestess stood up into the light, only revealing her commanding green eyes through the same white, ornamented veil the citizens use as an everyday garment, "I understand this is the first time you're visiting our country. Please… state your agenda."
"We have brought you offerings to celebrate your ascension, Priestess Samara," The King responded as he stood up as well.
"Much appreciated. The pages will show you to the pantry." She stepped down the stairs of the dais with her hands behind her back, revealing her small build, meeting the King for a closer look. She stood a whole head lower than the King but she wasn't any less intimidating as she offered, "Tea?"
"Much appreciated," he smiled, reaching to kiss her hand, attempting to use his 'charm' on the Priestess.
"To the garden, then…" she brushed him off and walked away.
They walked through the budding tulip garden and made their way to sit in the gazebo. The Samarian guards turned away from them, Ja'Far and Masrur stood behind their King's seat.
The Priestess's handmaid, a taller young woman, also wearing an ornamented facial veil, rolled a cart next to them and started serving them tea and biscuits. The King followed the movements of her smooth hands quite intently as she was setting the pot and cups down.
"Thank you," The Priestess cleared her throat as she turned away from her handmaid.
"So, tell me the truth…" The King caught the Priestess's glance as she was about to pick up her teacup, "when I speak with you, you always have your guard up; when you are quiet, listening to me, your eyes wander to the farthest corners of the vicinity – as if you're always waiting for an attack; when we walk, you constantly make eye contact with the guards escorting you as if giving each other signals; but not once, have you looked at your handmaiden in that sense. In fact, during our lovely chat through the garden, you led the way, as she walked behind you along with the guards. Speaking with you, it's as if I am talking to one of my trusted generals… but what really gave away the obvious were… your hands…"
The handmaiden tried to withdraw her hand back to her body until the King grabbed her wrist. With the blink of an eye, the Priestess drew her punch dagger, concealed in her sleeve, and laid it perpendicular to the King's carotid. She was ready to cut until she felt her handmaiden's free hand on her fist.
"Stand down, Luna. We have been bested." The handmaiden instructed as she leaned away from Masrur's blade.
The Priestess was in utter shock looking at her handmaid's neck, a small flesh wound visible from Masrur's warning attack. She turned to Masrur in disbelief, "Ah… when did you draw your blade?"
The guards, just now turning around after hearing the commotion, "Priestess!" They called out as they braced themselves to point their spears at the Sindrian men.
"Priestess… your hands are heavily scarred," The King said as he turned to the handmaiden with an intent smirk, "Unlike your handmaiden's hands which seem to have been groomed for prayer alone." The King did not let go of the handmaiden's wrist even when their vassals retracted their blades, letting a small trail of blood run down the handmaiden's white robes.
The Priestess kneeled next to her handmaiden and put her hands in prayer pose. "High Priestess Samara, please forgive me! I have failed in my duty to protect you!"
The Samarian guards followed her lead and kneeled, putting their hands in prayer, "High Priestess Samara, please forgive our incompetence!"
"Don't be silly, Luna. Please, everyone, stand up." The handmaiden encouraged, "I hardly think our guests are playing fair."
Sinbad stood almost at eye level of the true High Priestess, finally letting go of her wrist as he grabbed a cloth napkin from the cart, pressing it against the wound on her neck while looking deeply into her large blue eyes, "It is truly an honor to finally meet you, High Priestess Samara…"
