Chapter 2
The caravan continued forward.
"So what's your business in this desert." Aladdin asked, "If it's not too big of a secret"
Aurora answered "A Wraith took the soul of someone dear to us to another world. We were told it could be rescued."
Please don't say that's a lie. Please don't say that's a lie. Aurora cringed as he opened his mouth.
Aladdin said laughingly "What the heck is a Wraith?" Phew. "I can introduce you to a gypsy witch I know. On one condition. You let us give you hospitality tonight."
Wow, a witch! That's what they needed. "What do you think Mulan? Could be fun." She said.
"Fine." Mulan stated. Distracted.
As they arrived into town the sun had begun to go down. For the middle of a desert during a curse, there was a surprising amount of energy and people. There were markets, street performers, musicians.
"This place runs on trade." Aladdin said. "You want something, someone will have here. And since the curse, there's no competition from outside of the bubble." He said with a smile.
"My specialty is Carpets as you can see. Just got these from a neighbouring town."
They turned through an alley, then stopped at a shacked up apartment. "Here we are" Aladdin said. It was small. Essentially one large room, plus a shower in the back. Blankets strewed the floor as Aladdin unpacked the caravan with the help of his gypsy friends.
Soon they had showered and were moderately fed with what Aladdin had,
"Want to go see the witch?" he said. Aurora was ecstatic, the less time spent in this hole of a room, the better.
They walked through the streets. Of the 3 gypsy women Rona joined them, Shia and Ayesha staying behind. Rona was young, attractive and dark of hair, but fitting her green dress well. She'd seemed more reserved than the other 2 girls but spoke thoughtfully.
The group drew eyes in the crowd. Certainly Mulan was a a unique figure, and 3 attractive women were bound to get eyes. With the sun setting, Aurora could already spot the ladies of the night on the street. Let's hope they didn't have to return too late.
Aladdin led them into an alley, after some time and turns, up to a door. He knocked. An old voice creaked "Who's there?"
"Aladdin" he said. "I have company, but they're trustworthy."
After the door opened they walked in. The room was dimly lit. The aging face of the witch sat on the floor, fat, grey haired, in a black tunic. "What may I help you with?" she said.
Mulan spoke "A Wraith took the soul of our friend." Interesting choice of word, thought Aurora.
Mulan continued "We were told his soul is sent to another realm" Once again Aurora braced for bad news.
"I know of Wraiths" the old witch said. "What you hear is true. His soul is likely in another realm. Was he marked?" Again, Aurora was relieved to hear Cora didn't lie.
"Yes, by this!" Aurora said, carefully pulling out the covered medallion.
"Let me see what I can do" the witch said. "The magic your sword exudes may help this, magic in the room always makes this more powerful" she said to Mulan.
Suddenly a knock came on the door. "Open up" a stern voice said.
"What is your business" the witch stated.
"We're here for a thief who stole our carpets"
They looked at Aladdin, suddenly red.
"There's no thief here!" The witch said.
They began banging on the door. "We're coming for him, if he steps out you don't get hurt" the voice said.
Mulan stepped to the door and unsheathed her sword. "I'll handle this." she said.
"No!" the witch exclaimed. There is magic in this room, if you strike with an enchanted sword, the results could be unpredictable. I have a back exit you can leave out of."
She led them to the back of the apartment, to a room with a ladder. "This will take you to the roof she said. I'm not coming with you."
They climbed up the ladder, Aladdin first, then Rona, Mulan, then Aurora. After exiting a door, on the roof they could see a secret alley behind the houses that would lead them away for the men who wanted Aladdin.
"That direction!" Aladdin said. As they all looked back from the sight of the alley, the old lady arrived at the top of the ladder. "I changed my mind" she said.
Before she could finish, she fell on one knee, coughing and seemingly having a fit, her eyes and face convulsing.
"Oh no!" Rona said. "Poor thing!"
But as Rona finished speaking, the situation became clear. The old lady's hair had turned from short and grey to long and black, her body from wide to skinny and her face from old to young. She stood up, now breathing normally and a beautiful young woman, her magic worn off.
"I didn't want to take the chance of not finding you" she said to Aladdin.
"Meet Jasmine" Aladdin said. "My fiancé"
