Sorry for the horrendously lacking length... next chapter's a bit better, and the one after that things start getting rather interesting...
Having been beaten into a mind and body-numbing lull we spent our first few moments of looking at the palace through a haze of thickness and flickering eyelids. At first I was convinced it was the Taj Mahal, what with the pointed arches and onion domes topping thick spires, but it was only a relative replica. Small oases started to spatter across the white sand, thickening to tamed pools and bright flowers the nearer to the palace we came, the grass roots knitting together to become stable land. It was the galloping over this terrain that jerked me to my senses and trains of thought into proper place, and I began to fret anew that we were about to come face to face with Governor Odious, and not necessarily leave his presence alive.
In no time at all we made it to the flat marble plinth before the wide staircase, dismounting at the base and jogging to keep up with the soldiers as they effortlessly bounded up into the entrance hall. We had no time to gawk, for we were quickly rushed down the line through room after grand room, not crossing paths with anyone until the fifth foyer. The sunlight seeping through the archways lit upon his striped silk coat and slicked-back hair, making him glow like fire as he passed without seeing us, until one of the soldiers let out what sounded like a strangled and frantic dog bark, and only then did he acknowledge our presence.
"What do you want?" he snapped at them, his handsome face contorting into a more hideous likeness – until he saw us.
"Ah, please, forgive my brashness," he said correctively, his words almost a purr, his eyes looking us up and down. "It has been a long day and has worn at my temper, and I have apparently forgotten how to treat guests. Who are you and how did my men come to find you?"
"I'm Augustine, this is Faye, and this is Paige," I said before either of them could open their mouths. "We somehow awoke in the desert. Don't know how we got there or where we were before. Your men found us there."
"Really," he chuckled in surprise, crossing his arms to betray his disbelief. "No idea whatsoever?"
I shook my head. "None at all. We thought we might have been drugged or something, but there's no way we can find out."
"Quite true," he agreed ruefully. "That is quite a shame, though. But, on the other hand, it's a good thing we found you. A very good thing."
"Why?" I asked slowly, feeling nervous.
"You weren't found by the Masked Bandit first!" he exclaimed, then continued at my startled look. "The Masked Bandit? The scourge of the south east?" He paused for a moment, then a smile slowly spread across his face. "Ah, but I forgot. The Masked Bandit as been caught and exiled to Butterfly Reef, left to survive against my other captives. But no worry! The sands of India swarm with ruffian spawn all the same, so it's lucky we found you before they did."
"I should say so," I laughed nervously, and he smiled, a grand and rich smile that gave me shivers.
"Well," he picked up after a brief pause, making all three of us jump as he clapped his hands. "I wonder, would you ladies do me the honor of being my guests? Seeing as you've nowhere else to go, anyways. Food, board, clothing, anything you wish at your disposal. What do you say?" he asked, making his words sound more like a statement than an offer.
"Your generosity is greatly appreciated," I replied. "And if it is not too much trouble we would like to take you up on your offer."
"No trouble whatsoever! Wonderful!" He clapped his hands sharply twice and a young woman dashed forth from the shadows.
"Take these ladies and get them settled in," he told her. "Our nicest rooms," he added with a wink in our general direction. The woman bowed deeply and started walking, and hesitantly we followed. Alright, I thought to myself with a heavy sigh. So far so good. Not dead—
"Excuse me, sir?" Paige called out to the man as he resumed walking away.
--Yet.
"Yes, dear?" he replied, stopping briefly and turning on his heel to face us.
"Not trying to sound rude or anything, but who are you?"
He gave us his wide grin again, and this time I barely succeeded in fighting back the shudder. "Why I am Odious. Governor Odious. See you soon," and with a little nod continued on his way.
Reviews? Yes? I'll return the favor... promise!!