{Hey, everyone! I have been busy with work, but now I have more free time! Yay! Anyway, I hope you all have a good holiday and I am updating three chapters today!}
Chapter 10: Moving Day
Alibaba and Aladdin decided that they will be moving to Balbad. They talked to Morgiana about it, and she agreed to go with them. Hakuryu, however, said he had some business in Sindria to handle. He promised he would visit them in Balbad.
On the day they were leaving, Hakuryu came to wish them good luck and safe travels.
"This won't be the last time, we'll see each other soon," he promised. Aladdin hung his head.
"I wish you could come with us." Hakuryu smiled and put a hand on Aladdin's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Aladdin. I'll be fine on my own. Besides, I know you'll be in good hands with Alibaba."
Alibaba was packing a wagon and turned towards the two on hearing his name mentioned. He still wasn't sure what Hakuryu had in mind, but decided not to meddle in his business. Hakuryu had his reasons for going to Sindria, just like Alibaba and Aladdin had theirs for going to Balbad.
"Hey, Morgiana!" Alibaba called into the house. "Are you all packed yet?"
"Yes. I'll be there in a minute," she replied.
Hakuryu heard about the young lady Morgiana, however he had never met her.
"Alibaba, how well do you trust Morgiana?"
"What do you mean?" Alibaba asked as he picked up a bag and loaded it up into the wagon.
"I just want you to be careful. You never know who to trust. What if she's after Aladdin?"
Alibaba raised an eyebrow as he looked at Hakuryu.
"I've known Morgiana since we were kids. I assure you, she's trustworthy."
Hakuryu nodded, but he still wasn't sure. A moment later, Morgiana appeared in the doorway of the house. She was caring a large sack on her back, it was bigger than she was! Hakuryu blushed when he saw her. She was so beautiful! Clearly she was no monster.
He bowed to her and kissed her hand.
"My lady, Morgiana. Forgive me, I have placed doubt in you. But now I see that I was wrong."
Morgiana stared at him in confusion.
"You are?"
"I am Hakuryu. Third Prince of the Kou Empire. But I will gladly be your servant. Please, allow me to carry that for you. It is much too heavy."
He took the sack off her and placed it on his own back. He struggled to keep his balance, but forced himself to carry the heavy load. Morgiana glanced at Alibaba.
"Who is this guy?" she whispered.
"He rescued Aladdin from the Kou Empire. He's been friends with us since then," Alibaba whispered back. "But I don't know too much about him."
"I see."
By then, Hakuryu had placed the heavy sack in the wagon and his face was covered in sweat.
"There...piece of cake!" he managed to say. Morgiana and Alibaba glanced at each other and struggled to keep their laughs in.
"Thanks, Hakuryu. But Morgiana is stronger than she looks," Alibaba told him.
"How could you be so cruel as to let a lady like Morgiana carry such a heavy sack that is bigger than she?!" Hakuryu glared at Alibaba. Alibaba was confused.
"Uh..."
"It's alright, Hakuryu. I appreciate the help," Morgiana said. It was all she could say. Hakuryu's face turned red and he looked like a doofus. Aladdin was confused, so was Alibaba.
"Well...We don't want to keep you, Hakuryu," Alibaba said, interrupting the awkward silence. "Bye. Good luck!"
With that the trio of friends climbed into the wagon and quickly rode away down the road.
"I've never seen Hakuryu like that," Alibaba said after a minute as he took a sigh of relief. Morgiana was silent and her face looked red. Alibaba frowned and looked away.
"Alibaba, I'm excited!" Aladdin said as he peeked out of the wagon in between the two. Alibaba smiled and ruffled Aladdin's hair.
"Me too, buddy! Why don't you get some sleep?" he suggested. "It's going to be a while before we get to Balbad."
"Okay!" Aladdin nodded. He crawled back into the wagon and found a place to curl up to sleep.
"Aladdin, come here!" Aladdin heard Alibaba calling him. The boy opened his eyes and yawned. It seemed as if he had just closed his eyes. He peeked out of the wagon and saw a busy city he did not recognize. The air smelled of salt and fish.
"We're here, Aladdin. Balbad!" Alibaba smiled down at him. Aladdin's face had turned to glee and he wanted to get out and explore. But he forced himself to be patient. He'll see it all soon enough.
They paced a long wall and they saw towers towering over them. It must be a palace. There were guards at the gate. Aladdin stared up at on of the balconies and saw a man standing there. The man's gaze turned to Aladdin slightly, and he frowned. This person didn't seem pleased to have knew people in the city. Aladdin hid from the man's view.
Within a few minutes, the three of them arrived at their new house. Aladdin was eager to help unpack. The house was a little dusty, but with some cleaning it will look good as new. At least that's what Alibaba promised them. It was a little hard for Aladdin to imagine.
Aladdin was pleased to know that he was getting his own room and jumped onto the bed in the room. Dust flew up and tickled his nose. He sneezed, but was giggling. Alibaba and Morgiana will have their own rooms, too.
The house wasn't too far from the school Aladdin will be going to and neither was Alibaba's workplace. Morgiana said she will find a job too and help out around the house anyway she can.
The trio fixed up the house and had a nice dinner together. After getting ready for bed, Alibaba tucked Aladdin into his bed.
"Do you like our new home, buddy?"
"Yeah!" Aladdin smiled. Alibaba tickled Aladdin's nose and kissed his forehead good night.
"Sleep tight, Aladdin. I love you."
"You too! Good night, Alibaba," Aladdin said as he hugged Alibaba's neck.
Alibaba stood up from the bed and walked out. Aladdin turned over on his side and stared at the candle, lighting up the dim room. He doubted he would go to sleep due to still being excited, but he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep within a moment.