31/03/6242
Louise sat in the back of a wagon, looking at her hands in both happiness, horror and confusion. For floating in her hands were balls of flame that she felt no heat from.
It turned out both she and Jordan had been lucky. the bandits that had attacked them were fleeing Khalisean justice and attacked them on a whim, hoping that taking captives could allow them to escape. The bandits had only captured her however, and left the rest to die in the sand, where the soldiers found Jordan a while later. They then chased and found the bandits, and killed them all. The one that Al-Jadim had killed had been the last, and both the captain of the soldiers and Jordan had seen what happened immediately after.
The captain, apparently named Jafal then immediately ordered his soldiers to load up Jordan's goods and requested that They both come with them to Sha-Khali. The request was more like a respectfully worded order though, and Jordan had agreed instantly, his eyes filled with some slight worry.
That had been two days before, and Louise had spent most of the trip in the second wagon that Jafal had stated would be hers until they reached Sha-Khali. He had explained that he wanted to bring her to see the sultan so she could do Al-Jadim's last request, but it was clear there was some other reason, and it worried her.
It however did not compare to the other things that had mostly taken up Louise's thoughts, those things being her body, clothing, and magic.
Once she had confirmed she was alone after they had departed from the bandits cave, Louise had gone about looking over her body. She had felt something change after all and was curious as to what had happened, and promptly regretted looking her body over. Her body and her clothing had changed, and at that moment decided she would not let anyone see her body, or the new clothing she was wearing under her travel cloak, and as such had not taken it off once since. Instead she had spent the majority of the trip to Sha-Khali fiddling with her new abilities.
With her new magic.
She didn't know how, she didn't understand it, but she could now use magic, without a wand even! All she had to do was think about it and she could cause a simple effect. A ball of light, a sphere of fire, a swirl of wind or water. It was simple, but after years of getting absolutely no reaction from any spell, it felt amazing to do even such a simple thing!
" . . . I still have no idea how this happened though?" Louise muttered to herself as she closed her hands, making the flames disappear.
"Are you really so blind?" Suddenly came Jafal's Voice in Khalisean from the front of the cart where its flap was. "May I come in and speak to you?"
"Oh, um. Yes" Louise replied back in khalisean, finding that Al-Jadim's words were true. It had been the first time since being saved that she had tried speaking it, and found the strange language came to her as easy as Romalian did. Honestly it scared her a bit that she was now a master of such a foreign language.
Jafal came in and let the flap fall behind him before he sat down on its rise, looking over the wagon. The back and one side were still filled with supplies both returned and retrieved, and only a small area to the one side where a bench and cushion sat was untouched. Louise sat on the cushion still in her travel robe, but aside from her presence the wagon was as it had been left. "I am surprised that you have not tried to make yourself more comfortable."
"Um, this is all jordans so I don't want to break it" Louise stated as Jafal took off his hood and face cover, revealing a face of very dark brown almost black skin and short black hair, complete with a well-groomed but barely noticeable beard. He looked younger than Louise had expected, but was still older than either of her sisters. "I've also been preoccupied with my thoughts."
Jafal nodded and shook his head a bit before looking straight at Louise. "About your new existence?"
"Y-Yes. I really don't understand how it happened, but I've been trying to keep it out of my mind while I try to control this magic. I've never been able to use magic at all, so I'm worried about what might happen now."
"Understandable. In fact that is one of the things I would like to speak to you about. If I may?"
"O-of course!"
"Then I shall make this quick as possible. What do you know of the Djinn?"
"I know that their called Genie's by Halkeginians and that they grant wishes, but not much else."
"Then your information is flawed. Genie is a bastardization of the name, and they do grant wishes, but not to anyone, and only under special circumstances. For example, you would not be compelled to do such a thing for anyone."
"Wait, their compelled to?
"Yes."
"Against their own will?
"Yes."
"Why am I not then if I've . . . if I've become one?"
The wagon suddenly began to slow down, and Louise could hear noise outside. A lot of it. "You shall find that out in a while I believe, but we are soon to stop, so I must ask my second question. Have you ever met royalty before? Do you know how to act with respect to those of high rank?"
Louise was quiet for a moment as she argued with herself before letting out a sigh. Honesty was best here. "I used to be a noble in Halkeginia, and have met Tristain's queen and princess several times. So yes, I know the basics at least. Though do not know if there are special rules for this land."
"There are, but the Sultan is an understanding man and as long as you understand the concept of respect you will be fine." Jafal stated as the wagon came to a stop. "We have arrived in Sha-Khali now. I will take you to the sultan. I have spoken to your, merchant friend as well, but if you'd like to speak to him before we leave you may." Jafal stated as he stood up and climbed to the flap, holding it open expectantly.
Louise nodded, and knowing that he wanted her to step out first, quickly pulled her hood up over her head and climbed out, careful to make sure her sand cloak did not catch on anything. Blazing heat and rays of sunlight struck her face making her squint. But as her eyes adjusted, the city Found her came into view.
The buildings were massive slabs of yellow white stone, windows open to the streets below with colourful curtains hanging on their edges. Around them were dozens of stalls of every size, selling everything conceivable. People, human dog headed, snake bodied, cat eared and even elves all wandered around doing their business, though many seemed to be loitering around and looking at them and the five large wagons they had arrived in. The area was clearly a massive open market. And as Louise looked around she e an noticed a number of buildings with large open areas taking up the bottom floors, sweet smells wafting from them as people sat, ate and made merry. The energy of the area nearly took Louse's breath away, and the vibrant clothing that everyone word did not help the matter.
"It's pretty amazing isn't it? How lively Khali is I mean."
Louise turned to see Jordan leaning against a wheel of the wagon, a smirk covering his face.
"Y-yes, it is. How is it so lively here? I've seen plenty of markets, but nothing so loud and full of life!" Louise exclaimed.
"Most marketplaces are open, in a very literal sense. Most storefronts are open so people can look inside, and most stalls willingly allow people to look over their goods. A lack of internal trade tariff's and a less government taxation to traders and merchants helps as well," Jordan explained as he looked around and then smiled. Its also due to the culture in Khali and how its people just are."
"I see . . . . . Um, what will you be doing now?" Louise asked nervously. She might not know Jordan extremely well, but he had been very fair to her while they traveled.
"Jafal's men have been slowly helping me organize what was my stock and what wasn't. We'll be heading to an edge of the market to finish that, and then I'll set up a stall of my own goods and stay in the city for about a week before buying goods and heading back to Halkeginia,"Jordan explained simply, a grin forming on his lips as he finished. "What will you be doing? We've arrived in Khali after all, as you wanted."
"Well, I do have to go meet the, uh, Sultan about this dagger the Djinn gave me. Jafal is being rather insistent about that as well, so I guess I'm doing that first."
"I assume you'll be looking for work and board after that?" Jordan asked with a grin.
"Y-yes. I'm hoping there's some kind of academy or something I can look into," Louise nervously admitted.
"An academy? That worried about your teachings?" Jordan asked with a chuckle.
"Um, yes, that."
"Well I don't see why you're worried, your arithmetic at least was very good, so have some respect for your own abilities!"
"I- I'll try," Louise said quietly, holding herself back from snapping and saying something about having no abilities to be proud of. She still wasn't sure if what she had now was even her own magic, or if it was some kind of joke after all.
"Either way if this is where we part I'll bid you good luck, and if you instead want to pursue the life of a merchant, then find me before I leave and I'll happily take you on as my assistant for real!" Jordan declared.
Louise felt herself blush a bit and turned around to hide her embarrassment. There was no way she had feelings for a man over twice her own age, but he had treated her well, far better than most of her family. "Thank you," Louise finally said as she turned around and looked at him. "But I don't think so. There's no chance I'm going back to Halkeginia, but maybe we'll meet again."
"I make this trip from Halkeginia once every year or two, so if you manage to make a life here, I'm sure we shall meet again!" Jordan again declared with a smile. "Now get going, you should not keep the Sultan of Khali waiting."
"Right, um, good luck!" Louise called as she turned and ran over toward where Naval was waiting, near what appeared to be a massive and ornate fountain.
"You are ready then? You have all of your personal effects?" Jafal asked as he stood up from the edge of the fountain and placed one hand on the pommel of his sheathed sword.
"Yes, I don't have anything else I need," Loose stated as she spotted her bag of clothing that Jordan had gotten her on the ground beside Jafal and picked it up.
"Very well. Follow closely, crowds can be large and I will not have you getting lost, understood?"
"Yes," Louise replied with a nod as she hugged the bag against her, making sure it would not get knocked out of her hands.
"Good, this way." Jafal simply said as he began walking through the marketplace.
As Jafal led Louise through the market she found herself looking at things as they passed. Open restaurants, green spaces full of people lounging and talking, smiths plying their trade with the rhythmic beating of steel. The smells of metal, food and dust filled her nose, and everywhere people wore clothing so different from Halkeginian cloth that she could not help but stare in small amounts.
She even noticed a building with women gathering outside of it. Their clothing even more revealing and their actions enough to possibly discern their choice of occupation and the buildings use. Louise looked away and forced herself from looking back at it despite her slight interest in their clothing, she didn't want anyone to think ill of her after all!
Coming out of what Louise assumed was the cities main street they came to a massive open area in the city. A great fountain, half the size of a galleon sat in the center of the area marking it as a place that had to be a sort of town square. The buildings around it were large and while the place and stored were not as busy as those around the market, but the number of people milling about made it clear that this area was no less prosperous.
What truly caught her attention however was on the opposite side of the town square. The buildings parted to a wide road, flanked by lines of monoliths of white stone covered in markings. They ascended ups slowly sloping ramp of stone, and above sat a pair of massive buildings, larger than the academy or any castle Louise had ever seen.
The building on the left was blocky, like a trio of stone rectangles placed one beside another with the two on the sides taller than the central one. Windows dotted the whole structure alongside balconies and carved statues of being that sat on the sides and roof of the building. The tips of trees arched away from the bottom of the building, and there were even some coming off the top of the central block, making its white and gold markings even more apparent and beautiful.
The building on the right, while smaller than the right building was no less impressive. It seemed to consist of a number of connected domed buildings of every size with the largest done in the centre. The domes were a vibrant blue with gold edging, and tall cylindrical spired capped with glowing orange crystals surrounded the numerous domes. As the two of them walked toward the road that led toward the two gigantic structures Louise noticed that a number of people, more younger than older. Appeared to walking around in robe-like cloaks the color the sea, and that many of the were carrying dark cloth rapped cases or books on their shoulders, backs of around their waists. The way they seemed top be acting made Louise think of the academy in Tristian, but while many of the people were young, they were also clearly adults and not children.
"Um, that large building, is it a castle?" Louise asked as she and Jafal began ascending the rise.
"Yes, to the left is the Sultans palace, where he lives and works and where our military might is kept and trained. A cross from it to the right if the university, where scholars work their trade, magicians craft their magic, engineers design tools of the times and where the people can send their children to be taught the ways of the world," Jafal explained casually, while Louise's breaths were becoming heavy from the long distance they had already walked.
"Oh. Wait, you mean the common people get schooling!?" Louise exclaimed in surprise and shock.
"Yes. I do not know how it is in your land, but schooling is mandatory for all children until the age of fourteen. Then they may continue with advanced schooling if they wish."
"That's . . . . . pretty amazing actually."
"Yes. Our people are smart and loyal, and above all, capable," Jafal said as the pair reached the top of the rise where a circular area spread out before them. Benched of stone sat among line of hedges and plants, while small fountains dotted the area giving it a refreshingly cool feeling. The people that were in the garden like area seemed almost exclusively to be the students in blue robes, soldiers in black robes like Jafal's or those in visibly more expensive clothing, likely merchants or nobles perhaps. "This way. When I report the missions success and your situation I have no doubt that the Sultan will wish to meet with you immediately, regardless of who else may think it is their time!"
"Wait, you mean the Sultan doesn't know were coming?!" Louise nearly squeaked in surprise, getting many looks from those around as the two of them approached the palace's main entrance, an open arch of stone flanked by loose red silk drapes.
"That is correct. However, the sultan is understanding and your business from Al-Jadim is of great importance. There will be no problems," Jafal stated assuredly as they entered the palace. Going down its well loot halls they turned and ascended a large and wide staircase draped with silks both on the wall and from above. At the top of the stairs they turned into a large open chamber filled with alcoves !along the sides and a high vaulted ceiling. Three doors were on each side wall and at the back of the room, rising up a shallow set of stairs, were a pair of thrones made of elegantly carved white stone. They were covered in cushions and silks, and behind them was a tall window that let in vast amounts of sunlight across the whole room.
In one chair sat a man, broad shouldered with light brown skin like that of candied sugar. He had short brown hair and eyes the color of the seas, and wore only a lair of dark blue loose pants and sandals. Above all else though was the power his presence exuded. He felt like royalty, in command, in control, and capable of doing anything.
In the throne beside the man who clearly had to be the sultan was a women of beauty, who also was very clearly not human. She had long red hair that glistened like a ruby in the light, and her eyes were a startling yellow in color, the centres like a reptiles. Her skin was only slightly tanned, a far cry from the sultans, and she had curves that women in Halkeginia would kill for. From her ample hips her skin changed to scales as a long red tail came down and coiled beside the throne and around it. She wore a dark black twisted band of cloth around her breasts, and a dark blue long slanted skirt down from her waist. It was then that Louise noticed her ears were pointed like an elf's were, and that small patches of red scales were all over her body.
It was at that moment that Jafal tapped Louise on the head and began walking forward to what looked like s blue carpet that went straight to the bottom of the stairs below the Sultan. Louise followed immediately, realizing she had stopped moving hen she had noticed the Sultan and the woman Beside him.
And as she and Jafal neared the stairs Louise began to notice other people in the room gesturing to her, and could hear a conversation a man in tan robes was having with the Sultan.
"Please my lord, the issues between the Nubians and elves may not be ours, but they are hurting trade all the same and endangering our sailors!" the man before the sultan said, sounding worried.
"I realize this," the Sultan said calmly, his voice far younger sounding that Louise had imagined it would be. "However both the Nubian and Elven navies were keeping far enough from Sha-Khali to keep them from being in our lands. There is little that can be done at this moment. However if the situation continues to be a to be a problem I will speak to both of them of it."
"Thank you my lord, that all I can ask," the man said as he bowed and headed off to the side of the room just as Jafal came forward.
"Ah Jafal, you return! Please give me your report!" the Sultan declared with a smile upon seeing Jafal.
"Thank you Sire, I return with news of the bandit's deaths, and of . . . . another situation," Jafal said with a bow before her turned and gestured Louise forward.
Nervously Louise stepped forward until she was just shy of standing beside Jafal, unsure of it would be incorrect to stand Beside or ahead of him. Both the sultan and the snake woman looked at her for s moment before the Sultan spoke up. "Could I ask you to take your hood off?"
Louise nodded as she took the hood off, silently hoping that her hair color would not be strange. As soon as the hood dropped the snake woman's eyes widened and she sat up straighter. "Everyone clear the hall please!" she called, her tone making it clear that it was not a request.
"Um, did I-" Louise tried to say, only for Jafal to sush her quietly as those in the hall began leaving. In a minute the hall that had been filled with low mumbles of people talking and listening, was now silent.
After another moment of complete silence the Sultan let out a sad sigh that was strangely followed by a smile. "So miss, Al-Jadim gave his existence to you did he?"
"Y-yes! But, how did you know? If I may ask I mean." Louise responded, her voice stiff and nervous.
"A Djinn's eyes have golden iris's instead of black, it is not something easy to hide and is one of the few things they cannot change," the snake woman spoke up from her chair.
"My eyes look like that!?" Louise exclaimed in surprise as she brought up her hands to her face. It was a pointless act, but she had no other idea of what to do.
The Sultan let out a chuckle as he leaned forward in his throne. "Indeed they do, and with your eyes pink color the effect is radiant! But before we continue let us have introductions first. I am the Sultan of Khali, Hasan al Khali. Beside me is my wife, the Sultana, Veera al Khali. And you already know Jafal, the captain of the Magi."
"Magi?" Louise asked in confusion. "Is that like a mage?"
"Some magicians are part of the Magi, but no. The Magi are Khali's special forces," Veera replied before she smiled. "So, what may we call you?"
"Oh I'm sorry. My name is Louise de la-" Louise stopped midsentence and shook her head. "Louise, my name is Louise."
"Pardon my question, but you have no family or region name?" Veera asked curiously, the tip of her tail twitching.
"No. Not anymore at least," Louise admitted with a downcast expression.
"I see. I realize this may be rude of me to ask, but I need to know how you came to meet Al-Jadim. If your past is related to that, I would like to hear it as well if you are willing?" Hasan asked carefully.
Louise looker at the Sultan and Sultana for a moment before nodding. She had come this fast, there was no point in hiding anything if she wanted to start anew! "My full name is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de LA Valliere. I'm the third daughter of the Valliere house or Tristania, one of the countries of Halkeginia. As a noble of Halkeginia it was expected that this spring I summon a familiar to prove my worth. Since I was young however, I have never been able to cast even the simplest of magics, and I failed my familiar summoning ritual in front of the whole class, with students from all across Halkeginia."
"So you failed to give proof that you were one of your lands nobility?" Veera asked calmly, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
Louise nodded solemnly. "Yes. I knew my life was over. Either I would be disowned, hidden away or something worse," Louise took a big breath before continuing. "So I ran away. I went south to Gallia and took a ship here, hoping that perhaps there would be some way I could restart my life without my failings always hanging over my head. Without being reminded of who I was but could never be."
"And how did you meet Al-Jadim?" The sultan asked calmly, his eyes vibrant with interest.
"We had to dock south west of here to avoid a group of ships fighting on the sea, and when we were traveling from there to here, we were attacked by bandits. I met Al-Jadim when I accidentally broke a lamp trying to use it to defend myself when I awoke in the bandits cave. He came out and killed the bandit like it was nothing, then said that I had done him a service, asking if there was anything I wished for."
"And how did you reply?"
Louise swallowed nervously. "I . . . . was hoping that maybe I could find magic I could use here in Khali, and I told him that. He then smiled and . . . did this to me before he disappeared, leaving me with a knife to deliver to you," Louise explained as she slowly took out the knife and held it in front of her.
"He also gave you your mastery over Khalisean I presume?" Veera asked with a slight smirk.
"Y-yes."
Hasan nodded as he looked at the knife for s few seconds, seemingly transfixed. "Jafal, is it his?"
Jafal nodded his head without any hesitation. "Yes sire, I witnessed the exchange with my own eyes. All that she speaks is true!"
"I see. From the sound of it you have gained exactly what you want, so may I ask why you seem reluctant?" Hasan asked calmly.
"I was raised to believe that nobles were the best and that commoners lived to serve them, but now I'm not a noble. I was also raised to believe that elves and other non human races were worth less than humans. Here though, I see a land where there are no nobles as I understand it, and where humans live together with other races without the hate forced upon them by the church. But I'm also not human anymore, and while I'm happy I can use magic now, I'm not sure what to think . . . . There's also my body that is worrying me as well," Louise admitted. As she looked to the ground.
"I can understand your worry, it is not often, if ever that most must deal with suddenly becoming a different species after all," Hasan said warmly. "However I'm not sure I understand your other fear. Is there something wrong with your body?
"You don't understand because you're a man," Veera stated as she lifted off her throne and down the rise toward Louise. "Her body obviously changed when she did, and with it, I'm willing to bet the shape of your body, and the clothing you had been wearing changed as well. And if I am correct she is likely unsure of what to think of her bodies new shape, or is simply embarrassed by it or the clothing she is now wearing under the cloak. Am I correct?"
Louise nodded, unable to look away from the snake woman now in front of her, who up close seemed even more beautiful than she had before. She had amazing hips, a tight waist, and her chest was large and shapely without being overly huge like some people Louise could mention. Her hair was also shiny and her eyes were warm despite being predatory.
Veera lowered herself down to Louise's height so their heads were equal to each other and smiled as she spoke almost in a whisper. "I know it will seem strange, but the best way to get used to other's seeing your body is to have it seen and respected. Can you remove your sand cloak so that I may see you?"
"I'm . . Not sure," Louise replied quietly as she tried to look away but found she could not. Veera just seemed so honest and willing to help her, a far cry from most people she knew in the past.
"I promise that I will tell you what I think honestly," Veera stated quietly as she looked at Jafal and then Hassan. "And if either of you say anything you will regret it, understood?"
Both men nodded their acknowledgment.
"So, will you give me a chance and trust me?"
Louise swallowed and slowly nodded as she began unclipping the sand cloaks mantle and its shoulder straps. A second later she pulled it off over her head, allowing them to see her new body and clothing and making them the first to see it beside herself.
Louise's body had indeed changed. She was a little bit taller, and she now had small but noticeable curves in her waist, hips and butt. Her once flat chest now had a small but noticeable bulge, and her skin was utterly flawless. Her clothing had changed as well, from simple and basic, to clothing similar to what other women around Khali had been wearing. A pair of light green poofy pants came down from her hips, tied at the ankles and slightly open just above the simple yet beautiful green shoes she now wore. Over her upper body was a piece of cloth that covered up from her ribs to just beneath her armpits, covering her breasts perfectly. It was shaped around her ribs and a pleasant white in color with green trim, held up by a strap that went up from its center and around her neck. Her shoulders, midriff and the upper half of her hips were bare to the air, and less than a minute after taking her cloak off she moved an arm across her chest and the other across her belly, showing just how embarrassed she was in her clothing.
For a few moments Veera simply circled Louise and looked her up and down. Finally she came to a stop in front of her and smiled. "Allow me to say that, I do not know how your native land sees beauty, but here in Khali you will be considered very beautiful. Your skin is glowing, you have subtle and smooth curves, and the clothing you are wearing shows off what it will without being seen as easy, at least here in Khali."
"So I don't look . . . like a , prostitute?" Louise asked nervously. She was after tasked as a noble, and the very idea of prostitution made her feel wrong for numerous reasons.
"No, you do not. You simply look like a beautiful young woman in Khalisean clothing," Veera said before grinning. "Besides, if you did, what would my garb make me look like?"
"Um, you'd-"
"Don't answer that," Veera interrupted with a smile. "Just remember you do not look like you are easy, just beautiful and knowledgeable of it."
Louise blushed at Veera's words. Her own parents had not even called her beautiful since she was far younger, so hearing it said made her feel warm. She even began feeling better about her bodies new shape and the clothing she was wearing. Not that she would easily admit it of course!
"Now as you are clearly a bit more . . calm, perhaps I could ask you a question?" Hasan suddenly asked, surprising Louise greatly. Since when did a reagent ask permission to ask a question!?
"O-of course!" Louise stuttered as Veera slithered back up to her throne and casually slid onto it, her coils moving bedside her for many seconds until they were comfortable.
"You have left your land seeking magic and have acquired more than any human could likely ever hope to command. But might I ask what your plans are now?"
Louise froze at the Sultans question. She had not thought that far ahead. She had left Halkeginia with the intent to learn magic , but had honestly expected it to take years, maybe even a decade! Instead she had simply become a being with more magic than she knew how to control in less than a week of being in khali. "I . . . Hadn't thought that far, as this kind of happened faster than I could imagine it could." Louise replied as she lowered her arms to the side.
"Then perhaps you would like to hear a suggestion?"
"Um, alright."
"That dagger that Al-Jadim gave you is an old dagger, as old as Khali, to be held permanently only by the Sultans Djinn," Hasan stated.
"What does that mean?" Louise asked, not sure exactly shat was meant.
"Since Khali's foundation there has always been a Djinn in the court to provide assistance and council, or even just another opinion on matters too the Sultan. The title comes from the fact that the first Djinn that served a Sultan was a shackled Djinn, one who couldn't disobey the commands of the one who held their lamp. And before you ask, you are not a Shackled djinn, you are free," Hasan said as he took a breath and continued. "What I am asking, is for you to be Khali's court Djinn."
Louise's mouth dropped open in shock, but she quickly closed it when she realized that Hasan was waiting for an answer. "I can't. I'm too young! I wouldn't even know how to give advice, let alone help in any way!" she nearly yelled.
"Please do not yell in the audience chamber," Jafal said calmly, while Veera simply began giggling to herself.
"No, you would be fine," Hasan said with a sigh as he looked to Veera and Jafal and shook his head. "You would learn as you go and I would not expect instant perfection. This is for both of us that I ask this of you."
"What do you mean?"
"Khali is in a very central location and sees people from many lands. Having someone in the court from another land initially will help allow me to see other points of view. It also would give is more information on Halkeginia, which we are lacking. That is how it helps me and Khali. It helps you, because you will have a place to stay, and can choose freely what you do on your time. You could learn at the university, magic or knowledge of our land, and would have almost any career open to you as working as the Court Djinn would not be a constant thing. You get room and board and the freedom to learn and choose your future, and Khali gains information, a new point of view, and an unshackled Djinn in the court."
Louise was quiet as she thought over Hasan's words. They made sense, but she was still leery of accepting. Not from the idea being bad, but from the feast of failing or chasing problems for the whole country. A country she knew nothing about, but just from walking through it knew it was more diverse than Halkeginia could ever be! "Are you sure you want someone as young as I am? Just because I'm a Djinn now? " Louise finally asked, her voice held strong so it would not waver.
"Yes, I am. Besides, your age means little when Veera and I are not exactly old either. Jafal is the oldest one in the room!"
"Wait, really?" Louise asked in surprise.
"Yes, I only became Sultan when my father past away five years ago, and am currently only twenty three."
"And I am only twenty one," Veera said with a smile as she looked to Jafal. "While our Magi Captain is nearing his fiftieth in a few months!"
"So your young age does not faze us as anyone can learn. So, what do you say?"
". . . . . I would be able to learn as I wish and would have time of my own?" Louise asked, still having a hard time to believe such a deal.
"Yes, all that I have said and more really. Djinn can live for many hundreds of years after all. You can learn and do as you wish when not in court, and courts are not held all the time , as most issues are minor and do not need much deliberation. So, what do you say?"
Louise was quiet fro a bit before nodding shallowly. "Alright. If it means I can stay here, learn, and restart my life, then I'll do it!"
"Excellent! I look forward to what you shall do, but for now it is late and I expect you've had a rough few days of travel and need a good rest!" Hasan stated merrily.
"Th- thank you, yes." Louise nodded knowing that it was true. While she had resisted complaining while she traveled as she knew it would be hard, sleeping in a hammock on a rocking ship and on a bench in a caravan wagon were less than comparable to what she was used to. Sleeping in an actual bed would be a welcome thing.
"Then I'll show you your room!" Veera exclaimed as a hopped back off her throne and slithered over.
"Wait, my room?" Louise asked in surprise at the idea.
"Yes, if you shall be acting as the Court Djinn of Khali, you obviously shall have a room for yourself in the palace!" veera stated as she slithered to the door to Louise's right. "Please, come with me."
"R-right," Louise stuttered as she caught up with Veera and followed her up a light of stairs to an upper level. The lighting at this level was different, calmer and less complete and there were also no guards or people anywhere she could see. "Um, are there no people up here?"
"No. This is the royal wing and no one but the Sultan, Sultana, Magi captain and court Djinn are allowed here without explicit permissions. Jafal insists on sleeping in the Magi's quarters in the barracks below the castle, so the only ones ever up here are Hasan and myself in our room. This one. " Veers stated as the passed as doom that had a stone block blocking sight into the room, but one could go around it easily enough by simply passing by the curtains hanging on either side of it.
"Don't you worry about intruders?" Louise asked as t hey continued down the hall. It was then she noticed that there appeared to be only flour doors on the floor. The Sultan and sultanas room, another further down on the same side, one at the end of the hall, and a pair of double doors on the opposite wall between two of the doors.
"No we do not, there are old but powerful enchantments cast by the first court Djinn that make it supremely difficult for anyone not invited to enter this wing of the palace," Veera replied as she stopped and noticed Louise staring at the double doors. "Curious?"
"Ah, I'm sorry,"
"It's nothing to be sorry about. You'll likely be staying in this wing for awhile unless you want to stay elsewhere, so it makes sense wanting to know where it leads. Those doors enter into the Palaces private meeting lounge, where the sultan could entertain guests in private or speak to his advisors without worrying of being listened in on. It connects to the wing on the palaces other side, which is used for guests and the like as well."
"So it gets some use, but not constant use then?" Louise asked to be certain.
"Yes," Veera said as she slithered to the second door on the right. "This room used to be the quarters for the Sultans Harem, but Hasans father did away with it, so it is currently unused."
"Then the room at the end of the hall . ..is the court Djinns?" Louise asked carefully.
"Yes, but before we enter, there is something that must be done," Veera stated as she slithered up to the dootway. It was covered by a beautifully thick Purple silk curtain that was embroidered with beads in rows. Embedded in the stone of the doorframe however was a large jewel the color of the night sky, complete with red flecks throughout it, as though the stars had been dyed with blood.
"It has to do with this jewel?" Louise asked knowingly. "What is it?"
"It is called the Djinns sky. It is a jewel that has been here since the first Djinn. It's believed that it is tied to the palaces magic and that without it and a Djinn for it to be bound to, the palaces protections will eventually fail. Or so it is said. What is known to be true is that none can enter the court Djinns room without their approval, and without a court Djinn the room cannot be entered. If you place your hand on the jewel it should bind to you and make the room yours."
"Just like that?"
"Supposedly. It has never been seen by any currently alive, though the words Al-Jadim left Hasan made it sound as easy."
"That's, interesting," Louise stated as she stepped up to the doorway and looked over the jewel and the curtains together. She could feel something from them, like a radiant aura, or a ticklish feint closing away from them both. The jewel though, felt warm even from a distance, and it was oddly inviting warmth. Without another moments hesitation she touched the jewel.
The warmth slipped through Louise's finger to her core, and once there she felt a strange feeling of wonder that she did not understand, of beauty she could not comprehend. In that same moment the red flecks within the jewel shifted and changed from red to vibrant pink. "I . . . . think we can go in now."
"Then please enter as you will, it is your room now after all," Veera said with a smile.
Louise nodded and stepped up to the curtain and pressed her hands against the curtain, pushing it and the beads aside without any difficulty. Stepping through the doorway she saw the room and gasped in surprise.
The room was almost four times larger than her room at the academy had been, easily twice the size of her old room at the valliere estate. The floor was made of stone that was extremely smooth and had a luxuriously thick red carpet across much of the floor. To her left was a massive bed easily twice the size of any she ever had, covered in dozens of pillows and surrounded, almost hidden, by curtains of thick and thin silk held up by large wooden posts and rods. At the foot of the bed was a trunk of steel and dark wood, while down from it in the corner of the room was a large set of wooden doors, likely a closet of some kind, and beside it a full length mirror. On the right side of the room was a series of solid wood bookshelves partially filled with books, tomes, scrolls and even stone tablets, while at their end beside a good sized window was a desk of light colored wood that was covered in ornate symbols with an equally ornate chair beside it. In the centre of the room atop the carpet was a good sized table of beautifully varnished wood. What was the most impressive however, was the large perfectly spherical jewel that hung from the ceiling by an array of silver chains. It glowed with a warm and pale light, illuminating the room in a way that torches, candles or lamps never could.
"Amazing," Louise whispered out, unable to contain her thoughts.
"It is huh. I've only been in here a few times, but the light jewel used to be blue in color, not pinkish. I guess that proves the room is yours," Veera said as she slipped in behind Louise and looked around with a small smile.
"It changes color?"
"According to the one it's connected to I'd guess."
"So, this room is mine? Completely?" Louise asked as she walked to the center and glanced around, her eyes full of wonder.
"You did bind the jewel," Veera stated Smith a smirk. "So yes, this is your room now. What are your plans though?"
"Plans?" Louise asked as she plum as round and faces Veera, who still stood by the doorway, her hips and snake lowers swaying side to side ever so slightly.
"Sorry I meant what do you plan to do tomorrow? It will be at least a few days, more likely a few weeks, before you're asked to do anything governmental with Hassan and I, but what are you planning to do tomorrow?"
"Oh, um . . . . I hadn't given it much thought yet," Louise admitted nervously.
Veera smiled and moved closer to Louise. "Then why don't I show you around the city tomorrow? Give you a tour of its sights and locations so you can know what is where and what is what?" Veera suggested happily, almost too happily.
"Um thank you, but don't you have things you'll need to do?"
"No. Not anything so important it needs to be done immediately at least. As sultana most of my duties entail either helping Hassan or doing cultural work that puts me in the city often anyway," Veera replied with a casual shrug of her shoulders.
"Oh . . um, alright then. I should see what the. City has anyway, and if possible I'd like to take a look at the university as well", Louise said as she went back to looking around the room and walked over to the doors, opening them to find that they were indeed the doors to a closet full if hooks for clothing. There were even shelves of linens and more pillows on the bottom of it!
"Perfect! I'll come and get you in the morning. There should be clothing in the wardrobe and trunk, and considering that the room is now yours they will probably fit you. Sleep well, and I'll see you in the morning!" Veera said quickly before she slithered out of the room faster than Louise thought possible.
"I'm getting the feeling she hasn't had another girl to talk to in a while," Louise muttered as she walked over to the trunk and threw it open with surprising ease. Inside it was an assortment of nightgowns of numerous styles and types. Some were full gowns, some were more casual, and some made Louise blush just by looking at them. It was made even worse by the fact that they did indeed look perfectly her size as well. If it was indeed because she had bound the room, then it either meant the first Djinn was very meticulous in his preparations, or a pervert.
Pulling out the least revealing nightgown Louise found that its material was extremely light and smooth, then went to see what was in the wardrobe. Inside it was an assortment of Khalisean clothing, similar to what she was wearing. More surprising was that while there were multiple styles none of them were fully covering and showed her midriff, arms, or sometimes even vast quantities of her legs and other skin. "Are Djinn not allowed to not show skin? I'll have to ask Veera tomorrow I guess," She muttered with a sigh as she closed the wardrobe and began changing into the nightgown.
Once changed and her clothing pout away in a disturbingly empty space in the wardrobe Louise climbed into the bed and instantly felt like she must have passed on. The bed was softer than any she had ever slept on, yet did not sink down so much that it would be difficult to move on. Moving some of the pillows she pulled the covers up over herself and, in that very moments the crystalline light that filled the room dimmed down to near nothingness, and she felt exhaustion overtaking her.
She had made it to Rub all Khali, she had even somehow had her species changed, gained magic and had a new place to stay and work. She would restart her life, and when she awoke the next day, her new life would begin!
And with that thought she drifted to sleep.