A/N: If you have only watched Adventures of Sinbad the anime then there are spoilers ahead that are in the manga - You have been warned! There will not be another warning because the rest of the chapters will probably contain more spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
Chapter 8
With the appearance of the dungeon Amira had grown cautious. If she and Knell were believed to have the knowledge and power of one of the structures then it could mean the end of the happy lives they'd come to know. When Armakan called to ask her about the structure she played dumb as if she too was confused by its appearance but she wanted nothing to do with the powers held inside. In fact, she hadn't even looked at her metal vessels in months. By then she'd learned that nearly twenty people had gone missing inside and decided that it was too late to turn back. At least the people were all too terrified to look into it for the most part.
Nearly a month after the appearance of the dungeon a curse struck the land. The second queen died suddenly, two days later another innocent soul fell. Word spread fast of the curse in their midst. They called it judgement of the former king upon the new ideals that Armakan was imposing. Outsiders would bring death, and so naturally Amira and Knell were the targets of persecution. Luckily they'd been part of the kingdom for so long that it passed as quickly as it came.
When Narmes Titi showed up to ask for Umbra and Amira's help learning the cause of the so called curse they were already suspicious. With Umbra's vast knowledge of healing she'd noticed the signs of poison early on but had yet to detect it. Narmes had his suspicions but needed proof. Umbra was more concerned about finding a possible cure but agreed to help if she could.
Amira's guilt grew as she watched the chaos unfold around her home. If the dungeon was cleared then the people would have a clear answer about their new king; but she wanted nothing to do with it and if a Magi didn't direct someone she didn't want to get involved.
With another week over and five more people dead things were starting to look bleak. "Hey," Amaunet said snapping her fingers in front of Amira to get her attention, "Were you listening? I was asking if you would be the best person ever and watch the kids tonight so that I can take Umbra out."
Amira smiled, "Of course! I never stay overnight. I'm sure it'll be fun."
Amaunet gave her a doubtful look but agreed anyway. In times of darkness, you had to take a little time to keep your own flame lit. Amira smiled thinking about the growing relationship between her friend and her boss; they almost never had time to spend with each other but when they did it was as if one night was months of time getting to know each other. It was always a joy when Umbra would peek her head into Amira's room, a giddy smile on her face, and mention that she was going out for a bit as if Amira would ever mind.
Amira was snapped from her thoughts when she heard sniffling coming from the other room. One of the kids was sitting up trying to cry silently. She gently picked him up and carried him into the main room rocking him softly. He'd had a bad dream and didn't want to wake anyone else up. So Amira stayed up with him rocking softly and humming until he'd fallen back asleep.
Amira decided to take the night shift for the following few days, even with Amaunet there. She liked the peacefulness that seemed to only stay around the kids. All their problems could be solved with a little loving attention and it was never more than a scraped knee. It was simpler.
But when the killings kept happening Amaunet became concerned, "Umbra won't tell me anything but I know she knows more than she should."
Amira was tired of lying, "It's not a curse, it's poison." What good was it to keep her in the dark?
Amaunet looked concerned, "That's why she's so fixated on figuring it out."
"Narmes asked us to help, to find proof…but the people behind this are good. You find a mark on every single person but not until after they've died. So far there's no way to even know who is a target," Amira explained.
"I want to help," Amaunet's eyes burned intensely, "What can we do?"
Amira wasn't really sure if there was anything they could do that they hadn't already tried. But what they needed was to catch someone with a blow dart or a spike, just something suspicious. Amaunet suggested that they take the children with them into the market every couple days, spread some joy and see if they couldn't pick up on anything while they were out. Neither of them liked the idea of bringing the kids into it, but thus far it was only young adults who had been targeted; so Amira agreed.
The first trip to the market yielded no results aside from some new experiences for the children. Everything seemed as normal as it did every day, but what were they expecting; some mysterious cloaked figure to run up and stab someone in broad daylight? Though it was strange, Amira noticed Amaunet looking rather suspicious of a shopkeeper at one point, though she thought little of it when she was the prices at his shop. World trade couldn't come to this tiny kingdom sooner. The nation was almost bled dry as it was.
The second trip was more fruitful but ended up frightening the children because they were standing next to another victim when she fell. Amira decided that was enough of bringing the kids out and Amaunet did not disagree. Over the course of a couple weeks Amaunet spent a lot of time out leaving the orphanage more or less to Amira to run. Umbra was getting worried about her and so was Amira. If she kept sticking her nose into it so blatantly, something was bound to happen.
When Amaunet pulled Amira aside during the kid's midday play she knew something had happened. "I think I may have found where they usually strike from," she told Amira, "it's always from the same place, but the people leave in different directions so it always seems random."
"Amaunet this information could get you killed," Amira warned, "You have to stop poking around and lay low."
Amaunet shook her head, "I want this to end and the only way we do that is by catching them."
"Mama Mira, something bit me," one of the kids called from across the yard. Amira shot Amaunet a warning look but left to comfort the child. But when she looked at the back of his arm her blood ran cold. That was the same mark they'd found on all the victims of the "curse" and it was on a little boy.
Without causing a panic she looked around quickly as if to spot the culprit, though she knew after the child had called out they would be long gone. "Hey, you know I have a friend that can help make that feel all better," she said trying to keep a level head. If she could get him to Umbra then there was a chance.
She carried the boy a few blocks before running into Umbra on her way to the market. "Hey, I was just going to find you and ask if you wanted anything special for dinner."
"I actually have a bite I'd like you to look at, if you've got the time," Amira said trying not to panic the child.
Umbra's eyes grew wider with concern, and when she saw the mark on his arm she nearly flew into a panic. They hurried off to their hut and Umbra dug frantically through herbs on shelves; but she didn't know what poison this was so how could she know an antidote? By the time she'd pulled together a generic poultice it was too late. "Why a child this time?" Umbra asked unable to think of anything else.
Amira couldn't speak; she'd grown attached to this child in particular. He had nightmares and cared more about keeping quiet to not wake those around him than finding comfort. He would have grown up to be one of the best men in the kingdom. Amira didn't feel the tears until she couldn't see; he might as well have been her own child. "I'm going to make these bastards pay," she sobbed as Umbra pulled her into a tight embrace.
It had been nearly a week since the orphan boy had died; a month since the 'curse' had started and so far twenty were dead. Only a few days ago Amaunet had fallen; Amira assumed that she'd been the original target when the boy had been hit. It was unfortunate but Umbra was taking it much harder. They'd gotten nowhere in finding any evidence against the person who was doing the murder. But she was done. Today she was going to get her answers. Maybe the weaver had seen something; she had to know, she had to put a stop to all of this killing.
When Amira got to the weaver night was falling. Yusif was just locking up his shop as Amira walked up, "Hey, can I ask you some questions Yusif?" Amira asked.
He turned around and smiled sadly at her, "A curse took your friend. Sadness comes in all forms and help comes to those who ask."
"When we came in the other day did you see anything that looked particularly unusual?" She asked.
"Shadows only follow in the daylight," he responded.
Amira was confused, "Come again?"
"Shadows don't stalk at night," Yusif said.
"You said you would help," Amira was becoming irritated.
"But the water only grows murky when the crocodile swims through," he replied.
"You do not speak in riddles while you run your shop so why do you speak them to me now?" She growled.
"Life is precious and should not be wasted," Yusif said looking a little disheartened.
Amira blinked blankly at him, her rage made her stay silent as she walked past him and kicked down the door to his shop, "Yes Yusif, life is precious, that's why I'm fucking here! You said you would help me and you've done nothing but talk in circles about nothing." She picked up one of his loom chairs and chucked it out the now open doorway, there was a satisfying sound of wood splintering as it hit a wall.
"Value the threads!" Yusif called out.
"Value the threads," Amira murmured as she lifted the edge of a loom, "I'll teach you to value your threads." She slammed the loom against the wall.
She'd managed to do quite a bit of damage to the shop before the authorities arrived and drug her out. Yusif seemed more sad than upset and said in his own way that he wouldn't press charges. Amira turned to fight the guards but a gentle hand on her shoulder stopped her. She was about to turn around and break the arm it belonged to but she recognized the face, "What's gotten you so angry? Sinbad asked.
Amira was ready to give him the whole story before her energy failed and the tears started. Sinbad walked her back to he inn while she filled him in on the 'curse' and how she'd tried to help. When they walked through the door the rest of the company was waiting inside. She'd calmed down enough to be able to make some cheery introductions. She'd met Ja'far, Hinahoho and Mystras, but was quickly introduced to Serendine, whom Amira recognized but said nothing, as well as Saher, Tamira and Drakon. Then a quiet red-haired boy was brought out in front.
"Hey, are you a Fanalis?" Amira asked him before introductions could be made.
The boy puffed up, "Yeah, I'm Masrur."
"You know I've heard a lot about the Fanalis, can you tell me if what I heard is true?" She asked, he nodded, "I heard you're very strong."
"I even beat Sinbad in combat," Masrur smiled.
Amira glanced up at Sinbad who nodded, embarrassed, "I also heard you like some rare meat," she pulled out a pouch tied around her waist, from it she pulled some dried meat and handed it to him.
Masrur munched a bit before his eyes lit up, "This is really good. What is it?"
Amira smiled, "It's called a Sand Angel, rather ugly creatures but they're difficult to catch so they're quite rare around here. But I'd bet you're fast enough you'd be able to catch them no problem."
Masrur perked up, "I like her, can we bring her with us?" He asked Sinbad.
Sinbad smiled at Amira, "That's entirely up to her."
Amira took that moment to excuse herself; she needed to get home to Umbra after all. Something told her it wasn't going to go well but she had to make sure her friend was still doing okay. Sinbad followed, "We found out about the murders too, if it's any consolation."
Amira stopped, "My friends died. How would anything be a consolation?" she growled.
"You've seen death before, why is this affecting you so much?" Sinbad pushed.
Amira started walking again and they were back to her hut before she finally responded, "They killed a kid. A six year old kid that had nightmares, he had no family, he had nothing and these bastards still killed him." Tears were pricking at her eyes again.
Sinbad placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to comfort her, "We're going to talk with the King in the morning and get it all sorted out. Don't worry."
"Tell me not to worry when they're in the ground," Amira replied slipping inside.
Umbra was brewing tea when Amira walked in. She hadn't said nearly anything in the last two days. When the tea was brewed they sat together in knowing silence until Umbra started crying again. Amira held her as she cried until she fell asleep and then tucked her into her cot only to stare out as the night passed. She'd sleep when this whole thing was over.
Around midday there was a knock on Amira's hut door. She suspected it was Sinbad but was still somehow shocked when she opened the door to see him standing there. "How could you not tell me there was a dungeon here?"
Amira stepped outside closing the door behind her, "Because I don't care."
Sinbad looked confused, "If there's been a dungeon here this whole time why haven't you done anything about it?"
Amira was none too happy to answer his questions, "What did you find out about these murders?"
"You ruin all the fun. It was the first queen and her council trying to put the younger brother on the throne. We're going to clear out the dungeon tomorrow so they can see the true name of the king and everything will calm down," Sinbad replied though a little more lackluster than usual.
Amira couldn't believe her ears, "You said the queen has been behind this whole thing? YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!" she was pissed, all this time someone that vowed to protect the citizens was working against them. Was this because she believed that her country was truly doomed to destruction if they mingled with the outside world? Innocents ready for a change had to suffer for this?
Sinbad didn't seem to be getting the hint, "So you never told me how long you've been in Heliohapt. You couldn't have gotten here more than what, one maybe two months before us?"
"Sin, if you value our friendship don't talk to me until you are absolutely certain you have put a stop to those murders. Then maybe we can talk." And then she retreated back inside her hut making sure to close the door with added force.
She spent the rest of the day frustrated as she watched Umbra finally start to look like her old self again. She'd heard the rather loud exchange between Amira and Sinbad about the murders stopping and it seemed to have helped her as much as it infuriated Amira.
"Hey Amira?" Umbra asked, "If you leave Heliohapt, can I come with you?"
