Chapter 10
While they were settling into the inn in Katalgo everyone was still amused by Sinbad's predicament. Umbra's salve seemed to be working but he was a complainer after all. The lot of them took up nearly all the rooms at the inn but it was to be expected with thirteen of them travelling together.
When they settled in for dinner Sharrkan asked how Amira and Sinbad had known each other. He was very entertained to know that his storyteller knew the great dungeon conqueror. So of course Amira had to tell them all how she'd come to Heliohapt and the year she spent there, some of it with the orphans and her story telling. Ja'far mentioned how similar she and Sinbad were; after all they both seemed to enjoy stories. Amira admitted that she got the idea from Sinbad's book as she hadn't ever thought of herself as a storyteller.
When they were all headed off to bed Sharrkan asked if she would tell him a story for old time sake and when at first she thought to turn him down he pleaded, "Please Mama Mira," which gathered looks from the company members. She agreed to tell him a short story and soon thereafter he was sleeping soundly.
As the night drove on Amira wandered her way out onto the roof. It was strange to be back in Katalgo after so long but the city smelled of the sea and she missed it.
"Hey, Amira," a gentle but stern voice called; it was Serendine standing on the street below, "Can we chat?"
Amira grumbled internally. She'd been trying to avoid the Parthevian Princess for as long as possible but it seemed as though she wouldn't get as much reprieve as she'd wanted. So she begrudgingly climbed down, "What about?"
Serendine looked down at her feet and then back to Amira, "The dungeons. I know you've captured a couple yourself, and I wanted to know if you're as determined as he is."
Amira smiled, "I've captured three actually, so really I'm the expert here not Sin." She pointed to her earrings, "Ran out of things I carry around as Djinn equips." Serendine looked less impressed than Amira had hoped. "I'm not trying to rule a country or anything if that's what you're asking."
Serendine let out a visible sigh, "Good, his idea is foolish enough on its own. I can't believe he thinks that he can rule without royal blood."
Amira laughed, "So you're the one who told him that." She was rather irritated now; the princess really didn't seem to have learned anything in her time out in the world. "You think his dream is foolish; but have you seen the fire in his eyes?"
Serendine blushed, "It's what worries me. He has lots of spirit but no experience and no knowledge and yet somehow he thinks he can manage."
"And your solution is what exactly? Have him become a diplomat? A general? Serve under you?" Amira was agitated to say the least.
"No, in fact I said I'd help," Serendine was blushing hot red now, "I offered to be his queen so he had access to rule a country."
Amira's jaw dropped. She'd proposed? To Sinbad? Seriously? "You do know what kind of man he is don't you?"
Serendine couldn't meet her eyes now, "I'm well aware." She was nervously pulling at her sleeves, "I told him he'd be free to take whatever concubines he saw fit."
Amira wasn't sure if she should laugh or comfort the poor girl. There was no way Sin was going to accept her offer no matter how "free" he was. It just wasn't him. Amira sighed and placed a hand on Serendine's shoulder, "I'm sorry. I know you think that's the best idea but he's stubborn and won't ever see it that way. He sees a destiny that no one else can give him, so maybe it's just better to let him go for it."
Serendine looked up at Amira, hurt clear in her eyes as well as understanding, "I just don't want that stubborn idea of his to get him killed."
Amira understood now, Serendine had feelings for him. How she hadn't seen it before was incredible, no she'd been avoiding the princess for so long that she would have noticed sooner had she paid attention. And for her to bear her soul like that to Amira, even after knowing what had transpired was incredibly brave. "Hey, between you and me he should be fine. After all between the two of us we have four Djinn, if we're standing in the way what's going to get by?"
Serendine smiled lightly then, "I still don't like his idea."
Amira smiled back at her, "You don't have to. Just be there for him if he needs someone to lean on."
The next morning they all gathered around the outskirts of Katalgo. Sinbad and Masrur parted off and Sinbad had said they could make it fine just the two of them.
"Sinbad, are you sure?" Hinahoho asked.
"Yeah. I'm just escorting Masrur back to his hometown, so I'll be fine on my own. If we all go we'll stand out too much," Sinbad replied.
"Wait a minute, Sin," Ja'far said as Sinbad started to head out, "Do you even know where you're going?"
Sinbad looked a little downtrodden, "Well, um…we should… it shouldn't be that hard to find if we just head south, right?"
This sparked what Amira assumed was a fairly normal heated argument between the two until Sharrkan spoke up, "Um, excuse me… If you're heading to the Dark Continent, I think it might be best to first search for the people of Torran in the south…" He looked so shy as everyone watched him, "Their civilization is even more ancient than Heliohapt's so I think they would know about the Dark Continent."
Various chatter broke up among the group about the Torran people. Sinbad insisted that Sharrkan lead the way since he was the only one who would know the way. Which of course lead to more heated arguments eventually resulting in Ja'far coming along too. Sharrkan was worried by the arguments erupting between the two but Serendine put his mind at ease by telling him they were always like that, to the best of her knowledge. She also told him that if he listened closely to them that they would make great mentors for him.
Just as they were about to set off Masrur turned back to the group, "Can Amira come too?"
They were all a little shocked, Masrur wasn't usually so outspoken. "I couldn't impose like that. Besides I have some things I have to take care of before we leave for Balbadd."
Masrur looked a little upset, "But you were going to show me the sand angels."
Sinbad was shocked, was Masrur pouting? "Hey, wouldn't hurt to have someone else who knows the desert with us."
Ja'far shot Amira a warning look. He clearly wasn't over the exchanges made earlier. "I only really know Heliohapt, I haven't spent much time in the desert really," Amira commented.
"No, you know what Mama Mira should totally come with us. She's good at keeping everyone on task," Sharrkan said matter-of-factly.
So much to everyone's dismay Amira ended up on the journey with them. Knell stayed behind to keep Umbra company and something in the way they departed made Amira think they'd still be waiting when they got back.
While on their journey it became clear that Sharrkan wasn't used to being out in the elements. But he worked really hard to earn Sinbad's approval, though it seemed he could focus on little else while working to gain approval. Masrur seemed a little left out while also helping to make sure the poor sap survived. They walked through hot days and came across various plants and creatures – most of which were unfriendly to Sharrkan which seemed to only dishearten him more.
As Amira had promised one night she took Masrur out looking for sand angels. She wasn't sure she could really teach him how to catch them though considering his strength and agility were far beyond hers. In fact his sight was even so much stronger than hers that he was able to spot the creatures long before she could. In an hour she'd managed to take one down with her bow while Masrur had brought down six with his bare hands. She couldn't help but find him cute as he came running back with his haul, so proud. It was the first time she'd seen him smile like that and it warmed her heart.
After another day's travel they'd reached the Torran Village. It was incredible, unlike anything they'd ever seen before. But they were shocked when Sinbad called out to one of the villagers and they were met with spears and anger. They spoke a language that none of the party had heard before but it was clear they weren't welcome there.
Masrur intended to use force but Amira, Sinbad and Ja'far all warned against it. That was when an elderly man came forward, and he spoke a language that they could understand. "Put down your weapons. Travelers, you as well please… I'm the village chief. You're a Fanalis, aren't you?" the man addressed Masrur.
"Yes," Masrur replied.
"You know about the Fanalis? Then the Dark Continent really is the Fanalis' home land!" Ja'far seemed a little over excited.
"It's true, there used to be many Fanalis here," the village chief said, "But that was in the past. You must intend to reunite him with his people, correct?" he looked saddened, "sadly that's impossible, because there are no longer any Fanalis left here."
Masrur looked surprised and hurt. The village chief went on to tell them how once they called the area home and then they were targeted, enslaved and annihilated. He explained how the slave traders then came for the Torran people and such they no longer trust outsiders. Masrur didn't seem content; he asked where the village was, he needed to see it with his own eyes. And then he was gone. They were all concerned but it was Sharrkan that took off after him.
With the children gone Sinbad launched into his speech of a better world. It was truly amazing to hear the conviction in his voice, Amira hadn't heard him go on to someone he'd never met before. The version he'd told her was mild in comparison to what she was hearing now; Ja'far gave her a knowing look as he smiled.
When they realized it had been quite some time since Sharrkan and Masrur had taken off they decided to go check up on them. When they finally caught up they saw that the boys had managed to capture a whole band of slave traders. This gained the respect of the village chief and he allowed them to stay overnight in the village. Amira, in her limited knowledge of healing herbs treated the boy's injuries taking special care on Masrur's arms.
"What did you manage to do?" she asked looking over the open wounds.
"They tried to poison me, so I had to get it out," Masrur replied as if it were nothing.
Amira sighed, there really wasn't much getting through to him when he had his mind set on something. It was something she was sure he'd picked up from his time with Sinbad.
While they were preparing to leave the chief mentioned that he was glad that someone shared the same ideals as their god. Sinbad asked if it was the same god that he'd heard about from The Knight King of Sasan to which the chief responded yes; though he was saddened that the outside world had already forgotten his name, King Solomon.
Their journey back to Katalgo was mostly uneventful as if the continent wanted them to leave and thus was not standing in their way. They were happy to see a city again and were finally prepared to head back to Balbadd.
"Serendine?" Sinbad's surprised voice caught Amira off guard.
As it had turned out no one had left for Balbadd. Amira wasn't surprised; Serendine had said it was more economical that way which everyone agreed with. Umbra and Knell had taken care of the last preparations that they'd needed to make before leaving Heliohapt, perhaps for good, and were also back in Katalgo waiting.
"On top of that, there's been a lot going on here…" Serendine was saying.
"Did something happen?" Sinbad asked.
"Hey Seren, is this the guy you were talking about?" a young boy with pitch black hair approached, "Hmm…so he's Sinbad…He's kinda flashy, huh? I'm Judar. Nice to meet ya."
Sinbad seemed rather offended, "What's up with this brat?! He's awfully rude!"
"Sinbad! You can't! He's…" Serendine tried to explain; but wasn't quick enough before Sinbad tried to teach the kid a lesson only for a defense shield to come up.
"Just who do you think I am? I'm a world-creating magician, possessor of the strongest Magoi… I'm a Magi," Judar said.
Sinbad continued to ask irritating questions so Judar decided he'd prove he was in fact a Magi by calling forth Serendine's Djinn Zepar from his dwellings. It shocked and astounded everyone but Zepar addressed Judar as "Magi" without even being asked so it had to be true. Then quick as he'd been summoned Zepar was sealed back within Serendine's metal vessel.
Judar continued to explain that he was there to meet his "King" because he in fact was the one who'd summoned the dungeon that Serendine had conquered. He pleaded with Serendine that they should return to Parthevia to put her on the throne already. Arguments started about how the unrest in Parthevia was settling down but Judar confessed that he felt unrest, and even still that he'd been there and had seen it with his own eyes: a purge of sorts that turned people into monsters.
"She kept saying that she "couldn't do anything without Sinbad." So there's something I really want to ask…the boss, Sinbad," Judar paused, "You'll have my help as a Magi, so what do you say, Sinbad, Serendine? Let's travel back to Parthevia and take it back!"
Sinbad's eyes went dark, "No."
"Seriously?" Judar asked.
Sinbad thought very carefully, "If what you're saying is true then we can't overlook it…but I can't just trust you outright either."
Judar seemed irritated at this but after a little back and forth finally said, "I don't need your trust, and sooner or later you'll realize that you need my power."
Sinbad talked things over with the other members of the company before deciding that since Judar had attached himself to Serendine as her Magi that she was the one that needed to look after him. She agreed and then Drakon pulled Sinbad off to the side to talk.
Amira eyed Judar, something about him felt off, but maybe it was just because he so blatantly stood up to Sinbad.
"Hey, you conquered Nekissaa, right?" Judar said a smirk on his face. Amira nodded. "You know that's why I had to summon Zepar right? Because I summoned Nekissaa first but then you disappeared as if it had never existed. How is that?"
Amira felt a chill run up her spine; something was telling her to lie to this child Magi, something told her he was dangerous. "She's the Djinn of the sands of time, so she played with time a little."
Judar seemed intrigued, "Well I suppose that makes you my "King" too. Do you and Serendine play nice together?"
Serendine smiled, "Of course, after all we're both Parthevians aren't we?"
Amira smiled uncomfortably. She hadn't considered herself a Parthevian in years, "Of course," she replied not wanting to suddenly end up on either of their bad sides. She knew then that if the trip weren't already intending on being interesting it sure was about to find its way there.
