We're leaving the Kouga village. It was quite eventful. To make a long story short the clan chief was killed but we were able to keep peace. The Kouga are now under the reign of the Kou empire. A week after the clan funeral for Baba we 're joining a passing caravan. He's so full of questions, and loves hearing stories. I forgot he was like this Reminds me of someone else I used to know, except this one is much cuter.
Hey I was adorable. I remember a certain someone who was always running around behind me.
Anyways, I'm glad to hear you're safe, though it would have been preferable if you didn't encounter the Kou. Be careful on the roads, it's safer traveling by caravan but it's not a guarantee of safety. Keep an eye out, you do tend to be reckless.
Jafar is itching for adventure so we might be leaving soon ourselves. Have I told you that I miss you? I must have a thousand times now, it's still true though.
I remember Jafar was always running around behind you, trying to kill you, but still running around behind you. And don't blame him for your need for adventure, you aren't fooling me for one second.
I am not reckless, you are. Besides I can take care of myself.
We arrived in Quhan, but his friend had already left. We will be making our way to Balbadd on the next caravan. I need to know something though. If something were to happen to me, will you protect my little brother, keep him safe?
Be nice to Jafar. And yes you've told me you missed me. I miss you too.
Apparently, my baby brother is quite the pervert. If I find out this is somehow your doing, I'll kill you myself.
Hey now don't blame me if he has good taste. The kid's just becoming a man, leave him be. I'm on my way to Balbadd myself. They cut off trade and we need to correct that.
I promise you, I will protect your brother with my life if I have to. Nothing will happen will happen to you, so there will be nothing to worry about. Knowing that one day you'd come back has been my driving force in life. I might not have seen you in years but reminders of you are everywhere I look. Meet me when you come to Balbadd.
I miss you.
I folded the letter and tucked it into the lining of my top so it sat over my heart. I smiled as Aladdin ran forward chasing after a group of children who were in the caravan with us. I hadn't seen him this relaxed since we left Kouga. One little girl tripped as she chased after Aladdin and he immediately stopped and went to her side to make sure she was alright.
"You're little one is such a tender heart." The girl's Father spoke up next to me.
"It's his nature." I grinned as Aladdin helped her up and then proceeded to run away again. There was the sound of thunder though the sky was clear and then rocks falling. I called for Aladdin to run, throwing up a borg around him and the other.
There was a blast of pain, as my borg collapsed, then nothing.
Papa carried me into the community room.
"Esther! Esther!" Tess' voice shouted over the noise of everyone talking. I straightened up in papa's arms and searched the room. Tess was by auntie Fal, holding her hand tightly as he waved over to me. I wiggled in papa's arms and pointed over to him
"Papa, sit over there" I ordered.
"Yeah papa, sit over here with us." Uncle Wah mimicked in return. My eyes brightened and I repeated the urge to have him go over there. He smiled at me and obeyed my wishes to sit with our family over there. He set me down and I settled down quickly between Tess and Papa. We ate talked. Then Mama came in and sat next to papa. She told him there was another baby in her belly. Tess grabbed my hand and smiled.
"We're going to get married." He said loudly. The adults went quiet for a moment. Uncle Wah and Uncle Setta burst up laughing. "I'm serious. We're going to get married!" the adults moved around joking and laughing. I went up to Uncle Nan and held my arms up to him.
"Please." I asked. He lifted my by my under arms and held me.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked. I wrapped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes. "Seriously?" I heard his ask then sigh.
"Oh she's not going to hurt you." I heard Auntie Arba's voice then the arms holding me switched. I could feel her finger run through my hair. "Open your eyes." She said, but it wasn't her voice. It wasn't anyone's voice I knew. "You need to open your eyes."
I blinked heavily, my chest felt heavy and everything was dizzy.
"Wha?" I croaked, looking, or trying to look around the crowded dusty room. My head was on someone's lap, a larger man from our caravan whose name I couldn't remember. Aladdin was standing next to me, wooden shackles around his thin wrists. He was looking at someone, a girl. Mama? I jerked, but the man gently grabbed my shoulder. My head hurt. I blinked again. It wasn't mama, it was a fanalis girl. She handed him a bag of keys.
"Don't fall asleep." The man shook my shoulder and I blinked. Aladdin's shackles were off and he was unlocking the ones that were around mine. I leaned my head against his chest as he quickly tried to find the key. There was shouting, smoke, panic. Then the man shouted something and held out Ugo's vessel to Aladdin. Aladdin looked to me and I nodded, desperate times. With his strength he blew into the top of the flute and Ugo bursts forth smashing the locked doors and freeing us.
I was lying against some pillows against a wall as a healer checked out my head. The combination of magoi depletion and the concussion left me exhausted, but with food and a good nights rest, I would be fully recovered by morning. A kind old man from the other caravan handed me a letter, which he had received on my behalf from a messenger hawk while the healer was looking over me.
Esther where are you? What happened? I haven't heard from you. If I don't hear back from you I'll send out an army to search for you myself. It's been over a week since my last letter, you're never this bad at responding. Please be alright
I sighed and quickly wrote a response back
I'm fine there was just a minor problem but all is fine now. Our caravan got hit by a rock slide and then captured by slavers. I was unconscious the entire time. We escaped so don't worry. We should be reaching Balbadd in a days' time by high sun. will you meet me? We have another tag along, one of his friend's she's a sweet girl, please don't scare her. She's a fanalis and she's most likely to attack you first.
I miss you too
"Morgiana, let me carry that please." I urged again as we walked along the main road to Balbadd. She looked at me and with a sigh finally relented, shrugging the straps of her bag off her shoulders. I grabbed them quickly and slid them onto my arms with little problem. "I'm the elder here, it's my responsibility to look after the two of you, carrying supplies is one way I can do that." I smiled and patted her shoulder reassuredly.
"Morg you're heading to Balbadd so that you can take a boat back to your hometown right?" Aladdin pipped up. He was practically bouncing with excitement. For what it was worth I was glad I didn't tell him we'd be arriving by noon, otherwise he'd have us running I'm sure.
"Yes. And, I wanted to meet you and Alibaba again. I wanted to thank you."
I tilted my head and looked at Aladdin who also was curious.
"That's right. By using the treasure, Alibaba liberated me from my social position. You granted me a free future, I am really gratefull thank you Aladdin." She bowed down. He quickly urged her up to her feet again.
"That's good! But I think it's the same for Alibaba, we don't need any praise because, I think Alibaba is a kind person."
I smiled and patted is head.
"So are you silly." I turned to Morgiana. "I'm sure it wasn't a gift he was giving you Morgiana, but the right you were born with and deserved to have from the very beginning. If you live your life and remember to be kind to others, I'm sure that's all the payment he'd want."
Aladdin sighed and crossed his hands behind his head. "I really want to meet Alibaba soon."
"Then keep walking." I pushed him forward with my staff. The two skipped ahead of me, arms swinging at their sides in pleasant ease. Aladdin started chatting telling wild stories to Morgiana about our recent adventures and the places he wanted to visit. He urged me to tell her stories of far off places I had visited, the people I had met. Then in the middle of the road stood a very naked man. He was taller than me by over a head, with tan skin and muscled abs. His long purple hair was pulled back and hanging down his back. His arms were spread wide showing off everything he had been born with.
"Hey you guys! Nice weather today."
"Oh my-!" My hands shot forward to cover the children's eyes. Aladdin pushed my hand away and jumped in front of Morgiana and I.
"Mor, stand back." He held out Baba's staff. Morgiana crouched down and readied herself.
"He might be a monster." Morgiana exclaimed. This was going south quickly. I looked at the man again and his golden eyes gleamed in the sunlight, I knew.
"Oh for the love of- What did you do!" I pushed past the children and pulled off my sash and threw it at him. "I told you I'd have children with my did you really think this was the smartest idea!" I smacked his bare chest. He smiled brightly at me before wavering. His hand reached up towards my face which I smacked quickly "I refuse to touch you until you're properly clothed." He frowned at my words but dropped his hand nevertheless
"That's quite the bruise you have there." His voice full of concern, looking at the lump I had on my head.
"I'll give you a bruise" I growled punching him square in the chest, hearing him grunt in pain before turning to the confused frightened children.
I dropped to my knees and opened my arms. Aladdin rushed forward into them and with a moment's hesitation Morgiana followed. I held them tightly, and looked them over.
"He's not a monster, right?" Aladdin whispered leaning against me as I heard Sin wrap my sash around him.
"At the moment that's debatable, but no he's just an idiot." I muttered. I heard him force a laugh and I let the children go.
"Thanks for the clothes, Esther." Sin grinned at me from across the fire. Morgiana curled up next to me, leaning as far away from him as she could. I shook my head at him as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "My name's Sin, Im a merchant heading to Balbadd. Esther, your sister, is an old friend of mine. We've been writing letters to each other for years as she waited and searched for you. When I found out she was also coming to Balbadd we arranged to meet on the road here. Unfortunatly I got robbed while I... fell asleep waiting." Sin explained nervously laughing towards the ends, looking towards me. I rolled my eyes. The drunk.
"I cannot believe you let yourself get robed, you really are a moron." I shook my head.
"I'm sorry for not listening to your story." Aladdin apologized. "There are many dangerous things crossing the desert so I've become cautious..."
Morgiana's eyes widened and looked at me meaningfully. Sin smiled indulgently at Aladdin.
"Really? To cross the desert at your age must have been such an adventure."
"That's right! We crossed the central desert from the Juang fang village in the northern plains, there are tons of rare plans and animals." Aladdin bounced with excitement. Sin smiled the smile I grew up knowing.
"I love that feeling. That uplifting feeling that comes from seeing unknow lands and the knowledge that you come across. Nothing can replace it. It opens a path from which self confidence, experience, and important friendships, from the sharing of life or death situations are born. Just hearing it isn't the same, I want to create my own magnificent story, a great adventure." Sin explained. The rukh rushed about him, and like anyone else, Aladdin and Morgiana were swept away.
"Is that how you and Essie met?"
Sin and I froze. I turned to Aladdin and tugged his braid. "Hey nosey, I though you wanted to get to Balbadd before sundown." I pointed over the horizon. You should be able to see the city over there. Morgiana and Aladdin lit up and bolted. Sin looked at me curiously.
"I haven't told him much of anything. I figure when you're half naked is not the best time to talk about any of this. So, another time." I picked up our pack and swung it over my shoulders and followed the children, leaving Sin to clean the campsite.
Sin took us on a tour of the city, walking beside me and making sure the children were close to us. He explained how the country was founded, and the economic system of the kingdom. At one point Aladdin went to run ahead but with a quick hand grabbed the end of his braid and stopped him from going too far. Then he gave me news that I didn't know. The last king had passed. Harun had been a good friend and for a number of years, financed my journeys and searches for Aladdin. I froze in the middle of the street, my hand over my heart.
"Esther?" Sin placed a tentative hand on my shoulder. I felt cold, numb. Aladdin came over to me and leaned against me.
"Sorry, I had no idea Harun had passed." I gave a thin smile before continuing on. The country was in ruin because Harun had passed and his eldest took over. Somehow I felt it was my fault.
"Don't worry, I always stay in the country's best hotel!" Sinbad showed up an elaborate looking building. My eyes widened and I rubbed my arms.
"I think it would be best if we stayed somewhere less expensive-" I began.
"Don't worry about a thing, leave the charges to me, it'd be my pleasure. My subordinates should already be here so they'll pay." He started up the steps. To my shame my eyes wandered down to his tight ass, which he was diffidently moving too much. "I like this place, so I hope you'll stay here tonight." He shot me a wink over his shoulder.
"Wow you're really rich aren't you!" Aladdin cried out. Horrified I clasped my hand over his mouth.
"Aladdin that's rude." I scolded.
"I'm going to go get changed." Sin grinned then walked through the doors, only to be arrested. The guards called him suspicious and perverted, and with everything I had I bit my tongue trying not to laugh.
"Enough!" A sharp voice called out. From the shadows two men came out, one a tall strong Fanalis man wearing golden armor and a large sword. In front of him was a young man wearing white and green advising outfit. "Sin, where have you been?" the young man got closer. He was pale, with white hair hare and freckles across his nose. My hand hit my cheek in amazement. The guards nodded and backed off allowing him to rush to Sin.
"Hey, Jafar!" Sin smiled.
"It can't be!" I whispered astonished and let Aladdin go.
"I see our master has caused you some trouble. In accordance with our master's wishes leave the hotel charges to us." My jaw dropped and I reached out.
"Thank you mister subordinates!" Aladdin cheered.
I grabbed Jafar by the shoulder.
"What did he do to you?" I asked horrified. His eyebrows raised and then looked at sin confused. I looked scathingly at sin. "What did you do to him."
I threw my arm up over his shoulder and pulled him to me. "He ruined you, where's that glint in your eyes, or your spirit. You used to try to kill him all the time!" I paused and then looked at jafar seriously. "you're going to strangle him later for getting drunk and then robbed, aren't you."
Jafar glared at me, then at Sin.
"Jafar is still perfectly capable of assassinations." Sin warned.
Jafar smirked at me. I barked a laugh, placed on hand on his cheek and kissed his other. I felt his face go warm under me, before I spun away and ushered the children to follow the maid.
"We'll eat a meal together tomorrow!" Sin called after us. I waved back at him
Aladdin rushed into the room before me and flew onto the bed. Before the maid left Aladdin asked her if she knew anyone by the name of Alibaba. The maid reacted violently, dropping the tray she was carrying.
"Sorry, that name just surprised me. It's not a common name. Your friend has the name of a famous person in this country, Balbadd's Alibaba refers to Alibaba the wonder, the country's number one criminal." She explained.
I thanked her and she left quietly.
"Bed time." I ushered Aladdin into one of the beds and Morgiana into the other. "Get some rest."
I woke early before the children ever did. They thought they were being sneaky last night after I turned in for the night. They jumped around on Morgiana's bed, threw the fruit back and forth as Aladdin tried to tell Morgiana told jokes. They rolled around and played the strangest made up games until eventually they both passed out. When I got up I transferred them from the floor to their beds. I bit into an apple and grabbed my bag and pulled out one of my special outfits. I sighed and shook my head before slipping into the wash room to put it on. Once it was on and secure and the beads hung just right I slipped out of the hotel and onto the streets. I found a nice corner in the marketplace that was open and set down a bowl. I rolled my wrists and imagined the music the rukh sung to me. I rolled my hips and chest, catching the attention of quite a few people, before beginning. I shimmied my hips while isolating the movements of my chest. I danced wildly, laughing and smiling as I did so, evading the grabby hands of some passersby.
When a decent amount of time passed I laughed and thanked the crowd before collecting the bowl filled with paper kou bills. I rushed back to the hotel, my beads chiming delicately with each jumping step.
"Uh, Miss!" Jafar appeared before me. I turned pink under his unyealding stare as he looked me over.
"My master, wishes to dine with you and your children." He informed me.
"Uh, yes, that is perfect. Let me go make sure they are awake and we'll be right there." I blushed momentarily, "After I change of course."
Jafar nodded and gave me one last disapproving look before he walked away.
Luckily for me the children were already awake and didn't ask many questions about my attire as I changed and ushered them out like sheep. As soon as we stepped onto the patio I spotted Jafar and Sin's other subordinate. Aladdin rushed forward, dragging Morgiana by her had to the table. I took one more step after them when suddenly I saw pulled away against someone strong and warm. A hand wrapped around my neck and another around my waist pulling up against a muscled chest. Lips crashed against mine. For a moment I pushed against my offender, eyes wide. Until I saw golden eyes smiling down at me. Sin. I smiled and closed my eyes, allowing him to deepen the kiss.
"Sin!" Someone squawked, probably Jafar.
"I'm wearing clothes now." He murmured against my lips. I could feel his teasing smile.
"I can tell, but there are children present, and this is not the most conducive environment." I responded and pushed him back. He smiled and gave me one last peck on the lips.
"I missed you." He whispered as he walked me to the table. I sat down and before he could even make a move Morgiana sat next to me and Aladdin climbed into my lap. "Great." He muttered. He walked around and sat across from me as a plate was set down in front of us. "This is Balbadd's famous butter baked eumer sea bream. The eumer sea bream is a rare fish found only in Balbadd's coastal waters. Its secret is that, even though it's a sea-bream, it has soft bones and is an absolute delicacy when eaten with vanilla. When I first traveled here it was the most delicious cooking I came across." He explained as he served us all a portion. He looked towards me and smiled a bit "Rashid once mentioned it was one of your favorites as well."
"It still is, nothing quite comes close." I took a bit and smiled. Ever so slowly, I watched Morgiana and Aladdin take a bite and smile. Aladdin jumped up and down in my lap as he nodded in excitement.
"Hey this is really good." He told me smiling widely.
"That's why it's my favorite."
"Oh, I haven't introduced my subordinates yet. This is Jafar, and Masrur." Sin pointed out. I finally had a name to the mysterious man. "Morgiana, Masrur is a Fanalis." Morgiana jumped in surprise, grabbing the leg of my pants in surprise. "Did that surprise you? Actually, yesterday he also noticed. Your eyes are exactly the same."
There was a moment of silence before the two shared uncomfortable hellos.
"Are you going to introduce us, Sin?" Jafar asked politely. I smiled as did Sin.
"Ah yes. This is Morgiana and Aladdin. You of course already know this fine young woman." Sin smiled widely as I blushed and leaned against the top of Aladdin's turban. Jafar looked at me curiously, uncertainly, before his eyes widened.