Chapter 3

Sinbad was collecting tasty looking fruits and vegetables as his mind wondered to the woman back at the inn. She didn't act like a slave. No she couldn't be, when she spoke it was clear, direct and the fact she looked him in the eyes when they were talking told him that much. He knew she had been scared and that made him want to protect her all the more. He wanted to learn more about her and he really hoped he could convince her to join him and his men. After all, how could he make sure she was okay if he couldn't keep an eye on her? After paying for the food, he wondered over to the merchant that was selling some dresses and started browsing. I know she needs another dress and I want her to be comfortable but I don't want to offend her. Maybe she will understand.

He came across a stunning Light blue dress that was long and flowing. It had silver embellishments that he knew would complement her looks very well. As much as he wanted to see her in this dress he knew it was impractical to travel on foot in. One day I'll see her in a dress like this. He kept looking when a light purple dress caught his eye. He picked it up looking over all the details. Guessing that the dress would come right below her knees he thought it would be perfect. It was very pretty and simple with a dark purple medallion pattern on the edge of the skirt. To his luck there was a pair of light brown lace up sandals to the right of the dress as well. And a grin formed on his handsome face. The merchant looking on told him that there was a very lucky lady somewhere. All Sin could do was nod and agree.

Alya just finished up her shower and stepped out to wrap herself a towel when she wondered if Sinbad had returned. Peeking out the door she sighed in relief. She still had time to change. Grabbing her dress she went to put it on and realized just how bad a shape it was in. It's filthy and falling apart.

Knock knock knock. She dropped the tattered dress and her first thought was that he found her. Her dead beat dad had found her!

"Alya?" Sinbad called through the door. "It's me Sin, can I come in? I have food!" he spoke in a sing song voice.

"Umm…yeah, I'll be in the washroom come in!" she said as she started to panic and darted back into the tiny bathroom. Shit, what am I going to do? I'm in nothing but a towel. I can't keep him out of his own room and… I am hungry.

Noticing the hesitance in her voice Sinbad slowly opened the door to the room. He placed the food on the small table in the corner and then went to put her dress and shoes on the bed. Noticing her ruined dress on the floor, he walked up to the washroom door and attempt to talk through it.

"Hey are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…uhh. Well you see my clothes are a bit of a mess and all I have on is a towel, and I think I'm just going to stay in here and die of embarrassment. I hope the food is good." She said in a pitiful voice.

After forcing his mind out of the gutter, he tried to contain his laughter. "If you don't mind me passing you something through the door, it might just help the predicament you're in." he said through chuckles.

Is that asshole laughing at me!? She swung open the door to tell him off when a blur of purple was shoved into her hands and the door slammed shut.

What the hell? It took her a moment to realize what was in her hands. She gasped when she held it up. It was a beautiful lavender dress, and it had the prettiest dark purple pattern across the hem. She had never been able to afford a dress like this in her life. The only dresses she ever bought were tan and white ones. Any dresses that were dyed were always more expensive… like this one.

She began to say, "I can't accept this, it's…it's too much money. My dress isn't that bad, I'm sure I can find someone it patch it up…"

Sinbad cut her off, "Hey now! It's alright I already bought it and trust me it's really not a big deal. I hope you will accept it."

With tears threatening to spill she could barely managed to get her voice to work. "Sinbad, to someone like me who has nothing this means everything. Thank you. No one has ever been this kind to me before and frankly I'm not used to it. I owe you my life and more."

Things got quiet in the room until Sinbad finally spoke next. "Hey Alya, you don't owe me or us anything. All of us had been through our share of hard times. I'm going to be a king of a great country one day, and I WILL change the world. No more pain and suffering. No more war and death, no cruel empires. Just peace."

Those words shook her. And at that moment she knew he was telling the truth. She didn't even have to see his face; she could feel his conviction in those words. It was simply…amazing. She couldn't even image a world like that. Getting back to the task at hand she slipped on the dress. It was a little on the large size, but she knew she needed more daily calories so she soon hoped the dress would be a perfect fit. Stepping out of the washroom she slowly looked up at Sinbad. She would never admit that she was slightly nervous for some reason.

"You look beautiful." Sin said absentmindedly.

Seeing the blush on her face he quickly apologized and offered her some food which she graciously took. He just smiled at her as she chowed down on the feast before her. She noticed him staring at her and she instantly became mortified.

"I AM SO SORRY! You must think I have no manners at all!" she choked out and went to hide her face in her hands.

Grinning wider Sin just waved a hand towards her. "No not at all. You just reminded me of where I came from. I used to bring food to my village and all the children could never contain themselves. I know It's hard being so hungry all the time."

She just looked up at him wide eyed, not really knowing what to say except a small "thank you".

Smiling down at her he knew she still needed rest. "I would really like to talk to you about joining us on our journey. I would also like to know more about you, in time of course. We can teach you how to protect yourself and make you stronger. You would be safe with us, and in time you would be able to defend yourself." He could tell she was being overloaded with information so he added, "Before you say anything I would really like you to think about it. Will you please think about it… or have I scared you off?" he chuckled.

"I do believe you, and I appreciate you giving me time to think about it. Everything is just happening so quickly and I'm not really sure what I'm doing. I… I would rather not talk about my past just yet, but the thought of being able to protect myself means everything." She trails off and looked away from him.

He could tell she was getting upset about something, so gently reached out and grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him.

"The decision is yours." He started to say. "You are free from whatever you were running from and free to make your own choices. I'm just offering you protection and training, and to be a part of something that will change the world for the better. You my dear Alya need to rest. You are still in fact recovering from a great deal of blood loss".

At that moment she yawned and attempted to stand. She suddenly stumbled forward and Sin caught her just in time. He carefully lifted her into his arms again and walked over to her bed. The blush on her face didn't escape his notice. I can really get used to this. He placed her on the bed and like a child tucked her in.

"Now do not move from this bed until you are well, I would hate to see you hurt yourself." He demanded.

"Didn't you just say that I was free and that I could make my one choices?" she teased.

Winking at her he simply said that that would start tomorrow, and in return she stuck her tongue out and rolled away from him. Laughing he made his way to his bed and turned in for the night. Alya knew she had a lot to think about and that sleep would be almost impossible. And as much as she tried to convince herself otherwise, she knew her mind was already made up.