I do not own any part of the Magi franchise, but please do not use my original characters. Thanks.

Chapter 3

To Sinbad, nothing felt quite as wonderful as starting off on a new adventure. The places he'd seen at that point in his life never ceased to amaze him and Qostrad was no exception. It felt a bit reminiscent of Partevia, but without the threat of war looming over. People where cheerful and kind, seeming eager to go about their day.

Until they saw Safiya.

The more Sinbad watched and talked with Safiya, the more he liked her. He found her easy to talk to as she prattled on about the countries history and allowed them to explore as they made their way to the palace. Her smile was gentle and sweet. The only questions she avoided were detail about the Royal Family, but he didn't find that odd knowing there was a chance she didn't know much. She offered some basic information, but that was all.

He could not figure out why people were distrustful her at best.

Every citizen they talked to seemed to distrust Safiya. Some casually directed insults towards her, while other ignored her entirely. It was frustrating to witness for someone who seemed as kind as she did. Especially since citizen went out of their way to offer assistance and information to the people they knew nothing about.

"You seem lost in thought."

Sinbad snapped his attention back to Safiya. He didn't notice that he'd been staring off into space.

"Just taking everything in," he deflected. "The people seem…"

Sin paused to think of a word. Safiya's smile took on a sly edge to it as she stood a bit taller.

"Wonderful with strangers and terse with me," she offered.

"Well, if you think," he said.

"It's normal for me. You'll get use to it. Most people just leave me alone and I leave them be."

"Is there a reason?"

"Not a good one in my opinion, but I may be partial."

Sinbad hoped that Safiya would share that information with them. Even though he didn't fully agree with Ja'far, who immediately doubted her intentions, he did find it hard to trust Safiya when she kept secrets like this. He didn't ask other questions as Safiya continued to lead the way. Ja'far had started to ask more detailed conversation about the political system, common trade good, and other things. She seemed knowledgeable as she chatted away, growing more and more interested in the conversation.

Interested enough, that she didn't see the two men approaching until the closest to her collided his shoulder into hers. Sinbad stopped as Safiya stumbled back some. She snapped her gaze up to the men looming close by.

"Soldiers," muttered Hinahoho. Sin just shrugged, not sure.

Sinbad hummed as Safiya straightened her shoulders. Her smile had fallen as she looked at them.

"Didn't we tell you to stay away," growled the one, who had bumped into her. "You're not wanted here."

"I don't seem to recall caring much about your opinion. Would you mind leaving me alone? I'm escorting these travelers to the palace."

"If they're smart, they'll walk away and let us handle you."

"That a promise," she mocked. "Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"Who said we were letting you go?"

Safiya didn't budge as the one man gripped her shoulder. She had barely flinched or reacted at all. Sin stepped forward, but paused as Safiya lifted her hand slightly. The men didn't notice, but Sinbad gestured for Ja'far and Hinahoho to stay still.

They was no chance to move as Safiya acted. She gripped his wrist and twisted before he could brace himself. He let out a yelp of pain before Safiya let go of his arm and pushed him away.

His friend lunged for Safiya as the first man fell to the ground gripping at his wrist. She easily dodged out of the way, tripping the man. He fell face first into the street with a cracking sound and a yell. Blood began to pour from his nose as Safiya eyed them both carefully.

The first man went to stand, but was pulled back into a nearby alley beyond their view. Safiya, however could see and her calm expression changed as her eyes widened and her eyebrow twitched. She soon took steps back, but stopped as a set of hands reached out and grabbed her under the arms. A squeak escaped Safiya as the person walked out of the alley still holding her.

Sin didn't know what to do as it became clear that a guard was holding Safiya. The seal of Quostrad was sewn into the sleeve of his tunic. Safiya didn't say anything and pouted a little.

"This is why you aren't suppose to wander off," sighed the guard.

"I-"

"Safiya," he warned.

Safiya didn't say a word as the guard set her down on the ground. He fought back a little smile as he ruffled her hair.

"Zal, I didn't do anything wrong," whined Safiya. "They attacked me."

"I know. We saw what happened. And why did they attack you? Because you wandered off."

Safiya seemed as if she wanted to say something, but decided against it as Zal looked down at her.

Sin couldn't stop a smile from forming as Safiya glared up at Zal, who had turned towards them.

Zal had a smile fixed carefully on his face, but it was far from welcoming. His smile had a wolfish quality to it as his pale yellow eyes glinted dangerously. Everything about him was sharp and neat. His armor was a simple silver colored chest plate with a blue cloth sash draped over his shoulder, arm guard and sword at his side. He had short dark plum hair, that seemed to be rare here, as Safiya was the only other person they'd seen with that color of hair.

"You must be the travelers we'd heard so much about," he said, finally addressing them. "Welcome to Quostrad. My name is Zal Madani, member of the Royal Guard."