Baked

We Out

"I was really hoping we could see the inside of the palace, but at least we were able to eat all that food!" Kiari clapped her hands together revealing her smile as she and Sinbad walked side by side to her father's ship.

They were back at the port, Satori's affairs in the capital took almost two weeks, but Sinbad and Kiari hardly felt it. They spent those days exploring the capital and dining to their heart's content. Kiari's bag of silver coins was as light as a feather now. 

Sadly Satori didn't allow them to venture inside the palace, declining the Kings invitation to stay in one of the many rooms that the palace hosted. He excused it as not wanting his daughter to be overwhelmed with Parthevia's generous hospitality. So instead of the royal palace, they stayed in an Inn one with lavish that might as well have been that of the castle.

"It's hard to believe I've been away for almost a month..." Sinbad sighed as he crossed his arms roaming his eyes around the oh-so-familiar port. 

"Is your family really okay with you being away for so long?" Kiari had a guilty expression, even though Sinbad reassured her various times that it was fine, she still doubted it.

With a chuckle, he replied, "Of course, the money you gave me before helped out a lot." 

"Oh right! Here, this is what I set aside and was planning to give you." She pulled out another bag inside her newly bought purse. It was a bag that had a design of a dragon-like fish, one she didn't know was actually popular in the Imchukk tribe. The design was decorated with beads and flashy threads of fabric. She pushed the bag into Sinbad's chest, surprising him as he hurriedly went to grab it. "What's this?" He arched his brow as he slowly put his hand in the bag and spread it open. The familiar glow, the familiar dazzle, the familiar feeling of glee -- was far too much for him. "Woah woah, this is way too much, the ten you gave me, as well as the food you bought for me was more than enough!"

"Huh- But I promised!" Kiari was startled again but she wasn't going to let him return it. "No! Take it!" Sinbad pushed the bag back into her arms, but she was quick to fight back and force it back, not with much success but she wasn't stepping down.

"Sinbad, the accommodations we gave you were nothing but the givens of the trip. Kiari went out of her way to find a bag for you! You can't just say no!" Lenlin walked behind Kiari, the two teaming up to give Sinbad pleading gazes. He gulped, staring back down at the bag with hesitancy. 

"Keep it, Sinbad, if you feel that bad about it go ahead and help us load the ship. I'm hoping to leave before noon, and the sun has already fully risen." Satori interfered, flapping his fan to himself with speed. Even though they were next to the sea the heat was still strong. 

A determined glint appeared in Sinbad's eyes as he clutched the bag. "Got it!" With that, he was dashing to the cargo still waiting by the ship.

Both Lenlin and Kiari sweatdropped. "Kiari, make sure you have all your things on the ship before we depart, also don't go wandering off anywhere." He pointed his fan to Kiari in a warning. She nodded, her kidnapping definitely made Satori more strict but she understood why. 

~

      To their surprise, the ship was ready to go a quarter before noon. "I know I said I wanted to leave by noon but I was expecting we would be ready much into the afternoon..." Satori stared dumbfounded at Sinbad who was walking down the ramp to the ship.

"He'd be quite a guy to have on our team, but whatever he decides I understand. Family is important." Lenlin let out a sigh as he went to go gather the rest of the soldiers. 

Sinbad wiped the sweat off his face and walked towards Satori. He had only one last thing to talk with him about. 

"Many thanks, Sinbad, while we may not have had the greatest first meeting, I'm glad we had it. Kiari had gone through a lot before arriving here, being so far from home I was afraid it would affect her greater than it already had. But with you being here I know she's been able to make much greater progress in her healing." He gave a curt nod as he continued to steadily fan himself. While the trip was simpler than usual he had to admit Sinbad did make the journey entertaining and much less stressful considering Kiari had joined him.