The Blinding

Chapter 27 - Loyaan

We were set to depart today. Zahi and Dahir stood behind me as we received yet another brief update from the prime minister, followed by my father. Reiterating our mission was redundant; we'd heard the details every day since our meeting in Shire's office.
The mission boiled down to a simple objective: locate Samakaab somewhere within the slums. A shifter named Burhan would discreetly tail him in his morphed state and send for reinforcements if necessary. In the event of an encounter, he'd return to the palace where my platoon awaited, ready to strike. Shire had a disconcerting smirk on his face as he outlined this part of the plan, but I was determined to prevent it from unfolding. I had instructed Zahi and Dahir to minimize collateral damage while searching for the Council's leader, and they were aligned with this approach.
The sand swirled around our group as we left the opulent confines of the castle. Menacing gray clouds loomed overhead, threatening to unleash their contents upon the city streets, and its residents were aware of the impending rain. The markets stood empty and abandoned, with vendors fearing that rain could ruin their merchandise. The same scene played out in the slum markets. Our mission was fraught with uncertainty. While Samakaab might not be in hiding, being the head of the Council could mean he was staying with fellow members. Alternatively, he might be hiding in plain sight to conduct confidential business. Finding Samakaab would require finesse, and possibly even bribery. Fortunately, the prime minister had provided us with enough gold to last a lifetime.
We had discarded our standard army uniforms in favor of clothing more suitable for the slums. The well-worn macawiis were borrowed from palace servants who received replacements in return, leaving them content. On the other hand, the itchy material made me frequently tug at the collar of my torn beige shirt. The stains took some getting used to as well. I looked down at them in disdain but continued on. The slums were a stark contrast to the luxuries of the palace. I had been here before, of course, but never as a civilian. One would have to be heartless not to empathize with the residents' living conditions. I pushed my sympathetic thoughts aside, urging Zahi and Dahir to keep up. The shifter, Sharmarke, closely followed us in the form of a scruffy brown cat.
As we strolled through the markets, we scoured for any clues that could lead us to the Council. My stomach growled audibly as we passed food shops, where the tantalizing aroma of fresh mugmad and malawax filled the air. The cat looked longingly at the treats before rejoining our side. We approached a man lounging outside a hut. He appeared relaxed, puffing on the hose of a shisha pipe and observing passersby. I practiced speaking like a commoner under my breath before I approached.
"Excuse me, sir, where can I find lodgings?" I inquired, lowering my voice to mask my refined accent.
He raised an eyebrow, and I feared that I had unintentionally revealed my true identity.
"Just there," he answered, gesturing with his chin. "The Banadir motel." I muttered a quick thanks before beckoning the others to follow. The motel was easy enough to find. It was a simple concrete building in a cluster of structures at the edge of the bazaar. I turned to Zahi, Dahir, and Sharmarke before we entered. "Say nothing unless spoken to, we must keep a low profile. Stay as inconspicuous as possible," I ordered quietly. "Yes, sir," they said in unison, while the shifter purred. I rolled my eyes and walked in.
A swirl of dust surrounded us as the door flung open. I wondered who was responsible for cleaning this place, coughing slightly. The place was relatively empty except for a petite shorthaired woman standing at the welcome desk. She was not very welcoming, however. She barely looked up from the book she was engrossed in. "Can I help you?" she asked lazily.
"Ahem, yes. We require three rooms," I stated. "That will be two silver coins a night." Zahi presented the payment, nudging the coins across the desk. She finally looked up, giving us a quizzical look before taking it and handing me three keys. "Enjoy your stay," she mumbled somewhat sarcastically, before going back to her book.
A ramshackle, once colorful rug led us to the stairs just beyond the desk. With no assistance from the receptionist, we found the rooms. They were simple enough, just as barren as the rest of the motel. No frills, just a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. Watching Sharmarke morph back into his human form was uncomfortable. All three of them perched on the bed and looked towards me.
"So, what's next, boss?" asked Sharmarke.
I groaned. This was going to be harder than I thought.