Desert Wind

Chapter 5

After receiving the mysterious message about the meeting, I knew what I had to do. I went to the only bridge in Aram. When I got there, I looked around carefully. The sun was still high in the sky, and people were struggling through the sea of bodies, trying to cross the river.

How do I know who I'm looking for? I thought, looking around.

"Follow me," a figure stopped next to me for a split second, then moved along the bridge. Pulled from my thoughts, I jumped at the sound of the strange voice. I followed the mysterious woman. She had a long gray cloak around her shoulders. Her loose blonde hair bounced with every step she took. She was my height. She skillfully avoided pedestrians, leading me through several streets. We made a couple of turns, passing by low houses. At the last one, the woman stopped. She turned to me for the first time and nodded, then entered the hut. I followed her lead. It was cooler inside than outside. The windows were covered, making it pleasantly dark.

"I don't believe it. He was right," the woman said under her breath. She nodded, walking around me, looking at me like I was some strange specimen.

"Who are you?" I asked. I tried to sound serious and calm, but my voice was trembling. It betrayed my nervousness, which was growing with every second. I was wet with sweat. My stomach was in knots.

"They call me Larysa." She threw her long hair back. Only now did I notice that she didn't look like the local people. Fair complexion. High cheekbones. However, what made the greatest impression were her eyes—an unusual shade of green. Beautiful. "But the more important question is, who are you?" she continued to stare at me. The question caught me off guard. She was the one who brought me here. I changed the subject.

"What do you know about Agira? How do you know her?" I asked. "Do you work with her?"

Larysa studied me for a moment before responding. "I don't work with Agira, but I know of her. We share a common enemy. The same people who have her now."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Why should I trust you?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.

"You don't have to," she said, her gaze unwavering. "But if you want to save your friend, you'll need my help. And I'll need yours."

"What do you need from me?" I asked, my curiosity piqued despite my fear.

"There is something Agira took—something of great value. The people who have her think she still has it, but she doesn't. You do."

My mind raced. What could she be talking about? "I don't know what you mean. I don't have anything."

Larysa stepped closer, her eyes piercing into mine. "Think carefully. Something Agira might have given you or left with you. Something you might not have even realized was important."

I thought back, trying to remember every interaction, every gift, every moment with Agira. Suddenly, it hit me—the small, intricately carved box she had given me for safekeeping, just a few days before she disappeared. "The box," I whispered.

Larysa nodded. "That's it. We need to retrieve it. It's the key to finding Agira and stopping the people who took her."

I felt a glimmer of hope. "Alright," I said, determination settling in. "Let's get that box."

Larysa smiled, a hint of relief in her eyes. "Good. We don't have much time. Follow me."

We left the hut and headed back through the winding streets of Aram. As we moved swiftly through the city, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of fear and anticipation. Whatever was in that box, it held the key to saving Agira and unraveling the mystery that had turned my life upside down.