Say Walah

10: The Flight South

As the sun dipped below the horizon, coloring the sky in hues of orange and lavender, Mairo and Rimi trudged wearily into a small town. The bustling market was winding down for the day, but there were still enough people about to provide cover for two travel-worn young women.

"Keep your head down," Mairo murmured to Rimi as they approached a cloth merchant's stall. "And let me do the talking."

They purchased simple, sturdy garments that would blend in with the local population. The loose robes and face coverings offered both anonymity and protection from the harsh desert sun. As Rimi adjusted her new veil, Mairo couldn't help but notice how different her friend looked - gone was the delicate maid, replaced by a determined traveler.

Their next stop was a food stall, where they bartered for dried fruits and meat. The salty-sweet aroma of preserved dates filled the air, reminding them both of home. Mairo swallowed hard, pushing away the pang of homesickness that threatened to overwhelm her.

"We need water," Rimi whispered, eyeing the large satchels hanging from a nearby vendor's cart.

Mairo nodded, her mind racing as she calculated their dwindling funds. "And something for the cold nights," she added, spotting a pile of sturdy cattle hides.

As they made their purchases, Mairo's ears pricked at every snippet of conversation around them. She tensed each time she heard mention of Garin Gabas or the Gwari Empire, but so far, there seemed to be no news of their flight.

"We can't linger," Mairo said softly as they left the town, their new supplies weighing heavily on their shoulders. "By now, the entire Islamic world must know of our disappearance."

Rimi nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon. "Where will we go, my lady? Surely not further north?"

Mairo shook her head. "No, the northern territories are too closely aligned with Garin Gabas. And the western lands are too risky - we'd be recognized in an instant."

They walked in silence for a moment, the gravity of their situation settling over them like a heavy cloak.

"South, then?" Rimi suggested hesitantly. "Or perhaps east?"

Mairo considered this, her mind racing through the geography lessons of her youth. "South... yes, that might work. The lands beyond the savanna are less influenced by the northern kingdoms. We might find sanctuary there."

As they trudged into the wilderness, leaving the small town behind, the enormity of their journey ahead became clear. The familiar landscapes of their home were giving way to unknown territories, fraught with danger and uncertainty.

Mairo reached out and squeezed Rimi's hand, drawing strength from her friend's presence. "We'll find our way," she said, as much to reassure herself as Rimi. "Whatever comes, we face it together."

Rimi squeezed Mairo's hand, the pressure trembling, as if she was holding on to the last sliver of courage. Her eyes, visible above the veil, glistened with a mix of fear and a fragile, stubborn hope. "Together, my lady," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Always. Even if it kills us."

As night fell again, the two young women pressed on, their silhouettes merging with the darkening landscape. Behind them lay the only world they had ever known, ahead an uncertain future.

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The desert was a vast, relentless sea of sand, its dunes shifting like waves under the punishing sun. Each step felt like a battle, the heat searing their skin, the sand stinging their eyes. As Mairo and Rimi trudged southward, it was as if the desert itself sought to swallow them whole, erasing their footprints and leaving no trace of their journey.