Kadian

The Great Tour

"Wakeup!" A sharp voice jolted Kadian out of her sleep. Disoriented, she sat up to see a frustrated looking Mohassen standing in the doorway of her hut. His frown disappeared as his mouth parted, but no words came out. At that point, Kadian realized that her sheet had slipped during the night-and she was in her underwear. She typically wore pajamas, but Omose hadn't left her any.

"Oh my-!" Kadian quickly felt around the ground, and snatched her sheet all as Mohassen watched. After wrapping it around herself, she faced him. "You could've turned your head!"

He shed his embarrassment for denial. "I shut my eyes!" he snapped.

"You didn't!"

He shook his head. "Drop it! I am ready to go, and you should be too. You are late!"

Kadian looked at her phone. It was mostly useless seeing that none of her contacts knew of her existence, but she kept it handy for the time. It was 6:00AM.

"How am I late?" she asked, genuinely puzzled. Kadian's definition of 'early' was closer to 11:00 AM.

"It is way past dawn! Now make yourself decent, and come on!" Mohassen stormed out of her hut.

"Cry baby!" Kadian called after him, but wasn't sure if he heard her.

After washing up, Kadian went to her closet to see what Omose had left her for the day. Dark green capris with a patterned green silk shawl hung from velvet hangers, making it apparent that the Savior was to always wear green. On the closet floor laid a cozy pair of sandals.

"Nice!" Kadian exclaimed, changing into her new outfit. Afterwards she scurried to the mirror and smoothed out her clothes. Kadian pulled her twists into a loose, neat ponytail, and took a moment to admire herself despite her tardiness. Part of her was ashamed that she was thrilled to be spending the day with Mohassen, and wanted to look good while doing so. Before leaving, she twiddled with the necklace that Sister had given her. Omose hadn't said anything about jewelry, so it shouldn't be a violation of the unspoken dress code.

What would Sister have said when she saw Kadian come down Shango? What would her sweet little face look like when she realized that the Savior was real, and it was her very own friend? Kadian swallowed a lump in her throat and quickly made her way outside.

Mohassen, who had been sitting against Kadian's hut, stood when he saw Kadian. "It took you long enough!"

"I apologize," was all Kadian could manage to say.

Mohassen decided not to push the matter any further. "Well then..." he said as he cleared his throat. "All set?"

Kadian nodded, and the two started off together. "I know you have seen most of these places, but nothing wrong with a refresher," Mohassen said as they walked around all of the familiar huts, tents, and markets. Most of the villagers were still asleep, but there was a fair amount of early risers wandering about.

A woman who looked to be in her thirties approached the pair. She bowed before saying "Good morning, Great Mohassen."

"Good morning Sheba." He maintained a very formal tone with the villagers, much to Kadian's annoyance.

Sheba quickly turned to Kadian with a wide smile. "Good morning, Mighty Savior," she bowed even lower than she did for Mohassen.

"She is not to be addressed as 'Mighty!' Only the chief possesses such a title!" Mohassen snapped.

Sheba looked as though she were ready to collapse. Grabbing Kadian's hand she begged, "Dear girl, forgive me! I meant no disrespect, I did not know! Please, have mercy!" She gently released her hand and bowed before until she was nearly touching the ground.