The Desert song

The lonesome king

"Mor," Aladdins small voice emitted from the shackles.

"When do you want-" He was cut off when I laid my hand on them, hearing a ruffle in the hole-filled sheet next to mine.

I waited until all of the noise in the crowded room died down until I contacted Aladdin again, but just as I did, I heard foot steps coming from the stairs, and then peeked over to see Leila walking into the room to count heads.

She eyed me carefully, but left after a few minutes of inspection.

To my dismay, I was unable to contact Aladdin for the rest of the night due to the girl sleeping next too me's loud snores.

Leila came to check it out every ten minutes, so I didn't get a chance.

Without barely any sleep, we were woken up at four by Leila and forced to move downstairs.

The barn was cold and damp, and the sun hadn't risen, so my eyes wouldn't open.

"Listen up, you worthless lot," She shouted.

"You are now going to begin your day, first things first, um.. oh yes! Morgiana, come with me."

The other slaves stood confused as Leila and I left, leaving them with a few guards.

"It may be sudden, but you already have a job. Go report to the main hall, where the head of palace slaves will guide you where you need to go."

She walked away after a brief direction, and left me to walk there myself.

"Mor~! Let's leave, I don't like this place.." Aladdin's voice broke the silence of walking alone, and startled me into a jump.

"No, I feel like I can get a clue here as to where Saare may be.." I explained as I reached the main hall gates.

After entering, I spotted a tall woman with long blonde hair and glasses that was waiting, so I expected that was the slave master.

"Um, I'm Morgiana," I whispered shly, approaching her.

"Oh, yup!" She gestured for me to follow, and led me up one stair case after the next, until finally, we were at a great set of doors, which, to my discomfort, realized to be the training room.

"What am I supposed to do..?" I asked curiously, entering after her into the red, cushioned, training room.

I spotted Sif, practicing swordsman ship with a trainer, and many guards sparing with each other.

"Dust anything you can find, change any of the old flower vases, and-"

"Crasel!" A girls voice called from another room, and she hurried out.

Wow, really careful with their slaves.

I started with dusting, and got to sweeping and mopping later.

Last of all, I walked downstairs to change the flowers, and picked nothing but Morganiäs, feeling rebellious.

When I returned, it was just the small king practicing, and after I set the vases down, I began to walk out, avoiding eye contact.

"You," He called to me, blocking my escape.

"Grab me my towel,"

I obeyed, but after I had given it to him, once again tried to dash out of the room.

Unfortunately, he wasn't done.

"Who's slave are you, I do not recognize your-" He stopped when he had gotten a better look.

"Your the slum-dweller! Your the one who insulted me,"

He added.

"I didn't mean to be rude," I examined casually.

"I just thought you looked small for 15,"

His face lit up red, and he strutted over to me, getting in my face.

He was about the same height as me, but I was short.

"Why you- why, why did you leave the slum?" He asked finally.

Surprised, I looked up. "Long story," I quickly responded.

"Hmmft! I have time.." He said quietly, almost under his breath.

We sat on the trainers table, exchanging awkward looks.

"I- I left because I have no family left. My last family died on the day after the slum gathering, and I decided to leave." I explained.

He stared at me for a minute, much to Aladdins discomfort, and the shacking of the shackles, before whispering,

"We're the same then,"

"Sorry, what?" I asked, wanting to get a better listen.

"Nothing!" He retorted, embarrassed.

I giggled. "You do that a lot, you know."

"What?!" He demanded, face flushed with shades of red.

"Get red!" I chuckled, and he glanced around.

"Do I?"

For a awkward moment, we seemed like friends. I wondered if he had any clue who Saare was.

"Um, do you know who-"

I was interrupted by Crasel, who called me back too the door.

I regretted for a moment, getting up obediently, because when I turned to wave good bye to Sif, his face seemed lonely, and much more mature than a 15 year old.

Whipping the thought from my mind, I reminded myself I needed to escape.

Tonight, I thought, and with a small vibration as an answer from the shackles, Aladdin agreed.