Home Again

Arabian Nights 2: Lair of Thieves

Fierce Fox and I had landed inside a dark, underground tunnel. There were layers of floor made of stone and covered in dirt. Cracked stone pillars held them up. There were thieves in black garments roaming around. We did not want to get caught.

"Follow me," I whispered. I jumped off of a stone layer and landed on a wooden layer. Fierce Fox followed me. There was a thief nearby us, but somehow he didn't see us. Fierce Fox continued following me as I headed downwards, our feet brushing the sand. Either the guards were all blind or just plain stupid, I don't know. But they didn't see us. Fierce Fox and I leaped down a hole, coming to the next area.

Fierce Fox and I landed on a wooden platform. It was above a stone floor that had a stone pillar, where a scene was happening. On that stone pillar was a variety of lamps. Four thieves were there: one seemed to be a sacrifice.

"It's easy," a lady thief wearing a red turban said. She has a very confusing name, so I'm just going to call her... Sasha. She's the leader of the thieves - and an important character. I told this information to Fierce Fox. "Just pick one lamp and place it on the altar. If it's the right one, you'll be set free!"

The sacrifice thief whimpered, "But the... the curse!"

"Yes," Sasha agreed. "The altar will destroy anyone who places the wrong lamp on it." She looked angry. "Then you'd better pick the right one!" This large, muscular, intimidating thief stomped his foot. The sacrifice yelped and grabbed a golden lamp with a light blue gem in the center. He walked over to the altar, which was a statue of a griffon-like creature with an angry-looking human head. Golden was plated on it. It was holding out a paw. Wings were on its back.

The sacrifice placed the lamp on the outstretched paw. Nothing happened for a few moments. The sacrifice looked relieved. Suddenly, the altar started glowing red. The sacrifice was disintegrated into red powder. Only his clothes were left behind. Fierce Fox tensed.

"Not again!" Sasha complained. "We'll run out of prisoners before we ever run out of lamps." Suddenly, the floor beneath our feet cracked and opened. However, Fierce Fox pushed me backwards, saving me. She fell down herself.

"Uh... just dropping in to say hi." she told the thieves as they approached her. I watched from above, my lips dry.

"Take this interloper to a cell!" Sasha demanded. The big thief forcibly led Fierce Fox away. "We'll deal with you later," Sasha called after her. "Back to work, everyone." With that, a thief that looked like a pirate headed off, and a thief that was obsessed with money began counting the piles and piles of gold that were stored there. Sasha herself walked off, ready to do some work.

I held my breath. Fierce Fox had saved me. I had a feeling she was perplexed about what was happening. I clenched my fists. She was in a cage. Of course I wanted to save her, but I wondered if it was a better idea to do other things first. No, I thought. I should save her first. I'll need the help. So, with that, I stealthily crawled along the wooden platform. I waited for the gold-counting guy to move, then I jumped down. I landed nearby the altar. I grabbed the sacrifice's clothes, eyeing the majestic statue. I went past it. On the wall, there was a ledge. On the ledge was a skeleton with a turban. It was holding a jar of quicksilver.

I decided to change my plans just a little. I'd grab a few items before saving Fierce Fox. I climbed onto the altar and jumped over to the skeleton. I grabbed the quicksilver, then jumped into the murky water below. I headed right, coming to another area. I walked across a wooden bridge. It was connected to a stone layer loaded with weapons, pictures and more. Oh, and Sasha was there, too. I did not want her to see me.

I crouched at the edge of the stone layer, waiting until Sasha wasn't looking. There was a large vase full of oil nearby me. I dipped the clothes into the oil, turning them black. Now I didn't have to sneak around so much. I put them on; the clothing made my skin itch. Especially since I wasn't used to clothing near my face. However, I looked like a thief, which was what I wanted.