Mystic

Chapter 5; Amira

Amira woke to the sound of many voices. Together, they created a symphony of boisterous shouts and hushed whispers of conversation. She saw brightly colored fabric stretched between poles to shelter merchants and their precious merchandise from the unrelenting sun. The moment she saw the bronze statue holding its sturdy shield proudly, she knew she was in Yamen. The wagon rumbled down the dusty streets, and soon entered the heart of the capital city. She felt the vehicle come to a shaky stop.

"Aye, did you check the remaining cargo?" Someone shouted to another.

That's when it hit her. She was feeling all safe and well, and then the next thing she knew, she was still in the back of some stranger's wagon. As the wagon slowed down she made a move to execute her escape. Amira set aside the thin sac she was using as a blanket and slowly approached the edge of the wagon, covering her head with her hijab. Clumsily, she hopped off the back. The wagon rocked back and forth once she left. The camel let out a low moan and came to an abrupt stop. The members of the caravan turned around to inspect their precious cargo.

"Check the back," A burly man in a bass-like voice commanded.

"On it," Another replied. A thin, balding man who was light on his feet ran to the back of the wagon. Amira sprinted as best as she could on the uneven street, feeling the rocks digging into her feet.

"Thief!" the bald man shouted. The burly man pulled out a dagger and ran after her with an angry look on his face. The balding man steadied the camel and tethered it to a post before tearing after the hooded figure as well.

Amira snaked through the thick crowd as the two men pursued her. They still hadn't seen her face, and she wanted to keep it that way. She didn't know how long it would take for the rebels to send scouts to look for her, and she didn't want to take any chances. Hopefully, no bounty will be waiting for her when she returns home. If she does.

Amira tried her best to blend in with the crowd. The two men had stopped chasing her, but now pushing through the crowd, trying to get a glimpse of her. Amira stopped at a shop selling various glass chalices and mirrors. Amira glanced over her shoulder, trying to spot the men from the caravan.

Where did they go? Amira thought to herself. As she did so, Amira walked into someone and stumbled backwards.

"Sorry." the someone said in a clear, neutral voice. Amira glanced back at him in surprise. They were speaking Deanish! If the boy she bumped into was from Everdean, a country on the other side of the continent, then maybe she could bribe him to take her there!

Amira watched as the boy slowly made his way through the bustling streets. His light skin made him easy to identify him among the crowd. She followed him at a safe distance, trying not to attract attention. The boy glanced at the shops around him, then swiftly ducked behind a larger building. That was odd, Amira thought.

Amira quickened her pace, her eyes fixed on the point where she lost the young lad. She pushed through a group of women in brightly colored hijabs, then went around the building as the Deanish boy had done. That's where she found him, sitting on the dirt floor with his head buried in some sort of book. When Amira approached the boy looked up suddenly. Amira straightened her posture and met his gaze.

"Greetings. My name is Amira Alfarsi, and I require your assistance." The boy's brown eyes widened, and Amira couldn't help but smile. Looks like her deanish lessons had finally paid off.

"Uh, I would love to, but..." They boy said as he edged away cautiously.

"But what? What right do you have to refuse me?" Amira said, forgetting that, at the moment, she wasn't a queen.