3 W I S H E S & 17 D A Y S

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"So, I just retrieve some sort of lamp?" Zahir raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What's so special about a lamp?" He almost scoffed but didn't like the scrutinizing glare the woman was giving.

"If you retrieve it, and anything else valuable you find, you get to keep one third of the treasures. Deal or not?" The woman crossed her arms over her chest haughtily. She was getting impatient with his dumb questions.

"I don't trust you." Zahir tapped his foot which were now wearing new sandals. They had been all quite generous but he couldn't wrap it around his head. Food, clothes, and luxury baths? And one third of the treasures he might find in some old cave in the middle of the desert? There had to be some sort of catch to all this.

The woman sighed and stepped towards him hesitantly. They were back in the room again with the candles and velvet couch. Zahir still had no idea where they were.

"Look." The woman sighed, inching nearer. She was finally standing in front of him, trailing her long, slender finger down the side of his face. "My name is Fatima. I'm a sorceress."

"A sorceress." It wasn't a question. More of a repeated statement with a hint of anger. Zahir's thick brows furrowed.

"Now, darling, do not be afraid." Her lips frowned. "We're doing this for a member of the royal family. One third for you, one third for me. The rest and the lamp goes to him. That's the deal."

Zahir still hesitated, averting his gaze from the seductive woman.

"Oh, c'mon. It's not a bad deal. It's a quite handsome pay. All we have to do is go through the day's journey getting there and then back in no time. You go your way and I go mine."

"Okay, okay." Zahir stumbled back as Fatima got even closer, startling him. "I'll do it. But one third for sure."

"You have my word." She smirked, giving him his space. A good liar, she was.

Soon, they began packing for the day's journey. The young soldier, named Waheed, and the other who had a toothpick chewing habit, named Jalil, were to come with them. Each, including Khaled, carried a pack of food and water.

Finally, Zahir and Khaled were led out of the hallway by the others and they realized they were in some sort of restaurant. People bustled about, laughing and eating until they paused to stare at Fatima leading the others out. Seemed like an odd bunch-- a gorgeous woman, two soldiers, a dashing man and a child. The place was lit by bulbs, giving a dingy glow to the restaurant. Zahir didn't know why he was so fascinated by the electrical glass balls. How did they even work? They used lanterns or candles to get some sort of light in the slums. The area was furnished by a few wooden tables and chairs. Waiters and waitresses brought food to those who ordered. The sound of sizzling meat could be heard from the kitchen and pots and pans clanging about.

The group filed out the glass doors-- another thing Zahir found odd. He has never seen glass doors or windows before.

"Where are we?" He mumbled loud enough for Fatima to hear.

"The City." She glanced at him as they came to a spacious road. "Have you never been here before?"

Zahir shook his head, amazed by what he was seeing in the cool night. The City was closed off by tall, concrete walls and were only accessible by gates with scanners. Not that he wasn't ever allowed to come here, rather he was intimidated by the idea of The City. The slums told many stories about it, how there were huge buildings and billions of lights. They were only half right-- tall buildings loomed over the bunch as the group went past many people walking about. People in robes and long garments brushed or pushed past Zahir and the others. Khaled held onto the hem of Zahir's kurta tightly so he wouldn't get washed away by the herds of people coming in like waves.