A Desert Rose (editing)

~ T W O | F I R S T I M P R E S S I O N S ~ *

Chapter 2

First impressions

Darkness arose as the last light fell. Crowds filled the streets which were, till yesterday, lifeless. The announcement of the wedding was the end of the siege. And so, the people rejoiced as they celebrated the coming of a new dawn.

The union of two tribes.

Laila held the veil closer to her face as a group of guards walked by, releasing a sigh of relief when they ignored her covered figure.

"There is no need to fear, no one will recognise you." Wafiyyah reassured as they walked down a busy path. The smell of sweet desserts suddenly hit them, forcing their feet towards the hectic stalls.

How could it be that a starving city yesterday, was now full of food and life?

The soldiers of Al-Muharibun were no fools. When they arrived to state their condition, they arrived with food and aid. The same tyrants who starved them now offered them a bite to eat, and her people were miserable enough to be deceived.

Everywhere she turned, they spoke only words of praise for their enemy.

"Would you like some?" Wafiyyah asked, disrupting her thoughts. The taste of the sweets was a flavour missed on Laila's tongue. Even she could not resist as she grudgingly nodded her head. Her handmaiden smiled, disappearing into the gathering before them.

Till now, Laila had remained oblivious to her chaotic surroundings. Yet, upon the exit of her confidante, the princess found herself feeling uneasy. Her hand slyly fell to her side pocket, satisfied when feeling the sharp blade to be used only for self-defence.

"Breathe Laila, she just went to the stall." Laila assured, not knowing when she ended up in the middle of the busy marketplace.

She felt foolish for her discomfort. This was her tribe, her village. What more could she fear after being betrothed to her oppressor?

A shoulder suddenly barged into her, pushing her into a distant wall. The masses around her suddenly diffused, forming straight lines on either side of the street when a voice shouted among the commotion.

"Make way!" Orders were screamed, as the people began to cheer for a group of armed men. Of course, only Al-Muharibun could disperse a crowd with such efficiency.

Laila turned in disbelief, refusing to look before her. Afraid that even she would become hypnotised by their perfect display of valour and courage. Or at least, what they believed it to be. They were like the street actors who occasionally came to entertain the wealthy; only providing temporary joys to distract from the harsh reality.

Her eyes desperately searched for an escape as her hands fell onto the wall behind her. She followed it, attempting to avoid the bodies of people surrounding her.

Her own body suddenly fell back, tumbling into a small alleyway. Grateful for her petite frame, Laila found herself following the tight path, until the noise of the masses became faint. The sky was now covered in darkness, the moon becoming her sole light.

The alleyway was small, a larger figure couldn't possibly fit. She dropped the veil around her face, barely being able to breathe in the suffocating air. Her eyes instantaneously turned left as a tiny voice suddenly whispered.

"Please help me." Laila paused, hesitant as she urged herself to follow the whimper. It was a child, no older than six, clutching a golden bracelet in his hand. He was breathless, as though he had been running. His eyes caught hers, drowning in desperation. Laila hesitated, she pulled her veil around her face, searching for an escape.