Magi: Secrets of the New World

Chapter I: Ascension of the New Priestess

The first time he'd heard about her was a fleeting moment that escaped him entirely. He was distracted, and frankly, uninterested. He was standing over his desk, his arms firmly supporting his upper body while he leaned over the furniture, lost in the study of the maps of his country, Sindria. He barely noticed the door barge open when Ja'Far entered His Majesty's cabinet in the White Capricorn Tower.

"King Sinbad," the General tried to get his attention, which irked him as it interrupted his train of thought. He knew better than to let his emotions handle him and allow his annoyance to be noticed, though. After all, it could be something important.

Ja'Far continued, "News arrived from the Kingdom of Samaria." He approached the High King of the Seven Seas, who was still leaning over his desk, seeming like he was pretending not to listen. "A new High Priestess has ascended," Ja'Far finished, expecting to stir up some reaction from the King.

It was like an automatic reflex, the King didn't even willfully start to form such thoughts, but his calculating nature had drawn up motives of expanding his alliances with her country before he'd even heard her name. Little did he know, she was about to make ripples in his life that he couldn't have dreamt of.

The King finally elicited some form of response by standing upright, crossing his arms, and rubbing his chin. Granted, his focus was still divided – He couldn't even be bothered to turn around to address Ja'Far. Instead, he walked over to the built-in bookshelves that wrapped around the walls of his office. "Samaria?" He repeated as if trying to recall what Ja'Far said, even though he most certainly heard it just moments ago. He was bobbing his head up and down slowly, along the bookshelves, searching for something. "Isn't that the small country that lies just north of the Dark Continent?"

"That is correct," Ja'Far responded, slightly peeved, but he was used to his King's theatrics.

The King finally stopped joggling his head around and lifted his right arm to pull out one of the books from his tightly packed collection from all over the world. This one was a book that he obtained from his travels to Artemyra. "This is the only book I've found that mentions the country of Samaria. It was given to me by Queen Mira Artemina, that woman was a different kind of animal!" He arrogantly declared, making an even more arrogant Whoo-ing sound at the end of his sentence.

Ja'Far could feel a vein on his forehead twitch, but he knew better than to entertain the King's goading. The womanizing King was definitely starting to get on his last nerve, though. "Well..." He tilted his head, in preparation to deal with the King's attitude, almost in a manner of suppressing his vexation toward his oldest friend, "What does the book say about the Holy Kingdom of Samaria?"

"Let's see," The King cracked open the book and flipped the pages, "Ah! The Holy Kingdom of Samaria was established around 15 to 20 years ago. The nation is well-known for its scenic beauty and friendly citizens. Samaria is home to some of the rarest species of plant and animal life in the known world. The country also has a rare form of government, not a monarchy, not quite a republic either, but more of a... theocracy." The King turned away from the shelves, raising his eyebrow, a calculative idea forming in his head as he walked toward his friend, while still holding the book, "However, for all of its grace, the nation is quite poor and does not have strong trading relationships with any other country. Everything they have..." He closed the book shut, making a loud slam, "...is home-grown."

Ja'Far removed his hand from his sleeve to reach out for the book, "Are you thinking of bringing them into the Alliance by utilizing the Sindria Trade Company?" He advised the King in a manner that allowed Sinbad to think that he was the one to came up with the idea.

"You know, Ja'Far, that's exactly what I was thinking." The King turned the book over to the General.

"I will have a ship readied with some offerings to the new Priestess, then," Ja'Far said as he tucked the book in his sleeve, hiding his hands in his clothing, and resuming his usual prayer position.