Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Stay (Part I)

Sinbad entered the bedroom. "Layla, are you ready to go?"
Layla just finished wearing her jewellery at the dressing table. "I'm ready." Standing up, she turned to him with a smile. "How do I look?"
His face lit up as he made his way to her. "Wow..." he breathed out. Standing in front of her, he held her face. "Still as beautiful as the day I married you."
She laughed and blushed softly. "Happy anniversary."
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Happy anniversary, baby girl."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they both made their way to leave the room. They were off to celebrate their anniversary on their island but they had both decided that they wouldn't be taking any of their vessels.

"Mom! Dad!" Esra called happily. "Happy anniversary!"

They smiled upon seeing their daughter waddling over to them in the hallway. She was due to give birth in two months time and the baby had grown a lot. Sinbad hugged her to his side and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he smiled, keeping his arm around her as they walked towards the front of the palace. "Are you going to be okay without your mom for a couple of days?"
"Yes. Plus, I have Omar and Jafar on hand to help."
Layla smiled. "I know she'll be fine. Just make sure you eat on time and rest your feet whenever you need to. And don't be afraid to ask Omar to massage your feet."
"Did you used to ask dad?" she giggled.
"No. He would do it anyway."
"Aww, dad, you're so sweet."
He grinned proudly. "I know."
"Where is Omar anyway?" Layla asked as they reached the entrance.
"Oh, I wanted pastries from the bakery and this special drink that they do and only Omar knows how I like it," she explained.
Layla smiled. "Aw, my poor son-in-law."
"I'm sure dad would have done it for you."
Sinbad laughed. "I still do."
"Dad!"

They heard Omar's voice yell and they looked down to see him running towards them. He looked to be in a panic.

Sinbad rushed towards him, sensing there was something wrong. "What is it, Omar?"
Omar came to a stop in front of him and panted. "There's a man at the port. He's gone crazy, attacking civilians. Even the soldiers can't seem to stop him."

Layla and Esra's eyes widened at what Omar was saying. Sinbad knew he had to go and protect his people.

"Omar, get my sword and meet me at the port. Bring five guards with you."

Omar nodded and ran past the women to follow his orders. Sinbad looked at them.

"Stay inside. I'll be back."
"No, Sin." Layla went to him. "Take your weapons with you."
"There's no time. Stay with Esra and stay inside the palace."

He then ran off, motioning to two guards to follow him. He mounted a horse and instantly went off in a gallop. If the man was attacking innocent civilians then there was no time to waste.

Esra held onto Layla's hand as they watched Sinbad disappear into the streets.

"Come on, mom. Dad will be fine."
She nodded, breathing out softly. "Yeah..."

***

Arriving at the port, Sinbad found the man Omar had told him about. The man was definitely not a citizen of Sindria and he seemed to be under the influence of alcohol, which had made him aggressive. He had somehow managed to get hold of a spear and was swinging it around wildly. Clearly the people who tried to stop him had been attacked and were quickly being tended to by their neighbours.

He threatened any of the soldiers trying to stop him by pointing the weapon at young lady and her child. They had been at the wrong place at the wrong time and they were trapped, the lady holding her child as they were cornered on the ground.