A Thief's Gold: Ardeth Bay x Reader [Discontinued]

Chapter IV - Spoken Fates

My eyes were drooping by the time the lights of the Medjai base flooded my vision. The flickering of burning torches surrounding the sandstone building that practically blended in with the desert.  It stood extremely tall, with a grand split in the middle towards a gate that gleamed gold. 

Mumbling into the Elder's shoulder, I yawned before asking, "are we here yet?"

He looked behind towards me, smiling at my sleepy face, "Yes we are little one, let's get you to bed."

Once we went through the gates that two men opened once we stood in front of the gates, I saw the large courtyard that was alive with a torches and lamps that stood to each side. Surrounding us were doors with large columns and different buildings scattered around in other smaller courtyards further away. I could see the moonlight rippling over a small pond, and the sweet smell of jasmine filling my drowsy senses.

We were led to a large stable, where many horses were sleeping in. The Elder stopped our midnight horse, jumping off before carefully taking me off in my sleepy state. whilst a man and the Elder spoke to each other, I stared at the blackened sky that shimmered with millions of stars, each one so different. I was in awe, to see the stars again in my state of despair and pain sent me to a place of emotions I couldn't bear, so I looked away, back at the Elder as he smiled at me and guided me towards a door in the courtyard. 

He turned the knob, allowing me into the large bedroom that was basked in a sweet smell of myrrh and illuminated by the gentle sway of flames from various candles and lamps scattered around the room. A mattress was sprawled on the floor with intricate blankets thrown over and comfy pillows piled upon it. A large rug was underneath the mattress, and fur throws were scattered on top. I was in awe, my room was never as comfy as this one.

I looked at the Elder in surprise, but he cut to the chase, "it's yours, don't worry. Go to bed for now, there will be new clothes for you to change into in the morning and I will fetch you for breakfast." He patted me on the back, smiling as usual before leaving me in the room.

I smiled at the door as he left, thankful for his hospitality, even when my heart felt heavy over the fiasco before. Somehow the Elder made all my worries float away for a while, and brought me comfort that I've never experienced, almost as though I was bathing in a lake during burning midday. 

Turning my back, I sighed as I started to unwrap my shawl from my head that saved me from the melting heat of the sun's arms, and the light headscarf that hid my hair. Stripping my articles of clothes one by one, I knelt down to my backpack that I stared at with guilt.

It was pure guilt and anger that we both radiated to one another. The air that left my lungs tasted bitter, much more bitter than any of mother nature's fruits, and much hotter than any sun. I could feel the dread clasped to my soul, adorning me almost as though it was a medal of my flaws. 

Shoving my hand deep into the backpack, I felt the smooth surface of glass grace my fingers. Its coldness sent a shock through my fingertips, cooling me down from my seething anger and towards my own stupidness later on.

I took out the object gently, sighing as the candlelight reflected off its golden edges, almost blinding me with its vibrancy. Once I placed it flat against my hand, I felt my own emotions choke me up as I let out a strangled cry.

It was a picture of me and my family, one that I knew was never meant to be seen by me. 

There my family was, in sepia creases, smiling brightly under the harsh weeping of the sun, to the point we all covered our eyes with our hands as we gazed at the camera with glee. Whilst I could make out my pregnant mother and myself as a baby, I couldn't make out the figure on my right that held me close.