Magi: Secrets of the New World

Chapter III: Secrets of the Priestess

It has been nearly two months since the Sindrians arrived in Samaria. During their free time, Sinbad and the Priestess roam in the cities and villages, offering their help where needed, immersing themselves in the simple Samarian way of life.

One early morning, Ja'Far stopped his King on his way to see the Priestess. His experience reminded him to be quick at delivering messages because Sinbad tends to think his advisors are always spoiling his fun. "Sin, we have been in this country for nearly two months. Do we have any plans of going back to our kingdom?"

The King simply chuckled and avoided the question entirely, "Aren't you enjoying yourselves?"

Ja'Far made a worried face, "We are. The citizens of Samaria have been delightful hosts, but we have responsibilities to our citizens. I feel we might be losing track of our objective here. Have you found a way to establish an alliance or even basic trading?"

"He's right, Sin," Masrur weighed in, "Apart from that, we have overstayed our welcome!"

"Ah... nonsense!" The King threw his hands outward playfully, refusing to acknowledge both of his Household Vessels. "The citizens love having us here, and we get to help their communities! We've helped finish their new aqueducts—"

"I think you may have some misguided enthusiasm here, Sin." Masrur cut him off, raising his eyebrow at his King with his arms crossed against his chest.

"Are you sure the citizens love having you around? Or do you enjoy being around the Priestess?" Ja'Far goaded, a hand on his hip and a finger pointing at the King.

"What are you talking about?" The King exclaimed in denial. He put his hand on his chest, endearingly, "I am just trying to establish a good relationship between our two countries! Their customs and traditions are way different than any other country we've been to before, so it's just taking me a bit more time to learn their ways."

Masrur put his hand on his chin and thought deeply, "You know what? Ja'Far is right. You haven't been misbehaving at all these past two months. No drinking, no strange women you're sleeping with..."

"You're trying to get in the Priestess's good graces!" Ja'Far exclaimed suspiciously, "Which is not at all what we came here for!"

Their King simply walked away, explaining under his breath, throwing his hands above his shoulders and his head to the side, "You guys are simply absurd. Aren't you the ones who encouraged me to stay out of any trouble?" He turned his gaze back to the Generals, catching their gaze out of the corner of his left eye, "We are in a holy kingdom, after all."

"This is his first serious conquest of a respectable woman... We might have to stick around for a while to give our King a fighting chance." Ja'Far rested his palm against his face.

Masrur had no witty rebuttal as he thought for a moment, the words of his King striking a chord.

"Ja'Far," Masrur broke his silence, his hand still on his chin, "There is something odd about this kingdom. Why is this country called the Holy Kingdom of Samaria? We've been here for two months, and from what I have seen, the citizens don't seem to practice regular prayer. They have a high priestess, and they treat her with respect, begging for her forgiveness when they fail to protect her, but there are no major temples built around the city or even shrines to worship in any of the citizen's homes. I haven't seen any other priest or priestess teaching any scriptures either. The children are taught regular school subjects. The citizens here are different from Sasan; besides what the priestess explained about their clothing, there isn't much they do or say that qualifies as 'holy.'"