Three Wishes: Cairo, page 9
The rift between Enna and Paden only deepened when they had returned after that trip last year and found out from Katar that a guard had mistakenly let the dog escape and that Hanif was likely lost in the forest.
Enna had grown frantic and demanded an immediate search party. At Paden’s insistence, Katar had taken several men and combed the immediate forest, only to return later in the day with the disappointing news that her young friend had been found dead and had been buried in a nice clearing. He told her that he didn't think Enna would have wanted to see her favorite animal in the condition Katar had found it. Enna always suspected that Katar had returned a little too quickly. His sickly sweet attitude also made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. She didn't trust him and didn't particularly like him much either.
Life eventually returned to normal in the palace and Enna continued to push against the boundaries her father set up for her. Those boundaries were policed by Katar. He seemed to constantly stand in the way of her freedom at every turn. She maintained her secret garden and was now spending a great deal of time there alone.
Enna was on her way to that very place when she had mistakenly bumped into Katar on his way out of the family's private sleeping chambers. She was slightly taken aback by this intrusion because normal operating procedure dictated that no one beside the royal family was to have access to this hallway.
“Katar, what do you think you are doing in here?” she said.
“Your father asked me to check and see if you planned on joining him for dinner this evening. He is expecting a report on your studies and an update on your life,” he smirked. He enjoyed the control that the Sultan had given him over Enna. In his eyes, she was a wee bit feisty and it was very much fun to put her in her place. He was also impressed with the young beauty that was blossoming before his very eyes. He had actually entertained a fantasy where he would become her husband and more importantly, the next Sultan.
“My life? You can tell my father that I will be at dinner, but thanks to him, I have no life to report on. You can also tell him that I don't really appreciate his errand boy entering our private chambers to spy on me under the guise of passing on a message. I too need privacy, as I'm no longer a child.” Content that she had made her point, she moved off toward her room.
“Perhaps he would treat you as an adult if you started acting like an adult.” He couldn't resist one last dig in her direction. He watched as she stormed off and admired the view. Katar was loyal to the Sultan, but he was only human and quite tempted by thoughts of power. He also realized that should the Sultan die and Enna marry another, he would instantly be removed from the palace. There was no love lost between the two, and Enna made no secret of the fact that she didn't trust him. Katar smiled. He had to give her credit. If Paden could read his mind, Katar knew he'd likely be the first member of the kingdom put to death. Her instincts about him were spot on though there was little she could do about it. The King had shown little respect for his daughter and was very uneasy about her womanhood. He seemed content to let Katar do the parenting. This situation was perfect for Katar.
He would return to the Sultan and make the report.
Three for dinner.
A Bad Name For A Dog
Aladdin and Darius had a good head of steam and were running effortlessly. Though Aladdin was no longer an official thief, he still was borrowing items that he needed to complete his home. When he sprinted by the guards, they weren’t even aware that he had stolen anything. But they were giving chase because that was what guards did when you ran by and didn’t stop when they told you to. He had easily passed them and gained a safe enough distance so when he rounded the corner of the palace and saw clear sailing ahead, he simply ducked into the forest and was deeply immersed before they even turned the corner. He slowed to a walk, lifted the hood he used to shield his face and made his way quietly through the bramble on his way home without giving his pursuers a second thought. He was hungry.
He rested quietly for a few hours after the day’s activities. His bounty had been a beautiful vase he had seen on the front porch of the local tax collector. No, he wasn't going soft and planning some sort of wildflower haven for his fireplace. Instead, it was simply a very nice way to haul water from the stream into his house. He could drink from it, bathe from it and store several helpings of water in his home to avoid so many trips. This vase was fashioned from glass, so it was easier to clean and maintain than the crude wooden bucket he had used while building his residence. The clarity of the glass also made the water taste like water, rather than wood. Now that his home was completely furnished and he was quite comfortable, he really didn't have a plan for the rest of the week. He had enough food to feed Darius and to keep his stomach full. It was a simple life and he was quite content in the bed he had cobbled together. It was to be an easy low risk day.
He decided to take Darius for a bit of exploring in the forest to check his traps and perhaps develop a new secret trail in the event an escape was necessary. He would start with the premise that an attack would come from the rear of his residence and plan accordingly. This would be his first foray escaping toward the palace. He had mapped out the thick undergrowth of his wooden fortress pretty well, but was quite excited about the prospect of a new direction.
He had borrowed a very nice sword several years ago from one of the palace guards and he had built up the handle so that he could hold it easily and comfortably with two hands. This had the effect of making it more of a tool than a weapon. When he scouted a new area, he cut a fresh path through the underbrush as he went. Not only did it make it easy to proceed, but also made his return trip a breeze. He was very careful to cut enough undergrowth to be able to recognize the path and remove anything that would trip him up, but leave enough so as to not advertise the path to an untrained set of eyes.
As he sliced his way through this new territory, his danger sensors immediately kicked in and he stopped breathing. He had come across a clearing with two simple carved benches, a small wooden basin with clear fresh water and some ornamental grape vines that blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest. If he hadn’t accidentally stumbled directly into this little grove, he would never have seen it at all. This whole scene unnerved the young man, as he had been so confident in his dominance of this tree-populated paradise. Who was trespassing in his forest? If finding this oasis hadn’t completely unnerved him, the raised voice of another human being certainly did.
“What are you doing with my dog?”
Aladdin froze. All of his preparation assumed that he would be fleeing from some unseen assailant and that he would laughingly be leading them astray through his own private maze of brush and trees. This shock rendered him completely unable to react.
“I said what are you doing with my dog? I'm assuming that you can hear me can't you, boy?”
Aladdin turned slowly. He was now standing directly in front of the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Enna's beauty did nothing to help loosen his tongue. When he saw her eyes focus on the sword in his hand, he realized the implications and dropped it harmlessly to the ground.
When he tried to speak, it came out a jumbled mess, “I… I don't know… dog?”
Darius reacted quite differently. He confidently ran into the young woman's arms with nary a thought for his own safety. Dogs have a way of breaking down barriers by bounding tongue first into any situation. Enna was so happy to see her long lost friend that she instantly forgot that she was staring into the face of a total stranger who had invaded her private garden carrying a weapon. She was knocked to the ground and covered in dirt and dog kisses.
Aladdin stared transfixed. He couldn’t believe his eyes. His loyal companion; the dog he had saved from certain death and the dog he had had to prove himself to, was volunteering himself to the first person he met.
“Darius, what are you doing, you traitor?”
Darius barked and wagged his tail. He left Enna and walked to Aladdin's side. A brief lick of Aladdin's hand was meant to soothe any hard feelings.
Enna was quickly brought back to her senses. She rose and again tucked her long golden hair behind her ears and resumed her most royal disposition. She cleared her throat as she again began to size up the young man who stood before her.
“I asked you a question, boy. What are you doing with Hanif? More importantly, what are you doing in this forest, why are you trespassing on this land and why are you calling my dog Darius?”
Aladdin still stared at the blonde and curious creature before him. Who was this person?
He had never experienced this feeling before. Though he had been caught and was being questioned by this person, her sharp tone had caused him to be a little defensive. His normally sharp mind had stumbled but eventually, he crafted a plan as he rose up to his full height and stared down at her.
“Boy? I can assure you that I am no boy. I am the caretaker for this forest and you, young lady are trespassing on land under my care. I am assigned this task by the King Paden himself. The dog that you refer to as Hanif has a name and you will refer to him henceforth as Darius. Now run along before I report you to King Pa…”
“To my father?” she interrupted. She was enjoying just how uncomfortable she had made him. Lately, Enna had not been very thrilled with being the daughter of the King. But at this moment, she wouldn't want to be anywhere or anyone else.
But to Aladdin's credit, even with a minor setback, he was not yet willing to yield. He decided to try a different tact: the truth.
“You are simply too beautiful. I am unable to think of anything witty to say right now.”
Now it was Enna’s turn to redden. She had no experience with handsome young men who afforded her compliments. Momentarily, she wasn’t sure if she should giggle or lash out in anger. “Don't try to flatter your way out of this situation. I asked you a simple question. What are you doing with Hanif?” she stammered.
“I am sorry, Princess, but I am not able to refer to Darius, obviously a strong male dog, with a name that means lady. Only a terrible person could be so cruel as to shackle this poor proud animal with such an embarrassing name.”
Darius whimpered at his former owner and wagged his tail lightly.
“I named her, uh, him… before I knew what the name meant. How did you come into possession of my friend? Please tell me that you didn’t steal from me?”
That question raised Aladdin's hackles.
“My dear lady, I have stolen many things. I'm not proud to be a thief, but unfortunately, not all of us are born into a life of posh primpery. In the past, I have stolen to survive and quite frankly, targets such as you are always my first choice. I feast on the pompous and pretentious members of society so that I can help feed those who aren't born with a silver spoon around their neck!”
The Princess nervously stroked a small silver spoon necklace the currently adorned her slender neck. She was both excited by this young man and angry to be spoken to in such terms. She really had led a sheltered life and had virtually no interaction with people her own age. Why would her first encounter have to be with someone so dark and handsome, yet so aggravating? Finally she too found her tongue. “Are you quite finished?” she asked.
“No, not really. I found this wonderful dog a long time ago trapped in the forest and saved his life because his former owner didn't care enough to take care of him. He apparently was just another possession for someone who already had too many. He was likely hours from death when I found him, fed him and nursed him back to health. You might want to try thanking me rather than accusing me of thievery!” Aladdin was quite proud of his response. It had taken him a bit to get up to speed, but he had once again assumed control of this situation. That was, until he saw a single tear move slowly down her face.
He could tell that he had upset her and immediately deflated his arrogant stance, went to her side and put his hand lightly on her shoulder. “It’s okay, I’m sorry.”
“I was told by several advisors that Hanif had been killed mistakenly by hunters after she had escaped. I cried for four days straight. She was my only friend after my mother died.”
“Whoever told you this dog was dead and buried is not a good person. Who would say such a thing, Princess?” Aladdin was already feeling protective of this person with whom he had developed an instant chemistry.
“It doesn’t matter now. We will not mention this to anyone. It will be our secret. And by the way, primpery is not a word.” She managed a tiny smile while he just watched her and smiled right back.
Enna quickly realized that she had overstayed her allotted time in the forest and rose to leave. “I have to get back or I'll be missed. Take care of my dog for me. I will expect you to be here tomorrow in the late afternoon so that we can discuss Hanif's future.”
“I will be here tomorrow as you wish, but I will not refer to my dog as Hanif. Of that, you can be sure.” He smiled at her and then she was gone. Aladdin watched her disappear in the direction of the palace. He even watched the spot she had vacated for a few minutes just in case she came back.
The Plan
The Plan was on course.
Though he had failed ever so slightly at the wedding, Alchemy told himself that he had actually achieved the outcome he had sought. He had removed Khayri, Ameerah, and their two foolish friends without shedding one drop of blood. And though his plan would have likely ended the lives of all of the participants in this little human drama that he was swept up in, to say he had done it all without bloodshed made him feel better. After all, only a monster would wish death on an innocent. Even with all that had occurred he still saw himself as the hero in this story.
Step one of The Plan was complete. Any possible challengers to the crown were now gone. The council had asked if the wise and honorable Alchemy would temporarily assume the throne until order could be restored and answers could be found.
As The Plan dictated, he begrudgingly accepted on the condition it was understood that he was sure that the Prince and future Queen would soon return. Of course, at that point, he would humbly surrender power to the rightful owner. He said the right things and did the right things and soon; the talk of choosing a new king faded quickly. The townsfolk were already referring to Ameerah and Khayri in the past tense, though in reality they had only been gone for several months. They were beloved and would not be forgotten, but life goes on and those that remain had to mourn quietly and move on.
Alchemy even altered The Plan to announce the deaths of the four heroes. There was really no reason to after a few weeks. He was amazed at how quickly the mortals forgot important events as they continued about their very limited and uneventful lives. Ameerah and Khayri were thought of with great love and admiration, but Alchemy was the king now. He could focus the full breadth of his attention on setting up the new government and the process of leading this kingdom forward.
He had always planned to assume power and then remove those remaining Khayri loyalists and replace them with his own drones. But then a master stroke of genius came to him one night while he sat thinking. Anyone that he deemed a threat would be sent out in a second wave of search parties to look for survivors. He knew very well that he had helped the original search party vanish and could easily apply the same spell to the new searchers. So he killed two birds with one spell. Sometimes he simply couldn’t believe just how smart he actually was.
It was important that in the early going, Alchemy kept a semblance of compassion and false modesty. He had seen years of evidence that a beloved leader can get things done. A leader who imposes himself on his people will have followers, but will also create enemies, and those who can slow the process of governing. He openly grieved the loss of Khayri and Ameerah and gave bold speeches about the loyalty displayed by Rorgue and Atiene as well as others who joined in the search.
It was important that he showed some vulnerability and understanding early on so that in the weeks that followed, he could show strength and resolve. They would get through this tragedy together and he would rule this kingdom the way he knew the young king would have wanted him to.
His speeches fooled the masses and, like all good masses, they soon forgot why they were mourning. It was a surprisingly short time until Alchemy no longer had to mention the names of his predecessors during speeches.
It was time to begin expanding their kingdom, as Khayri had always wished.
This too, would be laughingly simple. In a few short days, he would simply announce that the search parties had been attacked, and the masses would demand blood for blood. A little magic here and a little army there and one kingdom would soon become three.
Oh, The Plan.
Lovesick
He had overheard the older men in town talk about their complete loss of mind when they’d met their brides. He had laughed at their stories but taken a distant approach with his own life. From what he could tell, women just slowed you down, made you fat and robbed you of your ambition. He’d seen his share of pretty girls and he was aware that they watched his graceful movements out of the corner of their eyes when he sauntered past. His new home had indeed started contemplation on subjects he never thought would interest him. But he’d never really been an active participant in the whole romance thing until today.
He replayed their brief conversation over and over in his mind. This was a princess, a blonde beautiful princess and he had just carried on a meaningful conversation with her. She hadn’t looked down on him for being poor like he’d always assumed royalty would. She hadn’t immediately called the guards to have him arrested when he’d scared her (or actually she’d scared him) in the forest. He didn’t have much experience, but she had even invited him back tomorrow for a second meeting. She even liked Darius, so how bad could she be?
