Akyuliya

Archie

The morning in the tavern was much calmer than it was at night. Only a few patrons lingered after the morning hours, but that did not assure vacancies for tables. They were all taken never the less and the children were fortunate to catch a table for themselves.

Sapphire laid her head on the table, rather sluggishly while Naajim remained looking down, finding the wood-worms rather interesting. Prince Tyler had a financial crisis and he counted the coins in his pouch, so that no one around them could see. He finally hid the pouch inside his vest and sighed.

'We can't stay a day longer here,' he said. 'We have enough money only for the ferry back home and for some supplies.'

Of coarse, only Archie remained listening. While they waited for their order to arrive, Archie looked around. Sapphire lifted her head, her eyes red as she rubbed them and yawned. At the back of the tavern a girl, probably four or five years older them him, sauntered with a tray pilled with wine mugs. She pursed her lips with a frown, eyeing the crowd around her.

Prince Tyler, curious of what Archie was staring at, whipped his head around. The prince's jaws fell for a bit at his stared at her with wide eyes before turning back around, clearly embarrassed at staring like an idiot.

Archie had the admit. She was pretty. Long dark curvy waves cascaded down her back as the sunlight fell on her dark skin, making her face glow in gold. Her bright hazel eyes flitted left and right, eyeing every man and women in the tavern as she faked a smile and distributes the wine. Her dark emerald green dress swirled around her as she moved. She finally approached their table, forcing Sapphire to so upright as she blatantly stared at the young women.

Even women didn't escape her charm. Prince Tyler clearly suffered the greatest blow since he tried his best not to stare at her like a goon and gave a rather goofy smirk before shaking his head at her. Drinking early in the morning was not the best idea.

The girl nodded in understanding, smiled and Sapphire, gave Archie a rather strange look and eyes Naajim rather suspiciously.

Prince Tyler cleared his throat, 'They don't drink.'

Sapphire and Archie nodded while Naajim remained looking down, his shawl covering the too of his head.

'Is he alright?'

'He is very shy.'

'It doesn't seem so,' said the girl with a frown. She looked at all three foreigners and then at Naajim. Her eyes narrowed. 'Is he your slave?'

Sapphire jumped at the conclusion. Naajim raised his head in shock.

'No!' cried Prince Tyler. 'He's our guide!'

But the damage was already done since the girl caught a glimpse at Naajim's face and shrieked while backing away. Prince Tyler caught the girl before she fell over and growled at her ear, 'Not a word.'

The girl hardened her face and left, storming. The children stood up, paid the tavern lord without breakfast and hurried out of the tavern with third things. When they reached the stables, there was a girl in a green dress leaning a stable beam with her arms crossed, as if she were waiting for them.

Prince Tyler groaned, 'What do you want?'

'I cannot allow you to treat one of my people as a slave!'

'For crying out loud, women! He is not our slave!'

Archie was so glad the prince had a head in top of his shoulder. Most men would have simply succumbed to her charm and become too meddle-headed to think.

Sapphire looked around, 'Where is Snort and Droop?'

Silence fell among them.

'The hyasa,' Archie translated. Prince Tyler looked around, Naajim as well before the prince muttered a curse under his breath.

'They were stolen!'

The girl have the younger children a sympathetic look, especially Sapphire who had a crest fallen look, 'But... Snort and.... Droop.'

'That is why you don't name them kid,' said the prince. He turned to Naajim.

'Now what?'

Naajim shrugged.

'We definitely don't have enough money to buy them... no one left anything valuable in them, right?'

'The tents, water and rope,' Sapphire pointed out.

'Um... anything except those?'

Three heads shook.

Prince Tyler sighed. He them turned to the girl, 'What are you waiting for?'

The pointed at Naajim, 'He is not safe here.'

'We know.'

'You don't understand how dangerous_'

'We are aware.'

'You can't hide him_'

'He's good at hiding. Isn't it Naajim?'

Naajim nodded hesitantly.

'Why do you have him anyway?'

'None of you business.'

'Yes it is,' said the girl. 'Why do you have him?'

Prince Tyler sighed, 'We all came from Artaria. We are going back. He is with us.'

'Let him speak for himself.'

Naajim stepped forward, 'I travel with them. My choice. I will not go with you.'

This caused the girls smug and ferocious face to fall. She unfolded her arms and leaned away from the pole. 'Very well... but leave the city soon.'

'We will,' replied Prince Tyler.

An uncomfortable silence followed.

'If you wish,' said the girl, 'I can take you meet with a merchant troup who is traveling out of the city. You can ride with them. I know a person, he will not charge if I ask him.'

'Okay... why are you helping us?'

'Because I do not trust the safety of the children with a man like you.'

Prince Tyler was flabbergasted.

'Sounds good,' said Sapphire. Archie was skeptical, but it was too good or an opportunity. More people meant less monsters to deal with on their way back. Surely the price wasn't planning to use the same route again... was he?

'I'm Sapphire.'

Sapphire held out her hand.

The girl stared strange at the gesture and caught hold of of the stretched out hand, not knowing what to do, 'Akyuliya.'

'Wow,' said Sapphire. 'Even your name is pretty.'

Akyuliya grinned while Prince Tyler made a face at her.

They all ate breakfast from a bakery stand besides the street. The pastry was freshly cooked out of the oven and had creamy cheese stuffed inside a tough leather like flat disk of what Archie thought to be was bread. We looked strangly at it before bitting into it.

It didn't seem bad and actually tasted good, so he finished his share without complaint. Prince Tyler grumbled about how he wanted a pint of ale since he was stressed out. After a quick breakfast, they blindly followed Akyuliya through the busy morning streets.

Yet, Prince Tyler was very against following Akyuliya's lead and did not make an effort to hide it.

'You know, she is probably the only person out here who is willing to help us,' said Sapphire as she walked besides Prince Tyler.

'I don't trust her. In fact, that makes her more suspicious since she's a women.'

Archie heard Sapphire scoff.

'Women are crafty kiddo. They are good to look at and for many other things as well_'

Prince Tyler was caught halfway due to the glare Archie sent him from ahead, causing the prince to cringe.

'Anyway, what I was trying to say is that she probably has something else in mind in trying to help us.'

'What if she just wants to help?'

'Hmm... women can be nosy and annoying as hell so that could be a possibility.'

'It is because men are stupid and egologistic to follow with,' said Akyuliya aloud from in front.

'See what I mean!' said Prince Tyler, trying to prove a point to Sapphire.

'Don't fill that boy's head with nonsense.'

'It's true fact. The kid got to learn.'

'You do realize I am a girl as well,' said Sapphire.

This caused Akyuliya to freeze on her step and turn around. Prince Tyler glared at Sapphrie, 'Perfect. Just go ahead and blow your cover.'

Even Archie had to agree to that. Akyuliya narrowed her eyes suspiciously, 'I wonder what are the four of you doing in Dhahabi.'

'Then keep on wondering.'

'I am serious. What brings a man and three children to a city at dangerous times.'

'We didn't know it was dangerous times.'

'Well you aren't definitely here all the way for Artaria just for a visit,' said the young lady as she eyed the weapons her charges carried.

Prince Tyler shrugged, 'We have the right to remain silent.'

Akyuliya marched forward and poked Prince Tyler's chest with such a force that the prince flinched and tried his best not to react, 'As the person who is helping you, I at least deserve as explanation.'

'Hunting. A very failed hunting. Happy now?'

Akyuliya seemed skeptical but she sort of accepted the answer anyway. They continued down the street, without further blocking the way. As they passed the various stores filled mostly with bones and jars filled with teeth and pickled something that Archie did not want to know about, he understood why their cover up story was very accepted in Oblivion.

It seems there was a huge market for animal parts.

'Why do people buy animal bones?' asked Archie from Naajim.

'For eaji.'

'Huh?'

'Bone Ivory,' explained Akyuliya, 'Some bones of these beasts has ivory in them. Especially teeth and tusks.'

'I have never seen anything ivory in this place,' said Sapphire.

'Have you seen bone Ivory?' said Akyuliya.

'It's hard and has a bronze sheen to it,' said Prince Tyler. 'There are a range of colors. Some gleaming white, some almost gold. But I never thought they were form these beasts... even though people called them bone ivory.'

Naajim drew out his dagger immediately. Archie also thought that his dagger was made entirely from bronze, but the handle was hard, even if it did have a metallic gleam.

'Bronze ivory!' exclaimed Akyuliya. 'Hide it. Don't let anyone see it.'

Naajim quickly stuffed it under his belt.

'I believe you now... the boy is clearly not a slave. You won't let a boy keep something that expensive if he were.'

The prince ignored her and sped up ahead.

'Do you even know where you are going?'

'It's clearly obvious now!'

At the distance, giant carts lined one side of the street as the merchants sold their goods from behind. There were guards stationed around each cart, at least three each, just like the merchants carts what arrived to Aryan.

'I still don't get why there are guards...' Sapphire said.

'Merchants are a high profession here,' Akyuliya said, 'They need mercenaries to guard their things. There are merchant families here. Most families have been merchants for generations.'

'And who is the merchant that will help us?' said Prince Tyler.

'Alshaam Alkabar. He is an old acquaintance of mine.'

'Uh huh. Where is he?'

Akyuliya sighed and simply walked towards the line of carts. She stopped by a cart that hard a khaki green canvas over it and with a strange bulky animal harnessed to it. The animal lifted its head upon seeing the intruders. Then it simply went back to sleep lazily. Behind the cart, talking to what seemed like a customer was a bearded man with a strange head covering. It seemed as if a long piece of cloth was wrapped around his head and the long ends were allowed to hand behind him like a long braid. Upon seeing Akyuliya, the man smiled, the corner of his eyes cringing in delight at the sight of her.

'Akyuliya! My you gave grown,' he said as he embraced her. The girl returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm and affection to the man. Archie decided that the man was alright. There seemed nothing cunning or rude about him. He might have been many past sixty years old but he moved like a man in his youth. After speaking with Akyuliya in their native tongue, exchanging pleasantries, he turned towards Prince Tyler with a narrow eyes look.

'I see you found a handsome one,' said Alshaam.

'Eh?'

'But he seems arrogant and proud, my dear. Surely you could have found a better match. He does seem strong though.'

Prince Tyler turned to Akyuliya and whispered, 'What is he talking about? Is he fine with taking us?'

But Akyuliya didn't meet his eye. Archie saw a deep blush talking over her ears as she tapped the shoulders of the old man whispered something to him. Alshaam laughed.

'So he isn't your lover?'

Upon hearing this, Prince Tyler's face soured, 'Definitely not sir.'

'Ah... good, good,' Alshaam said as he tugged on his beard, 'I hear you want to accompany me out of the city. Where is your destination?'

'Ivory Port.'

'Ivory Port? Not Shandaban? If you want to leave Oblivion, Shandaband is the best way. But since we are in Dhahabi, it is not the fastest. I am sorry, boy, but I do not pass by Ivory Port. It's a very unsafe place. The security cannot be trusted and the people are two faced there.'

'So Shandaban is safe?'

'Shandaban is very safe, safer than Ivory Port. It used to be merchant capital until Ivory Port was made, but it is still active. I can take you there; it will take at least four days though.'

'What about after that?'

'You take another route to the harbor nearby and then you sail back to...'

'Artaria.'

'Yes, where ever you are from.'

Archie searched the prince's face for a clue of what he might decide. He instead turned to them. 'Can I have a moment,' he said and walked quite a distance away. The remaining three of them followed.

'I vote to go with him,' said Sapphire, 'I've had enough near death experiences for a year.'

Archie nodded.

'Okay, but... It will take a very long time,' said Prince Tyler.

'Do you have anything to do when you get back to Aryan, decides get on the nerves of your brother?' Sapphire pointed out.

'Eh... No... But Tristan, he's... you know... I can't just.'

'Earic will send up a letter if something happens.'

'What if he doesn't?' snapped the prince. He crouched down so that he was in level with the children's faces and whispered. 'Look, I have no idea why you trust that runt so much but he one of the most cunning persons I had ever met in my life. You don't know him. He says one thing and then finds a dozen reasons to justify his actions once he contradicts his statement!'

'Uh...' said Naajim, clearly not following what the prince said.

'Wow,' said Sapphire, 'You know words.'

'We don't trust him either,' said Archie. 'At least I don't.'

Prince Tyler straightened his back, 'Then why do you work for him?'

'Because... we don't have anything else to do and no place to stay and the ancient gods talking over the planet does not sound good,' said Sapphire.

'It's just one of them. Also, I wasn't asking you'

The prince turned to Archie.

Archie sighed, 'What she said. We don't trust his completely.'

'He is very... clever,' added Naajim. 'Like, he knows the mind.'

'Manipulative,' Archie translated, 'but we saw what is going on in there. Queen Toja is one of the descended gods and she had been preparing for a long time. We agreed to serve your brother because it seems the safest way to get away from her. She wants something from us and I'd rather h take the chance from him than her.'

'Okay,' said Prince Tyler. 'But the kingdom_'

'Earic might be a trickster,' said Archie, 'But I won't think he would ever ruin Artaria intentionally.'

'And he's very, very clever,' said Sapphire, 'So the chances are low.'

Prince Tyler stared at the three faces that seemed to cry at him to choose to go with the merchant. Finally he sighed, 'Okay. Fine! We'll take the long way. Don't complain if gets too hot and if there isn't any water.'

The kids nodded.

'Kids,' Archie heard the prince mumble under his breath as he turned around to speak to the merchant. 'I simply hate kids.'