All eyes turned as Jenny walked into the inn. The bards stopped playing. Even the courtesans seemed curious.
Shaytan, Jenny's cute little Shuvuuia Deserti, ran close by her.
The inn was full of Al-Matalibeien, Treasure Hunters, for the inns were all owned by Naqeeb Al-Matalibeien, the chairman of the treasure hunter guild. So people would normally avoid these if at all possible. But Jenny had been turned away from every "respectable" establishment. And she and Shaytan were both quite thirsty.
The hunters were watching Jenny closely. She even seemed to have caught the eye of Usagoo, the greatest of all the Al-Matalibeien.
Jenny sat down. Her emerald eyes gleaming faintly through her veil. The hunters noticed her sword. They all then noticed her ring. Both were beyond rare and legendary. Jenny put some coins on the table.
" Some water, please. "
The barkeep would not refuse her. He took the coins, and then gave her a horn of water.
Men and women gasped in awe, as Jenny had lifted a bit of her veil to drink some of the water. They did not see much. But what they saw… was beyond beautiful. Which was ironic. For reasons which will be explained later. Jenny had worn a veil her whole life. Her beauty had always been a burden she had had to bear… but her eyes. That was a different matter entirely. Her eyes were of the purest green, like glittering emeralds. People would seemingly go mad if they stared into those eyes for too long. So Jenny had to wear a veil, which dampened her green eyes. The veil was magical, but even its magic did not seem powerful enough to hold all of it back, as stated in the beginning. And for those who did not know the story of her veil. Nicknamed her: Jenny - Jenny Greenteeth. Hence; the irony.
Jenny had had her fill. She then put the horn on the floor, so that Shaytan could drink.
" Hey, pretty, " said a roughgiant.
Jenny ignored the man. Till he slammed his hand, hard, on the counter. The drinks on the counter all fell. All the people in the inn were waiting to see what happened next.
" I was talking to you, girly. " said the large man, as he was so close; that Jenny could feel his breath.
Jenny calmly stood up.
" I am sorry if I caused any trouble. " said Jenny, as she smiled at the bartender from underneath her veil. The bartender did not understand. He did not know that people normally avoided Jenny - like the plague. So the fact that he had served her some water; meant the world to her. Sadly… the roughgiant did not share the bartender's heart, as he held Jenny back by her shoulder.
" Twice " said the giant with glaring eyes; " twice you have ignored me. And thrice means death. "
Jenny, easily, flipped the man's hand off her shoulder.
" Thrice. " said the villain through his gritted teeth, as he drew forth his sword. Jenny's ring glowed. A small dagger hit the giant's hand, forcing him to drop the sword. The roughgiant glared at Usagoo, who had thrown it.
" She has paid for her drink. Let her leave. " said Usagoo, as he smiled under his hood.
Jenny looked at Usagoo, as her ring stopped glowing. She then left the inn. The giant was furious. He then felt that his boot was getting wet. Shaytan was peeing on him. The roughgiant roared, as Shaytan ran out to join Jenny.
The two of them then continued walking through the busy streets of Al-Munawarah - named after Medina, located within Kindah. One of the largest kingdoms in the Arabian Peninsula.
Oh. And if you guys were wondering about the sword and the ring. Jenny wields the Sword of the King of the Golden Mountain. And the ring is The Ring of Ma'ruf, which summons forth Abu'l-Sa'adat.
" That was quite the scare. " said Usagoo, as he caught up with Jenny.
Jenny just looked at him. She wasn't used to having company. Even Shaytan seemed intrigued.
" Aren't you scared of me? "
" Should I be? " said Usagoo with a wry smile.
Jenny narrowed her eyes at him. Usagoo sighed.
" I have heard of… Jenny Greenteeth. "
Jenny seemed wounded. Only for a second. She quickly regained her composure.
" Then keep your distance. "
" I am not scared! "
Jenny could hear that he was sincere.
" I too have an unkind nickname… "
Jenny looked at him. Her emerald eyes glowing with anticipation.
" Grisly-Beard. "
" Grisly-Beard? "
Usagoo nodded.
Jenny noticed the clean-shaven face.
" I don't get it. "
Usagoo suddenly got all shy.
" Actually… I lied… "
Sadly. Jenny was used to people lying to her.
With a humorous smile and a playful tone. Usagoo proclaimed:
" They call me: King Grisly-Beard! "
The crowd stopped to look at Usagoo's funny pose. They then went back to minding their own businesses. But Usagoo got what he wanted, as Jenny could be heard laughing.
" King Grisly-Beard… " said Jenny, as her laughter was dying down; " why do they call you that? "
" Do you really wanna know? "
Jenny nodded.
" Then " said Usagoo with a shakespearean air; " allow me to regale you with the tale of King Grisly-Beard. "
Usagoo told the origins of his nickname, as he and Jenny were walking peacefully within the light of the setting sun.
It was now the following day. Jenny and Usagoo were enjoying breakfast, as Shaytan was eating his delicious meal.
" The Green Flame? " said Jenny, curious, for Usagoo had just told her of the treasure he seeks.
" They say that it is an emerald like no other, '' said Usagoo, while gesturing with his arms as he spoke; " it might be greener than your eyes. "
Jenny's expression was a mix of hope and hopelessness.
" If only… " said she, as she took a sip of her drink; " where is it said to be? "
" Atop Mount Qaf " said Usagoo with a pause; " the emerald is said to be protected by Charlie No-Face. "
" Charlie No-Face? "
" The Green Man. "
Shaytan picked up on the chill in the wind.
" The Green man… Why call him that? "
Usagoo shrugged his shoulders.
" I have only heard rumors, for none have returned from Mount Qaf '' said Usagoo, as even Jenny could feel the chill in the air; " the only thing certain; are those glowing green eyes. "
" Glowing green eyes… " said Jenny, as the words seemingly left an odd taste in her mouth. While her own green eyes were gleaming lightly.
Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was: intrigue. Regardless. Jenny decided to join the treasure hunter. The two of them, along with Shaytan, made their way towards Saba, to find more clues about the Green Flame.
While sitting on the back of a cart, pulled by two bulls. Usagoo could feel a song coming. He gently stroked his guitar, while Jenny heightened her sense of hearing.
" Come my lady and join the hunt. For we seek untouched gold. Rivers of glittering gold. Rubies of crimson glow. Shiny sapphires and Dazzling diamonds - Usagoo jumped to his feet, as he played more passionately on his guitar, while Jenny clapped along - the sunken treasure of Ganji Sawai. The wonders of the Cave of Wonder. We shall seek it all! But… for now… we shall settle for The Green Flame. "
Entering the busy streets of Saba. Jenny could hear the nearby gossip.
" A warrior woman with a veil? " she heard to her left.
" She seems to be in her early twenties. And what relation does she have to the man?? How scandalous!! " she heard to her right.
" Hair flowing like a dark night. Skin like a marble floor. A fine physique. Firm and filled out just right. " she heard the poet singing on the balcony.
Jenny blushed from underneath her white veil, which made her look like a bride. She was not used to people talking about her that way. But the people of Saba knew nothing of her past, or curse - as Jenny would call it. All they saw was a beautiful young warrior woman trying to make her place in the world.
" This way! " exclaimed Usagoo, grabbing her wrist, which intensified the gossip. For as I said: Jenny looked like a bride.
The two of them entered another inn owned by Naqeeb Al-Matalibeien. Usagoo explained that he had a contact. So Jenny and Shaytan could both wait by the bar, till he had collected the information. Jenny admired the fine furnished establishment. She ordered a meal for herself and Shaytan. Like before. Men and women gasped in awe, as Jenny had lifted a bit of her veil, so that she could eat. The meal was delicious. She paid and got up so that she may relieve herself, for we all have to eventually. Shaytan was on alert. The ring glowed, but Abu'l-Sa'adat was not fast enough, as Jenny had slipped. Resulting in her falling flat on her ass. The people did not laugh at her, but with her. These kinds of things happen. There was just one problem… her veil had fallen completely off.
With a smile. Usagoo offered his hand.
" Thanks. " said Jenny, not realizing that she was not wearing her veil. Which is why… she calmly opened her eyes.
Men and women gasped, but not in awe, but in horror. The queer light coming off those green eyes were… well, queer! There is sadly no other word in the English language to describe it. Effects similar to vertigo and nausea bewildered the poor onlookers. It was as if they were being sucked into a green whirlpool. Suffocating, as the emerald eyes examined your very soul. Your darkest secrets. Your unspoken guilt.
Realizing what was happening, Jenny quickly held her hand over her eyes. Shaytan tapped her hip with his head, with the veil in his mouth. Jenny quickly put it back on, to look upon the horrified looks of men and women… even Usagoo seemed a little afraid. Faint tears appeared, as Jenny stormed out. Her childhood traumas flashing before her eyes.
" Wait! " yelled Usagoo with an apologetic voice, as he grabbed her hand.
" Let go of me… "
" I'm sorry… "
Jenny sniffled.
" Did you see that weird green light inside the inn? Was she the cause?? " Jenny heard to her left.
" A monster. That is what she is. " she heard to her right.
" Ghoulish green eyes. Bringer of disaster. That is what she is. The harbinger of sorrows. " she heard the poet say.
Jenny's lips were tightly shut and slightly twitching.
Shaytan looked nervously on, as Jenny was reaching for the hilt of her sword.
" Come on " said Usagoo, not knowing the massacre he had just helped avoid; " let us go. "
Jenny left Saba. The people having branded her… monster.
Usagoo could sense that Jenny needed to get away from it all. He wisely chose a spot in the middle of nowhere, where the only nearby company were the stars and moon.
They sat by a warm, bright fire. Neither of them had uttered a single word. They just sat in silence.
Usagoo saw that Jenny's gaze was set on the red flames.
" Ask me. " she said.
Usagoo was caught off guard for a moment. But he quickly collected himself.
" Was it always like this? "
Jenny nodded.
" Are you cursed? "
Jenny shrugged her shoulders, for it was the only response she could think of, as she did not know herself.
" As long as I can remember; I have always had these eyes. I think that I was born with them. "
" Could your parents not have told you? "
Jenny's silence made Usagoo realize that she was an orphan.
" I don't even know if they are dead " Jenny paused for a moment, before she continued; " they might as well have abandoned me… "
" I doubt that. " said Usagoo with a cheerful tone.
Jenny finally looked up at him.
" Why? "
" 'cause you're lovable. "
" Lovable? "
Usagoo nodded, as Shaytan lovingly rubbed his tiny head on her hip.
Curios, Jenny asked:
" What makes me so lovable? "
" You're beautiful! "
" I wear a veil which masks my face. "
Usagoo quickly tried again.
" You have a great personality! "
" I barely speak to people. "
Third time's the charm!
" You have beautiful green eyes. "
The green eyes were faintly visible from underneath the veil, so the statement stood.
" Eyes that push people away. "
" Give them a chance. "
" You saw what happened. You were there. "
" And here I still remain. "
It was true. Usagoo had looked into her eyes. He may have hesitated for a moment - something he bitterly regretted - but he still stood by her side.
" And I am not the only one. " said Usagoo, nodding to Shaytan.
It finally dawned on Jenny. Even before she had met Usagoo. She had Shaytan. The loyal creature absolutely refused to leave her side. A memory flashed before her eyes. A memory where little Jenny sat abandoned in a pool of mud, barely wearing any warm clothes. A large shadow engulfed her whole body and the large pool. She turned around to look upon the towering figure that was Shaytan. The Shuvuuia Deserti were known for changing their forms from mouse-size to T-rex-size.
Jenny beheld the creature whom she would later call friend and Shaytan, with her emerald eyes.
Shaytan lowered his head towards her. She hesitated but for a moment, till she embraced his large head with her small arms. Jenny did not know it, but Shaytan had sworn that day that he would protect her, no matter the cost. We return to the present day. Where Usagoo's heart was racing, as he beheld Jenny embracing a transformed Shaytan. The size-difference had shocked and surprised him. But Usagoo seemed to have calmed down, as he beheld Jenny embracing the closest thing she had to family. Her arms may have grown, but she could still not wrap them around Shaytan's large head. The loyal creature renewed his vows of fidelity, as Jenny cried tears of pure joy.
" Where is it? " asked Jenny.
" Right this way. " answered Usagoo.
The insects and reptiles made way for the two of them, as they were walking up a small mountain.
Jenny slipped, but she managed to stay on her feet.
" Here. '' said Usagoo, as he held out his hand.
Jenny gladly accepted it. She quickly had to use her free hand to make sure that her veil did not fly away. For the two of them had reached the top. One could see Mount Qaf from atop the small mountain.
" Woah… " woahed Jenny, as she beheld a Tower-of-Babel-like-mountain. I do not know if these words can be used to describe a mountain, but I will try anyway. Mount Qaf was beautiful. A well-made structure. And as stated before; the peak of the mountain was hidden among the clouds.
Jenny had only one question:
" Where is the bull? "
" What bull? " answered Usagoo, confused.
" I thought that there would be a bull. "
" Why did you think that? "
" It is said that Mount Qaf rests on the back of a bull. Just like with Kujata. "
Usagoo just looked at her.
" Mount Qaf is a realm all on its own. The mountain " said Usagoo, as he pointed; " is the gateway between the two worlds. "
" So… There is no bull? "
Usagoo shook his head.
" But I really wanted to see a bull. "
" I will take you to see Kujata, one day. "
Jenny looked at him with a really? Look on her face.
" And how do you plan on us crossing the stars? "
" I will find a way. " said the unrivaled treasure hunter with a wink and a smile; " but, for the present. I will happily settle for the Green Flame. "
Usagoo walked ahead, as Jenny looked at his back.
" He truly is something. "
Jenny smiled, and then joined her dear friend.
Shaytan was about to follow. He stopped, as he could smell something odd. Another person? Persons?
Shaytan heightened his sense of hearing. After a few seconds he heard:
" Come on! "
It was Jenny. Waving for him to follow.
Shaytan sniffed once more, but the scent was gone.
Had he imagined it?
Shaytan went into a sprint, as he quickly caught up with Jenny and Usagoo. A stranger was standing atop the mountain. Looking down at Jenny and Usagoo, as they made their way down the small mountain.
The stranger smiled, as he was joined by his friends. It was the roughgiant from the inn. And he had brought his friends to take revenge on Usagoo, and do unspeakable things to Jenny… that was till they heard about the treasure hunt.
The roughgiant smiled satisfactorily, as he was planning his ambush, while the sun was vanishing from behind the Babel-mountain.
It was night. There was a campfire. Jenny and Usagoo were both too excited to get any shut-eye.
" What will we find there? " said Jenny; " what will it look like? "
" There are a few stories "' said Usagoo, as he did not know himself; " they say that it is a world filled with riches beyond your wildest dreams. Everything you could wish for, can be found there. "
Jenny chuckled lightly.
" What? "
" Nothing. "
" Tell me. " said Usagoo, curious.
" I already have what I wished for. " said Jenny, as she rested her right cheek on her drawn up knees.
Usagoo's poor heart skipped a beat. He was not used to staying with any woman for more than a night. Getting attached was dangerous. Especially for someone in his profession.
Wait.
Why had he brought Jenny along?
This question was echoing through his head.
Was it pity? Lust? Compassion?
…
Love?
The last word echoed in his head, as he gazed into those emerald eyes. There was no longer a frightening gleam. But an alluring one. Usagoo could not help but feel drawn in.
Was it love after all? And if so… did she feel the same…?
Sadly, or luckily, depending on your point of view.
Usagoo would never get an answer, as the roughgiant and his men all jumped on Jenny and him.
The villain slammed Usagoo's face onto the cold sand. Usagoo looked on in horror, as the men had surrounded Jenny. That was when the men all pissed themselves, as Shaytan had transformed.
The terrified henchmen ran behind their leader, like little frightened puppies.
" Not another step. " said the roughgiant, as he held a sword to Usagoo's throat.
Jenny stopped in her rescue. The tension was thick, as time itself had completely stopped.
Jenny looked straight at the smirking villain.
If only she could get her hand to the hilt of her sword. But please. Do not blame poor Abu'l-Sa'adat for what is about to happen next.
The Jinn, for I do not know which Jinn-tribe he belongs to, inside the Ring of Ma'ruf, had been feeling guilty for being useless. But not this time.
Abu'l-Sa'adat was not needed to save Jenny, but he would do his damndest to save her friend.
The ring on Jenny's right hand glowed intensively.
The Jinn only needed a few seconds to summon forth his powers. But what happened next, only took less than two seconds.
Fearing a trap or a trick. The roughgiant had run his sword through Usagoo's chest. If he could not have the treasure, then no one could.
Horrified beyond words. Jenny looked on, as Usagoo landed on the ground. Painting the sand red. Abu'l-Sa'adat could do a lot of things… but bringing someone back from the dead… that was a power only God held. So he felt both guilty and useless once more. Jenny was speechless. Her green eyes glowing more intensely from behind her veil. Her stomach turned as she beheld the grinning face of the roughgiant. He truly looked satisfied, without the faintest hint of regret on his face.
With bitter tears. Jenny gritted her teeth, as her hand had finally reached the hilt of her sword.
With a Banshee-like-cry, she yelled:
" Off with their heads! "
The sword glowed, and the roughgiant looked on, as he went from looking at Jenny; to looking up at his own headless body. For the wielder of the Sword of the King of the Golden Mountain had only to say: " Heads off. '' and the sword would immediately decapitate all the threats to its wielder. Jenny made her way towards Usagoo, for the roughgiant and his men were no longer a threat. She knelt down. Her knees in the blooded sand. The blow had pierced Usagoo's heart. There was nothing she could do. Had she gained a friend, only to lose him now? When they were starting to open up for each other…
She would be lying if she said that a part of her did not blame Abu'l-Sa'adat for this… but she knew deep down that he was only trying to help.
This train of thought had only lasted within the breath of a second. The train came to a halt, as Usagoo looked up at Jenny with his weakened gaze. Jenny couldn't stop her tears, nor did she wish to. A faint smile appeared on Usagoo's face, as he was finally able to see it. He could look up at Jenny's face, as her veil was hanging loosely forward.
" A Houri would envy her beauty. "
This was the only thing Usagoo could think of, when trying to describe Jenny's superhuman beauty. Jenny saw how Usagoo lifted his face towards her. She brought her ear to his lips.
" Continue the hunt, my lady… without… me… "
Jenny then heard the head drop to the ground.
She did not even look at him. For she knew what she would see. Jenny made sure that Usagoo was given a proper burial. She stood over his grave, mouse-size Shaytan by her side. Jenny just stood there. She then reached for her veil, and tore it off.
Shaytan looked down at the veil, and then up at Jenny.
Her green eyes were glowing with a calm glow.
It was as if she was in control.
" Sa'adat. "
The ring glowed, and forth came the Jinn.
" It is time for you to be useful. "
Few seconds had passed.
Jenny was now standing on the peak of Mount Qaf. Usagoo was right. The mountain was the gateway. For in front of Jenny stood a Stargate-like-portal.
" Charlie No-Face. "
Jenny remembered the rumored guardian of the Green Flame.
She took a deep breath. Her emotions were still a bit of a mess. But she planned on taking everything out on Charlie No-Face.
Shaytan was by her side. She smiled down at the loyal creature. Jenny then walked through the glowing green portal.
It was breathtaking, which was not surprising, considering all the rumors.
It was a whole world, but Jenny tried to focus on where she was. She was walking on a circular structure: very much like a disk. Around her, and near her, were various buildings and statues made completely of jade and emerald. The buildings weren't that impressive, but the statues were of note: depicting various humanoid Jinn creatures.
Was Charlie No-Face a collector? or did these statues serve a different purpose?
Jenny pondered the question only for a second, as she had arrived at what appeared to be a throne room of some kind. Jenny beheld the queer structure.
Was Charlie No-Face a humble monarch? or was this not his palace?
Jenny had asked herself this question, for in her mind: monarchs would have had lavish and highly decorated palaces. The "palace" before her was neither of those things. It was a simple building, resembling the top of a ziggurat.
Odd, thought Jenny, the statues were highly decorated, but the palace is a humble one.
What Jenny had no way of knowing, but what I shall disclose to the reader. The statues depicted various Jinn. From the Father of the Jinn, to the Four Elders, and even the Seven Djinn Kings. For the floating structure she was standing on was not a palace, but a "treasury", if you will. For Charlie No-Face knew why Jenny had come to his domain. Oh yes. He knew of her arrival. He had known about it for a long time. He is her father, after all.
Jenny entered the so-called palace. And there he sat, on an emerald throne. Shahpal bin Shahrukh. Better known as: The Jinn Emperor.
Jenny noticed the four wings. The Pale-marble skin. A clean-shaven humanoid face. And those emerald eyes.
Emerald eyes?
She then noticed it. The emerald on his chest.
That must be the Green Flame, thought Jenny, as a queer alluring glow came from within the emerald.
Her thought returned to those emerald eyes of his.
Emerald eyes… just like hers…
Charlie No-Face smiled. As if he could hear her thoughts.
" My child… my daughter. "
An indescribable wave of emotions hit Jenny like a tidal wave.
Jenny's eyes always glowed, whenever she was emotional.
" Father… " the word felt foreign and tasteless on her tongue.
" Jeannie. " said Shahpal with a grin. For she was truly his daughter.
A million, no. A GAZILLION questions were racing in Jenny's head. She pushed all of them aside, as she remembered why she had come in the first place.
The Green Flame.
Jenny put her hand on the hilt of her sword.
What appeared to be a proud smile, was now visible on Shahpal's face.
" Are you going to kill your own father? " he asked, a little amused.
" You are not my father. "
" But I am. "
" Prove it. "
" You can see the proof, " said Shahpal, as he got up from his throne. And calmly made his way towards Jenny.
Jenny's hand was still on her sword. But even Shaytan could see that she could not bring herself to say the words. Shahpal was towering before her. Jenny looked up into those alluring green eyes. For he was indeed: The Green One.
Jenny fell to the floor, overwhelmed. She cried, because she had lost so much, and could not bring herself to complete the hunt on Usagoo's behalf. She then got up, and started banging on Shahpal's chest.
" Where were you?! " she cried; " why did you abandon me?! Do you know how much I have suffered?! " Jenny fell to the floor once more, before continuing; " how much I have lost… "
Shahpal just looked down at his weeping and suffering child. Shaytan did what he should have done. He went over to comfort Jenny.
The Jinn Emperor was not cruel. Harsh, but never cruel. He had to abandon her, for Jenny's mother was human. A woman whom he had deeply loved. And sorrowed deeply when she was gone.
Children between Jinn and humans are actually quite common. But for the Jinn Emperor to have a child, especially with a human. Now that is rare.
Which is why he had to abandon her. He is the Jinn Emperor, and his enemies would have been more than happy to hunt Jenny just to get back at him.
Shahpal kneeled down. He had kept an eye on Jenny. Watching her grow and mature into a beautiful young woman. He laughed with her. He celebrated with her. And he cried with her.
Shahpal tried to embrace her, but Jenny pushed him away.
" An understandable reaction… " said Shahpal, his green eyes a little damp; " but I do wish to make this work… "
Jenny glared at him. Her eyes red from crying.
She wanted to give him a chance, for she had inherited her mother's kind heart. But Jenny forced it all away with her mind.
" No. "
" Please? "
Jenny had to register that the Jinn Emperor had just begged. Oh yeah. She pieced it together. She is smart like that.
" Why? " was the only thing she could bring herself to say.
" I want to make this work. To make up for my mistake. "
" You abandoning me? "
Her saying it hurts him every time.
Shahpal sighed.
" What should I do? "
Jenny looked at him. She then turned her back to him.
" For the time being, leave me be. I have a lot to process " Jenny paused; " and I need time to grieve. "
" I see. " said Shahpal, understandingly; " but before you go " said Shahpal, as Jenny was heading for the portal; " take my most loyal assistant with you. "
Jenny looked around, but she saw no assistant.
" Who? "
" Me! "
" Woah! " exclaimed Jenny, as a flying green head flew past her.
" Happy to make your acquaintance " said the flying head in front of Jenny; " my name is Sa'd. An honor. "
Jenny looked on, in both awe and confusion, as the head nodded, as if to bow.
Jenny looked at her father, who had crossed his arms, and was smiling.
" Very well. " said Jenny, a little amused at having a flying green head as her companion.
Shahpal looked on, as they all left through the portal.
Luckily.
No one was around to see the mighty and frightening Jinn Emperor shed a single tear of both joy and sorrow.
" Safe travels, my verdant Jeannie Greeneyes. "