"Can I ask you a question now' Caspar asked, jumping topics again.
"Of course" Sarina replied immediately.
"Why did you go out into the water at the lake?"
"I wanted to swim" replied Sarina confused, thinking that this was obvious.
"But you drowned" Caspar said confused. If she wanted to swim then why did she not swim. Was she trying to test how long she could float before dying?
"Yes, I guess I did not do it correctly" Sarina said, a little embarrassed.
"Wait," paused Caspar, not sure he wanted to believe what his mind was trying to tell him. "Sarina, do you know how to swim" he asked finally.
"I mean, I have taken many baths, but I have never seen that much water. I was so excited to see so much, especially since we are in a desert. I didn't think the water would pull me under" she said the last line with a disgruntled facial expression.
Caspar tried to maintain himself but her last line sent him over the edge. He burst out in laughter, laughing so hard that he grabbed his stomach and tears began to run down his face. He was laughing from surprise as much as humor. He could't believe it, the poor girl did not know how to swim. But even, more hilarious, she did not KNOW that she had no knowledge of how to swim.
This girl was endearing, thinking in the funniest ways. It was very entertaining to him.
But then Caspar remembered he was to be betrothed, and his laughter died.
"Sarina, when there is that much water, you have to learn how to swim. You have to hold your breath and kick your legs, it is actually something that is not easily learned. If you don't know how to swim then you will drown as you just did, and then die if you are not removed from the water. You are lucky I came when I did, you were almost dead already."
Sarina looked troubled by his words, listening to him carefully.
"So you are saying," Sarina clarified "that I almost killed myself accidentally?"
Caspar nodded his head.
Sarina stayed silent. This was a lot for her to take in. She valued her life and did not want to lose it so easily as making a simple mistake. Over the past few days, Sarina was beginning to realize just how much she did not know and how dangerous that was. Why did she not know the state of the kingdom she lived in? Caspar had told her he did not run, but then why did she think so? She loved to learn the why of things, but she never asked about the right things, she was realizing.
"Don't be sad" Caspar said after a little while, looking at her kindly. "Its best if you don't go into the lake or any large water for now, but if you want, I can teach you to swim sometime" he said with a boyish grin.
She smiled back at him, trying to forget her worries.
"So" began Caspar again, changing the subject once more, "I have to go to town today to handle business, would you like to join me? You can look around for a while and get out of the estate."
Sarina's eyes lit up! Finally an adventure that did not seem to be filled with peril. She nodded vigorously and he chuckled.
"Do you need to get anything before we go" he asked.
She shook her head, still looking happy that she gets to explore the new city.
"Okay well come on then."
They began walking towards the front the house together to leave. As they were stepping through the door, Hashem stopped them calling to his master,
"Sir Caspar, a note just came for you" he told, passing the letter and then nodding sympathetically towards Sarina. He then left them. Sarina watched Caspar open the letter, his face looking stern as he read the contents, and then he folded the note and put it into one of the pockets on his tunic.
Caspar turned to her, "would you prefer to walk or go on camel?"
"Let's walk" she exclaimed. "It is still a beautiful day and I will be able to see more" she said, looking childish and giddy.
Caspar smiled and shook his head, but began walking and she followed along, her eyes roaming everywhere, trying to take everything in. They remained silent, while walking together, Caspar lost in his thoughts while Sarina's eyes were roaming everywhere, trying to take everything in. They drew closer to the market, passing by people. The city was close knit and recognized an outsider immediately.
Many people stared at Sarina, watching her with wary eyes. Caspar noticed the change in everyone immediately and moved closer to her, showing them that he stood with her and they had nothing to fear. Sarina was completely oblivious, and kept looking this way and that, her head turning so quickly it was making Caspar concerned for her neck.
Caspar walked with purpose now, heading to one the main distributors of goods to inform them of his recent scouting mission.
The market was line with caravan-like carts with bright colorful tents hanging over the top of them, shading the vendors and the customers. To Sarina, it all looked like a carnival, something she had read about but had never seen. Her nose was filled with exotic smells and her eyes were filled with wild colors, the place was loud with the sound of people bartering for whatever goods they desired. Even the people's faces were exotic, all tan and perfectly beautiful. Sarina wanted to use whatever elixir they were given to she could be even half as beautiful.
They came to stop in front of one of the less decorated caravans, with a brown tent shading the place. There were 2 men sitting in front of the store on a mat , discussing things Sarina had no knowledge of. Caspar nodded in greeting to them and they stood, and began walking towards them.
Caspar bent down to talk quietly in her ear, "I have important matters to discuss with them, you may look around, but try to stay close. After that I will show you some of the more interesting places."
Sarina nodded her head, looking from the men and then back to Caspar.
She looked down the row of nearby caravans and began walking towards the one with the dark purple covering that looked speckled in dust, as if covered with stars.