In one of the tents belonging to the Aurora family, Samir paced anxiously. Ever since their arrival at the oasis, Isika had been feeling unwell and was now lying on a mattress. He was blaming himself, regretting bringing her to this place.
"Don't worry. I'll be fine with some rest. But I might miss the evening party," Isika said weakly, understanding her husband's concern.
"In that case, I'll stay with you. I will make some excuse to stay with you," Samir replied.
"Don't be stubborn. You're the head this time. You must attend the party," Isika persuaded him.
"But..." Samir's words were cut short as someone approached the tent. The door curtain was pulled aside, revealing Isika's personal maid, who entered holding a bowl. She bowed slightly to Samir and then approached Isika. Seeing her maid approaching, Isika tried to raise herself. Seeing that, Samir rushed to her to give support.
"Thank you, dear," Isika said, then she extended her hands to receive the bowl from her maid. After handing over the bowl, the maid left the tent.
"Look, this is the best medicine. I'll recover soon," Isika said to Samir, indicating the bowl in her hand.
After looking inside the bowl, Samir remarked, "This is just milk." However, the words "best medicine" triggered something in his mind. He glanced at the milk again and then shifted his gaze to his wife, asking with surprised eyes, "How did you obtain the milk from the mama camel?"
Instead of answering, Isika questioned Samir, "Guess who I was riding all this time?"
"Don't tell me..." Samir paused as he recalled something. This time, the journey had been exceptionally smooth, as the camels hadn't misbehaved at all during the journey. They remained docile only when the papa camel led the caravan. He knew the papa camel hadn't come along. Seeking clarification, he asked, "Did Father know about this?"
"Do you think Father would have sent me here, knowing my condition? That's why he sent her with me," Isika clarified.
"But how did you manage to ride her? No one has been able to before," Samir asked, eager to understand. To him, the mama camel had always been an enigma. She never listened to anyone except the papa camel and even ignored his father. Yet, she behaved friendly with his wife. They spent a considerable amount of time together daily. And also, only his wife had the opportunity to drink the mother camel's milk more than any other family member. Samir himself had only consumed it twice. All the children in the family were the same, having a few drops of milk shortly after birth and then a bowl during the coming-of-age ceremony on the awakening platform. For exception, some had another chance if they were seriously injured, though the amount was always little not a full bowl.
He was accustomed to the special favor from the mama camel to her wife, but riding the mama camel was deemed impossible and unimaginable.
"Well, that's a secret. I'll tell you later," Isika teased, starting to drink from the bowl.
Hearing this, Samir felt dispirited. When Isika had finished about half of the milk, she paused and removed her lips from the rim of the bowl. She smiled at Samir and teased, "Want some?" indicating the half-finished milk.
"Forget it. Though it's medicine for you, it would act like poison to me," he declined the offer and said, "I'll go outside for some fresh air." With that, he quickly made his exit.
"Don't forget about the evening party," Isika reminded him before she finished the remaining milk and went to sleep.
After exiting the tent, Samir made his way to where the mama camel stood. He felt relieved knowing that she was present. If someone asked him who the strongest member of the caravan was, he would answer without hesitation, "The mama camel."
The sun was already setting on the western horizon, casting its bright crimson light for the last time. Aurora's family members were conducting final preparations. Some bodyguards were lighting torches in an orderly arrangement, illuminating the area brightly. Instead of patrolling, the mercenaries had gathered in the center area, enjoying each other's company. Here, it was forbidden to patrol in daylight. The sand people would take offense if foreigners patrolled during the daytime. It was a matter of trust and friendship to them. But at night, there had no such strange rule.
Upon reaching his destination, Samir looked at the camel that Isika had ridden. Standing at a distance from the camel, Samir wondered, "Can she camouflage herself like the papa camel?" as he remembered the distinctive features of the mama camel back at the Aurora family's stable. But, the camel ahead was just like other camels of the caravan.
"Is she mocking me?" Samir pondered as the mother camel looked at him, showing her teeth. "Hmph! You listen to my wife, but whom does she listen to? Ha!" Samir thought to himself, feeling slightly superior to the mother camel.
Without dwindling, he left the place to find Andy to inform him about Isika's condition and discuss the evening party.
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Inside Isika's tent, the maid entered once again. Isika asked without opening her eyes, "What did you find out?"
"As you guessed, they all arrived earlier than us. Some are already monitoring us," the maid reported her findings.
"So, they will strike after we leave this place," Isika concluded.
"Seems like it. No one can afford to displease the Sultan in his territory," the maid said.
"But the Sultan himself is the main variable. If they can strike a deal with the Sultan, our situation will be difficult. The Sultan's assassins are quite difficult to handle in the desert," Isika shared her assumption. Isika further added, "Well, we've taken all of that into consideration. Let's hope fate is on our side,". She then commanded, "Arrange a meeting with the Sultana for tomorrow afternoon. I want to see what techniques she has that make the Sultan so docile."
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On the northern side of Marsei Lake, there was a beautiful place. The ground was covered with vibrant green grass, radiating life. Colorful flowers adorned the area, making it cheerful and lively. Small animals like rabbits and squirrels scurried around, adding to the idyllic scene. Tall, majestic trees in the distance provided a perfect setting for relaxation and idle enjoyment. The harmonious songs of birds filled the air, adding to the symphony of nature. At the center of this picturesque scenery, a boy, a woman, and girls of different ages sat on the grass. Instead of detracting from the scenery, they made it even more vibrant and perfect.
The woman, seated behind the boy, was gently combing his shoulder-length hair while he engrossed himself in a book. The girls sat scattered around them, making headbands using flowers they had picked. Some had already finished and put on their heads, eagerly awaiting for the upcoming competition. The woman was not interested in the competition, as she already wore a crown. On closer inspection, anyone could tell that the intricately designed crown, made from leaves, branches, and wood, symbolized the dignity and identity of the wearer. Also seeing the pointed ears of the woman and the girls, anybody could tell that they belong to the Elven race.
But they would also feel strange seeing the less pointy eared-boy earning the respect of those girls. As a fact, being a half-elf, half-human, he might face discrimination in other places. However, here he had a special identity that earned him respect rather than disgrace. He was the sole prince of Sahama, and the woman who was combing his hair, was his mother, the Sultana of Sahama, and also the former queen of the Elven kingdom, Lyra Evergreen.
"Prince, you need to attend tonight's party," the Sultana advised the prince gently.
"But parties are not fun," the prince complained without taking his gaze off the book.
"Well, an honest person will join tonight's party. He is also wise and loves to read a lot like you," the Sultana said with her gentle voice.
"Really?" the prince's voice showed a hint of excitement.
"The grasses told me," the Sultana offered her proof.
"Well, they never lie!" the prince declared matter-of-factly.
"Oh, here comes an interesting one," the Sultana halted her combing.
"I don't like her. She is shrouded in darkness," the prince expressed his displeasure.
"She has no intention to harm us," the Sultana reassured him.
"Then let's meet her."
Both the prince and the Sultana stood up and turned around. The girls also stood up and hastily put on their flower headbands. Examining the headbands, the prince looked at the Sultana and commented, "Mother's is the best." Saying so, he started walking towards the nearby patio. The girls didn't become demotivated, instead, they expected that answer. As this wasn't the first time they had held such a competition!
From the other side, a girl in maid's clothing was approaching. At the same time, arrowheads emerged from the tree branches one after another. They were pointed directly at her, ready to strike.