Unbound: Slave to the Desert Sands

Apprentice

      Azra beckoned does Kaia to follow her, her eyes flashed and her face was stone. Kaia immediately scrambled to her feet and awkwardly made her way toward the Ma'Kala'ree, stepping around the legs of the men who were no longer paying any mind to her. Some were throwing furtive glances at Zahir who's face was contorted with anger. Others, seemed unable to face him and were looking at their hands. As she passed him, Kaia could almost feel the rage boiling off him. He shouldered past her, his eyes fixed on the man who had grabbed her and he didn't even glance at her as he moved into the circle of men. Kaia made a conscious effort not to look over her shoulder as she heard the slimy, hooked nosed man start groveling at Zahir's feet.

     " Please my lord. I meant no offense. I-." His panicked plea was cut off suddenly by the horrific sound of a fist making contact with bone. Kaia imagines she could hear a slight crunch in some of the blows as time and time again the man was struck. She hurried after Azra trying not to get left behind.

     Kaia saw Sarah following at Azra's heel. She looked shaken but otherwise unscathed from what had just occurred. Together, they followed Azra through the camp and into the large pavilion that belonged to the Kala'ree. Azra strode straight through not bothering to acknowledge the guard who held the the entryway open for them and continued marching purposefully through the tent. Curious looking Kala'ree watched them from there they sat scattered about, perched on comfortable looking pillows and lounges. Azra ignored them all and made her way to a sectioned off area the Kaia had not previously noticed. Inside there were candles burning for light and a small circle of pillows around a table. Incense were burning in the center, of which the smell was so strong and warm it was almost stifling to Kaia. Upon the pillows sat two Kala'ree dressed in yellow silks. They looked deep in discussion but the moment they noticed the newcomers they broke off into silence, quickly refastening their face veils to cover their mouths. Azra flicked her wrist and they rose, nodding respectfully to the Ma'Kala'ree before silently filing out of the room. Azra crosses to the far side of the room placing her hands on her hips and staring off into the curtain wall for a moment before suddenly turning on the girls and saying,

      "What on earth were you stupid girls thinking?" She sounded angry but deadly calm. Kaia was stunned. She and Sarah gaped at Azra  unable to come up with a reply which seemed only to make her angrier. "Where you trying to dishonor all of the Kala'ree? Two untrained Varuuks-," she spat the word distastefully, "and for what? You are lucky I came a long when I did or you'd likely be dead for giving insult to a man of the King's Guard!" Kaia was aghast. How had this possibly become their fault? They had just been following instruction after all! 

     "We were just doing what we were told!" Kaia exclaimed boldly. Azra whirled on her, her anger rising visibly. 

     "Don't be ridiculous, you were instructed to observe and not to interact with the men." Azra's voice had become dangerously quiet. 

     "Pasha told us to bring the bowls to them!" Kaia insisted, looking at Sarah for help but she was just nodding looking to petrified to speak. "You must believe us, we would have never chosen to go there! It was terrifying. Pasha and that other Kala'ree watched us the whole time." Azra stood motionless for a moment considering her words. She looked from Kaia to Sarah with deep penetrating eyes as if trying to extract the truth from them. She remained like that for a moment before sighing slightly and relaxing her shoulders. 

     "I will speak to Pasha about this and get her side of the story, but I cannot think of a single reason why you would choose to walk into a wolf's den like that." Kaia relaxed a little bit at her words but remained on edge. Azra furrowed her brow, "perhaps it was meant to be a prank, not all of the Kala'ree are fond of taking in Varuuks. Many think you are not capable of passing our trials, and it is true that very few ever do."

     "A prank! Those men could have killed us!" Kaia exclaimed alarmed. Azra's eyes flashed dangerously. 

     "Mind your tongue!" She snapped, "and speak with some respect before it gets you in more trouble." Kaia closed her mouth obediently. Azra stood looking deep in thought for another moment or two before shaking her head slightly as though brushing off a thought. Her long dark curls bounced all the way down her back as she did so. Kaia was struck again how young and beautiful the Ma'Kala'ree was and she couldn't help being impressed that Azra was in charge of so many women and responsibilities. 

     Finally Azra turned to Sarah, her voice much more gentle and relaxed than before and said,

     "You are dismissed, go wash up and go to bed, we have another day of uphill tomorrow." Sarah looked visibly relieved and bowed her head respectfully before turning and leaving the room. Azra gracefully lowered herself onto a pillow looking at Kaia expectantly. "You sit, Kaia," she gestured to the pillow across from her, " I have a few things I want to discuss with you. Kaia sank to her knees on the pillow, feeling nervous. Azra watched her for a moment, her eyes were thoughtful.

    “Kaia ever since your rather... eventful arrival to us, I’ve suspected your training would present unusual challenges,” Kaia flinched thinking about being attacked by Zahir and his men, and how he had taken revenge for maiming his fingers. An eye for an eye, he had said. She tried to repress a shutter as Azra continued. “Tonight’s events did not come as a terrible shock to me. It was fairly clear from the beginning that you tend to attract attention from others, both good and bad. And therefore if you are to succeed careful steps must be taken in your training if you are to survive it. I know you did not choose this life, and you’d much rather be in your little village with your own people. But alas it would seem the gods had different plans for you.” Kaia had no idea where Azra was going with this. It seemed a terribly long way to go about saying she didn’t belong here, but Kaia did not think these people were about to let her go home. Azra spoke deliberately with a hint of amusement playing in her eyes. Finally the Ma’Kala’ree spoke, “this is why I have decided to take you on as my own apprentice. I will mentor your training, personally.”