“Abasi used to cause a lot more trouble than me…but now he spends more time planning instead of making mischief. He is practically my brother with the way he looks after me…and I would follow him anywhere.” - Basim, Friend of Abasi

  ~*~

  Athia and Bayek parted ways to get ready. The festival was a day away, which gave them plenty of time to explore and prepare.

  While Athia went in search of a blacksmith, Bayek went to find his camel. He would spend the day studying the routines of the Red Guard. It took too long for him to find the familiar alleys. Along the way, he eyed the people preparing for the celebrations and the Red Guard making their presence known in case any trouble-makers took advantage of the light-hearted chaos.

  To him, Red Rock was a paradise unlike any that he had ever seen. It had no enemies, no signs of war and it seemed the Sultan was a benevolent leader. Even the poorer districts had people wearing small smiles, content with their lot. Despite this, Bayek had no intention of changing his mind.

  Should one forgive a leader for their crimes because they treat their people well? Bayek concluded the idea was unthinkable - the Sultan’s crime was too great for him to forgive.

  Eventually, Bayek found the quiet alley and his camel, as well as a small hand snaking its way into one of the folds of the saddle, the thief hanging off the ground as they clung to the dopey mount. Bayek’s heart made another jump when he realized the thief’s hand was working into the same folds that hid the sword.

  “Hey, stop!” Bayek yelled.

  Bayek wasn’t the first to grab the child’s wrist.

  A Red Guard lifted the small boy until his eyes were level with the guards. The guard’s face was square and mean. It was a face ugly enough to make the boy cry with fright.

  “A thief!” the Red Guard grunted, shaking his head. He then caught sight of Bayek who ran over. “I take it that this camel is yours? Count yourself lucky that this-”

  Bayek was about to interrupt, but once more someone else beat him to it.

  “Kopir! There you are!” Seeoh yelled with fading relief when she saw the iron grip that the Red Guard had on her son’s arm. “What are you doing? Let him go!”

  “Kopir, eh? Well, little Kopir here was trying to steal from this man’s camel,” the guard explained, standing his ground against the mother. “A price must be-”

  “Stealing?” Bayek interrupted. “My nephew wasn’t stealing, just being curious.”

  “Nephew?”

  It was time for the nomad to lie. Something he hated more than anything else because he was terrible at it. He found himself feeling more anxiety lying than he did fighting. Bayek stepped close to Seeoh, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  “She is my sister,” Bayek explained, giving Seeoh a terribly false smile and then receiving a sincere one in return when she understood what was happening. Bayek approached the guard and placed his hands around the worried Kopir, who was looking at Bayek confused. “Kopir, you little rascal! Always up to mischief!”

  “I heard you shout,” the guard muttered, not letting go of Kopir’s wrist.

  “He was just making sure Kopir didn’t agitate the camel,” Seeoh explained, slapping the guard's hand away and checking her son's arm for any damage, an action that made the guard feel even more shame.

  “Yes, he can be a little aggressive,” Bayek agreed.

  The guard gave the camel a doubtful look. It seemed so docile it might have been asleep, the way its head rested against the wall. But, looking around, he saw eyes and expectations resting on him. The last thing he wanted now was the incident to be reported on the eve of the Sultan’s big day. A report that would likely reach Mirza, a captain who concerned himself with every incident in Red Rock, no matter how small.

  “Ahem, sorry if I caused you any trouble,” the guard apologized, understanding his ‘mistake.’

  “Not at all, I’m glad to see the Red Guard are so alert,” Seeoh replied, seeing the guard shuffle away quickly before any more eyes could follow him.

  Once the guard was gone, Bayek put Kopir on the ground and returned to his camel. His smile dropped with the child. Seeoh sighed and held her son close, before standing up again.

  “Thank you,” Seeoh said, placing a hand on Bayek’s arm. Her eyes widened when she felt how tense he was. Yet, from Bayek’s expression, he didn’t seem scared. His eyes were so cold, his arm was like stone, muscles taught. Sellah had described such mannerisms in stories before. This was a dangerous man, prepared to fight at a moment's notice. “You...you would have…”

  Bayek’s eyes flicked to Seeoh, causing her to take her hand away quickly.

  “Watch your son closely,” Bayek told her, his tone only serving to scare her more. “It’s not safe in Red Rock...not now.”

  Seeoh nodded slowly, taking Kopir’s hand and pulling him away from the camel which had just dropped a glob of drool on his head. She gave Bayek one final look before disappearing around a corner, seeing him secure something in his camel’s saddle.

  ~*~

  Athia didn’t have much faith in Bayek. He seemed to be a confident warrior, brave certainly, but that was little comfort to her. She preferred to avoid conflict, to be long gone before anyone knew she was there. People made things complex, and difficult to work with.

  Yet, Athia decided once and for all that she was going to help Bayek. He was useful in entering the city without any guards noticing her, he would be useful when entering the palace. A girl on her own is somewhat suspicious, but a girl with someone who might be her father is far less suspicious - no matter how ominous he looks. It didn’t feel like she was dragging him into something dangerous; it felt like they were simply heading in the same direction and decided to help each other on the journey.

  Returning to her task at hand, Athia kept an eye out for a blacksmith.

  Athia had an idea and she needed a blacksmith's help to put it into action. It wasn’t hard finding one, she only needed to spot the black smoke and smell the scent of iron tools being forged. She was glad to find the blacksmith near the oasis - she wanted to see the waters.

  “Not really a challenge,” the blacksmith told her, looking at the diagram she sketched out in charcoal. “I can make the pieces easily enough and make sure they fit well. How strong do you want it to be?”

  Athia smiled innocently. A natural liar.

  “Very strong, able to hold a fish this big,” Athia told him, stretching her arms out to either side.

  “That would weigh more than me!”

  “Perfect.”

  The blacksmith scratched his head, already gathering the materials in his mind. The other smiths weren’t too concerned with the girl, although they were amused by her naive act, shaking their heads and thinking Athia was oblivious to the hard work that goes on.

  “It will take a few hours,” the smith said finally, growing eager to tackle something different. “For the materials and work...that will be a gold piece and two silvers.”

  Athia had just enough coin and showed it to him. She saw the twinkle in the smith’s eye at the sight of the coins, but she returned the money to the small pouch that hung from her hip before he could raise his hand to take them. She would come back later to pay him.

  Athia left the smith to do his work and went to the edge of the oasis. The waters were green and full of life. There were even dark shapes of fish darting here and there beneath the surface. The sun would set soon and some would start celebrations early. Small fires were lit, meat cooked and drinks shared. There seemed to be a mixture of the content and the excited people bathing in the waters as well.

  With an orange glow, the city seemed more comfortable and safe.

  “It’s truly beautiful,” Athia thought. “And the people are happy. Red Rock must be blessed by the gods.”

  ~*~

  Abasi tried to contain Basim’s excitement. Of the two young men, it always fell to Abasi to be the voice of caution, mainly due to Basim being the most impulsive of the two, not to mention several years his younger.

  “We don’t steal, you know that,” he told Basim sternly. “Con, yes. Steal, no.”

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  “Brother, it’s basically the same thing,” Basim said, eyes rolling. “Us with more money, the mark with less, but nobody gets hurt.”

  “You know if the Red Guard catches us, we won’t be talking our way out.”

  Basim held his chin, looking thoughtfully up at his falcon, Aida, who glided happily above the city. A spring of his wavy hair leaned over to tickle his nose, but he only blew it away when he made his decision.

  “You’re right, if that happens, we should run instead,” Basim concluded, a mischievous smile returning to his lips. “Besides, a few coins is hardly worth their trouble, not with the Sultan’s birthday tomorrow. I’ve thought this through.”

  “When have you ever thought anything through?”

  “Including now?”

  Abasi didn’t have the energy to reply and submitted to Basim’s impulsive plan. He could tell when Basim was being particularly stubborn and the best option was to give in. It was like relaxing in a river and letting the current take you away. He only hoped it wouldn’t carry him straight down a crocodile's gullet.

  The two stopped next to a building near the oasis and looked at the girl in the white robes. They saw where the coin pouch hung from her blue sash.

  “Have you ever stolen anything before?” Abasi asked with a condescending air.

  “Do the hearts of beautiful women count?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “Then no, but I am sure this is easier.”

  There was no real plan, Abasi realized. The two simply needed the money to cap off their funds and buy a camel. From there, the desert promised adventure in every direction. Be it finding treasure or helping a wealthy village fight a band of ruffians, it was more than the Red City had to offer them in terms of Abasi and Basim’s brand of fun.

  Abasi decided to improve on Basim’s idea, rounding it out into a real plan. Basim was the one to lift the purse, while Abasi and Aida provided the distraction. With the bare bones of a plan discussed, the two proceeded to put it into action.

  Athia was absorbed with the beauty of the oasis, Basim walking casually towards her from her left, while Abasi positioned himself to her right a ways off. Basim pointed at Abasi, making a short clicking noise. Aida swooped down and playfully attacked Abasi, understanding the command, but being almost as fond of Abasi as Basim.

  Drama ensued.

  “Help! Demon bird!” Abasi yelled, waving his hands frantically while Aida circled him closely, avoiding every swing and nuzzling his ear as she swooped close. Those close to Abasi ran or backed away, doing their best to avoid the low swooping falcon.

  “If anyone looks too closely they will see how little harm she is doing,” Abasi thought. “I better play up the arm waving and shrieking.”

  His act was enough to catch Athia’s attention, as well as anyone else who could hear Abasi’s ridiculous screams. Basim had no problem sneaking up behind Athia and lifting the pouch, using a sharpened knife to cut the cord and take her coin. It was smooth, there was practically no resistance. Basim didn’t hear a yell or see a reaction, everyone was more concerned or amused by Abasi and Aida’s show.

  Basim moved away and with another click of his tongue, Aida left Abasi be. While Basim slipped into the crowd, Abasi finished his show by regaining his composure and thanking the gods. He even yelled at a group of women who were still chuckling at his girlish screaming.

  Abasi was most surprised when he bumped into the girl in the white robes.

  “Are you okay?” Athia asked, looking at him concerned, moving her head here and there to check for scratches on his neck or head. “It looked like it was really angry with you.”

  “I-I’m fine,” Abasi murmured, suddenly embarrassed. Screaming like a girl for the public is one thing, but a target showing concern for him is another thing. “Maybe someone threw seeds on me...or it saw a mouse or…it doesn’t matter. Excuse me, I’m in a hurry.”

  “Count yourself lucky. Falcons have cruel beaks and sharp talons.”

  Abasi slipped between the people and back into the city.

  ~*~

  Abasi found Basim feeding Aida dried beetles. Basim had a smug look on his face as he held up Athia’s coin punch, weighing it in his hand.

  “Looks like she had some decent coin for a little girl,” Basim said. “We can leave the city with some coin to spare.”

  “Good, but not again,” Abasi told Basim firmly. “Drunk nobles and nasty merchants are one thing, but not from someone like that. It’s not right to take from innocent people, especially a kid.”

  “Pff, she’s my age!”

  “And you’re the biggest kid I know!”

  Basim saw the seriousness on Abasi’s face and the sincerity in his words. He held up his hands in mock surrender.

  “Yes...alright, never again,” Basim replied, agreeing and feeling similar regret after thinking it through.

  The two nodded and marched towards the nearest camel dealer. They only walked a few feet before they both paused.

  “Basim...do you have my coin pouch?” Abasi asked, Basim replied with a similar wide-eyed expression.

  “No...I don’t even have mine,” Basim said. “Where is it? My coin pouch has been stolen!”

  “That’s a real shame.”

  The two fools turned to see the thief - Athia. With one hand she was juggling the two pouches of coins that she had taken from them. Realizing the tables had turned, Abasi began thinking of ways to resolve the situation, while Basim was immediately taken in by the show of skill.

  He only had questions laced with charm.

  “How did you do that?” Basim asked, putting on his best gracious-loser smile. He wanted to get closer to Athia and snatch their coin, but Abasi put a hand on his shoulder, keeping him away.

  “You stepped a little too close to steal my coin,” Athia told Basim and then looked at Abasi. “And him, he already knows how he lost his coin.”

  “She took it while acting all concerned,” Abasi thought. “Or just before…or after…I didn’t feel a thing.”

  “Why are you talking to us?” Abasi asked sharply, already trying to get into Athia’s head. “You haven’t called the guard and you must know we won’t call the guard if you didn’t just walk away with our coin.”

  A small bell chimed.

  “Was there anything else in the pouch?” Abasi asked Basim.

  “Nothing, even the pouch and string is cheap,” Basim whispered back. “Maybe it’s sentimentality?”

  “Maybe...”

  “It’s because you two aren’t thieves,” Athia clarified, unable to stop her smile now. These two were something else, not common thieves. “Yet, it was a smart plan. Had I been someone else, you would have pulled it off.”

  “What do you want then? To gloat?”

  Athia tossed the pouches towards the two, both catching them in disbelief. She had nothing, but the confidence she wore told them she had everything.

  “I just want my coin, not yours.”

  Abasi and Basim exchanged a look that they rarely had. There was no plan to fall back on, no understanding they could make of the situation. The clearest answer they had was that the young girl was telling the truth, which is what kept them from running away with all the money.

  In silent agreement, they decided to do as she asked. Basim tossed Athia’s pouch to her.

  Athia studied them. When Basim smiled, Athia could see his age clearly. Basim was not much older than her, but Abasi was in his mid-twenties. Basim wore a necklace with a reddish bead shaped like a bird hanging on the cord, although it was hard to tell what kind of bird it was.

  “I’m Basim,” he told her, placing a hand on his chest and giving a little bow. His springy brown hair bobbed as he moved. He radiated ego, but he had happy eyes, they reminded Athia of Sellah.

  “Abasi,” his partner-in-crime replied. Athia could tell he was the cold, logical one. Bald, strong-jawed and his eyes piercing. She could practically see the many conclusions he was drawing behind those eyes.

  “Athia,” the girl returned, retying her pouch. “You two are still planning on leaving the city?”

  “Yes...why? Do you want to leave?” Basim asked, much like a hopeful puppy. In his head he had already made them a team; the three would make an unstoppable trio. “With your help, we could…”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Athia stopped him, keeping from smiling at his eagerness. “But...leave today. You don’t want to be in Red Rock tomorrow.”

  Athia didn’t give them much chance to ask why as she slipped around the corner on her last word. The two walked away, Basim sighing and then talking about finding another mark or perhaps stealing a camel.

  ~*~

  “What are you thinking?” Basim asked, more in terms of how to con money out of someone.

  The two had walked further into the city, looking for someone ideal for their normal cons rather than simple pickpocketing. Eventually, they found a short, bumbling man with a fat coin pouch and bright cheeks. Happy and dumb, the perfect combination for a little game of chance.

  Yet, Abasi’s mind was elsewhere.

  “I think we should be quick,” Abasi murmured. “We need to leave this city before the moon rises.”

  “Hmm, I’m not against leaving today, but should we listen to the warning coming from a strange girl?”

  “A girl that robbed us both blind,” Abasi muttered. “She read us like a book and outsmarted us. If she is warning us about something, then I think it best we listen.”

  Basim could sense the worry in Abasi’s voice. It wasn’t easy to worry him, he always had a plan. It would take something truly surprising to throw him off-balance. If Athia was that something, Basim would remember her in case they crossed paths again.

  “Then again, it’s not like she is going to be easy to forget,” Basim thought with a mental smile.

  “Alright, we will be quick,” Basim nodded. “So, what do you think? A dice hustle or the showman?”

  “Dice hustle, I don’t want any eyes on us,” Abasi concluded.

  The two prepared their act by going ahead of the man, finding a spot to rest their coin, and roll dice. It was a simple con, where the two played with loaded dice which always added to seven. They didn’t need much coin, so they needed their mark to be interested enough to play, but not so determined to win, otherwise, suspicions would build.

  First, Abasi would have their coins stacked on his side of the table, and Basim would roll the dice and get ‘lucky’ when he rolled. Basim laughed as he dramatically took his winnings from Abasi, trying to get the noble’s attention. To further ensure his attention, he angled some coins in the sun, so they glinted in the man’s view.

  No matter how rich a noble is, they were always interested in adding to their wealth; that way they stayed rich. Of course, for people like Abasi and Basim, this was a weakness that could be exploited, especially when the noble is drunk.

  “What’s this?” the noble asked, gesturing with an unenthusiastic finger at the dice, yet his eyes gleamed.

  “Dice,” Abasi said simply, acting confused and worried, despite being the dealer. “If you roll a two, seven, or twelve, I win. Any other number and I double your coin.”

  “A-any other numbers? D-double?” the noble repeated.

  The rich man’s eyes drifted to Basim, who was still dropping coin after coin into his pouch with a wicked gleam in his eyes. Feeling the noble’s eyes on him, Basim turned to the noble, and his expression twisted into one of worry. He placed a finger on his lips, his eyes begging for the noble’s silence, while Abasi examined his dice with suspicion.

  “Can I play?” the noble asked, drawing out the ‘I’ so long that a wave of his breath hit Basim full in the face.

  “N-no, I’m playing him,” Basim continued the act, blinking away tears as his eyes burned.

  “I don’t want to play you anymore,” Abasi said firmly, acting like an upset child with the way he pouted before looking at the noble. “You can play.”

  Basim got up from his seat, a little upset, but enjoying the feel of his fat coin pouch. Greedily, the noble took a handful of coins and poured them onto the table, grabbing the dice in front of him, his hands shaking in anticipation.

  Abasi tried not to smile.

  ~*~

  Athia paid the blacksmith, thanking him just as the sun was falling below the horizon. Soon everyone would be in the streets, so Athia didn’t linger too long by the oasis. As she weaved through alleyways and around clusters of people towards the meeting spot Bayek chose, she saw a pair riding a camel near the edge of Red Rock..

  Athia was sure of who they were when she saw a falcon fly down and land on one’s outstretched arm.