Three Days
Three days had passed since Amira's letter.
Three days during which Nahia had barely left her post, sitting near the small window, silently watching the village.
The little house, slightly set back, seemed peaceful. But Nahia felt that something was brewing—unseen, silent... threatening.
The sun was slowly setting when she heard footsteps approaching.
Her heart froze.
She instinctively crouched beneath the window and cast a quick glance at Amaya, who was reading inside.
She gave a brief, firm signal.
— Come, she whispered.
Amaya stood without protest and joined her in silence.
They stayed crouched, ears alert.
— We can talk here. This house is unoccupied. The owner works at the palace.
The male voice echoed faintly through the walls.
Nahia held her breath.
The next words chilled her to the bone.
— Everything's ready. Nabil Al-Fayez has gathered enough men.
— Those from the other villages are more cautious. Some refuse to join him, but we... we are committed.
— The palace will be attacked on the eve of the coronation. The prince will be killed before he's even crowned. It's our only chance.
— Everyone who wants to join must come before the day comes.
Silence returned—heavier than ever.
Nahia exchanged a tense look with Amaya. No words were needed.
They understood what it meant.
When the footsteps finally faded, Nahia slowly stood up.
— We have to go. Now.
Amaya nodded.
Without wasting a second, they grabbed their veils, covered their faces, and left the house.
Their destination was clear.
The palace.
Amira.
---
The sand bit at their feet.
The wind whipped their faces.
They moved with quick, tense steps, driven by urgency.
The palace was far—too far.
But they had no other choice.
In the distance, a caravan.
Nahia squinted.
Camels, baskets of spices, men dressed in light tunics.
She quickened her pace. Amaya followed silently.
— What are you doing here, alone in the desert? asked a merchant, intrigued.
Nahia answered without hesitation:
— We must go to the palace. For the coronation.
A pause. Then a warm laugh.
— Climb on. You won't get far otherwise. And you look like you're in a hurry.
Relieved, they mounted one of the camels.
The journey was long, rocked by the uneven swaying of the beasts and the jolts of the road.
But they moved forward.
And that was all that mattered.
On the morning of the second day, the palace appeared on the horizon, bathed in golden light.
Nahia felt a shiver run through her.
Amaya, silent, watched the scene closely, her face focused.
Guards waited at the entrance.
The caravan leader stepped forward:
— We bring goods for the coronation.
The baskets were inspected. The guards nodded.
Nahia and Amaya, hidden among the merchants, passed through the gates without question.
Inside, they were struck by the beauty of the place.
Colonnades, fountains, flowered gardens.
Amaya stood still for a moment, her gaze absorbed.
But soon, they were called out.
— You two! Where are you going?
Nahia bowed.
— We're looking for Amira. She works here.
The guard frowned.
— No one named Amira is allowed visitors today.
A wave of anxiety rose in Nahia's throat.
Amaya crossed her arms, tense, ready to speak.
But something in the guard's tone made her hesitate.
Nahia made one last attempt.
— It's urgent. A matter of security. Just tell her that Nahia and Amaya are here.
The man stared at them for a moment.
Then he disappeared inside the palace.
The two young women looked at each other without a word.
Everything would depend on what happened next.
---
The guard returned.
— Follow me. But stay discreet.
Nahia's heart was pounding.
Amaya walked beside her, upright, eyes steady, determined despite the visible worry on her face.
They walked down a long marble hallway, then up a narrow staircase leading to the East wing.
The guard stopped in front of a carved door.
— She's inside.
Then he walked away without another word.
Nahia knocked softly.
The door opened to reveal Amira.
She froze for a second, surprise clear in her eyes.
— Nahia?... Amaya? What are you doing here?
She ushered them in quickly, closing the door behind them.
Nahia didn't answer right away. She scanned the room, then stepped closer.
— We need to talk to you. It's serious.
Amira frowned.
— What's going on?
Amaya looked at Nahia, encouraging her to speak.
So Nahia took a deep breath… and told everything.
The unsettling whisper she'd overheard by the window.
The words spoken carelessly.
The names, the veiled threats, the plan to kill the prince.
She left nothing out.
Amira listened without interrupting, growing paler with every word, her face frozen in fear and disbelief.
When Nahia finished, a heavy silence fell.
— That's... that's impossible… Amira whispered. Are you sure about what you heard?
— We couldn't make that up, Amaya replied. It was clear. And they said it would happen very soon.
Amira ran a shaky hand through her hair.
— Alright. I'll take you to him. But no one must see you. And above all… trust no one.