"The preparations are complete, My Lord" said the head servant in charge of the traveling ontroge outside of the Manor.
"Were all the allied merchant and workers notified of our relocation?" asked Sahmeed. "Not to worry master all was done according to your orders". The head servant replied. "Good, ready the carriage for departure". Sahmeed said satisfied. He had made preparations beforehand when he was in Meckkah by hiring servants for security and handling basic needs. Sahmeed had made arrangements for the Manor to be maitained by the Chinese servants, and hired a butler to oversee the matters of the Manor since he had plan to visit yearly. He made sure to hire female servants from Meckkah to assist his wife and daughter in changing there clothing to the attire of the noble women of the Kingdom of Meckkah. "Yes, Master". The head servant replied. "
Once he finished his discussion with the Head Servant; Sahmeed went inside the Manor for his wife and daughter, there he saw his wife outside looking at the manor with a bittersweet expression on her face. She wore a long skirt, along with a sleeved top; both clothes were made of premium silk with intricate designs along with a silk drape place in her hand. Her hair was combed into a braided style and had hair ornaments in them. He was enchanted by her beauty that He went to her and embrace her from behind.
Fenjiu jolted a little startled at first but relaxes when she recognized that it was her husband, she melted in his embrace as he kiss her cheek near her right ear. "You are a vision my love" he confessed as he took her drapes from her hand place it over head lovingly. He sensed that she seemed tense and asked "What is it my love" he spoke as he held her again, "Nothing, just feeling a little nostalgic...I am going to miss this place, the place I thought of as a home". Fengjiu said. "You don't have to feel that way", he reassured her. "we can return here anytime". He gently turn her around kiss her on the forehead, looked at her with eyes that declared a promise, he proclaimed; "I will protect you and our daughter up until my last breath, from this day forward, our family will be complete". she gave him a warm smile in response.
"Mother! Father!" they jumped, a little startled at their daughter's loud voice calling them from inside the carriage breaking their trance. "Let's go!" Amara shouted. They both laughed, seeing that their daughter was so excited like a three year old. 'So... she was inside the carriage this whole time' they both thought simultaneously. "Coming" replied Sahmeed as he walked to the carriage.
Fengjiu took one last look at the manor, turn around and walked to the carriage. The servants closed the Manor's doors behind them. Her husband reach out his hand to help her get in the carriage and went in shortly after. The horseman wiped the horses, then their journey began. Amara took a glance at the Manor as it leaves her sight of vision, upon reaching the intersection, she began to recall the conversation she had with her friend the following night at there usually hideout.
"You better remember to write me, serious I will be expecting your letters every week and not a day more!". Amara nodded as Tinglin spoke. "You're completely hopeless at times, so take care of your self properly" Tinglin continued. "Stop dozing off when stargazing, go to bed when your tired for goodness sake", Amara nodded embarrassed for being lecture like a child. "And... and... and" Tinglin stammered. Amara braced herself for more lectures. "Don't forget me" Tinglin whispered so softly that Amara almost did not here. "Don't you dear forget me!" Tinglin shouted then started to cry, then Amara hugged her and said "I won't... we will always be friends no matter what".
A tear fell from her eyes that she quickly wiped away; unfortunately not fast enough because it had caught the attention of her mother that made her hold her hand and gave her a warm assuring smile, Amara looked to her father on the other side of the carriage and he also gave her a smile filled with comfort and eyes with determination. Feeling at ease Amara smiled to her parents and looked out as the carriage continue; her heart saying goodbye to her past in China and hello to her future in Meckkah.
The journey to the Kingdom of Meckkah was not a stone through. It was a three months journey, luckily Sahmeed, had made preparations for any situations that they might encounter on the journey, ensuring their safety and hospitality. Whenever there were heavy rains, tents were build so they can sleep peacefully in the night. Sahmeed had hired skill fighters to fend of attacks from bandits. They had plenty of food for both servants and masters and money to purchase supplies when needed.
As they enter the Kingdom of Meckkah, Amara eyes glimmer in awe at the breathe taking view. There were more trees in the urban areas than China, there buildings were taller and they were made with stone instead of wood in a different yet unique design, the clothes that they wore were beautiful just as the clothing she's dressed in. She also notice that it varies between classes.
As the ontroge passes through the market she saw alot of foreigners of different nations and races were selling there goods; she pleaded with her father asking permission to walk the market. Her father smiled delighted to see her in high spirit, so he allowed her to, but advising her to put a silk mask over her face. He then gave her a red silk face mask. She noticed that a few young women wear them of different colors and styles so she asked the reason. Sahmeed said "it is a custom in Meckkah that noble unmarried young women hide their faces when they are in public until marriage...even after their debut into society".
"Debut?" she asked with a puzzled expression. Noticing her expression he chuckled and he answered "When a noble young lady or gentlemen gets to the age of 15 which is deemed marriageble age that's when a ball is called out on their honor to assist he or she to look for suitable candidates for marriage then getting married at the age of 18 once a suitor is found."
Amara jaw dropped when she heard that but it could not be seen through the silk cloth mask that she wore. 'I'm already fifteen does that mean I would have to do a debut'. Amara thought. Sahmeed looked in his daughter's eyes and immediately saw the anxiety in them, he held her by the hand calming her saying; "do not worry my dear, there is no rule that says that the debut cannot be late only states that you should get married by eighteen years old."
Upon hearing that she breaths a sigh of relief. Her mother watching her expression, chuckles and says "You know it will happen one day, when you meet a boy that will steal you heart without you even realizing it, and who knows maybe that person is closer than you think." Her mother teases.
Amara paid no attention to that comment, and simply replied "yeah... right". She quickly looked back at her father and said. "Can I go now?... please!" with eyes that sparkled. Sahmeed call out to stop the carriage. Then the ontroge stopped. He knocked at the carriage door twice then a guard came by and open the door. He first came out, then he held his daughter's hand and help her out the carriage.
He then called a maidservant and two guards to accompany his daughter. He gave instructions to the guards and horsemen that they will be stopping for a thirty minute break and that the ontroge should be moving to a more secluded place, close to the market and chose the location. Sahmeed then advise the guards and maid of the location to returned to after thirty minutes. He gave Amara a bag of gold to buy anything she'd like. "Go on now... and remember only thirty minutes." he reminded. "Yes father" she replied as she skips off with the maid and guards following behind.
"Are you sure she'll be alright". as Fengjiu reaches out her had for her husband to help her down. When she got down he replied. "Not to worry we are almost in my territory, and this market has been protected by the royal court ever since the founding Sultan, any mishaps would be a capital crime punishable by enslavement. I knew you would be worried thats why I had my trusted guards accompany her." He said as he held her an kiss her forehead. Upon hearing that she was relieved.
Meanwhile in the market, Amara was having the time of her life looking at different things that she has never seen before and asking alot of questions to gain information on them; testing out the quality and find out price range, she even found out that some merchant where selling Chinese jewelry, Upon inspection she notice that it was not of the best quality, and they were selling it for far more that is worth.
She memorized the merchant name for reporting later, then moved on to inspected other jewelry, the local jewelry were dazzling with jewels she recognized to be similar to the ones her father has. She saw unique necklaces and earrings, she also notice a jewelry that looks closer to an earing but found out that it was a nose ring, she saw thick bracelet made of pure gold and embedded with diamonds and rubies. There were also hair ornaments worn by noble ladies. Unable to choose she bought quite a few of them then went to the clothing store.
As she was on her way, she past my a poor young man selling a bull, the bull was calm at first but started getting irritated as soon as it saw the red face mask, the bull broke its master's hold and charges towards Amara. Amara heard screaming and turned around to see a bull charging straight towards her, fear froze her in place as her life flashed before her eyes.
Suddenly strong arms wrapped around her waist pulling her out of the way and into an embrace, the bull had ended up colliding in the wall behind her knocking it out, while that was happening she was spinning in the arms of a man she had thought to be her father but looked up to find a handsome young man, the spinning made her silk face mask swayed slightly revealing a little of her facial features, as the spinning slowly came to an end.
They both were in a trance as they looked into each others eyes, his eyes were the most beautiful shade of blue that she find her self drowning in as if it was the vast sea, to him her eyes were like the perfect shade of gold that gleams with the light of the sun, which presence demand reverence. That moment; time seem to stop in place, everything around them disappeared and it was only the two of them.
"My lady are you ok?" the maid voice snaps them back to realty, as they shyly detangled themselves from one another. "Y-Yes I-I am unharmed... please do no worry" she said blushing profusely. "We fail to protect our lady, please punish us as you see fit" said her guards as they bowed to their lady. "No need for that... please rise". They refused at first but got up when Amara insisted. "My lady, its was my negligence, I should've been more careful. Please forgive me!" said the owner of the bull.
She was a bout to speak when, the man beside her spoke. "How dare you come to the market with a bull, knowing fully well that it attacked people with bright colors!"
the young man yelled. "I swear to you that he had never done this before, my lord". He replied. "Hm! where is your permit for selling this bull in the market, give it to me at once.
The man ordered. The bull owner became silent. "Did you not hear me?, bring it hear at once!". He repeated. "I do not have a permit my lord" the bull owner confessed. "I could not afford one, my wife is pregnant and we are running out of food, I could only come to the market to sell this bull, it is the only thing I have that can get a good price". he explained. Upon listening to his explanation Amara had compassion on him.
"While I understand your reasoning, this is illegal trading, once more your bull had almost killed a noble lady, your crime cannot go unpunished". said the young man. "This bull will be confiscated and you will be imprisoned for 1 year or pay a ransom of 1000 Silver. The bull owner pleaded for mercy as the kingdom guards took the bull and chained the man to bring him to jail as he kept on pleading for mercy.
Amara watching the seen could not stay silent a moment longer, she then yelled, "Please stop!" she shout as the guards stop and the young men fell on the ground weeping. "1 year?...1000 silver? Tell me, does he have the time our money to give either one?" Amara said. "On one hand is his wife that is pregnant that would need his support to gain the strength to give birth to their child, tell me what can she do alone without him for 1 year". She explain. "And on the other hand for him to pay 1000 silver which he clearly does not have since he risked being imprisoned to come and sell the only thing that he had, that had worth. So tell me?... what way out are you giving him?". Amara asked while maintain a calm demeanor. The young man stood their mute; he had nothing to say.
"I understand that you are trying to get justice for me in this case, but where is the justice for that pregnant wife and unborn child that she carries, since I am the victim here I solemnly ask of you to let me decide the punishment for this man...I beseech you". Amara asked as she slightly bows her head and placed her right hand on her heart in a respectful gesture. She was unaware of the man's identity, and assumed he was a patrolling officer since he was accompanied by guards and had an aura of authority. The young lord was in awe of this young maiden guts and was greatly moved by her compassion and mannerisms so he allowed her to give him the final verdict. Her eyes lite up with a shine that mimicked the rising sun as she replied. "Thank you". The young man heart skipped a beat and couldn't help blushing.
Amara, now facing the bull owner said " indeed your bull will be confiscated, but as for your bail money I will pay in full." Amara went to the royal guards and paid the guard 1 gold which was more than enough to free him. "Please give him the remaining silver". Upon hearing this the bull owner bowed his head to the ground saying "Thank you, noble lady, may yours days be long and your future as bright as the sun." Amara held his hand and assisted him up, replying "thank you, and may your wife give birth to a healthy and blessed child." He bowed is head in thanks giving. Then the bull owner went on his way. The young man watched her intently, his eyes burning her in his memory, just then his guards came to him and he had to remove his eyes from her to dicuss with them.
In that moment Amara's maid came to her. "My lady, its time to return." she said "already?... alright let's go" she walked ahead as the maid and the two guards walked closely behind; this time more alert than ever. When the young lord finished talking he looked in the direction that he last saw Amara but she disappeared. His eyes started searching for her until the guards around him started asking what was he looking for. "Not what... but who, the maiden that just freed the man, where did she go". He asked. " We do not know, your highness" said one of the guards. " Hush! while I am in disguise adress me as my lord not your highness... am I clear?". "Yes, my lord". as they spoke in unison. His eyes search the crowd once more 'will i ever see her again' he thought as he walked away.