He settled on some sticky-sweet dumplings on a stick, nibbling happily as he made his way through the bustling city to the area where the wealthy lived on a hill that overlooked the ocean and part of the city.
Eventually, he came to a halt in front of a beautiful white and teal house with a colorful mosaic fountain in front. Guards stood at the gates, and Nadir bowed in greeting. "Hello, I'm here to visit my sisters. They invited me." He offered the slip of paper from them, but the guards only opened the gate and motioned him on through.
A servant was waiting in the entryway, and bowed to him. "Good day, Lord Nadir, you are expected. This way, please." He led Nadir through the beautiful, ornate house, and it was nice to once more be back in the cool indoors.
At the back of the house they finally came to a stop on a beautiful porch shaded by a pergola covered in ivy and flowers. Still more fountains helped to keep the area cool.
His sisters, just twelve and ten respectively, brightened where they'd been sitting quietly, nervously. "Nadir!" cried Ghada, the elder of the two. "You're here! You're here!" She pushed to her feet and ran to hug him, followed immediately by Aida.
"Are you two all right? Where are your caretakers?"
"Mistress Habiba said she'd be along shortly; she's dealing with a wine order that was delivered and is all wrong."
"Sit, sit," Nadir said, ushering them back to the table. "You're both looking well, I'm happy to see. How are you doing?"
That was apparently all they needed to regale him with tale after tale, from the guards showing up to arrest their parents through going to court to meet the family appointed to care for them up to moving into the city.
"Mistress Habiba says they're going overseas soon, for five whole years," Aida said, voice almost more of a hushed whisper. "To Pelenna! Where everything is ice! Can you imagine? They say that half the year the sun never sets, and the other half it never rises! What must it be like to never see night, and then never see day?"
"Sounds like you want to find out," Nadir replied with a smile. "You always did want a good adventure, though. What about you, Ghada?"
"Mistress Habiba says she'll send me to school there, if I want. I'd have to study the language very hard, but…"
Nadir could have cried. "It's generous and kind of her and Master Juda to take you in so."
"Hardly," said an unfamiliar voice from behind him. A woman he could only assume was Mistress Habiba smiled as he turned. "It is our divine duty to help where we may, and Judaand I have always wanted children. The gods did not grant them to us, but here we find ourselves with two daughters, if they are willing to have us as parents. We're already petitioning for permanent adoption, and I think it will go through."
"That's wonderful to hear," Nadir said. "Truly."
"What about you, Lord Nadir?" Habiba asked as she sat down and poured them all tea, handing out sweets when she was done. "What are your plans? This must be so difficult for you, dealing with all your parents did, finding out… well, so much about them. I am truly sorry. You do not deserve to suffer for their crimes. You've always been a fine young man."
Nadir swallowed. "Thank you, Mistress Habiba. That is good to hear. I admit I mostly felt invisible at court I was always so busy working and studying. As to my plans…" He hesitated, but in the end took the chance. "After I am finished assisting His Majesty and the courts with assuring my parents see justice, my king has asked if I might remain close to him."
Habiba's eyes widened, the sweet bun in her fingers slipping free. "He did?"
"Not officially," Nadir said quietly. "For obvious reasons. But yes. I would deeply appreciate your discretion, Mistress."
She snorted and retrieved her food. "Unlike most of the court, I know how to keep my mouth shut. That is why we were chosen as guardians for Aida and Ghada. Rest assured, no one will hear anything from us."
Ghada and Aida stared in confusion. "I don't understand."
"We'll discuss it later," Habiba replied. "For now, tell your brother more about the trip you'll be taking, the school you'll be attending, Ghada."
After some hesitation and a slow start, they resumed their eager torrent from earlier, going until well after dark and a pleasant dinner.
Nadir hugged them at the entrance as they finally saw him out, happy and sad all at once. "Write to me. We might not be blood-related as we always thought, but you will always be my sisters. I hope I get to see you again before you leave, but if not, be well and thrive. Mistress Habiba, every happiness to you and yours. Thank you for the lovely afternoon and evening."
They all bid him farewell, and several minutes later Nadir finally headed out, humming softly as he slowly made his way through the dark city back to the palace.
He'd just reached the intersection that would take him back to the main part of the city when he heard footsteps behind him. Moving quickly. Nadir turned, curious—right as a hand landed on his shoulder, forced him all the way around, and another hand punched him in the face, splitting his lip and sending him crashing to the ground.
Before he could get his bearings, see past the shock and pain, someone straddled him, pinned him, and then a damp cloth was slapped over his mouth and nose.
The world tilted. Went gray. Then black.
*~*~*
Nadir woke to his head feeling like someone had mistaken it for firewood. He'd thought his life utter misery when he'd woken after getting drunk once, but he'd gladly take that over this.
