Three Wishes: Cairo (2 page)

“I guess, but it just didn’t seem very sportsmanlike.” Even in the tense aftermath of a life and death struggle, she still loved to push his buttons. She knew that this would bother him and was thoroughly enjoying his reaction.

“Perhaps you just couldn’t see my sportsmanship from that convenient hiding place you chose under the table.” Khayri smiled.

“Oh, I could see just fine and besides, without the injury he sustained to his foot, you’d likely still be running for your life. You could at least say thanks.”

“Of course, my lady, I’m forever in your debt.”

At that moment, without warning, the library door exploded inward with thousands of shattering splinters. It was both deafening and brilliant.

Though startled by the immediate stoppage of their verbal foreplay, relief was immediate when the perpetrator was revealed.

“Alchemy! Thank the gods. Where have you been?” screamed Ameerah, a little louder than normal, because her ears were still ringing.

Alchemy was long, pale and pointed, as all good masters of magic should be. His distinguished gait immediately commanded respect from friends and fear from everyone else. He moved as if his feet were suspended on clouds that floated just above the ground. In these times of magic and mayhem, having a trusted advisor and master of the occult at one’s side was prerequisite to staying alive. Khayri never used Alchemy’s powers to control his citizens. He believed that his people mandated his true power. But in cases where there were those who threatened the realm or wanted to seize that power, a wizard was a handy weapon to wield.

Alchemy was a young wizard. When he met Khayri, he had been a practicing occult master for only a short time and was barely twenty five earth years old. As most wizards lived well beyond normal beings, this was considered young. But his quick ascension was attributed to Alam, Khayri’s father, a forward thinking king who foresaw many years of rule for his son. He wanted the Prince to have a younger magical ally whose thoughts might also be equally progressive.

They had become close friends when the young man lost his parents to disease many years earlier. Alchemy had been separated from his parents at a young age so he understood the boy’s plight. The two bonded over this tragedy and became close friends. Though Alchemy was technically a servant of the Royal Family, it was no secret that his influence on Khayri, as almost a father figure, was significant in all decisions passed down by the crown. Khayri had grown up with power, and the firm hand of Alchemy had helped guide him through his younger, more impulsive years. As Khayri grew and learned about the responsibilities of leadership, his relationship with Alchemy changed from father/son to more of a partnership. It was a very successful pairing and Khayri was beloved by his people.

The people of his kingdom also were exceedingly gracious toward Ameerah, a commoner set to marry the Prince in the coming days. Ameerah’s strong will and sharp tongue delighted the people and also helped forge what many thought would be a formidable triumvirate with Alchemy and Khayri.

Hope was an interesting elixir. Ameerah’s ascension to the brink of royalty had made the people of the kingdom feel very good about their leadership. Because Khayri had many times put his people before his own needs, his choice to marry a commoner just cemented his subjects’ loyalty. He also showed his respect for his late father by insisting to be referred to as “Prince Khayri” rather than “King”. Until their coming marriage, Khayri was content with less formality.

His marriage to Ameerah was one of the first decisions that Khayri had made that did not fall in line with the traditional and conservative values of his father’s previous regime. Alchemy was against the marriage to a common village girl, but was soon set straight by Khayri. On a very special day in early spring, the kingdom was notified by a special proclamation.

It is with great excitement that I announce my intention to marry Ameerah Bashanal in the summer. Her bloodline is not a royal one, but her heart and her mind are as rare and distinct as one thousand bluebloods. She will make a wonderful Queen for all of us and a wonderful partner for me. More details will follow as I hope you will all join in our celebration.

Thinking back to nights while his family was whole, Khayri could still hear his father’s words, “Royalty is a gift from the people; in one moment it’s given, and for the rest of your life, it’s repaid.” He never forgot that and even in his most selfish teen years, he was never looked upon as snooty or entitled.

Once his father had passed, Khayri and Alchemy spent many nights discussing the direction the kingdom would take under his rule. They decided that it was best to postpone any renovation of his father’s policies until Khayri had gone through military service, finished his education and chosen his wife.

The Prince also insisted on rising through the ranks of service, rather than being installed as some sort of figurehead. He served alongside his men in battle many times. He never relished the idea of being pampered and protected. Rather, he dove into battle as an equal to his men and his promotions were earned and respected. It was instilled in him from birth that a real leader doesn’t ask one thing from his people and live by an entirely different set of rules. He was, after all, a public servant and welcomed accountability for his actions by those people he would govern. When his father died, unfortunately, the void of leadership had been filled by politicians who had no understanding of this concept of government. They had grown fat on the backs of other men’s sweat and hard work. Khayri’s imminent ascension would challenge their very existence and they were rightfully threatened.

No one was better prepared for leadership. And no one was more surprised by this recent attack. Khayri was always well prepared and alert. In battle, his intuition had saved him on numerous occasions. But an attack in his own home had rattled the young prince. He was angry and his thoughts immediately turned to those self-righteous sycophants who were most threatened by his coming nuptials. As the testosterone-fueled energy began to subside, the cold tendrils of anger took their place.

“Who would do this?” Khayri said quietly.

“Someone with great power,” replied Alchemy seriously. “My Prince, I fear that something dangerous and dark is present.”

Standing now in a room completely destroyed by an unknown enemy, both Khayri and Ameerah turned to face their much older advisor and friend as he took stock of the situation. For some reason, even with all of his righteous anger, the presence of his Alchemy helped him once again find his sense of humor.

“You think?” Khayri smiled. “You do know that the door was unlocked. That was perfectly good mahogany you just destroyed.” Khayri maintained a completely straight face as he removed splinters from his hair and spit some dust onto the floor.

Khayri found humor picturing the normally stoic Alchemy destroying a door in a panic-laced effort to save his life. Though he was obviously appreciative of the effort, he couldn’t resist the urge to needle his more serious friend. Khayri always had a way of making Alchemy see a lighter side to life. At this comment, the wizard smiled weakly. “Alas, the business of saving your life has become a full time job for me. I’m now reduced to killing innocent furniture just to rescue you from harm’s way.”

“I sort of wished you’d arrived in time to attack that hulking maniac who tried to kill us both… but certainly, attacking that menacing door helped quite a bit too. You might have even chosen the monster-sized hole in the wall as your choice of entry.” Khayri toyed.

Alchemy changed the mood by staring directly at both Khayri and Ameerah. “There is magic at play here. I was aware that you were being attacked and for a time, I could not raise a hand to help. It was almost as if I was being held in place by a magic stronger than my own.”

The realization that they had now encountered a foe with power greater than the most powerful wizard in the kingdom quickly drained all of the good feeling they had achieved and immediately brought about a tone of complete seriousness from the young couple.

“But how can that be Alchemy? What being possesses a power greater than yours?” said Ameerah. She had never felt any real warmth from the older man, but she did feel close to him due to the many stories that Khayri had told him about Alchemy’s life as a young wizard during his more carefree years. She also felt a certain kinship with the old wizard over their shared love of Khayri.

“Until today I thought there was no being within a million cubits who could challenge me. But today…” he paused, “today I felt a presence that was both old and familiar. I fear for your safety.”

Khayri then laughed out loud and broke the tension that was quickly building. “Okay, enough. This is silly! You speak of some dark all-powerful being and what have we seen? A stinky and stupid hulk, that was easily defeated.”

“By cheating” Ameerah interjected. Khayri glared at her.

“And a mahogany door; again, easily defeated. I guess perhaps the old magic just isn’t what it used to be.”

“YOU WILL RESPECT THE OLD WAYS, MY SON!” Alchemy spat out angrily. In all his years; Khayri had heard him raise his voice only once when he was very young. Alchemy realized that his control had slipped and his tone immediately returned to his normal calm delivery. “Old magic is nothing to scoff at. If there is something old and powerful targeting you, then we must be prepared. We should rethink
everything
until we have more information.”

“I did not mean to disrespect your craft, my friend. I agree that it’s always prudent to prepare for the worst. But if you’re suggesting that we postpone the wedding or any other such nonsen…”

“I certainly think that would be prudent,” Alchemy interrupted, “At least until we know what we’re dealing with.”

His advice was falling on deaf ears.

“No. I will not have my life controlled by some mysterious, unseen enemy. Once you start seeing enemies in every dark corner, you might as well spend your days hiding and cowering in fear. Ameerah and I are not afraid of the dark. Nothing can harm us as long as we are all together.”

Alchemy was still not ready to yield. “My son, you do understand that I was briefly paralyzed and powerless to help you? This feeling didn’t last long, but it was real and it did scare me. If something happened to either of you under my watch, I could not bear it.”

Khayri put his arm around his old friend.

“You have taught me more than even my own father, Alchemy. I trust your wisdom and I’ll heed your words on most occasions. But in this case, I simply disagree. I won’t be scared away from the love of my life and our destiny by ghosts and goblins. Ameerah is too important to me. She is too important to our people.”

Alchemy realized that it was no use to push his point any further. He was an advisor and a trusted ally to the crown. He was a father figure to the young man and considered a friend. But he also knew that he was but a servant and that the Prince’s word was the final one spoken on the subject.

“I understand, my Prince. You will be married and I will be alert and watching over everything. We really should be going. If you are indeed set to be married in the morning, there are still matters of grave importance: archaic rituals, official paperwork, rites of passage; you know, princely duties that must be tended to. Because of this new development, I think it best that I be by your side all evening.”

Khayri laughed and Ameerah groaned and stared daggers at the men. “I’m well aware of the silly bachelor party that’s scheduled for this evening. I’m not that far removed from my upbringing. Everyone on the streets is talking about it. You are the first prince to marry a commoner and also have friends outside the castle. Don’t insult my intelligence by intimating that this is anything more than a chance for one last night of male bonding, a last night of drinking and other such non-royal behavior.”

Khayri smiled. “I think that I should make a quick side note that it will not be my
last
night of anything. We are to be married; not entombed.”

Ameerah’s smile turned a little scary. “Come to my wedding smelling of alcohol or cheap women, and you’ll lose more than your crown. I’ll likely remove your royal scepter as well.” She touched the dagger that still rode her waistline.

“My love, there will be no cheap women at my party; actually, no expensive women either. Only friends and drink and now, even Alchemy will make a surprise appearance. When I met you, I lost all thoughts of bachelor ways and bachelor women.” Khayri smiled.

“See that it stays that way.” Ameerah smiled and hugged him. “I will see you in the morning and I promise you that tomorrow night, the real adventure begins.” She kissed him deeply and then released him for the evening.

Khayri staggered out of the room with Alchemy at his side. It was amazing that after all this time, this girl still possessed the only kiss he wanted.

Evil waits.

Evil is a patient monster hiding in a darkened closet.

Evil doesn’t always show itself as dark and brooding. Actually, that type of evil is as predictable and boring as unfettered goodness.

Real evil sometimes masks itself as goodness; the right words being spoken, an omnipresent diligent façade that is trusted yet twisted.

So there it was; the wheels set in motion.

In a split second, a decision was made that could not be undone or forgiven.