Whispers had spread fast through the Waystation. Whispers of my arrival and my identity. Wannfota was tossed around several times, but I knew that they were only guessing. Whether or not they were right was another story. What they didn’t know for sure was fine, as long as they continued not knowing. The whispers coursed through the crowd as I glided through the market square, looking over the fabrics and fruits. I paid little mind to them, as the majority of the whispers were based on rumors, based on fear. These rumors weren’t important. In fact, Daya preferred they spread. Fear was something she enjoyed collecting.

This particular Waystation had an abundance of things Daya had been seeking out for a while. I recited the list in my head, knowing that forgetting something would bring no good fortune on myself. Pomegranates, goat cheese, figs, turquoise shifts not teal, seven silver buttons… nothing of great importance, but nothing trivial to Daya. My eyes settled on a box of figs, shaded from the sun by the curtains of the merchants’ stand. The merchant eyed me warily.

“How much for the figs?”

“Five a piece.”

I raised an eyebrow at the merchant, whose lips quirked up into a small smile. Pressing a finger to my lips, I feigned thought for a few seconds. “Five? Surely you could lower the price. These figs look as if you’ve hardly managed to scare the birds away. I can give you two a piece, but no more.”

“I’m sure Daya can afford to spend more than that,” the merchant retorted. “You fool no one, girl. It’s clear you’re one of her little pets.”

I smiled. It was no good that I had been called out so soon, but there was no use in playing games with the entirety of the market square. I would simply have to make an example. “I’ve been told I’m her favorite.”

“All the more reason to pay me five a piece. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“On the contrary.” I picked up a fig to examine it. “If Daya were to hear that she was being treated differently than others, I can’t imagine she’d be very happy. Especially over a fig. A book, some silk, a goat… much more worth the haggle. But figs? She’d laugh in your face. So, your options are to give me the price these figs deserve, which is two a piece, or to get nothing at all except for Daya spreading word of your mistreatment. Please choose wisely. I have places to be.”

The merchant pursed her chapped lips, but glanced over her shoulder to where other merchants and buyers were watching from the corners of their eyes. “Two a piece, but I want guarantee that word of this will not reach Daya’s ears.”

“You have my word.” I gratefully exchanged my tokens with the woman, stuffing them into the pouch at my side. As I moved to turn away, the merchant cleared her throat.

“I do have one question,” she started slowly, speaking under her breath. “Is it true what they say?”

I tried my best to come off as ignorant. “Is what true?”

“Is it true that she did it?” When I didn’t let up, the woman leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Did she bind a Baurpei?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “The rumors get more interesting at each Waystation. Have a good day.”

As I made my way back to where I had tied up my ride, I admired the buildings around me. When I had been approaching the Waystation on my saladassi, it would have been hard to guess the abundance of trade and people that was held within. Outside, Waystation 7C was surprisingly intact compared to others that I had seen, and the sandstone of the buildings nearly blended in entirely with the sandy dunes around them. From the center of the station, though, I found myself in awe as I trailed the streets. It was lovely. The clay buildings were painted in gorgeous blues, oranges, and creams and, unlike the ones back in the lower parts of Arden, weren’t crumbling from battle. A mirror-like pool overtook the second half of the marketplace but was blocked off by a fence of palms and shrubs. The trees towered upwards towards the balconies of homes above, their fruits dangling in sight for all to see. Unlike most Waystations in the area, this one seemed to have no issue with food. The entire Way Station felt like it didn’t belong to the desert I had been traveling for days.

Buro greeted me with enthusiasm, his reptilian tongue flicking out of his mouth at the sight of me. People had crowded around him, scared to go any closer but too amazed to turn away. Buro was older, and knew not to try anything with strangers. He also knew that if he behaved he would be rewarded. I stepped up to him, presenting him a date. He sniffed around the palm of my hand before swiping the treat up. His body was long, his black scales no longer as shiny they used to be; a side effect of traveling the desert as well as his old age. He was an old lizard, but a dependable one. This trip would likely be his last. He had to get back to Suni, as their eggs were still in their early days.

I loaded his bags up with my purchases before throwing my leg over his saddle. The people watching began to immediately step away, making room for the two of us to leave the Waystation. Buro and I had been dealing with these crowds for a few days now, and while he was more resentful towards them at first, he had grown tired.

“Head home, Buro,” I ordered as I pat the back of his long neck. "Ofost!"

He took off, racing through the streets of the town before passing under the archway of its walls. The salidassi slithered towards Arden, its scaly feet flitting over the sand with ease. The ride back home wouldn’t take long, as we were only a dozen or so miles away. The sun above was hot, and I was thankful for the cloth that Daya had given me to cover my face. My previous one still needed to be washed when I left, but I couldn’t imagine that the blood would come out easily.

I kept my head as tucked as I could as Buro made his way through the dunes. While he was swift, he was managing to kick up sand that would forever be trapped in my clothes. Eventually the land flattened out and the sandy dunes became hard, sandy rock. I watched as the muddled shape of the City of Arden revealed itself on the horizon, wavering into view amidst the wrinkles of heat. The thought of sinking into a bath of fresh water and relaxing was enough to make me anxious. The sanctuary was so close, but I would still have to debrief with Daya before I could truly relax.

Unlike the Waystations that dotted the Waystland’s desert, Arden was settled in the opening of a canyon. Tall spires of orange rock sprouted up between me and the city, which devoured nearly the entire canyon entrance. Arden wasn’t a Waystation, with eroding walls and houses enough for weary travelers. It was the grand jewel of the desert, and its streets were lined with green trees and fresh produce that were watered by the river of Kafali itself.

Lower Arden had no walls around it, so I entered the narrow alleyways with ease. The sanctuary was close, and as we came to its gates, I didn’t have to pull down my mask for them to swing open. As soon as I entered, I was greeted by the gatekeepers.

Via ran up to me, throwing her arms around me and squeezing tightly. “We missed you. Lelani,” she barked, “take Buro back to the stables. Cora and Talia, unload Aumee’s things and bring them straight to her room.”

“Yes, Via.” The young girls all scattered at Via’s orders, while Cora snuck one last squeeze before going on.

I smiled at Via, admiring how pristine she looked. Her dreads were tied back, but she had smeared some dyed chalks onto her lids that accented her eyes. “It must be great to get to stay here and live the high life. Order around the fresh faces, steal my green robe…” I trailed off as I tugged at the fabric of my clothing on her body.

“I guess you could say that.” Her smile faded. “Before you get too comfortable, I wanted to warn you about something.” She crossed her arms, looking around to see if any of the younger girls were still lurking. “The girls and I have noticed that Daya had had some strange company recently. Here at the sanctuary.”

I shrugged my shoulders before reaching up to remove the scarf around my head. “Daya often keeps strange company.”

“No. Not strange as in creepy or low-life. Strange as in one of them wears the badge of Arden’s Council.” She paused for a moment, and I tried to think of a way to dismiss it. “I think she’s making a deal with a councilmember, but the girls and I can’t figure out who. She’s also been very secretive since you left. Her office curtains are always kept shut during the day, and she’s left me and a few of the other older girls to watch over everyone when buyers are here. I’m not sure what she had brewing in that pot of hers, but we would appreciate it if you could find out. It has everyone on edge.”

I realized I was gnawing on the inside of my lip when her face suddenly brightened. Turning, I saw Lelani running over from the stables. “Suni and Buro are happy to be together again.”

I reached down and brought Lelani up into my arms. “Just as I am happy to be with all of my sisters again.” I planted a kiss on her warm cheek. “Lelani, do you still room with Vivienne?” I narrowed my eyes and lowered my voice. She nodded. “Did Vivienne happen to tell you what was for dinner tonight?”

“I think it’s just the usual.” She giggled and looked over her shoulder. “If you have a request, I could try to put in a good word for you. It just might cost you something.”

Via and I both laughed. “Will it? What might it cost me?”

“Can you come to our books lesson tomorrow? We miss your voices.”

I sat Lelani down and gave a heavy sigh. “I’ll have to speak with Daya, but I’ll try my best to be there.”

The small girl smiled and ran back up to begin gatekeeping once more. Via turned to me and shook her head. “You would think the rest of us were just slabs of meat. I do voices for them all the time,” she said, exasperated.

“Don’t take it too personally. They’re just fans of my impression of Daya.” I twisted one of my curls back behind my ear. “Perhaps I could teach you sometime.”

“Or you could show us now,” a voice perked up from behind me. I watched as Via stifled a smile, pursing her lips as she looked at the person over my shoulder. Turning, I saw Daya standing nearby, an amused expression on her face. “Go on.”

“I would, truly,” I started, “if I were clean. The first rule is--”

“To always look presentable,” she finished. As if on command, adjusted one of the many gold rings around her fingers. They flashed in the light, the colors matching the vibrant tones of her robe. Gold decorated her ears as well, but the left earring was hidden beneath her tight black curls that fell from the side of her head. “Speaking of which, you look like you’ve been roaming the desert for days.”

“I wonder why that could be.” I sighed and bowed my head to her. “It’s nice to be home, Madam Daya.”

“It’s good to have you back, Aumee. Please, though, go take a bath. I can’t have someone see you running around like this in here.” Daya began to turn away, but I called out.

“When I’ve cleaned up, would you like me to come to your office to debrief on my assignment?”

She didn’t bother facing me. “No. I’ll send for you when I have the time. Until then, clean up and join the rest of the girls on the patio.”

“Understood.”

Via and I watched her walk away. When she was far enough, Via elbowed me in the side. “I told you. See you soon.”

⇼❂⇼

Daya was playing some sort of game with me, I could feel it. I had done nothing all day but lounge about. There was no debriefing session, no training, no discussion of secrets or lies to be tracking down. She had maintained her distance, occasionally stepping out of her office and onto the balcony above the patio to ensure us that she was still watching. This had been going on for a few days, and even the other girls were beginning to get suspicious. She was planning something, we just couldn’t figure it out.

Her balcony was on the back wall of the patio, closer to the roof than the floor. Dark green curtains hid her office from view, as well as any possible buyers making proposals. I forced myself to look away from the balcony and instead turned my attention to the patio. Many of the older girls in Daya’s sanctuary were about, whispering with one another as buyers walked around the room. Yellow light painted the pale sandstone of the back patio wall a rich color as it beamed past the pillars, and heated up the mosaic tiles beneath our bare feet. The long shadows of the pillars cooled everyone’s skin as we rested upon colorful cushions, lulling many into a sleepy state. The patio had a view of lower Arden from all three sides, but from the front, one could see more than just surrounding buildings. I could see the sun lowering itself towards the desert’s horizon just above the skyline of the lower levels of the city. Lower Arden fell like a jumbled red and orange quilt over the bottommost region of the small orange canyon. The dilapidated buildings peeked up between the tall palms and cottonwood. Beyond it all, a strip of pale, flat earth. While it wasn’t the worst task I had had to do for Daya, it was also hard to simply sit.

Via lay beside me, stretched out on the blue and white mosaic tiles, singing lightly to herself, coyly feigning interest in the orientation of one of her rings.

I watched as a man crossed the patio, his eyes lingering on Via’s bare stomach. He jot something down in his notebook and continued on with himself. “Four,” I chuckled.

“Only four?” Via propped herself up on her elbows. Even I couldn’t deny that she was too beautiful to only have had four men look at her by this point.

We had been on the patio for a few hours. All we were supposed to do was relax while prospective buyers walked through. Daya had made it clear that she had many appointments today, and was sure someone would get a contract by sundown. Now, she was wandering through the hoard of girls casually. Like a dragon down from its tower. She seemed to be in a good mood despite the pressure. How odd.

“It’s because you’re sitting there. I swear it.” Via rose with a huff. She snatched the silky pink scarf from the ground and draped it over her shoulders before tossing it back down to the ground. “Why does Daya give you all the best clothes?” Via adjusted the golden sash that covered her hips and draped down in a see-through curtain over her thighs. Daya always let me have the red sash, and would drape it over my shoulders. She had a tendency to leave enough of my chest and stomach out to draw gazes from anyone, whether they intended to look or not.

“Because I’m her favorite,” I said with a smile.

Tossing her dreads over her shoulder, she said, “Well, Daya’s favorite, don’t be so smug. She’s coming over now. Perhaps you could do your friend a favor and tell her I can have some of your clothes when she finally sells you off.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her words. Daya wouldn’t sell me off. She hasn’t even managed to find a replacement for me.

“What’s so funny?” Daya halted in front of us, casting a look in Via’s direction.

“Via was just reminding me of the time I spilled tea on one of your buyers,” I lied. “She said I would be put out if I did it again, so perhaps I should do it again.” I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. Daya wouldn’t have come over here unless she wanted something from me. Despite the fact that I had been expecting it all day, I didn’t want the peace to end.

“Her words and not mine, I can assure you, Madam Daya.” Via excused herself with a smile, but I could feel her shooting daggers at me. “Aumee is…”

“Quite the character. I’m aware.” Daya sighed heavily. “She’s a bit of a handful. Which is why I’ll be sad to see her go.”

It took everything in my being to not snap my head back up and meet her eyes. Instead I crossed my legs and tilted my head to expose my face to more of the dying sunlight. “Go where?”

“To a buyer, of course. Don’t be so dense. Look at me when I speak to you, dear.”

I sat up and met her dark eyes. Daya was always a sight to behold. She stood against the sun, her head high and her hands behind her back. The brilliant fuschia scarf she wears outside to protect her half-shaved head from the desert sun had been tossed to her shoulders as if an afterthought. The kinks in her black hair fell just in front of her eyes, but they were definitely trained on me. This wasn’t a test, it was a reminder.

“Yes, Madam.”

“I know you’ve already bathed today, but I need you to find a few girls who can help make you presentable for tomorrow. It’s an important day. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Perfect.”

With that, Daya spun on her heel and walked away as if the conversation were nothing incredible.

Via looked at me with wide eyes. “You don’t think she’s being honest, do you? We aren’t ready to replace--”

I rose my hand and cut her off. “Not here, Via, for Deorcae’s sake.” I sat in thought for a minute. “As soon as I find out more, I’ll let you know. But, in the case that I am being sold off, be prepared to take my place. You’re the only one here competent enough, that’s for sure.”

“Aumee.”

“What?”

“I’m so sorry.”

I wasn’t able to say anything to her, so I rose from my seat and left.