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Amber studied the camel, her face bunched into a frown. It was big, ugly and it smelled like burned collard greens.
“We’re riding this?” she said.
Bissau flashed his calming smile. “It is not so bad. You’ll enjoy it.”
Amber turned to Grandma. “You sure we can’t rent a truck or something?”
It was Grandma’s turn to laugh. “A truck can’t take us where we need to go.”
Pemba looked on, clearly upset. She approached Bissau.
“Are you sure I can’t go? You may need my help.”
Bissau grasped her shoulder. “You have been a great help, sister. Only a few are allowed where we are headed.”
Pemba tiptoed then kissed his cheek. “Have a safe journey, Bissau.”
Bissau’s sour expression broke Amber’s tension. She finally laughed.
Bissau forced a smile. “Thank you...sister.
“I will.” Pemba seemed to be waiting for something.
“She wants you to kiss her back,” Amber said.
Bissau looked at Amber, a pleading look on his face. Amber enjoyed his discomfort.
“Well?” she said.
Bissau leaned over and kissed Pemba’s cheek. She threw her arms around him, hugging him tight.
“Be well, sister,” he managed to say.
Pemba kissed his cheek again then skipped away.
Bissau hurried to the camels. “I’ll help you on your camel.”
He took the camel’s reins and pulled it down. Amber climbed on awkwardly then the camel stood. She gripped the reins tight. She didn’t realize she would be so high!
Grandma and Bissau mounted their camels easily. Amber sat stiff, afraid to move. Bissau turned to look at her and smiled. He guided his camel to hers then took the reins.
“Hut, hut!” he shouted, and the camels strolled into the desert. So it was really happening, Amber thought. They were going to Marai.
She rocked side to side with the beasts’ laconic rhythm but the trek was anything but relaxing. She was going to fall. All these miles and adventures and her life was going to end in the desert when she fell off her camel and broke her neck. The thought made her tighten her legs about the camel and gripped her reins more. She was too young to die, she decided.
The sun wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined. It was definitely hot, but she experienced hotter days during summers in Atlanta. Still, she was soon thirsty and hungry. She almost whooped when a small stand of desert palms broke the horizon. The camels needed no guidance to the respite, their pace quickening at the site of the verdant spot. By the time they reached the oasis edge the camels were trotting and Amber was doing her best not to tumble from her camel’s back.
Bissau was able to bring his camel to a stop before it reached the glimmering lake. He dismounted then raced to Amber’s camel, grabbing the reins and turning the beast. It grunted and spat at him. Bissau dodged the wet projectile then forced the beast down. Amber jumped off with a smile.
“Thank you so much!” she exclaimed.
Grandma managed her camel alone. The three of them followed the beasts to the water. They sat under a large palm tree, spreading out their provisions before them.
“We have more than enough to take us to Marai,” Bissau said. “There is another oasis between us and the city. It’s smaller, but it had date palms.”
“How do you know all this?” Amber asked. “I thought you couldn’t leave the city.”
“I saw it in Master Jakada’s mirror,” he said. “I studied the outside for many weeks before starting on my journey.”
“I thought you were to bring us back through the mirrors.”
“I was, but I thought it would be best to figure out another way just in case things went bad, and they have.”
“It was smart of you to do so,” Grandma commented. “My father chose well.”
“Yes, he did.”
Their heads jerked to the direction of the familiar voice. Aisha emerged from the palms, a smirk on her face. Bissau sprang to his feet then took a defensive stance.
“Sit down, boy,” Aisha said. “I mean you no harm.”
Bissau advanced toward Aisha, his intent clear on his face. Amber concentrated on the woman, looking deep with her skills.
“Stop, Bissau! She telling the truth.”
“She has skills, Amber,” Bissau warned. “She can confuse your talents.”
“The girl speaks right,” Aisha said. “I mean you no harm, if only for my own reasons.”
Amber nodded. “I sense she is our ally, but she is not our friend.”
Bissau folded his arms across his chest. “Why are you here?”
“I’m here...to help you,” Aisha answered.
Bissau laughed. “See, I told you she was lying. Why would you help us?”
“Because she’s been betrayed,” Amber said. “Whoever sent you to stop us has turned on you.”
“The girl is correct again.” Aisha looked at her with narrow eyes.
“You are very good. I see why Bagule fears you. His lies would glow like a fire in your sight.”
“So why should we trust a traitor?” Bissau asked.
Aisha glared at the young man. “Because revenge can be just as effective as honor.”
Grandma approached Amber, her face just as concerned as Bissau. “Are you sure, Amber?”
“I’m sure,” Amber replied. “She is sincere.”
“Then help us,” Bissau said. “Change into a bird and find out how far we are from Marai.”
Aisha’s sure smile faded. “I can’t.”
“See, I told you she lies!” Bissau extracted his knife.
Amber gazed again with her gift. The truth still reverberated inside Aisha, but now it took on a deep blue shade.
“No Bissau, she still speaks the truth. But now it comes from pain.”
Aisha slumped to the ground, hugging herself.
“Bagule took my gift!” she hissed. “I don’t know how he did it, but he stole my birthright. Then he dumped me in the desert to die. That’s why I’ll help you.”
The skepticism finally faded from Bissau’s face.
“How did you make it this far?”
“I’m a desert child,” she answered. “I know the ways of this land. Still it was not easy.”
“You must be thirsty,” he said.
Aisha smiled. “And hungry.”
She stood and staggered to the lake then drank. Amber went to her, handing her bread and meat. Aisha pulled away from the lake, her face wet and relieved. She accepted the food with grace then ate with passion.
“We’ll camp here overnight then set out for Marai in the morning,” Grandma said. “Bissau, how far are we from the next oasis?”
“A week at least,” he answered
“We must be wary,” Aisha said. “Bagule has sent others after you. I don’t know who they are or where they will strike.”
“Others?” Amber’s hands shook.
Aisha nodded. “He is still determined to be Sana, and I’m sure he’s still trying to prevent your arrival. He has found some way to extend his power beyond the Veil.”
Bissau raised his head, scanning the foliage. “I will check the area.”
Aisha raised her hand. “There’s no need. If someone was here they would have made themselves known by now. I think we’re safe for the moment.”
They set up camp, resting the remainder of the day. Camping was something Amber was never interested in but here she was sharing a tent with her Grandma in an oasis under the wide sky. She was nervous, exhilarated and afraid. Aisha was helping them now, but whoever hunted her in the shape-shifters stead might be more dangerous than the revenge filled former shape shifter. She watched Bissau as he moved about the camp. He set up the fire, warmed the rations they brought with them and then prepared tea, of all things. Aisha was helpful as well. She fashioned some type of trap then managed to catch a few fish from the lake. Bissau reluctantly shared his knife with her and in moments they had fresh, tasty fish with their evening meal. The tension and exertions of the day finally took their toll on Amber. As the sun descended below the dunes she was ready to sleep.
“We must set up a watch,” Bissau said. He looked at Amber with concern.
“I’ll take the first watch,” Grandma volunteered.
“No, nana, you must rest,” Bissau said. “Amber and I will handle this.”
As tired as she was she nodded her agreement.
“I’ll help as well,” Aisha said.
Bissau cut his eyes at her. He still did not trust her.
They all looked to Amber.
“Bissau will take the first watch,” she decided. “I will take second. Aisha, you will take third watch.”
Aisha grinned; Bissau’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Aisha but nodded in agreement.
“Grandma, you rest,” she said last. “I know this journey has been hard on you.”
“I feel fine, Amber. As a matter of fact, I feel better than I have in quite some time.”
Grandma did a quick step and spin to Amber’s surprise.
“Don’t overdo it,” she warned. “I still have to take you back home to explain all this to Mama and Daddy.”
Grandma laughed. “Now that’s going to be interesting.”
Amber, Grandma and Aisha bedded down as Bissau took first watch. Amber fell asleep immediately. It seemed she had just closed her eyes when Bissau shook her awake.
“I apologize Amber, but it’s your watch.”
Amber groaned as she sat up then covered her mouth embarrassed.
“I sound like an old woman.”
Bissau smiled. “You sound like a tired woman. I know this has been arduous for you.”
“It’s been different, I’ll admit.”
The two looked at each other in silence. Amber looked away, remembering Grandma’s words of advice. Now was not the time to go googly eyes over a boy.
“I can take your watch if you like,” Bissau offered.
“No, I’ll do it. I’ve been enough of a burden to you as it is.”
“You are not a burden, Amber. You are the reason I am here. I’m proud Jakada chose me to find you and bring you home.”
“Marai is not my home,” she replied. “Grandma will be happy to see it, but I don’t know what to expect.”
“You will love it,” Bissau replied. “I only wish you were visiting under better circumstances. It is not crowded and busy like your cities. The streets are wide and the people are friendly; well at least most of them. We do not have the machines that you have but we have nyama.”
What is nyama?” she asked.
Bissau glanced away, a frown coming to his face. “It is hard to explain. It is like what you call magic but it is much deeper than that. It comes from the land and from the ancestors. They pass it on to us from the Most High. It is like Aisha says, a birthright. Everyone and everything possesses it and each person manifests it in their special way. Aisha’s way is shape shifting; your way is truth seeing.”
“And what is yours?” Amber asked.
“I am not sure yet. That is what Jakada is helping me discover.”
“You are a brave man,” she said. “Maybe that is your birthright.”
“Bravery is not nyama,” he replied.
“Maybe it is.”
Amber absently reached out then touched Bissau’s cheek with her fingertips. His skin was smooth and warm. She so wanted to kiss him, but not like Pemba. Bissau looked at her hand then ran his eyes along her arm to her face. His smile confirmed Grandma’s suspicions. Amber drew her hand away.
“I’ll take your shift. You must rest,” he whispered.
Amber nodded. She went to Grandma then lay on her blanket, snuggling into her sandy spot. She lifted her head one more time before sleeping, looking toward Bissau. He looked away, settling into his shift. She lay back down and clinched her eyes shut. Keeping away from him was going to be hard.