Unlike Maya, her parents were far more compliant. Especially her father, who was quite superstitious, and her mother, who had grown up with a host of her own desert superstitions.
With wide eyes, Oni snapped her fingers at a servant to fetch a scribe, and her husband was already off, taking a seat at a fountain and furiously recording any furniture and trinkets they'd brought back from their latest outing to Essyrn. At least, the things he could remember.
"Come to think of it, it did begin shortly after we returned from Essyrn," Oni said, worrying at her bottom lip. "Maya, darling! What are you doing? Didn't you hear what the good man said? Start recording everything we brought you!"
Maya looked over at them, sighing dramatically and shaking the papers she held. "But mother! I don't remember it all! It's all in my room."
"Then go to your room."
"Alone? After what happened?" She stamped her foot in defiance. "I was nearly killed! And might I remind you of the shark?!"
"Lord Amalin is here, dear. You were never in any danger. Isn't that true, sir?" And Oni looked up at Amalin with a smile, right as the scribe came scurrying over to her with parchment, ink, and pen. "If it's safe for her to return to the house, then you should take her so she can finish her business. It'll be much easier if we can all return, in fact."
