The guard nodded and began to make his way through the crowded marketplace. He was quite adept in the art of moving through crowds, with well-placed kicks to the shins and elbows to the ribs. Every now and then, he looked back to see if Lapis was following. A dirty-looking pickpocket bumped into him, but the man just chuckled at his effort. "I'm not carrying anything worth stealing anyway."
He led the scholar to a stone warehouse at the edge of the market. Its sandstone walls were thick and old, and would provide some protection from the blistering heat of the sun. It was clear from the moment the guard opened the door that the place was used to full capacity - crates of various make, size and shape were stacked up to the ceiling. Some were stamped and sealed, some were unadorned, and one could truly feel sympathy for poor accountants forced to handle this mass of cargo. There were few other guards inside, but they relaxed as soon as they saw that one of their own entered. "How's your sister, Hasan?" one called.
Hasan rolled his eyes at that. "I'm glad that you're paying attention to new security protocols, but do it right or don't do it at all! Sister is the passphrase for the harem guards - so unless I've been suddenly promoted, all I have to say that I have no sisters that I know of."
"When were you last home?" the other guard didn't give up. "You could have gotten one recently."
"My mother's dead since last spring, so I think it's safe to assume I'll remain sisterless" Hasan grinned. "And while I'd love to stay and chat, we need the overseer's office. Lord Faysal will be coming soon to speak with the lady over here."
"Proceed" the unfortunate guard decided.
Hasan led Lapis through a labyrinth of stacked crates to a small room further inside the warehouse. A plump woman wearing a blue gown and an ornate copper necklace - probably the overseer of this warehouse - was sitting behind a beautiful table made out of some strange red wood. The walls of the office were flanked by two luxuriously soft couches, and decorated with lavish tapestries.
Hasan quickly explained the situation to the overseer. The woman nodded and began to gather her accounting. "I needed an excuse to get out there and stretch my legs anyway. I think I'll go see if Malik has arrived with the shipment." She put her papers in a small box, locked it with a key and left.
"Feel free to sit" Hasan suggested. "Now we wait."
"We should visit the warehouse" Faysal suggested. "I need to speak with Overseer Fatima - apparently some shipments were late. If there's some trouble on the roads, I should report to Father."
Mirza giggled. "You're always so serious, Brother! And here I thought this was a friendly family outing for no purpose other than honing our bonds and living to the fullest of our youth!"
"I can always go there later. The Overseer can wait." He could only hope that woman who wanted who speak with him, also would.
"Oh, I didn't mean that" Mirza smiled. "We can go. But I warn you, Brother, my attention span is as short as my unfortunate height."
"You don't have to go in" Faysal suggested. "I'll give Ali some money to buy you candied fruit."
"A bribe! Are you trying to keep me away from this place?" Mirza's eyes narrowed mischievously. "Is there something you have to hide? A secret gift for me, perhaps?"
"You got me" Faysal sighed in fake surrender. "Now that you found out, what should I do? I need to think of something else..."
"Oh, don't worry. I promise to be distracted by the candied fruit and not peek!"
Faysal divided the guards when they reached the stall with sweets. He left most of them under the command of Ali before heading for the warehouse. The place had their own security arrangements, so he felt comfortable with just a few men. His litter stopped just before the entrance, waiting patiently for him to get off.
He reached for the crutches lying at the other side of the litter. It was a good idea after all to take them along, rather than leave them at home. Neither his pride nor Zaahir's would take kindly to other outcomes. He propped one against the ground, leaning heavily on it as he pushed out of the litter. It wasn't the most graceful or fluid movement, but it was a vast improvement over falling to the floor. Resting his weight on the crutch, he reached for the other one and began to hobble inside the warehouse. The litter and the guards would wait for him.
One of the men inside approached him as soon as he entered. "The lady you wish to speak to is waiting in the overseer's office" he began.
"Good. Is Overseer Fatima with her?"
"No, my lord. She left to check on a shipment."
Faysal frowned. He would have to find her later. "Very well. Guard the place while we talk." He slowly made his way through, meandering around the crates. He barely had any place to fit his crutch, let alone his body. Once he reached the door to Fatima's office, he leaned on one of the crutches and used the other to knock on the door.
"Back already, Overseer?" Hasan called from the inside.
"I wish" Faysal responded.
Hasan quickly opened the door, bowing to make up for the bad impression. "My lord."
"Join the others" Faysal commanded. Hasan exited the room, but hovered by the door to close it before leaving. Faysal entered and carefully lowered his body into a sitting position on one of the couches. He propped his crutches against the wall before turning his attention to the woman. "I believe you wished to speak with me?"
