Snippet 1

This story takes part in one of the worlds in my Three Kingdoms world, more specifically Sihr; a world with moonlit deserts and magic, picture 1001 Nights, the Dance of the Seven Veils and Prince of Persia. 

The timeline happens 20-10 years before the Three Kingdoms stars. This will be a stand alone novel, and I mean it this time. 

And yes, instead of the Guardians of Volk that I have been promising you, I will post this one because #GoV is still not fit for your eyes, it's a mess. 

Well, let's carry on. 

“And you are?”

“My name is Safia.”

“Safia…”

“Safia Leharmua.”

Sayif blinked, the culture of their people weighed heavily on tribe and family so every person has a tribe and family name. Unless you are on the run, or you have no tribe or family for whatever reason. Those without went with just their given name, or like Safia took the name of the city where they were born, which also meant that she was a ward of the kingdom. Some eventually get adopted by either families, tribes or went into the work force.

Leharmua was the city where the Academy of Magic and the temple of the One God resided, so orphans born in Leharmua were taken care better than most because some of them, like Safia were raised by the Temple or by patrons--rich people who wanted to show off to their neighbors.

“You didn’t take your vow?”

“No, it was made clear to me that I had other purposes than to serve the One God.”

“And that is?”

She smiled. “Surely you have other important questions to ask me, for example, why is an orphan of the One God temple. disguises herself as an acolyte, ventures into Neraka valley, all alone and without a servant or two for help?”

“We do not want to interfere with Temple matters.” Sayif demurred.

“Do you not?” Her question throbbed in the air, and if Sayif didn't know any better, he would swore that she was a magic user, and since she was an orphan of the Temple, the percentage that she was one was on the high side.

“But since the question is already pointed out, why is an orphan of the One God temple doing here of all places?”

“I am here to find someone.”

“Who?”

“The Leader of the Dark Blade desert pirates.”

Sofia didn’t blinked when two of the men, who had been quietly placing themselves behind her, went for their swords while the one who was doing all the talking merely looked bemused.

She kept her eyes on him, she had a suspicion that he was the one to reason with. She quirked an eyebrow. “I assume that I've arrived at the right place?”

Copyright © 2012 by D.F. Jules