Chapter five

Both girls ran as fast as their dresses would allow them, circling around the goats who charged them instantly. The climb to the cave entrance seemed to far away like they would never reach the rocky mountain bottom, yet in reality it couldn't be more than a few more feet.

Once they reached the mountain's base, they began climbing as quickly as possible. It was painfully difficult in sandals, and there weren't many footholds. The goats below nipped at their heels, but luckily didn't follow them up.

Panting and gasping for breath, the pair crawled into the cave, lying with their backs to the ground just staring at the cave's ceiling until they could breathe properly again. The sounds of rabid goats gradually quieted, until the only sounds were the female's breathing and the waterfall echoing of the cave walls.

"Is your hand alright, Zaahira?" Amirah asked, sitting up slowly.

"Uhm..." The blonde sat up and flexed her wounded right hand, wincing. "I don't know." The bite was bleeding, the area around it red and swollen. "I-I think it's turning...purple?" Taking a closer look, she could see the red skin was gaining a violet hue.

Amirah moved to get a closer look, "Oh my goodness, it is! How does it feel?"

"It doesn't really hurt," Zaahira decided, looking her hand over more. "I'm fine." In spite of her words, the would quickly darkened, the purple beginning to turn black.

"Clearly that goat poisoned you, we need to get you a cure!" Amirah insisted. "No way are you alright."

"The djinn might have one, right?" Zaahira spoke. She shrugged, "It's probably not fatal, anyway. You don't need to worry about me, Princess."

Amirah bit her lip. Growing up in a country full of healing magicians, illness of injury was never a real threat. but now, there was no one around to help. It was on Amirah to find a cure for her friend. "Can you climb with one hand?"

"I can't..." Zaahira admitted. She tried to move her hand again, but was unable to without crying out in pain. "I can't even move my hand anymore..."

This only worried the princess more. "Ok, ok. We'll figure this out..." She glanced around the cave, vainly looking for something to help. It was dark and damp, and gave off an ominous vibe. Amirah wanted to leave immediately. She stood and turned her back towards Zaahira, "Climb on my back."

"What?"

"I'm going to carry you," Amirah clarified.

"Up the mountain? That's insane!"

"Come on, before you get worse." Amirah crouched, and Zaahira reluctantly climbed on, careful not to disturb Akido, who was silently sleeping despite their circumstances.

"You're crazy." Zaahira shook her head as Amirah adjusted their positioning.

"How else are we going to get you help?" Amirah stepped out of the cave and began climbing. It was a lot harder than she imagined, and Zaahira a lot heavier.

"I don't understand why you do so much for me, Princess..." Zaahira sighed.

"Because, you're my friend. My only friend."

"Still..."

~

It was just after Princess Amirah's twentieth birthday. Besides the abundance of golden treasures and other valuables she's received from the country, Amriah's favorite gift was from her brother, Armakan. He'd given her a fan made of real gold and snow white feathers. It was beautiful, and Amirah loved it, vowing to carry it with her everywhere.

King Armakan had another gift for her as well. Amirah was allowed to travel to any country of her choice for one week. He didn't care where, Armakan and King Sinbad would work out the details with whatever country she chose before she left.

Amirah decided on the beautiful country of Reim. Home to the Fanalis Corps and the infamous coliseum. The magi of the country, Sheherazade, happily agreed to let the princess vist, and even requested to meet with her.

Not long after, Amirah set off to Reim by boat. It didn't take long, only a few days at sea, and when Amirah arrived, her seven days of freedom began with exploration.

The first half of her week was full of running around Reim followed by her escorts, admiring the culture and meeting new faces. Amirah was amazed to see how different everyone looked and acted from Heliohaptians.

With their pale skin, bright blue eyes, and exposed navels, Amirah felt extremely out of place. Until a few days before she was to leave Reim, when she met Lady Scheherazade and her Fanalis Corps. They treated Amirah with so much kindness and respect, she felt like one of them (although the Fanalis scared her at first).

On the day before her departure, Amriah stumbled upon a small bundle in the street. Curious, the princess approached it, gingerly reaching out to the blanket covered being. Just as her hand brushed against the dirtied cloth, the person recoiled, squeaking in fear.

Amirah gasped and jumped back, "It's ok! I'm not going to hurt you."

A small blonde head poked out from under the fabric, and dull blue eyes looked at the princess cautiously.

"It's okay," Amirah repeated more quietly, approaching the girl again. "Do you have a name?" The girl shook her head. "No? What about a family? Parents?" Another shake. "How about a home? You must have a home..." One final shake 'no'.

The princess frowned, "Well... My name's Amirah, I'm a princess."

"A princess...?" The girl echoed in a frail voice. She couldn't be older than thirteen.

"Yes, a princess." Amirah smiled. "Can you stand? Here, I'll help you up." She stood and offered the girl a hand. The girl cautiously accepted, the blanket falling away as she rose.

She wore a tattered once-white dress, and her bones showed through her skin on even exposed limb. Her eyes were dull and clouded. Amirah's heart sank at the sight. "Come with me," Amirah began helping the girl walk. "I have a nice room nearby, and I get you food and something to drink."

The girl didn't say anything, she just complied.

Once the girl was fed, bathed, and changed into new clothing, Amirah placed her by a fire for warmth and began brushing her hair. "Are you feeling better?"

It was a few moments before the girl responded with a quiet, "Yes."

"That's good... Say, we need to think of a name for you."

"A name?"

"Mmhm. You can't not have a name. No one will know how to address you," Amirah spoke.

"Your name is...Amirah?" The girl looked back at her, sounding out the princess's name. "You're really pretty..." She blushed lightly.

Amirah smiled, "Thank you. You're very beautiful as well."

"Really?" The girl brightened.

"Yes, you shine like the sun." Amirah thought for a moment, "That's it! Your name will be Zaahira, to shine."

"Za-a-hi-ra...?" The girl repeated slowly.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then your name shall be Zaahira from now on."

"Thank you, princess!!" Zaahira smiled brightly, already living up to her name.

Amirah laughed, "No need to thank me... Would you like to come back to Heliohapt with me?"

"What's a Heliohapt?"

"It's my country. It's very different from here, but I'm sure you'll love it."

"Am I allowed?"

"Of course!"

"But won't the people there not like me?"

Amirah frowned, "Why would you say that?"

Zaahira turned so she was properly facing Amirah, "I'm not a princess."

Amirah smiled lightly, "Silly. You don't have to be. If you're by my side, no one will hate you or cast you aside. I promise."

"Really? You really want me to come with you?" Zaahira began to brighten again.

"I do." Amirah nodded. "You're a sweet, smart, girl. I'm sure Brother Armakan will like you as well."

"Brother Armakan? Is he your brother? That makes him a prince, right?" Zaahira asked.

"Yes, but he's actually the king," Amirah corrected.

"Woah..." Zaahira began to open up more. It wasn't long before the girls were having hours long conversations about nothing and everything.

When Amriah brought Zaahira to heliohapt, Armakan was surprised -to say the least-, but allowed her to stay by Amirah's side and protect her. Which she did, and still does. And she will continue to do so, until her last breath. Because there's no way Zaahira could repay Amriah and she loves the princess with every fiber in her being.

And Amriah loves her right back, and would give her life up in an instant for the blonde haired, pale skinned, embodiment of the sun: Zaahira.

~