by Sarah Noffke
Azure had always been impressed by Ever’s knowledge, and this was another of those occasions. “I think the important thing is to frame the wish correctly. It seems like there’s always a consequence.”
“Yes. If you wished for peace, there might be unintended penalties,” Ever said.
“Like you achieve peace, but then everything becomes incredibly boring?” Azure asked, turning the lamp over in her hands. It had warmed and was pulsing with energy, as if encouraging her to release its contents.
“Exactly,” Ever said, nodding. “And remember that every genie is different. They are trapped for a reason, and while they are our servants, they also hold many grievances over their role. Some don’t believe they should be enslaved, while others remember the old lore that put them in that position. I’m not sure any genie can fully be trusted, because they will do anything to be freed.”
“How can they be freed?” Azure asked. Her knowledge of genies was limited to ancient texts.
Ever scratched the back of his head, his eyes uncertain. “That I don’t know. They originated in New Egypt, though.”
“That’s interesting timing, since that’s where we’re headed,” Azure said.
“Not really. If the old lore is to be believed a genie’s lamp finds the wisher, not the other way around,” Ever said.
“How does it do that?” Finswick asked.
“It’s kind of a mystery. All I know is that when the wisher has made their three wishes, the lamp disappears and reappears in a seemingly random place. However, as we’ve discussed, there is hidden meaning behind everything related to a genie. Consequences and extensive planning,” Ever explained.
“So you think this lamp found us?” Azure asked.
“I think it found you,” Ever said.
“But you spotted it in the water first,” Azure argued.
“Yes, but you’re the one holding it now. Your magic pulled it from the water.”
Azure tried to press the lamp into Ever’s hands, but he pulled away. “I think you should be the one to release the genie. You should have the three wishes.”
Ever gave her a small smile, warmth in his eyes. “But there is nothing I wish for. For the time being I have everything I want, and the faith that I’ll have everything I need as time progresses. I have no desire to mess with destiny.”
“I had no idea that you believed in such things as destiny,” Azure said, taking the lamp back.
“Don’t worry, you’ll figure me out. All in good time.” Ever winked at her, hidden meaning in his blue eyes.
“That means the wishes are yours,” Finswick said, interrupting.
“And if anyone is going to get three wishes, I can think of no one better than the queen of Virgo. But before you let the genie out of that lamp, be sure you’re prepared. It’s not just a gift, but also a burden. There’s much uncertainty that surrounds genies and their masters,” Ever warned.
Azure chewed the inside of her cheek. This lamp, if what Ever knew was correct—which she believed it to be—had found them. Who knew how the universe worked? But she did trust events such as this. Also, just because she had a genie didn’t mean she had to use it. Wishes could go unused for as long as necessary. “It is a thoughtless man who spends only because he has money,” Gran often said.
Finally Azure nodded, her eyes intently focused on the lamp in her hand. It looked like it had recently been polished, so did that mean it had recently had a different master? She was about to find out.
Picking up a corner of her robe, she rubbed it over the belly of the lamp as if polishing away invisible spots. The vessel warmed in her fingers instantly and seemed to enlarge, but that had to be a mind trick because it remained the same size in her hands. Suddenly it vibrated, making her hands shake. She whipped her gaze to Ever, but he didn’t look as worried as she felt—just gave her an encouraging nod. How was it that he was younger than her, and yet so experienced?
The lamp grew so hot that she could no longer hold it. Azure dropped the lamp and stepped back just as gray smoke poured from the spout in long tendrils. They snaked into the air in loops, one after the other.
A deep laugh exploded, one that seemed to fill the land around them as if it were tangible. The smoke was now a curtain, dense and thick. Azure blinked, thinking she saw something red inside the smoke. Something sparkling. She leaned forward, conscious that the smoke was moving in her direction. Still, she wanted to see what that red sparkling object was.
The laughter was abruptly cut off by a hacking cough. A hand covered in rings reached out of the smoke and waved.
“Damn it to hell!” a deep voice said. His hand continued to wave, displacing the smoke. As it moved away they could see the figure of a man floating in midair. He was an incredibly hairy man. Still coughing, the genie waved both hands until the smoke was completely gone.
He continued to float, sitting cross-legged. On his head was a white turban, and pinned to it was the red ruby that had caught Azure’s attention. It was quite large, and had been cut in the shape of a teardrop. The genie sported a bushy black mustache and goatee, and his chest was covered in curly black hair. Azure guessed that his legs, like his forearms, were covered in more hair, but he was thankfully wearing baggy white linen pants.
The genie knocked on his chest with his fist, releasing one last cough. Eyes watering and face red, he looked straight at Azure.
“For over a century, I, the illustrious and prevailing genie of Oriceran, have waited to be released. I am your servant, and you are my master. Three wishes I grant to you, and only to you. For all of time until you release me from your service, I am your devoted genie. What I own is yours. What I know belongs to you. My freedom is your hands upon my lamp,” the genie said quite dramatically. He made a flourish with his arm, and bowed over his lap. When he lifted his head he brandished a wide grin, which displayed a gold tooth. “I am at your disposal. I am the great and powerful Bob.”
Azure sputtered a cough of her own to cover her laughter. “Uhhhh, nice to meet you…Bob.”
“Bob?” It was Finswick who asked. “What kind of name is ‘Bob’ for an ancient and powerful genie?”
Bob looked around, confused, to locate the speaker, and discovered Finswick looking up at him with a critical expression. The genie’s eyes grew wide and he darted like smoke to hide behind Ever. In a loud whisper he said in his ear, “Oh, hell! Don’t look now, stranger, but I believe that feline is speaking. I think it’s possessed.”
Azure stepped forward, a diplomatic look on her face. “Bob, this is Finswick. He’s my cat.”
The genie floated away from Ever and looked from her to Finswick, some of the worry retreating. He pointed a thick finger at Finswick. “If he’s your cat and he speaks, that means…” The wheels in Bob’s head spun and comprehension dawned on his face. “Holy hell, you’re a witch. My master is a witch!” He was excited about this revelation, which made Azure breathe a sigh of relief.
“Yes, I am a witch.” She offered her hand to him. “I’m Queen Azure Vladar.”
Bob smacked his head in disbelief. “A witch and a queen!” He looked up at the sky, his hands clasped. “Solomon, you’ve been too good to me. I take back all the things I’ve said about you over the last few centuries.” Bob hesitated for a moment. “Well, I don’t take back that one thing. It was true and you know it.”
Azure turned her chin up and looked at the sky, following the genie’s gaze. When she faced him again he was muttering under his breath, speaking fast.
“Right, well… Bob, this is Ever.” Azure held her hand out to the Light Elf, presenting him. “And you’ve already met Finswick.”
The cat stared incredulously at the genie, a skeptical expression pinching his brow. “Bob? Are you sure that’s your name?”
Bob still didn’t look comfortable talking to a cat. He placed his hand on his hairy chest. “I’m certain that’s my name.”
“What does it stand for?” Finswick asked.
�
��It stands for nothing,” he said.
“Isn’t Bob usually short for Robert?” Ever asked.
Bob laughed loudly, waving a hand at the Light Elf. “Oh, that’s funny. What sense does that make? Robert…” He continued to howl with merriment.
Through slit lips Finswick said, “It appears that someone’s interpersonal skills suffered while he was locked away.”
Bob didn’t appear to hear the cat over his laughter, which was slowly waning.
“I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy hanging out with you all.” Bob placed his hands in his lap and leaned forward. “Now, Queen Azure, as you are probably aware, I will grant you three wishes. Do you want to ask for anything now?”
Azure thought for a moment and then shook her head. “I don’t need anything right now, but we are setting off on a world tour and New Egypt is the first destination on our list, so I’m sure a wish will arise.”
Bob darted behind Ever for a second time, seeking shelter. “New Egypt! No! I can’t go there. I mean, I will, can, and must do what you say, but I don’t want to go there.”
Azure shrank back a bit in confusion, peering at Ever to get his take. “Ummm…why? What’s wrong with New Egypt?”
Bob peeked around Ever, blinking his long black eyelashes. “You don’t know?”
“No, I guess I don’t. What’s in New Egypt?” Azure asked.
Moving out from behind Ever, Bob leaned forward like he was going to share a secret with her. “I have no idea.”
“What? Why are you afraid of the kingdom if you don’t know what’s there?” Azure asked.
“Well, I’m from New Egypt. My lamp was forged there, and I have a distinctly bad feeling at the mention of the place. I don’t know why, but as you always say, you must trust your feelings above reason and logic.” Bob threw one finger in the air as he spoke.
Azure blinked at him in disbelief. “Wait, I don’t say that. And we just met.”
“I think Bob’s turban is wound a little too tightly,” Finswick said.
Ever gave him a commiserating nod.
“Bob, I’m sure you’ll be fine in New Egypt. We all will be. And if we aren’t, then I’ll just use one of my wishes to get us out of trouble. It’s going to be a fun adventure, and we’re happy to have you with us,” Azure said, extending her hand to the genie for a second time. This time he took it and brought it to his face, pressing his lips to it.
“You are a good queen, aren’t you? I think I might even regret it when I kill you,” Bob said, his mustache bristling against the back of her hand.
Azure yanked her hand back. “Excuse me! Did you just say you were going to kill me?”
Bob pulled his mouth to the side and looked at her with disbelief. “I don’t believe I did. Would you like to wish for better hearing? I may be able to help you there.”
Azure turned to gauge Ever’s and Finswick’s reactions.
“Remember, a hundred years in a bottle,” Finswick said, striding toward the horses, who had wandered some way down the path to graze. “May I suggest that we set out once again on our adventure? We don’t want Monet to beat us.”
“Monet? I once worked for a painter by that name. He was a good master. Awful painter, but nothing that a couple wishes didn’t fix,” Bob said proudly.
An arrow whizzed through the air and stuck into the soft dirt at Azure’s feet, vibrating a bit from its sudden halt. Azure stared down at it and her jaw dropped.
Three more arrows came at them from the southwest, the direction in which they were headed.
Azure retreated to the horse and picked up Finswick.
“Centaurs,” he said, his voice tight. “I saw one in the trees.”
“Where are they? Can we negotiate with them?” Azure asked.
“Not if they are shooting first and asking questions later,” Finswick said.
A half-dozen arrows landed in the spot where Azure had been standing. It was strange that they were coming so close but not hitting them—as if they were on purpose, those near misses.
“Bob, can you get us out of here?” Azure asked.
“Yes, of course I can,” the genie said hovering just beside her.
Ever had picked up the lamp and handed it Azure. “Remember to be specific with your request.”
“Bob, please transport Ever, Finswick, me, and the horses to where we are staying, which is the Cairo Citadel.” A moment later she added. “Present day. In one piece. On the ground floor.”
The genie crossed his arms, taking too much time to measure Azure as arrows zoomed past their heads. She ducked, covering Finswick with her body. “I see, you’re a crafty witch. I’ll remember that during my attempt at assassination.”
An arrow landed in the dirt an inch from Ever’s horse’s hoof, making the animal reel back on his hind legs.
“Bob, now!” Azure commanded.
The genie’s face turned pink and he nodded anxiously. “Of course, master.” When he clicked his tongue and pressed his head down, the group disappeared.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Azure nearly stumbled when they landed inside the castle. It took a moment to process the scene around them, which included half a dozen people staring at them with great interest. That was when Azure realized she was standing in the lobby of the hotel, an old citadel of the gods, and next to her were the horses and her companions. Bob had retreated into his lamp, but she’d be sure to mention this to him.
The walls sparkled with gold and depicted scenes of the pharaohs. Columns heavily decorated with hieroglyphics ran the length of the atrium, and two golden sphinxes guarded the large entrance on the far side of the room.
She waved to the onlookers. “We will just be taking our horses to the stable.” Azure turned, giving Ever a tense expression. He returned it, and they grabbed the reins to encourage the horses into the open air.
“One wish gone, two left,” Finswick said in a sing-song voice.
“And your ass is still alive, so you’re welcome,” Azure muttered to the cat in her arm as she steered around people.
“I think it was a smart use of the wish,” Ever said at her side, pulling his own horse.
“Of course you do,” Finswick said, narrowing his eyes at the Light Elf.
They handed the horses off to the stablekeeper who met them at the entrance. Behind him, camels were eating hay from troughs. Azure had never seen camels before, and she smiled at the newness of everything.
~~~
The citadel was located in the middle of a dusty city that smelled of strange spices and grease. The buildings were close together here, much different than the space afforded buildings in Virgo. Each building in her kingdom sat on a large patch of green lawn, but in New Egypt narrow cobbled paths snaked between the buildings, which were all tall, intricately decorated with mosaics, and painted in warm colors. A radiant glow covered everything in the city, as if it were drenched in a fiery light. Azure didn’t realize she’d walked straight into the busy street that bordered the citadel until a hand on her shoulder yanked her back.
A three-wheeled bike nearly rode her down. “Watch where you’re going, lady!” the driver yelled. His vehicle was towing a small cart behind it.
Azure faced Ever, who had pulled her close to him after having rescued her from being hit.
“Were you overcome by learning about what you don’t know you don’t know?” he asked.
Azure pushed Finswick into his arms and nodded. “You must have read my mind.” She felt into her pockets with her free hand to find the cold lamp. They had arrived intact, and for that she could thank Bob.
The street was lined with carts like the one the bike had been pulling. Smoke wafted from the carts and vendors yelled to passersby, trying to sell their wares. The whole scene slightly reminded her of witches and wizards in Virgo, except that in New Egypt the people wrapped long, rich fabrics around their bodies instead of wearing Victorian dresses and robes. And this place felt like a city, with its congested streets and stone b
uildings. Azure marveled at the chaos around them.
“Your mouth is hanging open,” Finswick observed, licking his paw. He didn’t look too happy about being in Ever’s arms.
“There’s just so much to see.” Azure took in the sights around her.
“Well, try not to get run over, would you?” The cat lifted his head to gaze down the busy road, his eyes wide with astonishment. “I never would have bet that was going to happen.”
Azure turned to see what he was referring to, but only saw more of the same. “What are you talking about?”
Finswick clawed Ever to get out of his arms. The Light Elf dropped him at once and Finswick retreated to an alleyway, tail high and ears perked.
“Where are you going?” Azure called.
“To explore. Don’t wait up. It’s my turn to have an adventure,” Finswick said, disappearing through the crowd.
Azure turned to Ever. “I think I should have seen that coming.”
“Me too, but now I know what he was referring to. I didn’t see that coming.” Ever pointed to where people were staring down the lane. The crowd started to murmur, and then parted. Through the steam and glow of the city, the heads of dragons were drawing closer.
“No way,” Azure said, taking a step back on the sidewalk and watching as the four green dragons pulled the burgundy carriage forward. It stopped when it was just in front of her, and Oak pulled his black hat off his head and bowed to her.
“Mademoiselle, you have arrived. It appears you won the race,” Oak said, confusion on his lined face.
“Just barely. How did you get here so fast? The dragons… Well, they appear slow,” Azure said.
Oak held out a finger, a cunning look in his wise eyes. “Ahhh, and therein lies your problem. Appearances deceive. Maybe next time, Queen Azure, you’ll allow me to transport you as the queen mother intended. I assure you that traveling by carriage is much more comfortable than horseback.”
“Not to mention that I’d get the attention Gran desired.” Azure indicated the crowd gathered around the carriage. Most stayed back and watched the dragons, who didn’t appear to care about the gawking stares. A boy approached the dragon in the front and put out a hand.
