Chapter 6: Ankur

A new world

A different world

And I want to find myself again

(Haiku by pingu61)

***

A bright flash of light hit Sarah's face. She blinked to adjust her eyes which had only just gotten accustomed to the dark room she just left behind. Then she looked around.

A village. The streets were busy. Men, women and children roamed around the marketplace purchasing their daily commodities and food items. Nothing looked out of the ordinary; just not as advanced as a town. Sarah felt it resembled the ages when technology still did not exist or perhaps like an Amish community. A little boy playing with his sister threw a stick at her. The sister placed her palm on the ground and produced a stick, then started chasing her brother. Why would they need any touch of tech when they have magic?

They walked along the street. People began to notice them and some of them whispered amongst each other. Jake looked at them and then looked at Sarah.

"You need a new outfit. Your jeans and t-shirt are standing out".

Sarah looked at herself and frowned, "and yours isn't?"

"I often travel in and out of this place. Everyone got used to my slightly different clothes. Also, I am wearing men's clothing. What you are wearing are also considered men's clothing here, and it's not even something of our style".

Sarah let out a sigh. It bothered her to think that she would have to wear frocks now which would be too uncomfortable for her taste. Disguise was still the main issue at hand, so she got herself a shirt, pants, boots and a waistcoat. Still a man's outfit, but she preferred this over gowns, frocks and silly hats. At least she would look like a traveller or Robin Hood. That would be cool.

Jake took her to his place. It was a large house made of bricks and cement. This was the Ankur tribe leader's house. Jake had to show himself to his father whenever he returned from the common world, so this compulsory order had to be maintained even now. They walked along a long corridor and then appeared at a waiting room. Jake left her there and left to meet his father.

Sarah took a look around. The carpet was made of fur and the fireplace looked like it was straight out of a palace. Antique vases sat neatly on pedestals. But the lights were interesting. When she walked over and stood right beneath the hanging objects, she realised they were flowers. Glowing and about the size of her head, they looked beautiful. She roamed around a little, then took a seat on the couch next to the fireplace.

Jake waited at the doorway. A tall man with broad shoulders turned around.

"Back so soon, Brave?"

He had a black beard with traces of white which even showed up on his mustache. His hairline had thinned, revealing his bald scalp, although there was some trace of hair on the rear skull. His eyes, like those of an eagle, seemed as if they could pierce just anything.

Jake bowed slightly, "Father, I brought her here."

"Rhea? How so?"

"Due to a misunderstanding, Phileas, son of Hanns, left her company. Sarah insisted on his return so I brought her here."

"I always knew Hanns' son wouldn't do well out there. He is not accustomed to the culture of the common. He is more suited in the castle. Plus he has very little experience regarding women. His own mother left him a boy," he turned back to the book he was looking at to close it shut, "Rhea... I want to see her".

"She is in the waiting room," he bowed again slightly.

Sarah had been humming to herself since no one was around. At the sound of footsteps she stopped humming and stood up abruptly. A man with broad shoulders looked at her with piercing eyes. He smiled and bowed courteously to her. She hesitated then bowed slightly in a very rash manner. To his courtesy her behaviour seemed to her as though misbehaviour. So this is the Ankur leader, Jake's father.