Golden Bird

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted her confused thoughts. "Come in." she called, and her heart quickened as she wondered if he had returned from his trip prematurely. She chided herself as a figure in black came through the heavy wooden door. It was Fatima. The girl's eyes were barely visible behind the netting that covered the small opening of the hooded cloak, but Sara could see they sparkled with excitement, and she seemed unusually animated.

"Oh, Miss Sara I have excellent news. You will be soon with your family."

Sara took a step back, wondering if she had heard correctly.

"What did you say? Fatima, did you say what I thought you said?"

The girl nodded, smiling.

"But, how? And what are you doing in that, ... thing."

"This thing is called an aba, and it is how you can get past the guard." She pulled off the heavy garment and gave it to Sara to put on.

"This will certainly disguise my looks, but I am taller than you."

"You must try to appear shorter, but just until you are past the guard, then you should not run into anyone else. It is late and most of the palace servants have retired."

"But where do I go. I have never even been out in that corridor. I'll get lost." Sara cried in despair.

"No, no, I will direct you to a secret place, a tunnel that leads to the kitchen. You will walk through the kitchen, be careful not to raise your head, even through the netting, your blue eyes will give you away," she cautioned. "Now walk, ... good, always look at the floor ... now if no one stops you, it will work."

"OK, so what happens once I get through the kitchen?"

"There is a door. Go directly to the door, do not stop for anyone, there will be a car waiting, and people who will take you to your family."

"But who are these people? Isn't it dangerous? Won't they get in trouble for helping me? And what about you, Fatima you won't be punished will you?"

"Rashid will be angry, that is true, but he will realize it is for the best that you leave here, ... in time he will have forgotten all about it." Fatima sounded convincing, but she wondered how true her words really were. Could Rashid forget his golden bird? She shook aside her doubts, determined to remain firm in her belief she was doing the right thing, and said with more conviction than she felt, " Do not worry."