Chapter 2

    SARAFINA.

    * *

    I was bundled unto a horse while the prince carriage rode in the front.

    A guard rode with me. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of my family. Is this how I'm going to die? Well if this is my fate then I accept it.

    We entered the palace few minutes later and even in my distressed state, I couldn't help but admire the glittering view of the royal villa.

    I wish I was born a royalty then I won't have to die for seeing the prince's face. "Are you going to get down or keep drooling" a guard said snapping me out of my reverie.

    I got down and as I looked forward I could make out the prince moving into the palace tapping on something that he was holding.

    I was led into the prisoners yard and into an empty cage, where I was locked up. I sighed and slid down the cage awaiting my cruel fate.

    .

    * *

    The heat of the harsh sun kept burning my back as I lay curled up in a side of the cage.

    Won't they just kill me already, or is this how they want me to die?

    Suddenly I heard footsteps from a side of the yard. I froze, had they come from me?

    I looked closely only to see a young man coming from the palace courts.

    He was royalty. On his hand were royal bracelets of different color and his left leg two royal anklets.

    He had a curly black hair and a face that almost had me drooling.

    In my dreamy assessment of him, I didn't know he had gotten to my cage until he tapped it.

    I jumped in fright, he smiled. His smile was like the fall of a million stars on the face of earth.

    "Hi" he said. I gulped. His voice had that warm note that could pucker up the insides of a lady.

    I bowed in courtesy as he was from the royal house even if I didn't know the connection.

    "I'm Jafar" he said and I gasped, Jafar son of prince Maximus?

    "Why are you here?" He asked.

    "I saw the prince"

    He scoffed. "Obviously you will be killed?"

    I nodded and he sighed. "Won't you tell me your name?"

    "In the next few hours or minutes, I will be gone, my name is not important" I replied him as I sighted the guards coming from the palace court.

    They have come for me.

    "Prince Jafar, why are you talking with this criminal?" One of the guard said as they unlock the gate and pull me out.

    "Who I talk to is none of your business Ashil" he snapped and looked at me pitifully.

    I smiled at him and then looked away as they led me into the palace to face the council.

    I have accepted my fate all I need is for Ashra to keep my family safe in my absence.

    .

    * *

    I whimpered as I was pushed to kneel before the king and the council. I bowed my head in courtesy.

    "Young maiden, I'm sure you know your offense and the penalty for it" the king's voice boomed.

    "Yes your highness I said in a tiny voice.

    "But as tradition would have it you are to ask for one thing before you are beheaded" he continued.

    In my fright of the moment I had forgotten the tradition that says a criminal to be beheaded is given the opportunity to ask one favor from the royal house before his or her death and by Ashra's law, this favor is not to be declined.

    I gulped. What would I ask for?

    And then it clicked...

    I had nothing to loose, I was going to die already, then why not?

    "I want to speak with the prince" I stated.

    Gasps filled the chambers, I could imagine the puzzled looks on their faces.

    "What?!!"

    Gasps filled the chamber. The elders started whispering to themselves. I didn't look up, so I couldn't make out the expression on the king's face but I'm sure it will be a shocked one.

    "Has she gone insane" one of the elders said.

    "This is pure verboten" another said.

    I kept my head bowed, rocking on my knees. I accept to be killed, but I will talk the prince.

    The murmurs became louder until the king shouted. "Enough!"

    Silence swept over. "What sort of game are you trying to play young lady" The king asked, an hint of anger lacing his tone.

    "I'm playing no game of any sort your highness, I only ask that I speak with the prince" I replied calmly.

    "Then dare I say you are mentally deranged" an elder said.

    I frowned. I'm not mentally deranged, I'm only trying to make an achievement on my last day on earth, and talking to the most feared prince Jamal is one hell of an achievement.

    That was what I wanted to say, but I kept mute.

    "What is your name young lady" the king asked.

    "Sarafina, your highness"

    "And what makes you think your request will be granted"

    I shrugged. "Nobody wants the wrath of Ashra(the goddess they serve)"

    They all gasped.

    "Are you trying to threaten the council?"

    "It may seem so your highness, but I have done no such thing"

    "You are only wasting your time, delaying your death, guards! Take her to might the prosecution yard"

    "Wait!" A familiar voice yelled from behind. We turned, it was Prince Jafar. He strode into the chamber and stood before the king. "No one is killing this maiden"

    I stared at him, wide eyed. What is he saying? "Jafar, you cannot interrupt an ongoing council uninvited" The king stated.

    "We can't keep killing people for mistakes that wasn't intentional" he said and scoffed. "Mistakes aren't intentional anyway"

    "Jafar will you stop this madness now!!"

    He dragged me from the guard's hand and pushed me to his back.

    "You won't kill this lady, your highness"

    "Please, just stop this and let them get on with what they want to do" I whispered to him. He smiled at me.

    "Just let me handle this"

    "Jafar step aside or you will be prosecuted for treachery" an elder said.

    "Why should we kill for seeing the face of an human like us? Is he a god or what?"

    "You won't talk about the crown prince that way" another elder said apprehensively.

    "Then let him fight for himself"

    "Prince Jafar" I whispered again.

    The king stood up in annoyance..

    "Seize them both!" He growled.

    Jafar moved back. "No one should come near me or I would be forced to say something you will surely regret" he whispered the last past so that only the king and I could hear.

    The king froze instantly, he raised an hand to stop the guards. The elders were surprised at his sudden action.

    I was surprised too. Was the king hiding something?

    "Jafar" he whispered dangerously.

    "You can't kill her" The king sat down back.

    "She will be punished!!" He stated.

    "No! The law says she should be killed, why the sudden change"

    "She has to be killed"

    The elders started arguing with themselves.

    "Quiet! My decision is final, the maiden should be punished and no one dares question my authority"

    "Her punishment will be to serve the palace for thirty days, starting from sunset tomorrow, you are all dismissed" The king said and made his way out of the chambers.

    The council elders kept murmuring between themselves as they left, some of them throwing disdainful looks at me.

    Soon the chamber was empty except for the guard in charge of the place.

    Prince Jafar turned to me.

    "Thank you" I said bowing my head. He suddenly placed his hands under my chin, forcing me to look at him. He was foots taller than me so I had to look up.

    "Will you tell me your name now?" He asked softly.

    I smiled shyly. "Sarafina"

    "You are beautiful, do you know that"

    I gulped, uneasiness already building up in me.

    "I have to leave now prince Jafar"

    He smiled. "Will I see you again Sarafina?"

    I shrugged. "If Ashra wills" with that, I took to my heels and ran out of the palace.

    Blessing Ashra silently for saving my head.

    .

    .

    * *

    I was already few walks away from home when I saw Zella pacing around the streets like a zombie.

    "Zella" I called as I ran to her, she turned swiftly and screamed my name. "Fina!!" Before running towards me, she hugged me tightly almost choking me.

    I held her hands and pulled it off me carefully.

    "Zella, are you okay"

    She frowned tears streaming down her face. "I thought you were taken by the prince, I was so worried"

    I smiled and held her hands as we started walking home.

    "Did you sell all the scarfs?" She asked after noticing my empty hands.

    I sighed, I didn't want to tell her but I had to.

    "I saw him and I was taken" I stated matter- off- factly.

    "What! Holy goddess, how did you escape"

    "They would have killed me but Prince Jafar pleaded for me"

    She gasped. "Jafar son of Prince Maximus?"

    I nodded. "But I was given a punishment to work in the palace for thirty days"

    She looked at me with pity, I shrugged. "Isn't that better than being killed?" She nodded and hugged me again. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you Fina" she said, sniffling.

    I rub her back soothingly. "I'm here now, and I'm never leaving"

    "When you are through playing lovey- dovey over my daughter you might as well want to come inside and give my money or sleep outside if you don't have it" Kayla yelled, I jumped in fright.

    I was so caught up in my discussion with Zell that I didn't notice that we were home already.

    I gulped. "What will you do now?" Zell whispered.

    I shrugged and walked into the house while Zella followed behind.

    I met Kayla standing at the door with arms akimbo, while the twins were behind her, giving me death glares.

    "My money" Kayla said.

    I swallowed hard, she will not believe me if I tell her what happened, so I lied. "I lost it" I replied her.

    "You did what!" She yelled as her palms collided with my cheeks.

    I shrieked in pain and moved back.

    She dragged me closer and slapped me again.

    She kept slapping and hitting me as I fell to the floor.

    I could hear Zell pleading with her to stop, but she didn't.

    "Ashra help me if I don't kill you today you witch of a girl" she yelled still hitting me.

    My tears had stopped and only my heavy breathing which came out as gasps was what was left.

    She stopped and stood, dragging me by my ear she pushed me outside.

    "Don't you dare step your feet in this house until you find my money and Ashra help you that your father comes before you do, I'll only tell him you ran away" she said and slammed the door shut to my face.

    I sniffed, rubbing my shoulders, as walked into the nothingness of the hot afternoon.

    ~•~•~•~•~