This is like a prologue for a new story. Hope you like it. It's an Alternative 
Reality one.

Story-line: Nomad Serena has just witnessed a horrific murder which has 
something do with Sultan Darien. Both of them battle for their lives when 
they're thrown into a world of deceit, murder, passion and love.

DESERT DESTINY
Chapter 1
Sailor Galaxy

The wind blew stirring the sands, but the Nomads carried on.

The hot desert sun beat down onto the heads of the people, but the Nomads 
carried on.

There didn't seem to be an oasis around and oh they were tired, but the Nomads 
carried on.

These Nomads make their money by travelling through the desert, from city to 
city, where they stay for at least two days. After getting supplies and 
providing people with entertainment, they move off again, off to another city 
to find their fortune.

Today it would be different. For the Nomads would be staying for more than a 
week. It was the Sultan's birthday, and they were invited to display their 
skills. It would be held in the palace grounds. It was rumoured that the young 
Sultan, having just turned twenty-five, was to be in disguise throughout the 
party. It was a rumour, nothing more but people took great satisfaction in 
spreading this news around. Some even believed it which would be their own 
undoing.

*********************************************************** 

" Really, Aslum, do I have to? They're probably just a group of rag-a-muffins 
who are hoping for some break in their life."

" Yes you have to and it's not their fault that they were unlucky enough to 
land jobs as Nomads. All people are not blessed with good fortune."

" They should have worked hard instead of giving in to their petty desires 
before they had achieved what they wanted."

Aslum sighed. As much as he loved Darien, sometimes that boy really amazed 
him. How heartless could he be? True Darien wasn't a boy anymore but a Sultan, 
and true that he treated his people well, but he didn't radiate an aura of 
kindness that his mother had before her premature death. His mother. That 
gentle beauty with the soft hair and eyes still lived in the hearts of the 
people. It was a pity that she had died so early or maybe she could have 
taught her son how to love.

The problem was that the Sultan hadn't wanted to organise a Nomad 
Entertainment. He'd wanted a Harem Entertainment. And for all those who didn't 
know what that was, they'd be better of without this information. The Sultan 
was a womaniser plain and simple. Aslum even wondered if the Sultan
knew the meaning of the word love.

" Nevertheless, the public are expecting you to make an appearance. It would 
not look good if you did not show up."

" I suppose you are right. But this is the last time I do anything of the 
sort."

" We will see. Now, I would advise you to go get changed. It will be a very 
busy day today."

Aslum bowed to the Sultan as he headed towards his chambers to get dressed.

Indeed today would be a very busy day.

*********************************************************** 

" Serena Yafisah! Get down here this minute!" 

An old man bellowed.

Serena a young girl with long silvery strands finished weaving her hair into a 
very complicated bun, blew out her breath and ran to ask her master what the 
matter was.

" This is the third time you've been late. This sort of behaviour can't be 
tolerated. If you want to survive you have to do what your master tells you to 
do. Understand?"

" Yes Sir!"

" And don't use that kind of tone with me."

" What tone, Sir?"

The old man glared at Serena witheringly.

" That patronising tone. Now get on stage. The Sultan's going to be there and 
if you don't satisfy him, I'll personally see to your punishment."

Serena sighed again as she donned her veil and got ready to step on stage. She 
was a singer and dancer. Many people, especially men, were captivated by her 
beautiful hypnotising voice and her supple curves dressed in a dress that 
uncovered everything it covered. The Sultan. Why were some people so lucky? 
Why were some born Royalty while others had to sell their children just to 
survive one day? 

'Don't go there, Serena. This is a big day.' 

'I can't help it. Why would mother and father do this to me?' 

'You know why. They needed the money.' 

'Yes but selling me?' 

'There's nothing more you can do about it. Now get on stage.'

Serena gave herself one final look over and poised on the edge of the stage, 
behind the curtain. The slow, rythmatic music started and Serena appeared with 
her body slowly undulatingin time with the music. She opened her mouth and 
began to sing a song.


" Every time I wonder
Every time I reach
Never satisfies me
Never relieves

The thunder in the darkness
The rain in the sky
The moon with its brightness
Makes me wonder why?

Why is it so difficult
To make others do see
The truth that lies within us
The hopes that our hearts do seek

Is it wisdom, or glory
Is it fame, or wealth, or peace
The internal secret of the soul
That unfolds only for him
Who strives to reach."

*********************************************************** 

" Well, wasn't that entertaining?" 

Aslum whispered to Darien when every-one finished clapping as the singer 
danced off stage. Aslum looked at the seat beside him when he heard no 
answer.  It was empty. He then looked around him.

" Darien! Darien?"

The Sultan was no where to be seen. Aslum swore to himself. He started to get
up to find where Darien had gone but was stopped by a soul shattering scream. 
He ran towards the source of the voice. He heard some-one asking a girl what 
the matter was but before she could reply some-one else started screaming.

" It's a body! A dead body! Help some-one help!" 

It was a body. A dead body. Some-one had been murdered and the Sultan was no 
where to be seen!


How did you like it? Watch out for the next instalments. The poem, or song as 
it is in the story, is called 'I Wonder' and was written by Hala Mahmoud El 
Banna.

Sailor Galaxy

sailorprincessuk@yahoo.co.uk