Egyptian Timewave

Chapter 4

They are lost at first, even with Abayomi's father being familiar with the city, having been here several times for the dig season. He said the market moves around each year, so it needs a bit of work to find, but Abayomi isn't so sure.

"Baba, are you positive you know where we're going?"

"Yes, yes. It's just over here."

He points between a couple of buildings and Abayomi raises an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Because it sounds like the market might be over this way."

She motions behind them, where she can hear the faint chatter of people shouting and mingling in a large group. Her dad falls silent for a moment, listening.

"I must have been given the wrong directions for the location this year."

"Uh huh. Come on, Baba."

She leads him towards the sounds of the market, using her hearing to pinpoint its location as she weaves through the streets. Cries are quick to fill her ears, blurring together at first. As the two of them get closer, she is able to make them out more and more clearly.

"Fresh dates, six for seven pounds!"

"Fresh-baked Baladi, two pounds and forty-eight piastres!"

They slip between the last two buildings to enter into the market, only to be immediately accosted by the shouts of the vendors.

"Kohl for the lady, ya efendim? Only twenty pounds!"

"Would you like a nai? They make lovely music. Only forty-five pounds, ya efendim!"

Abayomi stares in the direction of the vendor selling the Nai, her gaze fixated on the stand full of instruments. Her dad nudges her.

"Do you even know how to play one of those, nevermind the fact that music is a touchy topic in Islam?"

Abayomi shrugs. "Maybe?" He gives her a look and Abayomi sighs. "No, I guess not. But Baba-"

His voice is dry. "I'm not going to buy you a nai. If I am going to buy something, it's going to be something practical. You want something that isn't, you're going to pay for it with your own money." Abayomi opens her mouth but he cuts her off. "And you'll have to come back another time."

"But Baba! I'll be at the dig site the whole season! There won't be time."

"Exactly, Aya. It'll mean that if you really want this instrument, you will have to give up a precious chunk of your free time in order to come back and buy it."

Abayomi wants to groan, but she doesn't. He's right, after all. If she doesn't think it's worth coming back for, then she doesn't need to waste her money on it. She doesn't know if it is just the novelty of it that makes her want to get the instrument either, she just knows that her hands itch to hold the flute. With a soft sigh, Abayomi pointedly looks away from the stand full of instruments and takes in the sight of the market in its entirety.

Her gaze is instantly drawn toward a stand full of jewelry, glittering beneath the bright sun. She quickly looks away. If an instrument isn't practical, she isn't going to get anywhere even contemplating jewelry. She looks deeper into the market, her gaze snagging on a flutter of white. She moves toward it, carefully aware of her father following a step behind her. A woman is standing behind the table, carefully arranging stacks of clothing. She takes one look at Abayomi and grins, rummaging through the piles for a small stack of white cloth.

"I know just what you need."

Abayomi blinks. "I'm sorry, what?"

The woman doesn't answer, instead shaking out the cloth to reveal white pants, reminiscent of those worn in the ancient days. What follows is a long-sleeve shirt that looks like it would be relatively form-fitting, but not to the point that it prevents modesty. Both items have a texture that tells Abayomi they are likely to be linen. Abayomi reaches out to touch it, rubbing the cloth between her hands. It feels to be good quality, and she looks up at her dad.

"Baba?"

He sighs. "I suppose it is practical, but you don't even know if it would fit."

The woman behind the table laughs, a tendril of dark hair slipping out from her hijab. She quickly pushes it back again.

"No, no. I can see her. I know what will fit. This will. If not, come back and return it."

Abayomi glances at her father again and he sighs, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I suppose that's fair. How much?"

"Twenty pounds."

"Fifteen."

The woman ponders for a moment. "Eighteen."

"Seventeen."

"Agreed."

The money is quickly exchanged for the clothing, which Abayomi carefully bundles into her arms, trying to fold it tight enough that it is relatively small. She manages to compress it into a packet the size of both her hands, but it takes several moments. There is a soft sound from beside her and Abayomi looks up to see her father, grinning.

"Are you finished?"

She sticks out her tongue at him a moment before a small laugh slips from her mouth. He starts walking again, slipping farther into the market. They weave, and weave, and weave through the crowds of people. As they move further in, towards the stands that have been part of the market for eons, Abayomi notices something.

It's a subtle feeling, but deeper than she would expect. Where they had entered the market it was full of touristy things. Here there are foods, ancient textiles and jewelry, and what looks to be some dubious items that Abayomi suspects may be from robbed graves. There is also a pulsing energy here, one that both pulls her in and makes her want to run far, far away. She steps closer to her father.

"Baba, I don't think we should be this far in."

"Yes, I think you're right."

They move to go back the way they came when a voice calls from one of the stands. 

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What do you think of this section of the market? Who called out to them? tell me your thoughts!

Happy reading and I'll see you next chapter!

~ Goddess of Fate, signing out