Far away from any of them, a woman sat down in her chair with a satisfied smile as she watched the girl and her friends set on their new journey, reflected in her silver-rimmed mirror.
" It's the small details that make a difference, indeed, old Nasser," she puffed a cloud of smoke up, her eyes sharpening as she looked at it climbing to the ceiling. " Even the simplest action could change the plot of a story."
A breeze blew within the room, blowing out her candles. Sharazad closed her eyes as she was engulfed in the darkness. " It's been a while, Great Sorcerer of the East."
A flame by the door behind her burned into life again, and right at the threshold, stood a man swaddled in red and golden robes, a hood drawn over his head to hide most of his face.
" What made you seek my humble shop? Should I fetch some amulet for you? Probably one for good luck."
His dark brown eyes held nothing but anger as they focused on the back of her head.
