The caravan turned out to be one led by a dozen elderly, yet very jolly, traders from Sarapion and they were delighted to find a distraction like Samira amid the endless undulating sands. To frowns and much tut-tutting, Samira explained her situation and asked if they would be kind enough to sell her a horse. Negotiations ensued, purely for show and form, for that is the the way with professional traders, and the kindly gentlemen paraded their best horses before her, praising the merits of each one. To Samira's surprise, one of the horses could talk, although only to her, owing to the magic staff, or so the horse, a pure white, told her while instructing her to purchase only him. Following several cups of sweet tea, tantalising sweetmeats, umpteen dates, and polite responses to questions concerning the well being of Queen Shmisi, Samira handed over three small emeralds for the talking horse. After bowing profusely and extending many thanks to each gentleman in turn, for she had been well raised by her mother, she then departed with her talkative companion northwards. "You're expensive, even for a talking horse," said Samira as soon as she could get a word in edgewise. "Nonsense, my dear. Value is relative and three small stones are a mere pittance, as you will find out. In fact, you will congratulate yourself on freeing me for such a small sum..." continued the horse. "Freed you? I thought I bought you," corrected Samira. "Hmm, let us not quibble, especially over the narrow meaning of words, for you should consider us as one, a team, partners if you will, and in exchange for providing me with freedom and later a sumptuous stable, built in terracotta and gold of course, and filling this with a harem of mares, one of each kind for I do like variety, I intend to make you very rich," said the horse. "Really?" said Samira raising her left eye brow as high as it would go, while managing to keep the right one level. "I've seen the riches of the queen's palace. My idea of rich is clear and well defined and indelibly stamped in my mind's eye. You may baulk on learning what it is," smiled Samira. "Let me surprise you then," said the horse veering off in the direction of a distant rocky outcrop. "You'll have to use the magic staff of course." "And how will I do that?" frowned Samira. "You hold it up in your right hand, or left one if you're left handed, and utter the word 'abracadabra' backwards, said the horse. "Backwards? Why backwards?" asked Samira. "Because it's a most potent and powerful spell and in the early days of magic many magicians did themselves a mischief by saying it when they shouldn't have. In order to protect against inadvertent use they decided to say it in reverse form so that it could be spoken freely in an un-magical way," explained the horse, "Abracadabra, abracadabra. See, quite safe that way round. Nothing happens." "Good job it wasn't a palindrome," grinned Samira mischievously. "Quite," agreed the horse. "And this treasure just happens to be in those very rocks?" asked Samira. "Of course. The Sarapion - Bosaaso road is well travelled. Very busy as far as desert roads go. There are consequently several treasures buried hereabouts, but the one we are going to is the biggest. No sense in seeking out a small treasure now, is there?" said the horse, "especially as the others lay under tons of shifting sand." Samira raised her other eyebrow and said no more. At the rocky outcrop she did as bid and was amazed to see the rocks part on uttering abracadabra backwards. In the open space beyond lay a pile of treasure, most of it gold and tarnished silver with piles of large crystals that could only be raw gems. She slumped down in wonder at it all and lazily extended her right foot to touch the nose of a golden cat with her toe. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, not while you're touching the magic staff," said the horse warningly. Feb 2008 V4 in all her dated glory and Modo mesh Abriella skin texture by Morris Classic fantasy outfit by AerySoul nee Alfaseed nee AeonSoul Staff from Uraalysny by Alfaseed Salome hand and feet accessories by Va3dArt Suraiyah Hair by Magix-101 Millennium horse with CWRW skin texture Background rendered in Terragen Small sand base made in Zbrush with Quixel.com sand texture Rocks made in Zbrush and again textured with a rock texture from Quixel.com Platform: MacBookAir6,2 i7 (Gen8), 2core 1processor, 8GBram