Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask by Darlene Foster

nearby. It can be the only reason. We were not that far from the mosque, but the men drove you in the opposite direction. You were brave to escape like that, my little friend. Ali Baba knew how to find Shamza after that.”
    Amanda looked directly at Shamza, “Those men said they worked for your father. What exactly is going on?”

Chapter 16
    Shamza lowered her eyes and sighed. “Yes, they do work for my father. They are looking for me. If they find me, they will take me back to my father and they will get a reward.”
    Amanda gave Mohammed a suspicious look, “I overheard them say you were hoping to get the reward also.”
    â€œThat is what I wanted them to think,” replied the young man.
    â€œHow do you and Shamza know each other anyway?” With the look that passed between Mohammed and Princess Shamza, Amanda began to get the picture.
    â€œI also worked for her father,” said Mohammed and he moved closer to the princess as if to protect her from any more threats. “That is how we met and fell in love.”
    Shamza blushed and looked away.
    â€œI am a poor man,” said Mohammed. “And I have no royal blood. For these reasons our love was impossible.”
    Amanda looked over at the princess and felt sad. “If those men find you and take you back to your father, will you have to marry the old man?”
    Shamza didn’t return her look or say anything.
    Mohammed said, “We will escape to another country and get married. It is the only way.” He took hold of the princess’ hand. “I will look after my Shamza.”
    He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. He turned to Leah and Amanda. “We must leave this place before anyone finds us. Are you able to travel, Amanda?”
    â€˜No,’ thought Amanda. ‘I just want to have a hot bath and a long sleep.’ She couldn’t imagine getting back on a camel again. But she smiled and said, “Sure.”
    Sheba led the way, with Leah and Mohammed on her back. Ali Baba was happy to have Shamza and Amanda as his passengers. The night air was cold but they hung on to each other and kept warm as they traveled through the dark desert not knowing what lay ahead.
    The silence was incredible. The only sound was the padding of the camel’s feet on the desert floor, like slippers on a carpet. No one said a word. Even Amanda, for once, didn’t have any questions to ask. She was so tired and numb.
    At one point both camels stopped and lifted their heads with their ears erect.
    Mohammed whispered, “The camels, they hear something.”
    Amanda thought she heard the sound of a jeep but then it could have been her tired mind playing tricks on her.
    â€œWe will hide,” said Mohammed.
    He led them around to the back of a huge dune that loomed out of the blackness of the night. They waited for a while. The sound got louder. Amanda thought she could feel Ali Baba’s heart beating faster. Maybe it was Shamza’s – or maybe it was hers?
    They could see the lights of a jeep as it started to climb the dune. They pressed close against the sand on the other side. They could hear the tires spinning in the sand. The whining jeep couldn’t make it up the steep incline. Soon the lights disappeared and the sound faded as the jeep went in the opposite direction.
    â€œI think it is safe to continue,” motioned Mohammed.
    â€œIs it safe to breathe?” Amanda said when she realized she had been holding her breath.

Chapter 17
    After what seemed like forever, the blackness began to lift and a soft pinkish blush could be seen above the dunes as the sun prepared to rise. In the far distance a faint call to prayer could be heard. Amanda wondered where it came from, as there was nothing but mountains of sand as far as she could see. She was convinced they were lost and would perish in this wilderness of sand. There was only a little bit of water left in her second bottle