The woman waved an elegant hand at the pillow across from her. Each of them carried such a powerful presence that I felt it necessary to show some sign of respect. I bowed to them before sitting.
"I owe you a debt of gratitude if I understand what has happened correctly," I said. "You have saved my life."
The woman spoke first, her accent lilting and mysterious. "Do any of us understand. the nature of what has happened or what is happening?"
The man laughed at her puzzling words. "It is our understanding that we are host to the Guardian of the Gates." His eyes danced with a strange light. I wondered at their strange way of making conversation.
"Then you understand more than I do," I said, smiling despite myself.
"Please," the woman offered, "You must be hungry." There was a full banquet table laid out, though I only saw three of us sitting. Still, I was hesitant.
"What will happen if I eat?" I asked. "Will I be able to return to my home?"
"Ah." The man said, " You are not dead?"
"I don't think so," I replied.
"Then how should you be harmed?. In any case, the food of spirits harms neither dead nor living, but many who are not ready to move on have some difficulty letting go. Eating becomes a roadblock for them." He spoke with smooth words. I nodded.
"I am very grateful for your hospitality." I gently bowed my head once more.
"Indeed. It is we who should be glad to honor the Guardian of the Gates. For too long we have seen the destruction of our old ways of living. Now that you have come, this time will pass." Said the female djinn.
"What are your names?" I asked as I added food to the engraved silver plate in front of me. There were thick loaves of bread filled with nuts and raisins. As well as juicy figs and flagons of a golden liquid.
The woman spoke. "We have many names, but you may call me Aaliyah,"
The man added, "And I am Arzaan. Please eat, we will have much to discuss, but first, you must eat."
"Thank you," I said. I added fluffy slabs of flatbread and a thick lemony spread to my plate. I sipped the golden liquid and found it to be a sweet honeyed wine. It contained hits of spices and citrus. Altogether it was an excellent meal. I had burning questions, but I wasn't sure what was polite to ask. There was such dignity to these people.
"Will others be joining us?" I asked as I peered down the long table, that was set with food.
Aaliyah spoke first, "Why they are already here. You see with your eyes, but try to see with your heart's fire."
I wasn't sure what she meant since I could see no one, but I stared out across the table. When I peered closely I again saw that strange ripple effect as if I was looking into a mirage. The ripple grew deeper until I noticed people sitting all along the table. It was as if they had been sitting there the whole time. I was taken aback. Some looked at me warily, while others had curiosity in their uncanny bright eyes. I felt my cheeks grow hot at my own ignorance.
Arzaan noticed my discomfort said, "Do not worry, many who have lived their days in the palace are unaccustomed to seeing others, unlike our kind."
I nodded, thankful that my mistake had not been taken as a slight. As we finished eating servants brought out pitchers of a cool yogurt drink. I sipped on a cup of the sweet tangy beverage.
Then the two Djinn spoke to me in their sing-song voices. "Will you join us in our chambers? We have much to discuss."
"Of course," I said. I followed Aaliyah and Arzaan down the wide-open passages of the Grand Palace. It was extraordinarily beautiful and seemed as if it was carved directly out of a Stone Mountain. We passed by an open garden in the middle of the palace and many other chambers that offered strange and wondrous things. Finally, we reached a great stone bowl that held a massive flame, and beyond it was a set of doors that presumably lead into their rooms.
Aaliyah offered me to go first and I walked into a room that was open to the sky. There was a low area that was cut out in the center with comfortable looking seating. They led me to it and we each sat cross-legged on hand-embroidered cushions.
"We have wondered for a long time when you would arrive," Aaliyah said in hushed tones.
"You knew I was coming," I asked.
Arzaan said, "Yes, we had some knowledge that a new Gatekeeper would come, but never did we expect her to arrive in the hands of a demon and his thralls."
"I can't say that I expected that either, to be honest." I laughed darkly at my own predicament.
Aaliyah cocked her head at me. "You are not quite what we expected." That made me smile. "But nevertheless, we are glad that the demon passed through this way. We have much information to offer that might be of use to you."
"I'm trying to find my mother," I explained. "I was at her shrine by the Infinite Ocean when the demons captured me. Do you know anything that could help me find her."
"We know not where she has gone, but we may no the reason for her departure," Arzaan articulated carefully. His eyes burned with fervor. "It is a painful tale if you would like to hear it."
"Please." I agreed. "I want to
