#void.wip

His pen came to a sudden halt. He threw some belongings into a satchel; his journal, astrolabe, his prayer beads, and then looked up to the sky. His eyes darted until they found the familiar, sometimes faint, blue light in the sky. This elusive blue dot had captivated him for some time, since he was a child in fact. It would appear every few years and stay for only a few days. It wandered the sky, similar to some of the other unblinking lights- what he knew were planets, as taught by the ancients who likely left these monuments behind- but it’s behavior was most strange. It was almost like it had a mind of its own.

Some nearby localities would report that this phenomena was an omen. They wouldn’t step foot anywhere near, with tales and myths of disappearances. According to the tales, these lights would appear directly above the monuments and nowhere else. They believed that invisible beings existed in an alternate realm and would be the cause for such tragedies, however no rescue efforts would be attempted for the fear of safety. He showed up despite his familiarity with those fears.

And then there was poor Sa’ud, who started each morning filling his mug to the brim with a metaphorical sugary red drink. In reality, it was coffee; the nation's pride and joy which he exclusively drank black as to not sullen the taste. He who saw beauty in the treachery, because he believed it would never touch him. But like his colleagues, he too had his secrets, especially as the Sheikha’s liaison.

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Sa’ud was given mercy on the playground by Sheikha Hanaan, his closest friend in life. He was not on the same payroll as the other two as he worked directly for Her Excellency. He was treated as well as any loyal dog would be; showered in conditional affection and lavished with luxuries that could be revoked after one unfortunate misstep. Sa’ud’s job was to enforce her wishes on a whim, and to make sure she was always in a favorable light.

No matter who they reported to, at the end of the day it was she who had the final say. Hanaan bint Waleed al-Ghayoum; the fourth ever president of her nation, the youngest to hold title and the first woman to hold such a formidable position on their side of the peninsula. She was mere months into her presidency, one which could last decades if she lived long enough. Her Excellency was just shy of 40, but her father had decided to end his reign early due to health complications.

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