Gwineere’s P.O.V. ~
A sea of dunes, expanding far beyond the human’s sight, rolled on in their stilled undulating waves, painted by the light of the full moon. Stars, like bright jewels, shimmered and danced in the moon’s sleepless presence. A comet streaked over my head. Its long icy tail showered the universe in glitter as it passed. The night sky, with its unfathomably vast void, wrapped Egypt in its dark silence. A light breeze swept over the tops of the desert, blowing wayward particles of sand to and fro. The city in the distance alighted the horizon, crowned valiantly with the Nile’s pride and joy, the Pharaoh’s grand citadel, towering over all else surrounding its shadow.
My vibrant blue eyes sparkled with pure delight as I scanned the intriguing sight before me. I smiled, and glanced down at my loyal horse. An enormous Friesian mare named “Night Shine”. Her coat was a glossy color of midnight black. Her behemoth hooves, as big as a man’s outstretched hand, flicked incoherent bits of dust aside as she treaded over the vast expanse of  sand towards the town. Her long wiry mane brushed aside in her wind.
With a gentle hand, I stroked the white star atop the mare’s forehead, coaxing her on. “Come my old friend, we’re almost there. Keep going!” I encouraged in a slight whisper. Night Shine just nodded thoroughly, and snorted as if to say ‘Yeah…I know’ and continued onward, still not the least bit exhausted.
I giggled, and let my gaze fall upon my dagger, tucked safely within my belt. The emerald stud at its base glistened. I took the liberty in removing it from its encasement. It, my horse, and my star pendant were my only mementos of my parents, who had been dead for 15 long years. Each one meant more to me than all the gold in the world. I felt the flat side of the blade over carefully. It sung vibrantly at the touch of my tender fingers. I grinned, and placed it back in its sheath.
Suddenly, Night Shine gave a worried start, catching my full attention.
We had finally arrived at the environs of the city. I quickly pulled the hood of my velvet green cloak over my long, wavy, fire red hair, and urged my faithful companion on. Night Shine hesitantly proceeded forward in a slow trot. I could sense apprehension swelling from within her.
Many villagers seemed to stop and stare at the hooded stranger advancing through the streets atop such an elegant steed, just as though they had never seen this before. This made Night Shine even more distressed. “Carry on, girl. It’s okay! I’m right here!” I mumbled to the horse as I caressed the side if her tense neck. She looked back at me, and grunted. Even though she was scared, I could see her polished obsidian eyes glimmer with assurance in my words.
I led her onwards through the dusty streets. Finally, I found what I had been looking for…A quaint, suitable little inn, quite applicable for a night’s stay. The sign near its front door, labeled “The Painted Dog” swung freely in the breeze. I removed myself from the black mare’s back, and directed Night Shine to the nearest pole. “I’ll stay here for tonight. Okay, Night Shine? Don’t cause havoc, alright?” I stated to the steed, tying her lead rope firmly to the post situated by the lodge. She nodded blatantly, and whipped her tail.
With a soft peck on her muzzle, Night Shine and I parted, and I made my way into the tavern. Entering the inn, I noticed the lobby was more like a small pub. Men, young and old were gathered around tiny wooden tables, betting, and drinking merrily. Most of them were unshaven, and slovenly, wearing tunics that were adulterated with soot and grime.
I gulped, and pressed forward, thankful for having a hood to hide my face. My cloak dragged across the floorboards as I trailed along. Some of the men cocked an eyebrow at me in complete bewilderment. Others murmured, and scoffed at how short I was. The rest of them just ignored me, and continued with their loud revelry.
In the tumult, I felt my side brush against someone. I automatically turned to him to apologize. “I-I’m v-very sorry, sir...didn’t mean to do disturb you in any way!”
The man rose from his seat, and glanced down at me with tantalizing grey-blue eyes. “You’re fine…my dear. Will you kindly remove your hood? I like being able to lay eyes upon the countenance of the person I am talking to…” He requested in a deep, slightly scratchy tone, smirking.
The man seemed to be in around his early twenties. He wore a blood red cape, and had tan colored skin, and shabby white hair coming down to the base of his neck. Under his right eye, lay embedded a strange looking scar.
Something about his aura sent a cold shiver down my spine. Behind that smile, lay something dark, and mysterious.
Nevertheless, I removed my hood and exposed my luminescent red hair…

Akiefa’s P.O.V. ~
“Is this better?” She implied in a soft-spoken voice, bowing her head in reverent regard. I scanned over the girl’s figure. She had pale ivory flesh, and perfect curves to match. The luster of her fiery red locks only added to her compelling good looks. I had never remembered setting sights on such rare appearances in a young lady from Egypt in my entire life.
“Much…h-heh heh…” I chuckled, lifting up her chin, forcing her to look at me. “What should I address you as?”
“Uh…Gwineere…” She stuttered shyly. I could see her cheeks flushing. I felt her intense need to pull away. “Well, Gwineere…I hope we meet again sometime soon, eh?”
She just nodded swiftly in reply. With a quiet snicker, I let her continue onward through the crowd towards the front desk. About halfway, she glanced back at me, but continued her trek as not to catch too much unwanted attention.
‘Aww…the poor girl seems lonely…’ I thought to myself, as I watched her follow the innkeeper up the stairs to the second floor. I quietly sat back down in my seat, grinning mischievously. ‘…Why don’t I pay her a little “visit” later tonight when she’s all settled in? H-heh heh heh…I’m sure she’ll just love the company…H-ha ha ha ha ha haa!!!’

Gwineere’s P.O.V. ~
I observed my room carefully. Most of it was kept pretty clean, although the corners did look a bit frowsy. At least there was a small window by the head railing of my bed I could gaze out. Beside the bed, sat a small countertop. Atop it, was a tiny wax candle, flickering vividly in the darkness of the dormitory.
I stripped myself of my cloak, and sash, draping them over the foot of the dust-ridden mattress, and displaying my short sleeved tunic and my star pendant.
Brushing the excess dirt off the sheets, I wearily crawled in. Outside, I could hear the faint snorts of  Night Shine as she impatiently waited for dawn to break. I gave a short sigh of relief, blew out the light, and stared up at the ceiling. The pendant flashed. Its reflections flew across the walls, shining even brighter than the full moon in the distance.
I could still remember my mother’s last words to me as she gave me the pendant. They echoed throughout my entire mind, haunting me like a ghost.
“My darling child, take this pendant from me…It is known as the ‘Twilight Star’...T’was given to me by my mother, and she from hers. Wear it, and a piece of Gawain’s spirit will dwell within you…and so will mine…”
Tears streamed down the side of my face. I gripped the star. Holding it within my hands, close to my heart. Somehow, I could still feel the warmth of my mother’s love radiating off of that star.
I recalled the times when she would sit beside be right before I would go to sleep, and would trill dragon song to me when I was young. Sometimes, she would tell me stories, especially one in particular; the myth of the last dragon on earth. Gawain. And his fair caretaker, Guinevere. It always used to enchant me. How she would describe every inch if it to me, and make me dream it up. I couldn’t count how many times I had wished for her to retell it one last time.
I snuffed, and embraced the pillow next to me, snuggling my nose into it.
“Aww…How touching…” A vaguely familiar voice droned in the shadows behind me. I looked up. There, in the gloom, was the man I had coincidentally collided into back at the pub downstairs. A perverted smirk spread across his face. My pupils grew wide in terror. Petrified, I scrambled to the edge of my bed. He just laughed in amusement. “Hi…” He cooed calmly.
He approached me, tossing his cape, and  exposing his bare chest. I could only squeal. “Calm down, Gwineere…I don’t mean to harm you…” He positioned himself above me,  gazing down at me with a piercing expression. “Allow me to introduce myself properly…I am Akiefa…king of thieves…h-ha ha ha ha!”
“What do you w-want with me?...” I softly muttered to him, quivering in panic. “Oh, nothing much…Now…Be a good little girl, and stay still…”
I whimpered, and trembled beneath him. Fearing the very worst. Akiefa took a strand of my hair, and smoothly played it through his rough fingers.
“Gwineere…Let me tell you something...If mere appearances could kill, I’d probably be dead right now…”
Even though I lay cringing beneath him, frozen with cowardice, I forced myself to speak. “R-r-r-really? Th-tha-nks…” I sputtered in an obscure mumble, blushing. “Oh! No need to thank me, my dear. I am just stating the facts.”
I turned to look up at him. I gulped, too timid and scared to speak. Akiefa leaned down, murmuring something in my ear. “You’re quite a looker, Gwinnie…And I bet you a lot of men down there in that tavern thought so too…”
“I-is that b-bad?” I tittered, clasping the edge of my blankets. “Yes, it is indeed…The city is a deceitful place, sweetheart. A cute little thing like you could get hurt…” He cooed, petting the side of my cheek, and sitting up. I winced at his cold touch. With an amused chortle, he pried me from the covers, and pulled me up against him. I could only moan softly in uneasiness.
“You seem to dislike my presence, Gwinnie…should I leave you?”
He tenderly rubbed my tense shoulders. I peered up to glance at him. His eyes met mine with an ulterior dark passion burning deep within them.
“N-no…I-it’s okay! R-really!” I placidly gabbled. He threw me a quick wink, and nuzzled his nose into my fiery locks. “…You’re such an angel, Gwineere…h-heh heh heh…”
I reluctantly rested my head on his chest. He felt queerly, yet invitingly warm. I yawned, suddenly realizing how tired I really was. He tickled the side of my neck, slowly quelling my fears.
“H-heh heh…You’re just too precious.” He complimented in a flattering manner. “Thanks…” I turned to glance at him, but received an unexpected kiss to the lips instead. He had me caught totally off guard, stealing the breath from my chest. I felt lightheaded and faint. He cradled me within his grasp, pulling me close to his side.
I drew away, gasping for air. “Well, well…You’re a very good kisser too…h-heh heh heh…” He added, pushing a loose strand of my bangs aside.
“Uh…S-same to you too…” I warbled timidly. I could feel my cheeks grow hotter with each passing second. I looked away, hoping that Akiefa didn’t notice it.
He took me tenderly by the chin and turned me back around to gaze into his eyes. He gave a half-smile and slowly shook his head. “ Gwinnie, Gwinnie, Gwinnie…Poor sweet Gwinnie.” He coolly trilled. “Don’t try to suppress your feelings from me…I can see it quite well.”
“You can?” I whispered bashfully. “Of course I can!” He retorted.
“Gwineere, I’m simply flattered that you like me. It is just what I had hoped for…”He gave me a sinister smirk, and cackled. I gulped shyly in dismay, rubbing my forearm. Akiefa leaned over, and licked the side of my cheek with a snaking tongue. “And I can repay that love, too…” He purred. “Huh?”
I saw him snatch his cape up, and remove a glittering object from out of a pocket. He dangled the item in my view. It was a beautiful amethyst necklace strung on a golden chain. “…It was a quarry from one of my most recent heists in the Valley of the Kings…” He asserted valiantly. “Now…it belongs to you, Gwineere…”
He placed it around my neck, carefully connecting the fragile links at its ends. “I-I couldn’t take this. I-it wouldn’t be right…” I chirped in a soft tone. “Oh, yes you could! It’s a symbol…stating that you belong to me, and me alone…” I stared it, sparkling within my palms. Its purple luster swirled like a mist in a rough glass casing. “It’s beautiful…” I complimented meekly. The thief wrapped an arm around me, and sniggered. “Heh heh…Not as beautiful as you, my dear.”
“You mean it?” I glanced up at him, tears welling up in the corner of my eyes. “How could I not mean it, Gwinnie, my love?”
I threw my arms around him warmly, nuzzling up to his chin. I could feel him return it. “Thank you ever so much.” I bawled. “Don’t mention it.” Akiefa replied, pecking me on the forehead. “…Just utter my name, and I will come. That’s a promise.”
With that, he threw back on his cape, and headed for the window. “Wait! Where are you going?!” He glanced over his shoulder to look at me. A reassuring smile pasted onto his face. “Don’t worry about me...I’ll be back when you least expect it…” He confirmed. Without another word, he leapt silently out into the dark, cloudy night…