Hongse + Hongbaoshi : Zlatar

Both women climbed over the last dune, and nearly collapsed with relief. An oasis, a life saving heaven nestled among the sand dunes waited below them, date trees and palm trees swaying in the slight breeze.

Brightly coloured tents dotted around the body of water, like petals around the centre of a ripe flower, people milled around conducting their business, children played in the sand, their giggling voices carrying on the wind to the two sisters, who couldn't quite believe their eyes.

"Is it...real?" Hongbaoshi asked, faintly, pinching Hongse on her arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" Hongse rubbed her reddening skin.

"Just making sure we're seeing the same things." Hongbaoshi let out a laugh of sheer relief. "I could roll down there, but I'm scared to, just in case it's a mirage."

"Let's find out. Together." Hongse replied, taking her hand.

They waded through shifting sand and eagerly came closer to the waters.

"The first thing we are going to do, is fill up our canteens." Hongse promised.

"I'm going to go and poke a camel." Hongbaoshi grinned at her sister.

"They spit, you know." She said, wryly.

"I'll take my chances." Hongbaoshi grinned back.

It was amazing how the simplest thing could literally make their day.

The blue water was tantalising and sweet, and first they took tentative sips. Hongse wetted her face and neck, and then held some in her cupped hands for Hongbaoshi to use. When they finished, they both smiled at each other.

"Hungry?" Hongse asked, helping her up.

"Starving. Let's find something to eat."

They drifted towards one of the tents where a corner of the rich cloth flapped against the wind, and saw demons and people coming and going.

"Why are there humans here?" Hongbaoshi asked, looking at her sister.

"Only one way to find out." Hongse replied, determined.

There was a smallish man that barely came up to her shoulder. She grabbed him and took the frightened guy around the corner of the tent, where hopefully no one would notice them.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Hongse asked him directly, while Hongbaoshi held him against a tent pole.

"I am a servant, not worth your attention, my ladies." He bowed submissively.

"That's not what she asked." Hongbaoshi told him threateningly.

"I meant, what are you, as a human, doing here in this place? How did you get here?" Hongse clarified.

"I don't remember." He panicked, looking terrified. "I think I was born here. I don't know anything!" He shrieked.

"Hey?! What are you doing to him?" Another demon stood watching them, and he had a spear in his hands, aiming it at them. "Let him go."

Hongbaoshi looked to her sister, who gave her a small nod. They let him go and he scurried away like an insect.

"Do you know what he said?" Hongse jerked her head towards the newcomer.

"No idea, but I assumed it was to let him go. And look, he's put his toy away."

Hongse looked and it was true.

The demon started speaking but it was a while later that he twigged they couldn't understand a word he had been saying. He sighed and gestured for them to follow.

"Before we go with him, can you take him?" Hongse asked.

"Of course!" Hongbaoshi replied, cheerfully.

"Alright."

They were the same height as the demon and he led them inside the same tent they had originally entered. He went to a table and pulled out a jar with wriggling insects, and taking one out, he put it inside his own ear, and held out the jar to them.

"Hell, no!" Hongbaoshi stepped back immediately.

Hongse pulled out her concealed knife, holding it in a defensive position.

The demon rolled his eyes. He grabbed another servant and made him translate.

"He says to put the earwig in your ears." The servant trembled.

The demon folded his arms in front of his chest, tapping his foot impatiently.

"I know what he said!" Hongbaoshi replied, a snarled on her lips. "But if he thinks I'm going to put that...that thing in my ear, he's got another thing coming!"

"Preferably my fist." Hongse added.

"But...but...it’s so you can understand him. Unless you're fluent in demon tongue?" The servant stammered, looking from the demon, who had raised a brow, to the two sisters.

"What? That bug allows you to understand? No way?!" Hongbaoshi exclaimed, but the look of disgust didn’t go away from her face.

"Once it's inside, you'll hardly feel anything." The man encouraged. "Shall I do it for you?"

He backed away when they both shouted no at him.

The sisters looked at each other.

"I'll do it if you do." Hongse said, steeling herself.

"Alright." Hongbaoshi swallowed hard.

"Together. On three."

"On three, or after three?" Hongbaoshi asked. It was important.

"After three."

"Alright."

"So..." Hongse picked one of the wriggling insects up between her fingers.

"One...two...three...and then?"

"Yes, I just said that!" Stress was making her irritable.

Together they inserted the bugs inside their ear canals.

"Finally!" The demon said. "Why are you here? What reason were you travelling alone in the desert?"

"Why? Isn't it allowed?" Hongse asked him.

"No, no, it's fine...if you have a deathwish. Normally people travel by camel caravan."

Neither wanted to admit how they had got there.

"You must be hungry." He reminded them. "As long as you can pay, you can eat."

Hongse pulled out a chunk of silver, and it seemed to be the right thing to do, because his red eyes lit up like fireworks.  He rubbed his hands gleefully and took them to another tent.

The scent of delicious food being cooked greeted them. The demon sat with them while they ate.

"How long are you going to stay? If you intend to move on, I suggest you both travel with the caravan. The owner is a little crazy, but he's trustworthy." The demon continued.

"When is the caravan coming around again?" Hongse asked, wiping her mouth.

"Tomorrow." The demon looked at them craftily. "Although his payment...maybe be a bit different."