Season of the Sandstorms - Mary Pope Osborne [11]
“I’d like to visit those lions,” said Annie.
“We don’t have time now,” said Jack.
Their camels clopped down the busy avenue until they came to a green field.
“Look, there’s the second wall!” said Annie.
Bordering the field was another wall. It was curved, too, but much taller than the first. It looked like it was at least a hundred feet high. There were guards at the gate, but they didn’t seem to be checking any of the people passing through.
“Act normal,” Jack advised Annie. “Don’t attract their attention.”
Jack and Annie joined a stream of people passing through the gate. Beyond the second wall was another grand avenue. And at the end of the wide cobbled road was another green field. “Look! The third wall!” said Annie.
The third wall was even taller than the second. Again, people were passing freely through its gate.
“This part of the mission is easy!” said Annie.
“Yeah,” said Jack. “But we still have to find that horse on the dome, and then find the caliph and get him to meet with us.”
Beauty and Cutie ambled through the gate of the third wall, carrying Jack and Annie into the heart of Baghdad. A palace loomed before them. Its roof was a glittering green dome. At the top of the dome stood the statue of a horse.
“Yay, the horse who sees all!” said Annie. “I’ll bet the caliph lives in that palace. Let’s follow those people inside.” She pointed to a stream of people entering an arched passageway outside the palace.
Jack and Annie rode under the arch and into a beautiful garden. The warm breeze smelled of flowers. They rode down a path bordered by date palms until they came to a courtyard where boys were playing ball. Near the courtyard was a stable with camels in it.
“Looks like we’ll have to go the rest of the way on foot,” said Jack.
“Yeah, I guess Beauty and Cutie can stay there,” said Annie, pointing to the stable.
Jack and Annie rode into the stable. They clucked, and the camels knelt. As Jack reached for his shoulder bag, a ball rolled into the stable. Annie picked it up and stepped outside. Jack followed her.
“Here!” shouted a young boy with curly black hair. He was holding out his hands. Annie threw the ball to him, and the boy caught it. He grinned at Annie’s good throw. “Who are you?” he called. “Where are you from?”
Before Jack could say anything, Annie crossed to the boys. Jack hurried after her.
“I’m Annie and this is my brother, Jack,” Annie said. “We’re from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania.”
“Why have you come to Baghdad?” the boy asked.
“We have to see the caliph,” said Annie.
The boy and his friends laughed.
“What’s so funny?” said Annie.
“Our caliph is the most powerful man in the world,” said another boy. “He does not have time to visit with children.”
“That’s what everyone keeps saying,” said Annie. “But we’re here on a very important mission. We—”
“Annie,” Jack interrupted, “come on. I left my bag back in the stable.” He waved to the boys. “See you guys later. Let’s go, Annie.”
Annie started to leave with Jack.
“When you discover that the caliph will not meet with you, come back and play with us,” called the curly-haired boy.
Annie stopped. “Don’t worry,” she called back. “He’ll meet with us! We’re special!”
“Annie, come on,” said Jack.
“Why are you special?” shouted the boy.
“For one thing, we just saved a precious treasure from bandits and from a sandstorm in the desert,” said Annie. “For another—”
“Annie!” Jack said sternly. He grabbed her arm. “Come on!” He pulled Annie away.
As they headed back into the stable, Jack shook his head. “Don’t say stuff like that,” he said.
“Why not?” said Annie.
“Because it’s bragging,” said Jack. “It makes other kids feel bad. Even if you are special, you don’t have to—”
“Oh, no!” cried Annie. She covered her mouth with her hands.
“What?” said Jack, following her shocked gaze.
Jack’s leather bag lay at Beauty’s feet. It was open. Beside it was the torn leather