The city of Bazartiz lay stretched before her, its winding streets and crowded bazaars glowing under the warm flicker of lantern light. Ferial breathed in the scent of spice and charcoal as she tugged her hood further over her head, concealing her face from any watchful eyes that might recognize her. Here, out in the open, away from the rigid walls of the palace, the air felt lighter, sharper, each step on the worn cobblestones a small rebellion.

For most daughters of the Sultan, slipping out of the palace was unthinkable, but Ferial had never been one to follow rules that stifled her. Draped in plain clothes, she blended in easily among the throngs of people moving through the marketplace. She relished her disguise, finding freedom in the anonymity it provided. Here, she could explore the narrow alleys, investigate forgotten shrines, and drift as she pleased through the city’s hidden veins—places only her unique senses could reveal to her.

The light of a shop window caught her eye, and she paused, glancing at the display of trinkets within. Some of the items practically hummed with energy, whispering their histories to her from beneath layers of dust and grime. She could feel the allure of hidden djinn treasures in the air, artifacts carrying remnants of magic, concealed in plain sight among mundane objects.

Just as she was reaching to examine one, a subtle prickle of awareness made her glance up. Her eyes narrowed as she sensed something—or rather, someone—unusual nearby. Ferial straightened, pulling her hood back to shadow her face once more as she scanned the crowd, her gaze locking onto a figure just ahead, watching them intently.