[WitchQueen]

The following morning Ishtar was up early. It was time for them to get ready to travel from the city of Masra where they were to the city of Constantine. Ishtar had promised Ahmed that she would visit all of the orphanages. Ishtar wanted to do something special for the children so she called Adonis and asked him if he would consider traveling to Constantine and Addas to entertain the rest of the orphans. Adonis said he would be happy to entertain the children. Perhaps on day some of them would think about acting even if they did as amatures. It is fun he said and could be a bright spot in their lives. The could even put on plays at the orphanages. Maybe some of them could get together and write some plays. Ishtar thought that he had some good ideas. Adonis agreed to speak to the children and try to encourage them.

Ishtar told Adonis that they would be picking him up in about one half hour. Adonis told her that would be good. See you then. Now it was time for Ishtar to dress for the journey. After she was ready to go she went to see Neeta and Moara in the room next door. Neeta and Moara were almost ready to go so Ishtar waited in their room while they finished getting ready.

Now the clerk came to tell Ishtar that Cassem was waiting outside with the horses and carriage. The three women were ready to go. Cassem helped them to board the carrige and they were on their way. They had refilled the bottles of water at the water station and they brought some bread and fruit with them. They looked around as they made their way to the theatre where they would pick up Adonis. He was ready and waiting for them. Adonis climbed on board the carriage and sat down by Ishtar. The journey tool awhile and they chatted along the way. Adonis told Ishtar that they would have to act with him when it was time for the show. Ishtar was surprised at this and she told him she would do her best. Adonis told Neeta and Moara too. They thought this was the funniest thing they ever heard. You must help. I will direct you. They finally agreed when they saw that Adonis was quite serious.

Since Xanthia is such a beautiful place to be they all enjoyed the scenery along the way. The mountains in the distance with the snow on the tops. Very rarely does any one travel up high into the mountains. Along where they were traveling the ground was more hilly with the road carved out. There are many green trees on the hills. Many of them with flowers. You can hear many birds chirping along the way. Down below the view of the valley is truly beautiful. There are farms down there. A nice place to live.

It takes about one and one half hours to travel from Masra to Constantine. Finally the city is visible to them. This is a beautiful Arabic city. The Tiger River winds from the valley around the city of Constantine. There are no crockodiles in the rivers up here. The crockodiles are located in the rivers that wind through the Rain Forest. That is the southern part of the Rain Forest.

Finally the arrive at the Orphanage of Constantine. The children are brought here from the transportation site located in one of the caves at the base of one of the mountains.

The children are excited to have visitors. Criossa has also been making the journey with Ishtar, Neeta, Moara and Adonis. The four women have been getting to know each other while making the journey.

Criossa has visited this orphanage on other occasions. She is responsible for the lessons and activities planned for the children and she does a very good job at doing this.

The children are expecting them and are waiting as patiently as children can wait. Criossa has called for all of the children to meet in the dinig room. The children know that the children of Masra got to see the play at the theatre. There is also a theatre in Constantine. Adonis is the curator of the theatre so he can do what others cannot. The plan is for the children to walk to the theatre tonight and see a show. It will be a puppet show at the theatre. And also alittle play. Ahmed had asked Adonis to work something out for all of the children when Ishtar visits with them. So Adonis did exactly that.

The show will take place tonight but for now Ishtar will sit in on the lessons with the children. She can even read some books to them at story time and assist the teacher. Criossa will be meeting with the staff of the orphanage. The older children have already left for school. The attend with the other children who live with their parents. Sometimes some of the children become friends with an orphan and the family likes the child and asks if the child can come and live with them. This is nice because the children are already friends. Ishtar would like to take one of the children but this is difficult because how to chose?

Cassem has been taking care of the horses at the blacksmith barn and he is checking out the city. Neeta and Moara decided to see the city also.

The day goes by quickly and Cassem comes back to pick up Ishtar and take her to the Hotel. Ishtar has since met the older children and all of them will be going to the theatre. Ishtar explains to them that Criossa and her will meet them at the theatre at eight o'clock. They do not mind walking in the dark. It is pretty safe in Constantine."See you all later," says Ishtar.

Adonis spent the day in the main part of thea city at the theatre preparing for the evening show. He will be spending the night at a friend's house. Cassem drops Ishtar at the hotel and tells Ishtar that Neeta and Moara will meet her there."Ishtar, I will pick you up in time for the show but tonight I will be staying at the training camp. See you later."

Ishtar checks in the hotel. Two rooms. One for her and one for Neeta and Moara. The room is nice and Ishtar decides to take a shower and a short nap. It is only four o'clock. Ishtar always brings her alarm clock with her. Neeta calls, they are on the way back. Ishtar gives her the room number and tell Neeta they should be ready to go to a cafe at five thirty. That way we can eat and still be at the theatre by Seven thirty. Cassem will be here to pick us up at five thirty. Neeta tells Ishtar they are on their way now.

Ishtar gets herself ready for the show and goes downstairs to the lobby. Neeta and Moara are ready. They are happy with their room. The three ladies look very nice for the theatre. The children will also be wearing their best clothes. They are very excited about all of this.

At five thirty Cassem arrives and the women board the carriage with the help of Cassem. Ishtar, Neeta and Moara have their meal in the Constantine Cafe on Center Stree. They all have seafood. The meal is delicious and the cafe is decorated uniquely.

Now it is time to leave for the theatre. This theatre is truly Arabic. There is a balcony all around and some of the actors live on the upper floors. Cassem rides them past the theatre to the dis embarkment area and helps the women down. The children have not yet arrived. Ishtar and the other two women go inside and check with Adonis. He is in his dressing room preparing for his part. Adonis tells them to follow his lead. You can't mess up. Ishtar tells him she will try her best."Okay," says Adonis. "Try your best,My Beloved Queen." It is time to see if the children are here.

The children have arrived and are checking in. Ishtar sits with Criossa. The theatre is packed. The children are looking at the interior of the theatre. It is ornate. Time for the show to start. The children laugh and Ishtar did her part well. Neeta and Moara had to danace with Adonis and Criossa played and instrument.

Finally the show was over and it was time to leave the theatre. Ishtar decides to walk to the orphanage with the children. Criossa is happy about this. Two of the younger children hold Ishtar's hands. Ishtar does not know what to do. They are all so sweet. Life can be sad even here.

Cassem rides ahead and waits with Neeta and Moara at the orphanage. Finally they count every one to be sure they are all accounted for and then it is time for all the children to check in. Ishtar tells them she will come back and see them again. Criossa will be spending the night at the orphanage and they will pick her up in the morning. Once again Ishtar tells the children Good night and then she climbs into the carriage. The evening was bittersweet. Back at the hotel Ishtar decides to call Ahmed after she is ready for bed. In her night clothes and under the covers she dials. "Hello" "It's Ishtar, Ahmed the evening went fine. The children are adorable and I would like to have one." "I'll think about it Ishtar, Alright?" "Alright. There are quite a few of them." "There are we will see."

"How is Munna?" "She is the same. Ishtar don't forget about the Druids." "I have not, Ahmed. We have to visit one more orphanage. In Addas. Then I will return to the Palace." "Alright, Ishtar call me again when you are home. We talk more. Don't forget I must go to Kruata by ship." "I won't Ahmed. I miss you now, I will miss you then. Good night." "Good night, Ishtar."

WitchQueen