Mahdia, a young thief belonging to Kamahakim's group of forty thieves, awakens as protagonist Aldin pilfers treasure from their hidden cave. She initially threatens Aldin with death for his theft, but he persuades her to abandon her life and seek adventure beyond the thieves' den. They escape together on a magic wooden horse uncovered among the stolen treasures. During their oceanic flight, supernatural living hair drags them down to Lotus Island, home to sirens. Though the sirens offer hospitality, Mahdia grows suspicious and distrustful—particularly of Queen Lamia—and her distrust intensifies into jealousy as Aldin interacts with the islanders. She chooses to depart alone on the wooden horse, leaving Aldin behind. After her exit, Aldin discovers the sirens' serpentine true forms at night and flees Lotus Island.