Yasmina

Francesco nodded like he would not back down on that point. “I have heard Maruf refer to you as the Khidr, which he claims to be a holy angel and most wise servant of God. I believe it. He says you even know what is to come in the days ahead.”

“Not exactly,” she admitted and finally looked away again, like she might be studying her feet. “The Greek word is Kairos, event-time. I know something about the future, but mostly centuries from now. I have no more idea what tomorrow may bring than any other person.”

Francesco looked at her, closely. She glanced at him but quickly turned her face down again. “So, you do not deny it,” he said, in a most serious tone.

“It is not what you think,” she said.

“I think I would like to see you again, and maybe many times.”

Yasmina nodded but thought to ask him a question, since he seemed reluctant to speak about himself. “Tell me about your home. Amalfi is in Italy?”

“Yes,” he said. “And it is beautiful, on a beautiful bay of the blue sea, surrounded by beautiful green tree covered hills.”

“You said beautiful three times.”

“So, I know what I am talking about when I use that word.”

“What of the people?”

“They are like you, kind and friendly,” he said. “I think you would fit in well there, I mean, if you should ever come to visit.”

“Merchants?”

“Mostly,” he admitted. “We are surrounded by Eastern Roman lands, but we are an independent city not subject to imperial dictates out of Constantinople. This has allowed us to become rich through trade. We trade much in Alexandria, and a few places here in Egypt. My family was one of the first to open trade with the Fatimids in the west. So, you see, we are not strangers to Arabs in our midst, though I am sure none as beautiful as yourself. Eh?”

He asked because Aisha came over from the place where she watched. Al-Rahim watched on the other side. Aisha spoke. “Suffar has excused himself from the presence of the governor. I cannot read what he has in mind to do, but it will not be good.” Aisha went back to her watch post and Francesco looked at Yasmina with a questioning look.

“Suffar is a wicked sorcerer,” Yasmina said. “And he hates me because he says I am filling Badroul’s mind with thoughts contrary to those he wishes her to think. Honestly, I am trying to help her grow up and think for herself. I think Suffar wants to brainwash the poor girl so when she comes of age, she will marry his son. I have met the son. That would be a terrible thing to do to any young girl.”

“There, do you see?” Francesco smiled for her. “You care about people. You think of others. I think secretly, you must be an angel.”

Yasmina looked down again, but she found her hand reach up to her veil. She lowered the veil and turned to him sounding uncertain. “What do you think?”

Francesco gasped before he put his hands on her shoulders. He mumbled, “My imagination is not as good as I thought.” He kissed her. Yasmina’s eyes went wide before she closed them and kissed him back. It was different. It was good. It was very good. She felt warm and very positive. Whatever differences they had they could work them out. She thought many such things and really did not think anything at all.

Something started happening down the path where al-Rahim watched. It took a second for her mind to catch up to the sound. “You must go. Hurry.”

Francesco did not look like he could move. Al-Din came from the bushes as Yasmina replaced her veil. Badroul came, unveiled, and looking flushed. No doubt they were kissing. Yasmina wondered if they talked or just kissed the whole half-hour.

“Come,” Francesco said and grabbed al-Din by the arm. They hurried to the tree, climbed up and went over the wall.

“Stay here,” Yasmina told the girl. “Hide in the bushes until I tell you it is safe.” Badroul stepped behind a bush and squatted down. Aisha came up in her leather, a knife in her hand. Al-Rahim came from the other direction with blood on his sword. A dozen men came on his heels. They looked like pirates, and the worst sort of ugly ones.

Al-Rahim crossed swords with two of them. Aisha cut one man in the arm and parried a sword aimed at Yasmina. The sword went awry, but Aisha lost her knife.

Yasmina jumped in front and called for her armor in the face of the men. Some stopped and backed up. Something primal rose up inside her at the same time. A spear got aimed at Aisha and lightning flashed from Yasmina’s hand. The spearman instantly became a pile of ash. All of the pirates stopped and backed up. One of them, possibly the leader spoke.

“He did not say she was a witch.”

Al-Rahim pulled Yasmina back behind him. He had his scimitar out and it dripped pirate blood. Aisha found a second knife, but neither could prevent Yasmina’s mouth from speaking.

“You hurt my maid, or my retainer, and you will not live the night,” she yelled.

Aisha put her hand out to hold Yasmina back. Al-Rahim took one step to be fully in front of Yasmina. There were still a dozen pirates or more, and several of them had out bows and arrows. Al-Rahim bowed to the inevitable. “We will go with you peacefully, but if one of you so much as touches the princess, you will not live another minute.”

The pirate who appeared to be in charge said, “Deal. We won’t get paid until we deliver the goods, undamaged as instructed. If anyone touches her before delivery, I will personally chop their head off. I want to get paid.”

Al-Rahim cleaned his scimitar with a cloth that hung from his belt but as he sheathed it, the pirate leader said, “We will have your weapons.” Al-Rahim nodded and handed over his scimitar, long sword, and knife. Aisha’s knives apparently disappeared. Yasmina’s weapons all went away with her armor. She stood clothed again in her tent-like dress complete with hood and veil.

“Ready,” Aisha reported. She had changed her clothing from leather back to her own dress and did something to change her appearance. She now looked like a middle-aged maid with some extra weight. It was self-defense. She tried to make herself as unattractive to the pirates as she could.

“Lead the way,” al-Rahim said.

“Where are we going, anyway?” Yasmina asked.

The head man did not answer her. The pirates took them right out the front door. Yasmina saw Suffar the Vizir standing in the shadows, watching. No surprise. He wanted to get rid of her so he could concentrate on Badroul without her interference.

************************

MONDAY

Both Yasmina and Kirstie go where they would rather not go in Misdirection Until then, Happy Reading.

*