Get back on your feet

"Halil, where are you going?" Halime called out to the young stable boy running with a mad dash. "The horsefeed has run out. Eli asked me to go buy some from the city," he replied. "Did you take the money from Ayaz?" she asked. "Yes, baci*," he asnwered. "Run along then, Halil! I'll have delicious lunch ready by the time you're back," she smiled and ruffled his hair. The boy ran so fast he left a vapour trail.

Halime was on her way to the storehouse to get salt and some spices that had run out. "Halime baci!" a joyful shout echoed from across. Halime turned to find Elif, the daughter of the record keeper and clerk running towards her. "Baci, baci, there's so much to do. Give me some job, too!"

"You're just in time, Elif. Come along. Carry the bags of salt and spice for me to our kitchen," Halime smiled, invigorated by the little one's enthusiasm for work. They carried the stuff back and Elif got a quick treat.

Work carried on, lunch was made and had. Halil returned from the city with troubling news. The traders had few goods left themselves as trading caravans hadn't arrived with goods due to storms. Everthing was being sild for higher prices. He barely got enough feed for a week woth the money he had on him. The rich were hoarding all the resources.

Miraç, the manager, wore a troubled look on his face. "We need to find out news of the trading caravans. The storm should only delay them by a little time. They usually start the journey a month prior. We just faced a drought season, commodities will be hard to find."

"I will check the storage and make a list of items we need based on priority by today evening," Halime replied. "Esma, how much of the cleaning of the receiving building has been completed, as of now?" she asked the clerk. "I have cleaned the top floor where the birds are and the windows of the reception area. "Mustafa, have the stable duties been completed for the day?" Miraç asked.

"Yes, bey. The birds and horses need their evening feed but the rest is complete. I have repaired the roofs of the stables," Mustafa replied. "Good, Mustafa. You clean the reception floor with Elif. Esma, you'll help Halime take inventory of items. I will calculate our expenses," Miraç assigned everyone to their jobs efficiently. Halime looked to him, impressed and inspired.

"Ağabey*, let's send Halil to find out price commodities in the city and their availability," she suggested. "It's a good thought, Halime but we need someone to gather news about the caravans," he reminded her. "We cannot spend money on hiring someone for the time being," he said with gravity. "We won't need to hire, Ağabey," Halime smiled. Miraç sent her a curious look.

"Hamid, from the smithy owes us for helping him last time. We can send him. Their family has more brothers and sisters to look after their old mother. Besides, instead of monetary repayment we can offer him other goods of daily use and the medicines we have for his mother who is ill. Medicine will be expensive now because the herbs won't be available in the market," she said.

Miraç frowned as he assessed the viability of the sugestion. "Won't we need medicine for Zafer Bey*?" he asked Halime. "His mother has asthma. Father's medicines are different. We helped a trader who had asthma in a passing caravan and have leftover medicines from then. Allah has helped us by means of our own good deeds," she gave a summary of the situation to Miraç.

Finally, after hearing her piece, he nodded to Halime. "Go talk to him first after lunch. If he refuses, we have no other option but to send Halil. Esma, start making the list immeditely with help from Senim Hanim*, until Halime can join you," he gave the final orders.

Everyone picked up after lunch and off Halime went to call on her favour from Hamid.

Vocab:

*Baci: (pronunced baji) sister

*Ağabey: (pronunced aahbey) brother

*Hanim:(pronunced ha-neem) Respectful title. Eg Lady Westwood. Used for the matron of the household or the wife of a marquee leader by their employees.