ShiratsukiAiha

Halime, the daughter of a messenger house in Aleppo, finds herself in a precrious position once she is set to inherit her father's business. No longer can she live the life of just an ordinary young woman. She now has to deal with palace secrets, intrigue and politics as she finds her way in the world as a successful businesswoman. With her wit and intelligence she embarks on a journey full of adventures.


NOTE: This is a work of fiction and is not based on the life of any actual ruler of the Ottoman empire or otherwise. All the characters amd events in the story are fictional, only the places used exist in reality.

On The Bird's Wing

Halime turned around the corner to go to Hamid's smithy. She came to standstill suddenly. Shame and necessity raged a battle within her. She was not one to call favours in return for favours. 


        If it were not such a desperate moment, she would never do this. "Ya Rabbi, please forgive me if I am wrong. Please make my speech beautiful and respectful," she prayed. She waited, stared a bit and finally gaining control over her emotion marched straight towards the smithy. 


                Her mouth had a grim set to it as she approached Hamid, who looked up at her in surprise. He looked at her apprehensively. "Selamun aleikum*. What is it at this time of the day, baci*?" he greeted her. 


          "Can we talk elsewhere? I have to talk to you regarding an urgent matter," she demanded. Hamid came out of the smithy and they walked to the corner. They stopped and he stared at her with a foreboding expression on his face. 


             "Calm down, Hamid. It isn't all as bad as that. I need you to run me an errand," she half snapped. "I'm sorry, I spoke rudely," she apologised then began again. " We need you to go until Basra to find out if the trading caravan from Baghdad has reached there yet and what is the condition of their goods after the storm, kardeş*," she got down to the heart of the matter straight away. 


       "When do you need me to go?" he asked. "Immediately. Halil went to town and prices for things have shot up as supplies are down because the trading caravans have not arrived yet. We need all hands on deck for our business and can't spare Halil for the job. So, I came to request you," she stated politely. 


           "If it's a request, can I refuse?" he asked astutely. She stared at him pointedly. "You know I hate collecting favours, ağabey*. We won't be unfair and ask you to work for nothing, estagfirullah*. We have some asthma medicine and are willing to give it to you for doing this errand. If your household needs any other daily supplies later we are willing to ration and share those as well, if you do us this favour," she kept her offer before him. 


           He stroked his beard as he considered it. "Alright, baci. After this we are even," he said squarely. Halime looked at him sharply. "Eyvallah,"* she replied with a sharp look in her eyes.


       "We will send a homing pigeon with you, send it back from there and follow after," she said. Hamid readied himself and follwed her to her home after informing his family of the situation. He took the pigeon with him and left immediately. Meanwhile, Halime promptly delivered the medicines they had promised. Then she went on to help her mother and Esma with preparing inventory.


*selamun aleikum: Islamic greeting, means peace be upon you. (pronunced sell-ahm-un(like in rune)-uh lay-kum)


*kardeş: brother(pronunced Gar(as in garden)-desh)


*estagfirullah: May God forgive us. Usually used when taking refuge from an action that would invite the anger of God. (pronunced es-tagh-fee-rool-lah)


* eyvallah: Thank you/ Alright. (pronunced ey(as in hey)vahl- lah)


A Bargain Struck....