An Unusual Morning

Halime received Hamad's message early next dawn and was reassured until a thought struck her. The city must have been expecting the caravan at least two weeks ago if the prices were up when Halil went to get the horsefeed. They usually only went on a need basis as they lived on the outskirts of town. She frowned as she mulled it over. A few days, huh?

She sighed and went on to pass the news to the rest. Miraç had the same thoughts as her when he heards the message but they had no other option but to wait.

Most of the clenaing work had been completed and the birds had been shifted outdoors. The messenger house was up and running again. Her mother was tired and worried about her bed-ridden father and she had to relieve her as well.

She did not think that there would be any clients visiting their shop so soon after the storm. But she was to be proved wrong that very afternoon. It was just after lunch when she had put her mother to bed and seen to her father's medicine needs, that this odd customer arrived.

She was leaving their tent for the storage room when she saw a stranger peeking around the side of the messenger house. He seemed to be looking for a specific someone from the way his gaze scouted the area. He also tried to remain hidden as he surveyed. He was also quite well dressed to be one of their usual customers. This customer spelled trouble, she could feel it in the marrow of her bones.

But Halime had sharper eyes than most, having been raised in a nomadic tribe subject to raids. And her father, uncles and cousin brothers had taught her well to defend against strangers. She pulled out a veil from her pocket and tied it around her face.

Then she went around the back, creeping stealthily towards the man from behind. Not stealthily enough it seemed as he whirled around at the last moment as if he had detected her presence. But she was quicker and shorter and took advantage of all she could.

She deflected his hand with a strike of her palm to his elbow, then ducked un

der another incoming punch to her face. He thew another punch and she blocked him with the outer side of her forearm and quickly punched him with her other arm just under his chest.

He wasn't able to block her and the wind left his lungs as he stumbled back. But he regained his composure quick and his gaze finally focussed on her as he realised his opponent was a woman. "Who sent you, woman?" he growled.

She puzzled over his quesion in her head but did not show any outward reaction. "I should be asking who you are," she spit back at him. He frowned and seemed to have lowered his guard. Halime took advantage of his hesitation and threw a punch at him, but he dodged it and caught and twisted her arm behind her back.

She grunted in pain and hit him back hard in his nose with the back of her head. He swore and let go and she whirled to face him with the dagger at her waistband drawn at his neck as she pulled him by his shirt collar. "I said,'Who are you?'" she growled at him, pressing the blade deeper against the skin of his neck.

He smirked and stamped her foot. Then pulled her veil off as she moved to remove her foot from under his. He looked at her in momentary surprise and muttered," That kond of beauty is wasted on an assa-". But before he could complete, she slashed at his chest. It cut him but not too deep. He merely hissed and anger flashed in his eyes as he was about to strike her. She stared defiantly ready to chop his hand off, if need be. But before the strike could connect, they heard a shout.

"Vallahi, stop!" Halime heard Miraç and then saw his form running toward them so fast it should have left a vapour trail behind him. The man also seemed quelled by Miraç's appearance and shifted his focus to him, still keeping wary of her.

They seemed to know each other. Miraç looked at the wound on his chest and swore. "Halime, what have you done?" he chastised her. "He was sneaking around like some thief. What else should I have done?" she replied back, incredulous. "Who is he anyway?" her voice dripped disdain.

"A paying customer, Halime. A paying customer, for God's sake," Miraç looked at her angrily. He looked to the man. "Prin-" The man coughed loudly as if to cut him off. Miraç too appeared censored. They looked at each other and some quick understanding passed between them. "Lat's get you treated, sir," Miraç changed tack quickly. But Halime was nothing if not sharp.

She noticed and kept quiet. She wasn't to be trusted yet, it seemed. She had to know how Miraç knew the man. He certainly seemed more than a just a 'paying customer'. She would get to the bottom of it. No one would be allowed to be even a potential threat to her father's business. Not even Miraç. She would see to it.