The Master and The Maiden

Chapter 8

*

Kabeer always hated waking up in the early hours of the morning. The cold air drifting into his room through the open window was far too comforting. He felt like staying in bed throughout the day.

However, the call to Subhi prayer was already echoing through the streets. He couldn't ignore it, though it was the first call.

"Maybe just a few more minutes." he muttered sleepily to himself, sighing deeply. He had never realized how soft and comfortable his bed was until now. He loved how easily he sank into the mattress, and how comfortable his pillow was. His blanket was just perfect; not too thick and not too light. It kept the cold air out substantially, allowing just the right amount to seep through.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Kabeer sat bolt upright, his eyes flying to the door. Who could be attempting to knock down his door at this time?

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The knocking came once again, louder than before. Kabeer swore deeply under his breath, jumping off the bed. He flung the door irritatingly, his eyes falling on his wife.

"What in God's name do you think you are doing, woman? Are you trying to knock down my door?" he yelled at her, all evidence of sleep abandoning his face.

"I'm sorry." she said, looking at him defiantly. "But there's someone here to see you."

"By this time of the day?" he asked. "And why didn't you turn him away?"

"He's waiting for you downstairs." she said, walking away without a second glance at him. Kabeer watched her retreating back, thinking of what to say. He sighed as she entered her room and shut the door behind her.

Who could be here to see him? Surely he wasn't expecting anyone during the day. And even if he was, who would come to his house at dawn?

His mind was preoccupied as he wore his Jallabiyah, stepping out of the room. He paused, straining to catch any sound in the darkness. The only sound he heard was his neighbour struggling with his gate. Sighing, he rubbed his hands together and descended the stairs.

"Kabeer!" Jamal said eagerly as the former came down the stairs. He'd been pacing about at the door of his study, his hands folded behind his back.

"Jamal, what brings you here at the crack of dawn? Is something wrong?" Kabeer asked, furrowing his brows. Anything that would bring a man to another's house at dawn must be something urgent. Kabeer was surprised to see him in a panicked state.

"My friend, there is trouble in the air. Very big trouble indeed." Jamal said, his hands shaking behind him.

"What is it?" Kabeer's heart skipped a beat.

"Let's get inside first." Jamal said, looking around fearfully.

"Fine." Kabeer said, fumbling in his pockets for the keys to his study. He cursed once again when he realised the keys were still up in his bedroom.

"Wait here." he said, heading back into his room. Jamal resumed his pacing, his eyes on the floor. Despite the cold air, he felt hot all over. Beads of sweat were forming across his forehead. Everything had gone horribly wrong.

"Here." Kabeer returned hurriedly, jamming the keys into the door. He swung the door open, and Jamal stepped in after him. A few feet away, Noor and Ummayma clicked their tongues as Kabeer shut the door. They couldn't hear the conversation anymore.

"What's wrong?" Kabeer asked once he locked the door behind him.

"Kabeer, you and your family are in deep trouble. I regret having to be the one to tell you this, but you must flee the city at once." Jamal said quickly.

"Why? What happened?" Kabeer asked.

"Fareed." Jamal said simply. And it was as though a cold knife had cut through the thin veil of sleep which still clouded Kabeer's thought. The air was suddenly warmer, and he became aware of his surroundings; of the million crickets scattered all around for several miles. He was aware of the sweat in his clammy hands, and how slow and measured his breathing was.

Indeed, only Fareed's name could strike such fear in the heart of grown men.

"Wh... What about him?" Kabeer asked feebly, reaching for the chair. His knees felt exhausted beneath him, and he swayed dangerously, like a giant standing on the limbs of an infant.

"He's coming for you, Kabeer. He knows you tried to steal the jewels from him." Jamal said, sucking in air through his teeth.

Kabeer sank into the chair, beads of sweat cascading down his back. "No, that's not possible." he shook his head, though he was aware of how weak his retort sounded. "It simply cannot be possible."

"It is true, Kabeer. He knows. And you know him better than anyone. He will hunt you down and kill you. You will have to flee the city. You and your family." Jamal said anxiously, too anxious to sit.

"Wait a minute." Kabeer said, looking up at Jamal before him. "Wait just one minute."

"What?" he asked.

"How do you know?" Kabeer narrowed his eyes.

"Aliyu came to my house a few minutes ago. He wanted to come here by himself, but he thought it would look suspicious if we both came." Jamal replied. "Look, we're wasting precious time. If you leave now, you might have a chance to escape."

"I meant how do you know about the jewels?" Kabeer asked in an unusually calm tone, which betrayed the panic that was rising in his chest.

"I don't understand what you are saying." Jamal said.

"Aseaa 'iilaa 'almae alnujum fi alsama'." Kabeer said slowly. Jamal blinked once, then he sighed before he replied.

"Almae alnujum hu al'akthar wuduhaan eind al-fajr." he said.

"Jamal? You..." Kabeer's jaw dropped, but Jamal cut him off.

"You're not the only one who has secrets, Kabeer." Jamal said.

"So you're a member of the Order?" he asked.

"A top secret member." Jamal replied. "Aliyu made me swear when I joined that I wouldn't let anyone know I was a member."

"And what were you tasked with?" Kabeer asked astonishingly.

"Monitoring and reporting back to him." Jamal said. "My job is to ensure everyone does their jobs perfectly."

"So you've been monitoring me?" Kabeer asked.

"All in good faith, my dear friend." Jamal sighed, sitting down beside Kabeer. "The Order is at risk, as I'm sure you know. It is imperative that we use any means necessary to achieve our goals. But to do that, we must ensure that everyone does what they are supposed to do, when they are supposed to do it. That is my main purpose."

"This doesn't make any sense." Kabeer pressed his thumbs into his temples. "It just doesn't make any sense. You come barging into my house at dawn, telling me I have to flee the city where I was born? This is preposterous."

"Kabeer, Zaid has been caught. Fareed's men caught him yesterday as they were trying to steal the jewels from him. On your orders." Jamal said.

"How is that possible?" Kabeer asked, his fingers trembling. He's just realised why Zaid hadn't contacted him earlier. Truth be told, he had wondered briefly why he hadn't heard anything. That was why he'd written a letter which he planned to have sent to Zaid in the morning. The letter was lying in his drawer as they spoke.

"I don't know." Jamal shook his head. "But yesterday, several people at the market saw a group of man dragging a badly beaten man with them. And just a few hours ago, the spy we've placed in the Al-ghala mansion reported that the man was Zaid, and he'd been caught trying to steal from master Fareed. It ties in with your story, Kabeer. You said you'd ordered your men to retrieve the jewels from Fareed's clutches. We immediately figured out what was going on, and that is why I've come to warn you. You must flee, Kabeer. If you wish to live." Jamal finished.

"No!" Kabeer said suddenly, standing up so suddenly he made Jamal jump.

"I am not a coward." he said forcefully. "I will not flee from Sana'a. This is my home." he gestured round the room. "This is where I am meant to be. I will not run simply because of that... that man. If I am to die, then so be it. I shall die with honour, not with my back turned to the enemy."

"Kabeer," Jamal said. "This isn't about bravery or courage. It's about life or death. If you end up in his hands, Fareed won't spare you. We both know that."

"I am not a coward." Kabeer said once again. "I took an oath when I joined the Order. I am ready to give my life for what I believe in."

"Kabeer, let's be rational about this." Jamal said, trying to calm him down.

"Rational?" he said wildly, beginning to pace the length of the room. "What is there to be rational about? As you said, Fareed is coming for me. I shall wait for him like a man."

"Think about your family, Kabeer." Jamal said.

Kabeer stopped, staring at Jamal through hooded eyes. His mind had been racing so fast he hadn't given a single thought to Safiya and Noor. Where would they go? How would they cope? Surely they couldn't remain in Sana'a. They would be in far too much danger. No! They must leave. He would stay behind. Their safety was all that mattered to him. He couldn't subject them to suffering on his behalf. No! He would stay behind.

But then he knew they wouldn't leave without him if they found out why he was staying. They would want to be by his side. But then if Fareed came, he would surely have him killed. His family would suffer the same fate as well.

There was no other option. He had to leave. At least for a while until the dust settled. Surely Fareed would forget about everything in a few years. He could go to Jordan. He had a few friends there who would gladly provide accommodation for him and his family.

But then he could not travel with all his slaves in tow. He would have to set them free. And Ummayma would want to follow Noor. Where would she go after all? She didn't know where she'd come from. Her mother had died before she could tell her.

And the house. What would he do with the house? Could he sell it perhaps? But who would buy it on such short notice. And how long did he have anyway?

All the while, the thought of Fareed loomed at the back of his mind, like a phantom stalking its prey. Kabeer's fingers were trembling. Everything had gone horribly wrong.

"I will have to speak to Aliyu personally." Kabeer said, more to himself.

"Why do you have to do that?" Jamal groaned exasperatedly. "Don't you understand? Fareed could be at your door by daybreak. Do you want him to come here and find you here? Or worse, your family?"

"I must speak with Aliyu." Kabeer said adamantly, with a little more conviction than before. "I must find out what is the next course of action. Perhaps the Order can provide some sort of protection for my family. They can hide them from Fareed."

"We are wasting valuable time." Jamal said agitatedly as they heard the second call to prayer in the distance.

"Come. We must pay him a visit at once." Kabeer said, heading for the door. Jamal groaned, following in Kabeer's wake. Both men shivered slightly as they stepped into the cold, Kabeer bolting the door behind him. And together, they stormed out of the house.

*

Noor sat frozen in her bed, her eyes staring blankly at the opposite wall. She wasn't paying much attention to what she was looking at. Her mind was racing, and her heart was pounding in her chest.

She and Ummayma had just eavesdropped on her father's conversation with his guest. It wasn't eavesdropping per se, since Kabeer and his guest had been raising their voices quite significantly. They hadn't really heard most of the conversation, though they heard the name 'Fareed' mentioned several times, and something about an Order, and fleeing. They'd also heard something about the family being in danger.

Ummayma looked up slowly at Noor, trying to gauge her expression, though it was impossible in the darkness. Noor merely sat as limp as a bone on the bed, even her breathing barely audible.

"Are you two going to pray or what?" Aisha said, standing up slowly. Ummayma and Noor looked up at her, barely hearing what she was saying. As she stepped out of the room, Ummayma turned towards Noor.

"What do you think is going on?" she asked.

"I don't know." Noor shook her head. "But it sounds like Abba is in trouble."

"Who is this Fareed? And why is your father so afraid of him?" Ummayma asked.

"I don't know." Noor said. "I've never heard of him."

"And what is 'The Order'?" Ummayma asked. "Why does it sound like he is in a secret society?"

"He probably is." Noor said quietly, feeling a surge of unprecedented anger towards her father. What secrets was he keeping from them? And why was it affecting them as well? From what she'd heard, he wasn't the only one in danger now. Her mother and herself were also involved. What could be so dangerous that they would all be in danger?

Aisha entered the room then, shivering from head to toe. She'd just performed her ablution, and was dripping slightly.

"Do you two plan on praying today, or are both of you going to continue sitting there all day?" Aisha said.

"Aisha, have you ever heard of a Fareed?" Noor asked.

"A what?" she asked.

"Fareed. Do you know of any Fareed in this city?" Noor said.

"Do you mean Fareed Al-ghala?" Aisha asked, picking up her hijab.

"Who?" both Noor and Ummayma asked simultaneously.

"Fareed Al-ghala? The wealthiest and most powerful man in Sana'a?" she rolled her eyes, sitting on the boxes beside the door. Noor and Ummayma exchanged looks.

"I've never heard of him." Ummayma said.

"Well, you don't pay much attention to what goes on in the city, do you?" Aisha said.

"Just tell us who this man is."

"Fareed Al-ghala," she continued. "like I said, the wealthiest and most powerful man in the city. He is a merchant just like your father, though his wealth and influence spreads far beyond the Arabian peninsula.

"Fareed was very young when his parents died and left him the family wealth. The Al-ghalas have been the richest family in the city for several hundred years. Rumour has it they were some of the first people to settle in the city. In fact, few family trees in the city could claim to be as old as the Al-ghalas.

"Like I said, Fareed was very young indeed when his parents died. It was about fifteen years ago. Funny enough, Fareed didn't mourn their death. He'd immediately stepped into his father's shoes after their passing, and seized control of the family wealth and business."

"How rich are they?" Ummayma asked.

"Let me put it this way." Aisha said. "If he woke up today and decided he wanted to buy a quarter of Yemen, assuming he'd be allowed, he could buy all that land and still have enough money to go on a vacation to Medina."

"How can one man be so rich?" Noor asked. "It's simply not possible. And you say he lives here? In the city?"

"The Al-ghala mansion is the largest in the city. I'm surprised you have never heard about it." Aisha pointed at Noor.

"Wait, is it that massive compound with the high walls that looks like a fortress?" she asked.

"The very same." Aisha nodded.

"Is he married?" Ummayma asked.

"What's this?" Aisha laughed. "Don't tell me you are thinking of finding this man and seducing him into marriage."

"I'm not." Ummayma said hotly. "I'm just asking."

"No, Fareed isn't married." Aisha said. "The topic of his celibacy has long been discussed in the city, but he rarely stays in the city long enough to be seduced by any girl."

"How do you know all this?" Noor raised an eyebrow.

"I listen to what is happening around me." she said simply, standing up. "Why are you two suddenly interested in him?" she asked, for she had been asleep when Kabeer was with his guest.

"It's nothing." Noor said immediately, standing up. She pulled a veil over her head and walked out of the room, shivering as the cold air blew through her like a dagger. She froze, wrapping her robe tighter around her. Her eyes narrowed as she walked towards the water drum near the kitchen, sucking in the cold air through her teeth.

So her father had somehow managed to offend the most powerful man in the city, and now he was in danger? But how was that possible? What could he have done to earn the man's wrath?

As she poured the water into the kettle, Noor started imagining a large man with bushy eyebrows and a hug belly standing over her father, yelling at him for daring to steal from him. The image made her laugh.

Her father was a powerful man as well. Whatever it was, he would surely take care of it. There was no reason to panic. After all, Kabeer had dealt with worse things, hadn't he?

Absentmindedly, Noor poured the water onto her hand. She jumped as the cold stung her skin. She stared down at the kettle as though it were a poison which she would have to drink. Steeling herself, she quickly performed her ablution and dashed back to the room, which she quickly regretted as the cold air sweeping through her face as she ran only added to the abominable chill in the air.

Aisha had already finished praying, and was sitting beside Ummayma on her sleeping mat. Noor picked up her own hijab, pulling the prayer mat backwards a bit. Ummayma stood up to perform her ablution as well, but when she peeped out, she saw that several of the male slaves were already walking towards the water drum. She decided to wait for them to finish before she performed her ablution as well.

*

Kabeer felt like a drunken man walking back to his house after his Subhi prayer. Throughout his prayer, his mind was on other things. His meeting with Aliyu hadn't gone as he had hoped. He too had said the same thing: Kabeer would have to flee. Though he had tried to convince him that it wasn't all bad, and he wouldn't be leaving forever. He simply had to make sure he was as far away from the city as possible, before Fareed could come for him. If the dust settled, maybe after a few years, he could return and everything would be fine.

"But what about the jewels?" he had asked.

"That shouldn't be your concern now." Aliyu said sternly. "Your only priority right now should be your safety, and that of your family. Take them and leave the city."

"But I am ready to lay down my life for what I believe in. You must know that, Aliyu. I took an oath. A sacred oath before God and man." he had argued, or pleaded rather.

"I know, Kabeer. I know." Aliyu said sadly. "But we can not afford to lose another one of our members, especially not someone as important as you. You are one of our most high-ranking members. Losing you would deal a heavy blow to the Order. No, I will not allow it. You are to leave Sana'a at once. I command it."

Kabeer had kept running this conversation over and over in his head. He couldn't do it. He couldn't be exiled from the city where he had grown simply because of a man like him. No, he would stand and face Fareed like a man.

But then his mind drifted back to his daughter. If she was killed...

No! He couldn't bear the pain. He would have to leave. For her sake. For Noor's sake.

The sun was already beginning to rise when he stepped into the house once again. Several slaves were already moving round the compound, getting ready for the day. He would have to set them free, and take only a few of them. He couldn't travel with such a large procession. Perhaps only ten of them to carry their loads.

"Good morning, master." five of them bowed before him. Kabeer barely registered their greeting.

"Fetch my wife and daughter immediately." he told no one in particular. "Tell them to meet me in my study. Tell Ummayma and Aisha to come as well."

"Yes master." they all replied at once, setting off together. Kabeer ignored them, opening the door of his study. He had to hurry. Fareed could be on his way right now.

Quickly, he began to pull off some of the books he would need from the shelf, placing them on the table in a haphazard manner. He was pulling off three massive tomes at once when a knock came on the door.

"Enter." he said. In stepped Safiya, followed by Noor, Aisha and Ummayma in that particular order.

"Good, you're all here." he said.

"What's going on, Kabeer?" Safiya asked.

"We are going away." he said simply. "We are going on a trip. A very long trip indeed, and we shan't return for a very long time."

"Where are we going to, father?" Noor asked. Her heart has sank somewhere in the pits of her stomach.

"It doesn't matter." he said, gripping the edge of the chair as he swayed slightly. "I... I need you all to pack your bags immediately. We leave in the next hour."

"Father..." Noor started to speak, but Kabeer cut her off.

"Just do as I say." he said. "As for both of you," he pointed at Aisha and Ummayma, who had been staring at the ground as he spoke. "I've decided to set you free."

"WHAT?!" Noor and Safiya gasped at the same time. Aisha and Ummayma's jaw had dropped to the floor.

"Do not question my decision." Kabeer raised his hand. "But as of now, you are both free. You may choose to go wherever you wish to go, though I would be much happier if you came with us."

"I have nowhere else to go." Ummayma said, her eyes welling up with tears. "I want to come with you." she said.

Noor grasped her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Aisha?" Safiya asked, looking sideways at her.

"I..." she started to speak, but suddenly there was a loud bang on the gates. All four women jumped. Kabeer turned pale suddenly, all the colour draining from his face.

"What was that?" Safiya asked in a panicked tone. Another loud bang came, and Kabeer's hand shook violently. Noor moved towards her father instinctively, but Kabeer walked towards the door bravely and swung it open.

Several slaves were gathered in the courtyard, staring at the gates with frightened expressions on their faces.

"You," Kabeer pointed at one of them. "Go and check who is trying to knock down my gates."

Trembling from head to toe, the young slave walked slowly towards the gates and opened the door slightly. No sooner had he opened the door than the doors burst open and several large men wearing turbans stepped into the compound. The womenfolk shrieked and fell back, and several of the men ran into their rooms.

"Safiya, take Noor up to your room at once." Kabeer said in a determined tone. Without arguing, both mother and daughter ran up the stairs quickly and into Safiya's bedroom, just as another man stepped into the compound, his hands folded behind his back. A definite chill ran down Kabeer's spine as the man stood before him, his back as rigid as a metal pole. There was a triumphant smile on his face.

"Hello, Kabeer." he said in a voice so cold it could freeze hell over in an instant. "We meet again."

*