Action/Adventure - Historical Adventure
Date Published - October 2014
In an ancient time, a people made homeless by a devastating fire are led across a treacherous desert by a thrill-seeking thief, to a land he doesn't believe exists - and he started the fire.
In a squalid ancient city on the edge of a desert (based on descriptions of the African Sahara’s Empty Quarter,) a weary, thrill-seeking thief named Omari sets his home on fire to start anew and cover his many crimes. When the entire city is unintentionally destroyed by the flames, the cornered thief tells the displaced people a lie about a better place to which only he can lead them, across the desert. With the help of an aged, mysterious woman who knows a better place actually does exist, they set out. The disparate people must come together to fight their way through bandits, storms, epidemics, and more. As a result of Omari's involvement with Saba, a fiercely independent woman who is out to break him in the pay of a merchant whom he has offended, his ability to lead - his very life - is jeopardized.
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Excerpt
As was his way, bin Aswad took no part in the celebration,
and actually enjoyed his time alone as everyone else danced, sang and ate.
Indeed, he had always found great pleasure in his love of numbers – calculating
expenses, inventories and ultimately, profits. Despite Omari’s warnings about
making money from the needs of others, bin Aswad had found it profitable to
provide specialty clothing for those who could afford it. He found that some
people paid well for themselves and or their family to look good in new
clothing, and he was very clever in the re-use of old clothes to make new
garments, as his cloth supply dwindled. Instead of being rich in coin, he now
had more than his share of food, water, tools and other valuables.
He was happily
humming a tuneless melody while he sat counting a number of small gems, when
his tent flap flew open. A stunning young woman moved in quickly and stood over
him. Astonished, he scrambled backwards with his eyes and mouth wide open,
spilling the gems onto the tent floor.
“Ho, bin Aswad.
Easy,” said the woman in a husky voice, and a bright smile that revealed white,
even teeth. “I wish you no harm.” She raised her palms to calm his fright and
sat down. “In fact, I believe I might be of some service to you. My name is Saba Khan. Did you drop
something?”
No longer terrified, bin Aswad was still
too surprised and embarrassed to form any reply, except to start picking up his
gems while glancing up at the stranger. At first glance, Saba Khan possessed
what might be called an extraordinary beauty – enough to turn heads, and very
pleasing to the eye. In bin Aswad’s lamplight, her complexion was a satiny
smooth, golden brown that seemed to blend into the darkness. Her finely
sculpted face framed dark amber, almond-shaped eyes, which made him pause. For
the brief moment he held her gaze, he was so struck by their sheer intensity,
intelligence and perceptiveness that he stopped picking up his
gems. His attitude changed to awe and he was willing, even eager to hear what
she had to say.
“How do you know
my name?” he mumbled, too awestruck to ask all the questions in his mind.
“You are
well-known, bin Aswad. You have many customers—people you talk to and trade
with. Some of the things you receive in trade are precious gems, such as that
one you missed, just there.” She pointed a slender finger at a ruby behind him.
“That gets
people’s attention. Some of the things you’ve said are bound to get even more
attention – such as the fact that you are unhappy with Master Omari’s
leadership.” She leaned forward and opened her eyes wide. “Allow me to offer
you some free advice – trade your gems away and keep your opinions to
yourself.”
Bin Aswad noticed
the hilt of a dagger in her waistband. As the idea of danger began to form in
his mind, beads of sweat broke out on his upper lip. “That’s some strong
advice,” he said, in an effort to sound self-assured. “What do you have to do
with my opinions or my gems?”
Saba Khan
chuckled. “I’m not here to harm you, bin Aswad. I’m here to suggest that I
might be able to help you solve your problem with Master Omari…for the cost of
some of your gems.” She raised her brow and tilted her head to the side. “Are
you interested in seeing someone else in charge of the caravan? Someone more sensitive
to your business interests?”
He frowned and
leaned forward. “And how would you…”
“You don’t need to
know that,” she said. “All you need to
know is if you pay my price, your satisfaction is guaranteed.”
He stared at the
woman in amazement. “What do you do? Are
you some kind of killer? I don’t want to kill anyone.”
“I make things
happen,” she replied. “And don’t worry; you don’t have enough gems for anyone
to be killed. Not even that great blue jewel you have hidden in your robe.”
Bin Aswad’s eyes
widened again. “You know about the jewel?”
“That is why I’m here,” she said in a low
voice. “Remember my first advice? You’re
not going to be able to hang onto such a stone much longer anyway. Too many
people know about it. Right now, all you have to do is say ‘yes’ to the deal.
If you do, I will give you more details later.
Of course, whether you agree or not, I must refer you back to the second
advice – keep your business to yourself. Now, do we have a deal?”
She leaned forward and smiled as if she knew the answer.
Chicago-born Stephen Whitfield began writing as a Marine Corps print journalist. His writing has appeared in military publications, as well as the Kansas City Star and the Jersey Journal. He holds degrees from from Loyola University Chicago, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Indiana University. Stephen currently resides near Orlando, Florida.
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