Unbeknownst to both of them, the days events had already been arranged by Abu and now, here they stood, in the hot arid
heat. The Moroccan winds brushed past the procession of mourners. Inaam's burial took place under the careful watch of
Abu's trusted men. All along the path, and on the rooftops of the buildings in the city, Abu had stationed his men, all watchful
for any further attacks. Despite her own fears, Gabrielle could not help but feel that on this day, there would be no attack. But
it did not mean that it would not occur again. Thankfully, by this time tomorrow they would be safely aboard a ship en route
away from the dangers of Morocco. With this single thought, the blonde focused her attention on the ceremony, assured in the
notion that once they were on a ship, the threat from Zara's father would be put behind them.
~~~~~~
"Honey, hold on to Prasha's basket and wait by the dock with Rashi's family and Abu's friends," Gabrielle smiled at Nadrah.
With large, dark eyes, the little girl glanced up at Zara, then over at the numerous guards who surrounded them. Although she
asked nothing, the Greek woman knew that the little girl was filled with questions. But afraid to voice them, she only nodded
as she moved away.
When the blonde rose from her kneeling position, she turned and looked at Zara. The pale, gauntness of her face was
evidence that something was wrong. Concerned for her lover, the healer smiled as she lightly ran her palm over the
Moroccan's soft cheek. Paralyzed, the tall woman stared down at her blankly.
"It will be all right now," Gabrielle whispered softly.
"Yes… yes… all will be right," Zara repeated as her brow furrowed, the frown seeming to take over her entire face as a
thought crossed her mind, the tall Moroccan turned to Isa.
"You will tell my great uncle…" her voice faltered as she looked down, confusion on her face.
Equally concerned for his captain, the young navigator looked at Gabrielle, then back to Zara. With a slight nod, he lightly
touched her arm. When she looked up at him, he nodded understanding. "Captain, I understand. I will give your great uncle
your regrets, and explain that you will follow shortly."
"Good… good," the Moroccan woman half whispered. "There are promises that must be kept. My brother, his family, yes,
Gabrielle and Xena…" she looked at the Greek woman with an arch of her brow in hopes of seeking confirmation.
"It's all right, Sweetheart. We'll make sure that your brother and his family reach safety," the storyteller promised as she cast a
slight smile to the young navigator.
Isa nodded. "And do not worry, Captain. Your trust in me is not misplaced, I will see that your mother returns to her kin," the
young man promised as his eyes grew misty. On cue, men from the dock began to carry the casket of her mother onto the
waiting vessel that was leaving at daybreak for the kingdom of Hadhramaut.
"Abu… master Qaidar, and his family?" a thought, not yet formed, crossed Zara's mind.
"They are fine, my Captain. There are plenty of men staying with them. The transfer of your home will go to Master Qaidar,
there should be no repercussions against them," the burly man explained.
"Then… Inaam's body?" Zara's eyes pleaded with him.
"Her remains will not be touched. She rests in Master Qaidar's crypt. Captain, they both loved her like a daughter. Inaam
always treated both of them with a daughter's respect for her parents," Abu smiled gently. "They will always welcome you
back, Captain, as well as Inaam's child, your daughter."
Zara only nodded blankly, her vision glazed over with sadness.
"Captain, all has been taken care of," Isa added softly. "Your family shall be taken care of here, as well as in Hadhramaut."
"And I will be waiting for you both in the Land of the Pharaohs when you finish your business on the isle of Philae," Abu's
voice was deep and firm.
"Of course, my friend, of course," Zara's voice sounded like she grasped his meaning, even though her tone indicated that she
lacked understanding.
When Fatima began to cry, they glanced over at the second waiting ship. Rashi motioned toward the planks, then to the babe
in Rachel's arms. Waving at them, Gabrielle smiled as she watched the hand picked guards follow the small family up the
planks, their bows and arrows ready as their eyes darted up to the roof tops and all around in search of any assassins.
Seemingly oblivious of the danger, the young couple made their way to the ship, each one carrying an infant in their arms.
Thankfully, Rachel seemed to have enough milk to nurse both her own, and Inaam's baby as well.
"Abu, are you sure you can't come with us? I'm just a bit concerned that you might become a target for…" but Gabrielle
stopped as she glanced up at Zara's blank expression.
The mate with the bandaged shoulder shook his head. "I have some last minute business to attend to, besides, I am not
allowed on that isle unless I have a request of my own, and I do not. It is best that I wait for you all outside of the temple," the
big man smiled softly as he touched her arm. With a look of concern, he nodded toward her and pulled her slightly away.
"Gabrielle. Will Zara be… is she…" but his words were left unfinished.
The Greek woman bit her lower lip as she glanced up at the tall Moroccan. Like in a fog, Zara remained standing, her eyes
never left her mothers casket. With a sigh, the blonde looked up at the burly man.
“Abu, she's in shock right now. So much has happened." She grimaced. "As soon as she's able to process it all, I'm sure she'll
be all right," she said, hoping that she was not mistaken.
Abu seemed to take her words to heart. With a deep sigh, he nodded as he blinked, then wiped at his eyes. "Good, good.
Healer Gabrielle, I don't think I need to explain, the captain, that is, Zara, she is like kin to me, she is like my very own sister."
He said as he watched the Moroccan with her personal guards moving like a sleepwalker toward the second ship once the
casket of her mother could no longer be seen.
"I know and I promise, I'll take care of her." The Amazon gave a confident smile as she patted his shoulder. "You just take
care of yourself and get to the Land of the Pharaohs as fast as you can!"
"Of course, by sunrise three days from now, I will be on a ship following your wake," the bearded man smiled. "Go with
Allah's merciful blessing, little bard."
"You as well, my friend," she whispered huskily as she hugged the burly mate. With nothing remaining to say she nodded to
Isa, then moved toward the second passenger ship where Zara had already gone aboard. Lightly resting her hand on
Nadrah's back, they walked up the unsteady plank to the waiting ship. Once at the top, she looked down and waved at the
two men who waved back.
As the crew ran to cast off the lines holding the ship to the dock, Gabrielle glanced around the ship looking for any sign of
Xena, but the ghost was not in view. The Greek woman sighed as she held Nadrah's hand and watched the dock began to
slowly recede as they put to sea. The sadness of the past days, combined with the fears for Zara's mental health, kept any
excitement of bringing Xena back at bay.
Beside her, the girl stirred. "Gabrielle?" Her voice was plaintive.
"Yes?" The blonde asked looking at her tenderly.
The child hesitated then plunged in. "Th-The captain will be all right, won't she?"
Gabrielle swallowed. She was not exactly certain if Zara would ever come out of her grief, she only hoped that some distance
and time would help her loved one through the painful loss of both her mother and lover. She kissed Nadrah's forehead and
hugged her tightly. She didn't want to tell the girl yes or no and have it turn out to be a lie later, but she didn't have any hard
and fast answers to the question.
"Gabrielle?" The child asked again. "She will, won't she?"
