"Oh, please, Zara. This is me, Fateen you are talking to. I meant no offense by it, believe me please, a-and I never
understood why father would not offer you the clan markings." The older man moved to sit beside the captain, his manner
relaxed and easy around her. "We all felt that it was wrong, but you know father. Sometimes, there is simply no talking to
him." He absently rubbed his cheek, then caught himself and his grimace was sour. "You of all of us, I believe, know too well
what I mean."
"Yes, I know what you mean and I thank you for your support," she smiled softly at her brother as she lightly clasped her
hand over his arm.
"Well, now it seems that you have your clan affiliation and one which even father will have to take note of!" Fateen smiled as
he shook his head, then grew solemn as he glanced down at his sandaled feet. "You know, there are times when I'm envious
of you. Oh yes, don't look so surprised. Sometimes I am envious of your ability to come and go as you please, your only
responsibility to your ship. To be gone and away from here for months at a time," Fateen chuckled as he moved back to the
window and gazed out at the busy dock. "Freedom, with a woman in every port," he turned a sidelong glance at her, then
nodded toward her ship.
Rising from her chair, she moved to stand beside her brother. She watched as Gabrielle walked down the plank, her hand
holding Nadrah's firmly as they made their way past the many men who were unloading the cargo from her ship. The blonde's
mouth was moving as the girl spoke to her and pointed at various things around them.
"I'm sure you must have a story about that one," Fateen arched a brow.
"Yes, there is indeed a story, but, I'm afraid, I must beg forgiveness. There is much yet to do, widows to speak with, solicitors
to meet. Tell me, Fateen, is father here now?" she asked as she retrieved her scrolls from the floor.
"No, father hasn't been here for many moons now. Ever since your ship was past due, he's chosen to remain at home,
supervising our handling of the business from there." He explained as he looked away, his eyes downcast. "When we hadn't
heard word of your ship, we assumed that you had joined Mutee in the afterlife, a-and, I dare say, father seemed to change."
At his words, the Moroccan woman released a disbelieving snort as she shook her head, knowing full well that her father
would never grieve over her loss.
Fateen winced. "I know how it is, but that's not fair of you, Zara. Regardless of how you may feel, father does care for you.
Oh, I know of the troubles between you both, but I just think you two are like water and oil, the combination can never mix."
His voice grew soft. "Father has changed since last you remember. He grows quiet and introspective. I don't know why, but I
wish you would take the time to work out your differences. I know he was the hardest on you, but perhaps that was because
of your spirit. I know you may not believe me, but I think father was afraid of losing you and that was why he was so hard on
you."
The dusky woman lowered her eyes from her brother as she contemplated his words, then with a shake of her head she
turned away from the shorter man. "As always, I see that you are ever the optimist."
Her brother shook his head. "Believe what you will, Zara. All I know is that you are safe. You are home and as for me, I
care not what reason father has for being absent from the business. I'm only glad that he finally trusts us to run it correctly!"
His rueful chuckle brought a smile to the captain's lips. "I think he's finally taken our word that the family business is in good
hands. Did you know that Azeem is now officially in charge?" her brother asked as they walked out of his office. "Do you
need to speak with him?"
"No, my business is with father and I will speak with him tomorrow when I visit mother and Rashid," she replied as she
glanced over at the women gathered on the deck. Those who still had husbands were eagerly embracing them, while the rest
were listening to Abu intently. After a moment, a high-pitched wailing sound rose from the women who were left behind. "We
will speak again later, brother. For now…"
"Of course, tend to your duties and we will see each other soon," her brother touched her on the shoulder as she nodded,
then turned to make her way toward the widows and their children.
If her attention had not been diverted, Zara might have caught the look of surprise in her brother's eyes when she mentioned
visiting her mother and brother. But since her focus was on the care of her fallen crewmen's families, she did not notice. Her
brother absently ran his fingers through his beard, his brow furrowed in concern as he watched his younger sister's tall form
moving easily through the crowd.
He looked down as his young son ran up to him excitedly. "Father, there is nothing from Japa, but the items from Indus are
nearly triple what was expected!" With an arch of a brow, Fateen glanced at his son's notations and saw the amount of silks,
clothing, bone carvings and fine jewelry on the inventory list.
With a slight smile, he glanced up at his sister's retreating form as he nodded to his son. "Remember what I have said before?
'Quality over quantity!' It appears your aunt had a profitable journey after all," he told the boy.
~~~~~~
Gabrielle was thankful to have Nadrah changed before the ship's deck became too crowded with all of the cargo crates.
Holding the little girl's hand, they walked down the plank. All the while, Nadrah's animated voice was pointing to everything
around them and telling her the names of the various places. While holding the child's hand, she kept a firm grasp on the heavy
basket that contained Prasha's wiggling form. When they reached the bottom of the plank, she quickly led Nadrah away from
the commotion to wait by the end of the dock.
As they stood, the blonde spotted a familiar figure and only smiled as she watched him being kissed by several women. Like
chickens in a hen house, they cackled and cooed over the skinny man. When he noticed her standing in the shadows, he
smiled and waved to her.
"My wives! Eight of them in all!" He called out, "But I promise, nine will be just fine! You remember what I told you, Healer
Gabrielle! You come and join my wives anytime you wish!" The women turned and waved at Gabrielle and the Greek was
taken back by their beauty. While some seemed as old as the cook and a few were just a tad seasons younger, some of the
women were young enough to be his daughters. Old or young, however, all were fine looking and seemed to be very attached
to their husband. Before Ayyub could say more, some of his fellow crewmen began to cackle some rude jests his way.
"Not true, oh jealous ones! They are with me for two reasons!" The skinny man called back, "My cooking and my prowess!"
At his declaration, the woman all but squealed, anticipating the demonstration of his words. With chortles and giggling, they
circled the thin man, their arms wrapping around him as they kissed and hugged him, then led him away to a waiting wagon.
With only a shake of her head, Gabrielle glanced down at the child by her feet. Nadrah glanced up at her, then shrugged her
shoulders as a big smile crossed her features.
"I don't get it either," the blonde smiled as a giggle escaped the girl.
"Look, there's Zara!" Nadrah's attention was pulled away when she saw the captain leaving a closed office. At the healer's
confused expression, the girl pointed to the tall woman.
The pain of all of her losses seemed heavy upon the captain's shoulders. With bowed head, Zara walked through the cargo
toward the gathered crowd. When she saw the sorrow emanating from the Moroccan, Gabrielle had the urge to go and stand
beside her lover. But instead, she hung back and watched the scene unfold. Never letting go of Nadrah's hand, she stood
quietly as Zara approached the grieving wives. With a sad sigh, the healer reached down and lightly brushed her fingers
through Nadrah's hair as the sounds of women's weeping rose in the air. The wailing sounds that rose in the crowd drowned
away anything that the ship's captain might have said. The Amazon watched as the new widows mourned the loss of their
husbands, while the captain stood amongst them, her body language conveying nothing but strength.
If the circumstances had been different, Gabrielle might have enjoyed this homecoming. But as she stood next to Nadrah, she
cared little about exploring a new city. The houses and merchants of Addâru Lbaydâ did not even interest her curiosity.
Instead, all she could think about was the pain that her lover was going through. The sadness and guilt over the lost crewmen
were surely weighing heavily upon her, the healer thought as she held the little girl who stood next to her.
