Chapter Ten

1  Now, one day the sun was at its highest, and everyone was resting, for it was a terrible day.  And Muhammed's chief servant entered, saying "Master!  Your grandsons are here and they wish to see you immediately!
2  A group of men pursued them into the yard and wanted them to leave with them, but the boys would not, and demanded to see you.  So we have held the men and let the boys stay.  I beg your forgiveness for disturbing your rest, but something appears to be amiss."
3  "In this circumstance you are surely forgiven," Muhammed answered.  "For if what you say is true, surely something is amiss!"
4  And Muhammed went out and asked his grandsons what had brought them there in the heat of such a terrible day, and the eldest answered, "Grandfather, our fathers have turned against our mothers, and treat them bitterly!  They strike them in public, for any excuse they can find, and rebuke them constantly."  The boy raised his arm and lifted his sleeve.  "And my father did this to me," he explained, showing a great bruise, "because I tried to defend my mother.  And he said that I, too, was demon seed, and I was never to question him again.  They do all this, they say, because you take the people from the temples of the Gods to follow your foolishness."
5  When the eldest had stopped speaking the youngest spoke up.  "But this is not their true purpose, grandfather. I have heard them speaking, both my father and my uncle, when they thought I was not there.  They love their wives greatly, and doing what they do hurts them, but it is all a plot to make you come and take your daughters so they might turn the people against you."
6  "Well, if it is a plot," Muhammed answered "it is a plot that will be answered, for my anger is great!"
7  And he turned to a servant and cried, "Go to the flagstaff and raise the red and the white pennant."
8  The servant quickly did so, and this was a signal to all of Muhammed's followers for the men to rally to him.  And the signal was repeated on the flagstaff of many houses.  And soon a great number of armed men gathered at Muhammed's house.
9  And when they were sufficient Muhammed headed off for the house of Kahid where his eldest daughter, Zaynab, was.  And when they arrived they were informed the master of the house was not home, and the servant would not open the gate.  So Muhammed's men formed a human ladder, and scaled the wall.  There was a short confrontation with the servants, but they were quickly disarmed, and Muhammed was ushered in.
10  His daughter greeted him warmly, kissing his hands.  Muhammed saw bruises on her face, and his rage was a fire.  "Gather all your belongings," he ordered, "gather your children.  You are no longer honored in this house!  I take you out of it by a father's right!"
11  And after they had secured her, and, her children, all of her property, and several of her servants, who begged to go with her, Muhammed sent her off to his house with a good number of men as escort, and went on to the house of Mashad, where his second daughter, Ruqayya was.  And when they arrived there, both brothers were present, Muhammed said nothing but went directly to Rahid, and with seven viscous blows beat him to the ground.  A river of blood issued from his nose.
12  "That," Muhammed cried, "is for the bruises on my daughter, and, my grandson!  Be thankful I leave you with your life!"
13  He turned to the younger brother and said "Present my daughter!"  And the brother answered, "No!  This is my property!  She is my wife!  I will not surrender her."
14  A great blow from Muhammed's fist sent him to the ground.  He rose, spitting blood. " Bring forth my daughter," Muhammed screamed, "or die where you stand!"
15  "You are insane!"  his son in law screamed, "You are a madman!  But if you will have the whore, take her!  She is not worth this trouble!  The Gods curse her!"
16  Muhammed struck again, but this time his hand was open, and the man only staggered backwards.  "Your tongue," Muhammed cried, "may cost you your life!"
17  The man motioned to his servants and in moments Ruqayya appeared.
18  "Daughter," Muhammed ordered, "this house is no longer fit for you.  Gather your things, gather your children.  I am taking you from this hell."
19  "You may take her," Mashad cried, "but you cannot take the children. The children are mine!"
20  Muhammed's grandson approached his father and spat in his face!  "I rebuke you as my father!" he cried. "You

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