Chapter Fourteen

1  In great panick his chief captain followed after him, and one of the stranger's men, a great black, came to his side, but Muhammed motioned his captain back, and as soon as he retreated, the black man retreated, also.
2  "I am Muhammed!" Muhammed cried.  "What would you have with me, woman?"
3  Startled the rider straightened in the saddle.  "How did you know? Oh, never mind!" she sighed.  "I have heard, Great One, that you're a champion of women's causes.  I am a woman much wronged, and I wish your assistance.  And I have much to give in exchange."
4  "What could a mountain bandit," Muhammed asked, "have that would be of interest to The Servant Of God?"
5  The woman again, seemed startled.  "I have," the woman answered, "this fine band of horsemen who are fierce warriors, and would serve you well."
6  "Indeed!" Muhammed answered.  "And with the forty you have on either side of the hills flanking us, they would be even greater!  But I have horsemen, and more coming!  What else could you give me?"
7  "I have," the woman answered, "spies both in Mecca and Medina, spies who will work only for me.  I can tell you what plans the Meccans have before they even make them!  I can tell your forces where to go to meet their attacks before they come.  For four years I have been running them ragged in the hills. I have gathered great riches and could be away from here, and lead a great life.  But until I do that that I must do, I cannot be at peace.  If you will help me do that, I will serve you until the battle is won, and then depart on my way."
8  "If you serve me," Muhammed answered, "you will serve me always, I shall not force you to stay, but you will stay because you wish to stay.  But for now, if it pleases you, we will consider the bargain as you suggest.  Come!  We will set up camp and sit in my tent, and you will tell me how you have been wronged.  And I will consider rather or not I will help you."
9  So it was they made camp.  There was ample water, so everyone washed.  And when Muhammed again saw his guest she was dressed in women's raiment, and her beauty was next to none!  She seated herself, they ate, and then she told Muhammed her tale.
10  "My name is Khalia," she began, "this black beside me is Zimbar.  We grew up on an estate not far from here, owned by my father, and they were joyous, happy times.  Zimbar's family had served us long, and my father came to love him as a son, despite the darkness of his skin.  And I came to love him far more than a brother.  And my father freed him, and made him steward of my land, and promised at the appropriate time, we would be wed, and all that he owned would be ours.
11  But just as I became of age the district ruler came to my father and said his son desired me, and it would not be proper to give me to a black, when a man of white skin desired me.  The ruler offered a great dowry, but my father refused him, saying, the bounds were set, and the wedding would take place.
12  Shortly afterwards my father mysteriously died.  I was ordered to the district ruler's estate.  I thought, to have my inheritance confirmed.  But he said, instead, I was to wed his son!  I refused, saying it was already said I would wed Zimbar.  The district ruler said this could not be, because he was a slave, and part of my property, and should have been castrated long ago, and he ordered this.  I objected, but in my presence his men carried out the horrid deed, laughing as they did so!
13  Then, the district ruler said I would wed his son and join their properties.  I refused!  They kept me captive, they starved me, they beat me, but still I refused.  Finally they had a mock wedding and his son took me by force, though I bit off the end of his tongue when he tried to kiss me!
14  They took turns on me til I was with child, and gave birth to a son.  And they called the city leader down from Medina to join the celebration.  I was dressed in a beautiful gown, given the child, and told to be a dutiful wife and go in and present the child to my husband.  I spat on his other wives, who had twice betrayed me when I had tried to escape, saying I was a mad woman to leave their husband's love.
15 I went in with the child, feeling that my only hope from release from this Hell was death. I came before my husband and cried, 'Rapist! You took me by force! This is the product of your rape! I will not endure its life!' I seized the child by its feet, pulled it from its blanket, and twice bashed its head upon the wall. And as blood poured from it I splattered all in the room with it, then I threw it into my tormentor's lap, who was screaming in despair, 'My son! My son!'

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