16 The district leader rose in a rage. 'Murdering whore!' he cried 'No matter what we may have done to you, what evil did the child do? I demand justice! I demand judgment now! This whore must die! She has murderd my grandson!'
17 And the city leader rose. 'Whatever has transpired before this moment,' he cried, 'nothing can justify what was just done. A mother has murdered her child. Burn her! Burn her to death when the sun is high tomorrow! Strap her murdered child to her, and put her to the flame! Nothing, no matter what has been done to a woman, can justify what she has done. This is evil beyond belief!'
18  Now, when my beloved heard that I would be put to death, nothing could keep him from attempting a rescue.  He broke his chains with his bear hands, killed his guards, and freed his comrades.  They, in turn, freed the rest of the men of my estate, and they took to horse, made their way into the house where I was held captive, and freed me.
19  I visited my so-called husband and his wives, and slit their throats, and would have had his father, too, but the alarm was raised, and the numbers against us were too many, so we had to flee.  The rest I have told you.  For these years we have been bandits in the hills.  We have a secret community but long to be free.  I will serve you under one condition.  You take me into my tormentor's house and let us face each other, blade to blade.  If I live, I am yours.  If I die I die trying to avenge my blood.  For we managed to capture my father's chief servant, who mysteriously became quite rich, and after some persuading he admitted at the district leader's bidding, he had poisoned my father, so that they could get control of me. If you will do this, all  I have will be at your service."
20  Muhammed pondered greatly.  He wished to help the woman. He beleived her greatly wronged.  But he did not want to offend the Medinans, who he would need as allies.  He wondered what to do when Northern Star appeared in the midst of the tent, and simply nodded his head.  Muhammed understood.
21  "On the morrow, woman," he answered, "what you ask shall be done. Go and get your rest, for you will need it."
22  Muhammed went to his bed without any worry, for he knew that if the Haven approved, all would somehow be well!
23  Now, for some time his wife had been dry.  She still loved her husband greatly, but it was uncomfortable for him to lay upon her.  Now, Aisha had come to love Muhammed greatly, so when Muhammed called for his wife it was her that came in.  She explained the difficulty and offered herself in exchange.
24  "You are another man's wife," Muhammed complained, "there will be much talk of it.  You are not yet a widow."
25  "Before this is over," Aisha answered, "I will be.  So why bother to wait? The man is already dead, to me, anyway!"
26  Muhammed found the situation akward but his need was great, so he accepted, and the bond between them quickly became love, as great as he had for his first wife!  And all were happy about it.  All treated Aisha as if she was Muhammed's wife, no mention was made of her other situation.
27  In the morning they journeyed on.  The estate of the district leader was on their way.  When Muhammed stopped at its gate the servant greeted him warmly.  "Tell your master," Muhammed remarked, "I am with the woman whose father he murdered, who he and his son raped, and who he would have put to death.  She wishes to meet him honorably, sword against sword, his life against her life.
28  I would like that he come out of his own free will, and join in honorable combat.  But if he will not I will come in, personally, and fetch him out!  And if I should have to kill him in the process, I will save the woman the trouble!  But if he should slay her, no matter how much it grieves my heart, I will ride away and it will be as if I was never here.  Go tell your master what I have said.  I will not wait long!"
29  With a terrified expression the servant hurried off.  A little while later the master of the house appeared, accompanied by a great party of men.
30 "You are supposed to be a messenger of God!" the master remarked, "But you ride with this murdering whore, this basher of babies' heads?"
31 "I ride with a woman greatly wronged," Muhammed answered, "who wants justice.  Now, will you face her, or will you face me?"
32  The master threw off his robe revealing a shirt and short britches.  He took a sword from a companion and said "Come, let her die!"
33  Khalia quickly dismounted, and in moments was similarly attired.