Shaherazade's Daughters Read online

  “And where have you come from, Sir?” Mustapha asked while being glared at by the princess.

  “I’ve come from Constantinople,” he answered.

  The princess had to give a quick squeeze of the hand and a swift kick under the table to Shenaz, who almost let out a laugh.

  Just after she did this, the captain shifted his glance from Mustapha towards them and said, “Why don’t you all join me for dinner. I’ve been dining alone all these months and would like some conversation tonight that isn’t solely concerned with business matters.”

  Mustapha thanked him, and the trio joined the captain. Meanwhile, the princess was quite disconcerted as she couldn’t figure out why Mustapha was continually engaging this man in conversation. Shenaz recognized the princess’s discomfort and asked Mustapha’s leave so she could explain his reasoning, which, being astute and worldly herself, she understood right away.

  Mustapha, who reveled in the idea of Shenaz talking to him as if he were the master couldn’t help saying, “Yes, Fatima but do bring my sister back quickly as the captain and I would like to start our meal.”

  “Of course, Sir,” she replied, as she gave him a piercing look.

  When they were out of sight, Shenaz told the princess, “Don’t worry. He’s trying to find out how much he knows. I’m guessing he knows nothing. But let’s hurry back, so I can know for certain.”

  As they were coming back, Mustapha said to them, “Ah, just in time, Captain Hassan was just about to tell me what business brought him to Constantinople. Before you begin captain, allow me to introduce my sister Perizad and our servant, Fatima.

  “Assalaam-alaikum,” they both said.

  “Walaikum-salaam,” Hassan answered, “Well, as I was about to tell you Husam. After my father’s death in Constantinople, I had to travel there to look after my father’s business and put some of his affairs in order. It took me nearly one month to resolve everything there. From there I had to sort out his affairs in Aleppo, then on to Hama. Thankfully, this is my last stop and after I take care of some matters here, it is a short journey to my kingdom in Queneitra.”

  “The land of ‘The Healing Princess’?” the princess asked.

  “Yes, although I’ve never had any use for her healing powers.”

  “Not even when your father was ill, Captain?”

  “Well, my father’s illness and death came rather suddenly. Had there been time I would have, but once death came, I left it to Allah’s will and made peace with it,” he responded with a sigh.

  “I’m sorry her powers could be of no use to you,” she responded as her eyes inadvertently met his.

  At that moment, an indescribable feeling that she never felt before came over her, and she felt at peace and knew that this man would never betray her and she had nothing to fear from him.

  After that, she was at ease, and Mustapha and Shenaz were at ease also. They talked throughout dinner until Hassan asked them about Yemen and what brought them to Damascus.

  Shenaz and Princess Tahira suddenly became quiet, wondering how Mustapha would respond. Not surprisingly, he answered his questions as calmly as if he’d asked him the weather. He told the same story he had told everyone and, instead of addressing questions about Yemen, he asked if they could all be excused as he was very tired.

  When they returned to their rooms, Shenaz was all praises for Mustapha.

  “Well, Mustapha you’ve done well today! I can almost forget how much you enjoyed treating me as a servant.”

  “Don’t worry. I cannot possibly forget that I am yours… your servant.”

  “Yes, never forget that! Now leave us! We have much to discuss.”

  “Like the handsome captain? Don’t look so surprised ladies. I’m always surrounded by women and their silly fancies. Besides, I may have some parts missing, but I do have eyes and they work quite well. Good night.”

  With that, he closed the door, and both Shenaz and the princess burst out laughing.

  “Yes, we really must discuss the captain. But first we must really think about how we don’t have to concern ourselves with the guards for now. We really can go wherever we want,” Shenaz said.

  “There’s no rush Shenaz. I am quite content to stay in Damascus for the time being.”

  “Now, would the handsome captain have anything to do with that decision?” Shenaz asked.

  “I enjoy talking with him. He’s educated, well-traveled. Not what I would expect from a soldier. But I made that decision before he came.”

  “I saw the way you looked at him, `I’m sorry her powers could be of no use to you,’ I’m sure your other powers worked well on him!”

  “Go to sleep, Shenaz.”

  The next day, Shenaz went to town alone. The princess decided to stay back and contemplate what she would do now that she didn’t have to worry about the guards. She knew that she wanted to stay in Damascus, but she wanted to see more of the world while she could. While she thought about what the next stage of her journey would be, thoughts of the captain kept wandering into her mind. After some time, she thought she would leave her room for a bit and take a walk outside.

  When she stepped out of the door, she happened to see the captain on his way out as well.

  “Salaams, Captain Hassan.”

  “Salaams to you, Perizad. How are you this morning?” “Very well.”

  “Are you going to town alone?” he said with concern in his voice.

  “No, no. I just wanted to come outside. My brother is about.”

  “Very good. Well, I have to go meet someone in town…”

  They stared at each other for a moment. Then, Hassan broke the silence with a salaam and goodbye and awkwardly walked away.

  The princess was walking near the inn when she saw a large and noisy caravan make its way towards it. She wondered what the commotion was about and walked towards them. As she came closer, she saw an old man slumped over a horse. He appeared to be very ill so she reached out to him in order to help him. But when she touched him, he still did not awaken. She wondered at this, for in the palace, people she touched always became healthy and moved about.

  “Sister,” a man said, “This man has died during the night and we must take him to the caliph. Please move away!”

  Just then, she felt someone grab her from behind. It was Mustapha. He said nothing but almost dragged her to her room.

  “Are you mad?” he cried.

  “Are you mad?” she cried right back, “How dare you grab me in such a way?”

  “Do you realize what would have happened had you cured that man? Everyone would have realized who you are! You’re lucky that man was already dead! Do you not appreciate what we’ve already risked? What Shenaz has already risked? Will you sacrifice even her to have everything your way all the time?”

  With that, he stormed off.

  Princess Tahira went to her room and sat for a long while after he left. She realized that while her intentions were good; she would have put all of them in danger had she saved that man. Even if they ended up returning of their own accord, Shenaz and Mustapha would still be in danger. They helped the princess to escape. The punishment could be death. Regardless of the manner in which they returned, Shenaz and Mustapha could still die. She had not thought of that before.

  It also never occurred to her that she could not save someone who was already dead. By law, no one could bring anything dead in the presence of Sultan Ahmed and that was a law which was in place long before she was even born. Consequently, she never tested her power on someone who was already dead. She just assumed that she could heal everyone. Yet again, a totally new feeling came over her: a sense of failure.

  There was never a time in her life when she wasn’t able to heal. Every time a person came to her, she was able to heal them. The euphoria she felt from healing people sustained her like water or air. Yet, that still wasn’t enough for her. She wondered why.

  Then, she had another thought: for her freedom she endangered Shenaz a
nd Mustapha and didn’t give it any real thought until now. Her sense of failure was growing. She failed the man in the caravan and, she failed Shenaz and Mustapha who were more than servants to her. Shenaz had always been like a sister to her but even Mustapha was becoming like a brother. The thought that her vain and selfish pursuits could bring harm to two people she cared for was overwhelming and burdensome for her.

  She thought of Shenaz’s words, “… the outside world can be a cruel and lonely place. Be careful what you wish for…,” and she never felt so alone and small in her life.

  Later in the afternoon, Shenaz returned. The princess felt so relieved to see her that she cried in her arms.

  “Mustapha told me what happened. He feels terrible.”

  “Why? He was right about everything. I risked so much and I couldn’t even save that man,” she said through her tears.

  “Listen to me, Allah’s will is not meant to be undone. You save who you were meant to save. That man was meant to die today. That is not your fault. Yes, you risked much, but we all risk what we need to in accomplishing what we feel is right.”

  “I had no right to risk your lives. I have a gift and that gift helps others. I have no right to ask for more.”

  “Princess, we all have a right to ask for something for ourselves. Mustapha and I knew the risk we took, but we took it for you.”

  “And I only took it for myself.”

  “Doing something for yourself once in eighteen years is not a crime, Princess. It’s an imperative.”

  “And when will you do something for yourself?” the princess asked, as she wiped her tears and started to feel better.

  “Someday. For now, I will find Mustapha and bring him to you. Will you speak with him?”

  “Of course.”

  He came alone and the princess asked him where Shenaz went. He told her she went for a walk and would return soon. After that, he looked around the room not knowing what to stay. He was ashamed of himself for hurting the Princess so deeply and forgetting his position.

  The princess broke the silence with, “Thank you, Mustapha.”

  “For what? I had no right to speak with you the way I did. I was just afraid we’d be discovered.”

  “You’re right. You had no right to speak to me the way you did, but you were right.”

  “I was too hard on you.”

  “You just reminded me to be more careful in the future. Not just for my sake. But for yours and Shenaz’s. You’ve done so much and risked so much for me. For that, I thank you.”

  “Not just you,” Mustapha said quietly.

  “For Shenaz, also,” the princess said.

  Mustapha said nothing.

  “Mustapha, you think I can’t see how you look at her like she’s the only thing you ever want to see? How you patiently take her quips at your expense? How you spoke to me more for her sake than yours? I know I’ve only seen the inside of the palace, but I don’t need to see the world to know what love is.”

  “But you don’t know how the world can affect love,” he said.

  “Then, tell me,” she said.

  “I have to go…”

  “Mustapha, you’ve made sure I trust you, but you still can’t allow yourself to trust me?”

  “Princess, it’s not a matter of trust. Do you want me to tell you I love her? Then, I should tell her? What then? I can’t change what I am. I didn’t have a choice. My mother was dying. Then, one day the sultan’s guards came and then… what you see before you. I couldn’t even say goodbye to Shenaz.”

  “You’ll never tell her?”

  “No, and neither will you if you value anything I’ve done.”

  “As I trust you, you can trust me.”

  “Thank you, Princess. Now please, let me go,” he said, his voice quaking slightly.

  “You may go.”

  Just as he was walking away, Shenaz came back. Mustapha told her he would dine with them later and walked on. Yet, Shenaz could see in his face that all wasn’t quite right. She knew him too well, which was also why she didn’t ask him any questions.

  When she returned to their room, she asked the princess if everything went alright. The princess told her everything was fine but nothing else. Shenaz knew that she wasn’t telling her all, but she learned to accept long ago that she wasn’t meant to know everything. And she didn’t want to.

  While she and Shenaz prepared for dinner, the Princess couldn’t help but think of Mustapha’s powerlessness and the life of ease and comfort she led. She was protected from the relentless realities of life while Mustapha was confronted by them at an early age. They impacted him so much and debilitated him in such a way that he could never control his own destiny. Conversely, she was not only protected but educated and did exercise a certain amount of power when she was allowed to give her opinion on matters of state. Her father welcomed her opinions, and sometimes, even followed her advice. One day, she would even be sultana. Perhaps, she wasn’t so powerless after all.

  The next day, they found that the captain’s business would keep him in Damascus a few more days. Although he had been anxious to return home, the delay didn’t vex him at all.

  As the days went on, he found himself more and more fascinated by Princess Tahira, and she with him. He found her to be intelligent and charming. He saw magic in her eyes. She found him to be quick-witted and could never hear enough of his travels. Neither one of them wanted to leave Damascus.

  Yet, reality proved itself to be relentless again. One day, Mustapha returned from his usual meeting with his spies with disturbing news.

  “Princess, the kingdom is preparing for war. The captain is being sent for as we speak. We must remain out of sight.”

  “There hasn’t been a war in over 200 years!” the princess cried.

  “Be that as it may. All diplomatic negotiations are spent. Our enemy has attacked one of our towns. Many of our subjects were killed.”

  “I must see the captain,” Tahira said.

  “You must remain out of sight! Princess, this is too precarious a time for us to be found out. We must go far away from here. If you are found out, the sultan’s enemies might take advantage and harm you.”

  “He’s right, Princess. It’s too dangerous for you now,” Shenaz said.

  “Mustapha, help me to at least say goodbye to him,” she pleaded.

  “Alright, Princess. Just stay away from the guards.”

  “I will.”

  Later that evening, Mustapha managed to meet with the Captain without the guards. He signaled to Shenaz to “unexpectedly” walk past the Captain’s room with the princess.

  “Ah… Perizad, there you are. Did you know the Captain was leaving this evening? Urgent business for the sultan.”

  “Nothing, too serious I hope?” Princess Tahira asked.

  “Very serious, I’m afraid,” the Captain answered, “I must prepare for battle.”

  “Do be careful, Hassan.”

  “I will send word when I can… If I may…,” he looked at both Mustapha and Princess Tahira.

  “You may,” Mustapha answered.

  “Allah hafiz, Captain,” the princess said.

  “Allah hafiz, Perizad,” he said, as he hurriedly walked away and avoided her eyes.

  After she made sure he was gone, the princess asked Mustapha, “How will he find us if we are gone?”

  “Haven’t I always found a way, Princess?”

  She couldn’t sleep that night. Mustapha could find his way out of many things, but even he couldn’t stop a war. He couldn’t protect Hassan, either. Neither could she. She decided she couldn’t leave Damascus until she received word from him. She knew Mustapha wouldn’t be pleased.

  After a week of restlessness, Mustapha brought her some distressing news. Although he told her that the battle was going well and victory was near, there were many casualties. She couldn’t stand the thought of not knowing if Hassan was one of them. She also decided that if he was she had to save him, even if it meant b
eing found out. She told Mustapha and Shenaz.

  “I have to go to him. The two of you don’t have to come with me. I know what you risk.”

  “Princess, do you think I would come this far with you to leave you now?” Shenaz asked her.

  “Princess, my duty is to guard you even at the expense of my life, and I will see that duty to the end,” Mustapha responded.

  “You both risk so much, and I will never forget it. But remember one thing: if I am revealed do not leave my side. Do you both understand?”

  “Yes, Highness,” they both answered at the same time.

  There was something different about Tahira now. Mustapha and Shenaz could both see that she wasn’t a naïve, sheltered little girl now, but a woman of strength and command. They could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice.

  They set out that day. They learned the location of the camp from Mustapha’s spies. All three of them were dressed as soldiers with their faces covered. Nothing unusual for soldiers in the desert sun and reinforcements came every day. No one suspected anything.

  Mustapha asked for the captain and was told that he had not yet returned from the field of battle, and all they could do now was wait for his orders. The princess felt a combination of fear and anxiousness that almost overwhelmed her. She composed herself and just waited. She glanced at the wounded but could do nothing. What was actually only a few hours felt like a few days to her.

  Finally, at daybreak the captain’s troop returned victorious. Yet, no cries of rejoicing were heard. The princess ran to meet what she was afraid was her doom and saw the dying captain.

  He was still breathing. She tried to run to him but was pushed out of the way. The captain was rushed to the chief court physician.

  She glanced urgently at Mustapha and Shenaz, and they both followed her. She walked right past the chief court physician hurriedly mixing medicines together. She looked right into the eyes of the captain and placed her hands on him.

  After she healed him, he recognized her eyes and said in a whisper, “Perizad?”

  Before she could answer, the chief court physician cried out, “Princess Tahira!”