A Sheik's Spell (15 page)

Several acts followed Sutannah. “The Brave Amin” was infallible on the trapeze, followed by tightrope walk
ers and animal acts.

By now, the torches were burning brightly under the big top, illuminating the satisfied expressions of just about everyone in attendance. The ringmaster was basking in the admiration of the crowd as he announced “Bakkar (Bah- kar) of the Blades”.

The mesmerized audience watched as Bakkar swallowed torches aflame with fire and maneuvered swords of various lengths down his slender throat. Faster and faster, to music similar to “The Sword Dance,” his beautiful assistants passed his swords. Then Bakkar demonstrated his unique ability to actually swallow blades, regurgitating them back up at will.

This brought forth booming applause from the aston
ished audience who begged for more. Bakkar mounted a small podium near the front of the ring, spoke briefly and began to look around in the audience. Felicia didn’t understand a word Bakkar had said. Just as she turned to Na’im for an interpretation, he rose to his feet.

‘ ‘What’s going on?” a bewildered Felicia asked as she tugged at Na’im’s pants.

“Bakkar asked for a volunteer from the audience for his next act. Nobody seems to want to do it. So I’m volunteering.”

Felicia’s face was struck with confusion. ‘ ‘Volunteer
ing to do what?”

“I’m not sure yet. But I guess I’ll find out in a few minutes.”

Applause rang out again as Bakkar acknowledged Na’im, who was making his way toward the center ring.

Felicia watched as Na’im was greeted by one of Bakkar’s female assistants, who led him over to a large board held steady by wooden braces. Next, his arms and legs were tied spread-eagle to the makeshift dartboard, and a blindfold was placed over his eyes. His golden brown chest gleamed under the
torch lights, as it heaved evenly with every breath. His glossy brown hair was slightly pulled back from his face because of the blindfold, giving him the appearance of a Native American.

Everything was happening so fast that Felicia didn’t quite know what she was feeling, until one of the women placed a blindfold over Bakkar’s eyes. Then Felicia knew. Cold fear gripped her, as she watched Na’im standing blind and helpless. Before she knew it, Felicia had reached out and grabbed Fatimah’s hand.

Bakkar began to swallow two short blades at a time, each time bringing them back up with such force, they became projectiles that landed at various points near Na’im’s taut frame.

Felicia covered her mouth, willing herself not to scream as she watched the exasperating ordeal.

At long last, Bakkar projected the last blade, which

landed
at the top of Na’im’s head. Snatching off his blindfold while his assistants removed everything that restrained Na’im, Bakkar walked toward him and raised his arm high as the crowd shouted and clapped their approval.

It was a smiling Na’im with sparkling eyes who seated
himself next to Felicia, who felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. What was he so pleased about? Didn’t the fool know he’d just put his life on the line for some stupid circus act?

Kareem was the first to voice his opinion. ‘ ‘Na’im, you are so brave. I want to be like you when I grow up,” he announced in his best boyish voice.

Na’im rumpled Kareem’s hair as he looked at Felicia, who had not looked his way.

“That was quite brave of you, my cousin, but I do not know if it was wise. In your father’s absence, you are the head of Karib and should not risk your life without real cause.”

“Fatimah, that is only the female side of you talking. You know that all of our lives are governed by a source higher than ourselves. I will die when my work is completed. Not before.”

Silently, the group found their way out of the tent. Felicia could not find her voice to say anything. It had only taken that short period of time, seeing Na’im at the mercy of Bakkar’s sightless
blades, to make her reali2ehow much she loved him.

They made their way into the darkened streets of A1 Kharijah. Na’im could feel Felicia’s unrest, so he chose

not to taunt her. He wasn’t sure why she was so quiet. As a matter of fact, she was quieter than he had ever seen her, except for the first silent days of their acquaintance. Maybe she felt he had shown off by volunteering. No matter what he had first thought about Felicia, he now knew in her heart she was a true humanitarian; one who very much valued the gift of life, and who was actively seeking ways to help prolong it.

George and Fatimah were the first to reach the ram
bling ba2aar that dominated the section of town through which they now walked. Even at nighttime, the booths teemed with activity.

The bazaar at night was much more alluring to Felicia. Numerous candles lit rows of booths, adding a mysterious quality to the scene. She reflected on all of the lives that had touched hers since she had come to Egypt. Najid and his family, Aisha, Shabazz, Na’im.... She didn’t know if she’d ever truly understand these people born in the place that many considered the cradle of civilization.

Haunting voices drifted from the colorful booth to their right. Three men were playing an oboe and two string instruments that Felicia did not recognize. In front of them, a man and a woman sang a sort of ballad. Their dress was different from what she’d seen since her stay in Egypt.

The man wore clothes similar to the nobility in the movie, “Jason and the Argonauts.” The woman’s clothing was of a lower class, simplistic but with the grace only ancient Egypt could bestow. The man’s voice and motions portrayed feelings of remorse and longing for this woman who was obviously below his class. She, in turn, would reply in a voice reeking with sorrow, pain and disappoint
ment. The sounds the duo brought forth were so sad.

‘ ‘He sings of his love for her. But because of his station

he cannot her. He can only take her into his household as a servant, never to be given the respect due the position of a wife,” Na’im’s voice spoke near Felicia’s ear.

“But she is a woman of pride,”Fatimah added. “Even though she loves him, she says she would rather die than live so close to him, knowing they can never really belong to each other. She could belong to him like a cow or camel. But never as two people who love each other.”

“It is so sad that we as human beings have complicated life so much,” Felicia reflected. I don’t believe that love should be treated as a business deal, but as the highest human emotion that we should function from.”

Na’im’s face clouded at the solemnity of Felicia’s words. He was glad that the cover of night kept the entire group from seeing how Felicia’s every mood had a definite effect on him. He no longer knew if he had been truthful with himself about his feelings for her. He’d told himself he was attracted to her because of her beauty and a sincerity he found rare in most women; especially if they had a career that allowed them the leverage that Felicia’s al
lowed her.

He hadn’t thought twice about putting her in a room so close to his, and making his estate available to her research party in order to keep her close. But how long would that last?
Another four to five weeks? Then what?

Everyone had noticed how sedate Felicia was since leaving the circus, even Kareem.

“Songs too sad. Let’s go to games tents. Play. Have fun,” Kareem whined as he tugged at Felicia’s hand.

It wasn’t long before they approached a booth where rings were being tossed at wooden pegs. Kareem waited his turn in line, holding his twenty piasters given to him by Na’im, tightly in his hand.

“I’d like to try my hand at this,” George piped up.

‘ ‘I bet I can beat you,” Fatimah chided. ‘ ‘I’m the best ring tosser in Karib. Am I not, Na’im? At least I was when we were younger.”

‘ ‘She’s right, George. I think you have a real adversary in Fatimah when it comes to this.”

“Me too,” Kareem’s injured voice broke in.

“Both of you are on. I’m going to show you how the people in my hometown do it. The set up isn’t exactly the same, but it’s the same principle.”

Kareem was the first to try his hand, emitting joyful squeals when he got one, and low grumbles of displeasure when he missed several in a row. Everyone had gotten caught up in the excitement.
Except Felicia.

The flap to the booth next door lightly brushed the back of Felicia’s head as
it was opened by someone inside. A young woman, bowing her thanks with a look of apparent satisfaction, walked past them as she exited the small tent.

Felicia had thought the booth was closed because both flaps were down and there was no sound coming from its direction. Now she could see two
tiny lit candles on a small table inside.

Walking forward to get a better look, she met face-to- face with a man who looked about fifty years old. He didn’t wear the traditional keffiyeh, but a large turban with a shiny stone in its center.

‘ ‘Oh, you scared me,” Felicia gasped, placing her hand over her chest.

‘ ‘I am sorry,” the man spoke with a resonant voice, but otherwise impeccable English.

‘ ‘I am Tahlil (Tah-leel). Most people call me a fortune teller. I prefer to be known as a visionary. Would you care to have me look into your life, to help you prepare for the things yet to unfold?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not. Why be afraid of the future? The present is a reflection of the past, and the future a reflection of the present. It is now that you have the most power over your future. Would it not be better to know what you have already shaped, so if it is not to your liking you can remold it?”

“I think r d be more prone to let you do it if you weren’t so serious,” Felicia attempted to lighten the moment.

“But life is serious, little one. Everything that we do is recorded on our life’s record. This does not mean one should not live then’ life happily. Happiness and seriousness are not opposites. They can complement one another.”

Felicia regarded this gentle man, who was so full of wisdom. Once she’d thought about having her future told when she was in California. But she had changed her mind when she realized there were literally hundreds of people claiming to have the ability. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe there was something to it. Actually, she believed in the power of the mind; that it is our conditioning and limited beliefs that hinder it. But here in Egypt, where the greatest of intellectuals were still seeking to understand the mysteries of the ancient civilization’s abilities, she felt it would be different.

Felicia looked back at Na’im, who had begun to listen to her exchange with Tahlil.

“Well, what do you think?”

‘ ‘It’s up to you, aros al bher' ’

“Al right, then. Well, why not.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Na'im looked down at Felicia.

‘ ‘No-o, I don’t think so. You might hear something that I don’t want you to hear.’ ’

With that she and Tahlil entered his booth.

Tahlil’s white turban was the only imposing thing about him. Felicia now saw that the shiny stone gracing its middle was a large amethyst. Other than that, he wore a simple white galabia.

Though his eyes were extremely dark, appearing to be pitch black, they were not hard and piercing. There was nothing significant about his face, but Felicia could see that he lived what he taught. Despite his serious expression, the lines around his mouth echoed a perpetual smile.

Felicia was surprised that there were no tarot cards or crystal balls on the table or in the room. As a matter of fact, it was rather bare. There was one table and two candles, two stools upon which she and Tahlil sat, and another stool sitting alone in the comer.

Tahlil placed one of the candles on the vacant stool. Then he returned to the table, seated himself, adjusted his turban, and asked that Felicia sit forward with both arms outstretched toward him. He then pushed the other candle to Felicia’s far right.

“N0W...I want you to concentrate on the flame of this candle and listen to my voice.”

He gave Felicia these instructions as he caught both of her hands in his.

“No, I do not use other aids to help me with my task. I use you, the main source and channel, as the vehicle to help me tell your future. I will tune into the energies in your life force. They will be transmitted to me, and through the gift of my foresight, I will be able to vision your life.”

Felicia tried to relax but it wasn’t easy.

“Don’t worry. You are doing fine. Relax. Become one with the flame. Let its light bum within your mind and your heart. Let it engulf you, blocking out everything but its enlightenment and wisdom. See yourself walking into the flame. You are no longer separate, but one with the light. Now close your eyes, continuing to see you and the flame as one.”

Felicia felt serene and at peace as she waited in silence for Tahlil to speak.

“You have long been an entity known to help others. This you will accomplish again. It will be done through your bringing together people of unlike cultures. It will also be done through your intellect in a field that you have studied in more than this lifetime. This is very clear for me to see.

“Your personal future is vague. It is because you have not determined what you really want. There is love in your life for a man, but you do not feel within your heart he is yours. I see anguish and torment. I feel the heat of destruction. But because you are a powerful being, like coal turns to diamonds under pressure, your life force holds the key to your happiness.”