A Sheik's Spell (17 page)

“Did you know that Egypt is sometimes known as the land of the sun?”

“No,” George replied, stubbing his foot against a clump of grass.

‘ ‘Well, it is. The sun shines so brightly in its skies that everything is clearly defined for you. The trees. The hills. Everything. It is for this reason that many artists come here to paint. They say, where else in the world can you go and there is not even a hint of a shadow in miles and miles of landscape. It’s an artist’s dream. I think things have been made clear to us too, George. It’s just that we are afraid to step out in the sunlight and see the truth as it is, without shadows.”

A wistful look crossed Felicia’s face as she smiled with resignation. She knew in George she had a comrade; someone like herself who had been smitten by the mystery of this land and its people, and had to make up his mind as to what direction to take.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Felicia watched as Na’im dressed in a white galabia with magenta and silver thread edging the borders of its hem and sleeves.

They’d spent extra time together this morning. Na’im had some business to attend to that would keep him away from the estate over the next three to four days.

There was no way for Felicia to hide the thoughts and feelings that had resulted from George’s clash with Ilyas. Even though she did not speak of them to Na’im, he knew something was different and their lovemaking reflected his uncertainty. It was slow and, oh so tender, having a feeling of reverence and spirituality. They held each other close throughout the night, and after making love again in the morning, they just laid in each other’s arms, silently.

Felicia’s watchful gaze disturbed Na’im. There was no laughter or lightheartedness in her eyes. Only something that resembled a distant pain. When his eyes would meet hers, bountiful eyelashes would come down to block him from seeing what he needed to know.

Glistening black waves of hair cascaded over her shoulders, nearly hiding the dark brown tip of one breast, while the other sat up boldly.

The rich purple coverlet that encircled her trim waist, called to him to come and lay his head in her lap. He wanted to please her and make her happy. He had thought until last night she was. Na’im was his happiest and most fulfilled when he was with Felicia, and he had thought she felt the same. Now he knew that was not true.

Na’im stepped over to the bedside, bent down and placed a kiss on Felicia’s lips. “I’ll see you when I get back”

“Alright. Be careful, Na’im.”

Felicia knew that Na’im had not solved his differences with Hassan. No matter what happened between the two of them, she couldn’t stand the thought of Na’im being harmed in any way.

After Na’im left, she took a long, pacifying bath. She was in no hurry to get to the lab today. Phillip and George had scheduled extensive testing this morning that involved the renin output and kidney physiology of some of the lab animals. They didn’t need her for that, so she planned to go out later on and share the results of some of the experiments she’d conducted in the area for which she was responsible. Not only that, it was the first day of school and she wanted Fatimah to feel she had complete control of her class. Without Felicia in the lab, Fatimah would know there wouldn’t be a well-wishing, impromptu guest popping in.

The servants had become accustomed to Felicia and Na’im taking breakfast in their rooms. One of them had brought a tray overflowing with pastries, fruit, tea and coffee. Felicia chose an orange that had been peeled and partially separated.

The comer of an envelope caught her eye beneath one of the plates. She pulled it out, and saw it was addressed to her from Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. She had almost forgotten about the letter she had written over two weeks ago.

The envelope was quite thick, so Felicia knew it contained several pages. Tearing it open, she sat back in the chair to read its contents.

Dear Felicia,

I was surprised to find out that your work has brought you back to Africa so soon. I am happy to know you are continuing the research you started here, that will happily someday cut back on the suffering and pain that is paramount in my country.
I had to speak to many government officials and others in the social service area before I could even start to address the proposal you set before me. At first, all of the military leaders were skeptical about such a plan, but after a friend of mine who is a social worker convinced one of the lower representatives to tour several crowded shelters and buildings, he was able to carry the banner for our cause; bringing out the unusual circumstances under which these women now live, and how life in Falam, despite its troubles, would be heaven compared to this. It has been agreed that twenty women, some with children, some single, will be transported to Al Kharijah for the purpose of living in the village of Falam All of the women volunteered to go, Just as you mandated. I guess because you had worked so closely with some of these people during your stay, you knew they would welcome the proposal you presented. We have made sure the majority of them are Moors, so there will be no problems with language, but three

of
them are Black Africans and speak the tucolor language. I, along with one social service agent and two government personnel, will accompany the women and children to Al Kharijah. But I must insist that you meet us there on April 27th. The government is providing an old military plane as a means of transportation. I hope you will have everything prepared for our arrival by that time. This was not easy for me to arrange, Felicia, so I hope your end of the project has been taken care of. See you soon,

Your Compatriot,

Imam Anwar Jabar’ ’

(E-mam An-wahr Jah-bar)

Exhilaration filled Felicia as she completed the letter. The priest had done it. She knew he would. She’d seen how well respected he was in that community, in and out of his masjid as well. And now, twenty women would be traveling here to be joined with Hassan’s village.

So many thoughts began to run through Felicia’s mind. She hadn’t told Na’im of her plan to help bring women to Falam, but she hadn’t thought Imam Jabar would work so quickly. She only had six days before the group would reach Al Kharijah. Six days to bring Karib and Falam to a point where they would sit peacefully together and listen to her solution. Felicia knew that was impossible. She had to figure out a way to do it without them.

Felicia threw on her jeans and a long top she’d had made especially to wear with them. As she dressed, she knew she would need help in carrying out her plan.

The first person who came to mind was Fatimah. She felt she could trust her to keep quiet until it was time to let everyone know. But who could be the negotiator between Falam and Karib?

Felicia ran her fingers through her braided hair while gazing in the mirror. Her mind came up with every possible solution it could. Then Najid Mu’adin came to the forefront. Najid worked in A1 Kharijah. He knew many of the people who traveled back and forth from their villages to the oasis. And he knew Sheik Ahmed Hassan.

Anticipation sparked Felicia as she crossed the grounds to the area where the school and lab were housed. She knew Na’im would not be happy when he found out she had taken it upon
herself to make decisions that concerned his village, but she felt the risk was worth it to solve the problem with Hassan.

Felicia knew her motivation stemmed from something deeper than Na’im’s problem with Hassan. Her stays in and out of battered women’s shelters as a child had instilled in her a deep need to help women in similar situations. Some might think it cruel and presumptuous for her to initiate a project such as this, but only those who had lived a life similar to hers would truly understand the value of a chance for a new life.

Now Felicia was somewhat glad that Na’im would be away for the next few days. There was so much to accomplish in such a little time; letters to be sent, and maybe even trips into A1 Kharijah.

Fatimah thought about why Felicia had invited her to her room after dinner. She had been so upset with how the first day of class had turned out. After the first two hours, most of the children began to squirm in their seats, playing with their pencils or flipping the pages of their books and tablets. She knew the experience of just sitting and

listening would be new to them. But if today was a sample of how every day was going to be, they were not going to learn much of anything.

Fatimah found Felicia with numerous papers and envelopes spread in front of her on the cocktail table. She held a ballpoint pen in her hand.

“Fatimah, I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got something I need you to help me with. I know you’ve just started the school, but I think this is something that could really end up being a good thing.”

Fatimah sat down on the couch and gave Felicia her full attention. Felicia told her what she’d done, and about the letter she had received from Mauritania that day. She told her that she planned on getting Hassan or his son, and maybe a few key men, to A1 Kharijah when the women arrived.

“This sounds like a very dangerous plan, Felicia. Hassan wants nothing to do with anything involving Karib. They will not come, even if you told them it involved some women who want to come to live in their village. They will think it is a trap.”

“But I won’t tell them that. I will have a friend of mine, who works at the American Consulate, take the letters that we’re going to write to the message center. He will inform the clerk there that officials from Mauritania are on their way to the States and asked him to deliver their letters to the center. So when Hassan hears about it, it will be the message center telling him the letters came from Mauritanian officials.’ ’

“It may work, but Hassan’s son, Abdul, will be skeptical.”

“It’s got to work, and that’s why I need your help to make the letters look more authentic. The documents have to be in Arabic and I need you to write them.”

“I wouldn’t know what to write. I don’t...”

‘ ‘That’s all right. We’ll decide together what goes in the letters tonight, and then tomorrow you can translate them into Arabic. The next day, I plan on making a trip into A1 Kharijah to visit my friend and ask if he will help us.” “You know Na’im will not like this.”

“Why? Because I’m a woman? And women aren’t supposed to take on such large responsibilities?”

“You know that’s not the reason, Felicia. You did not include him. You should have asked him what he thinks about all of this.”

“I was planning to, once I got a feel for what Imam Jabar would be able to do. I didn’t want to come to him with an empty idea. I wanted to wait until I was pretty sure my plan would work. When I got the letter from the Imam this morning saying everything was set up, Na’im had already left. He’s going to be gone three or four days, Fatimah. If I wait for him to return, we won’t have enough time. Besides, you said Abdul doesn’t want anything to do with Na’im and your family, so it could be even more dangerous for Na’im.”

“That is true.”

“You’ve got to help. If my plan works, it will solve a major problem; one that has been a threat to several villages, including Karib. We could put an end to it. So will you do it?”

‘ ‘I will do it,” Fatimah gave in, throwing her hands in the air. “I just hope we’re doing the right thing.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

When Felicia stepped into the reception area of the American Consulate, it brought back all kinds of feelings. That day seemed so long ago, and all the events surrounding it seemed like a dream. Actually, it had only been one month since Na’im had saved her from drowning and brought her to the consulate to seek help. How things had changed since then.

Felicia’s memories were jolted further when Najid emerged from a door not far behind his desk. He glanced at her briefly before he shut the door. Then recognition set in, and he whipped around with surprise and pleasure. “Is it you, Felicia?”

“Yes, Najid, it is me.”

Tears of joy streamed down her face as she hugged the small, brown man who was shorter than herself, all the gratitude that she felt for him and his family in her embrace.

“It is good to see you again. We got your letter, and were glad to know that you were doing well.”

‘ ‘How is everyone? Majidah, Jamillah, Sana and Ali?” “They are all doing fine, and will be pleased to know that I have seen you with my own eyes and you are fine as well.”

“Najid, this is not just a social visit. I've become involved in a project that will be good for all the villages in this area. But I’m going to need your help.”

“You know I will help you, Felicia, if I can. It is the way of my family.”

Felicia knew she could count on this man who’d shown her such kindness. Excitement began to mount in her as she described what would take place over the next few days, and the role she wanted him to play in it

“Now, this is the letter I received from Mauritania. So when you tell the clerk at the message center that Mauritanian officials left correspondence to be given to Hassan, there’s some truth in that.”

“I see. I can be an instrument to help bring peace to my people. Their happiness is my happiness, Felicia. I will do what I can to help.”