Daughter of Nomads (16 page)

24

Near the Kunhar River Kingdom of Kaghan

I
n the morning the tents came down again and Jahani knew that this would now be the pattern of her life for as long as she stayed with the nomads. This time, she and Anjuli rode on Chandi with Rahul near the front of the flocks. A hawk was tied to the gauntlet on his arm.

‘Is that your bird?' Anjuli asked.

‘Ji, this is Bibi. I'll show you how she hunts later on.'

‘What's the name of your mare?' Anjuli said.

Rahul smiled at her. ‘Farah.'

Just then a young scout galloped toward them. ‘There are armed men ahead,' he warned.

‘Ask my father to ride here in my place, Asif.' Rahul wheeled his horse around and called to Chandi to follow. He led them into the forest.

The last time Jahani had been in a forest she had been attacked, so she encouraged Chandi to stay close to Rahul. She felt defenceless; she didn't have Shamsher, her sword, since it was hidden in its cloth bag and rolled safely in her mat as Azhar had suggested. Would she feel like this all the time? She felt so frustrated being dependent on the nomads' protection. Then she remembered that she no longer looked like herself. She turned to Rahul. ‘I have dark hair and I look like a nomad now – is this necessary?'

‘For a while we must still be careful,' Rahul replied. ‘Someone may still recognise you.'

‘Do you know why I needed a safe haven?'

Rahul slowed his mare to a walk. ‘I have heard talk in the bazaar. You refused a powerful groom and ran away on the eve of your wedding.'

‘It is a serious charge if I am caught.'

Rahul's face darkened. ‘I'm glad you left. I have had dealings with your intended groom and, believe me, you have had a fortunate escape. Even though betrothed to him you are practically his.'

She bristled. ‘I am no one's. He asked for me. My adoptive father agreed. They didn't consult me.'

Rahul's eyebrows rose in surprise. ‘You sound like a nomad, after all. We also allow young people a say in the matter, even though parents arrange the marriage.'

‘So, is it decided who you will marry, too?' she asked, thinking of Kamilah and her feelings for Rahul.

He shrugged. ‘Once I had a wish. But we shall see.'

Jahani thought there would be no lack of girls for Rahul to choose from. She imagined each eligible girl in the camp would hope he'd look her way.

Rahul urged his horse forward, looking up at the forest canopy. The trees were thinner where he rode. ‘Let me show you what Bibi can do.' He transferred the hawk to his left forearm. Her claws clutched the leather band he wore.

He stood in his stirrups and threw his arm up to the sky. After the first rushed flap of her feathers, the hawk glided gracefully into the air. Chandi stood still as Jahani and Anjuli watched Bibi rise higher and higher.

‘You are left-handed,' Jahani observed. She'd never met such a person before.

He grinned at her. ‘I can use both hands. It is useful when an assailant is not expecting it.'

‘Bibi's like an eagle,' Anjuli exclaimed.

Rahul was staring at the sky. ‘She's not as big, but she's just as clever.'

‘What will she do?' Anjuli asked.

‘Watch.'

Just then Bibi dropped from the sky as if she had been shot by an arrow. Anjuli gasped. Then the hawk appeared over the trees and flew straight to Rahul. She had a fowl in her talons.

‘Here comes our dinner,' Rahul said proudly. Bibi hovered in the air above Rahul until he raised his arm and took the pheasant. Then she settled on the leather saddle.

In that moment Jahani noticed Rahul's left hand. ‘You are missing a finger,' she said. ‘Did that happen while hunting?'

He glanced at her and grimaced. ‘I had an encounter with a cruel war lord.'

Jahani held her breath but soon realised he would say no more.

‘Why don't you eat your goats?' Anjuli asked, breaking the silence. ‘You have enough of them.'

‘The flocks are our livelihood, so we try not to eat them. Only for special occasions like Eid do we slaughter a few.' He looked all about him, listening. ‘We should be past the soldiers by now. Jao, Farah.' He urged his mare forward.

They emerged from the forest and could see the flocks on the road ahead of them.

Asif, the scout, rode toward them as they approached. ‘The soldiers were from Naran. They were looking for a girl with red hair who had run away from home. If they can restore her to her parents, she will not be punished. The man who helped her flee will be captured and punished if she refuses to return.'

Jahani gasped.

Asif stared at her with speculation before he wheeled his horse around and rode away.

‘Do not take any notice,' Rahul said. ‘You will both be punished if you return. You cannot save Azhar by such a sacrifice. Besides, it sounds like a story your groom has put about.'

Jahani frowned at his bitter tone. Suddenly she thought of the women's comments and the fear in their eyes when they looked at her. ‘But aren't I putting you all in danger? The war lord may keep searching for me.'

Rahul reined in his mount beside Chandi. ‘He will not think to look for you with us. Warriors will only ask if we've seen you. Besides,' he gave her a searching look, ‘they are looking for a girl with red hair, not a nomad girl with silver embedded in her nose and ears.' He sighed, staring at her hair. ‘Such a pity,' he whispered, and his hand rose to touch it before he realised what he was doing. With a glance at Anjuli he quickly lowered his arm, then pressed Farah to a trot. ‘Follow me,' he called.

When they reached the flocks, they walked the horses at the quiet pace of the sheep and goats. Rahul's father, Tafeeq, was riding in front with some other men. Occasionally Rahul rode ahead to check all was in order.

Anjuli pointed happily at children eating cold chapattis perched amongst belongings on ponies or donkeys. The smallest lambs and kids were tied securely onto other animals. Jahani could see Yasmeen striding along with a group of men and women, ordering dogs to round up recalcitrant goats or lambs. The days were cooler as they climbed higher in the mountains with the passing of the season into autumn. The scene looked so peaceful, but Jahani couldn't help glancing around for hidden armed men and wondering if Azhar was safe.

That afternoon, the mood in the women's tent felt darker than usual. The looks cast Jahani's way could have sizzled her skin. The woman called Arifah laughed in her face, but Jahani knew the jest was not in her favour. She asked Anjuli what was wrong.

‘They don't like you riding with Rahul. Neema said, “Who does she think she is – a shehzadi?” ' She bit her lip.

Jahani's eyebrows rose. ‘But aren't I his cousin?'
And mightn't that make her a princess?
Is that what Azhar meant?

‘Cousins marry, remember.'

‘Ah.' Suddenly she realised why Neema was never happy with her. She would want Kamilah to marry Rahul, not some newcomer. Kamilah was kind, fair and intelligent; she would be a good wife for a nomad prince. Jahani sighed. There was no point setting the women against her. If they were annoyed with her, they may not protect her when needed and seek the first opportunity to be rid of her. ‘Tomorrow I want you to ride Chandi by yourself. I will walk with Yasmeen.'

Anjuli's eyes shone. ‘I like that idea.'

Jahani tilted her head thinking,
and so will the women
.

As the sun set, Jahani and Anjuli collected fallen wood from under the trees to build a cooking fire. Tafeeq came across them on his way to check the animals. ‘Rahul says you are settling in with the women.' His gaze took in Jahani's dress, her hair and jewellery. ‘Yasmeen has done well. You are
makhfi
, quite hidden.' He paused. ‘If my wife were alive you and your friend would live in our tent as you are our relative but—'

Jahani understood what he meant and tilted her head. ‘I do not expect such treatment, Uncle ji.' She looked up and found a disconcerting look on his face as though he had hoped otherwise. She shifted the wood in her arms; living as a nomad may be fraught with more difficulties than she realised.

‘Forgive me,' he said then. ‘I forget that you have been away from us ten summers. There is much for you to learn before you think of your future.'

Jahani and Anjuli carried the wood to the tent. Neema met them at the entrance and gave Jahani another blast from her sharp tongue. This time Jahani could decipher her meaning: ‘You took your time. Kamilah would have found three times as much.'

Kamilah gave Jahani an apologetic grin. Then there were chapattis to prepare, but at least they only had to cook for the women in their own tent. In other tents the women made food for their entire families.

After dinner, Jahani felt stifled. Surely no one would mind if she went for a walk after she relieved herself. It was dark, so once she was past the horses and fires she wouldn't be seen. It was a relief to be outside by herself noticing the quietness of the birds settling down in the trees. It reminded her of travelling with Hafeezah and Azhar as they rode their way across fields and streams and through forests, and slept in caravanserais and caves. Now she was travelling again, but it wasn't the same.

Jahani walked up to the horses and checked Chandi's rope was firmly secured to a tree. The other horses shifted restlessly, but Chandi snickered and they fell quiet.

‘They listen to you, so you are a queen among horses, Chandi.' Jahani rubbed her nose. ‘I'm glad I have you, my friend. I don't think the women like me, except Yasmeen and Kamilah. The others resent me.' She poured out the feelings she would never have expressed to a person.

They do not know who you are.

Did that thought enter her mind because of Azhar calling her a shehzadi? But why would he use such an endearment when his demeanour never gave any indication that he cared for her?

You must travel north. Further than the nomads will go.

The thought cut into her own. Jahani reached her arms around Chandi's neck. Then she thought the words:
Are you sharing your thoughts with me?

A feeling of lightness and joy flooded her mind. It was like the aftermath of a giggle.

Jahani relaxed against Chandi, smiling.
I can hardly believe this. When Hafeezah told me stories about pari horses, I never believed I'd meet one.

Someone comes. Chandi gave a low whinny.

Jahani stiffened.
I'll leave you now.

It is a friend. Walk to the trees. You will see him.

Jahani kissed Chandi's nose and walked toward the darkness of the forest. When she drew closer, a white form rose.

‘Yazan!' Jahani rushed forward and knelt in front of him. ‘Oh, Yazan, are you following the nomads?'

He licked her face and rubbed his cheek against hers. She put her arms around him and felt his purr begin. ‘How blessed I am with two special friends.'

‘Three.' A whispered voice sounded from behind the trees.

She rose quickly, uncertain. ‘Azhar?'

He walked into view, leading Rakhsh.

‘Why are you here?'

‘Didn't I say I wouldn't be far?'

She felt her face grow warm as she remembered his words from that night and was glad of the dark sky's cover. Then she thought of the danger. ‘How will you stay safe if you follow us?'

Azhar watched her, smiling. She saw the glint of his teeth.

To fill the silence, Jahani said, ‘Certainly Rakhsh is a fast horse, so you'd be able to outrun pursuers.' She paused. ‘Have you seen Hafeezah? Zarah?'

‘Bey ya,' Azhar said, ‘but I have heard they are well.'

‘Hafeezah must be upset.'

‘Awa, but she will also understand.'

Jahani nodded.

‘Are you being treated well?' Azhar asked.

‘Rahul lets me ride with him as we move the flocks. Yasmeen, my mother, is teaching me the language and to weave and sew. But the others …' She made a face, which he probably couldn't see. Azhar wouldn't want to hear about their ill will.

‘The others?' Azhar prompted.

‘Anjuli says they think I am a danger to the tribe. So they've dyed my hair and made me one of them.'
But
, she thought,
they have not accepted me
.

Azhar's silence made her look up. She couldn't see his features properly, but she sensed his disapproval. ‘I've only been beaten once,' she said.

‘By whom?' His response was quick.

‘Just one of the women. I'm learning to follow their rules.'

‘At least they didn't cut off your hair,' he said.

Jahani smiled into the darkness. He must be able to see the plaits spilling over her shoulder.

‘Anjuli is well?' he asked.

‘She's very helpful, especially as her grandmother could speak the language of the nomads. If I knew you were going to be here, I would have brought her.'

‘Next time ask Chandi.' Azhar said it so softly, she barely heard him.

Suddenly there was a sharp bark from Layla. It was too close. Jahani started and heat rose to her face. ‘I must go, and you, too.' She hugged Yazan. ‘Qhuda keep you safe.'

‘And you,' Azhar whispered as he retreated silently into the darkness.

But Yazan padded after Jahani.
Bey ya, no, Yazan. It's best they don't know you're here. Please stay with Azhar.
She was too scared to speak aloud and didn't know if he understood, but he stopped still and watched her go.

Jahani walked toward the tents to find Rahul and Layla in front of her. Layla licked her hand and sniffed her eagerly, but Rahul's voice only contained anger. ‘What are you doing out here? How can we keep you safe if you disappear like this?'

‘I'm sorry, I needed to … be alone.' She hoped he'd understand she had to relieve herself. ‘But I didn't realise how far I had gone.'