Chapter 5
Immediately after the Al Yaman clan left, Zuleica gathered everybody in her meeting house to see the damage aftermath and discuss their plans on how to protect each other. In the meeting, it was the same people that fought with her. Her brother Tolo, who was younger than her and was very fast running and good with the horses, and her best friend Mina, who helped her with selling and bringing money to their villages and food as well, were standing right in front of her.
The house was very simple in decoration, with typical North African decoration, lots of wood-carved figurines of women and animals, desert flowers, lively carpets and lots of colorful pillows of different sizes. Even their clothes were simple, in white, blue, red, brown or khaki colors and decoration throughout their hair and heads for men, bracelets, earrings and everything else.
Everybody had tattoos on their skin and special lines on their faces made with natural color for their faces, necks, arms and shoulders. As Zuleica was their Chef she had a red scarf decoration on her head that showed to everybody her status in the tribe as their Queen.
It was already afternoon and the children came back as it was safe for them, together with the Tribal Priestess. Zuleicca was already explaining everybody's positions and how some of them would infiltrate the northern cities together with her younger brother, to watch how Hazim’s grandson would act now that he had spoken by peaceful means. They always had to be armed in case someone got them. Stay close to your friend, and closer to your enemy.
-”A peaceful treaty would always be a good solution to ensure our people's safety. Same as it has been done before where tribes had ancient rivalities.” - said the priestess after hearing them talking.
-”You have to be kidding me!”- said Zuleicca with disbelief in her tone.
-”Times are changing my dear, we can not stay closed in our own circle and ready to kill and be killed any time.”- the priestess replied.
-”Everybody, dismiss! You know what to do!” - Zuleicca ordered. All left her place except her brother and the priestess. As soon as they left, she said:
-”I can’t understand where you got that crazy idea, but I would have thought twice before suggesting it, especially after we could have all died by our enemy's hand.”
-”Well, the fact that we are still alive means something.”
-”Let me guess! To prepare for a wedding?”- Zuleicca added sarcastically.
“My child, laugh as much as you want, but unless we don’t do something our people will lose hope and, besides, the future is not safe. By always thinking about war, preparing attacks will make people grow tired and lose their lives. We must give them some hope.”
Being angry hearing the priestess talking about a marriage, Zuleicca was infuriated even more.
-”And what do you expect? We marry with the Al Yaman clan? And whom? Instead of a wedding ceremony, we will be eating my funeral lunch. That if my head or someone else’s head is still in place. Nonsense! Craziness! Never, I will let no one of those crazy people approach any of us in any way, unless they put their guns down. Let's start from this first” - and then she left like the others, leaving the priestess and her brother there.
Tolo came close to the priestess, surprised as well by her words. He never imagined that she would tell this to Zuleicca.
-”Priestess, why did you say that? You know that my sister is a tough woman and independent. Plus, did you forget how Al Yamans killed the husband our father chose for her 10 years ago? She is still hurt and if she marries, it will be from our tribe.” - He was also sad for his sister, but at the same time he did not want his sister to know his secret, at least not yet.
-”I never said that she should marry. I said a marriage between them and us.” - eyeing him with a hidden meaning.
Toto understood it and while shaking his head he added:
-”You know very well that our love won't happen. Unfortunately, we are destined to suffer. Riccardo’s sister does not know yet that I am Zuleicca’s brother. She just thinks about me as a nice guy from the southern tribes and that’s all. And to her family, I have no importance in their eyes.”
-”Never lose hope, my son. Love is the strongest miracle in the universe that nothing can break it.”- the priests said, by touching him on the shoulder.
-”When there is a strong love for both lovers, not one-sided like mine.”- Tolo sighted and they both went outside also.
When Zuleicca went out, her friend Mina called her to show her the guns that they got on the black market and some swords they bought in Algeria and Egypt to add to their arsenal. Money was difficult for them to gather as everything was expensive, but the women and men in the tribe were very hard-working. They would sell decoration, bracelets, necklaces, wheat, corn, vases, everything they could do for a living. In the north and center of the country it was difficult for them to find a job as everybody did not like the way they dressed, justifying that they exposed their skin too much.
-“Check also these “jewels” I have here”- Mina said, pointing also to some shiny and colorful dancing clothes and other accessories, as well as a guitar and some performing swords and sticks. She would go to deep length in order to obey Zuleicas commands, in order to help their cause and keep their people safe.
-”Cool, we might need some distraction”- replied Zuleicca.
-”It’s not for us silly”- said Mina, laughing and sticking her tongue out. "I heard in the capital that many mens from Al Yaman go to “Sultan’s night” cabaret and I thought to go and look for a job there and see what I can learn.
Everybody in the Republic knew that “Sultan's night” was the place that hosted dancers, performing shows and even some hookers for those who wanted to have fun and drink alcohol and shisha.
-”Nice plan Mina, just be careful. I will be waiting for news from you.”
-”Hope the infamous Riccardo comes and meets me there. I would love to be his woman, even for only one night. It’s worth the danger.” - Mina said laughing, and Zuleicca turned around to leave after rolling her eyes. Then Mina continued after her:
-”Who knows, maybe I can marry him instead of you to fulfill the priestess' wish for peace.”
-”They will make sure they torture you first. At least you will have a chance to live more than me.” - Zuleica rolled her eyes at her friend's jokes one more time and laughed with disbelief that even in hard times Mina would always find time to have crazy ideas.