Retaliation
Abdul-Hamin had the man behind the screen drag Anson's prostrate body outside the room. He was a weak creature, and not worthy of the council's further notice. The council members got up to stretch.
Abdul-Hamin: Abdullah will be well pleased. We have taken his foe's assets and his children from him. This will surely mean a great reward for me.I love my job. It was a fortunate day indeed for me when Abdullah favored my worthless father with a position for his only son. That old man was useless, but he served his purposes.
Al-Safi the good one on the council: You should not have dealt so harshly with honorable Anson. He could have been useful. Now he will fight like a caged tiger and that could spell trouble for the whole council. What would it have harmed if we had just dismissed him without requiring his life's blood? He has a family to support.
Abdul-Hamin annoyed at this do gooders interference: Well a favor has been done him as the family is down by two worthless women. His older daughter is engaged to be married to Wahid Najeem in two months time, and his other daughter is also betrothed. That leaves honorable Anson with 3 strong sons.
Al-Safi: Why don't we call honorable Anson back and agree to destroy his contract with us? You never intended to help him and to charge him for that brings disgrace on your father.
Abdul-Hamin: Stop it! That worthless old goat known as my father, is not worthy to wipe the bottom of my sandals. I have had to make my own way since being on the council. Imagine disowning me for disgracing him by ruling the council at Abdullah's wishes and desires. Why shouldn't I do that for the man who gave me this power? What does that old jackass know anyhow? Does he think I have this power outside of Abdullah? It is because of my ambition that Abdullah noticed me and approached my father to put me on the council in the first place. I elevated this family to power and privilege not that worthless vermin. Abdullah has been greasing my father's worthless hands with simoleans on my behalf ever since my appointment. It is because of me he is comfortable and living a life befitting the father of a powerful man. It is more than he deserves, and if it wouldn't disgrace me, I would tell Abdullah to stop being so charitable to that worthless bag of bones. He is weak and I despise him. I cannot believe I came from that steaming pile of cowardliness. My father was quaking in his sandals when Abdullah came to our door. If Abdullah had told my father to stick his head up a camel's behind my father would have flagged the first camel herder down and done it.
Al-Safi: I don't see where there is much difference between your father and you. I mean you certainly have done your share of it yourself. You are so obsequious around Abdullah you shame yourself.
Abdul-Hamin: Silence! You steaming pile of dog excrement! You are on this council to serve me at my behest. You are beginning to outlive your usefulness. You must remember you can be replaced.
Al-Safi blanched. When Abdul-Hamin mentioned being replaced; he wasn't talking booting him off the council, but a more permanent solution.
Abdul-Hamin thinking. This Al-Safi is starting to get a backbone, and could be dangerous. He would talk to Abdullah about what was to be done. He didn't like kissing Abdullah's behind, but he was a means to an end. Abdullah would one day realize his mistake in appointing him, because he would one day rule Al-Simhara and ruthlessly eliminate all who oppose him. Abdullah, was in his mind, by not doing the same, was weak and it would cost him dearly some day. He would play the game until his time has come.
Al-Safi on his knees: I beg you honored one of the gods. I do not mean to sound like I oppose you, I am your obedient servant, and just want to please you. I am your humble servant pleased to do nothing but serve you even in the lowliest thing. Please do not be mad. I cannot bear the shame of having the glory of your sun go down on me. (In other words he was saying please don't be angry with me). This was something only said to kings and important people of very high rank. He knew by saying this, he would be giving more honor to Abdul-Hamin than he could ever hope to attain.
Abdul-Hamin secretly pleased, but scowling for good effect: Do not worry, the sun shines upon you brightly. He was in effect saying in a formal way that he was not angry with him and he has forgotten his offense. Although it was true he wasn't angry with him, he knew that something had to be done, and the best way to eliminate someone was to get them to be off their guard. He just hoped Abdullah saw Al-Safi like he did as a threat, opening another seat on the council for him to appoint someone to. There was this girl whose father he wished to impress, and by getting this man's son appointed to the council, he would get his virgin daughter in his bed as his mistress. Having power he could force the man to give him his daughter, but Abdullah wanting to maintain favor with the residents, made all his lackeys abide by strict standards of conduct. Therefore he could not force the man without risking Abdullah's displeasure. How he hated being at that man's whims and wishes. One day he would rule and do what he wanted, and take any man's daughter who pleased him with or without permission.
Abdul-Hamin: Abdullah will be well pleased. We have taken his foe's assets and his children from him. This will surely mean a great reward for me.I love my job. It was a fortunate day indeed for me when Abdullah favored my worthless father with a position for his only son. That old man was useless, but he served his purposes.
Al-Safi the good one on the council: You should not have dealt so harshly with honorable Anson. He could have been useful. Now he will fight like a caged tiger and that could spell trouble for the whole council. What would it have harmed if we had just dismissed him without requiring his life's blood? He has a family to support.
Abdul-Hamin annoyed at this do gooders interference: Well a favor has been done him as the family is down by two worthless women. His older daughter is engaged to be married to Wahid Najeem in two months time, and his other daughter is also betrothed. That leaves honorable Anson with 3 strong sons.
Al-Safi: Why don't we call honorable Anson back and agree to destroy his contract with us? You never intended to help him and to charge him for that brings disgrace on your father.
Abdul-Hamin: Stop it! That worthless old goat known as my father, is not worthy to wipe the bottom of my sandals. I have had to make my own way since being on the council. Imagine disowning me for disgracing him by ruling the council at Abdullah's wishes and desires. Why shouldn't I do that for the man who gave me this power? What does that old jackass know anyhow? Does he think I have this power outside of Abdullah? It is because of my ambition that Abdullah noticed me and approached my father to put me on the council in the first place. I elevated this family to power and privilege not that worthless vermin. Abdullah has been greasing my father's worthless hands with simoleans on my behalf ever since my appointment. It is because of me he is comfortable and living a life befitting the father of a powerful man. It is more than he deserves, and if it wouldn't disgrace me, I would tell Abdullah to stop being so charitable to that worthless bag of bones. He is weak and I despise him. I cannot believe I came from that steaming pile of cowardliness. My father was quaking in his sandals when Abdullah came to our door. If Abdullah had told my father to stick his head up a camel's behind my father would have flagged the first camel herder down and done it.
Al-Safi: I don't see where there is much difference between your father and you. I mean you certainly have done your share of it yourself. You are so obsequious around Abdullah you shame yourself.
Abdul-Hamin: Silence! You steaming pile of dog excrement! You are on this council to serve me at my behest. You are beginning to outlive your usefulness. You must remember you can be replaced.
Al-Safi blanched. When Abdul-Hamin mentioned being replaced; he wasn't talking booting him off the council, but a more permanent solution.
Abdul-Hamin thinking. This Al-Safi is starting to get a backbone, and could be dangerous. He would talk to Abdullah about what was to be done. He didn't like kissing Abdullah's behind, but he was a means to an end. Abdullah would one day realize his mistake in appointing him, because he would one day rule Al-Simhara and ruthlessly eliminate all who oppose him. Abdullah, was in his mind, by not doing the same, was weak and it would cost him dearly some day. He would play the game until his time has come.
Al-Safi on his knees: I beg you honored one of the gods. I do not mean to sound like I oppose you, I am your obedient servant, and just want to please you. I am your humble servant pleased to do nothing but serve you even in the lowliest thing. Please do not be mad. I cannot bear the shame of having the glory of your sun go down on me. (In other words he was saying please don't be angry with me). This was something only said to kings and important people of very high rank. He knew by saying this, he would be giving more honor to Abdul-Hamin than he could ever hope to attain.
Abdul-Hamin secretly pleased, but scowling for good effect: Do not worry, the sun shines upon you brightly. He was in effect saying in a formal way that he was not angry with him and he has forgotten his offense. Although it was true he wasn't angry with him, he knew that something had to be done, and the best way to eliminate someone was to get them to be off their guard. He just hoped Abdullah saw Al-Safi like he did as a threat, opening another seat on the council for him to appoint someone to. There was this girl whose father he wished to impress, and by getting this man's son appointed to the council, he would get his virgin daughter in his bed as his mistress. Having power he could force the man to give him his daughter, but Abdullah wanting to maintain favor with the residents, made all his lackeys abide by strict standards of conduct. Therefore he could not force the man without risking Abdullah's displeasure. How he hated being at that man's whims and wishes. One day he would rule and do what he wanted, and take any man's daughter who pleased him with or without permission.
Anson woke up outside face down in the sand. He at first was befuddled, and then remembered what the council had done. In his anger he got up. He didn't care anymore. If they weren't going to help him fine, but at least he wasn't going away just because they wanted him to. He was going to have his say. He marched back in past Hamza's desk and overriding the man's protests marched into the council chamber again. Even in his anger he noticed that the screens that enclose the council chamber had been moved back opening up the chamber to the outside. He knew they closed the chamber up before sessions to intimidate people and give the chamber a claustrophobic feeling making the petitioner uncomfortable. It was all psychological. Anson's eyes quickly settled on Abdul-Hamin. He walked up to him angry.
Anson: How dare you dishonor me in such a manner. I came to you in good faith and you knew that my daughters were already prisoners. You played me for a fool, and intended to rob me all along. I will go above the council's head to the second chamber. I refuse to pay you one red simolean.
Abdul-Hamin wasn't intimidated. The second chamber was under the direct orders of Abdullah as well, but still he had to tread carefully as the second chamber was run by Abdullah's honored father, and he could supercede Abdullah if he so chose, but most of the time he refused to be involved. All that Abdullah's father wanted was his comforts which Abdullah provided in spades. Give him his opium pipe and food, and he was good. Yet there had been times, when he out of who knows what whim, had gone against his son. As powerful as Abdullah was, he would not dishonor his father by disgracing him in overturning his rulings. Most days now all he did was smoke, eat and sleep, but roused he could be like a caged lion.
Abdul-Hamin incensed at this worthless snail confronting him in this manner: You, worthless cretin, have taken a great risk in barging in on the council like this. You were dismissed. We don't take this behavior lightly. You are most fortunate indeed Anson as I am feeling most generous today and am taking your distress over your daughters and your circumstances under consideration. Tread lightly I warn or you will be sorry.
Anson shaking, but realizing that he might have gone too far lowered his voice, but was determined. Although the gall rose in his throat he knew he had to get his temper under control and flatter this scums ego or nothing would be done.
Anson barely bowing correctly on purpose: Thank you esteemed one. I know I have overstepped my place, and I beg your indulgence. I thank you for your understanding and generosity in forgiving my rudeness. It is just that I was counting on the powerful council to help win me my daughters back from an unjust man who made a contract he had no intentions of keeping. My daughters, although they are worthless women, are of a tender age. They are 8 years old. It is true I did agree to betroth them to honorable Abdullah (at that Anson wanted to gag, and stopped to swallow the bile rising in his throat), but it was with the understanding they would be servants in his house until the age where they can be lawfully wed. I was informed after the contract was made that honorable Abdullah has made it clear that he is so powerful he can do what he wants, and that my daughters might not only be deflowered before the age of lawful marriage, but that he might throw them away after getting his use out of them. This means my daughters will be deprived of any hope of making an honorable marriage, and bring great shame on my family. You honorable Abdul-Hamin if you were a parent, surely you would not want your daughters in such a situation. This knowledge if it gets out could cause my other two daughters their marriages as well. What would stop their husbands to avoid having disgrace come upon them due to the shame brought on my family to divorce them leaving them destitute and without means of support after I am gone? My sons would not be able to find worthy wives. You cannot allow this to happen to them. I made a mistake, please don't let my children be punished. I will beg to you if it will help. Please have compassion on a poor uneducated man who was just trying to provide for his daughters a secure future.
Abdul-Hamin: It is true I have no daughters, but if I did, I would consider it an honor to have such an esteemed, honorable and powerful man such as Abdullah take notice of two worthless daughters of mine. It would be my greatest pleasure and honor to know that my worthless daughters could provide a great service to such a one as he. I would instruct my daughters to do anything he asks while in his household. If he deflowered them so be it. It would be more honor and privilege than they deserved. To be a mistress to a man of Abdullah's station is better than remaining virgins or marrying a man of lower station. That is what I would tell my daughters if I had any. I would tell them and have raised them like a good mussim should that they are not their own person, but made to be a vessel of pleasure for a man. That is their lot in life, and their duty. That is why my daughters would be obedient and bring no shame upon my house. It is fortunate I am that my wife has seen fit to only give me sons. I would beat my wife to death if she dared to bear me a lowly slave. Your wife has failed you lowly Anson and you have failed to raise your daughters to be good mussim wives. Therefore your concerns and their welfare mean nothing to me. If you had done your job, you nor your daughters would be in the least bit upset at this honor Abdullah has bestowed on you.
Anson shocked: You say this even knowing he plans on deflowering them before the legal age of the marriage ceremony? You say that a man of his advanced years is honoring my daughters by raping them at such a tender age? I agree women need to keep their place, and that they need to have good husbands chosen for them before they grow to an advanced age, but my daughters are only 8. They are still but children and know nothing of what their purpose is in life. It is a duty their mother instructs them in when they are two years from marriage age. My daughters are three years away from their mother having to perform that duty. My other daughters have been instructed, but these two not being of age have not. Surely Abdullah can have any woman of proper age and leave my daughters till they are 13. I would even agree to 12. Please you cannot let this man do this.
Abdul-Hamin: Abdullah is a man who can bestow his favors and fortune on anyone. You should count yourself fortunate that he has favored you with such attention. I know being such a generous man he has treated you well, and the loss of 100,000 simoleans will not break you as stated. I suggest you go to Abdullah and catch him while he is in a mind to be most generous with you and accept the fact that your two daughters are naught but worthless women who are to be used or discarded by the whims of men. These worthless women are a disgrace to the family and are useless except to drain our pocket books and to pleasure us. That is what simallah made them for. They have no honor and you are so blessed you worthless camels excrement that Abdullah agreed to take those two off your hands. After taking advantage of Abdullah's fine giving nature, you should go home and beat your worthless wife for giving you 4 girls instead of 7 boys. You are too lenient with your family. She brought shame to you by birthing girls, but Abdullah is raising you up by taking them into his family. Now go and be assured that we have dealt most generously with you only because of your relationship to our esteemed ruler. Do not be fooled though into thinking that any further rude behavior or words from you, it will go as well for you. Your ties to Abdullah will only protect you so far and you dear Anson have pushed those limits to the breaking point.
Anson beyond frustrated trying not to lose his temper his voice shaking: That is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to see Abdullah but not for the reasons you think. I will assure him of your most rude and dishonorable behavior shown me in his name. I can assure you being tied like you say to him through my worthless daughters he will not be pleased. If I were you honorable Abdul-Hamin I would be very worried. I suggest you go home and contemplate your future... he paused for effect, that is what is left of it.
Abdul-Hamin was a man of great power who had learned not to let his emotions show and didn't get ruffled easily. Anson saw the corner of Abdul-Hamin's mouth twitched slightly and was the only sign that Anson's words got to him. Anson turned smiling in satisfaction and walked out.
Al-Safi couldn't resist this opportunity: Honorable one, what do you think Abdullah will do? You were quite rude to his future father in law. I think Abdullah will be quite displeased.
Abdul-Hamin secretly worried that Al-Safi could be right pretended nonchalance: Anson and his daughters are nothing to Abdullah. They are toys to him. Besides I serve Abdullah well. He needs me. I am not worried. Now go summon Hamzad tell him I have an errand for him to do.
Al-Safi bowed not quite as deeply as he would have before and with a little mockery mixed in: Yes honored one.
Al-Safi left the room silently as did the other council members. This was a bad sign meaning they were starting to shun him realizing that Anson and Al-Safi were right and that he was becoming a liability to Abdullah instead of an asset. This was not good. Abdul-Hamin was going to have to do some serious damage control, or Anson was right his future was not going to be good at least what was left of it. At that thought he shuddered. He sat down to write something on a formal papyrus in the ancient language of formality reserved for kings and scholars.
Hamzad walked into the room and watched Abdul-Hamid writing. He couldn't read that ancient writing, and was curious as to what it was, but knew that it was better to not ask questions. He usually found out in time what he wanted to know.
Abdul-Hamin rolled up the scroll and handed it to him: Listen to me Hamzad this is what I want you to do and do it quickly as my future and yours depend on it.
Anson: How dare you dishonor me in such a manner. I came to you in good faith and you knew that my daughters were already prisoners. You played me for a fool, and intended to rob me all along. I will go above the council's head to the second chamber. I refuse to pay you one red simolean.
Abdul-Hamin wasn't intimidated. The second chamber was under the direct orders of Abdullah as well, but still he had to tread carefully as the second chamber was run by Abdullah's honored father, and he could supercede Abdullah if he so chose, but most of the time he refused to be involved. All that Abdullah's father wanted was his comforts which Abdullah provided in spades. Give him his opium pipe and food, and he was good. Yet there had been times, when he out of who knows what whim, had gone against his son. As powerful as Abdullah was, he would not dishonor his father by disgracing him in overturning his rulings. Most days now all he did was smoke, eat and sleep, but roused he could be like a caged lion.
Abdul-Hamin incensed at this worthless snail confronting him in this manner: You, worthless cretin, have taken a great risk in barging in on the council like this. You were dismissed. We don't take this behavior lightly. You are most fortunate indeed Anson as I am feeling most generous today and am taking your distress over your daughters and your circumstances under consideration. Tread lightly I warn or you will be sorry.
Anson shaking, but realizing that he might have gone too far lowered his voice, but was determined. Although the gall rose in his throat he knew he had to get his temper under control and flatter this scums ego or nothing would be done.
Anson barely bowing correctly on purpose: Thank you esteemed one. I know I have overstepped my place, and I beg your indulgence. I thank you for your understanding and generosity in forgiving my rudeness. It is just that I was counting on the powerful council to help win me my daughters back from an unjust man who made a contract he had no intentions of keeping. My daughters, although they are worthless women, are of a tender age. They are 8 years old. It is true I did agree to betroth them to honorable Abdullah (at that Anson wanted to gag, and stopped to swallow the bile rising in his throat), but it was with the understanding they would be servants in his house until the age where they can be lawfully wed. I was informed after the contract was made that honorable Abdullah has made it clear that he is so powerful he can do what he wants, and that my daughters might not only be deflowered before the age of lawful marriage, but that he might throw them away after getting his use out of them. This means my daughters will be deprived of any hope of making an honorable marriage, and bring great shame on my family. You honorable Abdul-Hamin if you were a parent, surely you would not want your daughters in such a situation. This knowledge if it gets out could cause my other two daughters their marriages as well. What would stop their husbands to avoid having disgrace come upon them due to the shame brought on my family to divorce them leaving them destitute and without means of support after I am gone? My sons would not be able to find worthy wives. You cannot allow this to happen to them. I made a mistake, please don't let my children be punished. I will beg to you if it will help. Please have compassion on a poor uneducated man who was just trying to provide for his daughters a secure future.
Abdul-Hamin: It is true I have no daughters, but if I did, I would consider it an honor to have such an esteemed, honorable and powerful man such as Abdullah take notice of two worthless daughters of mine. It would be my greatest pleasure and honor to know that my worthless daughters could provide a great service to such a one as he. I would instruct my daughters to do anything he asks while in his household. If he deflowered them so be it. It would be more honor and privilege than they deserved. To be a mistress to a man of Abdullah's station is better than remaining virgins or marrying a man of lower station. That is what I would tell my daughters if I had any. I would tell them and have raised them like a good mussim should that they are not their own person, but made to be a vessel of pleasure for a man. That is their lot in life, and their duty. That is why my daughters would be obedient and bring no shame upon my house. It is fortunate I am that my wife has seen fit to only give me sons. I would beat my wife to death if she dared to bear me a lowly slave. Your wife has failed you lowly Anson and you have failed to raise your daughters to be good mussim wives. Therefore your concerns and their welfare mean nothing to me. If you had done your job, you nor your daughters would be in the least bit upset at this honor Abdullah has bestowed on you.
Anson shocked: You say this even knowing he plans on deflowering them before the legal age of the marriage ceremony? You say that a man of his advanced years is honoring my daughters by raping them at such a tender age? I agree women need to keep their place, and that they need to have good husbands chosen for them before they grow to an advanced age, but my daughters are only 8. They are still but children and know nothing of what their purpose is in life. It is a duty their mother instructs them in when they are two years from marriage age. My daughters are three years away from their mother having to perform that duty. My other daughters have been instructed, but these two not being of age have not. Surely Abdullah can have any woman of proper age and leave my daughters till they are 13. I would even agree to 12. Please you cannot let this man do this.
Abdul-Hamin: Abdullah is a man who can bestow his favors and fortune on anyone. You should count yourself fortunate that he has favored you with such attention. I know being such a generous man he has treated you well, and the loss of 100,000 simoleans will not break you as stated. I suggest you go to Abdullah and catch him while he is in a mind to be most generous with you and accept the fact that your two daughters are naught but worthless women who are to be used or discarded by the whims of men. These worthless women are a disgrace to the family and are useless except to drain our pocket books and to pleasure us. That is what simallah made them for. They have no honor and you are so blessed you worthless camels excrement that Abdullah agreed to take those two off your hands. After taking advantage of Abdullah's fine giving nature, you should go home and beat your worthless wife for giving you 4 girls instead of 7 boys. You are too lenient with your family. She brought shame to you by birthing girls, but Abdullah is raising you up by taking them into his family. Now go and be assured that we have dealt most generously with you only because of your relationship to our esteemed ruler. Do not be fooled though into thinking that any further rude behavior or words from you, it will go as well for you. Your ties to Abdullah will only protect you so far and you dear Anson have pushed those limits to the breaking point.
Anson beyond frustrated trying not to lose his temper his voice shaking: That is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to see Abdullah but not for the reasons you think. I will assure him of your most rude and dishonorable behavior shown me in his name. I can assure you being tied like you say to him through my worthless daughters he will not be pleased. If I were you honorable Abdul-Hamin I would be very worried. I suggest you go home and contemplate your future... he paused for effect, that is what is left of it.
Abdul-Hamin was a man of great power who had learned not to let his emotions show and didn't get ruffled easily. Anson saw the corner of Abdul-Hamin's mouth twitched slightly and was the only sign that Anson's words got to him. Anson turned smiling in satisfaction and walked out.
Al-Safi couldn't resist this opportunity: Honorable one, what do you think Abdullah will do? You were quite rude to his future father in law. I think Abdullah will be quite displeased.
Abdul-Hamin secretly worried that Al-Safi could be right pretended nonchalance: Anson and his daughters are nothing to Abdullah. They are toys to him. Besides I serve Abdullah well. He needs me. I am not worried. Now go summon Hamzad tell him I have an errand for him to do.
Al-Safi bowed not quite as deeply as he would have before and with a little mockery mixed in: Yes honored one.
Al-Safi left the room silently as did the other council members. This was a bad sign meaning they were starting to shun him realizing that Anson and Al-Safi were right and that he was becoming a liability to Abdullah instead of an asset. This was not good. Abdul-Hamin was going to have to do some serious damage control, or Anson was right his future was not going to be good at least what was left of it. At that thought he shuddered. He sat down to write something on a formal papyrus in the ancient language of formality reserved for kings and scholars.
Hamzad walked into the room and watched Abdul-Hamid writing. He couldn't read that ancient writing, and was curious as to what it was, but knew that it was better to not ask questions. He usually found out in time what he wanted to know.
Abdul-Hamin rolled up the scroll and handed it to him: Listen to me Hamzad this is what I want you to do and do it quickly as my future and yours depend on it.