Lamentations of the Desert

Nour lived as a prominent member of the desert tribe of al-Hadid — a Bedouin society that roamed the arid wasteland, following the changing seasons in order to keep their animals fed and their community intact. It was said that he had enough wealth to welcome even the humblest visitor with opulent hospitality. His tents were laced with silk and he could boast enough livestock to feed Saladin’s army for enough days as it took to rid Jerusalem of the crusaders.

Nour had a greater purpose, one from which all his riches derived; he was a protector. He had been raised by the warriors of the tribe and when he had ascended to manhood, he took his rightful place among them, defending his people from incursions and acting as chaperone to the trade merchants from Damascus, who were wise enough to forge alliances with the tribe and exchange a percentage of their spoils to honor the agreement. He was as skilled in the art of negotiation as he was with the shears of the samsonite and over time, he developed a reputation for being equal parts pragmatic and deadly. His wealth was a testament to both those attributes.

When news of his first son’s birth spread, he opened his home to welcome any well-wishers who travelled to his camp in order to pay their respects. Nour knew that for most of these visitors, it was a thinly veiled attempt at currying his favor in the hopes of establishing a relationship that could be leveraged for profit. He did not care. He had a son and if the world wanted to come to his home and kiss the boys feet, he would welcome it with open arms.

After weeks of celebrations, the visits ceased and life for the tribe went back to normal. Days went by uneventfully as the proud parents nursed and cared for their youth, his mother boasting of his handsome features while his father regaled his friends with stories of all the deeds his son would do in manhood. On the eve of their last night at camp, before the winds would change and make life in that place unbearable, his house received another visitor.

She arrived covered in white linen, stumbling through the desert landscape in the middle of the evening and collapsing on the tent guard when she reached him. In her arms was a small bundle wrapped in the same substance that clothed the woman. She could barely speak but managed to get enough strength to say that she sought audience with Nour. The guard woke his master, and they immediately went to work on preparations for her welcome. His wife Miriam, stoked the fire pit and set a kettle to brew tea. Her sisters came from the neighboring tents with bread, goat cheese, olive oil, and honey. While they made the preparations, the woman was ushered into one of the servant’s quarters, where she was offered water to drink and a place to rest.

When it was time, the woman was led into Nour’s tent by the guard and asked to sit down to eat. She continued to clutch the small bundle in front of her. Even though her hosts wondered what she was holding, it was rude of them to ask questions of a guest before they had a chance to break bread together. Their curiosity was quickly satisfied when the woman unveiled herself and removed the covers from the small infant child she was holding. It was a baby girl.

“Forgive my intrusion so late in the evening. I wanted to wait until the morning but I just didn’t have the strength.”

Nour nodded and smiled, “it is no trouble at all. Please, eat something.”

The woman took some bread and drizzled some honey on it. As she began to chew the baby started crying. She rocked the baby in her arms while she continued to speak over the low whimpering:

“I am Aicha, from the house of Barkan. This little one in my arms is Leila. My husband, god keep him, was a trade merchant. Twice a year he made his way through the desert on his route, exchanging items of value along the way and selling whatever remained when he came home. I found out I was pregnant a few months before his next trip and in a selfish act, I hid that from him. Instead, I convinced him to take me along, as he sometimes does, so I wouldn’t be deprived of his company. When he found out I was with child, he became angry at my recklessness, but his joy quickly overcame him. I gave birth shortly after we reached Medina. He wanted us to remain until I recovered my strength and the baby had grown past infancy, but I was worried that he would lose his opportunity to make a profit from the journey. I insisted that we return.”

The woman began to wail in agony. Her despair roused the baby and both their voices could be heard outside the thin tent walls, traveling under the stars through the oasis before dying out in the distance. Once she regained her composure, she began to cradle the baby and continued her story:

“We were attacked by raiders, my husband was killed, and I was taken hostage. They were going to sell us to a northern tribe. During my captivity I overheard the news that the great protector of the Al Hadid was celebrating the birth of his newborn son. The tribe leaders were deciding whether to make the journey to your camp, which was close to where they are stationed. I seized the opportunity god had given me and escaped to meet you.”

Nour sat back, contemplating all he had heard. “May I ask you a few questions?”

“Of course, you are my savior. You may do as you please. Whatever is in my heart and in my mind belongs only to you now.”

“How did you manage to break free from their clutches?”

“As you can tell by my disposition, they did not think I was much to worry about. They failed guard my tent and I assume it was because they didn’t think I would be foolish enough to run away with a baby. They underestimated the will of a mother and the effect of their own big mouths. One should never deliver news in the presence of a captive.”

Nour smiled at the response. “I will leave you with the women. I’m sure your baby is in need of nursing by now.”

Aicha looked down at Leila and softly whispered, “I can’t.” She looked up at Nour and continued, “I haven’t been able to produce milk for her since we were captured. She is dying.”

The women let out a screech and Miriam quickly ushered Nour out of the tent.

“Give me the child.” Miriam commanded.

She took the baby in her arms and began to nurse her. Leila did not stir at first, but quickly adapted as drops of breast milk began to envelop her mouth. The baby fed greedily and the women sighed in relief and continued to make small talk with their new guest.

Aicha looked over in the corner and noticed Miriam’s child. “What’s his name?” She asked.

“Waleed.”

“Such a handsome name for a handsome child.” She reached over and drew back the covers that were shielding him, then carefully began to caress the boy’s forehead. The baby woke and began to wail.

“I think he’s jealous that someone else is feeding at his trough,” Aicha smiled at Miriam, “it’s a shame. please put Leila down. Your child’s needs must come first.”

“Nonsense, there is plenty of room here for both of them.” She giggled and the rest of the women in the tent joined in. Miriam asked her servant to bring her son to her and gently placed him alongside Leila so they could both quell their hunger.

Aicha smiled and then turned towards the tent’s door. “Do you mind if I step outside for a moment. This is the first happy moment I’ve had since my husband died. I’d like to share it with the night in the hopes that he will hear me whisper his name and know that we are both safe.”

“Of course. We will look out for little Leila.”

The woman walked outside, where she encountered Nour.

“Your wife is kind.”

“Yes she is.”

“Both of you are kind. Almost too kind.”

Nour smiled and dismissed the compliment.

“But you have forgotten the history of those that came before you.” Aicha began to laugh.

“What do you mean.”

“You never asked my full name. That was a mistake.”

Nour gave her a puzzled look.

The woman’s laughter continued. “There were clues. I gave you so many chances. I was a bit careless with my tale. Maybe I was tempting the truth out of myself. But what is done is done.”

Nour grew aggravated and raised his voice, “do not speak in riddles woman. Tell me what you intend to say.”

“You cannot command me. I will speak with a free tongue in whatever manner I choose. Just like I will take whatever forms I wish. Because I am Aicha Rubala, daughter of Al-Barqan. And my daughter is now bound to you and your son.”

Nour’s rage subsided, quickly replaced by fear. For the first time in his adult life he was afraid. He recognized those names and Aicha saw that in the worried expression on his face. She stopped laughing and stared at him, letting the weight of what he had just discovered bear down upon him with the silence of the night. When she was satisfied, she raised her arms high and let her finger tips meet above her head. Her body shifted into a stream of fire and danced around Nour before burrowing deep in the sand and scurrying away.

Nour barged into the tent and saw his wife nursing the two children, side by side. She smiled up at him when she saw him, her face in blissful ignorance of everything that had just transpired.