Page 77 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“That’s kind of you,” Ahmose said. “Now, I hear you have a question for me.”
Zahra nodded. “I do. Well,wedo, I should say.”
Ahmose’s brow furrowed as Heba left the room. “We?”
“My friends and I.” Her voice quieted. “They… They work for the King.”
Heba reentered the room with Namir and Ramses in tow. She gestured to Zahra and Ahmose. “Here they are.”
A practiced smile came to Ahmose’s face. “Who are your friends?”
“This is Namir and Ramses.” Zahra’s chest bubbled with anxiety, and she immediately regretted bringing them.
Namir inclined his head toward Ahmose, and Ramses mimicked him. “It is good to meet you, Ahmose. I have heard much about you.”
“Zahra speaks of me?” Ahmose nudged her arm playfully. “That’s a surprise. Meter tells me you have a question for me.”
“Yes.” Zahra thanked Heba with her eyes, and Heba nodded and left the house. Zahra glanced at Namir, taking a deep breath before turning to Ahmose. “In truth, we need your help.”
Ahmose raised an eyebrow. “What sort of help?”
“We are trying to find some information,” Namir cut in.
Zahra turned toward him with an irritated expression.
Namir continued, though with less confidence. “It is a matter of great importance.”
Zahra bit down her frustration. Ahmose did not appear fazed, though she knew what he was thinking. “It is nothing to be wary of.”
“Of course not.” He gently took Zahra’s arm, smiling at Namir and Ramses. “If I may, I would like a word with Zahra.”
Namir’s posture stiffened, but he nodded with an unfazed expression. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”
Ahmose led Zahra into a separate space. He closed the door and turned to her, speaking in Ionic. “Are they threatening you?”
“Of course not.” She crossed her arms. “How could you say such a thing?”
“The one called Namir is of wealthy blood,” Ahmose stated, “and the other seems to follow him.”
Zahra dropped her arms. “He wants nothing from me, Ahmose. He works for the King, as I said.”
“Then why is he here? You have brought strangers to my village, and I don’t understand why.”
Zahra clenched her jaw. “Because there are assassins trying to kill the King.”
Ahmose stared at her, unfazed. “I know.”
Zahra’s mouth gaped. “How? Only the King’s closest?—”
“You forget where I spend my days,” Ahmose interrupted. “There are no rumors that I don’t hear. Practically all of the upper class of Aur know the King is looking for Ionian assassins. It has created much distrust, and many of them have been sacking their Ionian employees or servants. Have yourfriendsheard of that?”
Zahra was stunned. “Why… Why would they do that?”
“Because they are afraid.” Ahmose gritted his teeth. “They fear what he will do when he becomes Pharaoh. If an assassin is connected to any of their Ionian staff, they will be held responsible. I have already lost one of my clients, and I will not risk the loss of more or my family’s safety over this. If even one of us is found guilty, they will cast us all out.”
“That is not true.”
“Is it not?” He stood tall. “We both know how Bahiti treats you. Their kind are all the same. The fact that they branded you like some animal is proof of that. These people”—he gestured to Namir and Ramses—“their people, are not to be trusted.”
