Page 72 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“Eboni.” Amina joined them from the crowd, smiling at Zahra and taking Eboni from her arms. She turned to Eboni with a stern look. “You know you are only supposed to share that with your family.”
“Zahraisfamily,” Eboni argued.
Amina smiled at Zahra. “It is good to see you, Zahra. Come. You and your friends should eat.”
She left with Eboni, and Zahra turned to Heba. “Is Ahmose here? I have a question for him.”
Heba frowned. “He said he would be here later. His workload has increased with the changes the Vizier has made.” She glanced between the three. “Will you all be joining us?”
Zahra glanced hesitantly at Namir, who was focused on their exchange. “I think we may return another time.”
Namir stepped forward. “Nonsense. We would love to join you while we wait for him. The food smells delicious.”
Heba grinned and gestured to the table. “Then please, eat!”
Namir and Ramses followed Zahra to the line. She handed them both a plate. Ramses grinned, thanked her, and began to fill his plate. Namir surveyed the selection—a multitude of fish, pig, honey, and cheese—with interest. He eyed the cheese with longing but did not take it.
Zahra took some food on her plate. She placed a piece of cheese on his, and he looked at her in surprise. “Eat up,” she encouraged. “Many of these dishes were made especially for the blood moon celebration.”
Once they were satisfied with their food, they sat on a stone wall by a tree. Ramses remained by the table, signing with a girl who was helping serve the food. The girl laughed, and Zahra smiled.
As they ate, they watched the little children play. Namir spoke as he chewed. “That little girl’s mother did not teach her the importance of her name.”
“She did,” Zahra defended. “My people do things differently from yours, but that does not mean we value our names any less.”
“Then how do your people do things?” He focused his attention on a small loaf of bread. He sniffed it, his eyes curious.
Zahra poked at her food as she spoke. “My people don’t have secret names as your people do. When we came to your kingdom, we were all given Auran names. Those that were born in Aur—like Eboni—don’t learn their Ionian names until a certain age. Unlike Aurans, we can use our given names around family. Eboni and I are family, in a way, so she felt safe sharing her name.”
“Do your people not fear greedynetjeru?” Namir asked, taking a bite of the bread with some jam.
Zahra shook her head. “My people make promises with ournetjeruthat protect us. Many of those here made a promise with Nebthet that if we did as she asked, she would protect us from evil.”
Namir considered this as the children played in front of them. “Is it similar to how Re protects the Pharaohs?”
“I believe so.” She nudged him. “See? We are not so different.”
Namir smiled. “So it seems.”
There had been a time when Selene did not protect her people. When Zahra’s village was destroyed and they were forced onto the sea, many had wondered—Zahra’s father included—if Selene had abandoned them. But Zahra had not lost hope. Even as she suffered as a servant under Bahiti’s roof, she believed there was something more in store for her, though she had not anticipated she would be asked to aid the King of Aur.
Namir’s voice surprised her. “You have another name then.”
Zahra glanced at him. “I do.”
“May I know it?”
Zahra raised her eyebrows at him with a teasing smile and popped a piece of cheese in her mouth.
Namir smiled in response and turned away from her. “Is Heba your grandmother?”
Zahra swallowed before she spoke. “No. My mother and her were friends. She cared for me when my father went to work in the temple.”
Namir tilted his head toward her as he lifted a piece of meat. “Was your mother not there to raise you?”
“She died in the war with Parsa,” Zahra answered with little life in her voice.
Namir lowered the meat to his plate. “I am sorry for your loss.”
