Page 76 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“Our heroes were said to be placed there after death by thetheos.” She glanced at Namir. “The netjeru, I mean.”
“And you lived by the Sea,” Namir said. “So there were no rivers like the Iteru?”
“We had rivers, but the Sea was our Iteru. I can’t explain it, but when I was out on the water, I felt as if I was one of the stars, dotting the Sea that was as vast and mysterious as the night sky.” She sighed, closing her eyes as if to relive the salty smell of the wind that would hit her hair. “I wish I could see it again.” She opened her eyes and found Namir staring at her. She laughed. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” He looked away suddenly, but something on her head caught his eye. “There’s a leaf in your hair.”
Zahra stilled as Namir stepped forward. His soft fingers intertwined with her hair, tugging on the object with gentleness. His hand brushed her cheek as he did so, and their eyes locked.Namir’s eyes were as deep as the night sky, and Zahra’s were as warm and bright as the setting sun. Zahra couldn’t breathe as they stared at each other.
Namir pulled the leaf from her hair, and their trance was broken. He laughed uncomfortably. “I got it.”
Zahra stepped back and looked down, hoping her curls would hide her face. “Thank you.”
People began to gather around the fire, and Namir looked back. “What is going on?”
Zahra studied the growing crowd. “They’re offering Selene strength.”
Heba waved to her, and she waved back.
She turned to Namir. “You may watch, if you would like. All we ask is that you are quiet.”
Namir studied the fire. He nodded. “I would like that.”
Zahra smiled. “I will be back. It will not take long.”
The elderly Ionians formed a circle around the fire, while the remainder gathered in a line. Zahra joined the end of the line, and a small family with two rambunctious children stepped up behind her. There were many that watched from the side or distracted themselves with quiet games. She thought of her father, wishing he could be here with her.
Zahra turned toward Namir. She had expected him to look unfavorably upon her and her people. Instead, curiosity filled his face, and he sat respectfully. She looked away, thinking of his touch and hating the heat that flooded her face. When she looked back, Namir was watching her, the corner of his mouth tilted up.
Zahra turned from his gaze, tucking a curl behind her ear as the line moved forward. The people before her brought with them bread and small pieces of carved wood. The children held old toys, staring solemnly at them while their parents encouraged them. With each Ionian that approached the circleof elders, a quiet prayer was said. The precious objects were tossed in the fire, a small sacrifice for all that Selene gave them.
Zahra considered her empty hands. She had nothing to give. She had not thought about it this morning, and she had nothing but the clothes on her back. The idea came to her as she walked up to the circle of elders. Heba smiled. “What is your gift, child?”
Zahra lifted her left foot, slipping off her sandal. The other quickly followed, and she offered both to Heba. There were some snickers behind her—mostly from the children—but none of the elders sneered at her sacrifice.
Heba took the sandals, and the elders bowed, whispering a solemn prayer. The quiet song to Selene danced around them, softening Zahra’s heart and easing the stress weighing on her soul. For a moment, she imagined her mother, her smile as bright as the stars above their heads.
Namir gave her a puzzled look as she approached barefoot. “Why did you burn your sandals?”
“I had nothing else to give.” She sat beside him as the rest of her people offered what they could.
Her sacrifice was not much. Tomorrow, the day would repeat, and Zahra’s sandals would return. Yet, she knew her sacrifice was not in vain. While she was not sure what awaited her, she wouldn’t abandon her goddess, not when Selene had begun to show her the way.
“Zahra.” Heba approached as the crowd dispersed. “Ahmose is here.”
Zahra turned to Namir. “Shall we?”
Namir nodded. “I will fetch Ramses.”
17
A King Worth Saving
Zahra followed Heba toward her house. Ahmose sat at the table, his tall form bent over a series of papyri. As a scribe, he worked for landowners, priests, and craftsmen to record and copy different kinds of documents, including Zahra’s master, Darius. His latest work sat before him, a perfect example of his delicate and thorough handiwork.
Ahmose looked up and smiled. “Adelphe!” He was paler than Zahra, but his eyes were as bright as Heba’s. He kissed her cheeks and ruffled her curls. “I was working in Illahun today, as I said I would in case you wanted a ride over, but I see you got here yourself.”
Zahra smiled. “Some friends gave me a ride. I did not want to interrupt your work.”
