An clutched her shawls about her, attempting to disguise the thinness of her body. There was nothing she could do to make her thirteen-year-old face look older. She maintained a grim expression to counteract the sidelong looks the men in the tavern were giving her. Thank goodness she had the faithful manservant Karzh with her!
She had not really believed in his ability to protect against the gangs of robbers on the great merchant’s route, but here they were arrived at the mighty trading city of Bukhara. It only remained to find the merchant her father had sent her to meet. She, a mere girl, was representing her family who operated one of the smaller trading houses of Sogdiana.
An longed to be at home in her safe corner. But for Father she would deliver the precious musk. As she settled with Karzh sitting beside her, she kept her eyes down, thinking of her father, hoping he was recovering. Who could have anticipated this unlucky event to have happened with both her brothers away trading?
Lying so ill in his bed at their Kesh home near the grassy Afrasiab plateau he had said, “Daughter, there is no brother of yours here to take this forward on its journey, and I cannot. You must pass it on to Chuzakk in Bukhara and tell him we will collect payment on our next journey. Be sure to get a receipt. This rare Tibetan musk is expected in three days’ time. We cannot fail to deliver, or the reputation of our house will suffer greatly. We honor our Sogdian ancestors and Mani, the Supreme Illuminator, in this way.”
He had handed her a small wooden box with the precious bottle of essence cushioned in silk inside. “Wrap it against your waist inside your clothing, daughter,” he advised in a voice faint with illness.
And so here she was, on the third day of the journey to Bukhara, one of the many destinations on the great routes west and east. Footsore and weary, they had come into this place for a hot meal. Now she thought perhaps it was a mistake. They had been so careful on the road.
She and Karzh had agreed she would travel disguised as his daughter to fool troublemakers on the road. He knew the way, having accompanied her brothers in the past. His arm about her felt alien but she knew he would give his life for her. As they ate, she kept her eyes down. As soon as they were done, they left, keeping to the shadows, looking behind.
The attack came with little warning. Two string like men, little more than boys, jostled them and tried to wrench An away. But she was not a coward and with a cry of fury she lashed out with her small knife. The kidnapper fell back, clutching his belly and staggered away as his companion was felled by Karzh. “Are you well, mistress?” he panted.
An nodded, though she trembled from the adrenaline riding through her. “I did it,” she declared. “I kept it safe!”
“Indeed, mistress, you are your father’s daughter,” and he bowed deeply to her with genuine respect. An’s heart swelled with pride.
An and Karzh slid away into the shadows and hid all night in a recessed alley. Morning light brought relief and they made their way to the trading center of the city. The surprised merchant, Chuzakk, greeted them, immediately saying, “I expected your father and hope all is well in your home.” He looked her up and down, impressed by her erect and proud carriage and the beautiful silk tan and red gown with the blue overcoat she had worn to meet him.
An bowed and answered, “I bring his respect. He is recovering from a trifling illness. As my brothers were away, I was sent on Father’s behalf. It was most important to him that we deliver as promised.”
At this she turned and retrieved the box from Karzh to whom she had given it before they entered. Presenting it, she bowed deeply. Pride welled up within her as she completed the task for her family. She had grown from girl to woman in the space of three days.
Bio
Sarina Michaels, a corporate retiree and current Shamanic Practitioner, has been writing poetry and vignettes for her own pleasure and to share with her community for thirty plus years. She currently hosts a shamanic FB community as well as presence on TikTok and Instagram. Sarina is blessed to have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
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