The Sheik and the Slave Read Online Free PDF

colors of rich garnet red and amethyst on the floors
and tapestries draped along the walls. Beautiful tiles lined one wall in gold
and cream colors and underneath a row of chairs for distinguished guests.
    Court was beginning and the voices inside the chambers made
a hum like bees in a hive. People were clustered in groups together and foreign
men mingled with Arab men. Several ladies of the harem settled behind the
intricately latticed screen to watch the court proceedings as the first case
was heard. Yasmeen was dressed in gold and red, with her eyes heavily decorated
with kohl. Her lady sat discreetly behind her as they watched an older man come
forward and bow slightly in deference to Mohammed.
    Mohammed sat in a carved chair facing the entire room and
nodded for the man to begin.
    “ Sheik
Mohammed Aksam Al Sabid, my neighbor sold me several goats and two have since
died. I demand to be compensated. ”
    Another man moved forward from the crowd and spoke in an
angry voice, “ I sold
this man healthy goats in good faith. That they have died is no fault of mine.
No compensation is required. ”
    The two men quarreled back and forth and Mohammed listened
carefully, though this case was a petty one. His eyes wandered briefly through
the court and to the latticed screen where the women sat quietly.
    The men finally quieted and Mohammed made his decision. The
goats had been sold in good faith and there was no evidence that deceit had
been found in the goat ’ s
condition. Therefore, the goats had died naturally. No compensation was given.
    Another case came before him. A man believed his wife to be
unfaithful. She had been seen talking to a neighborhood youth. Mohammed knew
this was not good. If a wife was unfaithful, it could mean her death, so this
was a serious case. He stroked his goatee and watched the man as he spoke. He
had learned from his father to watch people as they spoke and not concentrate
so much as what they said.
    He learned to watch their eyes and it seemed that those who
would not make eye contact usually had something to hide. He watched the man
closely for signs of deception.
    The case dragged on as the man brought forth a witness who
was his brother. The court collectively murmured as the second man came
forward. Witnesses were allowed but the fact that he was a blood brother did
not bode well. Mohammed watched the second man inch forward.
    It was going to be a long day, he knew.
    Suddenly, a buzz started at the back of the room as several
unknown people entered. The doors usually remained closed for the court ’ s session, but admittance
could be granted for important matters.
    Abdullah, his most trusted advisor, leaned into him and
whispered into his ear. Abdullah was a large man who towered over most but stood
under his master Mohammed. His black hair was mostly grey at the temples, his
hooknose was long, and his dark eyes were small. He had been advisor to
Mohammed ’ s father
and had been a palace guard in his twenties. He had been a learned man and
desired to rise above his station. Mohammed ’ s
father had allowed the young man to borrow books from his library and he had
become close to Abdullah. Slowly, he had been allowed into the father ’ s inner circle, and
eventually he became a trusted advisor.
    When Mohammed the son took over for his father, he inherited
Abdullah as advisor. Most in the palace kept well out of Abdullah ’ s way and few ever
crossed him. He was known for being ambitious, calculating, and, above all
else, fearing the mighty hand of Allah.
    Mohammed looked up startled and then nodded to Abdullah.
    Two local pirates who pillaged the seas had begged
admittance to the audience chambers and Abdullah said they were not alone.
Mohammed nodded and waved aside the man and his brother who waited for his decision.
    “ Forgive
the intrusion, mighty sheik, ” Uthal said. He bowed slightly, as did Sufyan.
    “ Indeed.
What brings you to my court? ” asked Mohammed, annoyed at the