The Faithful, North African and Middle Eastern Islamic nations, are plotting to seize the oil resources of the Middle East. By controlling the earth's oil and its major trade routes, they plan to bring the world to its knees. Then, when the entire world is kneeling, the Faithful of Allah will read to them from the Koran, preaching the message of Islam, the True Faith. The Faithful will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. But how far will they go? And how many lives will it cost?

3 Gambits

3.6 Zahran

3.6.1 Rahil

“Rahil?” Ahmed called. “The wife of Taban would speak with you.”

A black burka emerged from the shop, soundlessly. In a quiet voice, barely heard, Rahil said, “Jada, I have them for you.” Her eyes sparkled through the slit. “They are ripe and delicious. I saved them for you,” she giggled.

“You are a blessed child,” Jada, wife of Taban, replied. “Pomegranates are his favorites, but they must be perfect.” She looked down, and her eyes reflected a mixture of sadness and fear. “Perhaps these will help him.”

“Oh, yes, they are perfect,” Rahil nodded, perhaps a bit too vigorously. “These will soften even the hardest heart, or seduce him into your bed.” Her eyes smiled coquettishly.

In spite of the heavy burka, Jada’s embarrassment was evident. “You are too wise for one so young,” she protested. Reaching into her burka, she extracted a purse and laid the money into the child’s hand.

“I’ll be right back with your change,” Rahil said, skipping a step, before resuming her soundless glide into the depths of the shop.

“And, did she like them?” Ahmed asked his daughter-son.

“Oh, yes, Father. Perhaps tonight, Taban will not beat her, but instead love her.”

“Child! How dare you speak like this of Taban?”

“Father, you know better, as do I. Now, let me return with the change, so that Jada will be able to account for her time and her money.”

As the child hurried silently out of the shop, Ahmed shook his head, both in surprise and anguish. She knew too much for one of her age. He had stopped thinking of her as him. It was just too natural ... too normal. He still worried, lest the Imam or the police should discover his little subterfuge. The punishment for such an offense would be severe. Yet, why should it be so? Rahil was happy. Safina was happy, and he was happy. Their family was restored to happiness. All was well.

3.6.2 Preparations

In spite of his personal wishes, Ahmed began the preparations to pack and move the entire shop, his wife and daughter from their home in Zahran to some unknown destination in Qatar. What else could he do? Uncle Ma’sum had threatened his home, his family and his livelihood. There was no other choice.

Sefina was distraught. Zahran was her home. Although her family was from Jeddah, she had lived in Zahran all her life. Her closest friends lived within a few blocks. Her children were all living in the city. Her grand children were all in Zahran. How could she even consider moving?

Her husband had explained and explained, but it made no sense. Ma’sum had always been more interested in profits than in family, but this? Uprooting the family, destroying their home, and sending them into exile in Qatar, where she knew not a soul? How could he?

Yet, she had no choice. Her husband’s will was hers. He was the master of the house, and his word was the law, second only to Allah, bless his name. But, what would happen to them?

Rahil labored cheerfully to help her father. First, she had told all the women who shopped there that they would be evacuating to Qatar. She warned them to ready their homes for a long and difficult time ahead. And, she suggested that they purchase additional food items, especially canned or dried foods that could be stored for long periods.

Many heeded the young woman’s advice. She seemed so worldly and knowledgeable, in spite of her youth. And, they appreciated that Ahmed had not raised his prices, as so many other merchants had in the past days.

Rahil also helped her mother to sort their belongings. Her mother wanted to keep everything, and Rahil could not blame her. These were the treasures gathered over a lifetime. There were pictures of Ahmed and her before they were married and of their wedding. There were entire albums of pictures of Rahil’s brothers and sisters, and even more of their families.

Then, there were the clothes. Sefina had been kept all of her clothes from the time she was in her teens. In fact, Rahil was the recipient of many of Sefina’s dresses, which no longer fit her, but was still reluctant either to discard or to give away.

Then, there was the furniture, the cooking equipment, the television and all the appliances so carefully purchased and so lovingly maintained. How could she part with her pride and joy...her comfortable, over-stuffed chair? What would she do with the tapestry that her mother gave to her? What would she do with her china, her silver service or her silver serving dishes?

Rahil and Sefina sorted and re-sorted them, trying desperately to keep them all, knowing that most would be left behind. Yet, it was a losing battle. Regardless of the decisions they made when they were together, Sefina would find a way to remove things from the ‘leave behind’ pile and sneak them into the ‘moving’ pile.

Rahil understood that there was no solution, as long as they were constrained to moving themselves, their belongings and their goods. Push carts could only hold so much. And the three of them could only push them so far. They needed trucks of some kind, and men to drive them.

Rahil began to make discrete inquiries of the women who came to the shop. They trusted her. Hopefully, with Allah’s guidance, one of them would know someone who could help.

3.6.3 Conspiracy of Women

“Jada, we are being forced to leave. My father’s uncle had told us to pack everything and evacuate to Qatar. We don’t know anybody there. We have only our carts to carry all our possessions, our goods and ourselves. We are quite alone, and seeking help. Do you know of anyone who might be able to help us?’

“No! You’re not! You can’t leave. Your family has run this shop for my whole life. It is one of the few things that has not changed over the years. Your father has always been kind to me, and you have endeared yourself to me. I am upset to learn that you are leaving.”

“Well, Uncle Ma’sum has demanded that we use our carts to move the contents of his shop. They are all we have, and, since they do not belong to us, but are his property, then we have no way to take our possessions. We will be destitute, but Uncle Ma’sum’s profits will be preserved.”

”Men! Sometimes I wonder about them,” Jada spit. Gathering herself, she whispered, “I will talk with the other women. Do nothing until you hear from me.” She winked and departed.

Rahil smiled to herself. She had told every woman who had come into the shop the same tale of woe and misery. Each had offered to seek help. A conspiracy of dozens of women was on the job. Allah be praised.