His eyes did not lift to the dark scowl above him as his shaking voice replied, “But, this is the only place in the city where people have the money to share. Every other place, everyone is living in poverty!” He continued to stare at the deep cracks between the deeply embedded stones.
Elijah watched this develop, keeping his eyes on the fidgeting soldiers. He noticed the rich man’s face as it turned a brilliant red.
The towering man abruptly leaned over and slapped the defenseless victim with the back of his hand. His shouting voice broke the stagnant air, once again. “Silence! You should be executed for your insolence!” No sooner had he said that than did he reach back down and smack the man again. “Oh, how I wish the sultan would rid us of all beggars in this city!”
Elijah noticed a drip of red form on the poor man’s lip. He glared at the well-dressed oppressor and clenched his fists. “Then the city would be empty.” He stood, motionless, with his deep frown fixated on the brutal man.
Suddenly, the three turned in unison toward Elijah as the man below lifted a hopeful eye. He looked Elijah up and down and then slowly rose.
Elijah crossed his arms as the two soldiers stepped closer. He said, “Hi.”
Suddenly, the tunic-covered man stepped out into the open. “Who are you?”
“Name’s Elijah. Pleasure to meet you.” Elijah stood his ground and wondered just where this was going to lead. He’d seen this man, with his guards, roaming the city streets before, but he had never seen him attack like this.
Suddenly, the man chuckled as he glanced at his guards and nodded his head. “Is this your lost son?” All three broke out in laughter.
The smile dropped from Elijah’s face. “Usually, when someone introduces himself, the other introduces himself too.”
A raised dagger came with the reply. “You are not worthy to know my name, boy.”
“Oh…” Elijah stepped back and motioned to the beggar to step away too. A sparkle quickly formed in Elijah’s eyes as his eyes followed the walls to the overhanging ledges above. He brought his eyes back to bear on the approaching man.
“You best mind your tongue, boy, or I will personally remove it.”
Elijah stepped back a little farther just as several in the crowd gasped for air. His eyes narrowed as they locked onto the man’s scowl.
“If I ever see you again, Bijan, I will end your begging days permanently!” The rich man turned to the beggar, now standing out of arms’ reach.
Bijan swallowed hard.
Elijah carefully observed the three as they stepped closer to the crowd. It opened up just as he slid his dagger back into hiding. Suddenly, they were gone.
“Are you okay?” It only took a second for Elijah to close the gap to the pale-skinned man.
Quivering, he replied, “Yes, thank you.”
Elijah suddenly frowned. “Who is that son of a donkey?”
“That is Dario. He is one of the wealthiest nobles in the city.” Bijan’s watchful eyes darted back to where the crowd had gathered.
Elijah smiled as he followed the man’s eyes. He didn’t like crowds and was relieved to see them gone. “Do you need food, Bijan?”
Bijan whispered, “I have not eaten in two days…uh…I’m sorry. What was your name again?”
Elijah had to lean in closer. And then he laughed. “It’s Elijah.”
Just as the two children from before ran by, he continued, “Oh, well. I am Bijan. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Elijah replied, “I have never seen you around here.” He looked down the street and saw the backs of the two soldiers, just as they turned away and out of sight.
“That’s odd. I am always here.”
Elijah laughed. “Yeah, so am I.” But he wondered how he could have missed the man.
The man’s growling stomach caught Elijah’s attention just as he turned to go. “Well, I best be off to find me another spot to beg.”
Elijah reached out and grabbed Bijan’s arm. “Wait. How about I go get you some food from my hideout?”
Beaming, he quickly turned. “Really? You would do that for me?”
Elijah smiled. “Yeah. Why not?”
“I have not heard of people sharing in this cursed city for quite some time now.” Bijan cast his eyes to the ground.
Elijah chuckled. “I know. Things are bad here. But hey. We all have a choice to make a difference, right?” He watched the man’s head slowly lift back up.
“Yes, that is true. You are wise beyond your years, young man. You know, I used to be strong like you.” He raised his eyebrows as he glanced into Elijah’s eyes.
“Oh?” Elijah said as he wondered what Bijan’s life must have been like. He had noticed that he spoke rather well for a beggar and was now curious how this could be.
“I use to be a respected nobleman in this city. But that was many years ago.”
“What happened?”
Bijan’s face suddenly turned red as he raised a clenched fist into the air. “That Dario framed me and my family. He was close to the sultan, and he said he had proof that my families were spies for the Christian crusaders! This great house that he lives in now used to belong to me!” He turned and shook his fist at the broad expanse of the gates to the mansion adjacent to them. He rubbed the palm of his hand on his eye.
“I am sorry to hear that. Where is your family now?”
Shaking his head, the man’s voice broke up, “My wife lives with him now.”
Suddenly, Elijah frowned. He glanced away from the white and blue of the wide gates. “I’m sorry.”
His quivering voice continued. “That monster took my wife, my home…”
Elijah didn’t move.
“And even worse, my daughter…thinks that he is her father. She sees me as a beggar like all the rest.” He shook his head.
Bijan continued, “Forgive me for complaining. It’s nice to have someone listen every once in a while.”
Elijah stepped closer. “I will listen.” The corners of his mouth slowly turned upward. “But let me get you some food. It may settle your mind down a bit.”
Bijan slowly nodded.
Holding up his right forefinger, Elijah stepped toward the nearby wall. “I will be right back.”
No sooner had he turned did he hear the loud rhythmic beating of metal on stone. A flash in his mind told him it was something unexpected, possibly a horse-drawn cart. But he wanted to know for sure, so he turned away from the pressing goal just accepted and was met by an unexpected sight. Two gaily-clad horses, complete with leather body armor, were prancing toward him, dragging a two-man chariot. The driver, also clad in black leather, quickly captured Elijah’s attention, but not for long. He glanced behind him and realized the cage mounted to the chariot’s rear. He had seen this kind of vehicle before and remembered that it was used to carry prisoners, but something seemed different about this one. He decided that it was far too interesting to ignore. As the noise grew louder, he couldn’t help but notice that there was a man sitting in the cage. Just as it was about to pass, the street became silent as the driver drew back the hand brake and stepped off to talk to another soldier. The street suddenly became alive with the flurry of insults. Several locals took a fleeting moment to curse the man, shouting obscenities not usually spoken in public. Elijah shook his head and wondered why they wanted to be so mean to someone they didn’t even know. He couldn’t help but wonder what importance this caged man had. He inched closer, keeping his eyes on the two soldiers. Elijah had to duck as several handfuls of dirt and rocks flew past his lowered head. As he stood beside some other eager onlookers, he stared at the strange sight before him. “Who is this man? What crime has he done?”
A nearby stranger, gleaming, nodding his head feverishly, briskly replied, “He is a Christian crusader! He is now
our prisoner! He will be executed!”
Elijah took his attention from the man’s words the last few steps toward the foreboding bars of steel. He observed the man’s clothing, ripped and well-worn leather pants and shirt, complete with dried blood. A closer look showed several gashes on his face and arms, with one still oozing precious life. The man followed Elijah’s roving gaze.
Both men’s bodies suddenly tensed up and turned to a gruff, albeit feminine verbal barrage. “You will die, Christian!”
Elijah pulled away from the discomforting intruder, and fixed his gaze again on the caged man. The helpless man took a deep breath. He said, “Are you going to throw rocks at me too?”
Elijah, with slightly tilted head, replied, “No.”
The man laughed. “Praise God!” His happiness was met with immediate sorrow just as a well-aimed rock made its way through the man’s only protection and against his shoulder.
Another voice, this time filled with hardness followed the projectile. “You will pay, Christian!”
He shook his head. “I spoke too soon.”
Elijah stood directly in front of the seated man with his hands on the bars. “Who are you?” He couldn’t stop wondering what kind of man this was. His features were so different than his own. His hair wasn’t dark at all, rather the color of straw at harvest time. His face, covered with weeks of no care, showed no signs of the dark hair of men of his city. And his eyes were blue, brilliant blue, unlike his own hazel portals to the world. He had heard rumors of these people who came from a distant land, fighting for their belief of Christianity.
The man threw back his head and burst out in laughter. “Who am I? Can’t you hear your fellow man? I am a Crusader, sent by Satan himself! I am the evil entity that will destroy the world! Or something like that. Why do you ask?” He stopped laughing and then smiled broadly, from ear to ear. Elijah couldn’t help but notice how white his teeth were.
Still lost in the image before him, he tried to summon a response. “I don’t know. I have never seen a crusader.” He continued to stare at the man. The shouts from the crowd were no longer heard even though they kept coming.
The man stood up. “Well, today is your lucky day!” He quickly opened his arms wide and shouted, “Here I am!” Elijah stepped back, almost tripping on a little woman just behind him.
Elijah glanced around at his fellow freemen and thrust his hands deep into his pockets. “If you say so.”
The man stepped up to the edge of the cage and pointed toward his one-man audience. “You seem like a smart lad. Why don’t you help an evil man like me out. Rescue me somehow.” His lip curled up slightly as he smiled.
Elijah quickly crossed his arms. “I don’t think I could even if I wanted to.”
He pulled one arm around, lowered his forehead slightly, and aimed his finger right at Elijah. “Ah! With the proper motivation, you can accomplish anything you want.”
“It would have to be pretty good.” Elijah raised his left eyebrow. His mind started grinding away at those words though. He tried to look further into the man’s eyes in hopes of uncovering some gem of truth that would satisfy his building curiosity. But his questions were not answered.
“Well, of course it is!”
Finally, Elijah smiled. “I am listening.” As he waved off a gnat, his hand came to rest under his chin.
The crusader’s eyes now were aglow. “I can make all your dreams come true!”
Elijah couldn’t hold back his laughter. “I guess my fellow man was right about you.” He took one last look at the man and started to turned away.
The man reached out from between the bars. “No. It’s true! Any wish you ask for can be granted! Trust me. I swear on the king himself!” His eyes shot out at Elijah as his breathing grew stronger and stronger.
“Any wish?” Elijah slowly turned back.
Their eyes met in solitude. “Yes! Any wish! Anything you desire would be yours!” And then, the man winked at Elijah.
Elijah dropped deeply into his thoughts. He found himself asking himself what that one thing would be. If he had only one wish, what would it be? As the thought developed, it was suddenly jarred by a menacing command. “Beggar! Step away from the cage.” The leather-clad soldier had just returned and stepped back onto the chariot.
Both men turned their cold eyes on each other in silent respect.
The crusader listened to the silence and whispered, “My name is Aiken! You must save me! Then we would both get what we want!”
Still staring, the soldier repeated his command, “I will not ask again, peasant!”
The street noise took over as the clattering of metal against stone became far removed from his dream of that one thing. Aiken’s words trailed off too into the distance. “Remember what I said! Anything your heart desires!” Elijah’s last sight of Aiken was of him standing, feet firmly planted above the rumbling of the platform, hands cleaving onto the dark metal surface of his prison. He kept asking himself who this man was.
He was suddenly jolted by the little woman too close to him. “He will be executed soon.” She stood there, vigorously nodding her head.
Elijah glanced at a stranger brushing off his hands. “Ha! Not soon enough if you ask me.”
Elijah scowled at the little woman. Elijah felt his heart rate speed as his eyes went from her to the man. “Where are they taking him?”
The man’s calloused words came quickly. “To the dungeon, of course. There, he will wait to be beheaded!”
Elijah stared down the street and caught one last glimpse of the remarkable man. Their eyes locked, one last time.
Chapter 7
The steady breeze circled around the room and finally released the captive silk drapes. Their rhythmic dancing to the flickering candlelights on Natalia’s makeup table abruptly stopped. Finally, the lights steadied themselves as she gazed into her eyes, lost in her dreams. How she wanted to see Elijah again. Nervously, she leaned closer and tried to peer into her soul, but stopped short as her apartment door quietly opened. Reaching out, her pearl-encrusted brush clattered, causing it to teeter above her lap. The door closed, just as quietly, behind her maid. Natalie pulled her brush through her hair and gazed in the reflection of the sparkling city lights. She let her eyes flit to several of the windows in the mirror, busy displaying the bustling city below.
“Mera!” exclaimed Natalia.
“Good evening, princess!” said Mera as she lightly bowed. Her silky, black hair, perfectly braided, hung gently forward and fell to her waist. The stiffness of her apron scraped against her arms as she reached to pull back Natalia’s hair.
Natalia laid her brush on the table and stood up. “What is it?” she said, surprised.
Mera stepped back and replied, “Your father, the sultan, is on his way to speak with you, princess.”
“Oh really? Then, I must look my best! Will you comb my hair? Will you make me look like a princess? I must impress him.” Natalia wasn’t expecting her maid or her father, but was used to their occasional visits nonetheless. She turned back to the mirror and adjusted her top.
Mera bowed again and continued, “You already are beautiful, princess.” A gentle smile appeared. “I would love to help you get ready.”
Natalia broke into a beaming smile at the thought of Elijah, standing in her garden. She quickly turned back to her mirror and sat down as Mera started brushing her hair.
Mera said, “You seem to have been glowing the last couple of days, princess. I have not seen you this happy since you were but a child.”
Natalia followed Mera’s long strokes, but didn’t respond.
“Will you not tell your most trusted servant?” Mera asked.
Natalia shrugged and let out a small giggle.
“Have you come to like a young man?” Mera paused briefly.
Natalia, still tight lipped, glanced up and quickly turned her gaze away.
“You have!” exclaimed Mera.
Natalia couldn’t help but smile now, especially as she considered the comfort of Elijah’s embrace.
Mera stopped brushing. “Who is it? Where is he? How did you—”
“Mera!” Natalia chuckled. “Why so many questions?”
Natalia tried to hide her frown, but Mera kept probing. “Who is he? Is he a guard? A noble?”
“Neither.” Natalia let her shoulders drop as she pulled her hand through her hair.
They both looked at each other’s reflection as Natalia wondered why the woman was so interested.
“Well?” asked Mera.
Natalia winked and then turned around and grabbed Mera’s hands. “Okay, you can’t tell anyone!” whispered Natalia as the wall candles sparkled in her eyes.
Mera quickly nodded. “Of course, princess! What is it?”
Natalia whispered again, “It’s a bandit.”
Mera’s eyes opened wide.
“I am in love with a bandit!” laughed Natalia as she threw her head back.
Mera didn’t laugh. “Princess…I…” she stuttered.
Natalia threw her hair back again and thought of all the men she had run into in the palace. No one compared to Elijah, but for once, she was able to stop thinking that love and happiness were not meant for her. And now, she felt as if someone understood her and loved her back! She couldn’t believe that one man had so easily captured her thoughts. She kept wondering if it was truly love or what love even was.
Mera abruptly interrupted her dream. “Princess. What do you mean a bandit?”
“Oh, I know it sounds so silly, but you will never believe what happened! I have been sneaking out of the palace! I have been meeting this bandit, and oh, he is so handsome!” giggled Natalia.
Shocked, Mera exclaimed, “Princess! If your father ever found out…”
Fire in the Heart : The Princess and the Bandit (9781629020112) Page 6
