Until the Stars Burn Cold

by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  James turned and addressed the young man leaning against the mantle stoking a very small fire. “I don’t know how you can bear to part with it, Peter.”

  With a sad smile Peter put down the poker and straightened. “I know… even now part of me questions my decision to sell the old place. But my parents left me several properties dotted about the country, and I just can’t keep all of them. Besides, I think it’s high time that some life was breathed into theses walls. There is a young couple with three little kids, and they have all fallen in love with it, so I hope Rowan House will be safe in their hands.”

  “So this was your grandmother’s house?”

  “Yes, and her grandmother before her. It’s the ancestral family home. My forebear was a merchant from... damn if I can remember! Anyway it was somewhere exotic. He immigrated to England, and apparently he was rather well off. So after living in London for years, he married and brought his ever growing tribe of children down to Cornwall, where the family pretty much stayed until the last couple of generations. Which is why I’m feeling so damn guilty about selling it.” He said with a shake of his dark blonde head. “But you see I’m based in London, and the truth is I just can’t give it the attention it needs. You see the other properties are all to the north.”

  “Sometimes you just have to hang on to the memories not the actual articles. What’s important Peter is your family, what you remember about them and who they were and not so much the bric a brac that they left behind.”

  “Thanks Mr. Templeton; I think that kind of helps,” Peter said. “Come on then and I’ll show you around. I’m keeping a few pieces which I think are important or that remind me of the summers I spent here as a boy, but other than that everything has to go.”

  “Well, I’m sure that I can accommodate you. I can divide the pieces between our London and Australian auction houses.”

  An hour later James was still sorting through a generational eclectic collection. Everything from a very nice Deco clock with elegant lines, to passable amateur watercolors from the early nineteen hundreds, to loud orange plastic canisters from the 1970’s and a little group of 80’s posters and records which he set aside with a shudder. He also noticed that about the house were small and unexpected Middle Eastern style antiques. His interest was snared until Peter explained that he would be keeping the majority of them. James wondered as he opened a very old silver filigree box if this was one of the pieces Peter was going to retain. It was small and delicate and inside, wrapped in a bed of faded blue silk, was the most unusual silver ring that he had ever seen.

  ~* * *~

  Adwan, 776AD

  Jinn pulled Shuri along behind him, through the crooked and winding streets of Adwan. The once quiet village had in a short space of time become a busy and bustling town that hugged the shore. It was renowned for its fresh produce and for that reason was pinpointed as a port of call to all the merchant ships that sailed past. The town had grown prosperous from the trade and now its market place was a treasure trove of jewels, spice, scented oils and glorious colored silks from the east.

  He readjusted his hood and pulled it over his face. The night shielded their movement as they clung to the shadowy back streets. The music that floated on the air told Jinn that the souk lay ahead.

  Casting a glance over his shoulder he smiled, “Come we are almost there.”

  Soon they stood on the edge of the great market, many of the rows of stalls were closed but not all. A jumble of colors hit Jinn as he walked along, stalls filled with food, lamps, jewelery, rugs, precious oils and a rainbow of silks Vendors called out, enticing passersby with their spicy pastries and kebabs. Several men had gathered together on benches, talking quietly of business as they sipped almond milk or watermelon juice infused with rosewater. The warm summer air carried the aromas of the market; cinnamon, cloves, roses, dates and honey were mixed with the salty tang of the nearby sea.

  Jinn paused in front of a stall and pulled Shuri up by his side. An old man looked up from his cooking fire.

  “Salam Master, will you try my wares?”

  “Salam my friend. Yes, give me two of the lamb pastries,” Jinn said as he dropped a coin into the old man’s hand.

  “Only two? My briouat b’keftas are the best in all the souk!”

  “I do not doubt it my friend, but two will do,” Jinn said with a laugh.

  With a shrug the old man handed him the pastries and Jinn turned away from the stand.

  “Here Shuri,” he said as he gave her one of the pastries. He bit down on the briouat b’kefta; the thick pastry crunched between his teeth and his mouth was filled with shredded lamb flavored with ginger, cinnamon, cumin and paprika.

  “Can we not stay, Jinn? I have never been to the souk at night.”

  “We should not. Your uncle may be searching for us,” he said as started to walk through the market. “It would be better if we hid from sight. I have hired a room from the date seller, come… it is not far.”

  Quickly he drew her through the small, blue painted door that lead to the tiled courtyard of the date seller. From there he urged her up the rickety wooden staircase to the rooftop room. Once inside he had gathered her into his arms and kissed her lips. Soon she forgot about the enticing sounds and scents from the street below.

  They were hiding in a tiny room on the roof with only a small shuttered window and a narrow bed. They were waiting for the dawn to appear so they could start their lives together. Jinn had decided that it would be safer if they were hidden until it was time for the ship to sail. He had rented a small room under a false name, and it overlooked the souk with its many stalls of wares. He had taken a risk and headed for the seedier side of the bazaar, following the crooked paths between the crowded stalls and shops until he found the home of the date seller who had promised the use of the room and anonymity… for a price.

  He held her. “I love you Shuri, from now until the stars burn cold,” he whispered in her ear. “Our love is unbreakable and nothing will ever separate us.”

  “You are the keeper of my heart, Jinn and there will never be another,” Shuri replied, caressing the side of his face with her slender hand. “I love you with all that I am.”

  As dawn approached the lovers lay wrapped in each other’s arms, a sheen of sweat covering their bodies. Jinn could hear Shuri’s rhythmic breathing as she slept by his side, and the scent of her rose perfume filled the small room. Jinn’s fingers absently drew circles on her warm, golden skin. He hadn’t meant for it to happen. He had wanted to wait until they had escaped to Al Basrah; but she had called his name and blown soft words into his ear and he had been lost. Their lips had touched and their bodies melded together and for the first time they made love. Jinn lay and watched the lightening sky. Soon if luck was on their side, they would be away to Al Basrah before Shuri’s uncle even realized that she had fled. He leaned down and kissed the top of her raven hair.

  “Come beloved, you must awake, the dawn is coming and our ship will be waiting in the harbor.”

  As the first rays of sun broke over the horizon, Jinn and Shuri walked hand in hand through the souk until they came to the flight of roughly hewn stone steps that led down to the harbor. For a moment they paused and looked down to the colorful fishing boats bobbing up and down on the clear water.

  “Which one is ours?”

  Jinn did not reply for a second as he scanned the myriad of boats. “There,” he answered. “See the blue one with the cream sail?”

  “Yes, I see it!” Shuri said with an excited smile. “Let us hurry for I truly will not feel safe until we are aboard and out at sea.”

  “Then come, let us not tarry,” he said.

  Quickly they ran down the stairs. Freedom was within their grasp, and they could see the form of a little blue boat with a cream sail that sat upon its mast on a jaunty angle. With a laugh Shuri jumped from the bottom step into Jinn’s waiting arms. He swung her around in a circle in the morning sun before setting her on her feet. He
grabbed her by the hand and pulled her across the weathered wooden jetty towards the boats.

  But as they neared their escape, Jinn’s steps faltered. Something was amiss, he could feel it in his stomach. Pushing Shuri behind him he came to a stop, the hair on the back of his neck prickled and stood on end.

  “Jinn, what is it?”

  “I do not know,” he said but as soon as the words left his mouth a small spiral of purple smoke appeared in front of them. It turned and whirled and grew in size until it was a tall as Jinn. The vapor thickened, gaining mass and form and in an instant Kansbar was standing in front of them.

  “Shuri I am disappointed. I thought that you knew your place and your duty,” Kansbar admonished as he walked forward with a shake of his graying head.

  Both Jinn and Shuri instinctively retreated until they were at the base of the stone steps.

  “Uncle I beseech you, let me go, let me marry Jinn… I love him!”

  “I will give you all that I own to marry Shuri. It is yours with my blessing.”

  Kansbar stood silent as if he was weighing their arguments and pleas. Giving them a kernel of hope when there was none. “The deal has already been arranged and I fear Ranjinn Ladarius that you fall short. Shuri will marry Farrokh and that is an end to it.”

  “I am as wealthy as Farrokh and I am willing to give it all to you. Surely he has not agreed to such conditions?”

  “That is the truth, yet he has given something that you could not,” Kansbar replied as he stepped forward once more. “The deal is set and I cannot go back on my word. Surely you know the power that words hold?”

  “I know that a man is only as good as his word.”

  “It is so much more than that. There is power and magic… old magic in an oath, vow or a name. That is if you know where to look and what words to use,” Kansbar said as his hands began to circle slowly in the air. “You have lost Jinn, accept it and release my niece.” He cast his hands out in front of him and a flash of light shot from his fingertips.

  Jinn turned his head to shield his eyes from the blinding light. But when he turned back he saw that three of Kansbar’s guards were standing in front of him.

  Jinn and Shuri turned and ran along the jetty and up the first dozen steps. Jinn’s heart beat rapidly as he tried to think of another way of escape. If they were quick maybe they would be able to lose Kansbar and his men in the busy souk. But another flash of light made them falter. Jinn glanced up and saw another two guards had materialized at the top of the steps. Jinn thought furiously, but unless he and Shuri could sprout wings and fly away they were trapped.

  “Follow me,” Jinn said as he released Shuri’s hand.

  “Where?”

  “Up the steps, there are only two guards. I’ll distract them, while you run and hide in the bazaar. Do not fret, I will find you.”

  Taking the stairs two at a time, he ran as quick as he could until he was almost at the top. He launched himself at the nearest guard, his shoulder landing in the man’s chest. He felt the guard topple beneath him and hit the ground. Jinn rolled forward with the agility and grace of a cat and gained his feet. The second guard rushed at him and Jinn pulled back his arm and threw a punch. He heard the guard’s jaw crack as his fist snapped the man’s head back.

  “Run Shuri!”

  Bright lights exploded around Jinn as he tried to run towards Shuri. But the light bursts blocked his path and burned his eyes. Stumbling back he saw the lights had once again materialized into more guards. Two sets of hands clamped his arms and third guard loomed in front of him.

  “There is nowhere to run, boy. Concede defeat and I may not kill you,” Kansbar said with a thin smile as he scoffed. “Did you really believe that you could escape from me? Did you truly think that I would not suspect and know every aspect of your pathetic little plan?”

  “Ah love, I told you to run,” Jinn said as he watched Shuri being marched back.

  “I did, but not fast enough,” Shuri said as she was roughly pushed back towards the stairs.

  “Do not speak, worm,” the guard said as he drew back his fist. Jinn sucked in a breath and doubled over in pain as the guard slammed a fist into his gut.

  “Stop it!” Shuri said. “Uncle, make them stop.”

  “That is enough. Release my niece,” Kansbar said.

  “What has Farrokh given you that Jinn cannot?” Shuri wretched her arm from the guard and rubbed it as she walked down several steps.

  “Come to me Shuri.”

  “You did not answer my question, Uncle.”

  “Only this little bauble my dearest niece. It may look insignificant and easily replaced, but it is more precious than a kingdom,” he said as he held up the glass sphere, now suspended upon a thick gold chain about his neck. He turned his attention back to Jinn. “Release him, there is nowhere for him to go.”

  Jinn shook free of the guards’ hands and walked back down the steps to stand by Shuri’s side.

  You really don’t know anything about me, do you?” Kansbar asked.

  “You are Kansbar, Shuri’s uncle and merchant of Adwan,” Jinn said.

  “Is that all?” Kansbar shook his head in mock disappointment. “Perhaps you are not as clever as I once thought you were.”

  “I have heard the whispered rumors like everyone else, but until today I could not bring myself to believe them. They say that you seek the dark arts of magic to obtain power and wealth. That you are a practiced magician, a sorcerer,” Jinn answered as he put his arm around Shuri in an attempt to stop her quivering. “Evil and self serving.”

  “How could you do this, Uncle!” Shuri cried with a shake of her head.

  “Part of the wedding settlement is the Jetae Shamsheara stone. It holds powerful magic and I have sought it for many years,” Kansbar explained and then added with a twinge of regret. “I am sorry Shuri, but I need the stone and you are the price I must pay.”

  “So I must pay for your desires?”

  “But of course.” Kansbar nodded in agreement. “However I am not completely heartless, Farrokh will treat you well and he wisely fears me.”

  “Very well then Uncle, if I agree to this marriage will you promise that you will let Jinn go free. Promise me that you will not harm him in any way and I will go to Farrokh,” Shuri asked as she grabbed Jinn’s hand.

  “No Shuri! You cannot! I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself. We will leave Adwan… somehow,” Jinn whispered sharply into her ear. “I will find a way.”

  “I promise Shuri, I will not harm Jinn,” Kansbar called out in a clear voice before his lips twisted into a smile. “Neither will my men. There will you hold to the bargain?”

  Shuri turned to Jinn and looked into his brown eyes. “I love you, but I could not live with myself knowing that I was responsible for your destruction. I will marry Farrokh and you will be free to live your life and one day you will forget about me,” she said urgently as her eyes began to mist.

  “Never Shuri, we have made a vow and are bound to each other,” Jinn replied as he took her hands and raised them to his lips. “Do not give up my beloved… we will be together.”

  “Quickly say your farewell, Shuri and come to me,” Kansbar ordered.

  “No Jinn, the risk is too great. I love you with all that I am but we must part,” she answered as she reached up and kissed him on the mouth.

  He could almost taste the longing and desperation on her lips. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close, she trembled. Her tears fell as they deepened their kiss and Jinn savored the salt on his tongue. Reluctantly she broke away, but Jinn caught hold of her hand as she took two steps down the staircase towards her uncle.

  “I cannot let you go.”

  “You must,” she said as she pulled her hand from his.

  “He cannot Shuri,” Kansbar said as he moved towards the flight of steps. “He cannot let you go – his love is too great. Which is admirable but unfortunate. He will move the heavens to have you and that will not
do. Now, come to me and we will have done with it.”

  “Uncle you promised that you would not harm him!” She called out as she started to run towards him.

  “I will not kill him,” Kansbar smiled at Shuri. “But I cannot simply let him go. Watch, you may enjoy it!”

  “No Uncle!”

  But Kansbar had already begun to mutter strange sounding words, his hands moved elegantly drawing invisible shapes before him and the glass sphere appeared to illuminate with an inner pale light.

  “Kansbar sisitu emuq Adar. Kansbar sisitu emuq Jetae Shamsheara. I-n-gub-en, digir gal-gal-gu-ne-ra. I-n-dim-es-dilmun!”

  The Shamsheara stone levitated in front of Kansbar and shone as bright as the sun.

  “Kansbar sisitu emuq Jetae Shamsheara! I, Kansbar summon the power of the Jetae Shamsheara!”

  A golden light encased Kansbar before the stone released a bolt of pure white light. It shot through the air as fast as lightning and hit Jinn. He cried out in pain and staggered as the light pierced his body.

  Shuri ran down the remainder of the stairs and threw herself at Kansbar’s feet. She grabbed at the edge of his cloak “Please Uncle, I beg you do not do this. I will do everything you say. I will marry Farrokh. Show mercy, show mercy!” Shuri looked up and stared at Jinn, to her horror his golden skin had taken on a silver sheen.

  “Shuri!” Jinn called out as he was compelled to bend forward and reach for his toes.

  His eyes never left hers as she ran the few paces towards him; but she hesitated as she watched as Jinn’s entire body became pliable silver. His body had been turned to molten metal yet he was still conscious… still Jinn… still calling her name.