Destiny Calls

The tea service has been laid out with special care. She chose the sterling silver set rather than the porcelain and the linen napkins instead of the rough hewn cotton. All of her father’s favorites rest on a matching set of serving trays with scrolled handles and the family crest etched on their surfaces. The scents of warm lemon water for hand washing and strong Orange spiced tea fill the air along with curried lamb and warm couscous. She adds the final touches of warm flat bread, hummus and parsley. After pouring her self a cup of water she drifts over to the room’s single window and watch for her father’s arrival from the port.

A short time later, she sees him, a short man with a solid build and an air of confidence, striding up the street. She immediately sweeps away from the window and assumes her seat across from the one her father will take when he enters the study.

She checks her reflection to make sure that her appearance will be as expected despite her being flustered. She had a great proposition to make and she had to get it absolutely right.

When Yusef, enters the room she rises to take his cloak, sword, and headdress, then kisses him on either cheek.

“Greetings, Father”

“Greetings, Daughther.”

As they broke their embrace, he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“Ah, this is a grand meal that you’ve prepared daughter. Let us say grace.”
After their prayer, he reached for a piece of bread and ladled some of the lamb onto his plate.
“So, Aliyaah--I see the good service, all of my favorites, you at your prettiest, and not in the yard training with Kahlil or in the stable—most lady like. If I didn’t feel so well, I’d fear that death is near, so many of my wishes have been met this hour.”

“Can a daughter not simply wish to please her father.”

Yusef laughed heartily causing the corners of his eyes to crinkle and his cheeks to round merrily. He took a breath and responded, “Don’t do that again. You’ll make me choke. Please, pour the tea.”

Aliyaah obeyed and said, “You could at least let me get to it in my own time Father, and not mock me in the process.

Yusef nodded graciously and waited.

Aliyaah prepared a plate and placed it in front of her, then poured a cup of tea for her father and herself. After cutting her meal to bits and pushing it around on her plate she took a breath and began, “Father, I know that all of the decisions that you make are based on sound reason. I am going to ask you to reconsider a decision that you made long ago.”

She finally met her fathers eyes above the rim of his tea cup, “I want to go with you the next time you leave port. I want to see something of the world before I must marry and take care of a husband and a household. Don’t you think mother would have wanted that for me?”
“No, it’s too dangerous, and don’t invoke your mother’s name to get your willful way. Show some respect.”

“You met Mother while she was studying at the University.”

“Your mother was an exceptional woman, and that is not helping your case. You are already betrothed.”

“I’ve never even met him!”

“Yes, you have and your mother approved.”

“I was three years old, that hardly counts!”

“Are you saying that you do not trust my judgement!?,” her father thundered.

“No, Father, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I just want to know something without have to have that knowledge relayed to me by another either through storytellers, or your crews, or books. Father, I want—need to experience something important and different before I give what little freedom I have away,” her voice breaking on the last word.

Taking her hand and placing his finger beneath her chin to draw her gaze to his, Yusef said firmly and finally, “No, I will not allow it. You will spend this next year preparing for your marriage. Nothing that the world has to offer can provide you more than you already have—at least not without exacting a price. Be patient, dear, be patient. I have to get back to the docks. Thank you for a lovely mid-day meal.” He put on his cloak and headdress and headed out the doorway for a moment he paused as if he might relent, then squared his shoulders and continued on his way.

He didn’t realize as he left that it would be the last time he’d see his daughter for a very long time.

Aliyaah had booked passage on another boat a few weeks prior just in case her father had remained unmoved by her plea. She had hoped to travel with him to the lands that lay west of their home, but that would not be. That night she and her father shared supper and she cleared the area with the help of Crystal their maid servant.

In the early morning hours, she picked up the bag she had packed many months earlier and set off to board the ship called Destiny she’d thought it a fitting name for the ship that would take her on the first leg of her adventure.