Nasir, as he is known is traveling French back roads with Balian. They hear a woman reading a story aloud in English. Neither of them understand English but they sit and watch her. She is expressive with her body language and fluid with her vocal intonations, reading from a collection of papers. When she stops she asks in halting French if they liked the story.
“I enjoyed listening.” Balian responds. He looks at Nasir who smiles and nods with enthusiasm. “Can you tell me what the story is about?” Balian asks the girl.
“Role model?” Imad asks aloud, to Balian.
“A person you would choose to be like or would want to make proud of you, or both.” The girl explains. “In this story Uther, while he was king, executed even those suspected of the crime of sorcery. Morganna is a witch in the truest sense of the word: vile, dark and self-obsessed. Merlin has a servant's heart, and never told anyone of his magic, fearing losing that person as a friend. I should probably at least give MY name before I continue. I like the name Nikita, it's what I prefer to be called by my friends. Most people would call me Sasha. And if you don't know me very well, it's more appropriate.” She looked from one friendly face to another before continuing her story.
At one point Balian says something to the effect of 'will you finish it for us'. Sasha answers that she does not want to keep them from wherever they are going. After confused and uncertain glances, Nasir smiles slightly and explains to Sasha. “I think what my master means to ask is 'will you come with us, to our home and be our guest for a few days...finishing the story and sharing others that come to mind'.
The girl stammers, in English. “Forgive me, French is not my native language. Some things are instantly recognizable and others get completely lost. Maalik or Mudaris?” The question itself surprises both men. It is a moment before Nasir answers.
“...Closer to Hafiz or Khadim.” Nasir finally answers.
Resuming French she replies. “It would truly warm my heart to have a chance to cheer yours. And to learn how this beautiful accident came to be.”
“For an English woman you speak French remarkably well.”
Nasir blushes and smiles. “Then let us go. After you sir of course.”
“Nasir,” Balian says with a smile. “You understand that you do not have to walk behind me or bow to me in public. They do not know me as Godfrey's son here but as a blacksmith.”
“It's a part of my own culture sir...and a sign of my own devotion.”
“Well that definitely explains a few things.” Hannah murmurs in English.
Nasir blushes and smiles. “Then let us go. After you sir of course.”
“Nasir,” Balian says with a smile. “You understand that you do not have to walk behind me or bow to me in public. They do not know me as Godfrey's son here but as a blacksmith.”
“It's a part of my own culture sir...and a sign of my own devotion.”
“Well that definitely explains a few things.” Hannah murmurs in English.
“I do agree, we should be getting home. Nikita, come, stay with us for the night, I insist.”
“ And I heartily accept.” the woman replied seriously.
At one point Balian says something to the effect of 'will you finish it for us'. Sasha answers that she does not want to keep them from wherever they are going. After confused and uncertain glances, Nasir smiles slightly and explains to Sasha. “I think what my master means to ask is 'will you come with us, to our home and be our guest for a few days...finishing the story and sharing others that come to mind'.
The girl stammers, in English. “Forgive me, French is not my native language. Some things are instantly recognizable and others get completely lost. Maalik or Mudaris?” The question itself surprises both men. It is a moment before Nasir answers.
“...Closer to Hafiz or Khadim.” Nasir finally answers.
Resuming French she replies. “It would truly warm my heart to have a chance to cheer yours. And to learn how this beautiful accident came to be.”
Nasir blushes and smiles. “Then let us go.”
“Nasir,” Balian says with a smile. “You do understand that you do not have to walk behind or bow to me in public. I was not...they do not know me as Godfrey's son here in the first place.”
“It's a part of my own culture sir...and a sign of my own devotion.”
“Well that definitely explains a few things.” Hannah murmurs in English.
Later that evening:
“Nasir.” Sasha says with a soft smile. “May I ask you a fairly personal question?”
“I suppose so.” The man said slowly.
“man hu lak-a?”
“Wait you don't speak French easily but you speak Arabic?” Balian pressed.
“I speak French *easily*.” Hannah corrected him shortly. “But sometimes not *properly*. English is my first language and I never learned its 'proper' use. There are a few things it's helpful to be able to say when the occasion calls for it, in any language. I...I once dreamed something impossible and the person I was dreaming about taught me to break down walls of communication with 'the other'.” She hung her head, clearly embarrassed and unsure.
“If you believe this is a gift of God, that is all I need to believe you.” Nassir said softly. “Besides, I would be...something worse than a fool...to deny you are helping put me at ease, and helping me understand your meaning when you talk to me like this.” Nasir said with a warmth to his tone.
"Neither question you've asked makes sense to me." Balian said fairly irked. He did not take his eyes off the stranger as he continued his conversation. "Nassir, what exactly is she asking you?"
“She wanted to clarify the word 'master'. When she asked 'maalik or mudaris' she was asking if you were my teacher or my owner. Rather, if I was your student or your property. ..”
“I'm sorry but what's the difference?”
Sasha herself answered that. “Nasir could be your servant but regard you as his friend, or as his taskmaster. Then again *he could be *your legal property and yet feel nothing of the kind.”
“ 'Maalik or Mudaris'. The words translate as 'teacher' and 'master'. Was I learning from you or did I belong to you. The second question in French would be qui est à toi (who is yours). Or rather qui est-il pour toi (who is he to you). Which of course changes the purpose, that is the focus, of the question.”
"Don't you think you should answer her?" Balian said with an almost impatient humor.
"Al-rafiq." Nassir answered. “And do I assume correctly you know exactly what that means?”
“I think...'friends as close as blood'...He is dear to you...closer than what 'Sajiq' would say.”
“And you are quite correct at that.” Nassir stated somewhat reluctantly.
“It's amazing what people can learn when they bother to listen.” Balian said in a voice barely above a whisper. A comment that made Nikita or as I should call her Sasha blush slightly.
“We agree.” Baldwin IV answered. “When I am gone, you must not encourage him in this endeavor. But neither should you stand in his way.”
“Forgive me sire, but may I withdraw? You have my love, but the destiny of your kingdom is your own. I wish neither credit nor blame for this decision. As odd as this may sound...coming from me...you are masters of your own fate here.”
“Self-destiny Sajiq?” The king told me softly. “Of course, but stay nearby alright.”
“Of course sire.” I answered him. I bowed and withdrew.
Several minutes later I was waiting outside, in the corridor or passage not too far from the king's quarters. I saw a young boy watching me. He was richly dressed but seemed so quiet and withdrawn, he might have been the son of a servant. He did not back away as I walked up to him. I stopped about 30 paces away and smiled, as softly as I knew how.
“Salaam little one.” I told the boy. He looked at me with a smile and a bit of wonder.
“Ala-i-kum Salaam.” He told me in a soft, firm voice. “Who are you?”
“I am called Nassir. I was a solider in Saladin's army. When given the chance I...” At that moment I realized who he was. I felt myself blush and bowed my head. “I did not realize. Forgive me sire.”
“I'm not king yet.” The boy told me. “Even if I were, you would not be one of my subjects.”
“Forgive me but I would be one of your subjects as long as I lived within your borders, would I not?” He looked at me as if asking for clarification, so I continued. “I am not one of your people, I gladly live under your authority. I...I served Baldwin's predecessor before my lord Saladin called me back to Damascus. My lord swore an oath to 'serve the peace and the king'. I give you my word, as it is in my power, I will do the same.”
“Merlin drew himself to his knees before his liege. Who stood their stunned and confused. 'why are you doing this?' He asked the young man. 'Asking forgiveness for cowardice as if you've been anything but noble and brave. Merlin if anything I should be thanking you. You have used you powers for nothing except keeping us fed and warm, and kept your powers hidden from me so I would accept you help. That is hardly a cowards move. The last thing Arthur asked of you was to care for me and you have, proving if nothing else you are as loyal to him as I first believed. I'll never understand you, but I am indebted to you. Now get. up.' ”
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