October Skies
On the road from Aleppo to Ourfa, October 1904
Khatoun
The road curves up around the hill at a shallow incline until it reaches a ridge near the top. Here it levels off and the walk is easy. On one side it hugs the warm rock-face scattered with sagebrush and leafless trees. On the other, feathery clumps of purple grass soften the view over the arid plain below. The road dips in and out of the shade as it rounds each bend – the cool inlets cloaked in mauve while the gentle curves that protrude over the valley remain lit with gold.
They’re on the move again, Seyda, Ferida and Khatoun. Heading north this time through the limestone massif to the dry, flat lands that stretch east to the Euphrates and on.
“How far can a dog walk into a wood?”
“Half way,” Khatoun groans, “beca
