The Sky Of Nadira

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Autumn 1060 (452 from the Hegira), Rabaḍ by Qasr Yanna

It was still early October, precisely a couple of months before Umar took revenge for the insolence of the son of the Christians by tying him to the pole in the courtyard, and that Nadira argued with her brother.

Under the sun of early afternoon, Khalid, a twelve-year-old young man so close to Umar, a shepherd boy to whom the Qā'id debt collector entrusted his personal flocks, came quickly to the village. Soon he arrived in front of Umar's house, running so fast that it seemed like a gust of wind in November. Then, so breathless that he had to stand on his knees and on his stick, he shouted:

«Umar! »

It didn't take long for some of the servants to come out, due to the schedule they were busy in the house. Once warned, the landlord went out into the entrance, completely dishevelled, as he evidently slept lulled by the lukewarm torpor of early autumn.

«What do you want? Why are you yelling at this hour? I was slipping next to my children ... and now you have woken us all up! »

«Umar forgive me! The goats…» and stopped to catch his breath.

«What happened to my goats? Did someone steal them? » asked the other full of apprehension

«No, I put them in the lock. »

«So, they are unattended. »

«I wish I could have sent a fartasa11 goat, however you would not have understood its bleating.»

Khalid laughed; it was clear that he was making fun of his master.

Umar took him by the ear and pushed him to the ground with a tread on his a*s.

«Tell me something important or else I'll put you in the lock!»

The boy getting up said: « The Qā'id, Lord ... the Qā'id comes to Rabaḍ and asks for you. »

«Is Ali ibn12 al-Ḥawwās coming to my house? » asked Umar in amazement, adjusting his hair with one hand as if the lord of Gergent13 and Qasr Yanna were already in front of him.

« He is accompanied by his faithful and told me to inform you that he is coming with good intentions. »

Umar sharpened the view and noticed the caravan going down the winding curves of the mountain of Qasr Yanna.

«Go back to your goats! » he commanded the young man before running inside.

The confusion broke out in that house, and everyone participated to make everything worthy of the visit of the Qā'id. Even in the whole village the uproar broke out: the women rushed to the entrance of the Rabaḍ and some of the men, having been warned, returned from the nearest gardens.

Michele and Apollonia, Corrado's brother and sister, observed the scene with curiosity. They would pay homage to the Qā'id like everyone else; no matter who commanded them, he was still their lord. On the other hand, if it had not been for the rags that Michele wore and for his shaved hair, signs imposed for his being Christian, no one would have identified them as unbelievers of the word of the Prophet. There was no difference between Apollonia and the Saracen14 women of the village, except for the more continental features of her face.

Rabaḍ had been colonized exclusively by Berbers since the early days. However, elsewhere, more European looking Muslims - because of different origins or because they were converted natives - swarmed and the somatic difference with Christians was non-existent. Furthermore, for two hundred years, the Berber, Arab and indigenous lineages had been mixing regularly, tending to conform to one people with more homogeneous characteristics. Therefore, in all this the Rabaḍ was an exception.

There was only one term for identifying the inhabitants of the island ... not Arabs, not Berbers, not indigenous, nor anything else, but Sicilians. Maybe they were Saracen Sicilians and Greek Sicilians, or Christians - just as there were Jewish Sicilians - but still all to be defined Sicilians. The new arrivals were excluded from the concept of Sicilians, those who had passed from Africa to Sicily at the time of the invasion of the zirid dynasty and until Abd-Allah had returned to the other side of the Mediterranean. This people, devout to Islam like the others of Berber ethnicity, were called African, precisely because they came from the region that the Arab world called Ifrīqiya15. The last Africans had arrived just a couple of years earlier, escaped from the devastation that raged in the land of their origin.

Bring the population of Sicilians and Africans together, although all believers in Allah, was a much more complicated undertaking - and in the past the issue had also led to civil unrest - than being able to integrate Christians and Judean16 into the Islamic society.

The sharia17 legislation imposed on the latter, in fact, was clear, and little or nothing could be interpreted; they were the dhimmi, the vassals, forced to pay the jizya, the taxes, but nevertheless having the right to exist in their faith. The Africans instead were the real antagonists, those with whom the Sicilian Saracens had to contend for the primacy of rulers.

Al Rabaḍ, however, where nobody had never seen Africans before, the real problem of the day seemed to be making a good impression in front of the Qā'id ibn al-Ḥawwās, the Emir of Qasr Yanna, who inexplicably came to visit to one of his debt collectors.

«If Corrado were here! » said Apollonia as soon as she saw the caravan enter the entrance of the village.

Apollonia was a woman in her early twenties, beautiful with wavy and brown hair and hazel eyes. The white complexion of her skin made her appear even more attractive, as the Arabs girls with European characteristics were the most attractive. If it hadn't been for her religion, they would certainly have wooed her. And if it hadn't been for the smallness of Rabaḍ and her family atmosphere, for sure someone would have induced her to convert with the promise of obtaining an advantageous marriage.

Michele was younger than Corrado and looked a lot like his father. The boy seemed born to work and, although he was not very tall, he was robust and tireless. He also lacked a couple of teeth, having broken them when, at the age of ten, he tried to pull a large nail off a beam.

«At this hour Corrado will have already heard the news and will be coming from the garden with our father. » answered Michele.

«What kind of man will the Qā'id be? » Apollonia asked, more to herself than to her brother.

Michele looked at her puzzled, then, taken from jealousy, he replied Michele looked at her puzzled, then, taken from jealousy, he replied

«Maybe you should stay home like many Islamic women do. »

«I don't know anyone here in Rabaḍ who keeps his sister locked up»

«Umar's sister hasn't been around for a while, and if she does, she is with her face covered. »

«It means that there is a brother more jealous than you. And then Nadira's eyes are enough to attract men. »

Apollonia's last words were the pivot of many things that would happen from that moment forward ...

The Qā'id advanced through the streets among the general riot of the crowd. Ali ibn Ni'ma, more commonly known as ibn al-Ḥawwās, was much loved by people. Its name meant "the Demagogue", the one who attracts the favours of the people. And on the other hand, his own rise could not have taken place without the support of the people and their charismatic gifts; a slave of Berber lineage who had freed himself in the state of freedman and had finally become Qā'id of the entire central Sicily.

Ibn al-Ḥawwās came forward riding a beautiful reddish horse harnessed with yellow and green harness. Apollonia's thoughts were disappointed when she realized that the lord of Qasr Yanna was not as young and handsome as she had imagined, but of middle age, greying and slightly overweight. However, it cannot be said that his appearance was unpleasant; for sure many of those girls who praised him in his passing would do everything to receive his attention.

In addition to the twenty-armed men who escorted the Qā'id, there was a woman in black dress that attracted attention. This, accompanied by a couple of handmaids, rode the steed in sss-style, immediately following its lord. Also, there was a well-dressed guy, for luxury second only to ibn al-Ḥawwās.

Umar found himself at the entrance, paid his respects and invited his master to enter his "unworthy home"; how he called his home. And Ali, the Qā'id, was quick to introduce people to his entourage as soon as they got off the horse.

«My sister Maimuna and Bashir, my Vizier18. »

Then Umar made a signal with his hand to indicate to his relatives, who observe from the door, to approach.

«My mother, Jala ... my wife Ghadda and my children Rashid and Fatima; and this is my sister, Nadira. »

Each of those women nodded with folded hands in front of the Qā'id and the latter replied:

«I will send gifts to reward the beauty of this house. » said the lord stopping more than one glance on Nadira's eyes.

The most beautiful carpets and the finest cushions had been prepared in four and four on the floor of the largest room, so that the men would sit there to converse with each other. In the kitchen, the tannūr19 was even rekindled to bake buns, while young people ran to the nearest source to bring fresh and running water to the guests. They all sat around the centre of the room, while the housewives invited Maimuna to join them on the other side, on the back, under a sort of canopy delimited by a hedge formed by roses.

A row of servants began to bring food, fruit and honey sweets, bread, freshly picked dates, pomegranate juice. At this point, the Vizier, smoothing his beard with a strange pointed shape, began with his reflections and technical questions on the management of the village:

«The place is pleasant, and people are devoted to his Qā'id. Does the credit go to you?»

«It goes to every inhabitant of Rabaḍ and to the pleasant yoke reserved for them by our beloved Qā'id. »

«What are the numbers of the giund20 conscription? »

«Forty-one men, already armed. »

«Are the dhimmi subject to you? »

«There is only one family of Christians ... among the gentlest farmers. »

«One? Elsewhere, in Mazara's iqlīm21, Christians are grouped into communities, although often modest..»

«Marauders ... have you suffered attacks?» Ali ibn al-Ḥawwās asked at this point.

«We haven't suffered attacks since my father was at the command. The latest occurred when Jirjis Maniakis was raging on the east coast twenty years ago. Why do you ask me, my Lord? »

«The subjects of Mohammed ibn al-Thumna, my brother-in-law, are not as gentle as the inhabitants of this village ... and Rabaḍ is a fragile outpost at the foot of Qasr Yanna, where I live. »

«Shall we prepare for something, my Qā'id?»

«I'm just telling you to organize the guard and a prompt signalling fire to sound the alarm to our sentries. »

Under the canopy, outdoors, Jala entertained her illustrious guest with the same treatment as her brother. Sitting on stools they talked about frivolity and banality.

«When's the birth? » asked Maimuna to Ghadda, watching her abdomen.

«In three months ... Inshallah22! »

«And you ... Nadira ... it's really unusual to find you still in your mother's house. Is the smallness of this village the reason why you don't count suitors? »

«To tell you the truth, my Lady, there have been many suitors ... but Umar thought they were not worthy. »

«Of your beauty? Your brother is right. »

« I have nothing more than you. »

Then Maimuna uncovered her wrists by turning the sleeves; scars appeared, just tightened and still full of redness.

« You don't have these that I have ... »

Nadira and the others looked at her perplexed, immediately thought that the Qā'id's sister had cut her veins. But Maimuna explained:

« Don’t think that I am a sinner; it was someone else who made me cut my wrists. »

« Who, my Lady?» asked Nadira with the tears in her eyes, who on that day wore a small palm-shaped painting on her chin, a meticulous work done with henna.23

«My husband, Mohammed ibn al-Thumna, Qā'id of Catania and Syracuse.»

«Why, my Lady? What did you do to him? » Nadira asked again, leaning forward and grabbing her hands.

«Is there anything that justify that a wife being treated like this? »

Nadira then let go, feeling the response almost like a rebuke.

«I belonged to ibn Meklāti, former lord of Catania, with whom I was married, but Mohammed took his life and stole the city and his wife. And as if the infamy of being married to the killer of my first husband was not enough, Mohammed wanted to give me this gift by having my wrists cut in order to bleed me. Besides, you know how my brother became a slave to Qā'id with his hands ... and for this reason Mohammed only reminded me of my plebeian state. »

«Do you still belong to the Qā'id of Catania, my Lady?» Asked Ghadda.

«He asked for forgiveness when he disposed of the hangover of the wine of the night before… because Mohammed is part of those who drink and give themselves to excesses and then they feel sorry and regret the next day. However, I asked to be able to go to my brother and he granted it to me ... but if it were not for the young servant who wanted to save me, I would not be here today to talk with you, dear sisters. »

«Aren't you afraid to go back to him»

«I will not return; I won’t see my children again ... but I will not return! »

«You are brave! » exclaimed Ghadda.

«I'm not brave, I'm just Qasr Yanna's Qāid sister. If I had been one of the women in this village, I would certainly have returned as a good wife. »

«And your brother won't send you back? » Jala therefore intervened, amazed that Maimuna hoped that her brother could support her in that behaviour in her opinion indecent.

«No, Ali sworn it to me. »

There was a moment of silence, as if the air was full of concern for the story of the woman.

«Nadira, my dear, your brother is right not to give yourself to anyone. Have you seen my wrists? Have you seen what happen if you meet the wrong man? And then you deserve much ... much more than what could happen to you staying with Rabaḍ. Ordinary men wouldn't deserve you, daughter. »

«Who could be interested in a girl of the people? »

«Even an illustrious Qā'id! » Maimuna said with unusual rapidity, as if she had been waiting to give that answer since the beginning of the story.

Nadira laughed modestly, then said:

«There are not many important Qāid in Sicily, except your husband, your brother and…»

She had not yet finished speaking and was struck by a strange awareness: Maimuna was there for her and on behalf of her brother. She was seized with anxiety, apprehension and such a tension that she could no longer speak.

«Nadira, dear, what does upset you? » Maimuna asked, stroking her cheek.

Jala, on the contrary, having understood the antiphon even before her daughter, was out of her mind.

«Nadira, Maimuna's compliments seem to bother you. » scolded the mother.

«Why are you here? » asked instead the girl seriously, swallowing.

«To find out if what is said about Nadira of Rabaḍ is true. Do you mind? »

«No!» replied the young woman, making a nervous smile.

It had been agreed between Maimuna and his brother that, if the judgment on the girl had been positive, the latter would have had to serve the men in the other room, and especially the Qā'id directly from her hands.

«Do you think Qasr Yanna's Qā'id comes to Rabaḍ for no reason? Nadira, Ali would be immensely happy if you personally served him some food. »

Not a little reluctant within himself, not because she disagreed with the proposal but because of the seriousness of the gesture, Nadira covered her face, took from the hands of a servant some sweets made of mustard mixed with honey and mustard and brought them to the room where the men they discussed.

The Qā'id stopped the speech as soon as he saw Nadira advancing towards him; was the signal, the girl had passed the exam of Maimuna.

Umar was perplexed; however, he immediately understood the reason inherent in his lord's visit.

When Nadira knelt before the Qā'id and pushed the hand with the food towards his mouth, the other gently blocked her wrist, and she even feared she had done something wrong. Then he fixed her intently in the wide eyes and began to recite:

«Do you know those sources of living, pure and sapphire-coloured water?

Where it is possible to mirror oneself, to see one's soul.

Where herons and maidens quench their thirst, and their hair is uncovered.

Do you know, oh my Great, the boundaries of your kingdom?

Do you know that sea of shocking wonder?

So deep and rich in flaky fin fish.

So turquoise and cyan and blue, where nets gather.

Do you know, oh favourite of the Supreme, the borders of Sicily?

Do you know that sky of incomparable beauty and innocence?

From which rains in the season of early figs and melons.

Thanks to which hibiscus, orange blossom and roses are refreshed.

Do you know, oh my Lord, the sky of Nadira , the boundaries of her eyes? »

Two tears fell quickly over Nadira's face, which went to hide behind the veil of the niqab24. She could not explain how it was possible that the fame of her eyes had crossed the boundary of Rabaḍ and even had reached the ears of the Qā'id.

«Have you ever heard these words, my dear? » Asked Ali, although he already knew that the answer was negative.

«No, my Lord. But the Nadira to whom you dedicated these words must be lucky. »

The Qā'id smiled, being positively impressed by the girl's modesty.

« This summer I granted an audience to a traveling poet who was looking for a court, such a Mus'ab, and he delighted me for two months with his poetic skills. One day he praised me for a flower of such beauty that I ended up begging him to tell me who she was. That flower had a name: Nadira; she lived in Rabaḍ and was the sister of'āmil. The verses I have recited, my dear, I have only learned them by heart ... the prize for genius goes only to the poet Mus'ab, but the prize for the beauty of these words goes to you. However, if I had seen your eyes before hearing these words, perhaps I would have punished Mus’ab for his presumption in wanting to describe the indescribable. Allah has made you unparalleled and inexplicable, my dear! I waited a month, the entire duration of Ramadan25, before I knew "The sky of Nadira, the border of his eyes", although now I realize that that border does not exist.»

Then Ali looked at Umar and said to him:

« Brother, I ask you for Nadira's hand, at whatever price you impose on me.»

Umar didn’t say a word, and Nadira left the room, realizing that the issue had to be addressed by the men.

Umar in his heart immediately agreed, and he would have granted Nadira even without a price, since he would become the Qā'id's brother-in-law, however he hid his emotions and his assent that the other raised the stakes. Ali assured that he wanted to make Nadira one of his wives and that he would not have treat her as a concubine because of his popular origin. Moreover, he also promised gifts and benefits for the whole family. At that moment Umar looked at Rashid, his only eight-year-old son, and couldn't help thinking about how their life would change for the better thanks to his sister's blue eyes.

Meanwhile Nadira had run to take refuge in the place where she went as a child, under the foliage of a large mulberry tree located on the property of the house. She didn’t understand why something so important was happening to her. She was sure that she wasn’t up to it, as she believed she had done nothing to deserve the attention of the Qā'id and a proposal of this magnitude. She was crying and trembling ... then she leaned her back against the trunk and, with her eyes closed, she remembered the cause of those events.