It came about that indeed the Sheik of El'Jazira was in possession of a
woman who greatly resembled Shadya of Antioch. In an effort to allow the
Sheik to save face for having bought a kidnapped citizen of the Great
Desert City, Sharemihr, Eillonwy, Elhannan, Song and Selthis devised a
clever plan. They created a great feast and dancing contest, inviting
all of the known world to join them. Knowing that Shadya was quite a
skilled dancer, they wagered the Sheik would bring her in order to win
the great prize. They also wagered they could somehow get Shadya from
him without exposing his wrong, using his immense pride.
The feast was prepared, the guests began to arrive and all went as
planned. Through a series of rather impressive dances by a Tazi dancer,
Eillonwy, Ikitae, Harker, Kellin, Elhannan, and Song, the Sheik was
given a great amount of exotic drinks and became quite drunk. Elhannan
and Eillonwy played excellent host and hostess as they flattered the
Sheik with gifts and smooth-talking. Finally, Elhannan convinced the
Sheik to send out his best dancer to 'show the heathens' what a real
dancer could do.
The Sheik, full of pride, alcohol and the assurance he could win the
huge prize, sent Shadya out to the floor to dance. In what was probably
the most memorable of all the dances, Shadya simply sat in the middle of
the floor and said, "My dance is called, 'No.'" Outraged and
embarrassed, the Sheik ordered her 'taken care of', which the Chieftain
of Anhir gladly agreed to do for him. He took her to a private chamber,
locking her away from any further attempts of kidnapping.
The Sheik passed out and was taken back to El'Jazira, where he will
awake with quite a shock and a headache. But he was able to save face
and war was circumvented. Although there is now a question as to his
connections with the strange man who sold Shadya to him, nothing has
been proven yet. Subtle but strong are the ways of the desert, where
brave men and women find their ability to flatter as important as the
abilty to wield a weapon.
Penned by my hand on the 9th of Fas, in the year 418 AD.
