"Here I am. I was told you wished to see me, Tariq." It was long after nightfall. The winds had died down once they passed the pillars, so they'd slowed consderably. "Ajal! Sit! Have some drink with me brother!" Tariq greeted him. "Sorry we have not spoken sooner - but, you know...." Tariq waited for Altayr to sit down and uncork his bottle. They both took a drink, then he got to business. "We will come to Souira Qedish most likely in the early morning. I have wagons there to take us back to Marrakesh. The river is high just now and roils. Safer to use the wagons - but as always we must watch for the bandits," he laughed. "I am sorry for your losses, my brother - truly. I see you are...how shall I say it? Aggrieved but angry. Such is life. Such is life. But I tell you, you are now amongst friends and brothers - and I wish to make you a proposition. But first, there is a small problem." "What is that, my brother?" Altayr asked, taking another drink. Tariq may be an Arab but he was not a Muslim - except when he had to be. They had grown close over the years and shared many adventures together. Tariq was one of the few people Altayr actually trusted. "You know I owe you for coming to get me. Whatever I can do to repay." "Ehhhh," Tariq grinned, "you know me too well. I do like to keep things even. There has been a man in Marrakesh. A very nosy man who asks too many questions. He is trying to get to me but no one will tell him. My sources say he is from the court of King John in Portugal but he is a Muslim converso and has been for many years." Tariq waved a hand in the air in disgust. "All these kings, sultans and and pretentious usurpers and their wars!! What does the King of Portugal know of Morroco and it's people? Nothing! How can you pretend to rule a country you don't even understand!" Tariq sighed. "I am sure if he finds me, he will arrest me for a pirate and take me away to prison in his land. You can imagine my thoughts on that!" "So, what is it you want of me, brother?" "I think you know, Altayr. I don't care how you do it or what you have to do to do it, just do it quietly. You have done this for my father. Now I ask you to do it for me. A re-payment we shall call it...but! also I wish to make you my partner." "What of Ali?" "Ali is no longer with us. Just days after you left, he was killed in a sea-battle with those Portugese. He had just been coming back from taking the cargo of a Spanish ship and they pursued him. We lost everything, Ali, the men, the ship, the cargo. That is why Farouk sails with us. I think eventually we must move ourselves elsewhere - heh, but where? Is it a deal then?" "Hayyaa bi-naa," Altayr answered him. (Let's do this.) Knowing what he did about the inevitable collapse of the Nasrid Empire in southern Spain, it seemed the best thing to do at the time. The Wattasids only nominally ruled Morocco now. The world was crazy with wars and grabbing, greedy pigs who wanted anything they could take - so why not join the other side of grabbing, greedy pigs known as pirates full-time? Altayr was angry. He wanted to get even - somehow. ***** At this time Morocco was under the rule of Portugal under the Treaty of Alcacovas. Portugal was still ruled by Spain but John II could remain the king as long as his son Afonso V married Isabella the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. The Atlantic Ocean was divided into zones or 'spheres of influence' and the Portugese were given hegemony (dominance) over the south, which included Africa's coasts. This is maybe 6-7 years before Columbus sails to the Americas, but that's a different story. To say the politics of the time were chaotic and uncertain is an understatement. Thanks so much for stopping by dear friends and your comments and favs! Hope you don't mind my venture into piracy, but they are another of my interests. There is a moral coming, I'm sure. Have a wonderful weekend! Rayvn