A Court Of Fowls: Episode 38
The beautiful Amina sees a remote chance of escpaing from her new "owner'' - but her hopes are dashed.
Michael Conrad Wood continues his exciting novel set in turbulent East Africa.
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Chapter 14
Test of Strength (continued)
When we were herded off the dhow I had only one chance to
draw Nimrod Changeywo’s attention. I stumbled and fell onto the
concrete of the quayside with a howl of bogus pain. As I pulled myself
up Gabobe couldn’t resist the temptation of characteristic bullying.
He took me roughly by the arm and shoved me forward to rejoin
the other women. But my ploy had worked. Nimrod had turned
around, and as I’d hoped, our eyes met. I could see puzzlement reflected
in the look he gave me; perhaps at first there was a lack of
recognition. Or was it just that he had seen me out of context and
was still focusing his mind on where we had met before.
‘You have your hands full with that one,’ he said to Gabobe, who
didn’t answer. I felt almost proud of Nimrod. For the first time I
heard him converse in my own language.
‘Why would that be of interest to you?’ cut in al-Rashid, threateningly,
pushing me further along.
‘Maybe I could relieve you of the burden if you paid me for my
trouble,’ Nimrod continued disarmingly, a broad smile on his handsome
face.
‘Ha! Look, Maasai-man. She’s worth more than you can afford
judging by the cut of your cloth. Why don’t you get on with your
own business and leave us to ours.’
Al-Rashid turned away, driving me and the other three women
further down the quayside. I dared to look back. My friend had resumed
his supervision of whatever cargo he was loading onto the
vessel. My heart sank.
