Chapter 6: A new day

My mother joins me shortly after midnight. We haven’t had the chance to talk since my return, and now isn’t the best time or place to do so. However we manage to share a brief mother-daughter reunion.

“You had best go and get some sleep,” says my mother. “Tomorrow is going to be another hectic day.”

I don’t argue with my mother’s sound advice. I’m still tired from my long journey, and being thrown into managing Wadi Halaf at short notice has drained the last of my stamina. I could claim one of the remaining bedrooms reserved for paying visitors who can afford the luxury, but I prefer to sleep in the familiar surroundings of Wadi Halaf’s harem. Once in the harem, I collect a mattress roll and blanket, and lay out my bed in the same area where I regularly slept when I lived here. Only three other women are already in bed, presumably the ones who will be up before dawn to start preparing breakfast. I fall asleep almost immediately.

When I wake shortly after dawn, I see that Amina, Sharina and Zahra are asleep in the same area as me. Mia and Jacinta are already up, and preparing for the day ahead. I would love to have a long soak in the pool, but I know I can’t afford the time. I settle for a short dip in the pool and quickly complete my ablutions before joining Mia and Jacinta for breakfast.

“What time did you get to bed?” I ask Mia.

“About two in the morning,” replies Mia. “I waited until the three you brought with you from the Halls of Valhalla had finished satisfying the last of the visitors. Two of the caravan masters hired Dania and Phoebe for the night.”

“How did Amina, Sharina and Zahra go on with the men?”

“Amina did well. She’s a natural. Sharina and Zahra were enthusiastic, but there are a few areas where they need to improve their technique. If we are going to have busy nights like last night, then you might want to consider keeping them. There’s a limit to how many men Dania and Phoebe can fuck in one night.”

“And what’s the latest news about our father?” I ask Jacinta.

“My potions are only delaying the inevitable,” sighs Jacinta. “His wounds are too severe, and fever is setting in. He’s slipping away fast. I doubt father will last more than a few days. A week at most.”

“I’ll look in on him once Aren and I have seen to the needs of the caravans,” I say to Jacinta, who will undoubtedly be spending most of the day in the foul smelling bedroom.

The news Aren tells me about the blocked roads isn’t promising. The landslip to the south should be cleared by tomorrow afternoon providing the weather stays fine. Unfortunately the rain returned with a vengeance overnight, so that estimate may be optimistic. Rumours have it that some foolhardy travellers are contemplating taking the narrow road through bandit country as an alternative route to the south. Seasoned caravan masters will dismiss that option immediately, so I’m not expecting any of the southbound caravans to depart today.

Crossing the raging river to reach the eastbound road is still risky. The broken bridge will takes months to repair. The aldermen have organised a ferry service, but until the river level drops it is unsuitable for laden animals and wagons. The alternative route requires travelling south for the best part of a day, so it cannot be reached until the landslip is cleared. Even then it requires taking a narrow winding route across hilly country to reach the eastbound road. It’s an unattractive alternative to the ferry.