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Al Lixbuna, Islamic Iberia
Caliphate of Córdoba
989 AD

 

Rafiq waited for Magnus to be summoned, an opportunity provided to watch the men busy themselves preparing to leave, one of the vessels with the distinctive Viking sail already leaving the port.

Yet they weren’t to leave until tomorrow.

And who would depart at dusk rather than dawn?

These Vikings were a strange people, their ways so different from his, that he found they had little in common beyond the desire to trade. His recognition several years ago of the fact they might become important trading partners had led him to learn as much about them as possible, including their odd language from a traveler who had spent several years living among them. Though he would never consider himself fluent, his Norse was as good as Magnus’ Arabic, and it was why his family’s business had been chosen by the Vikings upon their arrival.

He had been the only one able to greet them in their native tongue.

Magnus finally appeared, extending his hand. “Rafiq! What brings you here, my friend?”

Rafiq frowned, the man’s charming personality always winning him over, despite his determination to not trust the man so different from everything he knew. “I thought you weren’t leaving until tomorrow?”

Magnus glanced over his shoulder at the work carried out behind him. “That was my intention, but our business here is concluded, so I decided we should leave when ready. The men are eager to get home.”

Rafiq nodded, disappointed that the explanation was sound. He wanted this man to be guilty of something, something that might explain why his sister had killed herself, yet he could think of no way to find out anything without being direct. “I’m afraid I have bad news with respect to my sister.”

Magnus’ eyes narrowed. “What’s happened?”

“You don’t know?”

Magnus’ eyes flared slightly. “Evidently.”

“She committed suicide.”

Magnus’ eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “But that can’t be! Why would she do such a thing?”

Rafiq drew a breath, knowing this was the moment he had been waiting for. “I was hoping you could tell me.”

This appeared to catch Magnus off guard, his eyes narrowing with confusion as he took a slight step back. “Why would I know? I barely knew her except to see her at your home when your father showed me the honor of his hospitality.”

Rafiq’s chest tightened at the lie. “Then why did you see her not one hour ago, only moments before she threw herself off the cliff and into the ocean?” He held up the note. “Why did you send for her?”

Magnus’ eyes widened at the sight of the paper, then sighed, dropping his head while gripping his forehead. “Fine, I suppose there’s no harm in you knowing now that she’s dead.”

Rafiq tensed, surprised the man would reveal his secrets so easily. “What? What is it I don’t know? What are you keeping from me?”

Magnus frowned, finally lifting his head and staring at Rafiq. “Your sister was in love with me.”

Rafiq’s eyes bulged as his suspicions were confirmed. Yet it made no sense. There had never been any opportunity for such emotions to develop. “I don’t believe it.”

Magnus lowered his voice, as if to protect Rafiq’s family’s honor. “It’s true, I’m afraid.” He held up a hand. “And I must assure you that nothing dishonorable happened. It was simply the curiosity of a young woman who was intrigued by something different. I spotted her staring at me when I first came to your house and thought nothing of it, but she began having notes sent to me, then tried to gain my attention on subsequent visits. I, of course, ignored all her advances, as I wouldn’t dishonor your father that way, but she persisted.”

Rafiq’s chest ached and his stomach churned at the explanation, an explanation he found plausible knowing his foolish little sister. “And is that why you met her today?”

“Yes. She had sent me a message, demanding we meet, otherwise she would tell your father that I had been, well, inappropriate with her. I agreed to meet, I made my position clear, then I left.” He gestured at his men, rushing about. “I thought it best to leave sooner rather than later, in case she made good on her threat.”

“She didn’t.”

Magnus nodded, regret on his face. “In a way, I wish she had. Though it would have resulted in difficulties for me, at least she would be alive to be reasoned with.” He gripped Rafiq’s shoulder. “You have my condolences, my friend.”

“Thank you.” Rafiq paused. “Why did you tell her to bring nothing?”

Magnus frowned, his head shaking slowly. “In addition to the messages, she began sending gifts. I feared she might bring me something, and I didn’t want that.”

Rafiq’s shoulders slumped at another perfectly reasonable explanation. He shook Magnus’ hand. “I wish you a safe journey home, and I apologize on behalf of my family for any trouble my sister may have caused you.”

Magnus smiled slightly. “No apology is necessary. I’m sure we have all done foolish things in matters of the heart.”

Rafiq frowned. “This is true.” He stepped onto the dock and looked down at Magnus. “May Allah protect you on your voyage, Viking.”

Magnus bowed slightly and Rafiq turned, watching another Viking ship set sail.

And he paused.

He turned back to Magnus. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“I saw one of your ships by the cliff. Why was it there?”

Magnus’ eyes widened slightly. “Excuse me?”

“One of your ships was near the cliff.”

“Oh yes, I forgot about that. I sent one of the ships home earlier with a sick man in the hope he’ll get to see his family one last time before he dies.”

Rafiq nodded, again the explanation plausible. “And will he make it?”

Magnus shook his head, a frown creasing his face. “I fear it’s doubtful.”

Rafiq sighed. “Then it would appear we have both lost this day.”