And Then There Were Seven

Munaf ponders for a while; evidently, he wasn't expecting this. Eventually, he comes to a decision. "Fine," he grunts. "You can come, but only because I won't leave you at Arif's mercy. This is going to be a hard journey, mind, so don't complain if you can't keep up."

"We promise," Sefira says gravely. "No matter how hard the journey gets, it's got to be better than being in bed with Arif... or so I've heard..." The other concubines dissolve into a fit of giggling. Munaf shakes his head, obviously doubting his decision to let them come. I don't know what his problem is - they might not be experienced travelers, or experienced in the world in general, but from what I've seen, they won't back down.

Munaf waves his hand, and says, "Come. I've drawn a bath for you."

The bath water is a rather nasty shade of mud-brown. When I question Munaf about this, he replies, "Cora seed oil [2403]. Usually used to treat wounds, but with that little in that amount of water, all it should do is stain your skin."

I ease myself into the bath. Munaf applies an evil-smelling deep purple paste to my hair - presumably, some form of hair dye - and pushes my head under the water. "I'll be back in an hour. Hopefully, that should be enough time for it to work."

When I look in the elaborately-decorated full-length mirror in the bathroom, I hardly recognize myself. My formerly light brown hair is now sleek and black as coal, and my pale skin is stained the color of light brown sugar. Munaf looks me over. "Good enough. You could pass for a mixed-race Artazian, I think. Now, one last step."

When Munaf produces a knife from his pocket, I grow wary. It's silly, of course - all he wants to do is cut my hair. By the time he is done, my previously long hair is shorn short, barely covering my ears. "You need a new name," he muses. "Arif will tell all his men the name of the concubine who killed Omer. Will Ranya do?"

I nod mutely. Ranya. I suppose I'll have to get used to it, just as I'll have to get used to my new appearance.

Munaf then leaves the harem. "Usman and I will be here for all of you at midnight, without fail."

1. Midnight comes, and Munaf and Usman turn up exactly as promised.
2. Munaf and Usman don't come for us. What could have gone wrong?
3. Before Munaf and Usman get a chance, a message comes in that Arif wants one of us to share his bed that night!

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