War and Ruin

Abad Fadoul is My New Friend?

"I am Captain O'Riley!" Evie stood face to face with Abad. She stood only a foot away from his person. She resembled a standing stone like the henge on Salisbury plain. Unmoving, regardless of what weathering another could do to her.  "I have captained the Immortal Voyager from Ireland to you. I bring great wealth and I expect to gain vast wealth in return." Evie huffed each word out as she hotly staked her claim. "Now, what say you, Abad Fadoul? Will you allow trade for me and my crew?" Evie looked him dead in the eyes, not blinking, only breathing with aggravation.

"So...little Evie has grown to fill her father's shoes?" Abad circles her like a vulture waiting to devour it's prey. "You sail your father's ship. You fly your father's flag. You sail to my ports and expect me to show you the same respect as I showed your father for nearly 15 years." Abad stops and turns on his heels to face Evie, barely six inches apart, "Let me be clear, little Evie," he takes a step closer, "You're getting nothing from my port." Abad walks away with a strut in his step, signifying his win.

Evie looks around trying to scramble mentally for the last words, but nothing comes. Mr. Toole rushes to her side, "Now look what ye did! How are we gonna make any money now!!?" He waves his hands aggressively and in a frustrated manner. "Why did ye have to go and do that fer?"

Evie just stares off into space with disgust and defeat. Hating herself for messing up the entire merchant season for her family and the families for her crew. "Captain O'Riley?" Mr. Collins's voice breaks through her mental spiraling.

"What am I to do?" Evie's fear spreads across her face.

"Hang on, Cap'n." Collins goes after Abad and demands he listens to Evie and respects the authority she's been given. But to no avail. Abad refuses and simply waves Collins away.

Evie attempts to think through an idea. "Abad! You will trade with me and allow me passage as a merchant captain! If you refuse me, I'll open trade with another trade port."

" Oh really? And where would that be?" Abad's thick accent is accompanied by a thick layer of sarcasm.

Evie smiles a mischievous grin then with confidence boasts, "Istanbul."

Abad's eyes widen with astonishment. He knows that his port city is nothing to the once great capital of the Mediterranean region. The traders in Istanbul are descendants of traders from generations ago. So long their history, the traders' families were the chief merchants when it was still Constantinople. This was a place rich enough to rub out Abad, and he knew that. Abad knows that if he's not careful, Evie could buy out the port from just the profits of selling there once if she meets the right traders. The only reason small time traders such as the O'Rileys trade with Abad in Morocco is because he's the easiest middle man of the Mediterranean. But should word get out that he's not worth the hassle, he'd lose his business.

He slowly turns and meets Evie's gaze. Abad grimaces at her then scrunches his face to make a forced smile. "Captain O'Riley, it is a pleasure to welcome you to my port city. Please, let my servants show you to the O'Riley lodging."

"Thank you, Abad Fadoul." Evie smiles and waves her crew along.

Mr. Toole stands with his mouth agape looking at Evie with astonishment. "I can't believe that worked." Then he too followed the rest of the crew and unloads the ship.

Evie sets down her things in her room in the Moroccan veranda. Beautiful geometric designs and paisleys with deep terracotta roofs and stucco finishes on the outside walls. Lovely light pinks and blues shade the inner walls and stunning mosaic patterns tiled throughout the floors. Finally, sitting down at her desk with a small candle, Evie writes home to her parents that's safe and she's preparing for a very profitable season.