Heaven Can't Wait ۞ Baldwin IV

III - Forever

Alexandria

Valentia had not yet stilled her mind in regards to the engagement. Over and over she kept imagining scenarios of what could have been. What if Musa had not gotten involved with The Righteous? What if her father had never gotten wind of Jerusalem's quest for a queen? However, now that they were docking in Egypt, the only affordable perspective was reality.

The air tasted sour rather than salty. The Holy Land was so close. She could feel what was waiting there for her. Strangely, she actually felt a pull to it, rather than the expected denial. Though it was probably because she was being pulled against her will. Just like Safiyaah, who had been tethered to a leather leash for her own safety.

Wobbling legs carried her lethargic passivity down the ramp and onto the port. The sudden stability of the ground offered modest but appreciated consolation. With so little of it lately, it was enough. It had to be.

"Noah, everyone, thank you;" Al Mualim began. "The voyage was rather swift, and you put up with the lot of us remarkably."

"It is a miracle we did not go crazy and turn on one another," Mustafá joked.

"You don't think you could give us a boost up to Jaffa, don't you?" The emir asked Noah, fully aware that there was little chance of the merchant saying yes.

"Sorry, I have no interest in the dealings of the Holy Land. But I hope to see you again some day, my friend."

"Unless your feelings for the land change, it is unlikely."

Mualim patted the merchant's back and accepted that the remaining length of the journey would have to inevitably take a little longer on foot.

Noah shrugged.

"You never know."

Then, instead of resuming the life they'd disrupted, the man went up to Lluna after rummaging through some of his belongings.

"Lady Lluna," Noah began. "Please accept this gift for the occasion of your engagement." His careful hands held a greenish blue statuette that he meticulously passed onto Lluna's. "She is the goddess Isis, a great wife and mother. I hope her strength keeps you strong. Do not let yours, or the King's situation, bring despair to either of you but inspire you."

Perplexity overcame her lacklustre mien. It was an unexpected gesture from someone she had deemed to be overly pragmatic over the weeks she had gotten to know him. Yet this valuable object he was giving away with such faithful wishes made her think twice of her perception. Furthermore, this was a pagan symbol, which only added to the wonderment.

"I thought you were Jewish. You believe in these gods?"

"I have ties to this land. Your father mentioned that you have too." The affinity brought joy to his face. "I do not venerate them as gods but I like to think that any representation of something powerful can encourage greatness."

With this, she learned that any person could surprise her.

After taking a good look at the statuette and trying to soak up some of that power, Lluna managed a grateful smile. The first one in days. Perhaps it was already working.

"I thank you for this gift, Noah. I shall display it where it is bound to be seen each day and not let its influence go to waste."

He pressed his hands together and slightly bowed his head. "Shalom, shalom."

The girl repeated the phrase to him and the others said their farewells too. Hadassah waved goodbye with one hand while the other tightly hugged the rag doll she never let go of.