Emissary (Book 1)

Family

"Five books for TEN DINARS?" the fat old bookseller exploded. "Who do you think I am? A FOOL?" He stood at the entrance to his shop with his dagger strapped to his waist. Its golden handle glistened brightly in the middle of the day. If he wanted to look menacing, it didn't work. He probably wouldn't be able to sheath it fast enough if his life depended on it. He just looked like an old fool who must have swindled another fool out of that fine piece of weaponry, and my face flushed with regret for parting with that dagger.

That bookshop was the first place I thought off when I decided to sell my books. However I started to regret my decision. I bought those books a couple of weeks earlier from that same place, but now that I needed the money to eat, selling them was the only remedy to my ailing stomach. I guess the pursue of knowledge could never compete with a grumbling belly.

"Please forgive me if I offended you," I tried to appease to the man's heart by apologizing first. It didn't work. "But you told me yourself that each of these books is worth more than ten dinars," reminding him of what he had preached a few weeks earlier. "I'm sure we can come to an understanding," I was almost about to beg.

"In Baghdad maybe, but not in Acre," he replied confirming my doubts as he clasped his arms to his chest. "Besides I vowed to myself a long time ago never to return a book I had sold before. Store policy." And that is because you are an evil swindling profiteer. I almost said that aloud. After a few attempts I concluded that it was impossible to get any copper fals out of that man.

As I was about to walk away a little boy managed to slither from behind the bookseller, he gripped that golden dagger from around his waist, and ran like a bolt of lightning into the crowded market place. This all happened right in front of our eyes before either one of us managed to react. I have always prided myself on being quick but that kid was quicker. In a fraction of a second he snuck between us, snatched away the dagger, and ran. I was impressed, offended, but still impressed.

I had no idea why I ran after that boy when I did. I just dropped my books and ran. It was an uncontrollable reflex on my part. As I leapt after that little midget I could hear the bookseller cry out right behind me. "THIEF, THIEF, THIEF," he shouted. He probably ran into the street screaming to the surprise of his neighbors and passers by. I wasn't concerned with his distress. All I was thinking off was how to catch that little weasel who took my dagger. Well, technically it wasn't my dagger anymore, but I could not let any man swindle the man who swindled me out of that dagger right in front of my eyes. Especially when that man is less than four feet tall. It was a matter of pride. So I ran.

As I said, that youngster was quick but I had the experience as well as two longer pairs of limbs. With a couple of strides and a few good maneuvers I managed to catch up to him, grab him by his shirt and lift him up in the air. He couldn't have been more than five years of age . I was impressed yet again. How could such a little thing pull a stunt like that? Very impressive indeed. He tried to wriggle out of my grip but it was useless. He was quick but I was stronger. I carried him back to the bookshop, still holding him up in the air like a dirty rodent as he kept thrashing and cursing all the way.

"YOUR THIEF," I yelled out still holding the lad up in the air turning him around for everyone to see as a large crowd started to gather in the middle of the street. I even knelt down and put that little mouse on my knees and gave him a good smacking on his back side as he kept cursing with words I did not expect someone that young to have in his vocabulary. However I wasn't paying attention to what he was saying nor to any of the people mumbling around me. All I felt was pride for catching that thief on the streets of Acre. By then the city guards had arrived and they surrounded us from all sides. I was the hero of the day. Now I was expected to be rewarded.