Omari and the People
Author: Stephen Whitfield
Genre: Action/Adventure - Historical Adventure
Genre: Action/Adventure - Historical Adventure
Date Published: October 2014
Book Description:
In an ancient time, a people made homeless by a devastating fire are led across a treacherous desert by a thrill-seeking thief, to a land he doesn't believe exists - and he started the fire.
In a squalid ancient city on the edge of a desert (based on descriptions of the African Sahara’s Empty Quarter,) a weary, thrill-seeking thief named Omari sets his home on fire to start anew and cover his many crimes. When the entire city is unintentionally destroyed by the flames, the cornered thief tells the displaced people a lie about a better place to which only he can lead them, across the desert. With the help of an aged, mysterious woman who knows a better place actually does exist, they set out. The disparate people must come together to fight their way through bandits, storms, epidemics, and more. As a result of Omari's involvement with Saba, a fiercely independent woman who is out to break him in the pay of a merchant whom he has offended, his ability to lead - his very life - is jeopardized.
Book Description:
In an ancient time, a people made homeless by a devastating fire are led across a treacherous desert by a thrill-seeking thief, to a land he doesn't believe exists - and he started the fire.
In a squalid ancient city on the edge of a desert (based on descriptions of the African Sahara’s Empty Quarter,) a weary, thrill-seeking thief named Omari sets his home on fire to start anew and cover his many crimes. When the entire city is unintentionally destroyed by the flames, the cornered thief tells the displaced people a lie about a better place to which only he can lead them, across the desert. With the help of an aged, mysterious woman who knows a better place actually does exist, they set out. The disparate people must come together to fight their way through bandits, storms, epidemics, and more. As a result of Omari's involvement with Saba, a fiercely independent woman who is out to break him in the pay of a merchant whom he has offended, his ability to lead - his very life - is jeopardized.
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Excerpt
As was his way, bin Aswad took no part
in the celebration, and actually enjoyed his time alone as everyone else
danced, sang and ate. Indeed, he had always found great pleasure in his love of
numbers – calculating expenses, inventories and ultimately, profits. Despite
Omari’s warnings about making money from the needs of others, bin Aswad had
found it profitable to provide specialty clothing for those who could afford
it. He found that some people paid well for themselves and or their family to
look good in new clothing, and he was very clever in the re-use of old clothes
to make new garments, as his cloth supply dwindled. Instead of being rich in
coin, he now had more than his share of food, water, tools and other valuables.
He was happily humming a tuneless melody while he sat counting a number
of small gems, when his tent flap flew open. A stunning young woman moved in
quickly and stood over him. Astonished, he scrambled backwards with his eyes
and mouth wide open, spilling the gems onto the tent floor.
“Ho, bin Aswad. Easy,” said the woman in a husky voice, and a bright
smile that revealed white, even teeth. “I wish you no harm.” She raised her
palms to calm his fright and sat down. “In fact, I believe I might be of some
service to you. My name is Saba Khan.
Did you drop something?”
No longer terrified, bin Aswad was still
too surprised and embarrassed to form any reply, except to start picking up his
gems while glancing up at the stranger. At first glance, Saba Khan possessed
what might be called an extraordinary beauty – enough to turn heads, and very
pleasing to the eye. In bin Aswad’s lamplight, her complexion was a satiny
smooth, golden brown that seemed to blend into the darkness. Her finely
sculpted face framed dark amber, almond-shaped eyes, which made him pause. For
the brief moment he held her gaze, he was so struck by their sheer intensity,
intelligence and perceptiveness that he stopped
picking up his gems. His attitude changed to awe and he was willing, even eager
to hear what she had to say.
“How do you know my name?” he mumbled, too awestruck to ask all the
questions in his mind.
“You are well-known, bin Aswad. You have many customers—people you talk
to and trade with. Some of the things you receive in trade are precious gems,
such as that one you missed, just there.” She pointed a slender finger at a
ruby behind him.
“That gets people’s attention. Some of the things you’ve said are bound
to get even more attention – such as the fact that you are unhappy with Master
Omari’s leadership.” She leaned forward and opened her eyes wide. “Allow me to
offer you some free advice – trade your gems away and keep your opinions to
yourself.”
Bin Aswad noticed the hilt of a dagger in her waistband. As the idea of
danger began to form in his mind, beads of sweat broke out on his upper lip.
“That’s some strong advice,” he said, in an effort to sound self-assured. “What
do you have to do with my opinions or my gems?”
Saba Khan chuckled. “I’m not here to harm you, bin Aswad. I’m here to
suggest that I might be able to help you solve your problem with Master
Omari…for the cost of some of your gems.” She raised her brow and tilted her
head to the side. “Are you interested in seeing someone else in charge of the
caravan? Someone more sensitive to your business interests?”
He frowned and leaned forward. “And how would you…”
“You don’t need to know that,” she said.
“All you need to know is if you pay my price, your satisfaction is
guaranteed.”
He stared at the woman in amazement. “What do you do? Are you some kind of killer? I don’t want to
kill anyone.”
“I make things happen,” she replied. “And don’t worry; you don’t have
enough gems for anyone to be killed. Not even that great blue jewel you have
hidden in your robe.”
Bin Aswad’s eyes widened again. “You know about the jewel?”
“That is why I’m here,” she said in a low
voice. “Remember my first advice? You’re
not going to be able to hang onto such a stone much longer anyway. Too many
people know about it. Right now, all you have to do is say ‘yes’ to the deal.
If you do, I will give you more details later.
Of course, whether you agree or not, I must refer you back to the second
advice – keep your business to yourself. Now, do we have a deal?”
She leaned forward and smiled as if she knew the answer.
About the Author
Chicago-born Stephen Whitfield began writing as a Marine Corps print
journalist. His writing has appeared in military publications, as well as the
Kansas City Star and the Jersey Journal. He holds degrees from from Loyola
University Chicago, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Indiana University.
Stephen currently resides near Orlando, Florida.
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