A History Through Blood

The midday sun hung over the docks, which was seeing unusually high amounts of activity. Fishing boats, once the primary users of the docks, had been moved aside as a large foreign vessel had anchored nearby and was in the process of ferrying its cargo to the shoreline. The atypical sight attracted all manner of merchants, children, mothers, slaves* and other curious onlookers to stare at the white-skinned newcomers appearing on their shore.

Kahina was one of many slaves which handled the docks under the command of the harbor master Abdalah Al-Din**, a wealthy man with a foul temper behind closed doors. She was stationed near the main docks at the request of one of the dock managers, as she was one of the few subordinates who could speak the foreign language of the white men. The unfamiliar delegates appeared well mannered, extending those manners to a slave such as herself.

While her owner did not appreciate her talents, having purchased the young woman entirely for her looks, the more observant among Abdalah's underlings noticed her abilities and had asked to borrow her during the day. Initially she had been taken to the trading port ten years ago, having been forcibly enslaved by Mali slavers and sold on one of the many slave markets. Her gift for language was quickly noticed, after learning to speak conversational Arabic after eight months by listening to her master's servants and Imam, often translating the prayer services into her native tongue (Fulani) once her ability was pointed out. Kahina then, through conversing with Portuguese sailors, learned: Portuguese, Spanish, English and some French rather quickly with dedicated study, although her writing lacked the beauty of more seasoned translators.

Beneath her beaded dress, Kahina felt beads of sweat falling down her dark brown back and into the welt marks left from the latest beating. Seldom few noticed the marks, either due to their general location or out of feelings of general apathy. The punishments were not for any specific reason, often just for showing competency or displaying “dishonourable behaviour.” Any mistake made in her general vicinity was blamed on her, increasing the debt held above her head. On several occasions she had been tempted to accept one of Abdalah's sexual advances for a hint of relief, only to turn him down and receive violent retaliation. She had long realized that his interest in her was largely egotistical in nature, thus he needed her to consent in order to feel satisfied.

The latest arrival was a ship called 'the Messenger', carrying merchants and a few priests from the Catholic Church. The captain of the vessel remained on board, while his vice-captain coordinated the unloading efforts with one of the merchants. The vice-captain was also accompanied by strange a woman, wearing a heavy black niqab that would likely be stifling in the dry afternoon heat. Kahina acted as translator for the dock master, smoothly handling the docking fees, tariffs and other regulatory tasks demanded by the local officials. The woman, named Victoria based on introductions, stood with her back to the sun and keenly observed the surroundings.

Once complete, the strange woman reunited with a man who appeared to be her husband, having already secured a designated spot to unload the cargo brought to land a short while prior. The couple were in the process of double checking their cargo, assessing how much damage had been sustained over the month-long journey by sea. A few merchants approached them but were directed to the main contingent of the merchant ship who were beginning to unload their own goods. Kahina remained near the pair, keeping out of the way of the bustling docks in the event that someone dropped a valuable crate and inevitably blame her for the incident.

A disturbance then came from the road leading to the city's heart, causing cries of confusion and annoyance from the busy streets. Summoned by the ship's arrival, Abdalah wandered down to the dock followed by his three wives and dozens of slaves. He was quickly joined by local government officials and religious figureheads, all trying to impress the visiting merchants and clergy from yet another foreign power. The few male translators able to speak this new tongue had been quickly summoned, acting as intermediaries for the more senior merchants and the priests. Kahina heard the husband of the black-clad woman mutter, “At least their skill with boot licking nobles is being put to good use.” Seemingly commenting on the visiting priest's conversational skills with the local delegates.

The Harbour Master's entourage did not exclusively pay attention to the main delegation, others greedily eyed the incoming cargo with much anticipation of new pleasures from far off shores. One of Abdalah's wives appeared to be fixated on Kahina, scowling at the slave while she attended to the shipping documentation. “That one seems to bare a grudge against you.” Commented Victoria, who was currently inspecting their crate of bright red pelts. “That is Wambui, the second wife of my Master. She does not approve of my work or my general demeanor.”

“Are you happy with your current situation?” The woman asked, hiding her intentions under the guise of examining her merchandise. Kahina thought about her life as it was, the long workdays, the constant disdain from her master's wives, the verbal tirades, physical abuse from those around her and the constant sexual advances from Abdalah. In truth, she was desperate to leave but knew that she would not be able to escape the town watch he was entrenched in. “I am not. But I have no means to escape, my master keeps adding to by slave's debt through various means.” “It looks like Wambui is likely to approach us shortly,” Victoria stated “I am in need of a translator who answers solely to me and can do so in a variety of unique circumstances. Here is my offer: I will buy you as payment up front, once my party leaves to cross the desert you will be released. Are you interested?”

As predicted, Wambui wandered across with several servants in tow. “What do you need to know?” Kahina asked, hesitantly reaching for a slight hope of freedom. “Two things, can any of them understand me and does she have authority to sell you?” “They only speak Arabic and Fulani. While she does have the power, no one will buy me in the city out of fear of retribution.” Her acting-husband Leo walked over, feigning intimacy while Victoria gave instructions in a flirtatious tone. “Follow my lead, Kahina will be translating us directly. You only need to follow my tone.”

Wambui arrived, her hostility mostly hidden behind her smile. “Go on, you worthless slave, introduce me.” Kahina translated, mostly professionally “Wambui Al-Din, second wife of the great harbour master Abdalah Al-Din greets you.” Leo knowing his role, replied in kind “I am Leo of the Carpenter's Guild, this is my partner, Victoria. Thank you for coming out to see us.” “This is Leo of the carpenter's guild and his wife Victoria.”

Victoria then selected one of the orange pelts, ceremoniously presenting it to the official's wife as a gift, “This comes from creature called a fox and its pelts are intermittently trendy, tell her its a gift and include some flattery.” Gently Kahina lifted the fox pelt from her conspirator, carefully placing it in her mistresses' arms. “She has gifted you a quality fox pelt, despite its small size it is popular among the upper classes up north.” A series of quick strokes of the fur revealed a softness unfamiliar to her, save the occasional lion hide that retained it's distinct mane. The foreign wares had sparked a hint of greed in the woman, she already had much but desired something to put herself above Abdalah's other wives. “What else do you have?” she asked, earthly desires growing by the second.

“Things are going well?” she said, morphing her tone to sound like she was asking a question. It was seemingly a practiced routine, as Leo replied, matching her speech “She is acting like most noble woman I've seen, a magpie whenever there is something new.” The term magpie was lost on Kahina, but she stood by while her potential new master retrieved an ornate chest, tucked behind some foreign grain. “These are necklaces, made of gold and silver, with gemstones of mixed rarity in them. The box also contains decorative pins, rings, bracelets, badges, earrings and pendants, all separated in different compartments. Explain that we are likely to head to Niani and Timbuktu, before going to Mecca so we cannot sell much to her.” The city names caught the attention of Wambui, confirming once translated that her desires would not be entirely fulfilled.

The allure of gold hung over Wambui as she carefully examined each of the layered compartments, trying to decide which many pieces she could try and purchase. Asking questions about various items and having them translated to Victoria with barely suppressed excitement and greed intermingling with her speech. A sigh from the veiled merchant woman and a few comments directed toward Kahina was enough to prompt a request to translate. “She sighed mistress, because she desired a translator for her journey. Both of them have taken a liking to me and was sad as she could not hire me for her travels. She offered several trinkets for my services, but I declined as I already had a master.”

-

In her mind Wambui quickly weighed the possibilities before her. The jewels, pelts and other items could raise her status among Abdalah's wives, as well as remove the ungrateful slave from her household. Conversely the woman was her husband's obsession, even if she had previously rejected his advances. If she sold Kahina off to the merchants without consulting Abdalah, his punishment would probably be quite severe.

They could always get a new slave, given the new influx of foreigners acquiring a pale Turkish slave from slavers in Timbuktu might appease him and set trends in the port. She could likely exploit their ignorance of local markets to get an exceptional deal, getting far more that her actual worth. Complementing Kahina and admitting that she was a very competent worker was a small concession, given that she would likely not encounter her again.

-

“Slave,” Wambui said tone turning somewhat malicious “ask her how much she would be willing to pay for your ownership.” “What!? But..” Kahina stammered, both out of incredulity and at how smoothly Victoria had manipulated the conversation with the little information provided to her. “She asked what you would be willing to pay for me, how should I respond?” Victoria, still acting as the excited wife, turned to Leo who played along with a gentle non-answer to appear as if they were discussing an offer when in reality, she was guiding the next portion of her plan. What proceeded was a haggling session resulting in several fox pelts, necklaces and pendants being exchanged for ownership of a single slave, the value of which likely far exceeded her debt and perceived value, to both Kahina and Wambui's surprise. Her accompanying slaves had attempted to object a few times in fear of Abdalah, but was quickly silenced by their mistress.

-

Elatedly Wambui returned to her husband, who was still talking with the foreign nationals. Her arrival was marked by interest from the merchants, complementing her taste as several of them had unsuccessfully tried to get the higher quality goods from the pair in previous interactions. Abdalah appeared approving of the transaction, basking in the praise granted to him by proximity to Wambui's purchase. His warming smile reassured her that it was the right decision, as he caressed the strange fur hide. The other wives also inspected her acquisitions, being gifted some of the lesser pieces as consolation prize.

Only when the merchants began to ask what she offered to make the merchant yield some of her high-quality goods, did the details of her payment come out. As if timed perfectly, the aids she had sent to the harbor master's office to collect Kahina's proof of ownership arrived and began to transfer the rights to the foreign couple. The other servants knew of their master's desires, hesitantly translating the exchange to their guests, omitting the surrounding context. Abdalah begrudgingly congratulated his wife for getting so much for a single slave, silently fuming that he could not undo his wife's transaction in the presence of so many important members of society. While her husband would be angry at her for a time, Wambui was sure that she could regain favour with the bounty she had acquired trading that worthless slave. The eyes of greed glistened in those of her family, cementing her decision.