Though they all witnessed Shazi curse Tariq quite soundly afterward-which implied all was on its way to being mended-Irsa was still sure the caliph intended to do Tariq physical harm in the near future. Shahrzad bit down on a piece of worn leather while it was being done, and tears stained her cheeks for the duration. He managed to remove the arrowhead intact, which Irsa had been most grateful to see, despite the difficulty accompanying the effort. Not to mention the steady hands of a skilled archer. After all, he was the one with the strongest understanding of its design. Unfortunately, it did not much help Tariq’s cause when he was the one to extract the arrowhead. Irsa was certain the caliph meant to murder Tariq at this admission. With the intention of shredding skin and shattering bone. With the purpose of exacting a great deal of damage. In the end, they were forced to consult with Tariq, as he had been the one to fashion the arrowhead in question. Since neither of them was versed in such matters, it proved to be a challenging task, especially with Shahrzad’s combativeness coming to the fore. Then, once the wound was cleaned, she and the caliph attempted to remove the arrowhead. Irsa was not quite certain why he’d even attempted to do so.Ī death likely to come about in any number of colorful ways. Surely Tariq could not have thought it was. Especially in the presence of Shahrzad’s husband. Of course it was not appropriate for Tariq to assist her with this.

Though on that score, Irsa supposed the caliph’s enmity was somewhat warranted.Īs soon as they concealed themselves within the tent, Irsa tried to remove Shahrzad’s bloodstained qamis, so as to better see the wound in question. The first incident occurred not long after they arrived at Tariq’s tent. For she was quite certain he’d almost killed Tariq no less than three times since returning to the Badawi camp. With her sister, he was a summer breeze across the sea.Īlas, this did little to change the fact that Irsa remained terrified of him. With everyone else, he was chipped ice on a mountain. He was a confusing mixture of extremes, cloaked behind a black rida’. I RSA DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF HER SISTER’S husband.

Shahrzad series part 11