7. Pilgrimage

I thank thee from the most deep recess of my heart for thine heartfelt words of sympathy on my loss, so far away it seems now, yet sharing it with thee brings it back with tender feelings. Regarding this new lands, they were quite different from the rich Gujarat. These people, the Hazramuti, were known as one of the fierce fighting tribes among the Arabs. I could sense on one hand the dismay in some of the relatives of the bride for the harsh conditions in which she was expected to go on leading her life as mistress of her household and her own adroitness in taking this fate in step, and on the other hand how the groom´s family looked upon their new in-laws as weak and perverted people who had deviated from the right path. Fortunately each side had enough forebearance with each other, so the wedding went by with only expressions of good feelings between them. Letters from Shayk Nuradin arrived. He explained therein that his relatives were planning to go on the pilgrimage, one of the Pillars of The Faith, so my presence there was a most pious act, since the land route they were going to take was full of savage raiding tribesmen. He freed me in writing of his service and requested the Hazramuti leaders for me to enter the service of the Amir of the Pilgrimage, engaged in the long preparations for this spiritual travel. The soldierly training was surprisingly harsh, I had no more ropes, but the back of a camel as my means of conveyance during battle. My fellow soldiers were amused by my inexperience and it was a long time till my new fighting skills were worthy of my sea-faring exploits. By the time the pilgrimage caravan was ready to start, I could not only swing my sword but jump with agility from the back of my camel unto a neighbouring rock or the loose sands and be ready for the fight. I was told the reputation of the Hazramuti; or any of the Yemeni, as the people of that region were known; was such that the raiding tribes would only rarely dare attack one of its caravans; quite on the contrary, many an aspiring raider would claim having fought along them. It seemed to me a most barbarous act to attack fellow believers on their way to the Holy Cities, yet to some of my fellow soldiers there was not much of a difference between a rightful Emir and a leader of these raiders. There was little fighting for us in this land route, the most profitable part of it being the society of some of the Hazramuti. To all appearances they recognized I was not softened by the luxuries of Gujarat and were glad to count me among their retainers. I learned that the Holy Cities were in the hands of an Empire that they called the Usmani Empire or simply the Sultan. It caught my attention, but I refrained from showing to much enthusiasm in that way, since I knew they were the sworn enemies invading this land. and this travel was possible only because of a long-time respected pilgrimage truce. Now I will try to describe to you some of the wonders of the pilgrimage. We arrive with a sea of believers from every corner of the world onto the two cities. I beheld the Al-Ca-Ba with thousands of men and women circumambulating it, this large square building. We shave our heads and don white robes. Thine renewed interest leads to share some details, like the sacrificing of a goat, which I hope are not disagreeable to thine delicate sensitivity. It was during this time that I sincered myself to the Emir of our caravan, sharing with him my intentions to join the ranks of the Sultan. At first he was angry, since I was passing over to the enemy. I told him I would first keep on travelling, far away enough so that I would not be required to lift my sword against my former friends. My plan was to enrol in the retinue of a Cairo caravan, still as a free soldier, hence find my way in the seas, where I was to be of the greatest value in the defence of our Holy Faith. He parted with good wishes finally, my eloquence having gained his favour. Being able to prove my Hazramuti credentials made it very easy to find employment in a large Cairo caravan. That was when plague broke out, right after we had the left the Holy Land. This time we were facing an enemy we couldn't fight with military might, we could only helplessly flee, as fast as our train allowed us.