Chapter Two: In Peace and Health
"All are welcome in Jerusalem-not because it is expected, but because it is right."
Baldwin IV, The Leper King of Jerusalem
"Are you alright, my friend?" Akeem asked, watching the woman as Arella shook her head from between her hands, hiding her face.
"Would you like some water? Surely you are thirsty." Akeem asked, hearing a muffled "No thank you." in response. Sighing, the man gave up.
"You know, your King is a kind man. You should be honored, not embarrassed." The man reasoned, Arella's shoulders heaving in a great sigh as she looked up at the man, her tears long dry.
"Perhaps you are right but still...I almost walked into him. I hope he is not mad." Arella voiced her concerns, Akeem chuckling softly.
"You worry too much."
"How would you feel if you walked into Saladin?" Arella asked, her blue eyes locking onto the man, closely watching his reaction as the man paused in thought.
"I would be honored, and treat the man with great respect." Akeem answered, smiling as he nodded.
"But what if Saladin became angry with you?" Arella asked once more, Akeem shaking his head as he frowned slightly.
"A good king is kind to his people. Saladin is a good king because he is kind to his people, just as your Christian King is. Were he a bad king, The Leper would have snapped at you." Akeem reasoned, Arella nodding her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"You are right, Akeem. He...did wish me well." Arella added after a second's thought, Akeem smiling.
"See? A good king."
"Yes. A good king." Arella stated simply, smiling gently up at the man as she stood up.
"Thank you, Akeem."
"It was my pleasure." The man simply stated, smiling softly as he looked upon the church once more.
"The stories I heard about the Christian Church are true. It is beautiful." Akeem commented, Arella releasing a soundless laugh as her canines bared.
"Yes it is. Perhaps I can go to yours one day?" Arella suggested, Akeem's eyes widening slightly.
"Truly? You would?"
"Why not? It only seems fair." Arella asked, Akeem hesitating slightly.
"Well...you certainly are not like the others." Akeem stated, laughing almost nervously. "Of course, you should wear a hijab."
"Would not a tzniut do?" Arella asked, confused as Akeem looked at her, equally confused.
"What is a tzniut?"
"It is what women wear when they want to be modest. Well, Jewish women. It covers the hair." Arella explained, a gentle flush alighting her cheeks as Akeem cleared his throat.
"I...think we should get you a hijab. That is the safest way. Some of my brothers are not tolerant of other religions." Akeem stated, Arella's face falling slightly, once again feeling slightly embarrassed before picking her head up and nodding.
"Yes, of course. Well-"
"Akeem!" Arella was cut off, turning her gaze to see another Islamic man approach. Akeem appeared to shrink into himself slightly.
"Ugh...Uncle, I-"
"My nephew, where have you been? And who is that woman you are with?" The man asked, his voice harsh and stern as his eyes narrowed. Akeem's mouth opened and closed like a hapless fish, the young man stumbling on what to say.
"Murrabi, this woman...she is my friend, and-"
"It is my fault." Arella spoke, Murrabi's gaze suddenly snapping to the woman, "I wanted to come to the church to pray. Akeem was with me, I wanted him to see it." Arella added, Murrabi's eyes darkening, and his jaw clenched as it appeared that he would speak to the woman, but instead turned to his nephew.
"You were in a Christian Church?" Murrabi asked, Akeem clearing his throat as his eyes glanced around anxiously.
"I-I was, Uncle. But-"
"Did you pray?"
"Wha-"
"Did you pray to the Christian God?!" Murrabi asked, his voice becoming slightly shrill with rage as he fists clenched. Akeem visibly shook in terror as Arella's eyes shown with uncertainty and guilt.
"N-No, Uncle! I-I swear to Allah that I did not!" Akeem cried in terror, falling on his knees as he went into a deep bow, his nose touching the ground.
"I am ever a servant of Allah!" Akeem whimpered, his voice shaking, and Arella could swear that she could hear soft sobs coming from him.
"Leave him be. Akeem did not forsake Allah. You have my word. If anything it is my fault." Arella spoke, stepping forward as Murrabi looked towards the woman with slightly shock before his face twisted in disgust.
"And what words should I trust from a sow? You Christians are just pigs that ruin our land, slaughter my people and steal our most Holy Jerusalem." Murrabi snarled, his canines showing as Arella's eyes briefly flicked to Akeem, the man still bowed deeply on the ground. In curiosity and fear, however, Akeem has lifted his head to watch the spectacle. Several passerbys had stopped to watch while some had chose to ignore the conflict.
"And it was you whom have slaughtered the Jewish. My people have suffered enough from both Muslim and Christian hands, though I hold no ill will for either side. I only seek to find peace." Arella spoke, anger slowly beginning to bubble in the very depths of her core.
"Hmm, Jewish? Then perhaps I shall oblige you in delivering you to your people where you shall be damned for all eternity?" Murabbi asked, Arella's eyes widening in terror as her heart skipped a beat in fear. Akeem swiftly jumped to his feet, the young man moving in front of the woman, his arms outstretched to clasp the older man's shoulders.
"Uncle, why waste your time? She is but a woman, after all." Akeem asked, his efforts resulted in him being pushed rather roughly to the side. Arella backed up slightly before her foot hit the first step leading to the church. Looking behind her, Arella couldn't help but feel an odd sense of comfort before turning towards the enraged man.
"While Allah may view you as a humble servant, you are but a coward in the eyes of mine." Arella spoke, her voice calm and steady, which the young woman had surprised herself over her brazenness. Murrabi growled lowly, his stride suddenly picking up speed as Arella felt her blood go cold.
"Uncle, no! I implore you, stop!"
"I will show you shame, sow!" Murabbi roared, his hand rising to strike the woman as Arella cried in terror, raising her hands in defence too late before a loud crack was heard. The harsh strike sent Arella falling onto the steps, the fall no doubt producing bruises as a large red mark appeared on her cheek and nose, a thin trickle of blood slowly seeping down a nostril.
Arella's fingertips brushed the warm, stinging spots on her face and nose, the small fingers coming back with blood. The woman coughed slightly, tasting the blood in her mouth from having bit her tongue in the process. Struggling to get her baring correct, Arella noticed that a rather large crowd had now gathered, but no one appeared to even breathe. All were completely silent, and seemed to be looking at something above her. Even Murabbi and Akeem were looking.
Arella then heard the sound of soft footsteps slowly approaching her, however, the woman barely noticed as she tried to stop the blood that ran down her nose. Only when Arella had seen a flutter of white did she look up. It was then that she saw the silver mask looking down at her, a small hand over her nose as blood seeped through her fingers and onto her lips, her eyes showing slight terror and confusion.
After a few second's of study, Baldwin looked toward the crowd, his eyes narrowing on the Muslim man that was just at the base of the church steps. Looking upon the crowd, all were silent, and none dared to move when in the presence of their king. Silently, Baldwin raised his arm and pointed toward Murrabi with a wrapped finger, the attacker freezing.
"You." Baldwin addressed, Murrabi paling slightly as The Leper slowly walked down the few remaining steps, his movements an almost equal amount of graceful feminism and dutiful masculinity.
Akeem slinked away as he saw the king stop in front of Murrabi, not wishing to be in any conflict as Baldwin tilted his head slightly, as if studying the man.
"On your knees." Baldwin ordered softly, Murrabi hesitating, as if debating on what to do before a sneer twisted onto his face.
"I bow for no Christian King." Murrabi growled darkly, Baldwin's posture seeming to change, several guards coming near, ready to apprehend the man if given the order.
"On your knees." Baldwin ordered again, his voice dominant, and assertive as Murrabi looked around before looking back toward the masked man. Slowly, regretfully, Murrabi lowered himself to his knees.
"You hit that woman, did you not?" Baldwin asked, Murrabi staying silent, both knowing the answer.
"Tell me: why?" The Leper asked, Murrabi staying silent for several seconds before answering.
"She needed to be taught a lesson in shame, Christian King." Murrabi answered, Baldwin releasing a deep sigh, his breath almost shaky before looking at the man, silent.
"Then allow me to teach you that lesson." Baldwin spoke, Murrabi's eyes widening upon watching the king fluidly produce a small whip from his belt.
Arella looked ahead in curiosity, the white silken cloth waving gently in the wind as the woman became mesmerized by it only to be broken out of that trace as the white cloth suddenly jerked violently, and a loud crack followed by a grunt filled the air. Arella's eyes refocused on what was happening around her, to which the woman saw Murrabi fall to the ground by the force of the blow, Baldwin regaining his posture before putting away the small whip once more.
Murrabi lay on the floor, a bloody tooth laying next to him as the red liquid stained his beard, a large red mark staining his tan skin.
"Christian pig!" Murrabi growled, Baldwin grunting softly at the insult.
"I pray you return to your homeland safely. You are free to come to Jerusalem for all are welcome here, but do not disrupt the peace of my city. I will not have Jerusalem's streets running red with blood from religious uprisings. All are welcome here and are encouraged to worship in peace, and I will not allow that peace to be broken. Regardless of faith, I will not stand for violence." Baldwin spoke, Murrabi looking up at the king as he slowly climbed to his knees.
"Take this man to the city gates." Baldwin ordered softly, Murrabi suddenly finding himself being dragged away, kicking and cursing in the process.
Akeem watched as his uncle was dragged away, his eyes shifting to Arella, whom was still sitting on the steps. Slowly, the crowd began to disperse in small groups, leaving only Akeem, Arella, and the king along with a few knights.
Arella looked up at the silver mask, Baldwin not moving, as if content where he was before looking at the woman and slowly approaching her. Arella's heart began to hammer in fear as he stopped a few feet in front of her.
"Are you well?" Baldwin asked, the emotionless mask glaring in the sunlight at the woman.
"Yes. I am s-sorry for the disturbance." Arella stammered, a wave of nervousness washing over her. Really, who wouldn't be nervous around a king?
"What king would I be if I never defended my people?"
"A bad one?" Arella asked, not sure if she should have even answered that question as the man chuckled slightly, a soft cough breaking the gentle pattern.
"Are you alright, my king?" Arella asked, doubting if she should speak or not. She wasn't too sure. Should she speak, or wait to be spoken to? It made her nervous. What if she did something wrong that the man took offense to? If she were to get kicked out of Jerusalem, she couldn't leave. Her father needed her!
Baldwin didn't answer, instead, the man raised a hand and waved off her concern. Akeem stood nearby, the man seeming fearful and uncertain on what to do.
"I thank you, my king." Arella spoke, slowly rising to her feet as she produced a handkerchief, trying to hide the blood by covering up her nose.
"It was nothing. A king must always defend his people, even if it costs him his life." Baldwin spoke, Arella unsure if he was smiling underneath, but he sounded pleased.
"That is very noble of you, my lord. Pardon me, but I must g-go. I need to see that my father is safe. Um, with your permission, of course." Arella spoke swiftly, feeling a cold sweat break out onto her skin, only for it to quickly vanish as the man chuckled softly as he nodded.
"Godspeed, good woman." Baldwin spoke, Arella quickly bowing before making her exit towards Akeem.
"I am sorry for what my uncle did to you. That was most cruel." Akeem apologized, Arella wiping the blood from her face, the white of the fabric turning red.
"That is alright. He was being mean to you as well. That was not fair." Arella spoke, Akeem sighing softly.
"I suppose I shall go see to my uncle. I wish you and your father good tidings, my friend. Farewell."
"Farewell, Akeem." Arella wish goodbye as the man walked away, Arella making her way towards the general direction of the healer.
Upon finding the healer, Arella smiled as she saw Jordan sitting on a stone bench.
"Father! I prayed for you and mother at the church today. I am sorry I took so long." Arella exclaimed, the sun setting behind her as the man smiled.
"That is alright, Arella. So long as you are fine." Jordan replied, Arella bending down to kiss him as the man returned the gesture, the man's eyes widening at the large bruise across her face.
"Good Lord, what happened to you?" Jordan asked, startled, voice laden with concern. "Let me see." Jordan demanded softly, his large hand gently cupping her face as he turned her head to get a better look. The contact caused the large bruise to cry in irritation.
"I am fine, Father. I just fell. You know how clumsy I am with steps." Arella spoke, wincing in pain as she pulled away, a smile forming on her face as her eyes began to shine.
"Well? How did things with the healer go? Are you cured? I prayed to God for you, Father, so you must be cured!" Arella exclaimed, excitement in her voice. Jordan remained silent, and his eyes appeared to soften.
"Arella...I am not cured." Jordan spoke, sighing sadly as Arella's eyes became wild.
"Not...not cured? What do you mean? God cures all ailments in Jerusalem! This is His city!" Arella cried. "I do not understand!"
"Arella...I am suffering from no disease."
"If you are suffering from no disease then why are you not cured?!" Arella asked desperately, fear wracking her heart as Jordan licked his lips, unsure of what to say.
"Arella...you must understand...it is my heart."
I apologize if the language on here offended anyone. That is not my intention, but it is my intention to make this story as realistic as possible. I thank anyone who has read thus far and anyone who has been kind enough to review. I honestly hope that this story will be one of the most emotionally compelling one I have with "raw" emotion. I will try to update Leper every week or two, but make take longer due to working on Dishonored(a story similar to Leper, but roughly 200-300 years later). I also hope I got Baldwin right, and I apologize if I didn't. Once again, thank you and please review! :)