It was late before Riddick settled down. Over the course of the evening, Jack was discussed as the prize for this month's litter of eligible women. Her bride price payable to the council was nearly one million by the time Imam called it to a close. He was wondering if Riddick had that much, not that it would matter, they would disappear soon and she would be safe. He was just grateful no blood was spilled.
"Mr. Riddick. It is good to see you now. I worried for a time. I want to thank you for your restraint." He said looking at the man who could have torn it all down, effortlessly. "Faisal Mohammed is a dangerous man."
"So am I holy man. He wants a fight." He growled looking down at the courtyard watching Jack do kata to relieve her stress. He could smell her and knew she was furious. "What was it he called her?"
"Adeni, Ah. The fiery one. Temptress." He translated. "One who has the hottest blood, a seductress."
"What about Azrani?" he asked agreeing with the term and watching her dance-like movements in the almost complete darkness.
"You know she rarely uses the light. She has learned to embrace the darkness. Azrani means virginal one, purity from the sins of the flesh." He explained watching the fluid movements she did. She was beautiful, graceful. "Who has called her such a name?"
He drank in her visage in the moonlight like water in the desert and answered him. "An old crone with a hooked nose and a hump on her back. The way I heard it, it sounded like a curse."
"Ah, Ziza. She is the mother of Faisal, first wife to his father." Imam answered. "She is an evil woman, who has no love for anyone other than herself. Mr. Riddick?"
"Yeah, holy man?" he asked almost as an after thought.
"I must remind you that Faisal will pay the bride price and come to take her. She has three days."
"I know." Was all he said.