Thousand & One Nights: 198th Night: The Wealthy Man & The Slave Girl-28

The following night Shahrazad said:

I heard, O happy King, that the jeweler said:
The maid said to me, "Go to Ali ibn Bakkar and warn him to be on guard until we find a way out this situation, or if we fail, to escape with his own life and possessions.
This news was such a blow to me, that I could not stand up and my strength drained.  After she left, I hurried to Ali ibn-Bakkar.
I said to him, "Gird yourself, summon your courage, gather your wits, compose yourself and shake off your languor, prostration and debility, for there has been a grave development that could cause the destruction of your life and your property." 

He was alarmed and his colour changed, and he said to me, "O my friend, you have worried me terribly.  Tell me everything plainly."

I said to him, "Such and such things have happened, and you are surely lost.  He sat dazed for a while, looking as if his soul has left his body; then he recovered and asked, "What shall I do?"

I said, "Take your valuable possessions, and trusted servants.  I will do the same, and we head to al-Anbar before the end of the day."
He jumped like a mad man, now walking, now stumbling, prepared himself, and got the servants ready, made his excuse to his family, gave them instructions and left the house.

We set out for al-Anbar. Journeyed most of that day and the night, and by the close of daybreak, halted to take rest.  Suddenly we were attacked by robbers. They took everything, camels, possessions and all the money hidden in our belts, killed all our servants, stripped us naked, made off with everything leaving us in worst plight.

Ali ibn Bakkar asked me, "Which is better, this or death?"

I replied, "What can we do? It is God's will and decree."  We walked on till morning, and came to a mosque, and took refuge there, two destitutes who knew no one.  We sat in a corner all day and night, without hearing anything or seeing anyone.  When it was morning, a man suddenly came and performed his prayers.  After his prayers, he turned to us......"

But morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.

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