Page 8 - Unlikely Stories 4

A Lot of Brass

“The Jew is here.”
Mu’ayiwa’s loyal vizier and admiral of the fleet Abu al-A’war held
the tent flap expectantly.
“Let me remind you,” said the vizier, “he may think he has us over
a barrel. We are the only seller, and he may realize that he is the only
buyer. Jews have no military backing them up, but they are far more
experienced than we are in making deals. He cannot possibly have
enough gold with him to make it worth our while. Yet he seeks an
audience with you.”
“They are People of the Book,” replied his commander. “We have
sacked Rhodes and nothing remains of potential value but the
fragments of that idol. It would be better to send the caliph as much
loot as we can. But can we trust the Jew to dispose of that thing
entirely? The pagans here still venerate it, long after God struck it
down. Had we left them any wealth at all, I’m sure they’d try to buy it
back.”
“I should let him speak for himself. He is not a native of this place.
He is a trader, a merchant, trapped in our blockade and siege.”
Mu’ayiwa nodded.
“Send him in. But keep your dagger at hand.”
Abu al-A’war stepped outside the tent briefly, returning with a
small bearded old man in garb familiar to the Arabs. He bowed
slightly and stiffly.
“Honor the emir!’ growled Abu al-A’war. “Salaam!”
“Sorry. Shalom! I am Moshe ben Eliezer of Edessa.”
The emir nodded.
“Yes, I have seen your brethren in Syria during our campaigns. My
vizier has informed me that you would be willing to rid this accursed
island of its false idol. Why should we consider you for this task?”
Moshe spread his hands self-deprecatingly.
“Excellency, we Jews are past masters in the junk business, and in
all occupations shunned by other groups and forced upon us. I can
give you a good price because I know the merchandise and where I

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