"Yes. Yes, I would. I understand that."
Al Jahez said, "This isn't wise. The impossibility of dealing with the shaghun and the Jebal aside, what would happen to a young woman alone? Even honest men would consider her fair for a moment's sport. Not to mention slavers and bandits. The Disciple instituted a rule of law, little one, but the Evil One, as ever, rules most of the land."
"Those are problems to face when they arise." What he said was true. She could not deny that. Women had no legal status or protection. When the shaghun forced her onto her back he injured her father, not her. An unattached woman was not a person.
Her resolve was not shaken. Damned be the problems, and anyone who stood in her way.
X
When she wanted something badly Narriman got her yay. Mowfik surrendered in the end. Once he gave in, Al J^ihez grudgingly endorsed her training.
Narriman pursued it with a dogged determination that, in time, compelled the respect of Al Jahez's men. She arrived early and left late, and worked harder than any boy.
She was hard. She ignored bruises and aches. Her instructors called her Vixen and backed away when the deadly fire ros(e in her eyes.
One day she browbeat Mowfik into taking her to the captain. She told Al Jahez, "I'm ready. I leave tomorrow."
Al Jahez addressed her father. "Will you permit this, Mowfik? A woman under arms. It's against nature."
Mowfik shrugged.
Narriman said, "Don't stall me. Father's done that for weeks. I'll go with or without your blessing."
"Mowfik, forbid this madness."
"Captain, you heard her. Shall I put her in irons?"
Al Jahez looked at her as if he would cage her for her own protection. "Then marry her to me, Mowfik."
Though struck speechless, Narriman understood. Al Jahez wanted the legal rights of marriage. So he could forbid, she could call upon the law if she persisted. If she rebelled they could hunt her like a runaway slave.