The Lost Choice Read Free

red silk. Seated on the center of Biba’s hump, hands on the reins, a foot resting on each basket,was Alem with Skei the falcon, asleep, perched on his shoulder. Kasi snuggled in close, sitting practically in Alem’s lap, his father’s arms draped around his shoulders. They swayed in an awkward unison to the camel’s gait.
    In the starlight, Kasi could see the other men and their desert steeds in front of and behind them. They were headed to Colonia Aelia, the Emperor Hadrian’s new city. There they would spend a few days in the spice market. After trading for food and the essentials of life, the Bedouins would make their way back across the Desert of Shur to rejoin their people near Marah. Alem and Kasi would not make the return trip.
    â€œWhy must we leave these people, Father?” Kasi asked quietly.
    â€œFor us,my son, there is only safety in movement,” came the answer. “And then, only a measurement are aware that there are those who seek us for want of the possession.” Alem absently touched the rolled-up object that was tied to his chest. “And these are simply violent times.”
    â€œIf someone tried to hurt us,” Kasi said shaking his fist,“I would think of many ways to hurt them in return!”
    Alem laughed gently.“Those thoughts would take too much of your precious time, I fear. Time spent getting even would be better used gaining an understanding of yourself. Revenge is like biting a camel because the camel has bitten you. When you seek to get even, you are apt to do strange things!”
    â€œWhy do you say that I must understand myself?” Kasi puzzled.“I am quite certain that I already understand myself.” “Really?” Alem said as he leaned out and around his son’s shoulder to see his face. Skei flapped her wings once, disturbed by the sudden movement.“Really, you do?”
    â€œI think so,” Kasi said, now not so certain.
    â€œThen can you explain to me,my son, why you released Skei this morning when you clearly knew this was against my wishes? You knew it was wrong, yet you proceeded. Was it your desire to do evil?”
    â€œNo, Father,” the boy stammered.“I was—”
    â€œWere you intending to lose the bird?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDid you remember your father and his rule as you set Skei to flight?”
    â€œOf course not!” Kasi declared. “I would never have done such a thing had I remembered your rule!”
    Alem was quiet.
    â€œThat is not true,” Kasi finally said. “I did remember your rule. I remembered your rule, and I did it anyway. And I don’t know why. I am now quite certain that I do not understand myself.”
    Alem chuckled and gave the boy a hug. “You are only eleven summers,my son. There are grown men who struggle mightily with this concept. The result you are seeking is not mere understanding, but control. It is not enough to recognize what is right and true. One must control the impulse to do what is wrong and easy. Nothing will withstand a person who can conquer himself.”
    For a long time they rode without talking. Kasi thought about all his father had told him. He listened to Biba. Her feet made a squishing noise as they stepped through the sand and her breathing contained a small whistle. He could smell the saltiness of his father mingled with the mellow aroma of the cardamom and the sweetness of the cassia. And occasionally, he caught a whiff of Biba.
    Alem moved his head forward and whispered in his son’s ear.“Kasi?”
    â€œYes, Father,” came the soft reply.
    â€œWhere are your thoughts leading you?”
    â€œTo your possession, Father. Will you tell me what it is?” Alem was silent at first. When he spoke, he did so carefully in a voice just above a whisper.“It is an object of fear and an object of promise. An object of ridicule and of power. The possession displays abject poverty and