This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. As fiction, the characters are not bound by the usual dictates of modern society. Unsafe sexual practices can be undertaken with impunity only in the world of fantasy. In reality, it is both your obligation and your right to play safely, sanely and healthily. I hope you enjoy my work, and if you have any comments, or ideas that may inspire new work, please feel free to contact me - all e-mails will be answered to the best of my ability.
End of chapter 45
Then it happened. The explosion. Like a hundred guns going off at one time. They came together. Allie shot out a warm, sticky fluid flood between their bodies and the two of them collapsed, exhausted but now drained of emotion and love fluids.
Chapter 46
Saturday came and the Emir's residence was all decked out in decorations. The 'Great Room' was turned into a huge Bedouin tent. The only thing missing was the sand underfoot. Tables had been set up with enough food and delicacies to feed thousands although only half that amount of guests had been invited. The general public had known of the Emir's party for days and had gathered outside the estate's main gate in hopes of seeing some of the dignitaries, or perhaps, even by chance, crashing the party. However, security was very tight and they had to content themselves with the left over food which was to be freely distributed after the guests had their fill. Everyone of any importance in the Muslim world had come to meet and see this foreigner who was to become the future husband of the Emir's favorite granddaughter. Everyone knew that this union would most likely be His Eminence's last chance to procure a male heir of his own choosing. It was well known that the Emir had absolutely no use for the husbands of either of his two daughters. They were both idiots and the fact that neither marriage had produced a male heir did not endear either of the men to the public. The one bright spot in those marriages was the fact that the public could see the joy that the grandchildren brought to the Emir. They knew that he adored the eldest girl and if he had picked Joseph to be her husband, they wanted to meet him. No one wanted to miss this opportunity. If Joseph or his son was indeed to become the leader, then they all wanted to be able to say that they were there at the beginning. What better way to ingratiate themselves with both the Emir and his future heir? The Emir had informed Joseph that this was but the first step leading to the union of the two young beings. There would be many more such 'tests'.
"These people know that I will not permit a union to take place until you have undergone a complete conversion," he told Joseph. "They know that I would never willingly permit the marriage of my most precious jewel to an uncircumcised infidel. Politics, this is all politics. I just want to get their feelings on your suitability. It is a politically astute way of, shall we say, preparing them for your future role as a member of our household. I hope you don't mind all the fuss."
"No I don't mind. It is sort of like our custom of having the parents throw an engagement party for the couple so that the families can get to know each other. I think you are very wise in doing this. It will make it so much easier later on." Joseph told him. "From what Allie told me, I think this is the best way for you to introduce me to our world."
"My son, if I were you, I would not worry too much about what Allie says. You must keep in mind that he is a fellah (a peasant) and to us he will always remain one. There are those who rule and those who are ruled. He is not from the rulers. You on the other hand, with my blessings, can and will become Emir someday. You will be the ruler, and our guests know this and want to assure themselves that you are what I say you are. Here, you will meet the royalty of not only the Arab world but the Muslim world as well. Without their backing, almost nothing happens. Yet, while it is important for you to impress them, they are not in the inner circle. Those, you will meet with in private later. They are the leaders and MY shock troops of the Jihad, the real Islamic force. They alone are the ones you must impress.
"And what if they oppose me and still do not accept me?"
"Well, I shall then listen to their objections and weigh all the evidence and study the problem carefully – and then do what I want to do anyway because I control them and not the other way around. While it is important that the rabble have their chance to vent their feelings, you must remember that they are still rabble. However I am not worried. You will make them love you. In you they will think they see whatever it is they want to see. You will make them love you, but even more important – you must make them fear you!"
"Why should I do that?"
"Fear is what controls them. It always has and always will. Since I had no male heir, your father, Fazzi, was next in line. He also had no male heir until he adopted you. Now, you his son, will marry my granddaughter and you will rule in your own right. Since both Fazzi and I saw something in you and were willing to have you as a member of our family, they will also come to see what we saw. Then nothing can prevent you from rising to be the Emir after me." He laughed and then whispered to Joseph, "Not even I could prevent it. They will praise Allah for the right to serve you. Just talk from your heart and all will be well. Love, hate and fear are all the same thing with them. If they see what I see - our world will be open to you, and not Allie nor anyone else can stop you."
"But what should I say? What should I do?"
"Say whatever you want and what you feel. They must feel that what you say is what you mean in your heart. Just remember that our God is great, 'Allah Akbar' and if your heart is right, he will be in your heart and the words will come from Him. Do not worry; you will do just fine, my son."
Joseph, timid at first, soon warmed up and turned on his best personality and the day went well. It turned out much better than either he or the Emir had hoped. All of the guests took a liking to him and, while they might not have approved of some of the things he said, they soon realized why the Emir had chosen him. To each of them, he appeared to be a fresh breeze that added hope. Perhaps he might even be the Al-Mahda, the promised one. After they left, the Emir took Joseph into another part of the residence. Waiting to meet him were Allie and a small group of men. Joseph recognized most of the others. He had seen most of their pictures on wanted posters at F.B.I. headquarters in Newark.
"So this is the American that Fazzi told us about. Not only did you win over our revered Fazzi, but now our friend Allie tells us that he not only knows you and loves you, but that you are also to be trusted. In fact, trusted just like one of us. Tell us, Mr. American, should we trust you? And if so, why?"
The Emir started to object to the manner in which the question was raised but Joseph politely stopped him by placing one hand on the Emir's shoulder and raising the other in the manner of a policeman.
"If you please, your Eminence, they have asked a question which they have every right to ask. It is an important one and I want to try to answer it," Joseph stated. "First of all, I would like to thank Allie for his recommendations. Most of you are aware of my feelings for Allie, but you would be fools to trust what he says. The one thing that I do know is that none of you are fools. If you were fools, most of you would have either been hung or in jail by now. And I'm sure none of you would have risen to your positions of leadership if you had placed your trust in the word of a man like Allie alone. Do not misconstrue what I am saying. I love Allie, I respect Allie, but at times I question his commitment to the true principals of Islam and Jihad as I must question both myself and everyone else. Our faith is a matter of questioning and when we stop questioning, that is when we will witness the downfall of Islam."
Most of them nodded their heads in agreement and then their spokesman asked, "How then shall we know that you are worthy to be the Emir's heir?"
"Both my late father and the Emir have told me that they feel I am worthy of this great honor. To tell you the truth, I am not worthy, and at this point I really don't think I ever will be. However, the Emir, for some reason known only to himself and Allah, tells me that I am or will soon be ready. Perhaps if you would ask me questions and see how I respond to them, Allah might show you the way also. I will try to answer them as best as I can and you will either find or not find the answers you seek."
