Whispers in Mecca, Part Three
Towards the center of the bustling city of Manchester in the Federated Kingdoms, there was a pub. The Crown and Lion was a fantastic spot for a weary traveler. It had good food, (by British standards at least,) good hospitality, and smart, funny patrons. It was universally acclaimed by everyone in the city to be the best tavern in the world, and it was. Many ribald, funny, and exciting stories were woven in that charming place…and this isn’t one of them.
Abban walked towards The Rat’s Den. It was a miserable, disgusting excuse for a hovel. Though it served alcohol, which was technically banned under Islam, there were plenty of westerners craving it. It was only their business that kept the townspeople from forming a mob and burning it down, something that Meccans were quite good at. Anyway, the spot was a colorful gathering point for all sort of illegal organizations. Be it the Foreign Legion*, or the local gangs, everyone in Mecca knew that The Rat’s Den was the gateway to the underworld. And why didn’t the Federates? Well, they controlled the main streets of Mecca by day, and all it’s important buildings…but there were no good maps of the sprawling mud-brick metropolis. It’s allies and side-streets were only known the locals. So the tavern would be impossible, even for…“The Unit,” as the secret Federate counterintelligence force was called, to find.
Abban slipped out of the alley, and slowly walked down the steps leading to the entrance. A rather clichéd eyehole slid open, and after seeing that the youngish boy wasn’t a Federate, or a member one of the various criminal organizations that wanted to burn the place down, the guard opened the door.
Abban got his first look of the place. A long, mahogany countertop lined the back wall. In the corner a man strung a rebab*, and the mournful, echoing tones fit the patrons’ attitudes. People sat hunched in small corners among themselves, gray or brown cloaks drawn up over their eyes. Several others were drinking in solitude. About half of them were European. The bartender looked vaguely Gaelic, probably Scottish. An old Federate propaganda poster in the back corner was being used as a target for throwing knives. King George’s face wasn’t looking too good these days.
Abban sat at the bar. He wasn’t exactly sure what he should do now, and his previous anger towards the Federates was now being replaced with embarrassment. What would happen if no one showed up? Or if someone decided they didn’t like the look of the young kid sitting all alone…
The Scotsman fixed his one good eye on the young, nervous looking boy. In a heavy Highlands accent, he spoke.
“Airn’t ye a wee bit young fer drinkin, lad?”
“Oh, never mind me, I’m waiting for someone…I think.”
“Same’s all them who come ‘ere.”
A tall, swarthy man was the next to walk into the bar. His entire body was cloaked in a long flowing robe that looked quite Bedouin. He lowered the hood of his robe, to reveal short, curly hair, and a smiling face. He was fairly young, probably twenty-five. If you had asked Abban about it later, he would have said that the man looked like a prophet.
“McAndrews.”
“Cornea.”
“I’ll have two White Russells, and something to drink for my friend here.”
“Aye.”
The bartender came back with two pieces of paper, and handed them to Cornea. They vanished into the folds of his robe. Then he put a large glass of red liquid in front of Abban, who shrunk back from it like the plague. Cornea smiled.
“Relax, it’s just pomegranate juice. You looked like you wanted to talk to someone from my organization. Abban, isn’t it?”
“Wait…you know my name? And my purpose for being here? But how, I’ve never seen you in my life before!”
“As for your first question, I knew your father, nice guy. He died right next to me, actually. Long story, I’m sure you know it. And your second question…I just had a hunch. They always have that look in their eyes when they walk in, and they always sit here. Don’t look so scared…it’s my job to know this kind of thing.” He winked.
“I understand. I wasn’t ready to fight the Federates before…but they burned my mosque.”
“I see. Well, coming to the realization that the FK is purely evil is the foundation of our struggle. Everywhere their armies go, they leave slaughter and oppression in their wake. They pretend to uphold democracy in the world…but what they really uphold is privilege.
Their hegemonic Empire, their taxes and conscriptions…it’s all to support the whites in the Kingdoms, who grow fat off our blood. Look at France, Portugal, and Brazil. Look at India, look at Shiraz, look at Mecca itself! They have ruined the world in their quest to rule it.”
“And you think Persia is any better for us?”
“I am a Sunni, just like you. And there are plenty of Sunnis that helped the Federates when they first came, thinking that they would make us independent, or reestablish the Caliphate. But this is just not so. Ardashir cares for his people in a way that the Parliament in London never could. They aren’t the ones that command on the battlefields. Their lands aren’t the ones that are ravaged and plundered. Ardashir may not be a Sunni, but at least he is a Muslim ruler for Muslim people. And under him, Arabs were free.”
“I never thought of it that way…but I suppose I’ve never really thought about anything, until now.”
“Think about it, Abban. The Federates want you to think that this isn’t a war between good and evil. They want you to forget your nationality, your freedom, even your religion. They want to incorporate all peoples into this massive entity they call the Federated Kingdoms. But we won’t let them, not until we’re all dead and rotting.”
“I agree with you. Tell me what I can do to help!” It seemed to Cornea that there was a light in his eyes that wasn't in him before.
“I’m sure that your father taught you how to use a weapon before he left?”
“Yeah, a pistol. And throwing knives.”
“Bring the knives, leave the pistol. Tomorrow night, at one o clock, me and a few of my acquaintances are having a little get together at the Federate garrison on this side of town.”
“You really mean to…?”
“Of course. This is only the beginning of the greater campaign, Abban. Things are moving on both sides of the board, things bigger than us. We’re like a single piece in one great game…and Ardashir’s putting us into play.”
“One o’clock. I'll bring the knives.”
“Oh, and one more thing, Abban.”
“Yes?”
“It was nice meeting you. In your own way, you’re a lot like your father.”
“Thanks, Cornea.”
“You’re welcome. If we live, I might actually tell you my real name.”
“I’d like that.”
---
*Similar to the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War, the Foreign Legion's goal is the liberation of France. It's mostly made up of Frenchmen, but foreign battalions are also organized.
*A stringed instrument, vaguely similar to a violin.
Note: Possibly my best story yet.