William the Conquerer and the Sands of Persia: Chapter 5 - A Yummy Bakery

William was eating what was perhaps the most delicious food that had ever passed his lips.

“Mmmmmm,” was all he could say. 

“It’s good, isn’t it?” asked Ali-Baba. He had just ordered the baker to give most of his food to the poor, paying for it and also offering extra.

“It’s called a… a… what?” asked William.

“A qottab. It’s loaded with tiny bits of almond and walnut that are sweetened and deep-fried by rolling in sugar powder.”

“I could eat this all day.”

Schererzade and Hajji were also enjoying qottab, heavenly expressions on their faces.

“You seem like a fine young man, in spite of your strange clothing,” Ali Baba observed, “Do you want to join my band, lad?

“I’ll join no band of thieves, but I’ll gladly lead you against Al-Horrid.”

“Bold, this one!” laughed Ali-Baba, “The boy speaks like a king!”

“Say, where am I, anyway?” asked William.

“Persia!” said Ali-Baba, Scherezade, and Hajji altogether.

“Got it, got it, but what town?”

“You are in the historic village of Ardabil,” said Ali-Baba.

“How do I get to this town of Chasul that you mentioned?”

“You’ll need a ship for that,” said Scheherazade, “And the man to captain it is Sinbad – Sinbad the Sailor, the legendary teller of tales.”

“And where would I find Sinbad the Sailor?”

“You need to go to the town of Astara, on the coast. He’s known to frequent it when he’s not sailing the Caspian or Arabian Seas.”

“Okay, how do I get to Astara?”

“Do you have feet?”

“Yes, I have two of them.”

“They’re your best bet. It’s about a fifty-mile walk.”

William felt immediately  discouraged – fifty miles! It would be years before he got there! He would be an old man… or dead. He wondered if he should just stay in this strange land called Persia. Perhaps he should get a turban. 

Despite his misgivings, the party set out immediately. As they traveled, William looked up at the darkened sky thinking how beautiful the night was. It was the most lovely night he had ever seen. The millions of stars flickered like diamonds lying in the plushest velvet. The full moon shone magnificently over the sand, making it glisten. A cool breeze whispered through William’s hair. 

They continued on, walking across the sands. They did not stop when the moon rose high. Only as the sky began to lighten, did they make camp to sleep for the day. As Scherezade performed for the men, they drank red wine from goblets. 

“Ali-Baba, tell me this… what do you intend to do? Do you and your band of thieves plan to help the poor in these parts alone, or do you have grander plans? 

“I have much grander plans. Long ago, before Al-Horrid came to power, I was Prince Ali. But my family was deposed by Al-Horrid. My entire family, except for my father, was killed, and he died of sorrow. I will get my revenge on Al-Horrid.”

“And what form will your revenge take?”

“I will slay him in hand to hand  combat.”

“And I will dance over his corpse,” added Scherezade. 

“I hope your revenge brings you great satisfaction,” said William, “All of this walking across the desert has made me very hungry. I wish I had a pizza. Hey! Hajji, I wish for a pizza!”

“What is ‘pizza’?” Hajji asked.

“It is a wedge-shaped piece of cooked dough with tomato sauce and cheese,” William explained carefully, “You eat it with your hands.”

Hajji said some magic words, waved his hands around, then magically in his palm appeared… one tiny slice of pizza… that was about one inch across.

“Tada! Your pizza, my liege!” Hajji exclaimed proudly.

The onlookers marveled.

“Amazing!” Ali-Baba exclaimed, “But hardly worth the effort, I think.” 

“Uh, thanks. It looks delicious,” William ate the tiny slice of pizza. It actually tasted pretty good. 

“Thank you, Hajji, most impressive.”

While they rested, Scherezade told a story about a Jinn in a bottle who had far more experience than Hajji. Then, exhausted,  everyone went to their tents to sleep, anxious for the night to begin.