"Hello. Are you Madam Madouli? My son-in-law told us you would be able to help us. My name is Cordell Shinn and this is my lovely wife Delia," said Cordell as an introduction.
When he only got a blank stare from the woman he asked, "Do you speak English?"
The woman shrugged. At that, he repeated his introduction in Arabic much to the shock of Delia. She had no idea he spoke Arabic, but it shouldn't have been a surprise. At that the woman smiled and shook his hand and began chatting away.
After they left, Cordell translated for his wife. "That was indeed Sanaa Madouli who Donnovan told us to meet. She said we should go to the tourist camp and ask for Uum Moussa. She is an elder that knows where the Dragon's Blood ingredients can be found. As for the rest, Frankincense and Myrrh, those are rather easily obtained at the shops. So it sounds like our 'business' may take more than a day."
"Okay, well what are we waiting for. Let's go visit Uum Moussa and get this done."
Cordell and Delia made their way to the camp. When they arrived he immediately saw who he thought must be the elder sitting quietly reading. "Look Delia, I bet that is her."
"Okay, well, YOU speak the language. Not me. This is your show."
Cordell shrugged and walked over to the elderly woman. Speaking Arabic, he asked if she could direct them to Uum Moussa.
"Young man. You speak our language perfectly yet you are not one of us. You are blonde as is your lovely companion so raptly watching us over there. But - you are of us. You are a Genie. No? How is this possible?"
Cordell laughed. "You are very perceptive. Yes, I am a Genie. I used to look very different. My companion is my wife. She freed me from my prison. I chose to take on her native appearance out of my deep love and devotion to her."
"Humph! I should have been so lucky. Take my advice young man, don't waste your gift. She is your gift."
"I am fully aware and I will most definitely heed your experienced counsel. Now, you must be Uum - no?"
"Why do you want to speak with Uum Genie?"
"I was sent to seek you out by Sanaa. She said you would be able to help us find the plants to create Dragon's Blood incense."
"You are presumptuous. You say I am Uum. I have not confirmed this."
"Nor have you denied it," said Cordell with a smile and a bow.
"I like you Genie! Good for you. Okay, you will need to obtain the flame fruit found in the Great Pyramids to the East. Once you have this, I will be able to create the incense you require. Dare I ask why you need such a boost to a spell?"
"It is for my pretty lady. I need to repay her kindness."
"Go then. I will let Sanaa know you will be delivering the flame fruit to her. I will then create the secret Dragon's Blood and deliver it back to her. Go to her three days after you deliver it to her. I will not see you again. Please, let me give you a blessing before you go."
"Thank you Uum," replied Cordell with a knowing smile which she promptly returned as she began to say an ancient blessing over him. Interestingly enough, she repeated it three times.
Cordell walked back over to Delia. Delia was dying of curiosity. "Well, she seemed to like you. What did she say?" asked Delia.
"It was her although she never said it outright. She said we need to obtain a flame fruit which grows within the Pyramids and return it to Sanaa. Then Uum will create the Dragon's Blood incense for us. There is nothing more we can do about that today. I happen to already have a tour booked there in two days. It should be easy enough to grab a couple of them when no one is looking."
"Okay, well can we go ahead and get the rest right? Frankincense and Myrrh? Be done with that?"
"Sure. Let's go back to the market. I know the man to talk to there."
* * *
Delia and Cordell made their way back to the marketplace to meet with Farouk Rashud, the goods merchant whom Donnovan had also referred him. This was an easy one. These were much more common and not hard to come by.
As soon as they arrived, Delia saw the fountain and wanted to throw some coins in for luck. Cordell couldn't disagree. Any luck they could get he was all for. The couple made a wish and threw in a few coins.
As soon as the coins were tossed, Delia got excited. "Cordell! A selfie! We MUST do a selfie!"
He laughed and then got quiet before he said, "Only if we can replace...."
"Of course silly. Come on," said Delia trying to stay lighthearted but knowing exactly what Cordell was referring to which was exactly why she wanted to take a picture of the two of them. Vladimir had been gone for 100 years. It was time to let his memory go as well.
Once the silly selfie was done, Cordell went in search of Farouk. He was easily found. Once again, speaking in Arabic, Cordell asked if he had the merchandise he was looking for. "Sir, I speak excellent English. No need to use my language - although you do speak it fluently."
Cordell laughed again. "Well, believe it or not, it IS my first language!"
Delia watched as Cordell completed the transaction and came away with a shopping bag full of incense burners but no incense. "We have to come back tomorrow for the incense. They prepare is fresh. Now, let's grab something to eat before we head back to the villa. No need to cook when there is food here."
Delia almost chocked on her food and was speechless but she tried as she continued to eat, "Cordell...I...you are..." then Delia looked down at her plate before continuing, "how do you do this...I remember when I was still denying my feelings for you, you always said the right thing to break down my walls...and even now...after I have strained our bond almost to the breaking point...you are still saying, no not just saying, but doing...Cordell you do...not just say words..." then in a rush, "but don't stop the words, I love the words..." then she finally laughed.
"My pretty lady. All I ask is that you let me love you."Delia put down her fork. "SEE!!!!!" she exclaimed at his words, "always with the right words! I love you too. You are also my life, my love and my gift. Sorry Cordell, but that's all I got. Your words repeated back at you. I am so sorry."
"No apologies. Let's go. Then we can both DO!"
* * *
When they broke apart Cordell was grinning. "Cordell, stop your smirking! You look like the cat that ate the canary!" exclaimed Delia.
"Well, what can I say....you look good enough to eat!" he replied.
"Stop it Cordell, or we won't be leaving here any time soon."
Cordell looked dejected and said, "Yes - you are right, let's go get as much of the business done as we can. Then we can have time to ourselves. I have some things planned. Don't you worry.""
Delia smiled, "Of course you do."
"Our limo awaits my pretty lady. Let's go."
Sure enough the limo was out front waiting for them.
When they arrived at the market, Delia decided she wanted to pick up some recipe books while Cordell dealt with the incense. She walked into the book merchant and was amazed by all of the different books. She just hoped the clerk spoke English or she would have to get Cordell to translate.
"Hello! Do you speak English?" she asked.
"Yes Miss. How can I help you?"
"Oh thank goodness. I am looking for some local recipe books. Can you help?"
In the meantime, Cordell was completing the transaction for the Frankincense and Myrrh.
After they made their purchases, the couple decided to have a nice cool drink. It was hot even though it was beginning to rain.
"Did you get the incense?" asked Delia.
"Did you get the incense?" asked Delia.
"Yes. No problem at all. But, have you noticed that some of the people are watching us?"
About that time a woman sauntered too close to their table watching them. Delia took a pull from her drink trying to ignore the woman. When she left Delia spoke.
"Okay, that was creepy. Are we in danger Cordell?"
"I don't think so, but I will ask the man I bought the incense from. I think he will tell me what is up. Stay here. I will be right back."
"Farid, why is everyone watching us? It's giving my wife the creeps. Actually me too. I don't like people bothering her."
"Ah, Mr. Shinn, they are simply curious. A lot of us never see anyone with such blue eyes and blond hair. They simply want to look."
"Can you tell them to mind their own business?"
"I am sorry Mr. Shinn. I cannot. Your wife is very beautiful. Perhaps you should drink up and leave if you are uncomfortable. The women think she is a witch and the men are very um...how should I say, curious. They will do no harm, just want to look."
Cordell walked over and pulled Delia up and grabbed her hands. "Delia, let's go. Farid said some of the locals are just a bit overly curious but I know it is unsettling."
"Yes," said Delia, "Like that man over there behind the counter. He has been watching me since you left to talk to Farid. Maybe Egypt wasn't the best idea for a honeymoon."
"NO! It will be fine. Remember, we are also gathering the incense. Tomorrow we will get the flame fruit. We will be with a tour so no one will bother us. It was just coming here, outside the normal tourist areas that are a little weird. And besides, I still have a surprise planned for us."
"Of course you do. I love you. Let's go back to the villa."
* * *
Once back at the Villa, they sat down on the couch and Cordell pulled Delia close. "Feeling better?"
"Yes. We don't need to spend too much more time at the marketplace. It will be okay. What are we doing tomorrow?"
Cordell leaned into his wife and reached up to let her hair down, "Tomorrow we find the flame fruit. But let's not talk about tomorrow, in fact, let's not talk at all..."
Cordell kissed his pretty lady. When he pulled back he added to his earlier statement, "let's do..."
And they did...
