Amina al-Sirafi, #1
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
by Shannon Chakraborty
Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Amina restores the Marawati and sails to Zabid to question Layth. He reveals Falco sought to hire Amina for occult treasure hunts and that Dunya bargained with the fabled Moon of Saba, heading for a large island. Before giving details, Layth dies choking on silver coins—implying Falco’s lethal magic. Amina resolves to confront Salima about withheld truths.
Summary
Refitting the Marawati en route to Zabid, Amina relishes returning to sea, reviews her family’s rahmani, and asserts command over the new crew. Sailors’ gossip portrays Falco as brutal and possibly ensorcelled, unsettling Amina despite her skepticism. Prayer at sea stirs both joy and guilt over leaving her daughter.
Near Zabid, Amina anchors covertly and sends Tinbu to contact Layth. Disguised, Amina meets Layth at a seedy roadside tavern. Under pressure, Layth says Falco wanted to hire Amina’s crew to hunt magical talismans and that an unnamed source praised her skills.
Pressed about Dunya, Layth admits the girl sought Falco out, offering leverage: the legendary Moon of Saba. He claims Falco departed for a “large island,” but withholds specifics, demanding a hundred dirhams. Amina pays part and threatens him, while Tinbu urges patience.
Before more details are given, Layth collapses, violently choking. Amina and Tinbu try to help, but silver dirhams spill from his throat; more bulge beneath his skin. The purse Amina paid him is inexplicably empty, suggesting a curse enforcing Falco’s loyalty oaths.
With onlookers panicking, Amina and Tinbu flee. Reeling from proof of lethal sorcery, Amina concludes Falco’s occult reach is real. She resolves to confront Sayyida Salima—suspecting Salima knew Dunya made a deal and possibly about the Moon of Saba—before pursuing the “large island” lead.
Who Appears
- Amina al-SirafiCaptain of the Marawati; rebuilds crew morale, interrogates Layth, witnesses his cursed death, and decides to confront Salima.
- TinbuFirst mate; scouts Zabid, attends the meeting, aids Layth during the choking, flees with Amina, shaken by sorcery.
- LaythFalco’s former recruiter; reveals Dunya’s bargain and the Moon of Saba, then dies choking on silver in apparent magical retribution.
- FalcoOffstage Frankish leader; seeks occult talismans, enforces loyalty with deadly magic, heading toward a large island.
- Sayyida SalimaClient who hired Amina; may have withheld Dunya’s role and Moon of Saba, prompting Amina to seek answers.
- DunyaMissing girl; allegedly approached Falco, offering the Moon of Saba and prompting a voyage to a large island.