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Emarah during the entire trip could not take her eyes off the everchanging sea. Coming from a desertland, she never ceased to be thrilled by this mighty body of water. She kept to herself and
other passengers onboard
immediately deemed her aloof and haughty, not only because of her unapproachability but from her very regal manner and bearing. They spectulated as to who she might be, traveling alone, no man was with her, nor even a female traveling companion. This was not done!
The trip passed easily and in a few days due to calm seas and favorable winds, the great ship arrived into the immense port of Marsaille France. Emarah now hurried off the ship as quickly as she had boarded it. Her ears
were assailed with all sorts of sounds and noises, so much so, that her head whirled. She also knew that she did not understand the languages she now heard spoken. It was a cacophony of violent noise in her ears. She
needed to find some kind of lodging and desired to start her new life.
Walking around the port area her ears suddenly perceived a language she
understood as she did speak three languages. She heard a woman speaking Egyptian and she approached her cautiously, standing finally by the left side of the lady. Soon, the man that the woman was speaking with moved away and Emarah approached her and said to her, "Could you please help me for I just arrived here and seek lodging?" The woman turned and her dark eyes starred at this blonde vision of beauty. She replied, "Yes, I can help you, please tell me your name." Emarah knew she needed to lose her present identity and since she had a great love of that most precious green jewel, she replied, "My name is Emerald, kind lady and I would appreciate your help."
The woman told Emarah to follow her and so they traveled away from the harbour and through many winding streets until they arrived at a small little house with roses growing on a fence and fruit trees in a small
adjacent yard. The woman had told Emarah her name was Asa Rowen and she had come to France when she married her husband but now she was a widow. She owned this small house and lived off the produce and flowers she grew in her
gardens, which she sold in the market square. Emarah liked this lady and trusted her instinctively. Asa set about to prepare food for them after showing Emarah to a small room and bringing her water to wash and refresh herself.
Soon a wonderful fragrance floated through the small house and Emarah suddenly realized she was quite hungry. She changed her clothes and opened the door. Now her new life had begun. Now she was Emerald, a beautiful woman with
a secret hoard of coins and a sparkling clear jewel which was streaked with gold. Asa offered her a huge bowl of delicious meat and vegetables bubbling in a fragrant broth. Emerald ate it all, wiping the bowl with a hunk of crusty bread.
Asa told Emerald of her life and
the great love she had for her now dead husband. Emerald confided to Asa that she also had been married but she had run away from the man. But was still careful to not reveal where she had lived or anything else. She liked and trusted Asa but she needed to know more about her before telling her more secrets. They retired early and Emerald slept a most peaceful, deep sleep, full of pleasant dreams. In the morning, Asa and Emerald went into the gardens and gathered many fresh vegetables, grapes and fruits from the trees and armfuls of fragrant flowers. Asa showed Emerald how she cleaned and prepared all of them and together they made them ready then left for the long walk to the market square.
Many days and weeks passed with Asa and Emerald working together and a deep bond formed between them. Asa felt Emerald was the Daugther she had never had and Emerald felt like Asa was the Mother she never knew nor
remembered as she had been a slave since she was a very young child. Sometimes in dreams, a fleeting glimpse of something passed through her mind but she could never grasp it long enough to truly remember it the next morning.
It had always been this way for her. Trying hard to remember something long forgotten but never able to do so.
Emerald finally told Asa the truth of her life, of how she had escaped the Desert Prince. Then had traveled
alone through the desert and finally found a vessel to carry her to France. Asa marveled at Emerald's bravery and still continued to call her by that name. Emerald confided to her that she had decided to dance again but wanted
to have a place of her own, a special place where people would come to relax and watch her dance. Asa saw all of this as a great adventure. Emerald showed her some of her gold coins with which to purchase such a place.
She also showed Asa the exquiste jewel she still carried. Asa suggested she have it put onto a gold chain so Emerald could wear it. Such was the beauty of this gem. Asa confided she knew a man who might help Emerald
achieve this goal. Within two months all was accomplished. The new salon was opened and was called, appropriately, "Emerald's".
Night after night the crowds were too numerous to seat everyone and Emerald's fame as a
dancer grew daily. No one had ever seen such incredible dancing. Emerald had hired a few musicians who could play as she desired for her wonderous dances. Never had people seen such magical feet, never such exotic arms and hips
and such an exquiste face surrounded by flowing mane of wild, blonde waist-length hair. Always, no matter her costumes, she wore her lovely gem, hanging now on a golden chain. She captured the hearts of many men who sent her
requests to meet with them or dine with them, but all offers she refused, hurrying home after the evening's dancing to share with Asa all that had occurred. They laughed and giggled together like young girls and Emerald
preferred Asa's company to all others. She also was learning French at a fast rate as she had an ear for languages. Asa herself spoke French and corrected Emerald words and grammer.
One night as she danced she saw a
startling handsome man starring at her. Many men starred lovingly at her as she danced, but this man was different. There was something in his gaze she could not fathom. After the dance a note was sent to her asking to see her.
It was signed in a fancy signature but she saw the word, "COUNT". She did not know what that word meant but she folded the note and slipped out the side door. She
hurried home to Asa. She told Asa of the mysterious man and showed her the note. Asa's eyes opened wide. "Oh, Emerald, this is the most famous and rich Count in all of France.". Asa explained that a Count was a Title and this meant he had a Royal Lineage. Emerald was not impressed. After all she had been married to a Prince even tho he wasn't really a Prince, in the way Asa explained it to her, but he was a Prince in his realm.
For many nights the Count appearred in her salon. He watched her dance and always sent a note, requesting an audience with her. Always she slipped away. Finally one moonlite night as she exited the side door she felt a
strong hand grasp her arm and as she whirled about she now was face to face with the Count. He spoke to her and said, "For many nights I have watched you dance and for equally that
many nights I sent you a note to please meet with me, but you have shunned me and run away."Emerald starred back at this man and tried to pull free of his grip, but he held her fast. He now starred down at her and said, "I demand to know where you got this gem, hanging from your neck." With those words he lifted it in his other palm and starred down at it on the golden chain. It twinkled and sparkled in the the moonlight as if it possessed a life of its own. Emerald was tired of this man and angrily said to him, "I do not know other than the fact it has always been with me, even as a small child." The Count jumped back so startled was he by her answer. He started to shake and in a trembling voice he said, "I know who you are, I know who you are!!" Emerald starred back at him as if he might be quite mad but said to him distainfully, "Then tell me, why do you think you know me....and who do you think I am?"
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