Fallen leaves blown by a late evening breeze scratched the street of trampled earth in front of the three-story townhouse where Isceradin’s family had their apartment. Already, Shapash’s luminous orb had departed to the west, with the stars coming back to sprinkle the sky as they did every night. Somehow, it seemed darker than usual this hour, even with all the firelight from the oil lamps that hung by the doorways on all the buildings.
Before he entered the townhouse, Isceradin took out from his purse all the gold coins Absalon had given him. The profiles of the goddess Tanit that were inscribed on them, all modeled after Greek portrayals of their Kore, were scowling back at him with disapproval. Only by betraying the people he had come to consider his friends and allies, by taking away the freedom they enjoyed, had he been able to earn them. So many men had done horrible things in the name of gold and silver, but never would Isceradin have anticipated that he’d be one of them.
Putting away the coins, he went into the townhouse and hiked up the steps to the topmost story. To his surprise, Arishat was already standing outside the door to their apartment, her arms crossed.
“Is Nikkal asleep?” Isceradin whispered, quiet enough so that he would not wake any of their neighbors.
Arishat affirmed with a nod. “How did they receive you?”
“They…accepted. But not with much enthusiasm.”
“Good. I’m sure you must be happy with all the gold you earned.”
“Arishat, again, it’s not only for me. It’s for us. I mean, think of how it could benefit you as well as me. You could afford to have women working the loom for you, so you’d never have to work another day in your life!”
“My love, I couldn’t care less about that. You should have stood up to the Sophet. Can’t you see? He’s using you for his own ambitions!”
“I realize that, but what was I supposed to do?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Turn him down. Reject his coin. What were you thinking, Isceradin? I thought you were incorruptible. How could I be so wrong?"
The saying went that the flaming pits of Sheol had no fury like those of a woman scorned. Isceradin never believed that, but he found it true nonetheless that no words could sting like those from whom a man loved most. He could make no more excuses for himself. He had to lay his perspective out in full for his beloved to understand.
“Arishat, you’re right,” Isceradin said. “I was thinking of myself when I took his gold. I thought I could buy myself not only power and influence, but rank. Hannibal and his family didn’t come from nothing. If the Barcas could afford to have their sons lead the fight against Rome, why cannot I buy myself into the same position?”
“Are you still thinking of war against Rome?” Arishat said. “It’s over. We surrendered, and we lost so much. You can’t seriously be entertaining another attack on them.”
“Once we recuperate—”
“And when will that be? You’ll probably be too old to fight by then. Isceradin, please, you’ve been away at war long enough. Why does it matter so much to you?”
“Because it will win me respect! My family went through so much to become Carthaginians. Yet, even to this day, after all the Roman scum I’ve slain on behalf of Carthage, your own brother calls me an Iberian whenever he can. If I cannot fight, if I cannot lead men to fight, then what must I do to become one of you?”
Arishat gave Isceradin’s skin a gentle pinch. “If you really wanted all my people to ignore who you are, you would get a tan until you burn. And even that wouldn’t be enough. There is only so much you can change about yourself, and you can only blame yourself so much for how everyone else sees you. What matters, Isceradin, is how the people you care about see you. And, no matter what anyone else says, you will always be a proud man of Carthage to me.”
She planted her lips on his, and they exchanged tongues as they walked into their apartment together.
“As for my brother, what you should do is spend some quality time with him as his brother-in-law,” Arishat continued. “Maybe go hunting with him in the woods, as men like to do together. I hear the colony will run low on meat this winter, anyway.”
“Then that sounds like a good idea,” Isceradin said. “But, as for the Sophet’s gold, what should I do with that?”
“Keep it. Don’t think too much about it until morning. And come to bed with me, you must be exhausted."
"Oh, I’m not too exhausted. I could use cheering up, though.”
Arishat swayed her hips with a sly smile. “I know exactly how to do that, my love.”