The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2021-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

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Some of the captives were released, and some chose to join their captors. Of the wealth gained from the Rum, equal shares were distributed among all. ʿAbdullah wrote to the Bani Sulaym in Arabia, inviting them to move to Malatya. He also wrote to the caliph Mansur, informing him of Amida’s liberation and all that had happened. He wrote of Malatya, newly acquired thanks to Princess Fatima and the Bani Kilab tribe. Mazlum rode with two hundred soldiers to deliver treasures, coin, and herds gained from the Rum.

After their departure, ʿAbdullah and the ruler of Amida rode out together to search for the water source, but they could not locate it. They returned to the city for the night. Husayn inquired, “I saw you two ride in looking worried. . . .”

ʿAbdullah replied, “Did we not tell you how our water supply was cut off, and we were all near death here in the city? As soon as the immediate danger was averted, we have been looking for the source, but we cannot find it.”

Husayn laughed. “Come on, let’s walk up through the cistern until we come to the source.”

Ê¿Abdullah was stunned by the simplicity of this plan. Together they went to the cistern. The great cavern was vaulted and seemed to stretch on forever. At last they heard water and saw it flowing down through an inner channel. They returned the marble slab and great rock to their places, and made their way outside. By the time they had returned to the city, the water was already in the city center, as it had been before its interruption.

In the morning, Ê¿Abdullah oversaw the provisioning of Bani Kilab and Bani Sulaym with camels before they set out for Malatya. He had developed a strong affection for Princess Fatima, respecting her bravery and competence.9 On arrival at Malatya, Ê¿Abdullah saw that it was a large town with strong walls and high towers. The commander they had left to oversee it rode out to welcome the newcomers. Princess Fatima set up her tent on a hill within the city walls, beside a river.

Bani Kilab divided the land, and Princess Fatima arranged for the building of an administrative center. ʿAbdullah, Princess Fatima, Zalim, Walid, and the other Bani Kilab warriors rode out to investigate the area. They found that the garrisons of the Rum had fled the area when they heard of the demise of the Princesses Malatya and Bagha, leaving the three castles abandoned. Smiling, ʿAbdullah said to Princess Fatima, “Amira, the castles are now yours. You can live in them.”

Princess Fatima thanked him and said, “We set up camp on the hill because we are used to roughing it in the wilderness, and we will be ready here if ever need arises for our help.” Then she returned, with ʿAbdullah and the Bani Kilab riders, to the camp on the hill in Malatya.

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