The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi

In this interlude, the scribe notes that many sections of the next historical manuscript has been redacted, but the report to Ahmad al-Danaf begins with a warning to let Amina, whom he refers to as a “murderess,” pass through with her gang, which includes criminals of all sorts. She will be permitted to take on disguises and to take advantage of those who help her and her gang. The speaker warns al-Danaf to be particularly wary of a “Mistress of Poisons” (57) and stresses that no one should touch her with bare skin, for the last time she was cornered, she killed an entire squadron with poisonous gas.

Amina travels to a town whose name she leaves unspoken and finds a specific shop. A small woman with a delicate face and one singed eyebrow instantly recognizes Amina. The woman, Dalila, hugs Amina, a gesture that scares the pirate captain, because Dalila wears a cap decorated with poison tablets and vials. Dalila is reproachful that Amina has been gone so long without communicating. Amina reflects that Dalila first met the crew when she blackmailed them; she poisoned Majed (the navigator of Amina’s old ship,