If that is what you wish, Marian, I shall try my best to do so. I think we can surely consider ourselves friends, after everything that has happened. If I am to call you Marian, perhaps I could ask you to call me Safiyya in return? That is the name I was born with, while Djaq is my twin's name that I took up after he and my father died. I chose to become my brother- in a manner of speaking-instead of staying Safiyya and remaining with my uncle Bassam, the sultan's official pigeon handler. I know i said he was my uncle's friend, but I kind of hoped I'd never need to tell any of you the truth about my relation to him... I have not used my true name for some time, but I would be honored if you chose to call me by it. I have not had a close female friend for a long time...
That you are all safe is a good thing. I will try and trust him but I'm reserving the right to revoke that trust if he harms any of us. I do not doubt he is trying to change but I still do not like that he is here. I am sure that is true.
It is interesting, to say the least. That we all come from different times is quite... Um.. Confusing and yet intriguing.