Chapter 7: Hidden Charms

The 1st April, the day appointed for the start of the competition dawned as the ten entrants were assembled in the anteroom of the Golden Palace harem and each fitted with a numbered abaya by the Chief Eunuch.

In the Throne Room the honoured guests were seated in the front row of the audience, facing the throne dais and a second small dais. Off to one side was a larger stage equipped with ten chairs where the contestants would be seated. The second row of chairs were reserved for the sponsors of the competitors and behind them were seats for all the other Kobekistani men who had been invited to watch the proceedings.

The Emir stood up, and all the audience stood also.

"Please remain seated until the Major Domo indicates that you should stand," said the Emir, "I shall be up and down like a jack-in-a-box making announcements and it is entirely unnecessary for you to stand each time."

Everyone settled down again, and he continued, "I would remind contestants and sponsors alike that this is their last chance to withdraw from the competition. Any entrant found not to conform to the rules, for example by not being virgo intacta will be disqualified, subjected to female circumcision, have her vagina sewn almost totally shut and be sold as a field slave. Her sponsor will also not be regarded as someone I can trust. Does any sponsor wish to withdraw his candidate now, without penalty?"

Nobody moved a muscle.

Turning to the line of contestants he said, "Does any contestant wish to withdraw now, without penalty? The Emir's protection will keep you from punishment if you do so."

Still nobody moved.

"Then we will start the competition. First of all, each contestant will walk round the outer edge of the Throne Room, unaccompanied, in her abaya."

Turning towards the contestants he ordered, "Twenty-four, Kashiefa, entered by Usman Abu al-Abbas. Walk!"

The first contestant walked steadily round the room, looking just like any other woman walking in an abaya. When she reached the end of her peregrination, she resumed her seat.

"Fifty-one, Vega, entered by Ali ibn Sa'id. Walk!" came the order as Kashiefa sat down.

"Oh, wait," said the Emir as she was about to start.

"Members of the audience do realise that these are all acknowledged to be virgins, do they not? When I say 'entered by' and the sponsor's name, I do not mean carnally, I mean entered in this competition. That is clear?" asked the Emir to general laughter.