-------------------------- I started writing gay stories in 1985 and to now I wrote about 80 of them. Being Italian, of course I wrote them in Italian. Now, many of my friends asked me to translate them in English. But my English, also if understandable, is surely not a "literary" one: I can't know all the nuances and literary tricks I can use in Italian. I need somebody revising my translation. Now, I found a person that is kindly helping me with my stories. But I can't ask to one single person to help me with all of my stories. So, if amongst you there is somebody (with a good English style) that thinks this unpaid work worthy, and wants to help me, I would be really happy. If such a person exists, can send me an e-mail at: andrejkoymasky@geocities.com ---------------------------- ---------------------------- THE BLACK CLOVER by Andrej Koymasky (C) 1998 written the 3rd of April, 1986 translated by the author English text kindly revised by an Australian friend. ----------------------------- USUAL DISCLAIMER "THE BLACK CLOVER" is a gay story, with some parts containing graphic scenes of sex between males. So, if in your land, religion, family, opinion and so on this is not good for you, it will be better not to read this story. But if you really want, or because YOU don't care, ore because you think yo really want to read it, please be my welcomed guest. ----------------------------- FOREWORD I wrote this story on 3rd of April 1986. The epoch is around 1750 AD and the place where it starts and ends is north of Medina, in what is now Saudi Arabia, between the El Saum Mountain (in a good Atlas you can find it) and the sea. The story, while full of adventure, with regard to sexuality progresses slowly. The two main characters reach love and sex very gradually and spontaneously. When their sexual relationship begins they both are virgin, even if no longer teenagers. The existence of the small kingdom and of the main characters is a complete invention, but the historical background and the parts about Islam, are historically correct. Several anecdotes attributed to the main characters are based on factual accounts of historical events. I hope you enjoy reading this story. If you want send me feedback (constructive criticism, praises, flames) e-mail me at <andrejkoymasky@geocities.com> Thank you Andrej ----------------------------- GLOSSARY ----------------------------- Arab alphabet: Alif Baa Taa Thaa Jiim Hhaa Khaa Daal Raa Zaay Siin Shiin S'saad Ddaad Ttaa Z'zaa 'Ayn Ghayn Faa Qaaf Kaaf Laam Miim Nuun Haa Waaw Yaa There are different ways to transliterate Arabic to Latin characters. I used the transliteration system of Mr. Penacchini, an Italian Expert of classical Arabic. Often Arab letters were used instead of numbers to divide the several parts of a text. People names: Important people names were often written as: -----ibn----el---- where IBN means "son of" and "EL" (sometimes also AL ot UL in Turkish) is an article after what comes or the place of birth, or the place where the person lived or also an attribute like "the great", "the severe" or "the tall" and so on. Hence, for instance, Nadim ibn Yussuf el Saum is: Nadim = personal name; ibn Yussuf = son of Yussuf (=Joseph); el Saum = (born in) the Saum (mountain) Dates: Muslims count the years from the Ajirah, the flight of Muhammad (the Prophet) from Mecca to Medina, in the Julian Calendar July 16th, 622. So 1102 of the Ajirah is equivalent to 1724 AD. --------------- Al Qur'an: the Koran = the sacred book of Islam; in Muslim belief, it contains revelations made to Muhammad by Allah. Amir: Emir. Amara= to command. The commandant. In certain Muslim countries a ruler, prince or commandant. A title given Mohammad's descendants throuh his daughter Faat'mah. Badaawin: Bedouin. Badaawi= desert dweller. Badaawin is the plural. Men of any of the nomadic desert tribes od Arabia, Syria or North Africa. Bazaar: = market. Market or street of shops and stalls, especially in Middle Eastern countries. Dhimmi: Counsellor. Honorific title bestowed by the Khalifa to prominent people. Diwaan: Divan = bundle of paper. Council room or audience chamber, used in the Ottoman Empire. A very beautiful and famous example is the small Divan in the Topkapy Palace in Istanbul. Fallahin: fellahin. Fallah = farmer, paesant. Fallahin is the plural of fallah. Faqir: fakir = poor. A member of a Muslim holy sect who lives by begging. Also any muslim itinerant beggar, often reputed to perform marvels. Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca; a duty any male muslim has to accomplish at least once in his life. Hammam: = turkish bath. A place for baths where the bather, after a period of heavy perspiration in a room of hot steam, is washed, massaged and cooled by another bather or by specialized personnel. Harem: = prohibited. Is the part of a Muslim household in which the women live, often watched by an eunuch (gelded male) and where, apart from the house owner, adult males cannot enter. Imam: = to walk before, to precede. Guide, leader. The leader of prayer in a Muslim mosque. Equivalent to a Christian Bishop. Khalifa: Caliph = successor. Supreme ruler. Title taken by Mohammed's successors as secular and religious heads of Islam. Karuan Saraai: Caravansary = inn for caravans. Is a kind of inn normally not close to towns, where caravans stop for the night. It is normally a large central court, surrounded by porches for the animals and on the first floor rooms for the travelers. Sometimes at the center there is also a small mosque. Khan: another word for caravansary (see) Masjid: The mosque = place of adoration, temple. Often there is a big chandelier, ring shaped, holding tenths of lanterns, hanging from the central dome from where it is suspended by chains. Meddah: traveling story teller. Often they sing their tales that are normally in verses. Minaret: A high and slender tower attached to a mosque, with one or more projecting balconies, often ring shaped, from which a muezzin calls the people to prayer. Important mosques can have several minarets surrounding them. Muazzim: muezzin = the proclaimer. The crier that calls people to prayer five times per day. He also takes care of the mosque, and is equivalent to a Christian church sacristan. Mullah: = master. Muslim teacher or interpreter of the religious law. Equivalent to a Christian "moral theologian" or to a priest. 'Omar: is a male name. Omar (without the prior apostrophe) means "donkey" hence arabs often made puns on those two words. Nadim seems not to use such puns, but sometimes arab jokes are very subtle... Shah: =ruler. Title equivalent to king. The persian shah was called shahinshah, that is king of kings, hence Emperor. Shaikh: Sheik = old man. The chief of an Arab family, tribe or village, a ruler. A local Lord. Sultan: = ruler. A Muslim ruler. Title of the monarch of Turkey. Ulama: = wise man. In the Islamic world designates a judge and doctor in theology and religious jurisprudence. Equivalent to the Saint Inquisition Judges of old Catholic Church. Visir: Vizier = bearer of burdens. Is a State Minister. A Great Visir is like a First Minister. Waadi: Wady = channel of a river. A water course that is dry, except during the rainy season. Yenicheri: janizary. Turk yeni=new and cheri=soldier: the new trups. A soldier (former a slave, quite always a foreigner) in the turkish Sultan's Guard. Established in the 14th century, was abolished in 1862. -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- In my home page I've put some of my stories. If someone wants to read them, the URL is http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Village/4159/ ---------------------------