The Lost Way To Misrost by Ehab Shawky - HTML preview
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Sasan pushed him away saying, “Run along then, and don’t waste any time.”
45
At noon, Sasan and his old companion—who was none but his personal physician—entered the nobles’ public bath.
The bath attendant welcomed them with great respect.
“Welcome sir. It’s always a pleasure to be at your service, and enjoy your majestic company.”
Sasan laughed like a cow as he walked in front of the man towards the changing room. He said, “Dakdok, you hypocrite… enjoy my majestic company or my majestic tip,” and he laughed again.
Dakdok smiled in embarrassment and responded,
“My lord, don’t doubt my love for you. I have prepared an exceptional service for you today. It will make you trust my sincerity.” He then straightened his back proudly and continued, “I have brought you the most modernly discovered herbal treatments and massage oils from Romestia. Not only that, but I have also hired two Romestian masseurs especially to serve you, my lord.”
Sasan smiled widely and said in excitement,
“Wow, Dakdok, this is very well timed indeed. Light the most expensive kinds of incense you have then order your boys to prepare the tub. Let them fill it with warm water, soap, and perfume. I want today’s bath to be the best I ever had so far. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir, it sure will,” Dakdok replied bowing in respect to Sasan’s orders. He placed several towels on the bench inside the changing room and walked into the bath hurriedly. He approached the two Romestians, and said nervously, “This is your chance lads. If your products turned out to be as good as you claim, I shall be a permanent
client of yours. The man changing in there is Lord Sasan, the chief of staff. He’s the most important man in Misrost, and probably in the whole region. I want him to be satisfied to the furthest extent. Do you understand, lads?”
The two Romestians nodded saying, “At your service, dearie. We will use our most expensive products. You will see for yourself how satisfied he will be.” Then they started mixing their solutions immediately.
A moment later, they were both giving massages to Sasan and his physician.
“That oil you’re using is extremely soothing and palliative, lad. From where in Romestia did you bring it?”
Sasan asked.
“From our hometown, Nomanota, lord of lords. Its ingredients are extracted from some of the flowers that grow on our green hills,” the strong built Romestian responded.
Sasan smiled proudly liking how the Romestian fellow just addressed him and said, “I never heard of such town, lad. Where exactly is it?”
“Do you know Baloria, my lord?”
“Yes, that’s in Eastern Romestia.”
“Nomanota is far, North of Baloria.”
“So you speak Balorian instead of Romestian?”
“Oh no my lord, we speak Nomanotian, but we also know some Romestian and some Balorian from our travels.”
“You speak Misrostian well. How long have you been here in Misrost?”
“We came to Misrost less than a month ago. Before that, we stayed a whole year in Shamalia publicising and selling our products. We learned your language during our stay in Damashta. This is why you may find our accent a bit unclear. Apologies, my lord.”
“Your sentences lack a few words sometimes, but no problem, lad. I can understand what you’re trying to say.
Besides, your work remits your language. Actually, I find your accent amusing. Don’t you, too, Jahensham?”
“The oil they are using is surely interesting,” Jahensham replied, then he asked, “Which herbs did you use in preparing it, lads?”
“Many herbs from our homeland, my lord. Some of them grow here in Misrost, like Mint, Aloe Vera, and Cayenne.
Some others you do not grow here, like Lavender, Rosemary, among others. If you like, I can prepare some samples for you, my lord, along with their description.”
“I would really like that, lad. It seems that you are starting something here,” Jahensham said.
“Oh my lords, this is only a humble trial to satisfy the needs of noble clients like yourselves. We seek to provide you with the service you deserve.”
“You are most clever, lads. Stay in Misrost, and I promise you: before you know it, you will be rich and reputable,” Sasan said.
After they finished their bath, Sasan and Jahensham expressed their satisfaction. They tipped the two Romestians and Dakdok generously, and told them that they would return the next day. It was late in the afternoon when they left heading back towards the city hall. Before their carriage reached the building, it stopped. Many people were gathering outside the place, blocking the road. They were looking in awe and disgust towards the building.
Sasan’s escort guards shouted at them to make way and mind their own business. When the people walked away in fear, the guards stood there stunned at what was happening.
“What’s going on,” Sasan shouted as he stepped out of the carriage. His guards tried to stop him from approaching the place, but he insisted on seeing what was happening.
There, in front of him, about a dozen soldiers were vomiting in the street. They were groaning and holding their bellies in pain.
“Send them back to barracks immediately. Any soldier feeling sick let him return to the barracks at the city borders,” Sasan ordered his guards discreetly. When he entered the city hall, the view inside was even more shocking. He hurried towards his office, and there were no guards at the door. He shouted in anger, “Summon more guards here immediately, and don’t let anyone in except Jahensham.”
46
“What news do you bring from the city hall today?”
“A lot,” Amr replied placing some letters and maps on the short-legged table we had inside our hideout. I grabbed the letters and went through them quickly. Then I looked at the maps to understand what was written in the letters.
“They are smuggling Misrostian gold and silver to Romestia. Not just that, they are also shipping most of the crops there. Why would they do that while the people here are starving?” I asked.
Salamio looked up and responded sadly, “It’s obvious!
They want to weaken our region and control it for good.
They started by killing the ones fit to lead. They created new religious teachings that match the objectives of their plan. They attacked and degraded the importance of scientific knowledge to drown people in ignorance. They have been stealing the region’s resources for years to kill any possibility of revival trials. Eventually, they shall destroy the only remaining source of power.”
“What is that?” I asked.
“Hope,” he responded. “Hope for what’s better is the only motivation for people to fight against tyranny.
Take that away and you will have a nation of slaves.
The people will accept whatever these traitors do and say without thinking or objecting.”
After Salamio’s response, none of us uttered a word for a while. Personally, I was picturing Misrost twenty years later if this plan continued. I tried to imagine its status among other nations. I tried to calculate the consequences, and what I imagined was horrifying.
“The Nastorians’ plan depends on isolating the region’s countries from one another. They seek to occupy the people in every country with their own conditions aside from their neighbours. They wish to make them feel trapped and lonely. They want them to think that their friends have abandoned them,” Amr said pulling us out of our silent thoughts.
“That’s true,” Salamio replied nodding in agreement.
“I think that we should communicate with our neighbouring countries. We must all organise a unified attack on the Nastorians at the same time, and end this once and for all.”
I liked what Amr said. It coincided with my thinking.
“But what if the attack fails?” Orabio asked in denial.
“This would mean that our nations shall be doomed to one of the most horrible futures ever,” he added.
“So does procrastination,” I replied. “Delaying this confrontation will make the Nastorians’ plan become a fact.
People will get used to their current situation. If later on you ask them to join any strife against the Nastorians, they will refuse. They will see you as a traitor, or an imposter who seeks to take the Nastorians’ place for personal benefits.
They won’t follow your calls for a revolution.” I hushed for a moment thinking then continued, “If we delay this confrontation, those who shall have true understanding among the next generations will curse us for doing nothing.”
“That’s folly,” Orabio snarled.
I looked him in the eyes and said, “Is it?”
He continued, “We are doing everything we can to destroy the Nastorians’ plans. Going into a direct
confrontation against them will be like gambling with our country’s future.”
“These are the words of a person who has already decided that we will lose,” I replied angrily.
“Nonsense, these are the words of a person who doesn’t underestimate his enemy. We all know how the Nastorians rose to power in the region. The generation they defeated was one of the most experienced and well-organised generations. Nonetheless, they were unable to break the Nastorians and end their demonic plans.”
“False. You know that they were able to direct a strong blow to the Nastorians, and forced them to change their plans. If the Nastorians thought as you do now, they would have been the ones sitting underground at this moment, but they didn’t. They decided to do what you are arguing against, and look where it has taken them. Giving the Nastorian soldiers skin rashes, diarrhea, and fever won’t save Misrost, not in a million years.”
Orabio was silenced by my last response. After a moment, Salamio said, “I’m afraid Qotazio is right, Orabio.”
He looked at Amr and Marwan, and they nodded in agreement with Salamio and me. He sighed in surrender, and said with a faint smile, “Fine, what do you suggest, piercing ray?”
“We must do what Amr suggested moments ago.
We must unite all the anti-Nastorian forces in the region under one command and one banner. At first thought, I choose one of two countries: Shamalia, or Magharbia.
After that, we can begin our confrontations with those traitors and free the whole region from their grasp. It’s only when people see organised forces with crystal clear objectives that they will join our strife.”
“Why not begin our strife right here, from Misrost?”
Marwan asked.
“That’s because we wouldn’t want to get flanked by the Nastorian forces. The region extends from Shamalia in the east to Magharbia in the west. Between them comes Pharania, Misrost, and Afraconia. The Nastorians are now in full control of all those countries. Any power rising amidst them will get crushed.”
“What about the Romestians! We know that they are the ones behind all this. The Nastorians are just puppets in their hands,” Orabio said.
“The Romestians will avoid any confrontation with us as long as the Nastorians are still in control. They will suffice by supporting the Nastorians and weakening us. If we take the Nastorians out, then absolutely we will have to face the Romestians at a certain point, and that won’t be easy…”
“Won’t be easy, you say! That would be suicide,”
Marwan commented.
“Not necessarily. All we have to do is prepare well, and force them to face us in a place of our own choice.
Meanwhile, we must stop any aids from reaching the Nastorians from Romestia. Since that the sea is the only way through which these aids may come, we must watch and control all of the northern coasts. I think that this is why our first mission was to steal the strongest ships in the Misrostian fleet. I guess that similar operations to ours are most probably taking place as we speak in Shamalia, Afraconia, and Magharbia. If the resistance was as well organised as I think, then the supreme council is probably preparing a resistance fleet.”
The boys seemed convinced by my analysis of the situation, and Salamio said, “Now what?”
I smiled encouraging them and said, “Now we return to our current mission, distract Sasan for twelve more days, and when we return, we shall have a long talk with my uncle.”
47
The third day, near midday, Sasan and Jahensham were lying down inside the nobles’ public bath. A huge silver plate filled with fruits was placed in front each one of them.
They were picking from it while the two Romestians gave them massages like the day before.
“This is a bliss, Jahensham. I don’t know how I will be able to stand the smell inside the city hall when I get back,”
Sasan said.
“No need to worry, my lord. By the time we get back, the soldiers will have cleaned the place. I have ordered them to prepare and sprinkle a certain solution all over the grounds and the furniture. This will help sanitise the building. Meanwhile, the solution’s nice odour shall fill the place,” Jahensham responded.
“Have you seen this condition before?”
“Well, if you mean fever, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea, then absolutely yes.”
“Can you prescribe some medication for them?”
“I will need to examine some cases first, but you forbade me from doing this.”
“No, I want you to prescribe a medication based on what you see, without examining any of the cases. You must not catch the infection, or who will treat me if I catch it myself!”
“I can try anyway. If it doesn’t treat the condition at hand, it surely won’t hurt.”
“Over two dozen soldiers have been sent back to barracks in one day. It’s nothing that I cannot replace, but the other soldiers are starting to show fear of what’s happening.”
“They should. If this was a plague, it might harvest hundreds of lives. You might want to consider leaving the city till we know for sure what this infection is.”
“Do you think this is a plague?”
“No, I agree with the infirmary’s healer. It’s most probably some highly contagious infection transferred by direct contact, or by eating and drinking from the leftovers of an infected person, nothing more. All we need to do is identify all symptoms, investigate the reasons of spread, and prescribe a cure based on the findings.”
“Do you think Shamum will succeed in finding a cure?”
“Yes. His description of the cases he examined, and the analysis he gave afterwards, prove that he’s a good physician. I might hire him as an assistant in the future.”
Sasan laughed and said, “Really, that bushy, freckled, shaky fellow!”
Jahensham laughed and responded, “This is the best kind. Besides, he will only assist me inside my lab. I’m not going to make him part of the big family.”
They remained silent for a while, and then Sasan said,
“I miss my concubines the most. I don’t know how I will find new ones to replace them.”
“Don’t worry my lord. Our Romestian friends will send you beautiful young concubines like they always do.”
“As if I didn’t have enough problems already. First, the escape of Al-Misrosty’s family from between my hands.
Second, the stealing of the most important ships in my fleet.
Third, the reappearance of that title that has always irritated me… that piercing ray. And now, this Romestian infection.
The timing couldn’t be worse…” Sasan stopped raising his head in alertness and said to the Romestian masseur,
“Hey, lad.”
“At your service, my lord,” the muscular Romestian replied.
“What did you tell me your name was?”
“Farcen, my lord.”
“And your friend?”
The smaller Romestian responded, “My name is Glenand, lord of lords.”
“Farcen and Glenand, have you ever seen—back in Romestia—an infection that causes skin blistering, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea?”
The two lads exchanged a meaningful look then the big built one replied, “Yes, my lord, we know an infection similar to what you just described. Back at home it’s called Pinpox.”
Sasan and Jahensham exchanged a bug-eyed look then said at the same time, “Do you know a cure for it?”
“Yes, my lords. We can try to prepare a sample for you today,” Farcen responded.
Sasan smiled in satisfaction and said, “Great lad, do that.
If your sample turned out to be effective, I shall give each of you a hundred gold pieces.”
“That’s very generous of you, my lord,” Farcen replied joyfully.
“As I said, give us an effective cure, and you shall receive your reward; not only that, but I shall instate you both as assistants for Jahensham. Moreover, I shall order a generous monthly salary for each of you; at least, double what you earn from your current job.”
Farcen said excitedly, “My lord, you are most generous.
We shall embark on preparing that sample the rest of the day, and it shall be ready by the morning. Where should we bring it?”
“Bring it to me in the city hall as soon as it’s ready.”
“We will, my lord… we will. You shall be amazed by its effect,” Farcen responded with a sly smile.
48
Meanwhile, in the market, a travelling tradesman stopped in front of an old merchant and asked, “Can you tell me where to find Master Murad Yaqoot?”
The old man answered sullenly, “That old loony! You will find him feeding pigeons near the river.”
The tradesman said, “But pigeons don’t fly around at this time of the year!”
The old man’s face relaxed a bit and he replied,
“Sometimes they do, when eagles are unaware.” After that, he got up saying, “follow me, lad. I shall show you his shop,” and he led the way. When they reached the market’s heart, the old man pointed towards an old shop and said,
“That’s it, lad. You can await his arrival here,” then he left.
The tradesman waited for a while before an old man wearing a green turban and a well-made blue cloak approached the place.
“How can I help you, lad?” the old man asked.
The tradesman said, “Master Murad, I have some merchandise that will interest you.”
“From where do you come, young man?”
“From Tiba, Master.”
Murad opened his shop’s doors and invited the traveller in. The tradesman untied his huge backpack and started spreading coloured fabrics on the table amidst the shop.
While doing this, he whispered to his host, “I have come bearing an important message from the south.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s a verbal message master, so kindly listen carefully, this is a top-secret message. A ship shall reach Fastotia within a few days. It will be holding the largest gold shipment extracted from the southern mines so far.
This shipment must not reach Romestia under any circumstances. We need you to gather the required information, and place a plan for seizing this ship. Fifty of our finest men are well prepared and awaiting your orders at one of our hideouts outside the city. We need you to use your spies inside the anchorage, and find out the exact time in which this ship will arrive. Let them collect any information that may help our men succeed in their mission.”
Murad nodded in understanding and asked, “How will I contact the men?”
“Tomorrow at night, one of them will pay you a visit to receive your orders. He will be wearing a light blue garment. We know that your identity should remain unknown, but this mission is highly important, master.
I was ordered literally to tell you that we must succeed in capturing this ship, even if you had to lead the men yourself.
In the worst case, the ship must be destroyed, and the whole shipment must be sunk in the river.”
“What’s the ship’s name, lad?”
“We do not know, master. Sasan is keeping this matter a top secret. We were only able to know through our scouts what I have already told you.”
Murad thought silently for a moment then said, “If we succeed in seizing the ship, where should we take it?”
“Our men shall sail with it to one of our hideouts by the Northern coast. There, we shall divide the gold and transfer it to the resistance branches in Shamalia, Magharbia, and Afraconia. After this, Sasan will never be able to lay his hands on it again.”
“But Sasan’s Northern fleet will surely frustrate this plan. Our men won’t stand a chance against his ships.”
“Exactly master. This is why you and the men have to seize the ship before it reaches open waters in the Northern Sea. Otherwise, our chances in capturing it will diminish.
After that, you need not worry. The leadership has already taken care of the transportation procedures. That’s all I know.”
The old man nodded saying, “Anything else, lad?”
“That’s it, master.”
“Good, when can you bring me the remaining colours?”
the old man said in a loud voice.
“Next month with Alaha’s will, master.”
The old man paid the tradesman who counted the money saying, “It’s always a pleasure doing business with you, Master Murad,” and left with a smile of content on his face.
49
Like the day before, Sasan returned to the city hall in the afternoon. When he approached the building’s gate, he frowned and said, “The smell is worse than yesterday, Jahensham.”
“There must be something wrong, my lord.”
When they entered the building, what they saw was unexpected. Many soldiers were lying on the ground unconscious. Others were vomiting, and some were running around trying to help their comrades.
“What on earth happened here?” Sasan asked.
“My lord, you have to leave immediately or you might catch this infection. The building is compromised,”
Jahensham said pushing Sasan back out of the building.
As he stepped outside, a guard riding his horse was running towards the city hall. On approaching the front gate, he jumped off the horse and tried to enter, but Sasan’s guards stopped him.
“I need to see Captain Hazeem immediately,” he said.
When Sasan heard that, he said, “Let him approach.”
The soldier saluted him nervously, so Sasan asked,
“What’s wrong, soldier? Speak.”
The soldier responded in a tense tone, “Sir, I serve in the Western barracks. A few days ago, a couple of our comrades fell sick. Our officer thought it was something they ate while roaming around near the forest. Yesterday, more of us started to suffer from the same symptoms, and today our officer himself fainted.”
Sasan looked in disbelief at the soldiers who were in horrible shape. He retreated with Jahensham away from the building and said, “The palace isn’t safe as well, and so are
the barracks. Where the hell can I stay to run this disgusting country?”
“The nobles’ houses will always open their gates for you, my lord.”
Sasan looked at Jahensham thinking then said, “Which house is located near the southern borders of the city by the riverbanks?”
Jahensham smiled in admiration and replied, “Brilliant, my lord. I guess that will be the house of Bohart, head of the merchants and wealthiest among them all.”
“Very well then,” Sasan said signalling the commander of his personal guards to approach. “Supervise over the purification of the city hall. All men showing symptoms of infection, send them back to barracks, even with the least doubts. Dispatch one of your trusted soldiers to the main quarters. Let him gather strong, healthy men and bring them here to carry out your orders. Bring in fresh food day by day, and wash all eating tools with boiling waters. After you purify the city hall, let the soldiers who remain healthy take over all duties inside the building and secure it. You shall carry out Captain Hazeem’s tasks until he recovers...
Oh, and order one of my guards to bring me three persons: Shamum, the infirmary’s healer, and Farcen and Glenand, the masseurs who work in the nobles’ public bath.”
“Bring them where my lord?” the guards’ commander whose name was Sarden asked.
Sasan stepped into the carriage saying, “The house of Bohart, head of Fastotia’s merchants. That’s where we’re headed right now.”
50
The fourth day in the morning:
“Excuse me, master,” the butler in Bohart’s house said.
“What is it Qahraman?” Bohart replied while he revised the market reports as he usually does every morning.
“Sarhan has brought in the new assistant he told you about yesterday. Should we let him into the house?”
“Yes, let him in, and tell Sarhan to teach him about his duties. I don’t want any silly mistakes. Chief Sasan shall be staying with us for a while. Tell all servants that the west wing must not be approached till further notice.”
“Yes master,” the butler responded, then turned around, and walked away.
A few moments later, a guard rushed in saying in a lofty tone, “Chief Sasan demands your presence immediately, Master Bohart.”
Bohart gave the soldier a doleful look. He got up and walked towards the west wing. The guards permitted him to pass. He knocked on Sasan’s door and waited. When he heard the words, “Come in, Bohart,” he faked a smile on his face and entered. “Good morning, my lord,” he said.
“Bohart, my good friend, I want to introduce to you our saviours, Farcen and Glenand the Romestians. One of my guards brought them here early in the morning while you were still asleep. They spent all night preparing a cure for the infection that had invaded Fastotia.”
Bohart’s quizzical expression made Sasan frown saying,
“Something wrong, Bohart?”
“No my lord, it’s just that… I didn’t hear about any plague spreading in Fastotia.”
Sasan smiled sardonically and said, “That’s probably because we are keeping it a secret till we find a cure.
We wouldn’t want panic to spread among the people and harm our business, would we?”
Bohart shook his head and said, “Absolutely not, my lord.”
“Well then, as I was saying, these two gents have prepared a cure. I already sent one of the guards to try it on some of the infected soldiers back at the barracks. If this sample works, our Romestian friends shall need a bigger
place to work in and prepare more of their medicine.
I believe that you can take care of that, right?”
Bohart shook his head nervously saying, “Whatever they need shall immediately be prepared, my lord.”
“Good,” Sasan said smiling in satisfaction. After a silent moment, he asked Bohart, “How did your last deal with the Romestians go?”
“What deal, my lord?” Bohart asked with a shaky voice.
Sasan’s face changed. He gave Bohart a fiery look and said solidly, “The deal in which you sold them the yield you bought from the small farms directly without asking my permission.”
Bohart was about to faint from the shock. He said faltering, “My lord, it was just a small shipment. I didn’t want to disturb you with something so negligible.”
Sasan approached him, patted his face harshly, and said,
“I know… five thousand weights of corn and two thousand weights of okra. It must have been a good deal, wasn’t it?”
“Yes… yes my lord,” Bohart barely uttered.
“No problem, Bohart. I always turn a blind eye to my men’s secret deals. I like to give them some privacy.
How can they operate efficiently knowing that I know everything they do, say, or even think of,” Sasan said stressing upon his last words.
Bohart was about to collapse out of fear, while Sasan continued to stare at him satisfying his sadistic lusts.
After a moment, he said, “Go now.”
Bohart walked out of the room hurriedly finding it a bliss to be kicked out of this part of his own house. He was probably grateful that Sasan didn’t confiscate the whole palace.
“That was inspiring, my lord,” Jahensham said smiling.
Sasan laughed then said, “You have to ear-pinch those money worshippers every now and then. This is the only way to gain complete dominance all the time.”
“I have to say that staying by your side the last three days has taught me a great deal, my lord,” Jahensham replied.
While they continued their disgusting discussion, they heard three knocks on the door. “Come in,” Sasan said.
A guard entered the room saying, “Excuse me, my lord.”
“What is it?” Sasan asked.
The soldier hemmed and said in confusion, “I beg your pardon, my lord. A common man is standing at the gates, and asking to see you persistently. We tried to send him away, but he insists that you would want to listen to the information he has. He asked us to tell you that the pigeons have fallen, sir.”
Sasan seemed highly alerted when he heard that sentence. He looked at the guard and asked, “How did he look like?”
“He’s one-eyed, he has long black hair, beard, and…”
“That’s enough. Bring him to me right away.”
“Yes sir,” the soldier said and walked out of the room.
After a moment, he was standing with the one-eyed man in front of Sasan.
“Leave us,” Sasan ordered all those in his presence.
He remained alone with the mysterious visitor inside the closed room until noon. After that, the man left hurriedly, and Sasan remained alone for a while. Thereafter, he called one of his guards, handed him a message, and ordered him to deliver it to Captain of the southern forces before nightfall.
A while later, the guard who went to the barracks with the cure in the morning, came back with glad tidings. When he entered on Sasan, he said, “Captain Hazeem regained consciousness sir. His condition seems to improve and so is that of the guards with whom we tried the Romestian medicine.”
Sasan smiled in satisfaction and said, “Excellent. Isolate them from the others, and continue to watch them. Inform me when they regain full health.” He got up, ordered a
guard to summon Bohart, and then walked towards the two Romestian fellows who were sitting outside his room.
“Romestians never fail to amaze me every time,” he said smiling. “This could be your lucky day, lads. Tell Bohart everything you need in order to prepare a big amount of your medicine immediately.”
After Farcen and Glenand informed Bohart of their requirements, and he left, Sasan said, “Till that idiot prepares what you have asked for, let’s go, it’s time for my daily relaxation time.”
He took Jahensham and the Romestian masseurs, and they left in the usual pageant heading towards the nobles’
public bath.
51
In the fifth day’s morning, a guard approached Sasan while he sat with Jahensham in Bohart’s office and said,
“Shamum the healer, sir.”
“Finally, let him in.”
Shamum entered carrying his big box of tools and solutions.
“Where have you been? You didn’t think of escaping, did you?” Sasan asked in mockery.
“Oh no, my lord. I was gathering samples from outside the city. I had to look for certain herbs that only grow by the eastern mountains,” Shamum replied.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Yes my lord, I did.”
“Can you start preparing a sample cure for the symptoms you described to us before?”
“Yes my lord, but I need to return to my lab at the infirmary…”
“No, you shall work here. This guard shall take you to Bohart, you can ask him for whatever you need, and he will prepare it. Do you understand?”
“What about the other infected cases in the infirmary?”
Shamum asked. Sasan looked at him in anger, so he resumed with a shaky voice, “Whatever you say, my lord.”
“Good,” Sasan replied. He turned towards the guard and said, “Take the healer to Bohart. Tell him to prepare whatever the healer asks for.”
“Yes sir,” the guard replied and carried out the orders.
Later on, at noon, Shamum was standing in front of Sasan and Jahensham in Bohart’s front garden. He bowed down stretching his arms with a midsized vile and a small tin can, he said, “My lord, this is a sample of the medicine I have prepared. If you will allow me, I will go and try it on the infected persons in the palace immediately.”
“What is it made of?” Jahensham asked.
Shamum straightened up and said excitedly, “The syrup is a mixture of substances I extracted from White snakeroot, anise, ginger roots, along with boiled lemon and Seder mountain honey. That will help ease the fever and diarrhea.
As for the skin rash, I have prepared an ointment made from apple cider vinegar, Aloe vera oil, and boiled Neem-leaves.
I shall apply it three times a day, along with an oatmeal bath once every two days. I shall need to watch the development of the infected cases closely. I must interfere when necessary and make the proper modifications. When I reach the most proper dosage that reduces the symptoms efficiently, I will prepare a bigger amount. I will also use some of the herbs I’ve collected recently in enhancing this composition. I shall try them on all patients till I reach the most effective medicine for the infection at hand.”
Sasan looked at Jahensham who nodded in approval, so he said, “Fine Shamum, you have succeeded in earning more time. I will allow you to return to the palace and work there until you find the proper cure. If the cases you treat show any improvement within a week, I shall instate you as an assistant for my personal physician. If no improvement occurs, my previous verdict still holds.”
Sasan signalled one of his guards to approach and said,
“Escort him to the palace and prepare a room for him. You shall equip it with whatever he demands. He is not allowed to leave that room except escorted with one of the palace’s guards.”
After Shamum and the guard left, Jahensham asked Sasan, “My lord, why didn’t you try the Romestian cure on the servants at the palace?”
Sasan smiled in a wolfish way and responded, “We need a healer to stay with the infected cases and supervise directly over their treatment. Until this moment, Shamum was successful in satisfying you with his medical opinions, which makes him qualified to fill this position.”
“But sir, he can supervise over their treatment using the Romestian cure. Why are you forcing him to find a different cure himself?”
“I need to know how knowledgeable and capable our fellow Misrostian is. For me, it’s an indication of great importance. Besides, I never put my eggs in one basket.
What if the Romestian cure failed? It’s always important to have a second plan for everything.”
Jahensham nodded silently, and then after a moment said, “Can I ask you one final question, my lord?”
“What is it?”
“Do you wish that Shamum’s medicine work, or do you wish that it would fail?”
Sasan looked at Jahensham devilishly and said,
“Neither! After this is over, I’m going to kill him.”
52
In the afternoon, Sasan left Bohart’s house. He didn’t return except late at night. When he came in, Bohart welcomed him back and said, “My lord, a soldier delivered this message from the barracks.”
Sasan unfolded the message and read its content.
“Where are the two Romestian masseurs?” he asked.
“Inside the room you ordered me to prepare for them, my lord.”
“Lead the way then,” Sasan said in a lofty arrogant manner.
When he entered the room, the two Romestians stopped working and bowed down greeting him. “Welcome lord of lords.”
Sasan smiled widely and said, “Your medication is working, lads. I just received a message from my Captain saying that he is getting better and improving. I want you to show Jahensham how it’s made. He shall supervise over the preparation of a larger quantity, enough for a hundred men.
I also want you to tell Jahensham everything you know about this infection: its symptoms, its effects, all possible cures, the expected time of recovery, types of food preferred for the patients… everything lads. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir,” they said nodding in respect.
Sasan left Jahensham with them and went with Bohart to the dining room. They sat at the table alone, while the servants served dinner.
“Where is your family, Bohart?”
Bohart stuttered saying, “My family! I ordered them to confine themselves in the east wing. I wanted to grant you more space and privacy, my lord.”
Sasan gave him a wolfish look and said, “I heard you have beautiful daughters, Bohart.”
The man flickered nervously saying, “Thank you for the compliment, my lord. All children look beautiful if they are well fed and extravagantly dressed. I’m sure people exaggerate in their gossip.”
Sasan gave him a sly smile and replied, “Yes, especially Sarai. I heard she is your favourite daughter.”
“Sarai… well, she is my firstborn. Of course, she has a special place in my heart.”
This time, Sasan got closer to Bohart and said, “I also heard she is sixteen.”
Bohart was all-nervous at that moment. He was about to collapse on his knees and beg Sasan to leave his family alone. Suddenly, the young man serving soup stumbled and spilled some on Sasan’s legs. The soup was hot which forced Sasan to let out a short groan. The young man retreated holding the heavy bowl. He tried to apologise, but Sasan screamed at him, “What have you done, you idiot?”
“My lord, I didn’t mean to… I’m sorry.”
“I’m going to have you killed for this.”
“Please forgive me, my lord… It’s my first time to serve a man of your stature and glory… I was so nervous… Please forgive me… It will never happen again,” the young servant begged.
Sasan looked at him in anger, while Bohart said,
“I beg your pardon, my lord. I will have him kicked out right away.”
“No,” Sasan interrupted, “let him serve inside the kitchen. I don’t want to see his face again.”
“As you wish, my lord,” Bohart said signalling the young servant to leave.
Sasan wiped his clothes with the table towel, threw it on the ground, and walked towards his room in anger. After he left, Bohart called his butler and asked, “Who was that young servant?”
“My apologies, master. That was the new servant Sarhan brought yesterday.”
“Give him ten pieces of gold, and tell him not to utter a word about it if he wishes to continue working in this house.”
The butler’s eyes widened in shock, he said, “But master, he just embarrassed you in front of Chief Sasan.”
Bohart smiled in relief and said, “Not a word about this, Qahraman. Do as you’re told without questioning.”
53
The next three days, Sasan went out early in the morning and didn’t return except late at night. He was only escorted by his guards. It was obvious he didn’t want anyone to know where he went, or what he was doing. Jahensham supervised over the preparation of the Romestian cure inside Bohart’s house. Shamum was achieving some progress with the infected concubines and servants inside Sasan’s palace. He sent a message to Jahensham with one of the palace’s guards informing him of the developments.
It was the eighth day at night when a soldier brought a message to Bohart’s house. Sasan was waiting for it.
He didn’t sleep except after he received it.
At Sasan’s palace, near midnight, Shamum got up from his bed and walked out of his room. When he stepped outside, a guard stopped him saying, “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Relax man, you frightened me. I just couldn’t sleep from the hot weather, and I hadn’t walked out of that palace for three days. I wanted to get some fresh air and stretch my body. I need to do this so that I can sleep well and attend properly to my duties in the morning.”
“But you’re not allowed to leave the palace,” the guard said firmly.
“Who said anything about leaving the palace? I will just walk in the garden. I won’t step outside the palace’s fence.
This couldn’t be considered leaving the palace, right?”
Shamum responded in a friendly polite manner.
The guard gave it a quick thought then said, “I will allow you to walk in the front garden, but don’t you dare leave my eyesight, do you understand?”
Shamum waived his hands in submission and smiled saying, “I understand. I only intended to walk in this front spacious, beautiful area. You will always be able to see me.”
He started walking the span of the garden forth and back, stretching his body, and exercising a little. After about ten rounds, he returned to the palace, bade the guard good night, and returned to his room. As soon as he entered, he picked out a small rolled piece of paper from his belt, and read what it said,
L shall arrive in the morning. Preps have been made.
54
In the ninth day morning, Sasan got up earlier than usual and left with the earliest light of the day. He had issued an order for Jahensham to supervise over the transfer of enough medication dosages to the barracks. He wanted to put an end for the spread of this infection among his men.
The city hall was all-empty and clean awaiting the arrival of the southern soldiers. They were to take over its affairs and carry out the tasks of their infected comrades. The southern soldiers had already arrived and camped outside Fastotia showing no activity whatsoever. On that day, a hundred soldiers started moving before sunrise. They were wearing their full gear, well prepared for battle. Fifty of them moved to Fastotia’s anchorage and entered it before it opened its gates for the labourers. At the opening time, they were gone; no soldiers were spotted inside the place. The other fifty moved northwards and disappeared amidst the routes of the Northern Mountains. It was evident that Sasan and his men followed a state of covert operation.
In the afternoon, some news started spreading among the merchants in the market. A huge battle was occurring twenty miles away from Fastotia’s Northern borders.
The caravan travellers brought the news with them.
“Thieves are attacking a huge well-guarded ship in the North,” they said.
On hearing that, many merchants gathered around them, and asked them to describe what they saw.
“The thieves obviously had planned this long before the ship reached that location…”
“They attacked the ship from both banks at the narrowest part of the river…”
“They were close to fifty men armed with swords and knives…”
“But the soldiers on the ship blocked the attack and protected it…”
“Yeah, and the army reinforcements also attacked from the shore side. After this, the thieves stood no chance. Some of them were killed, and many were captured.”
“What was that ship carrying?” a man asked.
“We don’t know! Obviously something important enough to be guarded by army soldiers.”
“Yes, that’s right. It must be one of the shipments the army exports to Romestia. The size of the ship and its preparations all say so.”
A man said in a low voice, “Some say that these weren’t thieves, they were the remnants of the king’s loyal men, and they are fighting to remove Sasan from authority…”
“Remove Chief Sasan! That’s impossible. Besides, who will rule the country then?”
“You are saying it as if he was a good ruler…”
“Shut your mouth. Do you want us all to go to prison?”
“Can’t you see what we have declined-to ever since that traitor and his Romestian allies overthrew the king?” the man responded in a burst of anger.
“Shut the hell up man. If you want to get yourself killed, go do it elsewhere. We have families to take care of.”
A moment of silence overtook the men after the last few sentences, and then one of them asked, “What about Chief Sasan? Where is he now?”
“No one knows, but obviously he had previous knowledge of what was going to happen. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so well prepared.”
“That man is like a fox. You can never tell what he’s up to. I feel sorry for the captives more than I do for those who died,” a man said.
“Shush, he has eyes everywhere,” another replied looking around in fear.
While the men continued their gossip, a hooded hunchbacked old man walked away slowly leaning on his staff. He listened to what the people were saying about this issue all around the market and its surrounding streets. Then he walked towards Fastotia’s western suburbs, taking one turn after another, until he disappeared inside an old demolished house.
“Any news from the markets?”
“The people are afraid.”
“That’s it! That’s all you have been able to learn!”
“That’s enough. It’s all we need to know for now.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“We shall complete our mission. There is no turning back.”
“What’s your next move?”
“We haven’t decided yet, but soon enough things will become clearer.”
55
At night, Sasan returned to Bohart’s house. The signs of triumph were evident on his face. Jahensham and the two Romestian lads welcomed him back. They informed him that they have finished preparing the cure, and have sent enough to the barracks along with full written instructions on how to use it. Sasan was expressing his content towards their performance when Bohart rushed in welcoming him back. “Dinner is ready and served, my lord.”
Sasan told him to order his servants to bring them a bottle of wine, and he made the four men sit and eat with him on the dining table. He was never known to be such a
humble person. It was clear that he wanted to celebrate his victory with others. He wanted to boost and brag about his achievement.
“If we were in the morning, I would have taken you with me to the nobles’ public bath. These two lads know how to renew a man’s youth,” he said loudly beckoning at Farcen and Glenand.
“My lord, you are one of the strongest and most energetic men I have seen,” Jahensham said.
Sasan laughed loudly the way he does whenever someone fawns over him.
“You seem so happy, my lord. I believe we are all thrilled to hear more about the reasons behind that,” Bohart said.
Sasan gave him a haughty look then said, “Well, why not?” He grabbed his cup, leaned back in his chair, and sipped from it as he spoke, “Today, I have shown my enemies how stupid they were to think that they can fool me. I have used their own plans in cornering them like never before. It’s all a matter of days, and they shall fall beneath my feet like flees.”
The four men looked at him unable to understand, so he took another sip from his cup, and continued, “Those idiots thought that they could steal from Sasan. But all they did was throwing forty of their men into my grasp.”
Jahensham smiled widely and clapped his hands in admiration.
Bohart did the same and said, “You have always been a brilliant military commander, my lord.”
“These traitors should be executed publicly,” Jahensham commented.
Sasan shook his head in disapproval, and replied, “No.
The problem with you, Jahensham, is that you have no imagination…”
“But my lord, they tried to steal from you. They must be punished. They should be set as an example for others.”
Sasan smiled, and said staring at the far end of the room,
“What did I just say? These men are only pawns moved by my true enemy. They do not represent any danger without the mastermind behind their operations.”
Jahensham nodded in agreement and said, “That’s accurate, sir, but doesn’t executing those men help in disabling their leader. It shall dishearten others from joining him, and consequently, destroy his plans in their cradle?”
Sasan continued to stare at nothing, and responded,
“Yes, eventually it will, but this is not what I want.”
Jahensham’s eyes narrowed. He was trying to figure out what Sasan meant, “Sir, I cannot understand!” he said giving up.
Sasan finally broke his stare and looked at him. He said,
“I want their leader to kneel down at my feet and beg me to release his men. I want him to crawl on the ground as he approaches me. I want him to regret that he ever thought of taking me as an enemy. After that, I’m going to crucify him in front of the city hall. All people must know the destiny of anyone who would dare challenge my authority.”
A strong shudder went through Jahensham’s body as Sasan spoke, while Bohart’s face turned white in fear.
A long silent moment passed before Jahensham was able to unlock his lips and said, “But how would you force him to surrender, my lord?”
“That’s easy,” Sasan replied as he took a bite from the piece of meat placed on his plate. He chewed it a little then continued, “I ordered my men to declare that if the leader of those men surrenders himself at the city hall three days from today, I shall pardon his men and let them go. If he doesn’t, I shall have his men beheaded publicly in Fastotia’s main square. May their families and all people see with their own eyes what kind of a coward he is.”
56
At Sasan’s palace, Shamum asked the guard’s permission to take a walk in the front garden as he did the night before, and the guard accepted. He took a walk and stretched his body then went back to his room. When he entered, he picked out a new message from his belt and read what it said,
You have one more day.
He burned it, then pulled a paper, and started writing a letter to Jahensham. He wrote,
Master Physician Jahensham,
Some of the infected cases at the palace are showing significant improvement. Some others need modifications in the composition of the cure I have developed. With your permission, sir, I will need to get out of the palace to gather more sample herbs. I also need to compare the progress I have achieved with that my colleagues may have achieved back at the infirmary.
Your loyal servant,
Shamum.
He rolled his message and tied a ribbon around it. After that, he walked over towards his toolbox, pulled out a book from a secret drawer in its bottom, and turned it to a page, which read: “Poisonous Plants.” Then, he started preparing a very special mixture.
57
The next morning, Sasan dispatched one of his guards to check on the infected soldiers back at the barracks. He ordered him to make sure that they had enough from the Romestian medicine, and then report back to Jahensham.
After that, He dispatched another guard to the city hall.
He told him, “Inform Sarden that I shall return to my office before sunset.”
“Excuse me, my lord,” Jahensham said. Sasan signalled him to speak, so he continued, “I received a message from Shamum asking for permission to leave the palace.
He wants to gather more medical herbs, and compare his progress with what the other healers may have achieved back at the infirmary. Should I permit him to do that?”
Sasan thought for a short moment then said, “All right, but two guards must accompany him wherever he goes.
He must not leave their sight for a single moment. Let them report back whatever he does from the moment he leaves the palace till he returns.”
Jahensham nodded in compliance and went to carry out Sasan’s orders.
A while later, a soldier asked for permission to enter on Sasan. “I have come bringing news from the North,” he said. When he stood in front of his chief, he saluted him and said, “Leila has reached the Northern Sea my lord. Three of our ships shall guard it till it reaches Romestia.”
Sasan smiled widely and signalled the soldier to return to his post. He sat in Bohart’s garden relaxing and enjoying the morning breeze. Jahensham broke the silence saying,
“There is something I can’t understand, my lord.”
Sasan looked at him and said, “What is that?”
Jahensham answered, “Yesterday you said that you wanted the traitors’ leader to give himself up. What if he sends someone else in his stead?”
Sasan smiled in mockery and said, “Don’t worry, he won’t.”
“But sir, anyone in his place…”
“I said don’t worry about it,” Sasan interrupted forcing Jahensham to skip this question.
“Can I ask another question, sir?”
“Go ahead,” Sasan answered calmly.
“What if that leader had a deputy… a second man in command? What would the situation be then?”
Sasan smiled wolfishly and said, “Absolutely, he has more than one deputy.”
“Then what possible good could result from forcing him to surrender! His deputies shall carry forth his duties,”
Jahensham asked curiously.
“In this game, some matters are beyond laymen’s understanding, Jahy. You are a brilliant physician, but you can never imagine how a soldier feels when his leader is forced to surrender. How be it if his leader was humiliated.
This cuts through a soldier’s spirit like a knife cuts a fresh cake. In no time, all the deputies in the world wouldn’t suffice to replace that leader. The knot that held the pearls together shall be untied. Then, they shall all fall into my grasp one after another.”
Jahensham was one of Sasan’s close men, some even considered them friends, but it was evident at that moment that he felt afraid of what this man could do.
Sasan smiled maliciously, and continued, “Besides, there is something that this leader has stolen from me, and I want it back. I’m sure that his men shall be willing to give what it takes to retrieve him from my hands, and save him from the hell I can put him through.”
“What might that be, my lord?”
“Does it matter?” Sasan asked sullenly.
Jahensham nodded in understanding and remained silent.
By noon, the guards whom Sasan dispatched earlier returned with good news. The city hall was purified and ready for Sasan’s return. Most infected soldiers regained full consciousness, and the Romestian cure reduced the symptoms significantly. They still suffered from nausea and felt dizzy most of the time.
On hearing that, Jahensham said, “This is normal for a person recovering from such an intense infection. Within ten days, they shall fully recover. Just let them take the dosages according to my instructions.”
Sasan got up saying, “It has been a few days since I last bathed,” then he asked in a loud voice, “where are our Romestian masseurs?”
58
Late in the afternoon, Sasan was surveying what Sarden had done in the city hall. He checked all places, while Jahensham asked about the procedures undertaken in purifying the building. Healthy strong soldiers were now inside and around the city hall. They have divided themselves based on Sarden’s orders and taken control of the place.
“Good work Sarden,” Sasan said in satisfaction,
“consider yourself promoted to the rank of Captain.
The ceremony shall be held when this is over. Keep up the good work.” Then he walked towards his office followed by Jahensham.
“My lord, I prefer that you would stay in Bohart’s house until we make sure that the city hall is safe,” Jahensham said.
Sasan shook his head saying, “Don’t worry, I will follow the safety procedures Shamum advised, remember?”
“Yes my lord, but…”
“No buts, Jahy. The people have already started talking about my absence. Some even dared say that I escaped out
of fear for my life when I learned of yesterday’s attack.
Didn’t you notice how they looked at us today when they saw me going normally to the nobles’ public bath? It was as if they saw a ghost. I must restore order and discipline to this city, and I can’t do it from Bohart’s house.”
A while later, the door knocked three times. “Come in,”
Sasan said. A soldier opened the door, while another brought in a tray holding covered plates emanating the smell of delicious food. “Dinner my lord,” the soldier said.
“Who cooked it?” Jahensham asked.
“The new cook, sir.”
“Have the soldiers eaten yet?” Sasan asked.
“Those who do not have guard duties are eating right now, my lord.”
“Did you eat, soldier?”
“Not yet, my lord. I’m on duty.”
“Well, sit down and eat the dinner you just brought in.
I ate before I came to the city hall,” Sasan said.
“But that would be inappropriate, my lord.”
“I insist,” Sasan replied smiling.
The soldier looked around not knowing what to do, so Sasan pointed towards a small table behind the door. The soldier placed the tray on the table, uncovered the plates, then looked at Sasan hesitantly, but Sasan signalled him to start eating, so he picked up a piece of chicken, and took a small bite shyly. “Eat like you usually do,” Sasan shouted, so the man dug into the food, and ate his full in front of his lord. When he finished, he looked at Sasan and smiled saying, “Oh thank you, sir. You are most generous.”
Sasan signalled him to return to his duties, so he picked up the tray and walked out.
“What do you think?” Sasan asked Jahensham.
“We’ll have to wait until the morning, my lord.”
“Fine, go get some rest in your room, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jahensham got up and walked towards the door. When he was about to turn the knob, he stopped saying, “Sir.”
Sasan looked at him waiting for him to speak, so he continued, “Why do you want to kill Shamum after this is over?”
Sasan frowned and said, “What made you ask this question now?”
Jahensham nodded saying, “It’s just that I’m convinced he could be a good physician, so why don’t we benefit from him?”
Sasan leaned back in his chair and said, “We cannot allow any Misrostian to advance, or develop new skills.
We have already seen what this could do to our plans.
Any Misrostian who excels at any branch of knowledge must either be killed or destroyed morally. Their presence constitutes a threat to our authority.”
Jahensham shook his head in understanding, walked out of the room, and locked the door behind him without uttering one more word.
59
In the eleventh day morning, Sasan and Jahensham checked on the soldiers in the city hall. They were relieved to see them attending to their duties with full capacity.
Sarden was modifying the fortification plan of the city hall.
He changed the locations of the guards and added checkpoints in the surrounding streets. Sasan expressed his satisfaction with these modifications. He whispered to Jahensham that finally someone emerged who could replace Hazeem. After that, He ate his breakfast with Jahensham. They discussed the possibility of building a medical quarantine outside Fastotia. They wanted to hold the infected civilians inside it until they die at peace.
At noon, they went to the nobles’ public bath.
The masseurs welcomed them with the usual fuss.
While they stretched for their massage, Farcen said, “Lord of lords, we have prepared something special for you today.
You will find it different from anything you have tried before.”
Sasan said excitedly, “You never fail to amaze me, lads.
What do you have for us today?”
“It’s a new treatment for special men like you, my lord.”
Jahensham asked, “What is it made of?”
“Oh, don’t worry, sir. I have prepared samples from all ingredients we used and dictated their description to Dakdok. He is rewriting them in a clearer manner right now.
It will be ready before you leave,” Glenand said as he bowed down presenting a cup of cold drink to Jahensham, while Farcen presented another to Sasan.
Jahensham took the cup smiling in satisfaction and said,
“You have all the right to trust Romestians, my lord.
They truly are brilliant workers.”
Sasan took a sip from his cup and shook his head in amusement saying, “Oh, this opens my appetite, lad.
What a delicious drink.”
“We have prepared it especially for you, my lord. It’s a fruit cocktail,” Farcen said as he started massaging Sasan’s body. While his hands pressed the man’s back, Sasan gradually fell asleep.
How much time passed before he woke up, was something he couldn’t tell. He tried to speak, but he was unable to do so. He tried to move, but his body didn’t respond. He raised his head trying to see what was happening, but his vision was hazy, and his head was heavy.
He was inside a dark place having very faint light and a disgusting odour. Three masked figures were standing in front of him wearing dark clothes. One of them approached and said in a gruff scary voice, “Do you know where you are?”
He shook his head and hemmed, so the dark figure said,
“You are dead, this is your grave.”
Sasan tried to scream, but he was unable to do so.
The dark figure then said, “Do you know who we are?”
He responded similarly, so the dark figure said, “We are your guardians from the hellfire.”
He tried desperately to move, but his body didn’t respond. Again, the scary figure asked, “Do you know why we are here?”
He shook his head in total fear, so the figure said,
“We are here to punish you for your crimes.”
Sasan tried to move hysterically, but he failed. His face was soaked with tears by then. The figure that spoke to him then turned towards his twins and said, “The verdict has been issued. Sasan, son of Haleel, son of Zamora, is to be flogged for eternity. The two figures standing at the end of the place started moving slowly. They were emitting a scary sound as they approached Sasan from both sides. The third figure suddenly raised his hand and then dropped it saying
‘Begin.’ The two figures started flogging Sasan’s back, butt, legs, and feet. While they did this, the frightening sound never stopped. The figure standing in front of him kept on scratching his head and face with its long scary nails. They continued to do this until he fainted.
Whether it was fear or pain that knocked him out first, was something we couldn’t tell. ‘We!’ Yes ‘we,’ because the three guardians from the hellfire were only Orabio, Salamio, and me. And that grave we punished Sasan in, was nothing but a room inside the basement of the nobles’
public bath.
How long did Sasan remain unconscious, was something we never got to know. What was going on is something that you could have figured out on your own, at least partially.
Why did I choose to write the previous part of the story mostly in absentia? Well, that’s because it was a compilation of different narrations from all those who had participated in it. I just didn’t want to spoil its significance.
I also wanted you to feel how hard it was to distract a man like Sasan and make him think he was winning, while actually, he was losing. Let me fill in the gaps so that you can now understand what happened.
60
It all started back inside our hideout, the first night we reached Fastotia. After I told Salamio that his love for Johan would help him fulfil his mission towards his family, and we both tried to get some sleep, I kept on thinking of a way through which we can get to Sasan. That was when it hit me: ‘Our love for the boy.’ Johan was always working undercover. He had a fake identity all the time. No one ever knew what he was really up to, or what his real intentions were. I remembered how I first met him. He tried to make me accompany him through the gates of Fastotia thinking that I was protecting him, while he was the one trying to protect me. I thought to myself, why couldn’t we use a deceitful strategy similar to that of Johan? I decided that we needed to make Sasan take us into his circle of trust willingly. Sasan was an opportunist; hence, I wanted him to think that he was the one using us, while we would be the ones using him. I don’t know why, but at that moment, I remembered a scene I had witnessed years earlier at an Eragonian city. It was hit by a plague, and Karma was supposed to deliver aids to the people there. After we docked near its coast, my captain ordered me to take some of the men and deliver the cargo near the city gates.
There, we saw an old leper screaming, ‘Save yourselves, this city is doomed.’ Then a plan began to evolve in my mind: We need to create a catastrophic situation. We need to bewilder Sasan and force him search for a way out from it. When he does that, we can present ourselves covertly as heaven’s gift and the way out, I thought to myself.
Immediately, I woke my friends up, briefed them of my crazy idea, and we started developing our plan.
“So, we are going to create a plague,” Salamio said.
I knew how knowledgeable Salamio was of herbal treatments and medicine preparation. Orabio and I as well had fair knowledge about the different plants and herbs existing in Misrost. This was part of our education in the training camps when we were teenagers. Salamio was the most to like this idea. He was graduated the top of botany classes, so it met his interests and knowledge. I was grateful that the plan seemed to have pulled him out from his grieving state a bit. I told my comrades that Ibn Al-Baytar’s botanical and medical books were all present back at my parents’ house. “We can use them in preparing special drugs and solutions. These would help us fake special symptoms like those I have seen in Eragonia,” I said. Then I gave them a brief description of those symptoms.
Orabio volunteered to get the book before sunrise.
“I’m the most knowledgeable amongst you of Fastotia’s underground routes and safe passages,” he said.
I told him where to find the book, and he attended to that task without hesitation. When he returned, Zein had already arrived. We all gathered amidst our hideout, and continued discussing the matter.
After revising some chapters from Ibn Al-Baytar’s book, Salamio suggested a solution made from windflower, marsh marigold, meadow saffron, and poinsettia. “Ingesting their sap and boiled solutions cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms are similar to those of contagious pestilences,” he said. “Ibn Al-Baytar also explains how to deal with such symptoms if they occur,” he added winking at me.
The question that irritated us the most was how to make some symptoms—like skin rashes and blistering—appear quickly on some cases so that our play would be persuasive and produce the required panic. On checking Ibn Al-
Baytar’s writings about poisonous plants, we noticed that any skin contact with the leaves or the juices of some kinds could cause blistering, skin inflammation, and eventually, general weakness and syncope. If not properly treated, the symptoms would last for a few days, and the infected person would need a longer time to regain his strength. We were able to identify some of the plants described. Salamio named dumbcane, manchineel, giant hogweed, and river poison tree. The problem was how we could rub their leaves against the chosen victims’ skin without them knowing.
Marwan had an idea. He told us that children grind the seeds that grow on a tree called Lagunaria; they use the resulting powder in making silly pranks against each other.
“It’s enough to pour some of it inside one’s clothes from the neck opening, and he will feel itchy and start scratching like scabies. If somehow we can make powder from the plants you named, this will make our job easier,” he said.
“Where can we find such plants? And how can we use them in making such powder?” Zein asked.
Salamio suggested that we seek Master Emodeen’s help.
“He always preserves samples of all herbs and plants,” he affirmed.
Old Emodeen was our botany teacher. He lived on his farm in Fastotia. Salamio visited him frequently. He even helped him in gathering samples and developing new solutions every now and then. The man was highly fond of botany. There wasn’t a known kind of herbs or plants, except that he cultivated it inside his farm, or kept samples of it for experimentation. Salamio volunteered to pay Master Emodeen a secret visit, and seek his help.
“We need to infiltrate the city hall and Sasan’s palace.
We must keep an eye on him all the time.” I said that then introduced the five main characters I had in mind. Namely, the old leper, the infirmary’s healer, the retarded assistant, and the two Romestian masseurs. Thereafter, I explained their roles in my plan.
“I will be your eye inside the city hall,” Amr said unhesitatingly.
With his previous experiences, he made the perfect match for this role and all of its phases. We agreed on the story he would tell when he gets arrested. This story was designed to make the officer listening find it necessary to inform Sasan himself of the situation at hand. We were sure that at some point Hazeem would be the one carrying the news to his lord. Knowing how Sasan depended on him, we were sure that he would order him to handle the situation at the palace. Hence, we needed to take Hazeem out of the picture, but in a way that would force Sasan believe his own safety was threatened. Then, he would start handling matters himself depending on no one except when necessary. It wasn’t hard to imagine that Hazeem would order his soldiers throw the old leper in one of the city hall dungeons. This granted Amr the chance to infiltrate the place and spread the mysterious disease among its soldiers.
“There is one thing which you must do while the soldiers arrest you,” I added.
“What’s that?”
“You shall hide in your sleeve a tiny vile containing some of the powder Salamio shall bring. You must seek the proper opportunity when the soldiers grab you, and pour its contents into the clothes of one of them.”
“You want the other soldiers to think that their comrade caught the infection from me. You want to strike fear amongst them from the first moment!” Amr commented.
“Not only that, I believe that they shall throw their comrade with you in the same dungeon to avoid further spread of the infection. This will grant you the opportunity to drug that soldier, take his clothes, and accomplish your mission inside the city hall. The guards are always concerned with those coming into the place, not those inside or going out.”
“This means that I must leave right away,” Salamio said that, and then he got up and left. Getting to Emodeen’s house and preparing enough quantity of the suggested solution and powder took him most of the morning. While he attended to that task, Marwan used the disguise tools Zein had prepared inside the hideout to make Amr look like the old leper I described.
“Hazeem will surely need to consult a professional physician, and here comes the role of the infirmary’s clever healer. He would appear at the proper time to confirm Hazeem’s fears, and warn him from the possibility of a plague spreading in the city.” I said that then asked Zein about the healers working in the infirmary. He described three to us, and I chose Shamum. According to Zein’s description, he was a bushy fellow, with reddish brown big beard, thick mustaches, and a freckled face. That was a well distracting disguise, and it totally changed my appearance.
“We need to put the true Shamum out of the picture while we carry out our mission. We also need to give the infirmary workers the impression that a dangerous infection is spreading in Fastotia. You will have to send one of our trusted men to the infirmary faking symptoms similar to those of leprosy. His examiner will probably put him in quarantine. He must seize this opportunity, spot the real Shamum, and make sure that he disappears until our mission is complete,” I told Zein.
Orabio suggested that our man should lead Shamum to one of our safe houses under the claim that some cases were weak and unable to get to the infirmary. Then, it would be easy to captivate him there, and keep him out of the picture.
“But what if any of his family members asked about him in the infirmary, or reported him missing,” Marwan asked.
I told him not to worry for they would be told that he was carrying out an urgent mission ordered by Sasan himself.
My role was to infiltrate Sasan’s palace, make sure that the infection appears on some of his servants and concubines.
After that, I would try to find out all the information I can from the documents he keeps inside his private office. To carry out such task, I needed to stay inside the palace for a while, search the whole place, and find out everything I can.
Of course, there is no such a thing as a perfect plan; all plans include many elements of risk. Every move was critical and we needed to do it fast. Marwan’s task on that day was to play the role of the retarded assistant. He was to take the solutions and powder Salamio prepares to the infirmary.
There, he would tell the workers that Physician Shamum was examining some patients at Chief Sasan’s palace, and he had sent him to fetch a list of tools and solutions.
“Why would they listen to me? And even if they do, how will I bring this stuff to you inside Sasan’s palace?”
Marwan asked.
“You will tell them that if you don’t return to the palace with the stuff quickly, Hazeem will send a soldier looking for you. When a soldier comes asking for the same stuff, the workers in the infirmary will believe you. They shall rush to prepare everything mentioned in the list. Then, it will be easy for you to add our stuff to whatever they prepare,” I responded.
Marwan played a brilliant role on that day. He succeeded in double-crossing all parties: the infirmary personnel, and Hazeem. He brought me the solution and powder Salamio and Master Emodeen had prepared. The character of the partially retarded assistant—as he embodied it—was exceptional. While I pretended to examine Sasan’s beloved Romestian servants and concubines, I grabbed different parts of their body. I did that holding a piece of cloth, which Marwan handed me. I knew he had coated it with what Salamio had brought and told him how to use. I just used fake names and ordered him to hand me a dosage of whatever. Then, he would pour the proper amount that would cause the symptoms to appear and hand it over.
He was most brilliant when he attacked Hazeem after the
latter pushed me down, and poured the powder into his clothes through the neck opening. I agreed with Amr that he would check on Hazeem to make sure that the desired symptoms started to appear on him. “Identify yourself as one of the palace’s guards. This will help you get into the city hall regularly without anyone doubting who you are.”
“What if you fail to daub Hazeem with the powder? Or worse, what if he knew all of the palace’s guards? He will know that I’m an imposter!” Amr said.
“It’s a risk you will have to take,” I responded teasing.
“Don’t worry, if every one of you plays his role perfectly well, you will find him extremely sick.” Orabio affirmed.
I suggested that Amr would pretend to be bringing news from the palace. “Inform Hazeem that the infection was spreading rapidly, and more cases were getting sick,” I said.
When Amr came back that night and informed us of Hazeem’s condition, we knew we were on the right track.
We were very keen on forcing Sasan feel flanked by this mysterious pestilence. That was the only way to limit his options and control his moves without him knowing.
Using the information Zein provided us with, I managed to urge Sasan indirectly to visit the nobles’ public bath on daily bases. Orabio and Salamio played the roles of the two Romestian masseurs selling new ointments and herbal treatments. Of course, these treatments were Master Emodeen’s inventions. Knowing how Sasan was fond of Romestians,
and
considering
the
circumstances,
we anticipated that he would add the masseurs to his close servants. All of the previous enabled us to keep our eyes on Sasan all the time. It also granted us the chance to get a closer look at his plans, and secret correspondence with his Romestian allies.
Consequently, Amr became our eye inside the city hall.
Being one of the soldiers who remained healthy forced Sarden to employ him in the purification of the place.
From the letters and maps Amr copied, we were able to
collect a bunch of fragmented information. The most important thing we discovered was Leila, the ship carrying the Misrostian gold to Romestia. I insisted that we must retrieve this shipment from Sasan’s hands no matter what.
I asked Zein how we could pass some false information to Sasan about the resistance. He told me that the safest way would be to use one of Sasan’s trusted spies. After some hesitation, he informed me of Master Murad.
“This man was once one of us, but we noticed that the operations in which he contributed were usually compromised, and many of them failed. Skipper Nooraddeen ordered us to carry out a secret investigation about the men who contributed in those operations.
As a result, we discovered Murad’s treason. The skipper decided to use him in transferring false information to Sasan. He promoted Murad to the rank of field commander.
The resistance has no real field operations in Fastotia. Most of its activities here are espionage and undercover ones.
Hence, Murad was kept away from what was happening, and his danger was neutralised. He had to live in Fastotia undercover awaiting new orders. Every now and then, Skipper Nooraddeen passed him some information about fabricated operations. They were designed to make him look truthful and trustworthy in Sasan’s eyes,” Zein said explaining to us the situation.
“Does this man know my uncle?” I asked.
“Of course not,” Zein replied in denial. “No one knows the skipper but his deputies. Murad only knew his previous comrades, and those have been sent to Magharbia along with their families.”
“So how do you deliver my uncle’s orders to Murad?”
“We send him any of our men disguised as a merchant bringing new fabric. Murad has a partner who must identify our man first. After that Murad meets him.”
Learning that, I explained my plan to my comrades and paid Murad a visit. I told him of his new mission knowing
that he will run along to Sasan, and tell him everything.
My purpose was to identify Sasan’s moves and use them to our advantage. We knew that when Sasan learns about the fifty men hiding outside Fastotia, he would try to seize the opportunity and capture them.
“He will try to trade them for his ships,” Orabio said, and we all agreed to this thought.
The question was how to make Sasan think that he had us in his grasp, while we would be the ones to have him in ours. We agreed with Zein to keep an eye on Sasan and his visitors, so that we may know his next move.
In the fourth day at night, Amr paid Murad a visit pretending to be one of the men sent to capture the targeted ship. Murad told him that the ship’s name was Leila and that it would pass through Fastotia two days later. He also explained that the best place to carry out the attack would be at the river’s narrow passage, north of Fastotia. Then he gave Amr a map for the location.
“This is an ambush. Obviously Sasan is planning to capture our men before they try to attack Leila,” Zein said after Amr narrated to us what Murad had told him.
Amr nodded in agreement and said, “Not only that, but I also sensed that they are going to use a decoy ship named Leila. It won’t be the one carrying the gold.”
“Or maybe they would move the gold to a different ship,” Zein replied.
“What about the soldier Sasan dispatched with a message yesterday, where did he go and what did he do?” I asked.
Zein told us that this soldier rode unstoppably until he reached the headquarters of the southern forces. Next morning, a century of strong, fully armed soldiers rode out towards Fastotia. They camped a few miles outside the southern borders of the city in four separate camps at that same night. One of those soldiers was a spy for the resistance.
“He’s smart to bring in soldiers from the south.
According to his thinking, they would be the furthest from the infection spreading in Fastotia. He also made them camp away from their infected comrades, and in separate camps. That’s a very smart move,” Amr said.
“True, he has taken all precautions to protect himself, guard the gold, and he has also placed a good plan to retrieve his ships. Now, after we have learned all the measures he has taken, it’s our turn to interfere and use them to our advantage.” I replied.
Zein and Amr looked at me in wonder, so I continued,
“This is our chance to gain control over all his moves without him knowing. How many of the resistance men can we summon before tomorrow midnight?”
“How many men do you need?” Zein asked.
“A hundred and fifty men, armed with light swords only,” I responded.
Zein looked at me in shock, while Amr said, “What are you going to do?”
“I want to replace Sasan’s southern soldiers with our men,” I said.
“And how on earth do you intend to do that?” Zein asked.
“With the help of Master Emodeen,” I responded.
They seemed oblivious to what I meant, so I explained,
“Master Emodeen shall prepare for us a big amount of a sedative solution, enough to make a hundred men fall asleep. Meanwhile, Amr will investigate how the southern soldiers receive their supplies of food and water. We must introduce this solution into their dinner the night before the attack. One hundred of our men shall be ready to infiltrate the camp amidst the night. They shall tie the soldiers down, and take their place. As for you Zein, you already have an eye amidst the southern soldiers. I want you to find out their orders, and deliver them to our men. They must carry them out without any alteration. Sasan will be watching the attack
on Leila closely, and we must give him the show of a lifetime. He will witness his soldiers defeating and capturing fifty of the resistance men in an epic battle.
In reality, our men will be acting to fight themselves.
Meanwhile, with all attention concentrated on the battle, a squad of our men will move the captured soldiers towards the nearest hideout. There, they shall wait for further instructions.”
“What shall we do with them?” Amr asked.
I winked at him saying, “We’ll think of something.”
I looked at them waiting to hear their opinions. They both looked worried, so I said encouraging them, “It’s the wildest plans that work out fine.”
Amr smiled saying, “I’m with you, brother.”
We looked at Zein who was still thinking, so I said,
“Come on Zein, I need you to lead this operation. I have another task to do inside Sasan’s palace.”
“What about the gold? Are you going to forsake it for the Romestians?” Zein asked in denial.
“Absolutely not,” I responded, “actually I never intended to steal the gold inside Fastotia. My plan was to distract Sasan by the fake developments here, while our men would capture the shipment at sea. Many ships pass through Fastotia heading towards the Northern Sea. Some head east, some head west, and some travel northwards. The only way to find out which ones carry the gold is to keep an eye on those last ones. It’s not hard to differentiate between a normal trades’ ship, and fast, medium sized, similar ships.
The targeted ships shall be travelling at relatively far distances from one another, but close enough to watch each other’s backs.”
“How do you know that Sasan will use more than one ship in transferring the gold to Romestia?” Zein asked.
“You can learn a lot about your enemy from studying his moves. It’s enough to see how Sasan ordered the southern soldiers to stay in four separate camps, and you will know
that this man never keeps his eggs in one basket. This was also his attitude with the two cures suggested by me on one hand, and by Orabio and Salamio on the other. He also acted similarly with Sarden and Hazeem. If I were him, I would do with the shipment exactly what I just told you. All we need to do is write a message to my uncle informing him of the whole situation, and he will take care of the gold.”
Zein shook his head in agreement when he found my analysis logical. He said, “I shall inform you of the developments, and warn you in case we failed to prepare the fake attack. Look for my messages near the western corner of Sasan’s front garden every night.”
That was the last meeting I held with my comrades before I went to Sasan at Bohart’s house the next day.
I resumed playing my role as Shamum, urging him to grant me access to his palace, and consequently his private office.
I was able to drug my guard one night and search the place.
This was how I gathered enough information about the Nastorians’ forces, their distribution all over the region, and their plans.
We also had our constant spy inside Bohart’s house.
The new servant brought in by Sarhan was actually Marwan. Sarhan was the resistance’s eye on Bohart, Fastotia’s head of merchants. When we learned that Sasan decided to stay at Bohart’s house, Zein suggested that we seek his help in planting Marwan inside the place.
“Marwan shall spy on Sasan and deliver to us all the information he can,” Zein said.
“Why can’t Sarhan do it himself?” Marwan asked.
“His position inside Bohart’s house must not be compromised,” Zein replied.
This was how we kept our enemy under our eyes all the time, even when he was bathing.
61
After our play worked out fine, Sasan gave orders that all captives must be imprisoned in Natarya highly secured prison. He ordered the southern soldiers to give aid to their comrades in securing the place. Of course, he was oblivious to the fact that both, the soldiers and their prisoners were resistance men. Anyway, after they departed, we spent two more days continuing our act and waiting for Zein’s instructions to end this operation. The men named it later on, “Operation Johan.” Zein was waiting for my uncle’s confirmation that the gold had been retrieved from Sasan’s hands. When he received the good news, he threw me a message saying, Time to leave.
On the eleventh day morning, I told my escorting guard that I needed to leave the palace and gather more herbs for my cure. He agreed and accompanied me with one of his comrades. When we reached an empty location near the city’s outskirts, I kicked the knee of the soldier to my right forcing him to fall letting out a short scream. His comrade turned pulling out his sword, but I pushed his hand downwards and head-butted him violently breaking his nose. Then I knocked him out with a solid punch to his jaw.
I turned towards the first soldier who was about to jump on my back. I kicked him in his lower belly forcing him to double over in pain. I waited for him to attack again. Just as he stepped forward, I bent rightwards evading his punch and stunned him with an uppercut to his jaw. I kicked his other knee violently forcing him drop on the ground groaning in pain. Then I finished him by ramming my knee into his face. I tied and gagged both soldiers, and pulled them into a close-by Mausoleum. I adjusted my disguise and returned to our hideout. Marwan and Zein were there.
They informed me that Sasan was still in the city hall.
“Has Orabio and Salamio prepared for the finale?”
“Yes. You’re going to like this very much,” Marwan replied.
“Wait till Amr returns,” Zein said.
We sat silently inside our hideout. We were all exhausted far beyond uttering one word. I fell asleep as I waited. When Amr came in, they woke me up. He told me that Sasan had gone to the nobles’ public bath as expected.
“Wish us luck, lads,” I said then exited the place.
I headed directly towards the public bath. I still had Shamum’s disguise on. I just wrapped myself in a garment and covered my head. Sasan’s guards were sitting at the gate beside his carriage. I turned around the place, descended the stairs leading to the basement, and knocked three times on the door with a pause before the third knock.
Glenand who was only Salamio opened the door. I entered, and we locked the door from inside. I followed Salamio until we reached a small room. Amidst it, Sasan was tied and stretched on a table face down.
“I swear to make you unable to stand, sit, or sleep on your back for at least a month you filthy animal,” Orabio said. Then he grabbed a whip, about twenty inches long.
“Really! That’s what you’re going to use?” I asked.
“It’s more than enough,” he replied.
“I have a better idea,” I said as I picked out a small vile from my belt along with a folded piece of cloth, and a razor blade. Orabio unfolded the cloth, and read what the trimmed part said, “Traitor,” then he looked at the other half continuing, “And this is a palm!”
While I shaved Sasan’s head and facial hair, I explained,
“I have prepared an exceptional solution. First, it will give him blisters and make him scratch hysterically. Next, his blisters shall swell until they explode. Finally, it will heal leaving behind a mark darker than the normal skin colour.
I shall drip a few droplets from this magical solution on the empty parts. ‘Traitor,’ shall be on his forehead, and the palm shall be on both cheeks. As for the remainder, I am
going to pour it all over his body. Whenever he looks into the mirror, he will remember what Misrostians can do.
Best of all, when others look at his face, they will no longer fear him or the Nastorians.”
Salamio remained silent, so I asked, “What about you?
What do you have in mind?”
“Nothing will ever satisfy me but to see him hanged for his crimes. Until then, do what you want. I’ll just help.”
We passed some smelling salts in front of Sasan’s nose forcing him to regain enough consciousness and witness his humiliation. After we finished, we carried him back to the bath where Dakdok and Jahensham were tied unconscious.
Then we returned to our hideout.
62
“What are we going to do with the southern soldiers?”
Zein asked as we rested at night, half a day away from the northern coast.
“Send Sasan a message demanding ransom for their release. Ten golden pieces for every soldier would do,”
I responded.
Zein belittled the amount. “We can ask for more, at least double that number,” he said.
“Do it, and let the soldiers see you doing it. Sasan won’t pay a penny to save any Misrostian soldier. I’ve seen it in his eyes. If he pays the money, distribute it on the poor and needy. If he doesn’t, let the soldiers go with dignity.”
“What! They are traitors. They don’t deserve any honorable treatment,” Marwan said.
“Our fight is with Sasan, not our fellow citizens. If he doesn’t pay, let them go. Tell them that what we are doing is for all Misrostians, even those who have gone astray.
May this act soften their hearts. I hope they would realise the truthfulness of our cause and the fallacy of their choice.”
Zein liked what I said and nodded in approval.
“What do you think is going to happen to the real Shamum?” Marwan asked.
“Absolutely nothing. It’s enough to see the man and they will realise that there were two different persons. Besides, when Sasan’s soldiers look for him, our men shall lead them covertly to his place. They shall find him tied inside the house where we held him captive during our operation. It won’t be hard to realise that he had nothing to do with us,”
replied Zein.
“Did you leave Sasan our signature?” I asked Amr.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he said,
“Absolutely, I handed the letter to the guard and saw him put it on Sasan’s desk.”
“What did you write?”
“Well, I had to improvise. I wrote, ‘From the Piercing Ray to Sasan the traitor, the previous was one thing, but what’s yet to come is another. Misrostian blood is very precious.’ ”
We all liked what he wrote except for Marwan who said in denial, “That’s it?”
“Actually no,” Amr replied smiling mischievously,
“I left him another signature.”
“What’s that?” Marwan asked curiously.
“I emptied a vile of the solution we prepared the first day in the butter vat again.”
We all burst into laughter; even Salamio’s dull expression seemed to soften a bit. At that moment, I remembered my mother; she used to say, ‘Life without sincere friends isn’t worth living.’ Truthful were her words.
When we returned, my uncle was waiting in front of the coastal hideout. Behind him stood a woman in her mid-forties holding two teenage girls by her sides. When Salamio saw them, he stopped, and tears filled his eyes.
I understood that the woman was Johan’s mother, and the girls were his sisters. I grabbed Salamio by his arm and dragged him towards them. He stood there unable to speak.
A kind sad smile appeared on the woman’s face.
She said, “I still have another son… right?” and she caressed Salamio’s face gently. He bent down kissing her hand with tears soaking his face. She rubbed his head, pulled him up, and said holding her tears, “If he were here, he would have been thrilled to hear about your mission.
He may be gone, but his sisters and brothers are still here.
Don’t you want to satisfy their curiosity and mine as well?”
Salamio hugged the two young girls, wiped above their hair saying, “Yes, he would have been eager to know what happened.” He looked at my uncle, who smiled gently and signalled him to lead the way.
We entered the huge cavern. Our comrades celebrated our return with tens of hugs, handshakes, and words of praise. Then they sat down and listened to us as we narrated what had happened in the previous eleven days. As we told our story, I noticed intense interest in the attendants’ eyes.
Although their ages ranged from teenagers to grown-up men, their reaction was the same. After we finished, Salamio walked over towards Johan’s family and joined them. I was glad to see them forcing him to eat a decent meal. Uncle Nooraddeen ordered the men to let us rest for a while. I asked him about the gold, and he told me that it was safe. I asked him what we should do with it.
“Nothing,” he said. “We are going to keep it stored safely for the next generation. They shall be the ones to decide what to do with it. Our duty is to save Misrost and deliver it back to them fertile, rich with resources. They shall be responsible for rebuilding it again.”
I pulled out the letters and maps we were able to duplicate during our mission, and handed them over to the old man. “You better review those, uncle,” I said.
He took them and patted my shoulder saying, “Don’t worry. Go get some rest. Tonight, we shall hold a meeting and discuss the new developments.”
THE LEGACY 269
PART VII
JAR-SHAMIR