“Malik, you wanted to see me?” A man appeared from the shadows behind him. Suleiman tilts his head a bit to get a slight glimpse of him. “Leave us," he orders, dismissing the protective wall of soldiers. He sits on a stone bench positioned at the centre of a flower bush. The soldiers scatter into the large forested area.
“ You had something to report?” The dark-cloaked figure walks up to him and stands before him, his head lowered to the ground. “Yes Malik, the letter he received yesterday, I managed to get an empty envelope." The man reached underneath his cloak, searching for something.
“And the investigation?” Suleiman reaches down, to pluck a leaf that was scraping his leg. “Ongoing Malik, I haven't gathered much. He hasn't done anything unusual since the last time I reported him. " He takes out an envelope and gives it to him, Suleiman turns it around. The only thing on it was his name. “ You mean nothing has happened since morning?” His tone was a bit raised in frustration. "Yes, Malik, he is finding ways to get the money.” “What about the girl? Has she said anything? "
“I have been pestering her about her homeland. She was very hard to crack, but I managed to get a name; Daysham." Suleiman was curious. The name didn't sound familiar, yet he knew every nook and cranny of his kingdom. “I haven't heard of that place before, have you?” “No Malik.” “Then find out about it !” “Yes Malik, I am progressing well with the girl. Soon I will get all the information we need from her. "
“Very well, then keep an eye on both of them.” Suleiman holds out his fist to him and says, “Consider this as a bonus. As we agreed, your fee will be settled after I am satisfied with your services. " He puts his palm beneath his fist, and Suleiman hands him a small diamond. The man accepts and leaves him, blending back into the darkness.
Suleiman looks at the river before him and wanders. What are you up to, brother? Why did you stay after he died? He had high hopes for this man to give him the answers he so desired. Though cautious to reveal scandalous information.
The soldiers returned to their positions as a boy approached the king. He looked very sophisticated, unlike most boys his age. His calculated steps resulted in a majestic walk. Head held high, eyes focused, from his walk to his talk, all befitting his title: Prince of Mahdiya. All but his looks were a carbon copy of his father; the only fault in his father's eyes that he couldn't change.
The boy greets the soldiers “Salam, I demand to see the king.” One of the soldiers looks at the boy and says, “Salam Malik, you look ravishing today." He paves the way to let him pass. “ I know!” he huffed at him as he passed by.
“Salam ya abb, Sorry, I was discussing the desert raids with Amir. " The boy joins his father on the bench. “Stand up, boy! Is that any way to address the king? " Suleiman commanded. The boy apologized and stood up. “What did he tell you?” “ He was devising a strategy to capture their leader.” The boy answers shakily. "Oh, I see. What is this strategy? " Ali did not want to tell his father anything, but he could not restrain himself. “They plan on capturing him on his visit.” “Is that so?” The boy starts to regret what he said. His reaction indicated that his father was dissatisfied with the information. "Yes, Malik." “Anything else?” “No Malik” The king looked distant for a while. “Now let us go and eat.” Suleiman stands up and leads the way.
"How is your training?" Suleiman inquires, as soon as the boy caught up to him. "Good father." Suleiman was quiet. Ali stares at him looking for a sign of approval or dismay, but all he got was an occasional thoughtful gaze. Finally, they approached the huge doors, as the footmen revealed a busy hall. They were met by one of the palace soldiers holding a small black-striped kitten.
"Malik, it appears we have an infestation.” The soldier presents the kitten to the king, but the boy jumps out and takes it in his arms. “No! That is mine." Ali furiously stated. “I told you to get rid of that demon cat!” Suleiman grabs hold of his son's arm, squeezing it. “But he is my only friend!” Ali defends his face, crimped in pain. “If you insist, then I will dispose of it for you,” Suleiman whispers behind closed teeth. “No abb, I will do it after dinner." “Do what?” Suleiman said, pinching his ear with his other hand, “I will take him back to the streets.”
“ Streets? Who gave consent for you to roam around the streets? ” He tightened his grip, making his cream skin redden “I am sorry Malik, I went for a stroll." “Where was Hassan?” His nails bore into his skin. "Please, it was not his fault. I tricked him into letting me go." Droplets of blood started oozing out from where the nails were piercing his skin. “So you disobeyed my orders?” “I am sorry.” He shifted his gaze to his soldiers, who were observing them, and let go of his hand. “I don't want you among those ruffians, Tamam!” “Yes, abb.”
“They will poison your mind. The only friends we need are our allies and, the enemies of our enemies. Remember that boy.” He signals one of the escorts. “Give the cat to Hassan; see to it that it doesn't return, and make sure he stays in his room until I say so. Is that clear?" The soldier nods.
“Please Malik, don't hurt him.” Ali hugs the poor creature tightly, unwilling to let go. “Who said he would be hurt? He is simply going to a better place. Am I right, gentlemen?” “Sahih ya Malik.” The group of soldiers replied in unison. “Now go!” Suleiman barked, “But I haven't eaten." Ali whines, "You heard your king; move along." The boy doesn't move. "Do not test me, boy. Besides, some starvation will do you good! ” Suleiman fumes. The prince handed in his pet and stormed away, tears flowing uncontrollably.
“Pathetic!” A furious Suleiman added, then made his way to the big dining room. An array of soups and freshly made bread were laid out on a soft blue rug that covered the entire floor. Surrounding the food were large pillows and cushions. Even though he had lost his appetite, the silence and comforting smells calmed him. He stares at the empty cushions around him, thinking of Ali.
The peace he so hoped for was disrupted by an angry Munir, who burst into the room. “How could you ...” He kicks the plates laid on the rug, earning the king's attention. The guards filled the room, ready to attack the intruder.
“It's okay, leave us!” Suleiman dismisses his guards and continues his defence. “What were you going to say? Oh, I know, how about the little illegitimate spider? That was what you used to call me, right? I am all hairy and disgusting. " Suleiman challenges him while standing up. “Enough!” Munir roars. “Don't pull up that card, you imprisoned a poor injured child...” Before he could finish, Suleiman jumped in “Let's not get sentimental; she is just another slave.” Suleiman argued. “She may be a slave, but she is still a child. How can you not see that? ” Munir countered “If it were up to me, she would have been dead a few hours ago, that is, if you had not intervened.”
“But why lock her up? I have taken full responsibility for her. " “Yes you have, but in any deal, you must have assurance. Surely you know that, so until you settle the debts, she will be kept under lock and key. " Suleiman resumed his seat, waiting for his reaction. Munir walks away, knowing that a futile argument would not help the situation. He knew the king was right and if he were to put up a fight, it would not end well for him. But the longer her wounds stayed unattended to, the fewer the chances of her being alive.
Deep in the south wing, a stand-alone building housed the kingdom's criminals. It was the only place in the entire palace that was poorly maintained. From the south entrance, you could get its distinct smell of human waste, rot and dampness. It was the only entrance that the peasants could use.
Inside past the commoner's wing, an unconscious Mina lay in a bloodied bundle; at the centre of the hall. Her tattered rags soaked in the black puddles of filth. Though it was packed she remained shunned lest she infected them with something.
During the day, the rusted metal walls conducted the harsh desert climate. Heat burned her exposed skin, while at night her torn dress was no use to the ice-cold. Small holes in the high ceiling, illuminated the darkness. Food, a scarce privilege only allowed to the commoners, earned by extra services.