A cold, swift yet gentle gale rose from the ground and began to travel through the graveyard. Overhead, gray clouds passed the sun from time to time and cast a shadow over the years old headstones. The wind whispered, and dry bushes rattled against tombstones. Then within a moment, the wind hopped over the large mountain and ceased at once. Wind gazed, flabbergasted, at the tribe that was situated on a large desert plain with uncountable tents a few miles away from the mountain range.
Fellow members of the wind fled in haste to the right so they could behold the heavenly tents. The remaining wind; flapped its wings then danced in circles to the left around the magnificent farms and palm trees. It perplexed wind as to how humans could create such a wonder with great concentration and perfection. The tents were woven from goat hair so that they would battle against rain and prevent water from getting inside. A sole member of wind peeked inside a tent and went rigid as to how warm it was. Quickly it leaped out and twirled around the small fire next to the tent and understood that indeed the fire was the reason why the tent was so delightfully warm.
People trod back and forth around their tents, immersed in their simple, Bedouin life. Shepherds led their flock of goats to new pasture, and a few men stood guard as their sheep and goat grazed. Meanwhile, some of the tribesmen busied themselves with either Poetry or recited verses from the Quran.
Women, on the other hand, were dressed in long gowns that covered them from neck to toe in many different but dark colors, their hair secured in a braid and hidden with shawls. Few women milked their cows and camels inside the fence so that they would be able to make yogurt by dinner and provide their families a healthy meal with butter and bread.
Children scampered around palm trees with extreme enthusiasm and chased after donkeys, blissful of the winter days. Little girls by the trees clapped their hands and chanted a song, uncoordinatedly. And there, walked out a woman from her father's tent with a mud pot in hand and eyes downcast. At the sight of her, a naughty wind whirled around her and flapped the sleeve of her black dress. It was time for her to bring water back to her house from the nearby well. She walked with her head down and grinned when a lamb, from a nearby herd, galloped up to her.
At once, Raghad placed the mud pot next to her feet, picked the lamb up in her arms. The lamb wiggled in her arms and she tightened her grip then nuzzled her cheek on its neck and planted a soft kiss on its tiny head. She beamed and kept walking towards the well that sat a few feet away from the farms. Her fingers curled around the small, soft yet rough fur of the lamb.
This particular morning her tribe seemed exceedingly tranquil and bright. "Alhamdullilah." She breathed at the peaceful sight around her and beamed.
Raghad squatted down on dirt and freed the lamb, another smile graced her lips as she watched the lamb gallop to the herd, away from her. Raghad then turned around to face the well to fill it with water and take it back to her father's tent.
It was then, out of nowhere desperate, and frightful screams ignited in the sky and alerted the whole tribe of Sheikh Faisal bin Saleh. Raghad dropped her clay pot and leaped to her feet. She looked around with fearful eyes then ran towards the ruckus. Her steps came to a screeching halt when her eyes fell upon the massacre. A startled gasp escaped her lips and fear took control of her body.
Instantly, the girl wrapped her hijab tightly around her head then darted towards her father's tent which was in the middle of the tribe. Everywhere she turned to look, children screamed and ran to find refuge. Raghad was bewildered.
What on earth was happening to her tribe?
Sand particles rose in the air and formed a thin cloud of dust as more horses galloped around. "Gather the women and children at once!" Yelled a voice from far away but Raghad recognized it very well. Her heart thundered inside her bust. She disregarded the sweat that trickled down her forehead despite the chilly winter that enveloped the sky like a cloak.
The girl gulped and realized that her throat was parched and a dizzy feeling filled her head. She knew she had to do something, but what could she possibly do? Father! Something called out for her which propelled her feet to move faster to her father, Sheikh Faisal.
Raghad paid no heed to the herds that wailed for human attention, their horrified cries increased the seriousness of this deadly situation. "Gather the knights at once!" Once again that same voice was heard over the noises. Raghad stopped near a small crowd and pushed away two of her tribe's men who were helping women to hide.
She had to find her father and find him soon.
Her eyes fell upon the man on top of a white horse 'Barq' with his back to her. "Do not allow them to come any closer," Barked Badr's voice, her dearest elder brother; the heir of this tribe and the leader of the knights.
Cold chills ran down her spine like a serpent, her brother, her knight looked furious. She knew Badr was enraged by this sudden ambush that had caught him and others off guard. She watched with eyes wide as Badr drew out his long, beautiful sword from its sheath and here tears stung in her eyes.
Raghad tore her eyes from him, from her brave brother, and took a step towards her father's tent, however, was stopped by a hand on her arm. She looked over her shoulder and a pair of dark brown eyes clashed with hers. "Mother!" she cried and threw her hands around the elderly woman.
"Oh, Raghad! I have been looking for you everywhere, my child." Umm Badr sighed in relief but her voice shook in fear. She looked at her daughter with those gentle, wise eyes filled with terror.
"Mother, what is happening? Where is Father?" Raghad gasped.
A desolate look appeared on her mother's face. She grabbed her daughter's arms and squeezed them. "Child, you must stay here with the women. Your father and Badr are among the knights. They must know what is the reason behind this unfortunate event." Raghad bit her lip.
Being the wife of the Sheikh, Umm Badr was known for her bravery, but right that moment Raghad witnessed clouds of trepidation pass behind the veils of her eyes. "Ya Allah, help my father for he is a loyal servant of yours." She prayed and looked around. The crowd of women got thicker and she knew, soon they would be escorted to their tents.
She desired to know what was wrong. Raghad wished to catch a glimpse of her beloved father. She wanted to know what was the reason behind this unforgivable invade of her tribe. However, she also knew she could not do that. The only alternative she had now was to lie to her dearest mother.
"Ya Allah." She huffed, desperate, searching for an escape.
"What is it?" Demanded her mother, her attention now on her daughter and her brown eyes narrowed.
"Ummi, I, Nouf was with me by the well. I left her there all alone." Raghad lied and asked for forgiveness from Allah right away. She must leave her mother to find the truth, knowing Umm Badr she would not let Raghad out of her sight only if it were for someone's safety.
"Ya Rabbi!" gulped Umm Badr. "Raghad you should not have done that." Panic ascended in her voice and Raghad bit her lip.
"Do not worry. I know where I left her, and I believe she is still by the well. I shall go to her." Raghad coaxed and watched as her mother considered this dangerous thought.
"Very well, go, but by Allah, be very careful. " She begged her daughter. Raghad gave a sharp nod, turned around, and ran towards her brother's horse which led the knights towards the boundary of their tribe a few minutes ago.
Her steps slowed once again when her eyes landed on horses, many, uncountable horses. Their back was to her, and she knew at once; that those were her tribesmen. Raghad wrapped her shawl around her face and left her eyes unveiled. She walked cautiously to her right in a crowd of men that had gathered to observe. She saw it, saw her father's ravishing horse, that faced men who were on their horses almost twenty feet away from him. Men, she could not recognize, holding red flags and long swords. They were the sinners who invaded her tribe.
Sheikh Faisal, a man known in tribes to be lenient, gentle, and a giving man, but fierce when it came to justice. She narrowed her big brown eyes and gulped at the solemn, collected look on her father's face. Her eyes then trailed the line of horses. To her father's right; was Badr, and to her father's left; was Khalid, her other brother. Next to Khalid was Jabir, a good friend of Badr's and the son of a wealthy man in their tribe.
She knew at once that the three were an invisible shield for Sheikh Faisal. Distantly Raghad heard the herds mourn for they could, by the will of Allah, feel extreme tension among humans.
"What brings you here, to my tribe, Sheikh Mubarak? Why have you struck my tribe? Did we not have a consensus to not interfere in tribes? And yet, you have brought your men, where women and children live!" Sheikh Faisal spoke in a cold voice to another elderly man.
"You are very well aware of it, Faisal. I certainly do not wish to harm the women or children of your tribe. I am a Muslim, and I fear Allah, so such abhorrent crime is unimaginable. However, I cannot say the same for you," The other man vocalized in a rich, deep voice. Raghad stared at him with wide eyes. No one ever spoke to her beloved father in such a disrespectful manner.
"What do you mean, Mubarak?" demanded Sheikh Faisal, his hand tight on the reins of his horse.
Sheikh Mubarak narrowed his eyes.
"Your man killed one of us for a palm tree the other night. The person he decided to butcher was indeed a wealthy man of my tribe," Growled a new voice which caused Raghad to turn her head to the left of Sheikh Mubarak.
He looked younger, with dark black hair that touched his shoulders, and wore his black 'agal on his red headdress. His dark eyes glared at Sheikh Faisal. The man seemed tall, with amazingly broad shoulders. It was indeed a miracle how his horse was capable of enduring his weight. No, he was not bulk but broad; head almost the size of a grown sheep's head, his hands were long and held the reins of his horse in a light grip.
Raghad bit her lip in indignation. If Sheikh Mubarak's manners were unpleasant, his were ill-mannered. Not being able to commit an act, Raghad observed silently.
"What is the meaning of this?" Now Badr's rough voice demanded. She knew her brother disliked the young man's tone just as much as she did.
"We want revenge; we also know who that man is." Informed the same man. Badr glanced at his father, who looked at Sheikh Mubarak.
"Even though I have never admired your tribe, or even wished to gain a hand of friendship, but Mubarak by Allah, who sees and is aware of everything, I swear I do not have any knowledge of this. If what you say is indeed true, then you are allowed to do anything with the man. However, if you are wrong then I shall repay you for this disrespect of not only me but my tribe as well." Sheikh Faisal announced.
The young man smirked and Raghad despised him further. "Ya Sheikh, we have the culprit who killed our man and injured some of us." He inclined his head and nodded for someone; the person he ordered dismounted his horse, disappeared in their crowd, and after a while came back with the culprit.
Those who stood as spectators around Raghad gasped in stupefaction. The man had his hands tied with a rope, and blood coated the side of his face.
They let go of him, and Raghad watched as he fell in front of her father, whose face turned pale, "Salem," He almost choked on the words, then looked up at Sheikh Mubarak.
"Ask him; ask him how he killed my man. I have three witnesses. Faisal. I want him dead if not, my sons will destroy him," Mubarak growled in a deadly voice.
Faisal looked down at Salem, at his youngest son, his brows creased. "What they say is true, ya walad?" Salem sobbed and lowered his shameful gaze.
Badr growled and clenched his jaw; his father always tried to restrain war with other tribes, most of all the Borkans. Their rage started when Sheikh Mubarak's father assassinated Badr's grandfather. Soon it was decided that the tribes will stay away for their own sake. And yet, after so many successful years, Salem, his blood destroyed everything.
"Very well Mubarak, Salem is yours. You must do as you please with him." As words left Faisal's mouth Raghad brought her hand to her quivering heart and watched her brother Salem weep.
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