The sky looks so beautiful…
Its full of stars…. I love staring at the sky since my childhood…
Amina gave a smiling look while looking at the Death Shadow..
"Why did god has sent me such a beautiful prince, that I will never be with. Can't it be that this handsome man will held my hands, gently kiss my lips and say that he is mine forever.''
Amina knew that all she is thinking will never come true.. she may never be married to someone so handsome and kind like "rajul eadaliun qawiun jidana''.. He is the man just suddenly arrived from her dreams..
He may think her as a dirty women.. she is still a virgin but Alas!
Master Nadim use to molestation her but he was not a man enough.. he did could get it up..
So all he did just did tried to rape her and but he could never ….
And the Black Shadow saw her like that he may think that she is slave of Nadim the old bustard…
Such .. she is not so cheap!!!
(Tears filled up with her eyes…. )
Some dreams are meant not to be real as Jihan the little boy was thinking why did the gods of the heaven does not want his happiness…. As a little boy he had always wanted he could have his parents living together.. All those memories of his parents …. How can the world be so cruel to take his parents away.. it took his mother away.. they had very difficult time.. but anything cant not be more beautiful and comforting more than keeping his head on his mother's lap while she caresses his hair and tell the stories..
Guess the long Journey had taken its toll on the body of Amina and Jihan…
So, they needed a place to dehydrate and take rest…
In the desert heat had taken a heavy toll on everyone….
Nearly after 9 days of travel they came to the city of Bagdad…
It looked majestic.. But in this city there are something very unusual….
Bagdad was occupied by Ibex army..
Hardly no one can enter through this route without the checking of the Ibex army..
There was a center of gate.. The huge gate was made of big black thick iron…
For any entrance into the city they have to get permission …
(Benjir…. came close to a local merchant who was selling some fruits by the side of the main gate… There were other merchants selling carpets, foods, vegetables and utensils nearby…)
Hello sir, my name is Benjir…. Do you know how can we pass through the main gate?
Yes, I know... all you need the permission of the local Ibex leader Surman…
Surman…. is the leader of Bagdad Ibex army of Hakim… or you can also enter if you have connection with the prince ….
(Black Shadow knew he has to find a place to keep safe and provide proper rest and foods for Amina and Jihan…)
So, the Black Shadow used his Black Obsidian in a corner .. he placed some water in a pot.. and put these stones inside…
He saw face of an old lady and name of an old shop…
The Black Shadow took all men along side Amina, Benjir, Jihan and all the other captives to the shop owner he lived nearby…
(This shop looks small but moderately big in size, one old lady was selling some local foods, different types carpets and other various types of things…)
Amina speaking to the local lady, seeking her help…
I see what I can manage…. The old lady replied..
The old lady was very helpful….
(The old lady took Amina, Jihan Benjir and The Black Shadow behind the shop.. there was another door headed to a small room… You all can take rest here )
For now Amina and Jihan can be safe here..
She gave them foods, clothes, milk and water..
The old women said, Its been horrible… horrible since Hakim and his army has taken over everything... its very hard for all of us... we are living hardly... he his very cruel and dangerous...
He dominates everything with his army.. the told lady told.
''So, what's about the king and his men? Not the king has anything to say in this'' Black Shadow asked the old lady....
Not really! The king has no say in this.. He is like a puppet of Hakim.... Everyone along side the King and his men obey' s Hakim and his army....We are the people of this region has been suffering by this deadly plague called Hakim…Hakim the monster.. he and his Ibex army has taken everything from us…
Surman and his fellow Ibex army has taken everything in control..
They have taken over all the valuable things, shops, houses and even we have to pay high tax to them regularly…
Otherwise … Surman and his men destroys everything….
They are very cruel to everyone… no women can walk without vails.. if they finds anyone without vail they takes her to the palace .. The Citadel of Ebril…
They have forced young men into labor….
They have tortured and kill men for fun….
Every Year…. the first Friday they makes a huge arrangement inside the city of Bagdad…
"Arrangement? Arrangement for what?"
Its more like a festival with different types of performance..."
In this arrangement at least one person from each of the family has to perform..
What kind of performance the Black Shadow askes the old lady..
Anything or everything .. what you can perform to make Hakim happy…
Like dancing, singing, fights, offering gifts, foods or anything…
The worst five performers must be killed with the unique torture created by Hakim..
My husband was killed last year and by elder son was killed last month.. I have my younger son with me …. for now!!!
So, we can meet Hakim during the arrangement....
Well, yes you can but for that you have to perform in any events…
Good for you that… You can take rest today… and tomorrow you can join in any of those events…
(So, for tonight the Black Shadow takes the rest in room with other ten men and Benjir..
made a plan and shared with every one… )
It might work!!! Amina replied….