warrior's heart

chapter 18

"Assalamualaikum ya akhi", said Murad, walking into the living room where Nawfal was sitting and going through the accounts of the kingdom one last time before departing. He had told ammati and Marwa, who was recuperating well, that he was going to Misrah on a courtesy visit with Murad for 3 days. To say she had been beyond happy was an understatement, although he could not think of a reason as to why she would be so happy.

" Waalaikumusalam akhi, I'm almost done with the accounts. We can leave as soon as I'm done In Sha Allah. "

"There is a slight problem Nawfal. I forgot to mention that in the letter sent, the princess made a request for the special herb, Za'if. Apparently, it is urgently needed for her father's health. I wish I had mentioned it earlier but it skipped my mind to tell you. I know how difficult it is to get the ripe ones since they grow at the topmost part of the tree."

"It is alright Murad, I will climb the tree and get it myself. I would consider it my first duty to my wife and her family, if all things go well In Sha Allah. "

Murad smiled at his friend and after changing into something more comfortable for tree climbing, he retrieved his dagger and the special leather pouch where the herb is usually preserved.

As they got to the tree, Nawfal took out the pouch and strapped it to his waist. He said Bismillah and began to climb the tree. As his foot landed on a branch, he looked up at a Za'if herb which was no doubt ripe and ready for use. As he reached for his dagger to carefully cut it, he noticed something coiled on a branch just beside the herb. On close inspection, it was a snake that looked as though it was asleep. Praying silently, he gently and cautiously brought the dagger and cut the herb swiftly. As he put it in his pouch, he noticed the snake start to break out from its coil and so he quickly descended and landed at the foot of the tree with a soft thud.

Murad noticed his friend sweating and asked "what is the problem ya akhi?"

"There is a snake on the tree Murad. We need to contact the palace gardeners and warn them. Alhamdullilah my permission is needed to get the herb, Allah knows what could have happened had someone climbed before me and had not noticed it. A fumigation is long overdue."

"Very well, I shall contact the head gardener, Waleed, meanwhile, please go and freshen up and we meet at the gate for our journey then."

"Alright, I'll be there shortly In Sha Allah."

After sometime, they met at the gate where alongside Murad, Abdul-Qadeer,one of Heman's formidable warriors and three other soldiers who were to accompany them on their journey. Murad looked at Nawfal and nodded approvingly. He was wearing a brown bisht, the shade of a tree's bark with his ghutra sweptback at the edges to meet at his back and an egal to keep it in place. His hair was combed and it was resting gently on his shoulders and his sword rested in its sheath, swinging gently as he walked. He looked magnificent and in every inch royal. Hold on to your heart princess, he thought with a smile.

After saying their prayers for embarking on a journey, they started the ride to Misrah.

*******

"Are all the preparations ready? I hope the quarters are ready for the sultan and whoever he is coming with. Oh ya maama, the food? I hope it is not lacking any spice or seasoning!"

"Habibti, liyyah, calm down! Everything is ready and awaiting his highness's arrival. Do not fret! Look at you, you are not even ready yet. Now,now, this is not done. Come with me, let's get you ready. Come along!"said umm Jaafar as she pulled Marliyyah to her chambers to go and get ready.

She went and picked out a floor length abaya that was ink blue in colour. She brought out a veil which was silver in colour and a smaller one that she would use as her niqab. She usually wore small veils like that when they had courtesy visits from Kings. After pinning her veil in place, with the back dropping to her waist, she wore kohl and then matching shoes before turning around to look at umm Jaafar for approval.