warrior's heart

War (2)

"I see you are awake", said Pasha, as he walked up to Safwanah's lush bed, in the rather elaborate tent made for her in the enemy's camp. She was wearing a yellow boubou, one that she had been given, amongst the very many expensive clothes Pasha had given her. She had a maid servant, who was instructed to look after her needs, whatever they may be.

"Masha Allah! just as radiant as the sun" he said, as he made to touch her cheek, causing her to push his hand away.

"Just as fiery too", he chuckled.

"I trust you are doing well, my lady" he stated, looking at her in a way another man was not to look at another's wife.

Safwanah wanted nothing more than to remove his eyes for the way he was looking, no devouring her with his eyes.

"You know Pasha, I would truly enjoy seeing my husband gut you for taking me and for making him betray his friend. And trust me, he will."

"Oh dearest, what makes you think he will be alive to even come to battle?"

"Whatever do you mean?" She asked,not liking the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Safwanah, what I mean is, one of my very many informants in the palace is going to give him away. He will act like Nawfal's well wisher and tell him of Marwan's betrayal. He will also tell him of the war that is to come in 3 days. Only this time, when your brother and his army are marching to set up camp for war that is supposedly coming in 3 days, they will be in for a fatal surprise."

"Fatal surprise?" She whispered, afraid of what he was going to tell her.

"Yes my dear, we attack tomorrow at dawn".

Safwanah's legs gave way, as she sat with a thud on the bed. As she watched him leave, she felt tears roll down her cheeks. She was truly afraid for her family and for her people.

She needed to to something and she needed to do it fast.

***********

Nawfal paced back and forth in his chamber. Something was not right and something was definitely amiss with his brother. He noticed Marwan was not himself when they were together.  For one, he refused to meet his eyes whenever they spoke. His smile was always so distant, never reaching his eyes and he caught him lost in his own thoughts, his hands closed tightly in a fist.

Something was wrong and he intended to find out what is was. As he was about to turn, he felt her hands on his chest as she hugged his back tightly. For the first time since the news of the impending war came, Nawfal found peace.

"My love, my life."

She smiled into his back before releasing him and coming to stand in front of him.

"How are you?" She asked, the question heavy with meaning.

"I am not fine Marliyyah. War is never something one wishes for, no matter how skilled you maybe as a warrior. But that is not what bothers me at the moment. Tell me, have you noticed a change in Marwan's behaviour?"

"You have taken the words right out of my mouth habibi. I thought I was imagining things. I went to ask him if he needed anything and he was so lost in his thoughts, he jumped when I tapped his table. Nawfal, something is definitely wrong with him."

"Both of us cannot be wrong, we need to find out and we need to do it fast. Time is definitely not on our side."

"Now listen to what we will do."

*******

"You really are getting too slow!" Squealed Safwanah, as she ran, laughing happily with the wind blowing her tresses in different directions. She wore no shoes and her feet sunk into the lush green grass around them.