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"No night is long enough for us to dream twice." Mahmoud Darwish.





Faris ran a hand down his face as he stepped out of the tent he was with Raghad. For a man of his rank, a man who was known to be a barbarian, it was arduous for him to regulate his anger. When Khalid had attempted to kill him Faris saw red. He could not think straight, all that mattered back then was to annihilate. Faris was recognized for a man who is impartial, and it is only just if he kills Khalid for the fatal endeavor he performed on his sister's spouse. He looked over his shoulder towards the tent then sighed. If only the naïve woman inside knew how difficult it was for him, how hard it was to not kill every individual in this tribe. The groom attempted to remain tranquil with her, but knowing Raghad and her temperament she had the guts to raise her hand on a man, warriors feared to duel or confront.

That loss of control now flared in his heart, he was not a man who would injure a woman, however, he did and because of that Faris did not know how to breathe or how to dwindle the ache in his chest. Why on earth did that woman with doe-like eyes urge a different human within him to surface and take over his form? He flexed his injured arm and hissed as pain shot up like a thunderbolt. Suddenly, his eyes landed on a group of men making their way towards a tent, in front of them was Badr who had a strong grasp on his brother, Khalid's forearm. Faris straightened his spine and observed as the men entered the tent aside from Badr who stood outside clearly waiting and searching for the knight of Knights.

Faris clenched his jaw and moved forward. This was the moment where he would reverse the fates of their tribes. If he convicts Khalid then another bloodbath will result, all his efforts will perish and his father, Sheikh Mubarak will attain what he desired for, a war so vicious, untamed that it will terminate the Rashideen tribe or perhaps both of the tribes. He ran his tongue over his chapped lips in utter contemplation. If he does not condemn Khalid tribesmen around the wilderness will no longer recognize Faris as a peril. In fact, they will defy him, they will jest over his name the name he created with downright exertion and gore.

Badr turned around to glance towards Faris almost as if knowing that the man stood there. As he made his way to Badr the groom passed by an old man who sat on a broken tree trunk with a thin cane in hand and recited a verse from the Quran. Once done the children who sat in front of the old man with crossed feet recited the same verse loudly. Listening to that his wrath pacified and a throbbing vein in his neck subdued. Faris slowed his steps yearning to listen to the next verse the old man had to teach his students. He wanted to tame his rage and not make any mistakes that would produce further misfortune than what has already transpired.

As Faris was a good few feet away from Badr the man pivoted around to enter the tent. The knight mirrored Badr's action and strolled into the tent to be welcomed by a congregation of almost thirty men. Badr sat in a position that separated the crowd into two sections making him the center of attention. Faris's eyes took in the empty space alongside his brother-in-law and knew it was his place beside Badr. The knight tilted his head and glared at Khalid who sat on his knees in the middle of the gathering, the man he desired to butcher. "As Salamu Alaykum," Faris greeted and made his way to Badr as the men around him replied.

A dense sheet of mist loomed over the men penetrating the air around them and shrouding their hearts. Everymen in the gathering had their sword beside them unquestionably petrified of the knight who had just accompanied them. The tribesmen stole glances at Faris who sat with one of his elbow propped against a pillow, his right leg bent up while left leg crossed. Faris's stance brazenly disrespected them he deliberately sat in a position to degrade the leaders of the Rashideen tribe. If he was among his friends then his manners would be seen as someone who was serene, tranquil, merely here to join a poetry encounter.

"We acknowledge that what Khalid did was untenable and is something that is difficult to neglect. However, if a sword is to be placed on his throat, that action undoubtedly will guide others to commit the same." Began a man after a prolonged moment of quietude. Faris moved his head to his right and gazed the man in the eye. Just from the man's attire, he could determine the man belonged to a prestigious family and Badr's next words proved him right.

"Aami Hamad (Uncle Hamad) did we not have enough of bloodshed? Faris's presence here in this tribe, his enemy's tribe explains how far we have traveled to minimize this feud."

"So, what do you suggest, my Sheikh? Hmm. You wish for us to allow him to slaughter Khalid?" Another man uttered firmly. He sat by the far end of the tent and he held a great resemblance to Jabber.

"Is that not what he deserves? Do apprise us," Faris jerked his hand towards the man. "What is the sentence of a man who would strike at Badr?"

"Death."

"Precisely." Faris gave a nod. "And that is what he shall get."

"We are not gathered here to address the apparent. We are here to expose an alternative to this mayhem." The first man, Badr's uncle brought forth.

Faris placed two of his fingers on his lips and chuckled. "An alternative. An Alternative, and what makes you ponder I shall accede to that alternative?"

"Are you indicating to ignite another conflict, young knight?" Spat the man who sat on Badr's left side.

Faris opened his mouth to respond, however, Badr spoke first. "I will be foolish to refuse Faris his right or deny Khalid his punishment. Although, I do believe spilling blood," he turned his head to stare at Faris. "Will demolish everything." Knight of knights comprehended his hidden meaning. Badr spoke of their treaty the knights agreed on the other day.

Faris grinned and shifted his eyes to the men in the tent yet once again. "It has already been wrecked, Eagle of knights. Nothing you say or do will waver my verdict."

"My son, do not make a judgment in haste?" An elderly man next to Hamad offered.

"Aami it is not I who made a ruling in rush. Would you rather I die? Would you rather have the daughter of this tribe to be my widow?" Faris spat maddened.

"Enough!" Khalid roared gaining everyone's attention. "If he craves to terminate me. Let him do so." And growled with a red face.

"Very well then." Faris rose to his feet and drew out his sword. Chaos broke loose as the younger knights of the gathering followed the beast without their swords. Some of them stood in front of Khalid while others dared to stand before Faris and two of them, one being Jabbir had the audacity to place his hand on Faris's chest to hold him off. "Move." He growled, his dead eyes glaring Jabir who pushed his shoulders back and stood to his full height but Faris could have sworn there was a shimmer of something that resembled terror, absolute dread. "Move or by Allah, I shall have your head as well." A contentment soar in his heart from those words. The groom had wanted to ruin the man who had once asked for his woman's hand.

"If you wish to execute Khalid then you shall encounter us first." Jabbir retorted. Faris simpered and moved his body in a way that howled peril.

"That is enough Faris!" Badr snarled having enough of this absurdity. He knew Faris would kill Khalid there was no mistaking it but as the leader of this tribe, he shall not allow such a thing to occur. Gradually he stood up and made his way to the monster who twisted his head to the side and hoisted a brow at Badr. The man who held Faris's shoulder moved away as Badr came to stand beside Jabber in front of Faris. "I have given you my word that justice will be served, although I yearn to know do you really desire to annihilate him?" Badr clenched his jaw. "All that has been stated and done shall perish if a drop of Khalid's blood spills."

"How fascinating, sagr of knights. You wish for me to not kill him at the same time you are foolish enough to seek justice. Is this how Rashideen handle their laws?" Faris seethed.

"You have already witnessed how we handle our laws, Faris Mubarak Al Borkan." Came a muffled voice and the knights in front of Faris parted away only to see Abu Issa walk into the tent. Faris frowned as he recalled who this individual was. He was the man who had recommended their marriage over Salem's death. The old man wore a white kandora, his back bent low and a cane in his right hand that supported his quivering form.

Suddenly a nerve in the knight's brain brought forth a tone of reverence as he spoke. "And I must say those verdicts were not the best of resolutions."

"Is it clever to kill another Sheikh when you have already married his sister to terminate the previous feud?"

"Must I aid you to recollect why that has occurred?" As he verbalized those words Faris looked at Badr. Those words were targeted to sagr al fursan, and not Abu Issa. Even though they had suspicions about the man Salem had killed, Faris was not ready to forgive and proceed.

"You are a man of status. A knight who is dreaded and respected. Your word is heard and heeded. However, should that cloud your judgment? Should that halt you from making a just choice, my son?" Abu Issa coaxed as he halted just beside Khalid.

"You are asking for something which is impossible, ya Aami." Faris lowered his sword.

"I am?"

"Indeed."

"I do not wish to see blood spill," the shrewd man trailed his eyes to Faris's torn, bloody sleeve. "Your father, Sheikh Mubarak agreed to veer away from bloodshed and I am certain you can do the same. I must not allow another death as long as I am breathing."

The knight of knights remained hushed for a while, he looked at Badr. "You wish to punish your brother?"

"You already have a sentence for him. I believe you do not need to question me." Badr pronounced loud enough for everyone to listen.

"I do. If I am not to kill this senseless man," the knight jerked his head towards Khalid while his eyes on Badr. "Then he shall be my prisoner for as long as I desire."

Badr relaxed visibly but a frown appeared on his face. His brother was a Sheikh, he was meant to be Badr's right in command, his shoulder. To have him in prison was the impeccable penalty to disrespect a man with such a standing. The brother gulped down his pride and disregarded the pang in his chest and gave a nod unable to pronounce anything.

Faris looked at Khalid then at Abu Issa. "I depart after fajr, bring me my prisoner by then or I shall have the heads of those who challenge me." With that, the man strode away from the tent fuming at the turn of events. Ever since he crossed paths with the Rashideen nothing, nothing seemed to befall the way he wanted it.

**

That night the clouds did not allow the crescent to unveil herself. They worried and dreaded the wrath that blazed in Faris's chest. Just as he had walked away from the assemblage Faris had sauntered to his tent and remained there to gather his thoughts and get some peace which this tribe denied him. He was beyond exhausted, every bone in his body felt as if it had turned into ash like he did not have authority over his own body. By Allah, Faris did not have any idea as to how he was capable to sit in the tent and communicate with those tribesmen. Just as he settled his head on a pillow his eyes closed, and he sank into a dreamless abyss.

A rustling of something close to Faris woke the monster up and instantly his body shot upwards, his right hand moved on its own and seized whatever it was near only to apply inhuman pressure. His chest heaved, and eyes struggled to take in the small light of the lantern that hung just above his head. Like a deranged man his brain kept recalling where he had placed his sword right before he welcomed his slumber. Abruptly, a small shriek reached his ears, the man glanced down only to come face-to-face with a petrified looking Raghad.

"What on earth are you doing, woman?" He demanded muddled, his hand loosened the pressure he applied, however, did not let go. Faris held her there, close to his chest but not touching.

"The qu.. quilt." The woman before him fought against his grip and ventured to move away but he did not permit that. Faris lifted his brows at her questioningly. "The winter night is rather crisp and in order to sleep, I need a quilt which," she moved her head to the right. "Is right there."

Faris glanced over his shoulder only to locate the cover just behind him and groaned. "Do not ever commit such an imprudent act. By Allah, I would have annihilated you in an instant if my sword was beside me."

"Pardon?"

"I am in my enemy's tribe, ya Sheikha, and a man like myself is always on alert at times like this. If you ever need anything be wise enough to call and I shall respond."

He watched as her anxious eyes transformed into fierce ones. "Did it occur to you, knight, that I might have called, not once but twice? You were unconscious and did not answer which is why I did what I had to do."

"The Rashideen siblings have a tendency of never acknowledging their crime." He grumbled stroking her wrist that he held subconsciously. At this, the elder companions of the wind covered the eyes of the younger ones and some even forced their friends to depart the tent.

"You would rather I wake you ruthlessly?" When Raghad looked down at their hands then back at him it was then Faris realized what he was doing, his actions, however, did not halt and he shook his head.

"If that prevents me from slitting your throat then you shall."

Raghad huffed provoked. "Let go!"

The knight grinned. "When did I ever capture my enemy's daughter?"

Perplexed the bride looked down and sure enough, his hands had unfastened her wrists long ago and it was she who held his forearms in a grip. Raghad unclasped her fingers immediately as if scorched by the fire that flamed just outside their tent. The bride rose to her feet, snatched the quilt she was here for and marched away haughtily with crimson cheeks leaving a smirking Faris behind who tilted his head to the side and watched his women walk away flustered.



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I hope you guys liked this chapter. It was hard to write since I haven't written anything from over 4 months. Thank you so much for still reading this book and I am truly sorry for the excruciating wait.