I had such a hard time writing this chapter. I don't even know why this was so hard for me. I hope you guys like it.

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~*If you see the tooth of the lion, do not think that the lion is smiling at you~* Al- Mutanabbi



Every step that Faris took away from his chamber, dark shadows closed in on him. Rage as hot as hellfire blazed in his veins, and he saw red. He stepped out of the house but halted in the courtyard of sheikh Mubarak's house as his eyes landed on Umm Faris, who stood there waiting for him. Knight of knights swallowed and made his way to her. The wind seized the hem of his thobe and flapped it rapidly. He clenched his fist when the knight took note of the unshed tears in his mother's eyes. Leaving Raghad behind shook his senses, but leaving his beloved mother behind, felt as if someone cut his wings; and he lay there bleeding.

Faris stood before her, he dropped, from his mighty height to plant a tender kiss on his mother's forehead. "Give me your blessings, mother." He whispered against her warm skin.

"You have them, my son. Now and forever," Umm Faris spoke in a clear voice, but her eyes screamed the dread in her heart.

Faris al fursan held her hand, kissed her palm. "Forgive me, mother, if I have wronged you. Forgive me if I have even oppressed the ground you walk on."

"Ya waladi," Umm Faris swallowed then smiled. "Rest your heart. You have never been disobedient to your mother. May Allah bless you." Faris clenched his jaw, knowing that this might be the last time he sees his beloved mother. He knew Faris knew that if a single tear were to roll down his mother's eyes, his feet would not move. He would build his own grave where her tears would land.

"Fe Aman Allah."

"Fe Aman Al Kareem." Umm Faris squeezed her son's hand.

Knight of knights moved away toward the wooden door where Fahad, his sibling, stood with a sombre face. Just as he was about to speak, the door of their house opened, and his uncle Khaleefa walked in. Faris went up to his uncle and kissed his forehead out of utter respect. His love and reverence for his uncle were immense. The man had taught Faris how to fight how to ride a horse and be a man.

"May Allah be with you, and bestow victory upon you," Khaleefa said patting Faris's shoulder, a peculiar melancholy in his eyes. His eyes reminded Faris of his father, Sheikh Mubarak.

"Fe Aman Allah, 3ami," Faris responded, then walked out of the house well aware that Fahad followed him.

The mighty sun peered down at him as Faris made his way to his knights. His steps were firm, his form rigid. Tension, rage oozed off of him like a stream. The wind reeked of invisible tension so thick that his heart commenced choking. The beast was content that Raghad had forgiven him. Faris knew that it was all that mattered now, even if he did not return to her. He can meet his Lord, his Maker in peace.

The sun frowned when the knight recalled the bride's words to him. Raghad cherished him just as much. He closed his eyes and halted. Marwan. He took an oath there and then that he will not fall before tearing Marwan's head from his body. Faris took a vow that he shall not return before terminating all those who attempted to turn him into a monster and wish innocent blood to spill.

His fist clenched so tight that his knuckles turned ashen. This moment this battle was what he had been working for many moons. Ever since Salem, the Rashideen prince, was accused of Hamza's death, the knight knew something was amiss, a puzzle he needed to find and fix. His body started to shake from immense fury. Faris attempted to control as raw rage clawed at his skin, and swiftly the man commenced to recite verses from the Quran.

"Faris." Fahad's voice brought him out of the trance.

Knight of knights opened his eyes and saw his younger sibling stand beside him. "Go back inside, Fahad."

"No. I am old enough to accompany you." Fahad protested.

"You are also old enough to look after this tribe once I am gone." Faris hissed.

"I want to come with you. I desire to fight." Fahad pressed, desperate.

Faris turned left and looked at his brother and sighed. He placed his hand on Fahad's shoulder. "Nasser is coming. The tribe needs you. Mother needs you." When the younger brother frowned, Faris started again. "If I did not trust you and your abilities, brother. I would never leave you alone to be the leader of my tribe." Faris al Fursan added, and that made the younger man lift his shoulders and nod.

"I will protect them. I give you my word, Faris. I will protect her." Fahad stared at him, and Faris could have sworn that his brother saw his soul, bathed in his veins like blood.

"Go now." The knight ordered and watched Fahad take a step back and slowly make his way back home. He saw so much of him in Fahad. He had once yearned to be in battles, to prove himself, and to protect his people, and now he was ready to even die for them. Faris cranked his neck then made his way to the training ground.

When he reached the training ground, the Borkan knights stood assembled, and among them, he saw his brother, Nasser, Adel, and Badr. Swords in hand and death encircled like a cloak on their bodies; the men were ready to perish on Faris's command. Faris pulled out the parchment his spy had given him and read it once again. Far away from his tribe, sixty men residing in an abandoned village. He bit his bottom lip; he only had twenty-five men, and Faris knew that the highwaymen; were among the most ferocious warriors in these lands.

Putting the parchment away, Faris looked at his knight, he saw his other cousins in the group as well, "Mount," all men turned to him. "We have a long journey ahead. We must depart now." Without another word, the knights mounted. Faris brought his fingers to his lips and whistled. Within a few seconds, Tufan glopped up to his master. In a swift move, the knight mounted and was ready to depart.

**



Minutes turned into hours as the knights rode on plain desert towards the place Faris's spy had unveiled. Faris, Badr, and Nasser were in the front, while others followed them. The thundering hoofs shook the earth and left a cloud of sand behind. The sun descended and touched the tip of the mountain. Faris squinted his eyes, against the fading glare of the sun, he had wrapped his headdress around his neck like a rope covering his face while doing so.

Knight of knights looked to his left to glance at Badr. He had never envisioned to have Sagr al fursan alongside him to a battle that might lead to their deaths. His fists clenched around the reins of Tufan when Marwan's immoral face flashed before his eyes. In his thirty-two summers, Faris always pondered that his name shook men to their core. However, Marwan dared to confront him. The man had the backbone to poison Faris in his tribe, surrounded by his brothers and his notorious knights.

However, after this battle, or after his end, he will make sure that every man in these lands would fear to pronounce his name. He will decorate the desert with Marwan and his men's blood. He will grant a feast to the lonely wolves and color the moon with their warm blood. "Faris." A shout on his right brought him out of his thoughts.

"What is it, Nasser?" He demanded, without moving his head for that moment, something caught his attention. Far away, just beyond the dunes, Faris saw the ruins of a once lively small village on a desert plain. His jaw clenched as blood roared in his form.

"Faris look beyond the broken mud houses," Nasser yelled over the thundering of hoofs pointing at something far away almost invisible.

Sand storm.

Dusk was upon them, and a raging storm made its way to them at an alarming speed. Faris hissed, the storm will delay them. Then again, the night was upon them, and attacking an area he was unfamiliar with at night would be their downfall. Knight of knights lifted his clenched fist in the air for his men to see, and at the same time, he pulled Tufan's reins to halt the beast.

"What is the matter, Faris?" Adel asked once he stopped next to his friend.

"Night is upon us ya Adel, and with this sandstorm, I fear we will not be able to survive if we strike," the knight pointed; to the enormous sand cloud, making its way to them swiftly.

"Then what must you suggest, Faris?" Adel questioned.

"I believe faris al fursan wants us to trek to the village without causing alarm. Wait for the storm to subside, and then we must advance." Badr pronounced gaining everyone's attention.

Faris glanced at him and gave a single nod of his head, acknowledging the man's sharpness and courage to speak before Borkans. "It is as the knight says, Adel. We must ride to a place close enough to the village, but not too much to alert them. Once the sun rises, we will attack."

"Very well." With that, the knights rode ahead when the sky turned dark, they halted a mile away from the village, and the sandstorm engulfed the sky. They stopped before an enormous rock formation with two caves that could hold up seven men.

"Nasser. Hamad." Faris called, and the two of his men dismounted from their horses. Without another word, Faris watched as his brother and Hamad gradually made their way to the caves to check if they are preoccupied. His hand landed on his sword, ready for an ambush. Faris squinted his eyes against the strong wind and sand that coated his eyes. The full moon provided them enough light to see the men make their way to the caves.

After a while, Nasser and Hamad came out. "We can take refuge in the caves. No one is here, Faris." Nasser yelled over the whoosh of the wind. Faris's form swayed as Tufan reared back clearly disturbed from the sandstorm and cold.

One nod from Faris, the men dismounted their horses. "One of us must guard the horses in turns," Faris told the men.

"I shall be the first guard." Osama, one of Nasser's friend, offered. Soon after that, the Knights tied the reins of their horses to small rocks or bushes then went in the caves.

Small, loose gravel littered the cave as the men entered the impenetrable, chilling darkness. The men in the cave quickly lit a small fire to keep them warm against the deadly cold despite Faris's disagreement. The cave sat into the rock of the mountain, the stone guarding the entrance was rugged and jagged, designed in a way that passers-by would have difficulty locating the caves. As the men settled around the small fire, the loose stones of the cave shifted, and the noise echoed against the cold walls of the hole.

The knights relaxed, cocooned into the body of the earth, feeling the rock underneath their bodies. At that moment, without the noise or diversions of the world, those men were ready. Ready to fight and die. Faris leaned back against the rough cave with his sword on his right side and watched the men in silence. None of them uttered a word, and Faris knew each desired to demand a reason for this journey. The cave was bright enough from the fire that he could see the fleeting glances his men sent towards him. Faris endeavored to ignore them at first, but then he knew he needed to give them something.

He leaned forward and entwined his fingers; grateful his red headdress gave a little warmth to his frozen neck. He did not want to take off his helmet that Raghad made him wear, but it did not provide him the warmth he needed. The knight flexed his shoulder, and the wound that was given to him by Badr stung, but he paid no heed to it. "We shall wait until the Fajr prayer the storm does not look like it shall subside any time soon."

"What if they locate us?" Nasser frowned. The man had a hard time sitting in this confined place. Nasser's body was big, so large that his form nearly took the place of two. Faris smirked at his brother's hunched shoulders and thick legs pressed together.

"They will not. We have already sent men to examine the area and present us the opportunity of a surprise invasion." Badr looked at Faris well aware that Faris's spies were already there by the village looking for schemes.

"What he says is true. My men will apprise us of their vulnerable spots, the places we can attack first." Faris brought his fingers to his chin and rubbed his jaw.

"How come the Rashideen knows of this, and we; your family doesn't, cousin?" Sultan hissed, his hand on his sword, knuckles white from his grip.

Faris knew he had to disclose his ploy. He ran his tongue over his lips, then placed his hands on his thighs. "Salem did not assassinate Yousuf," Faris started in a firm voice.

Sultan's head snapped towards his cousin in fury and confusion. "What does this have anything to do with my brother's death, ya Faris?"

Faris was aware that everyone waited for his response. He deliberately asked for Badr, Nasser, Sultan, Abdullah, Adel, and Shaheen to stay with him. These were the men he trusted with his life, ironically even Badr. "I had my suspicions about Yousuf's death from the very first day. There is someone out there who yearns our, "he gestured at Badr and himself. "Tribes to soak in blood."

"Who would dare go against the Borkans?" Adel questioned, clearly appalled. He brought his hands close to the fire to provide them warmth.

"No one other than a Borkan can go against the Borkan tribe," Nasser growled. The beast of a man shook his head, and the movement swayed his long hair that touched his chest.

"Indeed. The one to outline all this is from our tribe." Faris muttered through clenched teeth. His blood boiled to such an extent that he felt his skin burn. Someone from his tribe caused those deaths; someone from his tribe turned him into a brute that he almost ruined Raghad. His Raghad. The wind closed its eyes from where it stood by the entrance of the cave. It desired to alleviate Faris's wrath but knew that its intrusion in the cave would increase the cold, thus making Faris uncomfortable.

"What makes you say that?" Sultan demanded. "Why on earth are you covering for the Rashideen? We all know that it was his sibling who murdered mine." Faris watched as others aside from Badr dropped their gaze, not being able to meet his sharp gaze.

"Why would Badr frame his sibling, then have his sister wed her foe?" Abdullah looked at Sultan, daring him. His gaze then moved to Faris as if pleading for forgiveness that he talked of his spouse without his consent. Knight of knights inhaled, then slightly shook his head, understanding his cousin. Faris watched as the man wet his lips, his thumb playing with the silver ring on his left small finger.

Silence followed, permitting the men to ponder over the newly unveiled information. "Every attack that has occurred has been targeted to our families." Again, Faris glanced at Badr briefly.

"Ali's death was not a family." Shaheen, his other cousin, added. Among his cousins and other valiant knights, Shaheen was the only man who had once risked requesting Shouq's hand face-to-face from Faris. Knight of knights applauded his bravery and knew if they returned, he might converse with his father regarding this matter.

"Indeed, but Badr was the one to take the responsibility," Adel pronounced in a way that it sounded more like a question.

Sultan chuckled darkly. "Cousin, I did not think that you would overlook the death of your own so promptly."

Faris took note of Nasser's clenched fist at the disrespect targeted towards his brother, "Why on earth would a Rashideen kill a man and then accuse the Rashideen, Sultan? If Badr did annihilate Yousuf, he would accuse the Borkan, not his brother."

"You believe it to be Marwan, who is the ground behind all this?" Adel questioned; his eyes landed on Badr then on Faris.

Faris shook his head. "Marwan is nothing but a half breed dog. He is a pawn; the real culprit can be anyone." Then his hawk-like eyes moved to every man in the cave, aside from Badr. The flames danced in the cave highlighting their frames.

"You brought us here, to find out if we intended all this?" Shaheen hoisted his eyebrow.

"If I doubted any of you, you would have been dead by now, and your flesh fed to dogs," Faris growled, placing his head on the cold stone behind him so that the light of the fire was not on his face.

"And you do not doubt him?" Sultan glared at Badr, who remained hushed merely observing.

Faris sighed again. "There are two things I am certain of, one that I have the blood of Borkan running in my veins, and the other being, Badr's innocence," Those words carved themselves on the walls of the cave, and Sultan's shoulders sagged giving in.

The knights remained hushed for a long while, listening to the sound of the fierce gale. "If everything is clear, Faris, pardon me to depart. I do not like this cave very much." Nasser huffed, wiggling his shoulders extremely uncomfortable.

The men turned to look at the huge man for a few seconds, and suddenly laughter rang in the dark cave. "It is not the cave's fault; you are this huge, Nasser." Shaheen taunted with a smirk on his lips and twinkle in eyes.

"Don't start, ya-rayal (man). My backbone cannot stand this sitting anymore."

"Have you ever wondered what your poor horse feels when you ride it?" Adel lifted an eyebrow.

"You are just envious that one blow from Nasser can eliminate a man; you, on the other hand, have to use a sword for that deed," Nasser ridiculed, jerking his head in the direction of the sword strapped around Adel's waistband.

Faris disregarded the banter and looked at Badr and Sultan from the corner of his eye. He wordlessly regarded Sultan as he simply looked at Badr. Faris al Fursan knew that his cousin yearned to utter something; however, his pride and the grief of his brother's death prevented him.

Promptly. Faris rose to his feet with his sword in hand. "I shall see Osama now." With that, he made his way out of the cave into the storm to meet his spy.

**

Allahu Akbar

Allahu Akbar.

Just as the men heard Abdullah give the call of fajr prayer from outside of the cave, they rose to their feet and commenced to perform ablution with the water in their leather flasks. Once done, Faris took off his robe and went out of the cave to hear Abdullah say the last words of the call of prayer.

Assalatu khairum minannaum

Allahu Akbar

Allahu Akbar.

Faris tilted his head back and looked at the sky. Dark clouds made their way from the East quickly. He inhaled glad that the storm was finally over; however, at the same time, agitation sewed his skin in dangerous patterns. The timid wind caressed the side of Faris's cheek, and the sensation brought back Raghad's touch just before he departed the house. With his head tilted back, his thick hair touched his shoulders and swayed with the wind making him appear prepossessing.

The stars that were yet to be veiled by clouds peered at Faris in awe. How on earth can a man be so calm before the deadly battle? Was it the wind that cocooned him? Or was it the call of prayer that turned his worries into ashes?

The knights slowly formed a line behind Abdullah ready for the prayer. They took off their swords and placed them in front. Faris spread his robe in front of him to pray the Sunnah. Soon, the men finished the fajr prayer and rose to their feet to strap their swords. Knight of knights turned around to look his men in the eye. He recalled the information his spy had provided a while ago.

"What is it that you wish to tell them, ya Faris?" Badr questioned from his side.

Faris moved his head to the left and met the knight's gaze. "We shall surround the village." He then moved his head to look at his men again.

"What do you mean?" Adel questioned.

"The village has no more than six mud houses where these men reside. My man has given me the vulnerable places we can attack and possibly have the upper hand." Faris placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Very well, but how do we engage? What if they notice us?"

"These burglars have forgotten the fear of their Lord. Right this moment, they are intoxicated and squandered in their temptations. These spineless creatures shall only arise when the sun peaks over the mountain."

"Or someone awakens them." Badr snarled, taking note of how the men frowned at the revolting learning.

After a brief pause, "I shall charge from the front gaining their attention, five of my men will accompany me. Others follow Badr, Nasser, and Sultan to situate around the village." He glanced at Badr upon the mentioned of his name so that the knights would understand the level of confidence Faris had on Badr.

"What about your men, will they be joining us?" Sultan questioned.

Faris nodded and halted for a while. "Do not hesitate to kill, for they will not. Permit your swords to feast on their blood, for this is your right. Do not halt," he took a step forward. "If you see me fall, do not halt. If they behead me, destroy them and avenge me," Faris hissed the last part with such passion that his men, even Badr felt blood to turn bitter in their veins.

**





Thud

Thud

Faris felt his heart claw against his ribcage. He squinted his eyes against the darkness to see clearly. Adel, along with four other knights, were behind him on their horses. Any second now. Faris closed his eyes and allowed his brain to display his mother's face, Raghad's beautiful eyes. Gradually he felt the hairs behind his neck to rise, and immoral darkness coated his heart.

He opened his eyes, and the wind gasped, causing Tufan to stumble a little. Such wrath such dark rage made the trees quiver in their roots. Faris pulled out his magnificent sword from its sheath. "Charge!" and deliberately yelled to gain attention.

Tufan, as though, comprehending his master, galloped at an exceptional speed towards the village. Thundering hooves, roaring hearts, and bleeding faiths. A growl of utter rage hissed past Faris's lips as men ran out of the houses towards him with swords in hand. Faris allowed his senses to cloud. He permitted the rumbling volcano within him to explode and incinerate him. Just as the first beams of the sun peaked over the mountain, his sword tasted the first drop of warm blood.

Faris struck the man charging at him in a manner that the spineless creature suddenly dropped to his knees with blood oozing from his face to the mid of his belly. Just as he reached the middle of the village, with a grace of a panther, Faris leaped down from Tufan and landed on his feet.

"Marwan!" He roared, finally unleashing the beast that men around these lands dreaded.

Marwan's men surrounded Faris, but he paid no heed for that moment the culprit himself strolled out of a house with a sword in hand and grin on lips.

"Faris Mubarak Al Borkan, such a surprise." He mocked, but Faris could have sworn that he witnessed dread in his eyes. "Why men like you, always execute the same mistake," he raised his eyebrows, "Look around you, prince, you are on my dominion. My word is verdict here."

Faris's fingers clutched his sword tighter. The blood that dripped from the blade kissed the sand with a promise of a crimson river. "And why men like you ponder that they could annihilate me is beyond my comprehension Marwan." The sword that faced the ground in his hand shook from utter rage. "You appeared in my tribe and dared to poison me. Faris of all the people in these lands." The knight hissed well aware that his men had dismounted their horses and stood behind him, while others waited for him to strike so they could unveil themselves.

"That is where you are wrong, prince. I did not poison you. I merely delivered it to you, then again, I am certain you are already aware of that seeing as you so ridiculously appeared here with four of your men." Marwan shrugged his shoulders, attempting to appear dauntless.

Faris lifted his left hand, "Come." He ushered Marwan with his fingers, and with that hell broke loose terrorizing the wind and causing the clouds to weep.

**

This is where I stopped or where I had to stop since my brain is walking in a different direction. I hope and pray I get the inspiration to finish this war since this is proving to be harder than I thought. I am in desperate need of loads and loads of inspiration.