Salam and hello ladies and fellas. Whz up? How are y'all doing? I hope you people like this chapter. SORRY for the mistakes.

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~*~The rose's rarest essence lives in the thorns ~*~ Rumi

Faris was aware the instant Raghad had stepped out of the tent and walked ahead. He observed his wife with dead, dispassionate eyes, her green velvet gown glistered in the sun that had just escaped the clouds. The black shawl was securely encased around her head to cover her hair. When the woman had raised her head to look up, Faris dropped his eagle eyes, in order for her to see who her spouse was.

Faris waited for a moment as he pretended to be engrossed in Badr's conversation. Memories from yesterday displayed in his mind. He did not know Raghad was by the creek, he had been thirsty after the events that happened. It flabbergasted him when he had seen her, he was infuriated by the girl who doomed his fate. The animal within goaded him to commit an act just to terrify his bride and teach her a lesson she must never forget and visit the creek unescorted. When he had taken a few threatening steps ahead, those tears had halted him and hatred had clashed in his chest.

With the clench of his jaw, he looked up only to see the utter rage in Raghad's eyes, however, Faris did not pay heed to her naive fury. She was now his Khateeb (betrothed) and he knew how to control his price. He surpassed the urge to grin when the woman stepped back and marched away while he stood with Badr.

From this conversation Faris learned a little about both Rashideen siblings, very little indeed. They were intelligent and did not permit Faris to peek in their comportment. With Faris's hawk-like adroitness he came to comprehend that Khalid became apoplectic whenever he mentioned something uninvited. Whereas, Badr, the well-known sagr of knights, wore a mask to disguise his real temperament.

Faris knew very well to take great precautions when it came to Badr, voice every word with great vigilance when Badr was present. Faris was contented the beast of Arabian desert had at last encountered his opponent. "Let us take shelter under those tents ya Faris," Khalid offered, with his fingers entwined behind his back.

"Yalla," Faris acceded and followed the brothers who led towards the tents on their right, near one of the wells.

His lips twitched into a secret grin when men from Al Rashideen did not cringe away from him, indeed he was tall, broad but the tribe possessed hearts of steel beating inside their chests. However, he did take note of the severe horror that flickered in their eyes when he approached. His smile broadened when he saw from the corner of his eye how Badr scrutinized his moves intently. Badr's curiosity that oozed from him did not evade Faris.

A sumptuous feast was served and yet again their benevolence and hospitality amazed him. Lanterns illuminated the tent despite the sun the grinned down on earth, wind dared to peak now and then to catch a glimpse of two notorious knights, that even wind feared. At Faris's pitch-dark eyes wind shivered and swayed his hair. Faris trailed his dark eyes over the food prepared for thirty men or so. Before he swallowed his first bite Faris twisted his head to face Badr and Khalid.

"Food tastes better when more people are gathered. It will not be pleasant if this was returned cold to them, call your men ya Badr, call them," Faris ordered in a voice that did not sound stern but was absolute.

"Insha'Allah," Khalid vocalized as he rose to his feet, walked out of the mighty tent, and moments later returned accompanied by many men. Al Rashideens greeted Faris with cold hearts and joined the lavish feast.

He uttered a word when questions were inquired of him and remained silent most of the time. After almost an hour that crawled by a young boy walked up to Faris and announced his mother's news. He rose to stand to his glorified height, ambled out of the tent followed by Badr. Both formidable knights halted a few feet away from the tent where Raghad had come out from. Once the camels and his horse were brought to where they stood, Faris seized the reins of his horse, Tufan.

When he looked up at Badr, the man frowned. "What disturbs you, prince?" Badr interrogated.

Faris inhaled silently, "I have matters to discuss with you, but not today, not here. Now that I shall visit often," he gritted his teeth in utter chagrin, "Someday I shall inform you of these thoughts," Faris unveiled, rested his left hand on Tufan's neck.

Badr grew anxious as his brown knit together. "Does that confidential matter regards my sister?" Faris instantly took note of the wrath in his voice.

"I cannot vocalize a word here ya Badr. It is a matter of extreme secrecy and I do not wish for foolish ears to hear about this matter," Faris spoke in a low voice, he endeavored to tame his sweltering rage.

It took him two days to perceive and wrangle to make this grievous decision. Ever since he was ordered to marry Raghad, Faris began to twirl matters around. "Now I am truly curious," Badr replied firmly.

Faris's eyes hardened at his words, "Give me your vow eagle of knights that this will not be heard or shared with anyone, even Sheikh Faisal," demand drizzled from his voice.

Badr stared at him for a moment then nodded, "It is given,"

Before they could say another word, the flap of the tent was pushed aside to reveal the prince's mother and his sister Shouq. Promptly Badr sensed Faris's stiff shoulders so he retreated and uttered a quick "Fe Aman Allah,"

Faris had his eyes fixed on his family when he responded. Once they came close he helped his family mount the camels unaware that inadvertently Badr had glanced at his sister, Shouq, for a second.

The barbarous knight traveled in sheer quietude, he grasped the reins of the camels in his large hand. His men, the ones he allowed to escort him followed them. He could not block Raghad's face that flashed in his brain occasionally. Faris was inflamed, how dare she shed tears merely from the sight of him? He gritted his teeth at her insolent disposition, his grip tightened on the reins until his knuckles turned bloodless.

"You are awfully silent today, Faris," Shouq began.

Farish groaned then twisted his neck to face her. Shouq had a big smile on her lips. "What must I gossip about, sister?" he shook his head at her and faced ahead. They descended a sand dune and another wind engulfed them in its golden cloak.

"Anything ya Faris," Shouq replied with a smile plastered on her lips and clutched her shawl against the wind.

"I do not have an affair to natter about, Shouq," he disregarded her and looked straight once they journeyed on the plain desert.

"I do have many matters, shall I?" She represented.

"No," Faris snapped.

"Ibni (my son) let her do as she pleases," Umm Faris ordered in a small voice.

He exhaled then gave a curt nod. "Ya Faris, I am truly happy for you, she is so beautiful," as the words left her mouth he met her gaze, seeing his face her Shouq beamed. "She is, by Allah. I cannot wait for you to get wed so that she can come and reside with us," Shouq chanted exceedingly joyous.

"Shouq, do not pronounce another word," Faris snarled, aggravated.

"Why ya Faris? Shouq is right, the girl has stolen our hearts," his mother spoke in a tone that indicated for him to listen, remain hushed or simply travel ahead of them.

He gashed his teeth in vexation. If he wished to marry that woman, presumably he would have listened to them. However, now when he was enforced to marry Faisal's daughter, Faris did not desire to hear a thing about her or their animated chatter.

As though oblivious to his simmering pique, Shouq carried on, "The ring mother had chosen for your bride fit magnificently on her creamy hand," she bit her lip, "She is of twenty-one summers just the same age as I am," they passed a group of nomads that traveled from one tribe to another at this time of a year. Faris eyed them with exceptional alertness.

He had a deep frown on his handsome face and prayed from Allah to reward him patience. They carried away with their conversation and he disregarded his beloved mother and sister. Oh, how he wished to ride ahead but he could not, Faris never trusted any man even the ones who rode silently behind him.

"Yes mother, wallahi I cannot wait for Faris's wedding and most of all I cannot wait for him to have an offspring, perhaps a little daughter," when Shouq spoke those words he looked at her, simply looked at her with such severe intensity that a cold shiver snaked down her spine.

He did not utter a word nor did they dared to speak another word in front of the beast that quivered with fury. His mother surely had uncountable matters on hand to discuss and Shouq was no less than her. They traveled in downright silent once again, nothing could be heard other than the disobedient wind that teased Faris's black turban, or swayed his hair with it.

Al Borkans embraced the news of this wedding in the same manner Al Rashideens did, no man was collaborative with this unfortunate, unpalatable bond. That was the cause Nasser ran his large hand through his long hair and paced rather impatiently few good feet away from the border of their tribe. Indeed, Faris was betrothed to their Sheikh's daughter, but the threat he faced was drastic. They could violate the treaty and attack Faris.

This thought drove his nerves to a dangerous level. Nasser clenched his fist against the thought. He knew Faris was undefeatable but by Allah, he will butcher every man of that tribe if they caused dismay to even a strand of Faris's hair. Instantly his eyes fell upon Tufan and the highly-wrung nerves in his body eased away. He murmured his gratitude to his Lord and sprinted towards his brother, ignoring how his robe took sand with it.

"Salam ya Faris, welcome back," Nasser greeted then held the reins of both camels.

" Brother if i did not know any better I would dare say you believed I was murdered," Faris joked, eyes on Nasser's perturbed face.

"Do not speak that way, Faris," Umm Faris chided as they reached the fence. Faris shook his head then gracefully threw his leg down and dismounted. He grabbed Shouq's hand to aid her while Nasser helped his mother.

Faris witnessed fatigue in his mother's eyes and frowned, his eyes observed as both his dearest women walked away to their house. "Did they attempt anything?" Nasser investigated as they ambled towards the herds.

"No brother, they did not. In fact, they gifted us splendid hospitality," Faris replied and handed Tufan's rein to Akram, the boy who looked after his horse.

Nasser frowned, "Is that so?" he inquired when they turned around to saunter up to their house and Faris stopped now and then to greet elderly men of his tribe.

"Yes, I very much felt delighted," Faris mocked, glanced sideways at his brother. Then his eyes fell upon Fahd, his younger sibling. Faris grinned at the sight, his grin played on his lips as he watched with boundless interest as Fahd endeavored to dodge Adel's attacks. He was gratified to see his brother train. Faris desired Fahd to be a knight, a ferocious knight just like him.

"Was the feast and their mighty generosity the reason of your delightfulness or someone?" Nasser retorted.

Here Faris rotated and glared at Nasser, "Do not ponder that a woman can claim my heart and brain ya, Nasser. I am a knight, marriage is half my religion and I shall do it. Do not speak of it again or I will instruct you how to keep your thoughts intact." With those venomous words, Nasser watched as his brother strode away.

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IMPORTANT PLEASE READ...You all hate poor Salem, didn't you guys read when I mentioned in words that he is not well, which is why I mentioned in the chapter that he is incapable of making his own decisions as his brain is still like a child while he, himself is in his early twenties.

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