The story of the city was a folktale recited to children as a reminder of their heritage. He still remembers how his aab (father), used to recite the stories to the village kids during every waliima of a hisad. The grand festivities of a successful harvest; where crowds of mucisians, danced and sung to the beats of tars. The particular fragrance of yeast evidence to the variety of baked goods, would permeated the air once more.

When his abb spotted him out in the crowds,he would be dragged to join the other chidren in, listening to his stories .He would always tell him "My child do not dwell with the ignorant, for it is a disease like knowledge." there in front of him; he would sit an oil lamp beside them highlighting his black eyes and large moustache, which was shaped to drop into a beard concealing his mouth . All those years he still had not forgotten that face, the face that betrayed him.

"Well, my dears this season I will recite a poem from a great scholar his name Ahmad al-Farouq." The children's cheers drew more audiences, to the already full hut every child from the village, found a way to hear the story being told.

"The story starts long ago when people started exploring the world, finding new territories to settle in. Now our friend Ahmad narrates the story through a poem." Aab clears his throat deeply and started reciting in a melodious tune.

"Cruel was the king, kind was the queen.

A kingdom in between, Their son I could have been.

Lucky was the merchant, I came to be.

Sailing to the seas, to find some fish.

Lucky indeed, a farmer's maiden, I sought.

On a new course, I found the key, to my need.

Untouched soil, a prize for my bride.

Little I new, it wouldn't surfice,for what people brew.

I had no clue.

Treason was the crime, I did not do.

In the depths, I found my peace, in her reflection.

Indeed, she would always be, my madyani queen."

Though confused the children clapped and applauded; aab bowed his head and thanked his faithful listeners. He raised his hand silencing the crowd before he spoke again. "So my dears that is how our kingdom came to be..." a little voice interrupted him, His small face crumpled up in confusion "But how? I don't understand the story!".

"Shh Suleiman just applaud," his friends;eager to join the dancers would try silencing him. "No... No worries please go ahead my son"; abb encouraged managing to lose half of his listeners . "It's just that I don't get it how this story has anything to do with our land?" Abb's eyes widened with interest. "Then allow me to translate the poem" he leaned in, levelling his face with ours as if disclosing a secret. "You see my son long ago, kings and queens sent people, to explore new lands to expand their territory."

He stretched his right hand sweeping the air in a clean circle. "Ahmad our poet lives in such a kingdom, in this kingdom the king and queen don't see eye to eye on many things." Abb took out a coin from his pocket and tossed it in the air, our eyes followed it in awe as it soared into the air. Meanwhile, he continued with the story. "As one would say they were two sides of a coin." With the finish of this sentence, he picked up the coin his meaty hands extending it to Suleiman. The little boy took it from him a wide smile plastered on his face "Shukria".

Aab rests his hands on his laps and says.

"Our poet tells the story of a fallen prince. Who falls for a farmer's daughter, he renounced his claim to throne for her and becomes a successful fish monger. For her hand the farmer asked him for a piece of land and not just any land; one that is flat and fertile, where grass doesn't dry, and the sand is as black as the coals, a river should pass through it and the waters should be clear and abundunt." abb would pause studying the anticipating gazes then continues.

"So he sets out to foreign places looking for it, until one day he finds the perfect match. In this foreign land he discovers new words which he later adopted the word madyaan meaning a lender; in another poem of his, he talks of the one to whom he was lended ." some of the children nodded in response. "So upon his return, rumours had spread of his true identity. The news of him renouncing his claim to the throne had angered his parents,threatening to kill anyone who helped conceal him. Upon hearing this the farmer betrayed him and gave him up. In the stuggle he managed to escape in his boat, in which he later jumped off and drowened to death."

Most of their amaizements were short lived, because as soon as they thought he was finished they all rushed out to the songs and tunes of the musicians. All would leave except suleiman and him, who would bombard his abb with questions. "What happened to the land? and the farmer? did they find his body?" abb would laugh at his inqusitiveness and reply "well when the story was narrated to his parents the monarchy claimed the land and expanded it. Later it was gifted to one of their son's who named it madiyan.That is all I know now go and play."

~~~

"Munir ...sir" the voice cut through his daydream. "Yes, what is it Khalid?" he replied maintaning his focus on the breathtaking view of the city bathed in the early morning light. Orange rays reflecting from the tiles of buildings, like stars in the daylight. "It's almost noon, I think we should be getting back. If we are to make it before nightfall." He turns to look at his apprentice the young man stood on his right blocking the sun with his muscular physique. His white and black checkered keffiyeh covering his face, save for the dark brown beads that were now focused on his teacher.

The temporary shed they had set up for the night becoming useless to the shifting sun. "Then let us not waste time." Muir stood up shaking the sand from his slippers and clothes, he helped Khalid take down the small tent and gather the pans and mats. The two loaded their horses, with one last look at the magnificent view Munir led their way back to Mahdiya.

Their energetic steeds carried them through the desert,by the time they arrived it was already noon. in front of them a caravan's inspection was underway. Hours passed finally the last load was being inspected, the trader unloaded his big orange baskets from his animals. One seemingly heavier than the rest, it took three soldiers to unload it. The trader watched as his goods were unloaded without a word. Soon the search was nearing its end and as the heaviest basket was opened a small figure popped out, wanting to run but her state betrayed her. Instead of running the child fell flat on the ground and passed out toppling the large baskets near her.

The goods scattered on the ground from fabrics, exotic dried fruits and wines tainted the yellow sands. "Sir what are you doing it's not our place to interfere." Munir didn't know how he did it but with a blink, he climbed off his horse and made his way to the scene. The trader was in tears pleading with the guard. "Please sir I don't know this child, I swear it's the first time I am seeing it." His companions whispering in surprise.

The sudden commotion alerted even the archers on the walls who drew thier arrows ready to release. The soldiers on the other hand drawing thier swords ready to strike.their white and blue attire filling the gates. Munir got off his horse and made his way to the commotion with Khalid trailing close behind.

"Hey, you! enough of this the child needs care." Munir shouted, "Who do you think you are? This is none of your business get lost." One of the guards furiously commanded. "Are you deaf! Move away!" Munir pulled his keffiyeh from his face, immediately the guards at the scene bowed their heads slightly. He knelt down to the child to inspect her "I am sorry sir but even you know you can't interfere."

Munir looked up from the child his eyes cold, "Sheath your weapon soldier" a voice from behind them boomed. "If the king hears that an unknown child died, because of the incompetence of his staff. What would you say then? Better yet his great physician was present at the scene, and had not been allowed to tend to it? It may be royalty for all we know!" The soldiers replaced their weapons upon the command.

His blue tunic lined with silver trimmings and a gold pendant that secured a white cloak on his shoulder indicated his status. "Am sorry for my men's ignorance, I will have them take it to the palace for you." Without another word, Munir lifted the little child and carried it to his horse. He placed it on the front of his saddle and climbed on it as well. He looked back to see Khalid's disapproving look but ignored it all the same. "Open the gates and stop wasting time!" Munir instructed.

He rode through the crowd, the soldiers mumbling their apologies, as he passed by. The large metal gates flew open to allow them to pass. They journeyed through the city roads silently, passing the soldiers village to the village of the commoners. Divided from the village of the nobles by a great souk, the great castle lay in the centre of the village of the nobles which was near the banks of river Madiyani. Both never looked back and by the time they reached the palace gates, it was sundown.