"You arrested an old lady because she was acting unusual?" Suleiman glared up; from his pacing at an infuriated Munir."You have no right to ask me anything!" He shot back, retracing his steps, leaving barely an inch between them.

"I did everything everything, but was it enough?Tell me, O great physician,was it?" His brows knit awaiting an answer. "What do you mean?" Munir stepped backwards, almost tripping on his jubbeh.

"You never understood, never" , resuming his pace slower than before, "Abb, my queen?" he angrily hits the chair which was out of his way. "It was never enough" his eyes wander to the tea at his bedside, long grown cold. A small piece of jewellery besides it drew Munir's attention." The bangle?" Careful to conceal his realisation.

"Even after their deaths Munir, it was never enough for you. The day I presented Abb with my war victories, a senior commander. Right hand to the then king of Madiyan. But what did he say?" His voice lowered and Munir understood where the old conversation was headed to.

"There is no victory in gaining power over killing people, it just makes you a sophisticated murder. " Munir answered as Suleiman took a seat on the chair he once wrestled " My queen, spent hours in your wing consoling that mad wife of yours." Suleiman's gaze froze on the bedside table focused on the bangle as if remembering something " Yet you took her life and now? How dare you accuse me of taking back what is rightfully mine? Why shouldn't I punish thieves who take what is precious to me?"

"Release this woman. I will take her place if that is what you wish." Munir's words astonished him "Then brace yourself O physician" he hands him a contract "Because I have been waiting long for this.By the crack of dawn you shall submit yourself to the King's mercy in place of the old lady. Now go,use this time wisely and don't forget to sign the contract."

~~~

Hurry child, we must get going. I scanned through Minas' wardrobe, taking only what I thought to be necessary. Amidst my search, a pile toppled over, revealing two papers folded together. Thanks to Mina's efforts I was able to make out some words.

"To the brave slave,

I have located you're ... gem the king keeps in ...reading desk. Tonight ... dinner the prince... his father... won't need me. I am sorry... couldn't tell... face but... try best...time. I hope this... shall... your silence.

The Prince's loyal servant,

Hassan."

Who is this Hassan and what does Mina have to do with the Prince's right hand? As I struggled to read, Munir burst in, "Let's go, our escort is here !" I quickly put the piles of clothes back, stashing some in the sack.

We walked through a silent night reminding us of the sorrow blanketing the city. Munir frequently murmurs to the young soldier as they lead us to the outskirts of the city. Drawing closer to the famous wall, Munir stops at a small door he knocked then ordered me to stay behind, as they continued on.

A middle aged woman opened the door and a stench of curing meat immediately rushed out.

"Hurry, we must set the donkeys. It's a long journey." The dark room had only one candle positioned at a high bench giving life to a large room. Piles of hay lined the walls, meat hung from the ceiling. Dried skin covered half the floor.

"Take these" She took down a huge leg and tossed it to me. Then grabs a heap of hay "Come, on" she urges me to follow into the streets closing the door behind. Cool night air graced my skin as we arrived at the public stables. An array of horses and donkeys confined in small stalls, the darkness portraying them as large masses with small lights barely doing justice to their majestic features.

The flock of brown waves in front disappeared into one without notice. As I followed the rickety floors almost betrayed me to the darkness. Losing the load in my hands,"Careful, we can't afford to waste time." She lights a few lanterns, which unveiled the recently washed floor. The huge space seemed endless with rows of stalls on either side with huge carts parked at the farthest end.

"What are you doing? Come help me with this!" Realising he was carrying the meat to the stall she had disappeared to earlier."Sorry!" I followed absently, almost running into the donkey .

Munir arrived shortly with Mina and an injured man to find us almost done loading a big cart with hay ensuring to cover the curved boards that gave an allowance to hide beneath the hay undetected. A master structure planned by the woman. They laid him on the floor and Munir tended to his wound.

"Munir, where are we going ?"Mina bursts her voice, quivering a bit "Somewhere very far from Mahdiya, there is no one I trust to look after him other than you two." He hastily replied, finishing up the bandage." Who is he exactly and why us?" Munir gave her the sack I once packed as if she had said nothing. "Find Zainab, she will help you. When everything is clear, I will send word for you to return." She nodded, noticing from his expression it was the only information she would get.

"What about Khawla?" I whispered to Munir, emerging next to Mina. "Don't worry, I will deal with her." They helped load our patient and we joined in, Mina mumbles as though addressing herself rather than the old man. "I will try my best to protect him." Munir orders the cart to start moving; she distantly focuses on the old man as his figure diminishes to a shadow.

"SALAM!" The driver shouts as the gate comes to view. A soldier approaches us ready to start his inspection. "Why are you shouting? Are you drunk? " My heart pounds as the soldier's voice comes through, What would happen if we were caught? "I peeped through as the man got down and suddenly dropped to his knees.

"Wallah, I haven't had a single drop of sharaab, I am an honest farmer. Carrying hay to feed my animals, please show me mercy." The soldier clutched his hands pulling him up and looked at him for a while before signalling his colleagues, " Yallah, let him pass so he can spread the word of my mercy." " Thank you I shall tell this to everyone I know, the kind soldier of Mahdiya. " The soldiers laughed as the driver resumed his position." Go on crazy man,I doubt you even know where you are going "

My focus shifted to the man across the wagon floor. The fresh bandage he had on began to stain. I lifted my head, noticing the fear in her eyes. Come down Ya Mina, it's all over.

"How did you find us?" "Well, I don't know, I just heard Munir saying that there is a high-ranking lady involved. I didn't get much, they were discussing it during the walk to the store room." I turned to my side."They must have known I was listening." Noticing that my words fell on deaf ears, as she absently stared at the fading gates of Mahdiya.

I followed her gaze, then squeezed her palm. We did not know where we were headed but hopefully it will be better than Mahdiya.

~~~

Another dusk graced their presence in the Madiyan castle. Months, lost in despair of the young Prince. They sat on the luscious carpets, under the fading light. Listening to the boredom of recitals; silently containing their murmurs.

"I heard the workers yesterday.They said that her father called her back." The eldest whispers "Well good for her! This Prince thing is catching up with me. " A shorter one commented "Us all dear." Another adds "I heard that most of the wazirs are fleeing to Haldin."

"Who told you that, Amina?" All eyes shifted to the shorter one. "I have my resources." She announced proudly, before Ramla intervened "The king left too, he's gone to the holy grounds to pray for his son." "Ssh! Ramla, I am trying to concentrate here." All expressed their disgust. "Have you noticed that Aisha is not bothered by any of this? She roams around like nothing has happened" Amina continues ignorantly. "What do you expect? The crow has her interests in mind." Ramla responds.

Rawiya comes up to them and bows. "A messenger requests your presence in the gathering hall." Amina rolls her eyes. "Thank you Rawiya, we will be there in a minute." Samia replied, "See! That is why I can't stand being here anymore, there is no respect for royalty!" Amina complains. " Especially that old hag she treats us as equals, can you imagine she didn't even offer a greeting!" Ramla adds.

"Please, have respect, she's older than you! " Samia defends. "Sometimes, I wonder if we were really cut from the same cloth sister." Amina mocked, swallowing the final word almost as if it weren't appropriate. "Listen little girl, we are the older ones here you do as we say." Ramla threatens

"Yeah and we are not interested in meeting that messenger." The other one declares " Then I will go, you can continue with your gossip." "The nerve!" Ramla mocks angrily, beating on the mat "Calm sister she is not worth it, let her be."Amina calms her by passing to them yet another round of the cold cinnamon tea.