Chapter 31: The Sultan of the Desert and the Mystery
In the previous chapter, you read that Ali and Junaid meet Sheikh Hamza's lost son, whose name was Hussain, who had gone missing in the desert six years ago
. A good conversation takes place between Hussain, Ali, and Junaid.
Later, after the storm settles, Ali and the others come out of the tunnel. Just then, the sound of someone running rapidly on the sand is heard — as if danger is heading straight toward them.
Now ahead...
The calm desert suddenly trembled. Just as the three of them breathed a sigh of relief, the sound of heavy footsteps running on the sand started — fast, heavy, and in a determined direction. The silence of the wind had now turned into a warning of a new danger.
Hussain (breathing heavily, ears focused in the direction of the sound) –
Ali, Junaid... quickly! They're coming... hide, now!
Ali (in surprise) – But why?
Hussain (hurriedly) – There's no time, run and hide in the same tunnel where we were before.
Junaid (nervously) – Aren't you coming?
Hussain (firmly) – I'm coming right behind you, now go quickly!
The three of them ran without looking back, the sand flying from beneath their feet, sweat glistening on their faces!
At last, all three hid inside the tunnel.
Junaid (in a low voice) – What happened, Hussain, is some danger chasing us?
Just then, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed near the mouth of the tunnel,
as if someone had come close and stopped there.
Hussain (squinting his eyes, holding his breath) –
"Be quiet... someone is outside... and he's looking for us. I'll tell you everything in a while."
Voices of people are heard from outside. The voice of someone shouting is heard —
First voice (roaring in anger) – Someone has violated the honor of the chief!
Someone has entered our territory… and that slave? He won't survive!
Second voice – The information is solid, that slave came this way and two young boys have also been seen in this desert!
First voice – Find those two young boys and that slave quickly, because no man can step into this desert without our chief's permission.
And that slave... we will not spare him!
Third voice – We will do everything to find both young boys and the slave.
First voice – That would be best for all of you!
After that, the men who were talking leave the place.
Junaid (exhaling) – I think those men have gone.
Hussain (calmly) – Ali, peek outside the tunnel a little and check if they've really left or not?
Ali (carefully) – I'll check now!
Ali first pressed his ear, then held his breath, and when he heard nothing, he slowly peeked outside. There was no one outside.
Ali (in a soft tone) – Let's go outside the tunnel, all those men have left.
"As soon as the three of them stepped out of the tunnel, there was relief on their faces, but still a glimpse of fear in their eyes."
Coming out of the tunnel, Ali asks Hussain —
Ali (seriously) – Hussain, who were those men? They seemed very dangerous. And why were they looking for both of us and you?
Hussain (in a serious tone) – These men are companions of that dangerous man who considers himself the Sultan of this desert.
And that dangerous man is also after the special sword Al-Amaanah, just like Ameer Taahir!
Junaid (shocked) – Then this is very bad news for us! Because that dangerous Ameer Taahir is already after this special sword!
Ali (becoming serious) – Indeed, this is not good news for us.
But tell me one thing, Hussain — what is the name of that dangerous man of the desert and what does he look like?
Hussain (softly) – The name of that dangerous man is Salar Shah.
He is short in height but strong.
So furious that whenever someone looks into his eyes, they always appear red. And the way he walks is frightening in itself.
Junaid (softly repeating) – Okay, so the dangerous man's name is Salar Shah!
Ali (thinking) – Now that such a big danger is upon us, is it even safe for us to stay here?
Hussain (with confidence) – I think Salar Shah's men won't come here again.
Junaid (asking Ali) – What do you think, Ali?
Ali (softly) – I also feel Hussain is right. Let's spend the night here. Anyway, this is the only water pond in this desert that can fulfill our needs.
After this, darkness begins to fall. The sun had completely set, and the moon had risen.
The night's cold began to show its magic.
Junaid (looking at the moon) – Ali, I never thought that one day we would see the moon in the desert too!
Ali (laughing) – True, I saw the pairing of the moon and desert for the first time today,
but now the cold is increasing, take out the warm blankets from our sack that Uncle Sheikh Hamza had given us.
Junaid (opening the sack) – We have only two warm blankets and we are three people. We are short of one blanket!
Hussain (smiling) – Don't worry, I have my own blanket. I grabbed one while escaping from Salar Shah's hideout.
Ali (joyfully) – That's great, now there's no problem!
Junaid (joking) – There's still one problem…?
Ali (surprised) – What?
Junaid (laughing) – What about dinner? I'm starving!
Ali (smiling a little) – Yes, I'm hungry too. But we have nothing to eat.
Hussain (excitedly) – I have something!
Junaid (eagerly) – Something to eat… what is it?
Ali (jokingly) – Control your curiosity a bit, Junaid! You tell us Hussain, what do you have to eat?
Hussain (a bit proudly) – I have some juicy fruits which I managed to save while escaping.
Seems like they will finally be useful, we can eat them tonight and in the morning!
Junaid (happily) – Fruits? No problem, fruits will do for tonight!
Ali (laughing) – Junaid, you'll never change!
Junaid (smiling) – I never want to change when it comes to food.
Hey Hussain! Bring the fruits quickly, man!
Hussain (laughing) – Looks like Ali, Junaid is a big food lover!
Ali (jokingly) – He really is!
Hussain takes out the fruits from his bundle and handing them to Junaid, says –
Hussain – Junaid and Ali! Sit down and here, eat these fruits and sleep peacefully.
After that, Ali, Junaid, and Hussain sit and eat the fruits.
Junaid (happily) – Eating juicy fruits in this hot desert is such a treat!
Ali (satisfied) – Truly a treat… if a hungry person gets food, it's a blessing… and thank you for these fruits, Hussain!
Hussain (burping) – It's okay Ali, one doesn't need to be thanked for food and drink.
Junaid (yawning) – Now I'll get a good sleep, I'm going to sleep.
Ali – I'm going to sleep too!
Hussain (laughing) – What will I do here, play with mosquitoes? I'll sleep too!
Junaid – Who's stopping you, come on let's sleep.
The three of them lay their tired bodies on the sand and took a deep breath as they covered themselves with blankets.
There was a blanket of stars in the sky, and on the ground, three unknown travelers — whose journey was still incomplete.
With tired faces under the blankets, the three of them slept on that cold sand...
"Just as their eyes became heavy, a caravan hidden in the shadows of the sand was silently watching them –
like a predator holding its breath before pouncing on its prey…"
One man from the caravan says –
First voice – Sleeping sweetly, aren't you dear children, often in sleep come the most terrifying nightmares.
Second voice – Come on, let's show them their place!
Now that caravan, with quick steps, starts moving toward Ali, Junaid, and Hussain.
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:- Lost in the lap of sleep, these three don't know that the knock of their biggest test is very near...
Will they wake up in time?"
Find out in Chapter 32...
Their Next Move!
To be Continued...