Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 1: The Rebel

(1)

Fifty horsemen descended from the foot of the mountain while passing through the dense forest and stopped in front of a broken bridge by the river where the forest was even thicker. Running along the wild trees were grapevines, trees of apples, pomegranates and various types of fruit-bearing trees, a witness to the fact that that this forest was once an orchard. Across the river, on the both sides of a broken-down road, were tall trees whose branches intertwined to form a roof. Long, lush green grass that grew out from the sides, embraced the stony road that showed that the feet that once trampled them, now seldom treaded this path.

The river was not that deep and could have easily been crossed by the cavalry. Leaving the road, they could have easily crossed over by maneuvering a few steps up or down. But being cautious the two horsemen leading the group turned around on reaching close to the bridge and gestured to stop. The cavalry was equipped with the best weapons and accessories. One of the leaders of the cavalry sported a white robe and turban that covered his entire face except the eyes. His companion, like the rest of the cavalry, wore an armor and aventail. However, his beautiful brown horse, sword-hilt decorated with jewels, shining armor and aventail created a unique grandeur.

The duo, who apparently were the leaders of the squad, stood by the bridge for a while and stared at each other.

Finally, the white-turbaned rider said, "I repeatedly get the thought...what if he rejects our proposal?"

The brown-horse rider replied: "Then he leaves us no option but to take him as a rebel and treat him like one."

"No! He has gained his independence from our enemies. If he undertakes the responsibility of guarding this border only, even then we will respect his independence."

"And what if he refuses this proposal too?"

"Even then I will not oppose him. However, I will most certainly be disappointed for not being able to induct such a vital asset into the Granada army."

Before the brown-horse rider could reply, a deer appeared on the other side of the bridge. The rider took out an arrow from his quiver but as he raised his bow, an arrow swooshed from the trees, piercing itself into a wooden plank, hanging by a tree near the bridge.

The deer jumped and disappeared into the forest. The entire cavalry was horror-struck by that unexpected arrow. The brown-horse rider looked towards the wooden plank and noticed a few murky words on it beside the arrow. He said to his white-turbaned companion, "I think there is something written on it."

Both riders dismounted their horses and approached the plank by the tree. There was an endorsement written on it:

"On this side of the river the kingdom belongs to the Frontier Falcon."

"These pastures are dedicated for the horses of the mujahideen. The right to the fruits and animals belongs to only those who have committed themselves to wrangle Andalus out of the claws of foreigners. Only those people from Granada can enter this land who wish to join the ranks of the mujahideen."

"Those who are content with being enslaved by the enemies of Islam; those who have accepted to be the subjects of the Christians, should not dare to step in this land. We reply a sword with a sword."

After reading this warning, the white-turbaned rider looked at his armor-clad companion and said, "Like the people of Costa, he also has the right to view the people of Granada with suspicion. However, I would like to meet him at any cost."

His armor-clad companion replied, "He lives eight miles away from here in an old castle. But we cannot reach there without him being convinced of our good intentions. This dense forest is infested with archers. Let me raise a white flag. Maybe one of his men might appear which would give us a chance to convey our message."