13th century- The Middle East.
In the heart of the Arabian desert, Princess Laila of Al-Shujae tribe faces an impossible choice to save her people from an ongoing siege. To secure peace, Laila agrees to marry the fearsome commander of Al-Muharibun...
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Chapter 8
Respect- احترام
Since when did the one you hate become the one you missed? Perhaps the yearning would become unbearable, That you would risk death just to stay longer in her company.
But fighting against yourself takes the greatest of efforts.
The desert was a relentless place, only the moon and stars bore enough light for them to move forward in the darkness.
Laila heard Hafsa's breathing quicken as the sound of a howl suddenly caught their attention.
"Did you hear that?" Hafsa asked, half hoping it was just the wind. Laila tried to control her own fear, wanting to calm her friend.
The howl sounded again.
"What do we do?" Hafsa asked, her heart racing. Laila was silent before sighing in hopelessness.
"Pray," she encouraged, taking slow steps forward.
Hafsa clutched at her clothes, shivering.
"Wait, I see something," she pointed towards a figure of rocks. Laila turned, thanking the moonlight which shone down on a small cave.
"Shelter," they gasped, sprinting towards it.
"What if there is something in there?" Hafsa abruptly stopped.
"We only need somewhere to rest until daylight. Someone will find us soon, don't worry." Laila comforted despite her own mind holding doubts.
The cave was empty, big enough to hold them both whilst being small enough to stay hidden. Laila sat near the edge of the entrance, snuggling into Hafsa before allowing herself to finally rest.
-
The sound of a racing horse, the heat of a burning sun. I was found lost, waiting for you to return.
"Laila,"
Her name.
"Laila, wake up." The voice called again.
Her body was shaken, forcing it to awaken.
"Someone's here," Hafsa whispered, cowering behind the cover of the cave. Laila immediately sat up. She stood, tip-toeing towards the barrier between cave and sand.
It was quiet before she noticed a large figure frantically searching around.
There was no hesitation as Laila exited the shelter, weakening under the relentlessness of the heat.
He had found her.
Exhaustion overcame her before he finally noticed the fallen figure. His legs sinking into the sand whilst pushing himself to her height on the desert floor.
