Golden Jasmine: The Ameer's concubine.

21. In the midst of the darkness.

I testify that there is no God but Allah and prophet Muhammad is his messenger!!!

A brothel was found in the capital of the Qanasiyya empire and it stirred up commotion in the palace. It was a good thing that it wasn't known to the masses or it would have been worse. The Sultan had sent out a hunting team after the clients that escaped after the Amirs broke into the brothel but it's been six days but none had been caught. Three clients were caught though and are locked up in the royal prison, awaiting trial. One was from Syria, another from Egypt, and the last was from a state in the Qanasiyya empire. The other two were found to be traders while the other was an official of the state. Tight security was put around the capital's gate and the prisons.

Tomorrow was the trial and the night was dark, waiting for the next day. The royal prison was erected in the southern part of the palace and it led to to the underground dungeons. At the moment, the soldiers stationed outside were changing patrol on those who went inside to check the prisoners. Five soldiers went in and two of them were walking to where the three prisoners from the brothel were kept.

"These men are top-ranked criminals. Committing adultery while their wives are waiting at home, that's just irritating. I wonder how the court will deal with them," One of them lamented to his partner.

"It's execution by stoning since there are witnesses and evidence against them. They are only kept alive this long because of the trial. It is said that someone powerful is the real culprit. Probably from the royal family," the other replied.

The first guard shook his head and sighed. "I wonder who amongst them will go against their family and do something so dirty. This case if not settled quickly, will affect the royal family more and their reputation,"

"Let's pray to Allah that the mystery is solved quickly,"

"In Sha Allah,"

The two were oblivious of another two soldiers that crept behind them. They nodded at each other and at the same time, used the hilt of their swords and smacked the heads of the innocent soldiers hardly.

"Ugh!" the two groaned in pain and collapsed on the ground.

"Let's make it fast," one of them said and rushed deeper into the cells. What they didn't realize was another soldier going after them closely.

The intruders appeared before the three cells and pulled out daggers from their robes. They threw it immediately at the two outsiders from Egypt and Syria, only for a long curved blade to intercept them. They turned around but the attacker didn't give them a breather and attacked furiously. The two knew they couldn't waste time so they gave their all but they couldn't take down one man despite being seasoned warriors themselves.

The man was pushing them back, even drawing out blood.
"Go kill Abu Wahed!" One of them said and threw himself before the opponent's blade. The man's eyes flashed and he glared at the soldier, who disregarded his life and attacked him. He slid back two steps and twirled to avoid the blade and while holding his in both hands, he plunged it into the enemy's neck. He quickly kicked him back and rushed to the other who had broken through the cell and was attacking Abu Waheed.

Luckily Abu Waheed knew some fighting skills, so he bid sometime but having met a warrior, he was badly injured. The man immediately flung his blade, which slit the enemy's neck.

He gasped and rushed to the bleeding Abu Waheed and used the hem of the clothes to stop the bleeding in the man's neck.

Several footsteps sounded and swords were drawn out.
"Who are you?" the head guard demanded, already angered by the scene outside. Their soldiers were killed outside the cell and this one was trying to save a criminal. The man was quiet, his grey eyes focusing on the task.

"Take him down!" the head guard ordered when they heard a thundering voice. "Stay back soldiers!" the soldiers turned around and quickly tipped their heads. "Amir Jaasir!"

Jaasir hummed and rushed to the man together with Faiz. Abu Waheed saw Jaasir and started coughing out blood.
"Hold on Abu Waheed. Tell me what you know or you will face Allah's wrath with more regret," Jaasir said gritting his teeth. This was their chance and they couldn't let it go.

"He...He is more powerful than...you think," Abu Waheed stuttered.

"I know that. Say something else," Jaasir urged him trying to stay calm despite the man almost losing his life.

"He...is not young...I...know...that...for sure...he...served...for...long," the man added and started shaking.

"Say the shahada!" the urged him pleadingly. No matter what several had committed in his life, if he asked for Allah's forgiveness, he would be forgiven, and dying with the shahada was the best.

"Come on," Jaasir whispered, his heart trembling.

"La...ila..ha...illal...Allah...Allah," Abu Waheed muttered and stopped moving. The place was quiet as they witnessed yet another death. Jaasir exhaled and rubbed this palm over Abu Waheed's face, closing his eyes. He stood up straight and turned to the soldiers. Faiz and the other man were behind him, so the head guard understood this was the Amir's man.

"Check those two, are they your men?" Jaasir instructed, pointing at the two dead bodies. The head guard quickly checked and furrowed his brows. "They are not," he said gravely.

Jaasir shook his head and said, "I suspected that someone would be sent to kill the suspects before the trial and sent one of my soldiers to watch over the cell and it has been proven right. Those other two are still in danger, so I hope that you will watch over them closely before the trial tomorrow. We all witnessed what happened now and what the dead Abu Waheed said but no words should go out yet. Keep quiet about this until tomorrow,"

"Na'am Amir!' they all affirmed and he ordered them to move the bodies. He came out of the prison and stared at the dark alley in silence. The words that Abu Waheed said were playing in his head and wallahi, gave him some relief. If it was someone old, then his brothers were out of the suspicion. It can only be the older powerful officials and they were the Sultan's vizier, Haleem. The prime minister Zahir. Of any other high-ranking official. It can be anyone and he hoped that they get a lead to anyone, so that the web would be loosened at least.

The night sunk into silence until a new day was welcomed. The palace wasn't quite as today was the trail of the brothel. The courtroom was filled with officials and the jury arrived too. Soldiers were lined around the courtroom and the whole palace, keeping security in check. The Sultan arrived and sat on his throne as he glanced quietly at his officials. Everyone was quiet with different thoughts and emotions within. The trial today will determine a lot of things. Who gets the upper hand? Only Allah knows.