A Desert Rose (editing)

~ E P I L O G U E ~

Until Death

It was a promise until death, quite like an unbreakable vow, yet not to be spoken out loud.
They had loved, imagining that it would last for a lifetime.
Finding peace in their affection when their fate was only twisted.

Until death was no longer until death.
Unless of course, life began when they were together, and ended when they fell apart.

I travel with the wounds of my beloved, witness me bleed out in his name.

Her feet burned against the scorching sand, each step only a second long as she continued to run through the desert dunes.

The sun was searing, blinding her way forward. Her eyes bore deception as only a single figure guided the way.

She reached out, watching him disappear as her hand fell to thin air. 
So close yet too far. Dragging her forward as it beckoned her with a name.
She heard it, her name from his tongue. A saving grace as she collapsed.

What had she done?
Betraying her love.

And what price would be paid for this crime.
Perhaps his life, or perhaps hers.

She was trapped.
Begging for an escape.
Moving her mouth only for a prayer.

"My lord, help me," she pleaded.

It was the gathering place for lost souls, and her plea would seem unheard if not for the unwavering faith in her heart.

She was heard. She would not be abandoned.
But where would she find Usman now?

---

He felt his sword, holding tightly to his horse as the enemy forces confronted them. They had been compromised.

They could not lose.
Yet what would come from victory?

And what was his crime? Treason or love.

Either way, he had been sentenced to death.

Usman raised his sword, shouting a battle cry as he called his loyal warriors forward.

They answered, roaring with ferocity as they heaved their horses ahead.

They were warriors, and they would die with honour.

Hassan was beside him, nodding in understanding as they raced.
It would be the last.

Just like the old days, Usman thought.

The breeze fought against him, the sound of clashing weapons filled his ears. He struck, his sword becoming him as the flesh of his enemy was torn.

He raised his sword again, forcing morale from an abandoned army.

It was deliberate.
The sultan had made his verdict, and this was the price of his love.

He looked around as his men fell, overcome from the size of their opposition.

Had it been equal, they would not have stood a chance.

Usman jumped off his horse, joining his brothers as they fought.

"Go Hassan! Return to your family!" He shouted, his back against his friends'.

"You ask me to abandon you?" Hassan shook his head. Usman struck his sword against a soldier, colliding with him before stabbing the weapon into his chest.

He used the small victory to turn around in anguish.

"It's my head the sultan wants. You must leave and save your family."

Hassan refused, striking a man to the ground.

Usman dropped his weapon, forcing his hands on Hassan's shoulders.

"I entrust her to you." Hassan froze.

"Sheikh.."

"The sultan will kill her. Save her." His eyes held a plea. A promise of brotherhood which could not be broken.

Hassan held the tears in his eyes as he dropped his own weapon in defeat.
"GO!" Usman pushed, turning to not see his escape.

He looked to the sky, an image of silence.

Closing his eyes, the warrior accepted his fate.

Forgive me Laila.