Circa 1275
The man who defeated the mighty king David of Makuria sat in the banquet hall, beside him the Muslim ruler they had installed. Although no one was paying attention to him, the Mamluk sultan of Egypt and Syria commanded the people's attention. The conqueror stood tall and had a swarthy complexion, but his eyes were his most arresting feature, a piercing blue color and one which had a white spot. He had defeated the Mongols in many campaigns as well as the crusaders. This man had done what the Rashidun caliphate failed to do five hundred years ago, after having five thousand men perish at the hands of the elite Nubian archers. He had planted the seed of a new faith in the land, one that would remain for centuries after. Yet it was a native tribe, a southern Nubian people, that would later come and successfully change the faith and culture of the historically Christian people, to a Muslim one, the Funj.
Early 1500s
The hot sun shone on the Funj sultanate, the successors of the Makurians had established their dominance in the area. Exercising strict border control to eliminate any possible threat of invasion from neighbouring kingdoms had been successful. Yet, the sultan's daughter yearned to see beyond the borders, all she was told when inquiring about the outside world was how dangerous it was for her.
"Baba?"
"Yes Amani?" He said playing with her hair as she sat in his lap.
"Why don't we visit other kingdoms and see how they live?" The child asked.
"Because that would mean leaving our people behind to danger."
"What danger?"
"You're too young to burden yourself with such worries." He said wistfully. The child continued staring at him and he sighed.
" Let's just say, the outside world doesn't always wish the best for us. Your mother wants you to enjoy your childhood, I will teach you everything I know when the time comes."
"Promise?" She held out her little finger.
"Of course Amani, you are my blood, I must protect all my children and your mother. I live for you." He let her curl his little finger in a sacred oath, a symbol of promise for the child.
YOU ARE READING
Sandstorms (On Hold)
Historical FictionAfter a life-threatening situation forces Amani out of her homeland, she must come to learn the ways of the royal Mamluk court. With her people at the brink of war with the powerful Arab empire, she must fight annexation and political turmoil. Howev...
