𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧

۵

☾ F I V E⭒

Cyra's heart was frantic as she lay next to her kids, her mind wondering to all sorts of endings and consequences. It was almost one in the morn, and she had yet to hear of her husband's whereabouts.

It was unusual for the king to order anyone of his subjects to attend the castle this late. So why was Mirza urgently called to his highness. Surely something must have happened and he sought Mirza's advice.

It was the next morning and there was still no sign of Mirza. Barakah woke up feeling weird. She had a sudden feeling in her that something would happen. Despite only being four summers old, her maturity was that of double her age.

She climbed out of the mattress and walked towards the window. Her small height restricting her from seeing any further than the large palm trees outside.

She looked around until her gaze fell upon a foot stool. It was light, so she had no problem carrying it to the window. With a small grunt, she lifted herself up on the stool and assessed the sight before her.

The kings guards stood at the end of each street, with their spears in their arms, under the onslaught of the sun. Barakah looked on at their emotionless faces and wondered whether they were made of steel or flesh. Nonetheless, she spotted sweat glistening down their face and into their necks. That was all she needed to confirm her childlike suspicions. They were indeed human.

Her little mind there and then decided to provide them with something to quench their thirst, so without another second to lose, she wondered to the big barrel of water and opened the tap. Once the big glass was full, she opened the door gently, glancing back at her mother fast asleep. Her face was contorted into a determined grimace, hoping she was able to help the guards before her mother could scold her.

"Barakah, what are you doing" Shahzad announced lowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Due to the cluttering and faint noises emitting from Barakah he woke up, a bad habit was once he woke up from slumber, it was an impossible task to fall back asleep. The little one gestured towards the door, only further dousing her brother in confusion. Did she wish to be let out, perhaps?

"Brother Shahzad, let's go give guards some water. They must be thirsty under sun" her meek voice announced fearing being rejected. How could Shahzad resist such a cute face. And the way her round eyes looked up at him with hope, like a kitten being saved, how could he resist?

At first, he was hesitant, not knowing if any danger lay outside without the protection of his mother or father. But the good in his heart told him to agree. He grinned a big grin easing his sister's worry as she smiled back.

"Okay" he nodded, yawning. "wait here whilst I go wash my face".

Barakah waited patiently next to the door, occasionally looking up at the handle. She heard rustling from the room, seeing her mother twist in her sleep, now turning her back to Barakah.

"Brother Shahzad" Barakah whisper yelled, her gaze still on her mother.

"Sabr" he called back lowly from somewhere in one of the many rooms.

[Patience]

A short time lapsed before he made an appearance. He too, just like his sister, filled up a big glass and opened the door. With both him and Barakah outside, away from their mother's reach did he gently shut it behind him.

The three guards although alert of the kids, didn't bother to look at them. They had a duty to commit to, and that they would do with full responsibility. Barakah went to the one who was standing a few feet away from their house.