Shahrzad's Journey (The Wrath And The Dawn)

Chapter 1

I begrudgingly trailed behind Tariq with Rahim following closely behind me, ready to stop me if I ever tried to run away.

As if I could even do that. I don't even know where are we now. All I can see is a sea of golden sand.

When we arrived at the hill that Tariq claimed where my father stood, he is nowhere to be found.

The thunderstorm was still going on when we arrived at our destination, but at least the terrifying lightning has already stopped for a while.

"Now what?" I'd asked Tariq when we saw nothing but a patch of burnt grass - I assume was where my father stood and casted this spell or as Tariq would like to put it a "distraction", but of course there is no prove that he was the cause of that patch of burnt grass.

"Do you honestly think I'm lying? Look at that! That patch of burnt glass over there must be what your father left behind. Meaning, he was here!" exclaimed Tariq.

"I never said that you were lying! I just-"

"Yeah right! You should've seen your face because it sure as hell looked like you were accusing me of lying." retorted Tariq before I could finish.

"I was not! Fine, since you know everything so well, why don't you tell me where is baba right now? I need to speak to him. He has to stop this. All of you need to stop this... whatever this is that you're planning!" I huffed, face flushed from all the frustration.

"Stop this?" Tariq scoffed. "No way in hell are we stopping this! Have you got any idea how much time and effort I've spent planning on saving you from that monster's den and ending this once and for all?"

"Saving me? I never asked to be saved! Tariq Imran al-Ziyad, I command you to stop this madness right now! You do not understand anything!"

"Oh I'm sorry, my lady but I'm afraid I cannot and neither could you. Even your sayyidi cannot do anything about it because it's too late. A troop-" he caught himself before he could finish his sentence.

"A what?"

"Nothing. Forget I said anything."

A troop? Did he really send a group of soldiers to Rey? Specifically to attack Khalid? No, that can't be it. God, I hope not!

"No, tell me right now! What exactly are you planning?" I pressed.

Tariq shook his head firmly.

"I see how it is. Fine. You go your way and I'll go mine." I turned to leave but Rahim caught my arm before I could even walk a step.

"Shazi... Please don't make this more difficult than it already is."

"No, let go of me!"

His grip simply got tighter.

"No, you will follow us. I might have an idea where Jahandar-effendi might be."

We have been travelling for God knows how long now and the horses are starting to get cranky. I stroked the horse I 'borrowed'.

I need to get away from them. Something is going on and I need to get to Khalid as soon as possible. But how?

"Maybe we should take a break, the horses are getting tired." I suggested, hoping that I can momentarily stop the ever growing distance between where I need to be and where I am now, as silly as it sounds.

"Alright, but if we want to make it there on time, we need to get moving again soon." said Tariq.

"Where exactly is this place you're taking me to? How long left until we get there?" I asked.

"We should reach there by tomorrow noon, if all goes according to plan." replied Rahim.

He never told me where are we heading to.

"Are we travelling all night?" I asked, incredulous.

"Of course not! We will be stopping for the night at a sheikh camp. That's why we need to get moving as quickly as possible if we want to reach there before night falls." said Tariq.

That should do it. I need to make my escape tonight no matter what.

"Good." I replied with a smile.