Sa'eed - The Warrior

Shehenshah's death

I wake up before sunrise, take a bath in the dark by the well in our backyard. Dayima's husband had constructed a temporary cover with dried coconut leaves which acted as a makeshift hammam. I had never used the common hammam in the city. The idea of stripping to a bare minimum even if it was in front of women didn't quite agree with me. I was too modest by nature. I avoided people as much as I could and made myself scarce in gatherings. Not only because I am not a society bird but also because I needed all the privacy I could get to do what I was training for these 6 years.

I offer my Fajr salah and quickly prepare breakfast which consisted of dried bread and thin soup. I help Maa clean herself and put on fresh clothes. I feed her and place water and other necessities near her. Making sure she is comfortable and will not need anything till afternoon I bid her goodbye.

"Take care of yourself", she says.

She constantly worries for me. "Maa, I am going to be with Chachu. I will be safe."

"Where there is a sword there is prone to be violence". She did not like me using weapons not because she hated armory but because she was afraid. Afraid that I may come to harm. Afraid that I may leave her behind like how Abbuji had.

"I will be really careful", I assure her. 

Praying to Allah to grant her health soon, I make the 5 km journey by walk to the forest where I train everyday. I walk into the enclosure deep in the forest which is known only to animals as humans rarely venture this far. I remove my outer gown to reveal a man's tunic that used to be my father's. It's easier to use swords and give kicks with the gown off. I keep on my mask though.

My trainer is Hammad Khan, my father's closest friend. I lovingly called him Chachu. He gave up his job as an army officer right after my father's death. He knew if he stayed back it wouldn't be long before he would be murdered. Just like my father. He couldn't stay back and fight against the fast spreading schemes of Mir Jafar alone as the faithful ones had all died under very suspicious circumstances and the unfaithful and weak ones had either been bribed or had been threatened to silence. Chachu needed a plan, he needed support. So he decided to act on the next best option. Kill Mir Jafar's strength slowly and cleverly. Not from within but from outside the palace walls. Exactly like how my father had wanted it done.

This is where I came in. It all rested in my hands to restore what was lost. I pull out the swords hidden in the hollow and go over my daily routine. I realise Chachu is late. I continue to train myself as soft morning rays start appearing in the sky. His absence worries me now. It's unusual for him to be this late. I sit on the twisted roots of a tree and wonder if I should go looking for him. The sky looks quite bright now. I become nervous with anticipation. Just when I am about to give up and start looking for him he bursts into the enclosure out of breath.

As soon as I see his face I know something's up. I run by his side and let him catch his breath. Once he has calmed down I face him with a hardened expression bracing myself for the news.

"Shehenshah is dead", he announces.

It takes a full minute for me to completely understand the magnitude of the situation. His death did not grieve me but it meant Mir Jafar had an open and easy path to take over now.

"It was a murder, wasn't it?" I ask.

"Not until proven", he says with a sigh.

I knew even he felt the same. It was a murder like others before this. But just like every other case there wasn't any conclusive evidence to trap Mir Jafar.

Fury starts boiling within me and my resolve gets stronger. If anything had to be done it was to be done now. I sit beside him.

"I have learnt everything you had to teach me. I know hand to hand combat, sword fighting and archery. I can ride a horse better than any other warrior. I know how the kingdom runs, the details of politics, I have learnt the layout of the palace and names and details of every official. It's time I began to do what I have been training to do. There's no saying what Mir Jafar might do next."

He remains quiet. The death of Shehenshah had shaken him. After all he had spent 27 years in his service and was very loyal to his master. I didn't feel the pain he was feeling, I had seen the king as nothing but a puppet in Mir Jafar's hand and had no emotional attachment to him.

"I can't believe he is dead. I can't believe he still hadn't realised that Mir Jafar was playing with his mind. I can't believe he died without knowing the truth. He took his last breaths thinking the man who he thought would give his life for him was actually the one who took his life."

"That is why I need to be there Chachu, we need to protect the Shehzada Sher Shah and make sure he rightfully becomes the next king. It's time we started gathering evidences and trapping Mir Jafar".

He looks at me with desperate eyes, "I knew this is where it would begin one day. I tried to delay it as much as I could for I hate to see you risking your life. But this is your destiny child. Remember everything I have ever taught you. Make your father proud. May Allah bless you with success".

He places his hand on my head as a blessing. The gesture gives me hope courage and strength.