Sa'eed - The Warrior

Plotting

Shehzada looks at me stunned.

"You are Abu Fazal's daughter?"

I nod unable to talk.

"Makes sense in every way. Explains where your bravery and pluck comes from. Both of us have lost our fathers to a common enemy Saeed. That makes our bond stronger. Abu Fazal laid the ground plan, Hammad Khan worked on it and Abu Fazal's daughter put it to action. I won't be surprised if Mahmood Hassan and Khan Baba have a role to play as well".

"As of now we cannot say anything for we ourselves are unaware of their present condition", says Hammad Chachu.

"Saeed, when I see the attachment you had with your father it makes me wish I had the same as well. Unfortunately my father never loved me as yours did"

"Shehzada, you are wrong to think your father ignored you. He was forced to ignore you", says Hammad Chachu.

"How can you say that?", asks Shehzada surprised.

"Because I have seen how much he loved you. He was a doting father. Mir Jafar created distances between you and him so that you are neglected and undertrained", says Hammad Chachu.

"My father loved me?", Shehzada asks again in a cracked voice.

"Yes he did", confirms Hammad Chachu. "Mir Jafar spread his well planned schemes, placing spies everywhere and taking control. Once he had the reigns in his hand he started mixing poison in Shehenshah's food. The exact same poison he was mixing in yours. The Shahi Hakeem is a proof for it. Any other questions?"

"What do we do next?", asks Shehzada.

"We have found a hideout in the Shahi jungle which has tunnel. This tunnel leads to Mir Jafar's administrative office. It is through this tunnel he plans to escape should the need arise. I, Hakeem Hamid and Saeed explored it yesterday", says Hammad Chachu.

We explain Shehzada in detail regarding yesterday nights venture.

"And on his table was a rough draft that he was preparing for the crowning ceremony. He is planning to give you and Mir Faseeh three tests. And the one who wins will be crowned the Shehenshah", I say.

"Obviously it is not going to be a fair game. Mir Faseeh will be prepared for it while you will be caught unaware. I have a plan to avoid this. Leave it to me", says Hammad Chachu. We do not question him further on the topic.

"Hakeem Hamid has developed pigeon post and is in frequent touch with Hakeem Afsar Sadiq of Waraqi Sultanath. They have a shortage of coal and oil in their kingdom. He has also requested you to allow traders to enter our kingdom more frequently", says Hammad Chachu.

"It is also my request Shehzada that you assign an income to the widows from royal treasury", I say.

"Point considered Saeed", he says.

"I have something to tell you all. Its about Mir Saleem. He is as tired of his father as we are and will do anything to help us for even he hates injustice", I say.

"Good. We need to have a meeting with him then and gather more info on Mir Jafar. He can make our work a lot easier. But when did you meet him?", asks Hammad Chachu.

"When I went to check on Meher. He warns her whenever Mir Jafar decides to visit her unexpectedly. So that she can prepare herself to meet him. And he is very polite whenever Mir Jafar puts him on tax collecting duty. He is a noble soul.... According to Saira", I mutter the last bit under my breath.

"What did you say?", asks Shehzada suspiciously.

"Doesn't matter", I say innocently.

"I think I heard Saira", says Hammad Chachu teaming up with Shehzada. Both of them look at me with narrowed eyes.