AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

Sacrifice - Evening

"So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay."

Robert Frost

The sound of approaching hoofs surprises RJ. He lets the reins loose as the horse slows down. Someone was headed in their direction, at great speed.

What could be wrong, he thinks to himself. Kasoof Al- Shams had started. And that meant RJ's tribe was at its weakest like their God. They drew their strength from him and so during this time, every one of his followers would stay in the safety of their houses. They did not engage in fight and considered it to be a bad omen to be out in the open. Once dawn would break, they would finally come out, pray to Him and resume their lives.

That's why lines appeared on his forehead as he came near him.

'Al- Haytham! Al-Haytham', the figure shouted. RJ moves his horse forward and jumps to the ground, only to find out that it was Umar, one of the members of his Baba's court. Umar was only older than him by a couple of months and considered RJ as his younger brother.

'Salam, Ya Akhi', he calls out. But Umar doesn't reply back or dismount from his horse.. His face was filled with worry.

'Everything is in chaos, Al-Haytham'

'What do you mean?'

'Banu Saqib has gone to war'. All blood drains from RJ's face as Meng puts a hand to her mouth to stop herself from shrieking.

'Why.. How?', RJ was at a loss for words. Was this what he had been dreading all morning? A war at this time? He looks up above in despair. The sky was no longer yellow. It had started to darken. What was happening?

'There's no time to stop and explain. You are needed back there', Umar tries to bring RJ to reality. Realizing that he was right, he quickly gets on his horse and together they rush through the valley at lightning speed.

' Banu Nasir and Banu Asad have already fallen. They are the ones who are closest to Banu Saqib. They were completely caught by surprise', Umar fills him on the details as they ride back home. 'Some of the people were able to escape and that's how we learned.'

'What does Baba say about this?', he inquired.

' Ameer Al Umara hasn't returned yet from his visit to Banu Sagheer. But don't worry', he says as RJ's look at him in shock, 'He's on his way. The court asked me to look for you at once. As I was about to leave, they were busy deciding what to do in the meanwhile when word came in that they had overpowered Banu Hashim as well.'

'They are attacking all the..', and Umar nods his head, confirming his fear. Banu Saqib was one by one striking down all the worshippers of the Shams, the ones who were powerless at this time. He clutched on his reins tighter as the realization hits him.

'But isn't attack on each other during these times haram? Didn't all the tribes agree to it?', Meng asks RJ. She knew his people were in deep trouble.

'Yes, Ameerah', Umar answers her instead, 'But Banu Saqib has yet to sign the treaty.' And her heart sinks. Just this morning she was praising RJ's father for delaying their meeting to Banu Saqib as an impressive defensive technique. The plan only backfired on them.

'What are you going to do now, RJ?', she asks in a small voice.

'I don't know Meng.. I really don't', and just by his tone, she knew even Al- Haytham didn't know what to do.

They had finally reached Banu Qavi and both Umar and RJ quickly dismount from their horses and rush towards Ameer Al Umara's tent.

The sky had now turned almost black, yet the fear of dying was far greater. People had gathered around the tent, clutching on to each other with frightened faces, crying out for help. As soon as they saw RJ, they hurried towards them stumbling over each other in the process.