AMACon 3: Oikos - Children

Sacrifice - Midnight

"The night has a thousand eyes

And the day but one

Yet the light of the bright world dies

with the dying sun."

― Francis William Bourdillon

When RJ kneels down in front of him, offering his sword, head bowed down, Ameer Zakwan knew what success tasted like.

He steps down from his horse and with a victorious smile on his face, he kicks RJ on his shins brutally. But RJ doesn't move an inch, not giving any sign that it had hurt him.

'The Great Al- Haytham has finally fallen', as cheers break out from all sides of the camp while Zakwan laughs out loud.

When the celebration had finally died down, without looking up at him, RJ begins.

'Banu Qavi has surrendered and accepts Ameer Zakwan of Banu Saqib as the Ameer Al-Umara. We hope that he will keep his end of the bargain'

'Oh.. I meant to keep it alright', RJ breathes a sigh of relief, 'But there is a catch'. Celebrated too soon.

'You will not be able to see it.'

RJ begins to sweat profoundly.

'What do you mean by that Ameer Al Umara?'

Zakwan grins at the title, 'Ra'id Jaber Bin Ahmed, you were the only one who refused to proclaim me as your leader instantly. Instead you convinced your tribe to fight against me, going as far as disrespecting your own God', he pauses to give him another kick, 'Even as you kneel in front of me, I know that you were forced to take this step by your tribe. If you could have it your own way, you would have already attacked me with this very sword.'

'Your crimes are too serious and pardoning you will only mean that you would continue to think of ways to stop me',

RJ tries to hold back his tongue. Of course, he would do that. He wouldn't let Zakwan take control so easily. His tribe might have decided to go down the wrong road, but it didn't mean that they couldn't change paths.

'And so I, Ameer Al Umara Sheikh Zakwan Bin Hamza hereby declare you guilty. At the first ray of Shams tonight, you will be stoned to death as a punishment as well as a living reminder of what happens if someone goes against Ameer Al Umara'

A heart wrenching shriek comes from somewhere and suddenly he finds Meng's feet in front of his eyes.

'You cannot do that, Ameer... Please spare him', she begs Zakwan between tears.

'I knew you would come to his rescue', he could feel Zakwan smirking while uttering these very words. His heart began to race.

'You already forced me to go break the treaty and support you.. Just to save my tribe... Please stop this... I assure you.. He will obey your commands', Meng pleads to him.

'Ameerah, if you wish to save his life, then hand over the leadership of Banu Badir to your A'mm Ma'kar'

And with that declaration, RJ raises his head in shock. He knew Zakwan was cruel but this just showed him more savage than any animal.

'What.. do you..', Meng stutters as she is faced with a difficult situation. Ma'kar must have put Zakwan up to it, RJ thinks to himself. He knew both of them were close.

'So what will it be then, Ameerah? Will you choose friendship over leadership ?', Zakwan mocks her.

He could feel Meng's eyes on her, trying to ask him for help. But RJ kept on staring ahead. She was alone in this.

'I... I...'

'You have no other choice Ameerah.. Choose either of them', Ma'kar tells his niece, clearly enjoying the situation. Even if she chooses to keep the position, she would have to live with regret for the rest of her life. And it would only become easier for him to manipulate her.

RJ feels Meng stand up and put her hands on her face. Without a single word, she quietly walks away from him and stands beside Ma'kar, head hanging low.

'It seems Ameerah has made her decision', Zakwan looks at him gloatingly.