Sa'eed - The Warrior

Preparations

It had been a long time since I had donned my father's tunic. Wearing it gave me a sense of power and adventure. I had borrowed a spare horse from Hammad Chachu. It wasn't good enough for me but I had to make do with it till I joined the battle. I was sure Shehenshah could arrange a nice Arabian horse for me. I swiftly rode to the edge of the capital where the wilderness started. My reports told me I would be able to find Khan Baba here.

I rode through the wilderness with no sense of direction giving my stead the authority to take me where he willed. O Allah! Please let me find Khan Baba soon, I prayed. I didn't have much time on my hands and the first rays of the day were already appearing in the sky. The plain was vast and dry, dotted with thorny bushes. Water was scarce around here and the heat severe. How a living creature could manage to survive in such harsh conditions was beyond me.

I came across a beaten path which was usually used by the caravans. I decided to walk along that path hoping I would come across someone who would guide me. I was getting impatient. Time was running out. I kicked the horse to increase it's speed. After about what I am sure is an hour I pull the horse to a stop, scanning the horizons. A little to the north is a hill. A solitary structure in the vast plain. The misery that had filled my heart last night slowly starts to seep back.

Out of desperation I screamed, "Khan Baba! Where are you?" I sounded extremely foolish shouting out in open air. My sanity was clinging to straws.

I circled the circumference of 2 metres, getting more and more impatient each time. Finally I stopped at the foot of the hill for some rest. I gave up and decided to head back.

"Assalamualaikum Saeed"

I jumped out of my skin. Sitting calmly on a flat stone of the hill is the man I am looking for. I easily saw why people confused him for a genie. He looked like he had stepped right out of a lamp. Bright eyes twinkled beneath the thick brows. His snowy white beard flowed to the ground. Though his hair exposed his age, his built told a different story. His muscles were firm and he sat straight. I should have been happy seeing I had finally found what I was looking for but anger overtook my happiness. I had been sweating myself in this godforsaken place for Allah knows how long and here he appears out of no where, calm and cool. I was sure I could see a ghost of a smile on his face mocking my desperation.

"Walaikumassalam Khan Baba. A fine way to appear I must say. No wonder people take you to be a genie".

I got off my stead and tied him, making my way up to the old man.

"Sometimes I forget I am a human myself, having fashioned a unique way of living. What brings you here young lady?"

"A man who knows my name surely knows why I am here"

"I have no intention of returning". He point blankly refuses my request even before I have voiced it.

"Then you will have to change your intention", I command.

"Saeed, do you really think I saw you just now? I have been watching your progress for the past hour. I did not respond only because I have no wish to return to the kingdom. Had I not taken pity on your desperation I would have let you go back empty handed".

This just made me angrier. I had been scouring around like a mad woman and this man had been watching my efforts all the time without responding.

"And why do you not wish to return, if I may ask?"

"Because.... last time I had become too attached to my service, my king and my friends. And what did I get in return? Pain and more pain. I have no wish to undergo that once more"

I shook my head in contempt. "Pity I had to hear such foolish words from a man so wise. I was under the impression white hair expressed wisdom. Little did I know men so experienced expected life to be a bed of roses. You are trying to make this world a heaven for yourself. How very kiddish".