Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 7: The Nation and its Warrior

(1)

The Frontier Falcon entered Granada with a thousand troops. News of his recent victory had spread to every city of the Sultanate. Aspiring for a long time, the people of Granada finally got a chance to see him. After a long time, they took out a procession for a victor. Moosa and a few senior officers of the Granada army, who received him a station before Granada on behalf of the King, also accompanied him. The King of Granada, Abul Hassan, his Crown Prince, Abu Abdullah Mohammed and the King's brother Abdullah Al-Zeghel stood on the tower of the palace's gate witnessing his grand procession. The enthusiasm of the people was a reminder of the past when the mujahedeen of Andalus would return after glorious victories in the north.

People were showering flowers from rooftops. Badr Bin Mughira was dressed in his usual white robe. But today he didn't have his face covered. He was flanked by Moosa on his right and Al-Zaghairi on his left. Another great warrior, Naeem Ridwan, held the reins of his horse and they all were led by a mujahid holding the Frontier Falcon's flag bearing a crescent.

Crushing the flowers beneath their feet, this procession stopped at the gate of the fort. Abul Hassan looked at Al-Zeghel, and trying to fight back tears of joy said, "I always believed that he's one of us." Then he addressed Abu Abdullah, "Son, you should have gone out for his reception."

"Me?" Abu Abdullah said in amazement.

"Yes, you! It was your duty to be the first one to kiss his hand."

"But what about the honor of the royal household?"

Abul Hassan said, "The honor of the royal household has always been indebted to swords of such mujahids."

Al-Zeghel said, "You proceed to the court. I will go out to personally escort him there myself."

Abul Hassan said, "No. Now since the question of the honor of the royal household has been raised by Abu Abdullah, it is important to have it addressed. I will personally go out to receive Badr Bin Mughira. Order all the nobles who have gathered in the court to come out and send a garland of flowers for me and let Moosa know that he should wait a little more with the procession at the gate."

The people stood around Badr Bin Mughira in front of the gate of the fort, raising thundering slogans. Moosa moved forward on his horse clearing the way. However, before the procession could move forward the Administrator of the Royal Court came running out, reached close to Moosa and said, "It's the royal order that the honorable guest should be stopped here for a while."

After a while, Abul Hassan along with the nobles of the Sultanate appeared from the door and the people looked at him in amazement. Seeing Abul Hassan coming down the stairs, Moosa and Al-Zaghairi quickly climbed down their horses. Naeem Ridwan, who was holding the reins of Badr Bin Mughira's horse, turned around and said, "His Royal Highness himself is coming." Badr Bin Mughira jumped off his horse.

(2)

In the meantime, Abul Hassan had approached close to him. Instead of shaking his hand, he hugged him and put the garland of flowers around his neck. He then took the flag from the flag bearer and after kissing it, said, "Moosa! Give the good news to the people of Granada that from today the Frontier Falcon's flag shall flutter over our palace. Our flags have rotted. Badr Bin Mughira has brought us a new flag. Our swords were rusted. Nature has given us someone who would give them a new shimmer. We are thankful that the honorable guest has obliged us with his presence."

Moosa climbed the stairs to address the crowd. The people gestured at each other to maintain silence. They considered Moosa to be Granada's spokesman. When he raised his hand the people looked towards him dumbfounded. Moosa began the speech: