Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 14: Al-Zeghel's Hopelessness

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Badr Bin Mughira was residing in a mountainous fort. One evening, as he was standing and giving instructions to the soldiers and officers gathered around him in the fort's courtyard, a horse rider galloped into the fort. He pulled the reins and halted his horse at a few distance away from Badr Bin Mughira. Badr Bin Mughira took two or three steps forward and said, "Bashir! It seems that you have not come with any good news."

Bashir Bin Hassan dismounted the horse and after shaking hands with Badr Bin Mughira said, "The people of Granada would be happy with the news I have but I take it as a cause for serious concern. Where is Mansoor?"

"He just went to his room after offering his prayers. Today it's his turn. He must be getting ready. Come on, let's go to him." Saying this he turned to the soldiers and said, "You will get the instructions after Isha prayers."

After climbing the stairs, Badr and Bashir entered a room on the second story of the building. A candle was lit in the room and a cuirass-clad Mansour was tying the laces of his socks with his leg on a chair. On seeing Bashir Bin Hassan, he stepped forward, extended his hand for a handshake and said, "Bashir! It is very good that you came. Just now I was thinking who would treat me in case I am injured tonight."

Bashir Bin Hassan said, "Castile's armory has yet to make a sword that would be able to injure Mansour."

The three of them sat on the chairs. Mansour asked Bashir Bin Hassan, "The people of Granada must very worried about our veiled companion?"

"Yes, now in every gathering the Frontier Falcon's place has been taken by the frontier's veiled man!"

"So they are still convinced about Badr's death?"

Some of the army officers suspect that he is still alive. There were many others who wanted to dig out information from me but I used to remain quiet after saying that a mujahid is ever-living."

Badr said, "Okay now tell us that news that the people of Granada were happy about while you were concerned."

Bashir said, "Abu Abdullah has escaped from Ferdinand's captivity and has reached Granada and Al-Zeghel has announced that he will handover the throne to his nephew as soon as he has dealt with the external threats. Currently he has been designated as the ruler of Loja."

Badr Bin Mughira said, "Is this true? Al-Zeghel cannot make this mistake."

Bashir said, "If this is a mistake, then Al-Zeghel has made it. I had met Abu Mohsin. He was saying that before attacking the border, he was preparing to take refuge with Ferdinand. The circumstances compelled him to stand in the ranks of the volunteers. I do not doubt his intentions but he is an erratic minded youth. To give him a responsibility in the current scenario would not be without danger. Besides this, it can be said about Abu Dawood that he is with Ferdinand and he is such a man who can manipulate Abu Abdullah to do the worst of deeds."

Badr Bin Mughira enquired, "And the people of Granada are happy about this?"

"Yes. In their sight, Abu Abdullah has washed away his sins. There are many people who are restless but they too are not willing to take any practical steps for opposition."

"What about their concern for Moosa. Has that been addressed?"

"What Abu Abdullah has made known about him is that he had escaped from his custody. He had produced some witnesses in front of Al-Zeghel."

"And Al-Zeghel believed this?"

"I told him that if he had escaped, he would have surely come to you but Al-Zeghel said, 'Abu Moosa was a very proud man and Abu Abdullah was his childhood friend. It's possible that after Abu Abdullah's misbehavior he did not see it appropriate to show his face to anyone in Granada. Maybe he might have gone to Morocco. Many of his family members have immigrated to Morocco. I am searching for him and if I find out that Abu Abdullah has lied to me then he would not get a good treatment.'"