Serenity

Wounded

Batuhan raised the crossbow and steadied it, aiming for the red haired man crouched near the river bed. Unaware he splashed water on his face.

He felt powerful, so it seemed so in his eyes, to others he was a coward, attacking a defenseless man with his back turned. He did not have the strength of real men, to face and fight his enemy. The man turned just as the arrow flew through the air and pierced his side. The giant bent in shock, the blood staining his white garments. His companions ran to him and held him up

'Sardaar Zalmai!'

The Mongolian's heart leapt in delight, Zalmai was hurt, Zalmai was wounded.

*******
'Wai Khudaya!'
Sakina watched the older woman cry hysterically. She felt a sense of foreboding build up deep inside her

'What is it?'

The women didn't answer and instead ran barefoot into the courtyard. Sakina hurried after her, veil drawn over her. Her stomach lurched at the sight, Zalmai walked supported by two men, his white garments blood stained.

A wave of nausea overcome her and she staggered backwards, her breathing shallow. It was as though her heart has suddenly stopped beating. Zalmai was barely conscious as they placed him on the bed. One of the men reached for the arrow and intended to drive it out

Sakina rushed forward, gathering the little strength she had
'No! Leave the arrow'

The man looked at her as if she had spoken a great abomination
'Do you not want your husband to recover?'

'Removing the arrow will make it worse'

The healer too proceeded to remove the arrow
'I don't think he shall live'

'Shut up you fool! He isn't going to die'

She had seen wounds far severe in her own tribe, this was nothing compared to those injuries.

'Get out' her voice was shaking

The men were dumbfounded
'Get out!'

They exited the chamber exclaiming that she had gone insane.

The crying woman's red eyes were deadly as she glared at Sakina
'So you think you know better than the healer do you? You are going to kill my son!'

Sakina pushed the woman out and bolted the door, ignoring her threats and ran to find Aabid. She discovered the little boy hiding in the courtyard and hurried to him

'Aabid do you know the way to Sardaar Zaraar's tribe?'

His stood confused

'If you go outside it is situated on the highest mountain, it has trees and streams and at the top there is a fortress like house.'

He seemed to remember and nodded

'Run as fast as you can and tell Sardaar Zaraar to come as soon as possible and bring his best healer Gulsen'

The little boy sprinted as fast as his little legs would carry him.

Sakina entered the room and rebolted it again, she sank to the floor overcome by weariness

******

The old healer had markings all over his body, his previous religion had encouraged such heathen practises and presently he still wore only a long kilt.

'Someone has tried to remove this arrow'
His accent was heavy and thick

'The healer of Zadran Khayl tried to remove it and the men encouraged him'

'What utter idiots...' Sardaar Zaraar pronounced

Sakina felt herself agreeing and they had called her insane

'Well this doesn't seem to be serious, the arrow did not penetrate deeply, what do you think Sardaar? You are more experienced in this matter than I'

The Danaii Sardaar examined the wound before speaking in hushed tones
'It seems to me as though someone intended to hit his heart but missed due to some unknown reason. I have ruled out the possibility of the arrow being for game as there are none near the Bataani territory. Zalmai has an enemy'

Sakina was far too exhausted to eavesdrop and listen. The old man turned to her kindly
'He should recover quickly, I advice that he does not undertake any strenuous activity that could open the stitches'

With that the pair of them left Sakina alone, the silence seemed to suffocate her. Zalmai lay still and unmoving, she didn't know what it was that compelled her to press the palms of her hand against his chest to check for life. His heart beating was like a drum, faint but steady. In relief she retracted her hands. Cold sweat glistened on his features, he did not look like Zalmai at all and that made her want to burst into tears. The giant she had known was strong and tall, he had seemed undefeatable. The guilt threatened to drive her insane, what if she never got the chance to redeem herself?

'Hey pretty lady can I come in?' The voice was small and high pitched

The little boy stood in the doorway, clutching his pillow and blanket, a look of uncertainty on his small face.

'Aabid' she extended her arms out for him and wrapped them around his small shoulders. He peered at the unconscious man' You have been so brave today!'

'Is uncle Zalmai going to die?' His eyes were wide and full of fear

'No!'

'If he does no one will play with me'

His copper hair stood up in all directions and his bottom lip trembled.

'Uncle Zalmai isn't going to die he is just sleeping. Why don't you sleep and when he wakes up he can play with you?'

She arranged his small pillow and blanket on the bed and tucked him into it. As for Sakina she did not sleep and pressed her fingers to Zalmai's wrist, afraid what Aabid said would come out true..