Lost Assassins

Maysaf Part I: Dark corner of the World

Under the scorching heat of the sun, at peak of the day when is directly overhead, even a vapour erased from the air, hot summer winds whipping across, and the ground was blazing hot pan, a caravan dared to make its voyage. 5 thousand of soldier just riding along with the thousand carts filled with soldiers, servants, slaves, cook and all the other usual people, few big and decorated carts at the centre with amazing artwork over them, pulled by heavy oxen and a perimeter of impregnable riders around it.

Yes, the sultan was making his journey across the realm with his vast cavalry around him, protecting him. Even though it was all thrown into his face a fortnight ago, and none had even a vague idea about who was or was behind that. In his dreams, he still feels that arrow chasing him and he's trying to outrun it, going fast as a horse, galloping rapidly to avoid meeting that deadly fate and he looks back, and just panicked. He is standing where he was and arrow is getting closer by every passing moment. Those dreams always end up with him being awake, breathing like a dog and sweating like one too. But like usual dreams, he can't escape while being awake. Fear was consuming him of something unknown lurking in the dark, moving with a rattling of the leaves, second by second closing on to him, to get him for good this time. That feeling not even the King of the kings can escape.

The news of an assassination attempt on sultan spread through the subcontinent like wildfire, that single incident changed the dynamic of the political landscape of the whole realm. Everyone's was shocked to the core, while some started whispering about the mockery made of sultan's strength, while others seriously started to plot against and while searching for others to increase their power, but still more were scared for themselves, if someone can target the most powerful king then how difficult it would be for them to target them. The political scenario was deeply affected and the realm dwelled into more darkness.

When the sun began settling down and yellow sprayed all over the horizon, caravan camped near a village, settled behind a small lake. Scouts spread around to inspect the land, animals were taken to graze on fields near a lake, and camps were being settled. At the near centre, the tent of sultan was established, a magnificent huge white tent, lighted from all corners, surrounded by a parameter of armed soldiers always on watch. Sultan's tent was surrounded by tiny rocky pebbles distributed evenly around, to catch the footsteps of anyone approaching.

The commander of the king's bodyguard was on the round, taking the gist of that area, galloping his horse around. He came out far from the camp settlement into the wide barren fields. Sun was low and it's light striking the plain solemnly. The plain sparkled in golden radiance disturbed by small bushes and trees spreading around. Cliffs here and there, covering themselves in bushes and dirt. Dry but cold winds howling and rustling the leaves and grass, dancing with dirt. Commander alone rode through fields, and even in this soothing surrounding his heart at unrest. Suddenly he saw the northern scouts returning, galloping there horse, running along with the wind and scaling the cliffs.

"Salaam." said Commander as they approached speakable distance.

"Salaam." replied the lieutenant of scouts.

Commander turned his horse around and then both horses side by side with rest of the scouts falling behind.

"How does it look." he inquired.

"Good enough commander, no sign of threats at near north. Only a few travellers, we made them turned around." replied the lieutenant as trying to maintain commanders pace.

"Good good."

"I made few men stationed there to keep parameter enclosed."

"Hmm, tell them to send a report in every hour or else we will take that as an immediate threat and deal accordingly."