Sand Serpents

Chapter 2

The sun's beautiful rays of light pierced beyond the distance of what he could gaze from his room. He swiftly turned around and looked up with glee to see his father standing before him to get on his knee with something hidden behind his back. He ran to him. Burrowing his head in his father's broad chest to feel the loving comfort of embrace. As he smiled childishly, he looked up at his father while curiosity consumed his young mind for he saw his mother standing behind him with a smile that was hard not to see.
"Papa! What do you have?" The young boy asked with excitement as his father laid his enormous hand upon his little head to ruffle his hair playfully. "Hah my boy, you will only need to figure what your mother and I have gotten for you!" His mother then made a face to speak in what seemed to be the annoyance of a gracious mother. "Altair! Why not just give it to him now? I bet his young heart is desperate to know what he has in store." Altair looked up at his love to smile and so did she back to him. He watched as his father slid an item covered in a cloth dyed of velvet, lined with silver that contained string tied around it from behind his back.
At first, he couldn't make out what the gift was other than it must have been in the shape of an animal with very pointy ears. He watched as his father placed it in his tiny hands, merely to look up at both of his parents in awe and curiosity. "Salah? Why thou make such a face? Is something troubling you?"
The young prince blinked and shook his head with a toothy grin. "No mother!" He spoke with a stutter accompanied by a playful giggle. He felt his father place him in his lap as his mother got on her knees to watch him unwrap his new gift. Salah, without hesitation, began pulling on the string with the intentions of a very young child only to be stopped by his mother's hand gently placed on his. "Salah, be careful with that, that is-" she was then interrupted by his father's joyous laugh. "Oh Oma, just let the lad have at it. We both desire his happiness with the love from our hearts, but tis fun to mess around from time to time!" He then paused and looked down at him once more, "Open your gift, my boy, we are certain you will find favor in it." He placed his hands on it, to place it next to his ear only too gently shake it, hoping to get some sort of clue out of his choice of actions. He heard a rattle and he could tell it was a carving of wood. He began removing the string to pull the cloth from the item and to his joy it was a toy. A beautifully carved toy mule from the wood of cedar trees of other nations. He loved it so much. The carved mule contained a string and wheels that hid the feet of the mule so the wooden toy would follow wherever he pulled the string. It was now currently one of his most favorite possessions he has.
Salah immediately got up and stumbled to his side, only to run as he pulled on the string behind him. Laughing as his mother and father watched his enjoyment, he ran into the long hallway that, like everything else, seemed endless. His parents didn't run behind him but kept an eye with a smile that never left either of their faces. Salah ran with his little legs as far as he could. Guards that were walking hurried out of the way and gave a bow that turned into faces of shock to see the king and queen not too far away. As they slowly walked a distance behind Salah, nearing the guards, the guards humbly bowed and lowered their tall lances to then stand straight for their faces to become expressionless and serious. He kept running as if not losing the slightest bit of energy or looking back. He ran and swiftly circled around corners into other long hallways, hearing only the echoes of his pattering feet to skid to a pause and turn around. Only did he realize that he had lost both his mother and father in his childish ways. His chest churned as tears welled up in the crevices of his eyes, falling down both of his cheeks as he sat by a wall to hold his wooden mule closely and cry excessively loud. He burrowed his face into his knees and before he knew it he could hear rapid footsteps to look up and see that multiple people were heading in his direction rather quickly. "The prince! Is he hurt?" Someone spoke. The people who were around him had gotten down to his level as one of them embraced him. It was one of his retainers, Ammar, who like his other retainer who was not yet present were to take care of him in his mother or father's absence or in the least to aid in his care. There were multiple people in his presence rapidly trying to find a solution to his current issue. "Salah, what has happened? Did someone mistreat you?" Salah looked up at Ammar and shook his head as he once again looked down, trying to speak his answer. "I-" Salah began, "I was playing and, I lost mama and papa!" Ammar then looked to the people who were present to order them away in a strict kind of tone. Immediately they went away in a hurried fashion. "Let us go and find them? How does that sound?" Salah sniffled, wiping the tears from his face with his cloak in agreement. "Let us be off then!" Ammar tried to speak cheerfully so Salah wouldn't feel any more worried or burdened than he already was. Salah, as young as he was, nervously clung to his arm like some leech from the Nile, still speaking in stutters.
"Now, do you know where your mother or father maybe? Do not fret, young one. We'll find them." Salah sniffled as they slowly moved about the hallways to hear loud voices. More like shouting. His father was shouting, he was furious. Ammar was fearful, yet he knew that he was concerned. "Hold on here, Salah. Let us wait a moment and see what they say." Even though Salah did not respond in words, he nodded in agreement as he nibbled on the ear of his mule for comfort. As Ammar was listening to a hall away from them, he mainly listened to what the servants and nobles were saying to him.
"Milord" a young servant girl spoke with a bow,  seeming as if she could help enlighten the situation, "please take a breath. Milord, we will find the prince for you. May you go back to your room and relax. I have this under control for you my liege." The king roared in anger as the maiden stumbled back in fear while the others present pulled her a few feet back. His anger seemed to fill the entire palace. "You are but a grain of sand to me! I am your king! Only do I and my descendants carry the blood of the gods!" This all silenced them. Even the queen, Oma, was silenced while her mouth dropped wide open, only for her to forcefully shut it. Ammar was even more fearful. He is one of Salah's retainers. He was politely asked to give space to Salah for his mother and father wanted to spend time with their son while they could, so  Ammar and his other retainers stood aside. Thankfully he was always close by and never went too far astray like lost cattle. "My liege" the young maiden spoke up once again with a stutter, "I understand why you are upset, but-" "I said shut up!" The king once again roared "I do not want to see anyone of you until my son is found, he is my bearing and will rule this kingdom in my stead!" Ammar and Salah watched as both faces flushed pale. "Salah, let us wait here until your father calms down, yes?" Ammar spoke in a low whisper that only Salah could hear. Salah nodded. He watched as everyone bowed and did as he commanded. When the king was angered everyone was fearful and silent. People began there departure while the king and the queen stayed behind a while longer. The queen slowly looked up to brush her long, silky dark hair behind her ear and her gaze seemed to lock onto Ammar. For a moment she looked very shocked. She knew her son was with him the moment she noticed Ammar's presence, so she immediately knew what to do to give him an appropriate amount of time.  
"My love" Queen Oma began, "My love, our son is in the care of our officials. I am just as worried as you are, but there was no need for such mannerisms-" "Like I said to the others before me. Silence." The king interrupted, trying to control his anger since it was only her in his presence.
"I understand. Would you prefer we took some time to ourselves and go to the river? I will gladly request us servants and of course, bring us the finest drink." He was still angered, but with him hearing what she had to offer it calmed him down more. "Yes. I would like that." With everyone gone, they finally made there leave, walking past them as if the king seemed to not even notice Ammar or his son was present. Ammar gently pulled Salah back behind him. Salah, when he saw his mother looking at him and wanting to burst in happiness, didn't for she and Ammar knew what was to come if he saw his son with Ammar while in such a state. Salah would be too young to know. With his father in his current state of unrest and frustration, it would be near an immediate death sentence or only brutal if someone got on his nerves. It was only a matter of time. Waiting some time for him to calm down and enter his presence once he is calm enough. Or it could turn in the opposite direction completely.
Salah took Ammar's hand as they walked away once his father was completely out of sight. Salah looked up at him to speak in a low and frightened whisper. "What is wrong with him?" Ammar smiled as he gently patted his shoulder. "He only feels sad that you aren't with him, young one, but I'll get you to him soon." Salah fell quiet then clung to his arm, speaking softly in a whisper. "O-okay Ammar!" He trusts Ammar so much with everything, and with his young mind, understands so little.
***
A decent amount of time had now passed since Salah and his father were reunited. His father held him tightly in his arms while also trying not to tear up with happiness. Rather than tearing up, he tried to act like the stronger person in this situation so nobody would see any weaknesses in him. That one person who has nothing holding him back. But is that necessarily true?
By now everyone was seated in the dining hall. A plethora of food was set amongst them and more was waiting to be served. Guards were seen at every entrance while servants, chefs, maids, and butlers waited for the call of his mother, father, or even his young self. Salah was seated in the center along with his retainers, Ammar, and his nearly identical twin brother, Khalil. (The only differences between Khalil is his personality, being more self reserved, mysterious and quieter while his height only being two inches taller than his brother.)
Silence flooded the dining hall, yet nothing was eaten. All of the food surrounding before him made his mind wander as his father began to stand up and speak. Everyone stood while Salah sat in his own world, staring at all the food to feel a light tap on his shoulder. It was Khalil. He was looking down at him with a very stern and strict expression that made him stutter. He didn't need to say a single word as if his words flooded into his mind telepathically. It creeped him out a little at times, yet he was somewhat used to it. He stood up and put his arms by his sides while his father continued to speak loudly, yet he was nowhere near angered. Only welcoming his people and saying how thankful he is. It all seemed like endless blabber that he didn't understand yet, of course, he currently had other things on his mind. Food and the new toy that he now took with him everywhere. When his father had seated himself, everyone else sat down. Except for Salah who was pulled down by Khalil. Everyone began to take delight in what had been served to them, especially Salah who tried to eat like his father was. Without error or acting childish. It was hard for Salah since he began to stuff lamb into his mouth, along with figs and grapes. Few peered over at him with disapproval along with a young priest who noticed and shook his head. Others merely paid attention to those sitting next to them as if they didn't notice. He kept focusing on his meal while he lifted his head cheerfully.
"Mama!" He shouted excitedly. Ammar looked down at him and gently patted him back. "Young prince, you need to behave yourself. What have we been practicing this entire time?" He then looked up at Khalil who was staring down at the table without any words to spare him. Ammar then peered down once more and dropped his mouth. "Young prince!" He accidentally spoke out loud. The queen immediately shifted her gaze towards him, shaking her head in disapproval as if to say he needs to behave and not embarrass himself in front of all these people. Ammar and Khalil kept looking at where he was sitting. It was a mess! And it was quick. Khalil raised his hand and summoned forth servants to clean up Salah, yet he whined and became restless. He wanted to eat and play.
As Salah was occupied by people getting him decently cleaned up, a silence suddenly flooded into the dining hall. Salah looked over at his mother while a servant girl handed Ammar a cloth to clean Salah's chin with. It was rather strange. He looked over at his mother and was confused, yet again, he wanted to play with his mother. "Mama!" Salah shouted out loud. His mother didn't respond. She just stared into space. Altair looked over and was at first rather confused. As everyone started into their meals, she made no movement, only having eaten very little. It then clicked in Altair's mind that something was very wrong. He ran over to her, trying to speak in a calm voice that turned to panic rather quickly. "Why isn't she responding!" He shouted. Everyone either stared or went into a panic.
Ammar looked Khalil in fear, yet Khalil showed no expression. "Come. We must go." Salah couldn't help but stare. He had no idea how to react to what his eyes were witnessing. His mother staring into space and not responding, to the sight of her face turning ghostly pail moments later. She suddenly lost control of herself, spasming out of control while foam fled from her mouth. Salah began to scream and cry; he wailed without hesitation. Ammar picked him up and began rushing out of the dining hall, accompanied by Khalil who hurried just as fast. While Ammar began pushing on the door, Khalil stopped him. "He left his toy. Take him and go on; I will find you if you wander too far, now go." Khalil quickly bolted back into the chaos and was out of sight, trying to slide past people to get what comforts Salah. Yelling from every side of the room was heard as people rushed to the queen. Ammar didn't wait for his brother. He wanted to get Salah out of there, and fast. Ammar placed his hand on the cold texture of the door, pushing it open. Once Khalil joined them, moving forward. The sound of the horns blew.