A Soul of Empty Words.

Chapter 1

Daastan Muneer was pacing forth and backward in his courtroom as the tension grew inside him. He knew the danger was settled as for now,yet the forthcoming dangers would be bigger.

     The town needed to be evacuated! Women and children needed to be taken to safety as soon as was possible. Suddenly the gates opened and Daastan was forced to come out of his train of thoughts.

'What news?'he asked hastily. The messenger bowed slightly before him as he started,

'We've recieved help! The army was retreating as they thought the danger was settled but Umut's army attacked our army from behind . They had almost lost it but help came. Your Majesty! Ghuraba has come for our help! There's no need to fear anymore now. The danger has indeed settled and the guards are patrolling all the four corners.'

'Ghuraba has returned! Indeed they had to! They owe us their loyalty. Ya Rabbi shukr! How many killed?'

' We suffered the loss of thirty two lives as of now when the enemy backstabbed us. Around eighty one are injured and are being tended to. Seven of Umut's army have been captured.'

'Thirty two lives? This is too much! We are not prepared for another attack any sooner now. I need to confirm for the safety of my country. What about the Strangers? None of them got killed,did they? They are not planning to return ,are they?' Daastan was worried. His army was weakening. Ghuraba was his last hope!

'Nay Your Majesty! As far as I was informed I was to tell you that no harm to civilians has occured and that the Ghuraba are ready to lay down their lives for the country and they aren't leaving anytime soon untill complete peace is restored. The commander-in-chief wishes to meet you in private along with his comrades .'

'Who commands them Nasir?'Daastan asked the messenger,Nasir.

'Someone belonging to Karahasanoğlu clan.'

' Ahh! Isa! You've saved me my son!' the king said getting emotional.

'I wish to meet him as soon as he has tended to his injuries,'he informed Nasir and left the courtroom.

   He had to check on his daughter,his love. The last time the country had been in grave danger,Hareem had joined the army , disguised as a male soldier,because she could not bear the fear of losing her father in the battle. Daastan had always feared this. He couldn't let this happen once more.

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Hareem Daastan looked out of the window into the darkness of the night. She sat by the window edge. Her room was lighted with candles. In the darkness,she could make out that the battle had ended. Far and long stretched battle grounds lay ahead of her. For hours she had prayed right there for the safety of the soldiers and civilians out there. She had begged her father to not join the battle. Her father was growing old now,she could see that. He hadn't lost his valour though and she knew the moment their army weakened , Daastan would escape out of the palace to join them untill his last breath was taken away.

     She knew they had won the battle and now she sat there,looking at the soldiers carrying the dead bodies to the graveyard. She couldn't make out much from there as it was a far away sight. Her eyes were moist after hours of shedding tears. She was a strong woman,a brave lady. She was the heart of her people. A symbol of hope and resilience. She was their lady. Yet today,when she saw so many martyrs and so many more injured she knew it had been a terrible battle,though it was smaller in magnitude. She knew Umut would strike again. What would happen when he sent a larger army? It would be the great battle then. How would they face it? She wanted to go out there and slit his throat,fight along with the soldiers but she knew she couldn't. She knew she had to lead the women,children and elderly to safety incase such a battle took place.