A puffy faced young man of twenty eight suited in armour jumped off of his horse. "Well isn't this nice. We got here before nightfall," said Subhan, stretching his back.
"Yup. Just another one four days and then we'll be in the Capital," Declared another one called Luqman, a more solemn looking young lad, patting his horse.
Above them, the moon had just begin to rise and the sky was a shade of red and purple. ImaadUddin's caravan had stopped by a nearby village to replenish on food and get some much needed rest.
"All I can think about is my mother's flat breads. I even see flat breads in my dreams!" Exclaimed Subhan, placing his hands on both sides of his head.
"Men see women in their dreams, this lad is seeing flat breads in his dreams," Tabraiz snorted, moving his hand through his silky black hair to move them from his forehead. Everyone in proximity to them began chuckling, including their thirty four year old commander who was sitting by the fire sheathing his sword.
"Hey!" Subhan protested with a bashful look.
"He must also be eager to see his mother. Still having your mother's warmth in your life is a blessing," he added gently, a glimmer of sorrow shining through his black eyes before he quickly hid it.
"Yes, you are right. I wish to spend more time with her before the next expedition," Subhan replied with an embarrassed smile, touching the back of his head.
Imaad smiled at him. Despite his broad muscular frame and the heavy armour of the Field Commander, he had a smile that make his face appear innocent like a child's. "May the Lord make it possible for you."
Subhan nodded with enthusiasm. "Ameen! Ameen!" Then he added, "What about you, General? What are you looking forward to?"
Imaad raised his brows in surprise, not expecting the question.
Tabraiz chuckled. "Probably being with princess again."
"Yes, it is incredibly hard to spend so many months away from your woman," added Subhan with a grin,w inking at Tabraiz.
"Sure thing..." Tabraiz trailed off as Luqman shot the two of them a look. They glanced over at ImaadUddin who shifted uncomfortably, lowering his head.
"Oh, did I say something that..."
"No, not at all," Imaad replied, forcing a smile. "I am just glad we can finally be home. You are right. Spending so long on horseback is really tough." He touched the scratch hidden beneath his lip thanks to the well kept short beard of his with his middle finger.
Tabraiz nodded nervously. "Sure is. I hope our next expedition doesn't come soon."
Subhan exhaled with exasperation. "I sure hope it doesn't."
Luqman nodded, still clearly annoyed at the two. "May the Lord protect our homeland."
Subhan nodded. "Ameen."
"Ameen," spoke a voice from behind.
Imaad frowned as he turned in the direction of the voice. A smile spread across his face as he saw who it was. "Aitazaz! What brings you here?" Asked Imaad cheerfully as he got up to hug this young fellow. He was leaner than Imaad but unlike Imaad who had a full head of luxurious short black locks, this man was balding from both sides at the front. The little hair that he did have on his head were so light that you could see his skin through them.
Aitazaz grinned as he hugged Imaad. "My love for you of course."
Imaad snorted as they parted. "Ah yes, love bird can never be separated."
Aitazaz then turned to the others, offering them a courteous nod. They nodded back. Then, he slowly nudged at Imaad's elbow. Imaad looked at him in surprise before nodding as they began walking in the opposite direction.
Once they were at a distance, Imaad questioned, "Is everything okay?"
Aitazaz inhaled sharply. "I wish I could say that."
"What do you mean?"
"Muaaz."
Imaad raised his brows. "What about him?"
"Not just him. Shamsuddin and Bahauddin and Zohaib. And probably others too," Aitazaz added.
Imaad nodded as he followed the information. "I see. What are they cooking?"
Aitazaz placed his hands inside his pockets. "I am not sure. But what my sources have confirmed is that they meet almost every other day for hours upon hours."
Imaad registered the information in his head. "What do you think?"
"Either a defamation campaign to tarnish your reputation or..."
They both exchanged a meaningful glance before Imaad inhaled sharply. "Very well then."
Desperation spread across Aitazaz's face. "Please, please my brother. What harm does it do to you to have your guards around."
Imaad snorted, shaking his head. "I am not a woman. I do not need all this."
"ImaadUddin! This is serious!" Aitazaz urged impatiently.
Imaad turned his head to look at his friend with a solemn expression. "I know. I didn't step into the court thinking it would be easy. But it is my conviction, conviction that this Kingdom cannot have a better King than me. And I will do everything in my power to make that happen. And of course, I'll have to stay alive for that to happen."
Aitazaz sighed. "I'll gather more intel. Knowing what they are planning will help us thwart their plans."
Imaad gave his back a pat. "Very well then. I leave it to you my brother."
Aitazaz looked at the young general thoughtfully for a while. Then, he nodded. "Stay within the protection of our Lord, my brother."
Imaad gave him a small smile. "You too, Aitazaz. You too."
"Good Lord is the Commander famous!" Exclaimed Subhan as they made their way through the humongous crowd that had gathered in city square to greet them.
The sun shone gently above them, blanketing the square in a hue of orange. Hundreds had taken to the streets to welcome back the Commander who had won their hearts over and over again. There were soldiers on both sides of the caravans path, making sure that no one prevented the caravan from moving forward.
Imaad had his hand place on the left side of his chest, gently curtsying as he passed through the crowds on horseback.
"It's going to take us till tomorrow evening to get to the other side of the city, won't it?" Tabraiz sighed.
"No, it won't," Luqman replied with annoyance. "Look, we are just a few minutes away from the palace."
"Oh thank GOD!" Subhan explained, cuing his horse to move faster.
Just then, Imaad halted his horse. He turned his head to look at the little girl that had almost risked getting run over by his horse to bring something to him. She held it out to him in her fist.
"My prince!" Exclaimed an older woman, probably the mother, came running over. "Forgive her, she..."
Imaad raised his hand to silence her, gesturing that it was alright. The lady calmed down as Imaad smiled, reaching out his hand. The little girl grinned, dropping the little flower into his calloused palm. He gave her a nod and she nodded back, her smile spreading ear to ear as Imaad's horse moved forward.