Omani-Son of the Desert

[Marvzilla]

Omani-Son of the Desert
ابن الصحراء العمانية

The Desert.
The Great Beauty.
Mother of Conquerors,Prophets and Life.

Many don´t understand her.
Many are afraid of her.
Many paid with their lives for this ignorance.

We aren´t afraid.
She gave us our lives.
And we dedicate our life to her.

We are the Ummah.
We are the descendants of Mohammed,peace be upon him.
We are the Ummah.

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

This is my first ever AAR.
Please be kind with me,and tell me grammatical or spelling errors,as english isn´t my first language.

This AAR will be an Character centered AAR,and please recognise it´s not an Gameplay AAR.
I will most probably use different save games,the battles will be mostly custom.
It´s about the character,not the Gameplay in this case.
Also I am not muslim.If you see any errors or lines you don´t think which are fitting,
inform me please.

Chapter 1:Born to a hard Mother

Hot dry wind surrounded Wallids face.
The Omani desert was a unforgiving place,if you ever underestimated her.
You could see to one ocean to another if you climbed a really high dune,
his father always said.
Not far away a oasis was to see,the reason why Wallid and his clan stopped here.
The sun shined down merciless on the Bedouin,as if the desert tried to strike him down.

But now Wallid ibn-Amar had bigger problems.
His wife was in her contractions,and he would hopefully receive the son he prayed
so long for.
His own successor.
Wallid was nervous,it didn´t looked good for his wife.
Her sister helped her to give birth to the new clan member,she was adept in this so called "art".
His wife had high fever,and it was certain that she would die because of the difficult birth.
She was laying in the womens part of the Bayt,the bedouin tent.

"Sit down Wallid." The voice of his brother took Wallid out of his deep thoughts.
"What if she dies Rashid?I have a child,but no wife.How could Allah be so gruesome ?"
"Dare you speak such words.Wallid,I understand your desperation,but if it is Allahs will,
it will happen.You know we will be there for you,we always were,we always will."
The deep voice of his elder brother always calmed Wallid down.He stood by his
side in every situation,and even for an Bedouin he took special care of Wallid.
"I know,Rashid.Alhamdulillah,you know I spoke in desperation.But these cries,these cries
of fear and despair of my wife,they make me crazy."

It was true.His wife had a lot of pain,and no sword would have stopped her to cry it out.
She couldn´t stop it.
"Wallid,you remember how we had our first raid together,do you ?"
"Naturally brother,how could I forget this glorious day ?"

"We were there,with the other young Bedouins,ready to fight.We both,standing side by side."



"Our enemys were the men of the greedy Caliph of the Abbasides.Our arrows brought them to an end."



"In the end,our swords told them more lessons than any of their teachers."



"Yes I remember that day with pride,Achy."
"Well,then you know that I will always be there for you,and your sucessors."

Suddenly the cries of fear died.The only thing to hear were new cries.Cries of an baby!
"Oh my dear,look what beautiful son Allah has gifted to us."
The face of Wallids wife Derya decorated a tired smile.
"My son,I have a son ?"
"Yes,and he can be proud to be your son."
Wallids eyes filled with tears of joy and bitterness at the same time.
"Give him to me."
The young clan member was tiny,he almost fitted in one hand of the Ibn.
"I will name you Malik,King of the Kings."
The little thing in his arms had the same face as him,he truly was his son.
"Oh dear,I feel tired."
Wallid looked up to his wife.Bathed in sweat and her own blood she layed on the bed made
out of goat skin and wool.
"Are you staying with us,my beauty ?"
"I think it´s time to go." Again she smiled,but sadness was to see in her eyes.
"I understand,my dearest." Both spoke calm.
"You was always my Malik."
"And you my Malika."
He gave her a last,soft kiss,before he let hear slide into death slowly.

Wallid walked out the tent.The hot dry wind of the desert blew in his face.
But he was not the only one whose head was surrounded by the wind of the desert.
"Do you see the desert,my son ?
Make it yours."

[Marvzilla]

Comments are always welcome,please keep them constructive and nice.
Please remember that I dont always have time,so I will see how frequently this AAR will be updated.

[Marvzilla]

Chapter 2:The young Malik

"Malik,come here."
The strict voice of his father send Malik reeling to his father.
"What were you doing ?"
"I took care of Zad el-Raheb."
"I am proud that you are taking your horse so serious,you are treating it good,
but help your father when he demands it."
"Yes,father."
"Sit down,my son."
Malik sat next to his father Wallid Ibn-Amar,a wise and grown old man.
His face was hard,and his beard got white over the years.
A scar runned down from his eyebrow to his cheeks.
"Have I ever told you the story of the Sahara ?"
"The Garden of God ?"
"Yes.The Sahara is a desert like ours,but bigger,spending more life.
I was there,when I served the Fatimid rulers."
"Is it beautiful ?"
"Yes,she is.Thousands of miles,and you see no human.And still,
its home to our Bedouin brothers."
Wallid took a sip of his black tea,which he made himself.
"I loved the desert as I loved your mother,Malik.
Both gave me the love back.While the desert was my wild
mistress,striking down even the most durable of foes,your mother
calmed me and was always there for me."
"Like my uncle ?"
"Yes."

Wallid looked out on the desert,he has placed a carpet on the dune and sat
there now with his son.
"I grow older everyday,my son."
Malik looked up to his father.He saw the bitterness in Wallids eyes.
"Soon you will be my successor,but you have noting to take care of.
Our clan,it died out."
It was true.The Ibn had no childs besides Malik,and his brother Rachid
died in the Rub al-Khali.
"Find your way.Follow always Allahs will.Please Malik,whatever you do,
hear to your heart but think with your head."
"Should I find a woman ?"
Wallid made a deep sigh.He put his tea down,looking on the carpet.
"It is your choice.I could have married with a woman you when you were younger.
I could have married you to one of the daughters of the mighty clans,
but I didn´t.
I always wanted that you find your own way.Would it make me happy
to see you bring forth our line of successors ?Naturally.But who am I
to find your way.It´s in the hands of Allah."

Wallid suddenly watched deep into the eyes of his son.
"Become a general,a warrior,a slayer of men.
Become a Iman,a teacher,a wise leader of men.
Or find a good woman,make successors and live a happy life.
Do what you want to.Allah already has carved your way.
But don´t waste your gift,your life,to the demons.
Stay away from treachery,alcohol,false leaders.
They all want to consum you,don´t let it happen.
I am proud of you,my son."

He was touched by this moment,his father always was a rolemodel and
teacher to him.
But he was always distant,far away.He made Malik hard,not happy.
Malik was now 16.He could swing a sword,string a bow and ride a horse.
He learned all this by his father.He even taught him how to wrestle,as
Ibn-Amar spent a lot of time at the military camps of the Fatimids.
"The wind gets stronger,a desert storm may appear.Pave the tents.
They shouldn´t fly away."
"Yes,father."

Malik strung the tents to the ground,so they couln´t fly away.It takes months to
make a new tent,and no one wants to spent time on activities that time consuming.
Suddenly his horse Zad el-Raheb,which he named after the famous horses of King Solomon,appeared.
"Come here my friend."Malik fondled Zad carefully over his fur.The big muscles under the skin
of the Arabian Horse relaxed.
"One day we will conquer the world,together.You and me destroying empires and getting
rich.You will get the best stable next to my palace.Zad el-Raheb,Malik of the horses,
how do you like that ?"
Malik got his horse when he was 14.His father gave it to him after he begged for months.
Zad el-Raheb was young,like Malik himself.He grew up with Malik and if it was not
that Zad was a horse,they would have been brothers.

"Malik take care of the Bayt,not the horse.He will not fly away.Even though I wished that."
"I am sorry father."

Weeks later near Muscat.



"Father,I never was to a city this big.I am frightened these people
will look at us as strangers."
"Yes,they will.The city dwellers got weak,have forgotten the true path
of the Bedouin.They are our brothers and sisters,but they are weak and
fall for the demons.Watch out,as citys are the host of sins.
"Yes,father.Your advise is heard."
"Good boy."

News have spread through the Omani desert.The ruler these days wants
to start a military campaign.
Against who ?Unknown.There are so many traitors in the world,the Imam
can select who he wants.

Oman came to power recently.They were under the sovereignity of foreign powers.
Now the country is trying to reach new heights,to rival the old and mighty Caliphates
of the Crescent.

Malik and his father Wallid rode through the massive gate which protected the
city of attackers.They were a part of a steady stream of traders,soldiers,merchants
and citiziens.

The city itself was a strange sight for the young Malik.
Everywhere stood buildings which stand close to another,people were sitting in
corners,streets full of dust were busy with life.Wild dogs strained through the streets.
Far away the big Mosque of Muscat was to see.This was one of the few glorious
sights in this city.

"We are going to visit the Mosque later,first we have to meet some friends."
"Friends ?"
"We Bedouins gather together whenever the rulers of these lands call for arms.
It´s a rariety that the Imam even calls the Bedouins to arms,as the rulers always
had to come to us.Now everything is different.This Imam is different.He´s one of us-
a Bedouin.The people of the desert listen to him."

On a big Marketplace was a mass of people who were talking,ranting and who
made their anger hearable.
Hundreds of Bedouins forced to stay close together in the small place they occupied
were waiting impatient that someone would clarify to them what the Imams plans were.
Some were leaving already.

Suddenly a loud and mighty voice was to hear.
"Achys,my people from the desert,listen to me."
A big,bearded man stood on a podest,gathering all the attention
of the mass of Bedouins for him.
"I know this sticky narrow place makes you uncomfortable.Even I would rather
sleep with my camel than stay here."
Loud laughter was to hear from the Bedouins.
"We all love this country,as we all love our mother the Desert !"
With the last words he raised his voice.The Bedouins started to
yell and cheer.
"But traitors and foes danger our beloved mother.To the north
the Caliph of Baghdad pisses in the sands and laughs at beheaded
Bedouins!"
The mass started to yell angry and growl.
"It´s enough.Are you at my side brothers ? Will you
slay at my side the Caliph of Baghdad ?Will you
defend our mother ?Yes you will.Because Allah wants it."
The Bedouins were in a furious rage and howled and cheered.

"He makes them raging and furious.They will now follow him blindely."
Wallid was shaking his head.
"Like sheeps they are going to follow his commands and will go into death."
"Father,why do you think so.You said the Imam was one of us,a Bedouin.
One of the people of the desert."
"But his heart is not righteous.He wants war,bloodshed."
Do you understand my son."
"Yes,father."
"He would kill his own kind for enjoyment.He is a dangerous man
with dangerous thoughts.Be careful with people like him.
He is one of those false leaders."
"But when the Caliph of Baghdad is doing such gruesome things.."
"The Caliph of Baghdad is a wealthy old man.The Abbasids are done
with war,they had too much of it.The Imam stirrs things up."

Wallid and his son sat down near to a well.
"What do you think he plans,father ?"
"The Imam has excellent informants.He knows that the Abbasid is like a
fat overgrown goat.Defenseless and full of wealth."
"You mean he wants to attack the Caliphate ?"
"Maybe not directly.The Abbasids have many foes.
They are maybe weak in this state,but their troops
are still dangerous and armoured well.He would be a fool
to crash right into them."
Wallid looked into the crowd,as if he was searching for someone.
"Do you await someone father ?"
"Yes.An merchant who travels from Baghdad to Muscat.He is an old friend."

Out of nowhere,a well suited man walked to them.
"Wallid,Alhamdulillah,I found you !"
"Welcome in Muscat,Mahmut.My son,Malik."
"As-Salamu Alaykum."They shaked hands.
Mahmut took sat down next to them.
"Well what can you report my dear Mahmut ?"
"Always right to the point Sadiq.I like that."Mahmut laughed a warm laugh.
"News make the round that the Caliph is sick and tired.The constant war with
the Saljuks is overhelming.Many good men have died Wallid.Peace be upon them."
Mahmut looked on the ground,shaking his head.
"That are sad news.Your Family is alright ?"
"Yes,yes.My son is in the army now.A simple foot soldier.He makes me proud
but I want to protect him.It is gruesome Sadiq."
"Yes,I can share your feelings.Is it true what is said about the slaughter of Bedouins ?"
Mahmut looked Wallid in the eyes."No.Your Imam is a fanatic.Hopefully he never reaches
Baghdad."
"Let us hope my friend."
Wallid placed his hand on Mahmuts shoulder who smiled in response.

Weeks Later

Wallid was right.The Imam gathered a army of Bedouins around him,ready to attack the Abbasid Caliphate.
Even though he knew better,Wallids pride forced him to join the Army.And with him his son.
They all met in front of Muscat,and in the end a great army of Bedouins was formed.
The Bloodshed should begin soon.

[karaislam]

interesting aar.it was pleasure to read.broken crescent campaign gives the best joy to me.i see u too take fun from it.

[Marvzilla]

Thanks for your kind comment.
It´s appreciated.

[Marvzilla]

Chapter 3:Bloody Sands



Suhar was taken quick.The Omani revolt against their own kind redeemed.



Shocking News !The Abbasid Caliphate announced a treaty with the Ayyubid Sultanate,the new major factor in the Crescent.



Near the newly independent announced state of Quatar,the great Imam halted the army.

He wanted to re-adjust to the new situation.
"No,No.This is all wrong."
Mershad was in rage.Since he was Great Imam all his companions did was failure.
"We can wager war with the Ayyubids,Allah has turned them."
"But Imam,we aren´t nearly as strong with them."
"Dumb dog,Allah is on our side.Like the Prophet Mohammed,peace be upon him,we are going to bring our
enemys to their knees.What are you,a man ?I guess..rather not.Real man rather die standing than live on
their knees.Out of my sight."
With a handsign he send his advocates out of his tent.
"Dumbfound heretics.We can conquer everything."
Suddenly a young man entered his tent.
"Great Imam,news from the scouts."
"Tell me better good news."
"Yes,erm,the self declared Sultan of Quatar has taken place in the valley down to us.
he has assembled his whole army."
"Son of a man-loving goat.Go."
The young man who was covered in mud left the tent quickly.
"Naim....NAIM!"
"Yes Imam ?"
"Gather the army,we are going into battle."
"Yes Imam."
"Already."

In the Bedouin Camp

Wallid and his young son sat at the fire,eating lamb meat.
"Son,in Suhar we didn´t came to battle.We entered the city as liberators.
When a real battle breaks out,then,well just stay calm.At my side nothing is going to happen."
His son looked down on his sword polishing it with goatskin.
"How is it father ?"
"How is what ?"
"To kill someone ?"
"What do you think,hm ?"
"Terrible.Destroying a work of Allah."
"Thats a good thought.Let your ideas flow,Allah has put you against you enemies.
Dont you think he wants you to destroy them ?It is terrible,but the man on the other side
wants to destroy you too.That is why you never kill innocents."
"I understand.Still,I dont think I am ready for it."
"You are always ready.That is the saddening fact."

The Next Morning



In the morning,the Great Imam has gathered the Army.Now,everyone was ready.
It was fresh,a cold wind was blowing through the ranks of men.
They haven´t even seen their foes.
Suddenly the Great Imam gave the command to move forward.



Men and horse were moving forward,like a steady stream of mass.
Some were uncertain,some just raging.Everyone prayed to Allah.



Then they were able to see.The traitor Sultan of Quatar,going forward in the battle lines.



Wallid hold onto his word and stood by the side of his son.



The Battle began as son as the Omani Noblemen crushed into the enemy cavalry.
Horses clashed against another,Swords impaled or beheaded Riders and steicen soldiers
fell into the muddy and bloody mess the ground now was.
Cries of fear and despair filled the air.



Then the Bedouin Camel Archers shoot into the enemys infantryline
with deadly accuracy.



The slaughter of the Quatar men continoued,and one after another
got destroyed.




Suddenly,Wallid stood in a stream of enemy soldiers,hacking and thrusting his
old arabian sword into everything that moved.



His son rushed into his aid,helping his father and killing his first enemy.He slashed
across his enemys throat,blood splattering onto his cloth.
"Thats what I told you son."
His father grinned at him with a grim face.
They continoued to trample and
kick their enemys with deep passion.
Suddenly a enemy soldier climbed onto Maliks camel.He strangled Malik from behind,trying to cut of his
arterys.Malik broke his grip with his free hand putting pressure on the point between thumb and forefinger,pulling his enemys left arm into a arm drag and pushed his enemy over his head.
The enemy fell to the ground and got trampeled by Maliks camel.

The battle war over soon,and the Sultan of Quatar got captured and beheaded infront the howling
Bedouins and other troops.

In The Evening

Wallid and his son Malik made a walk outside the camp.
"How do you feel about this day.What are your thoughts ?"
"Hm,I brought an life to an end.Not only one I brought many lifes to an end today."
"Thats what a man does.Its sad.I pray for every enemy I have have stricen over
the years."
"Really ?"
"Yes,and I know they forgive me.Had I done otherwise,they would be praying for me now."
"Father,how can God let things that horrible happen ?He sees everything,shouln´t he intervene
and bring the violence to an halt."
"Maybe.God is everything.So he is death too."

[ALFAJI]

nice

[Marvzilla]

Chapter 4:Mesopetamia



Mesopetamia,the Ancient land.

Some say it is home to the earliest of Civilisations.
Some even say it is the birthplace of mankind.

Now it is certainly one thing:in danger!



First victim of the Omani conquest was the city of Basra,an important and rich port city.



Basra was taken quick,as the defenders marched out of the city to meet the Omanis.
This was a big mistake.
As soon as the city was under controll,the great Imam ordered the slaughter of civilians.
Omani soldiers roamed through the streets and executed everyone,even the women.
Rapture,pillage and murder were privilege of the victors,their hands stained with
shame forever.

Wallid and his son left the city as soon as the slaughter began.
They had no intentions for the ravaging which took place.
They camped with other Bedouins outside the city.

"This is what I told you son.Men changing into demons,slaughtering like animals
and blooddrunks.
If you ever turn into something like this,shame on you.You will beshame me and
my fathers.Your children will be beshamed too.
"I understand father.Shouldn´t we help some inhabitants of the city ?"
"Only when there is the opportunity.What do you want to do,fight with the
thousands of the great Imam.You are brave.You are also naive my son."



Next target of the Banu Omani,as it was called lately,was Wasit.It was rather unimportant,but the great Imam wanted to ravage all of Mesopetamia.



This city was heavy fortified,as the Abbasids learned from their past mistakes.They couln´t win against the Omanis in open field,so they tricked them into their fortifications.



Soon the Omani Soldiers brought the ladders forth to the walls.
Their inexperience has costed them alot of time.



When they reached the top of the walls,Nubian Soldiers already awaited them.
Bloody battles ensued.



The walls were taken,and the Gate was opened up for the oncoming Bedouins.
It was a sight to behold.







The Battles in the city were hard fought,as the men of the Abbasid Caliphate gave their last to defend their homes.



Hybris.The hot blooded great Imam and his son fell in battle,their graves made out of mud and the bodys of their own soldiers.



In the end,every enemy soldier got killed.Even their commander,a high ranking member of the royal Abbasid family was slaughtered.

To which price ?

The Banu Omani was leaderless now.
No real noblemen were there,no real figure to lead an army.
Riders were sent home,to bring the message and to crown the new king.
What was he worth for the soldiers of the Banu Omani ?
Nothing.
The dream of an Omani conquest of the world was shattered.
Bedouins were discussing and swearing,no one knew what to do.
They lost alot of men in Wasit,and the city was after an anger filled sacking completly useless.

Malik and his father fought hard in Wasit,and Wallid got wounded by an enemy sword.
His left side was damaged,and a rib got hacked.
Malik soon decided it was best to leave the Banu Omani and search for an doctor.
This would mean that he and his father had to travel to Baghdad,alone and covered.
Nobody could knew,when somebody found out who they were,both would have been dead.

So the journey to Baghdad began....

[Marvzilla]

Chapter 5:The Road to Baghdad

"Allah is big,and Mohammed is his messenger,Allah is big and Mohammed is his messenger...."

"Is your friend alright ?"

The skinny Arabic Merchant gave Wallid a strange gaze.

"Yes,he is just tired from all the traveling."

Malik and his father Wallid were travelling to Baghdad,fleeing from the desperate and hopeless
Banu Omani.
The injury Wallid received in the battle of Wasit was getting worse.It was pus-filled,and Maliks rudimentary medical skills were not enough to help his father.

"He doesn´t look to good.He is drooling and sweating.Is he really alright ?"
"I already said he is just tired.Move on Merchant."

The Merchant who joined them on a tiny sideroad to Baghdad just couldn´t keep the silence.
He was always talking,without a stop.
If he knew that his father was wounded he could do the math and see that these both Bedouins are
not just mercenaries on the way to Baghdad.He would see two enemys of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Lucky enough,he was busy talking.

"So,have I told you the story of the donkey who met with an Saljuk Soldier ?"

"Yes."

"So the donkey comes into the Shisha house in which the Saljuk Soldier makes himself comfortable,
and the Soldier asks:"Donkey,why do you make such a long face ?" Get it ? He is an Donkey with
a long face !!!!"

The merchant was laughing desperatly,and Malik was sighing.

He turned around to look after his father.Wallid was sitting completly motionless in his camels saddel,
whipping back and forth with every motion the big animal did.
The road they were traveling on was narrow and tiny,dry and timid.Placed in the wilderness of Mesopetamia it was a wonder they met with this merchant.Maybe he killed Maliks nerves,but atleast he had water.

Malik and Wallid fleed one night of the Banu Omanis Camp.The men were still drunk and pillaging,but news
made the round that the Abbasids already send a revenge force to Wasit.It was a matter of time that the Banu Omani was shattered.

Wallids wound provocated a fever,and his condition got terrible.He had a blurred sight and lost control over his orientation.He needed help immediatley.

"So there was this big guy in this clamp bar in Damascus.Everybody was completly drunk and senseless.
I just tried to pickpocket him while he was sleeping,as all of a sudden this guy wakes up.So I run for my
life while he was throwing stones after me.Haha,summernights in Damascus.
What is in your thoughts sadiq ?"

"Nothing,is this really one of the routes to Baghdad ?"

"Yes it is.As a child I always traveled to Baghdad with my father."

Malik wanted to grab this guy and throw him around.By Allah,how annoying one can be !
Suddenly some Soldiers on horses were to see on the horizont.They were traveling fast,and one of
them had a lettercase with him.

"Assalamu Alaikum friend.What is your destination."

"We have to bring message to the Caliph of Baghdad."

"Baghdad is the other direction." Malik pointed in the opposite direction.

"The Caliph is on the way to Wasit.Haven´t you heard ? The Banu Omani is about to
break.We will crush them.Wait.....aren´t you both Bedouins too ?"

"Yes,but we come from Medina.We hear from the Banu Omani,terrible."

"Why would you choose the eastwards road to get to Baghdad ? Get off your camel."

Malik got off his steed,standing on the dry ground.

"Your friend there too.Hey,get off your camel !"

Wallid didn´t made a move.He barely could sense what was going on.

"Can´t he hear correctly ? Get off your camel,you dirty desertmaggot !"

"Settle your tongue." Malik looked the soldier deep into the eyes.
Suddenly the soldier got off his horse and walked towards Wallid.He lifted his cloth,as his left side
got stained with fresh blood.

"This wound.....what happened there ?"

"He fell onto a scythe."

"You are lying.You dirty bastard ! You both are Banu Omanis ! You want to spy out Baghdad !"
The soldier grabbed his sword and drawed it out of the drawer.
Malik immediatley grabbed for his sword.
The Abbasid soldier hold the straight blade onto Wallids neck.
The other soldier was still on his horse and threatened Malik.
All of a sudden the soldiers hand was sliced off.He fell to the ground with a deep cry and turtled up.
Wallid then threw his lance against the other soldier,who fell impaled by the lance off his horse.

"You have to be quicker Malik.These two had you in a throatcut hold."

Malik stared unbelieving at his father."You are sick.How can you react so well ?"
"I am sick,not dead." Wallid smiled a tired grin before he fell to the ground.
"Father !" Malik stormed to his fathers aid."Is everything alright ?"
"No,but you can trust me.We will get to Baghdad and I will be alright.Do you know why ?"
Malik was shaking his head.
"Because of you.I will give my life in your hands.Make me proud."
Malik was desperate and touched at the same time.He felt how his stomache was
getting sick.If he failed,his father would die.The pressure on his shoulders was enourmous.

"Get on your horse merchant,we will race to Baghdad !"
"Why should I help you both ? You are enemys of the Abbasid Caliphate,the people I screw over for their wealth !"
Malik took a golden,crescent-formed Medaillon out of his bag.It was the only loot he took from Basra.
"You will help us because of this."
"Oh,have I told you the story of the Camel which made love to an Indian Merchant....."

So they raced to Baghdad,with Abbasid blood on their hands and an wise Merchant as their companion.

[Ghazi Warrior]

nice sequence and interesting

[Marvzilla]

Chapter 6:Baghdad



بغداد
Baghdad.
The Given Garden.
Capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
To some Capital of the World.

".....and so the old Courtesan of Alexandria gave all she got to the Pharaoh.
Haha,Sadiq,I really enjoy your interested ears.You are the first one who listening to me for such
a long time."

"Really ?Why is that ?"

"Well,because the people....."

"Wait,I don´t want to know." Malik sighed and rubbed his forehead. "How long is it to Baghdad ?"

"Not long.Do you see that river,in the far northwest ?"

"Yes."

"When the street meets with the river,Baghdad is just a stone throw away."

Malik was relieved.The long hard journey and the dangers on the road had taken their toll.
His wounded father was in a delirious state right now,and Malik wasn´t able to hear one of the Arabian Merchants storys anymore without strangling him to death.
He looked behind him.His father was laying on a cart,saliva running out of his mouth.Wallid Ibn Amar was as near to death as he ever was.

Soon,they rode next to the shimmering waters of the river Tigris.
"Look Sadiq,the Tigris.One of the mightiest Waters of the world.It is the lifespending Atery of Mesopetamia.When I was a kid,my father used to say the waters of the Tigris make you younger."

"You came around with your father,didn´t you ?"

"Yes,yes.I really miss him.The time comes when a son has to depart from his parents,especially his father.Atleast we always know that Allah will take care of them."

Malik saw the saddened face of the Merchant.He thought about how it would be to lose his father.
Wallid was his teacher,his bodyguard in times.He taught him everything.Now he would die because his son couldn´t bring him to a doctor ?Never,Malik thought.

"Oh,how glorious.The gates of Baghdad."

In the distant,a big gatehouse was to see.Shimmering walls left and right protected the centre of the Abbasid Caliphate.The gate throned behind a district of outlaying houses and farms.People were coming and going,forming an steady stream.Just like Muscat,but much bigger.Faces and languages of every part of the world were to hear and see.Strange clothing and Animals filled the sight of the young Bedouin.It was hectic,but the Guards remained patient and held order.

"We just go and become a part of the stream,so we won´t be recognized much."

So they did.When they rode through the gates,a new world opened for them:the gigantic city of Baghdad was infront of them,taking their sight.Far away you could see the towers of the great Mosque.
Thousands of smells came up to them,some nice,some just downright disgusting.Guards were patrolling the streets,and even the most quiet corner was loud.

"That is Baghdad,the most glorious city.When I am old,my residence will be here."

"Naturally Merchant."

"Believe it.With my connections and knowledge of the market,this man right here will be the richest of all.
Maybe I will take the palace of the Caliph."

Malik rolled his eyes and got off his camel.He walked slowly to his father.

"Father,we are in Baghdad,you are saved !!"

Wallid just starred at him with a tired look,his eyes dry.

"Merchant,we have to get to an doctor."

"No problem,follow me."

So they set off into the depths of Baghdad.

.....

"Hm,let me take a look at that."

Mershad Halwah was an experienced doctor,as he took care of nearly every person in his district.

"This wound looks really not good.The odds are bad my young friend."

Mershad saw the desperation of the young man infront of him.

"Is there anything you can do ?"

"Yes.I will take care of him.It will be a struggle,and it could happen that he dies.He is old,physical in good form,but this injury is serious.His ribs were cut and core has flown into his blood."

"Thank you.Really,you are my last hope."

The doctor felt sorry for this boy.What is his Patient ? His father ? Who knows.To ask for payment now would be disgusting.Money is no subject in the face of death.Even if the two couldn´t pay him,he saw the real feelings of the young man.

Malik walked out of the large house.He strided to a bench,and sat down.He digged his face into his hands.He had hope,but he also was surrounded by ifs.What if the doctor recognized that they were Bedouins ? What if he refused to help his father ? What if his father died ? These questions tortured him,nagged at his soul.

"Salim."

"What ?"

"I never introduced myself.My name is Salim."

Malik smiled a small grin.

"I know that you both are Bedouins.And I know that he is not just your companion.He is your father."

"Have you listened to our conversations ?"

"No.Its the saddeness and the passion you bring up.Its hard not to see."

"What if he is going to die ? He died because of me.Because I wasn´t fast enough."

"Thats not true.You couldn´t go any faster.What do you want to do,fly him to Baghdad ? Haha,I don´t think so."

"He is my father.I should have done more."

"No.You are right he is yor father,but you did all you could.Now its in Allahs hands to decide the fate of your father."

Malik digged his face into his hands again.Salim placed one of his wealy hands on his shoulders.

"How did he die ?"

"Excuse me ?"

"How did your father die ?"

Salim sighed deep.Alone the thoughts on his fathers dead brought tears into his eyes.

"Saljuks.They ambushed us in the hilly regions of Azerbaijan.First they slaughtered our bodyguards,then they decapitated my father.I was their hostage.My fathers head was used as their banner.Once the opportunity was there,I killed some of them and took the head of my father home.
Nightmares hunt me since then."

Salims face was painted with tears.Malik just nodded silently.

"Be strong,young Malik.Even if your father dies,your path in this world just has opened up."

Salim stood up and slowly walked into the house.
Malik was on the stepping line:
his father was not far from death,
he was thousand miles away from home,
it was a scary situation.

So Maliks day came to an end,with an prayer to Allah for his father,and the sun sinking down,while Baghdad dissapeared into darkness.

[Visarion]

Impressive