The phrase: “Whatever it is you want, I will serve” never failed to fascinate me, dear reader. And as the Bedouin were nomadic desert-farers, this piece will be combining both these concepts. It will do so by combining it all with two heroes of Banu Numayr. They will be somewhere in between Mecca and Nafud Desert, and the year was 604. I wish you a pleasant read dear reader, and find you once again in the final section below once times allow it once more.

Times Change

“Jadd! Hey, Jadd; answer me! We have to get out of here. Come on, you can think of their last rites later when we’re safe!”

A middle aged man was shaking the shoulders of, and shouting at someone who looked like he could be his grandfather. The older man was oblivious to his young one’s attempts, however, as his eyes were darting in between dead and dying men all around him. No body was discernible from one and other. The clouds of dust and smoke only made the scene look more like a chaotic painting than a real scene. But it was reality, and so the chaos only got worse in mere moments that felt like eternity to both these men.

Soon, but it was quite soon because they were standing in the middle of a fatal clash, the younger man spoke again:

“Look at me! I know this wasn’t supposed to happen, but if we don’t move right now, we’re soon going to join the army of the dead.”

It was the last part that worked like a charm or a magic spell, and the old man was back in himself again. And as he looked to his grandson in front of him, all he could sense was fear and urgency. Urgency of a need to do something and to do it immediately. But by the time he could find his bearings, his grandson was already trying to push him away from the conflict zone. The young man must have given a shove too hard, because before they could actually get away from the sounds of clashing swords; the old man falls to the ground and rolls in the dust a few times. As if it was on command, the young man tripped and fell right next to him.

Who knows what actually hit them, but soon after both men were laying among the bodies of many. Most of them were dead, but there were still a ‘lucky’ few among them who were still breathing; although unconsciously. The fight was still ongoing, however, and it was unclear which side was winning. Only one thing was certain; it was the amount of blood that was beginning to form small puddles all over the small battlefield.

Looking from high above, it must have resembled a poppy field. And the fight was still retaining its intensity with which it began. But suddenly, as if the whole ground was being torn apart, an adobe building standing close by collapsed. It was as if it was being held together by a thread, and it tore apart without notice. This was the queue for the fighting to stop. It was then all men and women in the field to stop and look at each other in disbelief. Their disbelief must have been pretty strong because this hiatus was also taking long. Then suddenly, another man emerged from debris but with an angry voice and seemed to be talking to himself:

“You cannot win somebody’s trust like that, you know?!”

The entire field was dead-silent as a grave. Some clanks of steel were heard from soldiers dropping their swords in awe, and their disbelief must have continued for a while because the desert sun was then starting to set. And it was then the heroes of this piece gave their last breaths. Under a thick layer of desert sand, blood and all sorts of metal laying all around them.

Times Really Change

What can be learned from this story you might ask, my dear reader. Well, the answer might be hidden in the titles, or it was already given and present all around you. For those who understood already, a heartfelt thanks. And if you are still among the ones who are wondering, I suggest you wait for the next episode dear reader. May your next day be your best, always.