At night, a small-scale celebration was held on the outskirts of the city. The party was to celebrate Jabr son of Al-Basir, the son of a famous teacher in the Lisan Tribe who had successfully secured an offer to Aduyn University. Fruit syrup drinks and various feasts were served. Everyone celebrated joyfully while listening to Kasim Ibn Iyad from Bani Amr recite poetry,
In the land of Zalawi, under the shade of destiny, We gather, plucking the seeds of Al-Basir, It is not merely blood that flows, But sacred wisdom that guides and carves.
Junayd Al-Adiib, The Carver of Words, In your hands, poetry is like a flaming sword, Subduing hearts, extinguishing strife, Illuminating the soul like the newly created dawn.
Harith Al-Kasyif, The Revealer of Light, To Medinat-Nur your footsteps are sacredly etched, Studying nature, uncovering hidden secrets, So that science may rise, and ignorance vanish from the earth.
Jabr Al-Hakim, The Weigher of Justice, In Ajaxandria, your intellect is like a sturdy fortress, The economy organized, the law interpreted, Becoming a shield against the hands of greedy and dark rulers.
Zayd and Fatimah, The Golden Buds, Absorbing their brother's radiance, drawing from the light, The time will come, in the sky above, To bloom with aroma, a fragrant scent of light.
Thunderous applause was given to Al-Basir's youngest child. With a proud smile, the child bowed respectfully and stepped down from the small stage. Al-Basir, dressed in simple attire, ascended the stage as torchlight illuminated the cool, calm night. "O Tribe of Lisan, I thank you for attending this small gathering for—"
Jabr just looked down, lost in thought, staring at the ground and sand beneath him; he did not hear his father's speech at all. "Jabr!!!" Suddenly, a man's voice shouted next to his ear, calling his name and shaking his shoulder forcefully. Startled, Jabr snapped back, "What!?" Jabr glanced at the man. "Husein? What do you want!?"
Husein burst out laughing at Jabr's shocked reaction. "What are you daydreaming about? This is your party... don't tell me you're thinking about Salma!" He gave a cynical smile, teasing Jabr while patting his back. Jabr only stared sharply at Husein, indicating that Husein's theory was completely wrong. Although it was true that Salma had been Jabr's crush since childhood...
"Don't be weird! You know Salma likes Rasyid." Jabr exhaled in frustration at his friend. Husein loved to tease Jabr, despite knowing his brother Rasyid was favored by the women of Salamiah, including Salma, for being a strong man and a champion horseman.
Suddenly, Husein turned, "Speak of the devil, Al-Faris has arrived..." Husein looked at Rasyid approaching them. Jabr also looked at Rasyid with a gaze of admiration mixed with jealousy. While Jabr was dubbed Al-Hakim (The Wise/Physician) by the people of Salamiah, Rasyid was called Al-Faris (The Knight) for his horsemanship. Rasyid earned that title after leading the victory in the Rimal War. Just seeing Rasyid's face reminded Jabr of the memories of that war.
"Congratulations, my friend Jabr, you are truly great." A warm smile appeared on Rasyid's face, but Jabr's heart felt distant. Jabr only gave a small nod of thanks. Husein raised his eyebrows, wondering why Jabr seemed so guarded when they were as close as biological brothers during childhood. Rasyid was certainly aware of Jabr's reaction, but he continued past them. Cheers for Al-Faris echoed from the lips of the Lisan Tribe, as if forgetting Jabr was the guest of honor.
"You really hate Rasyid because Salma likes him," Husein whispered softly. Jabr quickly looked at Husein with an expression of annoyance and anger. "It's not about that, Husein! It has nothing to do with Salma."
"Something to do with me?" A soft voice from behind Jabr and Husein startled them. They turned to face Salma. Salma just smiled with a hint of curiosity about what the two men were discussing.
"Salma! It's nothing! We didn't mention your name..." Jabr answered stuttering and panicked. His heart suddenly raced as if he had just finished a marathon around Kota Salamiah. Husein only chuckled and smirked; he seemed to love this little drama.
Salma noticed that Jabr, who was usually calm and rational, was flustered in front of her. "Are you okay, Jabr?"
"Yes... just fine," Jabr said quietly. He looked at Salma's beautiful, fair face, which looked as if she originated from the western region. In fact, Salma's ancestors from Bani Sanie had once traveled to the western region to study the clothing and culture of westerners. Some of them married western women and returned to Kota Salamiah.
"Jabr, can we talk privately?" The calm but sorrowful expression on Salma's face suggested that something bad was about to be said. Jabr nodded firmly with a flat expression. The two of them walked toward the edge of the crowd. Husein left to join his family and several relatives from Bani Ra'id who were eating and chatting.
Jabr watched Salma cautiously, analyzing her hesitant facial expression. The first word she uttered was... "I'm sorry..." Then she fell silent.
"Sorry?" Jabr wondered why Salma was apologizing. Did she do something wrong behind his back? "I'm sorry, I cannot accept your feelings..." Jabr fell silent, feeling something pierce his heart.
"Doesn't Rasyid intend to marry Maimunah, the Governor's daughter?" Jabr said with a hint of bitterness. "I know! But Rasyid and I love each other!" Salma insisted, even though she knew Rasyid needed to marry the Governor's daughter to strengthen the Lisan Tribe's power in Kota Salamiah. Jabr remained silent; he had done everything for Salma, even accompanying her longer than Rasyid ever had.
"I've done everything for you, Sal—" Jabr's sentence was cut short when he heard a group of families running frantically, screaming for help.
"Al-Hamlan, please help us! Help us!" An old man running toward them collapsed on the ground, pleading before Al-Hamlan. Al-Hamlan, as the Tribe Leader and father to Rasyid and Husein, looked confused and worried.
"You are Marwan Ibn Nasir, if I remember correctly?" Al-Hamlan held the man's shoulder to calm him. "What has happened, my friend?" Al-Hamlan asked calmly but firmly. The man nodded and tried to stand up.
"Indeed, I am Marwan. My daughter... my daughter Huda was harassed by men from the Bani Bakr tribe!" Suddenly, everyone fell silent. The deep-seated hatred of the Lisan Tribe toward the Bani Bakr tribe slowly resurfaced. The animosity between them was deep-rooted but had begun to subside after the Rimal War, which emphasized cooperation between the two tribes against the Aslawi Kingdom forces from the east.
"Are you sure it was their doing?" Rasyid approached with a serious, cold face, looking as if he could draw his sword at any moment. Rasyid saw the young woman named Huda crying and nodding while hugging her beloved mother. Instinctively, Rasyid gripped his sword tightly, sensing that bloodshed was imminent. The youth of Bani Ra'id also gathered behind Al-Faris.
"Woah! Calm down, shouldn't we ask them first? Maybe they will help find the perpetrator." Jabr Al-Hakim quickly stood in front of Rasyid Al-Faris to block him. A youth from Bani Ra'id said mockingly, "They're going to confess? They frequently hang out with prostitutes. It's no wonder their minds are that depraved!"
Al-Basir walked with authority toward the youths who were eager and thirsty for blood. His thick, graying beard displayed maturity and composure. "Jabr is right, calm down all of you. We will discuss this properly with the Bani Bakr tribe. Not everyone from the Bani Bakr tribe has a bad character. Have you forgotten that we are also close friends with the Bani Hadid family from that tribe?" Al-Basir's statement cooled the hot-headed youths slightly.
Al-Hamlan nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. "Al-Basir is right, let us go quickly to meet their leader, Al-Hazzam." Rasyid suddenly shook his head in disagreement. "Father, do not involve Al-Hazzam in this. He will surely deny it for the sake of his tribe's honor, even if it is the truth. I know Al-Hazzam better than anyone here..." No one could deny how steadfast Al-Hazzam was in protecting his tribe's reputation. "Instead, we should interrogate the youths of the Bani Bakr tribe; perhaps they know who the perpetrator is," Rasyid said firmly.
"Won't they just tell Al-Hazzam later?" Jabr asked in bewilderment. Another youth from Bani Ra'id answered immediately, "Would they dare defy Al-Faris's threat?" They laughed with confidence. Jabr only exhaled, already knowing the attitude of the Bani Ra'id youths; honestly, he felt their temperament was no different from the youths of the Bani Bakr tribe. Meanwhile, Salma was comforting Huda and her mother, offering water and gentle words of encouragement. A small smile appeared on Rasyid's lips, which was clearly visible. Jabr's jealousy and envy naturally surfaced.
After discussing the strategy, Rasyid, Jabr, Husein, and Zaki were sent to interrogate the youths of the Bani Bakr tribe. There were several youths at a location near where the harassment occurred. They were chatting casually while drinking alcohol. They were supposed to be guarding the city at night, as that was the primary duty of the Bani Bakr tribe.
Zaki looked at Husein and Jabr, then whispered, "Are you sure this will work? They are drunk... I'm afraid Rasyid will get even angrier." Husein was also doubtful but ignored Zaki's question, while Jabr just watched Rasyid's movements. Suddenly, Rasyid approached the youths without giving a signal to the others.
"O Tribe of Bani Bakr! Was it you who harassed Huda daughter of Marwan!" His tone was so harsh it was as if he were declaring war. The youths were startled. Bottles of liquor were placed on the table, and they all stood up.
One youth replied, "What do you mean, O Al-Faris? We know nothing of the matter." There was no hesitation in the youth's answer. "Huda daughter of Marwan? Doesn't that woman go out with different men every night?" said another youth.
Going out with different men? What did they mean? Jabr was confused and didn't expect Huda to do that, but he didn't want to jump to conclusions and spread slander. "Don't slander if you aren't sure," Zaki said, full of doubt regarding the information. The youth shook his head, "By God, I see it every time I'm on duty at night."
"If so, isn't it expected for a prostitute to be harassed?" Suddenly, a youth with a cynical smile said those words. Instantly, Rasyid drew his sword from its scabbard. "WHAT DID YOU SAY!!!" Rasyid's rage terrified the other youths, and even Jabr, Husein, and Zaki. The other Bani Bakr youths questioned the youth's decision to say such a thing in front of Al-Faris.
"ARE YOU CRAZY, SHADDAD??" The youth's name was finally revealed. "Al-Faris, calm down! Shaddad is just acting crazy! Don't listen to his words." But Shaddad only gave an evil smile, baiting Rasyid. Jabr grew more doubtful; how could a random man dare to provoke Rasyid?
"APOLOGIZE NOW! OR PERHAPS IT WAS YOU WHO HARASSED HUDA!" Rasyid said harshly with his sword in hand. Shaddad immediately countered, "YOU THINK YOU ARE KING, RASYID! YOU ARE NOBODY!" Shaddad also drew his sword from its scabbard.
"RASYID, DON'T!" Jabr screamed...
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I woke up slowly, blood all over my body. I looked around; there were only corpses of humans and horses in the middle of the desert, and people killing each other with swords. I walked slowly; the sound of horse hooves came from a distance. I turned toward the sound; a powerful man was riding a horse with a sword in his right hand. The man swung with confidence and enthusiasm at his enemies. I was awestruck and terrified at the same time. Why did he seem like a wild beast? The man approached me, preparing to strike. I tried to run away and... my head was severed...
"Hah!?" Jabr woke up from his sleep; it seemed he had a terrifying nightmare. He wiped his face with his hands and slowly got out of bed. He rushed to bathe and get ready. He put on his sirwal (trousers) and qamis (tunic). Jabr walked to the living room to find Al-Basir's fourth child, the young Zayd, reading a religious book.
Zayd smiled brightly seeing his brother approach, "Brother! I have something I want to ask." Jabr raised his right eyebrow, indicating curiosity. "Go ahead, Zayd," replied Jabr, sitting next to Zayd while stroking his head gently.
"How many religions are there in this world?" It seemed Zayd was very curious about religious matters. Zayd had long shown diligence in reading religious books. Jabr thought for a moment before answering.
"To be honest, I'm not sure how many, but the four most practiced are these, Zayd." Zayd's reaction showed even higher curiosity; he was just like Jabr when he was small. "The Arab World mostly practices the religion of Din Al-Nur, including us. As you know, we believe in a single God." Zayd nodded, listening to the explanation. "True, brother! We are based on revelation and the Book!"
"Meanwhile, the European World mostly follows Ordo Sancta; they believe the church is a responsibility from God to them." Zayd was confused hearing the word 'church'. "What is a church, brother?" It was natural for Zayd not to know; even Jabr had never seen one with his own eyes. "Hmm... a church is like a place of worship for them... maybe," Jabr answered somewhat hesitantly, though it was likely true.
"After that, there is Tian Dao in the Chinese World. I think their religion relates to the heavenly kingdom they believe in. Finally, the Alam Raya religion in the Malay World; they worship things related to nature, like rivers and the sun." Zayd listened while taking notes on his brother's words. "Honestly Zayd, I'm not very expert myself. Once I know more, I'll tell you again." Zayd smiled happily but his face suddenly turned sad.
"Why, Zayd?" Jabr asked, stroking his brother's head. "What happened to brother Rasyid? Why did I hear he is being chased?" Suddenly, Jabr's soft smile vanished. "Rasyid... last night, he injured the youths from the Bani Bakr tribe... Zaki and I managed to take the injured to see a doctor." Zayd looked sad and replied, "What can I do to help?". Jabr just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing.
"Most importantly, take care of yourself. I have something to do outside for a moment." Whatever happened, the safety of the siblings he loved was his priority; he did not want to involve the innocent in this matter. Jabr saw Zayd nod obediently, then he stood up and walked out of the house.
He walked peacefully past the market busy with residents. Fortunately, Rasyid's attack on the 10 youths from the Bani Bakr tribe was not considered a declaration of war between the two tribes for now because Jabr and Zaki had saved them. Husein had also quickly reported to his father, Al-Hamlan, while Rasyid fled.
After passing through the housing and shops, he finally arrived at a large building. It was none other than the residence of the Governor and his family. The majority inside were from the elite tribe of Kota Salamiah, the Al-Najm Tribe. Jabr entered the building after receiving the guards' permission. Just as he stepped onto the stairs, a familiar voice was heard. However, it was not a voice Jabr liked...
"Jabr the weak," a woman said Jabr's name with a tone of mockery and a cynical smile. The woman was dressed in blue silk with gold star patterns, fitting the name of her tribe, Al-Najm (The Star).
"Maimunah..." Jabr's face immediately looked weary seeing the woman approach him.
"Why are your lowly feet in this building?" Maimunah said harshly, displaying her arrogant face. Jabr only exhaled and said, "Step aside, O beautiful and wondrous woman, let this servant pass." Maimunah was momentarily embarrassed but returned to her arrogant persona. "My sharp mind tells me that you want to meet my father," Maimunah said with a cynical smile.
The relationship between Jabr and Maimunah was unique; they were peers and academic rivals as children. However, Maimunah always lost in the exam results at the madrasah. Jabr hated Maimunah because she was arrogant and always belittled him, while Maimunah hated Jabr because she could not defeat him academically. Maimunah could not make Amir Zaidan Al-Khafi, her beloved father, proud.
"True, Maimunah, there is something I wish to discuss with the Governor." Jabr resumed walking up the stairs past Maimunah.
"It's about Rasyid, isn't it," Maimunah said softly. Jabr stopped and turned to Maimunah, then replied, "Yes." Maimunah looked at Jabr with a face of extreme worry; Jabr had never seen that expression on her before.
"What happened? Why would Rasyid do that?? Answer me, Jabr!" Maimunah seemed to threaten Jabr as if she wouldn't accept an vague answer. "I don't know! I didn't know he would lose control that easily," Jabr replied firmly. Maimunah shook her head, tears starting to fall from her beautiful eyes. "I WILL FIND RASYID!" Maimunah quickly tried to run down the stairs to find Rasyid, but Jabr grabbed her arm to stop her.
"LET ME GO!" Maimunah tried to free herself from Jabr's grip. "Don't do anything crazy, Maimunah!" Maimunah tried to resist but stopped and looked at Jabr with pure hatred. "Rasyid will die, Jabr! He will die if left alone! Do you want him to die!?" Suddenly Jabr fell silent; of course he didn't want to, but... why in the depths of his heart did it feel as if... he did.
"Huh!? O-of course I don't," Jabr replied hesitantly. Maimunah only radiated a face of sorrow. She was naturally worried about her fiancé. Maimunah freed herself from Jabr's weakening grip and walked up the stairs. Perhaps she went to her private room.
Jabr then resumed walking toward the Governor's headquarters. Arriving at the entrance to the room, he opened it slowly. A figure of a man in his middle years was busy with papers on the desk. A small nameplate clearly read Amir Zaidan Al-Khafi on the desk. That was the respected Governor of Kota Salamiah.
His firm and calm voice said, "Please sit, Al-Hakim..."