Laqueeta

In the time before Islam, the Arabic peninsula was divided between two empires: Persia and Rome. Some of the Arabian tribes took sides so wars between them, and at the Empires whims, was a daily routine. Besides the fights about water areas and vengeance, the strongest Tribe consumed the weakest one. BanyAbs was one of the strongest tribes for it had Anter bin Shaddad. Anter bin Shaddad had been a black slave who became an unbeatable warrior and BanyAbs’ pride. Because of him, the tribe was feared and most hated by so many of the other tribes. However, Anter bin Shaddad was assassinated and his tribe became an easy target for the other tribes who were looking for vengeance.

Because of Anter bin Shaddad’s death, the now weakened BanyAbs tribe one day awakened at dawn, while the sun very slowly rose with an unusual dust upon the horizon. Abla was pulling the bucket of water out of the well when she noticed the wall of dust that was heading in her direction. It's a raid! Abla’s brain screamed to her. We are under attack! Throwing her bucket back to the well, she ran to alert her tribe. Their neighboring rivals, Ghattafan were coming with vengeance.

Someone grabbing her arm and shaking her rudely awakened Omaima. She looked at the person and saw Abla Anter's cousin urging her to flee before Ghattafan warriors captured her. Omaima, in her ninth month of pregnancy, didn't get a chance to take anything with her except Anter’s Sword before being dragged by Abla away from her tent and into the palm trees.

Among the chaos, a Ghattafan warrior called Laith spotted them and rode hot on their heels trying to catch them. Omaima gasped and froze looking at the warrior gaining on them.

When she got no response, Abla snatched the sword from Omaima's hands and stood in front of her waiting for the warrior to get closer. There were few women who could use a sword and fight; mostly the daughters of the tribe's leaders common women weren't lucky. Abla had been lucky though because being not only the tribe's most beautiful woman, Anter had had a crush on her before he married Omaima. In that time till now, in Arabic society, the cousins can marry each other. Abla is 5"4’ feet tall, medium built possessing a hard body with light bronze colored skin, dark hair and very dark brown eyes you can mistake them as black. A small straight nose followed by beautiful kissable lips, always wears fancy clothes and who also likes sparing with poetry just like sparing with swords. Omaima is 5"5’ ft and when not pregnant, has a slender build with milk-like skin darkened a little because of exposure to the sun. She is reserved and has limited friends whom Abla is among. She also likes poetry but had no passion to spar with swords.

When Laith got closer, he stopped in dilemma. There in front of him stood two women, one standing defiantly holding a sword like a seasoned warrior 'Better not underestimate her' he told himself and the other one seemed to be in shock or something. 'What to do?' he asked himself. He wanted to capture the two women but obviously they are not going to easily surrender. He couldn't hit or kill a woman since that would be a disgrace to him as a warrior. His eyes then saw the sword. 'There is something about the sword.' His eyes widened when it hit him whose sword it was and identified who those women were. Now he is more than determined to capture them but without hurting or killing them. They are more valuable alive than dead, especially now.

From one burning tent into another Shaybub, the tribe's clown and Anter’s older brother, frantically searches for Omaima in hopes of finding her alive and unharmed. After his brother's assassination, he vowed to protect his brother’s wife and child with his life. 'Now I failed them. Forgive me, my brother, I failed to protect them' telling himself. He would have gotten his head chopped off if not for ducking seconds before a sword whooshed above him. Immediately he plunged his knife into a Ghattafan warrior’s neck hearing a gurgling sound then nothing. Adjusting his bow on his shoulder and putting his knife back in his belt, he continued his search. Tripping on something, he looked down and saw his other brother Jarear lying on someone, unconscious. Shaybub hoped it was Omaima. He tried to awaken his brother but to no avail so he was forced to push Jarear off the other person and he found...

Laith urged his horse to ride right into Abla hoping to tackle her to the ground and take the sword from her. Having captured them, he would show them off to his Father, the Ghattafan leader.

Abla readied herself by raising the sword over her right shoulder. Waiting for him to get closer, Omaima gasped as pain tore through her. 'Oh gods! I am going to have the baby now!' her panicked mind told her. Looking around, she took at the devastating chaos around her. People were running around screaming, warriors fighting for their lives and family and now she was going into labor.

Laith let out a war cry and his horse began devouring the distance between him and Abla. She took a breath and waited for the Ghattafan warrior who kept coming closer...

Shaybub's head turned sharply when he heard Omaima's scream and saw her leaning on the palm tree in great pain. Quickly abandoning his unconscious brother, he stood to run to her but suddenly noticed one Ghattaffan warrior racing in his sister-in-law’s direction. He then noticed Abla standing, holding his brother's sword above her shoulder getting ready to face the closing Ghattafan warrior. Quickly and without hesitation, he takes out one arrow and follows the warrior’s movements then pulls the bowstring further before letting the arrow…

Flying to its target, the warrior’s neck, who is oblivious to the chaos around him…

At the same time the Shaybub shot the arrow, Laith is thinking about how his father will be pleased about his captures 'I am getting closer to my goal to wipe the smug look out of my brothers faces. Heeyaa!' He leans on his horse urging him to run faster. He can't wait to capture these women. Then a sudden pain as something penetrates his shoulder. Laith’s eyes go wide and his body goes stiff 'What?! No, nonono. Not now, damn' before he falls from his horse, his head hitting the ground and everything goes black.

Shaybub’s eyes are zoned on the warrior who went stiff when the arrow hit him in the shoulder and falls from his horse, who stands looking confused by the sudden departure of his master. The horse tries to nudge his master to get up but to no avail. He whinny’s and stands beside his master.

Shaybub curses 'How did I miss his damn stupid neck? I can't believe this, I never miss a target!!' Shaybub, besides being the clown of the tribe, is the tribe’s best archer. Then he runs to Omaima then screeches to a stop and turns to look to his still unconscious brother, 'Oh well, he’ll be all right’ then runs to help the women.

Abla was looking stunned at what just happened then a smile appears on her face when she guesses who shot the arrow but soon disappeared when she hears Omaima's second scream. She turns running to her.

Jarear moans and tries to turn but soon finds himself pinned by a body. With his small hands he tries to push the body off to get out from under his dead weight but it doesn't budge. He then sighs resigned to being within the human trap. Taking one look at the area where the head should be, he screams and passes out again.

Shaybub stops in mid run and turns in his brother's direction, 'I swear I heard my brother’s scream! Wait a camel spit moment, that body wasn't there, was it? Nah, Jareer is a son of a jinn, he'll be all right’ then Omaima’s scream turns him to the other direction. He shrugs and runs to his sister-in-law.

Omaima can't take it anymore. She feels like she'll be torn in half ‘Gods!' She gasps, “Help me, Abla! Gods! Help, I’m going to.... Ahhh!” She screams when a contraction hits again. Abla drops to her knees besides Omaima tearing a part of her dress to wipe the sweat from Omaima's forehead trying to sooth her. Shaybub then drops on the other side. A great relief shows on Abla's face at the sight of Shaybub.

Both of them carefully move Omaima further inside the oasis so nobody can see them. Shaybub takes off his shirt and gives it to Abla so she can make linens out of it. Taking his brother's sword, he goes outside the oasis watching for any further danger. He looks sadly at the sword and around him “We have never been the same after you, my little brother. Gone is the happiness, safety and respect we no longer feared, brother.” Bowing his head and letting a tear trickle down his beard falling to the ground “We became like sheep waiting for slaughter. No warrior in this tribe could fit in your place, my brother.” Hearing another grunt and scream, he looks to the hiding space hearing Omaima giving birth to his nephew or niece. Shaybub looks to the sky, “Brother your son is coming with vengeance any time now.” Then suddenly, a shadow stands in front of him. Cursing himself for daydreaming and having forgotten there’s a fight around him, he jumps ready to defend or die doing so.

Haitham Laith’s older brother was looking for him among the dead and injured, he had lost sight of his brother when the chaos began. He then heard the sound of a familiar snort. Moving towards the horse, there on the ground, he finds his brother laying face down with an arrow sticking out of his shoulder.

“Whoa? Owww!!” Jarear found himself on his backside seeing winged camels dancing in front of his eyes.

“Yes! It’s me you camel's rotten balls face! I'm your little brother!! Oww!!” Shouts Jarear rubbing his bruised chin. “What’s the matter with you? And what's going on here?” The answer came as a wayward arrow hitting the palm tree beside him just an inch from his right ear. He screams and retreats behind the tree.

Shaybub takes one look at his brother who was covered by blood still dripping from him and starts to snort but… ‘Hey! Who is this?’ Shaybub thinks when he notices a little head peek at him from behind a tree ‘It’s a little girl!’ his mind screams then loudly shouts the same, “It’s a little girl!!”

“What? Huh?” Jarear, puzzled, turns to where his brother is staring. “Oh! You are right! Hey, little one, come here! We are friends, we’re not going to hurt you!” Jarear tries his best to look friendly but being covered by blood makes the little girl disappear behind the palm tree.

She’s not older than four years old and was uncertain if he was telling the truth or not but he looked scary. She had been watching the big scary men burning her family’s tent and not knowing where her parents were…is alone and scared. She knows Shaybub, the tribe’s clown, who always makes her and the children laugh. Suddenly she ran to him and attached herself to his leg.

“Rommana! By the Gods!! Is that you? Are you alright?” Asks Shaybub looking with heavy heart at the little girl who looks a mess. She nods her head sniffing, her lower lip trembling. Shaybub hesitates for a beat then asks Rommana if she knows if her parents survived or their whereabouts. She shakes her head negatively.

Jarear bows his head fisting his hands from the anger he feels. “Damn those Ghattafan…” Jarear couldn’t finish his words due to a wail and grunt followed by a baby’s cry. “What? Who is giving birth at a time like this?” A wide-eyed Jarear looks around him trying to locate the source.

“Your nephew or niece, Jarear. Omaima has just given birth to Anter’s child!” Shaybub says as he leaves the tree cover they had been using as a hiding place then tries to run to the other hideout his sister-in-law is in but the little girl, who was still attached to his leg, stops him. Looking down at her he smiles and reaches his hand to her, “Come with me, little one, there is someone who needs our help!”

“Yes, little one. Someone so little they will need all our help to keep him or her safe. Can you help me to do that?” The little girl nodded her head and took Shaybub’s hands. Shaybub then turns to his brother, Jarear, to call him to join them. Jarear is so stunned about the news of his brother Anter’s wife giving birth he doesn’t answer Shaybub’s first, second or even third call until he finds himself being dragged by his shirt by his agitated brother heading to the hideout.

The sun that rose on a peaceful morning for BanyAbs tribe before it had been shattered by the raid of the Ghattafan’s warrior’s now sets on the devastation and the silence of death. The once proud, feared and respected tribe had become a tribe of burned tents. The Ghattafan had captured the women and children along with the animals and everything of worth and use.

Haitham was the last warrior to leave BanyAbs place. Giving one last look to the ruins, ‘Is it worth attacking them? They are harmless and weak without that slave Anter. What made you scared father? What made you attack them?’ and more questions ran inside Haitham’s head as he turned and followed the Gattafan’s warriors going home with the spoils of their victory…

One peaceful afternoon a falcon flew along the valley above the houses surrounded by palm trees heading to a figure standing on a high big rock, their left arm stretched high waiting for the falcon. Before reaching his owner, the falcon flew over a house. Inside the house, which is small and made of stone and mud, Omaima is arranging the clothes, in the chest, in her room. She had been uncomfortable when she had first moved in but after nine years living in this house, it was now her home.

BanyKenda, unlike BanyAbs, don’t live inside tents because they stopped wandering after they had found the perfect place for them to settle for good though some still preferred to live in tents. It’s a beautiful area with an evergreen mountain protecting them from behind. The water descending from the mountain through the palm trees a rare place in an always desert area. The houses are simple, containing of two or three rooms, depending on the number of family members, with a short stone wall surrounding the house. The doors are not from wood but curtain-like blankets and the outhouse is attached to the back of the house. In front of the house, you can see a long couch made of mud attached to it. Long palm tree branches, tied together as a roof, cover the area and the house’s walls are painted by simple drawings, dependant of the occupants’ tastes, and decorated by small items like jar statues and house accessories.

She was putting the last piece of clothing in the chest when she heard her name being called from outside the house and she went to the door.

“Omaima!!!! OMAIMA!!!” Tamadher, a red-faced medium build dark skin woman, screamed and from the look if it, she was beyond anger and shaking from it.

“Yes, Tamadher! What happened? What’s wrong?” replied Omaima noticing the woman’s state of agitation while she was nearing her. ‘I hope it’s not because of my daughter again’ she told herself.

“Your she demon daughter happened!!!” Tamadher yells in her squeaky voice.

Wincing from Tamadher's voice, Omaima was afraid one of the veins on Tamadher’s face would blow up. With a huge sigh, she looks directly to Tamadher and asks, “What did she do now?”

Tamadher looks at Omaima’s resigned dropped shoulders and the tired look in her eyes, her anger cools off a little bit. Omaima has been her best friend for nine years ‘How a nice kind woman has a devil daughter like Laqeeta?! Search me!!.’ Tamadher mused

“You can ask her that question Omaima, my son is now with the healer but that’s not all, she also pulled all the tents nails and they fell on top of our heads, scaring our children and harassing our slaves! I am telling you, your daughter is dangerous and out of control. Do something!! By the gods we have a demon among us!!”

“I am so sorry, Tamadher but how can a nine years old girl break a 14 years old boy’s arm?!”

“Haven’t you seen your daughter lately? She might be nine years old but she is tall and big as my son Ailam and SHE DID BREAK MY SON’S ARM!!!” Tamadher’s insists, her arms flailing up and down.

“Tamadher, I am not trying to make excuses for my daughter but think about it, my daughter would never hurt your son unless she was provoked.” Omaima says trying to reason out her daughter’s aggression. Knowing well her daughter would never hurt anybody without a good reason.

“Hmmmf. I think I made a mistake talking you. I should go to Hajjar, he knows how to deal with that demon of yours.” Disappointed by her friend’s reactions.

“Please, Tamadher, calm down. I’ll send her to her uncle Jarear to spend some time with him to take care of the sheep. Away from the tribe for a while and of course, I am going to speak to her about her latest behavior.” With a weak smile Omaima answered. Her brain running through thousand of reasons to convince Jarear to let Laqeeta to tag along with him

“You do that, Omaima, she is terrorizing our children. She is beating them up, young and old. I swear she is possessed.” Again her squeaky voice went high and luckily the jars are made of mud, otherwise they would be broken to pieces.

“I promise you, Tamadher, this is the last time she will cause any trouble for you or anyone else.” Patting Tamadher’s shoulder to calm her down ‘I swear to gods Tamadher, if you are going to yell with your squeaky voice, I will do to you worse than my daughter did to your son.’ Omaima swore to herself, smiling to her best friend when she saw Tamadher opening her mouth to speak.

“I’m taking your word for it. You’re sending her to her uncle the Shepard? I feel sorry for the sheep. Um…er…Omaima?” She squeaked alright but in a low volume that saved her from joining her son in the healers house.

“I have nothing against you or your daughter but her deeds are unacceptable. Please do something with her.”

The woman left and Omaima heaved a big sigh of relief and shook her head. “Oh, Laqeeta, what I’m going to do with you?”

Tamadher wasn’t the first or the last person to complain about her daughter. Almost all the tribe was complaining about her. Helpless to find any solution to contain her free spirited daughter she sat on the ground, bringing her knees up and wrapping her arms around them leaning her chin on her knees.

Her minds eye goes back to that fateful day when they waited until night, after the last of Ghattafan’s warriors had left, then made their move. They gathered what they could and left her home or what once had been her home, heading to the safest place they could find. They kept transferring from one tribe to another under different names and identities until they stumbled upon Hajjar and his warriors who were heading to help BanyAbs but it was obvious he was a way too late. Hajjar, the leader of BanyKenda, had been Anter’s warrior fellow and best friend. And BanyAbs best ally. Hajjar immediately took them under his protection and made it known that Anter’s daughter is under his responsibility and for no one say or do or even get near her or her family with any harm. He had liked Anter like a brother. They had fought so many enemies together and as soon as he had heard the news about the raid on BanyAbs, he gathered his warriors and headed to the rescue.

Omaima blinked and looked up to her daughter smiling. “Welcome home, sweetheart? Did you have fun with the girls?”

“Yes we did! Uncle Shaybub is real funny and told us great stories in the camp. Aunt Abla taught us about camping and great stuff!” Rommana replied happily.

Then Rommana noticed the tired and sad look on Omaima whom, after losing her parents, had become her mother and dearly loved. Laqeeta was like a little sister and the rest as her family. She loved them all.

She sat next her mother. “Mother? Why are you sad? Did Laqeeta get in trouble again?” she asked.

Omaima looked at Rommana and sighed. ‘Why she is not like you my dear Rommana? Why can’t she be just like any other girl? Why does she have Anter’s strong free spirit and the knack of getting in trouble?’

“There you are!” Abla said. When she got no answer she looked at them wondering what’s going on.

“What’s happened? Where is Laqeeta?” Abla asked very concerned looking at Omaima and Rommana.

“That stupid boy, he shouldn’t arm wrestled Laqeeta. I told him not to. But no! With that ‘I am a man now I can beat her easily’ and did it. I am sure he is beating himself for his stupidity.”

Rommana took one look at her mothers and aunt’s bewildered faces and laughed hard.

“It’s not funny, we are talking about a broken arm here. Ailam, like it or not, is my best friend’s son.” Omaima admonishes.

“Sorry, mother, but he is. He always making jokes about Laqeeta because she is Anter’s daughter and won’t be able to use Anter’s sword because she is a girl and he is bla bla bla.”

“She told me if I couldn’t stop that she demon daughter of mine, she will tell Hajjar.”

“Uncle Hajjar won’t do anything. He’ll just pat her on her shoulder like the last time and say ‘That’s my girl’” joining Abla laughing.

“Stop it you two. It’s serious and you are right, Rommana. Hajjar loves Laqeeta like his own daughter. He spoils her too much. But there is another problem.”

“I told Tamadher that I would send Laqeeta to Jarear to help him with the sheep”.

“Are you out of your mind?! Jarear alone is enough trouble to add Laqeeta! Oh, gods help us!” Abla protests.

Abla couldn’t complete her sentence because of a sudden commotion outside the house. All three jump and run to the door to see what was happening.

Shaybub was on his way home carrying dinner, two rabbits and a habara, whistling all the way. Two sets of eyes watching him carefully, one belonging to a tall figure standing on a rock overlooking the valley and the other to a very small figure perched on the tall figure’s left arm. A smile crept over the taller figure’s face then moved their left arm further back and said, " Get ready, Ajfa!" A few moments of anticipation passed then in a quick motion, the left arm shot forward. "Go, Ajfa! Go! Go!" The figure shouted. Ajfa, the falcon, flew to the sky and once in the air paused then all of sudden took a dive to the unaware victim. A childish laugh rang through the valley following the falcon. Shaybub was daydreaming about the dinner ‘I can even smell it.’ He inhaled deeply then went inside the house where he could hear raised feminine voices and laughs. ‘They are talking about women stuff I guess.’ Then went to the area where the kitchen was located. When he began to put the rabbits and habara away, a falcon cry was heard and a sudden ‘whoosh’ sound startled him. Shaybub stumbled backwards and fell, cursing, on the small, full of cooking wares, table with a loud crash. Sounds of running feet approaching from inside the house could be heard then coming to a halt near the oven. Dead silence followed only to be broken by a bark of laugh from the front door. A figure was standing, with a falcon perched upon their left arm, carrying the stolen rabbits. The figure notices the different expressions on the faces...from an amused Abla to a silently chuckling Rommana to a frowning Omaima and finally to a very not at all amused and pissed Shaybub, who is glaring at the figure. "Hi, mom! What’s for dinner? Baked Uncle Shaybub?" Snickered the figure while walking towards her mother.

"Why you little mance goat!! Daughter of she ca…" Yelled Shaybub while trying to stand.

"Shaybub, I have the suitable punishment for Laqeeta." Calmly Omaima announces.

"You’re gonna live with the sheep’s dung!" Says Rommana in a sing song way.

"She is right, Laqeeta. I’m sending you to your Uncle Jarear for a while. After what you did to Ailam…"

"I didn’t do anything to Ailam! He is a liar, I don’t know what he said but he is a liar!!!" Cutting off her mother before she was finished speaking.

"Laqeeta!! Don’t interrupt your mother. Let her talk and you listen then speak your side, you hear me?" Shaybub reprimands at Laqeeta. "Sorry, Uncle Shaybub. I am sorry, mother."

"I accept your apology. Like I was saying…today you broke Ailam’s arm and his mother was very angry and threatened to complain to Hajjar. Laqeeta, Tamadher is not the only one who has comes to my house to complain about your pranks and what you did to your Uncle Shaybub is very impolite." Omaima tells her, then in softer voice she asks, "Why are you’re doing this, Laqeeta? Is there someone bothering you? You can speak to us"

"I want to be a warrior like my father! I’m sick of people saying to me that if I weren’t a girl, Anter bin Shaddad’s legacy wouldn’t be dead. Mom, Ailam said I’m a disgrace and disappointment to my father, that’s why he died" Laqeeta replies with a shamed sad voice.

"What? Did Ailam say that? And you only broke his arm? I wish you broke his neck!!!" Abla shouts, her hands are to clenching and unclenching.

"Abla! Enough!!! Laqeeta, honey, your father was assassinated six months before your birth"

"Really, Ailam lied?? I should have known. But, mom, I didn’t break his arm."

"I believe you, sweetheart. Don’t worry but until we clear up this mess, you still have to go away from the tribe to your Uncle Jarear"

He is floating over a familiar area where people are under attack ‘Oh no! It’s my tribe under attack! From who?’ His mind is furiously trying to recognize the attackers. In a flash, he finds himself in the middle of the chaos. People running, screaming, dying around him. Looking around, he spots a lone rider galloping toward him at neck breaking speed ‘NO! It can’t be…I shot that damn slave myself! He’s dead! He’s dead!’ Kept repeating in his mind. He stood rooted to his place. Frozen by fear, he couldn’t move a muscle. The rider keeps getting closer…he can see the fury in the brown eyes seeking his blood. "Oh, gods! It’s Anter’s son, he is coming to kill me" He gasps as the sneering rider shouts, "Oqba!! It’s your time to pay for your crimes!" The rider raises his left arm, Anter’s sword held high preparing to strike the frozen man while shouting, "For Anter Bin Shaddad and BanyAbs!" Oqba’s eyes become as big as saucers when the rider gets closer and closer. He tries to run but he still can’t move. He looks around him but everybody is busy fighting for their own lives. Oqba looks for his sons but finds none. Then suddenly, warm breath from the huge black horse is on his face. He only has a second to chance a look at the rider’s youthful beardless face before the sword comes down upon his neck then… A scream tears through the night inside the Ghattafan’s leader’s tent.

A big army of 300 hundred warriors marching to attack the sleeping tribe. A figure sitting on his horse looking over the army. ‘Soon, very soon I‘ll get my revenge, Oqba. I have been waiting for this moment,’ mused the armored figure while looking in the Ghattafan direction. ‘Only a half candle to reach the camp and Oqba will taste the same medicine he gave us.’ With a little squeeze from their knees, the horse galloped among the marching army. One set of eyes hiding behind the dense trees sees the army and immediately takes action.

A lonely figure sits on a rock starring to the Oasis with a blank expression. It looks like it hasn’t slept for years…then another figure appears and sits near the first figure with a big sigh.

"I can’t take it anymore, Ghaith! Is it a crime to sleep peacefully…I could but without his screams???"

Ghaith blinks then frowns while he’s still starring at the water and says, "He won’t stop having nightmares until he finds that black slave’s brat and kills him." With a sudden jerk, Ghiaath looks at his brother and gasps out, "Killing the child?! I think our leader has lost his mind, Ghaith!" "I agree with you, Ghiaath! Since he killed the black slave Anter, he hasn’t been the same man we know. Now he is plagued with nightmares and paranoia."

"And we should suffer because of it? Nine summers have passed, Ghaith and the child, if he survived, will be what…nine summers?! An adult man…a leader of the strongest tribe in Arabia…is afraid to death from a nine summers old child? Think what other tribes think of us now." Ghiaath says angrily throwing a stone to the surface of the water, which jumps twice upon the surface before it sinks to the bottom.

Calmly, Ghaith looks at his twin then turns his gaze back to the water before he replies, "If he was any ordinary boy, you’re right, but he is Anter’s son so he won’t be an ordinary boy”.

“If he survived. Maybe he was stillborn or killed in the attack, sank in quicksand or eaten by the desert lion…anything could have happened to him." Snorted Ghiaath shaking his head.

"Yeah anything can happen. How are his sons dealing with the situation?" Asks Ghaith.

"From the look on their faces, they are not agreeing with their father’s action but they still obey his orders." Replies Ghiaath.

"They don’t have choice." Then he narrows his eyes when he notices a dust cloud approaching. "By the gods!" Ghiaath jumps to his feet and shouts to his brother who has also stood to look at the rider who flies passing them like someone chasing him. "It’s Hisham! We haven’t seen him for a whole summer!"

"From the way his horse is eating the ground, he probably found what he was looking for."

"I guess so. Let’s go and see!" Starts to walk expecting his brother to follow.

"You go alone, Ghiaath. I am staying here for a while." Ghaith says while sitting back on the same rock, turning his back to his brother, to look at the camels drinking water from the Oasis. The sounds of the tribe waking and starting their day around him.

"‘K, brother, see you around." Replies Ghiaath shrugging and taking off to the leader’s tent. ‘It can’t be that Hisham found them. They are under Hajjar’s protection, he wouldn’t have come back alive if went to BanyKenda. I did my best to steer the searching from BanyKenda. Unless…’ Ghaith didn’t finish his musing before raised voices reached him. He stood and looked to the leader’s tent where a large crowd had gathered and a call to prepare for an incoming attack was heard. Ghaith took off running to his tent to get his armor…

With a bored expression a pair of eyes track the sheep wandering around along with two dogs keeping them in line. Those eyes look to the setting sun ‘It’s time to go home. I wish little Laqeeta was here now, we could have fun’ Jarear told himself with a sigh. He gathered his things and whistled to the dogs so they would guide the sheep home unbeknown to him that his wish would soon come true.

* * * * * Three boys were chasing and fighting each other with wooden swords in what they called a war and trying to show their fighting skills but stopped as soon they heard a falcon’s cry. They feared it knowing it was Ajfa, Laqeeta’s falcon, which meant she was close. They turned around trying to find her when she suddenly jumped on them from the palm tree they were playing under. Still crouching on top of the boys laughing she greeted them. “Hello, my fearless warriors. How are you this evening?”

From the pile a grunt of, “Shut up, Laqeeta, and get off of us now!!” More grunts of trying to get up but failing because of the other boys weight on him.

“Oh, Shas. It’s the wrong answer , I’ll have to punish you for the lack of respect to your leader which is me!! Lord Laqeeta-the leader of Arabian warriors.” Replies Laqeeta while adding more pressure on the boys receiving more groans.

A small squeaky voice yells, “Shas, you idiot! You should not have opened your stupid big mouth. Lord Laqeeta?”

The boy to whom the squeaky voice belonged to gulps and says, “Forgive us for er…um”

“Thanks, Lord Laqeeta. Yeah, the lack of respect and um...ah…” Excitedly, with a bright smile, replies the boy.

“Stupidity ?” Another offer from Laqeeta, folding her arms in front of her chest.

“Exactly that what I was going to say and er…um” With less enthusiasm answers the boy who starts to frown

“Foolishness? Idiotic!? Etc…etc. I've got the point, Talsam. But I am giving you a chance to redeem yourselves?” Laqeeta offered while getting off the boys.

“Anything as long as it keeps my butt away from a tanning. My butt still hurts from the last time.” Says Shas rolling his eyes.

Talsam chuckles and says, “Hehe getting my butt tanned is better than cleaning horses dung in Hajjar’s stables. Dad really knows how to punish”

“No worry, my dear loyal warriors. None of you will get in trouble.” She answers with assured confidence, the corner of her mouth lifting when she hears triple sighs of relief before adding “Yet!” Chuckling at the comical looks she gets from the boys. “Relax, warriors. I have a mission for you all to do and you won't get your precious butts tanned or cleaning stables or whatever. Trust me” Only to find the boys giving her the ‘You’ve got to be kidding us?!’ look. She sighs and says, “Oh c’mon! It's a harmless mission, I promise”.

The three boys look at each other dropping their heads in resignation knowing, harmless missions or not, they would still get in trouble and suffer the consequences because they like her. Unlike the other girls who are boring, Laqeeta is more fun and she let’s them share in her secret training with Hajjar up in the mountain and always helps them when they need help. Other boys laugh at them because they allow a girl to become their ‘Leader’, especially Ailam's group. But the boys turn around and taunt the group by proudly reminding them it was Laqeeta who beat Ailam in arm wrestling making him lose face in front of his goons.

Laqeeta raises her eyebrows asking, “Well?” She rolls her eyes and sits on a rock glaring at them. “Ok, here is the story behind my request. Sit down.” When she sees that no one moves she yells “SITDOWN!!! NOW!!” They all jump at her yelling and sit down immediately. She tells them the story about Ailam's last claim making the boys get angry and vowing to bring justice to her. Laqeeta is amused but happy of her rag tag gang’s reaction making it easy for them to join in on the mission she has for them.

During the next few moments Laqeeta decides which mission suits who. Talsam, ten years old, is as tall as she with broad strong muscled shoulders making a pronounced appearance. Tanned bronze like skin with strong cheekbones, thick black hair reaching his shoulders, strong pointy nose, light brown eyes and a small pursed mouth, but when it comes to food, opens like a camel’s. Laqeeta smiles then looks at Al Jareh, eight years old, the shortest among them but with fast legs and quick wits. More than that, he has an innocent face that can fool anyone. Dark skin, round face, small semi-flat nose, warm brown eyes and a patch of hair that sticks out at the top of his head. Now her eyes move to Shas, ten years old, who is Hajjar’s nephew. Arrogant, loud mouthed, white skin, but tanned from the exposure to the sun, short brown hair with sharp hawk like features and the ever present smirk on his face. His dark green eyes have rumors saying his mother, who died while giving birth to his little sister Aceel who is still an infant and living with his Aunt Anqaa, Hajjar’s wife, was a roman slave but no one can confirm it. Shas is slim but has a strong body and is the tallest among them. Laqeeta loves him like a brother because they’ve grown up together and, despite his arrogance, he always defends her. Not that she needs to be defended but Shas, like his uncle, feels it his responsibility to take care of her.

She doesn't hate Ailam but his macho attitude, being whiney and, more than that, his mouth is bigger than Shas’. Finally, Laqeeta issues her orders to her warriors.

Trying to loosen the rope on his hands but to no avail he grunts in disgust. How had this happened to him? How could he have fallen into a trap losing most of his men. He was so sure he was going to surprise the Ghattafans at dawn, only to be the one who is surprised. Finding a deserted place except goats roaming around then stupidly leading his men forward on towards the tribe then all hell breaking loose. Arrows, spears and rocks rained on them, confusing the soldiers as they tried to go back but finding armed Ghattafan warriors waiting for them. Turning in all and any direction to get a way just to find they have been surrounded. Fighting for his life, helplessly watching as his warriors were killed or seeing them run away. Experienced as he was, he gave his opponent a chance to knock him out. “Some warrior you are! No wonder my father never let me take care of anything, even leading goats home sure I'd get them lost.” he told himself out loud.

Suddenly Kaser's head snapped up looking around him in the dark trying to find who was speaking to him. “Who are you? Who’s there?” He received no answer at first then he felt the rope around his hands loosen and his hands freed. Quickly untying his legs, he looked around him inside the dark tent. “Who are you? How did you know my name? And why are you helping me?”

“Listen, I don't have time for chatting. Get yourself the hell out of here. Go to BanyKenda, they are your best allies and you'll be safe. A piece of advise: don't try to play soldier, leave the job to the ones who really are.” Then silence. Al Kaser has thousands of questions to ask the man who has freed him. Suddenly, something slams on his face and slides down to the ground “This is something to help you in your journey.” Al Kaser picks the bag and heads to the front door when he finds himself grabbed by the shoulder and turned the other way followed by an angry hiss “Are you suicidal?! Use your brain, you can't go out from there they are going to spot and kill you and I didn't risk my life here to save yours only to let you get killed.”

Al Kaser shrugs the hands from his shoulder and hisses back, “Stop talking to me like an idiot and who the hell are you? Why your are helping me?”

“I am a friend and we have wasted too much time. As for why I help you, I have my own reasons. Now shut up and go through here, you will find a saddled horse ready for you, unless he fell sleep waiting for you. Now Go!” Replies the mysterious man who is pushing Al Kaser through the hole made for him to escape from.

Stumbling, little Kaser did as he was told though still miffed at the way his rescuer treated him. Silently, after looking around to make sure nobody was there, he runs to the patiently waiting horse. “Heh! The horse is still awake” Kaser mumbles to himself. A snort is the reply from the horse. “Not you too! Everyone has to put in their two dirham’s! Jeeze!” he says under his breath while mounting the horse and trotting, undetected, into the darkness.

However watched by the eyes of the rescuer, who is hoping he did the right thing by sending him to BanyKenda.

Before Islam, the wars and harsh life made the baby boys more favored than baby girls. Having a boy meant a great honor, his legacy would continue and security for the father but having a baby girl meant shame and disgrace. So infant girls were mercilessly killed after they were born because fathers thought of the disgrace that would be upon them if a raid occurred because the women were usually enslaved and worse things done to them. It was also a blow to their manhood and other minor different reasons. The father, who is ashamed of having a baby girl, would take her and bury her alive. Not all Arabian tribes practiced this act, fortunately, some of the tribes prohibited it but it was still widely practiced. When Islam came, the prophet Mohammed immediately prohibited the practice and kept at it until he succeeded to rid the Arabian peninsula of it and continued fighting it until the last day of his life. But old habits die hard…although there is no killing of infant girls.

Tamadher, Omaima, Abla and two other women were walking to the spring to get water. There they found another group of women, who had gathered earlier, chatting animatedly although when they saw the group they hushed and started whispering. Omaima gave Abla a look of ‘here we go, prepare for the gauntlet’ but to their surprise the attack was on Tamadher whose jaw dropped to the ground and never came back up. A short woman strode angrily to Tamadher and stood inches away from her face

"Tamadher! I couldn’t believe what I’d heard ‘til I confronted my sons. I didn’t know your son was behind poor Laqeeta’s behavior!"

Shocked, Tamadher opened her mouth to speak but instead she squeaked, "What the…"

But was interrupted by another petit woman who pushed the first woman aside and stood in her place, her hands on her hips with a frowning face " You must take action about your son. Harassing a little girl is not among noble men manners!"

Another try from Tamadher as she managed to take a breath and was able to squeak more than two words, "My son is wha…"

But, alas, her reply was again cut short by another wiry high-pitched whiny voice who preferred to whine from her place away from Tamadher, "I always thought Laqeeta a troublemaker but it was your son’s behavior in pushing her to do what she did."

But the women never let her complete her sentence and continued their attack on her.

Abla and Omaima gaped stunned for sometime then looked at each other with the same question in their mind, ‘What’s Laqeeta up to now?’ and looked back to the women surrounding Tamadher. Omaima hurried to rescue her best friend asking, "Please, good women, would you tell me what’s going on?"

Galloping along the desert sands then stopping in front of a tree, he slid down from his horse and walked to a twisted tree where he sat leaning on it. With a sigh he closed his eyes going back in time…

Similar dawn with the sun still rising lazily.

Waiting in the tent with his brother, father and father-in-law while listening to his wife’s grunts and screams of giving birth to his first child.

Worried about his wife, ‘I can’t take it anymore,’ he said to himself then suddenly jumped to his feet causing the other men to do the same while inquiring looks for his sudden move crossed their faces.

"Sorry, I am going outside for fresh air." He told them then he went out. The others relaxed then sat back down. Once out he took a long breath and exhaled slowly looking to the dark sky. ‘I feel so helpless! Gods have mercy on her, lessen her suffering! I am begging you’. Then the newborn’s first cry was heard and the women shouted with joy which then came to an abrupt silence. Knowing there was something wrong he ran to his wife’s room waiting outside. It was deadly quite except for the baby’s cry. He became more worried about his wife when a grim looking midwife came out signaling him to come inside. There, he found his mother and mother-in-law crying beside his wife’s bed who was white like a sheet and eyes closed as if she was sleeping but she was not. He looked back to his mother who avoided looking at him, did the same with his mother-in-law then looked to the midwife who sadly announced, "It was a very rough birth, my son, your wife became too weak and didn’t make it after she gave birth to your daughter."

‘Oh gods, my wife is dead!! And I have a daughter?!’ He stood like a statue staring at the midwife, trying to say something but couldn’t. He had just lost his wife but what about his daughter? ‘Gods, my father will demand me to bury her alive to cover the disgrace of having a girl instead of a boy!!! Tonight I’ve lost my wife and daughter.’ He swallowed hard and tried to stop his eyes from tearing up then in whisper asked, "Where is my daughter?" Before the midwife replied his mother gasped.

"You are not going to bury your daughter alive, Ghaith!"

He looked sadly to his mother bowing his head then looked back at her replying "I have to, mother."

"I am not going to let you kill your only child because she is a girl! She is the only connection left from your late wife. Please have mercy!!"

Ghaith smiled humorlessly and said, "You didn’t stand up against my father to stop him from burying my older sister, Mother. Why now? What makes it different this time? I am going to do it and that’s final!"

"Son, give her to me, I can raise her. Spare her life. Please! I’ve just lost my daughter and I don’t want to lose another one." Begged his mother-in-law.

The midwife brought the infant into his arms and he looked at his first child, her arms flailing as she cried . ‘How can I be so heartless and kill this poor little innocent infant? Just because she is a girl? What disgrace will she bring?! Traditions be Damned!’ He said to himself then turned and left the room with his daughter, leaving the weeping women.

He stopped suddenly when he heard his name being called and turned to find the midwife closing on him. He waited for her to catch up to him and when she reached him she said, "Son, I know you don’t have a heart to kill your own daughter but I have a better way. I know of a family in BanyAbs who lost a child three days ago while I was there visiting my sister…she was a stillborn. Please let me take her to them, they will take care of her, I promise. "

He closed his eyes, "Thank you, kind woman, you have just saved my daughter’s life and my soul but I have to meet you somewhere else, away from prying eyes."

The midwife smiled and said, "That’s simple, I was going to visit my sister last night but with your late wife’s labor starting, I delayed my visit. You just keep going towards the outside of the tribe, near the twisted tree, I’ll meet you there when I finish packing my things. I’ll take the girl to safety. Son, I know the feeling of losing a child…"

He interrupted her saying, "Losing my little girl to a life with someone who will love her is better than burying her alive but I feel I can’t let her go." Holding his daughter closer to him.

The old woman nodded and left him, going back to finish the business inside the tent. She was met by two worried faces but she reassured them with a smile and they sighed in relief.

He passed his father who said, "It’s a girl then! You know what to do! How is your wife?"
"She is dead!"

The old man closed his eyes taking a deep breath to control his shock and looked to his son before saying, "Keep going, don’t take so long. The longer you stay with your daughter, the harder for you to let her go."

‘You mean killing her, father,’ Ghaith said to himself. Then his father looked away. He father-in-law looked down to his feet without a word, hiding the tears that rolled down his face grieving for dead daughter and granddaughter. Then Ghaith looked to his brother, Ghiaath, whose eyes went to his niece then back up to his eyes, blinking the tears that gathered in his eyes then glared at his father’s back and turned away. Walking, trying to get as far away as he could. Shock and devastation were the sentiments for tonight. How unfortunate he was to have this tragedy so early in life. He had gotten married just last summer, starting a new life then to be robbed of the most two precious things in his life…his wife and daughter.

Since then the kind midwife kept him secretly updated with news of his daughter. So many times he had wanted to go there and see his daughter but chickening out at the last minute.

‘Now Rommana is further away and I have no idea what has become of her. I wish I had a chance to see and tell her about me… No, you don’t have a right, you tried to kill her for the gods sake. Forget you have a daughter!’

Ghaith sighed and got up looking around searching for his horse, finding him munching on some grasses near the twisted tree. Taking the horse’s reins he began to walk.

Omaima blinking rapidly, her mouth opening and closing trying to get out any word to describe the reason of the Spring gauntlet. She looked first at Abla who was having difficulty in keeping her eyebrows from rocketing off her face then to Tamadher and dazed soon jumped to her feet stumping angrily back to the tribe, forgetting her water skin behind while all the time mumbling about maiming her son or something similar that. Abla, along with two of the other women, jumped and caught Tamadher dragging her back.

“Be reasonable, Tamadher ! Maiming your son, or anything else, is not the answer for this problem, we need to be calm”
“CALM?! YOU WANT ME TO BE CALM!!” Squeaked the huffing and puffing Tamadher.

‘Oww! I forgot about her squeaky voice.’ Abla said to herself covering her ears with both her hands, the other women copying her actions.

Jarear was eating his breakfast when he noticed a small lamb running away from the sheep, one of the dogs at its heels but unable to catch it. ‘Strange lamb! I’ve never seen a lamb outrun any of my dogs.’ In one fluid motion he jumped to his feet and took off running to help his very tired dog who was by now barking its head off while still chasing the little lamb. A half-candle later Jarear and his dog had still miserably failed to catch the elusive lamb. Jarear became more suspicious. 'This is not a lamb! No way!' breathing hard from running after the little super lamb. The sheep, amused, had watched the strange chase, and had they had eyebrows, you would have seen a dozen of them raised.

Meanwhile Laqeeta had been watching trying hard to not to laugh out loud but had lost it when she saw her Uncle try to bounce on the lamb only to fall face first into the sand. Finally Jarear succeeded in catching the lamb and wasn't surprise to find it was a bewildered little fox covered by sheep skin to make it look like a lamb. He smiled ‘That desert rat! I should have known!’ Loudly, “Come out !Little rat, I know you are here!” A smiling Laqeeta appeared from behind the palm tree and hugged her uncle.

He noticed the small pack on her shoulder “Hmmm! You went and got in trouble again, eh?” Smirk was answered by smirk.

“No. I was accused falsely by Ailam, the jerk, but don’t worry, I took care of the problem”

They sat under the tree where he had left his unfinished breakfast. “Now tell me the story but wait… Did you come here alone?” Narrowing his eyes looking at Laqeeta.

“Of course not! Uncle Shaybub is with me but...er…” She glanced to the trees as if expecting someone to appear from behind them.

“Little rat, what you have done to my brother?” He slowly asked. 'My brother suffered enough under your father's hands, he doesn't need to suffer again under yours.' Shaking his head smiling.

The answer came by an out of breath Shaybub who collapsed next to them glaring at Laqeeta. “Brother Anter compared to her, was a lamb. Gods she runs like a jin.” Jarear laughed hard followed by Shaybub. Laqeeta, puzzled, tilted her head staring at them trying to understand what the joke was. Jarear looked at Laqeeta “Now tell me, little rat, what’s happened?”

She launched into the story, telling them of how she had beaten Ailam in arm wrestling leaving him humiliated and pissed off on the ground then finding the whole family confronting her with the false claim of having broken Ailam's arm. She then went on to explain of her counter plan...

“I want you to spread, among Auntie Tamadher's gossiping friends, that Ailam is the bad guy and how he keeps harassing poor me who had beaten him in arm wrestling and bla bla bla…you know the drill.” With a smirk she looked to Al Jareh.

“Let’s find Sheehab and Dhiab! We are gonna nicely ask them to tell us the truth. Shall we?”

Al Jareh went home and there he found, to his luck, his mother hosting the gossiping women.

First woman divulges, “Did you know that girl Laqeeta had broken Ailam’s arm for no reason just for the fun of it?”

Second woman replies, “I don’t believe that! It can't be, he is fourteen summers and she is just nine summers!”

The first woman states, “But that’s what Tamadher told me and I saw her son when I met them at the healer’s house. He was holding his arm and looked miserable.”

Third woman voices, “That girl is very dangerous to be around us! She should be put away.”

Fourth woman declares, “Listen to yourselves. It's ridiculous, a childish problem and we don’t know the truth about it. Why are we overreacting about it?”

Second woman emits, “I agree with her. We all know Tamadher loves to exaggerate.”

Then Jareh comes running to his mother shouting, announcing with a sad, near to tears face, “Mom! Ailam falsely accused Laqeeta about his broken arm and her mom has banished her from the tribe. It’s not fair!”

The second woman asks the boy while his mother hugs him, “Oh, Jareh! What’s happened, do you know about Ailam’s broken arm?”

“Hey! Let us down!! Or we…” Yelled one of the two upside down dangling from a tree boys.

“Or you are what, twin monkeys?” Snorted Laqeeta and continued “Tell us the truth and that's all.”

“When the camel flies. We're not gonna tell you anything!” Shouted the other boy.

“You don't have a choice. We can just leave you here all night.” Says Talsam leaning closer to the one who last shouted and smiling menacingly.

“And we already told your mom about what happened in the spring incident too.” finally added Laqeeta with a bored expression. Shas and Talsam giving each other a look of ‘Huh?’ but quickly shrug it off and glared at the hanging upside down twins whose eyes went as big as saucers. They waited for a while trying to decide what to do. Then, somehow seeing Laqeeta leaning on the tree listening to them, they saw her in a different light. Thinking ‘what the hell their leader is a loser anyway, she is a lot better leader than Ailam’.

“Well, if we told you the truth, can we join you?” Asked Sheehab in a hopeful voice.

“Why are you staring at me like that? One more loud mouth doesn't hurt.” Laqeeta glared at her buddies. Shas wasn’t convinced noticing something wasn't right and replayed everything in his mind that had happened today. He then looked at Laqeeta as if seeing her for the first time. ' What has my uncle done to you, Laqeeta? You think and talk like strategist.'

“Well, Ailam was furious about losing and to a girl to boot then he started shouting and punching a big stone very hard and broke his hand.” said Sheehab

The trio looked at each other then Laqeeta nodded to Talsam to let them down. They fell in a heap to the ground.

Shas whispered to Laqeeta. “We can't let them train with us in the mountain”

“C’mon guys it's late and were gonna have our butts tanned if we don't get back home. By the way, I'll be with my Uncle Jarear for some time so don't fall apart without me.” Announces a smirking Laqeeta.

“Never! We are the warriors of Arabia and warriors never fall apart!” Shouts Shas puffing his chest out.

“Like I said, convince your idiot ex-leader to join us and all of you will be my warriors.”

However, Shas still feels unsettled by the events and decides he better speak to his Uncle Hajjar about it.

“So I assume now Ailam is in big deep trouble.” Laughed Laqueeta then stopped when there was no reply coming from her uncles.

Laqeeta wasn't convinced but she let it drop and continued eating her breakfast. Shaybub was out of the world staring to the horizon 'Gods, she inherited all of her father's skills. Soon her news will reach the Ghattafans and they will come here looking for her. I must go back and talk with Omaima and Abla.'

“I better get going. See you later, trouble makers!” Leaping to his feet and hastily walking away.

“What?! Shaybub, you haven't finished your breakfast!” Jarear yelled at his brother’s retreating back.

“I have an urgent matter, brother.” Answered Shaybub while turning to them glancing to his niece and Jarear understood. He felt something had changed about his niece but he didn’t know what. ‘What did you expect? She is Anter's daughter, the avenger of his death and the BanyAbs tribes’ death.’ He nodded to himself and continued eating his breakfast.

“Ok, Uncle Shaybub, see you.” She then looked to her other favorite uncle, “Now, uncle, what type of trouble are we going to get ourselves into?” Laqeeta asked smirking only to be answered by a bark of laughter...