“Malik, you wanted to see me?” A man appeared from the shadows behind him. Suleiman tilts his head a bit to get a slight glimpse of him. “Leave us” dismissing his protective wall of soldiers, he takes a sit on a stone bench positioned at the centre of a flower bush. The soldiers scatter into the large forested area. “ You had something to report?” The dark cloaked figure walks up to him and stands before him his head lowered to the ground. “Yes Malik, The letter he received yesterday, I managed to get an empty envelope. “The man reached underneath his cloak searching for something.

“And the investigation?” “Ongoing Malik, I haven't gathered much. He hasn't done anything unusual since the last time I reported.” He takes out an envelope and gives it to him, Suleiman turns it around the only thing on it was the address of the one it was delivered to. “ You mean nothing has happened since morning?” “Yes Malik, he is just focused on getting the money.” “What about the girl, has she said anything?”

“I have been pestering her about her homeland, she was very hard to crack but I managed to get a name; Daysham.” Suleiman was curious the name didn't sound familiar, yet he knew every nook and cranny of his kingdom. “I haven't heard of that place before, have you?”

“No Malik.”

“Then find out about it !”

“Yes Malik, I am progressing well with the girl, soon I will get all the information we need from her.”

“Very well then keep an eye on both of them.” Suleiman holds out his fist to him “Consider this as a bonus like we agreed your fee shall be settled after I am satisfied with your services.” He puts his palm beneath the fist and Suleiman hands him a small diamond. The man accepts and leaves him, blending back into the darkness. Suleiman looks to the river before him and wanders. What are you up to brother? Why did you stay after his death? He had high hopes for this man to give him the answers he so desired. However, he was cautious not to reveal any scandalous information, even though at one time the truth will arise.

The soldiers returned taking their positions, just when a boy approached the king. He looked very sophisticated unlike most boys his age every step he made was calculated; resulting in a majestic walk. His head held high and eyes deadly focused he was the replica of his father from his walk to his talk all befitting his title; the prince of Mahdiya. But his looks were nothing like him the only fault to betray him in his father's eyes. At a young age, he was taught to think and act like a king, thus making him wiser than his age would allow. Wise he may be his only weakness was his cruel father. The boy greets the soldiers “Salam, I demand to see the king.” One of the soldiers looks at the boy “Salam Malik, You look ravishing today ” He paves the way to let him pass. “ I know!” he huffs at him as he passed by.

“Salam ya abb, Sorry I was discussing the desert raids with Amir.” The boy joins his father on the bench “Stand up boy! Is that any way to address the king?” Suleiman commanded, the boy apologized and stood up. “What did he tell you?”

“ He was devising a strategy to capture their leader.” The boy answers shakily. “Oh I see and what is this strategy?” Ali did not want to tell his father anything, but he just could not restrain himself “They plan on capturing him on his visit.”

“Is that so?” The boy starts to regret what he said, by his reaction his father wasn't pleased with the information "Yes Malik.”

“Anything else?”

“No Malik” The king looked distanced for a while “Now let us go and eat, Shall we?” Suleiman stands up and leads the way to the castle.

Upon entering its doors they were greeted by one of the palace soldiers holding a small black striped kitten “Malik it appears we have an infestation” The soldier presents the kitten to the king but the boy jumps out and takes it in his arms “No! That is mine.” Ali furiously stated. “I told you to get rid of that demon cat.” Suleiman annoyingly grabs hold of his son's arm intentionally squeezing it in his hand. “But he is my only friend!” Ali defends his face crimped in pain “If you insist then I will gladly dispose of it for you.” Suleiman whispers behind closed teeth. “No abb, I will do it after dinner.”

“Do what?” Suleiman promoted, pinching his ear with his other hand “I will take him back to the streets.”

“ Streets? Who gave the consent for you to roam around the streets?” He tightened his grip making his cream skin redden “I am sorry Malik I went for a stroll.”

“Where was Hassan?” His nails bore into his skin “Please it was not his fault I tricked him into letting me go. “Droplets of blood started oozing out from where the nails were piercing his skin “So you disobeyed my orders?”

“I am sorry” He shifted his gaze to his soldiers who were silently observing them, and let's go of his hand “I don't want you among those ruffians Tamam!”

“Yes, abb.”

“They will poison your mind, the only friends we need are our allies and occasionally the enemies of our enemies, remember that boy.”

“Give the cat to Hassan, and you are not to leave your room until I say so is that clear? “

“Please Malik do not hurt him.” He hugs the poor creature tightly unwilling to let go “Who said he will be hurt, he is simply going to a better place. Am I right gentlemen?”

“Sahih ya Malik.” The group of soldiers replied in unison “Now go.” Suleiman barked “But I haven't eaten." Ali whines "You heard your king, move along." The boy doesn't move "Do not test me, boy. Besides some starvation will do you good!” Suleiman fumes, the prince handed in his pet and stormed away tears flowing uncontrollably.

“Pathetic!” A furious Suleiman added then made his way to the big dining room. An array of soups and freshly made bread were laid out on a soft blue rug that covered the entire floor. Surrounding the foods were large pillows and cushions. Even though he lost his appetite, it was the silence and comforting smells that made him stay. Staring into the empty cushions around him. The peace he so hoped for was disrupted by an angry Munir, who bursts into the room. “How could you ...” He kicks the plates laid on the rug earning the king's attention, guards filled the room ready to attack the intruder.

“It okay leave us!” Suleiman dismisses his guards and continues his defence. “What were you going to say, oh I know-how about the little illegitimate spider. That was what you used to call me right? Am all hairy and disgusting?” Suleiman challenges while standing up. “Enough!” Munir roars “Don't pull up that card, you imprisoned a poor injured child...” Before he could finish Suleiman jumped in “Let's not get sentimental, she is just another slave.” Suleiman argued, “She may be a slave, but she is still a child how can you not see that?” Munir countered “If it were up to me, she would have been dead a few hours ago, that is if had you not intervened.”

“But why lock her up? I have taken full responsibility for her.”

“Yes you have, but in any deal, you must have assurance, surely you know that. So until you settle the debts she will be kept under lock and key.” Suleiman resumed his seat waiting for his reaction. Munir turns around and walks away, knowing that a futile argument would not help the situation. He knew the king was right and if he were to put up a fight it would not end well for him. Unless he presented the money nothing was going to happen, but the longer her wounds stayed unattended to it threatened the possibility of her being alive.

Deep into the southern part near the royal stables, a stand-alone building housed the kingdoms most dangerous criminals. It was the only place in the entire palace that was very poorly maintained. From the south entrance, you could get its distinct smell of human waste, rot and dampness. It was the only entrance that the non-noble could use. The people there slept on the cold hard floor amidst their own filth, rusted metal walls conducting the harsh desert climate. The only true ventilation was from small holes on the high ceiling. Food a scarce privilege only allowed to the commoners, earned by extra services. The building had two sides the commoners and slaves sides.

Of course, the commoners' side was much pleasant than the slaves' side, in every way possible. Not that it was farther from the stables than the latter but it was the fact that it was not as congested. Inside the congestion, Mina lay unconscious in a bloodied bundle, at the centre of the cell where she was mercilessly thrown. Her blood stained the floor mixing with the dried filth to form ugly puddles. With no one to help her, she lay there alone, even though the cell was packed to the brim. The others kept their distance in case of her death no one would be to blame. During the day the heat burned her exposed skin while in the night her torn dress was no use to the ice-cold.