Sir Dhiraar and the Green Sultan

One day, at the Round City, a stranger entered the court of Sultan Qarnayn.

" Who has sent you? " asked the Sultan.

" I have been sent by the Green Sultan, " said the stranger calmly.

" What business do you have with me? "

" Not to be rude, but, I have no business with you, oh great Sultan, unless of course; are you the strongest in your kingdom? "

With the faint hint of a blush, Sultan Qarnayn looked over at Sir Dhiraar. The knight stepped forward, with Gibil at his hip.

" I am the strongest " said the knight with no boast or vanity, for Sir Dhiraar was indeed the greatest knight in all of Qurnah.

The stranger smiled, as he took out a knot.

" This is the Gordian Knot, prove your valor and reputation by undoing it before us all "

Sir Dhiraar now took hold of the knot.

" Before you begin, just know, if you are unable to do the task, my Sultan has instructed a certain punishment " said the stranger with a glow in his eyes; " Do you accept? "

" I accept, " said Sir Dhiraar, for the first time, with pride.

The knight now began his battle with the knot, but to the surprise of all - but to the delight of the stranger - Sir Dhiraar failed.

" I do not understand… " uttered the knight in disbelief; " My strength has failed me… "

" Now for the punishment " said the stranger, delighted; " You will travel to the kingdom of the Green Sultan, you will do it alone, you by not even use horse or camel - the stranger paused for a moment - and, you may not even drink or eat "

Sultan Qarnayn rose from his throne.

" Sakhif! " exclaimed the Sultan; " Do you intend to kill him?! "

" He accepted the condition, " said the stranger calmly.

Sultan Qarnayn was about to speak but Sir Dhiraar stopped him.

" I humbly accept my punishment "

The stranger left the Round City, and the day after, Sir Dhiraar stood at the gates, ready to leave.

The knights wished him the best and the Sultan ordered him to return, alive.

The kingdom of the Green Sultan was a journey of three days on horse or camel, it was six days on foot.

On the first day; Sir Dhiraar was able and strong, but on the second; his strength and will both started to weaken. You may be thinking; that was fast? But remember, Sir Dhiraar had no food or drink, even if he found an oasis; he was not allowed to drink. And in a desert, having some food or water would not ensure your life, and Sir Dhiraar had neither.

The knight kept on walking, behind him were the pieces of his armor, they were all too heavy to wear, he was truly worthy of his title; The Naked Champion.

All Sir Dhiraar kept was his sword… but even it started to become very heavy in his hands.

On the third day; Sir Dhiraar arrived at an oasis, at this oasis sat a Arabian beauty, her beauty made the knight suspect that she was a djinn. But, the knight did agree that she was very beautiful.

The woman took a cup and filled it with the waters of the oasis, she then held it to the knight, as she too crossed her naked legs.

Unaffected, Sir Dhiraar kept on walking.

On the fourth day; Sir Dhiraar had arrived at another oasis, where a Arabian beauty sat, she held a cup filled with water towards the knight, as she made her breasts known and loose.

Sir Dhiraar was tempted, but, after gathering all his will-power, he continued walking.

On the fifth day, Sir Dhiraar had arrived at another oasis, this time, the Arabian beauty was completely naked, just like the knight.

She held up the cup, and to Sir Dhiraar's own surprise; his body was moving towards her.

The knight screamed at his body, but his body denied him. His hand was around the cup, the woman's eyes now widened, as blood was running down Sir Dhiraar's leg, for the knight had stabbed himself to regain control.

Sir Dhiraar gave the cup back, he then gently squeezed one of the woman's breasts and off he went. The stranger said nothing about touching.

On the sixth day, Sir Dhiraar had arrived at the kingdom, he could barely feel his own body, his lips were as dry as the sands, and he looked like a walking skeleton.

The knight now noticed someone sitting by the gates, it was a man, who was holding a spear with a green cloth around it.

" You made it, " said Abd Al-Rahman, who was the Green Sultan.

Sir Dhiraar fell to his knees.

" I did it, " said the knight, as he passed out.

Sir Dhiraar recovered in the kingdom of the Green Sultan.

The servant girls who helped the knight recover, were the women of the oases.

The woman who had her breast squeezed by the knight, blushed whenever he looked at her.

Abd Al-Rahman had heard many rumors about the virtues of Sultan Qarnayn's knights, so he wished to test the greatest knight of Qarnayn. And, the Green Sultan was very impressed.