The City

Mahdiya was the capital of the Madiyan kingdom it was a very unusual kingdom as most of it was occupied by the desert. Ironically Mahdiya was located on the banks of a river that end up being called madiyani after a famous poet's wife. The story of the city was a folktale recited to children as a reminder of their heritage. He still remembers how aab (father) used to recite the story to the village kids during the waliima of the hisad. The festivity of a great harvest was grand, a meal would be prepared all day long by the women in the society. Everyone would gather at the assembly square, where mats of food were laid out and everyone would eat together. In those days no one cared about status nor reputations every one was equal. He remembers the long gone celebrations all too well; the day would pass as they helped the fishermen clean and unload their boats, when evening came the celebrations started.

His mind drifted to the events of the last celebration he had attended. He was still a boy wearing his favorite long sleeved brown tunic and a white chalvar. Sited on a plain green carpet quietly indulging in the extravagant meal; while abb narrated the story to him and his friends. His abb was there in front of him with a gray tunic and brown chalvar topped with a keffiyeh. His round face, big black eyes and large mustache, dropping into a beard concealing his mouth; clearly visible in the light of the oil lamp beside them. He had not forgotten that face the face of a fierce scholar. Aab cleared his throat before beginning; intending to capture the attention of his listeners.

"Well my dears this season I will recite a poem from a great scholar his name Ahmad al-farouq." The children's cheers drew more audiences soon every child found a way to hear the story being told. "The story starts long ago when people started exploring the world, finding new territories to settle in. Now our friend Ahmad narrates the story through a poem." aab clears his throat deeply and started reciting in a melodious tune.

" Cruel was the king, kind was the queen.

A kingdom in between.

Lucky was the merchant, I came to be.

Sailing to the seas, to ease my pleas.

Lucky indeed, a maiden I sought.

On a new course I found, the key to my need.

Untouched soil, a prize for my bride.

In the river I saw her, beauty blinding in the depths.

Alas it was her my beautiful madyani queen."

Though confused the children clapped and applauded; aab bowed his head and thanked his faithful listeners. He raised his hand silencing the crowd before he spoke again. "So my dears that is how our kingdom came to be..." a little voice interrupted him "But how? I don't understand the story." His friend asked. His small face crumpled up in confusion "Shh Suleiman just applaud" the mother told his son. "No… No worries please go ahead my son" abb nodding his head with encouragement. "It's just that I don't get it how this story has anything to do with our land?" Abb's eyes widening with interest. "Then allow me to translate the poem" he leaned in, leveling his face with the children as if disclosing a secret. "You see my son long ago kings and queens sent people to explore new lands, in order to expand their territory." He stretched his right hand sweeping the air in a clean circle.

"Ahmad our poet lives in such a kingdom, in this kingdom the king and queen don't see eye to eye on many things." Abb took out a coin from his pocket and tossed it in the air, the children's eyes followed in awe as it soared into the air. Meanwhile, abb continued with the story "As one would say they were two sides of a coin." With the finish of his sentence he picked up the coin his meaty hands extending it to Suleiman. The little boy took it from him a wide smile plastered on his face "Shukria". Aab rests his hands on his laps and says, "Our poet becomes a lucky merchant. He falls for the princess, pleading with the monarch for her hand. The poet travels the world seeking a gift, that would convince both the king and queen. In his travels he stumbles into a new land which has not been claimed yet. He presents the land to the king and queen in return for their daughter. The poet then settles on the land as a king, and he calls the river which led him to his beloved the name of the princess Madiyani."

"Munir ...sir" the voice cut through his daydream; "Yes what is it Khalid?" "Its almost noon and I think we should be getting back if we are to make it before night fall." He turns to look at his apprentice the young man stood on his right blocking the sun with his muscular physique. His white and black checkered keffiyeh covering his face, save for the dark brown beads that were now focused on his teacher. The temporary shed they had set up for the night becoming useless to the shifting sun. The view of the city in the early morning light was breathtaking from the top of the dune. Orange rays reflecting from the tiles of its buildings, like stars in the daylight. "Then let us not waste time." Muir stood up shaking the sand from his slippers and clothes, he helped Khalid take down the small tent and gather the pans and mats. The two loaded their horses, with one last look at the magnificent view Munir led their way back to Mahdiya.

Their energetic steeds carried them through the desert, as they drew near the city gates they noticed a caravan that seemed to have stopped for inspection. By the time they arrived it was already noon, the caravan in front composed of roughly fifty men all dressed in yellow jubbehs and cream cloaks, thirty camels, twenty horses and ten donkeys. Each animal was saddled with its own load. The men rode on some animals while those not ridden were given more load to carry. The inspection process was underway when the two arrived.

All the soldiers were dressed in the military uniform of blue tunics and gray chalvars finished with a white keffiyeh. On their waist an array of weapons was displayed; from daggers to swords of different styles and sizes. Their mere sight frightening unarmed foes, if that was not enough the city walls had archers who are ready to strike at any moment. Hours passed the last load was being inspected, the trader unloaded his big orange baskets from his animals. One basket seemed heavier than the rest, it took three soldiers to unload it. The trader watched as his goods were unloaded without a word. Soon the search was nearing its end and as the heaviest basket was opened a small figure popped out, and started to run but clearly her state betrayed her. Instead of running the child fell flat on the ground toppling the large baskets near her.

The goods scattered on the ground from fabrics, exotic dried fruits and wines tainted the yellow sands. " Sir what are you doing it's not our place to interfere." Munir didn't know how he did it but with a blink he climbed off his horse and made his way to the scene. The trader was in tears pleading with the guard "Please sir I don't know this child, I swear it's the first time I am seeing it." His companions whispering in surprise. "Hey you enough of this the child needs care." Munir knelt down to the child and inspected her. "Who do you think you are? This is not your business get lost." The guard reaching for the hilt of his sword "Are you deaf move away." The soldiers all drew their swords ready to attack. Munir pulled his keffiyeh from his face and immediately the guards at the scene bowed their heads slightly. "I am sorry sir but even you know you can't interfere."

Munir looked up from the child his eyes cold "Sheath your weapon soldier" a voice from behind them boomed "If the king hears that an unknown child died because of the incompetence of his staff what would you say then? Better yet his great physician was present at the scene, and had not been allowed to tend to it ? It may be royalty for all we know." The soldiers replaced their weapons upon their leader's command, his blue tunic lined with silver trimmings and a gold pendant that secured his white cloak on his shoulder indicated his status. "Am sorry for my men's ignorance I will have them take it to the palace for you." Without another word Munir lifted the little child and carried it to his horse. He placed it on the front of his saddle and climbed on it as well. He looked back to see Khalid's disapproving look but ignored it all the same. "Open the gates and stop wasting time!" Munir instructed. As he rode through the crowd the soldiers mumbled their apologies as he passed by. The large metal gates flew open to allow them to pass. They journeyed through the city roads silently passing the soldier village to the village of the commoners. Divided from the village of the nobles by a great souk, the great castle lay in the center of the village of the nobles which was near the banks of river Madiyani. Both never looked back and by the time they reached the palace gates it was sun down.