New Age

The Queen's ascension marked the change of many things. The northern kingdom deteriorated with plague terrorizing it after Hussein's death. Rayna too became sick and was always making poor decisions, spending more than she needed to, the already troubled economy worsening by day.

Some said she became mentally ill others thought it was just the grief. People started to fear hunger more than the disease, the people looked to the future to when their princess would come of age and take her rightful place. Rayna too died ten years after her husband. As they say time is the best healer, and the sun would finally dawn on them. Washing the sorrow and misery bringing in a new age.

A new morning saw the birth of a new era. The young prince had finally come of age; it was only a month before his twentieth birthday, in which he was to be crowned prince of Madiyan. This will terminate his fathers regency and a start of his reign on the Madiyan throne. Suleiman dreaded this day it was his only nightmare, the day he would hand over his kingdom to his son. He fully controlled the boy but still didn't trust him.

The morning light bounced off a small arrow as it flew through the training grounds. Reaping a hole into his jubbeh, it misses his arm by an inch. Planting itself into the ground before him, he looks back drawing his own arrow. He shoots it in the direction of his attackers, and keeps running forward occasionally hiding behind rocks. Keep up Hassan he shouts to his opponent who was trying to run behind him.

"Malik, we should stop now we have been training for nearly an hour." Hassan joins him behind a rock he let's out a long breath "I told you to stay behind." Ali peeps to see all his teammates captured "I could not leave you to sneak around alone?" Hassan takes a water pouch from his waist drinking its contents greedily. " We could train in the palace and not have to hide in disguises..." His voice muffled from all the water. Ali looks at him annoyed by his nagging "You picked them out then you complain!" Ali reasoned softly not to give away their position.

"I mean look at you Malik you resemble a ..." he trails off afraid of what to say "Your father will surely have my head." Ali busy planning his next move totally ignored him. "The palace training is nothing like this, here people treat me as an equal not their fragile prince." Ali absentmindedly replied. Noticing the other team regrouping he retreats back to the safety of the rock "Well they do not know who you truly are." Hassan reminds him but it made no impact. He throws a pebble and an arrow came flying "That is why I prefer training here." He picks it up surrendering.

On the other side of the city in another training arena one hidden beyond the mountains of the southern border, where a rebellion was brewing. A match was being held between two people marked by color, blue and green. Drum beats marking the start of the session. I tightened my green scarf and drew my curved sickles clanking them together to signify my readiness. The other person took their position a sword on their right and shield to the left.

We met at the center of the large circle formed by other rebels, who were busy chanting our color codes. Hot sand burning through the paper like soles of my worn out sandals, reminding me of the true purpose we were training for.

From nowhere came a sword alerting me to the fight, I caught it with the back of my left sickle. Using my right I made for their arm, but I was blocked by the shield. I pushed against my weapons making them to take a staggering step backwards in order to maintain balance.

I withdrew my left aiming for their head, the clean blade sliced through the air as they ducked swiping their right leg across my feet sending me flat on the ground.

I rolled over taking a handful of hot dust before it could burn me I threw it on their face. Regaining my stand I hit them on the head with the hilt of my right. They fell down and the crowd went crazy some cheered while others threw sandals and pebbles.

I turned around and held up my hand encouraging them. Just when I thought victory was mine, a small knife pierced the back of my arm. Looking back they were struggling to get up. Even at her weakest her aim was impeccable. I knew the rules very well the match could only end if one of us is rendered unconscious.

Instead of knocking her cold I dropped my weapons, lending her a hand to get up. The others jeered as I helped her walk to a small camp outside the arena. She loosened her scarf a little revealing her unpleased face "What are you doing Manal?"

"Helping you of course." Guiding her to one of the tents; where we left our belongings, I could tell her vision was blurred from her squirted eyes.

"You should have continued with the brawl you know the rules." She scolded me taking her hand from mine once we were in it. " Why waste time if I already won? Besides, we should be getting back." she steadily took her bag from a small bench on the farthest corner as we sat down.

After going through it, she took out a bottle with a green fluid and two small cups. She poured some in each one "Drink up, it helps with the pain." She commanded handing me one while she galloped the other than started to examine my arm.

"I am sure no one will miss me with all the preparations." Mercilessly she pulled the knife out and started to dress the wound. I swallowed back the pain biting on the cup as I slowly drank its pungent contents.

I thought of the rumors that were spreading. Aisha now the northern queen was the first to send the prince an invitation. Everyone despised her now, the grief of her father changed her entirely. She became just another pretty poisonous face on a throne. To think she was the expected queen of Madiyan, it was dreadful.

In accordance to the law when a prince comes of age, he would receive invitations to every kingdom with an eligible princess. Then only six of them would be selected. The prince was supposed to visit all six kingdoms. Through the journey the expected prince was to choose a wife, whom he must engage on his birthday.

So practically the celebrations were big; a coronation plus engagement party to be held only one month from now. People knew it would be Aisha, though her competition was tough none stood a chance. "Precisely why we should be back early. You have fragrances to make and I have meat to deliver." I proclaimed snapping out of my thoughts.

After tying the last bandage, a furious Talib budged in. "What was that ? Both of you! It's a brawl, not a friendly match!" Mina shook her head in guilt her nervousness so obvious. She parted her mouth, wanting to put out a defense, when I blurted out. "Oh, Talib we were just having fun."

"Fun! This is war! You women are useless from now on you two will only do chores." The oldest phrase being used once again, I knew it angered Mina a lot. She always says a woman is more useful than a man. However, these thoughts would only remain between us. Because they challenged the rules and cultures of the land.

"But Talib you said all women are to have self-defense skills just in case." Mina stood up challenging Talib "Yes every other women will, just not you two." Quickly I gathered our bags haphazardly packing everything up. I had to get her out of here lest she gets us into huge trouble." Come Mina let's not waste time arguing." I grabbed her hand dragging her away. Talib regarded us as we left the tent.

The journey back to town was short, given all the shortcuts we used and conversions we had. Though they were more of arguments than conversing I liked how passionate she was, her reasoning and deductions were very sophisticated. For a woman let alone a slave, to talk like a wazir I found it fascinating.

The streets were full of visitors from across the kingdom. Everyone wanted to be a part of the events. Most of them were traders looking to profit from it, others just loyal citizens who wanted to witness history being made.

We finally arrived at the meat stand, in time for its opening.

"Manal!" Before I could say goodbye my master shouted, making me run off forgetting entirely about Mina. " You know what? I had to reheat my flat bread and tea today." The moment I came to the stand she started blubbering. "All thanks to your carelessness. Now for that I have asked all the help not to come today. You will do everything..."

Khawla (my master) was not like the other women. She inherited her husband's business when she was very young. Her experience in the business world toughened her up. In addition to working alone she had me do extra unnecessary work. By the time I finished, I could barely stand on my feet. Though I never really finished everything, I assumed I had since I was tired. This earned me ten slashes of the whip.

All the while Mina whom I left stranded on the packed market streets, made her way back to the castle. She walked casually among the crowd, somehow from the corner of her eye, she noticed an aged woman staring at her. By the looks she was another commoner, buying goods in the market. Her veil covered half of her face, making it difficult to recognize.Mina looked away, pretending not to see her but her gaze persisted.