CHAPTER 13: WAR ANXIETY

A mist formed around hardrock and a sudden cold wind befall the kingdom. The news of the war have spread around and everyone was full of anxiety. Even though they have the strongest, fearless, invincible soldiers to protect them, it is scary when the enemy overwhelm the number of the soldiers available.

Riding on his horse, shamsuddeen couldn't believe that those kingdoms joined forces to overthrow hardrock. How can they defeat such armies? The first priority now is to go for safety measures. Due to the number of their enemies, they might not get a chance against them.

Thankfully every military mansion has the pit. The pit is an underground cavern meant for hiding during war times. It is a large, empty space filled with small boulders and has an exit which leads to the drylands. From there it leads to the golden camp where there are awaiting soldiers that will lead the people to a safe place.

Dust spread high into the sky as the general sped up together with his commander and two other soldiers, rushing to get to their respective homes in order to alert their households on the situation.

*

The brave family were all standing in the middle of their huge parlor all in anxiety. An elder sat on a royal couch, worried lines protruding on his forehead. He is the head of the brave family, shamsuddeen's grandfather, ilyas. He got the message of the war from his old colleagues which rose an uproar within the braves upon hearing the bad news.

Ilyas was waiting for his meal when he got the bad news. The appetite immediately left him and he summoned his grandson shamsuddeen. He couldn't hold it in his heart that he told his two sons and they told their families and before you know, everyone knows.

The women talked about it, the children listened to what their mothers were talking about, the newly brides started to think it is better for them to be with their parents, their husbands were in fear of loosing their wives in this time of war, the whole family was in chaos.

That was the reason ilyas summoned shamsuddeen since he is the field marshal, only he can calm the family that was about to break up. He was immersed deeply in his thoughts when he heard the sound of cars and bike parking.

A soldier quickly got out of the front car door, rushed to the front door of the mansion and open the door for the field marshal. Shamsuddeen got off his bike and immediately his gaze went up where he spotted his grandfather standing. According to the old man's reaction, he might have already heard about the terrible news.

Shamsuddeen have relieved khalid to go back and apply the safety protocol to his household too. A bunker have been prepared in case of this type of incident. Located beneath the mansion, it has all the survival items needed in heaps to last for five years. If things turns sideways, the bunker will be their salvation. No matter what strategy he might come up with, it is just impossible to defeat such great armies. The most appropriate thing to do is to secure his family before the war comes.

The field marshal met up with his grandfather as he was coming down the escalator. It was surprising that the old man rode on that thing. He was always skeptical and kept complaining about how shamsuddeen will kill him before his time with this architectural innovation of his. One cannot follow the local way of following the steps no, he have to be sliding up and down like a bat.

However today, the old man slide down, no complains. Shamsuddeen smiled which caught the attention of his grandfather.

"I see your reaction free of worry after the great fright boiling within our hearts."

"Don't worry much just be prayerful granddad everything will come to pass by Allah's will."

"I have hope in Allah general. What's the situation now?"

Safety protocol have been activated. The enemy is enormous and brutal. All military officers were ordered to activate the safety protocol for their families and civilians. This will enable them to pay maximum attention on their work. Shamsuddeen will report to the octagon training field to observe the battle arrangements.

"Does this means this will be your last visit here?"

The old man looked extremely concerned. Of course shamsuddeen won't be saying farewell today until a few days before the war. Looking at the old man, he still looked disturbed.

"What bothers you old man?"

What won't bother him? From war anxiety, to separation anxiety. He doesn't want to separate from his grandson who still remains single. If he di...anyway, he doesn't want to loose his grandson and have no one to remind him of him. Why didn't he get married? Time will not wait for him and he is already in his mid thirties. He have to know how to get him married before this terrible war take away his precious grandson.

Among all his grandchildren, he cherish shamsuddeen the most. The boy was so successful in life. Who will attain the position of the general of the army and not be overwhelmed by the powerful figures threatening him all the time. His grandson was so impressive and brave just like him and his father.

No one dares to strike at shamsuddeen because he strike back terribly. No matter how much he cherish and love him, this war coming doesn't settle ilyas's heart one bit. He have to get him to settle down before the worst case scenario happens. However, how to approach him with such request?

"With this terrible war heading to rock country, families might be divided, people might be killed, why don't you give an heir to the brave family."

Oh, so his grandfather is bothered by that. Now if he refused, he will start to preach to him on how important a family is, how it is a necessity to get married and procreate and move the family forward...seriously! A war is coming, when did he have the time to start getting married?

"Granddad, there are other things to think of now which are much more important than getting married. After the war, if there is a chance, I will personally look into the matter. Worry not."

Of course he will calm him down with this 'worry not' of a thing that he usually say whenever they had this kind of conversation. Stubborn child! It seems he have to take things into his hands. Hm, he will worry not of course.