"And who would be their teacher?"The Grand Elder of Al Ilyâsin tribe asked calmly.

"Ukashah and Zakariyya have decided to handle everything from teaching of the Qur'an and its memorization to tafsir and ahadith lessons.

It's going to include Tajweed, Tilâwah, Lughatul-Arabiyyah, Tahfiz wa Murâjah and Tafsir."

The Grand elder of Al Ilyâsin had his aged hand stroking his great white beard as he spoke in thought,

"South district's halaqah had been the best aforetime. Even without an associate-school, they rose to singlehandedly conquer all the halaqât of Tâ Hâ and beyond.

They were the crème de la crème."He sighed.

"If only the event of the Ha Mîm towns had not occurred, we'd have been in glory over all Qalb-ul-Ard by now.."

He looked at the expectant Hajj Ya'qûb tiredly,"I don't know, but letting kids as young as they're to handle such matters..

But once you, Hajj Ya'qûb says so.. I think I can also place my belief in the young'uns"He gave a radiant smile which made Hajj Ya'qûb heave a sigh in relief. He didn't even know he was tensed up waiting for this old man's reply till his shoulders visibly relaxed and came down.

The Presiding Grand elder's approval was important because it'd make it easier to fight for the South district halaqah once the West tribal elders began encroaching to cause trouble.

Especially since the position of Presiding elder would be handed over to the Grand elder of Banu Al Haris by the month's ending. Then, things would become troublesome. Even with the support of the only elder from the four tribes who cared, and even with his position as Presiding Grand elder, he knew they would not let things lie..

"One Halaqah, and the whole house seems turned upside down.. Hmm, Tâ Hâ really has its priorities set straight. Even the issue of an assassination guild using your island city as their main hideout couldn't raise much concern as this."

Clap!clap!clap!

Arman Shah kept clapping and then adjusted his spectacles on his face,"I'm disappointed. Why should it then seem strange the King and his predecessors treated you for play.."

"Arman Shah!"This time it was Hajj Ya'qûb's voice that carried the rebuke."You should at least respect yourself. If you'll not play the game of hypocrite on our side in our contention with the Capital, then you'd do well to mind your words in this gathering."

"I would always wonder where Tâ Hâ got so bold so as to think they could talk about the Monarch in this way, but I guess it's all because of his forbearance with your City considering the matter that happened years ago.

You of all, Hajj Ya'qûb.., to be so bold. Don't let something that happened years ago get into your head.

The Monarch is a changed man now and cares deeply about family. As of the moment he has a lot on his mind especially due to his daughter's sickness and his search for that cure the saints' talk about.

I say - you, especially be careful. He might not hesitate to lash his anger out on you if he gets a whiff of your arrogance.

In the end, he's a Monarch, and you're just a subject after all. It doesn't matter whatever thing of the beauties of this world you might have obtained over him.

Lucky you, he's an honourable King after all."

At Arman Shah's words the house was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The density of the tension in the air might as well have been tangible.

This time the one to break the silence was the Grand elder of Banu Haris who had been quiet all this while.

"Is the Second patriarch of Al Hilâli around. I believe there's something we'll need a report on."

The house turned round as everyone suddenly thought of someone they seemed to have forgotten, though it felt strangely normal to them.

"Hahahha! As usual, Banu Hilâli's Second patriarch deemed himself highly above this meeting.

His seniority and excellence has far surpassed everyone here so even the Grand elders are below him.

I bet he's whiling his time away somewhere. No wait - he must be tossing on his infamous lazy lounge and cursing his plight all day. Hahahahaha"One elder among the affiliate tribes mocked.

"Watch your tongue! Elder Abu Damdam!"A Hilâli elder present eyed him, knives and piercing daggers.

Nevertheless one more joined in,"I think he's willing to retire as the West forest overseer now. He's grown all so old and demented, the younger generation should succeed him."

"Damn! What are you saying Fourth elder of Al Adnan! He's not even past the Grand elder's age yet, but the Grand elder is here for the meeting."Another Hilâli elder defended.

"Exactly!"The Fourth elder replied, satisfied at his point having been made to the house.

Arman Shah scoffed. Apparently, he wouldn't even comment on this case.

"But if anything, he should have been here to report on that case.

How many of you witnessed today's bright flashing lights.."The lanky man from Al Haris said solemnly.

"It looked like someone had set off a flare in the West forest. I was hoping we would be adequately informed on what's going on in this meeting."

"Yh.. Second patriarch had to definitely make it here today if not any other day."

"Yh.."

"Yh.."

"True.."

The voices of the elders echoing their agreement on this issue continued resounding within the hall till the Al Hilâli elders were afraid they'd lose a position to another from some other tribe that day.

"I think the house can discuss on this issue in another sitting.."The first patriarch of Al Hilâli tribe said calmly.

"I suggest we do it now, a simple vote to oust the Second patriarch from his position!"Abu Damdam said, annoyance in his eyes"There should be no tolerance for some one man's nonsense!"

That was when..

•••

"FATUOUS!"A shout from a voice outside reverberated into the room as an old man with a pleasant appearance entered, panting heavily.

"I guess those on the sidelines don't even know their place. Even a guest knows how to behave when in the host's presence.

Don't chew more than you can swallow or you might end up choking and rather harming yourself in effect, Second elder of Al Adnan."

It was no other than the Al Hilâli second patriarch who said these words in one breath, even though he was obviously struggling to catch one. He was sweating all over as one who'd just ran a marathon.

At his entrance, the faces of the Al Hilâli elders lit up, with the exception of their Grand elder, the first patriarch.

Abu Damdam's face morphed into a scowl as he folded his arms and turned away.

"Second patriarch, if you would like to explain to us why you took so long to make it to the meeting.. The house almost decided on dismissing you from your position as the Forests' Overseer."Grand elder of Al Ilyâsin spoke graciously, an interested look on his face.

Even though the people in the room saw the Grand elder's look, they knew he really didn't believe second patriarch had a reasonable answer. He was just waiting for which lies he'd tell this time.

"Uh-umm. Grand elder, this loyal one was caught waiting on the news of the commotion caused this afternoon at West forest.

If not because I knew I'd be asked about it and I had to present a satisfying report, I'd be here before even Grand elder arrived!"

The elders were so used to his excuses and lies that no one even tried to argue. Just wry sighs and smiles came from most of the four tribes elders. However, the rest had serious expressions on the faces and were apparently displeased with the elder's mode of conduct.

Abu Damdam scoffed and gave a cold laugh.

Second patriarch eyed him, but said nothing. He'd deal with him later.

After all there were so many ways to kill a cat. One does not just step on the tail of a snake and go scotfree. Vote to oust him? His grandfather of the first generation would have vomited blood in the grave!

"If Second patriarch can present his report.. So what was the cause?"The Grand elder spoke again, a wry smile on his face. He knew too well the dynamics that always went in these meetings. Where there was fire, ice was there, and where there was the night, day would appear.

He was just glad that his months of tenure as the presiding member of the Council Hall meetings was almost over by the month's ending. He'd soon be free of being the one to douse all the drama. Then the Al Haris tribe Grand elder would take over.

Each of the Grand elders of the four tribes served three months each for a whole year.

"Inabah!"

One word!

And yet it seemed to carry echoes into eternity, toppling the hearts once again.

This was the second time the house was being shocked.

This was the second time they were hearing that same name, and yet it was no less shocking than the first.

Even Hajj Ya'qûb himself this time, was overtly flabbergasted.

He didn't understand how 'Inabah was linked to this. He knew something, but for the second patriarch to blatantly lie as if the whole halaqah were involved in the event..

Yet now, it was all too clear that what Hajj Ya'qûb had said previously was not just a boast.

'Inabah of the South district was back. And it came at the right time at that! Now all the four districts' halaqât are going to compete once more to be at the top of this island!

The second patriarch went on to explain in detail what the boys had told him, adding something little here and there to spice up the story a bit.

•••

At the end of the meeting, many an elder came to give Hajj Ya'qûb a congratulatory remark. Behind fake smiles, the four tribes' elders also did same.

The Second patriarch smiled graciously to Hajj Ya'qûb as they left the building,

"Glad tidings glad tidings. We all will be looking forward to the revival of South district's Qur'an circle."He gave a cold snort internally. Like the sky would have turned red by that time.

Just see if we stand by and await you to spoil our plans this time!

"Come to think of it.."Hajj Ya'qûb gave a cold smile,"The thing you mentioned about Arman Shah's and my kids being part of the West forest havoc this afternoon, I'd like you to add the time details they were there, how they arrived there, who they met and whatever transpired between them, plus everything else, before you handover the report.

I'm sure the Grand elder will call for hearing this case again, before he passes a final decision. There we'll see how lies end up entangling the telltales."

He knew that the lazy patriarch hadn't been around to witness the actual happening, yet had described the scene vividly as a spectator would do.

And most of all, he knew the whereabouts of his kids at that particular time the event happened.

He was around when Abdullah came with news of Arkaan being chased. After which he later got the whole story from Maryam just before he left for the meeting.

If anything, Arman Shah would not stand and watch anyone bully his daughter. He also couldn't be easily kept in a difficult situation by the tribes due to his association with the King.

In the end, the real one they could actually lay their hands on - was Arkaan. But he was not going to sit back and watch them do so!

The second patriarch gave a cold harrumph as he read all these things go through the Hajji's brilliant eyes.

He decided not to press on the issue any further as he walked off, a frown on his face.

Hajj Ya'qûb thinks he's something er. Just wait and see. As long as he keeps adding to his enemies, his day of retribution would surely come.
After all, even the King has a bone to pick with him!

And 'Inabah, do they think that just like the phoenix, he would allow them to rise from the ashes, and move to glory again.

Hmph! Those children must be dreaming. He'd crush it to the ground before they even knew what hit them!

As if his thoughts weren't enough, he imagined himself spreading the debris of 'Inabah to the ends of the Earth.

He gave a satisfied smile. That was just how the world was. Those in power get to prey on the weak. As long as he could crush 'Inabah before it became anything significant in Tâ Hâ, it didn't really matter.

Don't blame me for being vicious. We all have what we want, and we all have how far we're prepared to go to get it, no matter what.

And he had all four tribes with him on this.

I'm sure you have yours too.

In the end, only the one with the longest endurance and perseverance would win! Let's see how much you're ready to bear for your dream.

Let's see, between us, who has the most determination!
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