"For each of us, the future holds a night of death, the morning of which is the Day of Resurrection."

- Osman Nuri Topbas
[Tears Of The Heart]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're invited to share with me my sweet dish.. provided you'd play a game with me.

Go or chess, whichever you're much fluent in.."

The boy looked down, examining the set table in front of the old man. An imperceptible gleam passed through his eyes.

"You do know Heaven Gathering Clouds, don't you? Sheikh Zeeshan.."The boy smiled slyly,"I'd like to play that game.."

The old man's eyes lit up in reminiscence.

It almost seemed as if he'd gone back in time to relive an idyllic experience in the past. Then, suddenly thinking about something, he face turned down in a frown and he gave a cold snort.

This young'un thinks he just spoke some profound words err.. Fatuous!

"So you're Al Iskandarī's punk, right?!"He spoke in an irritated way.

"I guess you could say so",Abdul Bâqi laughed,"I was hoping you'd accept me as a personal apprentice.., - upon knowing my association with Ustadh Inaayat."

At least he's frank.. The old man appraised. Certainly Inaayat's punk..

"Never thought I'd ever hear anything about him after the last time we met."The old man sighed.

"Was hoping to meet with him here once the GQRC began, those two years ago.., especially when I heard your feats in the Hâ Mîm towns. It's such a pity what happened happened at that time.

Being one of Tâ Hâ's five Quraa', and one among the few in this present young generation to have comprehended Ta'weel(used in the sense of Tafsîr), and rose to levels of Tadabbûr unachieved yet by your peers.

Indeed, your reputation as 'Sayyid-ul-Quraa fii haadha Zaman' is not just lip service!"

Ihtishâm's pupils constricted."Could he be.."

"YH! ABDUL BÂQI AL ASWÂDI! - The Qaari who's recital is said to be a phenomenon, and is widely known as the Sayyid of all reciters of our generation in Qalb-ul-Ard, aside Zayn!"Prince Fridaws smiled, seemingly proud of his knowledge on the boy.

Even as the two, scholar and pupil, continued under the peach tree, Ihtishâm suddenly asked Prince Fridaws,

"What was that game he called 'Heaven's Gathering Clouds'? How come I've never heard of it before?

Certainly, as much as you love games, you have persuaded me into playing many of your non-indigenous games with you. We couldn't have probably missed this one, could we?.."

The Prince looked at Ihtishâm awkwardly, as the latter was stuck in a contemplative state.

Obviously he really couldn't have believed the boy's words just now, - that it was some sort of game, right?

"Eh-ermm"Prince Fridaws cleared his throat gawkily,"Certainly, there really is no game like that. I've played many games from the East and West of the world.

As far East as the Land of the rising sun, and as far West as where the sun sets, there's certainly no game like that!

He was only bluffing.."He chuckled as an afterthought.

However, something else caught Ihtishâm's attention.

Ihtishâm's eyes narrowed. This boy is certainly not of the Upperclass in Madinatu Anwâr. He could tell from a simple study of his mannerisms just now.

Even as they stood at an appreciable distance from the two, they could hear their discussion a bit clearly. The crowd had parted amidst reverent greetings upon seeing the two Princes, allowing them the best space to listen in on their conversation.

"It's rare to see such a boy whose family is not associated with the 'Ulamâ class, and of humble origin, to have achieved a feat in studies of the Qur'an like that.

What's his family and background?"

Ihtishâm knew the young Prince of Al Qalb-ul-Ard would most likely have acquainted himself with as much information prior. The guy really was not the type to enjoy being in the dark about matters of interest such as this.

Prince Firdaws smiled, apparently pleased to have such a reaction from the usually tacit Crown Prince like that. He chuckled,"Abdul Bâqi Al Aswâdi is famed to be one of the five Quraa' of Tâ Hâ, - famed students of the Scholar Al Iskandârī."He began.

Ihtishâm suddenly felt like he had just requested an answer from an encyclopedia automaton..

"He spent his early childhood under the supervision and guidance of his austere father...

...Even though only he had the privilege of learning under the scholar Al Iskandârī, all the Sheikh's children were raised under the care of their father, ..taught to value the famed moral principles of their family and tribe.

His family, as part of the Al Aswâdi tribe were famed for their asceticism and piety. It was said that a person with the title Al Aswâdi would never lie though it might save his neck from a guillotine!

So famed were they for their honesty, that one would entrust an Al Aswâdi with an âmanat though there may be a hundred such people around!

Till now the people associate their family as descendants of an illustrious Sahâbi.

The tribe, which were formerly residents of Tâ Hâ, have now mostly all relocated here, the main City.

They're considered 'Guests of the King' and as such, have a special place in the Court. It's no wonder, he's being recruited into Sky Legacy Haven.

He may be the Uncrowned King, but Sky Legacy Haven is strictly for people of the royal family or children of ministers of state.

Even with his fame and exceptional prowess, I dare say he wouldn't have had the chance to enter the gates of the Madrasah. After all, this madrasah is only for children of officials of the kingdom.."

Ihtishâm nodded even as he silently listened. Al Aswâdi...

The boy would never know, the one to whom he spoke was more familiar than him on this particular tribe and their ways. Maybe to say he had not known Abdul Bâqi prior to this meeting, was accurate. But as for knowledge on his tribe, Ihtishâm knew them very well. They were a noble tribe, not of this kingdom though.. But, - of his country!

To say he only knew them from hearsay and circulating information was an understatement. He had lived with them, and grown up watching them answer to calls of sessions within his father's court. That was because, - Al Aswâdi was one of the five tribes affiliated to the main, among the five royal family clans of the Country of Sulâyman!!

He essentially grew up amongst them.

So all this time, this branch of the tribe had been a part of one of the seven cities of Al Qalb-ul-Ard. This was probably where they escaped to, after the rebellion..

Tâ Hâ...Why would they choose Tâ Hâ?

Also,...

"One question baffles me though, why would an Al Aswâdi seek nearness to the monarchy?

If there's one thing I know, it is that, such pious people prefer simple living to being under the yoke of royalty and the affluent in society."

"Isn't it obvious",Prince Fridaws chuckled,"Who would refuse such an offer from a King?!"

Ihtishâm remembered, in the past the Al Aswâdi had no other choice but to serve the emperor since it was the only way they'd succeed in purging the country of sorcery and the evil that accompanied it.

The past emperor, - his great grandfather had personally sought their advice and conferred title of Second Affiliated tribe of the mainline royal family, - Daârus Sulaymân!
Thus, they became one of the five highest aristocratic tribes in the whole country who were second only to the King's personal confidant family.

Under no circumstance would this tribe had yielded if they didn't see the danger the sorcerers had presented. They were a Bedouin tribe that cherished freedom and wanderlust. If all this was being endangered in their own homeland, then doing whatever they could, they would give up their freedom to help whom they had endorsed in their hearts as a beacon of preserving their Dîn and culture.

But when the sorcerers ate into the monarchy from inside, they watched, powerless to stop the depreciation. Till the rightful rulership fell, and the princes were lost. Seeing no other successor to rally towards, the tribe had split up as many others in their country had, going their separate ways.

So, seeing one with the title Al Aswâdi here, could only but raise interest in Ihtishâm. He was actually more confused as to how the King Dhul Qarnayn had garnered their favour, rather than they garnering the King's favour as Prince Firdaws had assumed.

Ihtishâm smiled though."I see."

...

"What happened to your companions?" The Sheikh asked, peering at Abdul Bâqi behind a raised cup.

The boy looked at the Sheikh for a moment, as if considering whether to answer him. It seemed the answer was particularly hard on his tongue.

"Ukashah and Zakariyya have stayed in South district of Tâ Hâ.. Even after Ustadh left.

As for Urwah, last thing I've heard, - he's moved up North.. Perhaps, to Yâ Sîn.. Or even more probably - The Wreath Of Tears.."

"Why, why is that even more probable than he going to Yâ Sîn? Five Saint Mountains is a myth after all.." The Sheikh asked, perplexed.

Abdul Bâqi smiled at this,"Urwah is different.. eccentric, you see.. Even though we didn't get along well, he's still one of the best Muslims I've ever known.."

"And Zayn?"The Sheikh put his cup down, his eyes glinted with a strange light.

"..A lamp and prayer beads, accompany a life.."Abdul Bâqi answered softly, his eyes seemingly staring into space, reminiscing something.
It seemed the Sheikh understood the implication, and thus, did not ask further.

We may have parted. But who knows, __we might all meet once more, not too long..

But for now.., I need to accomplish my only reason for leaving Tâ Hâ, and coming this far!..

He rubbed his nose awkwardly. All this talk, and they're going nowhere..:'(

Ah~, if he doesn't use his killer methods right now, the Sheikh might think him not serious, and not accept him as an apprentice, no matter his achievement in the field of Qur'an studies!

"Sheikh!"

A look of righteous indignation suddenly crossed Abdul Bâqi's face, his voice filled with all the reverence one might rarely come across in many-a-land,

"I've crossed many Mountains and Rivers just to see you!"Strong emotions filled his voice.

It was such that, all those nearby would feel the sincerity and pain in that ordeal, which eloquently flowed from his tongue.

Holding his white thobe aside, he fell on his knees before the Ustadh, kneeling in all humility.

"Whatever praises you've heard of me is of insignificance compared to what can be achieved when you begin teaching me!"

Ah~ Great acting skills. Even I'm moved!

Abdul Bâqi's lowered eyes glimmered in self-praise. Hopefully, the old man wouldn't be able to read him.

It seemed as if the venerable old man there, - were suddenly the very sky that was venerable to all on Earth! The old man was caught unawares in the sudden change of atmosphere.

He simply didn't know how to react! His face morphed into overt shock. Was this how Inaayat's principal student was? 0_0

For an experienced old man like this, it can be said, - Abdul Bâqi really had gotten the best of him!

As he was down, the old man wouldn't see the glimmer in his eyes,"I hope you'd accept me as your apprentice.. "

The Princes opened their mouths, shocked to the extreme at the change of character of the Al Aswâdi kid just now, even more at his daring to make such a request none of them dared to do.

"Rise up.."

Seeing the look of defiance on the boy's face, he sighed,"I'll teach you.."

At this, the crowd was left flabbergasted.

All students of Sky Legacy Haven were generally tutored by all scholars of the school. However, there were certain scholars who took specific pupils as their personal apprentices.

Most tutors had personal apprentices, except - this particular Sheikh who was famed as one of the best, if not the best, had actually never accepted an apprentice!

Abdul Bâqi was the first!

The old man sighed again.

It seemed no ripple would appear on this scholar's face, but an imperceptible gleam crossed his eyes as he realized, - though the boy showed the utmost form of humility to him, he still hadn't addressed him as all the other students do. The boy hadn't even referred to him as 'master'!

Inaayat...

•••
Arkaan's POV

"Please~, You have to let me go now.." I say in all urgency to the old man with the peppered beard, but he seemed adamant on having me stay here.

Where am I?

In the market..

How did I get here?

It's a long story you see. Wait till I make my escape from this disagreeable oldie.

"You're not going anywhere till you tell me what you guys from the South district halaqah are up to!"Old man Khidr says, holding tightly my leather bag in which I've just purchased all the stuff I'll need.

The longer I'm held back, the more those guys are in danger.

Ah~ Arafat, why did you have to go and provoke them??

"Old man Khidr, what's going on?"A passerby stopped to ask. As we stood there holding the bag fiercely on either side, I knew it was just a matter of time before we attract more attention.

"It's the South district lads. They're up to something, and I'm going to find out, WHAT?!!"He emphasized.

"Just recently, a group of boys wearing this very attire, walked into these many shops buying all items ranging from citronellas and peppermint to smoke bombs, unusual for a bunch of kids who'd like trouble you would say aye?"He said sarcastically.

Damn Arafat! He wouldn't come to the halaqah, but would wear the attire moving about the area. Just what did he think he was doing?
Didn't he know it was enough to attract attention to us?

And those little kids too, obviously they're his minions now..
What I don't understand is, why they would move around in the halaqah's wear, if they weren't coming in the first place.

Having been accepted as part of the halaqah, they had all received their attires, probably from Arafat's house, where his mother makes clothing for a living.

In the past she was in charge of designing the South district halaqah's attire. So I've heard from Zak.

I was having the impression the other kids had gotten the attire, perhaps spare ones from before, when they had gone to visit Arafat this morn.

Why?

It dawned on me the Spaniard had already had the children admiring him right from yesterday, and had probably had them willingly become his minions..

"We're not really up to anything. What's wrong with coming to a market to buy what you want?

Sheez, what's it with old men and their meddling into other's businesses these days?"I say, hoping to get him off my back.

"Of course it'll be my business. It'll be the business of all those who give some DAMN about South district and our reputation!

Not some group of boys and a scholar who couldn't even win a simple Qur'an competition!"

Eh~ This man certainly has something against the South district halaqah..

Obviously, something must have happened between he and the halaqah in the past.

"Alright." I say, taking note to find out his problem with the halaqah later. He didn't even remember me from the first time we met, or he didn't bother to.

The crowd was slowly accumulating, and I hated the attention. But, it seemed the man was glad for his audience, and was zealously giving them more of his attention, trying to explain the situation, whilst painting South district halaqah black.

"We can have this talk some other time!" I use the distraction caused by the accumulating passersby to yank the bag out of his grasp, running for it while I still could.

I could hear his angry cursing and shouting from behind, but I don't really care. I couldn't really care.

Because at the moment, the people who were my cause for being in the market in the first place, at a time when I should have been in the halaqah, were in deep trouble..