"Good heavens, every year's GQRC, black horses arrive from every region of the Country to challenge in Qur'an and recitation. This year's black horses are from Tâ Hâ!!!"

"How come we've never heard of them since the competition began this year?! This is what we call the 'hidden dragons, crouching tigers'!

For such people such as these to come, they couldn't have remained unheard of for so long!"

"It's a no wonder. Till now their competitions only took place in the southern regions. Also, nobody pays attention to what happens at Tâ Hâ these days. Rumours have it that the King is angry with the town. It's said that, jinns had caused havoc some years before, and now, people treat everyone from Tâ Hâ in antisocial ways. No one wants anything to do with them!"

"Even now, there are rumours about Tâ Hâ concealing an important object from the King. Something he's in dire need of! Why wouldn't he be wrathful with the town!"

"Hey! Aren't they the same people from yesterday's bazaar sales??!"

"Indeed! Good heavens! These boys from the hinterlands, yesterday they gathered the largest market at the bazaar and made the governor pay for their fruits.

Today, they've enthralled the scholars, and earned their admiration!

What next are they in to do! This GQRC this year is going to be remembered for years to come, nay, - decades!

This is epic! And I'm witnessing it!!!"

On the high table, King Dhul Qarnayn frowned. He turned to the redheaded foreigner who was by his side. As per his expectations, Ayatullah's mind was somewhere else. He traced his eyesight to where he had expected it to be.

It was not on Zak. Could it be?..

He smiled slyly, making a solemn expression in the very next moment. Time to play his cards..

"Indeed! Many are those who are called scholars.. But in our world, only a few ever get to be King."His voice sounded once again through the convention. The people who were curious as to what the 'King' had to say, kept silent so they wouldn't miss a word.

That's the son of Hajj Ya'qûb and Maryam.. A sharp glint crossed King Dhul Qarnayn's eyes.

His eyes made a cursory assessment of Zak and moved past him.

"They're the ones who're of noble birth.. Born of the highest pedigree.."With this, his eyes landed on Ukashah.

The Qaadi laughed. Why did he feel like this comment was a personal vendetta from the Sultan.

Love must have blinded him, if not he would have realized by now considering how shrewd he was, that neither Councilman Ya'qûb nor the Lady Maryam possessed the blond hair and blue-eyed traits.

Even though it is clear he indeed is councilman Ya'qûb's son, he obviously had a different mother other than Maryam.

Ah~ Back in his youthful days.. The King was quite the hopeless romantic..

At this moment, the Sultan's eyes narrowed at Ukashah. Could you be the second prince of Baladus-Sulaymân?

I only saw him once as a young child, but the similarities are so much alike. Ayatullah must have more certainty on this than me.. But one cannot be too sure.

Thinking this, he looked at Ayatullah who had a stoic mask on his face as he looked at Ukashah. He couldn't tell what the redhead was thinking.

His lips curved up in a smug smile that would have stolen the hearts of a thousand maidens. Let me help you Ayatullah..

"Yaa walad.. All the questions you've answered so far is on Taharah.."He smiled deviously, punctuating on the fact that Zak only proved his brilliance on one aspect of knowledge,

"Why not make it a little more interesting.. I want to see how far your knowledge on State Affairs go. After all, you're councilman Ya'qûb's son.

You father must have taught you affairs of the state.., didn't he?"

King Dhul Qarnayn laughed coldly in his heart. No matter how much knowledge you have on the Deen, in affairs of the state your father couldn't be to the level of this King, could he? King Dhul Qarnayn praised himself.

The whole place went silent. If at first, people we're making speculations on his identity, now, it was as clear as daylight.
It was obvious the man before them had his actual target on the councilman of the South district of Tâ Hâ, not his son.

Amongst the people, the scholars were the most displeased. The son must bear the weight of the parent?

Scoff! Which principle of Deen was this? This was rather the antithesis of the Qur'an's 'No soul shall bear the burden of another!'

Also, no matter to what level the King's knowledge on Deen was, he obviously wasn't able to appraise Zak as much as they were. In addition to that, his prowess in state affairs obviously surpassed everyone here. How was the kid going to stand against this!!

It wasn't because as a King, he would know more than everyone else on these subjects of study, but it was because he was King Dhul Qarnayn!!

In matters of the state and ruling, he was exceptional among his contemporaries. His shrewdness only went to accentuate it. In all the Eastern Kingdoms, he was one of the best, and no ruler had been able to best him!

He's not going to be so petty as to challenge an adolescent boy, is he? Ayatullah looked at his companion in shock. But the King didn't even have his eyes on Zak. Behind his veil, his eyes locked onto the tacit brown-haired boy by Zak's side.

Would you stand in to protect your friend's honour, 'Ukashah'?

Show me if my haunch is actually having a solid basis, second heir of the throne of Al Balad alMaliki Sulaymân.. Prospect!

Those who know me will think I'm out to get Ya'qûb's little brat.. But that's just half the case.

I think this perfectly fits the adage; Killing two birds with a stone.

Would you really step in to defend your friend?

"What's up with that ugly man behind the veil??"Abdul Bâqi said to Ukashah,"Is he really not going to let our Musâbaqah progress??" Ukashah was silent, an unreadable expression on his face.

A trap had been set out, and he knew who the bait truly was for. But would he bite unto it and be fished out?

Even as a protest was about to arise from the seat of scholars, Ukashah walked to the mic. Zak moved aside seeing the resoluteness on his face.

Ukashah's brown orbs intelligently scanned everyone. He had studied the whole game 'King Dhul Qarnayn' as he had already deciphered, was playing.

If he doesn't respond, things would only get worse for him. Because, he had already seen the scholars in commotion.

If he was right, that was the first move King Dhul Qarnayn had anticipated, unless he voluntarily took the bait.

If the scholars were to protest as he had calculated, the next move the King would make, would be to reveal his identity as the King. Once he does so, it's checkmate for him. Everything would have to go strictly by his way then, and there'll be no leeway for him out of the situation.

His cover of safety would be exposed to all present at the convention! And who was to say the people of the Tetragrammaton Circle of Sihr from his Country weren't around, seeking floating news of him.

As long as the King hadn't yet revealed his identity, his absolute power of autonomy was still limited. There was still the chance for Ukashah to conceal his identity as the exiled Prince Ukashah of the Country of King Sulaymân.

The King was playing a game, and had forcibly dragged an unwilling Ukashah to play with him.

Well, if that's how it is.. Let's play. The only way out was to get in. You really deserve your title as the sly King. Even my late father was wary of you!

He looked up, directly facing where would have been the veiled man's eyes, and their eyes locked.

The King's smile broadened. So you do understand the game, Prince.. Ukashah!

King Dhul Qarnayn now had no doubts whatsoever about the boy's identity, at the moment. That was because, by coming forward, he had already openly declared to the King, -that he was Prince Ukashah. Though no one else would understand due to their lack of comprehension of his 'game'.
And that was because, as he must have already deciphered, not coming forth would reveal both their identities!

The King would have done just as Ukashah had mapped out; Ukashah would have been forced to reveal himself to protect his friends. Two identities would have been exposed that day, but only one would have suffered setbacks!

The King smiled once again. This time, with appraisal of the placid faced, brown-haired boy. He really has the true bearing of a Prince.

•••

"Hey, isn't that the saint boy and one of his friends? How come they're here Jar? They should be reciting on the stage by now!!"Irshâd asked. They had just come out of the washroom when they had spotted the two coming from the building after them.

Zayn and Urwah came out of the washroom, not expecting they'd bump into Irshâd and Jârullah who were waiting for them at the entrance.

"Have you ditched the tournament guys!"

Urwah watched the tanned boy with the mole under his right eye in scrutiny. What at all was it for this boy from the Sâd group to be so interested in them from Tâ Hâ like that? It was contrary to how all the others from among their peers from the mainland cities treated them.

"Zayn had some abdominal pains, so he came to relieve himself."Urwah said bluntly.

Zayn faced down bashfully. He wondered if they had bought the melons too. After all, they were also present from what they had said before.

"If you had bought some of the melons yesterday, I'm sor-"

"No need for that bro, we didn't buy some. Alhamdulillah.."Irshâd laughed at Zayn's politeness.

The boy must have felt bad enough that people could be suffering because of him at the moment. The boy truly had a good heart towards others.

"What about you guys, what are you doing here? It could be your turn anytime too, you know. I remember it's only you two who're representing Sâd city. I admire your courage, but that means you both can't be absent at anytime.."

Irshâd smiled smugly."Don't worry about we Sâd group.. After all, we wouldn't be able to truly know our strengths without Tâ Hâ being around you know.."

What does he mean by that? Urwah questioned in his mind.

"Anyway, we're going somewhere so you can return before us.."Urwah said when he saw them trailing after them.

"Oh.. Is that so?"Irshâd said with an understanding on his face."Goodbye then."He smiled.

He stood back with Jârullah as the two disappeared in a direction other than that of the competition grounds.

"Where do you think they're going?"Irshâd asked, a thinking expression on his face.

"I don't know.."Jârullah shrugged."Hey! Where are you going?"

"I'm following them.."Irshâd said, moving hastily in their direction, a playful grin adorning his face.

"B-bu-but it's our time right after them, and we're only two!"

"I'll just be gone for a while. And Jar, ..even if it's you alone standing for Sâd city,"Irshâd smiled meaningfully at him,"It's enough for our Sâd to win this competition.."

"No way! I'm going with you!"Jârullah said, leaping in after his friend.

Irshâd laughed, pulling Jârullah along with him."And here I thought we'd go our separate ways for the first time, Jar.

In life, you and I are inseparable friends, even we've to accompany one another to piss. I say why don't we be so too in death. Together. Forever.."Irshâd said dreamily, though sarcasm filled his tone.

"Like seriously?"Jârullah shook his head in flabbergast."I don't look forward to dying with you bro."He deadpanned.

And they were soon walking down a solitary path. One that Urwah had passed with Zayn just before.

•••

"Urwah, where are we?"Zayn's voice ricocheted off the walls of the underground sewers.

"Four"

"Wha-?"

"There are four groups after us.. The King's group, Nine Flowers Heaven, Den of Thieves, the fourth group doesn't seem to be too well organized..

So I'm guessing they're a bunch of different people who've joined together for the same goal. However - "Ukashah suddenly winced, holding his right shoulder in extreme pain.

Five.. Zayn thought. There were five groups after them. But Ukashah wouldn't have been able to perceive the fifth group with his hunter senses after all.

The fifth group eluded your senses, but.. their malevolent presence, is so pervasive..

"Why do you think all these people have suddenly gathered after us?"Zayn asked in a calm tone, in contrast to their present predicament.

He had kept silent for so long. But it was time to satisfy his curiosity. Even though he seemed calm, it was only because she had taught him so.

"Apart from Nine Flowers Heaven wanting to capture me.., for the rest, it's probably because of something else..

I don't think we're the main target though.. We're just the bait.. To get Ustadh!"

It wasn't some time after they had taken the path back to their inn that Ukashah noticed something was wrong.

They had gone to see if they would find Ustadh.

When they'd gotten closer to the inn, he noticed the general silence that swallowed the neighbourhood.

If that was just the case, he wouldn't have been alarmed, but the eerie silence told his hunter instincts that they were not alone.

Without a second thought, he had carried Zayn upon his back with his one arm, swiftly dodging poisoned darts aimed at them, with trained fluid movements.

Using his free but heavily bandaged arm as a shield whilst retreating, he skillfully blocked the darts he couldn't dodge.

However, one had grazed his unprotected right shoulder.

"Drats!!"They had not yet even entered the room where he knew an ambush was lying in wait for them, and the attacks had already began!!

This was his first clue that there were separate groups after them. At the very least, - two.

But as the chase began, he started to notice more than two groups according to the way the long-range attacks fired at them successively. He succeeded in dodging all of them.

He was grateful to Zayn for understanding the situation and keeping silent and calm since it started. Although he felt the boy's occasional heartbeats when they came across each attack barrage, things would have been much more difficult had he panicked.

The empty streets made it easy for the concealed groups to carry out their stealth attacks. No one had successfully hit since the first. And he would have dodged that too had he sensed earlier that there were more than one assassin group after them.

After all, which assassin would set an ambush for you just so he could attack you before you walked right into it.

As time went on, the frequency of attacks increased till Urwah could find no respite.

He waited for the right opportunity when he had reached a crossroads. Then he took out the smoke bomb, and threw it forth. Good thing he hadn't yet disposed of that. Even though he had sworn never to wield a katana again, these were useful for defence.

As a former assassin, he never had his mind having a day's respite. What assurance did you have that no one would come for your head anytime, from amongst past targets' relatives seeking vengeance, or even past comrades under orders from above, who wished to keep concealed the organization's secrets.

Under the cover of the smoke bomb, he opened the manhole cover on the paved street intersection, and entered with Zayn.

That was what led to them being there.

"What about Irshâd and Jârullah?"Zayn asked, disturbed.

This was really not the time to blame the boys in his heart that he had warned them to go back at that time. But now, they were also caught up in their present predicament.

He wouldn't have told Zayn when he saw them approach from the other side, in order to prevent Zayn from getting disturbed. But the boys had raised an alarm when they saw them being attacked. And that was how Zayn got to know of their presence. They had not heard from them since then.

Considering the streets were mostly silent, and whoever remained indoors wouldn't dare come out of the safety of their homes once they saw the attacks, he knew the boys' attempt was probably futile.

According to Urwah's calculations, they might have probably fallen hostage already, to one of the groups after them. Most likely, those who lay in ambush in their inn. Once they picked up their relation to them, they would not let them go.

He knew they wouldn't also kill them. After all, what was the use of hostages, but to be used as leverage.

But he couldn't also assure that they wouldn't be manhandled badly. The world of the assassin was a brutal one after all.

"Don't worry.. I'll find a chance to rescue them in shaa Allah."Saying this, Urwah flopped back against the sewer walls. The poison from the previous injury had started taking its effects, leaving searing pain in its wake.

Stars danced before his eyes.

Before his vision went dark, he almost cursed, praising Allah instead. He now knew those who had attacked them, before they fell into the ambush.

Drats.. They were all on their trail, and he was already out of commission. He didn't know for how long too. The people above wouldn't be fooled for so long..

Nine Flowers Heaven.. Only they have the kind of poison his body had no resistance to.

Zayn.. His voice faded away. Be safe..

Zayn looked out into the blackness. He was now surrounded by double darkness, and the place too was cold.

They're already here.. Zayn murmured. Of course smokes bombs would have no effect on the jinn.

•••
________________________________

AsSalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. I'm still on my hiatus, but I had to do this:)

Alhamdulillah, these are the remaining two of the four I'd mentioned the last time.

The rest of the Hâ Mîm arc would come together in shaa Allah.

Till the next Crescent, Sayonara😁..