FF: Desert Rose (Chapter 7, Pg 35) 11/07 - Page 6

'And when they do, I will wipe them out,' Jalal promised himself, his visage one of terrible rage.

He would run them to the ground, cut off their heads and present them to his King. His brother. Moinuddin deserved that peace of mind after the years of struggle he had witnessed as the largely reviled King of a dominantly Hindu state, as an elder brother to a wearisome boy and later - a volatile man - and, as a mareez.

The invalid of an illness that was steadily consuming his life. It had tormented him for five years, and it would reach its final journey through his ailing body soon. A reason why Jalal was in the forest, desperately searching for the elusive brigands. He needed to capture and make atleast one of them speak! He needed to know the cause of the upheaval in Rajputana. The cause of more of the lines that already marred his brother's face, the weary look in his dark eyes.. The smile that lacked it's usual comfort.

I have no fear of dying. You will live and rule enough for both of us.

The parting words of his brother washed over him, weakening him for a moment. He had never aspired to be a Shahenshah - an Emperor. Shahenshah had always been his very competent brother - Shahenshah Moinuddin Mohammed - after the demise of their father Humayun. Moinuddin had been meant to be a King. He was just, righteous and ferocious in defending what he considered his. He had taken Jalal under his wings and honed him in the art of warfare. He had taken all the tantrums, the volatile temper, the stubbornness, and turned him into a lethal opponent on a battlefield. All of this, while juggling the demands of a steadily growing Empire and maintaining control over its diverse elements. In a lot of ways, Jalal had always found more of a father in his brother than in his real father.

Which is why he would set the whole of Rajputana on fire before he let the scheming of few devious Kings break what took everything from Moinuddin to build.

He slowed his loyal stallion to a trot as his destination came nearer. It would rain in a moment and he needed to seek shelter at the hut his soldiers had prepared for his rest in the wilderness. They had even built a makeshift stable for Storm, knowing Jalal was very fastidious about the stallion's wellbeing. Storm had been a gift from his brother after he had won his first battle for him. The stallion was like a storm itself on a battlefield and so loyal that he would put his life down at the first command from his master. Jalal prized the stallion above most people. In his experience, people only tried to deceive, use or betray royalty. True friends were a rarity.

The first few droplets of rain fell, as he took the turn that would lead him to the hut. He jerked Storm to a sudden stop in front of a serviceable shelter with a wooden door and a window with evenly spaced bars. It was situated in a forest clearing with wildflowers in bloom in the brush.

But sight of the quaint dwelling was not what had alarmed Jalal.

A black steed had its head out from the stable. Seeing the horse and the rider approach, it had nickered softly. The door of the hut was slightly ajar. Someone was inside.

Lightning flashed in the sky, the rain falling in earnest. The mud around quickly became wet and slippery. The black horse whinnied and pulled its head inside again.

Jalal still sat on the brown stallion, black rage on his features. His horse twitched beneath him, wanting to get out of the rain.

A glimpse of blue in the small window of the hut confirmed his suspicions about its occupant. Pushing his wet hair out of his face, he removed his black overcoat, throwing it uncaringly onto the ground. He cracked his knuckles and worked out the kinks from his shoulders with a slight twist of his head, his eyes locked to the window.

This brigand would not get out alive. This brigand would answer his questions.

He got down swiftly, a mirthless smile on his countenance. The smile of the devil before destruction.

A flash of steel glinted in the pouring rain.

The thunder rolled menacingly as Jalal drew his sword and walked into the hut.

To be continued..