Tribulations

Emir Hana was sad, the Queen's wails were so loud and disturbing.

" She waited for this baby, it's unfortunate" said one of the few Chiefs who came to sympathize with the Emir.

Amir was also sad, he was alone in his room, after a while , Hamza joined him.

" She would be fine and would have another child," Hamza consoled.

" My mind has been going through what I told my father when I was mad, what if I was dead, and this happens again, "

" We are all going to be fine. All we need to do is believe that life is not always smooth, "

Barau tried to pull himself together, He decided to give his uncle some benefit of doubt, He went back to baba jikau.

" He wants to take over, as long as He remains here, He would never allow the Emir to have another Heir, Amir and my brother have already fallen into his traps and only you can take them out of it, He is such a trickster"

" I will do my own findings and if He is really evil, then I will kill him myself" Barau said

Baba Jikau was partially pleased, He could feel the rage in his nephew's eyes.

" But you must not let him know that you are on his case , You have to adopt the trickster skills too, it will be easier since he feels that you have also fallen into his trap"

Four nights later, the General and his army returned to Lumana, Emir Hana was glad that the Midwife was alive, Her treatment commenced immediately , the Physician tried His best and She was beginning to look better.

"She shouldn't be stressed, we need to give her some time, the medications are strong"the Physician told the excited Emir.

Amir and Hamza became closer, Amir admired Hamza's swordfighting skills as He practiced with Soldiers in the arena while Barau was always on the view sipping his milk.

" You are good with the swords," Amir admitted

" Let's go for a round," said Hamza

They started and in a glance , Hamza dropped Amir's sword with his.

" This is hilarious," Amir mocked himself " to think that I was hand tight with it "

" You were simply not ready" Barau said looking quite moody.

" What's wrong with you? does the milk taste sour?" Amir asked sharply

" No, I am having some pains in my head,"

" Don't forget to keep mine, Prince Amir, let's get serious," Hamza said.

" Well I hope I call you Prince Hamza soon"Amir smiled and they resumed.

The Palace clinic.

After few sunsets, the Physician finally gave Emir Hana and his council the permission to begin their interrogation with the Midwife

" Don't stress , just signify with a head sign, nod once if the answer is yes and nod twice if the answer is other wise," said the Justice Chief " did the deceased Queen whom you assisted during labor have twins?"

The Midwife nodded once

" Did one of the twin die?

Kaka was still for a while ,She tried to mutter but instead She began to foam, the Physician was called,but it was too late. The Midwife died with the truth hanging on her lips.

Emir Hana was thrown into disarray "she was warned not to speak,"

" I am in shock, She was getting better" the Physical sadly said.

The Maidens room.

Meanwhile kadada had visited the Queen Kyawo again with her evil plans.

" He is gradually enslaving everyone, He wants to climb the throne and as long as He remains here, He won't let you have children"

" What do we do?" asked the gullible Queen, she was extremely weak.

" We must get rid of him, We have to turn the Emir against him." She whispered " That's the only way."

The Emir Hana was in his worst moods, He wanted to keep the Midwife's daughter in the palace but She begged to return in tears " I have to take care of my younger ones, I appreciate you for all you did your highness , but please, permit me to return"

The Emir granted her request and blessed her with gifts.

Hamza and Amir Encouraged the Emir " the only way out is to call on My Father, but the ban will make it difficult, I had to fake my death to leave Nasara , Your highness , no matter what happens, I will stick to the end" hamza said

The emir was down but he was not giving up. " i would continue with my investigation"

Nasara

Baba Abarshi and Dangali Walked into Dangali's house and they were on an audible conversation.

" I really miss him," Baba Abarshi started.

" You did the best for Hamza, He would put you in more trouble If He was still there in Nasara."

" But I fear He might be really dead now"

" I didn't want to tell you but I gave him a wrong map, the Map I gave him will take him close to Lumana " Dangali burst.

" What? Why did you you do that?"

" You don't have to be angry, the boy deserves to go back to where He comes from, He was frustrated in Nasara and would just put you in more danger, I mean someone who has the guts to face Rushewa and attack the Arzika and who feels no remorse for causing his Friend's death should not stay under your roof. Arzika would definitely find out soon but since we faked his death, you would be safe! "

"He is the Lumana Emir's son, what If they find out the truth?"

" Lumana Emir has more issues to deal with and We shall know what to do by then,"

" Don't you think you have exposed me?"

" We can always find something to say, You love this boy so much , I did not want to be the one to send him to Mugunta, I couldn't"

Someone came out from the inner room, and it was his mistress. Gerau sister, she heard everything, she stared at Dangali With tears in her eyes .

" You are around? Wait" He trembled and panicked "hope you heard nothing" He asked, as he tried to walk close to her, She successfully stabbed him on his shoulder and ran out in a speed of light, Baba Abarshi held Dangali who was bleeding so much.

" Don't hold me, run after her! If She gets to her father, we are finished "

Baba Abarshi left his mask, He ran out before he realized, But she had gone far so He returned to put on his mask , he met Dangali treating himself while he groaned in pains

" Don't bother. We are finished," Dangali said faintly

" I never knew she was inside"

" She had a spare key, I can't move my hands"

Baba Abarshi also became weak , He had defaulted the Stranger's rule.

Gerau's Father got the full reports from his daughter, He ordered the arrest of Dangali And Baba Abarshi, but due to the restrictions of the strangers, they were not taken to the palace ,They were both locked up in Dangali's House

Arzika was glad with the news He got, He and his companions left for Dangali's place immediately.

" You must be under a generational curse, your Father would be so disappointed at you, I don't have much to say, where is he?" Arzika asked

" Your highness, She is lying, She made it up because I told her that I was not interested in her anymore" Dangali tried to deny.

Arzika gave a cruel laughter " I shall give you one more chance, if you lie to me again, " Arzika drew his sword " I will make your death very painful, Rushewa will eat you alive and I shall supervise it personally."

Dangali gave up " He is possessed, the boy was never like that, we warned him but the beast has taken over him."

" She mentioned that You said You gave him a wrong Map, " Arzika continued.

" Yes , He asked for the map of Mugunta"

" And you kept shut?!"

" He was possessed, "

"Shut up," Arzika left a lasting punch on Dangali face which made him loose his incisors.

" You ," Arzika directed to the Baba Abarshi "start talking, you know I don't need to kill you before you die"

" Forgive me, your majesty," Baba Abarshi managed to mutter.

" Start talking,say it as it is,"

" Your highness the third mayya shall need His clothes," the first mayu said " it will make us find him"

Baba Abarshi had no choice, He had to say everything.

Lumana

The Queen had ordered the maids to clean the chambers thoroughly which included Hamza's room, Hamza was notified so He left his keys for the maids .They planted a small idol wrapped with the old beliefs flags and stamps under the bed as instructed ,then, They began the facade, They called on the attention of the guards , the guards notified the Emir,and Emir Hana confirmed it himself , He was disappointed but not completely convinced, He played along as it was the only possible way.

" Where is He?" Emir Hana fumed.

" Practicing," A guard replied

Hamza was summoned to the conference hall, Amir and Barau came in with him, They knew something was wrong, it was written on the Emir's face .

" You decided to get caught so easily," the Emir started " speak!" the Emir ordered the maids.

" An Orange fell and rolled under the bed, We had to lift His bed to search for it but instead we found an object which belong to the banned religion,"

Amir and barau were astonished while Hamza stood akimbo, he was startled.

" Stand upright!" Emir Hana slammed" What explanation do you have for that because I have confirmed it,"

" Your highness , this is an obvious lie, I have been implicated, someone must have put it there."

" You need to stop being so comfortable when you talk to me! I trusted you! Didn't you know that those practices have been banned?"

" Your highness, I entered lumana with only some short knives which were collected from me," Hamza was tired " someone actually fixed it there to make me look bad,"

" Arrest him and lock him up,"

" Your highness, maybe you need to investigate" Amir suggested but he was snubbed , the General locked Hamza's hands in shackles and the Emir dismissed everyone but Amir followed him up.

" Baba,"

" Amir, take some rest, I know what I am doing."

Hamza sat down in the dingy room reminiscing ,He was really sad, He knew he could escape from Lumana but that would make him look guilty and he would loose his initial objectives. He heard some footsteps towards his prison , it was the General and Emir Hana, Hamza stood on his feet as the bars were opened for the Emir to go in.

Emir Hana didn't have the angry look anymore,but he kept a long face.

"I didn't...." Hamza shuttered

" It is fine, I know, but we have to play along until I find out who the culprit is, You are a threat to the enemy so this place is safer ,"

" Safer? For how long will I remain here?"

" I have decided, I am going to Nasara to get your father,"

Hamza was shocked " How would you do that without Arzika's consent? You are not friends with him, He would never issue you a pass,"

" I will write a letter to him "

" What letter?"

" A letter that would get his attention, I will tell him I know a little about the person who attacked him,"

Hamza got more disturbed " You will expose me,"

" That is the only way to find out who you really are,"

" It doesn't sound too good your highness, My Father might get into trouble, Arzika is evil than you can ever imagine,"

" I didn't come for your advice,"

" Your highness, I am dead to Nasara people, can you just give me the Map and let me leave in peace?"

" I can't give you yet, stay here and don't make trouble or else you will prove your enemies right, I will handle it with wisdom,trust me,"

Nasara, two sunsets earlier,

The third mayya was given Hamza's clothes and she performed her rituals and finally they got what they wanted.

" Your highness, He is a beast and He is in the finest place in Lumana," said the third mayya

" The finest place in lumana is it's castle" The first mayya added.

"The beast has got stronger, He is willing to create an Army that would be stronger than Gamsheka's, we must stop him " said the third mayya.

Arzika heart fell" How long does it take to get to lumana?"

"Two sunsets and half" Nasara general answered.

" Since we are not in good terms, I have to issue a letter to get a pass to His Emirate, get me a cotton,"

Lumana

Emir Hana was on His way back to His chambers when He was told he had some visitors from Nasara ,and They had a letter seeking a pass and another for his eyes only. Emir Hana welcomed them and the letter was handed over to him , He rolled it out and it read.

" Your lost son is in your place but He is possessed by a beast whose aim is to destroy everyone in the Emirates and take over, grant me this request and I will come with a proof which is His foster father,"

Emir Hana had a bitter sweet reaction, it had been made easy for him, he knew how tricky Arzika could be but he would take the risk "

" Granted." Emir Hana signed

Nasara

Dangali was locked up in the dungeon Tunau was, They both shared their bitter story to pass out time .

Arzika knew his request would be granted so He drew out their plan.

" We have to convince him, We must convince him that We have the cure to his son's sickness," the first mayya said

" It would be difficult, Emir Hana is stubborn but if it will lead to war, I don't mind," Arzika added

" We shall be at the peak of our powers when we get there." the second mayya concluded

Four sunsets later

Arzika arrived at Lumana with his companions, they were decorated, He walked majestically like He ruled Lumana, Baba Abarshi's hands were in chains, Emir Hana was already in the large conference with his Chiefs as the unholy visitors walked in.

" How are you?" Arzika started, His companions bowed to Hana respectfully.

" So you have more trusts in women now," Hana replied starring randomly

" I must commend you, Your emirate does not look like a terrorised place, you are really coping, " said Arzika

" Ain't you surprised that we didn't lock it up like you did to yours?"

" Okay , lets get straight to business,"

" You can have a seat, " Hana said

Arzika sat down and said " bring him forward," He ordered and Baba Abarshi was dragged , He was so pale, they removed his stranger mask ,and few of the lumana Chiefs recognized him.

" Baba!" They called out

Hana couldn't recognize him though

" He is the Midwife Kaka's brother, He left without a farewell, " a Lumana Chief announced ,Hana was intrigued.

" Well, He is a stranger in my land, permit him, He has something to say,"

" I will , but not after he is being recognized," Hana said

" We were all alive when the Chiefs recognized him," Arzika smirked.

"You can't direct me, it's my land, he shall be taken to Hamza's dungeon ,you can tell one of your guards to go with them, once Hamza recognizes him, Baba would be brought back at once,"

The guards obeyed and the first mayya went with them, Hamza was sleeping, the guards rang a bell and he woke up , he saw His Father and was astonished "Baba ! " he screamed" Baba," for the second time, the guard did as they were told, the mayya tried to pull out a spell ,but she felt powerless, nothing worked out. Baba Abarshi was dragged back

" How did the emir managed to scale through?" Hamza thought out loud.

Baba Abarshi was brought back to kneel before the Emir, the first Mayya began the mind talks with Arzika.

" I saw him and my powers left me, he is something else"

" how do we convince him?" the second Mayya asked

" I smell a like mind around, I will need to find him, " the First mayya said sharply, she was physical but she was no more with Arzika , She had become invisible and was looking for the like mind, Jikau.

Baba Abarshi began his confession after the guards had reported to the Emir that Hamza recognized Him in a twinkle of an eye.

" Start, "Arzika said

" I am very sorry your highness, I am a native of Lumana, My wife and I suffered childlessness for years, She was also a native of Lumana, She always had a stillbirth. We put in more efforts and she became pregnant again, but the baby also died during birth, and My wife passed out when she discovered that her baby wasn't breathing, My sister was the royal midwife, I pleaded with her to do everything to save the child but she told me that it was rather late. While we were in the room my wife was, someone came in to tell my sister that the Queen was around with her maids and that she sought the midwife's presence But suddenly the queen also fell into labor, she was taken into a special room where she had her twins" Baba Abarshi sobbed

Hana was fuming, He recollected that his late wife was healthy and She said She wanted to take a walk around the palace on the day she gave birth " speak on" Hana yelled.

" My wife could have died if she had woken up to discover that her child had passed on, so my sister had to replace one of the twin with my dead child" Baba Abarshi broke down " I am sorry your highness, I didn't want to loose her"

Hana had tears rolling down his cheeks as he glared at Baba Abarshi " so you stole my child!"

" I am sorry your highness, I did it for my wife"

" Where is she?"

" We left Lumana to become Strangers in Nasara but she died few years later,"

Hana bounced on his feet and drew his sword,

" You need to be calm "Arzika intercepted

" Stop dictating to me! This is my Emirate! This bastard abducted my son and made him live like a nobody in your forsaken land, bowing to your inhumane rules! And you tell me to stay calm!"

The Chiefs of Lumana begged Hana to be less furious, Hana threw the sword on the floor after much plea from the Chiefs of lumana.

" Well ,Hana, I understand that you must be really angry so I will overlook your insults, but I am happy you found your son, I don't need your appreciation but I need to tell you that your son has been possessed by a wicked demon who is ready to induce mass destruction, And I am so happy to tell you that I found the cure ,but he must be cleansed In Nasara because that was the place he encountered the ...

" No, you must be out of your mind , Arzika," Hana interrupted "I finally set my eyes on my son and you want me to release him to you,"

" He grew up in my Emirate!"

"As a stranger! He lived with your difficult rules, but now he has become a threat to you, and you are panicking around,"

" He is possessed!"

" I am not disputing, but I would take care of it myself , I think you have overstayed."

" Is this how you repay me?"

"What else do you want?"

" The beast in him killed his friend and caused pain to my Emirate,"

" What's your pain now? He has left your Emirate, I should be the scared one, and I told you that I would find a solution to it, the only person you are free to take along with you is the culprit who stole my son,"

Arzika was charged, the fire in him was burning rapidly

"You are free to name a price for revealing the truth I have been searching for, but I will never let you take him away"Hana added

" Hana!" Arzika yelled.

" you may leave"

Arzika breathed in, he reconstructed his face, and gave a dangerous smile " You will regret this decision" Arzika said, he turned to leave and his companions followed him, they left Baba Abarshi behind, then Hana ordered the guards to lock Baba Abarshi up.

" lock him up, I am gong to get my son out " He said.

" But your highness, He is still under an investigation , an idol belonging to the old beliefs was found in his room" a Chief said

"Arzika claims he is possessed, I guess it is beast who possessed him that is responsible for that, we shall definitely find a cure to it, I don't care if you think I am bias"

Emir Hana was impatient, he walked down to Hamza's prison, unlocked the bars himself and ran off to give Hamza a very tight hug with His face soaked in tears.

" I am so sorry my boy,"

Hamza had never been so confused "Your highness," Hamza called out.

" I am your father! You were taken from me, I couldn't protect you, I am so sorry,"

Prince Amir also joined then, he was delighted " I could never have asked for a better brother,"

Hamza feelings were interlocked,deeply , He wanted to have some words with his foster father.

" Where is Baba Abarshi? How did you manage to bring him here?" Hamza asked

" That should be the least of your worries, Firstly, You will get out if here, I would make sure your Chambers would be ready before the twilight" Hana said delightedly.

Hamza had no vibes ,he wanted to know everything about the current situation.

The Queen was not happy, her plans to go throw Hamza away from Lumana is gradually falling apart " My Emir, You are letting your emotions rule over you, I understand Hamza is your long lost son but he committed a condemnable crime"

" It is still under investigation, he wasn't caught in the act,"

" He was in possession of an idol, what are still investigating?"

" I will not argue with you, go and get prepared for the felicitation,"

Arzika was not himself, But he was gladdened that he was still on the track with the successful task carried out by the first mayya, while Arzika and Hana were having it, She had taken advantage to locate the like mind around the palace which was Jikau.

She appeared to Jikau, initially, Jikau trembled a little as he sighted her in his bathroom.

" Who are you?"He managed to cover himself with a small piece of clothing.

" Do not be scared, Do not act like you see me because only you can, I am Arzika's aide and I realized that your wish is similar to ours , We want to get rid of the Emir's son but it's proving difficult to convince the Emir that he is possessed and the Emir sounds so sure like He could handle the situation, does he have an aide?"

Jikau was pleased that Arzika had come into the picture" the Emir is stubborn, I have been doing my best but he only listens to the so called Maker's messenger,"

" Who is that?"

" The messenger of the beliefs he dwells in, "

" where is he?"

" He has his own chambers in the Palace,"

" You will have to take me there, do not worry, we have become invisible,"

Jikau took her to the Messenger's chambers where she carried out her evil deeds successfully, in a speed of light , she went back to the cart and directed to one of the Arzika's personal guard.

" I have for job for you, we have to fast about it" the first mayya said.