3:13 am
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"Tell me you aren't considering revenge, just this once," Mir's voice carried a gruff tone. "You are," he confirmed it himself.
Kasim had spent two suns at his aunt's residence in Baghdad – what he called an "occasional visit."
Mir straightened up, leaning against the brick wall adorned with mandala designs crafted by his mother and aunts with glass, which, as he claimed, "If illusion making were a profession, people would consider it one." The wall itself weaved strange illusions by night, mirroring the moon's light. Now, in a disinterested and lazily manner, he inquired, "What's our plan now, Akh?"
Kasim scoffed, "I presume, my brother, you don't want to stroll the souk shirtless." He then tossed a burgundy shirt toward Mir, his eyes tracing the henna-painted scars on his cousin's back. "I swear, even a jinn would find you ugly." A crooked smile etched onto Kasim al Fusan's lips.
Mir donned the shirt and rolled his eyes. "You were promoted to general this very morning, and you're already boasting," he pouted slightly, causing Kasim to cringe.
Gathering his composure, Kasim headed towards the door. "Allow me to remind you, tomorrow we are returning to the palace," Kasim's voice turned stern. "We must unearth anything that could undermine the Khalifa's power." A brief pause as he gripped the doorknob tightly. "Not the empire, though." His grip softened, and he glanced back at Mir with a stern look, adding in a sarcastic tone, wrinkling his brow, "And rather than letting your words run, let your ears and eyes take the lead."
3:30 am
souk al Najaf
Kasim was often deemed unlikeable due to his opinions, a truth that anyone could attest to. His scowl, even when delivering sweet or commonplace words, made anything seem unappealing.
In front of a humble blacksmith's shop, he let his sharp and sour tongue loose. However, he then justified his biting words by gently touching the blades of daggers, a cold contrast. In a lethally soft tone, he murmured, "Mir, there are shades of death..." His eyes gleamed, their shade akin to melted gold. "The ones formed by daggers and axes are my favorite."
Mir hesitated to respond, pitying the shopkeeper who endured his cousin's extravagant, yet saccharine words.
Suddenly, Mir's attention shifted to the shopkeeper's narrowing eyes and furrowed brow. Following his gaze, Mir spotted two stern-faced men approaching. Their aura exuded authority, suggesting they were protectors.
Nervously, the shopkeeper gathered his daggers, urging them to leave, fearing trouble. However, Kasim, like a moth to a flame, stood his ground. He smirked at the guards, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Trouble? Who mentioned trouble, my dear friend? We were simply admiring your impeccable craftsmanship."
Kasim elegantly approached the soldiers, like a moth being attracted to the source of light. His gaze extending beyond them to a woman radiating both danger and majesty. Behind her stood a timorous figure lacking her apparent prowess.
Mir's eyes widened as he witnessed something he shouldn't have. His conscience questioned his cousin's actions as he held a dagger toward the woman.
Panic coursed through him, and Mir rushed to his cousin's side. "Calm down! You might be mistaking her for someone else."
Kasim, visibly anxious, took a step back. His eyes held fear, a rare sight.
As for the enigmatic woman, she brandished her own dagger, her eyes conveying disbelief. She signaled her guards to remain steady, but they appeared bewildered, as if seeing allies turning against each other.
Her friend began to protest, only to be cut off by the woman herself. "What do you see?" Her voice resonated, low yet silvery.
Kasim's retort lacked emotion. "It shouldn't concern you," he said in a deadpan voice.
Apologies ensued, and both Mir and the woman's companion, Anisa, hurriedly left the shop, trailing after their companions.
Surprisingly, neither Kasim nor the woman continued their altercation. Anisa followed her friend, resembling a royal subject trailing her queen, Malika.
Mir cast a final glance at them before approaching Kasim.
Now, the two walked separate paths – one towards the blazing sun setting over Baghdad, the other toward the rising moon that proudly illuminated believers and non-believers alike.
Both the blazing sun and the proud moon acknowledged that their Lord is the ultimate planner, orchestrating the best for the best, and offering redemption for grieving hearts.
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