C8 Chapter 8: The Secret of Sheikh Hamza and the Beginning of Ameer Taahir's Journey
In the previous chapter, you read that Ameer Taahir’s men capture Junaid, and the mysterious old man fights both of them, in which Ameer Taahir’s men are defeated.
The old man then calls another elderly man from inside, and Ali is shocked to see him because he is none other than Sheikh Hamza—the same man who had supposedly died in front of Ali in the market.
Seeing Sheikh Hamza alive, Ali is left in utter disbelief.
Now, moving forward...
(Ali and Junaid are standing in front of the mysterious old man.
Suddenly, the old man calls in an elderly man from inside. As soon as Ali sees him, he takes a step back in shock.)
Ali (shocked):
"This... this is Sheikh Hamza! But how is this possible? I saw him die with my own eyes!"
Mysterious Old Man (smiling):
"Ali, the truth isn’t always what your eyes perceive. Reality is often different from appearance."
Ali (in disbelief):
"But I saw him take his last breath in the market!"
(The old man looks at Sheikh Hamza and nods. Sheikh Hamza steps forward.)
Sheikh Hamza:
"Yes, my leader! Let me clear Ali’s misunderstanding."
(Sheikh Hamza now looks at Ali.)
Sheikh Hamza:
"Ali, the day we were talking in the market, I noticed Ameer Taahir’s two men approaching us—the same ones we have captured now.
I realized they had spotted us, so I pretended to lose consciousness.
After you left, they followed you while I quietly made my way to this old man's house."
Junaid (surprised):
"Quietly? What do you mean?"
Ali (explaining):
"Junaid, Sheikh Hamza came here without making a sound because he was injured that day and had several wounds on his body."
Sheikh Hamza (nodding):
"You are right, Ali. I was injured that day."
Ali (seriously):
"Did you leave the evidence for us? That map and the letter?"
Sheikh Hamza:
"Yes, that was me. I knew that Ameer Taahir’s men had snatched the map from you."
Junaid (curious):
"But how did you know that?"
Sheikh Hamza:
"When they had taken you captive, I was hiding behind the door, listening to your entire conversation."
Ali (startled):
"Oh! So that’s how it was!"
(Ali gestures toward Ameer Taahir’s captured men.)
Ali:
"These two have troubled us a lot. Now, take good care of them!"
(Junaid steps forward towards Ameer Taahir’s men and asks in a stern voice.)
Junaid:
"How did you find your way here? We had placed the mat back!"
One of Ameer Taahir’s men:
"There were footprints, which led us here."
Ali (thinking):
"Did they reveal this house’s secret to their leader, Ameer Taahir?"
Mysterious Old Man:
"No, they haven’t informed their leader about anything. They came straight here and got caught."
(One of Ameer Taahir’s men speaks in frustration.)
Ameer Taahir’s man:
"We were fools! We should have sent a message to our leader first!"
Ali (smiling):
"If you had sent a message, you would have never reached the special sword, Al-Amaanah, and your leader’s dream of ruling the world would have remained just a dream!"
(The mysterious old man orders Sheikh Hamza and his servant.)
Mysterious Old Man:
"Lock them in the back room of the house and erase all the footprints leading here."
(Now, Ali looks at the old man and asks in a serious tone.)
Ali:
"Who are you? And how am I the last heir of the Azamgarh Sultanate?
What is the secret of the special sword, Al-Amaanah? And how do you wield a sword so skillfully?"
(The mysterious old man smiles.)
Mysterious Old Man:
"Have patience, Ali! You will get all your answers soon."
Junaid (eagerly):
"Soon? When?"
Mysterious Old Man:
"Tonight, after dinner!"
(Ali and Junaid exchange glances. They go to their room, which was given to them by the servant.
After entering the room, Junaid speaks excitedly.)
Junaid:
"Ali! Just a little more time, and we will finally get all our answers!"
Ali:
"Yes, the answers we have been searching for days are about to be revealed tonight."
Junaid (seriously):
"We must ask the old man our questions with respect. I feel he is about to give us some great wisdom."
Ali:
"That’s fine, but there’s something about this old man that I don’t understand."
Junaid (curious):
"What is it?"
Ali:
"He looks like an ordinary man, but how does he fight so skillfully?"
Junaid:
"You are right! Did you notice? When he fought against Ameer Taahir’s men, it felt as if a royal warrior was fighting! There wasn’t a single sign of weakness in him!"
Ali:
"Exactly! But maybe we don’t need to think too much about it. Tonight, we will get all our answers."
(While Ali and Junaid were having this discussion, Ameer Taahir was growing restless due to a lack of information about them. He impatiently questions his men.)
Ameer Taahir:
(Ameer Taahir’s forehead was drenched in sweat. His patience was running out. He glared at his men in anger.)
"We searched the entire city, yet there is no trace of Ali and Junaid? Where have they disappeared?"
One of Ameer Taahir’s men:
"Leader, you are right."
Ameer Taahir (thinking):
"And where are my two trusted men?"
Another companion:
"Leader, they went to search for Ali and Junaid in the outskirts of Junagarh city, but we haven't heard from them since!"
Ameer Taahir (seriously):
"I feel they have been captured by Ali and that old man!"
Another soldier:
"We should find and rescue them!"
Ameer Taahir:
"Don’t worry! My men are brave. They will find a way to save themselves."
(Slowly, night falls. Ali and Junaid finish their dinner. The old man looks at them.)
Mysterious Old Man:
"Are you ready, Ali and Junaid, to get your answers?"
Junaid:
"We have been ready for a long time!"
(The old man smiles and takes them to his room. He points toward a picture.)
Mysterious Old Man:
"Look at this picture."
(As soon as Ali and Junaid look at the picture, their breaths stop. Their eyes widen in disbelief.
In the picture... it was the same old man. But along with him... were Ali and Junaid themselves! How was this possible?)
What was the connection between the mysterious old man, Ali, and Junaid?
Were Ali and Junaid just friends, or was their bond much deeper?
Find out more in the next chapter...
Read Chapter 9...
To be continued...
