Your eyes, like pools of deep blue,
Draw me in, they're all I see and pursue,
Your love, like a warm embrace,
Fills my soul with a gentle grace.

"A circle, rounded by trees,

A ring made up of branches and seeds,

The land is a sight to see,

Yet, when the blood spills,

And children cry,

Everyone just starts to kill."

Hmmm, the poem still feels incomplete and my throat feels sore, making the tone sound terrible.

Gahh!

I have not stopped thinking and moving even for a minute since the fortunate accident in the clearing.

My brain still had not come to the terms that I, me, Hoorain, daughter of Khalid, managed to defeat a man of that build.

I was feeling jittery all of a sudden recalling the event.

How long has it been? 1 hour? 2 hours? I have lost track of time.

The biggest problem of all was that I had not been able to sleep even a wink. I need my sleep! My eyes were starting to hurt and I was once again starting to give myself over to the trance of sleep.

The covering on my face has started feeling stuffy and I lower it.

Oh sleep, take me to your world already, stop jerking me again and again.

A yawn escaped me. Thank God I had my mouth covered with my hand or a fly was sure to make its way in my slimey mouth.

"When will I reach!" Muttering to myself, I was getting more and more tired by the passing minute.

It felt as if Allah listened to my inward screeching because my eyes found several flickers of torches and murmurs of men.

Immediately I pat myself over, fixing my clothes and making sure all my hair is tugged in.

"Do I look like a man enough? Ah! What do I say? What to do with my voice!?" Zipping my lips, I straightened my back and pulled my hood tighter around me.

I have no idea what to expect, who I will meet and what move will I make next.

Guess I will just have to go with the flow.

At a reasonable distance, I dismounted Quwa, still clutching his reigns, and walked over to the tents.

The closer I got, the more havoc was created in my belly.

I can do this!

"Assalamualaikum Brother!" I nod, still not sure if I should speak or not.

At the start of this whole camp was a table where there sat two soldiers. Were they supposed to guide me?

Moving solely on my deduction, I walked over to them.

"Assalamualaikum Brother, you are probably the last one to join us today. Long journey, eh?" The jolly man asked with a smile and I contemplated on rather staying quiet or pressing my throat to produce a deeper voice - hoping it would resemble a man's.

I cannot always press my throat, people are going to suspect!

Moving my head, I nod.

The man stared at me for a minute and nervousness started to take root in the pit of my stomach.

Why is he staring at me like that!?

"Can't speak?" That's it!

I vigorously nod my head. That's right! I can pretend to be a disabled man!

"That's alright, I need you to write your name here and Ahmad here will show you to your tent." My eyes went to the guy sitting next to him.

He was also a buff man like any other in this area. He had a turban wrapped around his head and a tunic on his body.

Slightly lowering my head, I acknowledged him and he nodded back.

"Your name, here." I was passed a pen and a paper. The paper already had tons and tons of names.

Without giving it much thought, I scribbled a random name that came first to my mind, starting with the same letter as my real name.

"Hamza. Name of a warrior." Ahmad nodded and stood up, "Come on, I will show you the way."

Tightening my grip around the reigns of Quwa, I followed Ahmad.

We were quiet for a moment until Ahmad decided to give me a tour along the way,

"This is our weaponry and that's the armory. Here we all eat tog-" I stopped hearing after a while, too lost in my own thoughts.

This is where I will be staying until the war, and maybe after the war too! If I survive that is.

All these men have left their homes for the sake of Allah and their country. I wonder what decision will be made in regards to the starting of battle.

My eyes followed men carrying giant wooden logs, some carrying swords while some sitting and chatting.

The environment was just so . . . Free! And seemed happy!

Okay, maybe not happy . . . But I liked the ambiance, the aura this place had. Everyone works together towards one united goal.

No one seemed worried at all and it provided me with a sense of safety as well. I wonder if I will see my brothers anytime soon, I mean, I most probably will since we are meant to cross paths. I can only hope they don't recognize me.

Even with all this thought process, my eyes didn't stop roaming until they caught sight of the very man I saw in the bazaar.

Up in the tree, hidden in the shadows he sat sharpening his knife and I could not help but stare.

He had big arms, enough to strangle me to death and his body stature was definitely be yearned by many.

As if he felt eyes on him, that man raised his head, looking from side to side and I immediately averted my eyes before he could spot me.

"Hamza, this is where you will be staying." I nod at Ahmad who had led us to a tent.

"We are going to start early, after fajr prayer, be on time." Nodding my head once again, Ahmad gave me a satisfied nod and was on his way.

I feel like my neck will fall off because of the constant nodding and shaking of my head.

Sighing, I lead my horse beside the tent, tying him next to many other horses.

The henna that I had applied on him had already flaked off giving Quwa a reddish hue.

Beautiful either way.

Hopefully, he will not be recognized by my brothers even if they see him here.

Now, finally, I'll get to rest!

Casually walking into the tent, I realized I won't be the only person living in there since there were two makeshift beds over a sheet of straw and there was also a bag placed beside one that I recognized all too well.

Oh no! Please, don't be him, don't be him!

I felt someone walk in after me.

"Oh, you are here, I thought I would be the only one sleeping here tonight."

I stiffened, not able to move a muscle.

Hoor, relax, your face is covered, they can not recognize you so easily!

Blowing air out of my mouth, I slowly turned around.

There he stood . . .

Abu Bakr.

I need to make my chapters long, ehe!
Enjoy tho, next chapter will be here shortly!