It had been a long time since I had donned my father's tunic. Wearing it gave me a sense of power and adventure. I had borrowed a spare horse from Hammad Chachu. It wasn't good enough for me but I had to make do with it till I joined the battle. I was sure Shehenshah could arrange a nice Arabian horse for me. I swiftly rode to the edge of the capital where the wilderness started. My reports told me I would be able to find Khan Baba here.

I rode through the wilderness with no sense of direction giving my stead the authority to take me where he willed. O Allah! Please let me find Khan Baba soon, I prayed. I didn't have much time on my hands and the first rays of the day were already appearing in the sky. The plain was vast and dry, dotted with thorny bushes. Water was scarce around here and the heat severe. How a living creature could manage to survive in such harsh conditions was beyond me.

I came across a beaten path which was usually used by the caravans. I decided to walk along that path hoping I would come across someone who would guide me. I was getting impatient. Time was running out. I kicked the horse to increase it's speed. After about what I am sure is an hour I pull the horse to a stop, scanning the horizons. A little to the north is a hill. A solitary structure in the vast plain. The misery that had filled my heart last night slowly starts to seep back.

Out of desperation I screamed, "Khan Baba! Where are you?" I sounded extremely foolish shouting out in open air. My sanity was clinging to straws.

I circled the circumference of 2 metres, getting more and more impatient each time. Finally I stopped at the foot of the hill for some rest. I gave up and decided to head back.

"Assalamualaikum Saeed"

I jumped out of my skin. Sitting calmly on a flat stone of the hill is the man I am looking for. I easily saw why people confused him for a genie. He looked like he had stepped right out of a lamp. Bright eyes twinkled beneath the thick brows. His snowy white beard flowed to the ground. Though his hair exposed his age, his built told a different story. His muscles were firm and he sat straight. I should have been happy seeing I had finally found what I was looking for but anger overtook my happiness. I had been sweating myself in this godforsaken place for Allah knows how long and here he appears out of no where, calm and cool. I was sure I could see a ghost of a smile on his face mocking my desperation.

"Walaikumassalam Khan Baba. A fine way to appear I must say. No wonder people take you to be a genie".

I got off my stead and tied him, making my way up to the old man.

"Sometimes I forget I am a human myself, having fashioned a unique way of living. What brings you here young lady?"

"A man who knows my name surely knows why I am here"

"I have no intention of returning". He point blankly refuses my request even before I have voiced it.

"Then you will have to change your intention", I command.

"Saeed, do you really think I saw you just now? I have been watching your progress for the past hour. I did not respond only because I have no wish to return to the kingdom. Had I not taken pity on your desperation I would have let you go back empty handed".

This just made me angrier. I had been scouring around like a mad woman and this man had been watching my efforts all the time without responding.

"And why do you not wish to return, if I may ask?"

"Because.... last time I had become too attached to my service, my king and my friends. And what did I get in return? Pain and more pain. I have no wish to undergo that once more"

I shook my head in contempt. "Pity I had to hear such foolish words from a man so wise. I was under the impression white hair expressed wisdom. Little did I know men so experienced expected life to be a bed of roses. You are trying to make this world a heaven for yourself. How very kiddish".

"It is experience that has taught me to stay away from what doesn't concern me".

"This kingdom doesn't concern you? The betrayal to your Shehenshah doesn't concern you? The death of your friends doesn't concern you? And now their children have put their lives at stake, doesn't that concern you?"

The man slowly shook his head. "It took me a lot of practice to learn not to care. Whether Mir Jafar is punished or not, whether Shehenshah wins or not, whether anyone lives or dies, I am not bothered"

"A shame that a man who was once a vaffa speaks this way. What you have gone through should have made you a better man, instead it has made you a bitter man!"

With a huff I turned away. What a waste of time! It was almost mid day and I had accomplished nothing. His cackle made me turn around. I stood confused and angry at his reaction. He was swaying with laughter. A happy tear fell off his eye. What a jovial man! My anger and frustration disappeared as I involuntarily smiled at his mirth.

"What makes you laugh so?"

"Your anger young lady. You came here with so much determination that you couldn't tolerate my refusal. It shows you are used to having your way. You make quite a strict teacher, no wonder Shehzada easily bent under you. I am highly impressed and ready to oblige your request".

"Good! Come along!"

He walked up the hill instead of coming down with me.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"To get my horse"

I stood watching. He disappeared in between some rocks. Oho! It was a hidden cave. My sense of adventure kicked in and I couldn't help but tread in his footsteps to check it out. The entrance was so well hidden that nobody could come across it unless they were searching for it. Khan Baba had squeezed through. I was still contemplating whether I should enter or not when he stepped out and behind him emerged a horse!

"A nice home and a stable", I commented.

"It's pretty comfortable within. Peaceful and away from all the troubles"

"Troubles add spice to life. How can we enjoy the taste of peace when we haven't experienced chaos?"

"Who was the great man who taught you philosophy I would like to know"

I burst out laughing at his sarcasm. This man was a comic! "My esteemed father sir. Abu Fazal bin Muhammad bin Hatim Al Azami", I said with a gesture of aadab.

"Aah! no surprises there"

I wondered how the horse would climb down the hill and was surprised to see he did it with ease.

"A well trained horse", I observed.

"Yes. He can do a lot more that just climb down a hill. Well Saeed, if you are taking me back, it is just right you update me all you know regarding this upcoming battle"

"I only know Mir Jafar has teamed up with Shehenshah Fuzail. All our military and defense secrets have been disclosed to him. The best we can do is change all the strategies and take the enemy by surprise"

"How many soldiers does our army have?"

"About a 1000"

"And theirs?"

"I don't know"

"Is our army well trained and in practice?"

"I don't think so", I replied. Come to think of it, I had never seen the army  train.

"As I expected", said Khan Baba. "Shehenshah Sharf-ud-din had an alliance with Malika Humera's father, who ruled the Waraqi Sultanath back then. Fearing no attack, not much attention was paid to the army. I had constantly warned Shehenshah about it but he did not heed to my words. Malika Humera's father died and his brother Shehenshah Fuzail ascended the throne and the alliance automatically ended. Mir Jafar is playing his last card well. Our army is not competent enough to win this battle"

Much as I would like to argue I don't, for every word he has spoken is true. A sudden urge takes over me.

"Let's go beyond the fort and see till where their army has reached, what is their number, how many animals they have and by what time they will attack", I suggested.

"I am sure Shehenshah has already sent spies to do that. It's not wise to spend time on something you are sure someone else will do. We will go back to the palace and wait for the spies to give that information"

I nod and mount my horse. "By the way Khan Baba, why did you send Mahmood Hassan the tapestry?"

I take him by complete surprise and mentally pat myself for surprising the man full of surprises.

"I pitied the poor man over his fortune. I sent it as an indirect message of hope. So that he continues to find the strength to cling on to life. You are a sharp girl Saeed. Did Mahmood Hassan tell you about it?"

"No, the tapestry did not even reach him. In fact it currently hangs in Shehenshah's bedroom"

"How is that possible. I had given specific instructions that it be delivered to Mahmood"

"I am guessing Mir Jafar spied on Mahmood's post before it reached him. For some reason he was suspicious of the tapestry and planned to dispose it. Shehzada found it in the disposed stuff that was being taken out of the palace and decided to keep it"

"Makes sense". We kicked our horses and rode back to the palace. Immediately Shehenshah was informed of our arrival and he came to the entrance hall to greet us.

"Assalamualaikum Mayera. And thank you for bringing back Khan Baba", he said.

"Walaikumassalam". A lot of unspoken emotions passed between us. Much as we would like to have a private moment we do not. This was neither the place nor the occasion to catch up with each other. With people unaware of our nikah it was better we remained formal with each other.

Shehenshah enlightened us on the current state of affairs. "Hammad Khan and Mahmood Hassan are already in the khusoosi durbar. The spies have returned with the information on the enemy's army. We need to plan our moves".

We followed him to the hall. There is a sudden outburst as Mahmood and Hammad shout out of joy on seeing Khan Baba. As they hugged each other I and Shehenshah shared a smile. He was trying to convey how pleased he was that I had brought back the last vaffa. Usually women sit behind the screen in the durbar hall. Since this isn't a general gathering and I personally know the vaffas and Shehenshah I decide to sit in the hall. I was well covered in a veil anyway.

"Finally we are all together", said Mahmood Hassan with a happy sigh.

"I call the court to order. Let the spy present his report", commanded Shehenshah.

Immediate silence reigned as the spy stepped forward. "The enemy has camped near Bahr-ul-ain. They will reach our fort by tomorrow morning. They are approximately 3000 soldiers and 1000 horses. They look burly and well trained. Mir Jafar and his sons have been offered half of our kingdom in return of all the information they have given. They are well aware of our weak position and contemplate an easy win"

The words dampened everyone's spirits. "Thank you. Now I call the court to suggest their solutions".

As people suggested new moves and unique military tactics I realized nothing was going to work. Fear stole to my heart and I was very much upset. The emotions I had locked away after Maa's death were burdened with my present fear of losing the battle and I could take it no more. Strength and manpower will not help us win this battle I was sure. But wit could certainly bring us victory. As the court immersed itself in a wide range of complex strategies I let my mind wander. What could I substitute the swords with? Something that could harm the soldiers enough to incapacitate them. I did not much fancy the thought of mass murder so I was ready to settle for severe injuries. But what could cause such fearful injuries? Open wounds, ulcers and blebs filled my mind. They could be caused by weapons and poison. Poison! That could be my solution. But which poison? Which poison was abundant and easily available in our kingdom? Simmi vahash (poison ivy)! How could I use it? Mixing it in food or water of the enemy without their knowledge was out of question as trickery was a sin. Then how could I make sure poison reached them through direct means without tricks? I squeezed my brain a little more. Yes! I had it! I got up in between the discussion and everyone turned to look at me.

"Please excuse me. I have some urgent work to attend to". They nod and go back to whatever they were doing. But Shehenshah's eyes follow me till the door and I gesture him to trust me. He nods and goes back to the discussion.