Chapter 4: "The Lost Half Map and the Mysterious Elder's Hint"
Dark clouds loomed overhead as Ali and Junaid found themselves trapped in a web from which escape seemed impossible. Ameer Tahir's men had surrounded them from all sides.
Now, the story continues…
Ali and Junaid were imprisoned inside Sheikh Hamza's house. Escaping from there seemed impossible.
Ameer Tahir's men tied them tightly with ropes.
Ameer Tahir's Man:
"Ali! You've been hiding from our chief for too long. Your game is over now!"
Ali:
"Hiding? And who is your chief?"
(Ali looks at two of the men and says) –
"You two are the same ones who attacked me in the marketplace! And who are all of you? What is this secret?"
(The two men who had attacked Ali spoke) –
"That day, you were lucky. Otherwise, we would have captured you and taken you to our chief!"
Ali:
"But why do you want to capture me? Who is your chief? And what is his name?"
(The two spies reply) –
"You are the last heir to the special sword, Al-Amaanah, aren't you? Stay away from this sword, Ali! That would be best for you!"
Ali (shocked):
"What? Heir… and me? What is this secret? And what is so special about this sword 'Al-Amaanah' that no other sword has?"
(The spies laugh and say) –
*"Don't try to act too smart! It seems that old man gave you very little information.
If you truly know nothing about this, then stay away from this mystery, because that sword belongs to our chief.
Very soon, he will rule over the entire world!"*
(Ali angrily asks) –
"Who is this chief? Tell me his name first!"
(The spies smirk and say) –
*"Our chief's name is Ameer Tahir. He wants to rule the world, and very soon, he will succeed.
And for that, Ali, you will help us!"*
Ali (shocked):
"Me? Why would I help you when your intentions are evil?"
(The spies, in a firm tone, say) –
"You will have to help us… by giving us that map and letter!"
(Ali is taken aback but composes himself and replies) –
"What map and letter? We found nothing here!"
(The spies burst into laughter) –
"Ali! Do you think we are fools? We know everything!"
*"When you were searching this room, one of our men was secretly watching your every move.
He saw both the map and the letter. Let's ask him!"*
(Ali and Junaid become nervous. They fear losing the map and the letter.)
(The spies call their hidden informer, who had seen everything. He says) –
"Yes, I saw it. Ali hid the map and the letter in his pocket."
(The spies snatch the letter and the map from Ali's pocket. They read the letter and then say) –
"Ali, this letter is meant only for you. It is of no use to us, so you can keep it."
(They toss the letter aside and focus on the map. Then they say) –
"Ali! Do you know what this map is for?"
"This map shows the path to Al-Amaanah, the special sword. But it only reveals half the way!"
Ali's eyes shone with a mix of anger and surprise.
"Half a map? Then where is the rest of it?"
His heart pounded rapidly.
Was Ameer Tahir one step ahead of him?"
(The spies burst into loud laughter and say) –
"The other half of the map is with our chief. Now, nothing can stop him from ruling the world… not even you, Ali!"
(After this, Ameer Tahir's men start preparing to leave. Just then, Junaid shouts loudly) –
"Are you really going to leave us like this?"
(One of Ameer Tahir's men laughs and says) –
"You don't need to escape. In two days, our chief himself will give you a 'grand welcome'… or should we say, 'a final farewell'!"
(Saying this, they inject Ali and Junaid with a drug. Both of them lose consciousness and fall to the ground, still tied up.)
Sheikh Hamza's House – The Next Morning
(Ali regains consciousness and wakes Junaid.)
Ali:
"Junaid! Are you okay?"
Junaid:
"Yes, I'm fine. And you?"
Ali:
"I'm fine too, but we need to get out of here quickly!"
(Suddenly, Ali hears footsteps approaching.)
*"Ali tugged at the ropes binding his hands, but the knot was so tight that he couldn't even move. His breathing grew faster.
Just then, he heard footsteps outside.
'Is someone there? Help us! We're tied up!' he shouted with all his strength."*
*"There was a soft sound of footsteps outside the door. A brief silence followed, then the door creaked and slowly opened.
A thin, 15-year-old boy stepped inside. His eyes had a strange glimmer, as if he knew everything.
'You shouldn't stay here any longer,' he said softly and untied Ali and Junaid's ropes."*
(Ali and Junaid, surprised):
"Who are you?"
(The boy smiles and says) –
"The Al-Amaanah sword? Ameer Tahir? What do you know about them?"
(Ali and Junaid exchange glances and then ask) –
"How do you know about these things? And who are you?"
(Ali then says) –
"I am Ali, and this is my friend Junaid. We both want to learn about the sword and Ameer Tahir."
(Hearing this, the boy excitedly exclaims) –
"Are you really Ali? The last heir of the special sword?"
(The boy continues) –
"If you are truly Ali, then you must meet my grandfather. He will take you to the elder who knows everything!"
(Ali and Junaid, curiously) –
"Who is your grandfather?"
(The boy smiles and says) –
*"Come, I will take you to him. You will find all your answers there!
My grandfather often visits an elder, and it was that very elder who told my grandfather about you."*
(Ali then asks the boy about the elder.)
(The boy replies) –
"I don't know much about the elder. Only my grandfather meets him, and he was the one who told me about you."
(Junaid quickly turns to Ali and says) –
*"Ali! Do you remember the letter we found in that old chest? It mentioned an elder!
We should go with this boy!"*
(After this, Ali and Junaid follow the boy, who will take them to his grandfather.)
Through him, they will finally meet the elder who holds the answers to their questions.
But who is this mysterious elder who knows the truth about Ali and his legacy?
Will Ali uncover the secrets of the sword and his heritage?
Ameer Tahir now has the map. Can Ali stop him?
To find out, read...
Chapter 5...
To be continued...