Chapter 8: Sheikh Hamza's Return and the Mystery of the Painting
In the previous chapter, Ameer Tahir's men captured Junaid, but the mysterious elder fought them off and defeated them.
Afterward, the elder called for another old man, and Ali was left in shock—
it was none other than Sheikh Hamza, the very man he had seen die in the marketplace.
Seeing Sheikh Hamza alive, Ali was completely in disbelief.
Now, the story continues…
---
(Ali and Junaid stand before the mysterious elder.
Suddenly, the elder calls for someone from inside. As soon as Ali sees him, he takes a step back in astonishment.)
Ali (shocked):
"This... this is Sheikh Hamza! But no... this is impossible! I saw him take his last breath with my own eyes!"
Mysterious Elder (smiling):
"Ali, what your eyes see is not always the truth. Reality is often different from appearances."
Ali (in disbelief):
"But I saw him die in the marketplace!"
(The elder looks at Sheikh Hamza and nods. Sheikh Hamza steps forward.)
Sheikh Hamza's Revelation
Sheikh Hamza:
"Yes, my master! Let me clear Ali's misunderstanding."
(Sheikh Hamza now looks directly at Ali.)
Sheikh Hamza:
"Ali, the day we spoke in the marketplace, I noticed two of Ameer Tahir's men approaching us—the same two men we have just captured."
"I realized they had spotted us, so I pretended to faint."
"Once you left, they started following you while I quietly made my way to this elder's house."
Junaid (astonished):
"Quietly? What do you mean?"
Ali (explaining):
"Junaid, Sheikh Hamza reached here without making any noise because he was wounded that day, and his body had several injuries."
Sheikh Hamza (nodding):
"You are absolutely right, Ali. I was wounded that day."
Ali (seriously):
"Was it you who left those clues for us? The map and the letter?"
Sheikh Hamza:
"Yes, I left them. I knew that Ameer Tahir's men had taken the map from you."
Junaid (curiously):
"But how did you know that?"
Sheikh Hamza:
"When they captured you, I was hiding behind the door, listening to your entire conversation."
Ali (startled):
"Oh! So that was the secret!"
(Ali gestures toward the captured men of Ameer Tahir.)
Ali:
"These two have troubled us a lot. Now, make sure they are well taken care of!"
(Junaid steps toward Ameer Tahir's men and asks in a stern tone.)
Junaid:
"How did you find your way here? We had put the mat back in place!"
One of Ameer Tahir's men:
"There were footprints that led us here."
Ali (thinking):
"Could they have revealed the secret of this house to their leader, Ameer Tahir?"
Mysterious Elder:
"No, they have told their master nothing. They came straight here and were captured."
(Ameer Tahir's captured soldier speaks angrily.)
Ameer Tahir's Soldier:
"We were fools! We should have sent a message to our leader first!"
Ali (smiling):
"I wish you had sent the message earlier! But unfortunately, neither your message will be sent now, nor will your dream come true."
(The mysterious elder gives an order to Sheikh Hamza and his servant.)
Mysterious Elder:
"Lock them up in the back chamber of the house and erase all the footprints leading here."
(Ali now looks at the elder with a serious expression and asks.)
Ali:
"Who are you? And how am I the last heir of the Azamgarh Sultanate?"
"What is the secret of the legendary sword 'Al-Amaanah'? And how are you so skilled in sword fighting?"
(The mysterious elder gives a faint smile.)
The Secret of the Mysterious Elder
Mysterious Elder:
"Have patience, Ali! You will get answers to all your questions very soon."
Junaid (eagerly):
"Soon? When?"
Mysterious Elder:
"Tonight, after dinner!"
(Ali and Junaid exchange glances. They head to the room assigned to them by the servant. Once inside, Junaid speaks excitedly.)
Junaid:
"Ali! Just a little more patience, and we will finally get all our answers!"
Ali:
"Yes, the answers we have been seeking for days may finally be revealed tonight."
Junaid (seriously):
"We must question the elder with the utmost respect.
I feel like he is about to reveal something truly significant."
Ali:
"That's fine, but there's one thing about this elder that I don't understand."
Junaid (curiously):
"What is it?"
Ali:
"He appears to be just an ordinary man, but how is his swordsmanship so extraordinary?"
Junaid:
"You're right! Did you notice? When he fought Ameer Tahir's men, it seemed like a royal warrior was fighting!
There wasn't a hint of weakness in him!"
Ali:
"Exactly! But maybe we don't need to overthink it. Tonight, we will get all our answers."
---
Ameer Tahir's Restlessness
(While Ali and Junaid are having this conversation, Ameer Tahir grows anxious due to the lack of news from his men.
Angrily, he questions his soldiers.)
(Ameer Tahir's forehead is drenched in sweat. His patience is wearing thin. He glares at his men.)
Ameer Tahir:
"We have searched the entire city, yet there is no trace of Ali and Junaid? Where have they disappeared?"
One of Ameer Tahir's men:
"Sir, you are absolutely right."
Ameer Tahir (thinking):
"And where are my two most trusted men?"
Second soldier:
"Sir, they went to the outskirts of Junagarh to look for Ali and Junaid, but there has been no news from them since!"
Ameer Tahir (seriously):
"I suspect that Ali and that elder have captured them!"
A soldier:
"We should find them and rescue them!"
Ameer Tahir:
"Don't worry! My men are brave. They will surely find a way to save themselves."
---
The Time for Truth Has Come
(Night slowly falls. Ali and Junaid finish their meal. The elder looks at them.)
Mysterious Elder:
"Ali and Junaid, are you ready to receive your answers?"
Junaid:
"We have been ready for a long time!"
(The elder smiles faintly and leads them to his room. He then points to a painting.)
The Mystery Deepens
Mysterious Elder:
"Look at this painting."
(As Ali and Junaid gaze at the painting, their breaths catch. Their eyes widen in disbelief.)
"Ali examined the painting closely. His breathing grew rapid. The painting depicted three people."
"The first face was clear – it was the elder himself. The second face made Junaid's eyes widen – it was him! But the third face... what was this?"
"Ali's legs trembled. The third face was his own... but how? This painting was ancient! Impossible!"
(Junaid's face turned pale.)
Junaid:
"Ali, this painting... it's trying to tell us something!"
(Just then, the elder took a deep breath and said—)
Mysterious Elder:
"Now, the time has come to reveal the truth."
What was the connection between the mysterious elder, Ali, and Junaid?
Were Ali and Junaid just friends, or was there a deeper bond between them?
To uncover the truth, read the next chapter...
Chapter 9...
To Be Continued...