In the deserts, Not near an identifiable landmark... Options

[Edd]

It had been a hard fought day and the loss was difficult to take. Malnourished and dehydrated, they had been travelling blindfolded for at least a day on the back of carts. They all fell off as their legs were bound to each other when they arrived, so they knelt in a line.

Some people were heard entering, chanting something in a local dialect. One man's voice bellowed to one the first kneeling man.

"Who is Rainfinder Jadeen Bin Aleem?"
"Please sir, some water" the first man quivered.
A nail was hammered in the back of his skull and he fell dead

"Jadeen Bin Aleem, who is he?"
"Who?" The second man asked
A nail was hammered in the back of his skull and he fell dead

"Who is this new Rainfinder?"
"I don't know anything!" the third man cried.
A nail was hammered in the back of his skull and he fell dead

"Tell me something about Bin Aleem"
"I've only just heard of him too. He outlawed a couple of guys" the fourth man whimpered.
A nail was hammered in the back of his skull and he fell dead

"What can you tell me that will stop us hammering a nail into your head?"
"I know everything about him, let me live and I'll tell you everything" the fifth man clearly lying.
A nail was hammered in the back of his skull and he fell dead

"It appears non of you know anything about Rainfinder Jadeen Bin Aleem. You're fate shall be the same!"
"May be not, but I'm resourceful and can be of service to you" replied the sixth and final man.
The khazhak squatted down, unblindfolded him and smiled. "I have a use for you!"

[Edd]

"It was Tarek and Ishan. No idea who they are, but pass it up the chain."

[Edd]

The Prince strode through swathes of the gathered Athfanal, cutting a path through them as he stepped - the numbers gathered here may have been the largest gathering of Athfanal ever seen. Each made room for him to pass, whispering amongst one another as they did. He strode confidently and approached the central dias of the chamber where the Elders were gathered.



'Prince, prince - only tribe leaders can speak, if you wish to share your thoughts you must take his place' the Elder Athfanal said, gestering to a wounded Athfanal, an advisor to The Prince. 'Defeat him and return his essence to the Athfash'



'You think I'm stupid enough to deprive myself from the best of us'



'Take my life, my Prince - it is the only way' interjected the wounded Athfanal.



'I AM POINTING THE WAY' the Prince bellowed, drawing shocked gasps from the many gathered Athfanal.



'THERE IS NO ONE IN THIS ROOM WHO CAN OPPOSE ME'



As The Princes voice echoed off the chamber walls a great number of the Athfanal stood, clutching at the weapons in their belts.



'YOUR MOTHERS WARNED YOU OF MY COMING, THEY FEARED THIS MOMENT'



The Prince singled out a single Athfanal, built strong and broad. He held his gaze and spoke softly



'You think you would have a chance.. But you are afraid, what if I am the chosen one? This could be the moment you have prayed for all your life'



'Right now you are praying to your grandmother, who died nine moons ago. She lost an eye, an infidel struck her with a rock as she crossed in a storm, she was twelve when that happened. Back then this land had an Athfanal name, Athfash.'



The Athfanal stood, eyes wide in shock, almost disbelief - then suddenly resolve. He dropped to his knees in supplication, raising his arms high to the sky



'Lisan Al Gaib' the broad Athfanal announced, as scores of the gathered Athfanal did the same, some breaking out in tears, muttering small prayers to the wind.



'Mahdi' came a quieter softer voice from the inner circle.



Turning from the broad Athfanal, and pacing towards one of the Elders, The Prince again broke out into speech, shouting at the man



'IN YOUR NIGHTMARES, YOU GIVE METAL TO THE INFIDELS, AND IT FILLS YOUR HEART WITH SORROW'



The Elder, lifts his head to the sky, raising and crossing his arms above his head as he sank down to his knees 'Madhi' he whispered as yet more Athfanal dropped to their knees in worship. The Chamber was now a sea of kneeling Athfanal, all bar the prince and his advisor, who now spoke.



'Madhi, what new future do you see'



'An Athfanal Paradise' The Prince calmly spoke.



A tear rolled down his wounded advisors face as he too fell to his knees



'Show us the way' he spoke as he knelt.



The Prince, now the only one in the chamber standing, removed his desert gloves and produced from his inner shirt a ring.



'THIS IS MY FATHERS TRIBAL RING’ he announced to those gathered, as he placed it upon his finger, raising his fist aloft.



'I AM MO BIN SALAH, EMPEROR OF ISHMA, WITH THE HAND OF GOD AS MY WITNESS. I AM THE VOICE FROM THE OTHER WORLD. I WILL GUIDE YOU TO PARADISE!!'



The chamber was suddenly filled with Athfanal all rising to their feet, weapons held high in the air. They began chanting, their many voices building to a crescendo



'LISAN AL GAIB! LISAN AL GAIB! LISAN AL GAIB!'