Fall Out
Abdullah heard Akbar moving around at an earlier time than usual. Abdullah was a light sleeper as a man in his position had to be alert and ready for anything. Although up early his habit was to lie in bed till the sun was up meditating. This morning hearing Akbar up he wondered what he was up to. Abdullah knew from experience that nobody could be trusted even his own son. He had henchmen who were loyal, but he paid them well to keep them loyal. Money could buy anything.
Abdullah stepped out of the door after he heard Akbar leaving and stood watching him run toward the base camp. So Akbar was going to have a talk with Anson it seemed. He knew his son was weak, and a coward. This was a huge disappointment to him knowing he couldn’t pass on the family business to him. He had never fully trusted Akbar, but he always felt his fear of him would keep him in line.
Abdullah stepped out of the door after he heard Akbar leaving and stood watching him run toward the base camp. So Akbar was going to have a talk with Anson it seemed. He knew his son was weak, and a coward. This was a huge disappointment to him knowing he couldn’t pass on the family business to him. He had never fully trusted Akbar, but he always felt his fear of him would keep him in line.
Abdullah heard Farid his loyal henchman approaching from behind. He walked so silently only Abdullah after many years of honing his instincts could hear him. Farid had been raised with him since childhood and could sense when he needed him. It was like they were one. Farid never spoke until Abdullah was ready.
Abdullah: Farid, there goes my son. He is going to the base camp to warn Anson.
Farid: My liege, he never has appreciated the privileges he has had as your son. I am most fortunate to have been given to you by my father when I was little. It has been my pleasure to serve you all these years.
Farid: My liege, he never has appreciated the privileges he has had as your son. I am most fortunate to have been given to you by my father when I was little. It has been my pleasure to serve you all these years.
Abdullah smiling: He knew that Farid was loyal, but he also knew that Farid was somewhat of a schmoozer. He didn’t take everything he said seriously.
Abdullah: You are the only one I can trust Farid, and you will be handsomely rewarded someday.
Farid bowing: Thank you my liege, I am honored.
Abdullah: I have a job for you. Wait for Akbar to come back and go to the camp and find out what Anson plans to do. Do not let Akbar see you go.
Farid: Your wish is my command as always. Farid silently retreated into the house leaving Abdullah alone with his thoughts.
Later:
Abdullah: You are the only one I can trust Farid, and you will be handsomely rewarded someday.
Farid bowing: Thank you my liege, I am honored.
Abdullah: I have a job for you. Wait for Akbar to come back and go to the camp and find out what Anson plans to do. Do not let Akbar see you go.
Farid: Your wish is my command as always. Farid silently retreated into the house leaving Abdullah alone with his thoughts.
Later:
Anson: Betty I have some business to take care of. I am trusting you to watch out for your sisters. They are not to go to Abdullah’s house until I get back.
Anson saw a man approaching out of the corner of his eye and turned with a smile plastered on his face.
Anson saw a man approaching out of the corner of his eye and turned with a smile plastered on his face.
Farid approached bowing low: Forgive me honored sir for interrupting your chastisement of your lowly one, but I seem to be lost and would inquire for your help.
Anson: Your interruption is most welcome and never an imposition honored…..
Farid: Oh pardon my lack of manners. My name is Basri, I am from a neighboring village and have come here to find a friend of mine. He gave me directions, but I have seemed to have lost them. His name is Darkar Mullah. Do you happen to know him?
Anson: My name is Anson and I would be most happy to assist you. I do not know him, but we can go into town and make inquiries. Even though Anson never heard of this man it would be impolite to not help him in his search. Impatient as he was, he had no choice but to try to help this man find his friend. I have some business to take care of and you are welcome to accompany me and afterwards I will assist you.
Farid: Pardon me honored Anson, but my friend is expecting me and is preparing the noon meal in my honor and the day is growing late.
Anson knew that to be late for a meal and being the honored guests would be the greatest of insults to this man’s friend. He cursed his bad luck to have this stranger show up now of all times. He sighed inwardly there was nothing he could do.
Anson: This business takes me close to the village. I can direct you to a place in the village where you can find out about your friend.
Farid agreed and they left.
Farid chatted like a magpie leaving Anson no choice but to concentrate on this man's chatter instead of thinking of what he was going to say to the council. Anson wished this man would shut up. The last thing he wanted now was company, but it would soon be over and he could be rid of him. Anson saw the council chamber in the distance and motioned to the town below. See that big building by the fountain down there? That is the market place of a man named Waheed Najim. He knows everyone in this town and will be able to get you to your friend.
Anson: Your interruption is most welcome and never an imposition honored…..
Farid: Oh pardon my lack of manners. My name is Basri, I am from a neighboring village and have come here to find a friend of mine. He gave me directions, but I have seemed to have lost them. His name is Darkar Mullah. Do you happen to know him?
Anson: My name is Anson and I would be most happy to assist you. I do not know him, but we can go into town and make inquiries. Even though Anson never heard of this man it would be impolite to not help him in his search. Impatient as he was, he had no choice but to try to help this man find his friend. I have some business to take care of and you are welcome to accompany me and afterwards I will assist you.
Farid: Pardon me honored Anson, but my friend is expecting me and is preparing the noon meal in my honor and the day is growing late.
Anson knew that to be late for a meal and being the honored guests would be the greatest of insults to this man’s friend. He cursed his bad luck to have this stranger show up now of all times. He sighed inwardly there was nothing he could do.
Anson: This business takes me close to the village. I can direct you to a place in the village where you can find out about your friend.
Farid agreed and they left.
Farid chatted like a magpie leaving Anson no choice but to concentrate on this man's chatter instead of thinking of what he was going to say to the council. Anson wished this man would shut up. The last thing he wanted now was company, but it would soon be over and he could be rid of him. Anson saw the council chamber in the distance and motioned to the town below. See that big building by the fountain down there? That is the market place of a man named Waheed Najim. He knows everyone in this town and will be able to get you to your friend.
Farid bowed thanking Anson and walked toward the town square. Now he knew what Anson was up to and must report immediately to his master.
Farid: Honored liege, I found out Anson is consulting the council.
Abdullah suspecting as much: Good work Farid. I knew I could count on you. Anson will pay for this.
Farid: Honored liege, I found out Anson is consulting the council.
Abdullah suspecting as much: Good work Farid. I knew I could count on you. Anson will pay for this.
Farid getting a strangely calm but evil look on his face: My liege it would be my honor to slowly break every joint in Anson’s fingers. Making the motion on his own hands to show how impressively painful that would be.
Abdullah winced he ordered violence against his enemies all the time, but cringed when it came to seeing or thinking about it. He would rather not know the details as long as the job got done.
Abdullah: No, that is not what I had in mind.
Abdullah winced he ordered violence against his enemies all the time, but cringed when it came to seeing or thinking about it. He would rather not know the details as long as the job got done.
Abdullah: No, that is not what I had in mind.
Farid: Making a motion of holding a shotgun. I have ways to use a shotgun that I learned in the special Al Simhara forces that would make this Anson suffer an agonizing slow death. Farid grinned thinking about using Anson’s knee caps as a starter for a target.
Abdullah: Now I said no. Here is what I want you to do.
Farid listened intently and nodded.
Abdullah smiled as Farid left. Anson would not get away with this. He would make sure of that, and maybe when he was done taking his revenge he would let Farid use Anson for target practice. Yes he grinned evilly in spite of his aversion to violence he might just watch this time. Yes that would be a pleasure that he was sure he wouldn’t want to miss. Now all he had to do was think of what to do with Akbar. His son would learn that betraying him comes with a high price, and after this lesson Abdullah thought he will never dare to do so again.
Abdullah: Now I said no. Here is what I want you to do.
Farid listened intently and nodded.
Abdullah smiled as Farid left. Anson would not get away with this. He would make sure of that, and maybe when he was done taking his revenge he would let Farid use Anson for target practice. Yes he grinned evilly in spite of his aversion to violence he might just watch this time. Yes that would be a pleasure that he was sure he wouldn’t want to miss. Now all he had to do was think of what to do with Akbar. His son would learn that betraying him comes with a high price, and after this lesson Abdullah thought he will never dare to do so again.