Once there was Darkness

Sandstorm

Part 2

Another explosion. “Two days on horseback.” This time the message came to her. She repeated the message. “The city can see it.” Two rings from the bell. The storm in the distance was a dark cloud on the ground destroying everything in its path. Another explosion, bigger than the last. “Wow!” Kessa hissed.

“That one was louder.” Beth stopped writing.

“Two poles, day and a half on a horse.” Again, the bells rang twice.

“Why two poles.” Kol asked.

“One follows the path of the river. The other one was in the middle of the desert between us and the forest.” The messages from Mecca were coming faster and faster.

The sand cloud from their angle looked like nothing Kol had ever seen before. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

Another explosion. More messages. This time the bell didn’t stop ringing.

“Come, we must go.” She sounded.

Once they were at the city wall “protect our people and the city as best you can.” Rajaf hugged his daughter.

She kissed him on the cheek.

She moved to run but Kol grabbed her, kissing her. Now she was panting for a different reason. For a moment, both their minds were removed from the storm almost upon them. She was able to shake it off first.

She joined the garrison at the wall. “Move!” She shouted above the wind from behind them. They ran in every direction getting the elderly that couldn’t move fast enough and animals into shelter. For the most part, the streets were deserted. This was a blessed sight to her.

Mecca allowed all people to travel within its city walls. You could even spend a night or two. Kessa noticed a group of travelers had gathered under the city wall. This would offer little protection from raging sand. She knew first hand (being a soldier) what wind-blown sand could do to the human body. Six soldiers went to cover the group with a large piece of fabric. The soldiers acted as anchors at the corners and middle of the fabric. She prayed it would be enough.    

Then she remembered the wall people. She sent more soldiers to protect them.

When Kol entered the palace, screaming came to his ears. “Frego, take them to the shelter.” Frego took Rajaf and the Queen Mother to the shelter.

Kol ran toward the sounds. He stopped; his heart pounding. Everyone had gathered in the court room. Most everyone was kneeling or laying on the floor, with their heads covered with capes. People were screaming. Others were praying to heathen gods. In that moment, he was outraged.

He shouted above the wind and noise, “you deserve what you get! Whom are you praying too? What is this filth that comes to my ears?” People started rising up, amazed that he was standing before them. “From what I hear, you’re praying to the wrong god. I am disappointed, enraged, and deeply distressed over this. There is a shelter on the far side of the palace. This is not the place.” About that time, the shutters covering one of the great windows shattered. People were hit with the debris. The screaming started all over again. Everyone followed him to the shelter.