Chapter 1 – A small weak boy
Tikrit – 1138
‘Help! Help! He’s going to kill me!’
Hearing the screams, Shirkuh ran through the dark streets of
the town. Suddenly he came around the corner of a building.
A soldier was holding a knife to a woman’s neck. Her eyes were
wild and afraid. Shirkuh didn’t stop to think. In a minute, the
two men were fighting for the knife. In another minute, the
soldier was dead, his blood bright red on the ground.
Late that night, Ayyub heard a soft knock at the door. It was his
brother Shirkuh asking for news.
‘The baby hasn’t come yet. The mother’s having a bad time.’
The father looked at his brother. ‘Why are you hurrying?’
‘Ayyub. I’ve just killed a man by mistake, but I was angry.’
‘Shirkuh! Why did you do this? It’ll be difficult for us here in
Tikrit. The man’s family will make trouble.’
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