And here were the guests gathered for the last performance of the series in the palace. Youssef waited for everybody to take a seat after the warm wave of applause and then he began.“I will now tell you the story of the camel merchant Selim. He worked very hard and had a good number of animals, around thirty. This allowed him to provide a good life for his wife and two sons. He was a talkative and happy man, so one day he was invited to have dinner at one of his customers’ house who was a wealthy man. There, Selim saw expensive objects and rugs made of exotic fabrics. The food was also sophisticated and the people at the house treated him well.But instead of leaving content from the pleasant event, he left with a burden on his shoulders because his spirit now desired those expensive material possessions.Selim decided he would do everything in his power to become rich. The first thing he did was double the number of animals he owned. Now, in order

Omar told Bethany he had a surprise for her. It was a trip to the Al Maliq Oasis that he had planned to distract her from the departure of her mom.“An oasis? It sounds so romantic.”“I am glad that you think so, my love. It would take us two days to get there by horse. But the helicopter will take us there in just a few hours. What do you say we leave tomorrow and stay the rest of the week.”“I think it is wonderful. This way I will have time to pack. What do we take to an oasis?”He laughs heartedly and she finds herself in his arms all of a sudden. “Whatever you want, I guess.”“Omar, be serious. I have no idea what to expect.”“That is one reason for me to take you there. You will meet people who never lived in the city. They have a simple life but you will find them sincere and loyal. That land where the oasis is located belongs to my family for centuries. My mother loved

The same day of the couple´s return to the palace, Malouf had also arrived for one of his frequent visits.It caused such a distaste to Bethany that she almost asked Omar to take her back to the oasis. But then she decided to control her emotions and not to say anything. She knew that life was not made only of vacations and paradisiac places.During dinner, the sheik was happy to hear his son tell the news about the oasis and the nice people who lived there. Then his attention went to his brother-in-law and he wanted to know where Malouf had been for the last weeks.“I came from Australia.”“That is quite far. Were you on business or vacation?”“Vacation.”Oh, so the old goat was going to play the innocent. Bethany knew that, by now, his misfortune had already exploded in his face.He was careful in his choice of words and he kept looking at Bethany as if expecting some reaction that would pro

Bethany was happy to have her brother often at the palace. Not only he was keeping one eye on her, but also he enjoyed discussing the progress of the wells projects. He had already installed five of them in different regions and people there were happy to have better access to water. The first one was launched with the presence of Sheik Mohamed himself.Unfortunately, Khaleb was also a constant presence in the palace. He was with them during meals or entertaining important guests. He followed the royal family to inaugurations and functions. He had opinions about everything and they were not always smart ones. His attitude didn´t seem to bother Sheik Mohammed or Omar but it was starting to give on Bethany´s nerves. When Malouf also joined them, it was common for Bethany to have migraines after she received so many looks of pure hate.Khaleb had told some sad stories to the sheik and asked to have a place as one of his counselors. His uncle couldn´t say

Their return to the palace was very well-received by the sheik. If Mohamed had missed his son in the past, now he made clear that he almost got sick when he parted from his grandson. He declared that Ben was the reason for his joy and the light of his life.Sheik Mohamed also made it very clear the length of his appreciation for his daughter-in-law and often he compared her beauty and wit to his late wife´s.They had become close friends and he offered his advice to Bethany in the same quantity as he asked for her opinions. This relationship made Omar very happy because these were the two people he most loved in the world. Except for Benjamin, who was the winner of everybody´s heart. Ben was number one for all of them, which only caused a stronger bond to take place.The night of their return there was a banquet for dinner, Omar and Bethany sat at each side of sheik Mohamed. That night, Khaleb was sitting beside Omar, across from Bethany.It w

As the days went by a distance took place between Omar and Bethany. It was as if they couldn´t communicate with each other openly. Omar had a vast land of sorrow inside him caused by his mourning. He thought it best to spare his wife from the dark that called to him. And he closed up, even more, when he listened to his uncle telling him that he would never be a great leader like Mohamed if he let a woman interfere with the country´s affairs.It was shocking for Bethany to recognize how much Omar had changed in such a short time. One day, Malouf suggested the purchase of farms in New Zealand during lunch.“Please, I have asked you not to discuss business during meals.”“So, as a counselor, I can only talk to the sheik if you give permission, Bethany?”“That is not what I am saying.”“Time is pressing. I need to have Omar´s signature in order to beat the competitor who wants to buy the farms

Bethany got in touch with her brother and he came to the palace immediately. It was lucky for her that he had not left for one of his trips to the desert. Scott had bought an apartment for himself a few blocks from the bank and the truth is that he was keeping an eye on her since they had found out that Omar´s relatives were thieves and crooks.So, when he took his sister´s hands and read despair in her eyes, Scott knew that something very serious had happened because Bethany was a strong woman and he had never seen her so distraught.“Oh, Scott, I am so glad you are here.”“What is it, little sister?”And then she told him everything that Khaleb had said to her.“So he is a murderer, after all.”“Yes. And he is a coward too. He threatened Ben´s life.”“The nerve of the man. Where is he now?”“I don´t know. Why do you ask?”&l

After a week had passed on their trip through the scorching desert, Bethany got used to the slow rhythm of the caravan. It was a relief to realize that Ben was not suffering the effects of the trip so much because he was always protected by the shadows and well-fed. Adjia had proved to be of great help since she loved to play with Ben and his laughter could be heard by his mom while she had her meals or talked to her brother.Then one day, there was a change in the scene. They were near some rock formations and a dozen men dressed in dark robes climbed down and approached them. It was clear that their intention was to plunder.Immediately Habibdul and his men reached inside the coffee grains´ bags and took out the most impressive machine guns that Bethany had ever seen.The outlaws seemed to be impressed too because they took some steps back and stayed quiet, just watching the caravan pass.Scott rode beside Bethany´s wagon and shouted to her,

Habibdul and his armed men walked in front of the small group. Then Bethany with Ben in her arms and Adjia followed them and Scott was the last one. They arrived at the caves and Bethany thought that they were really ugly.Everybody was exhausted but then Habibdul summed their feelings with a relieved exclamation.“Here they are!”And so it was. Three big helicopters that could fit twenty people each were right ahead waiting for them. Bethany noticed that they were those kinds of military choppers that traveled long distances.“Are they taking us all the way home, Scott?”“No. Only to the neighboring country, where we shall take a jet plane. Someone from the embassy is on board to facilitate the permissions.”“Now I am impressed.”And she really was. But nothing could have prepared Bethany for the surprise she felt when Michelle came down from one of the choppers.“Mom!&rdqu

Some weeks had passed since the rescue and Bethany still didn´t feel like going back to the palace. There were functions there to attend and other royal compromises but she just didn´t feel up to it. One day, Omar suggested that they could go for the celebration of Ben´s birthday which was near.“Omar, I am so sorry. I just can´t.”“Why, Bethany? It is our home. Ben will be the sheik one day. We have postponed our return long enough.”“I know. You are right but even so, I feel sick when I think of going there. I was threatened beyond my forces there.”“It is all over now.”“We don´t know that. There were some maids and other staff who received money to act against us.”“I see.”“And your uncle was making a lot of money from illicit deals. Maybe he still wants revenge.”“Nobody has access to him in jail.”