INTRODUCTION

The first reports of the Arab civilizations and the beginning of the tribes of the powerful sheiks bring emotions, struggles, conquests...

Everything for the survival of those ancient peoples.

And love, could it survive?

IN THE DESERT

Now

Bethany was hidden among the luggage of the cart. She could hear her brother talking to the head of the caravan that he had hired. It was a vibrant and cheerful voice. Scott was very protective, but even so, she was afraid.

She had everything to lose if she was discovered. Her life. And her son's. The baby slept peacefully in her arms. Looking at that angelic calm, Bethany managed to smile for the first time in weeks.

Her son. Her love. He fully filled her heart and it was worth all the sacrifice she made to protect him.

“Are you warm enough, little sister?” He still called Bethany by her childhood nickname.

“Yes, Scott. But I would like to stop for a while to feed the baby.”

Scott smiled and nodded. He immediately gave the order to the members of the caravan. They were crossing the desert regions of the Arab world, heading for a region far to the south. Scott had business with some of the tribal leaders there.

These tribesmen did business to survive. Just like their parents had done, and their grandparents, great-grandparents, and other ancestors. But there was no record of any of that. Writing had not been invented at that time. As well as almost nothing in the world that accompanies the writing.

It was all very rudimentary in those desert places, however, the willpower and determination of those men, made possible the formation of several villages that today have become busy cities.

It would be a good hiding place for Bethany and her baby.

The cunning for trade and the fighting force against the enemy tribes had passed from parents to children, countless times.

Bethany had heard many stories about these fascinating events. And today she was part of that chain of influencers who commanded most people's lives there. Those willing to follow confident leadership.

And that was because Bethany was the wife of Sheik Omar Sahid al Maliq.

The facts that Bethany intended to pass on as an inheritance to her son, and everything she knew about the past, came from stories told as treasures.

These commercial links were true heritages. People´s very survival depended on strengthening these contacts and not making mistakes that overthrew others, in that region so difficult to live.

Everyone in the caravan was excited about the stop and started preparing and distributing food. There was a mix of people, but most were from the Maghni tribe, which meant ‘singer’.

These people were very happy. Where they were, fun was guaranteed. Even the simplest task was performed with singing and laughter. As that vast desert was a place of many conflicts and wars, this quality was a real fuel for them to face tragedies.

Not to mention sandstorms, which destroyed many lives and goods.

The people of that region were always under reconstruction.

So it was fortunate to have an ally or friend from the Maghni tribe, to be able to do everything with joy.

Scott had a good friend from that tribe, the head of that caravan. His name was Habibdul, a young man with a strong and attractive voice. He always stood out at meetings and parties. He was frequently asked to contribute with his music. He sang from war hymns to pleas for the love of some more attractive woman.

He had already had his share of passions, but he had not yet formed a family, like many young people his age.

All protective, Scott sat next to his sister. While the baby was being fed, they listened to Habibdul, who softly sang a ballad from his childhood, which he had learned from his grandfather.

The baby was almost asleep and Bethany, calmer with the song, leaned against her brother's shoulder and gave herself up to the memories of when she first met Sheik Omar Sahid al Maliq.

CHILDHOOD

Past

Bethany's grandfather was the billionaire Christopher Worthgold. A ruthless man, considered to have a heart of steel, he only softened in the presence of that sweet and beautiful child, his granddaughter and only heir.

He had warned her that they would receive visitors from a very distant country. They were powerful men with different customs. Their clothes were special and their customs could surprise her.

He explained to Bethany that they were from the desert regions.

"The country of the camels, grandpa?” Old Worthgold laughed a lot at the naive child's description. Bethany was only nine years old.

"Well, I believe that our Arab friends, would not like to think that way about their country."

"Why not? Camels are very beautiful animals. And useful. I studied about them at school.”

“You are very smart, dear. Now go get ready, so they know that we also have princesses in our country.”

Bethany kissed her grandfather and followed the nanny. She was very obedient. She did not care about Arab customs, because for her, her grandfather was the real prince.

FIRST SIGHT

Past

“Where are you taking that bird, girl?”

Bethany looked and saw the young boy who was staring at her with curiosity. He must have been about ten years old. She was nine. She did not recognize him from the surroundings, but her grandfather had warned her about foreign visitors.

However, this boy was not wearing different clothes, as her grandfather had suggested. He was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

“I will release the bird in those trees to see if it can already fly. It had injured the wing and I fed it for a while until it got better.”

“Nonsense. The bird will not make it. I am Omar, son of Mohamed al Maliq.” He was very proud of his father, who was the sheik of his tribe. It was the equivalent of a king's position in a monarchical country.

“I'm Bethany. Do you want to go with me?”

“Let's go.”

And from then on, while the visit lasted, they walked together everywhere, while the heads of their families were together closing deals.

When they reached the trees, Bethany put the bird down and said a few words to encourage it to fly.

Omar, beside her, watched in silence.

Then he was taken by surprise when, for the first time in his life, he heard Bethany sing. She had that gift. In a soft and charming voice, she managed to transmit calm and joy.

The little bird seemed to have felt all this energy coming from the girl because it had stirred a little and flew.

It was as if the bird had received vital fuel. It flew high and far away.

The girl raised both arms in a happy waving of goodbyes.

All her gestures were delicate and matched with the music she continued to sing.

Bethany surrendered to the moment and did not realize that Omar was also supplied with all those feelings. Something moved very deep in the boy´s soul and connected him to her in that inexplicable way that happens to some people, even though they are not even fully aware of it.

“The little bird did it, did you see it?” She addressed him, smiling broadly. Her stare was deep and true.

Although too young to know this, they would become husband and wife, respected and beloved leaders of the Al Maliq tribe.