Free Daughter of Nomads by Rosanne Hawke Page B

said, ‘People are frightened by the paries. This is a charmed lake.’ Then he said to Azhar, ‘Do you know for sure who it is that follows you?’
    Azhar inclined his head in affirmation.
    â€˜But why?’ Jahani burst out. ‘Why are we being followed and attacked?’
    There was a silence that Hafeezah finally filled. ‘Can you still ask that? Think of Sameela.’
    â€˜Why me? I am just a girl.’
    â€˜It is not always what we do but who we are that proves us chosen,’ Azhar said.
    Rasheed glanced at him in approval and Jahani said, ‘But I’m a nobody. Why should I be chosen to be killed?’
    No one answered her and Hafeezah shifted uncomfortably.
    So Jahani asked a different question: ‘Who follows us?’
    Azhar exhaled but answered steadily. ‘The men of Dagar Khan from the northern Kingdom of Hahayul.’
    There was a pause. ‘Are you sure?’ Rasheed asked as Hafeezah sat stunned.
    Azhar nodded. ‘I extracted this information from a man near death. There was no reason for him to lie.’
    It was Anjuli who asked, ‘Who is Dagar Khan?’
    Azhar regarded her sadly before he spoke. ‘He is a new King Zahhak.’
    Jahani gasped. ‘The Demon King.’

9
    Baltit Fort Kingdom of Hahayul
    D agar Khan, the self-appointed tham of the Kingdom of Hahayul, sat on a dais covered with carpets and cushions in Baltit Fort. He terrorised the northern kingdoms and ruled by fear. Many likened him to the ancient King Zahhak who had struck a deal with Shaitan, the Demon King.
    Since the small and isolated northern kingdoms were on the edge of the Mughal Empire, Dagar Khan had not yet attracted the attention of Emperor Aurangzeb, who was not only busy fighting kingdoms in the south of Hindustan, but also his brothers, who were trying to take his throne.
    Dagar Khan stared with distaste at the cowed form of his salar, his army commander, in front of him.
    The man knelt on the floor in obeisance, babbling, ‘We travelled far, my lord, but my men were killed by a man with demonic powers. Only one escaped with his life. We burned villages but no one has heard of this girl.’
    Dagar Khan glanced at the grey-haired man seated at his side. His powerful pir, a seer who could foretell events, shook his head in response.
    â€˜Lies!’ Dagar Khan snarled at the commander.
    The commander lifted his head but didn’t look directly at the dais. ‘Truly, my lord, there is no such girl. We asked everywhere—’
    â€˜Fool. You haven’t looked long enough. I know she is on the move.’ He indicated the man beside him. ‘Pir Zal has told me she is alive.’
    The pir tilted his head slightly, while joining his fingertips under his chin.
    â€˜With respect, my lord, we were told summers ago she was killed as a child when we sacked this fort.’ The commander hesitated. ‘Perhaps that was true, my lord?’
    Dagar Khan jumped to his feet. ‘I don’t want to hear any more of your incompetency. You killed the wrong girl in Sherwan. I have the largest conscripted army in this part of the empire. You are supposed to be the salar, the commander! Act like it! Get more men, search properly. Kill anyone who resists or you will lose your own head.’
    Then Dagar Khan spoke quietly to Pir Zal. ‘Does the girl have some kind of help? This demon fighter perhaps?’
    The pir shook his head.

    Dagar Khan turned to the commander as he rose to his feet. ‘I am the greatest warrior, there is no demon fighter. Now pull your men together and find her!’ He clapped his hands and a door opened. ‘This time, take the girl alive.’ He took a strip of paper from his pocket. ‘And send this message by pigeon to the war lord, Muzahid Baig. I have a plan he may appreciate.’
    The army commander bowed and left.
    Dagar Khan stared out the window at the snow-topped mountains. Underneath, the Hahayul