Bani Shams.

Mohab Ibn Salama exited restlessly from the tent of the Majlis after the meeting ended.

He went to Dirgham, saying, “as I expected. The exploration squad will come out shortly and my father wants me to accompany them.”

“Good, we have to be fast before the others precede us!”

“You mean Bani Al-Badr and Bani Al-Najm, because they are among the most powerful tribes. They do not give up any oasis, until blood falls.

“And we do not like bloodshed, so let us precede them.”

“Well, I'm going to prepare now, and postpone the training until later.”

He went to his tent and found his mother, Ghadeer, sitting next to his wife, Hasnaa, exchanging conversation.

When he entered, his mother got up, “I will leave you alone with your wife, son.”

He smiled at her and kiss her hands, “I need your prayers, mom. I am going with the soldiers to find an oasis.”

She wiped his face with her hands, “Let your path be lightsome and bright.” Her smile was sweet. “Go, my son, you are our hope, and pay attention to yourself.”

Because of hunger and drought, the tribes sought constantly for oases to provide food, not just for themselves but for their livestock to ensure their survival. In the search, if hunger did not destroy them, wars would, especially if two tribes find the same oasis.

This trip was called an exploration cruise, which usually lasted from one to three nights; as the scouts cannot afford to delay more in the heat of the desert, fearing that they will run out of food. When they find an oasis, almost the entire team remains to protect it, and they send one person to let the tribe know that they are moving towards the oasis.