Otba blinked, pulling himself from his slumber while thinking of the words of Saif. He knew he was not delirious, as everything he said was true. And yet, he did not yet know how Rammah stole the mandate of the Covenant from him. He did not even possess the elements of the leader, even his body was not capable of such a thing. To Otba, it is too slim and slender, but he has a sinister demon's mind. He asks himself, how can my father not see all this? Doesn't it seem self-evident? How does he compare me with him?

Otba attempted with difficulty to suppress his annoyance, and he would have, were it not for a close commotion that caught his attention. He got up and saw the object of his envy, Rammah, carrying some provisions and placing them on the camel's hump.

Otba brought himself near, curiosity peaked. “God wills, who are these provisions for? Is it for your new friend Mohab?”

Rammah gave his brother an uncaring look. “I am not in a good mood for your discussion, Otba. What I do is none of your business, get lost.”

“And what will you do? Could it be more than stealing the mandate of the Covenant from me?” His voice was dark. “I am not afraid of you and you do not have the right to act on your whim without accountability or punishment.”

Rammah whispered angrily to Otba, “pay attention to your words Otba, otherwise...” the threat lingered.

Otba resented and withdrew.

As for Rammah, after he finished putting the provisions on the beast, he went to his father’s tent.