After a day, everyone gathered in Bani Al-Badr where the meeting took place inside Safwan's tent. The atmosphere was charged; all love and friendship faded long time ago. Everyone was in a state of caution, on edge and at the ready. Every man watched the movement of the others and kept his hand on his sheath in preparation for any treachery or betrayal...

Despite the fact that the tent contained only the leaders with their sons and some wise men, the air hung heavily.

Safwan started the session, “I will not go on too long. What I will say is very important in the security of our future. My son, Shaddad, found a fortified oasis – one of which the tongues could not describe. There the traces of palm trees appear from its walls and the bird song never stops from it, and this indicates its coldness, and it must be that those who will inhabit it will live in eternal happiness.”

Salama and Qais looked at each other surprised, unable to suppress their sarcastic laughter.

Qais reduced his voice to a whisper. “Did Safwan lose his mind?”

Salama took hint of Safwan’s angriness, so he stopped his sarcasm. “If it has these incredible specifications, why invite us? Why did not you win it alone, Safwan?” Suspicion laced his voice.

Shaddad spoke. “Do not hurry, leaders, it is not that easy. The oasis has a severe guard that no one dares to conquer, despite trying.”

Qais narrowed his eyes. “And you want us to sacrifice our youth for your sake?”

Safwan shook his head. “No, we want the three of us to share this oasis.”

Mohab interviened, “But your description of the oasis is unbelievable!”

Salama grabbed the hand of Mohab, whispering in his ear. “Keep your boundaries, son. This is an adult session.”

Mohab murmured, remained silent, and exchanged with Rammah a look of tribulation. The latter agreed with him, during which time Safwan attempted to calm them down.

“Take it easy fellows, I did not see the oasis at all, and what I tell you is based on the words of my son Shaddad and the soldiers who were with him. And before you interrupt me, I suggest that we go to see it together and come to terms with its guard. I will let you think about it then I shall come back to hear your answer.”

And before anyone spoke, Safwan left with his son following him.

Mohab and Rammah exchanged looks, nodding that they would leave the tent. Mohab settled back at his sitting position and said to his father:

“It needs consideration, father, and we must be careful. I will go out for a bit and check my horse.”

His father agreed him, and at the same time, Rammah spoke to his father.

“I'm going to drink water and then go back.”

The tent was then empty of people beyond Qais and Salama. Qais smiled and coughed a lot, and after he finished, he said to Salama, “look at our condition, instead of being one hand as we were before, here we doubt each other and lie in wait for treachery.”

Salama replied, “Qais, whatever happens, you are the oldest and the wisest. What do you think about what Safwan said? Do you think is it safe for us to go out with him?”

“And what if we lose more than we lost already? Let us take our precautions and go out with him. If he is sincere, we will look into the matter, and if not, then our behavior with him will be harsh.”

“As you see, so I agree.”