CH.30 Back to Egypt the journey with General Setka Part 4
Back to Egypt the journey with General Setka Part 4
After a 10-hour journey,
The army finally arrived at the resting place. The sun had set, enveloping the sky in darkness, with only torches providing light. The soldiers were tired and eager to eat and rest.
Ramon expressed his relief, "Oh, finally, we have arrived at the resting place."
The weary soldiers began to find spots to rest, setting up their tents in a circular formation around a large, illuminated fire. The horses were parked outside the tents, munching on hay and drinking water.
As the soldiers removed their heavy armour, they gathered in the main tent where food was prepared for them. It was a social gathering, where they could meet and eat together.
Some soldiers remained on guard duty, as they had arrived early to set up the camps and had already gotten enough sleep.
Kamil made rounds to ensure that all the soldiers were present and accounted for. He instructed them, "Come to the main tent, have your meal, and then get some sleep. We need to rest for a shorter duration to ensure we're ready for our journey tomorrow. Understood?"
The soldiers replied in unison, "Yes!"
Jack and Ramon tied Kailo to a pole and instructed the soldier responsible for the animals to feed him. They then entered the tent, where they found three beds prepared for them—one for Jack, one for Ramon, and one for another soldier.
As they walked inside, Kasib entered the tent, expressing his exhaustion with a yawn. Jack and Ramon turned to see him.
Kasib glanced at the beds and exclaimed in frustration, "Oh, don't tell me I have to sleep with you two now."
Ramon smiled and replied, "Looks like it, Kasib."
Kasib let out a sigh, "I'm too tired to even argue. I don't care anymore. I'm going to rest." He proceeded to remove his armour and lay down on his bed.
Jack and Ramon exchanged glances and followed suit. They removed their heavy metal armour, feeling the weight lifted off their shoulders. Taking a deep breath, they lay down on their respective beds, ready to find some well-deserved rest.
"Hey, Ramon," Jack called out.
Ramon turned to Jack and replied, "Yes?"
Jack asked, "How long is the journey tomorrow, and when do we need to wake up?"
Just then, the curtains of the tent opened, and Kamil walked in. He said, "Well, you can have a good 7 hours of sleep."
Ramon expressed his surprise, saying, "Oh, Kamil."
Kamil nodded and continued, "I'm just here to let you know that the food is ready. Come on, let's eat."
"Okay, we'll be there," Ramon and Jack responded in unison.
They got up, yawning as they realized they had only rested for a few moments. Ramon commented, "What kind of rest was that?"
"Get up, Kasib. We need to eat," Ramon called to Kasib.
Kasib, still in a sleepy tone, replied, "Okay, I will."
They all proceeded to walk outside the tent, ready to join the others for a meal.
As they made their way through the camp, Jack, Ramon, and Kasib overheard tired soldiers talking. One soldier asked another, "Hey, how did you get the money to buy that expensive horse?" The other soldier replied, "Oh, well, I just saved up."
Continuing their walk, they came across some soldiers singing and eating their meagre rations of bread and fruits outside. Unfortunately, there was no meat this time due to its high cost and logistical challenges.
Finally, the trio arrived at the main tent. As they entered, they noticed the absence of any enticing aroma or elaborate dishes. The tables were laid out with bread and fruits, and the soldiers were sitting on the floor, eating.
The only person not sitting on the floor was the General and his right-hand man. He had ordered a special table for himself, where he sat with lieutenant Kamil, awaiting their food.
"Hey, General, you're looking happy, aren't you?" Ramon remarked.
"Well, yes, Ramon. I paid for some meat and rice to be made for myself today. It's a good thing to have on a journey, isn't it?" Setka replied.
"Ahhh! Come on, General, you ordered it only for yourself! How selfish," Ramon responded in a disappointed tone.
"Just to let you know, I paid for it, Ramon," Setka clarified.
"Uh huh, whatever," Ramon muttered.
Turning to Kamil, Ramon asked, "So, what about you, Kamil?"
Kasib returned with some food on his plate, handing out bread and apples to Ramon happily. However, when it came to offering food to Jack, Kasib's face showed a hint of reluctance, as he didn't want to share with him but felt obliged to do so.
He also gave some bread to Kamil, but Kamil declined, saying, "Oh, there's no need. I'm having some meat and rice."
"What? You too, Kamil? You should share some with your best friend, shouldn't you?" Ramon pleaded.
Kamil let out a sigh and reluctantly agreed, "Okay, since I owe you a Favor, I will."
"Yehhh!" Ramon exclaimed with excitement.
As they waited, Ramon asked when the food would arrive.
"Oh, soon, just a few more minutes," Kamil reassured him.
And then, the moment arrived. Kamil exclaimed, "Oh, there it is, the food!"
The aroma of the food was incredible. The meat was still sizzling, and the rice was smoking hot. The meat was coated in a red chili sauce, which dripped into the rice, giving it a flavourful and juicy texture.
The plates were placed in front of Kamil and General Setka. Kamil gestured for Ramon to sit down and join them.
"Okay," Ramon replied, eagerly anticipating the meal.
Kamil turned to Jack and Kasib, asking if they wanted some food. Jack declined, saying he was good, and Kasib took another bite of his apple.
Ramon was about to dig into the rice and meat when Kamil interrupted and asked Ramon and Setka, "Did you two wash your hands?"
"No," replied Setka and Ramon.
"Well, it's good hygiene to wash your hands before eating, even if you're using a spoon," Kamil advised.
"Okay," they both said.
Kamil called a soldier and asked him to bring water and a towel for handwashing.
"Yes, sir," the soldier replied and left to fetch the requested items.
Jack felt a sense of being singled out when Kamil looked at him and asked "am I correct about hygiene Jack Sterling"
"Yes, you are right, Kamil," Jack confirmed.
The soldier returned with the water and towel, and the three of them proceeded to wash their hands, removing the particles of mud and dirt. Their hands were now clean and ready for the meal.
"Finally, we can start eating," Ramon declared.
However, a soldier interrupted and kindly asked General Setka, "Hey, General, is it possible for me to have a bite of that steak?"
"Well, yes, you can, Taheri" Setka granted permission.
"Thank you" replied the soldier.
"No problem. You have assisted me in many battles." Setka replied.
He used a spoon to separate a piece of meat with some rice and handed it to the soldier, saying, "Here you go, open your mouth," as he fed him.
The soldier took a bite and savoured the flavour of the rice. Ramon, Kamil, Setka, Jack, and Kasib watched attentively as the soldier enjoyed the spoonful of rice and meat.
Just as Setka, Kamil, and Ramon were about to take their first bite, the soldier suddenly screamed in agony, holding his neck in distress.
"Ahhhhhhh! Don't eat this!" he exclaimed; his voice choked with pain.
Setka, alarmed, stood up from his chair, dropping the spoonful of rice onto the table.
"What happened, Taheri?" Setka asked urgently, rushing to the soldier's side.
Taheri collapsed to the ground, coughing up blood. His face turned red, and his legs convulsed as if he were suffocating. His body twitched, resembling the spasms of a slaughtered animal at a butcher's shop, as life seemed to drain from his body and his soul departed.
Setka held Taheri's hands, placing the soldier's head on his own legs, desperately calling out to him, "Are you okay? Taheri, can you hear me?"
However, Taheri offered no response. Instead, he looked up at the sky, his trembling finger pointing to something he saw. His lips turned bluish-purple, a stark contrast against his pale complexion. It was clear that the man had succumbed to death.
A wave of shock and disbelief swept through the tent as everyone witnessed the sudden and tragic demise of Taheri.