Okay, guys, it's here! I know you're all anxious after last chapter's cliffhanger. Thank you all for your reviews. I've been dying to write Al Sah-him's POV since I first conceived of this story. I hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think!
Chapter 25: The Arrow
Al Sah-him
With a straight face and stiff posture, Al Sah-him sat through what felt like the longest meal of his life. If not for Ra's order, he would've skipped the meeting altogether. He'd much rather have supper in his bedroom with Felicity, relaxing after yet another stressful day of keeping up appearances. It seemed like all they'd been doing since their return was putting on a show for Ra's and the League. In the wake of H.I.V.E.'s demise, though, he could not refute a summons from the Demon's Head when he wanted to talk strategy.
Whenever an advisor would address a question to Al Sah-him, Ra's would zero in on him. The older man studied him closely, searching for any cracks in his hard facade. The truth was Ra's had been observing him for a long time now. There had been countless tests of loyalty and endurance over the years. Each one more rigorous and complicated than the last to prove his worthiness to ascend to Ra's al Ghul. Al Sah-him had accepted each of them without hesitation. Most of the time he excelled. The times he didn't, he pushed himself that much harder. Failure was not an option for Warith al Ghul. Failure was weakness, and weakness would not be tolerated—especially when so many others were eager to take his place. Ra's right-hand man wasn't just an heir and ally, he was also a weapon. Wherever Ra's wielded him, Al Sah-him would have to strike true—and he did. The years' worth of markings burned, inked, and cut into his body proved it.
Al Sah-him had taken pride in the role, especially as a young boy coming of age. After losing everything—his family, his home, and even his identity—he felt like a sense of control had been given back to him. The League taught him not just how to fight, but how to survive. When the unthinkable happened, Al Sah-him didn't rely on luck. He relied on his own skill and ingenuity to see him through. He would never be that helpless little boy drifting in a raft again. And he hadn't been, until Shado was taken from him. Her death had been an enemy he could not see and did not expect. All the power and skill he'd amassed as Warith al Ghul had meant nothing, because he wasn't there to save her.
Never again, he'd vowed. Never again would he back down from a fight. Never again would he show mercy to those who didn't deserve it. Never again would he open his heart to love, and the pain and sorrow that had become his constant companions. Every time Oliver Queen, that scared naive boy, stirred inside of him, Al Sah-him swiftly took over to silence him. It's why he'd got his tattoos. Each served as a reminder of his losses and why he'd become The Arrow. Soon the League and its people would become his responsibility; he would be the bold, strong, and steadfast leader they deserved.
Oliver Queen was dead—that is until Felicity brought him back to life. She wasn't a soldier or an assassin, and yet she fought with everything inside of her for what was right. She became his own personal Lazarus Pit. Her inner strength and light awakened something in him, and helped heal the invisible wounds he'd left untended. Felicity had become both his partner and his salvation. His deep and abiding love for her didn't feel like a weakness. Her love and admiration gave him a greater strength and newfound purpose. She showed him another way of living that didn't involve ruthless power struggles and endless bloodshed. Her brilliant mind, though impressive, was first and foremost ruled by her heart. Now so was he.
The marriage alliance had been another test, he'd realized. It wasn't just about him accepting the order and marrying the enemy; it was about loyalty and leadership to the Ra's al Ghul mantel when faced with matters of the heart. By all accounts, Al Sah-him had already failed. He'd done his best, of course, to hide his shift in allegiance. Every time he challenged Ra's on Felicity's behalf—including after her attack—he'd been careful to frame it in a way where his own honor as Heir to the Demon was on the line. Disrespect toward the Bride of the Demon was disrespect toward Warith al Ghul. If anything similar had happened to even one of Ra's mistresses, he would retaliate just as swiftly. It was a tactic that had served Al Sah-him well up until a few days ago.
There had been times before he found himself frustrated and angry with Felicity's stubborn streak. When she felt strongly about some kind of injustice, there was almost no talking her out of taking action. The very reason he loved her was also the reason he worried nonstop about her safety. She wasn't one to back down from a fight. He'd been naive in thinking she would not retaliate against her father after what he'd put her through. He was angry, because he should've seen it coming. Felicity had sworn to him that she had no plans to act on the information without including him, and he believed her. But that still left them with the problem of figuring out who plotted against them.
Would Ra's really destroy the alliance he orchestrated to maintain the legacy of his bloodline? Why bother creating it in the first place if he was just going to end it? Could Merlyn have set another scheme into motion before turning himself in? Or was it some other enemy they weren't aware of yet, planning to weaken both H.I.V.E. and the League before attacking fully?
Whoever the culprit, Al Sah-him knew he was surviving on borrowed time. Ra's patience was wearing thin. The Demon's Head held Felicity fully responsible for the alliance's demise, and Al Sah-him's refusal to condemn her—in spite of the "treasonous" nature of her lies—was blatant proof of his shifting fealty.
Despite all of his public talk about producing an heir, Ra's had cautioned him in confidence not to get Felicity pregnant right away. She had yet to prove her devotion to the League, and her escape attempt and the aftermath had convinced him of the opposite. Ra's clearly hadn't wanted to punish Talia, but letting her off the hook would weaken the status of his heir. His hands were tied then, but not now if he knew the truth.
If not for Felicity's supposed pregnancy, she could very well have faced the same punishment as Sara—if not worse. This was their only other safe option since Felicity refused his annulment offer—a decision he was thankful for despite the dangers it posed. Though the very thought of letting her go made him physically ill, he needed to give her the choice. He wouldn't control her like her father, nor would he assume she was willing to take on the risks of being with him. But, damn, was he relieved when she made it clear she wasn't going anywhere. When Felicity said she'd always choose him, he fell in love with her all over again.
With his appetite nonexistent, Al Sah-him made a show of shuffling his food around in his plate as if he was eating. Really he was just counting down the minutes until he could leave. They were only on the third course. He'd taken a small bite when Sarab came barging into the room. He rushed to Ra's side and whispered something in his ear. All of the men paused in their meal, curious about the interruption.
"Gentlemen, our dinner must be cut short. We have a situation," Ra's announced. "It seems Al Sa-her has escaped his confines. We must recapture him immediately. "
"How did he get out?" Al Sah-him asked.
"My men are working on it as we speak," Sarab replied. "We believe he may have had help."
Ra's scratched his chin. "Where is Al Tareq?"
"We searched his quarters, but he wasn't there."
"I don't think Al Tareq would be capable of this," Al Sah-him interjected.
"You have been training him, have you not?"
"Yes, but he's nowhere near the skill level where he could take out the security measures we have in place." Although his father's capture and torture clearly upset Tommy, Al Sah-him didn't think he'd interfere. They were all on edge these past few days. He wouldn't want to do anything to heighten tensions.
"Al Sa-her is intimately familiar with this compound. He knows the escape routes," Sarab said.
"Then head them off," Ra's ordered. "Al Sah-him, figure out where he's going and put a stop to it. Tell your men to kill him on sight. He's endured his punishment these last few days. It's time he paid the ultimate sacrifice for his crimes."
"As you wish, Sidi." Al Sah-him shot to his feet and was out the door in seconds.
He breathed a sigh of relief to be free and focused on the crisis at hand. He passed clusters of people in the corridor talking in hushed tones. They must've heard the news. The compound was on high alert. There was no telling what Merlyn had up his sleeve this time.
Al Sah-him commanded each unit of guards search a different sector of the compound. Afterward, he went in search of Tommy. He may not have helped his father, but Merlyn surely would seek out his son eventually. Tommy could be useful in laying a trap.
As Al Sah-him headed for the training rooms—where Tommy usually spent his time—he caught snippets of conversation that gave him pause.
"Do you think he jumped?"
"Did they find the body?"
"I don't know who it was. Do you?"
What the hell were they talking about? Did they spot Merlyn? Al Sah-him approached the trio.
"Warith al Ghul," the three older women greeted him and bowed.
"What's going on? Who are you talking about?"
The oldest replied, "We heard rumors someone jumped off a balcony. People have claimed they saw a body fly past, but no one knows where or who it is."
The short woman to her left added, "People are searching. They think it fell from one of the higher levels."
A sinister sensation came over Al Sah-him then. Something didn't feel right. "Thank you for the information. Keep an eye out and let my men know if you learn anything else," he said to them. Changing course, Al Sah-him found himself sprinting toward his quarters. He needed to check on Felicity before he did anything else. He needed to know that she was safe.
When he saw neither of his guards posted outside their door, dread formed in the pit of his stomach—sinking like a stone. Maybe they were inside ensuring her safety with Merlyn on the loose. Al Sah-him went to open the door and found it locked. He swiftly pulled out his key, but it did not open. It was lodged shut.
He banged on the door. "Abad-eshams, you in there? Open up."
Silence.
He banged on it again, harder. "Shamsi!"
He heard doors opening behind him as he continued to knock, but the one he wanted remained closed.
"Is something wrong, Al Sah-him?" Hessa questioned. "A martial spat, perhaps?"
"Go get Nyssa." He didn't know what the hell was going on, but he needed someone he could trust right now.
"Nyssa does not have a gentle touch. You have been under much stress lately. Maybe it would be best to leave Abad-eshams alone for a bit. Come join me for tea. It will relax you," she said in a sultry voice.
"Hessa, get Nyssa right now," Al Sah-him growled, having no time for her games. "That's an order."
Hessa let out an exasperated huff before scurrying off. The rest of Ra's harem looked on in curiosity.
"Shamsi, if you do not open this door right now, I'm breaking it down." The silence that followed was answer enough. Without a moment's hesitation, he kicked at the door. It busted open with a loud crash against the wall.
Taking in the ransacked room littered with broken glass and furniture, Al Sah-him felt his heart stutter. Glass crunched under his boot; he recognized it as the vial of Pit water he'd given Felicity months ago. The ground wasn't wet, which meant she must've used it. And if she used it, then that must mean she was significantly injured.
"Felicity," he shouted, scanning the room. He noticed the trail of fresh blood on the balcony; his heart sank.
Those women said that someone had fallen. Could it have been the person who attacked Felicity? Had she fought back and pushed the person over the edge? If so, where was Felicity now? Unless she was the one who—no, he wouldn't go there. She had to be all right. His wife was a fighter. She probably struggled during the abduction, and her attacker had paid the price. Perhaps Felicity was stuck outside the compound somewhere with no way of getting back down.
Al Sah-him looked above and below, but the silvery glow of the moon didn't provide much light. Where the hell was Nyssa? He went back inside and was about to go find her himself—he needed all the help he could get to track down Felicity—when he heard a muffled whimper. He froze, listening closely. It came again.
Al Sah-him drew his sword and approached the wardrobe. It seemed to be coming from there. Please let her be hiding, he prayed. He raised his sword, ready for anything, and opened the wardrobe door. He was shocked to find a frightened and shaking Amina.
"Al Sah-him!" she cried, launching herself at him.
Despite his surprise, he caught her easily. "Amina, what happened? Are you okay?" He checked her over for injuries. "Where's Abad-eshams?"
"We were eating, and Abad-eshams got sick."
"Got sick how?"
"She couldn't breathe and started to go to sleep," she rushed out. "She drank some medicine and then she woke up."
The Pit water. That must've been what Felicity had used it for. Maybe the spilled blood wasn't hers then. "What happened after that?"
"She made me hide when the bad person came. I heard them fighting and her crying. Then I couldn't hear anything…" Amina let out a sob of her own. "I want my momma."
"It's okay. You're safe," he tried to soothe her. "No one is going to hurt you."
"Amina!" Sahar exclaimed, running into the room.
"Momma!" she shouted and bolted toward her.
Sahar clutched her daughter, crying in relief. "Thank God you're okay!" She then looked to Al Sah-him. "I came as soon as I heard the entire compound is on lockdown."
"Did you see anything suspicious before you served Abad-eshams her dinner?" he asked her, having no time for pleasantries.
"No."
"No one out of the ordinary was in the kitchen or had contact with her food?"
Sahar shook her head. "I prepared it myself like I always do. Why? Is Abad-eshams okay?" She glanced around the room, finally taking in the mess. "Where is she?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out from your daughter. She was here when Abad-eshams was attacked. I have to talk to her and find out what she knows."
Amina whimpered in her mother's arms.
"Al Sah-him," Nyssa called to him from the doorway.
"Finally, you're here. We need to—" His words cut short the moment he saw the grievous expression on her face.
"Come with me," she instructed, the tremble just barely noticeable at the end. In all the years he'd known her, he'd never seen her so shaken—and it terrified him.
"I have to find Felicity," he replied, not recognizing the unusually high lilt his voice had taken on.
"I know where she is."
"Is she all right?"
The silence that followed was deafening. Al Sah-him opened his mouth to demand answers but found himself unable to muster a simple sentence. He didn't know if he was more afraid to voice the question or hear the answer. Instead, he nodded and forced himself to follow her.
The corridor outside was crowded. The harem huddled together, whispering about what might have happened. Among them were his soldiers. The one in charge approached him, reporting that they were looking for the missing guards. Al Sah-him ordered them to take Sahar and Amina back to their quarters and to stay there with them until further notice. No one was allowed in or out.
Afterward, Nyssa led him to the main dining hall where another crowed had gathered. They were ushered back from what appeared to be the large balcony area. When they saw Nyssa and Al Sah-him approach, they immediately fell silent and stepped aside. An eerie somberness permeated the scene. Countless pairs of curious and pitying eyes followed him the entire way, putting him even more on edge.
"Al Sah-him, you must prepare yourself," Nyssa said when they'd reached the line of guards. "Abad-eshams, she—" her voice faltered. "She is—"
He couldn't wait for her to get the words out. He wouldn't believe them anyway until he saw it with his own eyes.
"Stand aside," he commanded to the guards and pushed his way through before they could even move.
He sucked in a breath and froze for the barest second at the sight of his wife splayed out on the hard stone. He didn't know what to focus on first. Bile rose up in his throat as his gaze swept from the bloody dagger protruding from her abdomen to the abnormal angles at which her limbs were bent. With a shake of his head, Al Sah-him rushed to Felicity's side.
"Shamsi." He cupped her face. "Shamsi, can you hear me? Talk to me, baby."
He placed his fingers to her neck in search of a pulse. Nothing.
How could that be? She'd had the Pit water in her system. Shouldn't it have started working by now?
Eyeing the dagger, Al Sah-him pulled it out of her. Recognizing the emblazoned M on the hilt, he threw it aside with a fierce growl. When he got his hands on Merlyn, he'd skin the bastard alive before setting fire to his worthless corpse. He'd make him beg for death, but it probably wouldn't be enough. It would never be enough to avenge what his wife had suffered.
Al Sah-him drew Felicity into his arms and watched the wound with sharp eyes, waiting for it to heal. "Come on, shamsi," he whispered in her ear. "Don't you give up on me." He pressed his hand to her stomach and begged her to fight.
"Don't leave me," he whispered, burying his head in her hair. "I love you. I can't lose you, too." He rocked her back and forth, waiting for her pulse to return. Waiting for movement. Waiting for that first breath. But it never came.
His face felt wet, whether from her blood or his tears, he couldn't be sure. He clutched her tighter and prayed for a miracle. His heart beat erratically in his chest while his mind seemed to detach from his body. Suddenly, he found himself back in the morgue moments after he'd learned of Shado's death. He saw himself staring down at her body, feeling just as empty and lifeless. Darkness clawed at him, threatening to drag him under once again—to a place where nothing and no one mattered anymore. Where loneliness, pain, and pure rage consumed him.
This couldn't be real. It had to be a nightmare. Any second now Al Sah-him would wake up in a cold sweat and find that Felicity lay next to him in bed, curled up against him like a kitten seeking warmth. He'd hold her and kiss her until she awoke, and reached for him wanting more. He'd show her just how much he loved her then, worshiping every inch of her until the first rays of sunlight broke through the darkened sky.
He would never let her go. He downright refused. To let her slip away would be like sacrificing a piece of his own soul. Any of the lightness and goodness left in him would be lost with her. Any hope of happiness and peace would be gone forever. The family he'd dreamed of having with her would never be, because he wouldn't want it with anyone but her.
Felicity was a good person. She'd fought so hard all these years. He wouldn't be the reason she didn't get to finally enjoy her freedom. He wouldn't be the reason she didn't get to live her dreams and actually have a chance to make a difference in the world. The world needed her strength and kindness just as much as he did.
"Warith al Ghul," someone said to him. "The healers are here to examine the body."
"Nobody touches her." His voice came out strangled, hardly recognizable even to his own ears.
"He needs more time," he heard Nyssa reply.
"I am sorry for your loss, but they need to gather evidence to—"
At the feeling of a hand on his shoulder, something inside Al Sah-him snapped. He let go of Felicity to strike out at the person behind him. He broke the man's fingers and had him out cold before getting on his own two feet. Another warrior approached, and Al Sah-him took him down in the same swiftly brutal fashion. The others backed up, not dare approaching for fear of suffering the same fate.
Al Sah-him used the reprieve to scoop Felicity up into his arms. The healers could do nothing for her anyway; she was beyond their reach. Nothing short of a miracle could save her now. Lucky for him, he knew just where to find one.
He must've looked like a crazed madman covered in blood and carrying his wife's dead body through the compound, but Al Sah-him didn't care. Let them all cower in fear as he passed. Anyone who dared try to stop him would be lucky to keep their head.
Finally, he arrived at the temple. The priestess and her followers paused in their prayers. He strode right past them to pull the lever for the secret passageway. There was a huge commotion behind him, but he ignored it upon hearing Nyssa arguing with the priestess. She'd hold them off. The loud sound of valuables crashing to the floor was snuffed out when the door closed.
Al Sah-him readjusted Felicity so he could fit with her through the narrow passageway. When he arrived in the chamber with the Pit, he gently placed her down before barring the door. He would not chance any further interruptions.
He quickly stripped off his gear before lifting her up into his arms once again. Standing at the edge of the Pit, Al Sah-him gazed down at its dark, ominous depths. It was forbidden for anyone who wasn't Ra's or his heir to partake in the water's healing properties. He'd already secretly broken the rules once for Felicity. With her life on the line, he didn't hesitate to do it again. Ra's and his rule could go to hell.
There was no clear science on how the Pit healed severe injuries or was able to bring a person back from the brink of death. All he knew was that he had to do everything in his power to try and save Felicity. Al Sah-him prayed that it would work.
Without another thought, Al Sah-him jumped into the Pit with his wife still clutched in his arms. The water came up to his collarbone. Almost immediately, an otherworldly warmth filled his body. His skin started prickling as he fully submerged Felicity in the water.
"Please let this work," he prayed. "Please let this work."
The water around them bubbled, and Al Sah-him felt himself getting stronger with each passing second. The fatigue from these past couple of days vanished, along with the soreness from his extra workouts. Did that mean the Pit was doing the same for Felicity?
There was still no movement from her or sign of life. Al Sah-him held her under the water, uttering every prayer he knew under his breath.
"Stay with me, shamsi. Don't leave me," he begged, his voice rising. "I love you. Fight, baby." He cleared the hair away from her face and stroked her cheek. "Come on! Fight, god dammit!" he shouted, desperation seeping in.
All of a sudden, the water swirled around him and started to pool in the center like a cyclone. Despite his firm grip on Felicity, an unearthly force yanked her from his arms and pulled her under.
"Felicity!" Al Sah-him exclaimed. He tried to dive in after her but found himself frozen in place. "FELICITY!" He called her name over and over to no avail. The water swirled faster and faster, bubbling and warming at an alarming rate. For a second, he wondered if he was being boiled alive—like a lobster in a pot.
Al Sah-him could count the number of times he'd felt true fear in his life on one hand; this was one of those times. Felicity was gone, and he was trapped. Whatever force held them captive, it was not of this world. He felt a burst of energy encroaching in on him. His entire body quivered like a livewire. Over the whoosh of the rushing water, Al Sah-him vaguely heard what sounded like pounding on a door.
"Felicity," he choked out, feeling droplets run down his face. He could barely think straight. An odd sensation exploded in his chest. It felt like something was being siphoned from him before rushing back in.
Al Sah-him must've blacked out, because he couldn't see. He was shrouded in darkness, feeling the excruciating heat consume his body. That is until a piercing light struck him and made him cry out. The Pit came back into focus, and the bright light reached a crescendo. The whirlpool sputtered, and the now glowing water splashed up. Something came up with it—a body. Instinctively, Oliver reached out to catch it. Finally, he could move again.
"Shamsi," he uttered when Felicity landed in his arms.
Her entire body jerked up, and her back arched, before she took a gasping breath. Al Sah-him kept her head above water as she took in another breath and coughed back out the water that had filled her lungs.
"You're alive," he said in wonder. "Thank God, you're alive." He cradled her in his arms while checking on her prior injuries. They seemed to all be gone—her arms and legs were no longer bent at odd angles. He felt along her stomach; the stab wound had healed too. He sobbed in relief.
Her eyes opened only for a moment. She looked up at him completely disoriented and confused. "What—" she croaked, struggling to speak.
"It's okay, shamsi. You're safe," he reassured her. "I've got you. You're safe."
"Who are you?" she questioned in a scratchy voice.
Al Sah-him felt his heart sink for the briefest moment before shaking it off. She'd just died and been brought back to life. Of course she would be disoriented. He murmured back, "Someone who loves you very much."
She frowned before her eyes fell shut. She went limp in his arms but thankfully was still breathing. Whatever the aftereffects, they would deal with it. What mattered was Felicity was alive. He kissed her forehead, leaving his lips on her skin, soaking her in. His tears mingled with the moisture from the Pit.
Al Sah-him made a vow right then and there. He would do whatever it took to avenge her death and keep her safe, even if it meant turning his back on everything he'd worked for all these years. No one would ever take her from him again. Felicity was his everything; nothing mattered more than her. He'd been a fool bringing her back to Nanda Parbat and thinking he could somehow shield her from the evil within its walls. He couldn't protect her from it, because he hadn't wanted to see it himself. He'd taken a gazelle into the lion's den. Was it any wonder they'd tried to consume her? He wouldn't make that mistake again.
A loud crash sounded behind them. Heavy footsteps filled the small chamber. Al Sah-him took one more moment to collect himself before turning around. Ra's stood at the forefront, flanked by Sarab and his personal guards. Nyssa stood in the back, struggling against one of the men who restrained her.
Ra's looked down at him. Fury flashed in his eyes—it was so quick, Al Sah-him almost missed it—before he schooled his expression to one of concern. Al Sah-him stared back in defiance. He was done playing by the League's rules. He wasn't just Warith al Ghul. He was Al Sah-him. When he set a target in his sights, he never missed.
Nyssa said the entire League balanced on the tip of a knife. Word had spread quickly through the compound of Felicity's murder and resurrection. He was told some had started a vigil, placing candles and flowers on the balcony where she'd been found. Although a touching gesture, he took little comfort in it. Others voiced theories of who could be behind it, concerned about war and a fracture within the League. Many noted that neither he nor Ra's had addressed the League or issued any additional orders beyond finding Malcolm Merlyn—who was now the prime suspect after his dagger had been found at the scene of the crime. Although Ra's probably had much to say to him, he wisely kept his distance for now—only sending his deepest sympathies, whatever those were worth.
Al Sah-him hadn't left Felicity's side since emerging from the Lazarus Pit. Nyssa served as his eyes and ears as he watched over his wife. He no longer trusted anyone else to protect her but him—especially since her guards' bodies had finally been found. Al Sah-him also needed to keep an eye on her reaction to the Pit. They were in uncharted territory, since the last known resurrection had occurred centuries ago.
Felicity lay asleep in a new, much smaller room in a securer part of the compound. There was no window, no balcony, and only one point of access—as far as anyone else knew. No one was allowed in or out without his express permission. His guards stood outside as more of a show of strength than actual protection. They'd already failed his wife once, and Al Sah-him would leave nothing else to chance.
Feeling the heat emanating from Felicity's skin, he placed a cool cloth on her head. She went through bouts of fever and chills. Afterward, he returned to his seat by her bed and took her much smaller hand between his. He stroked her fingers, unable to stop himself from feeling for a pulse at her wrist. He breathed a sigh of relief every time he felt the steady, solid thump of blood pumping through her veins.
He kissed the tops of her knuckles and rested his head on the bed. He closed his eyes not from exhaustion but as a way to center himself. It had been a while since he'd used the Pit on himself, and never to the degree he just had. Al Sah-him's own body thrummed with invigorating energy. Despite the ache in his heart, his body felt renewed. It was beyond strength; he felt invincible. Like he could take on the entire League if he had to, which was just as well since it might come to that.
"Did my father really do this?" came Tommy's soft, sorrowful voice. He'd been just as devastated by the news of what happened and stayed by their side—offering whatever help he could.
"You know what he did to my mother. Are you really surprised?" Nyssa countered.
"Narking isn't right, but it also isn't murder," he pointed out. "Your father killed your mother."
"And your father blew up a building in Starling City that took innocent lives. If you can't see that he's a monster beyond redemption then—"
"That's enough," Al Sah-him ordered. "His engraved dagger was lodged in Felicity's stomach. I pulled it out myself."
"But are you sure it was him? Don't you think it's somewhat suspicious that after days of confinement he suddenly escapes and decides to target Felicity?"
"She wasn't just stabbed. She was thrown over the balcony—not unlike my mother," Nyssa said with haunted eyes. "The brutality of the act is evidence in and of itself. Whoever did this didn't just want to kill Felicity. He wanted to break Al Sah-him, too."
"It's all suspicious," Al Sah-him replied, "but we can't rule anything or anyone out. I will get to the bottom of this. And when I find out who did this, he's a dead man." If the intent was to break him with such a heinous act, then the culprit had failed yet again. If anything, the person had freed him of his prior restraints. Everything he loved was on the line, and there was no limit to how far he'd go to protect what was his.
"This is all so fucked up." Tommy dragged his hands over his face and shook his head. "What's most fucked up is after everything I've seen since I got here, it still shocks me that someone is capable of this. Felicity doesn't deserve this."
"No, she doesn't," Nyssa replied. Finally, something they agreed on.
Al Sah-him brushed a strand of hair away from Felicity's face. "I should've let her stay in Starling City," he voiced his regret. "She doesn't belong here."
His friends didn't deny it. A heavy silence fell between them.
"So, what's the plan?" Tommy asked.
"We learn what really happened," Al Sah-him said. "Nyssa, bring Amina and her mother here please."
"As you wish." She left immediately.
"Why? Do you really think it's a good time for visitors?"
"Amina was with Felicity when the incident happened. Felicity made her hide in the wardrobe, but she heard everything. She's a witness and, with Felicity in and out of consciousness, possibly our only way to discover the truth."
"Shit. That poor kid. She must be terrified."
Felicity shifted in bed, and Al Sah-him returned his attention to her. He removed the cloth from her head and re-soaked it in the bowl of water by the bed. It didn't seem to be helping all that much, but it gave him something to do while he waited.
Minutes later, Nyssa returned. Sahar held Amina, who clung to her mother with her head buried in her neck.
"How is she?" she questioned, nodding at Felicity.
"Well, she's alive. She hasn't fully woken yet."
"And the baby?"
"There was never a baby," he said, unable to keep up the pretense of the lie. At Sahar's questioning look, he said, "It's a really long story." He gestured to Amina. "How is she?"
"Frightened," Sahar replied, "and so am I. She fears the same will happen to her. This is far bigger than her or me. I am just a cook. My husband, who is away on a mission, is just a soldier. We do not have power here."
"But I do. I promise you that no harm will come to any member of your family. You'll be under my protection.'
"With all due respect, Warith al Ghul, how can you ensure our safety when your own wife was brutally attacked yet again?" It wasn't a challenge but a plea. Still, her words were a punch to the gut. She had a point.
"You're right," he acknowledged. "I did fail in my duty to protect Abad-eshams one too many times. Just like I failed to protect Shado, another person I cared about years ago. My eyes have since been opened, and I won't make that mistake again. To get justice, I need to hear what happened from Amina."
"I know Shado," came Amina's soft voice.
Al Sah-him shared a look with Nyssa and frowned. "You do?" It was an odd thing for her to say. Shado was before her time, and it's not like anyone ever talked about her. Where would she hear that name?"
The little girl looked past him to the bed. Her eyes glistened with fresh tears. "Is Abad-eshams really okay?"
"She's doing much better now," he reassured her. "But Amina"—he needed to regain her focus—"what do you mean you know Shado?"
"The bad person said her name."
His blood ran cold. "What did the bad person say exactly? Do you remember?"
Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "She told Abad-eshams to say hi to Shado."
"She?" Amina nodded. "Who was it?"
At his question, Amina burrowed into her mother. "She'll hurt me," replied her muffled voice.
"No one is going to hurt you. I promise."
"Not the bad person. Her." Amina pointed at Nyssa.
The trio exchanged startled looks.
Nyssa stepped forward and tensed. She stopped a few feet away. "You do not need to fear me, little one. I would never harm you," she said in a gentle voice. It was the gentlest Al Sah-him had ever heard her speak. "Why would you think that?"
She wouldn't look at her and clung to her mother.
"Something isn't right," Tommy muttered.
"Sahar, do you know what she's talking about?" Al Sah-him tried asking her.
"She fears you because of your family," Sahar addressed Nyssa. "And to be honest, so do I. You say you want the truth but once you learn it, there is no going back. Nanda Parbat is our home. We do not want to be enemies of the al Ghuls."
Al Sah-him stood ramrod straight as his mind put the pieces together. Rage coursed through him as the answer became clear, but he tamped it down for now. He had to remain calm for Sahar and Amina. He had to be smart about his next move and not go off on an angry rampage half-cocked.
"It was Talia."
Amina's whimper was answer enough, but Sahar nodded in confirmation.
Nyssa swore under her breath. "You're sure. Amina actually saw her?"
"Do you think I lie? How would my daughter even know to name her?"
"I don't disbelieve you. My sister is capable of anything. But if I am to go to my father with this, then we have to be sure."
"No one is going to Ra's with anything just yet," Al Sah-him said. "Amina, how do you know it was Talia that attacked Felicity? Did you see her?"
"Who is Felicity?"
"Abad-eshams, I mean," he corrected.
"I didn't see her," she mumbled. "I was hiding like she told me. But Abad-eshams said her name." She twisted in her mother's arms and pointed at Felicity. "Are you sure she's not dead?"
"She's very much alive. Amina, I have some more questions to ask you. Would you like to sit next to Abad-eshams while we talk? You like to color, right? Maybe Nyssa can get you some crayons and paper so you can draw a picture for when Abad-eshams wakes up."
She brightened at that. "Okay."
Al Sah-him gave Amina his chair by Felicity. She sat in her mother's lap and started to color after Nyssa brought her the supplies. The brunette went to stand in the corner with Tommy—trying to be inconspicuous—while Al Sah-him questioned the six-year-old. Now that Amina felt more comfortable and had a task to focus on, it was much easier to extract information from her. A timeline of events began to form. The real challenge was keeping his temper in check while learning all the details Amina could remember.
"Do you really think Ra's cares about justice?" Sahar asked after they'd finished. "Everyone knows he favors Talia. If my daughter comes forward as a witness, do you really think he'll listen?"
"You haven't spoken to anyone else, right?"
"No. We couldn't after you kept us under guard."
"Good. Don't say anything to anyone else," Al Sah-him advised. He lowered his voice so Amina wouldn't hear his next words. "I don't know if Ra's knew about the attack, but you and your family are in danger if you speak out against Talia right now. There are already rumors swirling around, and I can't take any chances with your safety. There's a vacant room next door like this one. My guards are watching this entire corridor, so no one is getting through. I'd like you to stay there for now. It's best that you both stay close."
"For how long?"
"The next day or so. I'm working on a plan."
"My husband—"
"I'll send word to him once everything is in place. I need you to trust me right now, Sahar."
She remained quiet for a moment, her eyes searching his face. Finally, she said, "You are a good man. I wish you were already Ra's."
Al Sah-him swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded his thanks. Sahar and Amina stayed for a short while longer before going to the room next door. When they were alone again, they talked freely.
"So if Talia was the perpetrator, then that means my father is innocent," said Tommy.
Nyssa scoffed. "I wouldn't go that far. He escaped just before the incident. He could still be involved."
"He didn't attack Felicity. Talia just wanted to make it look that way. It was a setup."
"If we could find him, then we could question him." Al Sah-him sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I'd be on the hunt, but I can't risk distraction. Not while Felicity is so vulnerable."
"When you say you'd question him, do you mean interrogate? Would you torture him?"
He unapologetically replied, "If he didn't give me the answers I need, then yes. Felicity almost died, Tommy. She's still in danger. Hell, we all are with even Sara locked up. We don't know who is involved beyond Talia. Until we do, everyone is a suspect."
Tommy quieted and folded his arms across his chest. It did little to quell the nervous energy emanating from him. Nyssa watched him carefully, too. He was hiding something.
"Tommy," Al Sah-him prompted after a minute of tense silence.
"Felicity was the first person to show me kindness here. If it weren't for her, I'd probably still be stuck down in that dungeon. She deserves justice." He swore under his breath before meeting their eyes, revealing, "I think I know where my father is."
The pleasure dens in the bowels of the compound were a place Al Sah-him had no interest visiting. Maybe some men didn't care that the women fulfilling their deepest, darkest desires were nothing more than indentured servants, but it had never sat well with him. He'd broached the subject with Ra's a few years ago about settling their debts in a more productive and dignified way.
Ra's had immediately dismissed the suggestion. Many of his advisors enjoyed their perverted perks too much. Not to mention that there was a shortage of women in the League.
"The men who reside here need to find release somehow," he'd said. When Ra's made a decision, there was no challenging it—and that was the last they ever spoke on the subject.
It still left a sour taste in Al Sah-him's mouth to this day. In fact, a lot of things did now that he thought about it. He'd once thought of the League as a safe haven for the hopeless and downtrodden who wanted to start anew. Who were sick of being bruised and beaten by the people and problems in their life. The League not only gave those people purpose but strength. Overcoming one's fears was a necessary part of the induction and training process. Once you were in, you were part of something greater than yourself—an elite community of warriors and survivors. You'd never be alone or vulnerable again.
It was Felicity who opened his eyes to the League's darker intents. The way she'd been forced to conform and belittled because of her parentage. The way people looked at her with suspicion and disgust, because they'd been told she was something other. The only time she was able to use her talents was when it benefited Ra's or the League. Otherwise, they were ignored and even suppressed—which is why he understood now the need to keep her operation with Sara a secret.
The League wasn't a safe haven or pillar of strength for its members as it should be. It was a mini cult-like dictatorship run on the whims of whoever happened to be Ra's. Being at the top, Al Sah-him always was in a position of power. Although he took orders, some he didn't agree with, he never saw them as oppressive acts. He saw them as carrying out his sworn duty to protect and honor the League. When Felicity claimed his heart, her struggles became his own—and he did not like what he saw. He'd thought the retribution he'd got for her the first time would be enough to snuff out the hatred and bigotry unfairly directed at her. It turned out he hadn't gone far enough.
Tommy led him down the long, narrow hallway. Rooms that were occupied and servicing members had a colorful sash hanging from the doorknob. Much to Al Sah-him's disgust, almost every door had one. The compound was on lockdown, his wife almost murdered, and yet these bastards were here seeking their own selfish pleasure. The faint sound of moans could be heard as they passed by. Al Sah-him resisted the urge to kick down each and every door and beat them senseless with it.
"I didn't know you came down here," Al Sah-him commented. Although his friend had a reputation as a womanizing party boy back in Starling City, he didn't think Tommy would resort to paid company to ease his loneliness.
"I don't," Tommy answered with an expression of disgust. "A note was left in my room directing me here."
"You haven't come until now?"
He shook his head. "I didn't know if it was a trap—although my dad used a nickname my mom used to call me as a kid. Then everything happened with Felicity, and I was worried I'd be followed. I'm already on thin ice myself. I don't need to be caught and accused of conspiring with my father, too."
They found the numbered room in the note. A sash hung from the doorknob.
Tommy hesitated. "It's been a while since I received the note. Do you think a couple is getting it on in there now?"
"I don't hear anything. Only one way to find out, though." Al Sah-him took his position by the door. "You go in first. If your father sees me, it's all over."
Nodding, Tommy drew his sword. Al Sah-him noted his proper form with pride. It had taken a while to get his friend familiar and comfortable with just holding it.
Tommy knocked on the door. "It's Al Tareq. Is anyone in there?"
No answer. Al Sah-him gestured for him to open it anyway, and he did. Cautiously, Tommy walked inside. He left the door slightly ajar—not enough for Al Sah-him to peek in but enough so he could hear.
"Dad?" Tommy whisper-yelled.
"Son," came Merlyn's delayed reply, "are you alone?"
"Shit! You scared the hell out of me."
"I had to hide until I was sure it was you. The entire compound his hunting me. Are you alone?" he repeated.
"Yes," Tommy lied. "Dad, what the hell is going on? Did you seriously escape just so you could murder Al Sah-him's wife?
"It's not what it seems."
"They found your dagger in her stomach. How could you do that?" he demanded. "Felicity is my friend. The only reason I'm alive right now is because she stuck up for me."
"Al Sah-him would've never killed you."
"How do you know that?"
Al Sah-him tensed. Merlyn wasn't going to tell him the truth right this second, was he? As badly as he wanted to reveal his true identity to Tommy, he just couldn't deal with that conversation on top of everything else.
"Just trust me. You were always safe with him."
Tommy repeated, "What is going on?"
"I struck a deal with Ra's, and the bastard double-crossed me."
"What deal?"
"That computer geek Al Hassoub was spying on Felicity back in Starling City. He found out she'd built a dossier on her father, and Ra's saw an opportunity to bring down Darhk. So he took it. The only remaining problem was Al Sah-him's marriage to Felicity. He wants Talia to rule with his heir and knew Al Sah-him wouldn't willingly give her up. If I pretended to turn myself in, fake my escape, and discretely take Felicity out of the picture, then my debt would be repaid and you'd eventually be freed."
"So you weren't tortured?"
Merlyn scoffed. "My room was dismal but hardly what you'd call torture."
Al Sah-him's hand curled into a tight fist. So Ra's was in on it. The son of a bitch had been playing them this whole time.
"That would explain the lack of bruises on you," Tommy muttered, "But how exactly were you going to get rid of Felicity? You weren't actually going to try and kill her, were you?"
Merlyn didn't answer at first.
Tommy let out a humor-less guffaw. "Were you also going to stab her and throw her off the damn balcony, or was it that someone else beat you to it?"
"Keep your voice down," Merlyn scolded. "I wouldn't stab her. I'm cleverer than that. After she ate the peanut powder I put in her food, her body's natural reaction would take over and no one would be the wiser. She wouldn't have suffered long."
"How did you find out about her food allergy?"
"Sarab passed along the information. Said he'd make sure Felicity's EpiPens were missing, and the deed would be done."
So that's how Felicity's food had been tampered with, and Sarab was yet another conspirator. Red hot rage rose up in Al Sah-him as he pictured Amina's description of the event. She'd said Felicity struggled to breathe while frantically searching the room. When no help came, she collapsed and looked to be unconscious. Felicity must've been so scared. Without the Pit water, she probably would've died then.
Al Sah-him knew he should remain hidden and let Tommy try to extract more information out of Merlyn, but he just couldn't. Maybe he couldn't get his hands on Ra's or Talia at the moment, but he could surely make Merlyn suffer. As anger and adrenaline coursed through him, Al Sah-him barged into the room lightning quick. He locked the door behind him and charged straight for Merlyn, getting him by the throat and slamming him against the wall.
"Are you having trouble breathing?" Al Sah-him taunted in a dangerously low voice.
Merlyn uselessly gasped for air and clawed at his hands.
He squeezed tighter, feeling a strange sense of power run through him. Was that because of the Pit? Did it not just heal but also enhance one's abilities as well?
"You think this is how my wife felt when you tried to kill her?" He raised his sword, letting the blade graze Merlyn's skin. "You said you escaped torture. To make up for lost time, maybe I should gut you here and now. We'll see how long it takes you to bleed out before I drag your worthless carcass through the compound like a trophy animal."
"Puh-puh-puh—lease" the older man sputtered. His eyes darted to his son, but Tommy made no move to intervene.
"When did Ra's come to you? Was if before or after you blew up QC?" he demanded, knowing full well his grip prevented an actual answer. "Did he ask you to do that, too?"
Merlyn's lips moved but nothing came out. He started turning blue.
"I won't kill you right this second. But if you lie to me, I might rethink that decision—and it won't be quick," Al Sah-him threatened and let up just enough so he could take in air. The man gasped and heaved, but Al Sah-him kept an iron grip on him. "When exactly was the deal struck?"
Merlyn struggled to find his voice. When he finally spoke, he sounded raw and winded. "The night before the explosion. Sarab sent a special signal to me. It was something only Ra's and I knew. He laid out Ra's terms: I had to stage a couple of attacks before surrendering, making you think I'd lost all my resources. I laid out mine: freedom from my blood debt and my son's release."
"So, what? You'd turn yourself in, bide your time, kill my wife, and just waltz out of here without a second thought?" Al Sah-him accused.
"More or less. You'd think it was an accident, and I'd be fake-dead from Ra's torture," came his blunt reply.
His hand flexed around Merlyn's throat—the temptation to snap his damn neck then and there almost too difficult to resist.
"I don't know who actually stabbed your wife but using my blade was part of the setup. Ra's assumed I'd have been captured and killed by now. He was counting on it. But this magician still has a few tricks up his sleeve."
"Not if I chop off your arms," he seethed, wiping the arrogant smirk right off of Merlyn's face. Something still niggled in the back of Al Sah-him's mind. A detail that unsettled him. "You could've blown up any building. Why QC?"
"Ra's ordered it."
"Why?" he pressed.
"He didn't say. But knowing him, it was probably a test of your loyalty. If he thought killing your wife was necessary, he must've already had doubts."
Al Sah-him's mind whirled with this new information. All this time, he'd thought the mission to Starling City had been about catching Merlyn—when in reality, the trap had been set for him.
"What do we do?" Tommy spoke up behind him. "No one will believe that my father didn't orchestrate the entire thing. Even if he did, Ra's still gave the order."
"Looks like we have a common enemy now. And you know the old saying, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend.'"
"If you think I'm going to team up with you—" Al Sah-him started to argue.
"Why not?" Merlyn interrupted. "Our two families used to be allies long ago. Your parents trusted me once."
"Don't you dare bring them into this."
"Robert and Moira have everything to do with this. If Ra's thought blowing up QC was a necessary test, then he must suspect your reprogramming didn't fully take. I suspected it myself a long time ago."
"You had no way of knowing—"
"I saw you at their graves once—years ago. When I'd gone to visit my wife and pay my respects, I saw you there. Even if I hadn't, I can see the truth in your eyes now," Merlyn observed. "You still remember your parents, Oliver."
"Oliver," Tommy repeated, his eyes widening as he worked it all out. "As in Oliver Queen?"
"Tommy—" Al Sah-him prepared to deny it, but the words wouldn't come. Even more shocking than the fact that Merlyn had just outed him was the relief that he had. How many times had he thought about telling Tommy the truth but immediately dismissed it—convincing himself that there was no point dredging up the past? He couldn't return to his old life anyway. Why fill Tommy with the same kind of empty hope that Felicity had?
"You always wondered what happened to your best friend. Now you know the truth," Merlyn replied. "When you were taken, I knew he wouldn't hurt you—at least not permanently."
His friend stared at him. Really stared at him. "Holy shit," Tommy finally said in awe.
Clearing his throat and trying to regain his composure, Al Sah-him calmly replied, "Now is not the time. I need to know what Ra's has planned next."
"Your guess is as good as mine," Merlyn stated. "But if you get rid of me, then you lose your only witness to his betrayal. The Pit has given your wife a second chance, but she remains in danger the longer he goes unexposed and unchallenged."
Al Sah-him's mind filled with a stream of curse words. The bastard, unfortunately, was right. Merlyn wasn't exactly a credible witness, but his story checked out with what Amina had told him. Their testimonies together could expose the entire murderous plot.
Tommy frowned. "How did you—"
"You hear things when lurking in the shadows. It wasn't easy sneaking that note into your room or getting down here. Besides"—he shifted his gaze to Al Sah-him—"I can tell just by looking at him that he's been affected by the water. Ra's used to have the same golden sheen to his eyes after bathing in it."
Was that true? Did he look different? He certainly felt different. But it's not like he'd had the time or the inclination to look in the mirror afterward.
"Ra's has already thrown down the gauntlet. The next move is yours, Oliver. For all of our sakes, choose your next course wisely."
Nyssa had the bedroom door open before Al Sah-him even turned the knob. "She's awake," she announced.
His eyes widened. He moved to enter, but Nyssa blocked his path.
"Before you see her, there's something you need to know."
"What?" he replied, taking in her solemn expression. "Is Felicity okay?" As if this day couldn't get any worse. He tried to walk past her and huffed in frustration when she blocked him yet again. "Nyssa, step aside. I need to see my wife."
"The side effects of the Pit are not well-known, especially for those who have been resurrected," she went on as if he hadn't spoken. "There is no telling what is considered a normal reaction or how long it will last."
"Nyssa," he practically growled, his tone dripping with impatience. "Tell me what is going on."
"She's experiencing some memory loss."
"Okay…"
"She woke up thinking she was in Starling City."
He frowned. "Maybe that's a good thing. She won't have to remember the attack or—"
"Not our last trip to Starling. Further back than that. Felicity woke up asking for John Diggle. She thought she'd just escaped to Starling City. She has no memory of her abduction or the alliance." Her lips pressed together in a tight line. Then: "Felicity has no memory of you."
Al Sah-him didn't think it was possible for his heart to shatter any more than it already had that day. When he finally entered the room and saw the curious, almost suspicious look in his wife's eyes reflecting back at him, he was proved wrong.
Stalking down the halls, Al Sah-him imagined grabbing one of the torches off the wall and setting fire to everything in sight. Let this hell hole finally burn to the ground. Let it crumble to ash. Let it be completely destroyed like he was. Let them all experience exactly what it felt like to have their home and everything they loved taken from them.
How could he have lived in this darkness for so long? How could he have ever wanted this? He'd been nothing more than a fool and a pawn for one man's toxic greed and unending thirst for power. Never. Again.
Nobody dared get in his path. As soon as they saw him, they rushed to get out of his way, unable to meet his eyes. Good, let them be too ashamed to face him. Let them fear him. What he'd set into motion would come to light and affect them soon enough.
As Al Sah-him approached the throne room, Ra's guards tensed. They must've recognized something dark and primal in his eyes because they stepped forward to block him. Al Sah-him had his bow in hand and raised so fast they didn't even have time to fully draw their swords before the arrows pierced their armor.
Without sparing them a second glance, Al Sah-him shoved forcefully at the doors. They flew open and banged hard against the walls. The room full of people startled, eyeing him warily. Only Ra's looked unshaken—even as Al Sah-him reached for another arrow and pointed it straight at the demon's heart.
"Aswa shay' fi al khiyanah anha la ta'ti min al adou," his voice rang out. "The man you knew as Warith al Ghul is dead. And soon you will be too."
Translations:
Sidi = master
shamsi = my sun
Aswa shay' fi al khiyanah anha la ta'ti min al adou = The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.