The Mountains of Kohqaf

In a distant land of Eastern beauty stood a proud kingdom ruled by a king, the Badshah and his Queen Malka. Their princess daughter Almera was beautiful and intelligent and her heart was filled with courage and ambition. She would one day come to rule this land and the Badshah and Malka could not be more proud. Being the Shehzadi, Almera had many responsibilities and examples to set for her kingdom. She was kind, caring and fulfilled all her duties as the symbol of young royalty. Almera loved the moon most of all. She made it a habit to visit the nearby river alone with her royal maids every night the full moon graced the sky. Though the Badshah felt it unsafe for her, he would grant this request and Almera would enjoy that one night without her overly protective palace guards watching over her. And so after choosing a spot near the river where the stream flowed clear, her royal maids began making preparations for a picnic. Little did they know that the peace of this night was to be taken from them. A strange noise began to stir the water. The ripples broke and a large wave rose up. From it a giant head came out followed by its large blue-skinned body. The maids started screaming and there was panic all around. Almera wanted to look but the maids tried to pull her away. “I am Gaboul the Giant” said a hoarse deep voice. “Why have you come here?” asked Almera. “Shehzadi, he is a giant of Kohqaf, you must run!” cried a maid. “Then it seems he has forgotten his way home.” replied Almera. “Leave, Giant. This is not your river.” The giant’s thundering laugh shook the nearby trees. “True, but nothing stops Gaboul when his black heart wishes for something” He looked down at Almera. “An unusual human, do you not fear me?” She remained silent. “All of Kohqaf bends to my will” said the Giant. “The trees bow in my presence and mountains weep stones in awe of me. The animals flee in fear of me and yet you remain.” Gaboul bent down for a closer look. Almera looked into his eyes and remained vigilant. She dropped a bangle on the ground as a signal to the hiding maids. “The royal guards will teach you to lower your eyes in my presence.” “Ah, you are a princess.” smiled the evil Gaboul. “I come for the river and find myself a royal bloodline.” “You will therefore not taint the air with your breath.” said Almera. “I came to enjoy the moonlight, not your unshapely form.” Gaboul laughed. “Such a tongue is wasted on humans as are you in your mud castle. Come with me and you will bathe under the light of three moons at once.” “How is that possible?” asked Almera. Gaboul’s eyes flickered. “…when the ground shakes and the sky rumbles to set free the hidden stars. Shehzadi. The Kohqaf Mountains seem empty to me now without you. There is magic there in the darkness that will be yours to command. The ground will spew crusts of wondrous glitter and hues. The world will be free of the chains that bind it to weakness and all will thrive. We will live on the top peaks; a thousand servants at your feet. The seasons will change as you feel it, the moonlight will shine as you will it, all this I give you if you come with me.” “Your gift is too great for me.” replied Almera. “Besides when I become Queen I will do just as much for my kingdom here.” The Shehzadi turned to walk away. “Gaboul, I have heard you. Now you must leave and never return, your sounds scare my maids.” Her hands trembled as she walked away but Almera tried to look strong. The Giant started to laugh and she turned to look at him. “Almera of the Royal East. Seeing you in your proud stride raises me up to the second sky. You are fit to be Queen of the mountain. Don’t be hasty” he smiled. “Disobeidience to Gaboul is not taken lightly.” The giant stepped towards the Shehzadi and she moved back. “As the Shehzadi, my loyalty is to my kingdom and its tables.”