The Blessings of Chrislam: Serbian Snow

[Shex]

Mount Avala, Near Belgrade

 

While normally a tourist destination, the recent terrorist attacks suggested the need for armed patrols and a continued military presence near the famed Serbian capital.  A contingent of Mucrihadeen were sent to support Serbian defenses in the region, and as such they set up their main base on the slopes of Mount Avala, as that would be closest to the largest gathering of innocent lambs.  Although the sight of blades and small arms might inspire fear among the locals, surely they would dissipate after seeing how friendly the Mucrihadeen would treat the innocent.  After all, not all turbaned-folk were hostile in Serbia, no?

 

Snow frequently fell on this mountain, and for the Yemeni recruits this was a particularly curious sight.  Even the original Mucrihadeen veterans had not seen much snow lately;  it was difficult to encounter Snow in, say, the deserts of Libya or Gibson, Australia after all.  Back in NS-1, the first Mucrihadeen training camps were some ways away from Arabia, but no less dry and sandy.

 

The Mucrihadi guards found snow to be quite unpleasant, really.  Any attempts to set up the revered wide-leaved-bringers-of-calm were thwarted:  it was clear that the herbs did not grow well in this cold environment, and while this was not enough to affect the garrison's morale it was certainly unappreciated.

 

Still, the tandoori ovens were working well, and curious civilians may have noticed the strong smell of Yemeni cuisine from quite a distance away.

 

As a number of tourists began returning to the mountain, a young lad began to wander from the safety of his sightseeing parents.  The aromas were quite strong, and he walked towards the smell, much like a lost lamb.

 

The boy approached the encampment and was quickly spotted by one of the guards.  He simply stood at attention as the child approached.

 

A hulk of a man, the Mucrihadi soldier stared down at the boy.

 

The child stammered in his speech somewhat, and since he did not know a word of Arabic he spoke in Serbian:  "Sir?  What is going on over there?"  He pointed towards the source of the smell.

 

The soldier stared down at him for a few moments.  Mucrihadi guards were given several courses in the local tongue, for Arabic was not expected there.  He spoke, as gently as he could:  "I...  I cannot tell you, child.  Move along now, away from here.  It is not that safe for you."

 

The boy nodded.  He had heard from his parents of the terror that had struck the region.  But the smell was so good!

 

The soldier could hear some clear grumbling, and he chuckled softly as the source was rather obvious.

 

The boy stared up at him.

 

"Wait here."  The Mucrihadi snickered.  He made a gesture towards the camp.

 

A few fellow Guardsmen had curious looks on their expressions.  They saw the boy, and their comrade making a certain signal, and began to approach with a bundle of sorts.

 

"Take this, young one.  You seem to need it more than we.  And tell your parents that we will stand guard here for as long as it takes.  'The lambs of these fields have nothing to fear.'  Run along now."  He smiled.

 

The boy took one look at the bundle, and smelled it.  His face brightened as he realized what happened.  "Thank you, sir!"

 

Slowly the boy began to step away, heading back towards his parents, while the soldier called out behind him:  "A fair winter to you, child!  Allah's blessings be upon you!"

 

The chill of winter fell upon the land, but perhaps it dissipated for just a few moments!