A Journey from the Yemen
Synopsis of the book
Blending adventure, romance, and fantasy inspired by the atmosphere of traditional Arab storytelling, this novel follows Suleiman ibn Mutraf Al-Azdi, a young boy who leaves Yemen to search for his missing father and escape his uncle’s cruelty. His journey takes him to Damascus, where he begins as a blacksmith’s apprentice and makes his way into trade, guided by his father’s lessons in honesty and generosity.
In Baghdad, Suleiman falls in love with Princess Layla. Her father demands a seemingly impossible dowry: a rare jewel belonging to a king in India. Suleiman travels to obtain it, only to face another trial. The ailing king asks him to bring water from a spring guarded by the jinn in exchange for the jewel. There, Suleiman confronts fear and death, debates desire, need, and ambition with the king of the jinn, and discovers the truth behind his father’s disappearance.
Through these trials, his quest becomes an exploration of dignity, loyalty, justice, and forgiveness. At its heart, the novel asks where a person’s true worth lies: in the treasures they possess or in what they carry within.
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جوهرةُ الملوك: رحلةٌ من اليمن
نبذة عن الكتاب
رواية تمزج المغامرة والحب بالفانتازيا المستوحاة من أجواء الحكايات العربية. تروي حكاية سليمان بن مطرف الأزدي؛ طفل يغادر اليمن بحثاً عن أبيه المفقود، هارباً من قسوة خاله. تقوده الرحلة إلى دمشق حيث يبدأ من العمل في الحدادة ويشقّ طريقه إلى عالم التجارة حاملاً وصايا أبيه في الصدق والكرم.
وفي بغداد يقع سليمان في حب الأميرة ليلى فيشترط والدها مهراً يبدو مستحيلاً: جوهرة نادرة يملكها أحد ملوك الهند. يسافر سعياً إليها فيجد نفسه أمام امتحان آخر إذ يطلب الملك المريض ماءً من عين يحرسها الجن مقابل الجوهرة. وهناك يواجه الخوف والموت ويخوض حواراً مع ملك الجن حول الطمع والحاجة وحدود الطموح ويكتشف حقيقة غياب أبيه.
تتحول رحلته عبر هذه التجارب إلى بحث في معنى الكرامة والوفاء والعدل والغفران؛ وتطرح الرواية سؤالاً عن الجوهرة الحقيقية التي تمنح الإنسان قيمته: أهي ما يمتلكه أم ما يحمله في قلبه؟
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Chapter Six: The Spring of the Jinn
Suleiman journeyed across forests and mountains, driven by both hope and fear — until he reached the enchanted spring. The land there glowed on its own, as if painted with a light unlike the sun. The scent of the water was sweet, yet the air carried a deep dread — enough to shake even the bravest of hearts.
From a distance, he saw it.
The water shimmered like melted jewels. At its centre stood a great stone, and coiled around it was a massive serpent. Its eyes burned like embers in an endless night. He stepped forward cautiously and called out:
“O noble guardian… will you allow me to fill my waterskin with a little of this water?”
The serpent did not answer.
It only stared — its gaze more fierce than the sparks of any blacksmith’s fire. He called again:
“I have come for the water.
Either you stop me by killing me… or I will strike you down.”
The serpent raised its head — higher than the surrounding trees. The ground trembled beneath him.
Fear nearly paralyzed him. But he steadied himself, whispered verses from the Qur’an, and gathered his strength. Then he hurled his spear toward its eyes.
The serpent screamed — a sound that shook the land itself.
Suleiman leapt like a lion, striking with his sword, until he severed its head. Silence fell. He stepped forward to fill his waterskin — but suddenly, the ground trembled again. From the shadows emerged the jinn. Their faces were made of flame, their wings of smoke. Their king spoke, his voice like thunder:
“Human… you have slain our guardian. What is your purpose?”
Suleiman answered firmly:
“I seek only to save a sick soul. Not for greed, nor for harm.
Forgive me if I have killed your guardian — necessity forced my hand.” The king ordered his men to bind him.
Then he said, studying him:
“You are bold, son of Adam… You must have a heart of iron to do what you have done. I will hear your story before I judge you.”
Suleiman told him everything. After a short silence, the king said:
“This does not free you from punishment… son of Mutraf.” Suleiman’s eyes widened.
“You know my father?” The king replied:
“Yes.
He was killed by his own companions.
They stole his wealth… and claimed bandits had done it.” Suleiman’s heart tightened with grief.
Then he said:
“Then kill me, King of the Jinn. I no longer long to return. I left seeking my father… and my path has ended here.
But before you judge me, tell me this:
Who killed him?
And why do you deny people this water, when it is a blessing from God?” The king remained silent for a long moment.
Then he said:
“Those who killed your father… were Rajib and Ramid — men he once helped.” Then he continued:
“This spring was once open to all.
But men came… they claimed it, spilled blood, and turned blessing into corruption and death. So I sealed it and placed a guardian.
None may pass… except one who is truly in need.” Suleiman said:
“Then why did you stop me, when I am in need?” The king replied sharply:
“If you had come in peace… you would not have carried sword, spear, and armour.” Suleiman answered calmly:
“I was told the serpent kills all who approach. So I came prepared — not as an aggressor.”
The king’s voice rose:
“It is not need that brought you, but desire.
You sought a princess… and your longing led you here.” Suleiman lowered his head.
“You are right.
My love mixed with my ambition, and my ambition lost its way.
I set out seeking a treasure… but instead, I am learning patience… and repentance.” The king smiled faintly.
“There is gentleness in you… perhaps it will speak for you before God. But I will not decide alone.”
They left him bound.
Time passed like an eternity. Then they returned.
The king spoke:
“Take your water, son of Adam.
We have not seen a human who honours his word as you do. But beware — to lie to us… is
death.”
Suleiman replied:
“I have never known falsehood.
If I were a liar… God would not have given me what He has.”
The king nodded.
“Then take it… and go.” Suleiman hesitated, then asked:
“One last question…
Where can I find the killers of my father?” The king answered:
“In the land of the Hijaz.”
Suleiman thanked them from the depths of his heart. He took the water and returned to Shah
Rafi‘ al-Din. The king drank from the spring — and was healed.
He placed the jewel in Suleiman’s hand and said: “Take it, Arab.
You are more truthful than many kings…
and more honourable than the merchants of this world.”
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