Chapter 14Al’UlaThere had been a little rain during the night and
moisture was in the air giving it a slight chill. It was another hour to
sunrise when we picked up the prophet and her companions. The bodyguard,
whose name was Rafin, loaded a large bag into the boot of the Land Cruiser
but said nothing before climbing in.
The throaty rattle of the Toyota seemed to be the only
noise on the dark streets as we drove out of Al’Ula and headed towards
Mada’in Saleh. At that hour, there was little conversation. The only sound
was the swish of the heavy tyres on the road surface as we drove northwards.
We continued past Mada’in Saleh for another seven kilometres before
Bal’Ashtu leaned forward and touched my arm.
“In 500 metres you will see a track on your left. Turn
off there.”
Not a
