8
AMMAD
Crown Prince Ammad chased after the ball, urging his camel on relentlessly and kicking up a cloud of dust. He swung his long bat and thwacked the ball into the goal, the opposing team having left it wide open. The crowd roared in approval and Ammad pumped his bat in the air. That was his eighth goal of the polo game, and soon after, the gong sounded for full time. His teammates rode over on their camels celebrating the victory by circling him, their champion.
He looked up at his father Mastiq, the Ruler of Drome, who stood applauding energetically and then adjusted his headdress which had slipped to one side. Ammad’s mother Jakira sat a little way back. She clapped less enthusiastically as she knew what the outcome of this game would be well in advance. The scoreboard said nine
