Thank you so much, I sincerely appreciate it 😀.

And thank you for making this prompt. I enjoyed expanding it.

Please, feel free to offer any feedback and critique in what I've written here.

'An Oasis to the Strong-Willed'

The desert sun is too punishing, the terrain uncaring, and the winds hostile. Only the companionship and tolerance of the camel that Sir Pierre of Orleans is riding upon, make sure that there are still some chapters remaining in his life.

"Keep steady, oh ye magnificent beast. And give up me not and yourself, for our quest is at an end."

He reaches his destination, a small cactus in the middle of nowhere, with the faintest of energy left inside him. His companion, the mighty ship of the desert, seems to have run out of its source of sustenance. Such was how cruel the landscape around him was.

Nearby the cactus, he sees a person. A Saracen. Draped in a green cloak with yellow stripes. Middle-aged, on the verge of being called "old", but in good health and possessing a robust physique. His gaze fixated on Pierre.

"I am in no mood to fight my adversaries", he thought. Pierre places his hand near the sheath, preparing himself to deliver a swift but strong blow to this person, should this encounter go nasty.

He slowly and cautiously approaches this figure while still being mounted.

"May Peace and Blessings be upon you.", said the Saracen, his voice gentle but authoritative, "I have some bread and roasted goat. Enough for me to share them with others. Along with some dates and figs, sweet and freshly plucked."

The Saracen lets off a smile and says, "Rest assured, kind sire. For these lands are sacred. Blood shall not be spilled. You have my word, and my Lord, our Lord, bears witness to my proclamation to you."

Sir Pierre is very hesitant. But, another hour and he and his beast may not survive the desert's "hospitality". And so, he accepts the Saracen's offer.

"Very well... God is our witness amidst this absence of men and civilization."

The Saracen takes two pieces of bread from his travel bag. And a few pieces of roasted goat. Seems like thigh and breast pieces. He serves Pierre in a wooden trough. Pierre is too weary and defeated to thank the Saracen's offering, as he proceeds to eat.

The man approaches Pierre's camel, pats it, and offers it a large water bag. Enough to last two-to-three days of further desert traveling.

"Kind stranger...will you not be needing food and sustenance for yourself?", Pierre asks the Saracen, perhaps out of a sense of paranoia that he's been served poison. But, he smells not anything foul in what he eats, "The desert is too unforgiving to tolerate camaraderie and generosity among men, do you not agree?"

"I appreciate your concern, kind sire. But, I will be provided sustenance somehow, God willing. Besides, I did have a hearty meal not long before your arrival. A single piece of bread or meat more and I shall throw up all that I had eaten and lay them waste on the ground...", he laughs.

The Saracen looks ahead East, before shifting his gaze back to Pierre,

"Kind Sire, what brings you to these harsh lands? Are you traveling to the town up east? You have come all the way here from Jerusalem, I wager?"

"Yes, but I have reached my destination. For, I have to safeguard this.....plant. This is what I was ordered.", Pierre looks at the puzzled expression of the stranger, and realizes that he's owed an explanation for the hospitality that was offered to him, "This is my punishment. For violating the Templar's oath as I attempted to marry a woman of supreme piety and virtue in Jerusalem. Having secretly been engaged with her a month back. We Templars have abstained from the secular institution of marriage."

Pierre pauses for a while, as he finishes having the last piece of dates and gulps down all the water that was served to him.

"I should have been expelled for what I had done. Instead, due to my "accomplishments", I was pardoned to a more "lenient" punishment. That being to guard this plant. In the middle of nowhere. In earnestness utmost, I do wonder if expulsion would have been a better verdict. I could have married Lady Hannah. Return back to Orleans with her. Or stayed with her in Jerusalem... regardless, a future seemingly blissful and wholesome with her might have awaited me, if I and she remained God-fearing and dutiful."

The Saracen sits down nearby the cactus, seemingly fascinated with what he's hearing from this wanderer.

"Kind stranger....", Pierre asks, "...what is your story? Why this offering of mercy to an infidel? I have slaughtered countless heathens in God's name. As I've witnessed the same being done by your fellow men."

"I am not one of Salah-ad-Din's men. Or a Turkic mercenary. Neither am I a disciple of the men from the mountains. Nor am I not a "defector" to the Christian "infidels" for worldly gains.", the stranger says, having closed his eyes as if to focus and collect his thoughts more clearly. "The desert, much like the rest of the world, is my abode. I wander where I am destined to, as per the Lord's will."

"I understand....", Pierre decides to sit down on the scorching desert floor. He finds the stranger eccentric, but fascinating, equally.

"I will now commence my watch. You are most welcome to be my companion, kind stranger, but let me assure you, it'll be a futile and frustrating exercise."

"Certainly not", replies the stranger, "consider this plant an 'Oasis to the strong-willed and resilient'. For, those who stumble across this in their quest, are made to reach spiritual enlightenment and liberation far above, their roots from worldly woe and misery. Much like this plant. Perhaps, kind sire, you too are such a person of remarkable quality."

"You are far too kind, my friend.", Pierre lets out a hearty laugh.

"What shall be my will? Marry Lady Hannah of Jerusalem, lead a devout and solemn life with her, and raise a family of equal, if not of greater piety? Lead a life of contentment, as it might be 'unremarkable'. Or prove worthy of myself to the Order and continue fighting in my God's name and honor?"

"You are left with two choices. Difficult in their nature. Regardless of what you choose, kind sire, you shall prove yourself strong-willed and spiritually far-reaching. May your company with the plant guide you to that of spiritual nourishment and enlightenment."

"Thank you for your kind words, my friend. And thank you very much for your offerings. It was most fulfilling and pleasing. Words do not convey the sincerity of how much I respect your gesture to me. May God guide you to the path of righteousness and may you attain the highest salvation man can attain in the Hereafter."

The stranger smiles and gives a slow, gentle nod.

"I shall depart from here by tomorrow morning if it's okay with you."

Pierre nods his head to imply he had no problems with it.

The sun has set, withdrawing its bright, harsh rays, and in place, the full moon illuminates the desert with the stars acting as lanterns. Offering coolness as a respite to the harsh heat of the daytime sun. Sir Pierre is offered some figs, but refuses further bread and meat from the stranger, as he felt the man barely had enough for himself.

Later in the night, Pierre goes back to singing some devotional hymns, and the stranger offers his prayer and goes to sleep early.

Pierre guards the plant, seemingly in highlight by the moon's rays, like a source of light amidst the darkness surrounding them both all over.

The next morning, as the sun proceeds to spread its rays again over the landscape, Pierre notices the stranger's absence. But is surprised to see food and resources all over him. Bread, Meat, Fruits - Fig, Olives, and Grapes. Fresh, almost as if they were plucked a few hours prior. Along with small, but reasonable jars of Milk and Honey. Almost as if they were sourced from cows and bees yesterday. And especially water, along with all of them. Enough to last three-four days. A week even, if he wishes to be miserly with them.

Sir Pierre is still of doubt as to whether God's viceregent came to discharge mercy towards him. Or if it's the devil playing tricks with him and trying to lead him astray to the path of damnation.

He nonetheless thanks God, ponders on the choice he has to make, as it was reminded to him by the Saracen, and tells himself that he'll make a decision in two days maximum, after which, God shall decide what will be a better path for him.