And so shall you reap...
To say that 'tensions have been mounting' would belittle the situation.
The nations bordering Khandaq have been hostile for centuries. The previous 'leaders' of the tiny dessert country were little better than warlords and despots abusing its people and inciting their neighbors with egomaniacal posturing. Internally, matters have changed. The new king cared nothing for personal wealth or advantage. His has ever been a holy calling. With relentless and merciless certainty he defended his people. Wherever he found corruption and mendacity, his hand was swift to smite it from the Earth. He was the cleansing fire.
His people now eat. They have roofs over their heads and medical careand education is now a right rather than a hoarded privilege. When funds and recourses were taxed, it was he who wrested ore from the earth and shaped stone with his hands. Arid and barren farms were made fertile from the silt dredged from the Red Sea and hoisted by his immortal sinews. Invaders and would be conquerors were torn asunder when they threatened and his people were kept safe.
He could no longer do these things for his cherished subjects. Now, he was only a man, a man who could see a tide of blood in the horizon.
"My King." Nasif cautiously intruded.
"It shames me to suggest such a thing, but perhaps our southern neighbors might be persuaded to stand with us in defense against the North if we conceded to some of their demands. I cannot say that it sits well with me to offer up such precious tribute, but surely if it were to avert the loss of so many lives?..."
Nasif was good man. He genuinely believed in Teth Adam's mission. Such genuine idealism was rare in political figures. The advisor had been a schoolteacher before the King's arrival. He had been imprisoned for voicing his discontent with the iniquities of the ruling class. That alone put him at the top of the list when Teth Adam selected his new cabinet.
"No Nasif, if we concede under duress it will only stoke the fire of greed."
His voice sounded hollow to him. He had never thought the Wizard would strip him of his powers. He hadn't even believed he could. After all, even after long centuries of imprisonment had his gifts not remained intact? Why now?
The light from the open windows began to fade suddenly.
Wide eyed, one of his advisors slowly pointed to the sky outside.
"My King?..." she asked in fear.
The nations bordering Khandaq have been hostile for centuries. The previous 'leaders' of the tiny dessert country were little better than warlords and despots abusing its people and inciting their neighbors with egomaniacal posturing. Internally, matters have changed. The new king cared nothing for personal wealth or advantage. His has ever been a holy calling. With relentless and merciless certainty he defended his people. Wherever he found corruption and mendacity, his hand was swift to smite it from the Earth. He was the cleansing fire.
His people now eat. They have roofs over their heads and medical careand education is now a right rather than a hoarded privilege. When funds and recourses were taxed, it was he who wrested ore from the earth and shaped stone with his hands. Arid and barren farms were made fertile from the silt dredged from the Red Sea and hoisted by his immortal sinews. Invaders and would be conquerors were torn asunder when they threatened and his people were kept safe.
He could no longer do these things for his cherished subjects. Now, he was only a man, a man who could see a tide of blood in the horizon.
"My King." Nasif cautiously intruded.
"It shames me to suggest such a thing, but perhaps our southern neighbors might be persuaded to stand with us in defense against the North if we conceded to some of their demands. I cannot say that it sits well with me to offer up such precious tribute, but surely if it were to avert the loss of so many lives?..."
Nasif was good man. He genuinely believed in Teth Adam's mission. Such genuine idealism was rare in political figures. The advisor had been a schoolteacher before the King's arrival. He had been imprisoned for voicing his discontent with the iniquities of the ruling class. That alone put him at the top of the list when Teth Adam selected his new cabinet.
"No Nasif, if we concede under duress it will only stoke the fire of greed."
His voice sounded hollow to him. He had never thought the Wizard would strip him of his powers. He hadn't even believed he could. After all, even after long centuries of imprisonment had his gifts not remained intact? Why now?
The light from the open windows began to fade suddenly.
Wide eyed, one of his advisors slowly pointed to the sky outside.
"My King?..." she asked in fear.