Based on The Farsala Trilogy by Hilari Bell

Disclaimer: I do not own anything by Hilari Bell.


Desert Paradise

Chapter 2

Pathway To War

"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The messenger watched patiently on top of the sand dune as Barmael, Patrius, and Jiaan rode over. As they rode closer they saw that it was a young woman and her horse had a bridle that was as white as the girl's sari and had intricate silver designs carved into the leather material, and it was held together with beautiful silver clasps and the emblem of Arbian Kingdom was placed on a silver medal that laid on the horse's upper chest.

"What are you playing at?" Barmael demanded in rough Arbian, all the soldiers were expected to learn the native language of each country they invaded and they learned Arbian's just as fast. In fact, it surprised Jiaan at how much it resembled Farsala's own language.

"I am sorry sire, but I do not what you are speaking of." The girl stated in a silky voice as smooth as a undisturbed steam in the woods, and to Jiaan's surprise it was all in Hrum. "Your spies found no plans of an army, did they not?" She asked.

Barmael looked taken back and stared at the messenger in awe by what she knew.

"How do you know that?" Patrius asked in Hrum, since it seemed Barmael couldn't reply at all.

The girl's eyes squinted telling them she was smiling. "You do not think that you are the only ones with spies do you? I thought the Hrum army was more intelligent than that." She laughed. "My country has had spies in your army ever since your invasion of Farsala, some even before that."

Jiaan and the others were amazed, they never heard of a country getting spies in so early.

"Don't look so surprised." The girl laughed reading their minds. "We always knew that one day you would come to us looking to take over."

"Then what is going on then?" Barmael asked.

"The Pure Lady of Arbian, my Queen, has requested your audience. She wishes to speak to you the terms of this war."

Barmael laughed, "terms, what terms? War is war girl, you fight against us and if you can hold at a part of your country from our hold for exactly one year you win, otherwise the Hrum comes in and takes over your government and leaves your people to their own religion and those who resist are sent off as slaves."

"Our people know that, but Our Lady wishes to speak to you about the way the war is to be fought." The messenger stated patiently. "She has terms that she wishes to be followed. None are complicated, in fact, I believe you'll agree to most of them."

"Then why don't you tell us them now?" Barmael asked getting impatient.

"Because, sire, I do not know them." She answered with ease.

A silence grew between them and she watched them carefully not even glancing at the large outnumbering Hrum army behind them.

"And where is your queen?" Barmael finally asked with a sigh.

The girl looked at him when he spoke, "in Tomabard, sire, our capital it's a week and a half's ride from here."

Jiaan watched as Barmael's jaw locked and he understood why. Who in the right mind would request commanders of an enemy army to visit the capital on a casual ride, when their army was in the country and ready to attack?

"I understand that your soldiers are waiting for a battle, and that you think that this is a trick. But, I can assure you this is no trick, and no one will fight until a decision is made between Our Queen and yourself, sire." The messenger promised. "And once that you come to the capital you will come to the audience of Our Lady without any delays."

As she finished talking an air of discomfort came between them as no one tried to speak up. Even Rakesh shifted uncomfortably, he could tell is master was getting unsure and even confused. Meanwhile, Patrius was looking continually between Barmael and the messenger, even he didn't know what to do.

It wasn't until another cool breeze passed them and made Jiaan shiver did Barmael answer the waiting messenger.

"You're saying that if I go, see your Queen that no one will try to attack. How can I trust you?" He asked as carefully as he could.

"Sire, if you do not trust me, may I suggest making a blood pact with me." The girl stated.

The blood pact to the Arbian's was sacred, even Jiaan knew that. They only used it in the most important and dire situations, this included war and marriage. The Arbian people believed that if you broke a blood pact that the gods would come after the person who broke it and torture for the rest of their life with bad luck and disease. Jiaan never wanted to get into a blood pact he couldn't break, even if he didn't believe in the same gods as the Arbians.

"A... a blood pact?" Barmael was obviously also intimidated by the idea.

"Yes sire," the messenger nodded confirming what the three commanders thought was only impaired hearing.

"Is that really necessary?" Patrius finally asked.

"It is sir if you don't believe my word, and I find it hard to trust you after what had happened in Farsala."

Jiaan shuttered as he thought of Garren, he was a Hrum governor who used dirty tricks to get what he wanted. Farsalians would often draw a circle around them challenging a man to a one on one battle with no outside help. If one would get outside help it was an insult to the deghans. Garren had violated those simple rules twice by having those who challenged him shot by a large wave of arrows shot by his own archers. The first time he used this dishonorable plan was when he had killed Jiaan's own father, and the second was when he killed Jiaan's fellow Farsalian commander and friend, Fasal. He couldn't blame anyone to distrust the Hrum more even more than before after that, even if the Hrum council disapproved of it entirely and repeatedly gave Farsala financial support in an effort to apologize.

"Very well..." Barmael stated catching Jiaan's attention, "we'll do it your way for now. And no need for a blood pact, I'll take your word for it and I shall give mine that none of my men will attack your people."

The messenger smiled again and bowed her head.

"Thank you sire." She stated. "Shall we go now?"

"Yes, but not me." Barmael stated, Jiaan and Patrius looked at him in question. "My two young commanders here will."

"Sir?" Patrius questioned.

Barmael nodded, "it's time you two got to learn how to negotiate. Ma'am, these are Jiaan of Farsala who commands most of my archers, and Patrius of the Hrum who commands a few of my smaller units."

"It is an honor my lords." The messenger stated bowing her head.

"I expect you two to do well for the Hrum, you two deserve this honor. And you," he said looking at the messenger, "I hold your word truthful."

"And it shall be sire." The girl stated, "over the dunes there," she indicated to the north east. "Are some local civilians. They shall assist you with setting up camp, getting food, and other accommodations you wish for. They are loyal to my Queen and are very peaceful, they will treat you with respect if you give it to them in return. And before you ask, none are spies."

"Tell your Queen that I thank her personally and hope this war will be fair." Barmael stated and the messenger bowed her head again as a sign of respect. "Good luck." Barmael told the two young soldiers before turning to return to the rest of the awaiting army.

"Should we get any food from our army before we leave?" Patrius asked.

"No, I have a civilian waiting with a cart. He will accompany us to the capital and store our food, drink, and sleeping arrangements for the journey." The messenger stated.

"What is you name?" Jiaan finally asked. "I mean, if we are to travel with you for the next week we at least deserve that much information from you."

She looked at him for a moment debating to tell him or not, her ocean blue eyes, which Jiaan hadn't noticed until now, glimmered with secrets.

"Amira."