Primarch XI's story continues...


Departure

Hayreddin was at the Wall, sitting at the top of one of the towers overlooking the shining blue ocean. It was a breathtaking view, but at that moment, Hayreddin was far too busy poring over message scrolls to see it.

Sitting with him and helping him sort out the scrolls was a young woman and keeping guard was a hulking grim-faced warrior. The woman was an olive-skinned, dark-haired and slender beauty typical of many unmarried women in Nuba.

"Most of these the usual stuff," she said dismissively, pushing aside a stack of papers. "Permit requests and the like. Nothing you need to bother your pretty little head over."

Hayreddin smiled. "Thank you, Isan."

Hayreddin liked Isan, she didn't let his overwhelming charisma and presence cow her, and she had a sharp mind that he had found extremely helpful. Her wit too, was very entertaining, usually making jokes and comments on how upset she was that Hayreddin was prettier than her.

Hayreddin chuckled a little at the thought.

The hulking warrior, Ravenna, was a man who had decades of experience in battle. He had been part of a security escort for trade caravans before he had agreed to Hayreddin's request to stay in Nuba to help organise and improve its security. He was a taciturn man with a scarred, craggy face who rarely spoke unless necessary, but his experience had been invaluable.

Hayreddin put away the last scroll and stood, easily towering over the two, though Ravenna was still larger in girth. Hayreddin turned to face the sea, enjoying the view and the breeze that blew his long hair back.

"Well, I suppose that's all for today then," said Hayreddin.

"Not quite," interrupted Ravenna, his voice a low rasp. He fished around his tunic and brought out another message scroll.

"Why didn't you say so sooner?" demanded Isan as Hayreddin took the scroll from Ravenna.

"This one came late," snapped Ravenna. "And you just kept gabbing away; I couldn't get a single word in."

Isan stuck her tongue out at the scowling man while Hayreddin shook his head, smiling as he read the scroll.

His smile slowly vanished as he read the contents of the scroll. He looked up when he was done, frowning.

"What's wrong, Hayreddin?" asked Isan at once.

"This message is from the city of Ain," said Hayreddin. "Their trade caravans have been repeatedly attacked by the desert tribes since their leader offended the elders of the tribes. They've asked me to come and help them settle the conflict."

"Ain?" echoed Ravenna. "That's a few weeks south of here. The city's built around a major oasis, so it's a valuable stop for travellers and traders."

"Your name's known all the way out there now," remarked Isan, looking impressed. "Though probably more about your looks than anything else."

"Please, Isan," chided Hayreddin. The woman raised her hands apologetically.

Hayreddin folded his arms, thinking. "Ain is a major city, so they would have a well equipped army to handle the desert tribes, wouldn't they? Why do they need my help?"

"The army can only protect the city," answered Ravenna. "The desert tribes fight like daemons, and they are peerless at desert warfare. Any army that goes after them would be picked apart piece by piece if the desert doesn't kill them first."

"Sounds like good people to have on your side," commented Hayreddin. "Why would the city leader get on their bad side?"

Ravenna shrugged. "Probably dispute over water supply. It happens in the desert; water's far more valuable than gold."

Hayreddin nodded, thinking it over. "I'm really not sure what I can actually do to resolve this issue."

"If I may, Hayreddin?" asked Ravenna. Hayreddin indicated him to continue. "We have plenty of capable warriors here in Nuba now. We can take a significant number and Nuba would still be well defended from any pirate raid. We could take a sizable number...a small army, if you will, and help put down the desert tribes."

"But you said the desert tribes are deadly and peerless in desert warfare," pointed out Hayreddin.

"So I did," agreed Ravenna. "But I have spent many years fighting them; I know their ways and our men are well trained. I believe I can defeat them. That would give us opportunities for better trade with Ain."

Hayreddin pursed his lips. He disliked conflict and would rather avoid such approaches. He would have even negotiated with the pirates if they had been more reasonable.

"Is there any other way?" he asked.

"Well..." Ravenna hesitated, clearly knowing that Hayreddin wouldn't particularly like the suggestion. "We could use a show of force to threaten the leader of Ain to hold a truce with the desert tribes."

"And if the leader of Ain decides to fight back?" retorted Hayreddin. "Wouldn't we be forced to attack Ain?"

"Yes, and the desert tribes would no doubt use that opportunity to join us in the attack," answered Ravenna, keeping his face and voice neutral. "That'll put us in their good books, and we'd have access to the deadliest warriors in the desert to recruit into our ranks."

Hayreddin's frown was more than enough for Ravenna and Isan to know that he didn't think much the suggestion.

"Either way would cost many lives," muttered Hayreddin.

"Why must it be one or the other?" asked Isan.

Both men turned towards her.

"Why can't we have both?" she asked again. "Good trade agreements with Ain, as well as the goodwill of the desert tribes."

Ravenna snorted. "If things were always so easy..."

"I'm not saying they are," snapped Isan. "But we have him."

She was pointing at Hayreddin, who blinked in surprise. "If anyone can do it, it would be you."

"Now, now, don't make such outrageous..." protested Hayreddin, raising his hands.

"No, she may be right," interrupted Ravenna. "I'd have scoffed if it had been anyone else, but if it's you, it may just be possible."

"Aren't you both overestimating me?" cried Hayreddin.

"On the contrary, aren't you underestimating yourself?" countered Isan. "Look at what you did for Nuba."

Isan gestured out to the town, for a town it had become, stretching out from the viewpoint of the tower.

"In just four years, Hayreddin," said Isan. "This is what you have done in four years. In another four, Nuba would soon become a city in its own right. If you can do this, then you can talk Ain and the desert tribes into peace; which would benefit all of us."

"I didn't do this myself, Isan," said Hayreddin quietly. "I had help, and the people of Nuba had just as much to do with this development as I did."

"But it was you who got it started," said Isan. "Without you, things would have just stayed the same: we'd still be running into the desert from the pirate raids, we'd still be burning incense and seaweed for the protection of the spirits on Beduin's instructions. You are the driving force behind all this, Hayreddin."

"She's right," added Ravenna quietly. "You could pull this off for Ain, the desert tribes and Nuba. And we'd be there to help you."

Hayreddin looked out from the tower at Nuba, taking in the streets, the people walking along them, the new buildings that popped up among the older huts, and the new buildings that were being built. He saw the people of Nuba, happy and content, flourishing from their safety and the all the trade flowing into the town.

The future that was being built.

Hayreddin sighed. "You really have that much faith in me?"

"Of course we do," said Isan while Ravenna nodded.

"I'm still not so sure..." said Hayreddin.

"Oh just say yes already," snapped Isan, impatiently. "We all know how it'll turn out: you'll just bat your pretty eyelashes at them and they'll be tripping over their feet to do your bidding!"

Isan laughed and Hayreddin found himself grinning. Even Ravenna had a hint of a smile on his lips.

"Very well," said Hayreddin. "I'll go to Ain."

XI XI XI

"But you can't go!" cried Ani, aghast.

Hayreddin was leaning against the wall of the hut, munching on a piece of dried fruit.

"I have to Um," answered Hayreddin gently. "The possible benefits to Nuba…it's too good to pass up."

"But to go to Ain…you'd have to cross the desert for several weeks! What if you get lost? If the bandits and beasts don't get you then the desert will!"

"Ravenna is coming with me Um," said Hayreddin. "He knows the way to Ain, and I've studied the maps; we'll travel from waterhole to waterhole. We'll also have some of the best warriors from the Wall. We'll be fine."

"But where there's water, that's where the beasts will be!" cried Ani. "Giant serpents, scorpions…or spirits forbid, the terrible Biwaks! Oh, to think that my son had come to me from the heavens only to end up as a rotting carcass between a Biwak's teeth or to be picked clean by the vultures!"

Hayreddin sighed outwardly, but his heart swelled with happiness at the love and slightly irritating overprotectiveness, shown by his mother.

Babar snorted. "Please, woman. Hayreddin is a man! He's not a daughter to be cosseted just because the weather's a little hot!"

"How could you say that!" snapped Ani, rounding on Babar. "He might look like a man, but don't forget that's he's only four, you heartless man! And it doesn't matter if he's four or forty! I still wouldn't let him go! He's too delicate for such dangerous nonsense!"

"There you go again! Coddling the boy! Foolish woman…"

"You watch your tongue, or better yet, choke on it!"

Hayreddin smiled as he watched his parents bicker back and forth. Such a scene was common in his home and though intense, there was hardly ever any real malice in it. In any case, his mind was made up. He would go to Ain for Nuba's sake.

In front of him, Ani was brandishing a spoon at Babar like sword.

Hayreddin chuckled. He would miss all the drama at home though.

XI XI XI

Several days later, Hayreddin and his party were ready to leave. They had gathered at Nuba's southern entrance, loading the huge camels with supplies.

Hayreddin said his goodbyes to his parents as a large crowd had come to see them off.

"Remember, preserve your food and drink," said Babar, clasping his son's forearm. "Cover as much ground as possible. I know you've estimated how long it will take you to get there, but the desert has a nasty habit of throwing estimates off."

"Of course, Atta," answered Hayreddin, clasping his father's hands and bending down to touch his forehead to them.

Babar nodded and ruffled Hayreddin's hair affectionately. Hayreddin turned to Ani.

"Remember to keep your skin covered from the sun…" began Ani.

"I will, Um," answered Hayreddin.

"Make sure you use the thick blankets; it gets murderously cold at night…"

"Of course, Um."

"Make sure you use the ointment I slipped into your backpack; if you're preserving water your lips will start to crack. The ointment will help…"

"I will, Um."

"I made some cookies too; you'll find them in a jar in your backpack…"

Beside her, Babar was shaking his head in amusement. Ravenna stared on impassively while Isan was stifling her laughter.

When Ani finally finished, she embraced her son. "Stay safe, love."

"Yes, Um," answered Hayreddin.

XI XI XI

Hayreddin's party departed, waving goodbye to the crowd that had gathered around the entrance. Hayreddin's superb vision could make out Ani, crying into Babar's shoulder.

His heart constricted a little at the sight and he turned away.

"Can I ask you a question, Hayreddin?" asked Isan, who was riding to his left.

Hayreddin looked at her questioningly.

Isan couldn't stop the grin from showing on her face. "Do you need me to sing you lullabies before you sleep?"

Hayreddin flushed, embarrassed as Isan cackled wickedly.

"Hayreddin?" said Ravenna.

"Yes, Ravenna?" answered Hayreddin quickly, glad to be distracted from Isan's jibes.

"Do you need me to tuck you in at night?" deadpanned Ravenna.

Isan and the other warriors laughed loudly at that while Hayreddin looked away from them, keeping his eyes firmly on the horizon, his cheeks burning bright red.

"Shut up," he muttered, spurring his camel on.

XI XI XI

Back in Nuba, watching from a section of the high wall that lined the southern side of Nuba, was Beduin. The old spirit-speaker held burnt black feathers that had belonged to a raven in his hands. Muttering in the ancient language used to speak to the spirits, he raised them to his mouth and blew them in the direction of Hayreddin's departing party.

"May the desert kill you, like Babar and Ani should have," whispered Beduin, hatred lacing his voice.