Rodan stopped, with a raised hand he brought the others to a stop as well. Still a good dozen paces away from the tent, Lord Macay met the Aleach’s cold stare with his own hard gaze. "I am Jarbi of the house of the Al-Amin. I have come as I was asked,” Rodan too was speaking in the Aleach tong.
“Stay where you are.” The guard who had spoken lowered his spear and disappeared into the tent, while the other guard stood his ground, arms stiffly crossed across his broad chest. The space between the outsiders felt awkward and packed with tension, Elwin shifted from one foot to the other as he silently waited. It was only a moment, but with all the hostile tension of the black robed guard, it felt longer. Then tent flap reopened. Stepping to one side, the first guard held open the tent flap as a third man suddenly appeared in the entranceway. He was a tall, thin man wearing loose fitting white silk robes. Around his head was a turban as white as his robes. A red sash was tied around his waist where a jewel handled dagger was sheathed. Dominating the man's narrow face was a black beard streaked with gray. He wore no emblem, yet he had the looks and manner of a high ranking noble. A step behind him were three more of the black robed guards, they too had the sharp angry eyes that the other guards had shown them. However, the white robed nobleman’s eyes were softer. A clan chief thought Elwin.
"It is the sheik of the Al-Amin clan," whispered Rodan. "He honors us by coming out to greet us. Everyone except Elwin is to kneel. Elwin, you are to bow to him, but not until he bows to you first, and do not speak unless you are spoken to." As the sheik approached, Rodan dropped to one knee and bowed low, placing one hand onto the ground. Faynn and Aidan followed his example. Elwin watched and waited. The sheik walks across the trampled grass. The Sheik's dark eyes met the brown eyes of Elwin. Elwin felt as if he were being judged, yet not harshly as the others had. There was a sense of curiosity and fascination in the tall man's serious gaze.
"Rise. You are my guests," the sheik said in the Kambryan language. "Jarbi, I take it these are your other strays?" Coming to his feet, Rodan bowed. "Yes, Zafra Pasha. You have already met Faynn Catach."
Zafra nodded to Faynn. "The druid. Yes. It is a pleasure to see you again. I hope you are finding your stay pleasant?"
Faynn returned the node. "Yes, Zafra Pasha. It was kind of you to let me use your collection of books and scrolls."
Once more, Zafra nodded to the druid as Rodan turned next to Aidan. "Zafra Pasha, this is Aidan JaRe of the Green."
"Welcome, young JaRe. Few of your people have ever honored us with a visit. You are welcome in my home."
"Thank you, Zafra Pasha. But it is you who honor us." Aidan was quick with his judgment of the proper protocol.
Zafra smiled and gave Aidan a short node.
"And this is his Highness," Rodan introduced, "Elwin ap Gruffydd, Prince of Ceredigion and heir to the throne."
As Rodan introduced Elwin, Zafra gave him a short but respectful bow. Throughout the bow, his dark eyes remained locked onto Elwin's. Bowing likewise, Elwin was careful not to bow deeper nor less than the sheik had done. The sheik gave a half nod of approval.
"So," the sheik said, a smile coming to his slightly wrinkled face, "you are the renegade prince who burned down the temple. I did not really expect a boy, despite what Jarbi has told me about you. And yet you are more of a man then Jarbi has let on."
"Prince Elwin," Rodan went on, "this is Zafra Ibn Ridwan, Sheik of the Al-Amin."
Elwin bowed again, and in the Aleach language said, "I am honored, Zafra Pasha. May the waters of K_rrWa give joy and life to the people of the Al-Amin."
The sheik's smile turned into a broad grin as he returned Elwin's bow. "You honor me and my clan. You speak well for an outsider. So few take the time to learn our language and ways. It is a great pleasure to know that not all foreigners are alike." Zafra spread his arms out wide. "Elwin Pasha, you are welcome among the Al-Amin. You are welcome in my home. May the K_rrWa waters be abundant to the people of Ceredigion and give you long life and happiness. But enough formalities. Please, come. You must be tired from your journey and are anxious to see your friends, and there is much to be discussed."
Using some type of sign language, the sheik dismissed the guards. Elwin noticed the guard’s tense up, but they did not attempt to stop Zafra from leading the outsiders into his tent. Ducking into the tent, Elwin wondered why the people of Aleach seemed to dislike them so much, or why this sheik took them into his tent so freely. Through his studies and readings, Elwin knew enough of Aleach customs to know that being asked into an Aleach tent was a great honor. Zafra, by inviting them into his home, had just announced that these outsiders were his guests and under his personal protection, and if any harm was done to them, the sheik would take it as a personal insult. The Aleach were protective of their personal honor. Blood feuds and wars could be fought for generations over a mere insult.
Inside the tent, Elwin was pleased to find Pallas and Colin, and he was surprised to discover that the Innkeeper, Ned, was there as well. Even more surprisingly, Ned no longer looked like the innkeeper he had met in Aonach. Instead, the man looked like a hardened mercenary in brown leather armor. Now that Kayno was outside of the Cluain Kingdom, he had reverted back to his preferred brown leather armor.
Seating among an array of colorful pillows, the group joined by Zafra, told of their journeys to the tent city of Caiplich. As their stories unfolded, Elwin was further surprised to find out that Ned, now Kayno, along with Pallas and Colin, had disguised themselves as Royal Cluain Soldiers and had marched right out of Aonach's gate. More surprising was that Aidan had actually seen them as they had passed through the woodlands outside of Aonach. Aidan had even followed them a short distance, not realizing that Colin and Pallas were among the soldiers. Kayno found it hard to believe that Aidan could have followed them without him knowing it. Yet, Aidan assured him that it was true, and his description of the patrol left no doubt. To top things off, Elwin thought that Ned's actual name, Kayno, sounded familiar and he was sure that the mercenary expected him to recognize him and appeared relieved when he did not.
"No!" said Elwin, "I will not go to Mythra. I must find my sister."
Angrily, Rodan shook his head. "You have grown bold since you ran away, and have also put on some muscles as well, but young prince, you are still just a boy and will do as I say. Count Murray wants you in Mythra, and I am going to take you to Mythra, and that is all there is to it. From there we will build a resistance and take back what Strigiol has stolen.
Once the word is sent out that you are there, knights from all over Kambrya will have a place to rally too. You are needed in Mythra. The queen of Mythra now stands alone against Strigiol. She needs all the help she can get.”
Elwin adjusted the silk pillow beneath him. "I do not have to obey the Count anymore. I respect the Count, but I refuse to go. I am not in Cluain any longer, nor do I owe any lord in Cluain my allegiance. I am the Prince of Ceredigion, and as such can do as I please." Elwin turned and bowed to the sheik. "With Zafra Pasha's permission, of course, I will go into the Great Plains." Elwin knew much of what would happen next depended on the sheik, and Rodan had the advantage. Through Elwin's love of studying and reading, he was aware of many of the customs, history, and language of the Aleach people. Lord Rodan Macay was half Aleach and had lived several years in this land, he knew the laws and customs far better than Elwin. It was also apparent that the sheik looked fondly upon Rodan and considered him a close friend maybe even family, Rodan was indeed a member of Zafra's clan. That alone created a strong bond.
Zafra bowed to Elwin in turn. "Rodan has told me that you wish to go to the Karr al-Isma. You know that no one other than an Aleach has ever been allowed near the holy mountain?"
"Yes, Zafra Pasha. But I have reason to believe that my sister is there."
"What you are asking is a great thing. If the caliph found out that I helped you across the plains, he would make war against the Al-Amin. Yet I hold no love for our caliph. And there are no l
aws that state that you cannot go, though many think there is. It is simply a tradition that says only an Aleach may look upon the sacred mountain. There is a legend, Elwin Pasha, that your great ancestor Coinneach came here after the wars to pray to the Great Mountain. Certainly, he was not Aleach. Yet it is a strong belief among my people that the mountain is for the Aleach alone. The caliph is of that thought, and he would certainly not approve. The caliph is also a dangerous man who should not be taken lightly. For his own reasons, which I need not go into, the caliph would see such an act as treason.”
"I do not want to put your people in any danger," Elwin replied. "If I could have but one guide, no one would ever have to know that it was you who let me enter the plains. And as the Prince of Ceredigion, I would be in your debt." Let Rodan match that. I can give Zafra a powerful ally, at least once I am on the throne.
"I am caught, Elwin Pasha. You are a prince among your people. And you have shown to have much courage and respect for one so young. I am half inclined to let you go to the mountain. It could be very interesting; very interesting, indeed." He rubbed his graying beard and smiled, “Yes, I would like to see the caliph’s reaction to that.” Relieved, Elwin sighed. He seemed to be winning the sheik over.
"Yet, as an Aleach," the sheik went on, "I am also inclined to do as Jarbi wishes. He is of my blood, and he is Al-Amin, and you are not. So it must be the laws of my people that govern my choosing. I will hear arguments for and against your going on to Thunder Mountain. And I will rule according to our laws. I hope Elwin Pasha understands as a leader I am bound to these laws.”
Resigned to the fight ahead, Elwin nodded. He had not truly expected it to be that easy anyway. At least the sheik was keeping an open mind, and Elwin did have some knowledge of Aleach laws. "First, I would state that Lord Rodan, who you know as Jarbi has no authority over me. He is sworn to Count Murray of the Cluain kingdom, which has no authority here in the plans.” Elwin nodded to Rodan. “He is a friend, but I am no longer in Cluain.”
“I am a bound lord,” interrupted Rodan. “A bound lord’s duty does not stop at any border.”
Kayno suddenly stood up from his bellow seat and bowed respectfully to the Sheik. "May I speak?"
Zafra nodded, "We will hear from all who would like to speak."
Before speaking, Kayno looked over at Elwin, and the prince was sure that he knew him from somewhere. The mercenary quickly looked away.
"Lord Zafra... I mean Zafra Pasha," Kayno stumbled over the proper titles, "the prince speaks the truth. This is Aleach and Lord Rodan has no authority outside of Reidh. Kambryan law is very clear on that. A lord's duty is not the same as the law. If a lord is sent to into another kingdom in order to fulfill an oath, he is bound to do so. However, if that same oath violates another's laws or rights, the oath holds no precedent. If not, it would be acceptable for a lord to murder a king if he had sworn to do so. If the free kingdoms of Kambrya are to live peacefully, we must respect each other's laws and customs." Finishing, Kayno awkwardly sat back down.
Elwin frowned. Why is Kayno here? What does he want from me? Does he expect a reward for helping a prince? And how does an innkeeper know about international laws? The more Elwin learned of Kayno, the more of a mystery he became.
"You are right. However, this is also not Kambrya. We have our own laws." Zafra politely pointed out. He ran a hand along his beard, then he added, "Tell me, Kayno, why do you care if I let the prince go on his way or turn him over to Jarbi?" Elwin was interested in his answer as well. "Certainly,” Zafra went on, "the prince would be safer in Mythra than trying to cross Aleach. The Karr al-Isma is a holy place, and many would rather see him dead than be allowed anywhere near the sacred woods or the Great Mountain."
As if facing a dilemma, Kayno hesitated, and then answered by saying, "I believe a man, even one as young as his Highness, has a responsibility to his family. The prince says that his sister is in this 'Woods of the Mist.' So I believe he should be allowed to make the journey, no matter how dangerous it might be. A man has a responsibility to his family that comes before all other responsibilities."
"There is truth in what you say, Kayno," Zafra responded with a quick nod. "The Aleach, too, holds the family in high regard."
Rodan straightened his back. "Zafra Pasha, I know you do not wish to offend the prince or his people, but there are duties other than to one's family. There is a duty to one's lord, to one's kingdom, and to one's people. As sheik of the Al-Amin, you know these responsibilities well. Prince Elwin is important in the struggle against Strigiol’s ambitions, and he is still too young to be allowed to make decisions of this scale. You know he cannot enter the Karr alIsma and live. To allow him to try is to let him die and to take with him our hope last hope of stopping Strigiol. We need him in Mythra, only there can Kambrya rally behind his banner. This foolish quest cannot be allowed. The prince is simply too important to lose."
Zafra frowned as if taking in Lord Rodan’ words. "You, too, speak wisely, Jarbi, yet only days ago I would have said the same of his Highnesses chances to destroy the temple of Aonach. Now that the temple has been reduced to smoking rubble, I am wondering if I am the best judge of what is, or is not possible. Perhaps our world is changing."
As if he had just come to a hard realization, Faynn, with his cloudy gray eyes, gazed up from the floor. "Zafra Pasha, you are as wise as men say you are. The world is indeed changing, faster than I would like to admit, and as yet none can say if the change is for the good or for the bad. I am an old man, and as the old do so often, I have resisted that change. I have been a fool who has refused to see. And though I now admit that I cannot see, still I am blind to the truth. Perhaps that is the way it must be. However, I do know that all of Kambrya is at risk, including Aleach. As Lord Rodan says, Prince Elwin is at the heart of our salvation. I too wanted to take the prince to Mythra. But I was wrong. I do not know why, but I now see that the prince must be allowed to reach the Woods of the Mist, the Karr al-Isma. I believe it is his destiny. I also can’t say why, but I also believe it would be disastrous if he were stopped short of fulfilling his destiny.”
Elwin was taken aback. Here was an ally he had not expected, and by the look of Lord Rodan, he too was taken aback by this change in the druid. That leaves only you, Lord Rodan. Perhaps I still have a chance.
"I still have reservations," Faynn went on, "but forces beyond my understanding have taken a hand in events. The river of time runs strong and swift. Who can swim against such a fierce current? The river has many bends and curves, and I do not know where the current will take us. That is for others to foretell, but for better or for worse, we must accept that the river has the power and not us. To fight the river is futile, it is even dangerous. Prince Elwin must be allowed to swim. We are left only to follow."
Angry, Rodan nearly leaped up from his pillow, but he restrained himself, knowing that such an action would be an insult to the sheik. With difficulty, he turned his hard eyes away from Faynn. "Zafra Pasha," he said as calmly as he could, "I demand my rights to obey my Lord's orders. Neither Cluain nor Ceredigion has any authority in Aleach. It is true that here, I am not a lord. However, the prince is still but a boy, and I am Aleach. And I have sworn an oath. I have a right as an Aleach to keep my oath. The Fijah demands it."
"A count has no authority over a prince," pointed out Pallas. "Even if he was my father’s friend."
Rodan shot Pallas a razor-sharp gaze, and Pallas tried to sink into the floor.
"Ah, but Jarbi is right,” Zafra began. "As I have said, the Aleach have their own laws. Jarbi, or Lord Rodan as you call him, is half Aleach. As an Aleach, he must fulfill his oath or be shamed. No Aleach, including myself, has the authority to stop him as long as his oath does not endanger the Aleach or my clan and does not violate any laws. And you, Elwin Pasha, are still a minor according to our laws. Jarbi is acting on the behalf as your guardian. You must do as he says and go to Mythra."
"Then it is settled," Rodan said, pressing
his advantage. "We will leave for Mythra in the morning. Zafra Pasha, it would be of great help if you could lend us some horses. We appear to be two short."
"Of course," the sheik replied. “Horses are never a problem. You shall have the best I have to offer.”
“I am sorry,” the Sheik added turning his eyes towards Elwin. “But I must respect the laws of my land.”
"No!" exclaimed Elwin. “They have no right! I will not go. I am not a child to be told what he may or may not do! I do not know all the laws of Aleach as you do, but I will not be taken against my will."
Zafra frowned. "At the moment, Elwin Pasha, you are acting like a child. The Fijah is the law of the land and must be obeyed."
"What of my duty to my sister?" asked Elwin. "I have sworn an oath to save her. Does my oath count for nothing!?"
"The Fijah does not recognize an oath to oneself," pointed Zafra. "Such oaths are too easily made and too easily broken. Besides you are a minor, and a minor cannot take a binding oath. You are still a year away from adulthood."
"And what of Colin's oath?" interrupted Faynn. All eyes turned on the druid.
"What do you mean?" snapped Rodan.
"Does the Fijah not say that all men of honor have a responsibility to their oaths? I have been reading the law codes, and I have not seen where it says that the laws are only for the Aleach people, rather it says that it applies to all honor bound individuals."
"I don't understand," said Colin.
"Is Elwin not your Lord?" Faynn said answering Colin's question with a question. "And have you not sworn an oath to serve him? Protect him? To help him rescue the princess?"
"I have," admitted Colin. "But I still do not understand."
Turning to the sheik, Faynn went on. "If I am not mistaken, Colin has the right and obligation to obey and support Elwin's wishes. As his vassal, Colin has sworn an oath to help the prince reach the Karr al-Isma, as Lord Macay has sworn to take the prince to the Island Kingdom of Mythra."
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