Tale of Four

Hyman looked ahead at the desert forces out of range of archer fire, at the head of them a man on horseback with a few others alongside him, like wraiths shimmering in the heat. Both sides knew what this was, and Hyman rode forward, alongside Roderick and his personal guard, as did Lord Carter. The ride was slow, and every moment made Hymans’ blood calm, knowing this was the eve of battle, the parley that would go nowhere before the real battle started.

His eyes met Lord Carter’s, the two staring at one another like beasts ready to pounce on each other and begin tearing one another apart. On his side, he heard Roderick moving around, restless, wishing to begin battle and avoid the meaningless prelude. Step by step, the desert went silent, the ever-present breeze that was always there suddenly vanishing.

Hyman jumped off his horse once in an acceptable rage, as did Lord Carter, their guard holding back. Leaving weapons behind, they strolled forward, Hyman taking long, analytic lunges compared to Lord Carter’s reserved stroll forward as he had his arms clasped behind his back.

When they were a few steps away from each other, they paused and watched, waiting to see if the other would break the truce of the white banner and plunge them into battle instantly. After minutes that dragged for an eternity, Lord Carter spoke, "Hyman." His voice was cold, and his glare had killed Hyman numerous times in his own mind. Hyman grinned, flashing his teeth.

"Aslam. I am shocked you marched so far out. Your name betrays you." Lord Carter narrowed his eyes.

"Do not insult my name, Hyman. To submit to the Lord is only right. No one else." Hyman scoffed and shook his head. The field fell silent once more as they looked at one another. "I have heard what your men have been doing. I didn’t expect much from a dog of that King, but children." Aslam shook his head, "The Valley has always been a savage land, but I thought there were limits to it."

"I have no idea what you mean," Hyman said with a shrug. "I am surprised, however. War has broken out, and yet a woman hasn’t been poisoned yet." Hyman took a step forward, his action making both sides’ personal guards tense up from behind. "I have always wondered, during your pathetic rebellion, was it you who gave the order to kill my wife?"

"I have no idea what you mean." Aslam smiled, making Hyman chuckle.

"Fine, becuase I am curious, I’ll humour you. I did order things to happen to your villages. As for the scale and people involved, well, the man in charge has a grim reputation. I didn’t expect him to go that far, but consider it payment for what you did all those years ago to my own people." Hyman casually said and saw Aslam clench his fists in rage, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"Is it because you didn’t love your wife that you are so calm talking to the man who killed her?" Aslam said after calming himself, with a mocking tone. Rather than rage, Hyman burst into laughter and affectionately grabbed his pec, as if holding a hand wrapped around it from behind.

"Maria walks with me even now. She watches what I can’t see. She lovingly whispers in my ear. I close my eyes, and I see her face as clear as I did when she lay by my side." Hyman closed his eyes for a moment and smiled. Taking a deep breath, he opened them and met Aslam’s gaze. "Can you say the same about Abdul?"

"Do not say my son’s name." Aslam spat back with venom.

"Such thin skin. I tell you, if there is a next time, don’t think five men will be enough to kill my sons the way you killed her. I cried, I truly did, when I heard of her death, but I laughed after, when the report told me she killed three of the assassins before the poison took over. My sons take the best of her. That same ferocity to live. Five will not be enough for them." Hyman took a deep breath, "Five men against one woman. I find my odds quite good if it takes that many of your rats to kill a woman of my land. Imagine the men." Chuckling to himself, Hyman looked at Aslam.

"Why do you support a false king?" Hyman raised an eyebrow, hearing an eerily calm tone from Aslam as he spoke about Anton, the usual hate vanished, "He is the younger brother. Brandon, by all laws, is the one who should sit on the throne. I have no love for either of them, I would even gladly see them both die, but by all law, divine and human, Brandon is rightfully king."

"What a stupid question." Hyman scoffed, "Forget the vote or any of that bullshit. I fight for Anton for one reason. He has earned my loyalty until my death. He is my king, my only king. I will fight for that man even if the whole realm had turned on him." Hyman smiled to himself, "I’m more surprised you raised your banners in support of either of them? Why not be neutral and let them fight or even try and be independent?"

"Because I am not a fool who thinks only with his sword, Hyman." Aslam snapped back, "I need the realm so the Desert lives as it does. I have no love for the throne, and especially not for Anton. We could survive alone, but at great cost. More importantly." Aslam’s lips curled in delight, "When will I ever get the chance to kill that bastard and have support for it?"

Hyman nodded and looked to the sky, "Will you surrender?" It was a pointless question. Aslam smiled and shook his head.

"Leave my land. Put your swords down and proclaim Brandon the rightful king. Pay reparations for the damages you caused and publicly proclaim your crimes against my people. Let the realm judge you. Do that, and I will forgive all actions taken so far." Aslam said, making Hyman laugh.

"May your death be quick, Aslam," Hyman said and turned around, saddling his horse. Raising a hand, he signalled that negotiation had failed. Riding off, he didn’t look back, but his gaze turned cold. Roderick saw it and looked to Aslam.

"Hyman." Rodercik said with a quiet voice.

"He did it." It was all Hyman said, but Roderick understood. Nodding, he rode off ready to organise the army.

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